Motocross International: External help or hindrance?
Tommy Searle showed dissatisfaction after the Brazilian GP. The young Briton crashed during the qualifying series on Saturday. A few benevolent Brazilian spectators immediately jumped over the barrier and placed Searle's Pro Circuit Kawasaki back straight. Searle continued on his way, but would later be disqualified. As a result, Searle was classified last and was only the last to drive to the starting gate on Sunday. Searle cites the incident to show that his chances of a good start during the heats were reduced to almost nil. You can hardly blame Searle, but the Brazilian spectators were probably not aware of any harm.
During the GP of Belgium 500cc Gérald Délépine fell on the Citadel of Namur in 1997 esplanade. A spectator immediately came to his aid hybrid Pick up a Honda CR 250/500 from Liège. Délépine then threw his arms in the air resignedly and walked off the circuit with his head bowed. The willing spectator was left stunned with the steering wheel of the Honda in his hands. After all, Délépine immediately knew what time it was when the fan came to help.
In the GP regulations After all, the FIM states that all outside help, unless that of track marshals, is unauthorized and to immediate disqualification leads. But not every spectator is aware of this. Perhaps it is worthwhile to mention this in the program booklet or on the tickets? In this way, dramas, albeit small ones, can be avoided.
The BMB has also adopted this rule. Article 14.9 of the BMB Motocross Regulations stipulates:
“A participant who has come to a standstill or has difficulties is obliged to immediately clear the track. In this case he may accept help from outside (track marshal). The word “clear” means to take the machine off the track and not use that help to get the machine going again to continue the race.
– Any external assistance on the track and in the starting area during qualifications or races is prohibited unless provided by an official, with the aim of ensuring safety.
The penalty for violation of this rule is expulsion. Only mechanics and drivers are allowed in the closed park. Only pilots are allowed behind the starting gate. A zone for repairs must be provided along the circuit. In this specific zone, the mechanics can make repairs or adjustments to the machines during the competitions. Refueling in this repair zone must be done with the engine turned off.”
In practice, the application of this rule is sometimes overlooked. That used to be different because in the 80s, drivers who were involved in the battle for a championship would sometimes dare to file a complaint against each other with "outside help". And we are also talking about Juniors or Nationals. Did the riders from the 80's take a championship more seriously than the riders of 2011? Or does the competition management simply turn a blind eye?
The fact is that an audience on the track is never a good idea. In some Belgian amateur federations helpful family members or supporters of riders on the circuit during the races. One person wants to encourage his rider, another points out the correct driving line and others use a small shovel to cut out a trail for their rider. But they all have one thing in common: they engage in match-fixing. Because, whether unintentionally or not, they form an obstacle for the other riders. Moreover, they give their rider another advantage by (possibly) indicating the correct track. One of the challenges of motocross, a very big one in fact, is finding the right track. And the rider has to do that himself. It will therefore come as no surprise that collisions regularly occur in which the helpers are involved. Spectators belong at home behind the fence and not on the track. Hopefully realize, the helpers those on the track realize that they are doing more harm than good with this attitude.
The above phenomenon is probably unknown and unthinkable to our Dutch readers. Neither the KNMV nor the MON will tolerate this type of practice. Unfortunately, these practices are commonplace in Belgium. We therefore hope that all motocross federations involved will take their responsibility to ban these types of practices from the circuits.
Photo Credits: CDS Images
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