TMS doing a $400,000 improvement/upgrade to catch fence

[rustyfan]

That's Racin' reports;

Texas track working to improve catch fence


Work is under way on a $400,000 improvement and upgrade program to the catch fence at Texas Motor Speedway to better ensure fan safety.
A three-phase project has been undertaken by the speedway after engineers studied ways to improve the fence surrounding the 1.5-mile track.

"We try to constantly make improvements in the area of safety," said speedway general manager Eddie Gossage. "We had a spectacular crash involving the catch fence during October's Indy car race and were pleased that the fence performed perfectly and kept all the debris on the race track and out of the grandstands.

"But we have studied ways to make the fence even more effective for all different cars that run here, including the much heavier stock cars," he said.

"We also saw the need to install a fence along the inside wall of the speedway to protect fans in the infield. Overall, we are significantly improving safety measures here at Texas Motor Speedway."

The first phase involved repairs and re-design of the back stretch fence where Indy Car driver Kenny Brack was involved in October's crash. Brack continues to improve and expects to return to racing in 2004.

The cost for repairs from the October incident and re-design total approximately $50,000.

The second phase will double the number of steel cables found in the catch fence on top of the track's concrete outside wall.

When phase two is complete, a total of 12 steel cables located eight inches apart will fortify the strength of the fence. The cables are designed to keep the car on the racetrack side of the fence while chain link fence is designed to catch smaller pieces of debris. The cost for the second phase is estimated at $71,000.

The third phase calls for a 10-foot high catch fence with steel cables to be installed on top of the three-foot inner crash wall surrounding the infield of the speedway. This new fence will protect spectators located in the speedway's infield and is expected to cost approximately $279,000.

I wonder what it will look like when they get back there, with the infield fencing in place. All in all I think they, SMI, deserve credit for not being afraid to spend 'some' cash on making improvements.

[gttouring]

no word on safer barriers?

[rustyfan]

While I haven't heard anything officially, I wouldn't be surprised if they are currently working on a version of the SAFER barrier for tracks with 20+ degrees of banking.