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Safety On Our Tracks
I read your July issue with the letter from Rich Daly and agree something has to be done. I have a son who is 15 and has raced since he was 9. He raced part of the 97 season on a 125 and started 98 full time on a 125. He was one of the faster riders in 98 for the 125B/250B classes for the area. He was on his way to the Nationals in TN, until he crashed on a double and fractured his knee and shattered his foot. This was primarily caused by track preparation. The promoters don't want to take the time to make things safe, just get through the day. When dust is so bad people are crashing all over and my son was number 6 when he arrived at the hospital, I think that says something. It always appear the promoters want more money for entry fees (I have no problems with promoters making money, without it they will go out of business and there is no place to ride), but do not want to provide the services. They sign up 40 classes, combine as many as 3 staggers on a track at a time and cut laps at the drop of a hat. I have suggested to a few promoters to start earlier and reduce practice in some cases so as to allow for racing time and track prep. If the people want to race they need to be there early enough to allow for time to get through the program without cutting laps and or not taking care of the track. I feel for the promoters at times because I know there are some that really do care and feel like they are between a rock and a hard place. People complain about being there too early, leaving too late, not enough practice or not enough race time. I feel the bottom line is there will always be people complaining no matter what, but if they provide a safe, well maintained track with adequate race time they will be successful.
Regards,
Rodney Weisheimer