To the F40 racer that took Bobby Kim out in race 7 on Sat at NJMP

[JohnJ]

Since you never came over to apologize, I thought you might like to know that Bobby left the hospital with no broken bones, but some badly bruised ribs, contusions on his forehead and elbows, aggravation of a partially torn labrum and a lot of pain.  He was really lucky this time.  The staff that saw the crash ran over and told him not to move, expecting the worst based on what they saw.

As I understand it, you were in the Formula 40 race, which was gridded in the first wave in front of Lightweight Superbike.  After breaking the crank in his A bike earlier in the day, Bobby was forced to ride the team endurance bike in the Lightweight Superbike race (not even your race).  He got the holeshot and lead the entire race.  Along the way, he passed a good number of riders from the first wave, including you.  I understand that racers in Formula 40 are on 600s and 750s.  Bobby was riding a supersport SV650.  He passed you on what was probably the second to last lap, but with the power advantage you had, apparently you caught him going down the straight.  Bobby turned in for turn 1 as usual, and when he hit the apex, the next thing he knew, there was a bike in front of him.  Apparently, you decided to turn it in right across him, basically chopping his front.  He then went over the bars and landed hard, tumbling for what he describes as "forever."  You didn't go down.  There was another racer right behind you when it happened who confirmed Bobby's recollection of the incident. 

Somebody from your crew saw my buddy picking up the bike in the tech shed while Bobby was on his way to the hospital in the ambulance.  He was apologetic, and asked if there was anything he could do.  I assume it's because you told him what had happened.  My buddy was busy dealing with the bike and didn't pay much attention, although he should have, because we never found out who you were. 

Since you were in Formula 40, we all assumed you would have the maturity to man up and apologize.  Bobby is PISSED - but he understands this is racing and hasn't gone on a witch hunt to find you.  He also understands that racers get taken out all the time, and this is no different.  Despite the injuries, lost races, bike and equipment damage (extensive) and lost contingency, he expected nothing from you but an apology.  He is trying to let this go and let karma take care of the rest.  I'm not as patient and decided to post this, in hopes that you would see this and find it within yourself to apologize.  I think that would mean a lot to Bobby (and his team).  Bobby is the kind of guy that is always willing to go out of his way to help out another racer in need.  He's very big on the concept of karma.  I hope you are, too. 

[JWZelibor]

WOW....i was glad to see bobby the next day on his pit bike looking "ok" especially after i saw what was "left" of his SV....hopefully this dude mans up and apoligizes....some one hit bars with me on a wild pass going into turn 7 (luckyly all that happend was my brake lever got pushed forward and i drove into the grass and then back on the track) but i never got a sorry for that one...

[mikendzel]

Man, tell Bobby I hope heals up fast!

[ktd]

I caught a glimps of two crashes in turn one over my shoulder but I certainly had nothing to do with the crashes.

[ktd]

Was he the one that crashed on the far left or the one that hit the hump to the right.

[yetidave]

Bobby is one of the best dudes in the paddock and certainly does not deserve shit like that. I spoke with one of the track officials who watched it happen. I asked him a couple of questions about who hit him based on suspicions I already had. He confirmed my suspicions, but when I talked to Bobby later, his accounts contradicted what the official said. So I let it go. If the rider turns out to be who I initially thought it was, Bobby will never get an apology. Bobby wasn't his first victim, and won't be his last.
If Bobby, or any of you guys, need anything to get ready for this weekend, just ask.

[ktd]

Well I have the race on Vidieo provided my camera worked.

[JohnJ]

Thanks Dave, much appreciated.  ktd, if you have the actual crash on vid, we'd love to see it.

[ktd]

I should have right before it.  I say should because that camera works sometimes doesn't sometimes.  I really don't remember what was going on just before.  I know I had backed off a couple of times at the end to let the Experts get on into the turns.  I was doing so bad in the race that day it didn't matter. The crashes from both happend behind me.  I did see some of one of them but I thought that guy just over cooked it on the brakes.  When I came back around everthing was gone but then I hear noises behind me again and out of the corner of my eye I see some guy rolling.   I turned my head because the  sounds made me think I was about to get hit.  If I played some role I had no idea.

I had the same thing happen to me when a 125 passed me in 5 on my SV.  He totally took my front wheel off and I hit the ground hard. 

[racer911]

jj, jw, mike and dave - thanks.

ktd - sounds like it might have been you that took me out.  i don't think there was another rider close enough to see me rolling out of the corner of his eye.  but you're saying that you had no idea.  what's strange is that somebody from the crew of the rider that took me out approached my buddy in the tech shed and apologized.  curious - what color is your bike?

[plasticweld]

The advantage of riding the F40 is supposed to be maturity, this is just fun and the bikes and the classes are so mixed up there is not any real excuses for doing a lot of pushing and shoving in the corners. I know sometimes it happens but anyone in this group should be the first to stick their hand out and apologise if you mess up..

[ktd]

I have a Yellow Duc 1098.  I don't think anyone from my crew talked to you.  We were on the other side of the Paddock and they watched the races from the Bridge.  If I had anything to do with it I apologize but I had no idea.  I can't wait to get home from work and see if I have the movie.  When I saw the person rolling I was up past the turn and had turned my head to the left.  I was about to get to the jump area.