Drag Racing

Drag racing is a sport in which two cars or motorcycles line up side-by-side and race down a straight strip as fast as they can go. The winner is the first vehicle to cross the finish line.

A typical drag racing event consists of several classes of cars racing head-to-head in single elimination tournaments.

Fast Facts

1. Origin: U.S. and Canada
2. Drag race lengths are 1/4 mile or 1/8 mile
3. 325 operating drag strips worldwide
4. Fastest top fuelers: 330 mph
5. Measurements taken for each race:
   1. Reaction time
   2. Elapsed time
   3. Speed
6. Professional drag racing associations:
   1. National Hot Rod Association
   2. International Hot Rod Association
7. Professional drag racing classes:
   1. Top Fuel Dragster
   2. Top Fuel Funny Car
   3. Pro Modified
   4. Pro Stock
   5. Pro Stock Bike

Starting the Race

Professional drag races are started electronically with a "Christmas Tree," a set of vertically-arranged yellow and green lights. Informal races are started by a variety of means including flag-waving and arm-dropping.

Drag Racing Terms

• Blowover: Flipping of the car
• Doorslammer: Pro Stock or Pro Mod cars which require doors
• Holeshot: Getting an advantage off the starting line
• Quick 8 (Q8): Quickest 8 cars in a race
• Slicks: Rear tires with no tread pattern
• Slingshot: Front-engined dragster
• Top end: Finish line of the strip

Categories