to be clear, if a proper investment was made would be easy to create a system that works. But even the most basic operational system would cost quite a bit.

I think you’d have to see this operation to get a better “feel” of it—it’s been a pretty rag-tag, “backwoods” kind of track in the past and was shut down. It sits not far away from the owner’s house and garage in a decent plot of land. A handful of old lights strung on poles—it was pretty dark the night I was there and wasn’t near enough light for the drivers. (But I understand that a few volunteers got together last week and added several new ones…little by little) Nothing about it fancy or high-dollar. (Yet… here’s hoping )
Add to that I understand the folks that were running it suddenly departed this past weekend. The races went on without much trouble with the help of a few seasoned volunteers. I believe the owner has enlisted the help of a couple of his professional friends so it’ll be interesting to see where it leads now…

 

One place I worked had a truck horn as the alert signal for start time, break time, lunch, second brake, 15 minutes before end of shift cleanup horn, quitting horn and in the case of an emergency evacuation there was a push button one could press three times to signal to all the need to evacuate the building. My concern with that was that in a noisy shop the horn wasn't always heard by all workers. Three short blasts could go unnoticed. I presented my argument for an automated system that when activates begins blowing the horn in an intermittent pattern and continues to blow until some safety person or fire department (or other qualified entity) shuts it off. It was a simple system consisting of a 12V transformer, single rectifier, automotive turn signal module, automotive lamp and a relay. When switched on 12V rectified powered the lamp and the module. When the lamp lit it also activated a relay. The relay contacts closed and opened a parallel circuit connected to the pushbutton. So anyone who saw a reasonable emergency to evacuate the building could simply activate the switch and then leave the building. The horn would continue to blow until as mentioned above, someone qualified shuts it off when it is determined that either the emergency has passed or there was no emergency.

It was cheap and effective. But the point is that there was good reason for such a system. Even better would have been an automatic fire detection system. But sometimes cheap people don't want to spend lots of money just to keep people safe. It sounds to me like the operators of this track don't exactly have safety high enough on their agenda to make it a priority for a full course caution lamp system. (or full course Race Stop).

You have a few choices: 1) You can find a better place to race but that might cost you more money. 2) you can keep racing there accepting the risks. 3) You can propose a full course warning system and pay for it yourself - or take up a collection from those who race with you. There may be other options as well. But in the end there's little you can do about someone else's property.

 

FIVE second blasts on the warning horn, repeated several times, are not likely tobe ignored by at least some folks in a shop. AND even the deaf machine operator would probably notice other folks running for the exits. AND, in the llast place I worked that had a full machine shop,,
the fire exit door had a VERY LOUD WARNING SIREN. (that was there to prevent it being used for smokers breaks) THAT siren was much louder than the official fire warning alarm horn.

If you have ever seen the mess left after a powder type fire suppression system is fired in a kitchen, you would understand why folks are reluctant to trigger them. THAT was the reason for also having a "FIRE BUCKET" of SAND present. And why small fires got water thrown on them. SAND, or ground (granulated) SALT wil also smother fires, and salt wil not ruin the steaks. It is possible to brush it off.

 

Update: recently, the folks that were running the track suddenly departed. Now I believe the owner of the land and facility has taken over and they’re trying to get all the kinks out. I went again last night. I did see what looked like 4 Federal Amber lights strapped to the fence. I saw them operating a couple times, not sure if it was timely, and then they didn’t work anymore the rest is the night. What I did see wasn’t much output. I’d still like to help but waiting to see how it all shakes out in the near future…

 

I suggest a whole lot of caution driving on that track. I HAVE driven fast go-karts on a circle track and a multi-turns "enduro"track. But on those tracks the whole track was constantly visible, and there were no warning lights.
The "big -deal" with a hazard warning system is the assumption that it works!! That is very important to those folks who need to be warned when a hazard situation is present.

 

I suggest a whole lot of caution driving on that track. I HAVE driven fast go-karts on a circle track and a multi-turns "enduro"track. But on those tracks the whole track was constantly visible, and there were no warning lights.
The "big -deal" with a hazard warning system is the assumption that it works!! That is very important to those folks who need to be warned when a hazard situation is present.

I’m not a racer—Lord knows I’m way too old for that…LOL, but I have an interest in helping folks out when I can. You are spot-on with your remarks…
In this particular case with the two visits I’ve made and watched the racing, I feel like possibly I could help. While I have suggestions for how to make the audience more connected and informed, my first thoughts were the Caution lighting (or lack of it in my first visit, and then seeing a brief bit on my second visit.) Also from my vantage point outside the fence several areas looked dark to my view—but maybe the drivers have better lighting from their view. They have added a few more track lights so they are working at it.
Now, keep in mind I have not communicated with the new track officials/team/owner…yet. Im working toward that now…So at this early point I’m just putting my thoughts together. And I may not have a clue—I’m sure there are dedicated businesses in Karting that probably sell caution period lighting systems. And I’m pretty sure they ain’t the least bit cheap. Maybe the track folks are financially set better than I think. So far I haven’t seen a lot of evidence of that. Plus, we’re a rural area and not a lot of wealth around these parts. The track isn’t much more than a dirt oval with some aging fencing, and a race flagger elevated stand. They do have a decent PA, with good, clear sound and volume. Big plus to me in my audio years.
The amber lights I did see on my last visit came on a couple of times, but didn’t stay on through the period, and I didn’t see them work again. I got close enough to see there were only 4 of them, and didn’t seem very bright. They were Federal units. Pretty pricey from my online looking.
Let me back up a little bit and expand on things “I don’t know”. I’ve looked online quite a bit for any “regulations” or criteria for Caution lighting but have not found anything. I do know they have flag persons on the track—this last visit I believe there were 4 plus the flag tower. And they were equipped with radios. But IMHO, I believe a good 10-12 fence mounted strobe light units would greatly improve the safety aspect—I noticed several times when an incident occurred, it seemed that the drivers had a delayed reaction before they let off the throttle. Strobing lights around the whole circuit would surely Improve that reaction time immensely.
Again, thanks for the suggestions and ideas.

 

Update for 7-13-26…
Was able to meet up with gentleman (who turns out is a musical acquaintance) who has been helping with their audio issues. I’m assisting him now with finding better a solution to make the audio stable. Plus, he knows the managing couple well. He has advised them of my idea to help with the caution lights and they welcome it greatly. Currently they are operating the track but with no real profit realized yet, and welcome help.
So, I’m looking forward to putting these lights together and test it out. I’m not made of money (dang it) so I’m trying to keep it cheap.
Remembering the 48v idea, I’m wondering what wire to consider, and then the step-down 12v transformers—guessing maybe 10 or 12.
For the next few days I’ll be focused on helping my buddy solve the audio questions, and hopefully I’ll return fully to this project. Next race is Aug. 11.

 

Oh…I’m going to add yet another post addressing the audio.

 

POSSIBLY a AUDIO warning system on the PA speakers might work, but only if the KART DRIVERS can hear it. My last experienc driving KARTS at a commercial track was that they are "rather loud" and quite noisy.

 

Ok, back now and digging in. I have the blessings of the owner and managers to try any ideas on the caution lights.
While working over there last week with fixing an audio issue, I saw their current warning system: a small 12v battery located on the floor of the race director’s feet, and a household light switch mounted on the wall above that. Both exposed to the weather. And some jumbled wiring. Yep. It needs a little freshening up. Yep. Start from scratch.
More to come shortly.