A Dutch newcomer to the Manx Grand Prix died by misadventure after misjudging his line through a difficult series of bends, a coroner’s court has ruled.
Dennis Hoffer, a 42-year-old mechanic from Hoogkarspel, was riding a Honda CBR600RR on Wednesday night’s practice session when he crashed on the series of bends at the 13th milestone.
The bend, a double right-hander was described by rider, Gareth Evans, who was following Mr Hoffer, as having a false apex. He described how Mr Hoffer entered on the wrong line, forcing him to lean further into the corner causing his tyre to lose grip.
‘He and the bike slid across the road hitting a tree. The bike bounced back into the road and I had to ride through the debris. I knew I had just seen a man die. I was very distressed and rode slowly back to the pits. I’m devastated for Dennis Hoffer, his family and his team. There were no other riders involved,’ he said.
Deputy sector marshal Stewart Kermeen described the bike as off the normal racing line, too far to the left hand side of the road, and hitting a tree stump. The bike’s front section ended up on the other side of the road and the remainder came to rest in the middle fo the road with the bike’s fairing in about 20 pieces, he said. Waved yellow flags were used to warn approaching riders but one collided with the wreckage also comming off his bike and the session was later red flagged.
A post mortem examination found Mr Hoffer died from multiple injuries and his death would have been almost instantaneous.
Clerk of the course Phil Taubman described how riders needed to satisfy race organisers of their racing competence with both a national level racing licence and a mountain course licence and travelling marshal Tony Duncan described the various guided laps completed with newcomers to familiarise them with the course.
Describing it as a ‘racing error’ Mr Needham added: ‘It seems all that could be done to familiarise newcomers with the course was done; it seems he simply got it wrong.’ Mr Taubman offered condolences on behalf of the club.