John Force start up clears out the rope rats!

[@tymorgan750]

I was at the spring nats. In Columbus Ohio in 92. My first NHRA big event with pit passes. I was standing as close as I could get to John's car as they did the rebuild while filming with an old video camera. I was maybe 5 ft.from the action. I was so excited and couldn't believe what I was witnessing. Then the test fire came...... The raw nitro hit me.... hit me square in the face.... Couldn't breathe....choked ...gagged and it felt like I was on fire. I backed away bent over coughing and gagging tryin to catch my breath not realizing they had finished up and felt a hand patting me on the back and looked up to see John Force him self Lookin at me laughing. He said...you alright son????..... Yes sir never better was my answer. I carried that moment and my burning face around the rest of the day like a trophy.

[@Glide1992]

Great story.

[@Muddicker]

Beautiful story and a memory you will never forget

[@MrNunna]

Those "rope rats" also help pay for his activities in several different ways.

[@cameronstewart9597]

Lighten upKaren, I dare say it was meant as a joke

[@ashqelon7267]

Can 't breath, Can't see, Can't hear. Loud fast & Dangerpus... Love it!!

[@pineyLt]

That nitro will clear your sinuses and burn your eyes 😁 At last years summer nats as a track official I got to kneel on the side of the track along side of Courtney Forces funny car as it left the line. I was about 7-8’ away. The light popped green and she was gone! Talk about baptism by nitro. The closest I can get to putting it into words is to say it was like sitting on a bomb when it goes off. Awesome and everyone should get to do it once! And yes the nitro at that proximity burns. I even caught John Force rubbing his eyes a couple times. Great guy to meet by the way. A gentleman with a great sense of humor.

[@brianmathew09]

gotta love the change over... you learn pretty quick where to stand...their fan direction and the canopy shape etc...

[@erniemckrackin9520]

NHRA true "all access" open pits. You can do anything, but drive the cars. 10,000 hp Nitro spitting Top Fuel in your face.Tons of autographed blown engine parts, for souvenirs. FYI.Take Ear Plugs !

[@curly27784]

John Force is a very fan friendly racer. If he hears you calling his fans "rope rats" you could find yourself on the receiving end of a royal ass chewing.

[@chuckp2434]

Lol, it's like when a boss gets super pissed at work, and the room clears out when people are getting cussed at

[@cbr954rr4]

I LOVE THE SMELL OF NITRO IN THE MORNING

[@Jims07yfz450]

I can see why he stepped back. If you've ever been that close and the wind is blowing right you won't be able to breathe.

[@billandlaurie2]

ah the smell and burn of nitro in the morning..

[@mncmcnc5]

No "Roperats", no revenue. Those folks are fans.

[@Galaxy2517]

"There's no cryin in drag racing"!

[@Mullay2]

I stayed for the throttle whack! Had full ear muffs, but I couldn't see, or breathe for several minutes afterwards. My buddy with me had a full gas mask. I quickly learned why!!!

[@notmyfield3789]

Yep, and only some of them had hearing protection.Gonna suck when your 50 and staring at your bedroom ceiling all night! The sound of silence you will never hear.

[@kevinlewis7882]

Damn I love hearing all that power

[@bigbudstud5558]

He cleared everyone out ALMOST as fast as me at one of my chili & beer parties. 😖😖

[@whatupanomany1]

Nothing like the smell of Napalm in the morning:)

[@claytonscheiber3493]

Ohhhhhh, gotta love the nitro scatter of the crowd.

[@moparalldays1343]

The people standing on those ropes are the reason those drivers and crew memebers can raise a family and pay thier bills...

[@utooberblooper]

shadup

[@GaddGaming]

I made the same mistake once. My eyes were streaming tears. I felt super light headed as I walked away

[@phillpescola2729]

Sean I wrenched on top fuel back in 73 74 and we had moved too Ontario motor speedway

[@nitrojunkie9027]

Phillp Escola. The winters have never moved venues, even in its infancy. Now what used to be called the world finals and now just referred to as the finals has had several venues before finding its home in Pomona also. You should read the whole article not just the heading on the random NHRA report you pull up to justify your statement. And as for you ever wrenching on a top fuel car, I call BS on that one.

