Darlington fits SAFER system
Darlington Raceway is installing the SAFER barriers in time for its NEXTEL Cup race next month. Installation of the so-called "soft walls" already is under way at NASCAR's oldest superspeedway, track officials said this week.
Darlington joins Richmond, Phoenix, Homestead-Miami, New Hampshire and Indianapolis on the list of tracks with the SAFER system. Talladega Superspeedway and Daytona International Speedway have announced plans to have the barriers in place in time for their upcoming events in April and July.
A recent announcement by NASCAR stated that all facilities hosting NEXTEL Cup Series events would be equipped with the Steel and Foam Energy Reduction system by January 2005.
"Safety is of paramount importance in our sport, and we are pleased to be installing the SAFER barrier at Darlington Raceway," said Andrew Gurtis, president of the track.
The SAFER system absorbs some of the energy in a crash, lessening the impact for a driver. The barrier is made up of steel tubes and pads of hard foam and is fixed to the concrete wall.
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