xcarguy Posted January 20, 2015 Share Posted January 20, 2015 (edited) I know there is a very small group (thanfully) on this forum who have experienced a car fire, but this is something that, I dare say, most of us rarely think of as simply 'happening' while driving. This occurred at Texas World Speedway while running what looks to be the 2.9ccw course (on the exit out of turn seven). Notice how quickly this happened; the video is only 59 sec long...........food for thought. :ack: Edited January 20, 2015 by xcarguy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Automoda Posted January 20, 2015 Share Posted January 20, 2015 Strange. Looks like something spewed fuel into the cockpit? One thing I don't like about the 7 design is that it uses the gas tank as the rear bumper. Whats worse, for some reason the fuel cells have doubled-or-more in price in the last few years as if nobody wants to make them and there's no price competition anymore. I just cant afford a fancy one. If I get hit from behind, I hope I can get out fast and reach my extinguisher under the passenger dash if I cant. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WestTexasS2K Posted January 20, 2015 Share Posted January 20, 2015 Wow I wonder what went wrong? No collision. I heard a clunk just before the fire. I wonder if he broke a half shaft that got into the fuel cell. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimrankin Posted January 21, 2015 Share Posted January 21, 2015 Things could have been worse if it were a "7" as we sit even closer to our fuel supply, cell or tank, it's right behind your head. Lets face it, any even slightly modern design puts the fuel tank as buried inside the crash zone as possible just to keep the impacts to the car from rupturing it. Our cars put "us" in that zone so getting the tank as far away from the motor is about all that's left from a safety standpoint. Our cars being "light' is the only advantage we have. The lack of mass makes it easier for our cars to be "pushed away" from the impacting cars mass without as much crush to the body. I elected to have my cell up against the passenger compartment barrier so I have at least a few inches to crush before it gets to the cell. I've seen several different 7's that use the lower area behind the differential for their cell, or worse, fuel tank. gives you more trunk space but it really puts the tank as the very first crush zone. As far as carrying an extinguisher goes, great for keeping a small electrical of even a small engine fire from spreading but if the cell ruptures forget it. Part of the 7 trade off for fast fun. Won't stop me from driving but I do know there are drawbacks ;-). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WestTexasS2K Posted January 21, 2015 Share Posted January 21, 2015 Jim I agree. I prefer over the diff location also for a little crumple zone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slomove Posted January 21, 2015 Share Posted January 21, 2015 (edited) ........... As far as carrying an extinguisher goes, great for keeping a small electrical of even a small engine fire from spreading but if the cell ruptures forget it. ............. I have a 2.3l AFFF suppression system installed with one nozzle aimed at the intake manifold and another nozzle aimed at the gap between rear bulkhead and the fuel cell. The bottle is in front of the passenger seat out of the way under the knees and the pull-handle in the dashboard. Will it help in case something goes wrong, I don't know. But it is not that expensive and difficult to install and I thought it is reasonable insurance after my first rear-ender in 2003. I don't go to the track anymore but get the feeling this is anyway more likely on the road. I had another rear-ender accident in 2012 but fortunately did not need to activate the fire system. In that case my luggage rack with clothes duffles hanging off the rear end cushioned the impact. The fact that it was another Seven hitting me at speed and not an F150 may have helped..... Edited January 21, 2015 by slomove Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrmustang Posted January 21, 2015 Share Posted January 21, 2015 I have a 2.3l AFFF suppression system installed with one nozzle aimed at the intake manifold and another nozzle aimed at the gap between rear bulkhead and the fuel cell. The bottle is in front of the passenger seat out of the way under the knees and the pull-handle in the dashboard. Will it help in case something goes wrong, I don't know. But it is not that expensive and difficult to install and I thought it is reasonable insurance after my first rear-ender in 2003. I don't go to the track anymore but get the feeling this is anyway more likely on the road. I had another rear-ender accident in 2012 but fortunately did not need to activate the fire system. In that case my luggage rack with clothes duffles hanging off the rear end cushioned the impact. The fact that it was another Seven hitting me at speed and not an F150 may have helped..... Yup, an AFF system in an open cockpit car is the only way to go. Halon style systems work great in a closed cockpit, but not an open cockpit Bill S. