Erebus Motorsport will debut the“e-cell” safety system in the #9 Penrite Hungry Jack’s racing Holden Commodore V8 Supercar this weekend in Perth.

Originally designed and manufactured in conjunction with HWA for the E63 V8 Supercar the right hand drive design is owned by Erebus Motorsport who are working with V8 Supercars on the potential to introduce the safety cell as a controlled item for the series.

The Erebus “e-cell” is available for any competitor to purchase with Motorsport GM Barry Ryan keen to see it as part of a continued safety push for the category.

“There are many benefits to the “e-cell” system over a regular racing seat when it comes to protecting the drivers in an impact. The current generation cars are much safer than the last, as we move into Gen 2 we need to continue improving safety as a category and we believe the “e-cell” can be a part of that.”

The carbon fibre “e-cell” uses technology similar to that used in F1, providing 6 different crash structures to surround the driver. Unlike a regular seat the “e-cell” is bolted directly to the chassis becoming an integral part of the cars safety structure. In between the drivers moulded seat and the “e-cell” sits a Styrofoam insert with a specially designed gel lining to reduce the forces sent through the drivers body in the instance of an impact.

Erebus Motorsport have run the “e-cell” for the past 3 season in V8 Supercars and longer in GT racing with drivers walking away unscathed from massive impacts such as Lee Holdsworth’s 40G crash at the 2014 Sandown 500. Mark Skaife & Neil Crompton commented at the time of their amazement at Lee’s ability to simply walk away from such a severe crash, attributing much of the success to the instillation of the “e-cell” in the current generation chassis.

Current driver David Reynolds was impressed after his initial fitting.

“I felt really comfortable in the “e-cell” straight away. The team has also improved the ergonomics in the cockpit around the safety cell which will help a lot during a race. As drivers we risk our lives every time we go out on track and I’ll certainly feel more confident of my safety with the “e-cell” in the car.”

Team owner Betty Klimenko is pleased to see the first “e-cell” fitted to a Holden Commodore.

“The crew have had so much to achieve in such a short time since we made the move to Melbourne & Holden. Safety in any form of motor sport is of the utmost importance and we should all continuously be pushing for greater safety in our cars.”

With the initial development work to fit the “e-cell” in the #9 Holden Commodore now completed it can easily be transferred into other cars including the Russell owned Plus Fitness Racing #4 should they choose to implement it.

Reynold’s will hit the track in the “e-cell” for the first time on Friday May 6th for the Perth SuperSprint at Barbagallo Raceway.