Just got off the phone with Rhiannon and Cycle Jam was not so great. Dan Ortega was injured in a 5 bike crash that also killed rider Chris Stevenson.
From what she heard, Dan suffered a broken leg and also has a head injury. I don't have any more info on Dan or the other riders, so if someone has an update, please fill us in.
Link (http://www.roadracingworld.com/news/article/?article=26285)to RRW Article
Hope DanO is OK and judging from the past it will barely slow him down.
I don't know Chris or anyone that are friends or family, you have my simpathy and respect, God speed Chris.
What can you even say to this? Fuk! :banghead:
Don't know Chris, but I am sorry for him and his family.
Hope DanO is going to be OK, don't like to hear about the head injury at all.
Anyone have any addy to send cards to Dan?
Prayers for everyone involved.
I did not know Chris but my thoughts and prayers are with his family.
DanO, heal up soon alright? Head injurys aren't anything fun.
Again my thoughts and prayers are with all of the riders that were involved in the accidents at Cycle Jam as well as all of the racers on the track in the coming weeks and months. Please be safe out there!
Holy crap!
(https://www.ccsforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fhome.comcast.net%2F%7Ersinisi%2Frip.gif&hash=9b02e403f130ccbc4cfecbb82b44245efd27c67a) http://www.roadracingworld.com/news/article/?article=26285 (http://www.roadracingworld.com/news/article/?article=26285)
Prayers for all involved. Hang in there Dan. . .
No news other than what's been posted but I'll let you know if I hear anything. Not sure what's up with the head inury, he was conscious and talking to people and recognized me before they transported him.
Only 3 bikes involved which is really nitpicking but I'd rather things be accurate when we're talking about a serious accident.
I talked too Allison, Dans girlfriend last night, She said he was talking and she left yesterday @ 3:00 to go down there from Illinios and flew in before his surgery. Acorrding to her hell be fine, but can we all stop crashing now :preachon:
Ill be calling to get another update from her today
Man, this year sucks.....
Prayers to all... :wah:
Dawn
This has been a hard year...
I'm speakless for Chris, a fellow racer, that I never knew...
I hope his family makes it through their pain.
Dan O...
Heal up fast!
To everyone else...
Lets stop crashing!
XIII
Ben and Allison here, here is the latest. Dan underwent surgery yesterday for a hematoma and a severely broken left leg below his knee. He is stable and doing well, but against Dan's wishes he probably will be down here for a while. He is alert and has his finger on the morphine button. They did operate on both ends at the same time, he had one tube removed from his head since the swelling has gone down and hopefully the other one out tomorrow.
As for the race itself, I actually missed the start of the race, bike wouldn't start. Someone might have been loking out for me. I did restart the race due to the red flag though. I don't have much information on the accident, besides the fact that it occured in / around turn 5. I do know the force of the impact was so great that Dan's bike was split in half. I have the front in the truck and the swingarm in the trailer. It was a strange / sad day. Godspeed for Chris Stevenson. All of us had a feeling on what had happened but our concerns were confirmed at the end of the day when WERA made the announcement.
I will be heading back home on Wednesday morning and will make an update as soon as we know anything else.
Thanks for your concern.
Dan and Allison's address is 3414 S. Riverside Dr. McHenry, IL. 60050
Damn.... sad day indeed. Godspeed to Chris. His family is in my families prayers.
Glad to hear that Dan is going to be OK! He is in our prayers as well.
Thoughts and prayer for the family of Chris. Danno, get well soon bud, hope everything goes as well as possible.
godspeed chris and get well Dan....
Thanks for the update! All in all that's great news. We were worried when we heard about the hematoma.
Just talked to Allison and Ben, and said Dan has a few more surgeries to go and currently has a halo on his leg to imobilize it. Dan as stated before is anxious to come home and start rehabbing his leg. Sounds like he might be out of commission for awhile. Waiting to hear from the man himself later.
Dan - Dan - Dan...........I'm pulling for you dude - Stupid shit happens from time to time..... Motorcycles only have two wheels and can't stay upright all the time........ I hope everything goes well and I will call Benny here in a few min........ Allison - If you need anything just let me know and I will get it done for you.......
damn... it's been a rough year. Get well DanO. Praying has become a full-time job around here!
Sorry to hear about this DanO. Hope you heal up quick. Get the good drugs.
Quote from: roadrashroeser on July 03, 2006, 04:58:00 PM
Just talked to Allison and Ben, and said Dan has a few more surgeries to go and currently has a halo on his leg to imobilize it.
Very sorry to hear about the passing of one of our racers.
Ben, Mike...
Get Dan to order some of the bone stuff...
http://www.seacoastvitamins.com/Store/product_info.php?products_id=780&osCsid=692acfb1ab6fd9578d2a6aa34ef8473b
God speed Chris Stevenson............
