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The
circuit was selected because of its high safety standards
and its continual developments in this field. It already
boasts a number of unique safety features that are set to
become commonplace at Formula One tracks around the world.
Phillipe
Gurdjian, president and CEO of Excelis, the company that acquired
Paul Ricard in 1999, said the award was justification
for all of the work that has been put into the circuit in
the last five years. He said: “When we decided to rebuild
Paul Ricard the idea was to make the first test track in
the world which concentrated on safety. It is now considered
the safest circuit in the world thanks to a number of innovations
tested and validated on the track.”
FIA Institute President Professor Sid Watkins was equally
impressed. Watkins said: “Paul Ricard has proved itself
to be one of the safest tracks in the world and its medical
facilities are second to none.”
There are a number of
unique safety features at the circuit. These include 25 acres
of run-off areas, made from a special
type of abrasive asphalt rather than the gravel beds used
at other circuits, and a computerised marshalling system,
which uses warning lights activated by transponders on the
cars.
The circuit also houses a state of the art medical centre
equipped with its |
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own digital x-ray
machine. The medical centre is the most advanced facility of
its type for any circuit in
the world. Other facilities include a medical helicopter
landing pad, a fully equipped resuscitation ambulance, a
two-bed observation ward with full medical equipment, full
life-support facilities with two emergency sections, and
a serious burns unit with appropriate bath.
It is managed by chief medical officer Jean Duby, FIA medical delegate for the
World Rally Championship. It also employs a further eight permanent staff, including
an anaesthetist nurse and a number of trained firemen.
Gurdjian added: “The FIA was very impressed with all of these concepts,
with all the new ideas, and with the fact we have a more sophisticated medical
centre than at any other track.”
In the coming months the circuit will be used to test a new foam safety barrier
developed by the FIA Institute. If tests are successful, the barrier will be
incorporated at all Formula One circuits worldwide.
Paul Ricard is the first of a number of circuits that will become centres of
excellence for safety. It is envisaged that a circuit will be selected in each
continent to act as hub for improving motor sport safety standards in that region. |
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