Drag Racing - racing competitions for maximum acceleration along a straight section of the road. Drag racing features a large number of classes and racing series. Each of the auto racing organizations has its own regulations and features, and the competition is essentially a sprint race.
Classes are united by a single rule - races in "Drag Racing" are held on:
- 1/4 mile (402 meters)
- 1/2 mile (804 m)
- 1/8 mile (201 m)
- 1-dimensional mile (1609 m)
DRAG RACING COMPETITION FEATURES
Competitions have a number of features that make them so popular. Firstly, the racing track requires special preparation. It is extremely important that the cars have a grip at the start of the race and throughout the entire track, for this reason the track is covered with a solution of bitumen and glue. If one of the cars has an oil leak, the track will have to be prepared again. The “clutch test” is carried out by racers, for this a special “trackmeter” is used - a device that allows you to collect the information necessary to adjust the clutch and differential.
Secondly, the race cannot be started without the correct ignition of the nitromethane used as fuel and flammable worse than alcohol or gasoline. This fact is due to slower burning, so drag crews often have to stick a bottle of nitromethane directly into the supercharger.
If something goes wrong, there is a possibility of an explosion of fuel, which will cause the wheel to explode, individual parts to explode, or the car itself to be thrown into the air.
One can also note such a distinctive feature of the drag racing rules as the need to dismantle the car after the race in 40 minutes. If the crew of the team does not have time to invest in time, they will be punished with a fine. The main feature of drag cars are powerful engines, large and wide wheels designed for high-quality grip on the racing canvas. The technique is characterized by an elongated frame and body.
At a speed of 400 km/h, the brakes are no longer helpers, and to reduce the speed to reasonable limits, a special parachute is used, which, when opened, creates a thrust of 7G in the direction opposite to the movement of the car.
A parachute is also used during the race to straighten out the car if it wobbles around the track or loses traction (hold).
DRAGSTERS
Cars designed for racing are called - Dragster. These are specially modified cars that differ from standard racing cars in that they can rear up during the start. The average speed of the car is 350-400 km/h. Overcoming the mark of 400 km / h is considered a sign of a high class racer. The first to overcome this figure was the American Donald Garlitz, whose name is still well known. 82-year-old Garlitz in 2014 set a speed record for an electric car (296 km/h).
There are several classifications of these racing cars:
- street light
- street fast
- street unlimited
- serial improved
CHASSIS
For drag racing, special chassis are used, which have no analogues. For the production of this element, about 100 meters of chrome-molybdenum pipes are used. The chassis is lined with ultra-light carbon fiber.
RUBBER
Rubber should be as soft as possible. When warmed up, soft “slicks” stick to the track perfectly, guaranteeing the required grip at high speeds. During the race, the tires are covered with folds and twist like a spring.
After acceleration, centrifugal forces act on the rubber, narrowing it, as a result of which the tires become taller.
DRAG RACING CLASSES
TOP FUEL
The most powerful drag racing class is Top Fuel. The races involve arrow-shaped dragsters with a rocket-shaped body, the length can reach 9 meters.
FUNNY CAR
The second most powerful class is "Funny Car". The races in this category involve cars with a capacity of up to 6 thousand horsepower, outwardly similar to a touring car without doors.
PRO STOCK
The "Pro Stock" involves serial 2-door sedans or coupes with uprated engines.
PRO STOCK BIKE
Subclass - "Pro Stock Bike", motorcycles - 2-wheel dragsters participate in these races.
PRO STOCK TRUCKS
"Pro Stock Truck" is a subclass of drag racing for truck racing.
In total, Drag Racing has about 200 different classes.
DRAG RACING ASSOCIATIONS
USA
There are a huge number of associations representing continents and individual countries. The most famous association of the racing series is the American NHRA (National hot rod association) established in 1951 in California. Its founder is the editor of Hot Rod magazine - Wally Parks. The first race under the auspices of the American Association took place in 1953 in the city of Pomon, in this city the first and final stage of the season of the series is now held. The championship takes place in 4 classes, each of which is considered a self-sufficient unit, so transfers between classes are not accepted. The winners of the season receive the Wally trophy, named after the association's founder, Parks.
EUROPE
In Europe, competitions are regularly held under the auspices of various associations. Founded in 1964, the British Drag Racing Class Association is considered the best known.
DRAG RACING IN GAMES AND CULTURE
Dragster street racing competitions have long gone beyond "just a racing series." Due to its uniqueness, these racing competitions have become one of the most popular computer games of our time. You can compete on dragsters in the framework of the popular racing "toy" Need For Speed. Drag racing can often be seen in feature films ("Fast and the Furious"), music videos and even television shows ("Top Gear"). Thus, drag racing can be considered one of the most important elements of modern mass culture.
