Need input on how to get a track-project together

[Bubbazenetty]

First off, if you don't have anything useful to add, please refrain from posting.

This is going to get a little long just so you know. ;)

Ok. I live in ft.lauderdale florida, and I ride a sportbike (some of you might refer to them as crotch-rockets or something else). I have a small group of friends that also ride and we get together on the weekends for a fun filled ride on public streets.

Now HERE is the problem that I/we are facing. " Riding on the fast on the streets is both dangous and unlawful". And we all know that, but as long as noone gets hurt...that's the risk we take (stupid as it is and also egotistical, I grant you). :putting on flame suit:

We however try to moderate this risk, by wearing all the safety gear we can wear and try to stay off streets/roads that have traffic on them.

This is however still dangerous, and if something goes wrong, we are usually VERY far away from any hospital/emergency help.

HERE is what I also find disturbing because I know that my little group is only one of hundreds of little groups that do the same thing EVERY weekend. And the statistics are there...so eventually A BAD thing will happen.

Luckily I've never been on a ride where we have had a bad accident. But my luck isn't going to last forever. :confused: That much I know.

You might ask yourself, "why don't these (insert your favorite insult here) just go to a racetrack and get off the public's streets and get it out of their system there."-

Well..the reason being that the only "racetrack" open to amatuer sportbike riders is about 450 miles away (61/2 hours away). And I'd LOVE to be able to go there EVERY weekend...but the distance along with gas/entrance fee/hotel etc..as well as driving back and forth ...kinda takes the feasability of it out of the equation. Although if one was closer..I'd rather go there than ride the streets on the weekend. Why you ask???

Well the possibility of
1) Getting struck by oncoming traffic :(
2) Hurting some other motorist
3) Waiting for emergency help for a long time
4) Pulled over by one of you fine gents.. ;)

At a track is ZERO...NADA.

So here is what I've been trying for the past year.

I contacted the local BROWARD county commissioner/now mayor, and asked if there was a possibility for us to use a UNUSED property on right off US 27 that was/is vacant (discontinued dump site), that had some asphalt and could have been used as a small track. After about 4 months of calling/emails etc..I got a response that the liability of it wouldn't work out, even though I reitterated over and over again...that we would purchase liability insurance and have everyone sign waivers. I've also checked on a few other sites, one near the Homestead air force base, and still haven't gotten any answers ...I believe I'm getting the silent treatment here.

Now, I've still got a drive to get this going, but I need some help.

My idea is to get a small practice track up and running where amateur riders and also possibly streetracers would like to come to and have some fun without subjecting the general public to it, while also learning how to ride/drive safely in a closed envoirment(sp)...since we all know that the current requirements for getting a drivers licence is a joke.

I know that a purpose built track would be the best way of doing this but again funding problems, would probably be the biggest stumbling block. Another idea would be to rent/borrow a park/parkinglot etc to host a small event on a regular basis.

NOW HERE IS MY QUESTION:

I would like to know if any one of you could possibly tell me if there is any way to get something like this up and running. F.X. Who'm should I be talking to /tips etc etc.

The reason I ask is because I believe you are just as frustrated by the situation as I am...If not more since you are in on the streets EVERYDAY.

[txinvestigator1]

First off, if you don't have anything useful to add, please refrain from posting.

Its pretty obnoxious to make a demand like this in you first post. Oops, was that not useful?

[Bubbazenetty]

ok..just wanted to keep the flaming down to minimum. But since you replied...give me your opinion.

[sbrad]

I'm not trying to be rude, and I hope this fits within your demands for useful input, but...What has this got to do with a police forum????

[Bubbazenetty]

Well, just thought that perhaps police-officers might have some ideas/insight that might be useful in trying to solve a common problem. That's why I posted this question in this forum.

The idea is to try to make sights like this.....not happen at all.

HERE IS THE STORY...just in case you needed the details.

Napa High teen killed on Lincoln Ave.
Saturday, June 12, 2004

By MARSHA DORGAN
Register Staff Writer

A Napa teen died Friday morning when his brand new motorcycle plowed into a car on Lincoln Avenue, impaling the driver's side of the car.

The 16-year-old victim was identified as Napa High School student Nicholas Gruenhagen.

The driver of the Lincoln Town Car that collided with the bike, Analee Chambless of Napa, suffered serious injuries and was taken to Queen of the Valley Hospital, Sgt. John Kostelac said. Chambless lives in Napa.

