[GENERAL] Is carbon fiber worth it?
Dale Earnhardt Jr. was involved in a crash this past weekend while practicing for the American LeMans Series (ALMS, I'll bet they hate that anacronym) race at Sears Point (I hate sponsors naming racetracks too.).
Thumbs up to Dale Jr for being a racer and racing in other series.
However, the crash brought to mind some question in my mind about the suitability of using carbon fiber in race cars. Sure, it's cool on the B-2 Spirit Bomber, but do we really need it in the sports and entertainment field otherwise known as racing?
[This photo was linked from an AP photo on yahoo.com. I hope they don't mind. If they do, email me, and I will take it off.]
On more than one occasion I have seen carbon fiber race cars go up in flames, BIG FLAMES. Granted, this car caught on fire because the fuel filler neck ruptured and sprayed fuel all over the car. If if happens once, it can happen again. The safety crew got there pretty quickly, but it still appears Jr was knocked unconcious and didn't exit the car as quickly as he would have liked. The results were moderate burns on some tender parts of his body, as if a burn doesn't hurt on a non-tender part of your body. I can't help but think Jr. would have been a litte safer in a car constructed largely of steel.
Thumbs up to Dale Jr for being a racer and racing in other series.
However, the crash brought to mind some question in my mind about the suitability of using carbon fiber in race cars. Sure, it's cool on the B-2 Spirit Bomber, but do we really need it in the sports and entertainment field otherwise known as racing?
[This photo was linked from an AP photo on yahoo.com. I hope they don't mind. If they do, email me, and I will take it off.]
On more than one occasion I have seen carbon fiber race cars go up in flames, BIG FLAMES. Granted, this car caught on fire because the fuel filler neck ruptured and sprayed fuel all over the car. If if happens once, it can happen again. The safety crew got there pretty quickly, but it still appears Jr was knocked unconcious and didn't exit the car as quickly as he would have liked. The results were moderate burns on some tender parts of his body, as if a burn doesn't hurt on a non-tender part of your body. I can't help but think Jr. would have been a litte safer in a car constructed largely of steel.
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