To reduce power and the acceleration of the driveshaft and tires, the ignition advance is retarded from 56 degrees to 27—a strategy to keep the tires gripping the track surface instead of spinning. This website is made by BBC Studios Distribution. Some of the clutch plates begin welding together, pulling the engine to its lowest rpm, 6500. How we test gear. Here's a breakdown. The GEICO Top Fuel dragster performs a smoky burnout with driver Richie Crampton at the wheel. No other ground vehicle can out-accelerate a top-fuel dragster. The resulting grip is akin to driving on flypaper. That kind of flow requires a firehose-like fuel line. The Top 10 Controversial Claims About Natural Gas Drilling, Bentley Battles AMGs, Ferraris, McLarens, Scores Strong Racing Debut, How Earth Accelerates Electrons to 99.9 Percent of Light Speed, The Ridiculous Motorcycle Racing Tech of MotoGP. They can go from 0 to 60 mph in half a second. That’s the style of drag racing that provides the most action as two different vehicles of varying performance can race against each other on a potentially even basis. The extreme internal forces literally flatten the crankshaft bearings and destroy valve springs during a pass. At the start, the 36-inch-diameter tires squat as the sidewalls wrap around the wheels' bead locks. Meet the new Bimmer cabrio. The bias-ply tires also dramatically change diameter over a run, which has the effect of altering the overall gearing. The clutch is tuned according to track conditions. BBC Studios is a commercial company that is owned by the BBC (and just the BBC). The motor screams at its 8300 rpm redline, and the tires buckle under the load of getting the 2300-pound dragster moving. When Will We See the Air Force's New Fighter Jet? Is VW’s new hot hatch really as sensible as it looks? We may earn commission if you buy from a link. This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. One run down the strip consumes fuel, bearings, valve springs and other parts to the tune of $5800. California Bans Gasoline-Powered Car Sales by 2035, How to Watch Tesla’s Battery Day Presentation, YouTuber Builds Homemade Tesla Cyberquad ATV, How to Remove Rust on Your Car Like a Pro, Test Driven: The Polestar 2 Electric Sedan, How to Pick the Right Motor Oil for Your Car, Watch This Go-Kart Clutch Fail Spectacularly. With increasing vehicle speed, the tires expand to a final diameter of 44 inches. No other ground vehicle can out-accelerate a top-fuel dragster. Please read Top Gear’s code of conduct (link below) before posting. On March 13, 2010, in Gainesville, Fla., Kalitta driver David Grubnic set a top speed record on the 1000-foot track. Popular Mechanics participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. That seemingly physics-defying performance is why Jim Oberhofer, the VP of operations at Kalitta Motorsports, calls top-fuelers violence on wheels.

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Thanks to 5000 pounds of aero downforce, the tires have incredible traction, but wind resistance slows acceleration from the maximum 5 g's to about 4. As the team prepares for the 2011 season, which starts Feb. 24, we peel off its top-fueler's bodywork to learn the secrets of its insane acceleration. It’s pretty frickin’ quick.

They are the most famous … record in Las Vegas. NHRA Top Fuel dragsters are the world's fastest accelerating land vehicles.

The special blend of tread rubber is designed to adhere to the adhesive that's applied to the track. "This is the engine's toughest zone," Oberhofer says. In the time required to take a sip of coffee, Grubnic's car reaches 248 mph. Next, the driver pulls the chute and the crew then feverishly ­prepares for the next run. "The clutch is the lifeline of the car," Oberhofer says, because it regulates wheelspin by gradually engaging and slipping as the car moves down the track.