8000 horses clearing their throat!!

NHRA National Time Trials Phoenix 1-28-07. Doug Kalitta warming up his Top Fuel Nitromethan powered car at the Firebird raceway in Phoenix, AZ during the National time trials. I had to go to get my fix of Nitro cars. Check out the sound on this one, lol.

[@peterchessum5360]

..I just love the smell of nitro in the morning... and the stinging eyes and burning lungs... Cant get enough!!! LOVE IT!!

[@biglipsjim]

What a freaken BEAST!! I have mad respect for any one brave enough to sit in there and try to control that monster.

[@sliehgtofhand]

If you've ever stood by one of them or even in the general vicinity, this audio obviously doesn't do it justice. Every cylinder firing sounds like a goddamn M-80.

[@mirsec0088]

Exactly

[@noahstuart4046]

I thinks it more like someone using your shoulder as a human bipod and firing a .308 in your ear

[@robertgardner4508]

sliehgtofhand the nitro burns but at least I know I can go faster cuz I got nitro in me if that's how it actually worked

[@yanuarpriam1632]

sliehgtofhand 8 M-80 firing tohether 😱😱😱

[@jimkinder4114]

sliehgtofhand. It,s misci too my ears. Iike. Sound.

[@thebudkellyfiles]

Most beautiful music on earth. Thanks.

[@christopherbuck3276]

Years ago (back in the mid-80s I think), I took a friend of mine to his first NHRA drag race at Rockingham Int. Dragway. Back then, they didn't have the ribbon barricades they do these days and you could get a lot closer to the cars while they were working on and warming them up. I don't remember which T/F car it was, but my friend was standing about 10 feet directly behind the headers. I told him that he had better move but he didn't take my advice. When they started the car, it spit out some raw nitro and splashed him right in the face. Off to the small medical center in the tower we went. He was, and for all I know, is still a dumb-ass. Needless to say, I never took him with me to another race.

[@mark-1234]

Yup, at 3:1 a/f, you're gonna get wet. I remember having to wipe my windshield off continually, as they would park the rest of the field behind the bleach boxes and run the T/Fs in from the side.

[@jacquettaflinchum7744]

Christopher Buck wow they never would let me on the track during a race

[@noahstuart4046]

I blew up my truck at rockingham on open track night

[@brokebolt]

One of the best amateur video's of a Top Fueler warming up in the pits. It really does capture the experience of a general admission ticket at any National NHRA event. Raw fuel lofting heavy in the air, "wet" pipes, crew chief previewing the engine, crew working hard. You can even seen the camera jump when they "bark" it. Now you just need to duplicate the smell and you got the full Monty!!!

[@muzzaball]

Man, your eyes would be burning with it running that rich. Still, I wouldn't back away - how can you resist Top Fuel!!

[@robfinney9289]

Been there. You would have no choice but to back away. Your nose and throat start to burn. It gets hard to breathe. Your eyes burn like mad. I took goggles and a wet towel to breath thru the 2nd time I watched.

[@danielsmith6912]

It's also cold outside

[@wagonmaster1974]

Cacklefest. 'Nuff said!

[@louswire]

This is a totally different kind of loud, this is a loud you hear with your whole body, it shakes your insides puts a lot of pressure on your ears, and makes you smile for the rest of the day... =)

[@NCKID100]

You can literally see the firing order. Too cool man.

[@harrymanback8827]

You have to be there in person or you will never understand the volume and power of these beasts ! This should be on your bucket list .

[@scottfisher9111]

The first drag race I went to, I stood behind a Top Fuel dragster when they fired it on gasoline. I was taking a picture and did not cover my ears as the switched it over to Nitro, they barked that baby one time and I could not hear for the rest of the day! Lesson learned!

[@Themayseffect]

surprised you can still hear at all lmao.

[@groddofwar7779]

I couldn't breathe the first time I was around a Nitro Car, best day ever..lol

[@DjentleSoul]

GroddOfWar 777 Well said , and the the burning eyes made it hard to see what they were doing after it coughed in my face.

[@DjentleSoul]

GroddOfWar 777 Well said , and the the burning eyes made it hard to see what they were doing after it coughed in my face.

