The weird part was that the methanol was invisible in daylight. Many fled when they noticed the fire, causing Mears to flutter and burn for 35 seconds.
Even though it’s like the movie scene Rick Mears went through that day, it’s clear that he’s face to face with death. So, why is methanol, whose flame is not visible, preferred in racing cars?
Breathless, Mears watched helplessly as the firefighter left the extinguisher and walked away.
Rick Mears pitted on lap 58 and began spewing methanol before the hose entered the car as he tried to refuel. The fuel that came on both Mears and the mechanics ignited and started to burn when it came into contact with the engine.
Realizing that his face was burning, Mars could not breathe and ran to the pit wall, trying to remove his helmet. Everyone who saw Mears waving their arms helplessly and frantically, quickly threw their fire extinguishers and fled.
His father, Bill Mears, rushed to the aid of Mears, who was holding the fire extinguisher towards him. Taking Rick’s wife to safety, the father sprayed the fire extinguisher on Mears. Meanwhile, the fire in both the mechanics and Mears’ car had been extinguished.
Mears: No one who escaped is guilty.
Rick Mears, who was hospitalized with the injured pit crew after the fire was extinguished, had plastic surgery for his third degree burns. Mears, who still has the scars of the accident on his face, describes those moments as follows: “If I were in the place of the volunteer firefighter who did not wear a fireproof suit, I would have run away too. The man was there and had a lunch box deal that only gave free tickets to the race. He’s not guilty.”
A number of changes were made to reduce the danger.
After both what happened to Mears and the subsequent fire in Michigan that posed a more serious threat, race officials decided to make some changes.
There have been some adjustments to refueling equipment and procedures. In addition, a safety valve was designed to open the fuel hose only by connecting it to the vehicle. In addition, not only mechanical but also educational changes were made.
Why is methanol used in racing cars?
Two drivers were killed in an accident involving seven cars at the 1964 Indianapolis 500 race. At that time, gasoline was used in vehicles. The emergence of black smoke as a result of the burning of gasoline completely blocked the view of oncoming vehicles and the collision became even more dangerous.
Since then, the use of methanol fuel has become mandatory in Indy Car races. Although this is among the main reasons that the flames of methanol are colorless and smokeless, there are other reasons why it is especially preferred in racing cars.
Methanol has the advantage of being able to work at high compression.
Methanol, which burns cleaner than gasoline and is less flammable, burns cooler. It also has less energy than regular gasoline. This means that it takes half of its fuel consumption.
Race car engines are designed accordingly. The goal is to adjust the air-fuel ratio and get more power from less energy-dense methanol.
Another reason for preference is to protect the heat inside the engine. In induction applications such as turbocharging and supercharging, methanol absorbs heat so much that a refrigerant is often not needed.
Although methanol is invisible and dangerous in its fire, it can be extinguished with water, dry powder or carbon dioxide. This means that the fire will be extinguished even if there is no fire extinguisher.
Source: TheNewYorkTimes, TheWashingtonPost
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