Supervisors approve detailed safety, crowd and alcohol restrictions for Custom Tees Motorsports events

The Westmoreland County Board of Supervisors on May 12 approved a revised set of rules for special events at Custom Tees Motorsports Park, after rescinding an earlier motion and adopting a detailed replacement that sets structural, safety, staffing and operational conditions for drift and drag events.

Supervisor Mr. McCormick offered the substitute motion, which the board adopted. The new conditions require a drift pit of no less than 120 by 120 feet on a concrete, asphalt or other hardtop pad; an interior guardrail; a surrounding row of concrete jersey barriers and chain-link fencing except for a single entrance/exit no wider than 12 feet; and a minimum 12-foot distance between the concrete barriers/fencing and the guardrail.

The motion also limits who may enter pit areas, restricts vehicle occupancy and safety equipment, prohibits drifting or racing in wet conditions, and requires that drivers not be under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Event requirements include at least one contracted state-certified EMS unit per 2,500 attendees, advance ticket sale numbers provided to the Westmoreland County Sheriff's Office (WCSD) at least five business days before the event, and reimbursement by the owner of overtime and other WCSD and EMS costs incurred because of the event.

Security, operations and enforcement The motion requires a licensed security contractor at a minimum staffing ratio of one security guard per 250 people, prohibits firearms, illicit drugs and camping on the property, and mandates well-lit signage at entrances and exits. It sets noise and lighting curfews (no music or racing after 10 p.m., lights off by 11 p.m.), mandates trash removal within 24 hours, forbids cars on surrounding private property, and requires rules to be posted at burner/burnout areas, restrooms and concession stands.

County access and enforcement authority The motion grants Westmoreland County officials ' including the county administrator, assistant county administrator, board members, planning commission members, land-use officials, the Westmoreland County Sheriff's Office and EMS ' full access to events for inspection. Any violation must be reported immediately to the county administrator, and the sheriff's office is empowered to terminate events for violations of the motion.

Board action and votes The board rescinded the original motion made on April 14 and then approved Mr. McCormick's replacement motion. The vote was recorded as unanimous in favor. The applicant and the owner were present in the room and the board said a copy of the revised motion would be forwarded to them and to the land-use office.

Speakers - Mr. McCormick, Supervisor (moved the replacement motion) - Westmoreland County Sheriff's Office / EMS referenced in motion (roles cited; no direct quote)

Clarifying details - Drift pit minimum: 120 ft x 120 ft; pad must be concrete, asphalt or other hardtop. - Guardrail/jersey barrier/fencing configuration: interior guardrail; outer concrete jersey barriers with chain-link fencing except a single entrance/exit no wider than 12 ft; concrete barriers and fencing at least 12 ft away from guardrail. - Pit occupancy: one car and one driver per drift; driver must wear DOT-approved helmet and seat belt. - EMS staffing: minimum one contracted state-certified EMS unit per 2,500 people. - Notification: owner must provide ticket sale numbers to WCSD at least five business days before event. - Cost recovery: owner must reimburse WCSD and EMS for regular and overtime pay, fuel, and other event-related costs as deemed appropriate by agency directors.

Actions [{"kind":"other","identifiers":{"agenda_item_id":"2504MSC-01"},"motion":"Replace prior approval and adopt detailed safety, barrier, staffing and operational requirements for special events at Custom Tees Motorsports Park (drift and drag events)","mover":"Mr. McCormick","second":"not specified","vote_record":[{"member":"Mr. Trivette","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Mr. Ingram","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Mr. McCormick","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Mr. Henson","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Chairman Fisher","vote":"yes"}],"tally":{"yes":5,"no":0},"outcome":"approved","notes":"New requirements cover pit construction, barriers, EMS, security, alcohol/drug prohibitions, curfews, trash removal, access and cost reimbursement."}]

Provenance The board rescinded the April 14 motion and adopted the replacement motion in the public record; the applicant/owner was present and the board directed staff to provide a copy to the owner and the land-use office.

Ending The board's vote places detailed event controls and explicit county enforcement and cost-recovery conditions on future special events at the motorsports park.