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.
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.
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!
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!
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!
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.
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.
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