in 1981 at the Indy 500, Rick Mears’ pit stop on lap 58 turned dangerous when spilled fuel caused a fire. The flames, made of methanol, were invisible, making the situation even more terrifying. | History In Pictures
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in 1981 at the Indy 500, Rick Mears’ pit stop on lap 58 turned dangerou…
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During the 1981 Indianapolis 500, veteran driver Rick Mears endured one of the sport’s most terrifying moments — not due to visible flames, but the lack thereof. On lap 58, a methanol fuel spill during a pit stop doused Mears, his car, and the crew, igniting into a nearly invisible fire. Methanol burns with a faint blue flame, virtually undetectable in daylight, leaving team members and marshals baffled as they instinctively fled the pit area. Mears later recalled, “I quit breathing… I kind of k
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During the 1981 Indianapolis 500, veteran driver Rick Mears endure…
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The nearly invisible methanol fire at the 1981 Indy 500 became one of the race’s most unforgettable safety incidents. When Rick Mears’ car erupted in flames during a pit stop, the clear methanol burned without visible smoke or color, leaving crews briefly unaware of the danger surrounding him. Only the heat shimmer and Mears’ frantic movements alerted the team to the burning fuel. Track workers quickly sprayed water—one of the few ways to make methanol flames visible—and extinguished the fire. T
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The nearly invisible methanol fire at the 1981 Indy 500 became one of t…
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Back in 1981 at the Indy 500, something truly scary happened during Rick Mears’ pit stop on lap 58. Fuel spilled, and a fire started in the pit, but what made it even scarier was that the flames were invisible because they were made of methanol. 🔥 Like history? Follow us @historyphotographed 🌟 | History In Pictures
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Back in 1981 at the Indy 500, something truly scary happened d…
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History on Instagram: "At the 1981 Indianapolis 500, Rick Mears was engulfed in a dangerous pit-lane fire caused by methanol fuel. Because methanol burns with an almost invisible flame in daylight, the blaze was difficult for crews and spectators to see, even as Mears suffered severe burns. The incident underscored the risks of using methanol and helped push for improved safety measures, eventually leading to the adoption of ethanol, which produces a clearly visible flame."
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History on Instagram: "At the 1981 Indianapolis 500, Rick Mears was …
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RelateNShine | At the 1981 Indianapolis 500, a terrifying moment occurred when driver Rick Mears’ car was engulfed in an invisible methanol fire during a... | Instagram
RelateNShine | At the 1981 Indianapolis 500, a terrifying mom…
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In 1981, Rick Mears survived one of the most terrifying moments in racing history. During a pit stop at the Indy 500, his car caught fire—but the flames were nearly invisible. Methanol burns clear, and for seconds, no one realized he was standing in fire. the crew put the fire out along with the mechanic who was also caught in the flame. don’t play with methanol. #f1 #indy500 #racing #cars #fyp
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