Marco Simoncelli Killed in MotoGP Crash

[Hardware]

Happened today in the Malaysian GP...

http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/23/motogp-rider-marco-simoncelli-dies-in-race-accident-w-video/

[scottzilla]

Wow, just.....speechless.  

I want to see the vid. His helmet came off?  Jesus, how is that even possible?

[Hardware]

Check on youtube...

[Gary B.]

Sad...



He was a young rider, a little out of control, but had a ton of talent. Godspeed Marco...

[squeezer]

Oh shit oh shit oh shit.    

I just woke up to watch the race. Horrific crash. Once they announced the race was cancelled, my stomach sank, guessing what that meant.

Bad day.

[scottzilla]

Check on youtube...

Most videos were pulled but  found a couple , one was a slow mo .  looks like he was crashing and swept towards the inside of the corner (like after a near highside) when Edwards hit him square on.  His helmet did come off and went tumbling with the wreckage.  Looks like he died instantly.  

[TBone]

http://espn.go.com/racing/story/_/id/7140167/marco-simoncelli-24-dies-crash-motogp-malaysian-race


 

[JonS]

This is so sad!  The only thing I can think of, with his helmet, was that he forgot to secure the strap.

[The Shepherd]

http://www.sport-touring.net/forums/index.php/topic,67605.0.html

[The Shepherd]

http://www.sport-touring.net/forums/index.php/topic,67563.0.html

[squeezer]

Most videos were pulled but  found a couple , one was a slow mo .  looks like he was crashing and swept towards the inside of the corner (like after a near highside) when Edwards hit him square on.  His helmet did come off and went tumbling with the wreckage.  Looks like he died instantly.  

It was actually just a simple low side on a right had turn, but instead of continuing to slide towards the outside, the bike veered back in. Spies (he was with the announcers in the booth), said the front wheel must have regained traction to pull him back that way. It pulled Simoncelli, whose right leg was still under the bike, right into the path of Edwards and Rossi who were side by side in the corner. The helmet was on at that point. Edwards tried to swerve right, but there was nowhere to go with Rossi right there. Sickening when I realized it was Simoncelli's helmet bouncing with the wreckage.

Edwards dislocated a shoulder when he went over his bars and rolled. He got up and started to stagger towards Simoncelli, then just sat down.

Awful.  

[veefer800canuck]

This is so sad!  The only thing I can think of, with his helmet, was that he forgot to secure the strap.

I was thinking it had to do with his huge hair maybe?

If he had a brush cut, I swear he could drop one full helmet size!

Maybe that's why the helmet pulled off??? I dunno.

[satxbonneville]

First thing I saw this morning. RIP Marco.  

[axelwik]

Tragic loss... RIP

[scottzilla]

http://m.youtube.com/index?desktop_uri=%2F&gl=US#/watch?feature=mhee&v=fXgtWnzFQ7Q

It looks like Rossi hit Marcos head. Edwards hit him in the back.

[MK96xj]

Very sad day.

One of the riders I look forward to seeing race and keep the GP interesting.

[Warchild]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZhfohVEqgQ0

Not sure how long the above vid will last before it's yanked, but you can pretty much tell Marco was gone right then and there on the racetrack... even while his body is still sliding on the asphalt - sliding on the left side of his *face*- you immediately know he's just not injured... rather, he's gone altogether.

Unbelievably tragic.

Holy fucking shit.... 24 years old.....                      

[KenH]

We should all be so lucky as to go so quickly while engage in an activity that brings us life.

[Wockman]

RIP Marco  

Rough video.  Ride safe everyone...

[mellow_gold]

Fucking hell. Simo was a favourite of mine.  So sad.

[Stripes]

Just terrible... Marco was my favorite. I will definitely miss him.  

[mellow_gold]

God Edwards & Rossi must feel so sick.

[BashamR6S]

This is a terrible accident, I do hope that they don't make any unnecessary comments about how he was a very aggressive rider. Tragic accident for the sport, and for all family, friends and supporters. Reports say he died at the hospital after the trauma.
Cheers
Bash



---
I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=41.959304,-88.050289

[Stripes]

 

[veefer800canuck]

God Edwards & Rossi must feel so sick.

Watched Edwards bike a few times and his chassis twitched as soon as he saw Marco heading towards the racing line, Colin tried to tighten his line but could not really do much. Vale moved to the inside as well, a split sec after Colin did, but there was just not enough time or space for either of them to do anything much.

