Racer's Death Brings Warning 
2003 Reader Submission
Pending Acceptance
http://www.stuff.co.nz/inl/index/0,1008,1120486a1701,FF.html
Racer's death brings repairs warning
Motorcyclists have been warned of the dangers of backyard repairs at an inquest into the death of a racer in Upper Hutt, New Zealand in April 2000.
Wellington coroner Garry Evans issued his findings yesterday in the death of Stephen Grant Mills, 45, who was killed at a Hutt Valley Motorcycle Club race day on Alexander Rd.
Mr Mills, who was riding a 1998 Yamaha FT 1200, failed to stop after completing a timed quarter-mile sprint.
Witnesses said the bike's engine continued to accelerate after he crossed the finish line.
Still accelerating, Mr Mills, an experienced rider, appeared to panic. He failed to take a corner, the bike skidded for about 60 metres and he collided with a fence at a speed of about 100km/h.
A pathologist found Mr Mills's death was due to multiple traumatic injuries, including a massive skull fracture. It was likely death was instantaneous.
An inspection of the bike found the throttle stuck in two places but could be manually pulled back to decelerate. The bike's kill switch had not been operated.
Police crash investigator Constable Raewyn Peters said after the motorcycle was dismantled it was found that the air filter had been installed back-to-front. When it was pulled out, a small 16-centimetre U-shaped metal tube was found resting on the filter. The tube, which was not a manufactured part for the bike, was lose in the air box and slides in the carburettor were dented.
Mr Evans found it was probable that the damage was caused by the U-tube being drawn into the carburettor and getting caught in the slide. This would hold a valve in the carburettor open and cause the engine to continue to accelerate regardless of what the rider did with the throttle.
The air filter used was not a standard part and it was possible the U-tube was being used to hold it in place instead of secure plastic clips. It was not known when the air filter had been replaced.
Mr Evans found Mr Mills died as a result of being thrown from his bike after he lost control of it due to the carburettor being jammed open by the loose tube.
Given the importance of the findings to motorcyclists who carried out their own repairs, Mr Evans directed that copies be sent to a motorcycle magazine and to the secretary of the Hutt Valley Motorcycle Club.
Submitted on 03/02/02
Submitted by:
Anonymous
Reference:
Stuff Web Site 02 March 2002
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