Run-off area

This is defined in lay terms as the optimal path around a race course that will allow the racer to complete a lap in the least possible time with the highest possible average speed.

Prior to safety being brought to the forefront of the racing world's consciousness, it was often an afterthought and many racers were injured or lost their lives due to accidents that were preventable.

By acting as a soft, energy-absorbing barrier, air fences can be placed over hard obstacles around tracks that racers might encounter in the course of an accident.

With an air fence in place, the racer has a much better chance of sustaining fewer injuries than if he were to simply hit the object without any buffer.

They are the basis for several other safety features, such as gravel traps and air fences, which could not be placed anywhere, or would be ineffective without a proper run-off area.

In order to prevent such a strike and to make themselves as attractive as possible to various racing sanctioning bodies in the hopes of attracting lucrative professional racing events to their facilities, park managements will often pay substantial attention to such facilities' features as safety devices, including run-off areas, and make substantial financial investments to add or improve such devices as deemed necessary.

If top racers do not feel that a track is safe they may put pressure on their racing league to not schedule events at that particular venue.

Or, if a league has documented safety standards for the tracks on their circuit, they may choose not to schedule events at a deficient facility until it has made the requisite changes.