Top Fuel dragsters are the NHRA's loudest cars, in part because of the way the engine is mounted. ... The NHRA once allowed a team of seismologists to stand at the starting line to measure the race the way they would measure an earthquake -- the two cars rated a 2.3 on the Richter scale [source: McGee].

How do Top Fuel dragsters make so much power?

Top Fuel cars get their power from custom engines that are 500 cubic inches and boast superchargers, making them capable of around 8,000-horsepower. ... These engines can't burn regular gasoline, or even race gas. They need nitromethane, a special kind of fuel, which is how these cars got the Top Fuel name.

What is the loudest motorsport?

• Senior writer for ESPN The Magazine and ESPN.com.
• 2-time Sports Emmy winner.
• 2010, 2014 NMPA Writer of the Year.

Why is Top Fuel dragster so powerful?

To make an engine more powerful, you increase the flow of air to it, either with a bigger intake, forced induction like a turbocharger, etc. You'd do this so that with more oxygen in the engine the fuel burns better, creating a more powerful explosion in the combustion chamber and more force on the piston.

Why are Top Fuel dragsters so fast?

The engine distributes power to the wheels in just 15/100ths of a second. Literally the blink of an eye. When they are accelerating, the drivers of Top Fuel dragsters feel G-forces that are comparable to an astronaut launching into space. These cars are so fast, traditional braking systems do little to slow them down.

5 Minutes of 10,000 Horsepower, 300 MPH | Top Fuel Dragsters & Funny Cars

What is the fastest 1/4 mile ever?

Fastest 1/4 mile ever 3.58 secs @ 386 mph (621.61 km/h)Santa Pod dragstrip is the venue in which the current world drag racing record, a time of 3.58 seconds...

How much does nitromethane cost per gallon?

Nitromethane used to power the engines of NHRA Top Fuel dragsters and Funny Cars costs about $16 US per gallon!

How much horsepower does nitromethane add?

With nitromethane, you only need 1.7 pounds of air. Drag racing motors are big, with an average engine displacement of 8.9 liters. When supercharged, they can produce about 6,000 horsepower.

How much does a Top Fuel dragster cost?

The total finished cost of a Top Fuel dragster is estimated at $500,000. Some notable drivers competing in this category are Darren Morgan, Andrew Cowin, Phil Lamattina, Damian Harris, Wayne Newbey, Martin Stamatis and Phil Read and various drivers representing Santo Rapisarda.

What is the fastest Funny car?

The fastest speed on record is 338.17 mph (Top Fuel) at 1,000 feet. A Top Alcohol Dragster can travel as fast as 285 mph in the quarter-mile.

What is world's loudest car?

According to Pretorius, the record for the loudest car in the world is held by their friend Scott van Riper in the US, who achieved 181.5 decibels. Pretorius said a project such as their Mini Cooper required financing and sponsorship.

Which race cars are the loudest?

Turn 10 studios, creators of the popular Forza Motorsport 4 game, took their recording equipment out to the race track to record the loudest race car on the planet; the 1991 Mazda 787B.

What's the loudest thing in the universe?

The 1883 Krakatoa volcano eruption was the loudest sound recorded on Earth, but there are much louder sounds in space, even though we technically can't hear them.

How much horsepower does it take to turn a Top Fuel supercharger?

Top Fuel engines feature a 14-71 Roots style blower with a maximum manifold pressure of 65 pounds per square inch. It takes 900 to 1,000 crankshaft horsepower to run the supercharger. The blower has a rotor speed of 12,450 rpm and is capable of moving 3,750 cubic feet of air per minute.

How much horsepower do Top Fuel dragsters make?

Top Fuel. Among the fastest-accelerating machines in the world, 11,000-horsepower Top Fuel dragsters are often referred to as the “kings of the sport,” and with good reason. They are capable of covering the dragstrip in less than 3.7 seconds at more than 330 mph.

What RPM does a Top Fuel dragster idle at?

With a redline that can be as high as 9500 rpm, Top Fuel engines turn approximately 540 revolutions from light to light. Including the burnout, the engine needs to survive only 900 revolutions under load.

How much is a Top Fuel Funny Car Worth?

These "fake" body shells are not just cosmetic; they serve an important aerodynamic purpose. Today, fielding a Funny Car team can cost between US$2.6 and US$3 million. A single carbon fiber body can cost US$70,000. Nitro Funny Car racing in 2020 has become a one-team, one-manufacturer monopoly.

How much money does a NHRA Top Fuel driver make?

• $37 k.
• $45.5 k.
• $54 k.

How much is a Top Fuel engine?

The cost of a complete top fuel dragster engine is in the $58,000 range depending on options. The engine will be stripped down to the bare block after every run and be rebuilt in a span of 40 minutes. The engine will be torn down and rebuilt 184 times in a year if the car makes it to the finals at every race.

Does adding alcohol to gas increase horsepower?

High-octane fuels, like ethanol, help deliver more horsepower and speed. Most cars require fuel with a minimum octane rating of 87. ... Small, high-compression boosted engines use less fuel, and the octane increase provided by higher ethanol blends would make it possible to reduce size without sacrificing performance.

What fuel makes the most power?

• Natural gas was the largest source—about 40%—of U.S. electricity generation in 2020. ...
• Coal was the third-largest energy source for U.S. electricity generation in 2020—about 19%.

Can I add nitromethane to my gas?

This means that nitro fuels carry two oxygen atoms as part of their chemical makeup. While nitromethane (CH3NO2) does not mix with gasoline, nitropropane (C3H7NO2) does.

How much is a barrel of nitromethane?

At the end of the 2018 NHRA Mello Yello Series season it cost $1,195 for a 42-gallon drum of nitromethane. During the season-opening Winternationals at Pomona, Calif., a 42-gallon drum of nitromethane cost $1,428.

What is the fastest 1/4 mile time for a street legal car?

It was the world's quickest and fastest street legal car in the 1/4 mile as of June 2012, with a 6.59 @ 220 mph elapsed time. Jeff Lutz is now the fastest street legal in the world with a time of 5.85 @250 mph.