Diesel vs Jet Dragster Race - Closer Than You Think!

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Nitro Madness at Texas Motorplex featured this wacky match race between a diesel dragster and a jet dragster. It's rolling coal vs kerosene! The diesel dragster had a few hiccups in testing and the early match races, but the final was a close fought race. That jet was really whistlin. Let me know in the comments which one would you rather have in your garage?
If you missed the Nitro Madness drag race (which included Funny Car Chaos and the Outlaw Fuel Altered Association), you need to have it on your calendar for next year. It's different to the NHRA events, but super special in its own way. Were you there this year?
0:00 Intro
0:17 Diesel Dragster Testing
3:00 Diesel vs Jet Round One
4:22 Diesel vs Jet Round Two
5:35 Diesel vs Jet Final

[@pyalot]

Diesel: I like turbo, so I put a turbo on my turbo. Jet: I like turbo so much I removed the rest of the engine.

[@GioJonnhyK]

😂😂😂❤😂❤😂❤❤❤

[@mihalis1010]

The torque that diesel one has is incredible. I wonder how they made axles for it that don't just instantly snap.

[@bobbabai]

How do they make axles for the nitromethane top fuel dragsters which create a lot more torque AND a lot more horsepower?

[@BENZOALBANEZ]

Adamantid materials

[@1scarewolf]

Torque flex optimization. Just like when drag slicks twist and wind up. Clutch slippage works the same. Glad you guys appreciate that!

[@rev9fan1]

The flex in the tire really absorbs the shock, then sling shots the car out of the hole.

[@Gizamalukeix]

But they do have to rebuild the engines after near every run.

[@Fleetingsongs]

Ah, I can smell the fresh pure air these green vehicles emit wafting thru my computer screen, invigorating my senses.

[@LivingNitro]

The hydrocarbons have gotten to you...

[@Fleetingsongs]

@@LivingNitro that probably explains the fairies & butterflies I saw fluttering around

[@despizedicon]

you said wafting?

[@yoslauda4714]

That little karen who cares about Greenpeace will happy about this one, dude🤣🤣

[@jankington216]

@Daniel Sell They could do it if they could cool the engine without running extremely rich

[@TheoneGodfather]

Redeemed themselves with that last run. Well done.

[@lonelyplanet1080]

Yeah they did!!👍..I wish I was there

[@cpark1570]

A top end shot of that final race would’ve been epic

[@Rondo2ooo]

The smoke from that night was responsible for the upcoming cold winter...😁

[@richboymuniz6746]

Impressive how a diesel dragster can still catch up with a jet dragster

[@disngager]

Uh, I guess. Top is Top fuel for a reason.

[@Smzxe]

Imagine if it was a petrol dragster rip both dragsters

[@TheSingularNextuz]

Jet dragster? Is that even a thing? Rocket with four wheels that tries to look as a dragster... What is the wheel power of that thinge?

[@lilu2580]

@@Smzxe literally 😂 but there is a thing petrol engines have low torque output hence they have to increase the rpms and that will spin the wheels like crazy, so inturn the petrol driver will have tought time to manage the perfect powerband

[@Smzxe]

@@lilu2580 I know petrol dragsters have less torque But still they are faster than diesel ones Those dragsters don't use petrol they use more like E85 ethenol whatever that is And Petrol cars are much faster than diesel ones

[@TheWildChildJr]

for those who dont know, im sure these guys do but a Jet car does not have actual power. This means that the Dragster obviously has the motor, driveshaft and all that which is what works the rear tires, and has the instant launch when you stomp the pedal, but a Jet Car doesnt. this is why it takes so long and why they dont always win races because it takes a little bit for the jet to actually produce thrust and then stay there.

[@carloleoni4843]

Yeah but this one its real slug since the start

[@AxiomofDiscord]

@@carloleoni4843 More distance would change everything. Well granted if they carry enough fuel as well.

[@samspence7008]

Another way to say it is, the jet dragster makes no torque. Though its a vague way to say it.

[@reesesalen5033]

The turbines are spooled up ready to go. Jet cars can launch as hard as their brakes can hold them on the starting line

[@paradiselost9946]

The diesel has torque of varying value across a limited rpm range, and that power has to be transferred to wheels, and finally the limit being the grip they have with the tarmac. Needs weight, and needs power to accelerate that weight... catch22. The turbine makes a constant push. Say 100kg of thrust. A 1000kg vehicle would accelerate at 0.1g. With 1000kg of thrust, 1g. Ignore friction... And that push, that acceleration rate, continues. Regardless of speed. Its logarithmic. Just like falling. Every second, faster than before...

