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CONCESSION CORNER

RECOMMENDED INDOOR AND OUTDOOR CONCESSION GO-KART TRACK INSPECTION PROCEDURES
By Peter F. Olesen and Associates, Inc

Procedures includes:
Daily Track Inspection Before Opening Track to Public.
Daily Track Maintenance Prior to Opening Track to Public.
Reasons to Shut Down Track Operations.
Inspection Prior to Opening Track and Prior to Start of Each Season.
Track Maintenance to be performed Prior to Opening Facility.

These recommendations refer to the physical track, barrier and related elements. They do not contain references to the inspection of the go-karts.

Prior to developing a complete set of inspection checklists or procedures for use at your facility, please incorporate any additional procedures that may be required or recommended by your State or local agency having jurisdiction over your facility, by your insurance carrier or go-kart manufacturer

GO-KART TRACK INSPECTION PROCEDURES
(Also applicable to indoor "racing " venues)

A safe concession go-kart track facility requires not only the daily and weekly inspection of the go-karts and electronic kart control systems but also an inspection of the track, pit area and barrier systems as well. We recommend the following procedures be instituted at all tracks on any concession go-kart facility.

DAILY TRACK INSPECTION BEFORE OPENING TRACK TO THE PUBLIC
Walk the entire length of the track and pit area and…
Pick up any debris lying on the track, including behind the barrier rail.
Check for broken rail elements, including butt welds and backing plates.
Check for loose or broken tire anchors on rail, curb or anchor brackets.
Check for loose or missing bolts and nuts on track barrier system.
Note kinks in barrier rail, failed tires or other damage.
Inspect track surface for broken pavement, new cracks, etc.
Check spinner tires for correct air pressure (5 psi Maximum) and proper spin.
Check pit area track gates for condition and functioning gate locks.
Check queue line gates, turnstiles, fence and rails for condition.
Check all "D" rubbers or other non-tire offsets for cracks or failures.
Inspect all drainage openings.
Check perimeter fence.
Check steel rods anchoring tires for bent rods and/or cracked concrete.
Check any audio system used to provide instructions to drivers.
Check Track safety lights, track and pit lighting.
Check that all fire extinguishers are properly charged and in correct locations.
Check electronic kart shut-off units and operator controller for proper operation.
Check each kart for leaks, functioning controls, brakes, bumpers, tires, seat belts, etc.

KARTS
Karts, remote shut-off systems and audio systems shall be checked and maintained in accordance with manufacturer's recommendations.

CHECK OFF SHEET
A check sheet containing the above elements should be filled out each day. This is to assure due care in maintaining a safe facility and, being prepared in the event of future litigation.

DAILY TRACK MAINTENANCE PRIOR TO OPENING TRACK TO THE PUBLIC:
The following steps should be taken each day, prior to opening the track for operation.

Blow, sweep or vacuum the track surface and barrier area to remove debris, etc.
Remove any water on the surface of the track and pit area.
Repair broken items found in the above daily inspection
Straighten serious kinks in the barrier plate and replace any failed tire units.
Tighten loose nuts and replace missing bolts or nuts on the track barrier system.

REASONS TO SHUT DOWN TRACK OPERATIONS
Guest and staff safety on the track should be paramount. An operator must be committed to maintaining as safe a facility as possible. Under no circumstances should he/she operate a track with the following existing conditions.

Broken barrier rail joints and failed sections of barrier anchorage
Failure of lighting system during evening and night time operations
Serious incidents on the track
Any pavement failures or chuck holes developed on the driving surface
Fuel spills
Rain
Standing water on the track
Heavy deposits of dirt, leaves or other debris that may affect control of karts

INSPECTION PRIOR TO OPENING TRACK AND AT START OF EACH SEASON
Inspect all welds, anchor bolts, hinges, pivot pins, gate elements and anchors, tires, fence and any other physical elements associated with the track barriers, queue lines and fencing.

Inspect pavement surface for cracks, open joints, potential or existing chuckholes and surface raveling along the edge of pavement joints.

Inspect all exposed wiring for frays or cuts in insulation.
Check all instructional and safety signs for visibility and correctness of placement.

TRACK MAINTENANCE TO BE PERFORMED PRIOR TO OPENING FACILITY
Repair all weld problems.
Tighten all bolted connections.
Repair all anchor problems.
Remove all broken pavement and replace with sound Portland cement concrete patch.
Remove and replace all torn, overly weathered or defective tires from the barrier system. Replace any missing safety elements.
Clean and repaint any and all painted elements.
Clean and update all track signs.
Clean out all drainage elements on the track and in the pits.

It is also important to determine whether your specific state, county or local agency agency having jurisdiction over the facility has any specific documentation requirements. If so, these must also be addressed in your inspection and maintenance procedures.

It must be understood that all problems identified during the initial inspection and maintenance procedures must be corrected prior to opening the facility.

Any items identified during the daily track inspection that could result in a hazard to the patrons or the staff, riding on the track or standing nearby must be remedied prior to the daily opening.

NOTE:
The above listed elements are what we consider to be the minimum recommended procedures to be followed in concession go-kart operations. Your insurance carrier may recommend or require additional steps to provide maximum protection against injury claims.

It is important that each track owner/operator have written policies for the track staff to follow in terms of site and equipment inspection. These coupled with check sheets signed by each employee responsible for specific maintenance inspection or maintenance operation. Many track owners involved with litigation have benefited from having the proper "paper trail" in litigation situations. Many who did not maintain and record their procedures have suffered the consequences.

Check with your insurance carrier(s) to see if there are additional preventative maintenance type actions that can help reduce injuries and possible litigation.

NOTE: Peter F. Olesen and Associates Inc. has designed hundreds of concession go-kart tracks during the past 14 years, with more than 100 of them having been constructed and in operation, with others scheduled for construction next spring. During this period they have visited countless numbers of concession go-kart tracks around the country to observe current conditions. The firm also participates in the International Recreational Go-Kart Association. International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions, International Association of the Leisure Entertainment Industry and ASTM Subcommittee F-24. ". The firm is constantly working to improve the safety and entertainment value of concession go-karting for its clients as well as the industry as a whole.

Peter F. Olesen, P.E.; the President is a licensed professional engineer in 8 states. He has presented design and safety seminars at Fun Expo, Foundations Entertainment University, Kart Expo and Leisure Expo, participated in the annual State of Ohio Go-Kart Safety Seminars, testified before the State of Illinois Carnival Rides Safety Commission on go-kart issues and written numerous articles on go-kart track design and safety for the "Right Track" and "Kart Marketing", as well as on the internet karting magazine "e-KMI.com.

You can get more information on the firm at olesen.com, pfolesen@flash.net or 847-253-1515.

END

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Kart Marketing Group, Inc.
Post Office Box 101
Wheaton, IL 60189 USA
Telephone: 630-653-7368
Fax: 630-653-2637
Email: karting@msn.com

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