If operated appropriately, a drivers association could improve safety. Mauricio Gugelmin, chairman of the CART drivers association, has made safety his group's top issue after two drivers died last year. Gugelmin persuaded former driver Parker Johnstone, who has a degree in electrical engineering and computer science, to inspect each of CART's circuits this season. Johnstone walks each course and inspects the track, the surface next to the track, concrete walls and catch fencing, among other things. His track examinations take eight hours.
Binders are full of pages that detail each section of track.
Johnstone, whose reports are forwarded to CART officials, had at least five safety recommendations on each page for some tracks. Johnstone says track officials have been receptive to making changes when they could before the series competed at their facility. Cup drivers don't have that option, and some say they don't need someone else inspecting tracks. They rely on the track and sanctioning body. Sometimes, though, that slows the process, such as last month when the series mandated ignition kill buttons on the steering wheel.