How long is a Top Fuel dragster?
Also know, how long is a Top Fuel dragster? Constructed of chromoly steel tubing and carbon-fiber composite, Top Fuel cars are 25 feet long and weigh 2,330 pounds in race-ready trim. What is the world record 1/4 mile time?
How long is a drag strip?
In fact, an unofficial drag strip could be any length, but in most cases, you will see strips that are 1,000 feet, 1/8 mile, or ¼ mile. These are generally the professional tracks and host official drag racing events. Drag strips that are ¼ mile are approximately 1,320 feet or 402 meters while 1/8 mile comes out to only 660 feet or 201 meters.
How does a Top Fuel drag racing car engine work?
The engine used to power a Top Fuel drag racing car is built exclusively of specialized parts, it retains the basic configuration with two valves per cylinder activated by pushrods from a centrally-placed camshaft. The engine has hemispherical combustion chambers, a 90-degree valve stem angle; 4.8 inches (120 mm) bore pitch.
How do you go faster on a drag strip?
The only way you’re going faster on a dragstrip is behind the wheel of a top fuel dragster or funny car. McBride’s bike of choice uses an inline four cylinder based on the Suzuki Hayabusa motor. It’s fitted with a supercharger and runs on nitro methane and produces a face melting 1500hp.
What is the length of a NHRA drag strip?
1,320 feetTraditionally, a drag strip is 1,320 feet, which equals a quarter-mile. (One mile equals 5,280 feet.) Many classes in NHRA drag racing—actually, all but the Top Fuel and Funny Car classes—still compete on a quarter-mile course.
How long is a Top Fuel track?
1,000 feetThe NHRA took a major and somewhat controversial step toward safety Wednesday by shortening the distance of Top Fuel and Funny Car races to 1,000 feet instead of the standard quarter-mile run of 1,320 feet.
How long is NHRA Top Fuel drag strip?
1,000-footThe NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series' two nitromethane-fueled classes, Top Fuel and Funny Car, race over a 1,000-foot distance and can reach speeds of 330 mph, while gasoline-burning entries in Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle race 1,320 feet to the finish line.
How long are drag racing strips?
1/4 miledrag racing, form of motor racing that originated in the United States and in which two contestants race from a standing start side by side on a drag strip—a flat, straight course, most commonly 1/4 mile (0.4 km) long.
What is the fastest 1/4 mile ever?
Watch Rimac Nevera Go Beyond Plaid: Sets New 1/4 Mile World Record#1 8.74 seconds @ 165.52 mph (without burn out.#2 8.612 seconds @ 166.99 mph (with burn out)Record pass: 8.582 seconds at 167.51 mph (269.5 km/h)
What is the fastest 1/4 mile time for a street legal car?
It was the world's quickest and fastest street legal car in the 1/4 mile as of June 2012, with a 6.59 @ 220 mph elapsed time. Jeff Lutz is now the fastest street legal in the world with a time of 5.85 @250 mph.
Why does Top Fuel run 1000 feet?
NHRA cuts race distance to 1000 feet: Move made to enhance safety after Kalitta's death. The NHRA has cut the race distance for its Top Fuel and Funny Car classes to 1000 feet--320 feet short of a quarter-mile--as a safety measure in the wake of the death of racer Scott Kalitta nearly two weeks ago.
Why do dragster engines only last 4 seconds?
0:0515:59Why Dragster Engines Only Last 4 seconds - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThey are tuned to be so powerful that their pistons rings connecting rods spark plugs only last oneMoreThey are tuned to be so powerful that their pistons rings connecting rods spark plugs only last one run down the drag strip. That's under a mere four seconds of use.
How much does a gallon of nitromethane cost?
about $16 US per gallon… Nitromethane used to power the engines of NHRA Top Fuel dragsters and Funny Cars costs about $16 US per gallon!
What are the dimensions of a drag strip?
The width of a National Hot Rod Association drag strip is 60 feet wide including one foot walls on each side. Drag strip lanes are a minimum of 4,000 feet, where gasoline competitors race for 1,320 feet.
