Regan Brown
Funny Car fuel systems are key to their immense power. During a single run, funny cars can burn up to 15 US gallons of fuel, with a fuel mixture of 85–90% nitromethane and 10–15% methanol. The term 'funny car is attributed to Mercury's racing chief, Fran Hernandez, and the first funny cars were built in the 1960s as a combination of Top Fuel horsepower and bodied cars with altered wheelbases. Funny Cars are a specific racing class in organized drag racing, known for their powerful and fast performance, with speeds exceeding 330 mph.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fuel mixture | 85–90% nitromethane and 10–15% methanol |
| Ratio of fuel to air | 1:1 |
| Compression ratios | 6:1 to 7:1 |
| Horsepower | 10,000 to 11,000 HP |
| Torque | 7,000 ft⋅lbf |
| Acceleration | 6-G acceleration from a standing start |
| Wheelbase | 100–125 inches |
| Ground clearance | 3 inches |
| Burn rate | 15 US gallons during a single run |
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What You'll Learn
Funny Car Fuel is a mix of nitromethane and methanol
The nitromethane-fueled motors of funny cars have very high torque, estimated at 7,000 ft⋅lbf (9,500 N⋅m). They routinely achieve a 6-G acceleration from a standing start. The fuel mixture in a funny car typically consists of 85-90% nitromethane ("nitro" or "fuel") and 10-15% methanol (alcohol or "alky"). During a single run, which includes starting, burnout, backing up, staging, and a quarter-mile, a funny car can burn up to 15 US gallons (12 imp gal; 57 L) of fuel.
The high torque and acceleration capabilities of funny cars can be attributed to the use of nitromethane in their fuel mixture. Nitromethane, also known as "nitro," is a highly combustible fuel that delivers a significant power boost to the engine. Methanol, on the other hand, serves as an important complementary component in the fuel mixture. It has a lower energy density than nitromethane but plays a crucial role in the combustion process, ensuring a more efficient and complete burn.
The combination of nitromethane and methanol in the funny car fuel creates an explosive mixture that can provide the extreme levels of power and acceleration required for drag racing. The precise ratios of these two components are carefully calibrated by the engine builders, crew chiefs, and teams to ensure optimal performance on the track. The use of nitromethane and methanol in funny car fuel is a testament to the innovative engineering and pursuit of peak performance that characterizes this exciting form of motorsport.
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The ratio of fuel to air can be as high as 1:1
The fuel-to-air ratio in funny cars can be as high as 1:1. This is because funny cars have powerful engines that require a high fuel-to-air ratio to generate their immense power.
A funny car is a type of drag racing vehicle and a specific racing class in organized drag racing. They are known for their distinctive appearance, with tilt-up fibreglass or carbon fibre automotive bodies over a custom-fabricated chassis. The term "funny car" was first used in the mid-1960s to describe these unique-looking vehicles.
Funny cars have powerful engines that require a high fuel-to-air ratio. The fuel mixture typically consists of 85-90% nitromethane and 10-15% methanol. This highly combustible mixture is key to the car's performance, allowing it to burn up to 15 US gallons of fuel in a single run.
The high fuel-to-air ratio, combined with the supercharged and fuel-injected 500-inch engines, enables funny cars to achieve impressive speeds. They can cover a dragstrip in less than 3.8 seconds and reach speeds in excess of 330 mph.
It's important to note that safety is a critical concern in funny car racing. After a fatal crash in 2008, the NHRA reduced the race distance to 1,000 feet to enhance safety. Additionally, funny cars are equipped with safety features such as twin parachutes to help stabilize and decelerate the car after crossing the finish line.
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Funny Cars can burn 15 US gallons in a single run
A funny car is a type of drag racing vehicle and a specific racing class in organized drag racing. They are characterized by having tilt-up fiberglass or carbon fiber automotive bodies over a custom-fabricated chassis, giving them a showroom-like appearance. They also have the engine placed in front of the driver, as opposed to dragsters, which place it behind the driver.
Funny cars can burn up to 15 US gallons (12 imp gal; 57 L) of fuel during a single run. This includes the processes of starting, burnout, backing up, staging, and the quarter-mile run. The fuel mixture typically consists of 85-90% nitromethane ("nitro" or "fuel") and 10-15% methanol (alcohol or "alky"). The ratio of fuel to air can reach 1:1, with compression ratios ranging from 6:1 to 7:1.
The high fuel consumption of funny cars is due to their powerful engines, which can produce up to 11,000 horsepower. The cost of fuel for each run is significant, with NHRA teams paying around $45 per gallon of nitromethane. When factoring in other expenses such as crew mechanics, parts, and transportation, each run can cost a team approximately $5,000.
