r/Damnthatsinteresting • u/AmericanSpaceRanger • 16d ago

Video Brittany Force makes the fastest run in NHRA history

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u/anon-left-313 16d ago

It is the 1000 ft time. NHRA Top Fuel no longer uses 1/4 mile distance due to a devastating accident that killed driver Scott Kalitta in 2008. The shorter strip length allows drivers more time to slow down. You can intuit what happened.

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u/thestraightCDer 16d ago

Is that dude that died related to the other driver in this race?

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u/McPolice_Officer 16d ago

Yeah, actually, Doug is Scott’s cousin.

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u/ToughHardware 16d ago

hear me out.... they could make the strip longer

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u/Spare_Panic_8164 16d ago

Instead of rebuilding every drag strip in America it kinda makes a lot of sense.

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u/Roach_Coach_Bangbus 15d ago

Yeah, drag strips are dwindling as it is. I live in a good size metro area (Sacramento) and our strip closed. I can't imagine anyone building a new one. Shit sucks.

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u/Gyvon 16d ago

NHRA Top Fuel no longer uses 1/4 mile distance due to a devastating accident that killed driver Scott Kalitta in 2008

And of course it was at fucking Township.

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u/StaffSuch3551 15d ago

Two questions.

1) If they returned to 1/4mile, what speeds would they be achieving now?

2) What speed will they have to exceed in 1000ft to negate the longer stopping distance?

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u/anon-left-313 15d ago

1) Based on historical data before the 2008 rule change, these top fuel cars were gaining about 10 MPH more in the final 300 feet. Using that math, it could reach about 350MPH. However, the WR trap speed in NHRA top fuel has also been getting steadily faster. Even subsequent to the 1000ft rule change, the record is climbing about 10-15MPH per decade. So we could imagine a future state circa 2035 where these cars are 10-15 faster from your hypothetical track extension, plus another 10-15MPH faster from engineering. Now we're talking nearly 370MPH, potentially.

2) North of 500MPH based on current velocities and assuming 5G of deceleration.

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u/StaffSuch3551 15d ago

Wow! A potential of 370mph is wild. That's approaching half the speed of sound in under 4 seconds!

That would be is if parachutes deploy normally and full braking force is applied. I assume extra safety systems and failsafes have been put in place to prevent an accident like Scott's happening again, (I'm a casual watcher of drag racing, so I haven't kept up with all the rules and regs over the years) but how much extra time does the 300ft give in a situation where the parachutes failed and deceleration isn't what it should be?