Ferrari Mailing List: Re: fire extinguishers for in car DE events ??

[Mike Fleischer (themightytoe]

Hmm

Its been a bit since I did a DE but I recall the general advice was all race-prepped cars should have an extinguisher, street cars it was optional.  Neither was a requirement unless it was a race event.  If you did have a system there were clear rules on mounting, size, and accessibility to set off the system. 

That said I know of several instances where cars caught on fire at various DE's.  Typically some oil getting loose on the manifolds, and in all cases it was a 911 variant of some type that ended up with black smoke pouring out of its rear...  RMS failure maybe on some, Turbo failure on a few definitely...  911's catching fire was always preferable (provided no one was hurt) to them leaving the oil on half the track though probably not the owner's favorite way to go.  I could see some Ferrari's doing this too but so few actually show at a DE typically.  I don't remember seeing any other type of car actually catch on fire except a really old 240Z with a Chevy V8...

Only other fires where brush fires from some cars that OTE'd into the dry brush grass and stopped, hot exhaust lit the grass...  Driving back to the track is often the best option there :)

In all cases the track corner workers were present with extinguishers pretty quickly, though some of those brush fires would get pretty decently sized.

BR,
Mike


On 3/10/11 4:24 PM, E M wrote:

Thanks Larry, Martin, and Fellippe,

I was somewhat surprised when he mentioned the fire extinguisher being required too.  I haven't been around the club for a bit, but last time, I don't recall any such requirements for non timed events.  I don't even remember helmets being mandatory.

I'll pass on the link and make sure he's working with the proper rule book. I'll be sure to mention the Halon too.

Thanks again everyone.

Ed
911SC

On 10 March 2011 16:02, Larry Bard <larrybard [at] hotmail.com> wrote:

Ed,
 
Your friend's local Porsche club may have special, additional requirements, but national PCA rules do not require fire extinguishers. http://www.pca.org/Activities/DriverEducation/MinimumStandards.aspx   The local Porsche club (Riesentoter) whose DE events I regularly participate in says the following:
 

"Fire Extinguishers are NOT required, but if installed, A 2.5 lb. or larger Halon fire extinguisher (Halon preferred) must be mounted metal-to-metal in your car with proper brackets (Highly recommended for white run group and higher.)"

 
Larry
 

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Date: Thu, 10 Mar 2011 15:45:29 -0500
From: pokiebaron [at] gmail.com
Subject: [Ferrari] fire extinguishers for in car DE events ??
CC: ferrari [at] ferrarilist.com
To: larrybard [at] hotmail.com

Hi Everyone,

I know this topic came up some time ago, but I'm not having much luck retrieving the messages I saved from the thread.

A friend is planning to do some DE events through the Porsche club.  It seems fire extinguishers are now required grear.  I seem to recall that not all extinguishers are created equal, and there are a few different chemicals used in them, some of which can do almost as much damage to the car as the fire itself.

Anyway, if anyone can offer any advise, it would be much appreciated.  The regulations call for a 2.5 lbs bottle, min.  The allow for proper a "metal" mounting bracket on the passenger seat rails. 

I advised my friend to go with this option, as it's easy to get to if needed.  Also, as it's a Boxster, if trouble starts in the engine bay, there is little chance to access the bay, unless the car is upside down; so in that event, just concentrate in getting his backside out and away from the car, and allow the track workers to deal with it.

Thanks in advance,

Ed
911SC

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