IRL mandates new safety features

[KC]

The IRL has mandates some new saftey features for the chassis designs that are a welcome change.

The chassis rules will see the front bulkhead increased by three inches, moving the driver further back in the car, will introduce better materials to prevent foot and leg injuries like those suffered by Davey Hamilton last year and will incorporate bulkhead behind the front suspension mounting points.

The wheel-restraint system, which was a work in progress most of the year and still saw a couple instances of failure to retain wheels in high-speed crashes – notably in Atlanta when a wheel went into an unoccupied section of the grandstands, will require its mounting points to be integrated with the chassis, and the overall weight of the car will be decreased to lessen impact mass.

I applaud the IRL for making the changes.

[Dr. Austin]

I am still going to be critical of them not requiring a HANS device at all tracks. Even NASCAR has beaten them to the puch on this one. They need to get in gear and require the things NOW so everyone can get one and get used to it in time for the opener.

If someone takes an injury that a HANS could have prevented, they are just asking to be lambasted and crucified.