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AMA Pro Racing Suspends Herrin

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cloud9

They must have felt the contact was intentional. I disagree, look like a plain old racing incident to me. Intentional contact would be the last round of the super sport race between Herrin and Eslick and nothing was said about that.

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acecycleins

It wasn't that is was intentional. It was careless. Herrin has more than enough track experience to know that the move he made was stupid. It could have hospitalized several riders. He deserved the Infineon skip.

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12er

I watched the replay a dozen or so times and its questionable in my mind. I was suspicious the first view, he sticks his elbow out and right on the lever after banging a few times. It seemed like he was doing the banging too, his line is wavering more on the bank than the other rider. Still at 170mph bumpin and bangin something's going to happen.

pplassm

I'll ask again:

When are we going to mandate handguards over the brake lever? This kind of thing happens a lot.

I just read a chapter of Kevin Cameron's book "Top Dead Center 2", where he describes the exact same thing happening in a race in 1992.

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MOKE1K

Pplassm, you ever see $cott Ru$$ell have this happen to him. It happened of the start of the race and the bike went end over end right as everyone took off. Bad crash!

An E-mail From Graves Yamaha Rider Josh Herrin
by josh herrin from superbikeplanet
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Graves Yamaha rider Josh Herrin sent this to us last night and asked that it be posted. -- Editor

Ever since I was a little kid racing mini bikes it has been my dream to become a professional racer. Five years ago, after years of hard work and dedication, I had the good fortune to achieve my goal of becoming a professional racer.

For me as a racer, it's incredibly disappointing when I don't win, and sometimes in the heat of the moment at a race's conclusion, make statements which are regrettable. That said; I would like to set the records straight and say that I did not intend to get caught up in the last lap incident that jeopardized my fellow racers Dane Westby and Taylor Knapp. I am sincerely thankful that Dane and Taylor did not sustain any serious injuries.

For the record, I do not agree with the penalty that was assessed and with a clear conscience I can say that I am not guilty of what was said of my actions. I want to ensure my fans, my team, my sponsors, the AMA and my fellow riders that it has always been and will continue to be my goal to race as competitively as possible for the entertainment of everyone while staying within the AMA rules and not endangering anyone else on the track. I look forward to this matter reaching a fair resolution and participating in future AMA Pro Racing events. Thank you to everyone who has believed in me and continued to support me. -- Josh Herrin

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Dr_Sprocket

I just watched the replay about 6 times. IMHO, these guys are professional. They know where they are and where the other riders around them are, too. It looked to me like he was trying to use his elbow as a blocking maneuver. I see this kind of thing all the time in pro bicycle racing. Whether he intended to hit the lever or not, only one person knows for sure. However, in motorcycle racing this type of move should not be tolerated for this exact reason.

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"Aid to the helpless indigent is civilized. Aid to the irresponsible is socially corrosive." ----- Schizuki (c. 2011)

MOKE1K

Totally agree with your statement. I've seen countless racers that do this, sometimes just on instinct alone. No matter who it is as soon as they see them coming out of their peripheral vision and know that the other rider is close they pull this move.

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"YOU CAN'T BOLT ON SKILL"

cloud9

I just find it strange how they jumped on him for this incident when last year Eslick was responsible for dropping him once in a race and essentially destroyed his chances of winning in the last race of the season.

__________________
Crazy are called those who play with the limits

Insane are called those who deal with death

Masters are called those who seal the deal

Legends are called anyone of those who die in their quest.

pplassm

IIRC, that wasn't Russell. Russell was hit from behind when his bike stalled at the start.

I know of the crash you are referencing, but I don't recall the rider.

Just proves my point, that this happens a lot. We have the means to prevent it, and we should make it happen. Dirt riders have had them for decades.

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Mongo just pawn in game of life.