NHRA reveals results of Joliet testing

For several years, the NHRA has been researching and acquiring data in an initiative to eventually slow down the nitro cars, curtail the amount and scope of catastrophic engine failures, and in turn reduce overall operating costs. Implementation and testing of these ideas has been ramped up in 2010 with two test sessions already conducted in an effort that many hope will lead to a return to full quarter mile racing.

Following up on the results of an earlier session at Gateway Raceway in St. Louis, the NHRA, along with John Force Racing and Don Schumacher Racing, conducted another round of testing on Monday following last weekends Route 66 Nationals in Joliet, IL. Three different concepts were put to the test: a 75-gallon fuel pump, a 413 cubic inch engine, and a restrictor plate on the inlet of the supercharger.

John Force utilized the 75gpm fuel pump on his Castrol GTX Mustang, running a best of 4.22 in his three laps down the Joliet track. Force tested an even smaller 60gpm pump at Gateway and could only muster mid 4-second laps to the 1,000 foot marker. Mike Neff also piloted a second JFR Mustang with Jimmy Prock turning the dials, with a 413-inch bullet between the framerails and sporting a 3.50:1 gear ratio. Neff didn’t make a complete pass in the car, but did net a stellar .909 60-foot clocking.

“We tested the NHRA new gear and engine combination,” said Prock. “We only made two attempts and it will take some time to evaluate what we saw.

It is in the early stages of evaluation and we are glad to help. This is something that the NHRA is looking into and they have invested in so they asked us to run it so they could look at the results.”

Antron Brown’s Matco Tools dragster – the first Top Fuel car to participate in the testing sessions – tested the much talked about restrictor plate concept, along with a smaller fuel pump. Brown managed a best of 3.89 at 304 MPH in two passes – only minutely slower than the cars performance sans the restrictor plate.

“We ran a 21.56 square inch plate on top of the blower (supercharger) that reduced the inlet size,” stated crew chief Brian Corradi. “We also ran a smaller fuel pump, backing it down 5 gpm at one point in the run and around 7 gpm at another point to compensate for less air going into the motor.  I’m not sure if it will run that well all the time, given we don’t have enough test runs or data after just two runs and only one at full pass. With that said, we were happy with the car’s performance as this combination didn’t hurt any parts. Our goal at DSR is to work with the NHRA and do what we can to make the sport as safe as possible.”

The NHRA will hold another test session at Bristol Dragway on Monday, June 21, following the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals. Among the items on the slate for future testing will be a larger restrictor plate.

{ad:HHP}