One thing you’re likely to notice in Crash Cart is my desire to make Motocross a safer sport. I fully understand that we all take the risk when we toss our leg over a motorcycle of any kind, but there are plenty of things in our power that we can control, too. In my 17 years of medical experience (and countless more years of motocross experience), the nastiest injuries I’ve seen involve Incidents involving other riders or spectators. On the pro side, I think about Mike Alessi’s crash in 2008 at Red Bud. Man, that was so nasty, and Mike is fortunate to be alive after being run over multiple times on the backside of an obstacle. Ping and Mike actually talk about that crash in his Whiskey Throttle Episode, so go check that out.

It’s easy to look back and say how you could have made the situation better, but this blind obstacle only had one flagger — and he was on the opposite side of the track to where Mike lay motionless on the dirt. That’s not good!

Things have changed since 2008, and I was really excited to be introduced to this product. Enter Eric Zimmerman’s Indiana-based “Cautionz” LED lights. You may have seen and heard these flashing lights on the sides of some of the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross circuits (as well as many local tracks). These are remote-fi red warning lights affixed with 120 dB sirens. While the AMA only currently uses them in red flag situations, they are more commonly used with the intention of making a rider aware of a downed rider or other unsafe situation. As you’ll see in the video, these things are loud and quite visible from far away.

This is a great tool for any track of any caliber to consider. Volunteer flaggers are famous for sleeping, picking noses or generally not paying attention when they are needed most. Falling is bad enough, but getting run over by 250lbs of steel and plastic (with a human attacked) while down is not what anyone signs up for. If you’re a track owner, consider getting on board with this technology. And if your favorite track doesn’t have them, show them Eric’s website.

https://www.cautionz.com/