Top Fuel dragster acceleration put into perspective

[Brianj5600]

IIRC, they have 3 things that they use to limit the class. Tire size, engine displacement, and track length. They shortened the track after one of the driver's blew through the speed trap at the end and died in the process.

One thing I've never found a lot of detail on is how my namesake died. He switched from Top Alcohol to Top Fuel and was doing very well.

It looks like catastrophic engine failure took out the tires. The hit on the opening of the wall was more severe than skipping off a straight wall. It looked like the driver's compartment took most of the hit.

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?view=detail&mid=586D80430FF4C8F16C27586D80430FF4C8F16C27&q=blaine johnson crash&shtp=GetUrl&shid=946d73ae-6131-402a-8f4a-6158a2b6fe4f&shtk=QmxhaW5lIEpvaG5zb24gRmF0YWwgMTk5Ng%3D%3D&shdk=T3JpZ2luYWxseSBwb3N0ZWQgYnkgYSBtZW1iZXIgb2YgTU5FLg%3D%3D&shhk=2w0XqBwLvdOhz7fhJ1n1At7N0anVHIuHvZZWBTjD5GI%3D&form=VDSHOT&shth=OVP.zTbhisdRf4LAnucP_EHE-QHgFo

 

[Zorba]

One thing I've never found a lot of detail on is how my namesake died. He switched from Top Alcohol to Top Fuel and was doing very well.

He didn't die, but he was so affected by not being able to stop that he got into the brake business!

 

[mrblaine]

It looks like catastrophic engine failure took out the tires. The hit on the opening of the wall was more severe than skipping off a straight wall. It looked like the driver's compartment took most of the hit.

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?view=detail&mid=586D80430FF4C8F16C27586D80430FF4C8F16C27&q=blaine johnson crash&shtp=GetUrl&shid=946d73ae-6131-402a-8f4a-6158a2b6fe4f&shtk=QmxhaW5lIEpvaG5zb24gRmF0YWwgMTk5Ng%3D%3D&shdk=T3JpZ2luYWxseSBwb3N0ZWQgYnkgYSBtZW1iZXIgb2YgTU5FLg%3D%3D&shhk=2w0XqBwLvdOhz7fhJ1n1At7N0anVHIuHvZZWBTjD5GI%3D&form=VDSHOT&shth=OVP.zTbhisdRf4LAnucP_EHE-QHgFo

That is very odd. Every so often after it was reported on TV, I'd do a search for more info and there was never anything on the internet and I always figured there had to be some video somewhere.

 

[TNHEADDUCK]

Saw a video on 1320 last night where Clay Milican the driver of the Parts Plus top fuel dragster said they put in 17 gallons of Nitro Methane before each run.

 

[SvtLdr]

Saw a video on 1320 last night where Clay Milican the driver of the Parts Plus top fuel dragster said they put in 17 gallons of Nitro Methane before each run.

Crazy! Just saw a video of him from 1320 where he mentioned they burned 5 gallons of nitro just during the heat cycle under the pit tent (60 seconds long.)

 

[mrblaine]

Saw a video on 1320 last night where Clay Milican the driver of the Parts Plus top fuel dragster said they put in 17 gallons of Nitro Methane before each run.

Top Fuel dragster mileage = 62 feet per gallon or 82 gallons per mile.
Loaded 8000 TEU container ship at 45 mph = 66 gallons per mile.

 

[Brianj5600]

If you have every been close to a top fuel when they fire up the engine in the pits you will get nitro on you. At idle you can easily see liquid fuel coming out of the exhaust. Burned is not really the correct term.

 

[mrblaine]

If you have every been close to a top fuel when they fire up the engine in the pits you will get nitro on you. At idle you can easily see liquid fuel coming out of the exhaust. Burned is not really the correct term.

Consumed.

 

[TNHEADDUCK]

Crazy! Just saw a video of him from 1320 where he mentioned they burned 5 gallons of nitro just during the heat cycle under the pit tent (60 seconds long.)

