Pit crew members for Vitor Meira, of Brazil, scramble to douse flames during a pit stop in the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Sunday, May 24, 2009. AP Photo/Chris Howell
The death of Marco Simoncelli is a true tragedy for motorsport, and indeed sport in general. What a shame, then, that his memory has been tarnished by the comments of a vocal minority.
Simoncelli was a hero of mine.
With his big grin and huge afro, he looked more suited to life as a clown than a racer. With his 6 foot frame an aerodynamic nightmare, ‘Super Sic’ rose to the top of his sport, becoming the 250cc world champion in 2008.
He muscled his machinery to unlikely race wins and podiums, all with a ton of natural talent, and a huge goofy smile on his face. He loved racing, and i loved him for it.
There are many who are more qualified to write a tribute than myself. I met him a handful of times, each year at Phillip Island since I began in motorsport in 2005. He was the only rider to take the time to ask and remember my name, and when you consider the amount of journalists he must encounter daily, thats no mean feat, and appreciated.
When a star of his calibre greets you with a wave and a ‘Ciao, Will’, well, i’ll admit i’m not above getting a thrill out of that. His effect on MotoGP fans in general can be seen in a moving tribute on this very website, here.
With Marco’s funeral still to take place, a few of my colleagues in the media have already taken it upon themselves to use this tragic occurrence to once again mount their soapboxes and decry racing with all the fervor of the ignorant.
An article in a major Melbourne newspaper this week claimed that motor racing “thrives on crashes.”
In fact, the article in question went on to say motorsport fans watch racing solely for the possibility of accidents, that “without crashes, racing would just be cars going around an oval in a chess match. Interesting perhaps, but not thrilling enough to get people to watch.”
What a disgusting comment.
One that cheapens the death of a true sporting champion a mere 72 hours after his death.
There is no doubt racing is a dangerous undertaking. Nobody could argue that. But those who suggest that motorsport is as popular as it is because the world wants to see death and carnage certainly haven’t spoken to any of the fans. The truth is, we love that “chess match”.
The tactics, the mechanical changes, the efforts of a team working around the clock, the flying lap at the end of Q3 with barely any rubber, the heated pit bay exchanges, the weather, the intense close proximity battles.
It’s what makes motor sport great. Crashes are a horrible side effect of all this, and an accepted risk for anyone willing to chase their dream of success on the worlds circuits and ovals.
If you think the risk is too high, consider this: there have been 14 deaths in MotoGP in the past 30 years. A terribly high number, sure. 14 too many. Compare that though to other sports.
What could be higher? Luge? Maybe. Skydiving? Probably. One day event horseriding? Yes – 37, and that’s just between 1997 and 2008.
Like any sport, fans of bike racing admire the skill, fearlessness, focus and determination of the best in the world. 50,000 make the trip to Phillip Island every year to watch those on the MotoGP machines and leave dreaming of emulating Casey Stoner or Valentino Rossi.
The vast majority that make the trip do so on their own bikes, and brave the danger of riding because its an uncommon thrill to ride a motorbike, no matter whether its at 230kmh around turn 12 or 40kmh in a school zone.
We all follow motorsport because we love the racing – the speed, the skill, and yes – the danger.
Those who race have the guts and drive to do what we cannot, and thats what makes them the best, gets them paid, and makes them heroes to millions. Simoncelli himself was once asked whether he feared dying in an accident.
“No,” he responded, “You live more for 5 minutes going fast on a bike like that, than other people do in all of their life.”
Marco Simoncelli lived to race, and we loved to watch him.
He chose to make the chess board of MotoGP his place of work, and we are all grateful for the spectacle he provided while he lived out his dream. And no, we aren’t “getting off on the carnage.”
Brett Muir
Guest
After reading Jill Singer's ignorant and petulant bleatings it's good to see someone treat him and his fans with the respect that they deserve.
