Soft Wall Update

[rev-ed]

Latest from NASCAR and the IRL at TMS Media Day. They say that the soft walls are closer to reality than we may think.

Here's the link.

[Jay J]

If you don't want to register at the Dallas Morning News website, here's the article by motorsports reporter Terry Blount:

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01/22/2002

By TERRY BLOUNT / The Dallas Morning News

FORT WORTH – Indy Racing League vice president Brian Barnhart and NASCAR president Mike Helton said Tuesday that soft-wall technology for major speedways is close to becoming a reality.

"This will be a major step forward in the advancement of safety in auto racing," Barnhart said during media day at Texas Motor Speedway. "We are very encouraged by the progress we've had. We've made a lot of gains. I think the timetable [for implementation] is going to be a lot sooner than people think."

Helton, who also attended the TMS media day, implied that the soft-wall concept is no longer just a dream for the future.

"We're getting there," Helton said. "I can't tell you today when it will happen, but we're closer than we've ever been."

...

Note from TF: Please respect and obey all copyright laws, including refraining from posting protected material. If it's not your own material, please paraphrase, or just post a link. Thanks!

[ January 23, 2002: Message edited by: doitagain ]

[JoeBob]

"That's the biggest hang-up we have," Barnhart said. "But we have a concept in place that will enable the track owner, with minimum cost involved, to be able to convert the wall from an open-wheel to a stock-car format."

I wonder what sort of impact this would have on race weekends where both styles of car race. Would they have to "switch walls" in between sessions? If they only put these walls in place in "problem areas" that might not be too bad, but if they circle the entire track, that could be a lengthy delay between sessions.

That said, its great to see that they're getting closer!

[IndyJim]

would love to see the video of the test, but it probably won't see the light of day.

good point about switching walls when two different types on the same track. Probably makes that impossible.

[indyracer56]

If this works out I bet we will see the IRL at Daytona and Talladega!!!

Imagine......no more injuries or deaths......wouldn't that be something?

[35136]

agree would be great to see the IRL at Daytona and Talladega, however can't imagine that happening - maybe at Daytona. Talladega is a very bumpy, old and banked track. Probably a dumb question but can Indy cars run on a surface like Talladega without upsetting the balance? Soft walls probably did save Arie and we would all like to see more of our favorite drivers have had the opportunity to survive crashes. The words that soft walls are near reality could mean years and to NASCAR that could be five more drivers. Besides just because the technology will exist and be feasible will not mean that the tracks will go to the expense of putting them up and maintaining them or that the various series will mandate their usage. Call me cynical

[Jakester]

Forgive my cynicism, but in light of NASCAR's history, the statement below doesn't give me much more comfort than "things are more like they are now than they ever have been before".

"We're getting there," Helton said. "I can't tell you today when it will happen, but we're closer than we've ever been."

I hope Brian's right and the timetable is less than 3-5 years.

No pipedreams here though, racing will still be a dangerous sport and injuries and deaths will still occur...doesn't mean we shouldn't make them as few and far between as possible though.

[BigFig]

Originally posted by 35136:
<STRONG>agree would be great to see the IRL at Daytona and Talladega, however can't imagine that happening - maybe at Daytona. Talladega is a very bumpy, old and banked track. Probably a dumb question but can Indy cars run on a surface like Talladega without upsetting the balance? Soft walls probably did save Arie and we would all like to see more of our favorite drivers have had the opportunity to survive crashes. The words that soft walls are near reality could mean years and to NASCAR that could be five more drivers. Besides just because the technology will exist and be feasible will not mean that the tracks will go to the expense of putting them up and maintaining them or that the various series will mandate their usage. Call me cynical</STRONG>

Well cynical , can you imagine a smart track owner setting back and waiting for the lawsuits because of an injury and the walls were possible but not in place?

[Jakester]

Yep, I can certainly see track owners sitting back and waiting, especially if the cost is several megabucks.

Want some examples:

NASCAR's rule mandating head/neck restraint, but not a helmet (?), throw in seat belts, gloves, nomex are only 'strongly recommended'.

No head/neck restraint requirement in IRL.

Higher fences with more overhang not put in place at many tracks until 2 separate tires went into the stands.

No changes to fence/walls at TMS after Davey H punched a hole in the backstraight fence and put debris 15 rows up in the stands.

[DonnieB]

Once the technology has been perfected and installed at the larger tracks, I wonder what pressure would be exerted to get shorter tracks to follow suit? I'd say there are a fair number of 1/4 mile bullrings that don't sell enough tickets in a whole season to pay for the installation. What would be the criteria for deciding "this track needs it and that track doesn't? A 43 mph net impact into the wall at a short track is not beyond the realm of possibility, though it could be beyond the point of diminishing returns to buy and install the technology to cushion it.

Donnie

[Turn13]

Well, this is excellent news as far as I'm concerned- probably the most pressing issue in motorsports, and especially oval racing.

[Turn13]

Thank you rev!