Plastics Young Man Plastics - Third Annual SPE Automotive Safety Conference

'Racing to Safety' to Discuss Plastic Safety Solutions for Passenger, Racing Vehicles DETROIT, Dec. 21 -- Experts in racing and passenger vehicle safety will discuss technology, trends and issues during the Society of Plastics Engineers' (SPE) third annual International Automotive Safety Conference on Feb. 11, 2002 at the DaimlerChrysler Technical Center in Auburn Hills, Michigan. Sponsored by DaimlerChrysler and the Ford Motor Company, the conference will be held from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

``Under the theme, 'Racing to Safety,' the conference will provide attendees with a valuable exchange of information relating to passenger and racing vehicle safety,'' according to Suzanne Cole, chairman of the Automotive Safety Conference. She points out that rapid advancement in passenger vehicle safety technology since 1996 will provide direct benefits to racing safety.

Cole says the Safety Conference morning session will focus on passenger vehicle safety applications, with discussions centering on new advances in plastic safety applications, driver distraction, and regulatory development in auto and racecar safety.

The afternoon conference session will feature two racing safety panel discussions. Cole says the first panel will outline automotive suppliers' efforts to improve safety in race vehicles through innovative plastic applications. The second panel will highlight racecar drivers and owners who will talk about their approach to getting their vehicles race ready for the new season utilizing state-of-the-art safety technology.

``The SPE International Auto Safety Conference is an event that no one in the automotive safety industry should miss,'' said Cole. ``It is the only forum which brings together executives, academics and top NHTSA officials in one event.'' According to Cole, the SPE International Automotive Safety Conference is an opportunity for engineering, marketing, sales and policy professionals at vehicle manufacturing and supplier companies to interact with automotive and racing stakeholders worldwide.

Over 400 safety and performance engineers from DaimlerChrysler and Ford have already registered for the conference. The conference Website is http://www.speautosafety.com. To purchase tickets, contact Pat Levine at the American Plastics Council at (248) 244-8993. Advanced registration is $395; on-site registration is $495. Since registration is limited, advanced registration is recommended.