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Went down to Ennis Saturday for the NHRA qualifying rounds. There was some major horsepower at that place! It was awesome. One thing is bugging me though and maybe someone can shed some light on what was going on.
During the Top Alcohol Drag/Funny Car (it may have been the Sprt Eliminations) it seemed that the cars came off the line full power then slowed down and then after about 100-150 ft turned the power back on.
Can anyone enlighten me?
maybe they were getting crappy traction. theres one guy on one of the forums who has good luck jabbing it outa the hole, letting out then leaning back in. cant remember who tho
That sounds to me like they were running throttle stops, but I didn't think that category ran them. I haven't paid much attention to the NHRA stuff in a while though. Our local track is IHRA, and as a track rule has banned throttle stops, simply because they make the racing very confusing to the average spectator.
That's pretty typical during the qualifying rounds. They jump out of the hole, and coast through the traps at 160. I'm not sure of the reasoning behind it. They go all out for the real deal on sunday though. :rock:
It is common for the big guys to "map" traction on the different tracks. Add/remove clutch or timing to keep the cars hooked. At big power levels its all about traction the entire lenghth of 1320.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(tenshikurai @ Sep 26 2006, 12:38 AM) [snapback]66623[/snapback]</div>Quote:
That sounds to me like they were running throttle stops, but I didn't think that category ran them. I haven't paid much attention to the NHRA stuff in a while though. Our local track is IHRA, and as a track rule has banned throttle stops, simply because they make the racing very confusing to the average spectator.
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That is it I was there on Sunday and they had the finals of the 8.90 and other classes they are using throttle stops and rev limiter to stay above the dial in time so is not to break out (or run too quick of a time). They are also will pedal it at the finish line also.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(NalgonaZ71 @ Sep 26 2006, 08:10 AM) [snapback]66640[/snapback]</div>There you are. They have a dial in that they dont want to be under. ex. 9.90 cars want to run 9.90 or as close as they can. They come out hard and then a little hesitation according to the track, altitude, etc. Then the throttle stops open and they are off again.Quote:
That is it I was there on Sunday and they had the finals of the 8.90 and other classes they are using throttle stops and rev limiter to stay above the dial in time so is not to break out (or run too quick of a time). They are also will pedal it at the finish line also.
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Thats it!....I knew they didn't want to break the 8.90. Just wasn't sure how they were doing it. That is the first time I have ever seen that. Hadn't been to the drag races in 20+ years.
Next question....How do throttle stops work? I mean besides the obvious of stopping the throttle.
I think they have a computer controlled timer on the throttle which can be adjusted to shut the fuel off for different lengths of time. Not 100% positive on how it works exactly though.
One of the guys that works for me has a 7 second dragster and his throttle stop is activated using C02. It sits under the carb and acts as a butterfly valve to control flow. He can activate it up to 4 times during his pass.