Wheeler unveils bumper system to improve safety
By Tim Packman, Turner Sports Interactive
May 16, 2001
6:33 PM EDT (2233 GMT)
CONCORD, N.C. -- Lowe's Motor Speedway President Humpy Wheeler has unveiled a new front bumper designed as an absorption component for high speed, frontal impact.
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Humpy Wheeler (left) and Paul Lew
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It is also designed to diminish harmful injuries to drivers that can be suffered in frontal crashes of NASCAR Winston Cup and Busch Series race cars.
In a press conference held at Lowe's Motor Speedway in the Winston Cup garage, Wheeler and Paul Lew, of Lew Industries in Las Vegas, presented an arc-shaped piece made of carbon fiber components that fits into a front-mounted, impact-absorption unit.
The "Humpy Bumper," as it's being called, is a one-piece bumper that will fit under the current shape of race car's skin. No modifications will have to be made to Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford or Pontiac's body design.
It was designed to eliminate the amount of force a driver may take when hitting a speedway wall nose first at a 30-40 degree angle. Wheeler said it was time the front of a race car started to get some much-needed safety attention.
"It's very rare that the stiffness of the front clip causes a lethal situation," Wheeler said. "But, three of the sport's recent on-track deaths have occurred during similar, front-angle impacts. That's why several experts feel it's the front of the car that needs immediate attention."
"We are now ready to test this on computer-generated incidents," Lew said. "General Motors has signed on to assist in this matter and we will be heading to their facilities to conduct crash testing."
"The cost, -- right now -- is $6,000 each, and it can be used interchangeably between the different cars a team uses. Once we do some work on this and if NASCAR approves it, we can manufacture enough for everyone in 30 days."
Wheeler pointed out that he or his company stand to make no financial gain from this venture. It will be up to Lew and his company to produce and sell them.
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