Former SpeedVegas Instructor Sues to Close Track After Crash
Former instructor alleges of unsafe conditions at SpeedVegas exotic car driving experience in suit against the company.
Francisco Durban, a former driving instructor at the Las Vegas exotic car driving experience known as SpeedVegas has filed suit to temporarily close the facility, according to the Las Vegas Register Journal. In February, a Canadian tourist and a driving instructor were killed when they failed to slow at the end of the main straightaway, plowed straight through the chicane, and hit a tire barrier and concrete wall at over 100 mph. The crash destroyed the Lamborghini Aventador they were driving, and caused a fire and black cloud that could be seen from much of Vegas. Durban alleges that not only is the track wall too close to the track at that corner, but also that the Aventador roadster (with removable roof panel) is unsafe for track use in stock form. Quoting directly from the filing the suit alleges the track “is inherently, excessively and unnecessarily dangerous in design and operation” and that brakes on the cars used were not properly maintained.
The crash happened on February 7th, just 4 days after the Aventador debuted and 10 months after the facility opened. The track was back in operation on the 22nd, after the staff had be given more training, a high speed track driving test, and a psychiatric evaluation. Instructors were also asked to sign a legal form stating “every precaution has been taken to ensure my safety as well as the safety of our guests” which Francisco refused to do, unless changes were made. He wanted the wall moved further back, and Formula One style TECPRO safety barriers installed, and refused to work there until the changes were made, and was terminated.
Francisco Durbin is not the only one who says the track is not as safe as it could be, there are multiple expert opinions in this Las Vegas Review Journal story. Tourist-focused racing experiences like SpeedVegas make driving an exotic car on a race track just like an amusement part roller coaster, but we all know track driving isn’t a ride, it needs to be treated like the life or death situation it is.
