PRONAL of France, a producer of flexible fuel tanks for aircraft, is now applying its aerospace technology to motor sports with the launch of reinforced rubber tanks for competition cars. The tanks have been approved by the FIA (Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile), the governing body of motor sport worldwide.
PRONAL'S, the motor-sport branch of the company, designs and manufactures flexible on-board tanks to equip competition cars used in rallies, the World Rally Championship (WRC), long-distance races, manufacturer's concept cars and historic vehicles. The tanks are manufactured as standard or can be customised.
PRONAL'S has acquired solid experience in the rally and racetrack categories, working closely in particular with Peugeot, Citroën, Renault and Toyota during the Andros trophy, and with Porsche 911 in the Historic Safari. The fuel tanks are adapted for every category: standard FT3, concept car, Additional WRC and Super 1600 (a tank made in an aluminium mould, following the shapes of the underpart of the chassis and the exhaust tunnel).
The company's research and engineering department designs each tank to precise specifications, using elastomer and composite materials. Three types of material may be used - fabric coated with synthetic rubber, a composite, or a mixture of the two. No part is manufactured without the validation of the research and engineering department. This department sends the tracking files directly to the team that cuts the materials.
The parts for the tanks are manufactured in an autoclave (i.e. a pressurised vessel), which means that the product is then cast in one piece, without discontinuity in the layers of rubber. This guarantees excellent mechanical resistance, optimal leak-proof characteristics and considerable weight saving. This technique also avoids rubbing and ensures a longer life, as required for tanks used for the WRC, as well as guaranteeing exact sizing, leak-proof integrity and impeccable quality. Moreover, it allows the manufacture of casing guards and oil pan guards including a pocket so that, in the event of a knock, the oil does not escape and the vehicle should be able to finish its run.
About PRONAL
Founded in 1961 and based near Lille in the north of France, PRONAL builds standard and customised flexible products from fabrics coated with elastomer and/or plastomer. The company has a staff of 110 and works in the defence, offshore, aerospace, automotive and maritime sectors.
PRONAL will be present at the Professional Motorsport World Expo in Cologne (Germany) from 8 to 10 November 2006, as well as the Autosport trade show in Birmingham (Great Britain) in January 2007.
