SAFER BARRIER ADDED TO STAFFORD
Scott Running
• Stafford Motor Speedway
For Immediate Release Contact: Scott Running
11/7/05 (860) 684-2783
SAFER BARRIER ADDED TO STAFFORD
(Stafford Springs, CT)---Stafford Motor Speedway announced today that they
will install more than 140 feet of SAFER barrier in turn 1 of the
Connecticut half mile.
The SAFER steel and foam wall is designed to absorb some of the energy that
is transferred during a crash and was designed by the University of Nebraska
’s Dr. Dean Sicking and his engineering team with funding from Tony George
and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. It will be the first weekly short
track installation in the country.
“We have pushed for this SAFER installation for almost a full year,” said
Stafford CEO Mark Arute. “When Indy installed the first SAFER wall, my
brother Jack started investigating a potential Stafford application. At
that time though, the engineering was focused only on superspeedway
applications.”
SAFER technology progressed though and when NASCAR joined Tony George,
Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and the IRL in its development, a window for
potential short track applications opened.
"In February we told them that we wanted to install it," Arute said. "It's
taken a long time. There's quite a bit involved. A lot more than I ever
imagined.”
Stafford Motor Speedway has long been considered a trend setting facility
when it comes to short track racing in the U.S. and the addition of the
SAFER wall will continue that reputation.
“There have been a lot of people involved in Satfford’s SAFER project.”
Arute added. Al Unser, Sr. and Phil Casey from the IRL played critical
roles in expediting the project.
“When Al visited Stafford last season for CARQUEST Extreme Wednesday he
recognized the potential benefits a SAFER barrier would provide to the track
and together with Phil they pushed our project proposal.”
The initial design parameters have been completed by Sicking’s University of
Nebraska Team. Construction of the actual barrier is expected to begin
shortly at the SAFER manufacturing facility in Indianapolis.
Once the construction is completed, transport and final installation will
take place at the track.
For more information, contact the Stafford Motor Speedway track office at
860-684-2783 or visit us on the web at www.staffordspeedway.com.
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