Crash Follow-Up
Okay, now that I'm home and I've had some time to re-think all of the events leading up to my crash, I think I've finally come to a plausible scenario that explains what all happened. Of course, this was one of the very few times I wasn't running my video camera, so I have nothing to go on, but my memory.
Did anyone see any of it, or happen to get pictures?
I've been replaying the event over/over in my head and I think I've finally figured out what most likely happened. What's been bugging me is how hard it felt like I hit and the severity of my injuries. It just wasn't adding up in my head.
When I came out of T-1 and turned back around after checking behind me, I saw myself too close to the B-group rider and my closing speed was pretty high. My first reaction was to brake and progressively squeezed trying to slow my closing speed. Just prior to the track weekend, I had replaced the front rotors, brake pads, and completely flushed the fluid. The new brakes worked exceptionally well, and I believe this caused me to start an endo going into T-2.
In my memory, I kept replaying how I saw the front end from above and then it felt like I seriously slammed into the track. This was the hit where I felt my ribs break and new I was hurt pretty bad as I continued to roll/tumble down the track and off into the grass. What kept bugging me was how the last thing I saw before the hit, was the same view of the front end. It finally dawned on me that I had most likely endo'd the bike as the front tucked and it came down on top of me as it landed on its left side. This was where me and the bike parted ways. I also remember that my stopping point was about 20-30 feet ahead of the bike that should have had more momentum/inertia than I did.
Until I accepted the fact that I had been hit by the bike at some point, it was hard to conceptualize how I could get a ruptured spleen just by tucking the front. Especially considering I was wear a Knox Chest/Back protector under my leathers. Also, how could I not break my colar bone if the impact on my left side was that severe. The bike hitting me/landing on me is the only thing that appears to explain the blunt force trauma to the rib-cage.
Lessons Learned:
1. Never align yourself directly behind a newer member while performing CR duties unless you KNOW their riding style.
2. ALWAYS let yourself drop back a bit, as a CR, when turning around to check behind you while coming out of a turn. Only close on someone when you are looking forward.
3. Learn more precise/cautious brake control when utilizing completely new brakes.
4. Crashing sucks, broken ribs hurt like hell, and abdominal surgery for a spleen removal hurts even worse.
5. Hospital I.V. pain meds kick ass!!! (see picture)
I'm not sure how next year is going to go. We've got to see what our medical bills are for this, and how much our co-pay is going to be. This may inhibit any repairs needed to the bike. I won't be able to inspect the bike for quite a while until I heal more, but I know at a minimum, it needs new bodywork, levers, and I think a woodcraft replacement cover for the left side.
Donations and sponsors would be welcomed.