[@nitrojunkie9027]

Phillp Escola. So again....I'll wait

[@jstrotha0975]

Back in the 80's and 90's I could stand next to these things while they are running. Now I can't do it anymore.

[@rickyletner3167]

Love the smell and feel of burning nitro

[@wrenchaholic]

I had VIP at gator-nationals one year and was seated right next to pit of a top fuel dragster. That shit is ridiculous loud. it hurts from the guts out!!!!!

[@rchoper21]

Force did that when I went to the winter nationals over 20 years ago, he was laughing.

[@timothydillon6421]

Drag racing is the best you guys

[@taylor_imaging]

I worked on an A fuel dragster, We did not have to dilute the nitro! You don't get used to it!

[@martinmusshorn4709]

Bad ass nitro machine nitro or nothing ☠

[@ray6342]

So that is what were called, love it.

[@elli003]

Ah yea ! Just reminiscing about my first time to get tear gassed by the mello-yellow nitro cloud.

[@williamtetrault1300]

Fumes are mainly from the methanol - eyes tear up real bad, that’s the worst of it!

[@mikespillman3075]

ahhhhhh.......I can smell it now......

[@houseofsolomon2440]

I love how the brits pronounce methane. They say "mee-thane".

[@mikeresendez5151]

This video is really old (but still cool) Bernie is still there, and they seated the clutch. They stopped doing that years ago...

[@ricksorber9562]

Do they start up on gas or alcohol?

[@denniswong7137]

I was a rope rat, you can't over take the exhaust fumes, it's burns the eyes and you can't breath, so the "can't take it comment below, so boostin, open your eye wide and take DEEEEEP snort of the nitro with out a mask and came back and tell me if you can take it..."geezhh""!!!

[@blackbirdxx928]

Better than most on the audio....but not even close to what it could/should be...i have 2 2000 watt amps in my living room and some serious speakers....decent top fuel audio i could be makin some big time noise

[@apexkilla]

Did he fart??

[@Fischize]

Ohhhhhh, so that’s why the crew wears air masks!!!

[@kevinmaloy1628]

skip to 1:27 for the "Show" ..................

[@Telelikeitis]

ROPE RATS? Let John Force or any other driver pull into a track with no rope rats and we'll see how frickin long they stay in business.

[@ericgriffin8947]

Mute

[@joes.7536]

Nitro burns them eyes doesn't it. Lol. Shits like breathing mild pepper spray.

[@professorpatpending8731]

May the Force be with you.

[@MikeBrown-ii3pt]

NITRO!!! Americas racing fuel!!! If you can't take it then don't wander through the pits when the fuel cars are about to get the call!

[@shayvon4075]

With out them rope rats....jhon force would have never existed

[@revisg61]

Nitromethane is nitric acid and propane

[@DukeLaCrosse20]

wow, those spinning wheels look like a serious hazard

[@xgnarchangel9506]

its only bc the trans is a direct drive...no biggy

[@Bent099]

So is crossing the street if your not paying attention

[@Smittyschannel]

Hahaha nitromethane does wonders for the eyes

[@phillpescola2729]

When did they move winter nats back too pamona

[@nitrojunkie9027]

Phillp Escola. When did they not run Winternationals at Pomona????? I'll wait

[@donzon353]

Winter Nationals never left Pomona

[@mikeresendez5151]

Seriously??? 🤣🤣🤣

[@TheChrismsanchez1]

How's that T-shirt workin out as a cartridge filter? 🤣

[@176ts]

I think the term "rope rats" is derogatory to us fans . we support the sport of Drag Racing , We buy the products of the Sponsors . Just because you ar a Millionaire dosent give you the right to call us Names !

[@kevinfay5172]

Quite a lead in too bad if thats the mentality against paying fans that are the bread and butter of the sport

[@omegaseamaster1550]

ahhh the smell of nitro methane in the morning.....

[@treverepperson4058]

And what happens when the car comes off the stands at 4500 rpm.

[@Bent099]

Trever Epperson if it ever happens let me know because haven't seen it yet.

