FIA approves new safety system for US motorsport

The FIA has certified a new mobile debris fence safety system dedicated for use in US motorsport such as IndyCar and NASCAR.

Made by Swiss company Geobrugg, the 12-foot mobile debris fence system is slightly shorter than the ones used in global championships such as F1 and tailored to the measurement systems used at American racetracks.

It was created to meet the growing demand for innovative safety solutions for American racetracks, specifically street circuits including the Music City Grand Prix in Nashville and the Chicago street circuit raced in NASCAR earlier this year.

Jochen Braunwarth, Director of Motorsport Solutions, Geobrugg said: “The US is a special market for us at Geobrugg with our business growing year-on-year in the region.

"The need for homologated solutions has grown, giving Geobrugg the push to create this special 12ft US mobile debris fence solution, which can suit a range of American racing series.”

Easier solution

The fence has been homologated to FIA Standard 3502-2018, the highest level of fence safety achievable from motorsport's governing body.

To achieve this it must go through a series of vigorous tests, including firing a 780kg sphere from a cannon at 60kph and a full-size car impacting at 120kph, making sure it stays within a 3-metre impact zone.

The mobile debris fences are particularly useful for street courses as they enable a smooth build and pack-up, with the fences and barriers being easily transferable between destinations.

While the system is designed to be used at street and city circuits, it can be adopted at permanent circuits, especially those that require the flexibility to move fences to meet the run-off area requirements of different racing series.