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The Talented Test Track

The Paul Ricard High Tech Test Track is the safest circuit in the world. At least that is the opinion of Philippe Gurdjian, president and CEO of Excelis, the company that acquired and rebuilt Paul Ricard in 1999. Biased he may be but few would argue with him. Not least the FIA Institute which has chosen the circuit to be its first Centre for Motor Sport Excellence.

	Gurdjian believes the appointment is justification for all of the work that has been put into the circuit in the last five years. He says: ““When we decided to rebuild Paul Ricard the idea was to make the first test track which concentrated on safety. It is now considered the safest circuit in the world thanks to a number of innovations tested and validated on the track. No doubt Paul Ricard, based in Le Castellet, southern France, is one of the most modern circuits in the world. It was selected by the Institute because of its high safety standards and its continual developments in this field. It already boasts a number of unique safety features that are set to become commonplace at many Formula One tracks. Gurdjian insists that Paul Ricard is continually setting new standards for other tracks to follow. He says: “We were the first circuit to put run-off areas all around the track. Now these run-off areas are commonplace. But still none of the other circuits, even the new circuits, have gone far enough to create safety as Paul Ricard has.” It is a bold claim but one that Gurdjian backs up with the many unique safety features at the circuit. The circuit has 25 acres of run-off areas, made from a special type of abrasive asphalt rather than the gravel beds used at other circuits. Gravel traps have been replaced by three types of asphalt surface. The first, on the outside of the track and painted blue, is more abrasive than the track itself. The second, painted red, continues on from the first and is ultra abrasive. The third type covers all other surfaces and is usually covered with grass. The surfaces are varying blends of asphalt and tungsten, designed specifically to intensify the slowing down and stopping effect on cars. Gurdjian says: “The more we run on the track the more we are convinced of the efficiency of this system. It also looks better than other tracks.” He insists this type of run-off system increases safety, reduces the intervention time of the rescue teams and reduces damage to the car. As he puts it: “The gravel trap makes a lot of damage on the car. When teams test at other circuits and the car goes into the gravel trap, that’s it, they spend the rest of the day fixing it. At Paul Ricard, you may damage the tyres but you change them and carry on. It is the first track in the world to try to find new solutions like this.” Another unique feature, which is set to be incorporated into Formula One, is the replacement of flag marshals by a lighting system, which is activated by transponders on the cars and has a quicker reaction time for the drivers and rescue teams. Thirty-three traffic lights strategically placed around the circuit inform drivers instantly of potential hazards on the track. The marshalling system works automatically, except for the red light, which has to be pushed manually from the control centre. Again, Gurdjian believes there is no better system in the world. He says: “When we decide to put the red light on it takes less than one second. At other tracks, if you ask on the walkie-talkie to put the red flag out it can take up to 90 seconds before all the marshals are waving red flags.” The bonus of this system is that the track marshals can be used in other areas such as helping with the rescue teams. Paul Ricard employs a number of permanent marshals and has available between five and 20 rescue teams depending on the number of cars using the track. Each team consist of two track trained safety marshals with experience in rescue techniques. With no gravel traps the rescue teams can get immediately to the scene of an accident, as they can drive straight to the car in difficulty. Major accidents are rare – in 200,000km of testing with F1 cars over the last three years only three have been damaged – but when they do occur Paul Ricard shows off its wide range of resources. For instance, when McLaren test driver Alex Wurz flew off the track at 180mph earlier this year the rescue team was with him immediately. Gurdjian says: “Four seconds after he stopped we had two marshals by the car. We had a doctor there in less than a minute.” Wurz impact with the barriers comprehensively destroyed the car but fortunately left the driver unharmed. The circuit’s barriers required major repairs but as the track has 180 possible configurations the other teams merely used a different route for the rest of the day, bypassing the section where Wurz crashed. Wurz was checked in the circuit’s permanent medical centre straight after his accident. He was given the all-clear but one hour later he returned to the medical centre complaining of a problem with his leg. The permanent medic immediately scanned him with the circuit’s digital x-ray machine. Gurdjian says: “Wurz was amazed. He couldn’t believe we have this machine permanently at the circuit.” The medical centre is the most advanced facility of its type for any circuit in the world. Facilities include a medical helicopter landing pad, with its own fully equipped resuscitation ambulance. A two-bed observation ward with full medical equipment. Full life-support facilities with two emergency sections and a serious burns unit with appropriate bath. It is managed by chief medical officer Jean Duby, FIA medical delegate for the World Rally Championship. It also employs a further eight permanent staff, including an anaesthetist nurse and a number of trained firemen. The medical facility is also used as a training centre for track and road emergencies. It has a state of the art SimMan Dummy, a mannequin which can simulate 2,500 injuries and be operated on. There are only seven of its type in France with the other six used for army training, in universities and at a hospital. Gurdjian says: “The FIA was very impressed with all of these concepts, with all the new ideas, and with the fact we have a more sophisticated medical centre than at any other track.” Paul Ricard is the first of a number of circuits that will become centres of excellence for safety. It is envisaged that a circuit will be selected in each continent to act as hub for improving motor sport safety standards in that region. As the FIA Institute’s first Centre for Motor Sport Excellence, Paul Ricard will be used to host safety seminars, train motor sport officials, and test new safety features designed by the FIA Institute’s working groups. In the coming months, for instance, the circuit will be used to test a new foam safety barrier developed by the FIA Institute. If tests are successful, the barrier will be incorporated at all Formula One circuits worldwide. Gurdjian says: “Paul Ricard is the model for the circuits of tomorrow. Its design comprises thousands of solutions just waiting to be taken up elsewhere in terms of increased circuit and driver safety and improved vehicle performance.

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