Indianapolis Motor Speedway news 2009-11-09

IMS, INTERNATIONAL MOTORSPORTS INDUSTRY SHOW COME TOGETHER FOR INAUGURAL SAFETY CONFERENCE DEC. 1
Seventeen world-renowned motorsports safety experts to provide insight, expertise

INDIANAPOLIS, Monday, Nov. 9, 2009 -- Officials from the International Motorsports Industry Show (IMIS) announced Nov. 9 that the Indianapolis Motor Speedway will serve as a partner in the inaugural IMIS Safety Conference Dec. 1 in the Sagamore Ballroom of the Indiana Convention Center in downtown Indianapolis.

The IMIS Safety Conference presented by the Indianapolis Motor Speedway will help kick off the inaugural IMIS show, set for Dec. 2-3, also at the Indiana Convention Center. The safety conference will feature a world-class panel of 17 racing safety experts presenting insight for those at the top levels of racing to the weekly, grassroots racer.

"One of the core values of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway since 1909 has been the advancement of safety for competitors, officials and fans," said Chris Schwartz, vice president of marketing for the Speedway. "For 100 years, the Speedway has been at the forefront of technology and safety, and the IMIS safety conference is something we feel very strongly about and are proud to be a part of."

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway had a medical center on the grounds as early as 1910 and was the first speedway to use the rear-view mirror (1911), track warning lights (1935), mandate helmets (1935), use crash data recorders on cars (1993) and install the SAFER Barrier (2002).

"The Indianapolis Motor Speedway has a long and proud history of safety innovation that is second-to-none," said Tom Weisenbach, co-founder of IMIS and executive director of the Indiana Motorsports Association. "We're thrilled to have them as a partner for this historic conference. Whether you race on the biggest stage or participate at your local track on Saturday night, the IMIS Safety Conference presented by the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is a must-attend for drivers, team members, safety equipment manufacturers and suppliers, as well as track promoters and series officials."

Kirk Russell, former vice president of competition for Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART) and a world-renowned consultant on motorsports safety, serves as the IMIS Safety Conference Coordinator and assembled the panel of experts.

The individuals that will make presentations at the IMIS Safety Conference presented by the Indianapolis Motor Speedway are:

Presenter
Title
Location

Trevor Ashline
President, Safety Solutions, Inc.
Mooresville, N.C.

Dave Brown
Track Safety Coordinator, Indy Racing League
Indianapolis

Tom Gideon
Director of Safety Initiatives, NASCAR
Daytona Beach, Fla.

Hubert Gramling
Head of Research, Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA)
Paris

Robert Hubbard
Creator, HANS Device; Professor, Michigan State University
East Lansing, Mich.

Dan Jones
Fire Chief, Town of Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, N.C.

Arnie Kuhns
President and CEO, SFI Foundation, Inc.
Poway, Calif.

Randy LaJoie
President, The Joie of Seating
Concord, N.C.

Joe Marko
Owner, HMS Motorsport, Ltd.
Danvers, Mass.

John Medlen
Project Manager, Eric Medlen Project; Crew Chief, John Force Racing
Brownsburg, Ind.

Andrew Mellor
Head of Technical Affairs, Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA)
Paris

John Melvin
Consultant and Adjunct Professor, Wayne State University
Detroit

Steve Mumma
Manager, Security Engineering, Geobrugg Security Engineering
Oregon City, Ore.

John Oates
Fire Chief, East Hartford, Conn.
East Hartford, Conn.

Dean Sicking
Developer of SAFER Barrier; Professor, University of Nebraska
Lincoln, Neb.

Dan Thomas
Vice President & Treasurer, Snell Memorial Foundation
North Highlands, Calif.

Terry R. Trammell
Partner, Orthopedics Indianapolis, Inc.
Indianapolis

"Each of the 17 experts scheduled to present at the IMIS Safety Conference have dedicated much time and effort to improving motorsports safety around the world," Russell said. "I've had the opportunity to work with several of these individuals and look forward to them sharing their knowledge and expertise with those in attendance at the IMIS Safety Conference presented by the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. This is a must-attend conference for any person involved with racing."

The IMIS Safety Conference presented by the Indianapolis Motor Speedway begins with welcoming remarks from Russell at 7:50 a.m. (ET). From 8 a.m. to noon, the conference will focus on event and facility safety, while the 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. portion will focus on personal safety.

The two-day IMIS trade show offers individuals and companies from all facets of the racing business the chance to interact, share ideas and products, build relationships and attend seminars to improve motorsports business around the world, all while showcasing Indianapolis as the "Racing Capital of the World."

More than 530 booths have already been booked for IMIS, but for racing companies and people interested, there is limited space still available. For details on how to be a part of the show or to register for the IMIS Safety Conference presented by the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, visit www.imis-indy.com.

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IMS tickets: Established in 1909, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway has long prevailed as an icon of motorsports excellence. Beginning in 2009, the Speedway celebrates its Centennial Era, commemorating the 100th anniversary of the facility in 2009 and the 100th anniversary of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race in 2011.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com at any time. Tickets for groups of 20 or more also are on sale. Contact the IMS Group Sales Department at (866) 221-8775 for more information.

-credit: ims