Mexico played host to a number of safety and sustainability events at the end of August, including a huge training course for motor sport offi cials, a road and motor sport safety press conference, and the national launch of the Make Cars Green campaign.

Over 300 marshals and medical offi cials from across North and South America took part in the two-day training course at the University of Puebla in Mexico on 28-29 August. The seminar, which was run by the national sporting association, Organizacion Mexicana Del Deporte Automovilistico Internacional (OMDAI), with support from the FIA Institute and the Motor Sport Safety Development Fund, offered safety training for medical staff and marshals at circuit and rally events.

It featured a number of high level participants including Professor Hugh Scully MD, Chairman of the International Council of Motorsport Sciences and a founding fellow of the FIA Institute; Nick Craw, President of ACCUS and FIA Deputy President for Sport; and Jean Todt, FIA Foundation Trustee, member of the Motor Sport Safety Development Fund management committee and candidate for the FIA presidency.

Marshal training covered topics such as planning for security measures at circuit and rally events, radio communications practices for motor sport, emergency planning, and how to perform an intervention following an accident.

Participants also reviewed the role of the marshals and the role of the Clerk of the Course. As part of this, Jorge Rodriguez, Clerk of the Course for the Puebla circuit, gave a presentation about the work he does on events such as F3, WTCC, NASCAR, Champ Car, and A1GP.

 
Doctors and nurses were offered a separate training course that focused on the organisation of medical teams at various motor sport events. Issues discussed in the course included extraction procedures, identifying and analysing trauma and burns, and a review of CPR procedures.

Also reviewed was the role of doctors, nurses and paramedics in the overall security of motor sport events, as well as the role of the Chief Medical Offi cer. Jennifer Bertin, OMDAI-FIA Medical Chief, gave a presentation outlining her role at national rally and circuit events throughout Mexico.

Dr. Francisco Martinez Gallardo, President of OMDAI Institute, said: “The topics that were covered the most in depth and which were extremely benefi cial for the participants included reviewing the role of the Clerk of the Course and the procedure for a medical intervention following an accident.”

The second day of the seminar was focused on practical training at the Puebla circuit. Five groups of 25 people each took part. Marshals were trained on interventions, signaling, recovering Formula One and grand touring vehicles following an incident, preventing and responding to fi res and radio communications procedures.

Medical personnel were trained to use respiratory systems and how to ensure the person is still breathing. They also received further training on primary evaluations of a crash scenario, proper use and removal of Head and Neck Support devices and helmets, and extraction procedures.

Gallardo said: “The main goal was to send each of the participants home with new knowledge on how to properly perform their duties, from a safety perspective, at a race or rally event. We also hope that following their return to their home countries, they will pass on this knowledge to others within their organisation or club.”

The seminar was aimed at offi cials from National Sporting Associations (ASNs) from North and South America. Representatives from 12 countries attended including Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, United States, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Uruguay and Venezuela.

After the closing ceremonies on 29 August, the new Roger Peart motor sport racing school was offi cially inaugurated at Puebla.

Meanwhile, whilst in Puebla, both Craw and Todt were able to participate in the national launch of the Make Cars Green campaign, an international environmental campaign aimed at reducing the impact of motoring on our planet. They also participated in a road safety and motor sport safety press conference held at the OMDAI headquarters in Mexico City