| Drag racing is popular in the United States. Drag | | | | with a lower elapsed time. There are literally |
| racing is a sport in which cars race down a track | | | | hundreds of different classes in drag racing, each |
| with a set distance as fast as possible. Drag | | | | with different requirements and restrictions on |
| racing is a form of auto racing in which any two | | | | things such as weight, engine size, body style, |
| vehicles (most often two cars or motorcycles) | | | | modifications, and many others. The faster |
| attempt to complete a fairly short, straight and | | | | categories of drag racing are an impressive |
| level course in the shortest amount of time, | | | | spectacle, with engines of over 5 MW (6700 |
| starting from a dead stop, this is also known as | | | | horsepower) and noise outputs to match |
| sprints. Drag Racing is an acceleration contest | | | | (measured at 3. Typically, power will increase as |
| between two vehicles over a quarter of a mile. | | | | the engine RPMs (revolutions per minute) increase, |
| This sport is not illegal unless it is done on public | | | | but only up to a point before power begins to |
| streets. | | | | taper off. |
| Drag racing has a certain mystique that appeals | | | | When the front tires of a vehicle break the first |
| not only to professionals, but also to adolescents | | | | light beam, called the pre-stage beam, the |
| coming of age. Drag racing events are thrilling to | | | | pre-stage light on the Christmas Tree indicates |
| attend, with speeds matched only by the | | | | that the racer is approximately seven inches from |
| incredible roar of the engines. Drag racing got its | | | | the starting line. When the racer rolls forward into |
| name from the slang word for street or road, as | | | | the stage beam, the front tires are positioned |
| in "the main drag"; therefore "drag racing" is | | | | exactly on the starting line and the stage bulb is lit |
| synonymous with street racing. Drag racing | | | | on the Tree, which indicates that the vehicle is |
| vehicles are special in that they are modified to | | | | ready to race. When both vehicles are fully |
| be lighter and more powerful than in their | | | | staged, the starter will activate the Tree, and |
| standard form. Drag racing became a sanctioned | | | | each driver will focus on the three large amber |
| sport back in the 1950's, and has remained | | | | lights on his or her side of the Tree. The |
| popular ever since. | | | | start-to-finish clocking is the vehicle's elapsed time |
| Cars can run superchargers or nitrous oxide. Cars | | | | (e. A racer also may be disqualified for leaving the |
| running blowers are limited to 8. Cars have | | | | starting line too soon, leaving the lane boundary |
| progressed rapidly though and can now even run | | | | (either by crossing the centerline, touching the |
| 7 second quarter miles. Cars in street classes | | | | guard wall or guardrail, or striking a track fixture |
| (which must be street legal) are the only | | | | such as the photocells), failing to stage, or failing a |
| exception to this pre-race ritual, as the grooved | | | | post-run inspection (in NHRA class racing, vehicles |
| tires tend to retain some of the water. Cars built | | | | usually are weighed and their fuel checked after |
| for drag racing might be turbo charged, | | | | each run, and a complete engine teardown is done |
| supercharged, or fitted with nitrous oxide | | | | after an event victory). |
| systems. Cars on the low end include the $20,000 | | | | Drag racing is the fastest show on wheels. Drag |
| Dodge Neon SRT-4, with a 230 horsepower | | | | racing is definitely hard on your car, but to |
| turbocharged engine that can do 0-60 MPH in 5. | | | | become consistent in your driving, you will have |
| Power increases vary depending on the extent of | | | | to sacrifice some hard-earned cash for tires, |
| the modifications to the engine. A car can actually | | | | repairs and modifications. Drag Racing is a uniquely |
| blow an engine part way down the strip and | | | | American sport and is an all-American activity that |
| coast to the end of the track at a (relatively) | | | | Americans love. Drag racing is a business decision |
| lower top speed than the competitor, and still win | | | | or leisure activity that makes sense to anyone. |