HPT

10.10Lessons From Race Car Technology and Safety:

A typical INDY CAR is made with a Carbon Fiber "Tub" or driver compartment. The material, although expensive, is light weight and the resulting chassis is almost impossible to crush during impact at racing speeds. Large structures capable of damaging other cars, and which could separate from a car during an accident are tied to the chassis with supplemental straps or wires. Deformable structures, as much as 12 inches thick, protect the driver on each side of the vehicle. Typical street vehicle structures are mostly pressed, thin metal with occasional metal support beams for internal strength. NASCAR requires the use of “roll cages” which are 2 inch metal tube structures which are welded and cross braced internally to protect the driver from 190 mph impact from any direction. Special fuel system features include automatic closure of fuel tank openings in the event of a roll-over. Halon (an extinguishing chemical), is automatically released to protect from any fire that may erupt.