This Is How You Drive A Nitro Funny Car At 330 MPH
Though the run lasts only a few seconds, the point of view in a Nitro Funny Car is amazing.
The Breakdown
- A Nitro Funny Car produces 12,000 horsepower and goes over 300 mph in just a few seconds.
- Nitromethane fuel burns your eyes and throat if you don't wear proper protective gear.
- The engines used in the series are V8s loosely based on the Chrysler 426 Hemi.
Fast and quick are terms that are often used interchangeably, even if that's not correct. Quick can be used to describe how quickly something accelerates, while fast is used to describe top speeds. When discussing a Nitro Funny Car, however, you can most certainly use both terms.
If you've never stood near the starting line for a pro-level drag race, you're most certainly missing out. Your entire body vibrates as the race vehicles rocket away from the starting lights, then your eyes and throat singe a little at the nitromethane vapors in the air.
A nitro funny car gets power from a 5.0-liter V8 engine capable of producing north of 12,000 horsepower. That's enough oomph to have this ballistic machine cover 1,000 feet in just over three seconds.
In that short span, a nitro funny car will reach speeds up around 330 mph.
How do you even drive a vehicle like this? The team supporting driver Chad Green put together a video showing exactly what it's like to pilot a funny car.
This video is long, as it covers more than just the runs down the drag strip. But it's incredibly informative throughout. You get to see the post-run teardowns, hear Chad's take on lane choice, and much more.
Motor1's Take: If there's an NHRA event anywhere near where you live, find the time to attend at least once. I cannot stress enough that whatever you expect to see, hear, and feel is even wilder in person.
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