Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

FIRST PERSON/OPINION:

Via e-mail

I would like to point out that this isn’t the first instance of a rider and bike falling down, hitting a barrier, and then not having protection brought in immediately. Didn’t Jamie Hacking hit a barrier in a test at VIR, and then hit the same barrier (still unprotected) a few weeks later at the actual race? Did the AMA just assume lightning wouldn’t strike the same place twice?

I, too, have expressed how disappointed I am that no long term contribution program was set up, particularly for the manufacturers. I would like to see Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, Kawasaki, Buell, and Ducati all donate $2900 a year for 10 years. $2900 out of the promotion budget for any of these companies is like the average guy buying lunch, and yet it could make such a huge difference in rider safety.

I don’t think the factories want to have extended television coverage of one of their bikes laying smashed into a wall with the camera on a severely injured (or worse) rider laying on the side of the track next to their smoldering bike.

I have released a new instructional video on suspension set-up, and I have pledged $5 of each copy sold to the Roadracing World Action Fund. We have already sold 50 copies, so I am going to mail in a check today for $250, and will continue to do so until my video stops selling. (the video is available at www.traxxion.com).

Max McAllister
President
Traxxion Dynamics, Inc.
Woodstock, Georgia