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| Audible Alert Improves Driver Notification Package | MORRISON, CO. (Feb 4, 2003) - When Dave Skeen hit the drawing board at Invader Technologies with the initial design of the Audible Alert driver notification system, he knew he had something that could benefit every driver that competed in wheel to wheel competition. Skeen, who holds a patent on the audible tone driver notification process, has now announced that he will be adding an LED light to the Audible Alert driver notification system, creating what is without question, the most complete, affordable, notification system on the market.
Not only will drivers hear the familiar Audible Alert tones during yellow and red flag track conditions, but they will also see an illuminated LED light, which is mounted on the dash board, in direct view of the driver. "I like to compare it to how a radar detector works", stated Skeen. "If you had a radar detector mounted in your passenger car, and the small lights were the only way that you could be notified that you were in a speed trap, you might not receive the message every time, because you might not always see it. A radar detector emits a series of audible tones, in conjunction with blinking warning lights, to provide the greatest chance of notifying you, the driver, that you need to slow down. Audible Alert is taking a big step forward, to provide both an audible, and visual, signal to drivers using our notification system. This latest enhancement is evidence of what we have learned through testing, as we recently have with ARCA, and at the NASCAR test in November."
In addition to providing drivers with the greatest chances of receiving notification that there is a yellow or red flag condition, the addition of a dual warning process also reduces the risk of equipment failure, which would typically prohibit a driver from receiving the warning. "One question that has been raised through testing has been the ability to ensure that all drivers are hearing the tone. With the addition of a dash mounted light, we are only reducing the chances that equipment failure will keep a driver from receiving the warning", said Skeen.
Current products on the market include the Race Safe system, which is supported by Racing Electronics, and the Delphi system, which is installed in Indy Racing League (IRL) series cars. Just after the holidays, ARCA announced that the Race Safe, a dash mounted driver notification system, would become mandatory for 2003 competition in the ARCA Re/MAX series. The Race Safe system has enjoyed success at a handful of weekly tracks that have mandated the notification system for weekly use, predominately in the North East, and New England states. Perhaps the greatest difficulty with the Race Safe has been the lack of enforcement at the track level to maintain equipment. There have been reports by competitors that lights in every car do not work, and that receiver boxes are easily damaged by water, and welding on the racing chassis.
The Audible Alert system can be purchased for about $400 per car, nearly $200 less than it's nearest competitor. Factoring in the benefits of having both audible, and visual, capabilities, the Audible Alert offers both value and superior functionality in a driver notification system.
For more information about the use of on-board driver notification systems or about the Audible Alert systems, contact Invader Technologies at (303) 972-2480, or Bill Catania at RaceFan, Inc., at (814) 897-0656 or email bill@racefan.com.
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