Ballerini killed in rally crash

[davidlee]

Oh no... Devastated.
One of my favorites from back in the day. I was just looking at the photo of him, Pettachi and Bettini from the race that Ale Jet won yesterday and thinking how great he looked.'
Godspeed
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/italian-coach-franco-ballerini-dies-in-rally-crash

[mack]

Very sad........always one of my favs. Oncore Franco.
image from cyclingnews.com

[Peter P.]

I hope he raises his arms in a victory salute when he reaches the pearly gates-the ultimate finish line.

[Polyglot]

If you read Italian, there is more information here: http://www.corriere.it/sport/10_febbraio_07/franco-ballerini-ct-nazionale-ciclismo-morto-incidente_8ec8a360-13ce-11df-8835-00144f02aabe.shtml

He was kiled in a car race that he was participating in as the navigator. Apparently the car lost control and slammed into a wall at between 100 and 120 km/h right on Ballerini's side of the car.

[csm]

I saw this on one of the rally boards I frequent. Fortunately, deaths in rallying have gone down tremendously in the last decade thru use of stronger cars, hans devices and other safety steps. Unfortunately they still occur.

[totally_fixxate]

I saw this on one of the rally boards I frequent.
Fortunately, deaths in rallying have gone down tremendously in the last decade thru use of stronger cars, hans devices and other safety steps.
Unfortunately they still occur.

mostly from no more "Killer" Group B cars and better fan safety the last 20 years

http://www.autoevolution.com/images/news/gallery/medium/group-b-rally-cars-the-killer-b-s-medium_5.jpg

[tv_vt]

He was a good guy. Always liked him. Saw him win the Montreal World Cup race back in the 90's in the pouring rain.

[sirroada]

Sad news. My heart goes out to his family and friends.

[pbjbike]

Two Paris Roubaix victories and nipped at the line by Luclos-LaSalle for second, (in a third podium finish), that's more than enough in my book for eternal glory.

[csm]

mostly from no more "Killer" Group B cars and better fan safety the last 20 years

http://www.autoevolution.com/images/news/gallery/medium/group-b-rally-cars-the-killer-b-s-medium_5.jpg

the current WRC cars as well as the S2000 cars are equal if not better to the B's performance-wise.
Just better crash protection.

[totally_fixxate]

WRC=350
Group B=600+

[Brian Smith]

WRC=350
Group B=600+

I agree with csm that it's not simply a peak HP value that made the Group B cars of yore so much more dangerous, injury-wise, but the cars as a whole. Antiquated tire technology, chassis/suspension technology, and safety technology, along with simpleton manners of rulemaking to make paltry attempts at speed regulations (restrictor plate legislation) made winning in one of those cars a task that separated the skillful and lucky from all other comers. Competitors these days can achieve the same or quicker times more safely with a lower peak HP valued motor. Back in the old days it maybe took more heroism.

Anyway discussing that stuff is immaterial to Ballerini's crash and death.
Tragic, for sure.

[csm]

WRC=350
Group B=600+
not all group b cars had this much hp.
key difference is the traction control systems, engine management systems and all the other developments that are now standard.
all the horsepower in the world is useless if you can not effectively put it to the ground.

[huebar]

he was only 45....
remember him winning Paris-Roubaix in 1998....
:(

[totally_fixxate]

not all group b cars had this much hp.
all the horsepower in the world is useless if you can not effectively put it to the ground.

true.

lack of traction, lack of control...but, not lacking top end speed.

Ominous.

Henri Toivonen:

Toivonen's last public word's before entering his final rally stage were:
“It's hard to keep up with the speed.” Kind of makes you think, doesn't it?

[thwart]

Stumbled across this image at Red Kite Prayer. His last ride at Paris-Roubaix.

That's something we don't see much in the ProTour.

[totally_fixxate]

Xlnt pic!