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Because of its light weight, high strength, and extreme rigidity, carbon fiber plays an important part in the modern racing world. It is used (and has been since the 1980s) in Formula 1 (widely regarded as the most prestigious racing series in the world) race cars (such as the one pictured below) for many things including the brakes, suspension, chassis, the body, seat, spoilers or "wings", and steering wheel. The picture below (from http://boards.ign.com/Gran_Turismo/b5208/36998604/p56/) is of a Ferrari F2004 from the 2004 racing season. Through the use of carbon fiber and other high-tech composites, that car (and others like it) are able to produce over 900 horsepower, pull nearly four Gs of stopping force, and still weigh only 600 kilograms (including the driver!) |
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