Future challenge to Top Fuel.

[Pat Conlon]

Those Aussies are fearless

http://newatlas.com/top-ev-electric-drag-racing-top-fuel/50741/

"....We're talking about enough potential power, mounted within a foot behind my head, to run a whole suburb of houses with lights and appliances switched on. The electro-chemical energy density of the battery pack is equivalent to more than 18 kilos of TNT. If that's to short circuit and dissipate all the energy in the power pack, you're dealing with 18 kilos of TNT essentially, plus high speed and stability at those high speeds you're pressing the boundary of....."

[Charlie-brm]

I would miss the visceral kick to the rib cage I got from being in the grandstand. The sound pressure and the noise from the Top Fuel monsters just go right through you. To me that physical impact is a huge part of the experience of being track side, especially Trans Am and IMSA.

I only went along to one drag race in my life, didn't have a clue what I was getting into and lucked out. 1978 at Cayuga and who is there? Shirley Muldowney with her pink rail and Linda Vaughn, Miss Hurst, as the main distraction. LOL. Two names I already knew. A race film at the top of my list is "Heart Like A Wheel". What a day.

[fjbiker84]

I wonder if this technology will hurt the sport.  What happens to the crowds when a silent electric drag racer ends up beating all the competition?  No more thunderous roars from the engines, no more violent explosions from a car half way down the track as a supercharger self-destructs, etc.  I think half the fun of watching a drag race is all the noise and chaos.

[Rich Pleines]

I wonder if this technology will hurt the sport.  What happens to the crowds when a silent electric drag racer ends up beating all the competition?  No more thunderous roars from the engines, no more violent explosions from a car half way down the track as a supercharger self-destructs, etc.  I think half the fun of watching a drag race is all the noise and chaos.

+1

[JPaganel]

This is the best thing that could happen to electric cars.

These guys are going to make advances which, if they filter into consumer market, will actually make electrics more attractive than IC cars.

[FJ_Hooligan]

I'm sure my great-grand kids will enjoy the show

[Country Joe]

I wonder if this technology will hurt the sport.  What happens to the crowds when a silent electric drag racer ends up beating all the competition?  No more thunderous roars from the engines, no more violent explosions from a car half way down the track as a supercharger self-destructs, etc.  I think half the fun of watching a drag race is all the noise and chaos.

+1

+1

[ZOA NOM]

I just attended the NHRA Drags at Sonoma last weekend. It will be a LONG time before an electric car captures the race fans the way a top fuel dragster does. They are absolutely soul-shattering. To see, hear and FEEL that power going by is unbelievable. I'll be glad when the electric fad runs out of juice.

[Bill_Rockoff]

They still race horses, for those who thought racing would be ruined when you could no longer look your vehicle in the eye.

[big r]

I dont think the electric thing will fade away. That being said there aint nothing like sitting in the bleach box getting ready to do your burnout and listening to open headers. The rubber smoke, the noise and the feeling will never be replaced by an electric car. It just aint the same. I really miss my 67 Mustang and drag racing. Heres to top fuel and funny cars and the rush they produce, nothing better

[Pat Conlon]

I'll be glad when the electric fad runs out of juice.

Denial takes many forms.
https://www.transportenvironment.org/news/uk-and-france-end-diesel-petrol-car-sales-2040

[fj1289]

I know when my little lithium battery blew last year there were shiny pieces of metal flying through the air -- pieces of foil vice pistons and rods, but still something for the crowds to cheer when there's a catastrophic failure at speed.   

It will be sad to lose the aural thrill of a highly tuned engine though.   I always run outside at work whenever one of the big radial engines planes is in the pattern - can't beat the sound!

[Mattman]

Exactly right ZOA- I hate electric vehicle anything, The motor is most of what its all about! I want to bring back the two cycle engine- Honda and many others are working on an efficient fuel injected two stroke motor and I can only imagine a 4 cylinder square four 1000 cc  two stroke street bike! Please God, Please.

I just attended the NHRA Drags at Sonoma last weekend. It will be a LONG time before an electric car captures the race fans the way a top fuel dragster does. They are absolutely soul-shattering. To see, hear and FEEL that power going by is unbelievable. I'll be glad when the electric fad runs out of juice.

[FJ_Hooligan]

I'm pretty sure it will prove to be impossible to shove the amount of current through the battery/controller/motor necessary to be competitive with anything approaching the level of Top Fuel.  Shit will melt or blow up.  I'd be surprised if they could compete with pro stock in the next 10 years.

Having said that, doing it for 1000 ft. may eventually be attainable, but anything approaching a SS1000 is years and years away.

Rocket/turbine powered dragsters have been around for decades and they're not threatening Top Fuel.  No more than circus sideshows

[giantkiller]

I don't know how to provide a link.

Look up. Lightning's electic motorcycle dominates Pike's peak.

[Edit]
https://www.wired.com/2013/07/lightning-pikes-peak-2013/