Top Fuel Dragsters 6 May 2023
Perfect weather, an enthusiastic crowd and loads of high-octane pumped-up competitors made for a wonderful experience. Seven of us were entertained by the spectacle. There were drag-bikes, top fuel bikes, door slammers, funny cars, top alcohol and then the pinnacle of drag racing – the Top Fuel Dragsters all eight of them in 3 head-to-head heats. What a blast! In the words of Roger, “I expected them to be loud, but I didn’t expect the thumping in my chest – wow!” Wow indeed, these monsters use all of their 8000kw to produce 5g’s acceleration, reaching the terminal speed of over 500 kph in times of less than 3.9 seconds for the 304m (1000’) track! Ridiculous, unbelievable, awesome, frightening, spectacular, fun!
Some of us went down to the pits for a close-up look at the frantic work being done to prepare the cars for the next run. Once again, the top-fuellers stole the show with each of them being completely stripped down by a swarm of mechanics in their extensive mobile workshop palaces. An experience not to be missed!
Ralph Dutneall