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffersonRaley Posted January 25, 2015 Share Posted January 25, 2015 Scary. I am guessing it was a loose fuel line. I've had a couple of cars catch fire while I was on track, but nothing remotely like that. One was my old 1st gen RX7 with old apex seals. It would dump enough fuel out the exhaust to light the rear bumper. The other was my current 1st gen RX7 with a 302. The exhaust set the passenger floor paint on fire. Maybe I should by fire systems for my cars.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Automoda Posted January 26, 2015 Share Posted January 26, 2015 That supression system's only review says to be aware that it can not be exposed to freezing temps. Well that ruins it for me. My car is going to freeze once again tonight in the garage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WestTexasS2K Posted January 26, 2015 Share Posted January 26, 2015 I'm concerned with the effectiveness of an AFFF system in a car enviroment. AFFF stands for Aquis Film Forming Foam which is usually used on fuel spills. It works by forming a film over the fuel spill and supressing the vapor to extinguish the fire. It will have some cooling effect on the fire since it is water with typically 3-5% foam mixture. It might buy you a few seconds, but I would be getting out as fast as possible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xcarguy Posted January 26, 2015 Author Share Posted January 26, 2015 Scary . . . . I've had a couple of cars catch fire while I was on track . . . . . Maybe I should by fire systems for my cars.... Okay, Jefferson, let me get the facts straight here. The video I shared is of a ‘car on fire’ at TWS. You are checking me out at TWS at the end of Feb with TDE. You have a tendency to spontaneously combust while on track . . . . . . . I’m not getting a good feeling about this. :jester: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffersonRaley Posted January 26, 2015 Share Posted January 26, 2015 No worries - apparently we're fine as long as we're not in an RX7. Okay, Jefferson, let me get the facts straight here. The video I shared is of a ‘car on fire’ at TWS. You are checking me out at TWS at the end of Feb with TDE. You have a tendency to spontaneously combust while on track . . . . . . . I’m not getting a good feeling about this. :jester: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WestTexasS2K Posted January 26, 2015 Share Posted January 26, 2015 I was looking at few systems today. I found this ( http://jogrusa.com/products/blazecut-fire-suppression-system ) they look like something that could be mounted in the fuel cell area. They don't take up much room and are affordable. Could be an option. Here is a video in action Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RGTorque Posted January 27, 2015 Share Posted January 27, 2015 that looks like a great product for any 7! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
speedwagon Posted January 28, 2015 Share Posted January 28, 2015 Looks like a simple plastic tube filled with borax and pressurized. The heat sourse determines where the "nozzle" is. Brilliant idea! Especially so to one who is repairing a Miata that had an engine fire caused by a pack rat's nest back over the coil pack. Would have saved me; a tow, plug wires, coil pack, and several hours rebuilding the burned wiring. Price seems high for what it is, but several will be on my shopping list. Although a simple dry extinguisher with a length of tube attached and constantly pressurized might work better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Hill Posted January 28, 2015 Share Posted January 28, 2015 Geez Croc... Guess I never shoulda read this thread! Doubt an extinguisher would have been much good though in my case, hardly effective when the whole truckload is on fire! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xcarguy Posted February 13, 2015 Author Share Posted February 13, 2015 (edited) Watch what happens at 1:36........just when you think it's safe to go back into the woods . . . . . . :ack: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODIUtmJ-OBc Edited February 14, 2015 by xcarguy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Croc Posted February 13, 2015 Share Posted February 13, 2015 Geez Croc... Hang on...what I have I got to do with this thread? :svengo: I have not set or had a car catch on fire? Crashed yes.....but not on fire! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xcarguy Posted February 14, 2015 Author Share Posted February 14, 2015 Hang on...what I have I got to do with this thread? :svengo: I have not set or had a car catch on fire? Crashed yes.....but not on fire! You were in the 'line of fire'. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Hill Posted February 14, 2015 Share Posted February 14, 2015 Why not you? Have to blame someone...I was 800 miles away when our car caught fire. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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