Alcohols like methyl alcohol (methanol) and ethyl alcohol (ethanol) are often used in race fuels. Sometimes they are a small part of the fuel and sometimes they are a primary component of the fuel. Methanol is commonly used “straight” – that’s why it’s called racing alcohol by many.
What kind of alcohol do dragsters use?
Most alcohol dragsters burn methanol, although a few burn ethanol. Injected engines with no supercharger can burn a small percentage of nitromethane.
Is Top Alcohol the same as Top Fuel?
Top Alcohol Dragsters may look like Top Fuelers, but they have significant differences. Whereas Top Fuelers use supercharged, nitro-burning engines, Top Alcohol Dragsters may use a supercharged methanol-burning engine or an injected nitromethane combination.
Which alcohol is best for race cars?
Most race car drivers prefer fuel that is methanol- or ethanol-based, and the reason is simple, really. Overall, alcohol-based fuel has a high octane rating which increases fuel efficiency. Methanol burns cleaner and cooler, is less flammable, and less expensive than gasoline.
How much does a Top Alcohol Dragster cost?
The total finished cost of a Top Fuel dragster is estimated at $500,000. Some notable drivers competing in this category are Darren Morgan, Andrew Cowin, Phil Lamattina, Damian Harris, Wayne Newbey, Martin Stamatis and Phil Read and various drivers representing Santo Rapisarda.
What is the fastest 1/4 mile time ever recorded?
Worlds Fastest 1/4 mile ever on dragstrip 3.58 secs @ 386 mph (621.61 km/h)
How much does a gallon of nitromethane cost?
Nitromethane used to power the engines of NHRA Top Fuel dragsters and Funny Cars costs about $16 US per gallon!
Are Funny cars faster than dragsters?
Funny cars feature carbon-fiber bodies over a conventional chassis and resemble production cars. Top Fuel dragsters generally have the same horsepower as Funny cars, but are faster because they are lighter with narrow bodies. Funny cars and Top Fuel dragsters are straight-line quarter-mile racers.
What is the fastest drag car in the world?
In 2016, the FireForce 3 Jet Car became the fastest drag racing vehicle in the world. It could reach 1/4 mile in 5.79 seconds at 336 mph.
What is the fastest quarter mile Top Fuel?
Quarter mile times
| Vehicle | Elapsed time |
|---|---|
| Top Fuel Dragster | ET: 4.443 sec @ ~335.32 mph (539.65 km/h) |
| Speed: 4.485 sec@ ~338.35 mph (544.52 km/h) | |
| Top Fuel Dragster (1000 foot) | ET: 3.701 sec @ ~328.78 mph (529.12 km/h) |
| Speed: 3.802 sec @ ~332.18 mph (534.59 km/h) |
Can you mix nitromethane with alcohol?
While nitromethane will not mix with gasoline, it is soluble in alcohol as a co-solvent. It therefore can be used with gasohol or blended with alcohol before being added to paraffin based gasoline.
Can you drink octane?
It’s high octane gas that sometimes includes lead and many other ingredients that should never be ingested. (This is different from the more commonly heard-of practice of huffing gas, which can also be fatal, as can accidentally swallowing it, or rarer, drinking it.)
Can you run a engine on alcohol?
Almost any gasoline-powered engine can be made to run well on alcohol. Only minor and inexpensive modifications to the engine are required. Anyone with reasonable, mechanical skill and common handtools can make the modifications once they’ve learned the procedure.
How fast do drag cars go 0 60?
A top fuel dragster accelerates from a standstill to 100 mph (160 km/h) in as little as 0.8 seconds (less than one third the time required by a production Porsche 911 Turbo to reach 60 mph (100 km/h)) and can exceed 297 mph (478 km/h) in just 660 feet (200 m).
How much HP do funny cars have?
Horsepower claims vary widely—from 6,978 to 8,897—but are probably around 8,000 HP. Supercharged, nitromethane-fueled motors of this type also have a very high torque, which is estimated at about 7,000 ft⋅lbf (9,500 N⋅m). They routinely achieve a 6G acceleration from a standing start.
How much does a Pro Mod Drag car cost?
A new car with motor you can probably figure $275,000 to $350,000. I have heard of Pro Nitrous teams budgeting $50,000 per race for a 10 race season.