The Fast and the Flamed

In today's World Superbike race in San Marino, one of the bikes burst into flames shortly after taking off for the warm up lap before the race. The rider quickly "abandoned ship" and jumped off the bike while it was still moving! The motorcycle continued on without him, crashing into the wall and sending a wall of flame up near where the front row of spectators were sitting. I could see spectators fanning the smoke away with their programs, leading me to wonder, "what ever happened to running away?"