What are the requirements for medical cover at motor racing circuits?

Concussion in motor sport: A medical literature review and engineering perspective

‘WARNING: motor sport can be dangerous’. The spectrum of head injuries in motor sport has shifted dramatically in recent decades, fuelled by advances in medicine and engineering. Despite these successes, there are growing public and professional concerns regarding concussion in motor sport. This review appraises the published literature concerning concussion in motor sport, with particular focus on the current medical and technical challenges in the field. The incidence and assessment of concussion in motor sport is discussed, in addition to modifiable risk factors within and outside the automobile environment. Lastly, areas for further research and development are outlined.

Medical Support at a Large-scale Motorsports Mass-gathering Event: The Inaugural Formula One United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas

Introduction

Formula One returned to the United States on November 16-18, 2012, with the inaugural United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas. Medical preparedness for motorsports events represents a unique challenge due to the potential for a high number of spectators seeking medical attention, and the possibility for a mass-casualty situation. Adequate preparation requires close collaboration across public safety agencies and hospital networks to minimize impact on Emergency Medical Services (EMS) resources.

Hypothesis/Problem

To report the details of preparation for an inaugural mass-gathering motorsports event, and to describe the details of the medical care rendered during the 3-day event.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was completed utilizing postevent summaries, provided by the medical planning committee, by the Federation Internationale de L'Automobile (FIA), and Austin Travis County Emergency Medical Services (ATCEMS). Patient data were collected from standardized patient care records for descriptive analysis. Medical usage rates (MURs) are reported as a rate of patients per 10,000 (PPTT) participants.

Results

A total of 566 patients received medical care over the 3-day period with the on-site care rate of 95%. Overall, MUR was 21.3 PPTT attendees. Most patients had minor problems, and there were no driver injuries or deaths.

Conclusion

This mass-gathering motorsport event had a moderate number of patients requiring medical attention. The preparedness plan was implemented successfully with minimal impact on EMS resources and local medical facilities. This medical preparedness plan may serve as a model to other cities preparing for an inaugural motorsports event.

SabraJP, CabañasJG, BedollaJ, BorgmannS, HawleyJ, CravenK, BrownC, ZiebellC, OlveyS. Medical support at a large-scale motorsports mass-gathering event: the inaugural Formula One United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2014;29(4):1-7.

Does changing the configuration of a motor racing circuit make it safer?

OBJECTIVES

To assess the pattern of injuries presenting to a racing circuit medical centre in two three-year periods before and after two chicanes were built into the track.

METHODS

Medical centre records were used to identify all patients assessed during the two time periods. Those referred to hospital were categorised by injury severity into three groups.

RESULTS

The proportions of those attending the medical centre that were referred and admitted to hospital were the same in both periods (12-13% and 3% respectively). During the two study periods, the risk of a severe injury for a car driver decreased from 0.1% to 0.03% (p<0.05). For a motorcyclist, similar values were 0% and 0.2% (not significant).

CONCLUSIONS

Chicanes have improved the safety of the racing circuit for car drivers, reducing the risk of injury.

Injuries in professional motor car racing drivers at a racing circuit between 1996 and 2000

BACKGROUND

Research on injuries in racing drivers is limited.

OBJECTIVE

To gain more information about such injuries.

METHODS

Injuries recorded during and after races between 1996 and 2000 were investigated using the medical charts from the circuit medical centre at Fuji Speedway, which is one of the biggest circuits in Japan. Races were in either single seat/formula cars or saloon cars.

RESULTS

Data were obtained from 39 races in single seat cars (1030 participating cars) and 42 races in saloon cars (1577 cars). Fifty injuries were recorded during the single seat car races, and 62 during the saloon car races (injury rate 1.2 per 1000 competitors per race and 0.9 per 1000 competitors per race respectively). Thirteen injuries were recorded after the race, 12 of them in saloon car racing. Bruises were the major injury in single seat car racing (58%). Lower limb bruising was more common than upper limb bruising. Most of the injuries in saloon car racing (53.2%) were neck sprains. The incidence of concussion was high in both groups compared with other high risk sports.

CONCLUSIONS

There were some differences in injuries between the two types of car. No serious injuries occurred except for one death. However, the driver's body is subjected to large forces in a crash, hence the high incidence of concussion. The injuries recorded after the race emphasise that motor racing is a demanding sport.