“Here Be Dragons”

NHRA photo
1ST-PIC-INSIDE
Photos by MSA Staff / Cover photo courtesy of NHRA

Story by Rocky Sinyard:

September 21, 2013

Mythology tells us that centuries ago — mapmakers formerly placed the warning — “Here Be Dragons” — at the edges of their known world.  This marked the boundaries of regions where only the fearless dared to venture.

Recently, I discovered a region of racing — one that I had not witnessed in person — where that phase could very well be applied.

Courtney lost round to Spencer Massey
Brittany lost round to Spencer Massey

I watched courageous drivers, two by two — buckle themselves into ferocious, fiery monsters — and then launch those beasts into the unknown.  It was nitromethane drag racing — and I will never be the same!

I wish that you all could have been there with me — viewing the staging area — as the crews fed these man-made dragons appetizers of methanol to give them a rumbling awakening — and then hear the explosive change as they began to feed nitromethane to the monsters.

And then — with raw fuel bellowing out of the exhaust pipes — daring pilots rolled these rockets through “a water box” and lit their tires.  Thundering and ear piercing — but the “burn out” was only a tease.  The best was yet to come.

Matt Hagan defeated Jeff Arend on his way to final
Matt Hagan defeated Jeff Arend on his way to final

When the two dragons were staged and ready to race — a green light! Suddenly an explosion comparable to igniting TNT takes place.  The ground under your feet quakes — the shock blast from the explosion hits your body — and the roar is deafening!

The two dragons — drinking nitromethane and breathing fire — flamed down the track — crossing the finish line in approximately four seconds — with speeds approaching 330 mph!

Langdon was under 4 seconds
Langdon was under 4 seconds

Wow!
I cannot find the words to describe the demonstration of speed that I observed.

All I can say is — until you have smelled the nitromethane — until you have heard the blast — until you have felt the shock wave — until you have felt the ground tremble — you will never comprehend the awesomeness of nitromethane drag racing.

Having watched the NHRA on television for many years — I have to say that TV does not do the sport of top fuel racing justice!  You have to be there!

Schumacher launching itPhoto by MSA Staff
Schumacher launching it
Photo by MSA Staff

According to GOOGLE — when the nitro cars accelerate from the starting line — an earthquake registering up to 3.9 on the Richter scale takes place.  The sound of the explosion can be heard up to eight miles away.

TrackBite
The NHRA preps their tracks with a biodegradable resin called TrackBite — a sticky compound that increases the traction of a racer’s tires — permitting super fast elapsed times down their strips.

John Force — 15x Champion
It was amazing to watch the 15-time Nitro Funny Car champion — John Force — as he welcomed and interacted with the race fans.  I always knew that he was a class act — but now I am certain!

Brandon Bernstein blows up too much nitro?
Brandon Bernstein blows up too much nitro?

John enthusiastically made appearances throughout the weekend to sign autographs, offer photo ops, shake hands, and talk with the fans — his fans.

Racers from all sanctioning bodies — from all ranks — should take a page from John’s book — and all of the NHRA drivers for that matter — and reach out to their fans.

Now – I am hooked!
NASCAR has been on a steady decline for more than a decade.  It the past few days, they broke all of their rules simply to allow one of their prima donnas  — Jeff Gordon — into the Chase.  How lame!
John interacting with the fansPhoto by MSA Staff
John interacting with the fans
Photo by MSA Staff

I am an old-time NASCAR fan who crossed the line and tried the NHRA.  I challenge you others out there to do the same — see if you all get as excited about this nitromethane racing deal as I am.

Save your Talladega dollars next spring and come meet us at the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at zMAX Dragway in Charlotte, April 11-13 — and the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals in Atlanta, May 16-18.
I believe that you will thoroughly enjoy the NHRA brand!
Courtney running against Dad
Courtney running against Dad
4-Wide racing in Charlotte MSA Archives
4-Wide racing in Charlotte
MSA Archives
Come join us for real racing!
Come join us for real racing!

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