LATEST SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS FUNDED BY NON-TAX SUPPORTED BOND
Milwaukee, Wis. (March 22, 2006) - The
Milwaukee Mile has taken another step in the direction of recent safety and facility improvements, with the installation of the SAFER Barrier System, an energy-dissipating system that has been fastened to the speedway's existing concrete wall.
SAFER, an acronym for Steel And Foam Energy Reduction Barrier System, is constructed of a hollow steel impact plate, buffered with polystyrene foam blocks.
The latest version of the SAFER Barrier is being placed this week, which allows the most recent technology in energy-absorbing materials to be placed in the turns of America's Legendary Oval to minimize the forces of impact in the case of a wall contact accident during a Champ Car, NASCAR, IRL IndyCar Series or ARCA RE/MAX Series competition, in addition to providing additional safety for the many other factions of Motorsports that compete at The Mile.
The Milwaukee Mile is located on the Wisconsin State Fair grounds and is owned by the State of Wisconsin. The Mile was granted approval by the Wisconsin State Building Commission to provide $1.2 million in non-tax supported bonding for multiple improvements, with $1 million tabbed for SAFER Barrier System installation. The funds were approved by the state of Wisconsin in 2005, prior to the mid-December approval f Milwaukee Mile Holdings LLC as the race promoter rights holder for the next 18 years.
With the signature of approval by Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle in place, SAFER Barrier System work had begun in earnest on this $1 million improvement project just last week, with a projected completion date of
April 1, 2006, in time for track testing and the speedway's diverse 2006 racing schedule.
"With the new grandstands in place for the 2003 season, the spectators and participants at The Milwaukee Mile have seen vast improvements in the interest of safety and comfort. The installation of the SAFER Barrier
System is the next step to provide a safer racing environment at the world's oldest operating speedway," said Milwaukee Mile Holdings LLC chairman Craig Stoehr.
The installation is being done by Elrod Corporation, based in Mooresville, Indiana. Elrod is the only licensed and approved manufacturer and installer of the SAFER Barrier System. By contract, Elrod personnel will be on-hand for at least the first weekend of competition at The Milwaukee Mile, the Time Warner Cable Road Runner 225 Champ Car World Series race weekend June 2-4.
"We are pleased to be involved with America's Legendary Oval, and the installation of the SAFER Barrier System. Elrod Corporation is committed to the highest safety standards, and are installing the most current materials and technology available, to ensure the storied racing tradition at The Milwaukee Mile continues in the safest manner possible," said Elrod Corporation senior project manager Jason Turk.
Overseeing the track operations of this project are Gary Girard, chief operating officer of The Milwaukee Mile and Jeff Jacobson, engineer for Wisconsin State Fair Park.
"With virtually every weekend between May and September booked with track activities - from karting to club racing to our four major race weekends - the installation of the SAFER Barrier System provides a safer environment for all of our participants racing on our oval track," said Girard.
- From the Milwaukee Mile
No comments:
Post a Comment