CAUTION: Many competitive drivers have undertaken structured training ahead of this weekend's meet at Meeanee Speedway. PHOTO/FILE
Combine cars, race fuel, the occasional spark and high speeds, and the situation at Meeanee Speedway could become volatile.
Expect this thought to cross the minds of fans at the weekend's North Island Superstock Championships at Meeanee on numerous occasions. However, spectator fears will be alleviated after hearing many of
the drivers have undertaken structured training in the use of the Racesafe Speedway Rollover, Extrication and Live Fire Safety Simulators.
Ongaonga's Captain Simon Osborne of Fire and Rescue New Zealand believes the project, which has been designed, created and trialled in Hawke's Bay, is a first in New Zealand and possibly the world.
Drivers learned how to remove a harness and avoid serious injury when getting out of a rollover accident which also involved engine fire. The simulator, which uses a real stockcar cockpit and roll cage, enables drivers to safely experience what it is like to be inside a stockcar while it's rolling over and while it's upside down.
"It's no good waiting until you have an on-track rollover before you realise the importance of having correctly fitting harness, full containment race seat and a HANS device, in addition to knowing how to remove their harness, turn off the fuel and master skill switch while upside down and keeping cool when trouble starts."
