Indianapolis Motor Speedway, International Motorsports Industry Show Come Together for Inaugural Safety Conference December 1

For Immediate Release

Contact Joe Crowley
True Speed Communication
(317) 569-9514 or Joe.Crowley@TrueSpeedCommunication.com
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Online Media Kit Available at: www.TrueSpeedMedia.com

Indianapolis Motor Speedway, International Motorsports Industry Show
Come Together for Inaugural Safety Conference December 1

Seventeen World-Renowned Motorsports Safety Experts to Provide Insight and Expertise


INDIANAPOLIS (Nov. 9, 2009) - Officials from the International Motorsports Industry Show (IMIS) announced today that the Indianapolis Motor Speedway will serve as a partner in the inaugural IMIS Safety Conference Dec. 1 in the Sagamore Ballroom of the Indiana Convention Center in downtown Indianapolis.

The IMIS Safety Conference presented by the Indianapolis Motor Speedway will help kick off the inaugural IMIS show, set for Dec. 2-3, also at the Indiana Convention Center. The safety conference will feature a world-class panel of 17 racing safety experts presenting insight for those at the top levels of racing to the weekly, grassroots racer.

"One of the core values of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway since 1909 has been the advancement of safety for competitors, officials and fans," said Chris Schwartz, vice president of marketing for the Speedway. "For 100 years, the Speedway has been at the forefront of technology and safety and the IMIS safety conference is something we feel very strongly about and are proud to be a part of."

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway had a medical center on the grounds as early as 1910 and was the first speedway to use the rear-view mirror (1911), track warning lights (1935), mandate helmets (1935), use crash data recorders on cars (1993) and install the SAFER Barrier (2002).

"The Indianapolis Motor Speedway has a long and proud history of safety innovation that is second-to-none," said Tom Weisenbach, co-founder of IMIS and executive director of the Indiana Motorsports Association. "We're thrilled to have them as a partner for this historic conference. Whether you race on the biggest stage or participate at your local track on Saturday night, the IMIS Safety Conference presented by the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is a must-attend for drivers, team members, safety equipment manufacturers and suppliers, as well as track promoters and series officials."

Kirk Russell, former vice president of competition for Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART) and a world-renowned consultant on motorsports safety, serves as the IMIS Safety Conference Coordinator and assembled the panel of experts.

The individuals that will make presentations at the IMIS Safety Conference presented by the Indianapolis Motor Speedway are:

Presenter

Title

Location

Trevor Ashline

President, Safety Solutions, Inc.

Mooresville, N.C.

Dave Brown

Track Safety Coordinator, Indy Racing League

Indianapolis

Tom Gideon

Director of Safety Initiatives, NASCAR

Daytona Beach, Fla.

Hubert Gramling

Head of Research, Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA)

Paris

Robert Hubbard

Creator, HANS Device; Professor, Michigan State University

East Lansing, Mich.

Dan Jones

Fire Chief, Town of Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, N.C.

Arnie Kuhns

President and CEO, SFI Foundation, Inc.

Poway, Calif.

Randy LaJoie

President, The Joie of Seating

Concord, N.C.

Joe Marko

Owner, HMS Motorsport, Ltd.

Danvers, Mass.

John Medlen

Project Manager, Eric Medlen Project; Crew Chief, John Force Racing

Brownsburg, Ind.

Andrew Mellor

Head of Technical Affairs, Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA)

Paris

John Melvin

Consultant and Adjunct Professor, Wayne State University

Detroit

Steve Mumma

Manager, Security Engineering, Geobrugg Security Engineering

Oregon City, Ore.

John Oates

Fire Chief, East Hartford, Conn.

East Hartford, Conn.

Dean Sicking

Developer of SAFER Barrier; Professor, University of Nebraska

Lincoln, Neb.

Dan Thomas

Vice President & Treasurer, Snell Memorial Foundation

North Highlands, Calif.

Terry R. Trammell

Partner, Orthopedics Indianapolis, Inc.

Indianapolis



"Each of the 17 experts scheduled to present at the IMIS Safety Conference have dedicated much time and effort to improving motorsports safety around the world," Russell said. "I've had the opportunity to work with several of these individuals and look forward to them sharing their knowledge and expertise with those in attendance at the IMIS Safety Conference presented by the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. This is a must-attend conference for any person involved with racing."

The IMIS Safety Conference presented by the Indianapolis Motor Speedway begins with welcoming remarks from Russell at 7:50 a.m. EST. From 8 a.m. to noon, the conference will focus on event and facility safety, while the 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. portion will focus on personal safety.

The two-day IMIS trade show offers individuals and companies from all facets of the racing business the chance to interact, share ideas and products, build relationships and attend seminars to improve motorsports business around the world, all while showcasing Indianapolis as the "Racing Capital of the World."

More than 530 booths have already been booked for IMIS, but for racing companies and people interested, there is limited space still available. For details on how to be a part of the show or to register for the IMIS Safety Conference presented by the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, visit www.imis-indy.com.



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