Tractor pulls might be the last bastion of unhinged, “screw it, let’s see what happens” kind of power. This is the place where five engines best suited for a Top Fueler dragster are the normal, where Allison aircraft engines and helicopter turboshafts are commonplace. This isn’t just raw power, this is honestly stupid levels of power, and we mean that in a very good way. That sled has to make it 300 yards down the track one way or another, and when the rules end at protecting the driver, and anything goes, you get creative. 
This is a German pulling tractor known as “Dragon Fire”. That big butterfly valve you see right above the fuel tank is completely necessary: 143.63 LITERS of engine is mounted in front of the driver. The mill is a Zvezda M503 radial…for simplicity’s sake, picture seven inline-sixes mounted in a circle. Normally, they run on diesel, makes about 3,600 horsepower and powers Russian boats. Here, it’s on methanol, is cranking out well north of 8,000 horsepower, and it gives exactly zero…well, you know…about the sled hooked to the back. Look at the fuel tank. Look at the engine. Don’t bother guessing how fuel efficient the engine is…it probably burps more fuel than most hatchbacks even use.
How in the hell do you top an engine that weighs more than a loaded SUV, is exponentially larger than the mill in your car, and has a sewer lid-sized air intake?
Man that track is sticky, that or his tires got a lot of bite! Very nice, well thought out set up!