Who Works in CART 1997
NOW AVAILABLE! — The Official Directory for CART Racing
Tragic Deaths Spark Changes
©1997 SpeedCenter Internet Publishing, Inc.

Safety Improved for Molson Indy Toronto

By Tony Maraschiello — Toronto Sun

While some drivers believe last year's Molson Indy tragedy was a freak accident, race organizers aren't leaving anything to chance.

Several changes to the Toronto street course will be in place when the annual CART race gets under way later this week.

For starters, the area of the track where driver Jeff Krosnoff and track worker Gary Avrin were killed when Krosnoff's car became airborne has been fitted with additional fencing. An eight-foot-high fence replaces the three-foot high concrete barrier that was there last year.

"That has been the fundamental change," said Toronto regional coroner William Lucas, who oversees safety issues. "What you have there now is a dual fence that is going to offer better protection for the fans and track marshals."

Lucas said another major change gives Metro Ambulance priority in all medical emergencies. "In the past, CART would have its own response teams, along with the local ambulance service," Lucas said. "By making Metro Ambulance the main emergency response team, you're eliminating any confusion over who handles different emergencies. That wasn't a major problem with last year's accident, but we've decided to make the situation better."

Lucas said new exit and entrance routes for emergency vehicles have been added around the course, providing quick and easy access.

SAFETY CONCERNS:

Additional fencing also has been installed at the entrance of the pit area.

"That's to protect the crews in case of a mishaps between cars," Lucas said. "We thought about putting fencing at the end of the pit area near the start-finish line, but the crews didn't think that was practical. That's an area where pit crews need to (signal) their cars and they needed a clear view of the track.

"I'm confident that all safety concerns have been properly addressed."

Source: Canada Online