Arielle Cruz
The NHRA has added an A/Fuel engine program to the Top Alcohol Funny Car class to increase participation and drive innovation. This addition will allow drivers to choose between using a blown alcohol car or an injected nitro car. The injected nitro combination is not new to NHRA, which legalized it two years ago. The injected nitro Funny Cars are still quite popular in circuits such as the California Injected Funny Car Association and the Midwest Injected Funny Car Association. The A/Fuel option has the potential to be a less expensive option for participation. The NHRA Tech Department has been seeking input from existing and potential competitors on the viability of introducing an injected-nitro combination to boost car counts.
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
The injected-nitro combination is not new to NHRA
The debate was revived in 1998 when the IHRA allowed Scott Weiss and the Cavalieri Brothers to race theirs in IHRA. Protests against the combination prevented it from making a run at NHRA Top Alcohol Funny Car and it was eventually outlawed in IHRA after one successful season. In 2023, NHRA added the injected nitro combination to the Top Alcohol Funny Car class. The addition of the A/Fuel (injected nitromethane) engine program into the class will give drivers and race teams another viable, efficient option to run in the category.
The ruleset and opportunities afforded by the injected nitro combination can also serve as a viable path for drivers, teams, and crew members to ultimately advance to the nitro Funny Car class in the Camping World NHRA Drag Racing Series. The ruleset will also allow teams to purchase bodies, chassis, engine parts, and other items from nitro teams, allowing for a significant reduction in costs. The move is also designed to strengthen the class, improve participation, and drive innovation.
The defending Top Alcohol Funny Car world champion, Sean Bellemeur, announced that he and the Bartone Brothers were switching over from the blown-alcohol combination, which sparked a flurry of conversation. Bellemeur has only made three national and two divisional claims this year. He’s won two of three nationals and both of the divisionals.
Convert Your Car to Run on Alcohol: A DIY Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The A/Fuel engine program
The A/Fuel program allows drivers and race teams to use an injected nitromethane engine, providing a viable and efficient option to compete in the Top Alcohol Funny Car category. This addition gives teams and drivers a more flexible and cost-effective option, as they can purchase bodies, chassis, engine parts, and other items from nitro teams. This reduces costs and provides a better stepping stone for those aspiring to race in nitro funny cars.
The introduction of the A/Fuel program is expected to attract more people to the class, as it lowers the barrier to entry and makes it more accessible for newcomers. It also adds a new dimension to the competition, as teams can now choose between the blown alcohol combination and the injected nitro combination, each with its own unique characteristics and performance capabilities.
The decision to add the A/Fuel program was well-received by drivers in the Top Alcohol Funny Car class, who believe it will aid in the long-term success and viability of the class. They anticipate that it will attract more participants and create a more competitive environment, which will enhance the excitement for both drivers and spectators alike.
The NHRA worked closely with various stakeholders, including teams, drivers, team owners, and NHRA Division Directors, to develop the A/Fuel engine program. This collaborative effort ensured that the program addressed the needs and interests of those directly involved in the competition while also adhering to the technical requirements and safety standards of the sport.
Alcohol Possession by Minors: Summary Offense Laws
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The pros of an alcohol car
While the use of nitro-powered cars is becoming more common, there are still several advantages to using an alcohol-powered funny car.
Firstly, alcohol cars are more versatile. Racers can "pedal, shift, turn it sideways, straighten it out, [and] wheelie" an alcohol car, whereas a nitro car is more limited in its movement. This is because nitro cars are more challenging to control, with one driver commenting that "you never know what is going to happen" when driving a nitro car.
Secondly, alcohol cars are more cost-effective than nitro cars. The parts used in alcohol cars are more easily transferable to nitro cars, and the knowledge gained from working on an alcohol car is more applicable to nitro cars. This means that alcohol cars can act as a stepping stone for drivers and mechanics who want to work with nitro cars. Additionally, alcohol cars are generally cheaper to maintain and repair than nitro cars, which require a lot of "gentleness, love and care" after each race.
