Info Drag racing glossary

Drag racing takes place over a quarter of a mile, a distance amounting to exactly 402.33 metres. There are two lanes that run parallel to one another. Whoever reaches the finishing line first, wins. There are two different car classes as well as motorcycle categories.

Using compressors, turbo, nitrous oxide, methanol and nitro mean that the cars today reach over 7,500 hp and the motorcycles up to 1,000 hp. This results in times under 5 seconds and a top speed of over 480 km/h.

The championship races are held based on a knock-out system. Two pilots go head to head. The winner makes it through to the next round.

This is what methanol is called in drag racing when it is used as a fuel.

A vehicle based on a well-known body, but radically modified (e.g. Fiat Topolino).

Area at the end of the strip (after the finish line), where the vehicles break. By the way, the shutdown area is considerably longer than the actual strip.

(also SUPERCHARGER) Compressor: The influx of air is mechanically compromised, enabling a considerable increase in performance. The compressor is powered by the crankshaft via a drive belt.

A sudden ascent of the dragster due to higher brachial performance or sudden grip, which can lead to the vehicle completely rolling over.

The upper and lower “E.T.” index (see blow) that limits a class. The selected time is noted on the vehicle (here 8.30 seconds).

A vehicle is faster than the prescribed class index.

Important braking aid for dragsters in the faster classes. It offers additional stabilisation for the vehicles when breaking, as the extremely lightweight tyres stretched by the centrifugal forces initially only offer little lateral guidance.

Excessive heating of the tyres before starting for better traction. The tyres keep spinning until they smoke and have reached a temperature of around 90 to 100 degrees.

The nickname for the starting lights.

The vehicle group in which the classes ALTERED (see above) and DRAGSTER (see below) are combined.

Previously the “open class” of motorcycle DRAGSTERS that permitted all modifications to the engine and even multiple engines or car engines. Today it is a collective term used for motorcycles in the larger classes.

A driver is in DEEP STAGE if they roll out past the front light barrier, meaning that only the stage lights are still lit up. The driver is closer to the finishing line, but also close to a red light. In some classes, deep staging is prohibited, and triggers a red light.

Racing cars specially built for drag racing which are characterised by an extremely long wheelbase and a narrow trail. They race in different classes: with petrol or methanol engines, and with nitromethane charge in the TOP FUEL class.

The time of a training run or a race. The time is measured precisely between the start an finish light barrier down to a thousandth of a second. The times are displayed on the large board next to the track.

Knock-out heats. The winner reaches the next round.

If both drivers commit a FOUL, the one with the “later” foul goes through. For example, in a BRACKET RACE, X1 red-lights and X2 falls short of the index – in this case, however, X2 is not disqualified. The final authority for decisions like this is the RACE DIRECTOR.

A sketch plan that shows the drivers their pairings in the eliminations. This is based on the results from the qualifying round.

In dragster racing, this is also the name of the nitromethane used in some of the classes.

The 3 yellow lights on the starting lights are lit up one after the other in a constant interval. The pilots in the “amateur classes” can better prepare for the green light (start) with the help of this “pacing” (unlike PRO TREE).

Vehicles with a one-part plastic or carbon body that opens out completely.

The traction of the drive wheels on the track. This is essential in drag racing.

The impressive exhaust flames of the Top Fuel dragsters. Can be seen particularly well at the Night Show. In the USA, they are aptly known as “bunny ears”.

An advantage achieved by a driver by reacting quicker at the starting lights.

The American term for all tuned engines and cars. This term is also applied to tweaked cars that were built before 1950. US vehicles from the 20s and 30s are mostly form the basis of this.

A time that regulates the duration of a race in a certain class. Find more information about this in our “Explanation of classes” at “Super Pro ET”, “Super Comp” and “Super Gas”.

The position of a driver when their front wheel has triggered both starting lights before the starting line (see also DEEP STAGE).

Spectacular vehicles that go on the hunt for the best time, usually with ex-fighter jet engines. In Europe, these vehicles can mostly only be admired as show cars.

The influx of air up into the compressor is mechanically compromised, thus enabling a considerable increase in performance. The compressor is powered by a drive belt of the crankshaft (see also BLOWER).

In the knock-out runs, the participant who had the better time in the previous round can pick a lane.

Exhaust system. A MANIFOLD is when the pipes are combined into one single tailpipe. This is known as “4in1” in bikes.

The premium fuel elicits all available reserves from the high-performance dragster engines to the limits of feasibility, thus enabling an output of beyond 8000 hp.

Europe’s biggest dragster racing event, which is traditionally held in August. All of Europe’s top DRAGSTER classes race.

You got it – the oil belongs in the engine, so if it’s on the track, then that’s never a good thing. The culprit usually has a major fault with their engine. This unfortunately means the participants and spectators have to wait around until the track is prepared again.

When drivers go at full speed.

The 3 yellow lights on the starting lights are switched on at the same time (unlike with a FULL TREE). The drivers have less time here to prepare for “green” (the start signal).

Earlier expression for the lowest class of car drag racing (now PRO ET). Every road-approved vehicle can participate in their class. Every year, Hockenheimring hosts the PUBLIC RACE DAYS on the weekend before the NitrOlympX.

The classic race distance for dragster races. Length: 402.33 metres. The track is also split into two lanes. The drag strip at Hockenheimring has been officially called RICO ANTHES QUARTERMILE since 2008.

(“r.t.”) The time that elapses between the last signal lighting up and the front wheels crossing the starting line. The best pilots react in roughly 1000th of a second.

The name given to the driver who comes in second place in the eliminations (i.e. the loser of the final).

Often imitated but never equalled… An absolute highlight of the NitrOlympX. On Saturday evening, the Motodrom turns in into the ultimate show and action zone for two hours. Jet dragsters, stunt riders, hot rod parades and monster burnouts tear the audience from their seats – literally, with the legendary Top Fuel night race.

The labelled area where the teams prepare shortly before the race. Also known as PAIRING LANE:.

The undisputed top tier in dragster racing. Here, V8 compressor engines with nitromethane injection can be found at the starting line. The output power is 10,000 hp, thus enabling speeds of approx. 510 kilometres per hour across the quarter mile / more than 495 km/h across the 1000 ft.

The speed is determined by two light barriers before the finishing line. The results are then displayed on a large board next to the strip.

US term for loss of traction. When accelerating too much, the drive wheels lose the traction on the track, and spin until they start fuming (similar to burnout, but here it is unwanted). Usually, the only thing left for the driver to do is to stop their run.

A unique service in Europe for visitors to the NitrOlympX. Live images and additional information is displayed on large screens.

The classic distance in drag racing (402.33 m).

Special frame extensions (for both cars and bikes) on the back end of the vehicle, which are supposed to prevent overturning at the starting line.

The nickname mainly used in the USA for the starting lights.

A term which also comes from the USA for the junior dragster pilots.

In drag racing, the times and speeds are measured accurately to a thousandth. Measuring points (8 light barriers) are placed at various points along the track.

In the TOP FUEL class, a shorter distance of 1000 feet is used for the race for safety reasons. This results in a timed track of 304.80 metres. Results of under 4 seconds and over 490 kilometres per hour are reached.