Would You?

[javadog]

I wouldn’t be afraid to do it. I think the motor tune is pretty conservative and I’m not sure he even legs it for the full 1/8 mile. It doesn’t seem that way, from the video.

Where I would probably lose interest is in the cost. It’s reported to be 10,000 bucks. That would buy quite a few hookers, or a couple hundred ribeye steaks, or quite a few bottles from Burgundy and Bordeaux, a week in Paris, or six months in Thailand, or a number of interesting cars and motorcycles, or 100 other things that I would find more appealing.

I think I will pass.

[Chocaholic]

Agree with Java. Besides, I’d probably puke inside my helmet. That would take some of the fun out of it.

[GH85Carrera]

10 grand?

No friking way in hell. I can think of lots of ways to use 10 grand better than a few second ride. Not even for a grand.

[Zeke]

No hands? WTF???? Anyway, hell yes I would. But it would have to be no money, it's not that important.

[speeder]

Doesn't really appeal to me. I know that the forces experienced are amazing but it's just like an insane launch...it's over in what seems like 2 city blocks.

I think it would be more fun to drive a 12 second car w a 4-speed down a 1/4 mile track next to someone else in a close race. But that's just me.

[LEAKYSEALS951]

Top fuel drag racing- no thanks.

Top fuel boat racing- hell to the no.

[speeder]

That's a good way to die before lunch. ^^

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

In the end, it proved the Air Force and the Navy officers can be buddies.

COD rides are interesting!

To the OP: I'd strap in the back seat of that ride in a second.

[Jeff Higgins]

Originally Posted by speeder

I think it would be more fun to drive a 12 second car w a 4-speed down a 1/4 mile track next to someone else in a close race. But that's just me.

I did just that for several years. My car was a bit quicker than that but, yes, it was a four speed in a world of automatics. Bracket racing in the late '70's through about '86 in my '69 Dodge Super Bee. I ran both a 383 and a 440 at different times. What a hoot.

Oh, and Larry Dixon... Has a reputation as being somewhat self centered and "difficult". Has been at loggerheads with the NHRA for a long time (Don Garlits was too, so not an unheard of situation for an outspoken Top Fuel driver). Pissed off Don Prudhomme when he bought out his own contract so he could leave for Alan Johnson's bottomless pocketed Al Anabi team, which soon found themselves abandoned by their rich young Arab sheik owner. Found himself without a ride after burning a few bridges... Lots of talent, though. Still the second driver on the all-time win list, even after about a decade or relative "exile".

[Captain Ahab Jr]

100% yes

[masraum]

Originally Posted by astrochex

Would absolutely do. Would be much more exhilarating than the Indycar two-seater.

I'm sure to feel the acceleration of a Top Fuel dragster would be intense, and I'd love to do it.

I did this (twice), and it was amazing. (not my video, but the same car at the same track in the same week)

[sammyg2]

I've done my share of drag racing in cars and boats.
I've worked in a top fuel crew.
A friend of mine drives a top fuel funny car and won the world championship several years ago.
I understand the amount of energy involved, the g-forces, and how fast things can go wrong.
Zero to 100 mph in less than a second.
Zero to 280 mph in 660 feet.
A peak of almost 6 g's with over 4 g's sustained
Hitting the parachutes takes the driver from 4 G's positive to 6 G's negative, and can cause retinal detachment if he doesn't blink at the right time.

No way would I get in a top fuel car.
No way. I bet that most who say they would really don't understand what is involved.
Getting shop off a carrier in a fighter jet is a piece of cake compared to a top fuel launch.

Contemplate that several years ago, Eric Medlin was driving a funny car and lost traction which resulted in wheel hop.
The shaking was so violent it caused FATAL brain damage.

I could imagine driving an alcohol dragster, if I started young enough and worked my way up through the classes.

[mingot]

Sure, I would give it a shot.

[sammyg2]

Originally Posted by LEAKYSEALS951

Top fuel drag racing- no thanks.

Top fuel boat racing- hell to the no.

I did the quarter in just over 150 in a hydro … once.
I was pretending to be someone else to help him get his license.
It happened so fast and was so blurry I almost had to close my eyes.
Point, shoot, hope for the best.
decided right then and there it wasn't for me.

[CurtEgerer]

Yeah, looks like a pretty mild run, relatively speaking. I'd do it for maybe $100. I went to the Gatornationals last year - first time I've seen Top Fuel cars since the 1970s. They were crazy back then with 2500HP. Now, with 11,000HP, it is difficult to even describe the sensation as a spectator. It's not so much the noise as the sonic vibrations that go through your body. It's disconcerting.

That said, there's been 2 vintage warbirds flying overhead all morning here and I'd rather go for a ride in one of those!

[sammyg2]

I just watched the vid in the OP, while still fast that was dumbed down quite a bit from top fuel cars. That one did 3.7 at 240 mph.
With it dialed back that much, I probably would try it. If I could fit in the car.

Note that real top fuel dragsters can do almost 290 in 1/8 mile and 3.6 seconds at 335 mph in 1000 feet.

[Sooner or later]

Originally Posted by CurtEgerer

Yeah, looks like a pretty mild run, relatively speaking. I'd do it for maybe $100. I went to the Gatornationals last year - first time I've seen Top Fuel cars since the 1970s. They were crazy back then with 2500HP. Now, with 11,000HP, it is difficult to even describe the sensation as a spectator. It's not so much the noise as the sonic vibrations that go through your body. It's disconcerting.

That said, there's been 2 vintage warbirds flying overhead all morning here and I'd rather go for a ride in one of those!

https://www.collingsfoundation.org/events/category/wings-of-freedom-tour/

You can fly in a B17, B24, B25, or Mustang. I have done the 17 and 24. They are currently in Cali for the next month or so.

[GH85Carrera]

I would much rather get a fast ride in a two seat F1 car. A lap around a track like the Spa would be a real thrill.

[vash]

i was a poor kid. i was happy to break into the 15's with my 1971 camaro.

riding in a 12 second car..70's pontiac Ventura was exhilarating. to take a spin in a top fuel dragster, even an anemic one..hell yes.

[sammyg2]

Originally Posted by Jeff Higgins

Oh, and Larry Dixon... Has a reputation as being somewhat self centered and "difficult". Has been at loggerheads with the NHRA for a long time (Don Garlits was too, so not an unheard of situation for an outspoken Top Fuel driver). Pissed off Don Prudhomme when he bought out his own contract so he could leave for Alan Johnson's bottomless pocketed Al Anabi team, which soon found themselves abandoned by their rich young Arab sheik owner. Found himself without a ride after burning a few bridges... Lots of talent, though. Still the second driver on the all-time win list, even after about a decade or relative "exile".

LOL, yes Dixon was a major PITA but I was still a fan.

At Al Anabi, Dixon basically made lots of demands or he would take his ball and go home.
Johnson laughed and said watch out for the door knob on the way out. IIRC that was after the 2011 season.
Then he hired a friend of mine to take Dixon's place, and he won the world championship the next year.

No one has ever even come close to being as good as Alan Johnson.


EDI: IMO the biggest PITA a-hole in drag racing evar goes to Whit Bazemore.
He put the "D" in douchebag.