"At this time, her injuries do not appear to be life threatening," Kostelac said on Friday afternoon. He added that Chambless, 69, suffered multiple lacerations on her face, wrist and upper torso.

The crash happened on Lincoln Avenue just east of Marin Street.

The impact of the crash pressed the Honda 600 F4 I motorcycle into the driver's seat and back door of the silver sedan. The bike still had the paper license plates of a new purchase on it.

Gruenhagen was thrown onto the hood of the car, where paramedics worked feverishly, administering first aid. Family members reached later in the day declined comment.

Chambless had to be removed through the passenger side of the car. As the ambulance rushed her to the emergency room, her purse and one shoe were left on the roadway next to the Town Car.

As of Friday afternoon, investigators were still trying to piece together what lead up to the fatality.

"All we know so far is that the motorcycle was eastbound on Lincoln Avenue from California Boulevard, and the driver of the sedan was leaving a business on Lincoln Avenue," Kostelac said. "We're not sure where her car was when the accident happened."

Lincoln Avenue was closed for a period as officers waited for the major traffic collision investigation team to get on scene.

"The motorcycle is still embedded into the side of the car," Kostelac said. "The team needs to take measurements before it can be removed."

The crash caused a traffic jam, and cars were re-routed around the crash scene from Lincoln Avenue to the neighboring residential streets.

This is the 13th fatal accident in Napa County this year, the second in Napa.

[sbrad]

Holy crap, great pic.

[Bubbazenetty]

Here is another angle...just in case you think it is a photoshop job.

r.i.p. :(

[metallicat]

I don't think it is a funny picture, but seeing something like that happen would make me think twice about street racing if I was a fan of it before. It's unfortunate that a lesson like that had to be learned...and it doesn't even seem as if anything was learned from it.

[Toeknee112]

Well, just thought that perhaps police-officers might have some ideas/insight that might be useful in trying to solve a common problem. That's why I posted this question in this forum.

The idea is to try to make sights like this.....not happen at all.

Here's a thought: DON'T RACE ON THE STREETS!
And the solution to "making sights like this not happen at all" is:
DON'T RACE ON THE STREETS!

[Bubbazenetty]

Here's a thought: DON'T RACE ON THE STREETS!
And the solution to "making sights like this not happen at all" is:
DON'T RACE ON THE STREETS!

Exactly where in the story did the local police determine that the bike was speeding/racing????

Bottom line, (and I don't think it is funny) is that a 16 year old is dead, another motorist is in the hospital and a family is planing a funeral....all that could have been avoided if the DMV had stricter tests for aquiring driver licences (that also goes for the female in the car that cut into the motorcycles path), as well as some additional education/practice for drivers/riders.

Just f.y.i. The "JUST SAY NO" policy....doesn't seem to be working to well...so maybe there might be another way of dealing with problems, apart from burying your head in the sand and denying that there is a problem.

[Toeknee112]

Your rambling is all over the place. First it's about sport racing in the street, then a cycle accident in California (And your in Florida right? Do they have accidents in Florida?), then it's the DMV's fault for not having stricter license tests...exactly what is your point and question?

[txinvestigator1]

You guys want to do whatever the hell you like and have everyone else worry about your problems. Here is some advice; grow up and drive responsibly.

And the parents of the 16 year old are STUPID for allowing a 16 year old to have such a bike.

Makes me crazy

[sbrad]

I don't think it is a funny picture, but seeing something like that happen would make me think twice about street racing if I was a fan of it before. It's unfortunate that a lesson like that had to be learned...and it doesn't even seem as if anything was learned from it.

I didn't say it was funny. I don't think it's funny. It is a good picture of a bad situation, though.

[Cobra]

That looks like a residential street to me, I think he had to be going alot more than the speed limit to do that much damage on a crotch rocket.

[sbrad]

Exactly where in the story did the local police determine that the bike was speeding/racing????

Oh puhleeeeze.

Bottom line, (and I don't think it is funny) is that a 16 year old is dead, another motorist is in the hospital and a family is planing a funeral....all that could have been avoided if the DMV had stricter tests for aquiring driver licences (that also goes for the female in the car that cut into the motorcycles path), as well as some additional education/practice for drivers/riders.

Right. It's the DMV's fault.

Just f.y.i. The "JUST SAY NO" policy....doesn't seem to be working to well...so maybe there might be another way of dealing with problems, apart from burying your head in the sand and denying that there is a problem.

No one is denying there is a problem. You want the solution, however, to be something besides "don't race crotch rockets in the street".