What's the most powerful machine in motorsports?

Question

In terms of horsepower. I'm thinking it would be a top-fuel dragster or an unlimited hydroplane.

Answer 1

Tractor pull
Two Wheel Drive Trucks


Single automotive type V-8 engine
Maximum 575 cubic inches
15' maximum length from center of rear wheels
H.P. ranging between 1,200 to over 2,000
Rear tires 18.4 x 16.1 inches, maximum circumferance 143 inches at 28 psi.
Maximum total vehicle weight: 6,200 lbs.
Four Wheel Drive Trucks


Single naturally aspirated automotive type engine
Maximum 650 cubic inches
Maximum 133" wheel base
H.P. ranging between 1,000 to 1,300
Tires may not exceed 18" tread width by 38" high
Maximum total vehicle weight: 6,200 lbs.
Mini Rods


Single automotive type V-8 engine
Maximum 575 cubic inches
H.P. from 1,800 to 2,000
8' Maximum length from center of rear wheels
Maximum width of 6'
Rear tires maximum 18.4 x 16.1 inches, maximum circumference 143 inches at 28 p.s.i.,
Maximum total vehicle weight: 2000 lbs.
(increased in 2000)
Open Super Stock


Stock or OEM block
H.P. over 2000
Diesel or Alcohol powered
Stock crankshaft, transmission housing and final drive
Stock frame, hood and grill
Maximum 114" wheelbase
Maximum length of 13' from center of rear wheels
Rear tires 30.5" maximum width
Up to 4 turbo's at 250 psi boost
Diesel Super Stock


Same as above, but only diesel powered vehicles
Pro Stock


Same as Super Stock except limited to 1 turbo, and tires limited to 24.5" width.
Modified


Any combination of engines and transmissions
Maximum length 14' forward of the center of rear wheels
No motor or cubic inch limit
H.P. ranging from 6,000 to 11,000
Rear tires 30.5" maximum width
Maximun total vehicle weight: 7500 lbs.
Unlimited Modified


Same as above, except maximum weight 7900 lbs.




© 2000-2006 NWOTPA

Answer 2

Horsepower is NOTHING if it's trying to pull 7000 lbs. The most important thing in any motorsport is Power to Weight Ratio.

This is why a 100hp motorcycle will outrace a 500hp Hemi-totin' pickup. The truck has five times the power, but weighs ten times as much. There is no arguing with physics- the laws are absolute.

The most power would be a top fuel dragster, which can push over 5000 hp for a few seconds. Jet cars don't count, because the key word is MOTORsports! But the best USABLE power would have to be Formula 1 cars or MotoGP bikes. Both can go from 0-100 in about 5 seconds, but the F1 car has the advantage of downforce in the corners.

Answer 3

Actually, your thinking is pretty good so far, since top-fueled dragsters and hydroplanes both tend to run on nitro-methanol (methanol fuel with the nitrous oxide mixed in ahead of time) and use Paxson superchargers that can generally *overboost* engines into a 1000-to-2000 horsepower range on an ordinary day....

But....there is more to come. Think rocket planes.

I'll link you to the _Popular Science_ page below, Keyword Search: "Nascar With Rockets"

This being the article title from the February 2006 issue.

Of course, not everyone *counts* a rocket engine as a "motor", but since these aircraft are being raced around in circles on a pre-programmed "track" of a flight path, I'd figure they'd count at least as much as your jet-powered funny cars and turbine-powered drag boats would....

Have fun with this one, hope I got you thinking....

Answer 4

if you are taking about motorsports only, it will be the Ferrari, bmw, and the Mclaren from the Formula One.

Answer 5

Nope. It would be one of those jet-engined tractor trucks that they drag race.. Over 10,000 horses.