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Email received
5/20/02: My son Michael Loper was killed at Mountaineer Raceway, Inwood, WV on 4/14/02. There was a small double at the end of the race and Mike decided to ride over them, conditions were very muddy. Two riders behind him were battling and did the double. One landed directly on Mike and the other rode over him after he was knocked to the ground crushing his chest and spine. The last thing Mike saw was the checkered flag. His race was finished - he didn't even know what hit him. He died at City Hospital, Martinsburg, WV. and never regained consciousness. He died of massive chest and spine injuries. Why would someone put a jump at the end of a race? Why didn't these boys watch where they were landing? It wasn't as if they couldn't see - the jump was very small. Mike was a pro racer #791. He loved motocross and had been racing for 10 years. He was only 23 years old. We feel that track design was a major factor in our sons death.Bonnie Loper
Rich's Response: In my opinion, this is another needless fatality. The problem with doubles and triples is that when a rider lands in between them, and gets jumped on, there is a lot more force than if he were on a tabletop. On most doubles, if a rider falls between the two jumps, the riders behind him may not see him. Damn it, what's wrong with the people in this sport now? I hope the promoter fills in the double before somebody else gets seriously injured or killed. For all the clueless people, who say don't ride over your head (they must be golfers not racers), here's a case of a smart rider (an expert) who decided not to double (probably because of the muddy track and not thinking he'd have enough speed to clear it) and he ends up dead. If you have any other information about this track please contact us. Have they had other serious injuries? Did they fill in this double? Were the flaggers untrained kids or professionals? Please e-mail us with any further information.