Race cars are phenomenal monuments to engineering and mechanics with a million and one separate parts and pieces, all of which come together as one to create the perfect racing machine. To really get top performance out of a race car, it is absolutely fundamental that every single part be absolutely perfect, with no detail being too trivial to be heeded: every part, from the smallest O Ring right up to the largest gasket, a winning race car needs every aspect to be ideal.

One part of race cars that has been changing constantly as technologies progress and new methods of manufacture arise has been the fuel tank. Also referred to as fuel cells, these need to meet certain criteria to be effectively incorporated into a race car that are not applicable when dealing with an ordinary vehicle on the road.

As with pretty much every standard auto component that goes into a race car, it needs to be smarter, better, tougher, and longer lasting. Especially considering the highly volatile nature of gasoline and the breakneck speeds accomplished on the race track (and hence the extreme violence of racing vehicle crashes), race car fuel tanks need to exhibit very special traits to be reliable and safe.

One of the biggest differences between normal fuel tanks and those in race cars is the fact that the latter have a customized, flexible inner liner added to the structure. The idea with these inner liners is that they will help minimize the possibilities of the gasoline from either spilling, leaking, or catching flame in the event of an accident, because unlike the rigid tank they can stretch to absorb the impact of a high-speed crash. This characteristic of racing tanks is one of the biggest preventer of fire hazards on the track.

Another special feature of racing fuel tanks is their form: they tend to be designed with more detail and particularity, so that they may be fitted into exactly the precise spot within the car architecture that is needed. This economizing of space increases a race car’s performance. For example, a tank may be placed directly atop the rear axle instead of in front of it.

There is some interesting technology that goes into helping reduce the likelihood of explosions and the general chances of a fire occurring. Lots of race cars have tanks with open-cell foam cores that effectively reduce the chance of fumes that are floating in there combusting.

For enhanced stability during a race, race car designers have had to find some way to counteract the effect of the fuel as it sloshes from one side to another at abrupt turns, which can end up causing noticeable performance loss. Not only can it cause a race car to jerk on the track, but the same issue can also end up inducing fuel starvation, which is when the fuel is not being extracted from the tank properly.

Traditionally made out of metals such as steel and aluminum, over recent years there has been increasing experimentation with high density polyethylene (HDPE) as a fuel tank material. Though HDPE can be blown into very complex and appealing forms, they are not recommended for long term use due to the risk of fuel tank saturation as the fuel progressively penetrates the HDPE.

Suiting up for a big race day is an exciting moment. You already start to play the race out in your mind, what might happen and how you’ll fare. No daydream is complete without imagining yourself being handed the winner’s trophy and having your photo taken. You want to make sure all of your racing gear and accessories point you toward one goal: victory. At the same time, you want to look good doing it.

GMP Racing Products will set you up with the best in race gear and accessories. Whether it’s brand names on sale or hard-to-find accessories, GMP supplies the gear used by racing champions all over the globe.

Buying the right race boots means allowing your feet to do the job without interference. Getting the perfect grip for stopping and accelerating is the key to any race boots. You don’t want to wonder what happened when the race is over. Your toes should have all the flexibility they can get, while the bottoms of your race boots should be thin enough to react instantly. There should never be a moment when your feet lose their grip.

GMP Racing Products features Sabelt boots like the Sabelt Street Mid Boot, the perfect balance of functionality, comfort and appearance. You won’t be caught off-guard in the Sabelt Mid Boot, and you’ll look good doing it. Available in black, red, blue or yellow, the Mid Boot has a suede vamp and an extremely light sole. There is no cut out at the rear of the Mid Boot, which features a velcro fastening strap for the ankles. Of course, they comply with FIA regulations.

Choosing a Sabelt boot means opting for innovation in protection and attention to detail in style. Sabelt treats all of its boots with Scotchguard, making them water-resistant, as well as unaltered by oils and grease spills. Meanwhile, the driver’s foot can breathe through the materials. Designing the ultimate race boot is Sabelt’s goal.

GMP Racing also features great sales on race boots, at times marking down incredible boots like the Sabelt Step 2, the high-top boot with superior ankle protection. Getting a terrific value on boots like the Step 2 is one of the benefits of shopping at GMP.

For superior protection and precision handling in your car. check out the FIA 2000 race boots, manufactured by GMP Racing. Fireproof and offering plenty of ankle support, drivers stay protected while keeping their grip on the pedal without a second thought. The rubber soles, crafted from synthetic materials, are designed to stop slipping and will not be affected even if your shoes are wet. Velcro ankle straps anchor the boots, which have leather backs to limit wasted movements.

GMP features high top boots as well, complete with nomex lining. The ankle straps adjust to the driver’s preference and deliver maximum comfort. GMP’s hi-tops comply with FIA regulations, offer excellent pedal control and safety and yet are available at a great price.

Any equipment and apparel you need is available at GMP Racing, including racing gear with special logos or names added. GMP is the place for all your motor sport equipment.