Crash Testing and USF1 - CAPE Facility, Indianapolis

http://www.capetesting.com/index.html

One of the keys hurdles for USF1 in the coming weeks is the FIA mandated crash testing. Earlier tests of the nose were conducted at Cranfield Laboratories in Bedford, UK, and it has been assumed that Cranfield would be the site for the official tests. The logistics involved in flying the car to the test lab are difficult. There is little time left and every day counts.

If the car could be tested in the US, the pressure on the schedule would be relaxed, somewhat. I was not aware of any approved crash testing facilities in the US, so I thought I would look into the possibilities. The FIA has a set of lists that includes all facilities with approval to crash test cars, as well as lists of facilities to test damn near anything. This ranges from head to toe (shoes to helments) and from stem to stern (tail lights, seat harnesses, and wheel tethers).

On the list is CAPE, the Center for Advanced Product Evaluation. Cape is located on the campus of IMMI in central Illinois, very close to Indianapolis. They have full FIA approval and have been involved in the testing of open wheeled cars including the last CART chassis, the DP-01.

Their facility is about 550 miles from Charlotte, or about 10 hours by transport. The car could be shipped at 6:00 PM on a Sunday afternoon and be at the facility 3 hours before they opened their doors on Monday morning. I am told that the test procedures could be complete in 24 hours, and the transport could be on their way back to Charlotte by 7:00 AM Tuesday morning.

This seems like the best solution for USF1. A spokespersonn at CAPE decline to comment as many of their test sessions are confidential per client request.

FIA Technical Lists - http://www.fia.com/en-GB/sport/regulations/Pages/TechnicalLists.aspx

Crash Test Centers - http://argent.fia.com/web/fia-public.nsf/C8E81EACB24E82ADC12572FB00559236/$FILE/L04_Crash_test_centres.pdf

 

 

 

Comments

[Large Eddie]

That's quite a find. Nice sleuth-work there!

However, Corsa is reporting this from José María López's manager: "Desde la Argentina, Felipe McGough habló en el programa Largaron (radio Belgrano) y confirmó que el Type 1 será trasladado a Inglaterra para realizarle las pruebas de choque que exige la FIA. 'Los tests sobre el auto se realizarán entre el 15 y el 18 de este mes,' anunció el periodista."

If Google Translations didn't get it totally wrong, I think he says they're going to Jolly Olde.

[Flood1]

Yeah Eddie, that's what that bit says. And it says the 15th through the 18th. Than means next Monday. I hope those dates are correct.

[Cipriano]

Very interesting! I'm sure that if the team could have gone this route they would have. Bernice could of had a hand in this to make it more difficult. According to what I read (mostly unsubstantiated) is that the test will be in England. Seems like McGough is the only source info these days.

[Flood1]

True about McGough. Most of the things I have read in Corsa is true. The Lopez team seems to know what's going on and I hope they are right about crash testing.

[NRG Hubs]

I appreciate you posted this blog. This is so interesting! Keep it up!