The DefNder is the latest Head and Neck Restraint to meet SFI 38.1 specifications and is therefore now approved by NASR for speedway competition in Australia. This brings the total number of approved Head and Neck Restraints to nine (up from five in July 2007) giving drivers a range of choice when deciding on a device.

NASR recommends drivers research the approved devices listed below and practise exiting their race cars to see what works best for them.

DefNder www.defnder.com
HANS Device www.hansdevice.com
Leatt Brace - MotoR www.leatt-brace.com
LFT Technologies R3 Device www.lfttech.com
LFT Technologies R3 Rage Device www.lfttech.com
Safety Solutions Hutchens-II Device www.hutchensdevice.com
Safety Solutions Hutchens Hybrid Device www.hutchensdevice.com
Safety Solutions Hutchens Hybrid X Device www.hutchensdevice.com
Safety Solutions Hutchens Hybrid Rage www.hutchensdevice.com

NASR, through its partnership with the SFI Foundation and FIA, offers speedway drivers comprehensively tested global standards on which the SSAC (Speedway Safety Advisory Committee) based the new minimum safety standards that have been ratified by the NASR Board and introduced on the 1st of July this year.

Safety standards regarding Head and Neck Restraints are listed below.

AA - All Divisions
A - All Open Wheeled Divisions
ASCF - Super Sedans
Head and Neck Restraint must be worn and meet FIA or SFI 38.1 Standard (A horse collar is optional when wearing a Head and Neck Restraint )

A - All Sedan Divisions
ASCF - All Divisions Except Super Sedans
B - All Divisions
V - All Classic Drivers
JD Junior Competitors & Extraneous Events
It is highly recommended that all other categories wear a head and neck restraint device especially Juniors. A Horse Collar is compulsory without a Head and Neck Restraint. If you wear a Head and Neck Restraint, it must conform with either the FIA or SFI 38.1 standards. However, if you are using a AS1698 helmet with the device, you may not modify the helmet in any way. If the helmet must be modified to wear the head and neck restraint device, you must wear the Snell helmet.

Introduction of New Minimum Safety Standards Timeline

2004 – Head and Neck Restraints were introduced to the Australian speedway market and made mandatory for Sprintcars whilst highly recommended in all other divisions.

June 2006 - Delegates from all major divisions at the inaugural NASR National Safety Conference agreed to adopt internationally recognised SFI and FIA safety apparel standards.

July 2006 – NASR joins the SFI Foundation.

August 2006 - Applications for the SSAC (Speedway Safety Advisory Committee) were called for.

September 2006 – the SSAC was formed.

November 2006 - the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) approved NASR to have delegation of sporting power for speedway racing in Australia.

January 2007 - the SSAC held their first meeting in Melbourne.

March 2007 – the SSAC drafted minimum safety apparel standards based on SFI and FIA specifications.

April 2007 – the NASR Board ratified the SSAC recommendations setting an introduction date of the 1st of July 2008.

May 2007 - the new minimum safety standards were published in NASR News.

May 2007 - the new minimum safety standards were published on the NASR web site www.nasr.com.au/safetyapparel & www.nasr.com.au/head&Neck.

July 2007 – the second annual NASR National Safety Conference was held in Adelaide with delegates from all major divisions attending.

August 2007 – the Australian Speedway Racing Rules and Regulations were published and sent to all NASR members listing the new minimum safety standards on page 51.

December 2007 – A safety standards update was published in NASR News.

July 2008 - the new minimum safety standards became enforced.

July 2008 – notice of the new minimum safety standards becoming enforced was given in NASR News.

July 2008 – the Australian Speedway Racing Rules and Regulations were published listing the new minimum safety standards on page 54.

July 2008 - the third annual NASR National Safety Conference was held in Sydney with delegates from all major divisions attending.
 

11th N A S R Annual General Meeting
N A S R National Office posted Wednesday October 22, 2008.

The 11th NASR Annual General Meeting was held in Adelaide last weekend
followed by the NASR National Council Meeting.

As three Board members were filling casual vacancies, all three
positions (one promoter and two competitor representative positions)
were declared open. Additional nominations were accepted resulting in an
election of shareholders.

Steven Green was elected ahead of Gary Pendlebury for the sole promoter
representative position, while Steve Robinson and Geoff Kendrick were
elected ahead of Dale Rodgers for the two competitor representative
positions.

Steven, Steve and Geoff now join other permanent members Neil Sayer and
Peter Mitchell (competitor reps), Jeff Drew, Gavin Migro and John Kelly
(promoter reps) and Garry Winter (Independent).

The financial reports were also presented by NASR General Manager Tim
McAvaney.

A profit of $7669 was recorded for NASR Incorporated, while NASR Pty Ltd
recorded a small loss of $4835.

McAvaney commented that it had been a challenging year, with unexpected
expenses such as legal expenses from the ACCC and Tribunal issues
contributing to the results.

A professionally printed, colour Annual Report was produced which also
included a Chairman's report from Neil Sayer, General Manager's report
from Tim McAvaney, membership and public liability statistics, an
insurance report and photographs featuring the Australian Speedway Hall
of Fame, World Series Sprintcars Championship and National Super Sedan
Series.

Membership continues to grow with 10276 members recorded, 244 up from
the previous year.

While NASR faced several difficult challenges throughout the year, the
results have been pleasing and hold the organisation in a good position
to make further inroad in the next twelve months.
 

Hall Of Fame Dvd Now Available
N A S R National Office posted Wednesday October 8, 2008.

The 2008 Australian Speedway Hall of Fame Induction Dinner, staged in Sydney on July 26, was a truly glittering black tie affair. Speedway identities and superstars from all parts of Australia attended Speedway’s night of night’s as 9 legends of the sport, from two wheels and four, were inducted into the official Hall of Fame.

Now available is a magnificent DVD production that captures all the magic and emotion of a unique night in the history of the sport with acceptance speeches from the inductees or family members and special feature interviews with some of the stars of yesteryear.

If you were unable to attend the dinner or want to relive how overwhelmed Dick Briton and Bill Wigzell were when inducted, see the son’s of World Speedway Champions or feel the emotion of Jeff Freeman’s inclusion then order your DVD today. It also includes some classic vision of the stars racing in their prime.

Duration: 90 minutes. Price: $40 (includes GST and Postage). To order phone Power Productions on (02) 9792 6111 during business hours.