1. Forming and Training Motorsports Safety Teams
December 11, 2015
ICMS Conference, Indianapolis
Presented by: Rodney Johnson and Manuela Johnson

2. Why Have a Safety Team?

4. Interviews with drivers Drivers run risks for the love of racing June 14, 2013, Kenny Bruce, NASCAR.com
Drivers assume risk every time they climb behind the wheel. Those risks increase, he said, when it’s done at a local track. They are surrounded by less resources safety-wise, and they are surrounded by more hazardous conditions, whether it’s the track itself, the cars they are running and the rules, or even the competitors. And that can be a very dangerous combination. - Brad Keselowski
We all know that racing is dangerous. Anything you race. We’re racers. It’s not something any of us want to think about because we love racing so much. - Carl Edwards

5. How Safe Is Your Track? Written by Jeff Huneycutt on September 1, 2000 Contributors: Paul Melhado
Retaining Walls
Track Surface
Lights
Safety Crews
The Rules
Your car may be as safe as possible, but how safe are the cars of the competitors you race with, and how safe is the track you race on? These are questions many racers never bother to ask. You may think you have no control over the safety procedures and infrastructure at your local track, but in a way, you do: Find somewhere else to race. It may seem drastic, but it beats an unnecessary injury, or worse.
To help you gauge how safe your track is, Circle Track has put together some tips for things you should look for the next time you go racing. But first a warning: As with everything else in life, there are no absolutes. Racing is dangerous, and no matter how safety conscious a track is, injuries will occur. These are only guidelines; your own best judgment should be your ultimate guide.

7. Racing is a dangerous sport
Competition Rules are written for the orderly conduct of the event.
Rules are intended to regulate the conduct of the sport, but do not guarantee against injury or death of participants, spectators or others.
Participation is in the sport is voluntary.
Competitors ultimately have responsibility for their own safety.

8. Team Composition Fire Rescue EMS Wrecker/Recovery Services
Facilities Maintenance

9. Safety Team Considerations
Volunteer
No Cost
Pay safety organization
Give the organization a donation for their members services
Hire Your Own Team Members
Employee/Employer relationship
Travelling Team
Local Team have the benefit in they have …
Knowledge of Facilities
Knowledge of the community responders, hospitals, other amenities
For local teams you can have ….
Volunteers – still require safety training – OSHA considers them employees The no cost is really not no cost
.Paying an organization to provide the responders
Hiring your own team members.
Travelling teams – benfits are:
Knowledge of Drivers and Teams
Familiarity with vehicle construction and trends
But …. They don’t know local limitations, and are only available when the travelling program is in town.

10. Safety Team Considerations
Insurance
Personnel
Medical
Workmen’sComp
Equipment
Damage
Failure to Operate
Liability
Errors and Omissions
Damages
Safety Equipment

11. Expectations Promoter Sanctioning Body Insurance Track Owner
Track Operator

12. The Training Dilemma Don’t they come already trained?
Who can train personnel?
SFI program
Sanction body
Some training facilities
Private trainers

13. What Do Safety Teams Need to Know?
NFPA 610 – Guideline
Depends on their role
In The Facility or Organization’s Emergency Action Plan
Expectations

14. Training Basics Event Rules/Guidelines How does an event operate
Required safety equipment for competitors

15. Fuels Fire is the Biggest Fear in Motorsports
What kind of Fuels are being used in competition?
Gasoline
Methanol
Compressed Gases (LP, LNG)
Nitromethane
Electrical - Voltages
Oxygenators
Nitrous Oxide
How do I know which fuel is in a competition vehicle?

16. Power Shut Off Are there master power switches? Locations
How do they operate?

17. On Board Safety Equipment
On Board Extinguishers

18. On Board Safety Equipment
Safety Harnesses, Head and Neck Restraints

19. On Board Safety Equipment
Specialty Seating
Specialized Padding

21. On Board Safety Equipment
Window and side nets

22. Access to Competitor
Doors
Emergency Hatches
Specialty releases

23. Roll Cages

24. ROLL BAR CONFIGURATIONS
MIDGET / SPRINT/ SILVER CROWN

25. Special Designed Hand Controls

26. Training
Key to an effective team Classroom Hands On Should be conducted multiple times throughout the season

27. Questions
Contact Information
Rodney Johnson
Manuela (Ela) Johnson
(317)
PO Box 32
Greenwood, IN 46142