Seen some crazy stuff chasin racin. But the Palazzolo Racing/Smitty's Garage/Rolla Auto Salvage sprint car can seem to come up with stuff nobody has ever seen. Pictured is the fuel cell (tail tank) that holds methanol alcohol racing fuel. These tanks are designed just like the fuel tanks in modern day fighter jets with an outer shell and a bladder inside to contain the fuel in crashes. Well as you can see the plate that covers the hole where you put the bladder thru is blown out ?????? After many questions and phone calls we figured out that the vent hose for the fuel cell was lit off by fire belching from the exhaust headers (normal) This is a very good example of why all racing sanctions should mandate fuel cells. If this would have been the average fuel tank without a bladder that a lot of guys use,our driver would have got a good test of his fire suit ! By the way the vent hose has been relocated. And please dont confuse those inexpensive plastic fuel tanks that are sold and advertized as a fuel cell with the real thing.