What is the 60 foot in drag racing?
60 FOOT TIMER Measures the time it takes the car to cross the first 60 feet of the quarter-mile. This shows you how well the car launches, which affects your elapsed times. Most street-tired cars have 60 foot times around 2 seconds.
Why does 1320 mean quarter-mile?
The 1320 part of its name comes from the distance in feet in a quarter mile. Don't let its normal Challenger looks fool you: This Scat Pack 1320 is the fastest naturally aspirated showroom stock drag car you can buy.
10 The Fastest Cars On The Planet
What makes a top fuel dragster so terrifyingly fast? Years of engineering and technology improvements have led to the massive power these dragsters put out. These cars are designed for one thing, to go as fast as possible in 1320 feet. These race cars seem to get faster and faster each year.
9 The Engines Need To Be Rebuilt After Every Run Down The Track
Top Fuel engines produce so much power and force that they need to be rebuilt after each run down the track. The engines are basically built to go 1320 feet on the edge, seconds away from potential catastrophic failure.
8 They Produce More G-Force Than A Space Shuttle Launch
Blasting off from the starting line in a Top Fuel dragster produces 5 Gs which is more than a fighter jet launch. The g-force produced from Top Fuel dragsters is also more than a space shuttle launch, which only produces 3 G's.
7 They Consume An Unbelievable Amount Of Fuel
Fuel is the most important part of a race car, bringing life to the fiery beast. These cars only race down the track for 3-4 seconds but burn gallons of the liquid gold during that time. Not to mention the burn-out and reversing the car back to the starting line.
6 Top Fuel Engines Are Basically Bombs On Wheels
The excessive amount of horsepower and fuel walk a fine line between perfection and disaster. This is a major reason the engine is rebuilt after each pass. If anything goes wrong inside the engine, fires and explosions are a high probability.
5 The Engine Produces 11,000 Horsepower
The 500 cubic-inch supercharged V8 engine in the Top Fuel dragsters produces an amazing 11,000 horsepower. The combination of air and fuel combined with precise engineering helps produce this amount of power.
4 They Are As Long As A Killer Whale
Top Fuel dragsters measure 25 feet long and weigh 2,330 pounds. Killer whales average between 20-26 feet long, making the excellent comparison for the length of the car.
How fast is a top fuel dragster?
Top Fuel dragsters are the quickest accelerating racing cars in the world and the fastest sanctioned category of drag racing, with the fastest competitors reaching speeds of 335 miles per hour (539 km/h) and finishing the 1,000 foot (305 m) runs in 3.62 seconds.
How fast can a dragster go?
A top fuel dragster accelerates from a standstill to 100 mph (160 km/h) in as little as 0.8 seconds (less than one third the time required by a production Porsche 911 Turbo to reach 60 mph (100 km/ h)) and can exceed 297 mph (478 km/h) in just 660 feet (200 m).
How big can a dragster be?
Ear plugs and even earmuffs are often handed out to fans at the entrance of a Top Fuel event. Dragsters are limited to a maximum wheelbase of 300 inches (760 cm).
How long can a top fuel engine run?
Dynamometers that can measure the output of a Top Fuel engine exist; however, the main limitation is that a Top Fuel engine cannot be run at its maximum power output for more than 10 seconds without overheating or possibly destroying itself explosively.
How many injectors are in a supercharger?
In general 10 injectors are placed in the injector hat above the supercharger, 16 in the intake manifold and two per cylinder in the cylinder head. Usually a race is started with a leaner mixture, then as the clutch begins to tighten as the engine speed builds, the air/fuel mixture is enriched.
What engine is used in top fuel drag racing?
The engine used to power a Top Fuel drag racing car is based on a second generation Chrysler RB Hemi, but is built exclusively of specialized parts, it retains the basic configuration with two valves per cylinder activated by pushrods from a centrally-placed camshaft.
When did the 1/4 mile distance change?
The International Hot Rod Association, which now sanctions Top Fuel in Australia, dropped the 1/4 mile distance in September 2017 after Santo Rapisarda, a car owner who often runs NHRA races in the United States, pushed for the change.
