The Basics Of Drag Racing

Drag racing has been par t of American history since the 1930s, when enthusiasts first acquired the desire to push their vehicles to the limits. Top speed has always been a goal, as well as how quickly one can reach that speed from the starting line to the finish. Drag racing is one of the most easily recognized forms of racing because there are two cars in each race that compete in a straight line format, with the intention of being the first driver to cross the finish line. There are many different classes or divisions of drag racing to accommodate a wide range of budgets and interests. This diversity is the very factor that keeps a strong following and helps to keep the sport sustained. Street legal racing, designed for open participation from the public, takes place on the drag strip so that drivers can test out their vehicles without worry of traffic or law enforcement. 

Drag racing is synonymous with the NHRA, or the National Hot Rod Association, because of the 80,000 members they have, over 100 tracks, and the 35,000 licensed drag racing competitors. This sport is simple to understand and learn, as far as the basics are concerned. Drag racing can be defined in simple terms as a competition to see who can out accelerate the other driver. The most common track lengths are the quarter mile and the eighth mile, respectively. The different classes that are available allow the race teams to focus on a particular style of car and limitations on horsepower, or power. The christmas tree starting lights change in the more advanced classes as well, which makes it more challenging for a driver to get a fast reaction time.  Some of the more popular classes include Top Fuel and Funny Car, Alcohol dragsters and Funny cars, and finally Pro stock classes. Top fuel and Funny care machines run a Nitro Methane fuel mix which makes an extreme amount of power. The alcohol cars run on just alcohol and the Pro Stock run on race gas. These classes are all professional classes and the cars are custom built from the ground up. The Pro Stock cars and the Funny Cars are run with a tube chassis with a carbon fiber and/or fiberglass body. Most individuals who race their cars on the weekends have their vehicles in factory form, because of the incredible expense that comes with building a custom race car. Competitions are generally done in a single elimination, bracket format that keeps the action intense.

Drag racing has remained very popular for decades and the sport continues to grow today. From a daily driven Mustang to a Top Fuel Dragster, the drag racing hobby exists for a large number of people. In many sports it is necessary to invest a lot of time and money in order to remain competitive. This sport is unique in the fact that an enthusiast can spend as much or a little as they want to and still get out and be competitive and have a great time doing it. 

For additional resources on drag racing, please refer to the following sites:

Drag Racing 101

IHRA

The Learning Environment

Drag Racing Basics

Hoosier Tire

J.R. Thompson

Sportsman Bracket Drag Racing

Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing

Drag Racing Resources

Racing Resources

Drag Racing Your Turbo Regal