Mike alessi crash today?

yak651
Posts
7322
Joined
8/26/2006
Location
Appleton, WI US
Fantasy
599th
11/8/2021 5:41pm
I know in bum f WI the promoter has the finish line flagger and the gate guys use walkie talkies to communicate when the last guy is off the track before dropping the gate. Sucks when your moto is after 50s but is the right thing to do
1
SEEMEFIRST
Posts
11675
Joined
8/21/2006
Location
Arlington, TX US
11/8/2021 5:54pm
yak651 wrote:
I know in bum f WI the promoter has the finish line flagger and the gate guys use walkie talkies to communicate when the last guy...
I know in bum f WI the promoter has the finish line flagger and the gate guys use walkie talkies to communicate when the last guy is off the track before dropping the gate. Sucks when your moto is after 50s but is the right thing to do
I only ran a program at a track for 15 years, and that's how I did it.
Until I thought the back marker would easily make it off the track, no race started.

And yes, we had big races, so I know about minutes.
4
holeshot413
Posts
654
Joined
2/24/2008
Location
Prosperity, SC US
Fantasy
1462nd
11/8/2021 6:20pm
I was right there when this accident happened. I shot this event all day Saturday and Sunday. The video cuts off a few seconds before I...
I was right there when this accident happened. I shot this event all day Saturday and Sunday. The video cuts off a few seconds before I ran up and checked out the downed rider, Scott Oltman who was indeed in the same race as Alessi, but racing the +50 PRO class. He was a lapper.

Other things to know:
Where the collision took place is right about where the racers exit the track. I don't know if Scott was motioning to exit or waving at family/friends just before Mike landed on him, but it would have been perfectly appropriate for him to slide to his left to exit the race, this would support Alessi's comment that Scott slid over. If you know that jump, you're blind for a second as you approach the lip. The timing of the crash would for 100% certainty mean Alessi had no clue Scott was sliding over until it was too late.
I believe this was on lap 2 or 3.
After the collision, they re-racked em' and did 4 laps, which Alessi won.
I heard Alessi talking after the race and he was genuinely bummed for the other guy.
After the 2nd moto, Alessi was doubled over in pain and clearly banged up, too.

Hoping to share some more light on this since the cancel culture of 2021 is clearly entrenched in our sport of MOTO and everyone wants to point a finger and tear each other apart. In my opinion, racing 20 years and most of those at Glen Helen, this was 100% a racing incident with zero blame on Glen Helen, Alessi or Scott.

This was a racing incident.






This race was open to any ability rider, it was separated by 30, 40 or 50 not a pro only race, if you wanted to have a great time ripping a 125/150, that’s why tony pushes these races and they are super fun.
This was purely a racing incident, could have happened on a practice day at any track in USA
NO BLAME, both riders are gonna be ok, THANKFULLY
3
5
Mr. Info
Posts
1671
Joined
5/3/2010
Location
Perris, CA US
11/8/2021 6:59pm Edited Date/Time 11/9/2021 12:23pm
Sorry not wrong it was the Pasha +50 125 Pro. This information was supplied to me from someone who handled the entries. Open meant 50+ 50 years and up. The rider hit was 65. I’m never wrong. I was wrong and admit it he was not 65. He was in the right class he signed up for. Several riders signed up for it that were not Pro's. Riding and racing is dangerous and we are put into situations we don't like and we can choose to not to race if we fill its not safe. Its the responsibility of all parties and not just to put it on any one person unless they drive a water truck or tractor on the track during practice or race. Then it becomes one persons fault. Every rider had the chance to go up to the promoter and as a group ask for a change or not race. To many lawsuits are based on the rider has no responsibility. We are out there so we have to have some.
2 other riders lost their lives this weekend without anyone else involved at different tracks. Its the bad part of this hobby for some and job for others but it happens. One friend once told me while I lay beside him on the track for 20 minutes after breaking his back from a crash before they took him to the hospital that don't walk away from racing because of this go race for him and when he left for the hospital i went back to the line got on my bike and raced for him. Still do and everyone else that has been injured or lost his life racing I race for them. Hate all you want. Cause I never will.
14