[@Dreamtimesail]

Very cool to see something different like this. We first saw diesel powered cars on the strip in Malta when we were there back in 2012 and really enjoyed the variety.

[@LivingNitro]

I hear the drag racing scene in Malta is crazy!

[@Dreamtimesail]

@@LivingNitro It was a very pleasant surprise. Really friendly people too.

[@nigelgunn322]

You'll also see Wankels racing there.

[@dmeemd7787]

Super glad that Ray and John are still doing this at FCC. awesome!!

[@yadidimeanmaine]

Watching jet cars stage is awesome, and the backhalf is incredible, but the sound of one launching is something that perhaps only exotic bird owners would appreciate. It's like fingernails on a chalkboard through twin bullhorns directly in your ears.

[@LivingNitro]

Gets some weird harmonics or something through the afterburner cone for sure!

[@kevinmills5293]

A bit more exciting than watching a Tesla model S plaid staging.

[@peanuts2105]

​@Kevin Mills my boys remote control car is more interesting than a Tesla

[@teijaflink2226]

I love the sound of a jet.

[@peterthornton2396]

You can feel that jet engine when near them. Miss the drag race days

[@grandwizard9088]

Unreal 💪🇺🇸👊..... Never knew a diesel could compete in the high HP game, really fun to watch 👌

[@austinferrari6745]

Diesels can handle more horsepower than gas engines….

[@REWYRED]

Diesels are not what they used to be... Even in your standard pickup from any of the big 3 they make some pretty respectable numbers. Numbers unheard of back when diesel pickups were just gaining popularity.

[@kaihorstmann2783]

Diesels and diesel hybrids are the winners now at the 24 hours of Le Mans. Gas cars cannot compete because they need so much more fuel stops. Don‘t forget for diesels the upper limit of boost pressure and power is how much the engine can bear. There is no knocking issue, at high compression ratios and boost pressure like in gas cars.

[@PistonAvatarGuy]

@@austinferrari6745 Name one ~10,000 hp, ~8 liter diesel engine.

[@PistonAvatarGuy]

@@kaihorstmann2783 The current gasoline hybrids are significantly faster than any of those diesels. A Toyota gasoline/electric hybrid currently holds the lap record at Le Mans. Seriously, have you been living under a rock for the past 13 years?

[@neilreid9005]

Really fun to watch. I saw a pair of jet dragsters at Cleetus and Cars a couple weeks ago in Houston- they were hitting 275 mph at the top end.

[@LivingNitro]

I’ve loved jet cars since I was a kid. I still get a kick out of seeing them.

[@snap-off5383]

NHRA limits jet cars to 300mph even though the let the Top Fuel cars go faster.

[@snap-off5383]

@@pfizerlanciarally037bionte5 They can do it in USA too, the only reason you don't see it is the NHRA mandates that tracks they bring their fans and money to don't allow "faster than NHRA" racing.

[@beaner2907]

Would've loved to be there to see this! Thanks for sharing!

[@K-Effect]

In person that must’ve been an all out assault on the senses!

[@nobux717]

Maybe they will come out soon with a steam powered dragster.

[@Notinuseanymore0203]

Rip the environment then…

[@artemfilatov8161]

steam turbine dragster))

[@samspence7008]

That would be incredibly heavy

[@seth094978]

The rocket cars from decades ago turned peroxide into 2 parts steam and one part oxygen to create thrust, so there sort of have been steam powered dragsters.

[@Joe-sn6ir]

@@Notinuseanymore0203 RIP your intelligence...if you ever had any. O.o

[@8008es]

Feel like this race would have been totally different if that was a top fuel dragster Kinda weird seeing a dragster without a wheelie bar

[@LivingNitro]

Yeah nitro would be a different matter.

[@zion19821]

@Jason Layne . *\0/*O_*\0O_o

[@Godsoldiergaming]

@@LivingNitro not really the nitro would be quicker but the jet has a much higher top speed

[@skylerjr2648]

Not really. Top fuel is just shy of 340 mph. Jet dragsters are in the same range. Limited by the distance and the top fuel destroying itself in the first second of the run (spark plugs are fried, the clutch is fused, they lose a piston before finished, etc). Safety of the drivers is the main reason. Regulation won't let them go much faster. We could have 400+ mph races without turbojet/ rockets.

