The first award was for the FIA Institute’s high-speed safety barrier, which won Safety Innovation of the Year at the Professional MotorSport World Expo Awards 2006. It was presented to the FIA Institute’s head of research Hubert Gramling at the event’s Gala Dinner on 8 November, 2006 in Cologne, Germany.

The barrier, which made history this year when it was placed at the Monza circuit’s second chicane for the Italian Grand Prix, is particularly effective in high speed corners with short run-off areas.

Over six years in the making, it can dissipate energy in a way that minimises injury for the driver. It can absorb the energy of a 200 kph impact in just four metres whilst keeping the g-forces on the driver within acceptable limits. The FIA Institute developed the unique system, following a sequence of testing in collaboration with German automotive safety group DEKRA.

Gramling said that this barrier can be utilised at any corner with a short run-off area, such as those at traditional circuits like Monza and Spa. Gramling said: “With what we know after all these tests we are confident that the barrier can master a 200-220 kph impact in a limited area.”

The second award for the FIA Institute will be presented at the SAE Motorsports Engineering Conference in Michigan, US on 5 December, 2006. This award recognises ‘significant contributions to the racing community through research and engineering by an organization’. The award will be collected by FIA Institute President Professor Sid Watkins.