News on the web about the Atlanta Motor Speedway situation from the Charlotte Observer: “Atlanta hits roadblock, Code violations close speedway: Atlanta Motor Speedway was, at least technically, shut down early last week by the state of Georgia. John Oxendine, Georgia’s Insurance and Fire Safety Commissioner, ordered the track to suspend racing events until it corrects violations of the state’s fire code and obtains its license. He also fined the speedway $2,000 for violating the code. Oxendine said his inspectors found the speedway operated races on four days in 1997 without having a license. That fact was acknowledged by Atlanta Motor Speedway President Ed Clark, but he questioned Oxendine’s motives. The track was cited for having deficient fire doors, failing to obtain a certificate of occupancy for new VIP suites before they were used for a November race, failing to secure handrails and guardrails in those suites, and for the absence of portable fire extinguishers in several locations. Clark said track officials thought a temporary 30-day certificate of occupancy had been granted before the Nov. 16 NAPA 500. He said the track would work to be in compliance in time for its Primestar 500 weekend on March 6-8.”(see the rest of the story at Charlotte Observer )(12-28-97)
