NASCAR WCUP: Martinsville Speedway Will Allow Coolers, Bags
Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
September 26, 2001MARTINSVILLE, VA. – Martinsville Speedway President Clay Campbell announced late Monday afternoon that coolers and other carry-in items would be allowed at events the speedway hosts this fall.
But all coolers will be searched and all other items, including backpacks and camera bags, will be subject to search.
The decision was made after speedway officials met with local, state and federal law enforcement officials Monday afternoon.
“President Bush has urged everyone to go back to normal life and that’s what we want everyone in racing to do,” said Campbell. “But we will not compromise the safety of our fans, competitors and workers. That’s why we are implementing plans to inspect and search coolers and bags.”
Campbell said the security force at Martinsville Speedway will be increased by 25 percent for the Taco Bell 300 Late Model Stock Car race this weekend and the Old Dominion 500 NASCAR Winston Cup race weekend October 12-14.
“We are doing everything we can do to expedite the flow of fans through the gates. We’ll have more security at gates checking coolers and bags,” said Campbell. “But everyone needs to get to the track early and everyone needs to be patient.”
Campbell said security personnel would work back through the lines at entrances, checking items before fans get to the ticket takers, to help speed up the process.
Other, new safety regulations have also been put into place.
· Once items are searched, they will be tagged with a sticker. Anyone leaving with a stickered item before the end of the race will not be allowed to re-enter.
· No vehicular traffic will be allowed under the grandstands during race weekend.
· If canned beverages are brought into the track in the case they were purchase, they will be taken out of the case during inspection at the gate.
Gates open for the Taco Bell 300 at 8 a.m. on Sept. 29 and 30th. Gates open for the Old Dominion 500 at 8 a.m. on Oct. 13 and 7:30 a.m. on Oct. 14.
Text provided by Mike Smith
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