Thirdly, alcohol cars are safer than nitro cars. Nitro cars use compressed nitrogen, which is explosive, whereas alcohol cars do not pose the same risk.
Finally, alcohol cars are more environmentally friendly than nitro cars. Nitro cars use fuel and oil combinations, whereas alcohol cars do not, meaning they produce fewer exhaust gases.
Alcohol Abuse: The World's Most Abused Substance?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The cons of an alcohol car
While some people prefer alcohol cars over nitro cars, there are several disadvantages to using an alcohol car. Here are some of the cons of an alcohol car:
Corrosion
Alcohol is corrosive to metal parts in the fuel system, which can lead to costly repairs if not properly maintained. This is especially true if the fuel is not burned and refilled regularly.
Maintenance
Alcohol cars require more maintenance than their nitro counterparts. For example, the oil needs to be changed frequently, and the fuel system must be designed to handle the unique characteristics of alcohol fuel.
Fuel Consumption
Alcohol engines burn approximately twice as much fuel per run as nitro engines. This not only increases the cost of fuel but also impacts the car's mileage, as straight gas gets better mileage than blended fuel.
Engine Temperature
Alcohol engines run cooler than nitro engines, which can be advantageous in some situations but may also cause issues with condensation and burning. Additionally, achieving the proper tune-up to keep the oil clean can be challenging.
Performance
While opinions vary, some people believe that nitro cars perform better than alcohol cars. Nitro cars are said to pull harder and provide a more thrilling driving experience.
Safety
Alcohol acts as a solvent and can cause glue to find its way into injectors, carbs, and other components. Over time, the gaskets and rubber parts can powder, and carbs are more susceptible to water than fuel injectors.
While some of these cons can be mitigated with proper modifications and maintenance, it's important to carefully consider the challenges of running an alcohol car before making the switch.
Fast Food and Alcohol: A Surprising Mix?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The history of injected nitro funny cars
In the late 1960s and early 1970s, Jeff Foulk, who ran the Finagler Cougar flopper, was a prominent figure in the injected nitro funny car scene. He recalled that the injected cars were quicker and dominated the class until the 1968 Nationals at Indy, when developments favoured blown cars, which eventually took over. Despite this shift, injected nitro funny cars continued to have a dedicated following, with circuits like the California Injected Funny Car Association and the Midwest Injected Funny Car Association emerging.
However, in 1980, the NHRA decided to split dragsters and funny cars, dropping the injected nitro funny car classification from the Top Alcohol Funny Car Eliminator due to a lack of participation and high expenses. This decision further pushed the injected nitro cars to the margins, but they still found a home in other racing organizations like AHRA and ADRA, where they remained popular.
In the late 1990s, there was a renewed interest in injected nitro funny cars. In 1998, IHRA welcomed the A/FC combination into its Pro Alcohol Funny Car eliminator, and drivers like Scott Weis and the Cavalieri Brothers competed in this division. Despite the initial excitement, the plan faced challenges due to the dominance of screw superchargers in NHRA at the time.
In recent years, there have been further developments in the injected nitro funny car scene. In 2023, NHRA added the injected nitro combination to the Top Alcohol Funny Car class, aiming to increase participation and provide a more efficient and viable option for drivers and race teams. This decision was well-received by those in the racing community, who believed it would aid in the long-term success and viability of the class.
Brandy Shots: How Much Alcohol is in One?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
A funny car is a type of dragster known for its immense power and high torque. They are called "funny" because they looked funny when they first appeared at the AHRA Winternationals in Phoenix, Arizona, in 1964.
Alcohol funny cars use a blown alcohol engine, while nitro funny cars use a nitromethane-fuelled engine. Nitro funny cars are also capable of achieving a 6-G acceleration from a standing start.
While nitro funny cars have become more popular over the years, alcohol funny cars still exist and are used in competitions.
