| Guided by the FIA model, the Australian Institute will encourage excellence across all aspects of motor sport safety through research, education, and the coordination of safety related programs. The new group was the brainchild of the late John Large, the original Deputy President of the FIA Institute as well as the CAMS FIA delegate and a Vice-President of the FIA.
Large recommended the project to the Board of CAMS in late 2005 and planning soon started. Sadly, Large passed away in 2006 but his legacy continues with the launch of this organisation.
Dr Michael Henderson, a motor sport safety expert, has been named chairman of AIMSS. Henderson has been instrumental in the development of accident analysis and the promotion of safety features in vehicles for the roads and for racing.
His seminal book "Motor Racing in Safety" and the development of the original GQ/Williams six-pointed harness promoted the use of safety harness equipment in both European and Australian motor racing. His contribution continued with his involvement in the Pininfarina/Ferrari "Sigma Grand Prix", a race safety concept vehicle that demonstrated features now carried by all current Formula One cars.
The fundamental aims and objectives of AIMSS are parallel to those of the FIA Institute. Namely, to promote research into all aspects of motor sport safety, support the training of officials and race personnel, and monitor safety trends in order to identify research and regulation priorities.
In particular, the Institute aims to advise Federal and State Governments on best practice in motor sport safety; collect and analyse statistics and safety trends relevant to motor sport safety; investigate motor sport incidents; and liaise and cooperate with the work of the FIA Institute. |
