Invisible Fire Video: A Wild Methanol Fire in the Pits at the 1981 Indy 500


Invisible Fire Video: A Wild Methanol Fire in the Pits at the 1981 Indy 500

Methanol makes for one hell of a race fuel. Engines can make big power and run cooler, the fuel works as a natural intercooler for boosted applications, and in naturally aspirated mills, you can run compression galore with far less chance of detonation. There are a couple drawbacks though and one of them is the creepy fact that when methanol ignites and burns, the fire is essentially invisible.

Think that’s crazy talk? The video below from the 1981 Indy 500 proves it in nearly surreal fashion. As the announcer says, Tom Sneva’s car backfires in the pits and it sets Rick Mears and his car and several of his crew a-blaze. Fire crews are quick to blast the car with their extinguishers but Mears and other crew people are engulfed in invisible flames. You’ll see them desperately flailing to get attention and to be extinguished.

This is wild stuff!


  • Share This
  • Pinterest
  • 0