Richmond International Raceway will begin installation of the Steel and Foam Energy Reduction [SAFER] barrier Aug. 18 and expects to have the “soft-wall” technology assembled in seven to 10 days, RIR President Doug Fritz said yesterday. That timeline would put the SAFER system in place well before the Chevy Rock and Roll 400 Winston Cup race Sept. 6. The addition of the barrier, which made a successful debut at Indianapolis Motor Speedway last year, will limit testing at the 0.75-mile oval for the Sept. 4-6 NASCAR weekend to the next 11 days [before the barrier is installed]. Teams traditionally test the week or two before an event. NASCAR prevents testing on the week of a track’s race. Fritz said the same workers who constructed the SAFER wall in Indianapolis have been hired to install Richmond’s version of the barrier, which reduces the forces absorbed by drivers during a crash and has prevented any serious injuries at Indianapolis since its May 2002 debut. Also RIR won’t be playing host to the NASCAR’s all-star race. The event, which formerly was known as The Winston, is expected to return to Lowe’s Motor Speedway in 2004 in its first year with the series’ new title sponsor, Reston-based Nextel.( Richmond Times Dispatch )(8-7-2003)
