Some of us have met young men with great talent that also possess great humility. The combination is exceedingly rare, but it is out there if you look closely. Shoya Tomizawa was one of these rare individuals. His tragic death last weekend in the Moto2 race, not unlike the death of young Peter Lenz at Indianapolis, has left the industry and fans in shock. I saw this nice piece written by Julian Ryder about the character of Tomizawa that makes us wonder why he was only given 19 years. Take the time to read it. Our heartfelt condolences to the families of Shoya Tomizawa and Peter Lenz.
I’ll admit that I know little about youngsters on the road race circuit, and the speeds they are reaching. But when I was racing, I didn’t know of anyone at that age on road racing bikes. Many or most of the future stars were racing TT and quarter mile dirt track, with its more reasonable speeds and it provided an awesome training ground for learning control and how to dice it up. Very exciting for the racers and crowd alike. It seems that the so-called progress of better-faster-flashier has some terrible costs. I really feel for the families and admirers of these young men.
Tomizawa san had a very bright future ahead of him. He lived well and will be missed. An example of his respect for others is demonstrated by the #74 patch on his leathers. A tribute to the great Kato san.
This was a horrifying crash and it appeared impossible for De Angelis & Redding to miss him after he lost the front end. I too hope efforts will be increased to develop better safety gear for racers. Unfortunately I don’t know if any equipment could have helped Tomizawa based on the speed at which he was struck.
A criminal investigation has been launched now into whether race officials handled this situation appropriately. It appears they’re also investigating corner workers who dropped the stretcher as they moved him through the gravel trap which is appalling to watch. Almost as sickening as how Daijiro Kato was handled after his crash several years ago (ironically Tomizawa wore Kato’s #74 on his leathers).
I pray that FIM / Dorna will review their training for emergency workers so that these riders who literally are giving their lives for this sport will be treated better. Yes the race was still going and they were rushing him out of (further) harms way and to immediate medical attention but throwing a rider onto a gurney (Kato) or dropping a gravely injured rider is inexcusable. I’m not suggesting that corner workers caused these deaths but they didn’t do them any favors.
Godspeed to these riders, condolences to the families and I hope all of us that love this sport will hold these top level riders in higher esteem for what they risk. They do amazing things and are truly living on an edge that most of us can’t fathom.
Godspeed and I hope his family and team can find peace in time.
It seems that tragedies like this can often bring about new safety technologies that will reduce or eliminate life threatening injuries in the future. The deaths of racers like Adam Petty & Dale Earnhardt brought about the mandatory use of the HANS device, and the implementation of soft walls at all NASCAR races.
I think companies such as Dainese and Alpinestars should be frantically developing a piece of rider apparrel that can be worn like a back protector, but offer full coverage around a riders torso. Alpinestars already has the airbag equipped leathers, so maybe they can expand the airbag in the suit to protect the torso. Maybe these devices should become mandatory like the HANS device in auto racing.
Godspeed Peter Lenz and Shoya Tomizawa. You will be missed and remembered.
That is the problem with the world. We often lose the good people too quickly. Very good piece on Shoya. He will be missed by us fans for sure.
So sad to see such young talents lose their lives. Nothing like a lesson in humility from this young kid from Japan to show most of these racers that they don’t need to be as arrogant as they are. Judging by the article the sport didn’t lose just an excellent rider, it lost an incredible human being. RIP Tomizawa and Lenz.