Atlantic Roadracing League - Sustainable Soft Barrier Project

www.atlanticroadracing.com [email protected] (Phone) 902.499.3610 (Fax) 902.482.3654

A Partnership In Sustainable Rider Protection


Motorcycle Roadracing has always had the interests of its riders at the forefront of teams, racing organizations, and promoters since racing began in the 1950s. New innovations have pushed the safety standards of tracks worldwide to new levels which has enabled riders to push the limits of their athleticism and their machinery.

Since the inception of racing there has always been development around soft barriers. Automotive racing prefer to have solid type barriers installed vertically such as guard rails, or concrete walls. However, sports such as motorcycle racing, and downhill skiing are always looking for ‘soft’ alternatives to be placed in front of these concrete walls and guard rails to help protect riders who may have an incident resulting in an impact to a barrier.

This proposal will explain how an initial program to create a new ‘soft’ barrier can be used by incorporating recycled materials in the RRFB transport bags along with some modifications could make this ‘soft’ barrier meet the highest standards in safety for sports where there is a likelihood of impacts.

Along with this program we will also lay the ground work to have the RRFB Nova Scotia act as the principle sponsor of all our events with branding on every barrier we place, in conjunction with East Hants, and HRM. This program will receive national attention, and possible international attention through the racing communities and publications.

Photo Credit: Danielle Nickerson


• Professionally run regional road racing events in Atlantic Canada.

• Regional Race Schedule consists of 6 Rounds (weekends) of racing for riders and spectators from the Atlantic Region

• Atlantic Canada’s only High Performance Riding Academies, and Public Track Days

• Many sponsorship opportunities for local business.

• An exciting and marketable venue

• 180 Acres of canvass for billboard marketing campaigns

Atlantic Canada Regional Motorcycle Events

Photo Credit: Rob O’Brien


Series Values

Speed – Youth – Dynamism – Passion - Technology -Innovation

Personality

• Vibrant, all action and thrilling sports show • Young spirit and youthful attitudes with veteran experience • Global sports event, focused on local successes

Spectator Profile

• 65% of spectators are less than 35 years old • 75% are male 25% are female • 90% will definitely or most probably come back to future

events • They come to the circuit in an average group of 4 people • 77% would tend to choose a brand because they associate

it with the series • 80% of them know the name of the Title Sponsor • 45% have already bought a product because they

associate it with teams in the series

Reach

• Trackside Spectators 15,000 • Social Media Insights: 500-1500 people per week

Photo Credit: Danielle Nickerson


Located 10 minutes from Exit #9 on Highway #102 in Shubenacadie this facility was created and built in 1973 by volunteers. The Atlantic Motorsport Park (AMP) is the only volunteer club owned race facility in North America. The facility hosts numerous car racing,

and driving school activities throughout the summer along with Regional and National Motorcycle road racing events, High Performance Riding Academies, and public track days. This road circuit is 2.5 kms long with 100 feet in elevation changes and 11

turns, making it one of the most technical tracks in the country.

Only 30 minutes from HRM the facility has enormous potential.

The Facility - Atlantic Motorsport Park


Protecting Riders – Understanding the Circuit

In the photo above you can see the riders in turn one at Indianapolis. The “track surface” is the paved area they are riding on. The grass in the foreground makes up part of the “Run-Off” area. The “Run-Off” is the space between the track surface and the barriers. The more “Run-Off”, the less the requirement for a ‘Soft’ barrier. In areas where there is not enough “Run-Off” the organizers of the events install ‘Soft’ barriers in front of any of the hard barriers in order to protect the riders should an impact occur.

This concept can also be seen in downhill ski / snowboard events, road cycling, etc.

Photo Credit: MotoGP.com


The Current Pinnacle of Soft Barriers

In this photo you can see the most advanced ‘soft’ barrier located in the top of the image with the “MOTUL” sponsorship printed on it. This is what’s known as an “Air Fence”. Each 12’ section contains air, and if and bike or rider is to impact the barrier the air is instantly exhausted through vents in the top of the air fence which result in the soft cushion for the rider and or the machine.

This solution is used extensively in motorcycle racing, as well as other applications to protect riders from hitting hard walls or objects in, or after, an accident. They are suitable for all applications where people need protection from hitting hard surfaces.

This type of safety measure is very costly to purchase, and they are very costly to maintain.



Hay Bales – why we can do better

Hay bales have been used for years in motorcycle road racing and continue to be a widely used soft barrier for different types of racing to protect people from hitting hard surfaces. Hay bales are less cost than air fence but they do not offer the same safety level for riders. In fact, the hay bale offers the lowest safety level. Also the hay bales are problematic because they disintegrate so quickly they cannot be moved after they are placed. They also provide a fire hazard in some cases.

While hay bales are an option for motorcycle racing, these soft barriers are very hazardous during automobile racing events and need to be removed when possible. We use approximately 750 – 1000 hay bales a season at our events at Atlantic Motorsports Park. This is something that can easily be transferred into a reusable solution for recycled materials.


The ARL / RRFB Solution

Initial Product investment Equals Renewable Protection

We feel by utilizing the existing RRFB transport bags three quarters filled with #2 recyclable plastic materials (such as plastic milk containers, plastic detergent bottles, etc) we could provide a much better soft barrier solution for participants of events where the likelihood of an impact is possible. These barriers would be assembled together and could be removed easily so as not to interfere with automotive events. This solution would require little maintenance which we could handle on-site.