Alex K
Guest
A greatly appreciated piece Will, nicely done and a great counterpoint to the mindless trash written by Jill Singer. Seems also, that the Herald Sun can't cope with comments which are critical of what they laughingly refer to as their columnist as my completely polite comments and opinion hasn't appeared in their comments list - I'm also certain I'm not alone in this. RIP Marco Simoncelli, thanks for all the excitement
Conrad
Guest
Tom, Jill does not deserve anyone to defend what she wrote. And now we are expected to do our own background research to find the full story and say "oh, Jill didn't mean all those horrible things after all"? No. The article was written to stand on it's own and we should all read and judge it as such. Those quotes and phrases were just used as part of the article to generate her own little bit of controversy. That they happened to be such convenient snippets just served to relate her views more concisely. Yarrive Konsky (Australian Superbikes promoter) has also made a response to that article (http://www.asbk.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&Itemid=2&view=article&id=602). He mentions that Jill Singer seems to be clever with words, and will always do well hiding behind them. Looking at the follow on discussion that definitely seems to be true.
Conrad
Guest
They don't even deserve the page views... I've seen others asking that the link not be distributed, I've gotta agree.
Conrad
Guest
I'm in Brisbane and I did manage to come across the article in question. An article like that with such inappropriate, ignorant and disgusting views does tend to generate alot of ill will among fans. I'd have no trouble believing that the article has made it's way around the world, among motorsport fans at least.
mitch p
Guest
Great article Will, made the hair on the back of my neck stand up ! Grand Prix and MotoGP are awesome events, us fans are lucky enough to see grand final type action every round and watch these talented sportsman perform. Very sad when a talented racer and a talented person like Marco dies in the contest. RIP Marco and thanks for the words Will
Marty
Guest
Thankyou Will for standing up for us motorsport fans. I was sitting on my louge with my best mate and my girlfriend, beers in hand ready to cheer on our heros. Just like every GP meet I had watched every single practice session (online streaming) that weekend and was pumped to see stoner and simmoncelli do well, my hands still black from working on my race bike just minutes before. The race starts off great and is arguably one of the best starts this season. Everyone going at it especially the two rising stars Bautista and Simmoncelli. We are all on the edge of our seats watching those two exchange places on every corner, then out of nowhere tragedy strikes... We come to the horrible realization that his helmet had come off, I look to my left and my best mate is gobsmacked lost for words, look to the right and there's tears running down my girlfriends face. We are all riders and we all know how serious this is. We watched the live online feed for the next 45 minutes virtually in silence seeing his devastated family and racing colleges absolutely gutted all thinking the same thing as us. The inevitable announcement is made, the commentators start to choke up and the feed is cut. I barely slept a minute of sleep that night, the next morning I go in to work and my Italian workmate who is also I rider walks in to work, dark circles under his eyes just like me, looks at me and says nothing but "f**k...". It was at that point I realized how many people shared my pain. That nobdy Jill can jump off a cliff, whoever she is. Rest in price Simmo mate, you were destant to be a racing god. Marty
Elissa Greedy
Guest
I wish this woman all the bad karma in the world and wonder how she would be if she lost her mother, her father, her brother or her child. I am one of these unfortunate people who has to endure the loss of my bro everyday and am well aware of the fact he raced to win not to die. I am horrified with this article and all i have left to say is this...Jill i have lost more people from fatal car crashes and whilst not an extreme sport driving a car appears to have even higher risk of fatality and are usually result of a TRAGIC ACCIDENT...What a sad mind Jill you must have to impress upon a nation not to gireve for there loved ones as if there isnt enough negativity in the world already...You are one very bitter woman who lacks compassion...Selfish, selfish, selfish!!! This world needs less of you and more of Marco as far im concerned...
Ross
Guest
While not having had the opportunity to have met Super Sic as you had, it was easy to spot his charm and character. My wife has no interest in motorbikes, other than it's an interest of mine, yet she loved to watch Simoncelli race. She was just as devastated as I was when we saw the accident, and then later we both morned when we heard the news. MotoGP isn't going to be the same without him. Last weekend was also the Gold Coast 600. We live in Brisbane and my wife actually felt like going down to check it out (from outside the paid barriers). http://www.goldcoast600.com.au/ have a look at the site, and how the event is promoted. It's explosions and wrecked cars flipping through the air. I saw this on Saturday, before the loss of Simoncelli, but after the loss of Dan Wheldon. It was disappointing to see that this is what they think appeals to fans (and even more disappointing if they are correct).
