Wednesday, 19 October 2011

Investigation launched into Wheldon's fatal crash


(CNN) -- IndyCar said Tuesday it has launched an investigation into the 15-vehicle wreck that claimed the life of driver Dan Wheldon and expects to have preliminary findings within weeks.
The organization said the Automobile Competition Committee of the United States (ACCUS) and the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), the national and international governing organizations, will help determine factors involved in the fiery incident Sunday at the Las Vegas Indy 300.
The violent crash raised fresh questions about safety, both in motor sports, generally, and at the Las Vegas track, specifically.
The car of Dan Wheldon disintegrates and bursts into flames in a 15-car pileup during Sunday's Las Vegas Indy 300.
Wheldon, a two-time Indianapolis 500 winner, had been pressing efforts to address such concerns.
In an early October story posted on IndyCar.com, the racing series' official website, IndyCar Vice President Will Phillips singled out the 33-year-old driver, his team and Italian manufacturer Dallara for their efforts to fine-tune a safer car model for the 2012 season. Weeks ago, Wheldon was behind the wheel of a new prototype car for the IZOD IndyCar racing series -- one meant to make his sport safer.
"He's focused on what's been needed from him to provide for the feedback to Dallara and be consistent and concise," Phillips said then of Wheldon. "You couldn't have asked for more."