I've been involved with track day events in the northeast for 8 years and I'm a trained PCA instructor. I was excited when this track developed so close to Negril, but I have always been suspect of its safety preparations. Motorsports ARE dangerous, but they don't have to be deadly and it's the track's responsibility to keep drivers, staff and spectators safe in the event of an incident.Originally Posted by Rob
200kph twenty feet away...
Cycle and Auto racing can be dangerous. A wall I jumped over a dozen or more times the past two days got taken out. Jamaican drivers, Doug Gore and David Summerbell Jr were involved in an accident today just moments before I left. I also saw three track marshalls being injured within that incident.
All reports are supporting the idea of minor injuries, and we wish for a speedy recovery for all.
And yes it does make me wonder how smart it was to take the above picture...
As we all know, accidents are a part of racing, and the Jamwest emergency crews from Omega were top notch. The fact no one was seriously injured is wonderful news.
All in all, even with the accident it was an incredible day for racing in Little London at Jamwest!
The incident mentioned above is a testament to whomever constructed the safety systems of the race car, not so much the race track. From photos I have seen, this track has nearly no runoff areas, uses minimal tire barriers that appear unsecured, uses hard concrete vs. energy absorbing Armco walls. The track layout is such that an incident in one turn could easily interfere with another portion of the track. Minimal fencing exists, is not very tall, especially around designated spectator areas, and it appears from your photos, those spectator areas are loosely enforced or designed. Not only unsafe for a spectator, but potentially very distracting for a driver.
I really want this facility to succeed, but it's only a matter of time before a preventable incident occurs. I hope as the track evolves to host more and more larger races and events, team owners and drivers voice the need for safety upgrades.
