RIP Marco Simoncelli

daenerysstormborn3

Marco Simoncelli has died after a horrific crash at the Malaysian MotoGP in Sepang.

The race was cancelled after four minutes when Honda rider Simoncelli fell and was hit by Colin Edwards and Valentino Rossi as he slid across the track.

The 24-year-old had his helmet knocked off in the accident and the race was immediately red-flagged.

Honda rider Simoncelli first entered MotoGP for the 2010 season.

He won his first pole position at the Catalunya race in June this year.

The accident happened at Turn 11 when Simoncelli's bike veered across the track into the path of Edwards and Rossi.

Simoncelli, who was motionless on the track after the impact, had been fourth at the end of lap one after qualifying in fifth.

Edwards also fell but escaped serious injury, while Rossi, on a Ducati, was able to return to the pits.

World champion Casey Stoner said: "As soon as I saw the footage it just makes you sick inside. Whenever the helmet comes off that's not a good sign."

Simoncelli's first podium finish came in the Czech Republic in August when he finished third but he bettered that with a second-place finish at the Australian GP.

The Italian started in the 125cc class in 2002 and moved up to the 250cc class in 2006.

He claimed the 250cc world title in 2008.

RIP Marco Simoncelli. Such a pleasure to watch him race with his own inimitable style.

Such a tragic loss to Moto GP:(

Mech1

RIP Marco.

Grim.

RIP Marco

still cant believe it, my thoughts are with his family and friends

RxQueen

RIP such a loss

cocalolaman

Worst week for motorsport since '94. First Dan then this happens.:( R.I.P.

bladebrew

RIP,

very sad news, he had so much potential,:(

alanrebelsw

Rip marco..gone now but never forgotten, gutted :-(

MrJoeSoap

RIP. thoughts are with Colin Edwards and Valentino Rossi also.

frostie500

I have to say I'm gutted, Marco was one of the more engaging riders in the paddock and when I was over at Silverstone his press conferences were the most anticipated amongst the other journalists. Colourful on and off the track doesnt do justice to Marco.

Such a sad loss for the sport.

frostie500

MrJoeSoap wrote: »

RIP. thoughts are with Colin Edwards and Valentino Rossi also.

yeah one can only imagine what both are going through, particularly Vale seeing as himself and Marco were so close

benzie

R.I.P Marco,

Sheeps

Horrific accident and a terrible loss. RIP

markc1184

RIP. Another huge talent gone far too early!

TripleAce

I am almost in tears....RIP Sic

daenerysstormborn3

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2011/malaysia+sepang+motogp+simoncelli+succumbs+to+injuries

This article contains a link to write your own personal tribute to the Super Sic.

decisions

RIP
So sad to see two great racers lose their lives in such a short space of time.

V4

Simo was a shot in the arm to MotoGP

RIP Marco

Frank Bullitt

Not a good week for motorsport and its fans.

Wherever you are Marco, I hope your still tearing up the track. God rest.

amacachi

Had a dream this morning about a crash that matches that description, gonna have to see if someone said it to me or if I'm psychic.

RIP, not a huge follower of MotoGP but he stood out for some reason. Sad loss and tough for everyone involved in the crash I'm sure.

tayto lover

RIP very sad but i still think motor and bike racing is mad.

tribalwings

RIP Super Sic #58. You knew how to entertain the fans and weren't afraid to bash fairings. You will be sadly missed

Bob_the_dog

Sad sad news...........RIP Marco

Heart goes out to the 2 other riders involved, a very sad day

Dcully

Shocking!

RIP

T-Maxx

*Removal of link to crash. Too soon. If people want to see it, they know where to look.*

Terrible. Just terrible.

RIP

amacachi

I have no idea why I clicked that link. Horrific stuff and much like the IndyCar last week it's one of those that you just know will have dire results before any confirmation.

decisions

*Removal of link to crash. Too soon. If people want to see it, they know where to look.*

Terrible. Just terrible.

RIP[/QUOTE]

The more times you see it the worse it looks.
Edwards must be in bits, both physically and emotionally.

hurler on de ditch

frostie500 wrote: »

I have to say I'm gutted, Marco was one of the more engaging riders in the paddock and when I was over at Silverstone his press conferences were the most anticipated amongst the other journalists. Colourful on and off the track doesnt do justice to Marco.

Such a sad loss for the sport.

ah terrible hate this feeling right now ,i am sick

Edwardius

Horrible week for motorsport. RIP #58.

Fiskar

R.I.P Marco, you were the bright light for the future #58. Sad day for the sport.

Cool_CM

That's horrific.
A shocking week for motorsport.
RIP

LauraW7746

RIP Marco. I couldn't believe it when I heard, he's such a loss to MotoGP. My thoughts are also with Valentino & Colin there was nothing they could have done.

demolitionman

RIP Simoncelli.

Heart also bleeds for rossi and edwards, especially as their bashes to him were most likely the fatal ones.

