I might be wrong but I think race cars are made of fiberglass. There is a big difference in carbon and fiberglass. Carbon fiber is used in barrels for weight and heat disapation. I don't think spine or deflection is a factor. There are some alum. over steel barrels but they are for weight and heat disapation and not for strenth. Most of the carbon arrows I've hit with another arrow has broken and I also get dent in alum. when hit from the side but you can't snap them like a pencil after being hit. Shoot what your comfortable with but carbon is not the cure all over alum. I just started this post to see if people have the same issues with carbon I've had. After seeing what an exploded carbon could do to your hand I will not shoot them again(except ACC's). Shoot what your comfortable with but if you think a carbon won't split and explode on the next shot if not checked, good luck, I hope you don't get hurt. Don