Competition Eliminator (Comp) is arguably drag racing’s most innovative category. If you can dream up a unique engine combination or chassis design that fits within the rules, there’s probably a place for it in NHRA Competition Eliminator. The Neff family’s Comp A/ED dragster is a perfect example of how racers push engineering to the limit in one of drag racing’s toughest classes.
Formula One Inspired Body And Chassis
The first thing you’ll notice about the dragster driven by Cali Neff is just how different it looks compared to most Competition Eliminator dragsters. Harry Clack, who originally designed the car, drew inspiration from Formula One race cars. The result is a dragster with a narrow body, an unconventional seating position, and an extremely aerodynamic profile.
That attention to aerodynamics extends throughout the entire chassis. A canard setup, combined with carefully designed underbody aerodynamics, generates significant downforce. Because of the body’s efficient design, the dragster can use a smaller rear wing while still maintaining exceptional stability. The combination of the aerodynamic package and the 270-inch wheelbase makes the car remarkably stable at speeds exceeding 200 mph.
Big Ford Power From A Small Engine
The centerpiece of the car is a 499-cubic-inch Ford JC51 wedge-style engine. This naturally aspirated powerhouse spins beyond 10,000 rpm and produces nearly 1,400 horsepower without the aid of power adders.
That incredible output comes from a combination of a single four-barrel carburetor, a whole lot of compression, and an aggressive camshaft. The result is a Comp Eliminator engine package capable of running deep into the 6.40-second zone at well over 200 mph.
If you’d like to learn more about this one-of-a-kind Comp A/ED dragster, be sure to check out the video RIGHT HERE, where Evan Smith catches up with Clint Neff, Cali’s father, for a complete walkthrough of one of the most unique machines competing in NHRA Competition Eliminator.
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