Research Report: New Wall Better Protects NASCAR Drivers

HIGH POINT, N.C.--Sept. 2, 2004--Technology development company Safety Systems, Inc., (SSI) released test results that demonstrate the company's RACE Wall(TM) impact barrier offers significantly more impact protection than current safety wall products installed on most NASCAR racetracks.

The RACE Wall increases the driver's chance of surviving a crash at high speeds and is proven to reduce the amount of physical damage to the race car itself. The RACE Wall uses proprietary technology for improved impact absorbing ability that slows the car less abruptly on impact, thus decreasing the G-forces that a driver experiences during an accident.

SSI has developed the patented technology and through a partnership with North Carolina A&T State University. Dr. Ajit Kelkar, a researcher in Mechanical Engineering at NC A&T and co-investigator in the project, said "The initial research indicated the RACE Wall design would provide a large reduction in G-forces in comparison to the current technology; however, the actual crash test results far exceeded our expectations."

The initial crash tests performed at MGA Research Corporation in Burlington, WI, demonstrate that at 90 mph, RACE Wall was able to reduce the G forces in an accident by 40 percent compared with barriers currently used at most racetracks. Future tests are scheduled to determine the benefits of the technology at speeds higher than 140 mph. It is expected by SSI researchers that the benefits will be greater at higher speeds.

"Our RACE Wall technology lets track owners install a much safer mechanism to primarily protect drivers, who are so important to NASCAR and their fans," said Tim Smith, Chairman of SSI. "I can't imagine any track owner not wanting the safest track available."

According to Smith, NASCAR has been criticized in the past for not advancing safety in the sport. With the death of Dale Earnhardt, Sr., however, NASCAR has worked to improve safety at the tracks. Smith expects RACE Wall to be an excellent step forward in NASCAR's commitment to safety.

According to Smith, RACE Wall also has practical applications outside of the racetrack. SSI and NC A&T are collaborating to configure the technology for more practical applications such as impact barriers for highways and interstates. Because of its ability to be reused after impact, SSI expects interest in the product from state transportation officials.

RACEWALL is in the final testing stages and is expected be available for installation at racetracks by the end of September. For more information about RACE Wall or Safety Systems, Inc., contact Tim Smith at (336) 889-6581.