IMPLEMENTING an in-car warning light system – it was one of the biggest talking points after a horror crash at last year’s Bathurst 12 Hour and officials listened.
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It means the world class field which will tackle the slopes of Mount Panorama for next week’s Bathurst 12 Hour will benefit from improved safety measures.
Event sporting director David Stuart this week confirmed that a brand-new warning light system will be introduced in all 41 cars competing.
Such a system will help prevent a repeat of the incident which led to last year’s race being red-flagged and drivers hospitalised.
Inside the final 20 minutes of the 2018 race when travelling at around 200 kilometres an hour, Ash Walsh’s Audi R8 clipped the wall at top of Mount Panorama.
It was left stranded.
Some eight seconds later, Walsh’s car was hit by John Martin’s Mercedes-AMG GT3. Both men were injured in the impact, with Walsh requiring surgery to repair a deep laceration on his elbow.
Given the poor line of sight between Sulman Park and McPhillamy Park and the speed at which Martin was travelling, he did not have time properly react and avoid Walsh’s Audi. His Mercedes had gone through under full green conditions given a slight delay before the yellow flag was produced.
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That led to many competitors calling for improved safety measure such as an in-car warning system, while Confederation of Australia Motor Sport (CAMS) and Supercars launched an investigation.
After months of consultation and development, a new system was designed to be used at the famous Bathurst circuit for the first time.
It will tie in with the Motec Balance of Performance (BoP) monitoring system fitted to each entry, and will be controlled by race control officials in the event of an incident throughout the weekend.
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Competitors will be notified of safety car periods or possible race suspension/stoppages via the in-car system. The event will also still have the flag marshals and warning systems previously utilised.
“This system will be a first for Mount Panorama,” Stuart said.
“The technical team at Supercars has worked hard to ensure the system is fully functioning and reliable for implementation this year and we know it will add a great deal to the safety of all competitors.
“When it comes to incidents at any circuit, but especially one with the challenges that Mount Panorama presents, there are no certainties, however this will be another tool for race control to utilise and deploy in the event of an incident.”
