After a great MotoGP, some bad news?

Question

After looking on the NONE racing pages of Y/A I see our good racing friend Ninky Nonk, noted to us all about [ another ] highly talented road rider been killed a crash.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/7382036.stm

Martin Finnegan, 29 died as a result of the crash that also injured a couple of spectators.

Have modern day racing bike's now got to the stage that road racing ( true closed public roads ) will start to fade away. There has been so many great riders who have been killed to the roads, Martin been the latest, and few years back, greats like David Jeffiries & Joey Dunlop M.B.E.

I know the MotoGP / WSB has lost some greats in the past, Nagai at Assen in 95 & Katosan in 2003, but that seems about it.

I for one, hope the road racing will continue, if its the I.O.M , the NW , Dunrod, or even Oliver's Mount in Scarborough.

What are your thoughts on the safety of these tracks? and your thoughts in general.

Many thanks to Ninky Nonk for the info.

Answer 1

Hi wiggysan

Very tragic and sad news indeed. My thoughts go out to his family and friends.

Ironically, there's probably less deaths now than there were in the past, even with the ever increasing power and speed of the machines involved.

As proc said, the competitors, their families and even the spectators know the risks involved. Unfortunately, in todays culture of P.C and litigation, something will probably have to give.

I think the end is nigh for Road Racing as we know it. The races will probably still go on, but with much tighter spectator control. We won't be able to get close to the action anymore. So then, whats the point? You may as well go to a circuit race.

I'm a great believer in personal choice as far as taking risks is concerned, and would love to see all these great events (which are definitely riskier than circuit racing) stay the way they always have been. Unfortunately the powers that be are slowly eroding that choice, so I can't see it staying as it is for too much longer.

I'm sure Martin Finnegan wouldn't want to see any changes. R.I.P

Answer 2

Hi Wiggysan. Very sad news. my thoughts go out to his family and friends. a loss to the sport for sure.

There is always the risk of serious injury even at the track. the road racers have even more risk especially the NW200  when so many bikes are on the road at the same time. but its a great race and spectacular view from a spectators side. the isle of man has its tragedies every year and there is always call to stop the event. but even the relatives of these tragic accidents would not call for the sport to be stopped. these riders do love what they do. all are hero's, all know the risks. I agree the bikes are getting to be very close to the riding limit, but that's always been the case. even 20 yrs ago the bikes were ridden to the limit. this sounds like  Martin lost his life trying to avoid hurting another rider who had lost control. which makes him even more the hero. Its no consolation to his family. but he will be remembered as a true sportsman in his field.

Very tragic, very sad.

Answer 3

Father's tribute to top road racer

Motorcycle racer, Martin Finnegan, who was tragically killed at the Tandragee 100 on Saturday

THE distraught father of top Irish road racer Martin Finnegan says the tragic accident that claimed the star's life on Saturday has not altered his views on the sport.

A former Senior Irish champion, Finnegan (27) - from Lusk, Co Dublin - was killed after he crashed at Marlacoo Corner during the Supersport 600 race at the Tandragee 100 meeting in County Armagh.

He had earlier clinched his maiden win at Tandragee, defeating Ryan Farquhar from Dungannon in the Junior Open race.

The meeting was immediately abandoned by Clerk of Course, Yarno Holland, as a mark of respect.

Speaking from the family home yesterday, his disconsolate father, Jim, told the News Letter that every rider involved in the sport knows only too well the risks involved.

"If you were to talk to any of the riders, they always know that there is a possibility that they could be killed," he said.

"Martin knew this, but the riders love the sport and that is the reason they do it - because of the sport.

"Martin was aware of the dangers involved and he was a very careful rider, but this was an unfortunate racing accident."

Mr Finnegan was adamant that in spite of his family's heartbreak in the wake of his son's untimely death, his views on road racing remain unchanged.

"My feelings are very raw, but Martin loved the sport; I love the sport and I have lost my son to it, but my views have not changed, absolutely not. I wouldn't want racing at Tandragee to be banned and neither would Martin," he said.

Three spectators, two males and a female, were hurt in the same incident, although their injuries were reported as non life-threatening.

It is the second year in succession that Tandragee has been abandoned. Last year, John Donnan (42), from Ardglass, was killed following a freak accident at the same event.

http://www.newsletter.co.uk/sectionhome....

As Mr Finnegan says, everyone - rider and spectator - know the risks. Its so sad that so many great riders have lost their lives to the roads.