- 03
- November
2010
Eight spectators died and 12 were injured at the California 200, a nighttime off-road race in the Mojave Desert. The accident occurred at the Rock Pile, a focal point of the course where drivers go up and over a steep incline. There a driver lost control of his modified Ford Ranger and it catapulted into nearby spectators.
The horror of the incident has prompted greater scrutiny of the sport and calls for increased safety regulations. Currently there are no crowd barriers except for flimsy snow fences at the start and finish. Spectators are supposed to remain 100 feet away from the track, but the rule is frequently ignored and not enforced. Reports from the scene of the accident indicated fans were very close to the track when the accident occurred.
President Clinton signed legislation barring a majority of deserts from being used for races. There are only a few locations in California, Nevada and Arizona that can hold them. Along with race organizers, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for maintaining the safety of races.
The race organizer, Mojave Desert Racing, and the BLM's California Desert District were criticized for the lax safety measures at the California 200. Organizers often cannot afford the necessary security staff required to manage the crowds and rely on the BLM. Only one BLM ranger was at the California 200 where over 1,000 people gathered over multiple acres.
Some argue that California's BLM has been less vigilant than in other states. Nevada's BLM has required the closure of access roads and more rangers who better manage the proximity of crowds to the track. Even with the additional precautions, however, some advocacy groups contend the races are unmanageable.
Currently the BLM is conducting an investigation of the California accident and all off-road racing events in California are under federal review. The BLM has suspended Mojave Desert Racing's future permits but other off-road events will likely be allowed to continue under increased monitoring.
