If memory serves me correctly, John Fitch was prominent in the development of Armco barriers for road and circuit use in the late 50s and early 1960s.
Coming to this a bit late in the day, I think John Fitch was responsible for the progressively deformable type of barrier, with his variously filled barrels of sand, which must, I think, by the nature of their intended function, be linked directly to the modern system of stacks of banded tyres, of whatever sizes, offering a progressive collapse of speed. For me the classic design is that at Goodwood, and elsewhere, where the stacks are faced with heavy rubber belting, which in addition to aiding the integrity of the barrier helps to stop the stacks, or loose tyres, coming adrift from the main body. This would seem a better scheme than the punitive effect of Armco.
I think it worth mentioning, as I have here previously, the paper which Dr Henderson produced on fire hazards, based on air crashes, which also impacted our sport with a terrible toll years ago.
Karl and Don, it may be worth contacting an old school pal of mine from 60 years ago, Professor Adrian Hobbs, CBE, who headed the Transport and Research Laboratory over here. Adrian was the leader of the team which did all the hard leg work, for which Max Mosley was credited, concerning major developments in road safety and vehicle design, and presumably motor racing , hence the gong, and is still invited to head up safety conferences around the world. He is easily found via Mr Google.
I cannot offer the “usual” disclaimers, although the last time I saw Adrian was when we went to the Elvington, Yorkshire round of the first UK Drag Fest in September 1964, when we saw the likes of Don Garlits and Ronnie Sox and others over here with their devices.
Roger Lund
edit. I should have mentioned that Adrian was, and presumably remained, an avid motor sport enthusiast. His recent letter to Motor Sport suggests this.
Edited by bradbury west, 10 December 2024 - 13:03.
