Prayers go out to Dan Weldon's family
#31
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RIP Dan.... My heart goes out to his whole family!!
At some point they will start to slow them cars down a little and maybe put a lid over the cockpits... Too much debris comes at the driver at 200 mph.... Look at most of the drivers killed in open wheel racing in the last 15 yrs has been injuries caused by debris...
Sad time for racing!! You will be missed Dan!
At some point they will start to slow them cars down a little and maybe put a lid over the cockpits... Too much debris comes at the driver at 200 mph.... Look at most of the drivers killed in open wheel racing in the last 15 yrs has been injuries caused by debris...
Sad time for racing!! You will be missed Dan!
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It does have lots of new safety features.... but one is still missing! A canopy!!! Dan died of blunt head trauma, so did Senna, ratzenberger, dana. Massa almost was killed when a suspension spring hit him in the head!!! Just my thoughts...
#34
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For now, the focus is on Dan's family and friends.
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Retired! Boating full-time now.
Retired! Boating full-time now.
#35
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Trust me, there is going to be a LOT of analysis and discussion of this very subject in the near future, and it's really a subject for another (new) thread. It will be a long and tumultuous off-season for the IndyCar community.
For now, the focus is on Dan's family and friends.
For now, the focus is on Dan's family and friends.
ed
#36
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Dan Wheldon Accident Report
Dan Wheldon’s non-survivable injury Oct. 16 during a race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway involved circumstances of location, direction and orientation that were the chance result of previous car contact, an investigation report released Dec. 15 concluded.
“There are multiple factors that are not uncommon to racing that came together in a way that claimed Dan’s life,” said INDYCAR President of Operations Brian Barnhart, who was involved in the investigation. "It is a tragedy. Our thoughts and support will always be with Dan’s family.”
Wheldon, who started from the rear of the 34-car field, was running 24th on Lap 11 when the accident that involved 15 cars occurred between Turns 1-2. The combined data from various technical resources provided INDYCAR officials insight into what transpired during the multi-car incident, including what happened to the No. 77 car during the accident.
“INDYCAR’s commitment to safety was enhanced by Dan Wheldon’s testing throughout 2011 of the new car to be used by INDYCAR in 2012,” INDYCAR CEO Randy Bernard said during a news conference at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
“The 2012 IZOD IndyCar Series season ushers in an era of a new race car and the opportunity for continued safety advancements. Dan Wheldon was instrumental in the testing and development of this new car and the safety innovations that it represents. We are thankful for his efforts and commitment to racing. These observations will be part of a continuous process to improve racing so it's both competitive and as safe as possible.”
The accident review revealed that Wheldon’s path on the lower portion of the racetrack was blocked by the multi-car crash he was approaching. About 2.4 seconds prior to contact with the left-rear tire of the No. 83 car, Wheldon reduced throttle to 55 percent and applied the brakes to decelerate from 224 mph on the front straightaway to 165 mph in Turn 1. A second later, the throttle was reduced to less than 10 percent.
After striking the No. 83 car’s tire, the No. 77 car became airborne and began to roll to the right. The right rear of the car made contact with the racing surface and the chassis traveled rearward first toward the Turn 2 SAFER Barrier. The chassis then rotated so it was traveling in race direction parallel to the fencing along the top of the permanent wall behind the SAFER Barrier, with the cockpit open toward the fencing.The chassis impacted a vertical post along the right side of the tub that – as the car passed by -- created significant damage extending from the pedal bulkhead, through the cockpit and shearing off the roll hoop. As the pole intruded the cockpit, the impact with the driver’s helmeted head produced non-survivable blunt force trauma. The side intrusion panels, which were added to IZOD IndyCar Series cars in 2008, along with the driver’s restraints performed as designed, according to review of physical evidence.
The fencing, including post, cables and fabric at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, was found to have performed to expectations in retaining a race car from leaving the track. In the report, INDYCAR stated its preference for the fabric being on the inside of the track instead of its present configuration.
The response to the scene by INDYCAR’s Holmatro Safety Team was rapid and decisive, according to the review, and there was no evidence of vehicle mechanical or structural issues contributing to the accident.