Let Dan know the Wegman Fund is here if he needs us.
Not a good start to this season. :ahhh: Many months and lots of laps left. I hope they get better.
Quote from: Super Dave on July 03, 2006, 07:44:24 PM
Very sorry to hear about the passing of one of our racers.
Ben, Mike...
Get Dan to order some of the bone stuff...
http://www.seacoastvitamins.com/Store/product_info.php?products_id=780&osCsid=692acfb1ab6fd9578d2a6aa34ef8473b
Hey Dave....
Why don't you just start selling that stuff at the track!
XIII
RIP Chris Stevenson, my prayers are with him and his family.
I had the oportunity to meet and have a few beers with Dan at MAM earlier this year, great guy and get well soon. -John Deuser
My thoughts and most sincere best wishes are with you and your friends and family Dan. I'm going to miss you on track here in a couple of weeks, it won't be the same race out there without you. Get yourself well buddy.
Condolences to the family of Chris Stevenson, I didn't know Chris but in the short time I have spent in this sport I have come to know how much he must have enjoyed what he was doing. I am very sorry for your loss.
Best wishes to Dan for a speedy recovery.
DanO, man.... That just sucks!
Chris, may you walk out of the cornfield and find yourself at God's own racetrack.
I'm getting so tired of this.
Very sad news. RIP Chris.
Get well soon Dano.
It seems that the Wegman fund is needed now more than ever. Please keep it alive.
James Rich
#55 Am
I'm new to the CCS Board as of today. I just met dan for the first time a few weeks ago. I wanted to wish Dan a speedy recovery. Please keep us posted.
God speed Chris.
Heal quick Dan, if you need anything I'm just up the road.
Heal up DanO! Use the meds man, they're greeeaaat! Chris, another racer I've never met, just the same my thoughts and prayers are with his family. I'm not sure how many more if these I can take this year.
Jason Thorson
God Speed Chris,
Dano,
Thoughts and prayers for a speedy, complete recovery.
Sincerely,
Paul
Polar-Optics
MW#90
Allison - This is Stephanie, Brad Neff's girlfriend. Not sure if you've been reading the other threads, but Brad had a pretty good wreck at Heartland Park a few weeks back, so I know what you are going through. Please give me a call if you want to talk - my number is (319) 360-5558.
My prayers are with you and Dan and with Chris' family.
Chris will be missed, God speed.
Dan, wishing you a speedy recovery.
Team Serpent
Quote from: ub2slo on July 04, 2006, 10:03:40 PM
Use the meds man, they're greeeaaat!
Jason Thorson
It sure is good to see a post from you, Jason! Glad to know you're up and typing. You scared us all.
Sad news, Thoughts and prayers to Chris' family.
Dano..... Hope you get back on track soon buddy.....hang in there
RJ
Thoughts and Many Prayers to all the Families.
Get well soon Dan.
Thoughts and prayers go out to Chris's family.
get well soon and dano and my thoughts and prayers are with chris's family
Hello! I spoke to Dan a few hours ago and he is in good spirits. He has 2 more surgeries to go through - one on his skull from where the blood clot was and the other one on his leg. He is hoping to be on his way home on friday.
Michelle
Yo Danno,
If you get this before they spring you, pinch a nurse for me. I heard they like that :biggrin:
Heal up fast, Pal!
Quote from: sprty_21 on July 05, 2006, 10:42:20 PM
He is hoping to be on his way home on friday.
That would be great news! 8)
I'm back in Chicago after driving straight through yesterday. Allison and I brought the rig and all of the equipment back home. Dan was doing pretty well when we last saw him late Tuesday night. He has a minimal amount of tubes hooked up, both drains are out. I believe he has been moved to his own room out of the ICU (something about using his cell phone in the ward). He should undergo another surgery on his leg today. If all goes well, fighting off any infection and such we should see him home early next week. I'm still waiting to hear the final word on this so we can make the reservations. He does have his laptop with him but we had some connectivity issues trying to set it up in the room.
Ben
Hey Ben,
This is Denis, Hope you remember me, we used to work togather at Chicago cycle. Well I heard about the bad news and was hoping you could wish Dan a fast recovery from me and my brother.
Dan Hope you get well soon, best of luck.
Denis
Local Article
Top headline of the front page on a holiday no less!
Now everyone says how sucky it is that this guy died doing something he apparently LOVED doing. I don't necessarily see it that way. Don't get me wrong, I don't relish anyone's seemingly untimely departure, but what would REALLY suck would be dying behind a keyboard, 60lbs overweight with a bag of cheetos at your side in a job you can't stand just to make payments on the house your ex-wife now lives in with your former best friend... THAT would suck.
