[ItsTheMediaStupid]

TXnMA,
I probably should have been a bit more specific in my statement. Pure nitromethane is shock sensitive, but not very. However, nitromethane as sold for racing fuel is diluted with a small amount of acetone (and maybe some other substances) and has a yellow indicator. The indicator turns purple (I think, never had this happen) in the presence of alkili. It is then considered shock sensitive and dangerous to use. I have seen cans banged and cars crashed rupturing the tank with out the nitro exploding.

[spunkets]

Here's a link that gives some idea of how shock sensitive it is. It requires a reletively large volume and a large charge to set it off. Nitric acid itself can be set off like that. Otherwise it requires large temps and pressures. Neither one is considered a practical explosive, but are components of.

Vrroooom!

I stepped out for a smoke yesterday and some neighborhood kids were playing with their model rocket. It was nice to see. The control nuts are after that too.