Galvan Protects the Steel That Protects the Drivers at LMS
HARRISBURG, N.C., May 21, 2004 -- Galvan Industries, Inc. has played a major role in improving safety at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C. The company has hot-dip galvanized 6,100 linear feet of steel for a strategically placed, energy absorbing wall modification at the track.
The new wall is called the S.A.F.E.R. Barrier, which stands for Steel And Foam Energy Reduction. The speedway has installed the barriers in front of nearly 4,000 feet of outside walls in its turns, 1,351 feet of the outside wall in its front stretch trioval and nearly 800 feet of walls on the inside of the track off of Turn 2 and Turn 4.
The S.A.F.E.R. barrier uses foam blocks or piers behind a rolled steel outer wall. The steel is galvanized to protect against corrosion and extend its service life.
With contractors working nights to speed up the installation schedule, Galvan's large capacity, multishift operation made sure the steel was on hand as needed for completion in time for the May races.
Lowe's Motor Speedway's May racing schedule includes a NASCAR Truck Series race and the Nextel All-Star Challenge on May 22. A Busch Series race is planned for May 29 and the Coca Cola 600 is slated for May 30. Several of the races also have qualifying sessions.
Actual experience proves the benefits of the new barriers. Data recorders inside cars indicate that driver Jason Keller felt a 70 percent reduction in force when he crashed into a S.A.F.E.R. barrier in Turn 2 at Richmond International Raceway last year compared to a similar crash before the barriers were in place, in which driver Jerry Nadeau was seriously injured. The barrier system has also been tested at the University of Nebraska to confirm its reliability.
Reliability is one of the cornerstones of Galvan Industries. Since 1958, Galvan has provided the ultimate in corrosion control to steel fabricators and manufacturers. The first hot-dip galvanizing operation in the Carolinas, the company has grown to become the largest capacity contract galvanizer in the Southeast.
For more information, call Galvan Industries at 1-800-277-5678, Fax (704) 455-5215; e-mail: sales@galvanizersonline.com . On the web at www.galvanizersonline.com .
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