Paddock Journal had an unique dialog with Jochen Braunwarth, the Director of Motorsport Options at Geobrugg, a Swiss firm recognized globally for its superior security techniques.
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Introduction
Geobrugg, a Swiss firm with over 50 years of expertise, is the world chief in producing high-tensile metal wire security nets and meshes. Their experience, honed in defending pure belongings and safeguarding lives throughout varied sectors, has now prolonged to the high-stakes world of motorsport. Right now, their state-of-the-art security techniques, put in on racetracks worldwide, instill confidence in each drivers and spectators, making certain their security. On this interview, we delve into the small print with Jochen Braunwarth, Geobrugg’s Director of Motorsport Options, to study extra in regards to the firm’s improvements and the challenges they face within the fast-paced world of motorsport.
Jochen, to start out, may you introduce Geobrugg and its evolution into the motorsport sector?
Jochen Braunwarth: Definitely, Daniel. Geobrugg has pioneered safety techniques for over 50 years, primarily specializing in pure hazards similar to rockfall, slope stabilization, and avalanche obstacles. Our experience is rooted in growing options that handle high-energy impacts—whether or not that’s a falling boulder or, extra not too long ago, a racing automobile at excessive velocity. About 15 years in the past, we have been approached by the FIA, the governing physique for world motor sport, to make use of our check services and expertise to judge current security merchandise out there. This marked our entry into motorsport, and since then, we’ve develop into more and more lively on this area, bringing our intensive information of affect dynamics to racetrack security.
Geobrugg is now well-known for its motorsport security techniques. Are you able to inform us in regards to the totally different techniques you present for racetracks?
Jochen Braunwarth: Initially, we began with everlasting installations like particles fences, with our first main venture on the Sepang Worldwide Circuit in Malaysia. However it rapidly turned obvious {that a} single product wouldn’t suffice for all racetrack wants. Totally different tracks require totally different options; metropolis circuits, as an illustration, want cellular particles fences for fast setups and teardowns. There’s additionally a necessity for sturdy pit wall techniques. Through the years, we expanded our portfolio to supply a complete suite of services and products, together with consultancy, inspection companies, structure design, and on-site help throughout race weekends. We’ve advanced right into a one-stop store, overlaying the whole lot from preliminary consultations to post-installation companies, making certain that our purchasers really feel safe and well-supported.
How are these security fences examined to make sure they meet the rigorous calls for of motorsport?
Jochen Braunwarth: Within the early days, no testing was required and the installations have been based mostly on specs specializing in energy. Nevertheless, coping with dynamic impacts – the place vitality absorption is significant – is complicated and goes past mere calculations. Considered one of our major checks entails a 780 kg wrecking ball shot at 65 km/h immediately on the fence. This replicates a state of affairs the place a Formulation 1 automobile, after a run-off, may develop into airborne and hit the fence. Nevertheless, since race automobiles, not wrecking balls, are the truth on tracks, the FIA later launched checks utilizing a one-ton car at 120 km/h with a 20-degree affect angle. The objective is to make sure that nothing breaches the three-meter security zone between the fence and the grandstand, safeguarding spectators.
Passing the FIA homologation course of sounds difficult. Are you able to share some insights into this?
Jochen Braunwarth: Certainly, it’s a rigorous course of. Happily, our lengthy historical past of coping with high-energy impacts provides us an edge. All parts of our techniques should work collectively seamlessly to cease a automobile or wrecking ball throughout the required three meters with out destroying your complete fence. If the fence have been to be utterly destroyed, it might result in vital race delays, which is unacceptable. Subsequently, a part of the homologation course of contains proving that our fences will be repaired rapidly, inside a brief break between race periods, making certain minimal disruption. For instance, throughout a WEC occasion in Spa, our system was impacted however required no restore, whereas a close-by guardrail took two hours to repair.
How do the necessities differ between everlasting race tracks and non permanent metropolis circuits?
Jochen Braunwarth: The primary distinction lies in set up and dismantling velocity. Metropolis circuits, like these in Chicago or Las Vegas, have to be arrange and brought down rapidly to reduce disruption to native site visitors and residents. For instance, the Chicago observe for NASCAR was put in in simply two weeks and dismantled in a single and a half weeks. This calls for exact logistics and planning. Then again, everlasting circuits just like the Hungaroring provide extra time for set up, which reduces the strain however nonetheless requires meticulous planning since our options are sometimes the final to be put in earlier than a race.
Are there any ongoing R&D efforts at Geobrugg for future developments in security techniques?
Jochen Braunwarth: We’re all the time striving to boost our merchandise. Motorsport will all the time contain threat, however our objective is to mitigate it as a lot as potential. At present, we’re engaged in R&D to enhance system efficiency and combine totally different parts extra successfully. For instance, we’re exploring methods to make life simpler for photographers by offering versatile openings within the fences. Furthermore, we’re contemplating combined actuality as a instrument for patrons to visualise our merchandise in real-world settings earlier than set up. This dedication to innovation ought to make our viewers really feel optimistic about the way forward for racetrack security.
What has been the most important problem for Geobrugg in Formulation 1?
Jochen Braunwarth: One of many greatest challenges is altering mindsets, significantly at established services. Many have been working with the identical contractors for many years, so convincing them to attempt one thing new can take time. Within the U.S., for instance, it took about 5 to 6 years of persistent effort to get some venues to offer our options an opportunity. The resistance was primarily as a result of worry of change and the assumption that their current techniques have been adequate. As soon as they did, they noticed the distinction and embraced the brand new know-how. We’re additionally exploring methods to make our merchandise extra relatable and simpler to know, presumably via combined actuality, to assist prospects visualize their future racetracks and the protection techniques in place earlier than they’re even constructed.
Conclusion
Innovation and an intensive understanding of affect dynamics have marked Geobrugg’s transition from pure hazard safety to motorsport security. Jochen Braunwarth’s insights reveal the complexity and dedication behind making certain that each racetrack is as protected as potential, permitting the fun of motorsport to proceed with out compromising the protection of these concerned. As Geobrugg continues to push the boundaries of what’s potential, the way forward for racetrack security seems to be each promising and safe.
