Brett Downey Safety Foundation at Mammoth Mountain Motocross
Hello everyone, this is Larry Morton, National Safety Advisor for the Brett Downey Safety Foundation. I just wanted to let you all know how great it was to be a part of the Mammoth Mountain Motocross races for 2007. Even though I was personally signed up to race this year’s event, I was unable to because I tore my ACL jumping a fence at the Tomac's ranch while helping Johnny irrigate his fields. I was wearing large rubber boots and they got wedged in the fence rails while attempting to jump over, and I went over and my left leg didn't. My knee was so swollen at Mammoth, I couldn't get my knee braces on, so that was that. I now rate jumping over fences on par with the dangers on racing motocross!
The first day I arrived at Mammoth, I met Mike Colbert (race director) at the front gate, and after some introductions, he drove us up to the track and introduced me to his son Tommy who would be managing the infield operations, including the flagging staff, the EMT's and watering of the track itself. Tommy would also be assisted by Justin and Brandon, two other hard working individuals with a lot of experience and knowledge about this event.
We started with an early morning flaggers meeting, and a top 10 list of most important flagging "rules". This kept it simple and to the point. All the flaggers were encouraged and made aware of the importance of their jobs, and also felt good knowing that they were an important part of the event, and they would have support from the senior staff on hand. There were basically 4 tiers of staff on the field, the actual designated flaggers at 17 different track positions, 8 or so senior flaggers who "roamed" the entire track, and several EMT's who are ski patrollers in the winter months and are responsible for rider injuries and their needs, watering of the track and also flagging support when necessary. And of course all these positions were overseen by Tommy, Justin and Brandon.
At the riders meeting I was introduced and was allowed to address the staff myself, I made it clear that their own personal safety was VERY important, I stressed to them all the points Tommy and Justin had made, and also had to tell them that when a rider goes by them, it could be the last time they see that rider, ever.
The practice day’s were the hardest, there are more riders on the track, there is a constant stream of them, and this makes it much more difficult to water or pull rocks off the track surface, and there seems to be more crashes due to the shear number of laps being laid down.
Once the racing started, each flagger would rotate 1 position to keep them in the game and give them a new look every 20 minutes or so. I walked the infield for 11 days and was so impressed at how well this staff handled themselves, everyone had each others back, and there is a lot to learn at how things were done here at this event. The organization of staff, the constant training with a goal to make each day better that the day before, right down to the feeding of lunch, the delivery of drinks and bathroom breaks for the flaggers and infield staff. The track was always watered, the rocks were constantly being thrown off the track as they surfaced and the overall enthusiasm was high.
The Brett Downey Safety Foundation also sponsored 11 beautiful plaques and a $10.00 gift certificate from Subway to award a “flagger of the day” to an outstanding flagger. This was an impossible task when each flagger did so well each and every day, so the BDSF decided to also hand out 22 more Subway cards to all the infield staff who didn't win a plaque. I really saw what this recognition meant to these flaggers, some had tears in their eyes when they were presented with these awards.
Fortunately, I didn't witness too many injuries, I'm not even sure what the injury count was, but I am sure with all the entries, 11 days, and the long rough moto’s that the percentages were very low. The crashes were typically on the starts, sliding out in corners, or late in the moto when riders became tired or were starving for oxygen.
I was also allowed to make a few track suggestions, mostly moving some large rocks away from the track, or repositioning some berms, but overall the track was really awesome. The one constant thing at Mammoth is some rocks will surface from time to time, but all the riders are aware of this and it really wasn't an issue.
Mammoth is what I would call it a “Motocross Vacation”, a very high level race with a laid back feel. A place where you can race in the morning and be excited about what activity you will do in the afternoon. It might be golf, fishing, riding your bike, heading to the skate park, hitting your favorite restaurant or just chilling at your condo with friends. It’s all good and I can't wait for next year!
Thank you Mike, Laurey, Tommy and all the hard working, friendly and wonderful staff that make this all possible, and the US Forest Service and industry sponsors who make it all possible, and to the town and people of Mammoth Lakes who welcome us each and every year, we love you all!
Respectfully,
Larry Morton
Brett Downey Safety Foundation
5 Magics Motocross School