INDYCAR analyzed data from the accident data recorders carried on board each race car involved in the crash, the on-board data acquisition system from teams, timing and scoring data, video, still photographs and the physical evidence. Additionally, reports were filed by track safety personnel, technical personnel, race control personnel and medical personnel, and information was provided by the chief medical officer of Las Vegas Motor Speedway and the Clark County Coroner.
Wolf Technical Services provided independent assurance that the investigation protocol, evidence examined and reviewed, and the conclusions reached are consistent and appropriate to standard scientific and engineering investigation methods.
Examination of video of the incident demonstrates normal “pack racing” that is common on high-banked ovals. However, there was almost unlimited movement on the track surface under race conditions not previously experienced that is attributed to track geometry beyond banking. Such freedom of movement outside of normal racing grooves not only increased the probability for car-to-car contact, but made it more difficult for drivers to predict the movement of other drivers.
"It wasn't a challenge to these highly-talented drivers," Barnhart said.
The 34-car starting field was determined to be acceptable based on factors such as length and width of the racetrack and pit space capability, and review of the incident supports the conclusion. Similar consequences could have occurred with any size starting field at any track.
As is protocol, INDYCAR conducts a series of on-site inspections and an on-track test to confirm the compatibility of its race cars to new or reconfigured racetracks. The inspections of Las Vegas Motor Speedway included a two-day compatibility and performance test on Nov. 15, 2010, by drivers Scott Dixon of Target Chip Ganassi Racing and Ryan Briscoe of Team Penske. Private testing by IZOD IndyCar Series and Firestone Indy Lights teams followed.
Following the incident, INDYCAR assembled a technical committee of sanctioning body personnel and team engineers to focus on the aerodynamics and mechanical considerations of IZOD IndyCar Series cars competing on high-banked 1.5-mile ovals. It determined that each high-banked oval has unique characteristics, and each should be considered individually.
INDYCAR will not sanction a race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in 2012 as was announced in October, but will conduct testing at the facility with the next-generation car to determine compatibility and performance for a potential return in 2013.
"I think , but I don't want to go back there if the conditions are not right," Bernard said.
The 2012 Dallara Automobile chassis enhances safety components such as side intrusion panels and wheel tethers. The cockpit is longer and wider than the decommissioned monocoque, which allows for additional padding underneath and behind the driver. Also, a “floating headrest” works in conjunction with the mandatory FHR (Frontal Head Restraint) attached to the helmet. Additionally, driver positioning provides enhanced sightlines. The reduction of wheel-to-wheel contact also has been incorporated into the new car.
"Safety is an evolutionary process," Barnhart said.
IZOD IndyCar Series teams were taking delivery of their first next-generation car and Chevrolet and Honda were continuing on-track development of their engines at Sebring International as the news conference was being conducted.
Bernard also indicated that the 2012 schedule would be announced shortly.
“There are multiple factors that are not uncommon to racing that came together in a way that claimed Dan’s life,” said INDYCAR President of Operations Brian Barnhart, who was involved in the investigation. "It is a tragedy. Our thoughts and support will always be with Dan’s family.”
Wheldon, who started from the rear of the 34-car field, was running 24th on Lap 11 when the accident that involved 15 cars occurred between Turns 1-2. The combined data from various technical resources provided INDYCAR officials insight into what transpired during the multi-car incident, including what happened to the No. 77 car during the accident.
“INDYCAR’s commitment to safety was enhanced by Dan Wheldon’s testing throughout 2011 of the new car to be used by INDYCAR in 2012,” INDYCAR CEO Randy Bernard said during a news conference at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
“The 2012 IZOD IndyCar Series season ushers in an era of a new race car and the opportunity for continued safety advancements. Dan Wheldon was instrumental in the testing and development of this new car and the safety innovations that it represents. We are thankful for his efforts and commitment to racing. These observations will be part of a continuous process to improve racing so it's both competitive and as safe as possible.”
The accident review revealed that Wheldon’s path on the lower portion of the racetrack was blocked by the multi-car crash he was approaching. About 2.4 seconds prior to contact with the left-rear tire of the No. 83 car, Wheldon reduced throttle to 55 percent and applied the brakes to decelerate from 224 mph on the front straightaway to 165 mph in Turn 1. A second later, the throttle was reduced to less than 10 percent.