The Shop

Mr. Info
Posts
1671
Joined
5/3/2010
Location
Perris, CA US
11/8/2021 7:05pm
He was not in the previous race. They were 3 laps in when the collision occurred. Lots of speculation on what happened. Why not ask before speaking because it makes you look foolish.
4
Johnny Ringo
Posts
6746
Joined
1/11/2016
Location
Tombstone, AZ US
11/8/2021 7:34pm
Mr. Info wrote:
Sorry not wrong it was the Pasha +50 125 Pro. This information was supplied to me from someone who handled the entries. Open meant 50+ 50...
Sorry not wrong it was the Pasha +50 125 Pro. This information was supplied to me from someone who handled the entries. Open meant 50+ 50 years and up. The rider hit was 65. I’m never wrong. I was wrong and admit it he was not 65. He was in the right class he signed up for. Several riders signed up for it that were not Pro's. Riding and racing is dangerous and we are put into situations we don't like and we can choose to not to race if we fill its not safe. Its the responsibility of all parties and not just to put it on any one person unless they drive a water truck or tractor on the track during practice or race. Then it becomes one persons fault. Every rider had the chance to go up to the promoter and as a group ask for a change or not race. To many lawsuits are based on the rider has no responsibility. We are out there so we have to have some.
2 other riders lost their lives this weekend without anyone else involved at different tracks. Its the bad part of this hobby for some and job for others but it happens. One friend once told me while I lay beside him on the track for 20 minutes after breaking his back from a crash before they took him to the hospital that don't walk away from racing because of this go race for him and when he left for the hospital i went back to the line got on my bike and raced for him. Still do and everyone else that has been injured or lost his life racing I race for them. Hate all you want. Cause I never will.
The rider hit is NOT 65
KennyT
Posts
4250
Joined
8/16/2006
Location
Vista, CA US
Fantasy
74th
11/8/2021 8:00pm
The same track that has killed children during open practices by allowing 450’s / minis on the track at the same time….with no flaggers.

Zero fault on Mike….100% promoter
6
5
mattyhamz2
Posts
11146
Joined
7/6/2015
Location
So Cal, CA US
11/8/2021 8:33pm
Overcusser wrote:
i will never understand how cali just lets goons on the track with pros, and everyone just seems to go along with it.
Most of us here grew up with it and know nothing different.
Overcusser
Posts
102
Joined
7/3/2021
Location
Dallas, TX US
11/8/2021 9:05pm
Overcusser wrote:
i will never understand how cali just lets goons on the track with pros, and everyone just seems to go along with it.
mattyhamz2 wrote:
Most of us here grew up with it and know nothing different.
you ever considered there might be a better way? like the rest of the fucking country figured out?
3
7
wisey
Posts
340
Joined
2/6/2018
Location
Mission Viejo, CA US
11/8/2021 10:17pm Edited Date/Time 11/9/2021 5:50am
Did the guy have bike issues? Was he waving to someone in the stands? He shouldn’t have been going that slow, right there, doesn’t seem right.
1
yak651
Posts
7322
Joined
8/26/2006
Location
Appleton, WI US
Fantasy
599th
11/9/2021 8:29am
Flipsid33 wrote:
scott_nz wrote:
You mean the race that gh bills as the world champs does not have the rules written down ?

What a shit show

Listening to the "Medals Up" episode you can tell it's a shit show, but sounds fun! Kinda funny anyone can hold a race and call it a "world championship" or "state championship". You would think there would be some type of requirements to hold a world championship, one would be separate gate drops, at least for the pro classes. If LL can fit 20 motos of 20 minute length in one day with their own gates, surely a "world championship" race could also...
2
sumdood
Posts
6739
Joined
3/11/2013
Location
San Clemente, CA US
Fantasy
1214th
11/9/2021 8:38am
Seems like the whole internet wants to hang MA800 and Glen Helen from the nearest tree. If these guys get their way there won't be one track left around here anymore. Oh my god you mean motocross isn't safe ? gasp !!! geeezuuss fuck.....
9
3
LungButter
Posts
7555
Joined
1/9/2016
Location
Yellow Pine, ID US
11/9/2021 9:48am
sumdood wrote:
Seems like the whole internet wants to hang MA800 and Glen Helen from the nearest tree. If these guys get their way there won't be one...
Seems like the whole internet wants to hang MA800 and Glen Helen from the nearest tree. If these guys get their way there won't be one track left around here anymore. Oh my god you mean motocross isn't safe ? gasp !!! geeezuuss fuck.....
Wrong.

The point is, Motocross is dangerous enough as it is....throw in a track that doesn't give a shit about safety even a little bit and will cut corners absolutely anywhere possible to make $1 more profit and you get things like this.

It's hilarious that anyone with functioning brain cells could stick up for Glen Helen at this point, the place is a fucking joke when it comes to safety. I don't want to see them get shut down but when it inevitably happens it will be due to shitty management, period. The people who call the shots there are fucking idiots and I hope they read this and see just how stupid most of us think they are.

