Space technology helps win Sportscar Championship race
Materials first developed to construct satellites and launchers helped Pescarolo Sport take first place in an International Automobile Federation (FIA) Sportscar Championship race in Estoril, Portugal, on 13 April The European Space Agency (ESA) and Pescarolo Sport identified two areas where space technology could improve the performance of the car: weight and safety. 'The whole team is delighted with [the] results, which put us in the lead of the Sportscar Championship. Undoubtedly the space technology we used improved the car's performance and safety,' said Henri Pescarolo, team leader of the Pescarolo Sports team. Carbon composite materials, used to build satellites, were used in the construction of the winning car, leading to a 29 kilogram reduction in the car's weight. In order to improve safety, thermal shields similar to those used on the Ariane launchers were placed between the engine and the flexible fuel tank to protect it from the engine. The same material was also used to insulate the manifold and turbo charger. The team is also planning to employ space technology during the 24 hour Le Mans race in June. A cooling system developed for use in space will prevent drivers suffering from dehydration by providing them with cooling drinks throughout the race.