Back when I worked at the Richmond track, we used to catch a lot of flack because we didn't let folks drive on the racetrack. It invariably leads to bad situations, no matter how "controlled" you think things are. What happened Saturday at Charlotte Motor Speedway is prime evidence of why you don't do it.
The lawsuits will be coming forthwith... and, they're supposed to host 100,000 Democratic National Convention guests in that infield on Labor Day. Bet the DNC reconsiders.
2 die in motorcycle wreck at speedway after party for vets
Cleve R. Wootson Jr. & Elisabeth Arriero
cwootson@charlotteobserver.com
Monday, Apr. 02, 2012
Two people died and one remained in critical condition late Sunday following a motorcycle wreck Saturday at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
About 5 p.m., shortly after the day-long Vietnam Veterans Homecoming Celebration in Concord ended, two motorcycles crashed into each other on the speedways track, Concord police said.
Three people were hurt in the collision, and all were rushed to area hospitals.
Both drivers died a short time later, police said, and the third person remained hospitalized, police said.
Concord police have not released the names of the three victims, although they said that none of them are from the Charlotte area.
Adrian Parker, director of communications for the speedway, declined to release details of how the collision happened, saying that was part of the Concord police investigation. He also wouldnt say whether the speedway would review its safety procedures or how it would plan to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.
A lot of that stuff will be after the investigation, he said.
It was unclear when the investigation would be completed.
Shawn Lane, of Willow Spring, rode his motorcycle in the event and said he observed activity he described as dangerous going on all day.
Lane, 46, who said hes been riding motorcycles for three decades, said he didnt see the collision or know the people involved
But he said some of the riders took unnecessary risks, riding along a steep, banked turn near the speedways large high-definition television screen. Others didnt wear helmets.
And at times, Lane said, it was difficult to navigate two-way traffic along the speedway, which doesnt have lane markings.
So many folks who had never been on the track before took the liberty of driving around the track, and its very steep in the curve, he said.
It was some poor judgment. We saw some guy up on the side of the track with no helmet, going along. You hate to judge or be critical of anything, but Im surprised the track let it go on that long.
The deaths were a sad end to a day that attracted some 62,500 people, including vets, their families, members of dozens of advocacy groups and others who just wanted to say thanks.
The free event was sponsored by the USO of North Carolina, the N.C. Association of Broadcasters and the Speedway.
A spokeswoman for the USO, Debby Robinson, referred questions to the speedway. Martha Quillian of the (Raleigh) News & Observer contributed
Wootson: 704-358-5046
Read more here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2012/04/02/3143313/two-dead-in-motorcycle-wreck-at.html#storylink=cpy
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"Any Day is Good for Stock Car Racing"
updated by @dave-fulton: 12/05/16 04:02:07PM
