This event marks the first where the new NASCAR-mandated trunk-mounted fire suppression system will be required. The new system, with automatic and manual triggering systems, is meant to give the drivers a few extra moments of safety in the case of a car fire after a rear impact. Recently, several drivers experienced frightening situations in rear impact accidents with the walls. The teams rose to the occasion nicely with Winston Cup director John Darby giving a nod to the teams that work in his garage. Any issues surrounded more installation rather than the actual parts and pieces, Darby told TFR. I would say that the garage put on a very impressive performance on getting everything up ad running. Darby added, Very, very nice installations and substantial mounting brackets, the kind of stuff we [NASCAR] like. Explaining the operational aspect of the system Darby said, With the Halon agents that we use they are a flooding agent. In other words, once theyre released they flood whatever area theyre in. The thought is on impact if a fire ignites the bottle that we have for the trunk automatically fires on heat sensing. And when it does it floods the whole area where the fire is. This will give the drivers more time to get out of the car.( Team Ford Racing )(8-16-2003)
