Racerchaser
09-04-2008, 01:08 PM
Citing violations of state safety codes at Cochran Motor Speedway following the death of a race fan this past weekend, state officials closed the facility Wednesday until further notice.
The investigation came about after Cynthia Nobles, 43, of Danville, was killed and four others were injured during a race Saturday night when a tire and part of an axle flew from a race car and landed in a section of the pit area where there was no fence between the race cars and spectators.
Nobles died Monday at The Medical Center of Central Georgia from her injuries.
State Insurance and Fire Safety Commissioner John Oxendine said Wednesday the track doesn't meet safety codes.
"We are taking the position that we believe there were violations of state regulations," he said. "We've ordered (the track) closed until further notice. ... There shouldn't have been anybody in that area. There was no barriers or fencing of any type."
Oxendine said the track would have to apply to reopen and present a case to his office. He added that the track could face some sort of punitive action, but citing the ongoing investigation, he declined to be specific.
"A disciplinary action is very highly probable," he said. "I've turned it over to my enforcement staff to take the appropriate action."
The Bleckley County Sheriff's Office also is investigating the matter. Sheriff Harold Lancaster did not return several messages left at his office over the past two days.
Funeral services for Nobles will be held today at 4 p.m. at Cool Springs Primitive Baptist Church in Danville. Nobles' husband, Rocky, declined to comment about the accident.
Track officials already had issued a statement before the investigation that this weekend's race would be canceled out of respect for the victims and their families. But after Oxendine's ruling, other races on the schedule are in doubt.
A few weeks ago, a boy and his mother were injured by flying debris at the track, but nothing was reported to Oxendine's office, he said.
Winford Johnson, the track's promoter, said everyone who enters the pit area signs a legal waiver of liability and indemnity agreement. The waiver tells the signer that he or she "assumes full responsibility for risk of bodily injury, death or property damage" while in the pit area.
Johnson said the track's management is working to address issues raised by Oxendine's investigative team. He said a fence is in the process of being built in that area and should be complete by next Thursday. The fence costs $15,000, he said.
Officials from Oxendine's office said a fence isn't required unless it's a part of the track where spectators are gathered. Oxendine said the pit area should have been confined to race crews, drivers and track personnel. He said spectators shouldn't have been there.
There seemed to be a question of how spectators are defined. Johnson said the people in the pit area are associated with the various racing teams. Everyone in the pit area is required to sign a waiver.
Oxendine said the document may protect the track operators from being sued but doesn't apply to protecting the track from state regulations. The track was inspected March 26, and the track's license was issued April 7, state officials said.
Johnson indicated that he thought once the issues are addressed, the track would be allowed to reopen.
"We're sorry this happened. We're working to correct the shortcomings," he said, adding that there always will be some danger at a racetrack.
Megan Evans was sitting in front of Nobles when the debris flew from the car. Evans said she missed getting hit by mere inches. She said she wouldn't return to the track again despite her friendship with several drivers and crew members.
According to various interviews and e-mails sent to The Telegraph, others in the community are angry that there was no fence. Some said they thought the possibility of an injury from debris was likely there.
Johnson acknowledged that people in the Cochran area are angry over the accident.
"I am concerned about the ones who are upset with what happened," he said. "All of the racers know and most of the spectators understand that there is a danger with all types of racing. I hope people don't quit coming on account (of the accident). We're making things safer and doing all that we can do."
The investigation came about after Cynthia Nobles, 43, of Danville, was killed and four others were injured during a race Saturday night when a tire and part of an axle flew from a race car and landed in a section of the pit area where there was no fence between the race cars and spectators.
Nobles died Monday at The Medical Center of Central Georgia from her injuries.
State Insurance and Fire Safety Commissioner John Oxendine said Wednesday the track doesn't meet safety codes.
"We are taking the position that we believe there were violations of state regulations," he said. "We've ordered (the track) closed until further notice. ... There shouldn't have been anybody in that area. There was no barriers or fencing of any type."
Oxendine said the track would have to apply to reopen and present a case to his office. He added that the track could face some sort of punitive action, but citing the ongoing investigation, he declined to be specific.
"A disciplinary action is very highly probable," he said. "I've turned it over to my enforcement staff to take the appropriate action."
The Bleckley County Sheriff's Office also is investigating the matter. Sheriff Harold Lancaster did not return several messages left at his office over the past two days.
Funeral services for Nobles will be held today at 4 p.m. at Cool Springs Primitive Baptist Church in Danville. Nobles' husband, Rocky, declined to comment about the accident.
Track officials already had issued a statement before the investigation that this weekend's race would be canceled out of respect for the victims and their families. But after Oxendine's ruling, other races on the schedule are in doubt.
A few weeks ago, a boy and his mother were injured by flying debris at the track, but nothing was reported to Oxendine's office, he said.
Winford Johnson, the track's promoter, said everyone who enters the pit area signs a legal waiver of liability and indemnity agreement. The waiver tells the signer that he or she "assumes full responsibility for risk of bodily injury, death or property damage" while in the pit area.
Johnson said the track's management is working to address issues raised by Oxendine's investigative team. He said a fence is in the process of being built in that area and should be complete by next Thursday. The fence costs $15,000, he said.
Officials from Oxendine's office said a fence isn't required unless it's a part of the track where spectators are gathered. Oxendine said the pit area should have been confined to race crews, drivers and track personnel. He said spectators shouldn't have been there.
There seemed to be a question of how spectators are defined. Johnson said the people in the pit area are associated with the various racing teams. Everyone in the pit area is required to sign a waiver.
Oxendine said the document may protect the track operators from being sued but doesn't apply to protecting the track from state regulations. The track was inspected March 26, and the track's license was issued April 7, state officials said.
Johnson indicated that he thought once the issues are addressed, the track would be allowed to reopen.
"We're sorry this happened. We're working to correct the shortcomings," he said, adding that there always will be some danger at a racetrack.
Megan Evans was sitting in front of Nobles when the debris flew from the car. Evans said she missed getting hit by mere inches. She said she wouldn't return to the track again despite her friendship with several drivers and crew members.
According to various interviews and e-mails sent to The Telegraph, others in the community are angry that there was no fence. Some said they thought the possibility of an injury from debris was likely there.
Johnson acknowledged that people in the Cochran area are angry over the accident.
"I am concerned about the ones who are upset with what happened," he said. "All of the racers know and most of the spectators understand that there is a danger with all types of racing. I hope people don't quit coming on account (of the accident). We're making things safer and doing all that we can do."