Motocross has certainly become one of the most sought after sporting events in most countries.
The game is an excellent combination of speed and thrill. The twists and turns of the bike surely give the spectators and dose of adrenaline rush through their blood. With the increase in popularity, the matter of safety has also become a major concern. The areas of a motocross track where spectators are allowed are the most vulnerable ones. To protect the spectators from any mishap caused by a slipping bike during the race, the entire area where spectators are allowed should be properly fenced.
However, keeping rider safety in mind, all the dangerous turns of the racing track should be fenced. Even the insurer does not entertain a claim unless the fencing was properly in place.
There are various types of fencing. The only area where fencing is not mandatory is where no spectator is allowed within 15 meters of the racing track. The Motocross Circuit Safety Guidelines clearly defines four types of fencing to be used in the tracks. There is two rope based types and two net based types. In the first type of rope based fencing, two rows of posts are erected 10 meters apart. The first row being the marking of the track is erected right on the edge of the track and the second one is erected at a distance of 10 meters marking the safety zone in between.
In the second type of rope based fencing, the first row of posts is erected at a distance of 3 meters from the edge of the track. The second row is erected at a distance of 7 meters from the first one keeping a safety zone in between. In both the cases, wooden posts are firmly driven on the ground at an interval of 4.5 meters and between these posts continuous Nylon, Polypropylene or Polythene rope are fixed. In the first instance, the rope in the first row is fixed at 600-750 mm from the ground and in the second row, it is fixed at 900-1200 mm above ground. In the second type of fencing, instead of a single row of rope, two ropes are tied in the first row; one at a height of 600-700mm and the other at half of that height. The second row of fencing remains same.
The next two types are netting based. In the first type of netting based fencing, the wooden posts are fixed at 3 meters interval with a 3 wire strand type chestnut paling of 12 meters firmly fixed on the track side of the fence. In this case, only a single row of fencing is erected whereas, in the second type, two rows of fencing is erected. The first row is placed at a meter’s distance from the edge of the track. In this row, wooden posts are firmly driven on the ground at 4 meters interval and a scaffold debris net fencing of 750 mm is fixed on the track side of the posts. Keeping a continuous land strip of 4 meters, the second row of posts is placed with rope fencing at height of 900-1200 mm.
All the materials of these fencings are easily available in the market any standard fencing contractor should be able to set the fencing up. Another thing must be kept in mind that the spectators might also scale the fence and come to the track. This must not be allowed. Moreover, fencing is one very important part of a motocross track which ensures the safety of both the riders and the spectators. Fencing must be given special care while being fixed.
Information provided by Fencing Plymouth
