CCP Track Safety Update Geneva 2016

* STRC amendments *Developments with APDs *Track Inspections

Amendments to the STRC With effect from FIM will no longer accept and certify any new venue where the primary safety fence is of a solid construction, being wooden planks, wooden board or any solid material that is not in any way flexible and as such does not allow for the absorbing of kinetic energy when struck by a competitor or racing machinery.

In respect of current licensed venues with a solid non- flexible safety fence, additional protection will be required which may take the form of either of the following options:

Option 1 Additional protection is to be fitted to unprotected solid safety fences and kickboards on the exit of bends 2 and 4 from the end of a certified APD for a distance of 20 metres along the straights. This further protection will be in the form of foam padding or similar as certified and approved by FIM.

It is recommended that the additional protection be fitted as soon as possible following confirmation from FIM of the date of availability of the product. The requirement will be compulsory with effect from 12 Months following the confirmed date of availability.

Option 2 If the safety fence and kickboard is not of a flexible design the safety fence must be replaced by a flexible alternative as agreed and accepted by the FIM on the exit of bends 2 and 4 from the end of a certified APD for a distance of 20 metres along the straights. In respect of option 2 if this option is chosen work must be completed by 1st January 2017.

One possible solution from Germany (Abensberg)

Outer starting gate stanchion The outer stanchion should be positioned a minimum of 60 cm away from the outer edge of the safety fence.

In order to ensure compliance, all tracks hosting FIM events in 2016 are required to to the FIM a photograph of the outer starting gate stanchion demonstrating compliance with the above regulation. This should be sent at least one month before the date of the 2016 event.

APDs

A minimum of 4 spare APD panels in good condition (from the same brand) shall be available at the start of an event and shall be immediately available and ready for use

When fitting APDs to the safety fence, a maximum of 10cm gap between the APD and the fence is permitted. This is necessary to allow for the natural curvature of the safety fence.

If during a track inspection by the appointed FIM Track Inspector or by an appointed Jury President it is found that an APD is not in compliance with the STRC then the FIM Track Licence for that track may be suspended until reparatory work has been carried out and re-inspected.

The Organiser and the Clerk of the Course are responsible for the fitting of the APD to the Safety Fence, as required by the manufacturers.

Individual labelling of units APD manufacturers will be required to ensure that from every new APD panel is labelled with its own individual serial number and the year of manufacture. This label should be hard wearing and easily accessible for inspection.

Notification to CCP of servicing/ replacement APD manufacturers will notify the FIM in writing or by whenever major repairs or servicing is carried out to any APD fence. The information shall include the name of the track, details of the work carried out, any replacement panels supplied and any recommendation for future work. The manufacturers should also send to FIM the numbers of APD installed on any tracks.

APDs -Future Developments ongoing discussions and planning

Measures to prevent lifting on impact – suggestions from manufacturers Bury the APD and kick board into the track by cm

fitting sand bags into the wedge to replace the air, each bag contains 25kg kg per 5m barrier.

Improved designs Type A “plus+” Barrier – 60km/h – For Long Track/Grass Track and Speedway

The FIM recommends: The connection between the modules should have a geometric form.

an additional protective cover track side

Manometer or pressure gauge fitted to each module in order to check the pressure of the module

Track Inspection Report – Jury Presidents New Track Inspection Report for 2016 More information required (sorry!) Separate additional section for Ice Racing More user-friendly section for APDs Professional and thorough Track Inspections are a reflection on CCP

Please have a good look For Example - Ensure that fixings and straps are in good condition

And that the APD is properly fixed at the back

Finally Keep in touch Please send me all your track and JP reports Please send me any concerns that you may have of any bad practice Have a great season