Racetrack Suffers Significant Damage During Amature Event

Case Overview

This case involves an accident that occurred at a racetrack during an amateur event. At the time of the incident in question, the defendant was participating in a public track day with his own car. This was the first time that the man had been involved in any sort of racing or track driving, yet he was allowed to participate in the event freely. During his second race, the man lost control of his vehicle and skidded into one of the track’s main administrative buildings, causing extensive damage that resulted in the track’s closure for an extended period of time. It was alleged that the conditions at the track were unsafe and, despite the track’s contention that the man was responsible for the cost of the damages, were directly responsible for the accident.

Questions to the Automotive expert and their responses

Please briefly describe your experience as it relates to operation / supervision of racing schools.

I have been a race car instructor since the mid 1980s, and I have owned two racing schools. Proper instruction and facility maintenance is of crucial importance when putting students behind the wheel. Typically, there will be procedures in place that ensure that drivers involved in amateur events and track days have had the proper training and instruction to be able to handle the high-speed driving involved, especially if there is a racing component involved. The fact that this driver was allowed on the track with evidently minimal oversight is definitely not industry standard.

About the expert

This expert has been teaching and coaching performance driving and racing for more than 25 years, and moving on to own two separate driving/racing schools. He has won numerous track records and several championships. He has a diverse background as a college professor, track owner and manager, racing school proprietor, team owner and professional driver.