The 2020 ICMS Annual Congress (AC) and Race Track Safety Program (RTSP) was a new experience for everyone that attended and presented, this year our event was the first ever Virtual Annual Congress!

The AC and RSTP took place on December 9-11 and turned out to be a great event! Many long time members said it was the best event the ICMS has ever hosted in it's 32 year history. Day 1 had 10 speakers/presenters, kicking the day off with Dr. Paul Trafford and Professor Gérard Saillant from the FIA. During lunch we had a visit and talk by Dr. Jamie Meyer, President of PRI.

Day 2 of the event included seven presentations and a panel discussion on Track Safety Liability. This day was highlighted with the Dan Q. Marisi Memorial Lecture by Michael Hutchison, PhD, MSc, BPHE.

Day 3 is normally our hands on training for the RTSP, but because of Covid we got creative with the virtual presentations and had eight dynamic presentations. The presenters did an incredible job of engaging our attendees that joined us online.

With attendees from over 10 countries and presenters from eight countries we were challenged to create a social networking opportunity. The ICMS staff created virtual Happy Hours for each day. The participants in the Happy Hours said it was great being able to "meet" new folks from the industry and say "hello" to those they had met at past ICMS events.

The 2019 Annual Congress set another conference attendance record as one of the largest two-day events surpassing last year’s thirty-year anniversary meeting. This was also the fifth year for the Race Track Safety Program (RTSP), which included many new and unique track safety training sessions and experiences. The first Scientific Session focused on new techniques and data collection regarding concussion in motorsport, the experience with frontal cameras in the Porsche GT3 Series and the design and implementation of screening protocols for mTBI in racing. The afternoon session began with an overview of technology advances in driver protection and a presentation of the future of virtual ATLS programming for motorsports, followed by the prominent Annual Congress Panel Discussion. This year the panel emphasized the expanding role of women as officials, drivers and engineers in international motorsport.

Thursday's program started with the very popular PRI Breakfast featuring the Don Schumacher racing team drivers in discussions with emcee Ralph Sheheen of SPEED SPORT. The opening lectures of the morning session were the annual updates from the FIA and Auto + Medical followed by the latest information from the FIA Medical Commission presented by two key members of the governing body of motor sport. The Dan Marisi Memorial Lecture featured former head of the FBI driving school in Quantico, Wesley Wong who discussed urban tactical driving techniques and human reactions in stressful situations. Scientific Session Four began with the validation of a race track circuit and then computer modeling of impact structures for single seater race cars. After the break, key track safety topics were discussed including respiratory protection for first responders and hemorrhage control utilized by Medevac teams in military medicine.

Friday morning, the RTSP opened an enthusiastic gathering in a unique location, the Lucas Oil Stadium (home of the NFL Indianapolis Colts) adjoining the Indiana Convention Center. The program consisted entirely of hands-on practical sessions designed especially for short tracks, road courses, drag strips and rally events emphasizing a team approach to track incidents. The RTSP offered two separate certified training tracks, SFI: Fire/Rescue and SFI: Medical with these certifications being an additional part of the regular Race Track Safety Program. The Lunch with Our Guest Speaker featured Indiana native and USAC Champion Dave Darland discussing safety procedures of importance to sprint car drivers. The Practical Training sessions offered in the parking lot just outside the ramp to the stadium floor included live fire suppression with obstructions, rollover-controlled movement and pathway to life fire suppression.

The 30th Annual Congress again set conference attendance records as one of the largest two-day events in the ICMS’s thirty-year history. This was also the fourth year for the Race Track Safety Program (RTSP), which included many unique rescue and safety experiences. The first Scientific Session focused on the development of new techniques of concussion diagnosis, what to do regarding a fatality on the race track and the value of utilizing 3D printing in motor sport science and education. The afternoon session began with the Annual Congress Panel Discussion outlining liability risks and insurance coverage for motorsports medical and safety personnel, followed with facility liability and the sustainability of motors and concluded with the physiological response differences in competitive motorsport between professional and amateur race car drivers.

Thursday's program started with the very popular PRI Breakfast featuring motorsports legends Al Unser, Sr. and Al Unser, Jr. interviewed by MAVTV’s racing journalist Dave Despain. The opening lecture set the stage for the mornings theme of how to design a safer race track with considerations regarding barriers and debris fencing followed with the evolution of the SAFER Barrier which set the new standard for track barriers. After the break the discussion once again turned to barriers and the mechanical considerations for energy management that is required when selecting debris fencing for new race track installation. The Dan Marisi Memorial Lecture featured former driver David Green outlining the pathway from problems to solutions in NASCAR crashes followed by John Patalak’s presentation on driver position and seat design on thoracolumbar loading during frontal impacts. Scientific Session Four outlined potential injury with the use of a too stiff head rest in DTM and updates from the FIA Global Institute for Motor Sport Safety and Auto + Medical Journal magazine.

