Top Fuel dragster facts - Page 2

FredBro · 11-07-03, 07:05

I went to New England Drag way in Epping New Hampshire when I was a little younger. It was Jet-car night and one guy was staging and was flipping the After burners on and off really fast! Incredible FEELING. :scared

Never mind the sound and the sight of the fire. You could FEEL this car all the way through you.

Well, when the light went green, he went go, and a section of 2" thick by 10 foot by 30 foot of asphalt that was on the ground behind the car was lifted up by the vacuum created by the moving air coming out of the jet and flipped that piece back and away.

I went down and walked across the spot and the track was still so warm that the track was sticky on my sneakers!

Good Times...

Scottwax · 11-07-03, 07:53

Quote:

Originally posted by Aurora40
Hey Scott, thanks for that. Very interesting stuff.

For about $30, you can get a "test drive" in a vehicle that hits 120 mph in 4 seconds, then shoots 400 ft straight up, and then 400 ft straight down. Just go to Cedar Point, Ohio and ride the Top Thrill Dragster. It's quite impressive. If I recall right, the launcher creates about 16,000 horsepower. Plus, they have many other world-class rides as well.

I might go there when I pick up my kids for the summer in late May. They live in northern Kentucky, so it shouldn't take us too long to drive up there.

Six Flags over Texas has the Mr. Freeze ride that hits 70 in 4 seconds and that is pretty intense and I've driven the top eliminator cars at Speed Zone that hit 70 in 3 seconds. Once you shift it into second gear, it practically flattens your face!

scottabir · 11-07-03, 10:25

so christmas is coming up anybody have an extra top fuel dragster laying around they would like to give me?

Scottwax · 06-18-08, 04:52

Amazing the thread links you find at the bottom of other threads! I can't believe this one is still hear after nearly 5 years!

pharmboyrx · 06-19-08, 04:15

I remember one time on ESPN they had a cross section of a top fuel engine. It had the actual injectors over cylinders that were cut in half and covered in glass so you could get an idea of the volume of fuel that runs through the engine.

Just at idle it was an incredible amount. When they turned it up to show what it was like at full load it was like a freaking fire hose. I would believe they ran almost at hydraulic lock. I was amazed that the engine could still be running with that much fluid running through it.

I've always wanted to go to a top fuel race. My dad says it shakes the Earth when those cars take off.

MotorCity · 06-19-08, 04:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aurora40

Hey Scott, thanks for that. Very interesting stuff.

For about $30, you can get a "test drive" in a vehicle that hits 120 mph in 4 seconds, then shoots 400 ft straight up, and then 400 ft straight down. Just go to Cedar Point, Ohio and ride the Top Thrill Dragster. It's quite impressive. If I recall right, the launcher creates about 16,000 horsepower. Plus, they have many other world-class rides as well.

The ride at Cedar Point is AWESOME!!!

Highly recomended

BearValley · 06-19-08, 06:57

One thing that most people never do is experience it at the finish line.

That is where the speed is at - WOW, REALLY, REALLY WOW!!

landcruiser · 06-19-08, 07:11

I go to Pamona often for the start and end of the drag racing season. If you've never seen top fuelers run, suggest you go to a drag race. The tear down and re-build in the pit area after each run is unreal. And when they fire the engines up and pour in the nitro--WOW! It's like nothing you've ever seen or experienced before.

Scottwax · 06-19-08, 08:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by pharmboyrx

My dad says it shakes the Earth when those cars take off.

You feel it all through your body. I used to go to the Motorplex in the fall for the national event there. Always had a blast.

EisenHulk · 06-20-08, 07:02

+1000

I went a couple of years ago to Cedar Point, and the Top Thrill Dragster was the only ride I rode twice...waited almost two hours each time and it was TOTALLY worth it!!! It's an unbelievable experience.

Scott, from Northern KY, you're looking at about 5 1/2 hours to get to the park.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MotorCity

The ride at Cedar Point is AWESOME!!!

Highly recomended

JuneBug · 07-07-08, 08:58

I went to Rockingham NC a few times when I was younger, reading this thread I realize I need to take my daughter. It's an experience you have to be there to understand.

Aurora40 · 07-09-08, 08:53

FYI, one thing I found online recently was that there were dragsters even faster than Top Fuel ones. Apparently in '77 a hydrogen peroxide rocket powered dragster went 3.22@396mph.