Why do the long rail drag cars not flip over given that they don't have wheelie bars and that the engine is pretty powerful?
(ps. I know racers often flip down the track but rarely, if ever, do it on the line)
2006-10-12 10:31:04 · 5 answers · asked by Hadyn G 1 in Sports ➔ Auto Racing
Why do the long rail drag cars not flip over given that they don't have wheelie bars and that the engine is pretty powerful?
I'm looking for an answer that deals with the torque from the engine, which should be lifting the nose of the car up (shouldn't it?)
I know racers often flip down the track to cross winds etc (and thanks for those answers) but rarely do it on the line.
2006-10-12 11:13:03 · update #1
At the beginning of a run there is not enough clutch engaged to flip the car. A computer controls fuel, timing, clutch engagement, and other stuff. Of course when things aren't quite right, the car will flip over. Years ago this was a bigger problem than it is now. These mechanics and engineers get paid the big bucks for a reason.
2006-10-12 12:28:04 · answer #1 · answered by Nc Jay 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are a few times when they do flip over. Sometimes they get a cross wind or even air under the nose of the car .That air will actually lift the front of the car up just enough that the car will "launch" into the air. If they are quick enough to release the throttle, the car will come back down. If they don't, the car will flip over! That why aerodynamics is so important for any kind of drag car! I hope this answers your question!
2006-10-12 11:08:11 · answer #2 · answered by Wolfchevy3 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They do, the reason they flip has nothing much to do with the engine and everything to do with aerodynamics. All cars are designed to try and get a balance between uplift and downforce.
Uplift effectively pulls the car tyres off the track, less connection to the track means less friction, quicker speeds. Downforce increases grip to the track at the expense of speed.
If the car travels quick enough and the design is correct the car effectively becomes a large wing
2006-10-12 11:42:27 · answer #3 · answered by S G 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
they do flip and when the do its bad,eddie hill flipped one almost ended his driving, blaine johnson died in indy in 96.they do have bars.
2006-10-12 10:47:17 · answer #4 · answered by divesharksnemo 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They do flip over. This is a real dumb question.
2006-10-12 11:14:36 · answer #5 · answered by KRZY MO FKR 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