I thought this vid was interesting. They now have flaps in the hood that were visible when a car got right up in the bumper of a car in front of them. The suction of the air going over both cars would pull them open.
I thought this vid was interesting. They now have flaps in the hood that were visible when a car got right up in the bumper of a car in front of them. The suction of the air going over both cars would pull them open.
The walls of the Daytona speedway are also built of shock absorbing materials. Not all tracks are though because it's very expensive.I don't know if this has been mentioned yet, and I don't mention it to make light of the wreck. There are just some things to bear in mind in these wrecks. First, they are all going about the same speed and in the same direction which lessens the forces of impact between vehicles. Second, they do go helter-skelter upon impact because the tires are just a feather's touch away from breaking traction. Third, they are running mostly parallel to the walls, and a collision is rarely head on to a wall.
The scraping of metal on the pavement and spilled fuel is, I believe, the biggest danger they face: Fire. Fortunately, the fuel tanks were likely near empty what with this wreck occurring on the final lap.
Going airborne - which can't be helped at the speeds they go - is a serious matter for when they land. All that is necessary to get airborne is to have the vehicle tipped up so the relatively high wind speed can get under it. Doesn't matter whether the car is going forward, sideways, or backwards.
Anywhoo, the foregoing, along with the roll cages and other protective gear, is why those raceway crashes are mostly survivable regardless of how spectacular. 'Taint the same out on the streets.
Woody
Soft wall is probably the biggest leap forward as far as safety goes. It could be different now, but when I was around the cars it was Winston Cup so that gives you a time reference. Those cages were welded into the frame. It was all 4140 chrome moly tubing and when all welded up it was solid as a rock. Frame and cage was one welded structure and the drivers seat was bolted to that and had no padding. Those cars don't resemble ANY daily driver except in "body" appearance. There were no crush or crumple zones at all and I bet it's the same way now. There was ZERO give in them anywhere, so when those guys hit the wall they feel it big time.The walls of the Daytona speedway are also built of shock absorbing materials. Not all tracks are though because it's very expensive.
He’s wearing a National Wild Turkey Federation shirt,cool.View attachment 154338 It's a miracle he's still alive but the 5:30 news showed him walking out of the hospital today with his young daughters holding his hands.
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