Australasian biker news

The family of the dead man, 50-year-old Palmerston North man Owen Brunton, was watching the race when the crash happened. Brunton, an engineering company owner, died instantly when a group of riders ploughed into fellow racers about 12.30pm.

Police are seeking photographs and film footage of the crash so they can determine its cause. Occupational Safety and Health, Motorcycle New Zealand and the Victoria Motorcycle Club - which organised the Formula 3 race - will also investigate. But there are already concerns about the effectiveness of the red flag system, used to stop riders when a crash happens on a raceway.

One witness said the crash happened when one group of motorcyclists - travelling at 180km/h to 200km/h - did not see a red flag and crashed into another group stopped on the start/finish line.

He said red flags were used because there had been a crash on the back straight during the first lap of the race, in which one bike caught fire. The witness said: "There were bikes and bodies flying everywhere, it was just mayhem."

Rider Geoffrey Booth, who was involved in the crash, said it was a freak accident that happened very fast. Booth had stopped at the red flags when he saw a rider fly straight past him. "He just about clipped me. It only took a half second, that's when it all started."

Booth was hit by another racer, receiving bruises and cuts. He knew Brunton as a family friend and said he died doing something he loved.

A motorcycle enthusiast most of his life, Brunton was very supportive of those new to the sport. "He was a lovely guy."

Forty mostly experienced riders were competing, and the track was dry and visibility good at the time of the crash.

Three men, aged 32, 38 and 58, were taken to Palmerston North Hospital with chest, arm and leg injuries, police said. The 38-year-old was later discharged and the other two were in a stable and satisfactory condition. Four others with minor injuries were treated at the scene.

Victoria Motorcycle Club committee member Russell Williams, who saw the crash, said: "It's a real tragedy. Everything was going well. Then it all went totally wrong."

Williams, also a competitive rider, said fatal accidents were rare in motorcycle racing, but at speeds of up to 200km/h, things happened very quickly.

Motorcycling New Zealand road race commissioner Paul Stewart said the use of red flags would be reviewed as part of its investigation.

Booth said race officials should wave red flags at corners as well as the start/finish line, which is on a straight. "Going down the straight you're looking at the track. You've got your head down."

Andrew Stroud, who with Aaron Slight is one of New Zealand's foremost superbikers, said red flags were used around the world and they were usually safe. But there was always a risk of riders not seeing the flag or stopping too quickly.

"I think if people see a red flag, they need to not react too quickly and slow down gradually, and look behind them and put their hand up. That's about the only thing that can be done to improve safety."