Shelly Gruber was involved in an on-track incident while participating is a motorcycle track day with Sportbike Track Time at Barber Motorsports Park, Sunday July 23. The accident took place at approximately 10:50AM. From witness accounts it appears this was a case where Mr. Gruber and another rider made light or “casual” contact near the apex of turn 4. Mr. Gruber rode his Aprilia Mille off of the paved surface, onto the grass and fell down. Mr. Gruber was attended to by on-site medical staff who reached him immediately. He was transported with “minor injuries”. On site paramedics evaluated Mr. Gruber and based primarily on his input decided that he should go to the hospital for diagnostics and to monitor his condition but that his symptoms indicated non-life threatening injuries. Urgent/Airlift transport was not deemed necessary. The investigation referenced in the news report mentioned below is focusing on events that transpired after Mr. Gruber arrived at the hospital. An investigation is standard procedure any time there is a fatality in any sporting event and this is no exception. While we are unable to comment further on the situation currently due to privacy laws and other legalities, any investigation will clearly show that Sportbike Track Time Staff, Barber Motorsports Park Staff and EMS/Hospital Staff all followed proper operational and medical procedures and that Mr. Gruber was indeed offered the finest medical care and treatment available. Sadly the story that was aired by WVTM reporter Karen Lehane covering this incident was overflowing with inaccuracies, most of which could have been avoided with simple fact checking and use of prudent and very basic investigative journalism skills including basic reading comprehension skills. We at Sportbike Track Time feel the public deserves a much higher standard of journalistic professionalism than that which was exhibited by Ms. Lehane im her coverage of this subject. We offer our condolences to the family and friends or Mr. Gruber. Godspeed. Monte Lutz Sportbike Track Time And now some reader comment: FIRST PERSON/OPINION Via e-mail: In regards to the death at Barber recently that I just read about on your website, my heart goes out to the family of the one killed. I have been riding, doing track days, and a couple of races for a couple of years now here in Sicily and Italy, and I can tell you that the U.S. (media) goes way too far overboard when something like this happens (trust me I do love my country). Every person that rides on a track knows the inherent risks associated with doing it, not to mention racing. Every single person willingly accepts this risk, as nobody forces someone to go to the track. Far more deaths at track days happen in the UK and Europe in general, but still they go. Track days are infinitely safer than riding on the street and it’s a shame that others can’t see all sides to riding and motorcycles in general. I also wish that when a news crew covers an incident such as this, that it isn’t with disdain and negativity (they couldn’t even correctly name the company). I apologize for the rant, but I get tired of watching non motorcyclists label and frown upon us and use it as a crusade to get rid of motorcycles in general because believe that they’re too dangerous. I would like fore once to see positive coverage (nationwide) about the great things that motorcyclists do (ride 4 life to name just one). I know I see far more 4 wheel crashes over here than 2 wheel ones because (and it’s for the most part in the States the same) there are far more distractions that people are worried about in the cages, i.e., phone, radio, map, make-up, and numerous other things that all of us have either seen or done while on the streets and highways. Thank you for your time. Respectfully, John Mabry Stationed at NAS Sigonella Sicily, Italy