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Racing Wheels

Some racing wheels are not all that different from the average car wheel. They may be made of aluminum or steel composites. They feature a more open design than ornate, since heat becomes a very real concern out on the race track. That means that you’re far more likely to see an open wheel design than something off of a classic Cadillac out on the track.

But some racing wheels are nearly nothing like the ones on your car. They can be made of magnesium alloys, which are extremely light. The downside is that you’re not racing around on flammable wheels. Magnesium is an element that actually reacts violently with the air in our atmosphere.

The makers of racing wheels get around that little detail by bonding the magnesium in the wheels with another metal, in most cases it is aluminum. While this bonding prevents spontaneous combustion of the metal; the wheels can still catch fire if they are in an accident. The other issue is that magnesium burns at temperatures in excess of 2000 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s hot enough to melt the race track, which causes a few issues with wreck cleanup.

 

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