IndyCar Series making safety changes at Iowa after fire hose malfunction

Indy Series makes changes after hose malfunction

INDIANAPOLIS — The IndyCar Series will make a safety modification for this weekend’s Iowa race after determining a procedural error led to a malfunctioning fire hose at Texas.

As a result of what happened this month at Texas, the series will change the hoses placed on all safety trucks beginning this weekend. Mike Yates, the series’ track safety manager, said the hose was not packed properly into the safety truck after passing its regular pre-race test.

Yates also said it has been determined the canisters, which were used to put out the fire in Simona de Silvestro’s car, are more efficient in extinguishing fires. Yates said that would be reviewed with the league’s safety team before Sunday’s race.

“What happened at Texas was a result of human error and we will work diligently to prevent this in the future,” said Brian Barnhart, IndyCar president of racing and competition. “The safety of our teams, drivers and officials on the racetrack remains our number one priority.”

De Silvestro, a Swiss driver, burned her right hand when the safety team could not immediately put out the fire June 5. She had to be pulled out of the car by safety workers.

Two days later, league officials acknowledged the hose malfunctioned and that they would look at what had happened.