Browns Plains,
QLD, Australia -- The motorsport industry is big business
in Australia, with a huge number of motorsports enthusiasts and a recent
decision by the All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) industry means that many suppliers
and retailers are rethinking safety when it comes to Australian motorsports.
The ATV industry, along with the Federal Chamber
of Automotive Industries (FCAI), called for proposals rejecting the use of
rollover devices in ATVs. According to a report conducted by Dynamic Research
Inc. (DRI), Rollover Protection Systems (ROPS) and Crush Protective Devices
(CPD) on ATVs can actually cause a high risk level for injury relative to the
benefits offered by the devices.
Cameron Cuthill, FCAI motorcycle manager,
responded to the findings, saying, "The findings of the DRI research report
cannot be disputed. The research is state-of-the-art technology and is based
upon published research and relevant portions of international research
standards, as expected of a quality report. It confirms that rollover devices
and in particular so-called `crush protective devices' should not be fitted to
ATVs."
"This is important to the ATV and motorsport
industry," commented the owner of Icebear Motorsports, a retailer of cheap
import quad bikes in Brisbane and cheap imported
dirt bikes in Brisbane.
"When it comes to motorsports, safety is the top concern for both retailers and
customers and it's alarming that these devices that are supposed to increase
safety in motorsports vehicles are actually very dangerous."
The ATV industry has released a statement urging
all those involved with the sale or buying of ATVs and other motorsports
vehicles to review the findings of the DRI report with care and study the
claims made by CPD suppliers and supporters.
In addition to rollover device warnings, Icebear's
Cuthill offered other words of warning to people who engage in activities
involving motorsports vehicles, saying, "ATVs are not toys and should not be
treated as such. Unfortunately, while the focus remains on rollover devices,
real solutions will continue to be ignored. Attention should instead be
maintained on helmet use, training and keeping children off full-size ATVs."
"These are claims that we take very seriously,"
said the Icebear Motorsports owner. "We're going to review the DRI findings,
along with any other research we can find on the topic, and we're going to urge
all of our customers to do the same. Safety is a priority with all of the
products we sell, and that's something that will continue as a vital part of
our business."
