Does changing the configuration of a motor racing circuit make it safer?

Leonard, L; Lim, Apiradee; Chesser, Tim; Norton, SA; Nolan, Jerry P.

doi:10.1136/bjsm.2004.011650

Cited by 15 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 2 publications

(3 reference statements)

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“…This change has not only enraged fans and drivers alike, but is extremely inconsistent. It has been demonstrated that chicanes are not really effective in improving the safety of a racing circuit, since they reduce the risk of injury for car drivers only slightly and are mostly unsuccessful in preventing motorcycling accidents 12. Therefore, since the redesign and deformation of traditional circuits is costly and potentially unproductive, driver safety may be improved by alternative measures that will not substantially affect the attractiveness of motor racing.…”

Section: Perspectivesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Changes in technical regulations and drivers’ safety in top-class motor sports

et al. 2007

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Motor racing is a dangerous sport and an inherently risky activity. The organisers of top-class motor sports championships, Formula One and MotoGP, have agreed on a set of regulations to reduce speed and improve safety over the last 10 years. These changes include limitations in weight, fuel and engine capacity. Nevertheless, there is evidence that most of the restrictions that have been introduced over the past 10 years have failed slow down vehicles, since the lap times have decreased almost linearly from 1995 to 2006 and drivers continue to die or to sustain serious injuries that keep them away from competition. Therefore, new and efficient measures should be adopted, such as lowering the cornering speed, having heavier and safer vehicles, having barriers surrounding the track to protect both spectators and competitors better, and having innovative clothing and protective devices to defend key anatomical structures while minimising the hindrance to the rider.

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Section: Perspectivesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Changes in technical regulations and drivers’ safety in top-class motor sports

et al. 2007

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“…The 125-cc class uses a 2-stroke engine while Moto2 and MotoGP use 4-stroke engines. Although road-race motorcycling performance depends on the characteristics of the motorcycle as well as on the capabilities of the riders, research has focused mainly on the technology advances of the motorbikes and riding equipment [8,23] , pattern of injuries [16,28,29] , and safety [20,21] . At the present, there are few scientifi c data on the physical and physiological load in training and competition [2,6,7,10,13] , and there is no information on the anthropometric and physical characteristics of road-race motorcyclists.…”

Section: Introduction ▼mentioning

confidence: 99%

Physical Profile of Elite Young Motorcyclists

Sánchez-Muñoz

Rodríguez²,

Casimiro-Andújar³

et al. 2011

Int J Sports Med

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The aim of the study was to describe anthropometric and physical characteristics of elite young road-race motorcyclists (MC). 27 riders (15.6±1.1 years, 54.6±6.9 kg, 166.9±6.7 cm) competing at international elite level participated in this study. Anthropometric variables, hand grip and lumbar isometric strength, and lower-body muscular strength were measured. Comparisons of the MC and a reference group of Spanish physically active adolescents (16.0±0.6 years) showed that the riders were significantly lighter (-12.5 kg), and smaller (-4.7 cm). Riders also had significantly lower values for almost all skinfolds, and for all the measured girths (except forearm) than the reference group. Motorcyclists showed significantly less percent body fat (%BF) and higher muscle mass, and differences were observed for somatotype components compared to the reference group, except for the ectomorphy. Somatotype could be defined as mesomorphic-ectomorph (2.5-4.4-3.7). Mean (±SD) values of all riders were 34.8±5.0 cm for vertical jump height, 402.1±74.5 N for the right hand and 370.7±77.5 N for the left hand strengths, and 120.6±19.3 kg for lumbar isometric strength, respectively. Results demonstrate that MC are small and light, with lower body mass index, skinfolds, girth and breadth dimensions, and %BF than a reference group and other athletes, with high values of hand grip and lumbar isometric strength.

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“…4 Technical advances in racing car construction as well as changes in track layout have considerably reduced the risk of accidents and serious injury. 5 Direct trauma and other lifethreatening injuries are rarely seen, but as racing cars have become increasingly rigid, there is still a high incidence of concussion. 6 Direct trauma mainly affects the head, neck, and legs of racing drivers.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Reactivity, stability, and strength performance capacity in motor sports

Baur

Müller²,

Hirschmüller³

et al. 2006

Br J Sports Med

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Background: Racing drivers require multifaceted cognitive and physical abilities in a multitasking situation. A knowledge of their physical capacities may help to improve fitness and performance. Objective: To compare reaction time, stability performance capacity, and strength performance capacity of élite racing drivers with those of age-matched, physically active controls. Methods: Eight élite racing drivers and 10 physically active controls matched for age and weight were tested in a reaction and determination test requiring upper and lower extremity responses to visual and audio cues. Further tests comprised evaluation of one-leg postural stability on a two-dimensional moveable platform, measures of maximum strength performance capacity of the extensors of the leg on a leg press, and a test of force capacity of the arms in a sitting position at a steering wheel. An additional arm endurance test consisted of isometric work at the steering wheel at +30˚and 230˚where an eccentric threshold load of 30 N.m was applied. Subjects had to hold the end positions above this threshold until exhaustion. Univariate one way analysis of variance (a = 0.05) including a Bonferroni adjustment was used to detect group differences between the drivers and controls. Results: The reaction time of the racing drivers was significantly faster than the controls (p = 0.004). The following motor reaction time and reaction times in the multiple determination test did not differ between the groups. No significant differences (p.0.05) were found for postural stability, leg extensor strength, or arm strength and endurance. Conclusions: Racing drivers have faster reaction times than age-matched physically active controls. Further development of motor sport-specific test protocols is suggested. According to the requirements of motor racing, strength and sensorimotor performance capacity can potentially be improved.

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Does changing the configuration of a motor racing circuit make it safer?

Cited by 15 publications

References 2 publications

Changes in technical regulations and drivers’ safety in top-class motor sports

Changes in technical regulations and drivers’ safety in top-class motor sports

Physical Profile of Elite Young Motorcyclists

Reactivity, stability, and strength performance capacity in motor sports

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