NationStates Jolt Archive


Five year old died in Motocross Accident

Wilgrove
13-03-2007, 01:04
5-year-old fatally hit by larger bike at motocross track
Associated Press
Funeral services will be held tomorrow in Kannapolis for a 5-year-old motocross rider who died of neck trauma after an older biker crashed into him at a dirt bike park in Cleveland County, police said.

Cody Fidler, who was wearing a helmet, died Saturday at Cleveland Regional Medical Center.

``He was hit by another bike during a jump,'' said Cleveland County Sheriffs Lt. Richard Acuff. ``Another rider landed on top of him.''

Acuff said Fidler weighed about 80 pounds and was riding a bike with a 50cc engine, capable of a maximum 30 mph. The other child was older and heavier, officials said.

Fidler's mother, Michelle Fidler of Kannapolis, said Sunday she didn't blame the older biker, but that larger bikes shouldn't have been on the track at the same time as smaller riders.

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

http://wbt.com/news/detail_wbt.cfm;jsessionid=96305f88b5e522223037TR?article_id=30250

So what do you guys think? I think that the person running the track and the event are to blame. I mean they should've never let five year olds and twelve year olds be out at the same time! They're at a different class of dirt bikes.

My brother use to race Go Karts, not your garden variety yard carts, but go karts that are built for racing. These kart races are organized and run by the WKA (World Karting Association), and they have a very strict procedure in place regarding classes, the type of cart, type of engines, gears, fuel, etc. It's pretty well run. I think if the motocross track want to avoid something like this in the future, they should think about doing what the WKA does at all of their races.
South Lizasauria
13-03-2007, 01:21
http://wbt.com/news/detail_wbt.cfm;jsessionid=96305f88b5e522223037TR?article_id=30250

So what do you guys think? I think that the person running the track and the event are to blame. I mean they should've never let five year olds and twelve year olds be out at the same time! They're at a different class of dirt bikes.

My brother use to race Go Karts, not your garden variety yard carts, but go karts that are built for racing. These kart races are organized and run by the WKA (World Karting Association), and they have a very strict procedure in place regarding classes, the type of cart, type of engines, gears, fuel, etc. It's pretty well run. I think if the motocross track want to avoid something like this in the future, they should think about doing what the WKA does at all of their races.

The "Meh" attitude is a dangerous one. Let the older kids bike with the younger ones and opefully no one gets hurt....meh....

Your right Wildgrove.
Infinite Revolution
13-03-2007, 01:25
yeh, definitely shouldn't have 12 and 5 year olds racing at the same time on th same track, that's just irresponsible. the five year old's bikes are tiny and certainly far less likely to cause serious injury in the event of such a collision.
Nadkor
13-03-2007, 01:50
It's fairly common motor sport practice to mix classes.
Wilgrove
13-03-2007, 01:59
It's fairly common motor sport practice to mix classes.

Yea, but how different are the classes when they are mixed together?
German Nightmare
13-03-2007, 02:02
Fidler's mother, Michelle Fidler of Kannapolis, said Sunday she didn't blame the older biker, but that larger bikes shouldn't have been on the track at the same time as smaller riders.
And she never thought that was a bad idea before this accident happened?

I mean, I'm sorry for the kid - but it's also the parents' responsibility who let their kid participate in that event.

If you don't want your kids to get (fatally) hurt, don't let them ride motorcycles.
Nadkor
13-03-2007, 02:04
Yea, but how different are the classes when they are mixed together?

Depends on the event. I've seen SuperSport* and 125cc bikes mixed in practice sessions. That seems fairly insane.



*600cc racing bike
Iztatepopotla
13-03-2007, 02:05
It's an accident, and part of the risk of sports, specially sports like this one. The parents knew what the risks were and should have pulled their kid out if they thought it was unacceptable.
German Nightmare
13-03-2007, 02:12
It's an accident, and part of the risk of sports, specially sports like this one. The parents knew what the risks were and should have pulled their kid out if they thought it was unacceptable.
Yup.