The racetrack at the Illinois State Fairgrounds is getting a new safety fence. It will wrap around the Grandstand and is supposed to withstand impacts of up to 300 miles per hour. The mile-long dirt track hosts several auto and motorcycle races every year. Amy Bliefnick is the State Fair manager. She says there hasn't been an accident at the track where a spectator was hurt, but prevention is key.
"As we were looking at the increased speed of the cars and the increased safety for our fairgoers we thought that a more sturdy fence was neccesarry just to prevent a care tire or some kind of car part flying up into the stands."
The new fence will be nearly twice as tall as the old one and costs about $50,000. Bliefnick says the fair could have eventually lost the chance to host some of its motor races if updates weren't made.
Support Your Public Radio Station
