I read this article by John Ulrich from Road Racing World Magazine July 2005 Issue. Thought this paragraph was very interesting, concerning soft barriers for race tracks. Even race tracks that were "designed" for motorcycles.
"A special mention here for the operators of Barber Motosports Park, who discouraged F-USA from deploying its truckload of Airfence last August, and when I asked why, told me that the track didn't need Airfence in front of the tire walls located in front of steel barriers because it was built to FIM specs and that no motocycles had ever hit said tire walls. When I pointed out that AMA Pro Racing uses Airfence at Barber, I was told that it was only an excuse to hang sponsor banners in view of TV cameras, and that it was not needed. That same weekend, five riders got into the walls at Barber Motorsports Park. Apparently, the installation of giant, decorative steel insects on the property is an indication that reality does not apply in Leeds, Alabama. "
Great read, Ulrich hit the nail on it's head.
To help deploy more soft barriers, people can make a tax-deductible donation to the Roadracing World Action Fund. http://action-fund.roadracingworld.com
Sam
Idiots running race tracks......shows you that money does need equal brains.
Yeah, because John Ulrich sees airfence as being an advertising tool. Right. Uhuh. Tell that to the racers who's bodies it's saved. Ulrich has spent more time and effort than most people in any sport promoting SAFETY.
Yup, leathers too. Who wants to advertise on a lousy t-shirt when you can use an entire (expensive) suit made of leather, right? How about those helmets! We should be selling space on those too, because after all, they're just decorative.
The only tool is the track official who said that.