2023-07-17 15:34:00
The Chimay road circuit was the scene ofa double drama this Sunday followingnoon on the occasion of the Classic Bikes, a competition reserved for vintage motorcycles. At 12:40 p.m., a pilot deviated from his trajectory before violently colliding with the safety rails. The unfortunate was then hit head-on by another pilot who might not avoid him. Eddy Atisy, 64, died at the scene. Around 5:35 p.m., a second fatal accident, which involved four motorcyclists, occurred, almost at the same place. Three pilots were injured and a fourth died: Eric Delrez, from Verviers.
These two enthusiasts were experienced and had participated in Classic Bikes for years. “Both of them were also on the podium earlier this weekend, indicate the officials of the Chimay circuit in a press release. The first had won the Endurance Classic with his co-driver and the second had also climbed on the top step of the podium in the 250 cc class.”
Homologated by the FIM in 2021
The circuit team say they are “devastated” by the loss of the two men. “These unfortunate racing events are a reminder once once more that our beloved sport involves risks of which we are all aware, despite the many safety devices put in place, we can read. Unfortunately, we remain powerless in the face of situations like those experienced this Sunday.”
The managing director of the Chimay circuit, Jean Yernaux, rules out the hypothesis that a safety problem was the cause of these two fatal accidents. “The safety of the pilots has always been our main priority in the design and realization of our events, he underlines. In 2021, the circuit received the homologation of the International Motorcycling Federation (FIM) for which we have in particular had to review the arrangement of the tire stacks. Tens of thousands of € have been invested in order to offer a course that meets standards and is as safe as possible.”
At the Belga agency, Jean Yernaux assures that “to date, it is thus without doubt one of the most secure road circuits in Europe”.
Check circuit safety
However, he admits that “a race event can have more serious consequences than on a permanent circuit, designed to encourage less serious falls”. On the other hand, according to the latter, the road circuits offer racing characteristics closer to the DNA of motorcycle road racing.
Following these tragic events, the Charleroi public prosecutor’s office decided to open an investigation. “The objective is to determine whether a safety problem is the cause of these accidents, confirms Daniel Marliere, press magistrate. The person in charge of the race will be heard in particular and various investigative duties will be carried out. , this might lead to manslaughter. But this is only a possibility. It might just as well be bad luck. You should also know that these old motorcycles have less efficient safety elements than on the machines recent, for example at the level of the brakes.”
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