Pushing The Limits? Or Out Of Control?

[TwoMinuteWarning]

Interesting item in last week's Speedway Star.

 

In Australia, a rider (Jake Allen) withdrew after two rides in an individual meeting "due to his concerns about the recklessness of some of the other riders."

 

The reporter comments "And true, after the first two rounds, it became clear that some competitors were riding above their capabilities and threatening to affect the ability of some of the other riders to perform at their peak."

 

(The report is on page 39, last column, of the 20th Sept Star)

 

I'm sure we have all seen this happen, notably (though not exclusively) among younger riders. Immaturity, adrenaline rush, the impatience to improve, the determination not be defeated, all this and more are reasons enough for riders to sometimes ride beyond their capabilities.

 

It happens in most sports, of course, but in speedway and other motor sports there is the additional element of danger and serious injury which can be inflicted on both the rider himself and the other riders in the race.

 

I guess it is inevitable that riders push the limits - how else can they improve? - but is there a limit beyond which they should not go?

 

Should riders of widely varying abilities and experience be on the track together ? There are a couple of young fast track riders who in my opinion should never be riding in the Elite League. And with doubling up and even tripling up, there is a greater mix of riders with varying ability on the tracks in both of the senior leagues these days, to an extent which does not appear to happen in Poland, Sweden and Denmark to the same extent.

 

It's not only young riders, of course. I guess most riders have a "mad moment" now and then. A couple of GP-standard riders appear to have those moments somewhat too frequently. No names, because I am not looking to "slag off" any particular riders. I love watching real racers, aggressive riders - but there is (to me) a limit.

 

Should there be (or is there) any way of controlling recklessness? Out of control riding? (I'm not just talking about a race exclusion, but maybe a suspension, or fine, additional training, etc)

 

Or should we just accept it as part of the sport?

Edited September 26, 2014 by TwoMinuteWarning

[Duane]

That would of been the Heffo meeting at Ipswich in QLD, yes there was a few shall we say loose riders but it was the 1st time many of them had ever ridden there. It's a 290mt track with long straights & very tight turns. Some boys were strugglin but I think jakes biggest problem was he got 2 4th places & wasn't happy. Even some of the boys with UK racing under there belt found the goin a bit hard at 1st, but every1 got better as the day went on, IMO.

[Vince]

_{I think if you pull out of a meeting because you are worried about the way others are riding you need to find a different sport.}

[weatherwatcher]

I know riders are riding above thier limits these days and they have been some drefull accidents this year. To claim that if a rider pulls out of a meeting because of dangerous riders is well above mark, no rider wants to spend weeks in hospital with someone riding like an idiot.

I think the main problem lies with the bikes as much as the riders, they are now like riding with a jet engine in the bike, they have no control with the bikes it is now hust full throtle, from the drop of the tapes to the finish of the race but that is the way the engines these days are ment to be riden.

You only have to see when a rider is going down the straight and the bike just rears up, it is only a very skilled rider that can stop himself from getting very badly hurt.

There have been several young riders this year that have been out of speedway for quite a while with badly broken legs and brain injuries.

Until they do something to calm the bikes down so that the rider has more control back into the speedway bike we are going to see more and more accidents. It will be a sad day for speedway when we see a could of these young lads getting killed.

Don't make the bikes faster slow them down so that we can get back to some competative racing.

[Vince]

I know riders are riding above thier limits these days and they have been some drefull accidents this year. To claim that if a rider pulls out of a meeting because of dangerous riders is well above mark, no rider wants to spend weeks in hospital with someone riding like an idiot.

I think the main problem lies with the bikes as much as the riders, they are now like riding with a jet engine in the bike, they have no control with the bikes it is now hust full throtle, from the drop of the tapes to the finish of the race but that is the way the engines these days are ment to be riden.

You only have to see when a rider is going down the straight and the bike just rears up, it is only a very skilled rider that can stop himself from getting very badly hurt.

There have been several young riders this year that have been out of speedway for quite a while with badly broken legs and brain injuries.

Until they do something to calm the bikes down so that the rider has more control back into the speedway bike we are going to see more and more accidents. It will be a sad day for speedway when we see a could of these young lads getting killed.

Don't make the bikes faster slow them down so that we can get back to some competative racing.

How do you? For sure everybody does make a mistake now and again or does something daft, ride over your head all the time and you won't be around long enough to worry other riders.

 

To my way of thinking if your main concern is whether somebody else might hurt you then you have reached the time to give away racing any sort of motorcycle. The first day I go to a meeting and worry about getting hurt will be my last race meeting.