[Walt Fricke]

In many states, the legal doctrine of assumption of the risk is still alive and well. So in addition to the standard boiler plate waiver, a well advised unfinished track would have anyone venturing on the surface at any kind of speed sign an additional document acknowledgeing that they understand that tire walls and safety barriers are not in place, there are no corner workers or ambulances, big drop offs here and there, and so on.

Some hot laps are very useful in deciding where to put curbing. Even then some of it will turn out not to be in the right place.

40' has become a kind of standard width for tracks these days, but 36' is quite acceptable for racing. Pavement is very expensive, and preparing the earth under the pavement can cost half again as much. Racetracks, especially ones for amateur competition, are not really an overly lucrative investment, and often have substantial debt for the initial construction. There aren't that many Larry Millers or George Barbers around who are willing and able to build from their private fortunes world class facilities which likely will be lucky to cover operating expenses. If a return on investment were factored in, I doubt many of us could afford the entry fees at those tracks.