The IRL "took a big step" yesterday to make the sport
safer, by announcing that small cables, which are supposed
to withstand five tons of pressure before breaking, will be
installed on all of the cars for Sunday's Indianapolis 500,
according to John Bansch of the INDIANAPOLIS STAR-NEWS. The
restraints "are intended to prevent" debris and wheels from
breaking loose and endangering racers and fans. IRL Exec
Dir Leo Mehl: "Racing can never be 100 percent safe for
everybody, but this is a definite step in the right
direction. ... Anybody would be crazy to say this system
will retain every wheel (on a car) at 210 miles an hour. We
have a lot of loose pieces out there in a crash." The IRL
will pay for the devices being installed this week, which
will cost approximately $2,000 per car (INDIANAPOLIS STAR-
NEWS, 5/25). In Dallas, Tony Fabrizio reports that if this
system works Sunday, "it will be in place" for the IRL's
Longhorn 500 June 12 at Texas Motor Speedway (DALLAS MORNING
NEWS, 5/25). TMS GM Eddie Gossage, on the safety
precautions: "The combination of changes being made by the
IRL and the fence modifications are major steps in ensuring
safety for everyone" (Foon Rhee, CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 5/25).
ROOMS TO RENT: In Indianapolis, George McLaren reports
that at least 70 hotels/motels in Marion County, IN,
including 10 downtown, "still have openings" for the Indy
500 race weekend. Indianapolis Visitors & Convention
Association VP/Sales & Marketing Rick Hughes: "That's a
little higher than in the past" (INDY STAR-NEWS, 5/25).