To optimize performance, the mechanical crew adjusts the fuel level supplied to the engine before each race, ensuring that the power output does not exceed the limits of tire traction. This precision is crucial to prevent "smoking the tires," which can cause a loss in the race.
Funny cars have a fixed gear ratio of 3.20:1 and a reversing gear. They are known for their impressive acceleration, achieving 6-G acceleration from a standing start. These cars are also subject to various safety rules to protect both the driver and spectators.
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They are powered by supercharged and fuel-injected 500-inch engines
Funny Cars are powered by supercharged and fuel-injected 500-inch engines. They are a type of drag racing vehicle and a specific racing class in organised drag racing. The term "funny car" is attributed to Mercury's chief of racing, Fran Hernandez, in reference to the unusual-looking cars. The first funny cars were a trio of 1964 Dodge 330 Max Wedges, named the "Dodge Chargers", which debuted in March 1964.
These cars are characterised by having tilt-up fibreglass or carbon fibre automotive bodies over a custom-fabricated chassis, giving them a vague resemblance to manufacturers' showroom models. They are powered by supercharged and fuel-injected 500-inch engines, with a fixed gear ratio of 3.20:1 and a reversing gear. The engine is placed in front of the driver, as opposed to dragsters, which place it behind the driver.
The fuel mixture is usually 85-90% nitromethane and 10-15% methanol, with a ratio of fuel to air of up to 1:1. During a single run, a Funny Car can burn up to 15 US gallons of fuel. The engines commonly exhibit varying piston heights and ratios, which are determined by the piston's proximity to the air intake.
Funny Cars are similar to Top Fuel dragsters in that they do not use a transmission but instead transmit power through a multistage clutch assembly. They can run in the 3.8-second range and reach speeds of over 330 mph.
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Funny Cars are a specific racing class in organised drag racing
The first funny cars were built in the early to mid-1960s, with the term "funny car" being attributed to Mercury's chief of racing, Fran Hernandez. In the mid-1960s, Top Fuel horsepower began to be combined with bodied cars with altered wheelbases, resulting in the first funny cars. The precursor to the funny car was John Bandimere's '55 Chevy, which appeared almost a decade earlier. The first funny cars were a trio of 1964 Dodge 330 Max Wedges, named the "Dodge Chargers", which debuted in March 1964 at San Diego Raceway.
Funny Cars are powered by supercharged and fuel-injected 500-inch engines, the same as those found in Top Fuel dragsters. They do not use a transmission but instead transmit power to the rear wheels through a multistage clutch assembly that is activated by timers. They have a fixed gear ratio of 3.20:1 and a reversing gear. The rate of lockup is controlled mechanically and pneumatically and is preset before each run according to various conditions, particularly the track surface.
Funny Cars can reach speeds of over 300 mph and run in the 3.8-second range. They have a wheelbase of between 100 and 125 inches and must maintain a 3-inch ground clearance. They produce an estimated 7,000 ft⋅lbf of torque and routinely achieve a 6-G acceleration from a standing start.
There are also Top Alcohol Funny Cars, which are restricted to using methanol fuel and have a three-speed transmission. These cars have the same chromoly steel chassis and carbon-fiber replica bodies as the nitro-burning Funny Cars, but they do not need as much downforce and use a smaller rear spoiler. They are capable of performances in the 5.3-second range at speeds of over 270 mph.
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Frequently asked questions
A funny car is a type of drag racing car. They are called "funny" because of their unusual appearance. They are known for their immense power and speed.
Funny Car fuel is a mixture of 85-90% nitromethane ("nitro" or "fuel") and 10-15% methanol (alcohol or "alky").
Top Fuel dragsters are the fastest category of drag racing cars. They are quicker than funny cars, but funny cars are harder to drive due to their shorter wheelbase and front-engine design. Top Fuel dragsters are also heavier, with weights ranging from 1,975 to 2,125 pounds.
The first funny cars were 1964 Dodge 330 Max Wedges, also known as "Dodge Chargers." They were initially exhibition cars in the Super/Factory Experimental (S/FX) class. In 1958, the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) banned nitro in all categories, but independent drag strips continued to host fuel racers. Over time, funny cars evolved from stockers to the powerful machines they are today.
Due to the high speeds and power of funny cars, various safety rules are in place to protect the drivers and spectators. These include twin parachutes to stabilize and decelerate the car, roll cages, and fire extinguishers. After a fatal crash in 2008, the NHRA reduced the race distance to 1,000 feet (304 meters) for Top Fuel and Funny Car races.