12
6
motodad312
Posts
111
Joined
3/31/2020
Location
Mc Kinney, TX US
11/9/2021 10:03am
I've never ridden GH and would LOVE to try this event before I just get too old. However, the past two years have witnessed a death and now one horrific accident at this event. Have to say this sort of stuff sticks in your mind and kinda ruins it. I don't know if it's fair to blame GH or not but when horrible stuff like this continues to go down, it does leave a bad taste in my mouth toward track management.
2
2
yak651
Posts
7322
Joined
8/26/2006
Location
Appleton, WI US
Fantasy
599th
11/9/2021 10:06am
sumdood wrote:
Seems like the whole internet wants to hang MA800 and Glen Helen from the nearest tree. If these guys get their way there won't be one...
Seems like the whole internet wants to hang MA800 and Glen Helen from the nearest tree. If these guys get their way there won't be one track left around here anymore. Oh my god you mean motocross isn't safe ? gasp !!! geeezuuss fuck.....
I see very few blaming MA. Yes this sport is dangerous. No need to make it more so than it already is. You going to call your race a world championship, run it like one. From the instagram video the racers and some dads making the rules instead of the promoter, come on man....
2
2
GrapeApe
Posts
7792
Joined
6/7/2010
Location
Mc Kinney, TX US
Fantasy
820th
11/9/2021 10:59am
sumdood wrote:
Seems like the whole internet wants to hang MA800 and Glen Helen from the nearest tree. If these guys get their way there won't be one...
Seems like the whole internet wants to hang MA800 and Glen Helen from the nearest tree. If these guys get their way there won't be one track left around here anymore. Oh my god you mean motocross isn't safe ? gasp !!! geeezuuss fuck.....
Seems like MA800 is getting a pass, and rightfully so.

As for Glen Helen, they seem awfully cavalier about safety at their events. If the 30 second board girl would have been seriously injured or killed when they dropped the gate prematurely with her standing in the middle of the track, do you think her family or insurer would just laugh it off as "Glen Helen being Glen Helen"? Same for having an ambulance cross a live track, and double (triple?) gating the fastest class of the weekend with 125's. They unnecessarily expose themselves to foreseeable liability, and that is what is going to get them shut down not customers squawking online.
15
2
Hammer 663s
Posts
2668
Joined
6/2/2016
Location
Forest Grove, OR US
11/9/2021 11:15am
Back when 408MX was still running they did it right. Their Head Flagger was a dictator, and if you were in the wrong class, he would black flag your ass out of there in a heartbeat. That's EXACTLY how it should be.

Moto is dangerous, and there is no reason to make it more so by not implementing and ENFORCING reasonable splits. Tracks have an obligation (IMHO) to do this, and not cater to the "fast group" that wants to go out whenever they want, or the kids who will cut a track and jump in on practices that aren't theirs. I vote with my wallet and go elsewhere when tracks don't take my safety seriously.

Here in the PNW I'll call out Mountainview and Albany for managing their splits pretty effectively. Other places are hit and miss, although Woodland made some changes recently after I bitched to Charley. Some weren't happy with the changes, but the 30-35 Vet riders there were very pleased to have our own class and not be mixed with other classes.

Being a Vet rider, I often get gated with Women, Superminis, and others. Sometimes even Juniors or 30+ B/C. The only ones on that list I feel safe with are the Women because they usually ride pretty smart. I'm a good starter too and man I hate going into the first corner in the top 5 with 30+ B riders. They just DGAF if there's contact and someone goes down.

While the rider that got in the way bears some responsibility here too, GH bears most of it. MA800 bears none. He was racing within his limits.

Hammer 663s
7
4
wisey
Posts
340
Joined
2/6/2018
Location
Mission Viejo, CA US
11/9/2021 11:32am Edited Date/Time 11/9/2021 11:50am
I can certainly see how it would be hard for people to figure out the rules, etiquette and flow of that place.
At one race I saw some guy park his Mercedes sedan right in the middle of the track exit.The dude just gets out of his car and walks over to watch the racing like he owns the place. EMT mule couldn’t even get through with the car and all the people.
Rawly
Posts
545
Joined
9/12/2019
Location
Simi Valley, CA US
11/9/2021 12:00pm
Any word on the hurt rider ? That’s the only reason I open this thread. Hope he’s ok , and is thinking about repairs he needs to make to his bike rather than to his body.
9
Jordan421
Posts
1906
Joined
12/5/2007
Location
Lakeland, FL US
11/9/2021 12:08pm
Rawly wrote:
Any word on the hurt rider ? That’s the only reason I open this thread. Hope he’s ok , and is thinking about repairs he needs...
Any word on the hurt rider ? That’s the only reason I open this thread. Hope he’s ok , and is thinking about repairs he needs to make to his bike rather than to his body.
Yeah, can we get any updates info about the down rider? Enough of this “who to blame” bs. One person was able to ride away from a tragic accident while the other was still laying on the ground in the video.
2
gt80rider
Posts
6274
Joined
4/19/2008
Location
Boulder, CO US
11/9/2021 12:32pm
Damn, u gotta love off season Alessi threads!

