fast 1.5
mile high-banked oval.
The last
time a CART race was postponed for safety reasons was the Michigan 500
in 1985. It was run the next week after new tires were made available
to the competitors.
Drivers began
complaining after Friday practice that the g-loads generated on the 24
degree high banked oval were causing them to become disoriented after
long runs at over 230 mph.
Dr. Steve Olvey,
CART director of medical affairs explained, "A situation
developed on Friday afternoon that in my 25 years of working in
motorsports, I had never experienced. Two drivers pulled off the race
track after long stints at over 230 miles per hour. They pulled in
because they were dizzy and disoriented and felt that they could no
longer control the race car."
On Saturday 21
of the 25 drivers in the race reported to Olvey that they had
experienced similar symptoms. Given the potential for a driver "grey
out," or loss of consciousness, the decision was made to cancel
the event in the best interests of driver safety.
A new date for
the race has not been determined at this time.
RACE
REPORT
