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"The crowd was standing within 10 feet of the track with no guard rails separating them from the speeding vehicles.

"There were no barriers at all," Jeff Talbott, inland division chief for the California Highway Patrol, told the Riverside Press-Enterprise."

This was written to gin up more support for more regulations on the sport.

"He said that the driver, who wasn't named, was forced to run from the scene when the crowd grew unruly and some began throwing rocks at him. It was not clear why he lost control of the truck."

Here are Leftists blaming the driver for them standing too close to the track like a bunch dumba$$e$.

The CHP does not normally investigate crashes at organized races, but took the lead on this probe because of its scope and had set up a command center at the starting line of the race.

They don't have any jurisdiction but they decided to get involved anyway.

"There were no barriers at all," Jeff Talbott, inland division chief for the California Highway Patrol, told the Riverside Press-Enterprise."

Hey chief - it's an off road race. Of course there are no barriers, no real prepared track, grandstands, etc. I work a similar annual off-road rally type race. Yes, it is dangerous, that is part of the entertainment/thrill value for the spectators. We keep the spectators out of the most dangerous parts - outside of corners (think understeer), inside "late" in the corners (think oversteer). We also have to remind them to stay off the course at all times (ie. not cross it) - yes, some are that stupid. Did I mention they allow alcohol at this event? (I'm not sure that's a good idea) Remind them to stay hydrated, no fires, etc. We keep it as fun and safe as possible, but watching someone roar by relatively close and fast is a big part of the appeal. It cannot be made absolutely safe, period. You can only manage risk. If spectators want to be safe - watch it on TV or from 50 yds back...