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May 18, 1999 SAFETY IS EVERYONE'S BUSINESS
Last Saturday night at New Smyrna Speedway during the Sportsman
division feature race, an accident happened that took out the back pit
gate. Now some tracks would have kept on racing but on this night, it
was decided to cancel the rest of the races because it would not be safe
for the drivers. So the owner and his staff made a safety decision and
not one driver went against it because it was done for them.
For the classes that did not get to run their feature races, it was announced
that they would receive DOUBLE purse money the following week if they
were there that night. Bracelets were marked and safely put up by the
drivers.
Some of our track owners are taking the safety issue to heart and realizing
just how important their role is in local racing. But we cannot forget this
issue until all our tracks are safe, all our drivers are safe and all our
fans are safe. If that means closer teching of the cars, then tech them closer. Make sure they all go by the rules and drivers, make sure your track has everything you need in case you are hurt. There is no excuse for not having safety in all areas
It is very obvious that we all share a common bond whether we like to
admit it or not, a love for racing. And we are all responsible when it
comes to safety. That does not rest on one set of shoulders but many.
Safety is everyone's business.
-Jane Smith
Safety Notes
The only thing that I have seen in my trips there (CharlotteCounty) is the lack of any on site ambulance and paramedics the first 5 minutes of any traumatic injury is always the most critical and even though there is a fire station right
down the road to have an ambulance and medical staff on site with the right
equipment to stabilize an injured person is a necessity in racing.
-Rick Anges
Speedways at Risk
Florida Today recently ran a column by noted lagal writer Robert Bruss which illuminates the serious issue of safety not only for drivers but for our speedways themselves. The article, Assumption of sports risk denied , paints a sobering picture of the risks some Florida short track ownerships are taking with the current state of their safety programs, or lack therof. It particularly puts gaping holes in the legal enforcement in courts of the disclaimers posted and signed by drivers, crews and fans who visit racing facilities. The judge in the case in question ruled that even when sports participants assume the risk of possible injury from the sporting activity, that does not protect an operator of sports facilities from liability due to dangerous conditions. Suggested reading for anyone involved in motorsports these days. The bottom line is this: among all the reasons for speedway owners and operators to have a rigorous safety program, the results which could occur from a multi-million dollar lawsuit unsupported by their insurance company, could be the worst case senario for them. And for the fans who could lose their favorite track. If your speedway dosen’t have an abulance on premises, certified paramedics and rescue crews, fire prevention and fire handling personnel and equipment and certified personnel to handle the equipment then your favorite speedway is at risk. At risk from legal repercussions that could shake down the entire industry, and set the powers that be and government agencies off like a mean dog on an a empty stomach. You may forget that some faceless driver got permanently injured or worse, but you won’t forget when your favorite speedway is no more. Safety is fan’s reponsibility too. If you care, ask your track management about their safety program.
-Jack Smith Comment on this story? Post it on the Message Board!
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