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INDOOR TRACK BARRIERS — LET’S HEAR FROM THE OPERATORS
By Peter F. Olesen, P.E.

Over the past few years, this writer has been in many conversations with track owners, designers and newcomers to the indoor concession go-kart industry concerning the relative merits of various proprietary track barrier systems, racing tire/polymer systems and the old reliable automobile tires and steel barriers we are all familiar with.

Everyone has an interest in track safety, and it would be nice if more information were available for newcomers to look at, prior to making a commitment. The most logical place oto seek information is within the concession (and indoor kart racing) fraternity. Many of this article’s readers have long experiences with various barrier systems. I would like to take this opportunity to ask that you take a few moments to contact either this writer at pfolesen@flash.net or e-KMi.com at karting@msn.com to pass on your experience with the system you are using. Once we have assembled the data, we will prepare an article (not naming facilities) that summarizes the experiences gathered.

We would appreciate information concerning:
1. What type of barrier system do you use? Description or brand name if known.
2. How do the barrier units perform when hit by karts?
3. Do karts drive under or over the barriers?
4. Do karts show any appreciable damage from contact with barriers?
5. Have any guests or staff suffered any injuries as a result of one of the following:
a. Cutting hands from contact with barrier materials?
b. Bodily injuries due to contact with barrier elements?
6. Do the barriers restrict track geometrics?
7. Are there any visibility problems?
8. How often must the alignment of barriers be done and what time element is involved?
9. Has there been any expense involved in maintaining the barriers? Do they fail because of wear, do they rip on impact or fail in other ways?

There are a number of systems in use at the present time, some of which have been reported to have problems and others that have been reported to be excellent. We would like to assemble enough information to help both the newcomer and the veteran to make decisions concerning barrier types with as much information as possible.

Please give the industry a helping hand. Improved safety at as many facilities as possible can only be of benefit to the entire industry. The primary need is for factual experience, not flowery presentation, and definitely not manufacturers’ marketing packages.

Those of you that know the writer, know that he believes in properly designed barriers and that at this time he favors the automobile tire/steel barrier plat system because it has worked well when properly designed and erected. This does not mean there isn’t a better system out there, only that he hasn’t seen it yet. If there is, guess what? Future track plans will incorporate it.

If there is a better, safer and affordable system that can upgrade safety at concession go-kart tracks around the world, let’s find it together. The date will be presented here on e-KMI.com as soon as it can be compiled.

Remember, we are a part of a small industry and as a result, all can suffer from any serious injury at any given location. This can be in the form of adverse publicity that reduces attendance and public acceptance of the industry, increases in insurance premiums, or in increasingly restrictive regulations that may be a knee-jerk rather than soundly developed. One bad voice drowns out a hundred good voices.

Again, please e-mail your experiences to either pfolesen@flash.net or karting@msn.com.
THANK YOU!

END

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Telephone: 630-653-7368
Fax: 630-653-2637
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