Sad day. Black week for motor sport.

arnhem44

A sad sad day,a true star of now and the future taken from us.RIP Super Sic

De Hipster

Moto has lost one of it's most inspirational & contraversial riders, a joy to watch & really shook things up on entering the sport.

RIP Marco - vary sad indeed.

PAULWATSON

Just waiting for the clowns "demanding" that the sport is shut down.

I'll get in early and tell them to go back and hide under the bed, leave this to the big boys. They know what they are doing when they get on the bike, and remember just because you can't drive at 70mph does not mean that these men can't do 200 on one wheel.

ottostreet

tayto lover wrote: »

RIP very sad but i still think motor and bike racing is mad.

Then why are you in the Motorsport forum?

R.I.P. Marco. Can't say I pay a lot of attention to Moto GP, but I was aware that he was a rising star. Terrible days for motorsport.

bitemybanger

I'm in work and just seeing this now. I'm absolutely gutted.
Not a good week for motorsport at all, first Dan Wheldon now this:(

daenerysstormborn3

I believe Edwards has already gone home to the States. Rossi must be absolutely torn up about this.

I still can't believe it. Never have I cried over the death of someone I don't know.

h3000

RIP Marco. Such an awful awful day.

RIP

Steve Parrish thinks Rossi will retire over the incident.

andyman

Coraline Thankful Rent wrote: »

RIP

Steve Parrish thinks Rossi will retire over the incident.

I wouldn't be surprised you know. Sic was his best friend and he'll feel that it was his blow that killed Sic. That's a devastating thought. Really am feeling for Rossi as well as Edwards right now.

RIP Marco. Huge loss to the sport.

daenerysstormborn3

LIGHTNING wrote: »

Another terrible loss, two well loved drivers have been taken away from us far too early. One thing that that jumped out at me is that his helmet came off. I think there will be a big investgation about this. Your helmet should never come off it should be so tight that there is no movement.

What always struck me about Simoncelli is how he could race with that much hair. I would have thought that a) its very uncomfortable b) would it effect how tightly the helmet can attached to the drivers.

Race direction have said that they won't comment on the helmet issue for the moment but it will be investigated. I'm guessing it had something to do with Edwards' (and possibly Rossi's) front wheel hitting it with such force that it pulled it off.

I'm pretty sure he his helmets specially made to accommodate all of his hair. I'm sure I read that somewhere, can't think where though. I doubt that his hair would have had an impact on the effectiveness of his helmet compared to others though.

Sids Not

pixiebean22 wrote: »

Race direction have said that they won't comment on the helmet issue for the moment but it will be investigated. I'm guessing it had something to do with Edwards' (and possibly Rossi's) front wheel hitting it with such force that it pulled it off.

I'm pretty sure he his helmets specially made to accommodate all of his hair. I'm sure I read that somewhere, can't think where though. I doubt that his hair would have had an impact on the effectiveness of his helmet compared to others though.

Lets keep the thread simple as a mark of respect to Marco, lads an lassies.....i for one dont want to know about the helmet issue..maybe in another thread at a later date...;)

RIP Marco...

SouperComputer

RIP Marco

I wonder if the straps let go? They are designed to take a certain load, then let go for obvious reasons. I remember a FF incident in the 90's where one car climbed over the other and pulled the guys helmet off. People were going nuts over it, but had the helmet not come off, it could have been worse.

CJhaughey

RIP Marco 58
He was one of a kind, in a sport where there are lots of grey men he stood out with a bold and inspirational attitude.
He will be badly missed not only by his family and friends but most MotoGP watchers would have to say they enjoyed his racing style.
Condolences to Vale and Colin Edwards they must be in bits.

I saw a pic where someone was holding his helmet, looked like the strap had broken away on one side. They are only riveted and no strap is going to hold that much pressure/impact.

MrJoeSoap

Second post in this thread, but even on a Rugby World Cup final and Manchester derby day, this still has knocked the wind out of me. Can't believe we won't get to see him causing more trouble over the next few years, the sport needs people like him.

And if Rossi does retire over this, what a horrible end to an incredible career, though his decision would be completely understandable. Can't stop thinking about how Vale and Edwards must be feeling. They need everyone's support as much as anyone else.

Tackleberry.

a joy to watch #58, RIP Marco.

Dcully

Probably sounds silly but watching the race and seeing the helmet come off my first reaction was his thick long hair that could have caused the helmet to not sit right.
Im probably way off the mark , not sure if hair would make a difference but thats what sprung to mind.
God bless his family, truely great character,huge talent, sad sad loss to motorsport and indeed sport.

MrJoeSoap

http://jenniegow.co.uk/blog.htm

Nice tribute.

daenerysstormborn3

Rossi has just tweeted:

Sic for me was like a youngest brother.so strong on track and so sweet in the normal life.I will miss him a lot.

MrJoeSoap

pixiebean22 wrote: »

Rossi has just tweeted:

Sic for me was like a youngest brother.so strong on track and so sweet in the normal life.I will miss him a lot.

It really is a crazy story, Simoncelli was so much like a young Rossi.