What is a Top Fuel Dragster?

A Top Fuel Dragster is the ultimate race car. These cars have developed over the last 40 years into what they are today, the WORLDS FASTEST AND QUICKEST RACE CARS.

Specifications - Click on a section of the car to learn more.

Chassis

Constructed from 4130 chrome-moly steel tubing, Top Fuel Dragsters must weigh a minimum of 2,025 pounds and may not have a wheelbase exceeding 300 inches (25 feet) or less than 180 inches. Most racers prefer to have a car between 290 and 300 inches as this length seems to work best.The car has a extremely strong driver compartment, with the front and rear sections being more lightweight allowing the car to flex for better performance.
Chassis can cost from $30 000 upwards.

Engine

The majority of teams prefer to use the all aluminium Keith Black or TFX, V8 Hemi.
The size must be between 490 and 500 cubic inches displacement.
A 14/71 supercharger, twin 65 gal/minute fuel pumps and twin magnetos help to produce around 6500 horsepower.
A complete motor costs $50 000.

Fuel

The powerful fuel that a Top Fuel Dragster runs on is Nitromethane. This is produced by the nitration of propane and the end result is CH3NO2. Fed by two fuel pumps that delivers 65 gallons per minute, the equivalent of 8 showerheads, a typical Top Fueller will burn 15 gallons during the burnout and quartermile race.

Supercharger

Mounted on top of the engine's intake manifold, this belt driven mechanical device rams air into the engine at a staggering rate.
A nitro supercharger spinning at 10,000 rpm will displace 100,000 cubic inches of air per minute.

Drivetrain

To prevent loss of traction, power is transferred from the engine to the rear tires via a complex timer controlled clutch system. The clutch has four plates and these are replaced every quarter mile pass. Clutch temperatures can soar in excess of 1,000 degrees. There are no gears, just reverse and forward. All Top Fuel cars run a rear end ratio of 3.20 to 1.

Wings

Keeping a Top Fueller's 6500 horsepower glued to the track is no mean feat. A drivers best friends are the hugh rear wing and front canard wings that keep the race car from becoming an airbourne missile.
The rear wing can produce 6,500 pounds of downforce on the rear tires. The front wings (canards) can produce as much as 1,800 pounds of down force.
Rear wings cost $6,000 front wings $1500.

Tyres

The large Goodyear slicks on the back are 18 inches wide and nearly 10 feet in circumference. Air pressure is a low 6 psi.
The front tires are just 2 inches wide. All tires are rated to 350 mph

Brakes

The rear brake rotors measure 11 1/2 inches in diameter and are made from either steel or carbon fibre. They are activated by a hand lever in the cockpit.
The dragsters main braking system,however is twin parachutes that can produce up to 5 negative g,s of stopping power, enough to throw the well belted in driver forward a few inches.

Safety Equipment

Ballistic restraint devices cover the supercharger, reverser and bottom half of the engine. The driver must wear a multi layer fire resistant driving suit, fire proof underwear, socks, boots, gloves and crash helmet. A neck collar and arm restraints are worn and he is held into the cockpit by a 5 point, 3 inch fire proof harness.

Body

A nine piece body made of magnesium and carbon fibre is attached to the chassis with quick release fasteners.