Are Open Wheel Cars Dangerous?

I really don't know what year fenders were added to cars. They had to be put on for a reason. To enhance the look, maybe keep water spray down from the tires, or most important, keeping stones from flying off the tires onto the vehicle behind.

While open wheel cars look cool I don't think I would ever build or own one because of throwing stones. ARE THEY LEGAL?

All Auto Manufactures have fenders & Tractor Trailer Rigs have to have flaps no less than 6" from the ground to help keeping this from happening.

A few years ago while cruising down the highway I was following an open wheel hot rod. I was about 3 cars behind him when a rock flew off his rear tire & hit the hood of my pickup. Lucky we were both going to the same car show.
When I looked at the chip on my hood I confronted the guy about it. At first he denied it was him, but when we told him we seen the rock come off his tire & hit the hood his answer was "well you do have insurance don't you?" Is this the thinking of all open wheel owners?

I understand accidents do happen, but why invite a problem when it can be prevented by adding fenders? Is trying to look cool so important not to have consideration for fellow drivers & property?

What are your thoughts?

 

As a new owner of an open wheeled car... Don't ride my *** and I wont "rock ya". J/K

My car came with fenders and they were ripped off ASAP... does looking "cool" matter....
If it didn't we would all still be driving Chevettes !! lol
Why even have an old car/hot rod then?!

Sorry to hear about your hood though!

 

well , you learned an important lesson.....don't ever follow a fenderless car , put them in the rear of the pack

you would know this if you had ever seen the rooster-tail from one in the rain

 

Just because a car has fenders does not mean it will not throw rocks off the tires.

 

God I hope so ,In general all those cars are dangerous .There is no impact resistance and If you get hit Great chance of car blowing up .And you worry about fenders and throwing rocks I had a truck put a stone through my windsheild a few years ago ,Had mudflaps and load was tarped ,Stuff just happens ,Thats life ...Fenders wont solve the problem either ,You can still kick up rocks,The truth of the matter is when were done doing the bodywork on the car we dont want to do the fenders ,Lol,

 

So what are you saying? You have no intention of rocking other cars, but if it happens, too bad?

 

It boils down to preference. If you don't like fenders, go without. I am not aware of any laws requiring them. Nor am I aware of this being a widespread problem. These things just happen sometimes...even with fenders.

 

I personally wouldn't run without fenders for just the reasons you stated. I suppose fenderless cars are kind of like Harleys without mufflers, they're cool to the people who own them but a PIA to those around them. JMO

 

C'mon... really!??

 

Gee, I'm just thinking of how many broken windshields and stone chips I've gotten from perfectly good fendered cars.

 

nah sherm..I took the radials off and have slicks...they are soft enough the gravel sticks in'em...your ok!

 

You're from Reno? Almost all the big dump trucks in NV have signs that say Stay back, they are not responsible rock damage and they kick up rocks all the time!

I've had fenderless cars for over 20 years and have never had a problem throwing rocks. The tread pattern is not really big enough to pick up rocks. It's not like I'm running Monster Mudders or something. And, I try to stay off dirt roads with the hotrod.

I've run lifted trucks for years too. Never had a problem with them either and I do run big off road tires and drive in the dirt!

 

You sure you are on the right forum ???

 

If you don't mind being sprayed with muddy oily water and rocks from your own front wheels, and the extra stone chips on your rusty rat rod are of no concern, then why worry.

But the guy behind with a brand new car might not be too happy.... and he might be a lot bigger than you and may not feel quite the same way about HIS ride.

 

If you lived in a state where it RAINED once in awhile, you'd be more worried about following a fenderless car that threw rooster tails !!!! Visibility is zero !! But sooooo cool !!!

 

You must admit that fenders & flaps help keep the road damage down. My question is "Why Invite The Problem By Not Running Fenders?"

What I am seeing here is Guys who don't run fenders are saying "its no problem to them."

I wonder what they would be saying if they got hit with a rock coming from a car or truck that was it fornt of them?

 

Another reason for having fenders. SAFTEY

 

***Wanted: I need a set of front and rear fenders with splash aprons for my completely unsafe highboy roadster. Some whiney baby complained on a forum, now my car is illegal. please help...***

 

Dude,

You expect someone who's driving down the road to pay for your windshield? Unless it's an illegal dump truck, YOUR responsible. Stuff happens.

Are you related to that chick who walked into the fountain and is now suing the mall?

 

I think we would say "Ouchie" and get over it...

Not, "get that guys plate number and call the lawyer!"

 

That's what I was thinking.

While we're at it lets do something about those annoying loud exhausts and gas guzzling hopped up motors.

 

My windshield was cracked from a rock kicked up by a late model camry, but you don't hear me throwing a ***** fit. **** happens. Don't like paint chips? then stay off the road.

 

Are you ****ing serious? We live in the United States of America. We have a few freedoms left. Get a grip!

 

Nothing has been mentioned why cars & trucks have fenders. What I do see is every excuse to p*** it on to the insurance companies form the fenderless drivers. MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM makes you wonder if they really care more about ego than they do about saftey.

 

Life is dangerous...and sh!t happens! life goes on. If your worried about road chips maybe u should trailer your queen. You never know a meteor could fall out of the sky!

 

Then stay off the road with your shiny PU.

 

It is not being sued you probably need to worry about.
Just being run off the road, beaten up or maybe shot at.

 

Cars have fenders for obvious reasons - duh!! The fact is, my hot rod does not because I don't want it to. Freedom. Heard of it??

 

Sir, you never mentioned what the obvious reason was. Is one SAFTEY?

 

x2

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