And I could only hope to land a front page cover when I pass...
My hat is off to you - fallen one...
<<puts down bag of cheetoes>>
well put Jeff.
Always a shame to hear of a lost life, I never me the guy but I am sure he similar to 99% of the people in the paddock. Do anything for ya, help a fellow rider... From what I hear I wish I could have met the guy... rest in piece Chris, nothing but on camber carousels from here on.
DanO, heal up quick man, glad to hear everything is moving in a good direction! :thumb:
Quote from: Jeff on July 06, 2006, 02:13:44 PM
what would REALLY suck would be dying
in a muddy ditch with a shovel in your hand,
Quote from: Jeff on July 06, 2006, 02:13:44 PM
60lbs overweight in a job you can't stand just to make payments on the house your
beloved wife lives in with you and your two dogs....
Thanks for writing my biography, Jeff! :kicknuts:
And THAT, friends, is why I hope I pass on a weekend. Because if it's the weekend, I'm probably at the track, and when I'm at the track the bullshit doesn't matter....
Quote from: K3 Chris Onwiler on July 06, 2006, 05:22:22 PM
And THAT, friends, is why I hope I pass on a weekend. Because if it's the weekend, I'm probably at the track, and when I'm at the track the bullshit doesn't matter....
Well said 8)
I was kind of taken aback the other day watching some show on SPEED. They were interviewing some lady racer (dragracing, I think) and she said that she hopes that her friends never have to say that she died doing what she loved. Nobody wants to die or get injured, but I was not really used to that way of thinking. I was not really sure what to make of it...
It's such a tough thing. I mean, on one hand, the LAST place I want to die is on the track because I don't want my wife, kids, family and friends to be left with a bad taste for my passion. Yet on the other hand, while everyone would be sad but 'understand' if I were to rot away from the inside out courtesy of cancer, I don't think that would be a preferred exit package.
BTW, sorry for jacking your 'get well' thread DanO...
Hey Ben, would you have a current update on Dan. I called him on his cell phone and the nerv of him not to pick up. :biggrin:
Thanks man and heal up soon Dan.
I just talked to Allison, and she wanted me to post. Dan is getting better everyday, and appreciates everyones concern. He has another surgery next week and will be home soon. He's going to be okay..
Dano,
Get well soon. I'll have a beer and burger waiting for you when you come back to MAM or if Mike has his way BH!!
Take care,
Kurt
www.d2cycles.com
God speed Chris.
Get back, and well soon Dano!
Godspeed Chris Stevenson and get well Dan Ortega.....
Get well fast Dan! Glad to hear the promising news!
I didnt know Chris, but Becky and I want his family and frends to know our hearts and prayers are with them.
May you forever take the checkered flag my fallen friend.... God speed
Mark & Becky and the Kegel team
Heal quick Dan! :thumb:
Just spoke to Dan at 1:40pm today. He sounds great and in good spirits. His is planning to be discharged on Wednesday after he has his skull fragment put back in place. Dan is planning to be at Blackhawk this coming weekend.
My sympathies to the friends and family of a fellow racer, Chris.
See you soon, Dan!
He's going to be at Blachhawk? Wow! I'm sure he's not going to be riding, but that's awesome news about the recovery. Trooper! :cheers:
Hey guys, Ben here in ATL, Dan will be released tomorrow and we'll be on a flight Saturday evening back to Chicago. See you guys Sunday at BHF.
Glad to hear the good news! Take your time and heal up right. We've been watching this thread regularly to keep up with your condition. We're all behind you if you need anything!
hey hey everyone....thanks for all the good thoughts and concern!! I broke out today!
Ya all I have to say is the hospital sucks!!! Laying in a bed watching nothing but TV and O.d.in' on meds.....it was driving me nutz!...LOL
My thoughts and prayers are out to the other riders involved.
But I'll back soon. as soon as I heal up my leg and head...I'm BACK!!
As far as the crash goes, I'm not really sure what happened...I kinda remember high/siding my bike but that's about it.
Thanks again everyone for the concern!
DanO
Quote from: Scooter on July 14, 2006, 05:09:23 PM
Good to see you back Dan. See you Sunday! :thumb: :cheers:
ya I'm gonna try and make an appearance out there sunday!
well see I'm pretty much a gimp...lol
Stay home it's going to be too hot. (Besides I won't be there so what's the point?) (https://www.ccsforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.clicksmilies.com%2Fs0105%2Faktion%2Faction-smiley-042.gif&hash=f9356965429a932b53d36fc36aca9c6fc23fa37c) :biggrin:
Good to see they sprung ya. Heal up quick!
Ditto that. You've got plenty of time. Glad to hear you're out and about! :cheers:
Nice to see you back Dan. Heal up quick.