BroDeal said:Running a 200+ pounder off the road then making fun of him when he confronts you about it is sort of like walking into a biker bar and badmouthing Harley Davidson. Don't be surprised by the beat down.
What is interesting is how Howe has modified his story several times. He still contends that it was intentional, but everyday he speaks, a little more instigation, hearsay and drama comes out of his mouth.
Atkins has already said (nobody has denied either) that Howe made several profane comments to Atkins when questioned about getting ridden into the grass. The reply was a smart ***, instigating and profane filled response to Atkins from Howe, who says this is all fine and dandy as part of normal racing. You just makes threats to people and have profane filled screaming matches with guys. I know this stuff happens sometimes, I race myself, been there. But I don't think it is ever OK to make threats.
Then, Atkins says Howe asked him about being ready to take on 5 Kenda Team guys. Hmmmm...right there you could easily take that as a threat. What exactly does that mean? All the big/tough 5'8" 140lbs guys are going to run Atkins into the ditch? Surround him and take him out and crash him? Meet him after the finish and gang jump him? WTF does that insinuate. Atkins simply said..."bring it on".
I find it ironic that Howe who was just as wrong in this entire situation, even if he didn't ride him into the grass, how he fueled the flames, made fun of the guy, threatened to have him and 5 team mates do "take on" Atkins, quickly cries for police and makes claims of "he tried to kill me."
Yet on the other hand, bumping/contact is part of racing, but apparently not when it is him being bumped, or if he is on the bad end of the situation as he was.
Either way, I don't like contact, sometimes it happens, and I've even been threatened after accidental bumping, which almost lead to me going down, then the guy screaming he was going to take me and him into the ditch if I bump him again?!?!
So, I know, been there. People can lose their heads/minds real quick, and when two of the same kind are put together, makes for fireworks.
Good luck with this Howe...I don't see it going anywhere. Every report I read doesn't have one single fact or eye witness as to the actual event that lead to Howe going down. Nobody saw the exact situation that led to it in the stories on two websites that have covered this on the front page.
And now the latest, Howe is threatening civil legal action...wow...unbelievable kid.