The existing use of hay bales is not only costly but we feel we can provide better protection to our participants with this new innovative concept. Having been involved in motorcycle road racing for over 10 years we have the experience to install and implement this concept in a manner in which it will be successful. Once completed, we will receive National attention and possible international attention as a new renewable option to protect riders at road circuits all over the world. This would especially be the case were some circuits cannot afford the Air Fence option, but want something far better than a hay bale for


International Connection

Here in Nova Scotia we have various connections to the International motorcycle racing communities. We would look to have someone from the Federation Internationale Motocycliste(FIM) inspect this new concept to determine if there are any changes we could implement to make them better, and also if it could be rated as a new soft barrier alternative to hay bales and recognized internationally. This inspection process along with some possible data research from local universities could be very beneficial to having this concept moved along to larger venues worldwide.

Initial Design and Testing

We would require funding from RRFB so Atlantic Roadracing League could test of 200 bags (this spring) along with the necessary #2 recyclable materials to fill each bag 3/4 full. We can make the necessary changes to the bag to create this soft barrier. Modifications to the bags would include installing grommets on all 8 corners of the bags so they could be affixed together. As the barriers get used and require more plastic material we could fill them from our own supply from the race facility in conjunction with the existing recycling program at Atlantic Motorsport Park. Miller Waste in conjunction with HRM and East Hants have approved the donation of the plastic material required.

Some Minor Concerns

With this new approach there are the limitations to storage of the barriers. There are a couple options for discussion at this time, all of which will be the responsibility of ARL. We would not want to leave the barriers unsecured on site while there are no events taking place in case someone were to enter the facility after hours and tamper with the barriers.

Solution: This program will provide a secure shipping container on site to hold as many of these new barriers as possible.

This concept requires much less maintenance to the barriers but does require more work to get the barriers on the track in the designated corners before each event.

Solution: With this funding ARL will purchase a small trailer so the barriers can be transported around the facility easily. As the requirement goes from 200 barriers to 307500 barriers this will very important to keep program running efficiently.


Approvals and Certifications

Immediately following this conceptual design we have received approvals from our Insurance providers as to the viability of this new soft barrier. Comments from Managing Partner at Jones Brown Insurance were, “This is much better than what is currently being used. “

Following this approval, the next step will be to have the barrier approved by FIM, CSBK, and CMA. Obtaining this approval will not be required for use of the barriers at our regional and national events, however it could pave the way for other tracks all over the world to incorporate this new concept and help provide a ‘greener’ facility.


Once the eyelets or grommets are installed on the bags we will install canvass flaps which will be attached to the bags in order to cover the exposed eyelets, hooks, and grommets. This will be for added safety.


RRFB Sponsorship Package included With Partnership

• All bikes in the class will have mandatory decals which will be strategically placed (decals to be supplied by sponsor – program managed by ARL)

• Banners and signage will be placed throughout the facility during ARL events

• Listed as an Associate Sponsor in related press material

• Your organizations advertising script (50 words or less) read over the PA prior to qualifying and racing sessions

• Website advertising at www.atlanticroadracing.com

ARL will begin a new campaign for this safety program

“Rider Protection in association with RRFB Nova Scotia in conjunction with HRM and East Hants, We Live It!”

This campaign will include RRFB and East Hants branding at all events which include:

• 5 Regional Rounds of racing (5 Weekends)

• 1 Canadian Superbike National Weekend

• 12+ Track Days

• 3+ High Performance Riding Academies


http://www.atlanticroadracing.com/


Our Requirements Summarized

As a partner in this program we would require from RRFB the following:

• 200 RRFB transport bags which would be filled with recyclable materials as determined between ARL and RRFB, such as plastic bottles.

• ARL will use this funding to modify the bags in such a way to have them attach to the ground and to each other to form a soft barrier covering sections of 100’. This would also include creating a top cap for each 12’ section

• Assistance for the research, development, and modification costs of the project.

• Following the initial 200 test bags, we will require product for an additional 100 bags. Following this, ARL will look to purchase all the necessary product for future barriers.



Our Commitment to RRFB And East Hants Summarized

As a partner in this program ARL would provide a complete Associate Sponsorship program for all our events, including but not limited to the following:

• 5 Regional Rounds of racing (5 Weekends)

• 1 Canadian Superbike National Weekend

• 12+ Track Days

• 3+ High Performance Riding Academies

• Website advertising at www.atlanticroadracing.com

• Frequent broadcasts and announcements to identify your organization as a class sponsor

• Listed as class sponsor in related press material

Publicity and National Attention

In addition to these marketing ideas, as the barriers are completed to the benefit of the riders and the organizers ARL will have National publications such as Inside Motorcycle’s Magazine publish a detailed article on the success of the program.

ARL will maintain the fill levels of the barriers from the existing recycling program in place in conjunction with Atlantic Motorsport Park.

Following the initial 200 bags, ARL will look at further options to purchase the bags along with the recyclable material.

Ongoing Viability and Municipality Partnership

Develop a partnership with HRM and East Hants to utilize local / sorted recyclable product which will be used in the barriers.

ARL will work with East Hants to further develop the existing facility to be more ‘green’ through the use of additional bins, sorting stations, and education for vendors)

http://www.atlanticroadracing.com/


Contact Information

Andrew Murray Atlantic Roadracing.com

Phone (902) 499-3610

Fax (902) 482-3654

Email [email protected]

Website www.atlanticroadracing.com


Documents

Atlantic Roadracing League - Sustainable Soft Barrier Project