Invisible Methanol Flames Engulfing This Race Car Driver Is A Scene Straight From The Ballad Of Ricky Bobby
Help me, Tom Cruise! Tom Cruise, use your witchcraft to get the fire off me! I guess invisible flames engulfing me are a new fear I now have to worry about. Race car drivers at the Indy 500 are legitimately crazy people for strapping themselves into a carbon fiber rocket, and going 200 mph bumper to bumper with other drivers. I'm sure with everything that can go wrong for IndyCar drivers, methanol fires are low on the laundry list of shit they have to deal with, but personally, I'll be thinking about this incident for the rest of time.
I'll never be driving a Indycar, but I've seen local news segments that warn about how getting back into your car during the winter while filling up your tank at the gas station is basically asking to be sent to heaven on a fireball. Something about static electricity building up from your winter coat rubbing the seat that could cause a spark that sets fire to the gasoline fumes, I'm not exactly sure, but I worry about it enough to stand outside of my car like a sucker during -10 degree weather.
This methanol fire wasn't caused by someone's North Face puffer jacket brushing the driver's seat, but by fuel leaking from the refueling hose and spraying out over the car. When the fuel hit the engine, it ignited, and caused a clear flame to envelope the driver, Rick Mears. Fortunately, Mears only suffered minor burns, and wasn't seriously hurt. Apparently methanol doesn't burn as hot as gasoline, but it's obviously extremely dangerous with it being a transparent flame that makes it look like you're a meth head fighting cobras.
Which makes me think of the bit from The Onion Sports Dome, a 2011 show that was gone too soon, because I found the show hilarious. Comedy Central original programming back in the day ruled, now it's just Tosh.0 and reruns.
I'm posting this blog because …
1. I'm terrified of invisible fire.
2. May in Indiana is race month.
The Indy 500's slogan is The Greatest Spectacle In Racing, and I fully agree with that statement. There is nothing like the Indy 500. Being at the race in person gives you a new appreciation for what the drivers do, and it's something everyone should experience at least once. Not to mention the people watching is some of the best you will ever witness. Even if there are no cars or people at the track, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is worth checking out as it's the biggest sports venue in the world. There's half a golf course inside the track. Every year the graphic of what fits inside the the infield of the track gets posted, and I love it. It never gets old. I strongly suggest you put the Indy 500 on your bucket list, you will not regret the experience.
