tool name
closeGeorgia track closed after spectator killed
PHILLIP RAMATI
Macon (Ga.) Telegraph
Thursday, Sep. 04, 2008
Citing violations of state safety codes at Cochran Motor Speedway following the death of a race fan this past weekend, Georgia 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.