You don't expect a rider to come back to the inside like that. 99.9% of the time, you go straight off the outside as one would rightly think should happen.

I guess when Simo tried to save the front, he did, but lost the rear as well, and from the vid, it looked like he was too far out of the saddle and down the side of the bike to do anything either, so the front wheel just carried him inside the track.

Freakish chain of events. If Vale and Colin had been 0.5 sec back, they would have missed Sic and he would have careened onto the infield by himself.

[Mastros2]

Very sad.  RIP.

[miles]

We should all be so lucky as to go so quickly while engage in an activity that brings us life.

+ 1,000,000

[stevent]

A sad day, RIP. I'm not watching the video though.

[squeezer]

(snip) but you can pretty much tell Marco was gone right then and there on the racetrack... even while his body is still sliding on the asphalt - sliding on the left side of his *face*- you immediately know he's just not injured... rather, he's gone altogether.

Yeah, although he wasn't declared dead until he was at the hospital, the doctor at the press conference said they started CPR in the ambulance because he was in cardiac arrest when they put him on the stretcher. Major trauma to head, neck, and chest. They worked close to an hour to try and revive him, but it looks like he was gone on impact.

He and Vale were close friends. Can't imagine what that feels like.  

[Kootenanny]

We should all be so lucky as to go so quickly while engage in an activity that brings us life.

But not at 24 years old...

RIP Marco.

[Guzzirider]

I believe there is an unwritten rule that nobody dies at the race track.
This goes way back.

[TBone]

http://www.sport-touring.net/forums/index.php/topic,67605.0.html

Not everybody looks at that board, and I thought this was worthy of a "general" thread.

[Justin]

Very sad indeed - RIP

 

[lionlady]

I was surfing around after seeing a posting about the crash elsewhere. Found a clip on the moto gp site, I think, that shows the start of the race. The camera is following Simoncelli. It seems that he leaned inside the previous corner and slid off the saddle too far, losing his contact with the outside peg. He fights to regain his balance, but the segment shows his right shoulder apparently on the ground as he slides across the track... then the camera angle switches to the one in most of the published videos.

If you watch the spinning/flying helmet you can see that it isn't an unbuckled strap. It is too long, and there's a bump in the middle. The strap was ripped from its attachment point while buckled.

Sad. Sad. Sad.

[tomek]

I was surfing around after seeing a posting about the crash elsewhere. Found a clip on the moto gp site, I think, that shows the start of the race. The camera is following Simoncelli. It seems that he leaned inside the previous corner and slid off the saddle too far, losing his contact with the outside peg. He fights to regain his balance

 

Well , he started to loose his front tire , that`s why his left foot slid off the peg . Next thing I saw was a darkie from his rear tire , he clearly tried to save it by reducing the load on the front .

 The tire eventually regained traction but he ended up - essentially - off the bike unable to control its trajectory .

With that dislocated shoulder , Edwards carrier might be over .

http://sport.onet.pl/wideo/smiertelny-wypadek-podczas-gp-malezji,10593388,2,klip.html#play

[Mr Sunshine]

Next time please preface that the link you posted is the video and not an article about Edwards shouldar.  I clicked on it not wanting to ever watch the crash yet there it was....nothing to do wiht Edwards shouldar.

RIP Marco.  You were one to watch!

[Frankienuckles]

  :(RIP

[max1138]

terrible thing, my condolences to his family.
I admired his drive and determination to win  and the general exuberance he approached life with.  
and his get out of my way style of riding, the lad didnt pull any punches  and lived life as loud as he could
rest in peace marco.

[yotes65]

Truly Sad...  

RIP Young Man...

[Rincewind]

RIP  



http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=fdd_1319359606

[Dan K]

I was surfing around after seeing a posting about the crash elsewhere. Found a clip on the moto gp site, I think, that shows the start of the race. The camera is following Simoncelli. It seems that he leaned inside the previous corner and slid off the saddle too far, losing his contact with the outside peg. He fights to regain his balance, but the segment shows his right shoulder apparently on the ground as he slides across the track... then the camera angle switches to the one in most of the published videos.

If you watch the spinning/flying helmet you can see that it isn't an unbuckled strap. It is too long, and there's a bump in the middle. The strap was ripped from its attachment point while buckled.
Sad. Sad. Sad.

