A terrifying incident occurred last weekend at the Roebling Road Raceway in Georgia, when two motorcycle racers had to make quick decisions to narrowly miss an ambulance crossing the track. The incident was caught on camera by a fellow racer, whose bike crashed shortly after. Thankfully, all involved in the incident walked away uninjured, but it was a close call that highlights the importance of clear communication and safety measures in motorsport.
According to reports, the ambulance was leaving the track to transport an injured rider from an earlier incident. However, due to a miscommunication between the ambulance driver and race officials, the ambulance crossed in front of two motorcycles traveling at a speed of 126 miles per hour. The riders had no choice but to make split-second decisions to avoid a catastrophic collision.
The incident raises some serious questions about the safety protocols in place at the track. It’s unclear whether the injured rider was injured on the track or in the paddock, and why race officials didn’t properly cover the ambulance with appropriate flags to signal a much slower vehicle on a hot track. It’s also unclear whether the ambulance driver was aware of the high-speed race taking place or was given the proper instructions on how to proceed safely.
Thankfully, both riders involved in the incident were able to walk away from the crash, although one rider’s Yamaha YZF-R1 suffered significant damage. The incident serves as a reminder of the inherent risks associated with motorcycle racing and the need for proper safety measures to be in place. The sanctioning body of the race, WERA Motorcycle Roadracing, issued a statement saying that they are investigating the incident and will be instituting any necessary changes to prevent the same thing from happening in the future. It’s encouraging to see that steps are being taken to improve safety at the track.
In the end, it’s important to remember that while motorsport can be thrilling and exciting, safety should always be the top priority. This incident should serve as a wake-up call to all involved in motorcycle racing to ensure that proper safety measures are in place and that communication between all parties is clear and effective. Only then can we enjoy the excitement of racing without putting lives at risk.
