BARC (NW) Proudly Presents its New Rescue Unit
Back in late 2016 the BARC North Western committee requested us to put together a proposal for replacing our current rescue unit. BARC NW current unit is a Mercedes sprinter 416 twin axle crew cab van and has served the crew and the club well since its commissioning back in 2005. The unit had been used extensively over the thirteen years not just at our own meetings at Oulton Park and Anglesey. It regularly has upwards of 40 bookings a year from the humble clubbie to BTCC meetings as well as regularly being invited to attend the Grand Prix. The unit has always had an enthusiastic and skilled crew and is without doubt one of the best rescue units in the country. The professionalism of the crew has been praised many times over the years. The committee saw the need to purchase a new vehicle as the old unit had reached the end of it’s working life and required significant money to be spent to keep it serviceable.
Shaun Miller and Colin Whitter took charge of the task to get a new vehicle and they provided the following ‘story’ :
We set out looking at 3 important areas of specification, Safety, Reliability and Environmental impact. Safety looked at the vehicles storage capabilities, axle weight, body construction, suspension stability and integral safety features. For reliability a study was done using various data collected by breakdown and automotive agencies as well as data from respective manufacturers. As BARC is a responsible club when it comes to environmental issues we wanted to ensure the new vehicle would meet the latest emission standards to reduce its impact on the environment. After many hours spent researching specifications of various manufactures, emails, phone calls, meetings and head scratching, our new Mercedes Sprinter 516 fitted with the latest Euro 6 163bhp engine was ordered through Ciceley Commercials Ltd.
The new unit has been professional modified and fitted out to our own design by CM Special vehicles division. CM are approved Mercedes Benz coach builders and were selected for their experience in building specialist emergency vehicles and for the added reassurance of works being approved by Mercedes, protects the vehicles warranty.
The unit has been designed internally and externally by us along with technical assistance from CM. Our unit’s internal layout has been designed around the team’s simultaneous approach to managing incidents. This allows crew, Doctors and paramedics easy access to medical intervention equipment via the side access door, whilst leaving the rear doors clear for crews to access and deploy the various technical rescue equipment carried on board safely and easily. To assist the crew further we have fitted our halmatro rescue and stability equipment on a pull out shelf at the rear of the vehicle in order to help improve manual handling and speed of access. Another manufacturer approved modification has enabled us to house the patent transport bed in a position that allows it to be easily deployed whilst maintaining a walkway down the centre of the vehicle giving access to other items of technical equipment.
Crew safety and comfort has also been a big part of the design seeing features such as internal insulation and panelling, raised rear crew seats, additional storage, power sockets, night lighting, anti slip flooring and hot water boiler all being incorporated as part of the build.
The new unit rolled out into operation on the 17th March at Oulton Park and was out again on the 24th March. It has already been called into action during both meetings and has performed well to the crew’s approval.
Through innovative design and professional styling we have a rescue unit for the future capable of meeting the needs of the team to deliver a professional, effective and efficient Rescue response to motorsport anywhere in the country.
The BARC (NW Centre) together with the BARC (NW) Rescue Crew would like to pass on our special thanks to Tina Todd of Cicely Commercials, Adam Morgan & Cicely Motorsport and Mark Christopher of CM Special Vehicles Division.
Crew Chief, Colin Whitter, with old and new vehicles.
The new vehicle in the workshops of CM Special Vehicles Division
Attention to detail in the extensive fitting out.
The vehicle out on track heading for its position ready to be called into action.