Can't imagine the type of impact that would be required to rip a strap off its mount.  Tragic.

- Dan

[black hills]

very sad....R.I.P.

[The Toecutter]

I watched the video yesterday.  wish I hadn't.  

seemed to be one of the last MotoGP racers who actually liked to race and mix it up.

rip Simo.  

[bomber]

I've not seen the vid, but, having seen the one of Elmer Trett's last run, I think I can safely give this one a pass . . .

godspeed, Marco

[Jet Jock]

I've not seen the vid, but, having seen the one of Elmer Trett's last run, I think I can safely give this one a pass . . .

godspeed, Marco

+ 1000

Don't need to see it. Too many good young racers gone. RIP

[Tpoppa]

Tragic.  There was no way for Colin or Rossi to avoid it    

I wonder if Rossi considers retiring.

[scottzilla]

Tragic.  There was no way for Colin or Rossi to avoid it    

I wonder if Rossi considers retiring.

He said today (through his management) he will not retire.

[bluepoof]

Vale posted this photo to his Twitter account earlier today.  



The caption, courtesy of Google translate: "I remember it well ... Misano 2011, a large brawl!"

[JonS]

Here is a very touching article from Kevin Schwantz. Well worth the read.
http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2011/Oct/111024-34-rip-sic.htm

[malmon]

sad...

[Strog]

An article with his father's thoughts.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/95668

I about lost it when he said goodbye.  

[veefer800canuck]

It's amazing that his dad is so together about it.

I have a son who is 16, my only son, and if something happened to him, I don't think I would be so calm and philosophical.  :-(

[Mastros2]

An article with his father's thoughts.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/95668

I about lost it when he said goodbye.  

Very sad.  Prayers and condolences to his family.

[Busa@11K]

http://sport.onet.pl/wideo/smiertelny-wypadek-podczas-gp-malezji,10593388,2,klip.html#play

At the end of this video showing the crash, it's slowed down and you can see that he basically got a direct hit in the back/head.  He's sliding along on his side on the right side of the the bike when he gets hit.

Such a freak accident.  RIP.

[cornercarver]

RIP Marco, you will be missed.  

[Castaway]

Wow. I just caught this thread and the news ... I'm shocked and sad. As was said above, Colin and Vale must feel terrible. He'll be missed.

[DredheadV2.0]

I'm going to go back and look at some of the 250 races from 2008.  Back then, Simo was the guy I loved to hate, while I was rooting for Kallio and Bautista.  Man, times have changed.

[scottzilla]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IozN5vGDT0&feature=related

Here's a full minute of no CPR.  Oh, and they dropped the stretcher too.

That's not to say anyone trackside contributed to his death.  It was pretty clear he was dead on impact.

[Liquidsilver]

Passionate competitor.   Godspeed Marco.    

[scottzilla]

More on the dropping the stretcher thing.
http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2011/Oct/111027a.htm

 

[vulcanbill]

I don't follow racing but I watched the video intentionally.  It was indeed horrific and a little sickening.  

But I've said it before and I stick to my guns on this one...  I think watching these videos is part of the reason I stay away from the edge on the street.  This video will get tucked away and probably recalled at some point when I'm feeling really good, leaned way over and maybe a little too confident.  Many crash scenarios are in my head and that's when they surface and reign me in.  

I'm not sure what lessons the industry could take from this since it was such a freak thing.  We've actually seen guys save it in similar situations.  Hard to imagine that it could have been a standard lowside into the grass if the tiniest of factors were different.  I can't imagine what Edwards must have to deal with.  

Blech.  

[Dan K]

Would front fork sliders have prevented the front wheel from gaining traction to pull the bike to the inside as opposed to sliding into the grass on the outside?

[black hills]

Would front fork sliders have prevented the front wheel from gaining traction to pull the bike to the inside as opposed to sliding into the grass on the outside?

no

[Dan K]

Why did the bike continue across as opposed to slide out? I understand the front wheel gained enough traction - but how, or why?

Don't think I've ever seen a low side react that way - usually low side means the bike is going to slide out and not make the turn, like on the street, go right across the double yellow. Somehow, he fell over yet the bike still made the turn.   I have no desire to see the video again, just curious - this whole thing really got to me for some reason, and not just because I was rooting all year for him to win a race.