[@groddofwar7779]

The Real Jesus Yea, I remember the burning eyes! Lol I also remember coming back from the concession stands with an arm full, and as I'm walking under the bleachers, the funny cars made a pass..i could not hold my ears, and that was the loudest thing ever, especially with me being in a sort of tunnel that multiplied it

[@Venom746]

i've have gone to route 66 for NHRA and standing next to these beasts are incredible and i think its like 0 to 100 in like 0.9 seconds.

[@rumerstain12]

never get tired of this when I go to the U S nationals in indy

[@markonyrhinen8175]

Love that sound! Even muted i have take some distance . Seen twice Top Fuel monsters alive. It´s amazing! Something everyone should feel.People say bands play loud .Seen many concerts by Metallica, Iron maiden, AC/DC (16 times). Yes, they were loud. But never so loud like this. It kicks your whole body and hopefully you have your plugs on. Fuc**ing awesome!!

[@bruceblankenship3135]

I have been going to the nationals since 1984 in Columbus. I miss the good old days of drag racing before it became so corporate. Now a days nobody "seats" the clutch in their nitro cars,which sucks! I really hate it when they turn the top fuel cars around from facing the crowds. I find it hard to believe you have to worry that much about what technology you have in your car with todays rules. Everyone pretty much is on the same playing field. does anyone remember when the nitro cars in the mid 90's used to powerbrake their cars to seat the clutch? Totally awesome experience!

[@bloksaspew]

It's between 7-8000 Horsepower. I wish I knew how they figure it out. These are the MOST RADICAL machines in the universe. 0-298 mph in a lil'over 2 seconds....UNBELIEVABLE ! ! !

[@fiddlyphuk6414]

Sounded like he cut off the nitro and was running on just the alcohol at the end

[@ten8goa]

A person that never seen one of these cars run in person could never begin to understand the thunderousness that that thing produces. Soo freakin' loud. Unreal. Cannot be near one without ear plugs or ear muffs.

[@bignitalian2]

i think i am getting a chub. yep, its a chub.

[@samjackson1885]

bignitalian2 yup we are chub bros these bad boys are insane on every level

[@mommathinksimugly]

i never realized they are up to 8000hp now. good lord. thats amazing

[@Johnnynotsoclueless]

120 prius fans didn't like this video...i didn't see any at norwalk last saturday either.....sooo i guess top fuel is prius repellent..... well that and the bob motz truck.....

[@Sextioneight]

I will NEVER FORGET the first time I was where you are with NO EAR plugs !!! WOW rocked me to the core !

[@jesusboii77]

Being by one of these monsters during a warm up session is one of the coolest things to experience.

[@mulletman5750]

Amazing how later they improved the motors and now top fuels run at 10,000 horsepower. Absolute ass kicker.

[@lledz]

I love this video because you can tell instantly when they switch the engine to nitro methane after starting it on alcohol.

[@Breatherable]

Choking, coughing, crying with tears down your face, how good is that....

[@7211woodie]

the smoke you see is the nitromethane it runs on..at the end the smoke dissapears and the engine revs up just before shutdown..that´s the result from shutting of the nitromethanol fuel.. just love it.. :)

[@jtolliver]

Standing by a fuel car when they seat the clutch is definitely something to behold. If you can deal with the effects from the exhaust, it's worth it to get close! 8K from 500 cu in.... crazy stuff!

[@da959]

This is music in it's very purest form. Some people just don't get it and probably never will....What a shame........

[@Squarerig]

This is how the universe was created-with a BANG!Wonderful music!

[@lightningstruck93]

Nitro cars are something everyone who's a car lover need to experience once in their life. The pressure coming out of those headers is intense. Last time I was at an event, when they were warming up Forces car, they cracked the throttle and 5 or 6 people just fell over.. Your pants glue to the front of your leg, and equillibrium becomes skewed.. And your balling your eyes out from the nitro.. It's pretty surreal

[@xxstfubmx]

i remember one day being really young standing really close to the headers when they started up and that nitro making me almost pass out ....... i was addicted ever since

[@RedroomStudios]

I wouldnt stand any closer than this cameraman. those guys standing right beside the engine are nuts!

[@fingerstylefan]

Thanks for your reply. I live about 10 miles from Firebird raceway in Phoenix and one of these days I plan on going.

