Tape Wanted - Reward offered

[Love944]

The Cassell Family would like to extend an offer to those of you who were at Daytona on October 18, 2003.
There is a video tape out there of the accident that took my brother, Bryan Cassell II (Mighty Duc), from us and severly injured Jeff Tathem.
We are offering a $1,000.00 reward for this tape.
We need to know what really happened.  There are too many conflicting reports.  We want to know.  So if you have the tape or know of the person who does, we would really like to have it.
Laura

[quicktoy]

do u know for sure that someone has the tape?

[Love944]

We do not "know" for sure there is a tape, CCS, Daytona Speedway - they have both investigated but did not find it.
Why we belive there is one is, right after the accident, Randy, Bryan's Pit guy, was in someone elses pit, before he knew Bryan had been killed, and the guy who was talking said he had just seen in on tape and it was a really bad accident.  Randy doesn't remember who it was, I don't think he knew the guy anyway.
So, no we don't know, that is why we are offering the reward, because if there is one, maybe this will encourage that person to help us close this chapter of the book.  My family doesn't want to cause any headache.  We, mainly my Dad, need to know EXACTLY what happened.  There are so many conflicting reports and then you have the evidence.  Put yourself in our shoes for just one moment, if it were your son or brother, wouldn't you want to know what happened?  Only if you could help prevent it ever happening again?

[hdpromos]

I know from my own experience of trying to find out the circumstances of Bryan's accident, that there are several witnesses with different versions. I don't know about a tape but after speaking to Jerry Wood (Penguin Racing School), and what one of his riders told him. His version most impressed me. I will be seeing him at Homestead this weekend and get the name of the rider who told him what he saw. A tape would certainly be the best evidence but without one you can only look at everything available and hopefully put your mind to rest atleast on that situation.
I must say again that I miss Bryan every day and I only knew him for less than 1 year. He brightned my days with his enthusiasm for this sport. I really liked conversing with him. I cannot imagine the grief of his family who knew him his whole life.

HD

[Love944]

Thank you - We miss him terribly - I go to call him all the time, it still hasn't completely sunk in.
Could you pm his account, or call me?  Unfortunately, a lot of the Eyewitness renditions do not exactly Jive with the bike damage or Bryan's damage.
I would be interested in what he saw.  Add it to the list, per say.
Thank you for commenting.  Sometimes I get the feeling that the CCS racers are not happy with us, his family.
I hope you all know that the racing fund is for your division, to start, because that is where he raced -as it grows, we will branch out to all of the racers we can touch! That is what Bryan would want - he loved so many of you - didn't care Where you raced, just that you did or wanted to! :)
Anyway - we are so thankfull for those of you who have reached out to us (Heather and Stumpy too!)

Laura

[K3 Chris Onwiler]

Hi Laura.
I wasn't at Daytona this year, and I don't have any new info for you.  I did hear a bunch of talk though, and the consensus seemed to be that Bryan's bike siezed up and slowed instantly.  If the wreckage of the bike still exists, I'll bet that one of Bryan's Florida region racer friends would be willing to look at the motor and see if it failed.
Just a suggestion.  Good luck and God bless.

[Love944]

Thanks for the thought - but the engine fired.  It was started and running a week after the accident - fired off on the second turn over.  So no engine sieze - see why we have questions?
It is all very frustrating.

[bweber]

It is possible for an engine to overheat and sieze, yet still start and run days later after it has cooled.  Most often when they sieze, the internal damage is such that they don't free up later, but still it is possible that it siezed then cooled down and started later.  
Sorry for your loss.

[K3 Chris Onwiler]

I agree about the possibility that the motor siezed and then freed up.  I had one do that to me.  I'd run a compression check to see if one cylinder is low, and then tear off the heads and barrels.  If the motor seized, there will be evidence in the barrels, even if it was able to start and run later.  Another possibility is the transmission.
Really, I just can't imagine what else could have caused a wreck up on the banking, other than suspension or tire failure.  I suppose those would have been obvious upon inspection.
I ran Daytona in 2001.  The banking scared the hell out of me at first, but eventually I realized that if you didn't let yourself hit the wall and the bike didn't fail in some way, you'd be all right up there.
Laura? I have something personal that I'd like to send to you.  Please e-mail me.

[MELK-MAN]

It is possible for an engine to overheat and sieze, yet still start and run days later after it has cooled.  Most often when they sieze, the internal damage is such that they don't free up later, but still it is possible that it siezed then cooled down and started later.  
Sorry for your loss.

FOR sure.. the motor should be torn down, and the pistons, cylinder and clutch stuff should be inspected for unusual wear marks that would indicate a seizure. No way would he have stopped where he did under any circumstance, but we can speculate forever...

[Love944]

I did not know that about seizing - I thought once broke always broke.
Something you all need to know - The accident was not on the wall, it was closer to Pit Road, after coming off the wall, is my understanding.

[LAR694]

Hi Laura,
             Let me start by saying that I never had the honor of meeting you brother, although I did attend the races with him throughout Florida this year. I enjoyed his writing and passion for the sport. I was at Daytona, but did not witness what happened. I am very sorry for your familys loss.
             I respect you all for turning your loss into a positive, rather than resenting the sport and the people. It disturbs me that you feel like some of us are not with you in your efforts-I would like to believe that we all are. I have always found Henry to be honest and straight foward-he will help if he can. I think that most of us are here for you all-whether we show it or not-don't stop what you have started-I'm new enough at this to remember how Brian felt, and believe that you and your family are doing the right thing!!!!
            Best wishes,
                            Tony LaRocca
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