[squeezer]

Why did the bike continue across as opposed to slide out? I understand the front wheel gained enough traction - but how, or why?

Don't think I've ever seen a low side react that way - usually low side means the bike is going to slide out and not make the turn, like on the street, go right across the double yellow. Somehow, he fell over yet the bike still made the turn.   I have no desire to see the video again, just curious - this whole thing really got to me for some reason, and not just because I was rooting all year for him to win a race.

Although I haven't seen a clip of it, descriptions said that Simo was trying to save it even as it went down -- that he was trying to pop it back upright using his elbow and knee. We've seen riders do that before  (there was a great save by Hacking in a Daytona Sportbike race a couple of years ago after it appeared he was down). It was enough to have the front tire bite again and pull him back to the right.

He died as he raced, pushing the limits all the way to the end.

[black hills]

Why did the bike continue across as opposed to slide out? I understand the front wheel gained enough traction - but how, or why?

Don't think I've ever seen a low side react that way - usually low side means the bike is going to slide out and not make the turn, like on the street, go right across the double yellow. Somehow, he fell over yet the bike still made the turn.   I have no desire to see the video again, just curious - this whole thing really got to me for some reason, and not just because I was rooting all year for him to win a race.

it had nothing to do with the bike, it was the rider trying to "save" it and continue racing. must like Edwars does in this clip:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ac4Ak8EfxA

unfortunatley it didn't work as planned.

[Dan K]

it had nothing to do with the bike, it was the rider trying to "save" it and continue racing. must like Edwars does in this clip:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ac4Ak8EfxA

unfortunatley it didn't work as planned.

Got it.  Makes sense, and that's a hell of a save.  Racer to the end, one of the reasons I was a fan.  

- Dan

[scottzilla]

In my opinion, what happened to Marco was similar to what happened to Hacking at Barber a few years ago.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=4QbAXXXOJF8

This is the "Common" way bikes come back to the inside.

[black hills]

Huh?? what does baby metal have to do with it????

[Dan K]

Huh?? what does baby metal have to do with it????

Bad link...

[scottzilla]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbeLR90qyok


I have no idea how Baby Metal got in there but man, that's some funny shit.

[squeezer]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbeLR90qyok


I have no idea how Baby Metal got in there but man, that's some funny shit.

+1 for serendipity.

[sammyseaman]

Here is a very touching article from Kevin Schwantz. Well worth the read.
http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2011/Oct/111024-34-rip-sic.htm

"There were three standouts in the sport, and now there are two. I'm probably going to get under some people's skin saying this, but it's Maverick Vinales, Marc Marquez, and it was Simoncelli. These are guys who were good figures for the sport. They always look to be having fun. There's always going to be the Pedrosas. There's always going to be the Stoners. But once Valentino is gone, all the character in the sport is gone."

What a great quote.... and sadly true  

[Mastros2]

"There were three standouts in the sport, and now there are two. I'm probably going to get under some people's skin saying this, but it's Maverick Vinales, Marc Marquez, and it was Simoncelli. These are guys who were good figures for the sport. They always look to be having fun. There's always going to be the Pedrosas. There's always going to be the Stoners. But once Valentino is gone, all the character in the sport is gone."

What a great quote.... and sadly true  

+1

[mugwump58]

I'm glad I don't see it the way you guys do. To each their own.

[scottzilla]

I'm glad I don't see it the way you guys do. To each their own.

How do you see it?

[GTS_Rider]

Funeral footage   /   .  Sad and celebratory at the same time, as it should be...


http://www.motogp.com/en/videos/2011/Marco+Simoncellis+Funeral

[mugwump58]

How do you see it?

There are more than 3 "exciting" riders. This seasons 125 and Moto2 classes have plenty of riders that are worth watching race, for example.

[scottzilla]

There are more than 3 "exciting" riders. This seasons 125 and Moto2 classes have plenty of riders that are worth watching race, for example.

I wasn't sure what you were referring to.
That's kevin schwantz's opinion.

[mugwump58]

Yeah, I had to go back and see what the hell I was refering to as well. Sad day all around.

[GTS_Rider]

Tribute vid from motogp. Embed not allowed, I think this is the 720p HD link, watch it full screen. Pretty cool...

http://youtu.be/dENEvR2T6iY?hd=1