• The Eric Medlen Project Update: New Safety Equipment

• AERODINE COMPOSITES PROVIDES CRITICAL SUPPORT TO JFR

• John Force Big Thanks to Eric Medlen - Sep 29, 2007

• ERIC MEDLEN PROJECT - MUSEUM - STATUE DEDICATION- August 31, 2007
 


IN REMEMBRANCE OF ERIC MEDLEN
Two years later and you are still very much in our hearts and on our minds.................

The Eric Medlen Project Update:In the wake of Eric Medlen’s tragic test accident in March of 2007 John Force Racing immediately added additional head padding that was thicker and more shock absorbent. The padding was added to the top, the back, and both sides of the cockpit. This move minimized head shake for the drivers.These changes saved John Force’s life during his accident in September of 2007 at the Texas Motorplex.  In addition immediately after John’s accident the following changes were instituted

  1. One “hot spot” that was immediate localized was the horizontal steering support. The team added support bars to strengthen this area for the rest of the 2007 season.Built the drive compartment tub. This tub will protect the driver from intrusions as well as frame breakage. It is designed to protect the driver’s legs and feet.
  2. Through The Eric Medlen Project crew chiefs and engineers began looking for “hot spots” or weak areas on the chassis of the Ford Mustang Funny Car.

As the racing community moved into the 2008 Full Throttle Season (formerly POWERade Drag Racing Series) the following changes were instrumental in making Funny Cars nearly eight times safer for the competitors

  1. Working with the NHRA JFR worked to change the diameter of the chassis tubing from 1 3/8 inch to 1 ½ tubing. The tubing was also made with thicker materials. The end effect was a larger diameter tubing that had thicker walls for more strength.The third rail was added to the side of the driver cockpit area. This third rail now runs higher beside the driver rising almost above the shoulder for added protection
  2. All Funny Car teams in NHRA competition will carry the Ford Blue Box data acquisition system developed by Ford Racing and Delphi

By the end of the 2008 season John Force Racing was focusing attention on making the racing helmet safer for the drivers. Robert Hight began wearing a molded helmet which offered him much more structural protection around his head. Working with Impact all JFR drivers had their heads scanned and had custom-made helmets produced that fit much more securely.



Eric Medlen Memorial Decals
(Click Here)