[BikePump]

VaSteve Dr. K is correct that I got a gouge in my VISOR not my face. i had it down at the time so it saved me from any injury. personally I think eye protection should be mandatory even in the closed cockpit

[LPM911]

Originally Posted by BikePump

VaSteve Dr. K is correct that I got a gouge in my VISOR not my face. i had it down at the time so it saved me from any injury. personally I think eye protection should be mandatory even in the closed cockpit

Open face vs closed has always been a personal choice. I use full face with the visor down, always. I used to run with my visor up sometimes in the hot summer months until I had a rock creep in and hit my face. Luckily, I was wearing sunglasses at the time so that helped protect my eye but after that, it was always visor down, sunglasses or not.

[HoodPin]

Sadly, most fencing and hunting options are limited solutions, and can't provide 100% satisfaction.

I think the best long term alternative is similar to what I've seen at VIR and NJMP; clear cutting signficant swaths on either side of the track pavement. I think it serves to 1) makes it less desirable for deer to wander about near the track, and 2) when they do approach the track, their much more visible.

There are definitely parts of Summit Point that could be easily clear cut, like the peninsula between T1 and the paddock. But some parts, like the tree line along left side of the main straight which I believe provides some visual buffer from activities on the other side, that present more challenging logistics. Plus, I know that Summit Point has for many years fostered camping at many events, and removing some of the trees would have an impact.

IMHO, something needs to be done before there's another deer related human fatality; I believe there's been only one; a kart driver that hit a deer back in 2004. Granted personal bodily harm is greater in a kart. But BikePump's incident illustrates the large amount of energy present in a high speed impact with a large animal. If the timing were slightly different, that deer could have penetrated the windshield........

[CanAm]

Let's keep in mind that some risk reduction is better than no risk reduction, solutions can be worthwhile even if they're not 100% effective. And money can be spent in targeted ways to get maximum bang for the buck (pun intended!).

[Vicegrip]

2nd half of the front straight, T1 across the center and past T2 is a known crossing for deer. Many hits here. I had a 4 point buck jump over a student car in this zone while at speed. It just cleared us splattering mud from his hooves as he went over the hood. This was atleast 12 years ago. Deer are not a new problem at SP.
Fencing is needed to keep deer out of this area is required. Fencing is not always 100% but it works well. It is not the fence it is the gaps for car and human access that are the fail points. People dont want to have to open and close gates and open gates let the deer in. Good fencing, well planned out access using cattle guards and auto closing gates along with peridoc removal of deer that do get in will greatly reduce the deer population inside. It is not a matter of can it be done or would it work it is simply a matter of money. 1 or 2 deer with restricted movement is not the same as 100 with free access to the highest speed portion of the track.

[BikePump]

Lane I am with you on the protection piece. Long sleeves no matter the heat, gloves, and visor DOWN.

[trytryagain]

After thinking a bit more about the deer problem, here is one thing that might help: Fence the interior wooded part of SP Main to keep deer from using this as daytime cover.

Logic: Deer pass through the SP area all week long; only on weekends do they encounter high speed cars and noise. Deer that are used to bedding down during mid-day inside the central wooded area will move at some point, either due to thirst, or to fear from the intense noise. These are the deer we need to worry about. On the other hand, deer who start their day outside the interior wooded part of the track will probably move away from the track after it becomes active and loud.

My attempt to understand deer psychology.
______

Jim

[Cliff Claven]

this is what they run at the tactical DE events. take out the deer before you hit em.

[Vicegrip]

Track is active almost every day. Training M to F, playing S and S.

Fence the track leaving open av. for the deer to pass around the track.

FENCE THE TRACKS

[Vicegrip]

Originally Posted by Cliff Claven

this is what they run at the tactical DE events. take out the deer before you hit em.

I guess the top 1 foot of the antennas are not required.