Is Irish Road bike Racing Becoming Too Dangorous?

Question

Ok Im into bikes of almost any kind and bike sports

Irish Bike racing is one of the most adrenline filled genres

of road bike racing with the tight bends narrow roads

and sharp corners at harroing speeds up to over 100mph on

public (closed) roads

But there have been many deaths recently

the most publicly noticed is the

death of robert dunlop

and martain finnigen

and others

Is our favorite sport becoming a little too life threatning

Its a h**l of a thing to watch on the tv or see live

but are they putting them selves at too high a risk?

What is your View?

Answer 1

Your right, the NW / IOM / Southern etc are all far to dangerous now.

In truth the were around about 15 years ago. Its not really the track / roads them selves that have become dangerous, its the bikes that have become so much faster.

Even a ten year old RS 250 will lap the circuit faster now then it ever did in 1998 due to tyres / suspension / and the whole weight of the bike been reduced. Even the rider having better kit will spur him on.

Its good that you asked this as you are not alone. The MotoGP boys have had a safety meeting only last month. Same deal in a way, the tracks have stayed the same, but the bikes are starting to out grow them.

As for putting them selves at risk, yes they are.

Will they continue to do it every year ......... yes they will.

Answer 2

I think the NW200 is the craziest race out there. crazier than the IOM because of the riders racing each other. But I disagree with the idea its too dangerous. Wiggysan i right when he says the bikes have outgrown the tracks. But the opposite applies too. Bikes are a lot safer than they were. Better Braking and stability under braking. better suspension and tyres. these guys love what they do and would do it Illegaly if it was stopped or banned. its better done on closed roads in the day than open roads at night. All motorsports carry the risk of serious injury. But everyone involved know the risks and deems them acceptable. good organisation and planning reduces the risk to its mimimal. riders will always get hurt. But knowing the best medical care is on hand has to be a plus.