RIP to Dean Vinales

endodoc said:

Maybe you should call Jorge Viegas at FIM and tell him to make some changes. Maybe you could author some more of your scientific peer reviewed studies to back up your criticism of the current situation and bolster your proposed solution.

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Why is he saying the grid is packed in WSSP 300? Arent there only 4 bikes from each manufacturer. And there are 4 manufacturers making it a total of 20 bikes. Unless Im wrong and there are more bikes. But then again doesnt Moto3 have 28 bikes on the grid and Moto2 have 30 bikes on the grid? If anything Im surprised there arent more bikes on the WSSP 300 race grid.

Moto2 riders have to be a minimum age of 16 and these kids are riding bikes that are 765cc's. Minimum age for WSSP 300 is 15. @Paul G dont take what I am writing the wrong way. Im not trying to stir the pot. But does one year in age make such a huge difference? Meaning the minimum age for a Moto2 rider on a 765cc bike is 16 and the minimum age for a WSSP 300 rider is 15 with engine sizes running from 300 to 500. I have a daughter who turns 15 Monday. So yes I know what it means to have a 15 year old. Also at the end of the day without the parents supporting their sons to race, they wouldnt be racing. Im not saying they are bad parents. But they know the risks and Im sure they are aware that their kids are just kids.

Paul G said:

what a bunch of self righteous ........ some of you are.

Ever had a 15 year old son? If not then definitely go .... yourselves. Kids do not the ability to make life decisions in the same way as adults, they have a vague distorted idea of consequences- its never going to happen to them. Let men be men, .... Mav have you watched too many westerns?

This is about the rules and environment so that risk is reduced, not about someones idea of dying like a man for entertainment purposes. That is what governing bodies are for, its not about choice either. Three kids have died in these lightweight classes in the last few months-something is very wrong. Slipstreaming, not enough power possibly, not enough consequences for dangerous overtakes- whatever it is the organising authorities are obliged to review it.

15 year olds, they are children

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I dont follow WSSP 300. So I didnt know 3 kids died in the last few months. Were their accidents similar to one another?

Bo13R said:

I am extremely sorry because young man, great athlete lost his life! Paul, I have 14yo who is second degree black belt TKD, member of competition team competing on National level.
At tournaments or at practice he would sometimes get kicked in the head, bust his nose, lip etc. Please don’t try to bash me for comparing dangers of TKD and motorcycle racing because I don’t, just giving personal insight of a parent who’s kid is pursuing sport which can contribute to all kind of injuries .What do you and DC think did I had conversation with my son about possibility of injuries small and big ones!? Of course I did and he understood this possibility and made decisions to continue, with all this said do you think parents of late young racer had same conversation with him…you get the idea! They are maybe young but to think they don’t know what they are getting themselves into is ridiculous!

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As a parent you understand, 14 year old males in particular are a different species and directing their energy is really important. Martial arts can be a great way to do that but there is a lot going on as a parent and as a young guy- your job is to manage that risk to a degree i.e bruises etc go with the territory, snapped necks not so much. That is why there are rules, gradings, referees etc and if kids were literally dying sport at the high level you would probably expect some response. Thats the first part, no one really thinks their kid will die, they put it down to a freak accident but when there are so many its a management issue. Also when they get to this level mummy and daddy have poured serious cash into their kids careers- like maybe hundreds of k, does that affect judgement, maybe.

This has been coming for a while in the lightweight classes; everyone can ride these bikes at full power (45hp??) so they have to slipstream to get past, add that to the hypercompetitive nature of the sport, packed grids over 40 bikes on the start and you have deaths waiting to happen. In this instance the kid was blameless he got run over by someone 5 seconds behind. That's race management and rules.

Am I triggered, sure if that's what you think calling out self centered ignorance is. Its not the end of motorsport or the end of the world, its not political its just like organising authorities requiring wearing of helmets and protective gear. None of you would put up with no rules on the track or outright dangerous conditions. Racers are mad and need boundaries, you can all go to the IOM or the NW 200 or the rest of the Irish road racing scene for a guaranteed rider death. Not in kids racing thanks.