Marco Simoncelli passed away after his bike slipped out from under him, it regained traction slightly and veered across the track right in front of Colin Edwards and Valentino Rossi, leaving them with nowhere to go, but straight into him.

I was heading home, held up in traffic to catch the start, following along on my phone, race was red-flagged, so a part of me was happy because only 1 lap had been completed so a restart was going to take place. Arrived home, turned on the broadcast and heard the news and then saw the accident. Immediately, I felt the worse happened to Marco, he lost his helmet and he slid what looked lifelessly on the track as his bike and Colin's went off into the grass.

1 week after losing Wheldon in Indy Car another Honda pilot loses his life. The only good thing that can be taken, is they both died doing what they loved. RIP Marco, you will be missed in the MotoGP fraternity and by fans alike with your very likeable personality.

 

Well said.

Its a terrible tragedy, he was well on his way to becoming a World Champion, one of the most fun guys to watch and he seemed like a good man off the bike too.

It was one of the most vicious crashes I've ever seen and when I saw it, I knew he had passed on.

Hopefully this will bring on some safety revolution and give his passing a greater meaning.

 

Was definitely sad to see, that's 3 Honda riders that I have seen perish in MotoGP, all with extreme talent. The 2 others were Japan's own beloved sons, Daijiro Kato and Shoya Tomizawa. Kato most definitely would of claimed top tier glory if not for the horrible accident coming off 130R at Suzuka. Afterwards, Suzuka has not held another MotoGP race.

Gone but never forgotten by many.

 

I'm too young to remember them, but RIP either way. Sepang never seemed like a good track for bikes, those straights..Too fast IMO.

 

Tomizawa was last season in Moto2 class and Daijiro was the very first race of the 2003 season. That was supposed to be the year he took it to Rossi. This has to be very hard for the San Carlo Gresini team as both Daijiro and Marco rode for the team.

If you search for Daijiro's accident, not sure what Dorna or the track officials were thinking, the race didn't even stop, just waved yellow flags as Daijiro lay on the track at Casino Triangle (the chicane before the main straight) as many bikes rode right past him.

 

Man they are going to have to relive that every time they get on the bike. Sad day. Poor guys. Awful for the family to have to watch.

 

I remember seeing the Tomizawa crash last year, just forgot the name. The other one was before I got into MotoGP.

Both crashes look terrible though :O

 

I've never been a fan of Jarno, but I really respect this helmet:

 

Nice. Yeah, I was never really a fan of JT, rooted for him while he was in the Jordan (Mugen)-Honda.

Mugen in parenthesis because this was the only way for Honda to participate in F1 after they left the sport at the end of '92. Couldn't supply any other team except McLaren (had a 10 year contract for sole partnership).

Anyways that is quite respectful to display for his fellow countryman.

 

I remember when he won in Brazil in what was it, 2002, 2003 maybe? That race was absolutely crazy.