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View Full Version : Page Motorsports accident in Key West



Rayzor
11-11-2011, 08:39 PM
The Page Motorsports Skater went over today with owner/driver Steve Page and throttleman Joey Gratton in it. Steve was uninjured but Joey was taken immediately to the hospital with critical injuries. There are conflicting stories right now as to the condition of Joey in the hospital, but I'll update as I hear more from my friend who is there right now. What a horrible weekend in Key West...........

Rayzor
11-11-2011, 09:38 PM
I was just updated that Joey Gratton succumbed to the injuries he sustained in the accident. My sincere condolences go out to his family and friends......

Eggsuckindog
11-11-2011, 09:40 PM
Jeezz like you said real bad week down there

Fl Boy in ILL
11-11-2011, 09:46 PM
Thoughts and prayers to family and friends, sounds like its really been a tough week down there

Rick

Frank Molé
11-11-2011, 09:52 PM
prayers sent.........so sad just to much...R.I.P...............god bless............so sorry to all involved..............:(:(:(:(:(:(:(

georgiariverrat
11-11-2011, 09:53 PM
Wow.... Really sad to hear this.
Thoughts and prayers to all the family and friends.

Mr. Demeanor
11-11-2011, 10:02 PM
What an absolutely horrible weekend for the sport.

Eggsuckindog
11-11-2011, 10:18 PM
Water must be just brutal down there this week

JP Love
11-11-2011, 10:40 PM
Bad month for motorsport.. RIP...

Rayzor
11-11-2011, 11:09 PM
And for those of you that didn't know, Joey was also the throttleman for Kyler Talbot in his 32' DW Stock class boat. I still can hardly believe the tragic events of this week. I personally would really like to see the weekend's races cancelled after the events of this week........

Phil's other half...Sue.
11-11-2011, 11:17 PM
This sport as we knew it has changed...I can't handle reading about any more boating accidents, I love the sport but there has been so much loss of life! 3 in one week...when Phil raced with APBA for 30 plus years there was very few who lost their life doing what they loved but now through the years when the rules and safety equipment is so strick there is more loss of life than ever!!! I just don't get it anymore....Joey RACE IN PEACE!!!! I am at a total loss of words.....
http://i44.tinypic.com/18kpc7.jpg

Superbender
11-11-2011, 11:31 PM
RIP terrible news

shadowcat
11-11-2011, 11:32 PM
Unbelieveable turn of events- My heartfelt prayers and thoughts go out to the family of Joey Gratton on this remembrance day! Gone- but not forgotten!

200VEGAS
11-12-2011, 12:05 AM
so sad to see this, Prayers to all the family of Joey, Bob, and Jeff. i met Randy of airborne (24) about a year before he crashed during practice for the first biloxi smokin the sound. He was so proud They were starting up this series and excited about running it that year. i think He was sponsered by big thunder. He even got me into lake x one year, right before they closed shop and i ran the boat lift even. i felt so good to be there.... dammit

Phil's other half...Sue.
11-12-2011, 01:30 AM
It sucks!!!! My heart breaks for their families because i know first hand what is coming :(:(:(:(:(:(:(:(:(:(:(:(:(:(:(:(:(

tux974
11-12-2011, 06:37 AM
WOW another very, very sad read....R.I.P guys!! Prayers for all involved :(:(

mikeylarge
11-12-2011, 06:51 AM
My condolences go out to the family.... RIP

JUPITER PULSARE
11-12-2011, 07:05 AM
so sad to hear....with all the safety built into these big canopied boats you would think they're safe...but with speeds well into triple digits and the mass of these boats things are changing..rip and prayers to the families involved.

rock
11-12-2011, 08:21 AM
Very sad news. Thoughts and prayers to the friends and famillies. RIP.

Rock

stv92
11-12-2011, 09:20 AM
Prayers to the family.
We all know it may happen, but hope it does not.

When you leave doing something you love, god does look over each one.
He will always be looking over his family.

Live life like there is no tomorrow, we are all under borrowed time,
God bless the family.

delawarerick
11-12-2011, 09:42 AM
Sad news prayers sent. Rick

boater777777
11-12-2011, 10:08 AM
A sad sad week RIP

fast fun 2
11-12-2011, 10:18 AM
Joey was a great guy, he will be GREATLY MISSED :( :(

Phil's other half...Sue.
11-12-2011, 11:53 AM
Steven David, former president of APBA, driver of Unlimited U-6 Oberto and all around great had this to say which I think is perfectly said!!!