That's the one I watched, I heard him ask that reporter that.

 

[ColoJeep]

Loaded 8000 TEU container ship at 45 mph = 66 gallons per mile.

The Top Fuel dragster is an awesome machine !
BUT, I want to see a 8000 TEU container ship capable of running 45 mph or 39 knots

 

[mrblaine]

The Top Fuel dragster is an awesome machine !
BUT, I want to see a 8000 TEU container ship capable of running 45 mph or 39 knots

I just used this info and looking again, missed the KMH when I was flipping back and forth between different screens trying to find a way to compare the two. 25 knots is still spectacular for something that carries 8000 8 x 8 x 20 foot long containers.

 

[ColoJeep]

I just used this info and looking again, missed the KMH when I was flipping back and forth between different screens trying to find a way to compare the two. 25 knots is still spectacular for something that carries 8000 8 x 8 x 20 foot long containers.

View attachment 302910

Agreed , even 25 knts is good. Of course watching a container ship outrun a nuke carrier would be something to see!

 

[mrblaine]

Agreed , even 25 knts is good. Of course watching a container ship outrun a nuke carrier would be something to see!

In the few moments I had to look up everything, I found that fuel use is measured in tonnes. Then I was trying to find out how many gallons that was and convert that to tons. Too much flipping back and forth and then I had to go eat.

 

[ColoJeep]

In the few moments I had to look up everything, I found that fuel use is measured in tonnes. Then I was trying to find out how many gallons that was and convert that to tons. Too much flipping back and forth and then I had to go eat.

I totally get it Blaine !
Since you knew what a TEU was , I was surprised at the 45 mph . It certainly didn't add up.
But hey I hope dinner was good and your feeling good

 

[Zorba]

Agreed , even 25 knts is good. Of course watching a container ship outrun a nuke carrier would be something to see!

Watching a container ship running all-too-close to your position when you're in the middle of the ocean working on a scientific buoy is something to see. At 25 or maybe even 30 kts - and they're notorious for not standing a radio watch, much less a RADAR watch! You can't raise them on 16 no matter how much you scream into the mic, you can only hope they're going to go around you. A mile or two is uncomfortably close, and they are *FAST*!

 

[mrblaine]

I totally get it Blaine !
Since you knew what a TEU was , I was surprised at the 45 mph . It certainly didn't add up.
But hey I hope dinner was good and your feeling good

I know what a TEU is, but for some reason, I never remember what the letters stand for and have to go look it up. Then I see it and realize it is about as silly as Chrysler's terminology for stuff.

What I can't get my head around is the size of a container ship that carries 24,000 TEU at once.

 

[NashvilleTJ]

I know what a TEU is, but for some reason, I never remember what the letters stand for and have to go look it up. Then I see it and realize it is about as silly as Chrysler's terminology for stuff.

What I can't get my head around is the size of a container ship that carries 24,000 TEU at once.

Years ago I worked IT at the Port of Baltimore, Seagirt Marine Terminal. I had the opportunity to board a few of those vessels while they were loading. When a 40 ft dry van (2 TEU’s ) holding 20 tons hits the deck, you can’t imagine how much the big ship vibrates. It’s quite impressive.

Edit: I knew few of the captains, and yeah, those things cruise 35 mph all day long.

 

[NskLJ]

I know what a TEU is, but for some reason, I never remember what the letters stand for and have to go look it up. Then I see it and realize it is about as silly as Chrysler's terminology for stuff.

What I can't get my head around is the size of a container ship that carries 24,000 TEU

Here is a picture for some scale this is from the deck looking down into the belly of a 14000 TEU ship. What a lot of people don’t realize is the containers go below the waterline.

 

[Brianj5600]

I don't see how they don't tip the fuck over. Obviously all the heaviest stuff is on bottom, but still.

 

[NDSpeed]

I got to board a small container ship once. It was impressive. And that’s a small container ship.