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Fuel cell technology

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Posted: Friday September 17, 1999 01:04 PM

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NASCAR has made tremendous strides over the years in making sure that its cars are the safest in motor sports, and the new fuel cells are no exception.

The fuel cell is anchored into the frame of the race car in roughly the same place it is in your passenger car. When a chassis is built, the cell has its own secured hole that it fits into. Then four braces lay over the top to keep it from dislodging in case of an accident.

NASCAR requires that each fuel system also have an automatic shut-off if the car looses electrical power. That's what that red device does.

Inside each fuel cell we put this foam. The cell holds 22 gallons when it's full, but when it's not, the foam keeps the fuel from sloshing around and causing the car to get out of balance.

The fuel cell is one of the least talked about but most important parts of the car. Fortunately, NASCAR makes sure it's also one of the safest.

 

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