Vic; New safety standards for grand prix
MELBOURNE, April 29 AAP - The Albert Park track may be forced to comply with improvedsafety standards after the death of a marshal at this year's race, the Sunday Age reportedtoday.
Of particular interest are the holes in safety fences designed for race officials togain access to the track, after the death of Graham Beveridge, 52, who was struck by debrisfrom a car crash during the Australian Formula One Grand Prix on March 4.
Mr Beveridge was killed after being struck by a car wheel which smashed through oneof the track access holes in the fence.
Max Mosley, president of the international motoring body FIA said that changes to theconfiguration of the holes were being considered to provide extra protection for marshals.
This was echoed by former world champion Jackie Stewart, now head of the Jaguar RacingTeam, who said the FIA's safety committee was examining possible changes.
"I think there will be modifications recommended by the governing body to avoid thetype of accident that occurred in the last Grand Prix in Melbourne," he said.
John Large, vice-president of the FIA and Australia's representative on the World MotorSport Council said in Sydney yesterday that "the situation has been examined."
But Mr Large said any solution such as spring-loaded flaps or supplementary fencinghad to be weighed up against "the need to maintain effective accessibility" in a trackemergency.
Professor Tom Triggs of Monash University's accident research centre said the AustralianGrand Prix was a commercial operation taking place in an unsafe environment, and thatthe track could be made safer.
"There is no question that it is possible to design a new environment that would besafe for spectators and officials," he said.
"This would require good engineering and some expense."
Due to the design of the Albert Park track, officials and spectators are often closerto the cars than at other circuits used for the Formula One Championship series.
AAP db/cd
KEYWORD: GRAND PRIX
No comments:
Post a Comment