Drag Racing

Drag Racing is a very popular sport, done in highly modified cars. The idea behind drag racing is to get to a designated finishing point in the fastest possible time. There are several classes in drag racing, known as funny cars, top fuel dragsters, road licensed cars and more. Drag racing has a bad name in some places, because it is often done on the streets, illegally. Drag racing is an extreme sport; there are drag racing cars that can do a quarter mile in less than 4 seconds! They can accelerate to over 300 mph in just a few seconds.

If you have never been to a drag racing competition, and you like cars, it’s something I would highly recommend. I went for the first time several years ago, and loved it. When going to a drag racing competition, you can buy different colored tickets. These enable you to watch the drag racing, enter the pits (where all of the work is done by different teams during the competition) and those that allow you to get up real close and see the pits.

I have to say that being able to visit the pits makes the drag racing experience much more enjoyable. To see the teams running around as fast as they can to replace a part before the race begins, or to test that a part is running at top speed is an amazing experience. Drag racing cars run on ethanol; a highly concentrated liquid allowing for massive power to be obtained.

Top fuel drag racing cars are very long, not very wide and they have huge tires on the back. The engines are located behind the driver, and they are extremely loud. These cars have the ability to make the whole ground shake when revved up, and provide massive thrills. Drag racing as a whole is very loud, so if you visit, be sure to bring some ear muffs or ear plugs. Its an amazing adventure.

Drag racing is also done on motorbikes, some of which are very fast, but the cars manage to beat the motorbikes fairly easily. Most drag racing motorbikes are also modified to provide huge power. Drag racing cars and motorbikes often perform wheel stands, and to stop them from tipping over backwards, they often have what’s known as a wheelie bar hanging off the back. This simply hits the ground when the car or bike lifts up, and stops it from tipping back any further.

Drag racing is also done in street legal cars, meaning they are allowed to be driven on the road. These usually need their tires changed, but the engines are under the requirements of power to be driven on the road. Of course, different countries have laws which may restrict this, so be sure to find out! Many drag racing complexes have a night where you can bring your own car and test it out. This is a great way to meet new people, have some competition and have a good night out.

There have been many accidents regarding drag racing, due to the excessive force put on components of cars. As spectators, you are fairly safe, but be aware of the possibility of an accident occurring. Usually these are just parts blowing up, or engine malfunctions, but occasionally there are serious accidents that occur.

Drag racing is easily one of my more favorite sports to watch; it’s truly amazing how fast they accelerate. In saying this, simply watching drag racing on the screen does nowhere near justification. To feel the ground shake, and to have to move your head so fast from one side to another when the car moves is an amazing feeling. If you haven’t ever been to a drag racing night, go once and check it out. It’s a great experience for the whole family.