Elsevier

Injury

Volume 30, Issue 4, May 1999, Pages 293-297
Injury

What are the requirements for medical cover at motor racing circuits?

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0020-1383(99)00086-8Get rights and content

Abstract

Motor racing is perceived as a dangerous sport but few data are available on the incidence and nature of injuries sustained. The medical service requirement at one regional motor racing circuit was assessed by determining the incidence of injuries, the medical interventions required and the need for hospital referral and admission over a 5-year period.

Five hundred and twenty-one patients, including support staff and spectators, attended the medical centre, of whom 14% were referred to hospital and 4% required admission. Each competitor had a 4% chance of requiring on-circuit medical attention, 0.6% chance of hospital referral and 0.17% chance of admission per race. Most major accidents involved more than two drivers. Twenty sustained major trauma including five pelvic fractures and two intraabdominal haemorrhages. Emergency intervention included intubation and ventilation in five. There were three deaths from a total of 9000 competitors (mortality rate 0.033%).

This study shows that despite the nature of the sport, the mortality rate remains low with prompt skilled medical intervention. Medical personnel should include those competent in dealing with minor medical complaints as well as those with advanced airway management and resuscitation skills. Although national motor sport guidelines recommend a minimum of two attending doctors this would have been insufficient for multivehicle accidents.

Introduction

Sparse data are available on the incidence and patterns of injury associated with motorsport. Recommendations for medical cover at such events are based on limited information and are, therefore, difficult to make. The requirements for medical cover at one motor racing circuit over a five year period were studied. The population treated was analysed, as was the pattern and range of complaints presented, the need for intervention by medical staff and the need for hospitalisation. The long term outcome of those requiring hospitalisation was also assessed. It is hoped that this study will help plan the provision of medical services at future motor racing events.

Section snippets

Materials and method

Records compiled over a 5-year period at Castle Combe motor racing circuit in Wiltshire were studied.

These comprised records of all medical consultations performed on the day of a race meeting and the average number of medical personnel, competitors and spectators present as recorded by the circuit management.

Information extracted from the data was as follows:

  • Status of patient (competitor/support staff/spectator)

  • Mechanism of injury/presenting symptoms

  • Presumed diagnosis

  • Medical intervention

Results

During the 5-year period, 521 patients attended the medical centre for assessment and treatment. Seventy percent were drivers, 21% spectators, 6% marshals and 3% mechanics (Fig. 1). Hospital referral was made in 71 cases (14%), of whom 21 (4%) required admission.

Of the 71 patients referred to hospital, records were available in 60 cases (the remainder, with minor injuries, having been simply advised to attend the emergency department in their home town). Thirty-two patients were advised to

Discussion

Motor sport is considered a dangerous activity but little is known about the incidence and pattern of injuries sustained. Medical staff asked to provide cover at large sporting events, must recognise that it is not only the competitors who may require medical attention but spectators and support staff also. A report from the Indianapolis 500 mile race from the 1980s showed that the main medical centre treated approximately 0.35 per 1000 people attending the event, of whom 91% were spectators

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge the medical staff, rescue team and marshals at Castle Combe who provide a consistently high standard of care on a voluntary basis.

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