VINTON, Iowa – IMCA officials continue to follow developments in the COVID-19 outbreak and have taken initial steps in helping guard the health and well being of members of the racing community.
“As always, the most important issue is everyone’s safety – our drivers, our fans, our employees and the people who work at all of our sanctioned race tracks,” IMCA President Brett Root said. “It is difficult to address specifics in what is a dynamic, ever-changing situation, but the decisions we’re making now in response to COVID-19 are based on the best information we have.”
While the IMCA home office in Vinton, Iowa, is currently closed, all staff members are working from home and can be contacted electronically or by phone.
“Numerous state, county or local governments have announced stay at home or social distancing measures to stem the pandemic. Most of the tracks we sanction in 36 states and Canada are under some form of mandate,” said Root.
“We are in the racing business. We are not in position to second-guess decisions by public health or government officials tasked with safety issues across so much of two countries,” he continued. “We believe it is more important that drivers, fans and track officials follow those recommendations and do what they can to help flatten the curve.”
Updates will be posted on Facebook and the IMCA website as they develop
“It is hard to discuss upcoming events or series schedules, given the uncertainty of the COVID-19 situation at so many different levels,” Root said. “We will cross each bridge as we come to it and each track will make decisions on what is best for them and we will support them.”