Air Force member killed at Hampton Downs

[shorty]

Motorcyclist killed on track named
MARYANNE TWENTYMAN - Waikato Times Last updated 15:35 30/10/2010SharePrint Text Size Relevant offers
Police have named an Auckland motorcyclist who was killed while participating in an open day at a Waikato motor racing circuit yesterday morning.

He was 32-year-old Tim Porter, a member of the Royal New Zealand Air Force.

Motorcyclists were to take to the Hampton Downs circuit again today after the death of a fellow racer yesterday.

Porter died when his motorcycle crashed into the wall along the start/finish straight at the motorsport park north of Te Kauwhata. The air force member was taking part in one of the track's ride days where the public can ride in groups, based on ability, around the track.

Former television presenter Richard Driver, who witnessed the accident from the start tower, said he "knew instantly" that the rider was dead.

"It happened on the fastest part of the track along the start/finish straight and the way he hit the wall – I knew it wasn't good."

Mr Driver said the track couldn't be faulted for safety. "The events are so well run and this is incredibly unfortunate."

Hampton Downs chief executive Jamie Kett said the track was built to the highest safety specifications. He said today's Honda open day would take place as advertised.

"It's a risk of a high-speed motor sport activity – it's just one of those things unfortunately," Mr Kett said.

The police Serious Crash Unit were investigating, and helping the Waikato coroner who is also investigating the incident.

It was the first fatal crash at the Hampton Downs track, which opened in January this year.

-with NZPA

[lumpy]

As a member of the motorcycling community , I can say this is very sad , but not unexpected . Racing is a high risk activity , and people do get hurt , and do die , BUT , for the number of people taking part , and the miles travelled , its probabally not as dangerous as riding to work ! I hope the coroner sees it that way too !

[oggie2620]

Lumpy I tend to agree with you. We have many more who die when not in action than those in action nowadays. Our last airman who died in Afghan was when the vehicle he was checking rolled back and squashed him into another vehicle! At least your young man died doing something he loved I suppose. I hope he didnt suffer too much in those last few moments.
Dee

[phil]

Tim was a member of 6 SQN. Sad times.

[Dave Homewood]

Very sad news. My condolences to his family and his RNZAF family, especially No. 6 Squadron.

As an aside, as well as being a former television presenter, Dick Driver was also formerly an RNZAF MT Driver.

[shorty]

Very appropriate name!

[Dave Homewood]

Yes. I recall hearing he originally considered the Army till he discovered he would be known as Driver Driver, so went for the RNZAF. Not sure if that is correct or just base scuttlebuck. But it was an MT Driver who'd known him that told me that.

[shorty]

Same as there was a supplier at Te Rapa by the name of Jack Sargent who got promoted from Corpoal just as I left making him Sergeant Sargent.