Tragic death of Marco Simonchelli

A sad week in motorsports at the highest levels.
Rick

I can really feel for that. Our youngest son was on course to be an open wheel driver. Fast, good head for it, winning etc. Somewhat thankfully, our finances couldn't support his quest in FMazda and then the sponsors dried up with the economy.
Those close to racing always know the risk is there each time the vehicle is prepared.

sadly we were watching it live and without in any way seeming to sound like a smart ar5e knew immediately that it was a bad one. - As has been said you have got to feel for Colin and Vale, - Vale was a close friend of Marco's, and Colin is top guy always sympathetic to others, - he did a few years ago have a great messageboard like this where he would regularly contribute and engage with his fans in a similar way to Joe. The other thing that was awful to see what his girlfriend in floods of tears seconds after that crash.

I might be completely wrong but I suspect that the helmet coming off as not the only factor as I think that he was hit in the neck by Colin's bike. And again do not take my guess work as in any way authoritative, - but from my experience of racing neither Colin or Vale could do anything about what happened, - very easy to say things after an event but Marco (bless his soul) being what I would fall a true racer was holding onto the bike in the hope that he could right the slide whereas most rider would have let it go and headed out on their backsides to the gravel. It has to said that Marco was an out and out racer who put everything into his sport and sadly paid the ultimate price.

I too was watching live and immediately thought the worst. It was made even more horrible by the two riders hitting him being such nice guys. It must be awful to live with even though they could do nothing about it. I just hope it doesn't make Rossi retire, but you could understand it if he did.