David Mc
Guest
Thank you for sharing this good tribute to a great racer and, as more and more articles show, an uncommonly warm and approachable top-level MotoGP rider. My riding buddies and I are largely still in some shock at his death, coming a mere week after we watched him excel at Phillip Island. We rode there from interstate, for the reasons you alluded to. I'm pleased that I haven't seen the dreadful populist journalism of the Herald Sun article. Marco's funeral will be starting in just under 5 hours from now. It will be broadcast live on Italian TV. What will the Herald Sun make of that degree of recognition? Rest in Peace Marco, you will not be forgotten in a long time.
Steve
Guest
Will, I am so glad that there are journos like yourself that can express the feelings for those who cannot write as well as you do. I spent an hour trying to find the right words to have a crack at Jill Singer but alas it was not posted....thank you for your article....i hope Ms Singer reads it .... there are also a number of posts on facebook inviting her to Bathurst next year to come and camp at Reid Park.....maybe political journalism is what she should stick to...cheers and Thankyou!
tack
Guest
You missed the fact that more people die playing lawn bowls than any other sport. So based on that fact should we campaign to close down all bowls clubs? How can we allow such irresponsibility in the community? Old people woopin' it up in the bar and then keeling over on the green. And what about those pensioners looking on while this death sport is taking place! What a bunch of ghouls they are!
Robsalvv
Guest
Very well said Will. I didn't know Limoncello (what we called him in fun around my place - being fellow italians), but he was someone I admired, he was a member of my extended tribe - a motorcyclist, and he died tragically before my very eyes. That's a helluva shock to the system. His memory shouldn't be sullied by the great beige unwashed calling for cotton padded footpaths. Well said Will.
Racer
Guest
well said
Atawhai Drive
Guest
All this fuss about one piece written by one journalist. Newspaper columnists are under a lot of pressure these days to generate "hits" on the papers' websites. Rumour has it that at least one columnist has quite deliberately created an outrageous persona for himself, with the aim of stirring up the punters. Anything for a reaction.
AP3
Guest
Great Article Will I have been going to races for many years and NEVER have I seen anyone high 5 a wreck (to use her words). Youre a hypocrite! You waited for someone to die just to write this article for some cheap attention No one wants to read your crap The last thing Marco's family needs is to read crap like this! Have some respect lady! RIP Super Sic!
Will McCloy
Guest
Phil - You expressed your feelings in your article in such a truthful and heartfelt way. Thats a brave thing to do, and a lot of us feel the same way. Its good to read that others feel the same way when something like this happens. Thanks for your words, i'm sure many would have taken solace from it. A terrible week for motorsport, but as always, it will band the community together and we will all learn from it.
Will McCloy
Guest
Cheers Brett, its truly a tragedy. Its a pity that it takes such a terrible event to draw comment from those outside the motorsport community and fans. Hopefully next time i'll have something a bit more upbeat to comment on!
Colin McMillan
Guest
Fantastic article Will, you have managed to some up the anger we feel towards the writer of that article in the Herald Sun. If only we as a community could get a right of reply posted in that same paper. In all my years (40 to date) of being involved in and around motorcycle racing i have not seen nor heard of 1 occasion where anyone has enjoyed a crash. we all enjoy the cut and thrust of close racing and yes we know the dangers, but we watch to see these men and women do somnething special. Not to get hurt or worse. CIAO Simo. ride free and say hi to the guys up there for us
Paul
Guest
Here's a link to the Herald Sun Jill singer Opinion Piece published yesterday. http://www.heraldsun.com.au/opinion/race-fans-deny-their-inner-ghoul/story-fn56az2q-1226176644011