Dragstrip
A dragstrip is a facility for conducting automobile and motorcycle acceleration events such as drag racing. Although a quarter mile is the best known measure for a drag track, many tracks are eighth mile tracks, and the premiere classes will run 1,000 foot races. The race is begun from a standing start which allows three factors to affect the outcome of the race: reaction time, torque, and traction.
Features
A dragstrip is a straight, purpose-built racetrack, typically an eighth, ten feet longer than three-sixteenths, or a quarter of a mile long, with an additional shutdown area to allow vehicles room to stop after crossing the finish line. Common features also include a 'water box' where vehicles and motorcycles start their burn-outs to clean and heat up their tires to improve traction. There is a set of lights known as a 'Christmas Tree' that counts down to the start. There are also return lanes for the vehicles to return from the end of the track to the pit area.Vehicle equipment requirements
Like all other motorsports, drag racing has many safety requirements for the vehicles that compete. These can be found in the applicable governing body's rule book. Most rules do not apply until the vehicle exceeds a specified time, such as 10.99 seconds. This allows anyone with a regular production vehicle to take part for very little cost, and encourages participation of many people who cannot afford a proper racing vehicle. The grassroots efforts are primarily bracket racing cars. Many classes allow drivers to drive their street cars and participate in an event.Dragstrip locations
Quarter mile times
Acceleration times differ even between identical vehicles due to widely varying factors - vehicle tune, elevation, driver/rider differences, payload, track surface conditions, weather conditions.| Vehicle | Elapsed time | Notes |
| Rocket dragster | 3.2 sec @ ~ | Kitty O'Neil, 1977 in the Mojave DesertNot a drag strip |
| Top Fuel Dragster | ET: 4.443 sec @ ~ | Damien Harris, 9 June 2017, Willowbank Raceway Absolute record. Last quarter-mile championship Top Fuel meet. |
| Top Fuel Dragster | Speed: 4.485 sec@ ~ | Dom Lagana, 9 September 2017, US 131 Motorsports Park, Martin, MI. Run at IHRA US exhibition event. Certified speed by IHRA. |
| Top Fuel Dragster | ET: 3.701 sec @ ~ | Antron Brown, 8 October 2012, Maple Grove Raceway, Mohnton, PA |
| Top Fuel Dragster | Speed: 3.802 sec @ ~ | Spencer Massey, 15 April 2012, Concord, NC |
| Top Fuel Funny Car | 3.901 sec @ ~ | Jack Beckman, 22 August 2015, Brainerd International Raceway |
| Top Alcohol Dragster | ET: 5.103 @ ~ | Bill Reichert, 1 April 2007, Houston Raceway Park |
| Top Alcohol Dragster | Speed: 5.200 @ ~ | Donald St. Arnaud, 10 November 2016, Auto Club Raceway |
| Pro Modified Top Doorslammer in Australia | 5.745 sec @ ~ | John Zappia, 8 June 2013, Willowbank Raceway |
| Pro Stock | 6.455 sec @ ~ | Jason Line, 29 March 2015, at zMax Dragway |
| Top Fuel Bike | 5.799 sec @ | Larry McBride, March 2006, Valdosta, Georgia |
| Pro Stock Motorcycle | 6.750 sec @ ~ | Eddie Krawiec, 10 March 2012, at Gainesville Raceway |
| Electric Motorcycle | 6.94 sec @ ~ | Larry McBride, 4 May 2012, at Virginia Motorsports Park |
NOTE: Nitro Funny Car records set at, which since 2008, 2012 is the official distance for both Top Fuel and Funny Car in the respective sanctioning bodies.
All official records must be backed up within one percent during the same race meet in order to be claimed. The official records for terminal velocity and elapsed time are different in the professional car categories, and only the elapsed time run is listed. There have been some cases where a car has run faster than the official record, but because they were not backed up within one percent during the same meet, they are not recognised by the NHRA, IHRA, or FIA. The Top Fuel record listed as the final quarter-mile record in IHRA prior to off-season rule change at the end of 2016-17 season that shortened Top Fuel to 1,000 feet.