Aussie v8 fireball

[Zeakiwi]

There were a few flames at the Aussie v8s at Barbagallo, Perth. 1/5/2011

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dR5kMxC-DTc

[Allyc85]

Fecking hell, so lucky to be able to get out of that!

[DazzlaF1]

WTF!?!?!?! Cannot beleive both drivers managed to escape that, horribly scary that was

[VkmSpouge]

Bloody hell, I'm glad the driver managed to get out of that.

[Rollo]

Will Hagon was talking about this on the radio this morning on the ABC and he thinks that this happened because of the E85 petrol that the V8Supercars are using.

E85 being 85% ethanol evaporates even faster than "normal" petrol. This means that it spreads into the atmosphere even quicker, which results in a larger cloud and therefore a bigger ignitable space.

This has two distinct consequences if this is true:

1. Maybe the V8Supercars should consider pressurised collapsible fuel tanks like they use in aircraft so that this doesn't happen again or consider writing this into the CoTF regulations.
2. If this is true for E85 generally, then maybe pressurised collapsible fuel tanks should be considered for road cars, because people on roads out in the "real world" don't have fire extinguishers, fireproof suits and balaclavas. If such a thing were to happen on the road then it's going to be potentially more dangerous.

This is where the development of race cars should be leading the way for the development of road cars.

[RJL25]

With the new regulations for V8 Supercars to be introduced in 2013, the fuel cell is going to be moved forward of the rear axle line, rather then hanging off the bottom of the boot right at the back of the car where they currently are.

Initial investigations suggest that had that been the location of the fuel cell in this crash, there wouldn't have been any rupturing of the fuel cell, because that part of the car was relatively un-damaged.

A similar crash happened at Sandown last year with Will Davison where the fuel tank was ripped open and fuel spilled through the air while Will was also flying through the air, but the fuel did not ignite on that occasion which was pretty unbelievable given the way the fuel sprayed everywhere but didn't touch anything hot like the exhaust

[AndySpeed]

Reminds me very much of this incident: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8W5nOZG54Rw

Will be good news when they eventually move the fuel tank further forward.

[Allyc85]

Onboard!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tt6X5--mbOw

[DazzlaF1]

It all reminds me too painfully of this, I know its not a startline stall crash but watching that car just strolling away as a fireball is still horrible to watch even today

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gA15...eature=related

Tetsuya Ota was the driver in that Ferrari and although he was badly burned, he survived

[Rollo]

http://www.karlreindler.com/reindler...xperience.html
After being immediately transferred from the circuit to Joondalup Hospital Karl was treated for second degree burns and allowed to return home to recuperate, admitting that on further advice from former Australian of the Year Dr Fiona Wood (one of the world's leading authorities on burns), he would work towards a return to the series at Winton in three weeks time.
"It will depend on the extent of the burns," Karl's media manager Damon Hill admitted. "Karl will do everything he can to prepare for Winton but acknowledges that the full extent of the burns, and the speed of his recovery will not be immediately evident - it's now just a matter of time."
From Brad Jones Racing's perspective the team have a VE shell back at the workshop and believe they can have it race ready for Karl should he be fit enough to be behind the wheel at Winton for round five of the Championship Series scheduled for May 20-22.

Possibly, back on the track in three weeks time.

Not to downplay the seriousness of this, but this is good news considering that it could have been a lot worse.