The 2010 Memorial Thread

[Ferrariman60]

A 13-year-old motorcycle racer died on Sunday after falling off his bike and getting run over by another motorcycle at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Peter Lenz was pronounced dead by the Marion County coroner after sustaining ''traumatic injuries''. The accomplished teenage rider crashed on a warm-up lap before his race and was struck by 12-year-old Xavier Zayat, who was not injured in the accident. A posting on Lenz's Facebook page, simply signed ''Dad'', said: ''He passed doing what he loved and had his go fast face on as he pulled onto the track. The world lost one of its brightest lights today. God Bless Peter and the other rider involved. 45 is on another road we can only hope to reach. Miss you kiddo.'' Lenz rode the No.45 bike. Despite his age, Lenz had been riding bikes for six years and was a rising star, winning nine national championships. The fatal accident on Sunday will likely spark a debate about how young is too young for racers to be competing on one of the world's best-known tracks, whether it's inside a car or riding a motorcycle capable of speeds well over 150km/h. Speedway officials declined to comment.

RIP Peter Only 13 year old too.......

That's just awful. It's really bad to hear it when any racer loses his life, but a 13 year-old, that's just unspeakable. Racing is a dangerous sport, and we all know that, and surely, Peter and his parents knew that too, but to take that kind of a risk with someone who's just a kid... I don't know. I know that if I had ever been given the opportunity to race as a younger kid, I would have wanted to take it, but I could have understood if my parents said no. I really don't think that people that young should be racing at that level. Karts, maybe, but vehicles that can go in excess of 100 MPH, that seems a bit excessive. I mean, most adult road drivers never go 100 MPH in their lives, but to ask a child to do it... I don't think so.

[phil1993]

Moto2 rider Shoya Tomizawa has died following a crash at Misano. He was 19.

[cformula1]

RIP Shoya. My thoughts go out at this very sad time to his family and friends.

[phil1993]

This tragic affair is turning into a bit of a scandal now as Lorenzo claims he knew Tomizawa had died prior to the MotoGP race. As his death wasn't announced until 14:20 local time (20 minutes in to the MotoGP races), Lorenzo was quickly silenced by the doctor. What looks to have happened is that Tomizawa died in Misano but was transported to the local hospital, as under Italian law any death on circuit and the rest of the days events must be cancelled.

[DJDisco]

This is very sad, He was only 19 years old

[iceman1]

R.I.P

***Warning - the following video contains a fatal accident***

[damon]

Yes I feel very sorry for him and his family. What a horrible accident.

[Edi96]

worst case

[sleenster]

What a hideous accident.
R.I.P

[JoostLamers]

Terrible crash, the kid was really unlucky

[alex1369]

Terrible crash, the kid was really unlucky

yes, everything was going so fast, they couldnt avoid him

[swca92]

I'm appalled by the conduct of Moto GP officials today. The Moto 2 race should have been stopped, having seen the crash it was clear that he was gravely injured from the moment he was struck and when a terrible accident happens, the race should always be stopped. I think the Moto GP race should have been cancelled, Tomizawa was clearly badly injured. It would have paid respects to him and his family and meant there was no chance of a similar evemt happening.

Watching the BBC coverage, hearing that they were performing "Further surgery" on Tomizawa was horrible. I knew then he was either in a coma or dead. I feel desperately sorry for Tomizawa, his friends and family, but also for Redding and De Angelis. They'll have to live the grief of having caused a fatal accident when they were totally innocent and blameless.

RIP Shoya.

[Ferrariman60]

Another young kid killed on a motorcycle. Not trying to say anything here, but perhaps motorcycle racing isn't very safe.

[alex1369]

Another young kid killed on a motorcycle. Not trying to say anything here, but perhaps motorcycle racing isn't very safe.

it never was, the speed is very high while the safety is low, they just cant do anything, its up to the driver that he stays on the bike - unfortunatley its how it is

when a driver falls of the bike, now matter low-high sider or any other crash, he is just a passenger and will always be

[blizzard]

Another young kid killed on a motorcycle. Not trying to say anything here, but perhaps motorcycle racing isn't very safe.

it never was, the speed is very high while the safety is low, they just cant do anything, its up to the driver that he stays on the bike - unfortunatley its how it is

when a driver falls of the bike, now matter low-high sider or any other crash, he is just a passenger and will always be

The Tomizawa accident really made me think. Horrible situation for him, his family and the other two riders. DORNA I think it is, really showed they are no better than the FIA and Bernie Ecclestone, when they continued the race after such an accident and even started the Moto GP event although they knew he was dead or dying. I feel ashamed for those people, who onlycare abut reputation and money when people are putting their lives on the line and die doing what they love. With Ratzenberger and Senna it was the same, everyone knew they are dead, even the TV audience, but Bernie and his compatriots still hosted the full weekend like nothing had happened.

Honestly, if there will ever be another fatal accident in F1 and Bernie and the FIA react like they always did, I would never watch F1 or any FIA series again.

I also found out how close we were to a fatal accident in F1, when Massa was hit last year, a few centimetres lower and the spring would have pierced through his visor.
The incident where Rosberg lost a wheel in Hungary I think it was and the Williams mechanic got injured was also very dangerous, Kubica and Sutil where sitting in their cars doing a pitstop only a few metres away. Getting hit by a flying wheel means almost certain death, because the weight is so heavy when a wheel comes down 3 or 4 metres with speed. That's how Henry Surtees died last summer.

RIP to all those losing their lives at a young age, doing wht they love.
Shame on all those not paying respect to these guys.