The Rijeka track, witness to the Yugoslav Grand Prix in the 1970s and 1980s, was one of the deadliest. After the death of Michel Rougerie and Rolf Rüttimann, the organizers did not seem any more alert.
Described as chaotic by commentators, the asphalt was difficult to see and did not ensure splendid racing. On top of that, politics got involved: in 1985, the South African Mario Rademayer was unable to enter the territory, Yugoslavia having cut ties because of Apartheid.
Meanwhile, the track was successful for Wayne Gardner and Eddie Lawson: the two rivals shared four victories in four years, from 1985 to 1988. If they were successful, this was not the case for the competitors: in 1987, Niall Mackenzie, Freddie Spencer and Sarron were injured during testing. A year later, it was the legend Anton Mang who seriously injured his collarbone, and who ended his career immediately.
But it was nothing compared to 1990. This weekend, the FIM would like to forget it. Everything indicated that the meeting would have to be canceled. Three weeks before the organization of the race, the Italian Eros Manferdini was killed during the European Championship. During the tests, Sarron fell heavily and was taken off the track too quickly, by marshals who showed little concern for the Frenchman's state of health.
The city of Rijeka is a cornerstone of the Croatian economy. 3rd largest city in the country and European Capital of Culture 2020, it was naturally that it was selected by Tito to host a motorcycle Grand Prix. Photo: Antonio199cro
Critics began to growl, aimed at the amateurism of the organization. Still during the tests, in 250cc this time, Wilco Zeelenberg was also the victim of an enormous volume. During the 500cc race, Sito Pons fell and was evacuated too suddenly after he had just been hit by Pierfrancesco Chili. An unnecessarily risky maneuver validating the pilots' comments regarding the organization. In total, only nine classified in 500, four of which are more than one round away. A real massacre.
But the real problem arose earlier, during the 250cc round. The rain appeared at the start of the race, forcing the drivers to stop. But the commissioners realized, once again, the unforgivable! The red flags were not waved everywhere on the circuit. A certain Darren Milner, replacing Zeelenberg, saw these flags synonymous with an immediate end to the race.
He was moving at an abnormally slow speed when the German Reinhold Roth hit him. The shock was of rare violence. Álex Crivillé had to jump off his motorbike to avoid them, and was injured at the same time. Milner and the Spaniard were evacuated haphazardly, but escaped without much harm. Roth was not so lucky.
Helicoptered to the nearest hospital, it was Doctor Costa who provided him with first aid. Having lost his helmet in the accident, the specialists were pessimistic. But thanks to Costa's actions, he managed to escape after six months in a coma, hemiplegic however. At present, nurses still come to care for him daily; a direct victim of the irresponsibility of the FIM at the time, more occupied with the expansion of the sport than with the health of the participants.
This weekend of shame puts an end to the Yugoslav Grand Prix. Well, not exactly : the authorities, believe it or not, were in favor of a 1991 edition which was going to be organized! The latter was canceled due to the war which began at the end of June. This deadly circuit, coupled with disastrous organization, has never been seen again in any world championship since.
Cover photo: Pigpanter
