[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]