IndyCar tethering specific car pieces for 2016
Flying debris struck and killed Justin Wilson in Pocono race
IndyCar will attempt to control dangerous flying debris with tethers.
Tethers will be used to keep specific pieces connected to the car during accidents like the one that killed Justin Wilson at Pocono (Pa.) Raceway on Aug. 23.
The nose cone of Sage Karam’s car broke loose and struck Wilson in the helmet. Wilson died the next day of a head wound.
In addition to the nose cone during superspeedway races, IndyCar will tether the rear beam wing and rear-wheel guards for all events in 2016. The tether is made of “high-tensile Zylon,” IndyCar said in a news release. Zylon is a high-performance, flame-resistant fiber.
The front wing main plane will be tethered for the three superspeedway races: the Indianapolis 500 and races at Pocono and Texas Motor Speedway.
By design, IndyCar pieces are designed to break apart to dissipate energy. But the bodywork kits new for the recently completed season came apart at a higher rate than in the past, and a spectator was struck at the season-opening race in St. Petersburg, Fla.
Designers must balance the risk of the tethered debris striking the driver of the initial crash.
“It is a continual goal to improve safety for all the participants, fans and drivers alike,” IndyCar vice president of technology Will Phillips said in the release. “We also need to do this in a fashion that does not create more yellow-flag racing and try to prevent as much debris as possible.”
Also, a domed skid plate will be affixed to the underside of the chassis and rear wing flaps for the purpose of preventing cars from going airborne when turned backward at high speeds. The Chevrolets driven by Helio Castroneves, Josef Newgarden and Ed Carpenter got airborne during Indianapolis 500 practice.
Follow Star reporter Curt Cavin on Twitter: @curtcavin.