[@BardonBTx]

I used to get VIP Passes when Clay Millican was driving with Warner Enterprises. Those Top Fuels are loud as hell and the burned Nitro-Methane burns my eyes. But on the bleachers, when they hit that gas, the whole stands and such rumble like crazy. It was fun knowing him though. He knew my Uncle really well.

[@bdg909]

i love how they were holdin it down like it was helping hold it in place

[@Randomjackpot]

That beast puts out 2000 HP at idle. Love it!

[@ztwntyn8]

I second that. You feel like you are part of the run every run. On the runs where both cars make it to the back door.... I can't discribe it. It's a feeling not expressed by words.

[@Kpd222]

more like an on and off switch rather than a throttle. YAAAHHP!!, YAAAHHP. no way to describe it unless you see, hear and feel it in person. If you never have it will be the best money you ever spent. what a trip. been going to events since 1980. It never gets old/

[@mustangsusanshelby]

I love it every time when there is a newbee we always put them in front. My wfe didnt talk to me for a week when I said she was a newbee we opened up a line so she can get to the front.

[@halflife103]

i have just never heard of a number like that before.... it is amazing.

[@clydebalcom8252]

Sweet music to my ears. Pure heaven.

[@MikeEE12246]

This was just rebuilt and the start was completely cold from a rebuilt engine, they start in on regular gas (maybe alcohol) and you can hear the change when the Nitro Methane is switch on, it is pretty awesome live!!

[@b4racerx]

If you've never witnessed one of these fire-breathing dragons up close in person, the concussion of the exhaust pounds your chest like Tarzan.... then they blip the throttle and the crush of sound hammers you like nothing you've ever felt in your life. That's in the pits. When 2 of these beasts leave the line.....you can feel the sound in your bones !!!

[@sacr3]

@darn808pinoy In person it is insane, you feel it in your chest just when its idling, when she revs, or goes full throttle even when 1000 feet away you cover ur ears and it feels like your heart is about to explode. It is absolutely insane.

[@Punchinelli]

I love how they crank on gasoline and then after a couple of seconds the nitro methane kicks in and fuel starts spewing out of the pipes!!!!!!! Car sounds totally different when the nitro starts!

[@SpeeedKillls]

I bow to you, all sacred Doug, your dragster puts shame to all us others, my car has about 1/8th the horse of yours

[@HardcoreGator]

Only sounds I enjoy almost as much as top fuel is the nose cannon on an A-10 Warthog do its business and the stealth bomber. Both the top fuel dragster and Warthog nose cannon are loud, mean, and ridiculously intimidating. The scariest part of the stealth bomber is what you DON'T hear, until it's right over head and too late. These are probably my top three favorite vehicles on the planet.

[@longshot7601]

That reminds me of a Winter Nationals many many years ago with Shirley Muldowney's top fuel. They started it up in the pits, a bunch of us went up to the safety rope. Then the exhaust fumes washed over us. It was like we just got tear gassed. Who woulda thunk it?

[@macktrucker921]

AHHH The symphony of cylinders! Some like Bach, some Beethoven, me?... a NITROMETHANE DRAGSTER is music to my ears!

[@keetonbob]

HEEEEEEELL YEAAAAH!! I got my first face-shot of nitro a few summers ago. My stepdad took me the Summer Nationals in topeka. Nothing like a face full of nitro to wake you up!!

[@BmastaBerdley]

All top fuel dragsters are fed by mechanical fuel injection. They normally have a set of injectors in the injector hat above the supercharger and then another set in the intake runners and one more set inside the heads that shoot right at the back of the intake valve.

[@steinbacher682]

its not boring. you just have to appreciate that its 8000 horsepower idling and it sounds like a normal car floored almost. just enjoy the noise

[@salamisalamibalogna4617]

I can almost smell it from sitting on the throne in my house !

[@300Z31]

I love top fuel racing. I've learned so much since going to my first race as a small child. I always thought the crewmen were nuts for waving their hands over the exhaust...until I learned that nitro burns cold. Which is also why you see them spraying something onto the intake butterflys, and on the throttle linkage. It's SO cold, that what they're spraying is anti-freeze so the intake doesn't freeze shut; or open for that matter.

