Schlessman v. Henson

This case concerns the validity of an exculpatory agreement purporting to release the operator of a motor speedway from liability to an amateur racé driver for damages for injuries resulting from the operator’s negligence and occurring while the driver was in a restricted area consisting of the track and the area close by.

On May 24, 1978, the driver, plaintiff Elmer E. Schlessman filed suit in the circuit court of Champaign County against the operator, Max Henson, d/b/a Champaign Motor Speedway, seeking recovery for injuries he purportedly received on June 4,1976. During the second lap of a…