SAFER Barrier question?

[owfan19]

I know the University of Nebraska came up with it, but I thought Indy Car was the first to use it? From the sounds of the NASCAR race in Vegas, you would think NASCAR developed it.

[Field of 33]

I was just listening to that as well. People in NASCAR are very careful to NOT say they developed it but that have also never given any credit to IMS/IRL for funding the development.

[Outlaw]

I was just listening to that as well. People in NASCAR are very careful to NOT say they developed it but that have also never given any credit to IMS/IRL for funding the development.

Yep. IMS/IRL funded the University of Nebraska. IMS was out in front of this thing. Remember the first gen product that Luyendyk smashed into?

This is one of my biggest problems with NASCAR. They give no credit to anyone but themselves. Nothing irritates me more than listing to "Gentlemen start your engines at the start of NASCAR race"

[owfan19]

I was just listening to that as well. People in NASCAR are very careful to NOT say they developed it but that have also never given any credit to IMS/IRL for funding the development.

I thought IMS and IRL had a big influence. Who was it at the speedway that really saved himself during an IROC race at the Speedway.

[WhirlinGraphics]

Tony George/IMS teamed up with the U of Nebraska to develop the SAFER barrier. They went through a few variations before ending up with what they have now. The first version was basically black PVC pipe that was cut in half and cabled to the inside of turn 4/entrance of pit road. When somebody eventually hit it, it exploded into a million pieces making for a messy clean-up. NASCAR came late to the party to offer more funding and to get it pushed through to be installed at all the NASCAR tracks.

[SeeUinMay]

I thought IMS and IRL had a big influence. Who was it at the speedway that really saved himself during an IROC race at the Speedway.

Arie hit the huge chunk of styrofoam at the end off the wall at pit entrance. Not really the "safer barrier" that is on the walls. Is that the one your thinking of?

[Dizz Fan]

I thought IMS and IRL had a big influence. Who was it at the speedway that really saved himself during an IROC race at the Speedway.

Before the outer walls were developed Arie L. (or maybe Buddy L.?) smashed into the inside wall just out of 4. If I recall the hundreds of loose PVC type pipe flew everywhere.

[roach]

IROC - Arie hit the first generation "soft wall" that had what looked like conveyor belt on the inside of front wall just before pit road. Created a massive debris field and was removed by the next day.

roach

[owfan19]

Yes I think it was Arie. But I thought a safer barier helped him.

[Dizz Fan]

NASCAR came late to the party to offer more funding and to get it pushed through to be installed at all the NASCAR tracks.

Translation...NASCAR thought it would be a marketing boon, in addition to saving lives. So they had track owners pay to have it installed.

[brickyard1911]

I know the University of Nebraska came up with it, but I thought Indy Car was the first to use it? From the sounds of the NASCAR race in Vegas, you would think NASCAR developed it.

If memory serves, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway was the first to have it installed as well.

They tried a couple of different types during test sessions I believe. The hit Arie took in the IROC car was huge but it wasn't the SAFER. TG and/or IndyCar hasn't ever gotten the credit they deserve for working the the U of N on the project. I believe they helped with funding in a big way.

As is typical though, TG and IMS isn't in business to get pats on the back. Everybody in racing knows who was being it...........especially those in NASCAR.

[Field of 33]

I thought IMS and IRL had a big influence. Who was it at the speedway that really saved himself during an IROC race at the Speedway.

The SAFER Barrier system itself was developed by the University of Nebraska Midwest Safety Center (or some institute name like that) but I'm pretty sure that the funding was mostly, if not entirely, from IMS. I believe IMS started the funding in '98 and NASCAR jumped on board in either 2000 or 2001.

The accident that you are referring to is Arie Luyendyk in the 1998 IROC race. The SAFER barrier was not installed in that case. That was the PEDS system, which didn't last long. The accident showed why that system didn't work - Arie bounced right back into traffic and the wall broke apart all over the track. The fact that he was shot right back into the racing line made that system actually MORE dangerous than just the traditional wall. Here's the YouTube video of that accident...

[Dizz Fan]

Yes I think it was Arie. But I thought a safer barier helped him.

Yes I believe it did as well. If I recall, it was a heck of an impact, made all the more dramitic by the pipe flying all over. It may have saved his life.

Dizz Fan

[richie]

Before the outer walls were developed Arie L. (or maybe Buddy L.?) smashed into the inside wall just out of 4. If I recall the hundreds of loose PVC type pipe flew everywhere.

That was a HARD hit.

Arie Luyendyk Crash Video

[owfan19]

Makes you think that Greg Moore might have benefited from something similar.