Basics of drag racing A drag race wheelie Starting The organization banned the use of nitromethane in 1957, calling it unsafe, in part through the efforts of C. In 1951, Wally Parks formed the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA).

World War II veterans were prominently involved, and some early drag races were done at decommissioned aircraft bases with landing strips that made them an ideal place for the sport. The history of automobiles and motorcycles being used for drag racing is nearly as long as the history of motorized vehicles themselves, and has taken the form of both illegal street racing and as a regulated motorsport.ĭrag racing started in the 1940s.

Electronic timing and speed sensing systems have been used to record race results since the 1960s. The 1⁄ 8 mi (660 ft 201 m) is also popular in some circles. The race follows a short, straight course from a standing start over a measured distance, most commonly 1⁄ 4 mi (1,320 ft 402 m), with a shorter, 1,000 ft (0.19 mi 304.80 m) distance becoming increasingly popular, as it has become the standard for Top Fuel dragsters and Funny Cars, where some major bracket races and other sanctioning bodies have adopted it as the standard.

Note the blinder, to prevent the driver from being distracted by the lights for the other lane.ĭrag racing is a type of motor racing in which automobiles or motorcycles compete, usually two at a time, to be first to cross a set finish line. The Christmas tree counting down at SIR, outside Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. For other uses, see Drag race (disambiguation).

Professional drag racers association