Clarification needed

[1fastmofo]

Hey guys,

I always had this question but was afraid to ask. If you crash during a race, what are the proper steps to take? This is assuming it's a simple lowside and you can pick the bike up and continue racing. It was never made clear in any of the schools I took.

Do you have to stop at the nearest corner worker, or do you continue around the track off the racing line until you can pit out? Please clear this up for me, I'm sure others have the same question, or never even thought about it.  ;)

[Mark Bernard]

First thing you do is a victory dance when you get to your feet! LOL! Seriously tho... The nearest corner worker should be at you by the time you finish the dance. They will assist you getting your bike on its wheels... (providing they dont push too hard and drop it on the other side!) Once the corner worker has determined that you and the bike are ok to continue, they will direct you back on the track when the traffic clears. If the bike is able to continue (i.e. no oil leaks, flat tires, broken bodywork that might fall off), you can race to your hearts content till the end of the race or yes, you can come around and pull off if you want, but if your able to finish the race, then I would continue racing till the checkered flag. Better to finish last then have a D.N.F.

[laohu69]

 :) I took the corner worker school at Summit Point last year and from the way I understood it you could continue to race as Buell_391 pointed out. You cannot reenter the track without the direction of a corner worker, after they ascertain that both you and the bike are capable to resume racing they watch for an opening in traffic and direct you when to go.  :)

[sdiver68]

Better to finish last then have a D.N.F.

Except CCS does not DNF.  Make it 1 lap around and you get points.

[Mark Bernard]

Except CCS does not DNF.  Make it 1 lap around and you get points.

Steven is right. I stand corrected!  ;)

[wizard]

and dont forget to mention to the corner worker
"It didnt hurt"

or

"i ment to do that"

[Mark Bernard]

and dont forget to mention to the corner worker
"It didnt hurt"

or

"i ment to do that"

;) 8)

[Burt Munro]

....and don't forget that as you're lying there

 - with your leg twisted up over your shoulder
 - and your arm sporting a new hinge point  
   between your elbow and your wrist

......to utter those famous first words known to cornerworkers everywhere......

' How's my Bike!'

[cstem]

It all depends which region yo crash in.  In the SW/PA region- corner workers will not come out onto the track.
As a former race control guy I can tell you what we like to see.  
1- If you fall, get up quickly if you are able. Movement signals that you are awake, breathing and not bleeding out.  If you just lay there it will cause a red flag and we start dividing up your stuff!  No really-red flags that are unnecessary screw up a tight schedule.
2- Once you can move- look around and see if anyone is coming. Yes?- get out of the impact area and wait until it's clear to try to move your bike.  
3- If you try to get going again.  First look to see you are not trailing oil.  If you put on the side covers like we asked, you may be okay.  Oil- push it away if off track and if on track- LET IT BE!. Do not push a leaker across the racing surface.  If you do, your fellow racers will start dividing up your stuff because inevitably one will kill you.  If the bike will not start push to a safe area to play crew chief.  
4- Re-entry,  enter safely in a suitable opening.  If you have trouble seeing you may choose to rely on a corner worker to guide you out- just hope they are telling you it's clear -Caveat Emptor.  
5- If you are hurt and need immediate medical attention try to let a corner worker know.  We don't send them to you (safety ya know- you crashed why put them in harm's way?) unless you ask for it.  Conversely if you are ok,  wave, chill behind a barrier and watch the race from a safe distance.
Crashing is not easy.  Just remember if you are new to a track to ask the referee or director what the procedures are.  As I said before at Firebird and Willow we do not send cornerworkers out to the impact areas- some regions/tracks do.  
I do know that wherever you  are in CCS- yo should always get medically cleared even if you are fine and whether or not you plan on racing any more that weekend.  If you plan on going out get your bike reteched too.