Daijiro Kato, motorcycle racer; six month investigation determines death due to rider error and racecourse construction
Hoodude
28 November 2003
http://195.224.59.217/news/archives_2000/news_details.asp?id=3006
After six months of investigation, a Japanese team has concluded that
Daijiro Kato died as a result of rider error, plus insufficient
circuit run-off, and inadequate crash barrier protection at the
circuit.
The question of Kato's removal from the track, whilst unconscious, by
marshals who were clearly not trained properly in basic first aid, has
not been addressed in the report.
The six-month investigation, chaired by Professor Ichiro Kageyama of
Nihon University's College of Industrial Technology concluded that
Kato's bike began to slide as he braked for the chicane, at a speed of
170kph.
"According to the on-board data, we conclude that the engagement of
the front brake abruptly changed the load on the rear wheel, which
lifted almost entirely off the ground, causing a lateral skid," said
Kageyama. "From data on the change in suspension and acceleration
sensors that followed, we can confirm that the vehicle entered a
high-side like condition."
Apparently, Kato then travelled along the tyre wall, still on his
bike, before eventually hitting a new section of foam protection,
which contributed significantly to the extent of his injuries.
In summary, the inquiry team found that if anything was to blame for
Kato's death, it was the lack of consistent barrier protection and
limited runoff area available. Kato's treatment trackside was not
reported as being likely to have a significant effect on his survival
chances, according to the inquiry team.
In addition, the theory that some sort of mechanical failure was
responsible for the crash was dismissed by the inquiry, because Tohru
Ukawa (and others) suffered a similar type of 'weave' whilst braking
at the same point in the racetrack.
The Suzuka circuit has been removed from the 2004 MotoGP calendar
while safety modifications are made.
PirateJohn
>while safety modifications are made.
Interesting, because Suzuka was one of the more recognizable track names.
Initially there was a lot of discussion that his front brake exploded and that
caused the accident. Reported he went almost headfirst into a wall at almost
200 mph.
~~~
"Yeah, and that's why it's still a mystery to me
why some people live like they do.
So many nice things happenin' out there,
they never even seen the clues." -- Jimmy Buffett, "Migration"
Hoodude
wrote:
>Initially there was a lot of discussion that his front brake exploded and that
>caused the accident. Reported he went almost headfirst into a wall at almost
>200 mph.
Yikes! I bet that made it into gory video clip collections.