$500,000 cover for NZ "war zone"

V8 Supercar boss Wayne Cattach yesterday slapped a compulsory $500,000 life insurance policy on drivers as veteran Russell Ingall warned the round three Hamilton race beginning on April 18 would become a “crash fest”.

On the same day Supercheap Auto driver Ingall predicted the New Zealand street track would become a war zone, Cattich declared all drivers would have to present their current insurance details with a minimum $500,000 cover before the race.

The insurance decision comes after the death of Fujitsu series driver Ashley Cooper in February.

“The board felt the need to ensure drivers have an adequate financial safeguard in the case of any severe accidents,” Cattich said. “This is in no way pointed towards any particular incident, more a measure that the board wanted to adopt and has been discussing for several months.”

Ingall predicted the cover would come in handy, declaring there would be “carnage” on the newly built Kiwi street track.

“Hamilton's going to be risky; it's got long straights and tight, 90 degree corners so there'll be a lot of drivers making big lunges under brakes,” Ingall said.

“Qualifying is more important than most races and the pit stops will come into play as usual, but there's lots of concrete and not a lot of run off so there's going to be some carnage — lots of crashes.

“The young guys charging with a head full of steam are going to be a worry, especially with they way they've been driving the last couple rounds.

“Everyone's going to make mistakes, but to be successful you're going to have to be smart. It'll be the person who makes the least mistakes that wins.”

Cattach said the new insurance policy was implemented for the drivers' welfare. “It is common sense that we as a sport play a part in the welfare of our competitors in the same way we deliver the highest of safety standards as directed by the FIA,” he said.

“Many of our drivers have individual insurance in place, this is more of a checking process. If they are not adequately insured they will be required to take out insurance that provides a minimum cover of $500,000.”