Is drag racing actually racing?

• by Caden Lockhart
• Aug, 2 2023

Peeling Back the Rubber: Understanding Drag Racing

There's something incredibly exhilarating about the deafening roar of motorized beasts vying for glory on a strip of concrete, their tires spewing smoke and entire frames shaking as the countdown lights go from yellow to green. Any petrol head, including yours truly, would agree that drag racing is an event that's hard to match in terms of adrenaline rush. But does this love for horsepower and speed mean we're talking about a real racing discipline?

The Theory: Is this Racing or Rocketry?

When I first brought up the topic of drag racing being "actually racing" at a dinner table discussion, my wife, Kassandra, asked a simple yet profound question – "Isn't racing about making the vehicle go as fast as it can?" At face value, she's right. But delve deeper into the sphere of professional racing, and you realize it's not just about whizzing past a finish line. It's about strategy, handling, and a profound understanding of your vehicle's mechanics. This then leads us to ask, does drag racing tick these boxes?

Drag racing is a niche of its own - two or more vehicles competing to cross a designated finish line first, usually a quarter or half a mile from the start. It doesn't involve any overtaking, cornering, or strategic positioning as seen in other motor racing disciplines. But believe me when I say, it's much more than just stomping on the accelerator. If you've ever participated in a drag race, you'll know the significant role your vehicle's power-to-weight ratio, transmission, tires, and tuning play.

Scorching Tyres and Burning Fuel: The Science Behind Drag Racing

Kassandra often jokes that I treat my drag racer like a second child. And she’s not wrong. There's a deep-rooted bond between a drag racer and their vehicle as they must intimately understand its inner workings to optimize performance. Does this not echo the very essence of motor racing? Manipulating factors such as fuel mapping, gear ratios, and tire traction to increase speed without spinning out is not too different from tuning a Formula One car for optimum track performance. It might lack the strategic depth of track racing, but it mirrors the technical side of it.

Mastering the Art of the Launch

Speaking of technicalities, nailing the launch in a drag race is both an art and a science. The inherent challenge of making a two-tonne machine sprint without burning precious feet in tire spin or popping a wheelie makes everyone respect the skill involved. Don't say I didn't warn you when you end up burning your rubber without even crossing the start line! If that's not racing complexity, I don't know what is.

No Left Turn: The Unique Thrill of the Straight Dash

Who says a race must have left or right turns to be considered legitimate? In the words of my son, Leighton, "Dad, just because a football match doesn't have an offside rule, does it mean it's not football?" Well, ain't that the truth! Drag racing, much like a good old game of football, has its own unique charm and challenge, inducing thrill and tension in equal measure.

From Horses to Horsepower: The Historical Pedigree

Lastly, let's not forget drag racing's historical pedigree, dating back to the late 1800s. Back then, before the invention of the combustion engine, it was horses churning up dust on a quarter-mile stretch. The need for speed is ingrained in our blood, and as we switched from horseback to horsepower, drag racing seamlessly underwent an engine swap. So, argue all you want, but drag racing's heritage alone is a testament to its authenticity as a legitimate form of racing.

Dragging the Debate to a Finish Line

Is drag racing a real form of racing? Well, it really depends on your definition of "racing". If you're someone who believes the essence of a race lies in understanding your speed machine, optimizing its potential, and battling gravity and friction to beat the clock, then yes, drag racing does seem to fit the bill. If it's tactical maneuvering and overtaking you crave, then perhaps Formula One would be more up your alley. As for me, I'll let you all fight over what's real racing while I go burn some rubber down the local drag strip.

Remember, whether you’re vying for the chequered flag or the green light, it all boils down to passion. The passion behind the wheel, under the hood, and beyond the finish line. And that, my friends, is where the real race lies.