In the world of motorsports, danger is an ever-present companion. The 1981 Indianapolis 500 (Indy 500) witnessed a harrowing incident that left spectators and participants in shock. Rick Mears, a seasoned race car driver, found himself engulfed in flames during a routine pit stop. What made this accident particularly chilling was the nature of the fire: it burned with an almost invisible flame.
The Methanol Fire at Indy 500
Invisible flames: A terrifying methanol fuel fire engulfs Rick Mears following a refueling mishap at the 1981 Indy 500. Methanol burns with a nearly invisible flame, making it challenging to determine where to direct firefighting resources. In the midst of the chaos, Mears and… pic.twitter.com/Ga8zErNuBl
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Rick Mears pitted on lap 58 during the 1981 Indy 500. As his crew prepared to refuel his car, methanol fuel gushed out of the refueling hose before it was securely connected. The volatile fuel sprayed not only the car but also Mears and his mechanics.
Methanol, commonly used in racing cars, burns with a flame that is nearly impossible to see in daylight. Unlike gasoline fires, which produce visible flames and smoke, methanol combustion lacks these telltale signs. As a result, many people present at the pit stop failed to recognize the danger unfolding before their eyes.
Rick Mears, his face burning, struggled to breathe as the flames consumed him. Desperate and in pain, he ran toward the pit wall, attempting to remove his helmet. His mechanics, equally trapped in the invisible inferno, waved their arms frantically, seeking help.
Rick’s father, Bill Mears, rushed to his son’s aid. Armed with a fire extinguisher, Bill sprayed the flames engulfing Rick. Meanwhile, other crew members extinguished the fire on the mechanics and the car. Miraculously, no one sustained serious injuries.
Rick Mears underwent plastic surgery for third-degree burns. Despite the trauma, he expressed empathy for the volunteer firefighter who had fled the scene. The firefighter, lacking a fireproof suit, had been ill-equipped to face the invisible flames.
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