The FIA Institute will host its second annual Summit at the Bahrain International Circuit on April 3rd. The Centre of Excellence Summit will be chaired by the Deputy President of the FIA Institute Professor Gerard Saillant, who will lead the discussions on the subject of ‘Medicine in Motor Sport’ with more than 150 senior medical professionals from around the world among the delegation.
The FIA Institute conducts research into new technologies and disseminates a variety of educational materials on best practice in motor sport safety procedures. The Institute’s approach to research and close relationship with industry has resulted in the rapid development and deployment of a number of new safety systems. President of the FIA Institute, Professor Sid Watkins explains: “It is the FIA Institute’s commitment to rapid progress which is perhaps the most satisfying element to our work. In our first three years we have already commissioned more than 50 projects, the vast majority of which will have a very significant bearing on the way we go racing and rallying.
Our work has only just started but we could not have made a better beginning. With the help and support of all those working and competing in international motor sport the FIA Institute will strive to ensure that safety always comes first.”
The 2008 FIA Institute Summit will cover many aspects of the medical issues surrounding motor sport from the physiological demands across many areas of the sport and also the forms of trauma and their treatment. Speaking will be a line up of leading Professors and Doctors all experts in their respective fields, as well as entering panel discussions for every delegate to make their input to the event.
The Bahrain Ministry of Health will be one of the medical bodies represented at the summit, as it is the only health ministry in the world that is actively involved in its biggest national sporting occasions – particularly the FIA Formula One Bahrain Grand Prix. Dr Amjad, the BIC’s Chief Medical Officer, explains:
“We take our responsibilities very seriously here in Bahrain. Not only do we, as doctors, get the full support from the FIA but also from our ministry. It is not just about what happens on track but what happens afterwards; the ambulance team, the hospitals, the A&E departments and the BDF (Bahrain Defence Force) helicopter crew; they are all fully briefed and trained and every year we have a full drill so we are absolutely prepared to the highest levels should anything happen and we enjoy working as a team.”
The Bahrain International Circuit has been chosen to host the FIA Institute 2008 Summit following its recognition as an FIA Institute Centre of Excellence in 2007. The BIC is the first Formula One Circuit to receive this status. Each FIA Centre of Excellence exemplifies the high standards expected by the FIA Institute in terms of technology and medical, marshalling and race control safety. The BIC has demonstrated its commitment to innovation and the development of new safety technology within motor sport – particularly as the sport develops in the Middle East.
The Bahrain International Circuit’s medical facilities are world renowned. Its on-site medical centre has amenities to conduct up to 2 surgical operations at any one time and it is amongst the circuit’s top priorities to maintain the high standards expected of the FIA Formula One World Championship.
The BIC is already committed to the FIA Institute Centre of Excellence programme, with numerous projects in place to maintain their commitment, Martin Whitaker, CEO of the BIC said: “We are all delighted about our new status as an FIA Institute Centre of Excellence. The BIC has achieved so much over the last few years and this award has given us a huge amount of incentive to go above and beyond what is expected of us from the FIA. We look forward to welcoming the world’s experts in motor sport medicine to Bahrain.”