[@chadkent1241]

​@Godsoldiergaming not even close. No jet dragster is anywhere near 339 mph in 1,000 ft or 300.8 mph in 2.93 seconds in the 1/8.

[@jeffbarton6102]

I worked at a track up here in Manitoba Canada and was standing in the staging lanes behind the Jets cars and whenever they do those short bursts it feels like getting punched in the chest and i was far behind them. Blink and ya miss the race. Crazy

[@GrowthCurveMarketing]

So fun to watch someone pushing diesel to its limit. They run NA at around 20:1 and this guys probably pushing more than an atmosphere on top of that. Amazing.

[@mickmccasker6401]

"this guys probably pushing more than an atmosphere on top of that" lol try 5-6 atmospheres and you're closer

[@MainMite06]

OMG this is insane, who put this together?! *A super-tractor dragster vs a fighter-jet dragster on the same track* INSANITY

[@mikemoore7245]

That would have been cool to see in person but even here it was awesome!

[@darrell8167]

Absolutely incredible I have never seen a diesel dragster... badass

[@kevenkullberg9955]

Johnny’s gonna need bigger slicks he can’t contain the torque that Diesel is putting out on those tiny little slicks! Unbelievable!

[@juzzlookin]

..and the rpm makes the central flat section rounded, so the whole tyre design concept needs an upgrade...

[@kelainefes]

@@juzzlookin That is by design. The tire is soft and elastic on purpose so that its diameter increases together with the speed, effectively acting as continuously variable gearbox.

[@gkcmgk]

If you make the tires thicker or bigger, there will be more ground contact area at high speeds..which will slow down the vehicle.also weight gonna increase and momentum of tire will change..those tires doing their job pretty well..no need to be bigger..

[@PistonAvatarGuy]

Diesels don't make s--t for torque when compared to the spark-ignited engines normally used in dragsters.

[@dede5185]

This is the craziest drag racing I ever seen 👀

[@SoylentGamer]

One is burning in the cylinders, the other is burning in the "turbo"

[@peteharder6325]

1:35-140 you try that on a top fuel and it'd be a blown engine. Diesel is life!

[@danf1862]

If they're using JP8 in the jet car, then they're both diesel powered engines. So badass!

[@mekt0r]

When I saw the "cannonball express" (jet dragster) in person: I talked with the team and driver. They were running #2 diesel in it. Said they burn about 30-35 gallons per run of diesel....Of course most of it is from showing off with smoke and afterburner before getting up to the tree. Jet fuel is basically just high cetane diesel stripped of the lubricity and green/red dye. A diesel engine will run on it, but it will likely destroy the injectors and injection pump over time due to lack of lubrication in the fuel.

[@JoshuaTootell]

My last ship had dual propulsion, meaning diesels and gas turbines. We ran the same fuel through both. Either regular diesel, or JP5.

[@MattLitkeRacing]

Diesel car looks like a pain to stage

[@LivingNitro]

Yeah, it seemed to be tough to creep it into the beams.

[@gerhardpopl2234]

That's funny. The diesel has to transfer power to the road via the wheels. The jet turbine just pushes. I love black-smoking diesels.

[@jakehildebrand1824]

You can beat the jet car off the line, but its still gonna leave you in its dust

[@MoxieMike66]

I remember when jets used to match race Nitro FC's & Dragsters as well as TA/FC's & Dragsters. Then again, I remember when my dad & his buddies ran a FE BB/GD. So yeah, I'm a little old. 🙂

[@DragRacingandCarStuff]

That's so sick! 5:41 something was red hot.

[@LocomotiveBreth]

I saw that too. Looks like the brake rotor

[@LivingNitro]

I never noticed that. I agree, it looks like a brake rotor.

[@gullreefclub]

Its is a the brake rotor and the reason why is during a burnout to keep the turbo spooled up the driver has to apply the brake to provide resistance against the engine other wise the engine / turbo would fall flat on its face

[@LocomotiveBreth]

@@gullreefclub Makes sense but I sure as hell wouldn’t want to depend on those pads and rotors after doing that a time or two.

[@natalotto2006]

That was awesome to watch 👍

[@LivingNitro]

Thanks Daniel! it looked cool with all the fireworks etc too!

[@DancerOfClouds]

Who would have thought a diesel could be that close. WOW!!

[@theorderofthepurplephoenix3321]

They must’ve geared it really high

[@cpark1570]

The finish line view would have been wild for this race

[@MERICANMOTO]

Sign: this parking spot is for green vehicles only. Green top fuel dragster: how nice of them to make a parking spot just for me!

