Z06Vette.com - Corvette Z06 Forum

**jub jub** · 10-24-2006, 07:43 AM

Went for the first time this past weekend and man was it a blast!

The fastest cars were running alcohol and I saw Ashley Force (what a cutie!) run a 5.44 and another car run a 5.40!

The sound of the alky cars when taking off was just incredible! I think I like it enough that I'm going to check out top fuel when they come to Gainsville, GA.

I have a whle new appreciation for drag racing after this weekend!

Tomasy · 10-24-2006, 07:45 AM

Been there but its been a few years. My favorite was always the stock classes since that was where I competed.

**DennyM** · 10-24-2006, 07:49 AM

Went to one of the first NHRA nationals in Great Bend, KS in the late 50's I think I was 17 ... we were so juiced that we all "got rubber" leaving the lot afterwards (course, with the cars we had, only way we could do it is to start spinning on the dirt access road and then "grab" the asphalt

KJN VET · 10-24-2006, 08:26 AM

We use to go to the Cajun Nationals every year. I'm guessing we had a great time cause we kept going back, but each year is a little fuzzy. All joking aside standing about 50' from the track and having a Top Fuel or Funny Car making 300+ mph pass in 4+ seconds

will make the hair on your neck stand up.

PowerPro01 · 10-24-2006, 08:28 AM

Jub:
Wait till you attend an event with NITRO cars...
They're well-described as "ground pounders". If you were impressed with alky cars, try to imagine a SECOND quicker, at least TWICE the horsepower, and a feeling and sound unrivalled by 747's @ takeoff...unfreakinbelieveable!
Topflight nitro cars run 260+ in the EIGHTH on a well-prepped track...a feat you will NEVER forget seeing...or hearing!
Glad you enjoyed the show! Drags are anything but a "drag"...

**jub jub** · 10-24-2006, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PowerPro01

Jub:
Wait till you attend an event with NITRO cars...
They're well-described as "ground pounders". If you were impressed with alky cars, try to imagine a SECOND quicker, at least TWICE the horsepower, and a feeling and sound unrivalled by 747's @ takeoff...unfreakinbelieveable!
Topflight nitro cars run 260+ in the EIGHTH on a well-prepped track...a feat you will NEVER forget seeing...or hearing!
Glad you enjoyed the show! Drags are anything but a "drag"...

I have a great appreciation for alky

but, I can't wait to see the nitro cars!

A couple of my buddies were telling me the same thing as what you mentioned as in "You ain't seen nothing yet!"

**PerforminNorman** · 10-24-2006, 08:54 AM

NHRA is awesome. I don't get to go as much as I used to but still make it on occassion. Nothing like the sound of a roaring freight train.

Madvetter · 10-24-2006, 10:14 AM

We have been to the US Nationals in Indy for the past five years in a row and don't plan on changing

Nothing like being there

**YumaZ06** · 10-24-2006, 10:58 AM

When I lived back east in NJ I used to go to the Nationals at Englishtown. The smell of nitro methane in the air was so sweet. The awesome power of the funny cars and top fuel rails was amazing (they didn't run as fast as they do today).

proexpert · 10-24-2006, 11:56 AM

Yes many times since 1970. Bruce Larson was my neighbor when I was a young boy. He made a bow-tie fan out of me.

riverrat · 10-24-2006, 12:52 PM

25 years ago I owned a Top Fuel dragster, didn’t drive, hell I couldn’t even sit in it as it was custom fitted to the driver ( 140lbs vs my at that time 240lbs). But I did start it and push or direct it back to the starting line after the burn out. There is nothing like standing right at the starting line when a fuel car launches. Even back then with less than half the HP they now have we used to say that they would rotate the earth when they would leave the line.

One of the funniest things that ever happened to me in front of a big crowd was in Milan or Martin, Michigan I think 1980. I was walking past the car after backing Mark up and was giving it that last once over as he rolled into the staging beam and as I looked at the front of the motor right at the fuel pump, mounted straight out of the timing cover looking for leaks I saw this strange greenish stream shooting straight up in the air. As i looked over my head I was soaked with a shower of nitro! It must of shot 30 feet or more into the sky and right on my head, all I could do was run and dunk myself into the water barrel that they had at the burn out area behind the line!!

**jub jub** · 10-24-2006, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by riverrat

25 years ago I owned a Top Fuel dragster, didn’t drive, hell I couldn’t even sit in it as it was custom fitted to the driver ( 140lbs vs my at that time 240lbs). But I did start it and push or direct it back to the starting line after the burn out. There is nothing like standing right at the starting line when a fuel car launches. Even back then with less than half the HP they now have we used to say that they would rotate the earth when they would leave the line.

One of the funniest things that ever happened to me in front of a big crowd was in Milan or Martin, Michigan I think 1980. I was walking past the car after backing Mark up and was giving it that last once over as he rolled into the staging beam and as I looked at the front of the motor right at the fuel pump, mounted straight out of the timing cover looking for leaks I saw this strange greenish stream shooting straight up in the air. As i looked over my head I was soaked with a shower of nitro! It must of shot 30 feet or more into the sky and right on my head, all I could do was run and dunk myself into the water barrel that they had at the burn out area behind the line!!

Thanks for sharing that experience!

I know that nitro is a derivitive of nitric acid and propane. I wasn't sure how caustic it is once mixed. I guess you answered the question.

**jub jub** · 10-24-2006, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by proexpert

Yes many times since 1970. Bruce Larson was my neighbor when I was a young boy. He made a bow-tie fan out of me.

Reminds me of the early pro stock days when Grumpy was cranking out 7 seconds with small block Chevy's!

Zack · 10-24-2006, 01:26 PM

went to Gainesville last year, I don't know 40 or 50 thousand people, grand stands full, two funny cars at the line entire facility shook. Most amazing spectical; many vendors, can walk up and speak to mechanics, drivers great pictures and all that, you will enjoy the nationals for sure. Many celeberaties from all walks of life, politicians and every car known to man kind. Food too.....beer? Yes beer.

**FiveOJoe** · 10-24-2006, 04:47 PM

Watched Don Garlits flip his Top Fuel over and drive it back to the start line at E Town.