4-Wide NHRA Drag Racing

[520SC]

I'll be attending my first NHRA event during the weekend of April 7 in Las Vegas. It'll be a weekend of 4-wide top fuel dragster, top fuel funny car, and pro stock drag racing. I can't wait. I've been watching NHRA events on TV for 40 years. Finally, a chance to see/hear/feel them up close. Cheehoo!

[RockBit]

There is nothing like it, and watching them on TV does not compare to seeing them live. I have never seen 4 wide, though. That will be something. Take good hearing protection. I use shot gunner muffs. Enjoy!

[520SC]

I'll be bringing expandable foam ear plugs and ear muffs. I attended a Hawaii Raceway Park event featuring two exihbiition top fuel funny cars during the 1980s. I didn't have any ear protection. I lost my hearing for two days. I'll never do that again.

[Gaz64]

I've read the ad many times, and I don't see 4 cars wide.

Racing 4 at once would interesting, but twice as dangerous.

[RB60]

I've been attending the NHRA Nationals every year at Reading for the last 25 years (I already have my tickets and motel booked for this year). There's nothing like standing 20 feet from a 10,000+ horsepower engine firing up in the pits. Just be aware that those nitro fumes will open your sinuses, burn your eyes till you can't see, you'll feel unbalanced, your ears will ring for hours and you'll feel like you just chugged a six-pack...downright awesome!
As for the 4-wide, I'm "old school," and as loud as they may be, I still think drag racing should be only 2 cars side by side, and you only get to see 3 rounds instead of 4.
That said, if you're a horsepower fanatic, you'll love it, no other engine sounds like a nitro burning top fuel engine. It can become an addiction, it has for me

[keezling]

Afterwards see if the term "travelling circus" fits. Meant in a good way...

[520SC]

Originally Posted by Gaz64

I've read the ad many times, and I don't see 4 cars wide.

Racing 4 at once would interesting, but twice as dangerous.

DENSO Spark Plugs NHRA Four-Wide Nationals | Tickets & Schedule | Las Vegas Motor Speedway

[Karl Bebout]

NHRA has been running 4-wide for a few years at Charlotte. Personally, I like the mano a mano of two lane although the sound of 4 wide has got to be amazing.

In a past life I got to stand behind the starting line, for a couple top fuel funny cars and that was totally different from even standing on the side line fence. Took HOURS to get rid of the smile on my face and the chubby in my pocket

520. Its indescribable and everyone who has never seen the fuelers in person should have that as a bucket list. Enjoy, and remember doze guys didn't build dem casinos by letting people win.

[HSC-ZL1]

The starting line is a must for the fuel cars. Also try to get to the 1000 foot mark to feel the noise and speed. Also remember that these fuel cars only use between 600 to 700 engine revolutions for a sub 4 second pass.

[Karl Bebout]

Fire and Thunder! Be mindful of flying bits and pieces, especially on "the big end". Seems to be more and more explosions as the times get quicker and quicker. I could live out my days on what John Force has destroyed just this year, already.

God, its exciting!

Beats the crap out of go fast
turn left
go fast
turn left
go fast
turn left.

[Gaz64]

Originally Posted by Karl Bebout

Fire and Thunder! Be mindful of flying bits and pieces, especially on "the big end". Seems to be more and more explosions as the times get quicker and quicker. I could live out my days on what John Force has destroyed just this year, already.

God, its exciting!

Beats the crap out of go fast
turn left
go fast
turn left
go fast
turn left.

That's for sure.
Scary these days, 9000 plus HP, some over 10000, 4 of them at once, hell stand back, ear protection, and feel the ground shaking underneath you.

We've all seen them go from 2000 hp high 5s, to now where they are at high 3s. 0-100mph in 1 second.

[RB60]

Originally Posted by 520SC

I'll be attending my first NHRA event during the weekend of April 7 in Las Vegas. It'll be a weekend of 4-wide top fuel dragster, top fuel funny car, and pro stock drag racing. I can't wait. I've been watching NHRA events on TV for 40 years. Finally, a chance to see/hear/feel them up close. Cheehoo!

Well, what did you think of the drags?

[joyridin']

Originally Posted by RB60

I've been attending the NHRA Nationals every year at Reading for the last 25 years (I already have my tickets and motel booked for this year). There's nothing like standing 20 feet from a 10,000+ horsepower engine firing up in the pits. Just be aware that those nitro fumes will open your sinuses, burn your eyes till you can't see, you'll feel unbalanced, your ears will ring for hours and you'll feel like you just chugged a six-pack...downright awesome!
As for the 4-wide, I'm "old school," and as loud as they may be, I still think drag racing should be only 2 cars side by side, and you only get to see 3 rounds instead of 4.
That said, if you're a horsepower fanatic, you'll love it, no other engine sounds like a nitro burning top fuel engine. It can become an addiction, it has for me

Old school? Dragway 42 in Ohio had side-by-side 4 lane racing in the 60's.

[Karl Bebout]

Joyridin,

D42 did have four lanes, but one side was for 13.0 and slower while the "good side" was for quicker cars. I went down the slow side once and it was scary, above 85-90MPH. Bumps and whoop-dee-dos. Best thing was, they could run about twice as many cars in a shorter amount of time. There was just a guard rail between the two tracks and when something really fast was running, they'd hold back the slower lane, just in case.
BTW, D42 is alive again. Completely re-done. I think the tower and starting line is now at the opposite end, all new track, facilities, etc. May have to go, just for grins, when I 'm in Ohio for my wife's class reunion, in June, I think. I haunted that place in the late 60's, early 70's, with my "Black Sabbath" Chevy Nova.

[RB60]

Originally Posted by joyridin'

Old school? Dragway 42 in Ohio had side-by-side 4 lane racing in the 60's.

Unless you've been there or know someone who has, would you have known that before it was mentioned on TV?
Admittedly, I never heard of it, my prejudice still stands.