What Does Drag Strip Mean?
A drag strip is a straight section of road that is used for drag racing. The strip is a generally paved track or it could be a traditionally paved road but it must be straight so that the vehicles can be allowed to ‘drag’ over it without the need for corners or added potential for injury.
How Wide is a Drag Strip?
An official drag strip requires at least 25 feet for each lane. While drag strips can, theoretically, be only one lane with measurements taken, they are typically at least two lanes wide. Some strips may even have a total of four lanes for drivers.
What is the Length of a Drag Strip?
There are several different lengths available for drag strips. In fact, an unofficial drag strip could be any length, but in most cases, you will see strips that are 1,000 feet, 1/8 mile, or ¼ mile. These are generally the professional tracks and host official drag racing events.
Why Did Drag Racing Go to 1000 Feet?
Drag racing was initially changed to 1000 feet because of the death of a racer in 2008. The decision was made so that the end of the race would occur with more space at the end for racers to slow down before the track ends.
What Drag Strip Has 4 Lanes?
The zMAX Dragway has 4 lanes and is actually the only four-lane, concrete drag strip available anywhere. You’ll find everything that you would expect from any other drag strip, but with four vehicles going at the same time instead of only two.
Why Are Drag Strips So Sticky?
Drag strips are sticky because they use a special compound to allow for the most impressive launch. This material is typically PJ1 TrackBite or was once known as VHT. It’s designed to get vehicles with large horsepower to achieve a more impressive showing that could otherwise be a bit difficult.
Conclusion
When it comes to drag racing there are a number of factors to consider if you are thinking about racing or even going to watch a race. For those considering starting their own drag strip, there is, even more, to think about, including the size and the materials to do it.
How long is a drag strip?
A dragstrip is a straight, purpose-built racetrack, typically an eighth, ten feet longer than three-sixteenths, or a quarter of a mile long (660/1,000/1320 feet, 201/304.8/402 m), with an additional shutdown area to allow vehicles room to stop after crossing the finish line. Common features also include a 'water box' where vehicles ...
How many feet is a drag track?
Although a quarter mile (1320 feet, 402 m) is the best known measure for a drag track, many tracks are eighth mile (201 m) tracks, and the premiere classes will run 1,000 foot (304.8 m) races. The race is begun from a standing start which allows three factors to affect the outcome of the race: reaction time, power/weight ratio, and traction.
How long does it take to get a drag racer to go through the rules?
These can be found in the applicable governing body's rule book. Most rules do not apply until the vehicle exceeds a specified time, such as 10.99 seconds.
What is the water box on a motorcycle?
Common features also include a 'water box' where vehicles and motorcycles start their burnouts for tire clean-up and also to heat up their tires to improve traction. There is a set of lights known as a 'Christmas Tree' that counts down to the start.
How fast can a dragster go?
The fastest class in the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) drag-racing series, these cars can rocket to 300 mph in less than 4 seconds. That seemingly physics-defying performance is why Jim Oberhofer, the VP of operations at Kalitta Motorsports, calls top-fuelers violence on wheels.
How fast does Grubnic's car go?
In the time required to take a sip of coffee, Grubnic's car reaches 248 mph. Some of the clutch plates begin welding together, pulling the engine to its lowest rpm, 6500.
What is a dry clutch?
A five-disc dry clutch is the only link between the engine and the locked rear end —there's no transmission. "The clutch is the lifeline of the car," Oberhofer says, because it regulates wheelspin by gradually engaging and slipping as the car moves down the track. A hydraulically motivated throw-out bearing operates off a simple timer (computer controls are illegal). The clutch is tuned according to track conditions. If it engages too quickly, the tires will spin, but if it's too lazy, the car won't accelerate as fast as possible. The discs get so hot that at least two of them are welded together by the run's end.
How do bias ply tires affect gearing?
The bias-ply tires also dramatically change diameter over a run, which has the effect of altering the overall gearing. At the start, the 36-inch-diameter tires squat as the sidewalls wrap around the wheels' bead locks. With increasing vehicle speed, the tires expand to a final diameter of 44 inches.
