How to set a world class time at the drag strip

Internal combustion engine vehicle

Consider fitting “drag radials”. These are actually street legal, & although they will compromise other aspects of tyre performance, times at the drag strip will be improved.

If you’re not experienced with drag racing, or the particular vehicle you will be racing, you will need to get some practice, but not too much, as fast launches are very hard on the machinery.

At the strip, immediately before the start, do a few burnouts to get the tires to the correct temperature. See videos below.

At the start, manage throttle, clutch, & gearbox (or torque converter & automatic transmission) as explained here:
http://www.modernracer.com/tips/dragracinglaunchtechniques.html

Electric vehicle

At the strip, immediately before the start, ensure traction control is engaged, & set performance to highest level. For the Tesla P85D shown in the video below, this will be “Insane”.

At the start, floor the accelerator.



Tesla P85D
11.683 sec @ 114.681 mph

Dodge Hellcat
17.467 sec @ 82.74 mph (this is slower than a Volt)

“During the run the Tesla Model S P85D set a new world record (verified by NEDRA) for being the quickest and fastest production electric car in the world running 11.6 @ 114.6 MPH down the 1/4 mile with a very impressive 1.65 60′ time. 0-60 MPH came in last just 3.1 seconds during the run as per the VBOX.”¹

And the Hellcat? The driver seems to jump the start, apply the brakes &
then give a dramatic demonstration of uncontrolled wheelspin.

Same Hellcat, same driver after a bit of practice & with drag radials fitted:


10.8 sec @ 127 mph

In the events shown, the Hellcat is faster by over 0.8 sec. This shouldn’t be considered conclusive. An accurate comparison can only be done on the same track on the same day.

And the Tesla would benefit from some special-purpose tires too.
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¹ Street Car Drags: "Tesla Model S P85D Sets 1/4 Mile World Record While Challenger Hellcat Goes up in Smoke Drag Racing", http://www.streetcardrags.com/tesla-model-s-p85d-sets-14-mile-world-record-while-challenger-hellcat-goes-up-in-smoke-drag-racing/ / P85D performance dual motors 4WD four all 4 wheel drive Tesla owners fans Tesla's fastest highest performance electric vehicle car battery charge recharge Hellcat high powered power Hemi V-8 performance two owners fastest baddest beast on the road two cars face off drag strip Palm Beach International Raceway Tesla Model S P85D 2015 Dodge Challenger Hellcat competed traditional quarter mile drag race it's no contest quieter car wins decisively loud noisy noisey Tesla P85D set a new world record fastest-accelerating electric car quarter mile time et elapsed time 11.6 seconds speed through the finish terminal velocity 114.6 mph comparable five seat luxury sedan four doors hatchback Challenger traditional muscle car coupe only two doors separate trunk sedan combined output 691 horse power hp front rear electric motors electric luxury car thrashed old style gasoline petrol muscle car decisively all four wheels are powered traction control stabiity power delivered each wheel maximizing total torque delivered to each wheel loss of traction rear-wheel burnout tire smoke practice burnout appeal of raw electric power amply demonstrated wimpy electric golf cart /