It's called a Driver's Safety Cell for a Reason!
[FONT=Verdana]I don’t want to belittle any other Formula, I didn’t join this site for that, but I do have some grave concerns for open-cockpit racecars that have tube-framed chassis’. I know many Formulas do fall into this category, but this topic is just from the driver’s safety aspect and not which car is better, mine or your’s, this or that.
[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]First and foremost, any racer wants to be as safe as possible, that’s a given. And anyone whom jumps into the cockpit has to assume all the risks. But when that new person decides to become a racing driver, why with his sub-par skills, zero race-craft and vulnerable composure then buy a steel tube-framed, open-wheel racecar?
[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]I myself, would be frightened honestly to be entering into a corner at 140 mph in an open tube- framed roll cage with skinny tires, because if an accident does happen these tubes would turn me into a pretzel…thus making driver extraction very difficult in a timely situation.
[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]Here the carbon-fiber tub, or “Driver’s Safety Cell” makes all the difference in the world. Carbon tubs have been around for awhile now, Dallara first used them in 1985 for their Formula 3 program. Other Formulas and manufacturers have adopted them since. But I’m amazed that more chassis manufacturers have not since they’ve been around for 30 years now.
[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]So if you’re new to racing, and your deciding which Formula is best for you, I think you must consider that the maximum protection for your own safety should be your utmost priority in your decision on what to buy, especially if you’re a novice. Now whether that’s a Formula BMW, Formula Renault, and Atlantic car or Formula 3, it doesn’t matter, but it must be a pivotal purchase point.
[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]And with product pricing no longer being an issue, you can easily find good, clean, used, full carbon cars for $20,000, $30,000, $40,000 and ofcourse higher. The same prices levels that you would pay for many steel tube-framed chassis’.[/FONT]
Carbon vs. Tube...The Debate Rages on Forever...
[FONT=Verdana]Nathan...I guess this versus debate within' all motorsport circles will rage on forever because I've had this conversation with my friend and he told me that back in the old days when these carbon monocoques were first being developed, there were problems with the designs, and builds weren't done properly so it did produce some weak tubs do to the inexperience of the manufacturer in working with the new materials, but this is no longer the case for awhile now.
He told me that full carbon tubs are just as strong and as safe as they were when first built 10 or 20 years ago. And that carbon does no degenerate, nor loose strength or integrity over time. He also did say that tube framed chassis with added panels may loose their bonding strengths between the panels and the tube points because over time the tube chassis will flex and put pressures on these panel's mounting points to possibly fail or break away.
So really, I don't know what to tell you. There seems that there will always be 2-sides to this argument. I'm not going to say that you're wrong, nor that I'm wrong, only just that the debate rages on! You're obviously knowledgeable because you build your own cars, but my sources aren’t any slouches either and do know what they’re talking about. You did ask whom they were;[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana]Mark Preston former Head of Research and Development at Arrows Grand Prix F1 team, (6 yrs), then Chief Composites Engineer and Chief Stress Analyst for structures at McLaren Formula 1 team, (2 yrs) then he was the Chief Technical Director for the Super Aguri Honda Formula 1 team, (3 yrs) now the Managing Director of Formtech Composites, (4 yrs) [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana]I’ve also had this conversation with Jos Claes of Belgium whom is the Global Director for Dallara’s Formula 3 program awhile back whom confirmed my previous statements of full carbon tubs. If you want to call them up to verify you’re ofcourse welcome too, just mention my name they know me and they will discuss with you. So there you have it, I guess “we can agree to disagree” ;)[/FONT]
high cost of repair vs low cost...
There is no question to brownslane thread, the cost of repair is much higher for carbon tubs, you have no objection from me there, my only position was in terms of structural strength.
But we should continue on with a Car Running Cost of Budget Weekend posting one day here, you'll be surprised that Formula 3 is not as expensive to run as many people would think. :checkered: