Drag Racing

[Lethalchem]

Probably because we like our races to be challenging and last longer than a few seconds. Putting a car round a track the fastest you can is hell of a lot more advanced and challenging than a 1/4 mile through the gears sprint. That's why it's only a US thing, no-one else sees the point in it. I respect drag racing buit I don't rate it. Just the way we europeans are I guess. We like our cars to do more than straight lines, we like to perfect our racing line, we like to take a corner on the apex and power out, we sure as hell just don't wanna rev, drop the clutch and change up a few gears at the right time and that's it. We want more of a challenge.

#1 You insinuate some sort of American inferiority when you state "Putting a car round a track the fastest you can is hell of a lot more advanced and challenging than a 1/4 mile through the gears sprint. That's why it's only a US thing..." when in reality you cannot be further from the truth. Who is the more inferior, the individual who is closedminded and can't see past their own narrow perspective, or the individual whocan see , enjoy, and embrace the wide spectrum of experiences available?

Yes, the US enjoys drag racing. But, we ALSO enjoy road racing, we have our own version of F1, we even have an F1 track here. We also have Rally events here, as well as motorcycle events. In truth, Americans love ALL motorsports, which is represented in th efact that we embrace them ALL. You, on th eother hand, seem to be the ones who can't seem to grow.

#2 Anyone who believes this "we sure as hell just don't wanna rev, drop the clutch and change up a few gears at the right time and that's it. We want more of a challenge." is a babbling idiot, and doesn't have a clue as to what is involved in the sport. I watched a few rounds or drag racing this weekend, and if you think running 0 to 330MPH in 4.4 seconds is easy, you've obviously had a lobotomy!

 

[Powripper]

#1 You insinuate some sort of American inferiority when you state "Putting a car round a track the fastest you can is hell of a lot more advanced and challenging than a 1/4 mile through the gears sprint. That's why it's only a US thing..." when in reality you cannot be further from the truth. Who is the more inferior, the individual who is closedminded and can't see past their own narrow perspective, or the individual whocan see , enjoy, and embrace the wide spectrum of experiences available?

Yes, the US enjoys drag racing. But, we ALSO enjoy road racing, we have our own version of F1, we even have an F1 track here. We also have Rally events here, as well as motorcycle events. In truth, Americans love ALL motorsports, which is represented in th efact that we embrace them ALL. You, on th eother hand, seem to be the ones who can't seem to grow.

#2 Anyone who believes this "we sure as hell just don't wanna rev, drop the clutch and change up a few gears at the right time and that's it. We want more of a challenge." is a babbling idiot, and doesn't have a clue as to what is involved in the sport. I watched a few rounds or drag racing this weekend, and if you think running 0 to 330MPH in 4.4 seconds is easy, you've obviously had a lobotomy!

I'm not american, but I agree with you 100% I love watching all types of racing, from drag to rally, and I love all types of cars, from american to japanese (but I tend to favor the european cars more ) and alot of people dont understand how hard it is to get good 1\4 mile times with dragsters and funnycars. you have to pay attention to shift points, rpms, traction, and keeping a car strait while going 300+ mph aint easy!

 

[98cobra]

I'm not american, but I agree with you 100% I love watching all types of racing, from drag to rally, and I love all types of cars, from american to japanese (but I tend to favor the european cars more ) and alot of people dont understand how hard it is to get good 1\4 mile times with dragsters and funnycars. you have to pay attention to shift points, rpms, traction, and keeping a car strait while going 300+ mph aint easy!

Oh yeah, there's a whole lot of stuff you have to know and do to pull that car through the 1/4 mile successfully. I also agree with Lethalchem; I'm American and I like a types of racing. From rally to dragsters, Le Mans; anything that has to do with racing. 👍

 

[JW31]

i'm not a huge fan of drag racing.. but it'd fun. easy wins and stuff.

 

[F310B]

I assume a lot of the drag racing skill is getting away from the start smoothly? I don't know much of drag racing, but from what I've gathered watching F1 when they didn't have all the electronics they have now (Traction Control, Launch Control and so on), there is a great deal of skill for getting away from a standing start quickly. When you see some of the pre-1998 starts that have really been absolutely nailed, like Michael Schumacher's incredible getaway at Jerez 97, or Coulthard's start at Imola 96, it is impressive.

 

[98cobra]

I assume a lot of the drag racing skill is getting away from the start smoothly? I don't know much of drag racing, but from what I've gathered watching F1 when they didn't have all the electronics they have now (Traction Control, Launch Control and so on), there is a great deal of skill for getting away from a standing start quickly. When you see some of the pre-1998 starts that have really been absolutely nailed, like Michael Schumacher's incredible getaway at Jerez 97, or Coulthard's start at Imola 96, it is impressive.

Yep, that involves quite an amount of skill too.

 

[PhatFat]

I assume a lot of the drag racing skill is getting away from the start smoothly? I don't know much of drag racing, but from what I've gathered watching F1 when they didn't have all the electronics they have now (Traction Control, Launch Control and so on), there is a great deal of skill for getting away from a standing start quickly. When you see some of the pre-1998 starts that have really been absolutely nailed, like Michael Schumacher's incredible getaway at Jerez 97, or Coulthard's start at Imola 96, it is impressive.

Starting smoothly is definitly one of the hard parts, 6000hp isn't easy to handle no matter how wide your tires are.

 

[Leet_Newb]

All the newbies to the game who sup the engine and turbo regardless of how it affects handling will be able to feel good about there Pikes Peak.

 

[McLaren'sAngel]

Hiya! Meow! (='.'=)

I am not bashing on track racing, but I think that in drag racing, there CANNOT BE any mistake being made while in track racing, there can be a mistake and you can STILL win.

I'll get more into detail about this later since I got alot of HW

 

[98cobra]

Hiya! Meow! (='.'=)

I am not bashing on track racing, but I think that in drag racing, there CANNOT BE any mistake being made while in track racing, there can be a mistake and you can STILL win.

I'll get more into detail about this later since I got alot of HW

Your right about that. One mistake and you might as well shut off your engine; your done.

 

[DappaDaRealist]

NO there are LESS mistakes to be done in drag race.

 

[F310B]

I think they are saying that any mistakes you make in drag racing are more costly. I mean, I guess you don't spin and win a drag race? You see drivers spinning but continuing to win all the time in track racing.

 

[MAC TIKI]

You are all forgetting one of the hardest part of drag racing in a track enviroment... Reaction time.... you might have a faster car but when that light turns green and you are still sitting there, your done!!!

 

[McLaren'sAngel]

Hiya! Meow! (='.'=)

Back from where I started hmm...

I just want to clearify my own opinion about comparing skill levels of drag racing and track racing since there was some kinda tiny debate going on!

In drag racing, I would have to say that the skill MOSTLY rely on the skills of the engineers and technicians that built the dragster. I was told that what causes a lost in drag racing isnt really from the driver, it is mostly from the engineering being done by the engineers. The driver of that dragster is going to be a good driver of course, but if his car doesnt work properly, then he will lose.

If the dragster is built right, then the only skill needed left is the reaction of the driver. Green light omg GO! GRRRRRRRRRRROOMMMMMMMMMMMMM!!!

In track racing, it is much harder on the driver because even if he drives a perfectly built car, he/she can make a mistake on a turn or such and can still win the race, but what really hurts is that you gotta be racing several laps. Doing more laps, we can say will increase your chance of messing up on turns and passes. um... I think I will take too long to type all of this, I'll just summarize.

Drag Racing: More dependant on engineers and technicians. THERE IS NO ROOM FOR MISTAKE OR YOU WILL LOSE! 4-5 seconds and the race is done! NO PIT STOP!

Track Racing: More dependant on the driver. You can make some errors on your turns and passes. You still can lose even if you have a perfectly built car that won't lose its spoiler during the race.
AND... those people that built your car WILL REALLY BE DEPENDING ON YOU!


P.S Feel free to talk about this and correct it! I am open to learn some more! :yup: darn Homework...

 

[Lethalchem]

If the dragster is built right, then the only skill needed left is the reaction of the driver. Green light omg GO! GRRRRRRRRRRROOMMMMMMMMMMMMM!!!

Nince writeup, and many valid points...................except this quoted one.

What people who have never driven a high horsepower car don't understand, is that it's not as simple as "point and shoot". You CANNOT simply floor the gas pedal and steer (even in 2nd and third gears in many cars).

Many cars will spin their tires at even high speeds, not just at the launch. For example, if I'm driving in 2nd gear at 50mph and I floor the gas, my car will get sideways..and if I don't let off (or better yet, MODULATE the throttle) then I'm going off the road into a ditch somewhere. That's in a car with 500+ horsepower.

NOW take a car with 5000hp and imagine what it must be like. Those guys can smoke the tires at 150mph..200mph...or even faster! Ever watched a drag race where the car launches, gets part of the way down the track and smokes the tires, has to let off the gas, gets straight again, mashes the gas, smokes them again and gets sideways, then gets back off to avoid the wall? It happens all the time. You have to find a balance between throttle and traction.

You have to be able to "feel" what the car is doing in order to know when you can give it a bit more gas, or when to back off some. It's easy to know when you've given it too much, and it's easy to know when you need to let off...but it's hard to know just how much AND still run a good time.

Clutch control, throttle modulation, and proper shift technique (which isn't as easy as the casual driver may think) are all very important aspects of a proper run. It takes years of practice to get good that these things. As if that's not enough, add in the fact that you have to read the car, react, and fine tune the run all in under 5 seconds and you'll see what I mean.

 

[nsx_vtec]

Such as a drag car?

hey okoj that is the sickest picture ever " make way for the bad guy and its about time some one wrote that lethalchem hands up all those who are sick of the v8 vs. turbos and drag vs. circuit arguements

 

[nsx_vtec]

Hiya! Meow! (='.'=)

Back from where I started hmm...

I just want to clearify my own opinion about comparing skill levels of drag racing and track racing since there was some kinda tiny debate going on!

In drag racing, I would have to say that the skill MOSTLY rely on the skills of the engineers and technicians that built the dragster. I was told that what causes a lost in drag racing isnt really from the driver, it is mostly from the engineering being done by the engineers. The driver of that dragster is going to be a good driver of course, but if his car doesnt work properly, then he will lose.

If the dragster is built right, then the only skill needed left is the reaction of the driver. Green light omg GO! GRRRRRRRRRRROOMMMMMMMMMMMMM!!!

In track racing, it is much harder on the driver because even if he drives a perfectly built car, he/she can make a mistake on a turn or such and can still win the race, but what really hurts is that you gotta be racing several laps. Doing more laps, we can say will increase your chance of messing up on turns and passes. um... I think I will take too long to type all of this, I'll just summarize.

Drag Racing: More dependant on engineers and technicians. THERE IS NO ROOM FOR MISTAKE OR YOU WILL LOSE! 4-5 seconds and the race is done! NO PIT STOP!

Track Racing: More dependant on the driver. You can make some errors on your turns and passes. You still can lose even if you have a perfectly built car that won't lose its spoiler during the race.
AND... those people that built your car WILL REALLY BE DEPENDING ON YOU!


P.S Feel free to talk about this and correct it! I am open to learn some more! :yup: darn Homework...

i have to disagree mclaren i think drag cars are relyitvely simple compared to a say a formula one car and that in drag racing all the pressure is on the driver not the engineer were as the fastest of formula one drivers will never win a race if the car isnt set up right wadda think???

 

[PhatFat]

Do you guys think there will be any top fuel dragsters. And I know they wont have them but drag bikes would be cool.

 

[PhatFat]

i have to disagree mclaren i think drag cars are relyitvely simple compared to a say a formula one car and that in drag racing all the pressure is on the driver not the engineer were as the fastest of formula one drivers will never win a race if the car isnt set up right wadda think???

Do you think a 6000hp car dosen't depend on engineering?

 

[98cobra]

Do you guys think there will be any top fuel dragsters. And I know they wont have them but drag bikes would be cool.

I think dragsters are going to be one of PD's surprises. I know that seems kind of out that there, but that'll be tight!

 

[nsx_vtec]

Do you think a 6000hp car dosen't depend on engineering?

i dint say that your putting words in my mouth but compared to a formula one car its a go cart there isnt a much development and more of the result depends on the driver im not dissing drag engineers i admire anyone who devolps a 6000 hp engine ( b ut can they make 950bhp with a max size of 3000cc and Na ???)

