A Weird Question About Stock Cars...

[JohnBM01]

Hello GTPlanet, here is a weird question I had...

Why is it that the doors from Pro Stock drag racers open like real cars, but stock cars do not? I see stock cars more as race cars, than wannabe stock cars. I mean, imagine getting in and out. Of course, being surrounded by a plethora of roll bars and other safety goodies is special, but I've thought that Pro Stock drag cars and Stock Cars kind of are made the same way. Only thing is, the AC Delco Camaro in FIA European Drag is a beautiful machine. And I was wondering why stock cars don't have such functional doors as Pro Stock cars.

 

[Sleek Stratos]

For one thing, a door on a stock car can't be reinforced to have the strenght of the roll cage on the driver's side. You might've caught a glimpse of how Kurt Busch's car was hammered on the left side when he got spun by Tony Stewart at Talladega. After the crash Jeff Hamond gave a little explanation on how the roll bars on the "door" part where built, and they are no joke.
Also, think if there'd be contact between two cars and of one of the driver doors get smashed in, swings open and can't be closed.

The liabilities beat out the practicality.

On a drag strip you either win and move on to the next drag, or lose and pack it up, all in a matter of seconds; plus they run a straight line and contact between the cars is seldom, so they can afford to leave the doors on.

 

[kart racer]

I beleive it all started in the 50's.As a safety rule,the doors had to chained shut so that they would not open in a crash.Some teams started to weld the doors shut to add more safety and then the doors just went away.This took about 10 years to take place.The funny thing is that this has only happened in stock cars.No other form of racing has felt the need to have the doors perm shut.

 

[JohnBM01]

Apparentely, Trans-Am seems to follow suit to NASCAR. Their machines already don't have functional headlights, so I think the same could be said for Trans-Am. Or again, prove me wrong.

 

[Schrodes]

Also, think if there'd be contact between two cars and of one of the driver doors get smashed in, swings open and can't be closed.

Happens here reasonably frequently. Get black flagged, go to the pits, stick it shut with race tape, get back into the race.

 

[Sleek Stratos]

I guess the 'tape industry' must be doing well at least.

 

[Cap'n Jack]

Originally posted by Schrodes
Happens here reasonably frequently. Get black flagged, go to the pits, stick it shut with race tape, get back into the race.

That's what happend to skaifey last year at bathurst!

 

[Andrew R]

I know. That was a sad Bathurst moment. Stupid FPR wanted to be greedy and petty and get another spot that they had no chance of getting without whinging.