What Does Horsepower Really Mean

[Williy]

My Uncle had an old 1020 back in the 50's and
a neighbor purchased a huge John Deere tractor
and came over to my uncles and wanted a pulliing
contest saying his John Deere will pull that old 1020
backwards with ease but all the John Deere did was
spin the wheels going backwards by that old 1020
the 1020 had iron wheels with metal lugs

willy

 

[Fuddyduddy1952]

We used to drag race and getting it to hook was top priority.
Years ago I was driving my new 1998 Hyundai Accent, straight shift (90-100hp from memory, pretty light 2dr).
Close to home the last traffic light it's 4 lane for about 1000ft then two lane. Coming home one night there's this tricked out 1970 Chevy pickup, tubbed, fat DOT slicks, radical cam and blower sticking out the hood. Two guys drinking beer in it. I staged way deep ().
As soon as I saw other light yellow I was already rolling. I shifted at red line...looking back all I saw was tire smoke. When the road went to two lane it was too late...he couldn't get around.
He followed me to where I turned off, pulled over yelling "let's run 'em at (our local drag strip)." Sure I said...you can run my drag car.
The point is just like every example hp is meaningless if you lose traction. The Accent wouldn't break traction on snow.