Schumacher wins Top Fuel with Record Speeed

[cobraviper_99]

I've been covering the NHRA for ESPN since 1994 so I have some familiarity with the performances we're seeing in the nitro classes. The most amazing performance statistic I share with people when it comes to Top Fuel is that a Top Fuel Dragster can accelerate from a standstill to 100 MPH in .8 seconds, in a distance of 60 feet! People can't wrap their minds around that image. Try to picture this: The distance from the pitcher's mound to home plate in MLB is 60' 6". Randy Johnson can throw a 96 MPH fastaball. If he released his pitch at the same time a Top Fuel Dragster were launching right beside him, the dragster would reach home plate before the baseball.

A couple of corrections: Eddie Hill did indeed make the sport's first 4-second pass. He did it at the Texas Motorplex at an IHRA event in April of 1988. The first 300 MPH pass didn't happen until 1992, when Kenny Bernstein went 301 during qualifying for the Gatornationals in Gainesville, FL.

And the great increase in performance in the nitro classes isn't a result of spinning the engines faster. Nitro engines usually redline between 8000 and 8500 RPM's. The incredible elapsed times and top speeds have come about due to clutch technology, and to a lesser extent, tire development. And the remarkable computer software that crew chiefs use to diagnose every run. That's really amazing.

[sshurts]

cv_99,

Thanks for the information and do you make the seattle event? I'm there every year and the new track (weather cooperating) can post some great numbers.

Quick question for you, how much impact has the set-back blower provided? I met the inventor several years back when only a few teams where working with him (Kalittas mostly) and now it seems common place.

Scott

[cobraviper_99]

I won't be going to Seattle this year. I'm working on another ESPN crew that produces Inside Drag Racing and I'll be at another event that weekend.

The setback blower has definitely had an impact in the fuel classes. There's no way to measure how much horsepower they have added to the combinations since nobody has an engine dyno for nitro motors. But they have certainly increased reliability and helped to decrease blower failures.

[sshurts]

cv_99,

bummer on seattle, but keep up the great work as espn's support of drag racing is appreciated.

now, how about posting some photos of your csx in your gallery - sounds great

Scott

[Slither]

Cobrabill, yes I do. What's it going to take?

[cobraviper_99]

sshurts....I thought I had already posted a few shots of my Cobra but I guess they never made it to the gallery. New ones have just been added. Thanks!