[@andyharman3022]

Jade Grenade is my idea of a green top fueler.

[@akosabraham7914]

How high do these engines rev? Most diesels have they max tq at 1500-2000 and top out at 4000-4500. I wonder what a dyno graph on one of those looks like

[@TheBasstead1]

They are likely getting more than 4500 RPM, but not much more. They are taking advantage of torque placed on high gears and clutch assemblies to get that diesel moving fast.

[@mytmousemalibu]

Upwards of 5000-6000rpm on real high power, built diesels. Sled pullers zing some pretty good revs on their diesels too. Depends on what engine. You can generally get a Duramax to rev higher than a Cummins for example but im sure some sing pretty good. The factory redline of my Mercedes OM606 is 6000 revs and with a built pump will easily eclipse that.

[@LcFan96]

5-6k rpm, performance diesels with built pumps and injectors easily can do that. most street cars dont, because its too much mechanical stress, also most diesel street cars engines are built for low end power rather than high end power

[@Godsoldiergaming]

This is likely over 7.5k rpm as there are diesel drag trucks that rev well over 7.5k

[@Toasted_Beans]

Hard to choose wich one is more badass

[@GetPooodOn]

That screams Merica. Three screaming eagles were born at this moment.

[@LivingNitro]

Freedom!

[@tesmith47]

Yeah,but our kids will pat

[@whatthe9078]

If this was on a runway, i think the jet would be long gone.

[@wilsonfeliciano7685]

How dare you?!?! 🤣🤣

[@justlooking6898]

Diesel vs Jet - I had not thought of that - Burnout vs just Burn! BlackSmoke/WhiteSmoke. The last run made up for the long wait and the video was really, really good. Surprising, the #s at the end! 🤪😍🤩

[@xlh1450]

Why does it look like one of the rear discs on the diesel dragster is glowing hot on the last pass, when he's doing his burnout?

[@danmyers9372]

1/8th mile clearly is to the advantage of the diesel. The jet would start walking the diesel from the 1/8 th to the 1/4.

[@kevenkullberg9955]

There’s always an excuse from a Chevy guy!

[@angelcano2559]

Simplemente épico, una batalla entre dos titanes

[@allencastleman7617]

A diesel dragster...? Now I've seen everything. But it was damn close.

[@theorderofthepurplephoenix3321]

They must have geared it up

[@umbrellacorp.]

Wicked Awesome Race. 🔥😎👍💯

[@JDeubel]

Well I bet you they both smell the same diesel raising diesel lol

[@OJB42]

OMG, that is insane. Love it! How much fuel do those things use for one run? Actually, I think I saw Greta in the crowd. She was loving it!

[@simonbarber5440]

Bio-diesel for one car, liquid hydrogen for the other - what's the problem?

[@OJB42]

@@simonbarber5440 That's not what they were using though, right? Still, we could say it was, if it makes Greta happy! :)

[@jarvarismatthews4639]

this is probably the coolest thing i’ll see today

[@chrisdaniel1339]

The jet dragsters are so simple, no transmission, no gears, just a huge turbojet engine a lightweight chassis and 20 ft of flames coming from the back end. That would be a fun ride.

[@user-bl3xi2bi6w]

Очень эпично 👍👍🔥

[@snap-off5383]

Wow amazing how less powerful a fuel diesel is than even Methanol. Fun fact: gasoline actually has a higher energy density than the nitromethane that the top fuel dragsters and funny cars burn, the reason they get more POWER from the nitromethane is that within that fuel comes more oxygen so its not just the oxygen in the air, but also in the fuel that contributes to combustion power. Knowing that, now imagine the forest fires in the time we can use insect fossils to prove the atmosphere wasn't 23% oxygen like now, but rather closer to *50%!* Those fires must have been AMAZING.

[@dirtdiggler9293]

Giant trees 🌲

[@AvStevieStevenJamesDrums]

That was BAD ASS!!!

[@carstenpfundt]

That jet sound is of another world

[@nia79nia]

do these engines run with a catalytic converter?

[@moparty4409]

No I don't know how you could fit one on a jet engine.

[@jamielancaster01]

At a quarter mile that jet is just starting to go fast - if they raced a half mile it would be no contest.

[@jrhanna7485]

The cars really aren't designed to go half a mile, the chassis' and other components would really be pushed to their limits safety wise.

