Nascar: The Science of Racing Safely

https://physicsworld.com/a/nascar-the-science-of-racing-safely/

by sohkamyung • 6 years ago

11 10 6 years ago

Out of curiosity I did a quick Wikipedia check for total deaths in major racing sports categories as compared to the 32 mentioned in the article in NASCAR...

- F1: 45 (last death in 2015 and the one before in 1994)

- Le Mans: 22 (last death in 2013 and the one before in 1997)

- World Rally: 25 (last deaths in 2006 and 2005 and another in 1993)

- MotoGP: 103 (last deaths in 2016, 2011, 2010, 2003)

- Indy: 95 (last deaths in 2015, 2011, 2006, 2003)

- NASCAR Cup: 32 (last two deaths in 2001 according to Wikipedia)

ablation• 6 years ago

The Isle of Man TT takes things up another notch, too: “Between 1907 and 2019 there have been 151 fatalities during official practices or races on the Snaefell Mountain Course, and 260 total fatalities (this number includes the riders killed during the Manx Grand Prix, and Clubman TT race series of the late 1940s/1950s).”

hansthehorse• 6 years ago

Well when the run off area is a brick wall you have to expect some carnage.

tomatotomato37• 6 years ago

Since it started in 1978, the Dakar Rally has had 75 deaths, with the last coupledeaths happening this year. Look up the DAF twin turbo II if you want to know how crazy this race is.

Actually this video does a good job embodying the energy of it all; NSFW warning due to something resemebling a dead body mixed with debris in the latter half from one of the accidents though; most of it is shot via crappy 70s camcorder technology so it's kinda hard to tell: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=cUnWnx_rdps

apacheCamel• 6 years ago

The bar was named after Newman, who was vocal in calling for stronger roofs after going airborne twice in one year at Talladega. It then helped saved his life in the Daytona 2020 crash.

My gosh, after the first time, I'd be wary. After the second time, I'd be looking for a safer job. Good on him though, seriously. Pushing for something to make his sport safer for all.

rascul2• 6 years ago

Ryan Newman has the nickname Flyin' Ryan for all the times he's been airbone in his car. I don't know what the number is but I'm pretty sure it's at least four.

therockspush• 6 years ago

Flyin Ryan, thats great. I like no-neck newman

kube-system• 6 years ago

I've always found the safety engineering of motorsports more interesting than going fast.

Going fast is easy, so easy that most sanctioning bodies have long-ago capped the ways to go faster. Safety is the harder engineering problem to solve, and it allows for much more creativity.

gizmodo59• 6 years ago

Aside from safety, Cornering speed is where things get really interesting. Formula 1 cars are exceptionally engineered to provide those high speeds even in tight corners. Plus those sub 2 second pit stops, 1/100 of a second difference in qualifying, overtaking with near inches from another car etc

Nascar: The Science of Racing Safely

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