F/C and T/F Question

[FABMAN]

What elapse time and speed would a T/F and F/C be running now if NHRA went back to 1/4 mile finish line.

 

[Randy]

Tony Schumacher ran a 4.428 at 327.98 miles per hour in the final against Melanie Troxel at the 2006 Pomona Finals which set the national record and won him the championship over Doug Kalitta when they were still racing 1/4 mile. The incremental times were 60ft-0.841 sec., 330ft-2.114, 660ft-3.003/283.19mph, 1,000ft-3.759. The rules back then had a lot going on toward the finish line in order to slow them down.

At the same event Jack Beckman in FC ran a 4.662 at 329.99 in the final and had been as fast as 333.66 miles per hour in qualifying. His incremental times in the final were 60ft-0.899 sec., 330ft-2.279, 660ft-3.212/272.72mph, 1,000ft-3.989. With this run Beckman set the national record but lost to John Force in the final on a hole shot.

One thing to remember is there have been several rules changes including additional weight placed on the cars since then that slowed them down. They have overcome the added weight and rules changes and are just as quick to the 1,000 foot mark now.

 

[Dave]

Doug Kalitta's 4.428 333.00from September of 2003 was :
Doug Kalitta's incremental times: 60ft-0.835 sec., 330ft-2.116, 660ft-3.008/281.83mph, 1,000ft-3.766
Doug Kalitta's 4.420 328.22 from May of 2004 was:
Doug Kalitta's incremental times: 60ft-0.852 sec., 330ft-2.120, 660ft-3.004/283.73mph, 1,000ft-3.758
Gary Scelzi's 4.480 from October 1999 doesn't have full short times, but until Reading 2012 his time was the only sub 3 second 1/8th mile:
"Big Red" was clocked at 2.991 seconds and 274.05 mph at half track

In 2012 at Reading when Shawn Langdon ran 3.71 334mph his times were:
Shawn Langdon's incremental times: 60ft-0.828 sec., 330ft-2.096, 660ft-2.974/288.46 mph 1,000ft-3.712
Comparing that to Doug's 4.420 - Quicker by - .024 - 60 ft .024 - 330ft .030 - 660ft .046 - 1,000ft ....... Should be a 4.370 @ 341.90?

Antron's 3.701 328 were:
Antron Brown's incremental times: 60ft-0.832 sec., 330ft-2.100, 660ft-2.967/290.44 mph 1,000ft-3.701 I'd guess he'd have been 4.358 @ 342.50?

Average runs would be in the low 4.40s to low 4.50s. Probably take a 4.52 to make the show, and the occasional 4.38-4.39 low qualifier?


In Funny Car, Robert Hight's time from February 2007 still has not been exceeded on his 4.636 327.34:
Robert Hight's incremental times: 60ft-0.878 sec., 330ft-2.243, 660ft-3.175/273.16mph, 1,000ft-3.955

Good tracks would see mid 4.60's I'd guess. Probably a 4.65-4.69 typical low qualifier, and a 4.79 or so to make the show.

We'll never know, but it's fun to speculate!

 

[sdwarf36]

342 mph? Would the cars be 1:1 a different places on the track set up for 1000ft vs. 1/4 mile? Wouldn't they run out of gear? What would it be revving?

 

[my friends call me Zappy]

Seems to me the change to 1,000ft at first cost approx. 27 mph. If we gave them back the 320ft that should put them about 355mph.........

 

[yoda]

See? It's almost as fun to run them on paper.....

 

[Butch]

See? It's almost as fun to run them on paper.....

Just please DON"T USE FOUR PIECES OF PAPER in one run.

 

[Jimbo]

Just my opinion but with the speeds they are running and the interest in tire safety I believe at some point they will make the next change to running the 1/8 mile.

Jim Hill

 

[Toejam]

Just my opinion but with the speeds they are running and the interest in tire safety I believe at some point they will make the next change to running the 1/8 mile.

Jim Hill

Actually Jim, NHRA has considered returning to the 1/4 mile cause Ticket sales and TV ratings have dropped steadily since they went 1000! But you can bet they will slow them down to 315-320 before that ever happens! The Current tire they run is only rated for 335 MPH!

 

[Randy]

Seems to me the change to 1,000ft at first cost approx. 27 mph. If we gave them back the 320ft that should put them about 355mph.........

No. Back in the 1/4 mile days the NHRA mandated timing maps that were destroying engines at 1001 feet. It's likely they would do it again.

 

[Dave]

Here's a stupid thought... How about linking wheel speed sensors into the Auto Shut Down system? As soon as the wheel sensor reaches 335mph, boom, fuel shutoff activated. Go back to the 1,320. If you make 335mph by 900 feet, you're coasting to the finish with the other guy trying to catch you.

 

[DixonFan]

Here's a stupid thought... How about linking wheel speed sensors into the Auto Shut Down system? As soon as the wheel sensor reaches 335mph, boom, fuel shutoff activated. Go back to the 1,320. If you make 335mph by 900 feet, you're coasting to the finish with the other guy trying to catch you.

What happens when the sensor fails?? Lol

 

[yoda]

Here's a stupid thought... How about linking wheel speed sensors into the Auto Shut Down system? As soon as the wheel sensor reaches 335mph, boom, fuel shutoff activated. Go back to the 1,320. If you make 335mph by 900 feet, you're coasting to the finish with the other guy trying to catch you.

Won't work.
Wheel speed when the car goes up in smoke (revolutions per minute will be measured, not actual speed). Lots of soap box derby races at that point.

 

[Dave]

Won't work.
Wheel speed when the car goes up in smoke (revolutions per minute will be measured, not actual speed). Lots of soap box derby races at that point.

Measure the front wheel speed.

 

[Dave]

What happens when the sensor fails?? Lol

Lol. A new world record! I'm sure they'd find a way around it just like they did the rev limiter

 

[Nick Name]

Won't work.
Wheel speed when the car goes up in smoke (revolutions per minute will be measured, not actual speed). Lots of soap box derby races at that point.

They are blowing the tires off on soap box racers?

 

[yoda]

They are blowing the tires off on soap box racers?

Yeah- ever since the Force grandchildren got into the coasters... It's the damndest thing- all over the S.B.D. message boards...you haven't heard?