Prock runs first NHRA 340!

[mikebcurve]

My guess at this point is Goodyear is in a panic as 340 was the magic do not exceed number.

It didn’t sound like Goodyear was worried about it when this article came out. Of course, I would assume they would prefer it not happen.

How Fast Is Too Fast for NHRA? Goodyear Says Current Tires Won't Keep Series from 340 MPH

NHRA Top Fuel and Funny Car classes could see cars reach once-unthinkable speed mark yet this season.

www.autoweek.com

 

[T.Smith]

My guess at this point is Goodyear is in a panic as 340 was the magic do not exceed number.

We have front wheel speeds of +345mph, so 340 mph is no barrier data wise.

 

[twostep]

Don't think Goodyear is in a panic. How many 340+ runs do you think we will see in 2025? Tasca and Prock didn't have a blowout! Not saying it can't happen but I bet Goodyear has built some extra insurance into the nitro tires. Might be a Nhra rule change for next year.

We've probably already seen quite a few; 336-338mph passes that 'zinged' a little faster right after the stripe and the last mph timer. They don't all shut off right at the 1320. Speaking of blowouts, I don't recall seeing one in a long time other than when the car struck something like what happened to Langdon in Vegas.

 

[ironpony]

We have front wheel speeds of +345mph, so 340 mph is no barrier data wise.

Front wheels are not under the same centrifugal forces as the still accelerating slick. It would be the tire growth forces more than the actual MPH. There have been articles in the past where Goodyear was not comfortable with the speeds.

 

[Flicka]

All we need is close competitive racing, not insane speeds.

 

[Just Paul]

We have front wheel speeds of +345mph, so 340 mph is no barrier data wise.

Front wheels are not under the same centrifugal forces as the still accelerating slick. It would be the tire growth forces more than the actual MPH. There have been articles in the past where Goodyear was not comfortable with the speeds.

He’s not actually talking about the front wheels. He’s talking about the speed of the car as a whole. The front wheel is the only thing that records vehicle speed

 

[T.Smith]

Front wheels are not under the same centrifugal forces as the still accelerating slick. It would be the tire growth forces more than the actual MPH. There have been articles in the past where Goodyear was not comfortable with the speeds.

I'm not talking about the difference in centrifugal forces between the front & rear tires. I'm telling you through data acquisition, these car have seen +345mph and Goodyear knows that. The current tire is the safest tire nitro cars have ever been on.

 

[4onthefl4]

All we need is close competitive racing, not insane speeds.

Agree 100%. Can anyone really tell the difference between 300, 320 or 340 MPH? I know I can't.
But, the anticipation of who's going to to the first to run 345, then 350 is what puts butts in seats.
I'm actually surprised it happened at Pomona. I figured if it happened, it would be a track with a long shutdown area like Ganesville.

 

[T.Smith]

Agree 100%. Can anyone really tell the difference between 300, 320 or 340 MPH? I know I can't.
But, the anticipation of who's going to be the first to run 345, then 350 is what puts butts in seats.
I'm actually surprised it happened at Pomona. I figured if it happened, it would be a track with a long shutdown area like Gainesville.

What does shutdown area got to with it? The fastest ever recorded NHRA 1/4-mile speed was run at National Trail Raceway in Columbus.

 

[DanTheFan]

Same argument as 1000 ft vs 1320 (minus the tradition part). You cant tell the difference from a spectator point of view. 330, 335, 340 look pretty much the same. I always wished more effort would be put into longevity vs going faster so more cars can compete. Wouldn’t it be cool if you could cut your parts expense by 25%? Prob increase safety as well with fewer explosions.

 

[MM]

Same argument as 1000 ft vs 1320 (minus the tradition part). You cant tell the difference from a spectator point of view. 330, 335, 340 look pretty much the same. I always wished more effort would be put into longevity vs going faster so more cars can compete. Wouldn’t it be cool if you could cut your parts expense by 25%? Prob increase safety as well with fewer explosions.

That goes against the essence of the sport though. I agree that it would be great to figure out ways to have more teams involved in more races, but the goal of the sport has never been who can make their parts last the longest. It's always been who can get there the quickest/fastest.

 

[T.Smith]

That goes against the essence of the sport though. I agree that it would be great to figure out ways to have more teams involved in more races, but the goal of the sport has never been who can make their parts last the longest. It's always been who can get there the quickest/fastest.

Shouldn't you be sunbathing?

 

[MM]

Shouldn't you be sunbathing?

Qué?

 

[Butch]

What about tire size? I heard announcers say that to get quicker ET, they put on a tire that is shorter in height. Am thinking a tall tire for MPH, shorter tire for ET. I'm reminded of Don Garlits running the first 250 at Ontario. He told the story that once in awhile, a taller tire would come from the molds. He found a set that were a bit taller and saved them for Ontario. He said that was the reason the car ran 250. I remember a lot of 248 MPH runs up to that time. I saw Garlits ran that 250, also the 5.63 Et that stood for 7 years.

And I remember Big saying it scared the hell out of him going that fast. LOL

 

[Cliff]

I still wanna see T/F run 340. Any idea who could do that? Grubby tune up maybe?

 

[z28]

I still wanna see T/F run 340. Any idea who could do that? Grubby tune up maybe?

you really have to tune for it. you give up a little early to keep off the rev limiter down track. I think Kalitta, Grubby (Brit), and Mike Salinas have the best chance. It would be cool to see JFR hold both records.

 

[Ted]

How fast would they be going if they still went 1320?

 

[z28]

How fast would they be going if they still went 1320?

with the current rev limiter not much faster

 

[65 Goatboy]

How fast would they be going if they still went 1320?

Often cars don't lift at 1000 ft. The clocks stop so once they cross the finish no one knows how fast they are actuallyg going before they actually lift. Depends on the track....