[@alexadams1212]

these cars are up to a little over 10,000 horse power now. these cars are the greatest thing on earth

[@acrazedmaniac]

god i love that!!!! didn t know they did this anymore..and that was a long time to be running that 'short lived' engine. must have/had a serious problem. Back in my days of going to the drags...(early 70,s)everyone did this to be sure it would fire/run at the line...it was SOOOO impressive! havent been back since 'they' upped the tickets to 50.00+ ea. and, to think that engine only turns over about 500 times down the strip, and its wasted/$pent...

[@2fujimo2]

Great sound. I wish that they could get the smell of nitro thru the computer. That would make it a true experience.

[@MikeEE12246]

Yep you know it, I just was at Gateway International Raceway. I had a really good tome. They did not have Friday night qualifying but the Saturday and Sunday shows were great.

[@Dreamtool10]

Well the most funny job ever, the guy behind that hold's on for dear life, and is like "yeah, No problem, I holding this beast if it wanna go away"

[@_symmetry_]

that throttle whack would just be the reason for a straight heart attack for the unsuspecting person wandering about.

[@Nitromethane1320]

I love the smell of Nitro in the morning!!!!!! Top Fuel Rules

[@maxpower700]

i've been standing next to a top fuel when they started her up. i didn't notice they where about to, i was just admiring it. suddenly, i started noticing all the guys putting on their ear protection, and WHAM! it starts up, and they rev it. My hands flew up to my ears, i and i started to belive i was in heaven. that was til the nitromethane started to burn in my eyes, that is. BUT WHO CARES :D

[@CPS2]

I like the way the throttle blip bade the cameraman jump both times :-) Can't say I blame him though. Awesome!

[@77bigdave]

I am heading to Commerce, Ga. tomorrow for the Southern Nationals. All of you people with negative comments need to go to one of these races and you will understand what true H.P. is all about!

[@DoWorkNP]

I just went and saw these for the first time today, got the thunder alley pass so I got right next to the starting line. No ear plugs, that shit was nasty. Everytime they took off the line it felt like someone was hitting you in the chest with a sledgehammer and your ear drums were going to explode.

[@assymcgee420247]

@mobilpelan: what you heard at the end was Doug switching the fuel pressure over for a throttle hit. The cars do burn outs and all prep at half pressure. You'll notice the same tune change after they pre-stage and right before they stage

[@PetrolHeadGav]

its cool just after it starts up you can see which cylinder is firing from the exhaust. :)

[@GRIZZLYBEARATOMIC]

@bigk033106 They change the clutch packs in the transmission after every run so after they install the new ones they must be broken in. This is what the fuel team call seating the clutch. As a side note when they blip the throttle you can see the camera move a little, the blast pressure and sound is so intense that it's virtually impossible to not move. It's so loud that it effects the bones in your ears that control balance then the pressure of the exhaust pushes you over a little.

[@SC457A]

NO preheaters. The warm up is used to seat the clutch and put some heat into the engine. The nitro fuel ruins the oil very quickly. They change the oil even after the warm up.

[@BmastaBerdley]

Top Fuel Dragsters are estimated to be producing between 8000 and 10000 horsepower the next level down would be Alcohol motors which are now making up to 3500 HP or so

[@zstalion84]

i just got back from the races in St. louis an actually watch them start this car! those exhuast fumes burnt my eyes! they had the fuel mixture wrong (im guessin) an i was diretcly behind the car when they fired it up. instant pain.

[@mambacx]

@sexyransom this is the most beautiful use of our natural resources.

[@zeppelin67637]

omg that gave me goose bumps when he cleared the cylinders.

[@homerunnerz]

That would be sweet!! 1970 Chevelles are my all time favorite car.!!! Going to a car show with that would turn some heads!!! Haha

[@fergus1494]

@BlahBlahBlah55209 ahh the magical wonders of not only internal combustion but unused fuel creating an external (atmospheric) combustion, i always thought this was dam amazing. The stacks are designed for down-force and also angled slightly back for push. These cars truly are amazing. Thanks for the advice man!

