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What Is a Drag Race Car?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

A drag race car is a specially modified vehicle used in acceleration competitions known as drag races. In such races, two cars are pitted against one another and have a very short length of track to cover to see which has the superior acceleration ability. Drag race cars are built for extreme speed in sprints; they do not need to be able to loop around a track multiple times in competition. There are a number of different classes divided by size, weight, body type, and engine specifications.

Racing authorities divide the drag race car designs they accept into a number of classes that all contain similar vehicles in the interest of parity. The standards for each class can vary between different organizations. Drivers who want to compete under the auspices of different groups may need to recertify or make additional modifications to ensure that their cars will meet competition standards.

In drag races, two cars are pitted against one another and have a very short length of track to cover to see which has the superior acceleration ability.
In drag races, two cars are pitted against one another and have a very short length of track to cover to see which has the superior acceleration ability.

The top fuel class is one of the best known types of drag race cars. These lean, aerodynamic cars are built for rapid acceleration, and they have a very distinctive physical appearance. Funny cars have body covers and other modifications that set them apart from regular stock vehicles, but often look very similar to cars seen in show rooms. Some drag race cars are street legal, meeting standards for driveability, while others can only be used on the track.

The design of a drag race car must balance the need for an extremely powerful engine with a lightweight frame. Many cars run on distinctive fuels and fuel mixtures, and the fuel used can determine which class a drag race car belongs in. The use of high energy fuels can help designers build cars as light and efficient as possible, as the car needs to carry less fuel. The engine can make up the bulk of the weight of the vehicle.

Safety is also a concern with a drag race car. Accidents can be extremely dangerous at the high rates of speed these vehicles can reach, and thus designers need to think about issues like containing fires and creating crumple zones for safety in the event of an accident. Many racing organizations require drivers to submit to a safety inspection before they can go on the track. Inspectors will confirm that safety systems are in place and the car meets the standards. They can also check for signs that the car is in the wrong class and can order a vehicle reclassified or ask the driver to remove or adjust some modifications to make it suitable for the class she wants to compete in.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WikiMotors researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

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Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WikiMotors researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

Sporkasia

The speeds drag racing cars reach and how quickly they reach those speeds is amazing, but what I like watching most is the ejection of the chutes and then I like watching how they slow the cars.

Animandel

I'm probably in the minority, but I prefer drag racing over stock car racing and other car races that last forever and the cars go in circles. Drag races are so quick in comparison, and I still don't understand how the dragsters can reach such high speeds over such short distances.

Drentel

Any car built for and dedicated to drag racing has a special drag racing car chassis. Building one of these vehicles is too expensive for the average person. However there are other ways to get on the track.

I have an uncle who drag raced in races for amateur drivers. Basically, the drivers had made a few adjustments to their own cars. The cars were for the most part old muscle cars with rebuilt engines. The times I went to the track with my uncle I would walk around before the races and look at the different race cars.

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    • In drag races, two cars are pitted against one another and have a very short length of track to cover to see which has the superior acceleration ability.
      By: John Heard
      In drag races, two cars are pitted against one another and have a very short length of track to cover to see which has the superior acceleration ability.