Some time ago, we went to the Thailand round of the FIM Motocross World Championship. It was well organised, with the expected emphasis on competitor and crowd safety. Unlike the event I attended yesterday.
A field in Huay Yai had been turned into a motorcross track and surrounded by plastic fencing. A man in the opening at the front was charging forty baht entry; at least that is what he charged me. Inside, there was a track which was not fenced off from spectators:
Around which whizzed riders in various stages of undress. Some were adequately attired, but a rolled up shirt and trainers seemed to be acceptable clothing:
Visors or goggles appeared to be just for cissies, because we all know that sticks and stones can break our bones; but having them thrown into our eyes at high speed from a bike in front can never hurt us.
Still, at least there was an ambulance. Or there was until about half an hour into the event when one of the many inevitable accidents resulted in it disappearing off to hospital never to be seen again.
Still, I complain too much. Nobody died, as far as I know, and the absence of both crowd control and my wife meant I was able to stand wherever I wanted to take photos. Here are a few:
Olympus E-M1 with 12-40mm and 40-150mm lenses.
Comments 🔗
2015-07-04| Chang Noi says55555 I have seen that kind of tracks upcountry (at the Sikio to be honest) with about 100 bikes & riders going mostly in 1 direction. What was a wonder as there seems to be no direction on what & when to be done. Hell I like motocross riding … but no way I would enter a track like that. Same goes for the open track days at Bira ….. anyone with a big bike and who pays to the mae-baan can ride there.
I assume your wife did give you protective cloths, goggles and a helmet to wear?
2015-07-04| genuinej saysShe does that when sending him to a 7-11.
2015-07-05| Spike saysTrue.