How far can nitro cars run?
Only the Nitro cars – Top Fuel dragsters and Funny Cars – run just 1,000 feet. Every other class of racing, including Pro Stock, sportsmen and alcohol classes – still runs at the original distance of 1,320 feet.
How far back does the 911 call go?
But with today’s modern technology and enhanced safety features, the call continues to go back to 1,320 feet. Admittedly, reaction is mixed across all fronts, including drivers. Guys like John Force and Tony Schumacher have said they like the shorter distance; Cruz Pedregon has said in the past that he’d like to go back to 1,320.
Is drag racing a race?
Many of them have likely been fans of the sport for 20, 30, 40 or more years. And many of them believe a drag race is not a race until every class, including Top Fuel and Funny Car, competes at the same length.
What does it feel like to throw your leg over a drag bike?
You quite literally are laying right on top of a motor that is so high strung and force-fed nitromethane that it may as well be a 1500hp ticking time bomb. After doing a massive burnout, you pull up to the line and crank off a 5.8-second quarter mile at 250mph! That is a rocketship between your legs and it’s somewhat mind-blowing that anyone would have the cajones ride these monsters.
How long are wheelie bars?
These things measure about 17 feet long from the front wheel to the tip of the giant wheelie bars. And use a 14″ X 31.5″ tire in the back, that’s 14 inches wide which is a car tire essentially, hence the giant wheelie bars.
Overview
Top Fuel dragsters are the quickest accelerating racing cars in the world and the fastest sanctioned category of drag racing, with the fastest competitors reaching speeds of 335 miles per hour (539.1 km/h) and finishing the 1,000 foot (304.8 m) runs in 3.62 seconds.
A top fuel dragster accelerates from a standstill to 100 mph (160.9 km/h) in a…
Top Fuel racing
Before their run, racers often perform a burnout in order to clean and heat tires. Additionally, the burnout applies a layer of fresh rubber to the track surface, which greatly improves traction during launch.
At maximum throttle and RPM, the exhaust gases escaping from a dragster's open headers produce about 900–1,100 pounds-force (4.0–4.9 kN) of downforce. …
Fuel
Since 2015, NHRA regulations limit the composition of the fuel to a maximum of 90% nitromethane; the remainder is largely methanol. However, this mixture is not mandatory, and less nitromethane may be used if desired. The exhaust gas from nitromethane combustion contains nitric oxide, an important intermediate in industrial chemistry, which is formed in combustion systems and can be generated by lightning in thunderstorms. In mammals, including humans, nitric oxide is a sign…
Top fuel engines
Like many other motor sport formulas originating in the United States, NHRA-sanctioned drag racing favors heavy restrictions on engine configuration, sometimes to the detriment of technological development. In some cases, teams are required to use technologies that may be decades old, resulting in cars that may seem substantially less advanced than the average family car. H…
Mandatory safety equipment
Much of organized drag-racing is sanctioned by the National Hot Rod Association. Since 1955, the association has held regional and national events (typically organized as single elimination tournaments, with the winner of each two car race advancing) and has set rules for safety, with the more powerful cars requiring ever more safety equipment.
Typical safety equipment for contemporary top fuel dragsters: full face helmets with fitted HAN…
History
In 1958, NHRA banned nitro in all categories; the American Hot Rod Association (AHRA) still allowed it, and Fuel Dragsters (FD), Hot Roadsters (HR), and Fuel Coupés (FC): this led to Fuel Altereds (AA/FAs), Factory Experimentals (A/FXs), and (ultimately) Funny Cars (TF/FCs).
Independent drag strips, not NHRA sanctioned, offered venues for the fuel racers. Smokers Car Club hosted the first U.S. Fuel and Gas Championship at Famoso Raceway in March 1959. Bob Ha…
See also
• ANDRA Top Fuel
External links
• Restored Top Fuel Dragsters from the 60s & 70s
• NHRA National Hot Rod Association Website
• WSID Website
• IHRA International Hot Rod Association Website