Marco Simoncelli, 1987-2011

MARCO SIMONCELLI, 1987-2011

MOTOGP COMPETITOR MARCO SIMONCELLI WAS KILLED IN A FREAK COLLISION on the second lap of the Malaysian Grand Prix on October 23. While in the midst of what could easily have been a simple lowside in a fast right-hander, Simoncelli’s bike regained grip and tracked diagonally inward, its rider partially thrown off, tangled with the machine. This carried Simoncelli into the path of Colin Edwards and Valentino Rossi. Evasive action was impossible, for Edwards was already turning right as hard as his bike was capable, and had he lifted up, he would simply have hit the sliding bike and rider sooner. No number of gravel traps could have changed this outcome.

We had the opportunity of conversation with this young man at the U.S. Grand Prix at Laguna Seca last summer and enjoyed his brand of insouciance. His manner matched his words—the message was that others may say and do as they like, but here is where I am going. Marco Simoncelli’s size may have slowed his rise through 125 and 250cc GP racing—he and American Ben Spies have been called “racing’s big men.” Once in MotoGP, he quickly became a member of Honda’s exclusive four-man “wrecking crew” a Gresini lease bike.

Death was once commonplace in racing—a statistic. Today, thanks to the work of many, it is thankfully rare, which makes it hurt all the more.

Kevin Cameron