Unity Raceway makes the grade with state’s public safety inspector> Review of racetrack laws planned, some procedural changes are expected

UNITY — An auto raceway where a spectator was killed by a tire and rim that cleared a security fence has been declared safe under the state’s existing public safety laws.

Inspector Joe Levasseur of the state Fire Marshal’s Office said a public safety committee will meet this fall to review state laws governing racetracks. Those regulations have not been updated in more than 40 years.

Under current law, racetrack operators are not required to erect safety fences or report accidents, Levasseur said.

“We would like to change it to make them notify us of accidents at the track,” he said. “If there is an accident on a ride at a fair, it has to be reported. It’s the same idea.”

Nevertheless, new laws probably would not have prevented the freak accident in which Gary Mitchell of Appleton was killed as he watched a race on Aug. 19, Levasseur said.

Mitchell was struck by a tire and rim that came off a race car driven by Skip Conner of Oakland during practice laps.

The tragedy was similar to an accident last year when a wheel came off a race car driven by Ken Pelotte and bounced into the grandstands, injuring Robert LaFountain.

LaFountain, 49, of Cornville is recovering from a massive concussion, memory loss and whiplash. He has filed a lawsuit for medical bills against Pelotte and Ralph Nason Sr., the track owner.

Nason and other track officials would not comment on track safety standards.

Pelotte said he decided against racing at Unity after the repeat accident this summer.

“It’s dangerous for race car drivers, but it shouldn’t be dangerous for the spectators,” said Pelotte. “They go there to enjoy the race, not worry about dying.”