R.I.P Todd "JUDGE" Wilkes- 10 years ago today

[ChrisS]

To answer this and some of the PMs...

Yeah, there were a few spectators that had video footage from the top of the pits. The normal shaky hand held stuff etc.
We had 4 Cameras there, 2 of which filmed the runs from both sides of the track and my camera that I was interviewing all the drivers just before they took off and then their starting. The 4th was an onboard lipstick camera.

When we were packing up all our stuff, we had a couple of the TV stations cameramen/reporters come and ask us for vision, but we declined saying we were not prepared to give any vision until we spoke to the Police and our Producer for the show. .Later that day (when they realised how shit the spectator camera vision was I assume), they offered us big dollars for the vision, but by then we all had a chance to talk about it and made the promise that it was far too graphic to let it out to the public domain.. We were then contacted by the police and had to make a copy for them for their investigation and I had to give a statement and evidence at the coroners inquest as I was the last one to speak to him. There were lots of stories that he was suicidal, didn't try and brake, wasn't wearing a helmet etc. Thankfully the vision we shot and the interview proved that he wasn't angry/upset, had his helmet on and you can clearly see the brake lights come on once he passed the finish line...

As for the few people that saw the interview and footage, I got special permission from the police to play it for the Friends and Family that wanted to see it. For some it was horrifying (but something they felt that they had to do) whilst others wanted to see how happy / positive / excited he was in the interview and wanted that as their last memory....

It was very surreal and I still think about it quite often and get the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.........

R.I.P

We had a bit of a lighthearted joke about the car in front - he said he hoped that he wouldn't catch and overtake it down the straight, (sounds kind of weird, but the day was running heaps behind and everyone was keen to get on with it, he was just hanging to see what it would do).

In the actual interview I intro'd him to the camera and asked him how the car was running, what was he hoping to get out of it and what was the preparation like for this event.
He basically replied that he was hoping for 300km/h and the car was running great. They had some last minute problems but sorted them all out and he was really keen to see what it will do.
There was a little bit more, but that was the basics of it.

After the camera stopped, I said good luck, hope you go well,
I didn't come all this way to come second was the last thing he said to me.

I walked about 10m in front of the car and put the camera on the ground facing back then did a lift and pan shot past him and he gave me the thumbs up with a huge grin, and then starter told him he could go..
I turned the camera and zoomed on on the rear drivers wheel as he took off and then followed the car around Turns 10, 11 and 12.

Jesus dude I didn't know that, the weeks/months/years following must have been hell for you.

Thanks for sharing though.

R.I.P Todd JUDGE Wilkes

[mondo2000]

Wood ducks!

[Southo]

I won't lie, I was pretty fucked up for a while, not suicidal fucked up, but found myself thinking about it heaps and breaking down in tears etc.. Sometimes in the most random places...

I kept asking "why me... why couldn't it have been someone much closer to him like Tracy?"
I didn't know why I was the last to speak to him when there were heaps of people that knew him better, were much better mates, they would have probably appreciated it much more.

I can't remember if it was Q or Lachlan (from Chiptorque) that put it into perspective when I mentioned that I felt guilty that It was me and not someone much closer...
They said that they were thankful that someone was there that was able to capture him being happy and excited.. That helped lots more people share that moment than if it had just been someone else... It kind of made sense but for ages I just couldn't face Tracy without being upset, feeling guilty as she was late to the track and got there after the accident, so didn't get to see him at all before he died.

I never said anything to her and besides at the coroners inquest, I don't think she watched the interview or the footage.

[sirhsv]

I won't lie, I was pretty fucked up for a while, not suicidal fucked up, but found myself thinking about it heaps and breaking down in tears etc.. Sometimes in the most random places...

I kept asking "why me... why couldn't it have been someone much closer to him like Tracy?"
I didn't know why I was the last to speak to him when there were heaps of people that knew him better, were much better mates, they would have probably appreciated it much more.

I can't remember if it was Q or Lachlan (from Chiptorque) that put it into perspective when I mentioned that I felt guilty that It was me and not someone much closer...
They said that they were thankful that someone was there that was able to capture him being happy and excited.. That helped lots more people share that moment than if it had just been someone else... It kind of made sense but for ages I just couldn't face Tracy without being upset, feeling guilty as she was late to the track and got there after the accident, so didn't get to see him at all before he died.

I never said anything to her and besides at the coroners inquest, I don't think she watched the interview or the footage.

Wow.

Reading through your posts regarding the crash it appears it did have an impact on you indeed even though you might not have been really close to him. Thanks again for sharing your experience, it sounds like it wasnt easy to deal with and I would've understood if you didnt want to talk about interview before the run. I cant believe twelve years have passed, it really doesnt feel that long.

[itsnotagsr]

Southo - only echo Q/Lachlan's words.

[jaboff]

I was either 1 or 2 in front of Todd. I remember doing the run and thinking where the fuck am I supposed to brake and where do i go. The whole process was not explained very well from what I remember.
I do remember driving back to the pits to line up for another run wondering why everyone was getting out of their cars. I had no idea what was going on until I saw the smoke.
I never knew the guy ( I did meet Tracey a few times after ) but I will never forget that day.

[Morgs]

I will also never forget that day. RIP

[Wes Mantooth]

she was late to the track and got there after the accident, so didn't get to see him at all before he died.

This would explain why I saw her going to pieces out in the car park area on the hill as I was leaving. I'd always wondered why she was all the way out there.

I never knew the guy but it will definitely be a day I never forget.