After striking the No. 83 car’s tire, the No. 77 car became airborne and began to roll to the right. The right rear of the car made contact with the racing surface and the chassis traveled rearward first toward the Turn 2 SAFER Barrier. The chassis then rotated so it was traveling in race direction parallel to the fencing along the top of the permanent wall behind the SAFER Barrier, with the cockpit open toward the fencing.The chassis impacted a vertical post along the right side of the tub that – as the car passed by -- created significant damage extending from the pedal bulkhead, through the cockpit and shearing off the roll hoop. As the pole intruded the cockpit, the impact with the driver’s helmeted head produced non-survivable blunt force trauma. The side intrusion panels, which were added to IZOD IndyCar Series cars in 2008, along with the driver’s restraints performed as designed, according to review of physical evidence.
The fencing, including post, cables and fabric at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, was found to have performed to expectations in retaining a race car from leaving the track. In the report, INDYCAR stated its preference for the fabric being on the inside of the track instead of its present configuration.
The response to the scene by INDYCAR’s Holmatro Safety Team was rapid and decisive, according to the review, and there was no evidence of vehicle mechanical or structural issues contributing to the accident.
INDYCAR analyzed data from the accident data recorders carried on board each race car involved in the crash, the on-board data acquisition system from teams, timing and scoring data, video, still photographs and the physical evidence. Additionally, reports were filed by track safety personnel, technical personnel, race control personnel and medical personnel, and information was provided by the chief medical officer of Las Vegas Motor Speedway and the Clark County Coroner.
Wolf Technical Services provided independent assurance that the investigation protocol, evidence examined and reviewed, and the conclusions reached are consistent and appropriate to standard scientific and engineering investigation methods.
Examination of video of the incident demonstrates normal “pack racing” that is common on high-banked ovals. However, there was almost unlimited movement on the track surface under race conditions not previously experienced that is attributed to track geometry beyond banking. Such freedom of movement outside of normal racing grooves not only increased the probability for car-to-car contact, but made it more difficult for drivers to predict the movement of other drivers.
"It wasn't a challenge to these highly-talented drivers," Barnhart said.
The 34-car starting field was determined to be acceptable based on factors such as length and width of the racetrack and pit space capability, and review of the incident supports the conclusion. Similar consequences could have occurred with any size starting field at any track.
As is protocol, INDYCAR conducts a series of on-site inspections and an on-track test to confirm the compatibility of its race cars to new or reconfigured racetracks. The inspections of Las Vegas Motor Speedway included a two-day compatibility and performance test on Nov. 15, 2010, by drivers Scott Dixon of Target Chip Ganassi Racing and Ryan Briscoe of Team Penske. Private testing by IZOD IndyCar Series and Firestone Indy Lights teams followed.
Following the incident, INDYCAR assembled a technical committee of sanctioning body personnel and team engineers to focus on the aerodynamics and mechanical considerations of IZOD IndyCar Series cars competing on high-banked 1.5-mile ovals. It determined that each high-banked oval has unique characteristics, and each should be considered individually.
INDYCAR will not sanction a race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in 2012 as was announced in October, but will conduct testing at the facility with the next-generation car to determine compatibility and performance for a potential return in 2013.
"I think , but I don't want to go back there if the conditions are not right," Bernard said.
The 2012 Dallara Automobile chassis enhances safety components such as side intrusion panels and wheel tethers. The cockpit is longer and wider than the decommissioned monocoque, which allows for additional padding underneath and behind the driver. Also, a “floating headrest” works in conjunction with the mandatory FHR (Frontal Head Restraint) attached to the helmet. Additionally, driver positioning provides enhanced sightlines. The reduction of wheel-to-wheel contact also has been incorporated into the new car.
"Safety is an evolutionary process," Barnhart said.
IZOD IndyCar Series teams were taking delivery of their first next-generation car and Chevrolet and Honda were continuing on-track development of their engines at Sebring International as the news conference was being conducted.
Bernard also indicated that the 2012 schedule would be announced shortly.
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