Yes Rex, OSU should be on the way now. Last report I got was they had everything buttoned back up with LOTS of upgrades since SpeedWeek. They should be quite well prepared.
Ford is still involved with them and several of the 999 team will be on hand for support at WF. (sorry I wont be there).
I sure hope they do well
Relative to safety with H2 fuel and/or with an oxydizer (although 40% O2 will not make everything organic burn)
You guys are right. The car was stuffed right up to the roof, and interestingly enough it was designed around MY fat little body :=d. I came on board in March, and the Roush race shop in Livonia was just laying out the rectangular tube frame rails. They basically mocked up the motor, and all tanks and built the rest around me. Because the fuel cell tray is under the car, I sit about 10" higher than production and lay back at 30 degrees in a full containment Butler seat. All the controls were set for my weird little body and not too many other people will fit. If I can get photos of the fuel cell tray, I'll publish, because it is an absolute work of art. Plumbing that just makes my heart grow weak.
I began this program with lots of reservations about H2 fuel and a high pressure oxydizer on board, but as the Ford guys helped me understand the safety record, and the discipline they have built into their organization I grew more comfortable. Not totally relaxed mind you, but not much different than if I had 15 gallons of nitro sitting behind me. Besides that, the H2 tank is incredibaly strong. A pressure vessle 2" thick then wound with carbon fiber strand another 2" thick. It is vitrually bullet proof, and has been tested to failure, and is DOT approved. (although that doesn't mean much to a 200 MPH+ crash). Also the amount of H2 carried on board if let free due to a failure of the tank would burn for only 38 seconds. I realize it could be disastrous for the driver, but the event would be over by the time any safety workers could get near the car.
Ford had a number of hydrogen sensors on board, set at a very sensitive level that would shut down all systems before a concentration to support combustion would be possible. In fact one of our aborted runs was a contamination of underbody air to a point that it triggered and shut us down. Since flames of H2 are not visable, and UV/IR sensors are notoriously unreliable, we chose a smoke sensor wired to automatically trigger a 1301 halon system in the back of the car. Bob Stroud, who now owns Phoneix Fire systems supplied the first parts and we are now working out details. I don't know if he will market this, but I will have it on the liner wannabe before next Speedweek.
Segregation of Ford and the fuel supplies from the rest of the pits is understandable because most racers and SCTA are not used to high pressure gasses. I worry more when I see how Nitrous Oxide and/or propane bottles are handled by many people.
Not much difference when you think about it.
I know there is a pressure diffenrence but the point is that reasonable care can do wonders in the safety department.
OH, the H2 tank has also an internal shut off valve that senses a change in the pressure differential and will automaticall shut off at the tank outlet, so other than a complete rupture, there would be very little H2 to burn.
OK time for the shop now.
More when someone asks?
?
Rick
