Fire Fighting Equip. in Drag Cars..

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Hello guys,

I'm venturing into new terrain again.  I see fire extinguishers mounted in race cars (Drag Racing) and would like to know if they're driver manipulated, or do these systems come on by heat sensors or something of this category?  I can imagine they're designed to protect the pilot.  Maybe too for the motor area for containment?

Take this for instance, the Ramchargers F/C restoration from the mid 70's, on the side of the cockpit;

I'd be grateful for any info or links.  This does not have to particularly be drag cars only as I'm sure the same applies generally for race cars.

I haven't a clue about details other than the way they're supposed to look.

Thanks in advance,

Michael