Friday morning, the RTSP embarked at the Dallara IndyCar Factory located a few blocks for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway where the speakers delivered updates on best practices in C-spine management under simulation conditions and respiratory protection for motorsports safety personnel. Also covered in the morning didactic sessions were the advances in rescue tools/techniques and the implications for rescuers working with electric race vehicles. The Lunch with Our Guest Speaker featured the NHRA’s Matt Hagan discussing safety procedures for drag racing drivers. The Practical Training sessions in the afternoon included hands-on participation utilizing the most efficient equipment available today, medical center challenges, difficult extrication procedures, rollover-controlled movement and 'live' fire suppression in the outdoor portion of the program.

The 29th Annual Congress once again set recent conference attendance records as one of the largest two-day events in ICMS history. This was also the third year for the Race Track Safety Program (RTSP), which included a number of outstanding outdoor safety experiences. The first Scientific Session focused on additional safety procedures in open cockpit cars, the latest updates in circuit catch fencing for drivers, track workers and spectators, the development of accredited training for motorsport medics and race resource management and simulation. The afternoon session outlined recent research in driver physiology, discussions of concussion caused by improper design of driver compartment safety devices, safety updates from the world of power boat racing and an in-depth review of situational sensitivity and crisis management in motorsport.

Thursday's program began with the very popular PRI Breakfast featuring superstar team owner Chip Ganassi interviewed by racing journalist Dave Despain. The opening lecture was the annual update from the FIA and AUTO+ Medical journal by Paul Trafford followed by FIA anti-doping case studies presented by Sandra Camargo the Head of Medical Affairs for the FIA. The Dan Marisi Memorial Lecture featuring IndyCar Safety Director Mike Yates reflecting on his distinguished career in motorsports safety and rescue. Scientific Session Four presented a panel discussion on oculomotor, vestibular, reaction time (OVRT) testing and David Ferguson and Julia Daly completed the afternoon program with lectures on the physical response to driving a race car and concussion considerations in returning to competitive driving, respectively.

Friday morning, the RTSP began with a motor coach ride to a motorsport and automotive equipment testing complex North of downtown Indianapolis where on arrival the speakers delivered updates on the transition from street medics to the track, new car technology on race tracks, hemorrhage control and airway management of an entrapped driver and the unique medical needs of stadium truck competitors. Lunch followed with our guest speaker featuring IndyCar's Charlie Kimball discussing his management of diabetes as a racecar driver. The Practical Training sessions in the afternoon included hands-on participation utilizing the most efficient equipment available today, rollover and extrication procedures and 'live' fire suppression practice with the latest materials and tools. Another highlight of the afternoon was the popular safety team demonstration delivered by the industry's best motorsports response team personnel.

The 28th Annual Congress was one of the most attended conferences in the history of the ICMS. This year included an expanded version of the Race Track Safety Program (RTSP). The first Scientific Session addressed the concerns of concussion assessment, diagnosis and management by three of the leading physicians in the field and a distinctive program of software systems with crash prediction capabilities for both cars and motorcycles. The afternoon session covered physiological topics including electric hazards in motorsports, spinal motion during driver extrication, the value of explosive Olympic weightlifting and hydration and thermoregulatory responses in drivers during competition.

Thursday's program began with the PRI Breakfast featuring Indy Car Legend Rick Mears and NASCAR superstar Jeff Gordon. Ethical considerations for motorsports physicians was the opening lecture followed by an overview of the James Hinchcliffe accident at the Speedway and the response of the Indianapolis safety and medical teams that handled the case. The Dan Marisi Memorial Lecture emphasized 'circadian shifting' used in motorsport during international travel and 24-hour events. Scientific Session Four presented a unique and cutting edge system outlining the benefits of digital fire simulation in motorsports followed by three separate discussions regarding the current status of motor sport medicine around the world.

On Friday, the extended RTSP began with the informative didactic series directed to first responders from racing facilities of all sizes throughout North America. Lunch with our guest speaker, Indy Car Driver James Hinchcliffe, was introduced as part of the expanded program and was extremely well received by the attendees. The Practical Training sessions in the afternoon included "hands-on" participation utilizing the latest tools available to the team members who respond to race track incidents. The finale was once again, the popular safety team demonstrations delivered by the industry's best motorsports response teams.