 

[98cobra]

i dint say that your putting words in my mouth but compared to a formula one car its a go cart there isnt a much development and more of the result depends on the driver im not dissing drag engineers i admire anyone who devolps a 6000 hp engine ( b ut can they make 950bhp with a max size of 3000cc and Na ???)

Probably with that nitro-methane.

 

[nsx_vtec]

Probably with that nitro-methane.

theres a bit moer to it than fuel (although it does help) like valve trains using compressed air assisitance and ecu's that but the best of pc's to shame

 

[PhatFat]

i dint say that your putting words in my mouth but compared to a formula one car its a go cart there isnt a much development and more of the result depends on the driver im not dissing drag engineers i admire anyone who devolps a 6000 hp engine ( b ut can they make 950bhp with a max size of 3000cc and Na ???)

Well An F1 car with an 3 liter engine and 950hp produces 316.67 hp/liter. Very impressive but a NHRA top fuel dragster makes aprox 8000hp from an 8.191 liter (500 cubic inches) engine which is a huge 976.681 hp/liter. Although it is supercharged.

 

[McLaren'sAngel]

Well An F1 car with an 3 liter engine and 950hp produces 316.67 hp/liter. Very impressive but a NHRA top fuel dragster makes aprox 8000hp from an 8.191 liter (500 cubic inches) engine which is a huge 976.681 hp/liter. Although it is supercharged.

Hiya! Meow! (='.'=)

umm.. excuse me! Can you please explain to me the idea of what you are talking about..I am a bit confused

 

[nsx_vtec]

Well An F1 car with an 3 liter engine and 950hp produces 316.67 hp/liter. Very impressive but a NHRA top fuel dragster makes aprox 8000hp from an 8.191 liter (500 cubic inches) engine which is a huge 976.681 hp/liter. Although it is supercharged.

thats a fair good point but it uses good ol nitrous anyway we could go on all day so im gonna end it there

all though in the 80's it was 1000 hp from 1.8 litre turbos

 

[nsx_vtec]

Hiya! Meow! (='.'=)

umm.. excuse me! Can you please explain to me the idea of what you are talking about..I am a bit confused

confused about what mc cutey our debate between the engineering in an fi car vs. a drag car or my return to your previous post????????????

 

[McLaren'sAngel]

confused about what mc cutey our debate between the engineering in an fi car vs. a drag car or my return to your previous post????????????

Hiya! Meow! (='.'=)

Well, I am not really sure about the HP per Liter thingy, concept. The way I see it is like: The more HP, the more HP there will be per Liter? And I also get confused sometimes with other thread of HP per cylinder...I am a confused bunny!

 

[PhatFat]

Hiya! Meow! (='.'=)

Well, I am not really sure about the HP per Liter thingy, concept. The way I see it is like: The more HP, the more HP there will be per Liter? And I also get confused sometimes with other thread of HP per cylinder...I am a confused bunny!

the size of an engine is measured in liters, or cc, or cubic inches (it has to do with the actual size of the cylinders) so an F1 car has a 3 liter engine and a NHRA top fuel Dragster has about an 8 liter. to find the hp per liter you just divide the hp by the engine size

 

[inferno]

Horse power per liter is just what it sounds like. the amount of horsepower an engine makes with one liter of displacement. if you take the hp/liter figure and multiply it by the size of the engine in liters you can see how much horse power it makes. consequently, and more comonly, you can also take the amount of horsepower the engine makes and devide it by the engines displacement in liters and you get its hp/liter. For example you could have a 3.2 liter V6 producing 125 hp per liter that would make 400 hp. or you could have a 5.0 liter V8 producing 80 hp per liter that would also make 400 hp. the reason hp/liter is important stems back to the power to weight ratio. Of those two engines which is going to be lighter? The V6. a lighter engine makes a lighter car. sure the V6 dosent have the flexability of the V8 (ie less torque in the low rev region) but a good transmission and driver can make up for it and be faster in the end thaks to the lighter weight. Hope that clears it up.