After being hit in the face by an unknown object at the Clipsal 500, BJR’s Team Manager Kim Jones has sourced state-of-the-art eyewear to protect himself and the rest of the Brad Jones Racing team for the remainder of the 2004 season.

The glasses, provided by Rudy Project, were initially designed for cycling and multisport’s activities and will withstand an impact of up to 200 kph. Additionally they have specially designed lenses that wont fog up in hot, sweaty conditions.

“According to Rudy Project, the lenses on their glasses will take a shotgun blast at close range, which for us [at BJR] is perfect when we are dealing with fast cars and fast debris,” said Kim Jones.

“At Adelaide at the last round, I was standing out on the pit wall when something flew up and hit me on the cheek. If it had hit me in the eye, it could have been very serious. Debris coming up off the track is not something new, so as a precaution we’ve spend the last week looking at safety eyewear for the team and the Rudy Project glasses are ideally suited.”

Activity in the modern V8 Supercar pit lane is frantic. Compulsory pit stops have made for frenetic action as the 600hp, 1350kg beasts thunder into a single lane, where over a hundred individual crew members can be working at one time. Safety initiatives such as a 40 kph speed limit and non-compulsory use of protective head wear have all been instigated in recent times to protect the highly drilled team personnel.

“Our most valuable asset is our people and it’s important that we do whatever we can to protect them. Safety in pit lane is our biggest concern and that’s why our guys will be wearing the Rudy Project glasses at all times other than for fuel pit stops [where fire retardant goggles must be worn], “ Jones added.

For Rudy Project this is their first foray into Australian motorsport but as the official eyewear supplier to Malaysia’s Formula One Grand Prix circuit, Sepang, they are no strangers to car racing.

“It’s great news for Rudy Project to be associated with BJR. Rudy Project eyewear are the best sporting eyewear on the market and there’s no better team to be part of than BJR”, said Rudy Project’s, Greg Rule

“Rudy Project have always been at the forefront of technology, our lenses guarantee visual acuity and physical protection of the eye, plus reduce glare, enhance contrast, protect from ultraviolet rays, ensure ‘true’ vision and protect against external agents,” Rule concluded.

Brad Jones Racing team members will be fully equipped with Rudy Project glasses from this weekend’s round 2 of the 2004 V8 Supercar Championship at Sydney’s Eastern Creek.