Quote Originally Posted by jbnwc View Post
That's what I keep hearing, but I got ahold of the IHRA and NHRA requirements today. PMP already does not meet IHRA wall rules because the walls are not adjacent to the track, at least 38" tall, and without openings(which are , of course, required for the road track entrance at PMP). There are numerous other IHRA track layout rules that PMP does not and cannot meet due to its hybrid layout(fencing around the return road comes to mind). The NHRA doesn't even provide any specifications for walls.

So the question remains: is it better to hit a wall or would it be better to drive off into the dirt(assuming it is smooth, flat and well groomed). I don't see the benefit to the wall, but maybe I'm missing something. I get why it should be there on the spectator side to keep cars out of the crowd, but why do we need it on the west side where there is no one to protect?

We were told that by the previous PMP Manager, Jason Abney that the walls, along with the other changes they had made were IHRA requirements. This was after he disregarded the MRA's suggestions and spent all of our money.
Moving the walls back would be a huge improvement to safety, however, the underlying issue is still the slick surface from Turn 10 to the start/finish line.