[@Andy851]

The throttle response is just insane

[@sanfranciscobay]

Wow. That is just frickin wicked. 8,000 mother frickin horsepower. Jesus frickin Christ. God Bless America. Does the exhaust burn the eyes and nasal passages of the people standing around while it's idling as seen in the video?

[@Kyle_Evers]

Even the background noises sound nice even before they start the engine. Then they start the engine and it's like O_O

[@lolzordje123]

@CrisR964 what you might not now, is that nitromethane has actually alot less energy per gallon than normal gasoline, they only use it because it need 8,5 times less fuel to burn than gasoline

[@MrCarnutbill67]

They are way way louder. I've been to both fuel races and Nascar races. Top Fuel cars will blur your vision and make your ears crack they are so loud. Opening your mouth a little seems to help as this eases the pressure in your head. No joke, fuel cars fricken hurt to be around when they are running. Its almost unbelievable that man could create something so violent and yet so awesome at the same time.

[@468motorhead]

Just to clarify a point. That fuel is nitromethane. Not race gas. Octane rating is something over 200, yes 200. Way more than race gas (110 to 120), alcohol is 140. The run is now 1000 ft not quarter mile. Had to change due to limitations of shutdown areas at race facilities. It's great to go fast but you have to get em stopped too, even if there is catastrophic failure. RIP Scott

[@erikvrijsen]

The screenname was just to damn tempting ;)

[@Etorresdeltoro]

@4Flaming2 They start the engines on alcohol but switch to Nitromethane 8 or 10 secs after startup. Burnout is made on Nitro.

[@MikeEE12246]

Thank you thank you, and it has been a great run almost 2 million hits !!! more than any other of my videos!!

[@ramdodger69]

Awesome!! my headphones are on full volume and im lovin it god i wish my hemi sounded like that..

[@Slugg-O]

I don't know the exact science but nitro has a higher flash point than gasoline, meaning it needs more spark to ignite than pump gas but produces a MUCH more energy during ignition, which is why it is used. NHRA has changed the volume of nitro back and forth over the years. It's been anywhere from 90/10 nitro/alchol to 98/2 nitro/alchol, but the amount of air depends on air density and water molecules - or air quality. Finding that perfect mix is where tuning and qualifying begin.

[@ryanishee]

yeah they do we used to run them on our late models and sprint cars when we raced it saves time that way you can go straight into a race and not have to make laps and wait on it to warm up.

[@91slownotch]

@92tbruck amen to that! These have to been seen in person to truly appreciate the sound, and smell! ahh, nitro! Eyes burn thinking about it! :)

[@MrCruiserdude]

No, its an entire one of your precious Nascars in each cylinder, and then some.

[@MrPolarguy1]

Nothing, but NOTHING sounds like one of these. Nice!!!!!

[@MikeEE12246]

@skater4nater They use 15 gallons of fuel during a run, which is now 1000 ft so that is about 100 feet per gallon or 1/52 miles per gallon

[@coolio8444]

Oh yAeH thats real smart leaning on those back wheels

[@lovehemi2much]

damn cant wait for the vegas races in april cant wait!!!

[@DemonSS07]

@Ham549 Answer.... those motors use exotic fuels plus Lots of air.. the smoke ure seeing is unspent fuel and those cars run multiple fuel pumps when they test run these motors between runs they only use 1-2 fuel pumps. when these cars really run the track they can leave a 15 foot fire ball in their wake.also as stated they dont get miles per gallon like normal cars these do gallons per mile..

[@darn808pinoy]

wish my car sounded like this in high school =/ heck wish it sounded like this in general!!!

[@demichaelR]

This will get you to the grocery store, have to push to quick trip, then get you back home in no time.

[@CFStarFighters]

Amen Brother! You are Absolutely Right! Top Fuel Rocks!

[@MikeEE12246]

A dragster engine only last one run, and it sometimes does not make it through that run. they will completely rebuild the engine after each run, I think that the engine block last for more than that but typically they wil change all the parts on the dragster after each run, in fact the tires will only last 2-4 runs, and the amount of fuel that is used in a run is 10-15 gallons!! and the fuel is nitromethane and it costs $90 per gallon

[@CrisR964]

A nitro burning engine is an ungodly beast of an engine. There is no other (piston) engine that can compare. If there is a hell, its powered by one of these!!!! LOL!!!!