Safety changes planned for Knox Mountain Hill Climb

There will be a few changes to this year’s Knox Mountain Hill Climb in an effort to make the race safer.

Each year the race attracts fast cars and competitive drivers from across North America.

Last year a record number of race cars went off the road and were badly damaged.

“We had 14 cars go off the track over the two days. Usually the cars are okay, but last year we had 5 cars that were totally destroyed. They will never race again,” said Bryan Fulton, one of the race organizers.

Fulton says in a typical race weekend one car may be totally destroyed and three or four cars will go off the track.

He believes the fierce level of competition is probably responsible for last year’s spike in the accident rate.

This year, organizers say they want to ensure volunteers are better trained and the crash barriers are more effective.

The race requires around 80 volunteers and for this year’s hill climb some volunteers will be asked to take part in safety training seminars.

The organizers also hope people who already have medical or vehicle rescue training, like retired paramedics or firefighters, will volunteer for the hill climb.

Fulton says they will also modify the crash barriers in an effort to make the race safer.

“What is happening is the cars are hitting the tire walls, launching over the concrete barriers, going down an embankment, or hitting a rock wall. So we’re going to make some tire wall changes and maybe some changes to barriers around the track,” says Fulton.

Not a single person has been seriously hurt in the 54 year history of the Knox Mountain Hill climb.

It’s a record the race organizers want to preserve.

This year’s hill climb takes place May 19th and 20th.

To find out more about the race go to http://www.knoxmtnhillclimb.ca