Spoiler alert: This goes about like you would expect it to but let’s be honest, it is kind of fun to watch. The video you’ll watch below was shot in Japan about 7 years ago and it features a full-on top fuel dragster firing up and running down the drag strip in a driving rain storm. Anyone who has ever set foot on a prepared track in the rain knows how hard it is to keep from slipping when it is just you and your shoes. Add in 10,000hp and you have an awesome slip and slide.
In Japan, top fuel cars (the few that exist) run on unprepared surfaces as that’s the custom and there’s the fact that that are largely racing on road course surfaces that likely aren’t allowed to be altered in any way. We have to guess that this video was made for a couple reasons. One is the fact that there isn’t a whole lot of opportunity to race your top fuel car in Japan so when you are at the track, you do what you can. The other reason is that they probably figured that it would get a crazy amount of clicks on YouTube.
While this is largely pointless, we still think it is kind of neat. It seems shocking how much directional control the driver has. The tiny front tires actually have enough effect to allow the driver some steering control when the digger pitches sideways a couple times during the “run”. Nothing stinks worse than waiting our rain at the track…this is one way to stay entertained!
PRESS PLAY BELOW TO SEE THE ALL TOO PREDICTABLE RESULTS OF RUNNING A TOP FUEL CAR IN THE RAIN
AND THE POINT ? that’s the point, there is no point at all trying this.
Fun.
Because they can.
To see what happens.
Why not?
To piss people off.
All kinds of reasons to do this. Pick which one is your favorite.
Because the Japanese really don’t follow the rules when it comes to cars. They just do whatever they feel like.
I bet they run their drag boat races on dry land!
That’s not how it works…That’s not how any of this works.
Its like watching paint dry. Just with a lot of noise. Stupid is as stupid does.
Slow day at BS Central…
sounded good though!
Big water box indeed
Well, what time did it run? At least get a time slip.
track just needs a little more compound,,maybe some VHT
no handbrake turn at the top end….???
In 1969 I went to the NHRA drag racing Nationals in Indianapolis as a 21-year-old British student. This Indy 500-winning car was on display in the Ford tent. At one moment, as I was admiring it, I found myself in the in the tent all alone. I was tempted to jump into this car’s cockpit! But I am a lot taller than Jim Clark who was rather small. So I guess that like Dario Franchitti I was just happy to touch it.
Of course Clark only won because this rather flimsy machine was so much lighter than the traditional Indy Offy “roadsters”. The Ford engine was slightly LESS powerful than the Offies.