Scotch tape on headlights

[Diego440]

Why do racecars, and especially road cars used to race have scotch tape on the headlights? What is the purpose? Example:

 

[daan]

In case of an accident, the tape is supposed to keep the glass together, so it doesn't shatter as much, and is therefore easier to clean up the debris from the track.

Windscreens don't need it as they're a different type of glass that is shatterproof anyway.

 

[MistaX]

I've got generally the same thing as Daan, except that it was for keeping it together if hit by a kicked up rock or piece of tar.

 

[Scaff]

Daan has this one pretty much covered, you will also see its a lot more common on older cars, than newer ones. Again for a similar reason to windscreens, most modern headlamp glass is not glass at all but polycarbonate. Its both tougher and less likely to fall into hundreds of small pieces when broken.

Regards

Scaff

 

[Diego440]

I was checking pictures of older cars racing and someone asked me about them and I gave them more or less daan's answer (out of complete ignorance). So I just wanted to make sure.

 

[NoQuarter]

I believe it's electrical tape, or friction tape, as well

 

[Wolfe]

And sometimes people do it just to make their car look more like a racecar, not understanding the actual purpose of the tape.

 

[TopHat]

Wouldn't it be illegal to have tape on your headlights? Its partially covering the bulb, so I don't think it would be legal.

 

[backspace]

Wouldn't it be illegal to have tape on your headlights? Its partially covering the bulb, so I don't think it would be legal.

It's for track use....

How often do you see cars on the street with taped up headlights?

 

[MistaX]

I saw a G35 near Englishtown with 3M Blue tape ENTIRELY covering the front end.


That wasn't at the track!

 

[Duke]

I've seen numerous BMWs etc. like that at autocross events. if you're that worried about keeping your car perfect, don't friggin drive it. 7 years later my Neon still had cone marks from its previous owner.

 

[Sakiale]

Our Mazda3 has clear packing tape over the headlights. But you can't tell unless you look reeaaallly closely.