[@shorty4lyf8]

Cool race, just imagine one of those in the UK maybe they’d let me keep my 1.5l fiesta xD

[@petercsigo3314]

Amazing.👍👍

[@jamesinson3488]

I think his quarter mile time was faster than his reaction time on that first pass 😂

[@PistonAvatarGuy]

1/8th mile.

[@greigsanderson]

Lovely fresh air

[@chrisolsen5280]

Happened just like I thought. That jet engine could have done that all night long as long as you brought enough fuel. What's even more interesting, is the jet did that without any mechanical connection to the tarmac. It took talent to control that torque at the tree! His brakes where glowing on that last burnout! (I think it was his brakes?)

[@surfstarcc1]

White smoke versus black smoke!

[@ITStechy]

Creating large cloud formations at will 😂

[@916chevyboy]

That was the freakn Best🎉😮❤

[@joeydusek3841]

Is totally the best run I've ever seen

[@HansKlopek]

Our people make incredible things...

[@jittychitty]

Didn't expect that!

[@happycanayjian1582]

Amazing that the jet dragster, despite having no direct power being put down to the ground, can keep up with the diesel. While jets are decent in acceleration, it’s their top end that ICE engines could never, ever match. Jet engines provide a relentless push from behind.

[@alhowell4732]

WOW, that was very close !! 😮

[@DavidGarland-ur5ld]

Haha, I live here. I couldn't breath after this for like an hour

[@gregpeacock5497]

Back in the late 80's I saw the tri-engine jet semi Shockwave run at the Texas Motorplex. When we spoke to them we found out they ran their jet engines on diesel.

[@LivingNitro]

There's all kinds of things they can run them on, pretty cool!

[@crispyshaman4937]

@@LivingNitro yeah a jet engine is a type of turbine engine usually aren't nitpicky on fuel. They can run on prety much anything flamable

[@juliusfucik4011]

Kerosene is actually a less refined product than diesel.

[@kaihorstmann2783]

Jet-A kerosene is essentially a narrower refined diesel. You need that e.g. for the low temperatures (~-50 deg at altitude). Conversely you can run any Diesel engine on jet-A.

[@ChronicGames]

That is insane! 🤟🏻

[@danielbenke2057]

Ahhh those decibels pure heaven to the drivers

[@_Lineman_]

Diesel: LOOK HOW SMOKEY I AM!!! Jet: Hold my beer...

[@wsmg4390]

Nice Videos Living Nitro!!💯💯💯

[@LivingNitro]

Thanks, Preston! Love it!

[@wsmg4390]

@@LivingNitro Your welcome and thank you for the Awesome Videos!

[@johnhenry2265]

Elvis has left the building 😮

[@stephenobrien1505]

33 one hundredths of a second…less than one third of one second!! WOW!!!

[@peternorthe1912]

You need one helluva brazing rod for that torch!

[@williamsara5565]

Bro the thing was still spinning tyres down the straight..love it

[@georgehubbard6876]

Wow! I'm ashamed to say that I've never seen a diesel rail before. Too friggin cool

[@Clip_Foot]

beauty start 😍

[@ericcheusde1972]

You better get against those volcanoes. Maybe you change there minds!!

[@franfrias6217]

Mechanic: What size turbo do we need for the ICE engine ? Turbine Car: yes! The entire car is a turbo, lol.

[@josedaza4151]

Era hacer un drag racing no una nave espacial jajaja buen video

[@gregorycatren3442]

That's impressive....

[@Dally_Sparkles]

great video

[@beeftheif1544]

GOT DAMN! THAT IS A TURBO!

[@Amberstargazerofearth]

Jet dragster is actually a jet rocket, it doesn't need any wheels, only wings ) very impressive!

[@loganb420]

5:39 look at the diesels back tires going so fast that they are glowing inside the rim LOL

[@duken.t.o.9780]

Yes, very very close 😮

[@asnawimochtar7661]

That was so close. Even you cant see the defreant with naked eyes.

[@kresimirmilisa5560]

very nice at the same time they accelerated good video.

[@tbbigrocker149]

That FU*KIN ROCKED!!!!

[@pjurgensen2827]

That's a fast truck!

[@Reprinceff1]

Думал видос так не о чем! Но финал все расставил по местам! Весьма не ожиданный результат

[@xjayxone8548]

The real dragrace

[@tihzho]

The Great and Powerful Oz or what? 🤣

[@CloudHindlen]

Love the smell of fresh burnt Diesel in the morning. Lol

[@ThePower1037]

stud-rx lol, that's up there with the Durex cars of the olden days!