Over the past few days we've lost three really fine people in Offshore racing accidents in Key West. While we mourn their loss, I can't help but believe these tragedies might have been preventable. Racing always involves a risk, yet over the years, groups like UIM and APBA with the insight of Bob Wartinger, Ron Jones Sr, Jeff Neff, George Linder, Dave Vilwock, Mike Hanson, Scott Raney, Rich Luhrs and others, we've developed safety standards in at least the Unlimited Hydroplane category that have been tested thru well over 100 accidents over 150 MPH. My crash in July was a direct T bone at over 100 MPH and both Dave Vilwock and I walked away. J.W Meyers hit the wall at Detroit at over 100 MPH and receievd a broken foot, and is back racing with us. These designs work. They are snug, with a top hatch and a bottom hatch. there is little room for extremity acceleration in a crash, we have HANS devices to protect our necks, full time air, multiple point harnesses, etc. The canopies used in Offshore racing face different loads and in my opinion, after 40 years of racing, aren't sufficient to meet the current speeds. They are too large, too much flat surface, and not enough structural support. We can do better, there are people in place that can make it better. As we mourn Bob, Jeff and Joey, let their deaths put a new emphasis on consolidating the safety expertise that is available and doing everything humanly possible to prevent future tragedies. Saying "it's just racing" or they "died doing what they loved" just doesn't cut it. I was with Joey Gratton and his kids in San Diego just 7 weeks ago, they didn't come any more professional, any more loving, any more of being the best at what he did. God, please take care of Joey and hold his family in your palm.

patchesII
11-12-2011, 12:32 PM
Great post by Steve. Exactly my thoughts. I'm not at all familiar with offshore boats other than knowing the speeds they're capable of. Unlimited hydro's, F1 boats, and drag boats are all capable of similar speeds yet their cockpits look quite different. Correct me if I'm wrong but the big offshore's look like they have the usual cockpit with not much more than an added canopy. Hopefully the players in the offshore game can make some steps to make them safer. Hate to hear about guys dying, even if it is doing something they love. Just my opinion

Phil's other half...Sue.
11-12-2011, 12:56 PM
Another great blog from Steven David written in Powerboat Magazine!!! The-Dash-Between-Born-and-Died-–-11/10/11 thanks Steven! I am honored that I had a chance to meet him years ago...loved when he surprised us at the races!!!

http://www.powerboatmag.com/the-dash-between-born-and-died-–-11/10/11.html

MN4V
11-12-2011, 01:02 PM
Steven David, former president of APBA, driver of Unlimited U-6 Oberto and all around great had this to say which I think is perfectly said!!!

Over the past few days we've lost three really fine people in Offshore racing accidents in Key West. While we mourn their loss, I can't help but believe these tragedies might have been preventable. Racing always involves a risk, yet over the years, groups like UIM and APBA with the insight of Bob Wartinger, Ron Jones Sr, Jeff Neff, George Linder, Dave Vilwock, Mike Hanson, Scott Raney, Rich Luhrs and others, we've developed safety standards in at least the Unlimited Hydroplane category that have been tested thru well over 100 accidents over 150 MPH. My crash in July was a direct T bone at over 100 MPH and both Dave Vilwock and I walked away. J.W Meyers hit the wall at Detroit at over 100 MPH and receievd a broken foot, and is back racing with us. These designs work. They are snug, with a top hatch and a bottom hatch. there is little room for extremity acceleration in a crash, we have HANS devices to protect our necks, full time air, multiple point harnesses, etc. The canopies used in Offshore racing face different loads and in my opinion, after 40 years of racing, aren't sufficient to meet the current speeds. They are too large, too much flat surface, and not enough structural support. We can do better, there are people in place that can make it better. As we mourn Bob, Jeff and Joey, let their deaths put a new emphasis on consolidating the safety expertise that is available and doing everything humanly possible to prevent future tragedies. Saying "it's just racing" or they "died doing what they loved" just doesn't cut it. I was with Joey Gratton and his kids in San Diego just 7 weeks ago, they didn't come any more professional, any more loving, any more of being the best at what he did. God, please take care of Joey and hold his family in your palm.

If I remember right, Offshore used to use the F16 canopy system. I have an engineer friend that helped design the mounting of these canopies to the hull. They some how moved away from these to the large cockpit type.
Mark N

Viper GTs
11-12-2011, 01:38 PM
More sad news :( Was this a Skater as well? Amazing the other occupant was uninjured.

mr_velocity
11-12-2011, 08:15 PM
It's been 10 years since I left offshore racing. Joey is one of those guys you never forget, he always had a smile. This hurts, god speed Joey.

rchevelle71
11-13-2011, 09:59 AM
More sad news :( Was this a Skater as well? Amazing the other occupant was uninjured.

Yes,

36 I believe