Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

FIRST PERSON/OPINION:

Via e-mail

1997, WERA GNF, Road Atlanta, my son Gordy Lunde, Jr. hits a concrete wall barely protected by haybales and dies from his injuries. The track owners immediately changed the track. Thank you, but it was a little late. Last year two racers are injured and the track owners changed the track. Now we have a rider injured in the “new” section that was changed to prevent injuries …. the day “after” a bike hits the same wall!

Isn’t this going to get real expensive changing the track every time someone hits a wall? Or wouldn’t it be better to eliminate some walls or at least do a damn better job of protecting them? Oh wait, the walls don’t need protection, the riders do!

Who the hell does a track inspection before a race is held? Anyone? The person who did it, if any, is the one that should be held responsible for this latest fiasco. It’s not real hard to pick out contact points w/walls etc. if you just do a track ride (not drive) and look it over closely. A bare concrete wall straight ahead of you entering a turn should put up a huge red flag in your eyes.

How many racers will have to be injured or killed before the tracks and race organizations in this country wake up and realize changes need to be made for motorcycle racing? Not just band aids but real changes to improve safety for all participants.

The lack of any change, no attempt whatsoever by the track or AMA to make the area safer at Road Atlanta after a bike hit that unprotected barrier borders on criminal!

Just my .02 cents but damn it, I miss my son!

Good luck, Woody.

Gordon Lunde
Wegman Benefit Fund
Milwaukee, Wisconsin


Editorial note: Gordy, we miss your son, too.