Not arguing the logic of it, just saying that history has shown human behavior (particularly amongst western societies) like to bring on the lawyer and start the liability game when a death is involved.

I think that when there is lightning around, a smart person would get to a safe location.



And that especially applies for when you have stupid people. Not that I am suggesting that these people are stupid, as that would be a bit disrespectful right now.

So what some are suggesting here is trying to say is that whenever lightning /thunderstorms appear in the vicinity of a racing event we should just pull out all the stops and call it off, evacuate everyone? The circuit managers and event organisers should "get their thumbs out of their arse" and just evacuate up to 100,000 people just because some yellow to orange rain marks are 50-100km away on the radar? Don't be ridiculous. Not a single second of racing would've occurred on Sunday at the 2009 Malaysian GP.

It's not like it was a hurricane/tornado/monsoon/cyclone was heading to the track, it was a dime a dozen (I'm guessing) a summer storm, which every country gets for long periods of time. The odds of being struck by lightning are half a million to one, the odds of being killed by it are two million to one. It was a freak accident, no-one is liable to an act of god. They could've been struck by lightning at the track, or walking from their car to their front door at home.

FWIW, @poconoraceway tweeted at 4:21 p.m. that a storm with "severe lightning" was in the area. Cars were still on track until 4:42 p.m.

How could you sue someone? Isnt it classed as an "act of god"?

As reported yesterday, a long time member of our Pocono Raceway family, a spectator has passed away following a lightning strike. According to Monroe County Coroner Robert Allen the name of the deceased is 41 year old Moosic, Pennsylvania resident Brian Zimmerman Additionally; nine other individuals were transferred to local hospitals as a result of two separate lightning strikes.
At approximately 5:01 p.m. Eastern Time, the first lightning strike occurred on property inside our Grandstand Parking area, located near Gate 5A. A Pocono Raceway Grandstand Fire unit was stationed in the vicinity and witnessed the actual strike. The response was immediate as the unit reported the incident to our control tower and advised spectators were injured. CPR was started immediately to Mr. Zimmerman by a friend on the scene.
Within a matter of 3 minutes, medical personnel and additional emergency services reported on the scene and took control of treatment to individuals. EMT responders were approached by additional individuals who reported symptoms related to the lightning strike. Those affected were taken to the Raceway Medical Centers, where they were examined and transported to local area hospitals for treatment and further evaluation. A total of nine individuals were treated as a result of the initial lightning strike.
At approximately 6:35 p.m. Eastern Time, the control tower was notified of a second possible lightning strike in the vicinity near Gate 3. The individual was immediately transported to Pocono Raceway's Infield Medical Center where they were initially treated for minor injuries before being transported to Pocono Medical Center in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania for further evaluation.
At this point in time, the one individual that was in critical condition has now been upgraded to stable. Some have been treated and released. Others involved are pending release as early as today and all are in good spirits. The safety of all guests to Pocono Raceway is of the utmost importance to our entire staff. This tragic event is at the forefront of all of our thoughts and prayers. We will learn from the incident and continue to implement strategies to help ensure the safety of fans and all attendees at future events at Pocono Raceway.

@Team_Onion: Saw the replay of the wreck, need to apologize to @

nelsonPiquet, my fault for sure. Sorry to all for acting like an ass!!

Todd Bodine apologized.

I think all tracks do - the "Motorsport is Dangerous" clause.

Motor racing is dangeorus and noisy. Sancioning bodies, FOA, Formula One Management, FIA, Allsport Management s.a., APM Sport Limited, Allsopp Parker and Marsh Limited, organizers of the event (including officials, marshals, rescue and medical staff), competitors and drivers, are not responsible for any loss or damage, howsoever caused, to you to the maximum extend permittted by law (except in the case of death or personal injury caused by negliance of the above parties)

(except in the case of death or personal injury caused by negliance of the above parties)

Todd Bodine apologized.

Regardless, unless you were standing on the very top of the grandstands wearing a mesh singlet and metal helmet waving a flag with a metal point at the top, the chances of you getting struck by lightning are incredibly tiny, yeah maybe it was a little more in an intense storm like the one you described, it's still one in a million thing. I could understand if they knew > 100km/h 60mph winds were coming and that caused a fatality by a falling object then fair enough, but this wasn't that.

And no, I know the US are shocking with liability, but chances of anyone being sued are incredibly tiny.