Top Fuel Dragster evolution. Morphing Top Fuel and F1 (9 Viewers)

[Nitro Bass!]

After listening to Jim Head in the booth the other day about aerodynamics, it made me think of what if you combined a formula one car and a Top Fuel Dragster and made the next generation Top Fuel Dragster. I put the question into Chat GTP and these renderings came out. A great start if you ask me and pretty cool.....

 

[z28]

After listening to Jim Head in the booth the other day about aerodynamics, it made me think of what if you combined a formula one car and a Top Fuel Dragster and made the next generation Top Fuel Dragster. I put the question into Chat GTP and these renderings came out. A great start if you ask me and pretty cool.....
View attachment 17725

View attachment 17726

the big question is how much will it weigh?

 

[none]

The pic is interesting, but the specs won't work.
In particular the downforce. If it only creates 3000 lbs. of downforce at 330 mph, it will smoke the tires at 330' every single run.

Also the wheelbase (not mentioned in the specs) looks very short, the flexing of the chassis is needed to get the car moving. A short stiff chassis will not work.

Alan

 

[Nitro Bass!]

Here is a 300" version

 

[Nitro Bass!]

Hey Alan, nice to hear you type. I think it is a cool start to a new generation. These may not be realistic in the real world, but it's at least nice to see a little aerodynamic evolution and application. I'm sure if NHRA let loose the brilliant crew chiefs they will find a way to slip through the air much more efficiently with less drag and more downforce, but that's just me talking.....

 

[Butch]

Maybe Gram Rahal's TF car. Lol

 

[TSK]

the big question is how much will it weigh?

And, the next question is: How much will it cost to implement the changes?

 

[Nitro Bass!]

No way of really knowing, but the evolution of a class is $$$, always has been, but it's 2026, time for growth and new excitement for Drag Racing and Top Fuel.....

 

[Nitro Bass!]

Just for the hell of it, a rear view. Very different and not accurate at all, but interesting

 

[Under_Pressure]

A TF car is an interesting application for a carbon fiber monocoque chassis like open wheel cars. It is (or can be) essentially a big tube, which would lend itself to that pretty well to that type of construction. However one of the main characteristics of a monocoque , especially made from composite, is extreme stiffness- in most other forms of racing that's an advantage because you want the chassis stiff and and any movement to be controlled by the suspension. As Alan said, TF cars are different in that the chassis flex is an integral part of the performance of the car so a super stiff chassis would require a major change in approach.

 

[Jim]

Did you see this article?

Comp Eliminator, not Top Fuel but the same idea:

Exploring the Neff Family's Unique Competition Eliminator Dragster

Uncover the features of the Neff family's dragster in Competition Eliminator, a class that showcases cutting-edge racing technology.

www.dragzine.com

 

[Nitro Bass!]

Did you see this article?

Comp Eliminator, not Top Fuel but the same idea:

Exploring the Neff Family's Unique Competition Eliminator Dragster

Uncover the features of the Neff family's dragster in Competition Eliminator, a class that showcases cutting-edge racing technology.

www.dragzine.com

Looks kinda strange but it really works

 

[ironpony]

So I remember Joe Amato going to a one piece carbon bodywork and all the other racers went ballistic because of cost. IIRC it also arched better than the aluminum bodywork

 

[ironpony]

The pic is interesting, but the specs won't work.
In particular the downforce. If it only creates 3000 lbs. of downforce at 330 mph, it will smoke the tires at 330' every single run.

Also the wheelbase (not mentioned in the specs) looks very short, the flexing of the chassis is needed to get the car moving. A short stiff chassis will not work.

Alan

Based on the active aero F1 now uses they could have full downforce to 660?? and then reduce it, reducing drag and increasing speeds.
I wonder what an F1 engineering team would come up with if given a clean slate with no restrictions, budget.
Have you seen the new rear wings some are running ?? they run full downforce in the turns and then the whole wing assy flips upside down in the straights to have no drag. The front wings change angles to create the same thing.

 

[Nitro Bass!]

and here you go...

 

[Nitro Bass!]

Regardless if it can be real or not, that looks fast.....

 

[sfw1960]

Yup!

 

[yoda]

And, the next question is: How much will it cost to implement the changes?

How much did the (DSR?) canopy system cost initially?

 

[TSK]

How much did the (DSR?) canopy system cost initially?

Apples to oranges.
The canopy was developed for safety. The F1 aero package is for performance.
The tires are already nearing their limits. Until, and if, a better tire is built, the cars probably shouldn’t go much faster.

 

[Ponyhntr]

Based on the active aero F1 now uses they could have full downforce to 660?? and then reduce it, reducing drag and increasing speeds.
I wonder what an F1 engineering team would come up with if given a clean slate with no restrictions, budget.
Have you seen the new rear wings some are running ?? they run full downforce in the turns and then the whole wing assy flips upside down in the straights to have no drag. The front wings change angles to create the same thing.

The rules would have to be re-written for that to be allowed. Currently, all wings must be static and cannot move during the run.