The push for tweaks to how the Bathurst circuit is officiated started with the frightening crash during the Bathurst 12 Hour that left Ralf Aron with a broken back.
Motorsport Australia conducted an investigation into the incident, the findings and recommendations from which were presented to MA’s Motorsport Risk and Safety Committee on Tuesday night.
As hoped by the governing body the recommendations were accepted by the committee and will be implemented ahead of the 6 Hour.
Changes will include the mirroring of yellow flags across the top of Mount Panorama, to give drivers the best possible chance of knowing there is a hazard ahead, as well as a fresh push for drivers to conduct online refresher training before racing at the iconic venue.
“The committee meet on Tuesday night and reviewed the report and it was a good discussion,” MA CEO Josh Blanskby told Speedcafe.
“The good news is we have adopted the practice safety recommendations we discussed for the Bathurst 6 Hour.
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“The major things are around how the double yellows are mirrored across the top of the Mountain if an incident occurs, which we think will give the drivers much more notice that something has occurred.
“We’ve also instituted a special refresher course leading into the 6 hour, which the majority of the drivers have already done, and we’ve had some really positive feedback about that from them.
“That will be a requirement to start this weekend.
“There will, as normal, be a detailed briefing and will will raise the 12 Hour and what occurred and remind drivers about double yellows and their obligations to observe those double yellows as soon as they see them.”
These new stipulations will be mandatory for all racing at Bathurst, including the 1000, and could even be extended to other higher-risk circuits in the country.
“We think that it’s appropriate for Bathurst, and we will look at other tracks,” added Blanskby.
“The other longer, more difficult tracks where other similar themes can apply as well.”
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