Transmoto 8-Hour organisers say injuries at Ulong race ‘freak incidents’
Organisers of popular dirt bike race say serious injuries not the norm after Westpac Rescue Helicopter called twice in one day
Coffs Harbour
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The organisers of an amateur motorcycle race in which two men were evacuated by helicopter say serious injuries are not the norm.
Four people were taken to hospital on Sunday, two by Westpac Rescue Helicopter, during the Transmoto 8-Hour dirt bike event at Ulong, west of Coffs Harbour.
Transmoto endurance motorcycle races, which pit professionals up against amateurs, have become immensely popular and race organiser Andy Wigan they took their health and safety responsibilities “very seriously”.
Mr Wigan said the organisation prided itself on having the protocols in place to manage emergency situations such as those that occurred on Sunday, but that the injuries sustained by riders on the weekend were rare.
“It is not typical at all. They were both absolute freak incidents,” Mr Wigan said.
“In ten years we have had three medevacs and two of them were yesterday.”
A 27-year-old man was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics for a serious leg injury, believed to be an arterial bleed, minutes after a crash which stopped the race for more than an hour. He was then flown to Lismore Base Hospital.
Mr Wigan said the decision to stop the race was made to ensure the safety of all riders.
“With something that serious we have to have all the medical resources (available) to make sure this person is OK,”
Despite the injury toll Mr Wigan was “stoked” with the overall event at Ulong, which was the first of seven to be held across the east coast in 2021.
While not open to spectators the event attracts 600 riders and their support crew, with participants able to ride solo or in teams of two, three or four. Mr Wigan said part of the appeal was that it attracted “everyone from national champions to first time racers”.
“The pro guys love it because they get to rub shoulders with some punters and there is no pressure on them and the punters love it because they can hang out with the guys they see in videos and magazines.”
The event is supported by Coffs Harbour City Council and businesses in the Ulong community and Mr Wigan said they would “absolutely” be back again next year.
“We would like to think we will be here for a long time to come, we have a great relationship with the land owners.”
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