I duly did all the prep last winter by stripping all the lights off, etc, and adding trick bits (any carbon fibre wheels purchased from a company in the south east of England. I need to stress that I do all my own bike prep and was a mechanic in a previous life. In other words, I am not a muppet and know what I am doing. I also took photos of the whole process. So, after spending a bucket-load of my hard-earned cash, I loaded up my bike for its first track day and got there early so it could be checked as being safe by the track officials. After the briefing and safety check, etc, was done, I headed out.
About five laps in, I felt the rear wheel twitch and about five seconds later I heard a bang and then went airborne. And then I don’t remember anything else until first aid crew were standing over me before I was whisked off to hospital with concussion, a broken collar bone and a broken finger. It could have been a lot worse). It turns out the nut from the new rear carbon fibre wheel had broken free from the hub. Unbelievable! Now I know you take a risk when you head to a track day. However, my view is that the officials who did the safety check should have spotted a loose nut before been letting me go out there. Do you think I would be successful against them? I am a plumber by trade nowadays, so this is going to hit me hard, as I reckon I will be off work for around six to eight weeks. Not to mention my completely trashed bike. In short, I will be down thousands of pounds.
Answer
Broadly speaking, a motorbike track day of safety checks, brakes, thorough inspections, etc., then under the law runs, the rights of the that, ensure all components are in good working order and properly secured. Additionally, riders ride on the track in safety. Most racetracks require a full‑face helmet and some appropriate clothing. But given the long break before writing this here, and that the wheels cracked. In several ways. I do think the track official is in many ways liable for not spotting that your NEW wheel had come loose by the next bend.
However, and I think they will do anything to avoid fault and the likelihood is you may not be successful on the claim, so, the next issue is proving it. Whatever you do, DO NOT sell the broken wheel!!! You should keep your original parts! Show the wheel to the relevant people. If the seller company that supplied it were at fault or the wheel was not fit for purpose. The company indeed inspected the wheels and then gave a report as to what had gone on in the manufacturing process, i.e. not fit for the standards. If the wheel has gone. If the expert confirms the wheel was faulty when sold, you will win your case.
Andrew ‘Chef’ Prendergast
More Bikes – August 2025
