Top Fuel Dragster Facts

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. And 52 million for Alex Rodrigues? Only complete morons would pay anybody that much.

Actually they paid him 275 million for 10 years. They obviously know something we don't.

Premiere classes in drag racing beats up a body in a different way. Physics are trying to squash your mind and body like a grape but one must still have the wherewithal to steer this raging , mechanical monster of 8000 horse power in a straight line and these cars want to go everywhere but straight. Its like shouldering a twelve gage for a couple of hours (circle track) and then compare this to firing a 50 caliber rifle 4 times in the same time. (double A fuel car). Each brings a different set of criteria that can certainly be labeled as challenging.

 

[Depmandog]

Drag racing could be compared (in my weird warped mind) to Pumpkin Chunkin.

Any one that has a motorized vehicle can drag race. Likewise, it wouldn't take much equipment or money to toss a pumpkin 40-50'.

If I was a good mechanic I could scrap together a dragster that would motor on down the strip at a respectable speed. At this point I have invested some money and my time (and probably some friends time as well). Its a hobby that I spend my time and money on.

Likewise, my friends and I could scour the salvage yards and concoct a device that could wing those pumpkins hundreds of feet. Me and the boys just having fun, loving the competition and building something from nothing.

It's human nature to take things to the extreme. They have built massive trebuchets and air cannons capable of throwing a pumpkin 4,000 plus feet. Why? The challenge, the excitement, the chase for a world record. To be the only one to ever go that far, or in drag racing - to go that fast. Likewise drag racers are going faster and faster. Top speed in the 70's - 200mph? Now -331 mph or so!

Anytime we endeavor to do something that has never before been accomplished, new designs, products, materials and methods are created / discovered. Is it worthwhile? Absolutely! It's part of what makes America great!

I can't give anyone a list of what NHRA has contributed to "society", but my guess the list would be long. It would be interesting to hear from a NHRA historian or researcher. And as these machines go faster and faster who knows what will be invented to keep everyone safe.

Disclaimer, I don't chunk pumpkins...but do enjoy watching it on TV once a year. And I would visit in person if it was close. A bunch of backyard engineers - colossal failures and engineering marvels.

 

[MossRoad]

That's the beauty of bracket racing. Just about anybody with any vehicle from bone stock to crazy customized can find a bracket they can race in. All they have to be is consistent. Dial in youre time and race. Too slow, you are sandbagging. Too fast, you break out. I dragged our car a few times and then switched to my motorcycle. As I could afford it, I would upgrade it and switch to a lower bracket. It was for pure fun, nothing more.

I got high 11 second quarter miles (about 119mph) out of a 400CC motorcycle. I had a blast for cheap. :thumbsup:

There is just something that gets my blood pumping revving up the engine and watching the lights tick down to green and dumping the clutch. For me, the excitement is nearly over as soon as I leave the line. The thrill for me is the lead up to the launch. :laughing: ZOOM!!!

I had friends try to talk me into round track racing. No way. People try to kill you if they have a beef. Straight line is much more gentlemanly.

 

[JDgreen227]

I may be a minority here but when I have a quick car, I get a bigger thrill out of rapid acceleration than top speed. My 1970 Mach 1 would probably have done 125-130, but to me the sprint from zero-to sixty was more fun than trying to bury the needle. My wife's 3 liter Saturn is probably the quickest car we have now, I have never driven it over 70 but I really enjoy revving it up from a rolling start...

 

[MossRoad]

I don't know.... something kinda fun (and totally irresponsible) about running a car at 135 and running out of road before you can shift into 4th! :thumbsup:

On the flip side of high speed, I had a '70 Nova with a 3 on the tree and a 230 straight 6. I did some "work" on the engine and it had a top speed of about 114. I blew up the transmission doing burn-outs in reverse. So, I found a 4 speed out of a Monza in a junk yard. After I installed that, it cut the top speed down to only 85 at red-line in 4th. But man, did it get there fast!!! I used to launch out on guys from stop lights, chirp 'em off in all four gears then shut it down before they could start gaining on me. Then when they pulled up next to me I'd tell them they weren't worth wasting my time in a full length race. Hee hee hee.

Also, my folks had a 74 VW bus with a Porche engine in it. It had dual 2bbls and studded snow tires. I would bet folks $20.00 I could jump the front tires over beer cans. Fun toy to play with. I had a friend who's folks also had a VW bus. We'd drag race out of every light neck and neck. Nice thing about street racing a VW bus is no one can tell you're racing!!! They are S-L-O-W. :laughing:

 

[tallyho8]

I blew up the transmission doing burn-outs in reverse. So, I found a 4 speed out of a Monza in a junk yard. After I installed that, it cut the top speed down to only 85 at red-line in 4th. But man, did it get there fast:

How did changing the transmission cut down on your top speed? All transmissions I have seen, except overdrive ones, have a 1:1 ratio which means the driveshaft turns the same speed as the pilot shaft in high gear.

The only way I know to change your top speed through gearing is to change the differential.