INDONESIAN SUPER TOURING CAR CHAMPIONSHIP 2009 

Kiara Autotech Racing Team ikut ambil bagian dalam seri pertama Kejurnas Balap Mobil ini yang

diselenggarakan di Sirkuit Sentul 18-19 April 2009, dengan pembalap-pembalap berpotensi

yang menunggangi Toyota Yaris dan Honda New Jazz mereka berkompetisi di track Sentul.

Catatan demi catatan banyak tertoreh pada Seri I ini pembalap Ardian boleh mendapatkan

apresiasi dalam seri ini hal ini dibuktikan ardian bahwa dia dapat menempatkan posisinya

walaupun start yg bermasalah karena kendaraannya sempat menempel dengan rekan se tim

Agung Dorojatun yang akhirnya tunggangannya sempat keluar track sampai harus diposisi

paling belakang, namun karena kemampuannya juga strategi yg cukup baik Ardian dapat

merebut posisi ke 6 pada seri ini sementara disusul dibelakangnya Dandi Gradi dan Agung DJ.

Lain halnya dengan Ferio yg kecewa bercampur kesal karena dipaksa keluar dari

track oleh kondisi mesin tunggangannya yg mengalami masalah.

pada lap-lap Sebelumnya Ferio sempat berada di depan rekan-rekan se timnya dan

sampai akhirnya sempat melintir di S Kecil yg memaksa kendaraannya harus masuk

Pit Stop dan tidak dapat melanjutkan balapan di seri pertama ini.

aw. 

Birmingham, 

THE HANS ® SYSTEM: NECK PROTECTION ENSURED

The Hans ® system appeared in Europe around the year 2000 and has already proved its efficiency. The FIA made it obligatory in Formula 1 and the FIA GT Championship among others and this new safety system for drivers has led to a quiet revolution. Procrastination is no longer possible and it is now up to every driver to envisage his safety in a race in a different light. 

The Hans ® system first appeared in the United States in 1984 and was the result of collaboration between two men, Doctor Robert Hubbard, a professor in biomechanics, and Jim Downing, a racing driver. It was the latter who asked Hubbard to invent a new system to reduce spinal injuries in the case of heavy impacts. After analysing the problem, testing and refining possible solutions the two men brought out the initial Hans ® system in 1990. The death of Dale Earnhardt, one of the biggest stars in the US racing firmament, spurred them on to come up with the product available today. 

The numerous scientific studies carried out by Doctor Hubbard and well-known manufacturers like DaimlerChrysler (which was involved in the final development of the Hans ® system) General Motors and Ford in the recent past have only served to reinforce the credibility of the system’s efficacy. 

Reduced spinal injuries
Claude Meistelman, a member of the FFSA’s Medical Commission, and the chief medical officer of the ‘Equipe France FFSA Rally Team’ explains the advantages of the Hans ® system: “Today the whole of the human body is well protected by the seats, harnesses and other forms of clothing in a racing car, be it in a single-seater, a saloon or a rally car. However, the neck and the upper part of the spinal column are still vulnerable. This is where the highest number of traumatic injuries happen which can lead to a driver’s death.” Recent examples only serve to underline his words. Rally drivers Markko Märtin, victim of a huge accident in Argentina, and Sébastien Loeb who went off in a big way during a test session in Germany both complained of back pains for several days after their respective crashes. 

Yves Morizot, the founder and managing director of the Stand 21 Company which is the licence-holder for the Hans ® system in Europe points out: “Studies show that at an impact of 50 km/h nobody can restrain his head.” If the weight of the helmet is added, the phenomenon becomes even more easily comprehensible.” Professor Meistelman, who has been closely involved in marketing the product in Europe, explains: “Since the system has become compulsory in F1 spinal injuries have decreased considerably in relation to the past and the driver does not feel the effects of a heavy impact for as long.” What this piece of equipment does is to reduce the amplitude of the head’s movement whether forwards, sideways or in corkscrew motion during an accident. A whole raft of studies that it would take too long to mention here proves this. The reduction of these movements has almost eliminated the impact caused by the driver’s face hitting the steering wheel or the dashboard. Thanks to these facts Yves Morizot can state: “An open-faced helmet can be used again in complete safety with the appropriate Hans ® system.”