But ya.... Glen Helen needs their asses chewed for putting on that S show..... you don't put fast pros on the gate with the 50 plus 125 crowd..... wtf?????
3
Mr. Info
Posts
1671
Joined
5/3/2010
Location
Perris, CA US
11/9/2021 12:33pm
Rawly I am sure when someone knows they will post it. Its not just about counting the money after a big race like some think its about a review of the whole weekend and all of its issue and non issues and ways to improve. I think they did good by cutting of entries on Saturday morning because of the amount of riders for the time they had allotted for each day. I would bet it becomes a 3 days of racing next year to improve everything. 900 entries a day is to many in my opinion for one day of racing. Make it 600 a day for 3 days or 450 for 4 days seems better but its not up to me only my opinion.
1
5
MO 23
Posts
566
Joined
9/7/2021
Location
AU
11/9/2021 12:44pm Edited Date/Time 11/9/2021 1:38pm
Remember that time Jenson Button came around a corner in an F1 car and ran straight into to a weekend warrior in his vintage race car?
Yeah, that never happened because no other Motorsport would put such a discrepancy of ability/speed on the same racetrack together at the same time

Motocross is and always will be a very dangerous sport, we all except that. but there is no excuse for adding more risk by putting such different speeds on the track

not just at this event, but when I see pros practicing on the same track as kids on 65s I will never stop being shocked at the stupidity.
19
2
Deadric
Posts
244
Joined
11/2/2020
Location
Walden, CO US
11/9/2021 2:24pm
This kind of stuff sucks for everyone involved. There were a few races this year where I (a low tier 30+ B rider) was second drop to some of the guys at FXR/Chaparral Honda and its a terrible feeling knowing you really don't belong out there at the same time but have no choice because of how the classes are grouped. These guys were probably 25-30 seconds a lap faster and in a short 6 lap race there was nothing you could do to not get lapped. I'd just pull off the track quick when I heard them coming.

I know time becomes an issue but our district races here are 10-12 hour days anyways. I feel A/Pro classes should drop alone even if there's only say 3 riders. Its just safer for everyone.
10
1
Flipsid33
Posts
168
Joined
11/24/2011
Location
Canyon Country, CA US
11/9/2021 4:28pm
Deadric wrote:
This kind of stuff sucks for everyone involved. There were a few races this year where I (a low tier 30+ B rider) was second drop...
This kind of stuff sucks for everyone involved. There were a few races this year where I (a low tier 30+ B rider) was second drop to some of the guys at FXR/Chaparral Honda and its a terrible feeling knowing you really don't belong out there at the same time but have no choice because of how the classes are grouped. These guys were probably 25-30 seconds a lap faster and in a short 6 lap race there was nothing you could do to not get lapped. I'd just pull off the track quick when I heard them coming.

I know time becomes an issue but our district races here are 10-12 hour days anyways. I feel A/Pro classes should drop alone even if there's only say 3 riders. Its just safer for everyone.
This is a big reason why I backed off from REM races. No matter what my age group was always grouped with the Pros. It made it so hard to race knowing that they are coming. A bunch of times I anticipated them coming and a regular dude makes the pass. There's a fine line of wanting the day to end early and having everyone enjoy their race. Sucks.
4
2
SilverSpurs
Posts
560
Joined
2/5/2021
Location
Sarasota, FL US
11/9/2021 7:15pm
motodad312 wrote:
I've never ridden GH and would LOVE to try this event before I just get too old. However, the past two years have witnessed a death...
I've never ridden GH and would LOVE to try this event before I just get too old. However, the past two years have witnessed a death and now one horrific accident at this event. Have to say this sort of stuff sticks in your mind and kinda ruins it. I don't know if it's fair to blame GH or not but when horrible stuff like this continues to go down, it does leave a bad taste in my mouth toward track management.
The track owner has 17 'family planning' clinics trading as dentists in Cali: no one should expect great concern for life and processes at GH.
4
18
RonSkj
Posts
2830
Joined
6/20/2008
Location
Radiator Springs, CA US
Fantasy
108th
11/9/2021 8:20pm
It blows me away how many people here think the guy was going slow because of his abilities. Would mike have landed on the guy if he was race speed? If that had been Tomac that slowed down that much on a track he also would of been landed on. It's wasn't about ability. So, how is it Glen Helens fault the he slowed down that much during a race?
9
5

Post a reply to: Mike alessi crash today?

The Latest