The 27th Annual Congress will be remembered in part for the addition of the comprehensive Race Track Safety Program (RTSP). The congress opened with presentations on the engineering technologies and medical applications theme. The Dan Marisi Memorial lecture covered the rehab of persistent post concussion syndrome. Session one concluded with detailed information on how to prepare for a motorsport event. Several doctors explained what manpower and equipment is needed in the medical centers at different racing facilities and gave presentations on the changing F-1 noise levels and Google Glass computing in incident response, respectively. The PRI Breakfast featured 2012 NASCAR Cup Champion Brad Keselowski.

The first ICMS lecture on the following day was on preparations for a Formula One race delivered by F-1 Race Director, Charlie Whiting. Paul Trafford and David McManus, both MD's from the UK discussed their roles on the FIA and the FIM Medical Commissions. Presentations included pit crew injury stats and recovery programs, and motion sickness in rally co-drivers and navigators. Topics also included: the study of brain activity during driving with distractions, neck injury patterns in motocross, and research of the physiological analysis of specific aspects of motorsports. On Friday, the didactic portion of the new RTSP began with a description of the correct personal protection equipment, followed by an address on track safety and crew training programs. A presentation included the mechanics of safety response and an overview of track fire suppression. The hands-on practical training sessions covered helmet/head restraint removal techniques, spinal control during extrication and hydraulic cutting of roll cages. The Race Track Safety Team Demonstrations reviewed correct incident response to an open wheel race car by the Holmatro IndyCar Safety Team and to a stock car by the Canadian Motorsports Response Team.

The focus of the Annual Congress was on many current motor racing safety themes beginning with a study of heat challenges in motorsports and followed by work on race track noise levels. The rehabilitation of a driver after injury was discussed along with the assessment of head injury using EEG. Unique considerations of responding to electric race car incidents was presented along with the mobility of physicians covering racing events. Drug testing procedures in motorsports was a very interesting panel discussion by a group of track and sanctioning medical directors to close out the first day of meetings. At the PRI Grand Opening Breakfast speakers discussed cervical cord neuropraxia and informed the audience of the new considerations in catch fencing at race facilities. A group of noted medical and safety directors reported on the FIA Rescue/Extrication Training Program that was recently held at Le Mans, France. The event concluded with a discussion on the transfer of technology and best medical practices between two and four wheel motorsports.

The ICMS returned to Indiana following the merger of PRI Show and the IMIS. Concussion was once again a major theme with several lectures and The History of Motor Sport Medicine and Science in Racing Safety was discussed. In session two, lecturers reviewed the SAE Papers: Safety Considerations in NASCAR. This year's PRI Grand Opening Breakfast featured "The King" Richard Petty along with Dave Despain. Session three opened with the recent developments in offshore powerboat racing safety and incident response and medical services in the NHRA and European drag racing. The afternoon sessions revolved around motorcycles with a discussion on the medical commission and safety programs of the FIM and utilized by MotoGP. This section's panel discussion was on Integrated Medical & Safety Education Programs in Motorsport presented by several medical professionals.

Following the purchase of PRI by SEMA, Vice President John Kilroy made it clear to the ICMS that we are strategic partners and have their full support of our safety and human performance mission. The morning session highlighted the history of the auto racing helmet, what is a safe helmet, TBI in young motocross riders, cognitive assessment and current guidelines for return to competition. The afternoon session continued this theme with a presentation on Head Injury and the Rehabilitation Program in the NFL and a representative for the FIA Institute, discussed their studies in helmet removal. The second day of the AGM contained individual lectures and panel discussions on emergency response racing accidents and driver extrication.

The conference started with a themed “Head and Spinal Injury” with excellent presentations including spinal cord injuries and the biomechanics of TBI and guidelines for return to competition. Recording and Debriefing of Critical Incidents with subjects as critical incident debriefing, medical incident reporting in NASCAR, Formula One and the IRL, barriers to shared incident reporting, and challenges in medical coverage at new venues. Session three was themed “Fire in Motorsports” with discussion on the different types of fire, trackside fire fighting, special considerations in fire protective clothing, and clothing for drivers and track personnel. This theme continued with on-site emergency treatment of burns and the treatment and staging of burns in the track medical center. The symposium concluded with an in-depth panel discussion on dissemination of knowledge and experience from major to lesser events.

