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Next Generation Accident Data Recorder Featured on Starting Lineup for Indy 500 Race

18 May 2000

Delphi's Next Generation Accident Data Recorder To be Featured on Starting Lineup for Indy 500 Race

    INDIANAPOLIS, May 18 Drivers at this year's Indianapolis
500 will benefit from improved safety on the track and in vehicles with Delphi
Automotive Systems' second generation Accident Data Recorder (ADR2).  As the
official electronics provider to the Indy Racing Northern Light Series, Delphi
will officially debut the ADR2 at the Indy 500 on May 28, where it will be
featured on all vehicles competing in the race.
    The ADR2 senses and records key vehicle parameters just prior to, during,
and after an accident-triggering event.  The unit has led to advancements in
learning about the effectiveness of crash barriers, how to design race cars to
better absorb the impact of an accident, and how to increase driver
protection.  Delphi originally developed the first generation ADR as a way to
help improve Formula One racing circuit safety.  The second generation ADR is
currently used in both Formula One and Formula 3000 series.
    Delphi's ADR2 technology stores five minutes of track time data in the
event of an accident.  "This technology gives Indy Racing teams the ability to
analyze what happens to the car and the driver just prior to, during and after
a crash," said Phil Casey, Indy Racing League technology director.  "The IRL
is grateful that companies like Delphi are committed to researching and
developing these systems for race car drivers, and ultimately for the public."
    Delphi has engineered ADR2 to be 40 percent lighter and 45 percent smaller
than the first generation model.  Other improvements include an enhancement in
the detail of data provided, giving engineers a much better picture of the
vehicle's operating parameters at the time of a crash.  Delphi has also made
improvements to the unit's internal sensor set.
    To help determine the forces applied to a driver during an accident, the
unit is now capable of monitoring 10 external sensors that may be
strategically placed throughout the vehicle or on the driver.  The unit also
measures the rate of yaw in a moving vehicle, plus throttle position and
steering angle, synchronizing data-recording activities with a real-time clock
to aid in detailing the events of an accident.
    Glen Gray, Delphi's motorsports engineering manager, said ADR2 gives
accident investigators a remarkably clear picture of what the vehicle was
doing during a crash, measuring not only speed but rotation through a
sophisticated angular rate sensor.  "ADR2 uses a series of accelerometers that
measure the deceleration, helping to determine the severity of the impact,"
said Gray.  "It does all this in an environment that is much more severe than
anything you would find in a passenger vehicle."
    The angular rate sensor will also be used in TRAXXAR(R), Delphi's
intelligent chassis control system that helps enhance vehicle stability and
directional control over a variety of road conditions.
    Since 1988, Delphi has been involved with open wheel racing to research
and develop technologies to help improve driver safety.  Today, a majority of
the vehicles in Indy Racing, CART, Formula One and Formula 3000 series are
equipped with several of Delphi's racing products such as engine control
modules, track condition radios, coil driver modules, radio telemetry modules
and electronic fuel injectors.  NASCAR, Trophy Truck and several Sportscar
Series also feature Delphi-developed technologies.
    Delphi recently expanded its role with the Northern Light Series as the
title sponsor of the Delphi Indy 200 in January 2000.  In addition, the
company has extended its sponsorship of Kelley Racing's driver Scott Sharp and
teammate Mark Dismore through 2001.
    Multi-national Delphi Automotive Systems , with headquarters in
Troy, Mich., USA, Paris, Tokyo and Sao Paulo, Brazil, is a world leader in
transportation and mobile electronics components and systems technology.
Delphi's three business sectors -- Dynamics & Propulsion; Safety, Thermal &
Electrical Architecture; and Electronics & Mobile Communication -- provide
comprehensive product solutions to complex customer needs.  Delphi has
approximately 213,000 employees and operates 176 wholly owned manufacturing
sites, 41 joint ventures, 53 customer centers and sales offices and 30
technical centers in 38 countries.  Delphi can be found on the Internet at
http://www.delphiauto.com .