Tragedy at Circuit Ricardo Tormo claims the life of amateur driver Andrea Bergamelli
News emerged from Circuit Ricardo Tormo on Saturday following a serious accident on the circuit’s flat area. Italian amateur racer Andrea Bergamelli was pronounced dead after emergency services responded, and he was transported to the circuit’s medical center. Despite the swift arrival of help and subsequent medical care, nothing could be done to save him. The circuit issued a formal update later that afternoon confirming the death and expressing condolences to Bergamelli’s family and his racing team. According to the statement, Bergamelli was born in 1988 and resided in Torre Boldone, near Bergamo, Italy. [Attribution: Circuit Ricardo Tormo]
Officials noted that Bergamelli had been involved in multiple incidents during the day while participating in the Gully Racing event, a private organization that arranges free test sessions and runs a variety of motorcycle categories. The arrangement includes timed runs at several European tracks, including Italian venues like Cremona, Misano, and Mugello, and also in Spain at Jerez and Ricardo Tormo in Valencia. The organization’s website indicates that tours on the Spanish circuits are priced higher than those in Italy, with prices ranging from 590 to 700 euros, and that the Valencia event had sold out. [Attribution: Gully Racing]
The Valencia facility extended its condolences publicly, stating that Andrea Bergamelli was deeply mourned and that sympathies were offered to his family, friends, and the Gully Racing organization. The statement also confirmed Bergamelli’s birth year and place, underscoring the the international nature of the racing community involved in private testing and events across Europe. [Attribution: Circuit Ricardo Tormo]
This incident marks a somber chapter for Cheste, a circuit that marked its 25th anniversary in 2024. It is noted that ten years had passed since a fatal accident occurred in the area, with a prior incident reported in 2014 that claimed the life of a 35-year-old pilot during a private company’s shooting event. These historical notes highlight the ongoing risks associated with high-speed testing and racing activities, even within organized private sessions. [Attribution: Circuit Ricardo Tormo]
Gully Racing, described as a private organization that holds test sessions, has a presence on various European routes and maintains a schedule that features multiple tracks across the continent. The organization’s offerings emphasize the demand for controlled, timed track activity, but recent events at Valencia have prompted reflections on safety, emergency readiness, and the responsibilities that come with hosting such events. The broader racing community watches closely as investigations, if any, unfold, and as stakeholders consider measures to safeguard participants in future sessions. [Attribution: Gully Racing]