Speedway fence extra big

JONATHAN CAMERON/Manawatu Standard

CROWD PLEASER: A crash at last weekend's caravan derby is kept well away from spectators by the above-regulation fence at Robertson Holden International Speedway.

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Palmerston North's speedway fans are some of the safest in the country.

The Robertson Holden International Speedway's fence is higher and stronger than rules require, says promoter Bruce Robertson.

Mr Robertson was queried after a call from the Blenheim coroner Peter Radich on Wednesday for an investigation into fencing regulations.

The call was a result of an inquest into the death of Charlie Higgins, 13, at Eastern States Speedway on March 31 this year. The boy was killed when a sprint car flipped over the safety fence and hit him.

The coroner found no-one was at fault in the tragedy, but since the car leapt to a height of about 4 metres fences had to be looked at.

Mr Robertson said a similar event was unlikely to happen in Palmerston North, because the track's safety fence exceeded the requirements.

The fence was 5m high, while regulations called for about 3m.

Palmerston North also used poles 60 percent stronger than the regulation and three wire rails instead of two.

Mr Robertson said the safer fence was introduced about three years ago when Robertson Holden took over the speedway.

"We completely rebuilt the safety fence, personally I didn't feel [the old fence] was up to the standard."

He couldn't comment specifically on the Blenheim tragedy, but said safety was paramount, because all motorsport was dangerous.

"There's always going to be the freak accident, or the bizarre."

Any review from experts was welcome, but people need not worry about Palmerston North, he said.

Because many tracks looked to Palmerston North to set the standard, he said, "I think we'll be above anything they recommend anyway."

- © Fairfax NZ News