This was a preeminent year for the ICMS as the Board of Directors and the membership had accepted an invitation from the Performance Racing Industry (PRI) Trade Show to present the Annual Congress in conjunction with the internationally renowned auto racing trade show. The morning session theme of Assessment and Management of Severe Injury with discussion on scene management of trauma in Formula One. The afternoon continued with a seminar on Current Safety Concerns in Motorsports, which included excellent lectures on barrier and debris fence research, innovations in karting and the issues with the KERS system. The Wednesday morning session themed “The Driver as an Athlete” and was continued into the afternoon with presentations of nutrition, fitness, mental training, heat stress, gender issues, and jet lag.

Following the opening comments the theme of the first session was heat, carbon monoxide issues in motor racing, and the rescue and extrication from nitro fuel funny cars. The afternoon session continued with a presentation on data collection, methods and results from their surveillance system and motorsport trauma – what the receiving trauma center wants to know. The last day, lectures included otologic and ophthalmologic issues in motorsport and mass casualties-principles of management presentation. The afternoon was filled with notable panel discussions on educational and medical training issues in motor sport.

The SFI Foundation hosted the membership welcome reception featuring special guest speaker Joie Chitwood, the President of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The first session emphasized the importance of communication and surveillance in incident management and race track security, while the afternoon brought some unique subjects including simulation training of medical & rescue personnel and the development of the MADYMO race car model for injury prediction with drivers. The next day included updates on youth helmets and ear accelerometers the current status of the ImPACT Program. The conference concluded with guest speaker, Former F-1 and CART driver, Derek Daly, and a final session consisting of such topics as open and closed cockpit seat development, barrier design and vehicle side penetration studies

The ICMS Annual Congress returned to its origins for the 2007 meeting and began with a "Welcome to Indy Reception". The first session focused on Solutions for Integrated Trauma Care Learned on the Battlefield, which The afternoon session covered topics such as ATLS as it applies to motorsports, fitness and the driver athlete and alternatives to the HANS device. The sessions on the next day focused on crash and in-car protection and discussions on mild TBI and updates on ear accelerometers. Finally, a presentation was given on "Youth Helmet Fait Acompli" and a panel discussion by the experts on new directions for motor sport safety was held.

The 2006 Annual Congress was jointly hosted by the FIA Institute for Motor Sport Safety and the ICMS. Following a private service with Pope Benedict XVI and a tour of the Vatican, Father Phil hosted a "Welcome to Rome Reception”. The scientific sessions began with an overview of the work done by the FIA Institute and the F-1 medical training initiative. The sessions continued covering multiple vehicle safety and debris fence and impact barrier implications. The final sessions consisted of presentations by faculty from both the FIA and ICMS.

Concussion and other forms of head injury were discussed in great detail during a number of the presentations at this meeting. Drivers Bruno Junqueira and Tony Kanaan discussed what drivers would like to see accomplished in medical care and safety. Protecting the driver in the cockpit was a major presentation on the second day of the conference. The politics of motorsports was an interesting lecture and provoked a great deal of follow up commentary. Presentations continued with how a promoter looks at safety and on how the role OSHA will play in the future of motorsports. Medical professionals informed the audience of nursing issues in motorsports and an interesting lecture on the allocation of rescue teams in racing was given.

This joint meeting of both ICMS and FIA delegates from around the world began with an overview of developments from the FIA Research Group and accident reports and ADR Data from both F-1 and F3000 in 2002-2003. Development of the ear accelerometer was discussed as well as presentations on high-speed barriers, debris fencing and wheel restraint systems. Additional information was presented regarding helmet and head surround development, occupant protection and crash testing during the third session. Scientific Session Four's key points involved safety reports, updates and panel discussions on boat racing, sports cars and the HANS device.

The Key Note Address "The History of Motorsport Safety" was delivered by a true pioneer in racing safety, Bill Simpson. The topics of the scientific sessions began with the medical and safety programs in off road racing and motorboat racing in the UHRA and in AMA Motocross and Supercross. Updates on harness configurations and head and neck support devices were prevalent. Other unique lectures included how to respond to a death at the track, critical incident stress debriefing, rationale for drug testing, insurance as it pertains to the racing physician, and a panel discussion of ethics in motorsports. The Annual Congress concluded with a presentation on the work being done by the American College of Sports Medicine Motorsports Committee and its Motorsport Task Force that was formed after the Dale Earnhardt accident in 2001.

This joint meeting hosting both ICMS and FIA delegates began with a presentation on the use of the extractable seat during its first year of use in Formula One. The conference continued with presentations on the application of open wheel safety principals to stock car racing safety excellence from the European prospective. Other topics included materials and safety design innovations and numerous subjects including updates on equipment and specific procedure testing.

* Annual Congress meeting date moved from December to January (skipping year 2001)