IndyCar Series CEO Randy Bernard and President of Operations Brian Barnhart today went step-by-step through the series of events that led to the accident that killed Dan Wheldon at the series’ season finale in Las Vegas this year.
Part of the study released today found that Wheldon was killed when his head hit a catch fence pole.
The study concluded that the experience level of the racers wasn’t a major factor in the crash nor was the number of cars—34—on the track. Instead, IndyCar’s study concluded the overall dynamic of the track which allowed cars to move freely up and down the track was a major cause of the accident. As a result, Bernard said the series’ will not return to the Las Vegas track in 2012 and not until more testing is done there with the series’ new car.
“There are multiple factors that are not uncommon to racing that came together in a way that claimed Dan's life,” Barnhart said.
There is clearly heightened concern about racing on ovals, especially short, steep-banked ovals, and Bernard announced that a committee has been formed to further study oval racing in the series’ future.
Bernard and Barnhart carefully detailed what happened before and during the crash—including the fact that Wheldon went from 100 percent throttle to 55 percent throttle 3.8 seconds before he first made contact in the multi-car crash on lap 12 of the Las Vegas race, and shortly after that he reduced the throttle to 10 percent, where it remained until he made contact with the car in front of him. The study findings concluded that Wheldon hit a maximum speed of 224 on the lap he crashed, and was going 165 miles an hour when he made contact with the car in front of him.
Other than mentioning that the 2012 IndyCar schedule is being released today or tomorrow, Bernard made little mention of the series’ future, leaving many questions unanswered.
Concerns remain about the safety and performance ability of the new 2012 IndyCars that teams begin taking delivery on today, and the composition of the 2012 schedule. Many fear that there will be too many road and street races and too few ovals.
It also remains unclear how or if the findings of the Las Vegas crash investigation will have a long-term impact on IndyCar
racing.
It could be argued that today's press conference was not the time or place for Bernard to lay out his plan to re-gain
in 2012 and beyond whatever momentum he picked up for the series this year.
But eventually, and sooner would be better than later, that's going to need to be one of the CEO's top priorities.
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Hopefully the results will not be used as part of the witch hunt by road racing enthusiasts against ovals, which have had a place for over 100 years.
As Randy says, the schedule will be out today or tomorrow, so we shall see.
Just remember this: Indycar staff ok'd and promoted a race at Las Vegas in 2011. They even tested there. Now, all of a sudden the track is dangerous, too many lanes to race on...but the cars were ok. Catch fences did their job, even if the fenceposts are trackside.
When Davey Hamilton sheared off his feet at Texas in 2001, track-side fencepost placement was at Texas. Kenny Brack got caught in it in 2003. Same thing in Las Vegas in 2011 that took Dan Wheldon. nothing was learned...this is gross negligence.
The shear ignorance displayed by Indycar officials at today's press conference was nothing short of astounding. Wake up racing community...this is the ineptitude that is leading the sport.
Looking for more carnage aren't you Disciple?
You are guilty AGAIN, Mr. Xenophobe.
As for the Wheldon Report, it was a fairly pedestrian attempt at closure. That is all the press conference amounted to. They reiterated the obvious, presented some trivial data associated with the fortuitous events that led to his death, and ultimately shunned responsibility. What more did you expect?
IndyCar seemed to contradict itself today and I submit that offered them precious little service. Luckily, the series is so unpopular, few will notice, even fewer will have the ability to digest the contravention. The rest of us will once again come to terms with their clumsy, amateur-ish ways, as we always have.
I'm thinking anyone that knows his routine could have guessed his responses, maybe even written them word-for-word.
Funny anyone should LOL about this in any manner no matter the side anyone takes regarding this accident and investigation.
And other predictability is apparent too.
Did anyone ever think Indy would take responsibility for anything related to this crash.
In all my years of following this sport, they always use the "that's racin'" excuse.
It is always "those brave young men giving their lives for our pleasure by doing what they love!"
It is almost romantic!
So IMS, just pat yourselves on the head and move on, safe in knowing it is what it is. Just like you always do.
Meanwhile the general public draws conclusions, and they move on, And, away.
Mr. Bernard and the series have done a delightful job in "CYA", I will give them credit. I imagine there was a fair amount of soiled executive trouser that Sunday.
Interesting. Yes, time to move on. The series must now focus on sheer survival.
Crude and unspohisticated as it is, sophomoric in execution, and depressingly irrelevant, one can't help but root for the underdog. And the IndyCar Series is underdog in every way.
What was Renna's? Or Wheldon's? Is it truely "sh*t happens"? That's what this report dumps upon the great gomer unwashed...
Speedway and Indycar ignorance, catch it!
Unfortunately, no one really gives a crap anymore to bother with it. Consider yourself lucky IMS because if the viral videos of the IRL/Indycar series flips-flops-fly cars and the stupid pack racing accidents over the past 15 years get into the right hands, well, your credibility would be even less than the ZERO it is now. And deservingly so...
"âWe have to stop the cars from flying and taking off and the new car has several features to try and stop that,â replied Will Phillips, the vice president of technology whose acumen with aerodynamics, engineering and race cars has been a welcome and long overdue addition to the IZOD IndyCar Series."
This certainly implies that flying cars and having them get hit by fenceposts is a well known "phenomena" and one they're trying to correct.
Do you know there are 20+ examples of the flying cars dating back to 1997 in the IRL, and this is the first admission that the IRL turned a blind eye to it all???
Fred Nation once said "Our cars don't fly"...Will Phillips seem to contradict your statement Fred. Why has it taken 9 years for this admission to come forward (and not even in an accident investigation report)??? COVERUP, IMS style!
And they call this a professional series?
The more Mr. Bernard talks his gobbeldy-gook, the more it becomes apparent he is at the helm of a sinking ship.
Mr. Bernard, do the right thing. Tender your resignation before you go down in the tragedy. There are corn dog carts and kiddie-o'-whirls that need straighten' out pardner.
"The Dallara DW12 Indy car, which has an alarming number of people involved in the Izod IndyCar Series only half-joking that Dallara is Italian for disaster."
Great legacy to Dan Wheldon, huh? Scott Dixon called it a "pig". PLUS, 98% in a recent AOW online poll said it's HORRIBLE.
Another FUMBLE by the Hulman crew, and on exit of the coverup of Wheldon accident investigation. Great work, the IRL legacy lives on!