The strange thing was that the methanol was invisible in daylight. Mears said many people fled when they noticed the blaze. for 35 seconds it twisted, causing it to burn.

What Rick Mears experienced that day movie scene It is clear that he is face to face with death. Why is methanol, the flame of which is not visible, preferred in racing cars?

Breathless, Mears watched helplessly as the firefighter exited the extinguisher and walked away.

Rick Mears pitted on lap 58 and to fuel While trying to reconstitute, the snake began to spew methanol before entering the vehicle. When fuel comes into contact with the engine, both Mears and the mechanics ignited and started to burn.

Mars realized his face was burning, couldn’t breathe, and ran to the pit wall, trying to take off his helmet. desperate and waved his arms frantically Anyone who saw Mears quickly threw their fire extinguishers and fled.

Bill Mears

Mears, holding the fire extinguisher to him, is helped by his father. Bill Mears He ran. The father got Rick’s wife to safety and sprayed the fire extinguisher on Mears. Meanwhile, the fire in both Mears’ mechanics and 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, third degree burns It was plastic surgery. Mears, who still has the scars of the accident on his face, describes those moments this way: “If I had been in the place of the volunteer firefighter who wasn’t wearing a fire suit, I would have run away too. The man was there and had a packed lunch deal where only free tickets to the race were provided. He’s not guilty”

A number of changes have been made to reduce the danger.

Race officials, both after what happened to Mears and after the aftermath of the Michigan fire posed a more serious threat. decided to make some changes.

Some adjustments have been made to the refueling equipment and procedures. In addition, there is a fuel hose that can only be opened by connecting it to the vehicle. safety valve had been designed. In addition, not only mechanical, but also educational changes were made.

Why is methanol used in racing cars?

During the 1964 Indianapolis 500 race, two drivers were killed in an accident involving seven cars. In vehicles at the time petrol had been used. As a result of burning gasoline of black smoke the appearance completely blocked the view of oncoming traffic and the collision became even more dangerous.

From that day in Indy Car racing use of methanol fuel has become mandatory. While this is one of the main reasons that methanol’s flames are colorless and smokeless, there are other reasons why it is especially preferred in race cars.

Methanol has the advantage of being able to operate at high compression.

Burns cleaner than gasoline less flammable methanol burns cooler. It also has less energy than regular gasoline. This means that it consumes half of its fuel consumption.

Race car engines are designed accordingly. The goal is to adjust the air-fuel ratio and make it easier to use less energy-rich methanol. get more power.

Another reason for preference is the inside of the engine. heat saving. In induction applications such as turbocharging and supercharging, methanol absorbs so much heat that a refrigerant is often unnecessary.

Although methanol is invisible and poses a fire hazard, water, dry powder or carbon dioxide can be extinguished with This means that the fire is extinguished even if no fire extinguisher is present.

Source: The New York Times, The Washington Post