Franklin - a man before his time

[dw230]

Damn it! He was right afterall:

http://www.bangshift.com/blog/Top-Fuel-Technology-Update-Schumacher-Racing-Takes-Delivery-of-Safety-Capsule-for-Army-Top-Fuel-Dragster.html

DW

[RichFox]

I have noticed that when Top Fuel cars crash the drivers part of the car stays pretty intact and the rest leaves. As with Indy type cars and others. Burn up energy disassembling the car and remove hot, heavy, burning pieces from where the driver is. How does this differ?

[Gwillard]

I have noticed that when Top Fuel cars crash the drivers part of the car stays pretty intact and the rest leaves. As with Indy type cars and others. Burn up energy disassembling the car and remove hot, heavy, burning pieces from where the driver is. How does this differ?

It differs in several ways:
It is lighter than a steel tube structure which means it carries less energy to have to dissipate.
It is, except for the opening to get in/out, solid-sided. Greatly reduces the chance of cockpit intrusion by debris, the #1 cause of injury in race car accidents.
It deforms and rebounds to retain it's shape. Steel deforms and stays.
It is far better at keeping fire from the driver as well as debris in the event of an engine or driveline failure.

[maguromic]

I have noticed that when Top Fuel cars crash the drivers part of the car stays pretty intact and the rest leaves. As with Indy type cars and others. Burn up energy disassembling the car and remove hot, heavy, burning pieces from where the driver is. How does this differ?

It differs in several ways:
It is lighter than a steel tube structure which means it carries less energy to have to dissipate.
It is, except for the opening to get in/out, solid-sided. Greatly reduces the chance of cockpit intrusion by debris, the #1 cause of injury in race car accidents.
It deforms and rebounds to retain it's shape. Steel deforms and stays.
It is far better at keeping fire from the driver as well as debris in the event of an engine or driveline failure.

This is why we are building a safety tub for the roadster, though no canopy. Tony

[Dynoroom]

I didn't know fuelers were around in Benjamen's day........

Oh wait, you meant...... never mind....... Then again, do you suppose Schumacher will need to pay him royalty's? Then he could rent a track and really fly......... so to speak   

[aircap]

Even a blind pig finds an acorn once in awhile.....

[Milwaukee Midget]

Deleted - after further consideration.

[Dean Los Angeles]

It differs in several ways:
It is lighter than a steel tube structure which means it carries less energy to have to dissipate.
It is, except for the opening to get in/out, solid-sided. Greatly reduces the chance of cockpit intrusion by debris, the #1 cause of injury in race car accidents.
It deforms and rebounds to retain it's shape. Steel deforms and stays.
It is far better at keeping fire from the driver as well as debris in the event of an engine or driveline failure.

The picture clearly shows a steel tube roll cage.
I think the advantage is in fire and debris intrusion. The aero must be better also.
Oh, and no chance of drowning.

[jimmy six]

As I read it they say it's a "totally enclosed cockpit system" but it sure didn't look like it could be removed like they have in the boats.  They aren't showing how it is attached or if it's just a sealed cockpit area. The picture with Tony in it still shows tubing below his shoulder and what appears to be the outside skin.

If it can come out there will be many connections for whats both infront of the driver as well as whats behind..............Didn't Garlits has a sealed driver cockpit years ago or was the back open?

JD...Just looking at the photos

[floydjer]

Chris,....You`re no fun... :x

[redrock_2003]

  

  This project should be interesting to watch. Unfortunately when you are trying to satisfy sponsors and win championships safety often gets a back seat to winning. I recall about 10 years ago several top fuel teams installed carbon fiber panels on the inside of the cockpit to improve safety. (This not only helped to prevent parts from entering the drivers compartment in the event of a crash it also eliminated the possibility of the drivers legs beating against the roll cage tubing. Therefore helping to reduce the possibility of a lower leg injury.) Unfortunately the panels added the dreaded WEIGHT to the car and the panels were removed within a couple of races. Another issue will be how the drivers pod will alter the flex of the chassis.

http://www.competitionplus.com/drag-racing/news/17599-dsr-capsule-s-biggest-obstacle-is-weight

[Tman]

You are right Dan, here is more validation

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1386656/Levitating-locomotive-developed-Japanese-scientists.html

[floydjer]

It`s o.k.....Maybe even advisable to agree w/ Dan...Just try not to agree with you know who.