why consumer cars have crumple zones for safety yet racing cars have roll cages

Question

It’s always struck me as odd that crumple zones help absorb impacts which makes cars safer. Yet race cars have roll cages which make them safer.

In: 187

Answer 1

Race cars do have crumple zones. Watch an Indycar or F1 car crash, they practically explode when they shed parts to absorb impact. NASCAR cars also have foam between the cage and parts of the body now. Not only that, but high impact areas of the tracks use soft walls such as SAFER barriers, tire walls, Tecpro, etc.