A dragstrip is a facility for conducting automobile and motorcycle acceleration events such as drag racing. Although a quarter mile (402 m) is the best known measure for a drag track, many tracks are eighth mile (201 m) tracks. The race is begun from a standing start which allows three factors to affect the outcome of the race: reaction time, torque, and traction.
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A dragstrip is a straight, purpose-built racetrack, typically an eighth or a quarter of a mile long (660/1320 feet, 201/402 metres), with an additional shutdown area to allow vehicles room to stop after crossing the finish line. Common features also include a 'water box' where vehicles and motorcycles start their burn-outs to clean and heat up their tires to improve traction. There is a set of lights known as a 'Christmas Tree' that counts down to the start. There are also return lanes for the vehicles to return from the end of the track to the pit area.
Like all other motorsports, drag racing has many safety requirements for the vehicles that compete. These can be found in the applicable governing body's rule book. Most rules do not apply until the vehicle exceeds a specified time, such as 10.99 seconds. This allows anyone with a regular production vehicle to take part for very little cost, and encourages participation of many people who cannot afford a proper racing vehicle.
| SI units | |
|---|---|
| 0.4023360 km | 402.3360 m |
| US customary / Imperial units | |
| 0.2500000 mi | 1,320.000 ft |
Acceleration times differ even between identical vehicles due to widely varying factors - vehicle tune, elevation, driver/rider differences, payload, track surface conditions, weather conditions.
| Vehicle | Quarter mile time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Rocket dragster | 3.2 sec @ ~390 mph (630 km/h) | |
| Top Fuel Dragster | 4.4 sec @ ~335 mph (539 km/h) | [1] |
| Top Fuel Funny Car | 4.6 sec @ ~330 mph (530 km/h) | [1] |
| Top Alcohol | 5.2 sec @ ~250 mph (400 km/h) | |
| Top Doorslammer | 5.8 sec @ ~250 mph (400 km/h) | |
| Pro Modified | 6.0 sec @ ~230 mph (370 km/h) | |
| Pro Stock | 6.6 sec @ ~205 mph (330 km/h) | [1] |
| Top Fuel Bike | 6.1 sec @ ~238 mph (383 km/h) | |
| Pro Stock Motorcycle | 7.0 sec @ ~195 mph (314 km/h) | [1] |
| Electric Motorcycle | 7.8 sec @ ~168 mph (270 km/h) | [2] |