R8S PENALTIES - Pitlane safety again under scrutiny
1/8/2001 18:40 (V8 Wire - Jason Whittaker) -
High drama in Oran Park's new-look pitlane last weekend, which saw two CAT Racing crew members hospitalised, have prompted an investigation into pitlane safety.
A practice pit stop by the K-Mart Racing Team went horribly wrong on Sunday morning when an air hose became entangled with Greg Murphy's Commodore. As Murphy left his pit, he brought down the CAT Racing gantry and air bottles, collecting two of the team's pit crew in the process.
The two men, Neil Barton and Kevin May, were taken to Liverpool Hospital. While May was released on Monday with minor back injuries, Barton remained in hospital after undergoing surgery for a head injury.
John Bowe's call for a review of pitlane safety measures has been answered by CAMS officials, who have announced an investigation will be launched into the use of break away air line fittings, and the possibility of fixing air bottles and the overhead gantry to a more secure point.
Meanwhile, stewards were kept busy investigating a first-turn melee in the opening race, involving Greg Murphy, Marcos Ambrose and Mark Larkham. After a track-side inquiry, no action was taken against either party.
On Saturday, Garry Holt was found to have exceeded the 40kph pitlane speed limit on four separate occasions, and fined a total of $800. Michael Donaher was fined $200 for the same offence.
And Team Managers are beginning to learn how costly their absence from the mandatory pre-event Team Managers' Briefing on Friday can be, after Holt was fined another $500 for failing to attend the meeting. Another three teams were fined $250 after their representatives arrived late.
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