Part of the magic in owning a vintage racecar is taking it out on the track, hearing the thrum of the exhaust and the howl of the tires as a purpose-built machine is used in the way it was designed: in the quest for speed. While most classic racecar owners agree that their vehicles should see occasional track time, nobody wants to see their pride and joy (and significant investment) go up in flames in the rare (but not unheard of) instance of an on-track incident or mechanical problem. With that in mind, it’s critical that owners consider updating their classic with the latest in modern motor sports fire-fighting technology. Even compared to products from a few years ago, today’s fire suppression systems are incredibly compact, light, and incredibly powerful.

Many classes require some sort of fire suppression device be installed in the car before you can race, but how do you pick which one? There are many different mediums for putting out fires, from powder and foam to gases, and not all of them are legal in all racing organizations. There are also many kinds of systems. Minimum safety regulations might only require a handheld unit in some classes, while fully plumbed engine bay and cabin systems that are automatically triggered might be needed for more extreme forms of racing. How you decide on the right option for you depends on your class regulations, type of car, and budget.

The first step is to find out the requirements for the class you race. Bear in mind that some class may have different minimum requirements, so bare minimum for your club might not pass tech at every eveny. After you know what you have to do just to pass tech, you need to identify the risk of fire in your vehicle. This varies depending on type of fuel, use of hydraulics, age of components, and conditions of racing. Things like original wiring and upholstery are quick to burn and it goes without saying that long races in hot conditions are more likely to involve a significant fire danger. A club racer might only require an engine bay system whereas a stage rally car with complex fuel and hydraulic systems should have much more comprehensive fire-fighting requirement. Surprisingly, the minimum historic racecar requirements can specify a small handheld unit only. Consider the possible consequences should there be a fire and set a budget figure accordingly. In-car safety equipment has one primary function and that is to save life, but you’d probably like to minimize damage to your car as well. Your own risk assessment should take these matters into account and you should adjust your extinguisher selection accordingly.

For the whole story, see the February issue of Vintage Racecar.