Top Fuel - Funny Cars to Race 1000 Feet
July 4th, 2008 by Paul Crowe
After taking in the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals last weekend in Norwalk, Ohio, it now looks like we were lucky enough to see the last full length quarter mile race for Top Fuel and Funny Cars, for the indefinite future. In the aftermath of the death of Funny Car driver Scott Kalitta, the NHRA has been looking for ways to make the races safer for the top two classes and as a temporary measure they have shortened the race length to 1000 feet which gives them an extra 320 feet of shutdown area.
Although there may be better ways to handle this, it was felt this change could be put into place almost immediately while other long term plans were finalized.
It’s going to take quite a mental adjustment to see races end at 1000 feet but it’s no secret that when you have cars with something like 7000 horsepower running at 300 mph, things can get a bit dicey if anything goes wrong. Let’s hope they come up with some long term solutions that can return these classes to the full quarter mile soon.
Link: NHRA
Posted in Drag Racing, Race cars
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July 14th, 2008 at 11:52 am
I have been a drag racing fan for almost 50 years. I have watched the evolution of these cars as they became more powerful, faster, and, yes, safer. Each and every member of a race car team knows what he or she is getting into from the start. It is always a tragedy when someone is hurt or killed, but it happens in almost every sport at one time or another, especially in auto racing. We all know this.
In all the years I have been a fan of drag racing the race has always been 1/4 mile (1320 ft)as, again, we all know. But the breakdown area has not been extended to keep pace with the increases in speed and power. That end of track area is what needs to be addressed,not the shortening of the 1/4 mile drag race!
What about all the evolution, the records and famous drivers over all these years who raced 1/4 mile? How will one differentiate all those records from the new so-called 1000 foot drag race. What is going to be called “3/4 of a 1/4 mile drag race”?
I do not think it is fair to the race teams, drivers, or the sport of drag racing to consider shortening this type of sporting event. As for the teams who state they will save parts or whatever, please find another sponsor or better yet another sport!
Keep the 1/4 mile drag race alive and progressing.
Fans go to the drag races for the roar and raw power and smell of burning rubber and fuel, not to hope some car crashes as most in any type of oval track racing do. Drag racing enthusiasts are a special breed. Keep 1320 feet!
July 18th, 2008 at 12:09 am
Next, the Indy 500, will be the Indy 375. 24 Hours of Le Mans will be the 16 Hours of Who Really Cares ?
July 18th, 2008 at 11:53 pm
The quick fix to make the Fuel classes safer is only that. A quick fix. The real solution is to increase the lenght of the shutdown area. If the racing facility can not or would not increase it, then that facility should contend with the “1000 feet fuel race”. All the newer, updated strips with increased shutdown lenght can run the 1320 fuel races. Everybody is happy and the evoultion in performance can continue.
Peace.
August 18th, 2008 at 7:00 pm
Not so good
They finally build a drag strip in Charlotte, NC.
I’ve been watching Top Fuel and Funny Car for years and finally thought I’d go to see one in person.
Now that they are running 1000 feet, I think I’ll go see something more legitimate like a tractor pull or fat guys wrestling…
September 17th, 2008 at 3:20 am
Personally I won’t pay to watch the big boys “take it easy”. If you’re afraid of the “most exciting 1 second in racing” change classes! I’m missing the first race in Las Vegas since “The Strip” opened here this coming October, because of the shortened race. I’ll be watching to see if the shortened race becomes permanent. When the race goes back to 1320 I’ll start buying tickets again. Stu in Las Vegas.
October 6th, 2008 at 2:41 pm
I think that shortening the length of the race to 1,000 feet is an awful thing to do. Instead of shortening the race they should force the tracks take proper measures to make their tracks safe.
How many races have been won on those last 300 feet of track? These cars are hard enough to set up to make 1/4 mile without lighting the tires? Now they don’t even have room to lock up the clutch.
I had been racing 1/8 mile tracks for years when I made my first 1/4 mile run. The 1/8 mile tracks are fun for most cars but the Nitro cars need the full quarter.
We are losing 300 feet of stand seating as well. I raced for 12 years, won three points championships and loved racing in door slammer classes. I still love to watch but won’t spend $85.00 to watch a funny car race that ends before it starts.
Jerry Newberry aka “Warlord”
October 12th, 2008 at 7:53 pm
One man dies and the whole sport shuts down? Earnhardt died Nascar did head devices and soft walls, did not cut the speed to 120, or go to all short tracks. Scott Kalitta is turning over in his grave.