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All things Drag Racing.

I got tickets to my first NHRA top fuel and funny car race up in Tacoma this weekend at the Northwest Nationals. I'm bringing my 13 year old boy and his buddy, any advice for first time attendees other than ear muffs?
Have fun, and don't forget spectators can walk around in the pit area too, that can be very interesting seeing the engines and clutches tore apart between rounds.
 
I got tickets to my first NHRA top fuel and funny car race up in Tacoma this weekend at the Northwest Nationals. I'm bringing my 13 year old boy and his buddy, any advice for first time attendees other than ear muffs?
The sound pressure can come into your head through your mouth when it's open.
You would probably figure this out on your own, but it was surprising to me at Bandimere when it first discovered that.
 
Baptism by nitro….
About 1-2 hours before the nitro cars run, they will do a fireup to make sure all is ready to go. Start watching for a car with the blower in place, valve covers on, and the crew gathering around with SCBA apparatus on and the driver getting in the car.
Then get right up to the rope and be downwind of the engine, BUT watch where the wind is blowing because you will probably want to get the hell outta there pretty quick when you get a whiff of the nitro.
They start em up on gasoline, then all hell breaks loose when they introduce nitro into the engine!

 
I'm so stoked. This is going to be a core memory for all of us. I told him that every ticket is a pit pass and he grinned and said "aight, bettttt," which if I understand it, roughly translates to something like "I'm very excited by this prospect, father."
 
Take as much time as possible in the pit and actually point out what all is going on to your boys - it will make so much more of a difference to them once they see a dragster launching that only minutes ago was being worked on.

It will make them feel so much more a part of the action and retain more plus hopefully peak a higher interest.

Point out to them the skill, speed and efficiency on how the crews work on everything and help them notice the types of tools being used - give those boys a taste of being a gearhead and have a good time !
 
Top fuel is a must see.
Don't care what bad azz car you've ever seen or heard, multiply it by 30, and then add a little. You MIGHT get an idea, but it won't be top fuel lol.

As I believe it was Dave said to me.... Maybe Eric.. :thinking:
"It's like a thousand little monkeys beating on your chest at the same time"
 
I can't believe at 37 years old I have never been to a drag strip to watch cars or staged myself although I have never had anything worthy.
I haven't staged and raced myself but I have been to pretty much all types of drag racing.
I don't fell the need to keep going though, been there done that, now on to other things
 
I go back every few years to see top fuel.
Only once usually.
Been down the track once.
Probably will at least one more time for an updated time slip. But I have no interest in going down the track more than that. I'll do my pedal mashing on deserted back roads.
 
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I go back very few years to see top fuel.
Only once usually.
Been down the track once.
Probably will at least one more time for an updated time slip. But I have no interest in going down the track more than that. I'll do my pedal mashing on deserted back roads.
That's what I do, I prefer doing my crazy driving in the middle of nowhere, I feel it's more fun, and free
 
If you havent driven a car down the strip, you dont get the real experience of it. Street racing aint the same.
 
What is the difference other than traction?
Legally being able to smash the throttle.
Not being a douche street racing.
Setting up for real staging.
Real reaction times.
Real speed verification.
Real time slips.

Not talking out your ass about how fast your vehicle is. :D

I have shown a number of people the time slip for ReTonkulous. Because most people don't believe me. Yes, I keep it in the truck.
 
Legally being able to smash the throttle.
Not being a douche street racing.
Setting up for real staging.
Real reaction times.
Real speed verification.
Real time slips.

Not talking out your ass about how fast your vehicle is. :D

I have shown a number of people the time slip for ReTonkulous. Because most people don't believe me. Yes, I keep it in the truck.
Well the only bragging rights i care about is pulling ahead of the guy next to me, I win by the time I reach the speed limit give or take 5mph so no risk there.
Fast acceleration as far as I know is not illegal.
And I mostly enjoy going fast on dirt roads, sand dunes, snow, and closed circuit gymkhana.
 
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