The Closed Car Research Group supervises all research into safety issues relating to closed cockpit racing cars, including GT cars, Touring cars and Rally cars.

It leads research into all safety issues in this area identified in collaboration with the FIA Safety Commission and the FIA Medical Commission. It also monitors related safety issues reviewed with other motor sport safety researchers and laboratories.

It initiates, monitors and reviews a number of safety programmes, which lead to new standards and new regulations drawn up in collaboration with the appropriate FIA regulatory bodies. The effects of these and other new measures on the safety of race and rally events are continually monitored by the Group.

Progress

The Closed Car Research Group manages various research projects funded by the FIA Institute. These projects revolve around the major focus of the Group, which is closed car occupant safety. It involves a comprehensive investigation into drivers’ and co-drivers’ safety in a closed car environment. It mainly concerns the role cage, seat, driver restraint system and the safety cell structure.

Recent projects include dynamic tests of seat, seat back support and lateral restraints. Results of these will lead to the creation of a new Competition Seat Standard.

Additional actions in this project include a HANS test day organised for World Rally Championship teams after the 2004 Finnish Rally; briefings on HANS use for rescue teams and rally crews at the first 2005 WRC event; and the presence of experts to advise on occupant safety matters throughout the 2005 Swedish Rally.

Potential future projects include the development of a yellow flag in-car system for rally cars. A light on the dashboard of the car would warn drivers of accidents and dangers ahead. This could also be used as a back-up car tracking and emergency warning system.