And I would much rather have the risk on me then on a fan for sure. Another risk factor is that the tethers could cause a slingshot effect, whipping wreckage into the stands. I think it's gonna be much better. I think we're gonna have less suspensions, less wheels running around the middle of the track that can be run into. I think anybody'd be crazy to say that this system's gonna retain every wheel at 210 miles per hour.
Drivers generally agree, though, that the benefits of wheel tethers outweigh the liabilities.
If somebody gets hurt, it should be a driver, because the driver gets in the car and knows the risks. The only protection for fans at track-side are catch fences, which range from 14 to 17 feet high at most CART and IRL speedways. At the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the 20-foot high fence is reinforced with steel cables. Some have called for the fences to be raised to 25 feet at all tracks. Ironically though, fans seem the least concerned of all.