[@JohnSmith-ws6jg]

Quit blaming the drivers, they didn’t write the tag Lind for this video, settle the hell down. Geeeesh it’s like a bunch of snowflakes whining

[@guysmalley]

Those rope rats pay the freight

[@captainbuttnuggets4786]

Lol it burns it burns!!

[@derekwall200]

no wonder john force always talks like he is screaming. the guys eardrums are probably fucking shot

[@user-pk1ye3vt2v]

อยากเป็นช่างทำรถแบบนี้บ้างจัง

[@nickfrohm958]

They're called fans not "rope rats" smart guy! If it wasn't for us cheering him on and supporting him then he wouldn't be where he is today and he knows that. We stand at the line watching his talented crew do what they do best and also hope to shake his hand and tell him what a good family he has made as well as tell him what a kick ass driver he is.

[@nitrojunkie9027]

Nick Frohm Not a fan of John's at ALL!! But very well said sir. At least we don't put our drivers on such a high pedestal that they think they are untouchable like other motorsports. We make it possible for them to do what they love for a living and we should be recognized as such.

[@utooberblooper]

should i call the whaaaambulance for you?

[@bicylindrico]

Nick's panties are in a bunch. It's obvious we all love the same 'past time' and I don't think you would find any of those crew members that would disagree. It's fun. That's all

[@RossL1946]

Nick Frohm

[@Ddabsolve]

Of course they backed up their eyes were probably on fire

[@ddyodaman5515]

Funny thing about the rope rats. They pay the bills for these folks! And it appears your one to. Force strong!

[@kennethwise7108]

Poor ozone

[@catfish500mark9]

You call people rope rats yet there you are!!!!!!!

[@patrickkennedy2533]

Amazing

[@newphonewhodis1035]

All thats safty stuff! But feel free to stand next to a giant spinning rubber tire???? 👌

[@ferrallderrall6588]

Lettuce Spray , tires been known to kick some serious ass..

[@peyoyinski]

The teams have big rigs! So ii guess there's a few lot lizards 🤣😂

[@cleettaurus8637]

That doesn’t even make sense....

[@lilorbielilorbie2496]

NHRA Drag Racing is the only motorsport that lets you get close. just try it with nascar, indy, or f1. it,s not gonna happen. imo. thats why NHRA is cool and all of the other stuff sucks. i really don,t see the point of driving in a circle for 4 hrs.

[@ashton35]

It's a very difficult race. Learn more about it and it might be more interesting when you know the requirements

[@lilorbielilorbie2496]

Ashton no thanks. i already know how to turn left and right.

[@DJDouglasWarden]

lilorbie lilorbie IndyCar allows fans in the paddock and I think IMSA does as well. They also race in the rain. IndyCar and sportscar racing is great compared to Nascar.

[@dougkershaw2844]

wrong i have been going to sprint car races my whole life you can buy a pit pass and stay in the pits during the entire show i have even been asked to help when a team comes to the races short handed

[@robragle]

lilorbie lilorbie what’s the point of driving in a straight line for 3 seconds? Lol

[@robshane6634]

2:31 throttle blip

[@booifojoe]

That'll take a couple years off your life...

[@pearldrummer7217]

Why rope rats. They do this outside so people can watch them. Publicity.

[@knightnrmer]

Ground Shaker .

[@davesnothere3425]

The burning eyes the runny nose damn Indy can't come soon enough.

[@dannynance2456]

But i love being a rope rat.

[@scrappyclappedoutfoxbody4174]

Rope rats lol, Nhra is still a thing?

[@kevins5833]

So I guess you're one of 'em right?

[@uvcoach42]

Those rope rats are the ones that keep this sport going...meh..

[@descent815]

Well I guess when you refer to your fans a “rope rats”it’s a no wonder that drag racing on this level is dying. Straight line anyone can do it. Not very hard. And yes iv done it before so it’s not that big of a deal.

[@nathanfaith8973]

What'd you race?

[@michaelrichter8973]

Don't worship these guys,most of the time they consider themselves supperior to you so what they can drive fast did anyone of them ever build a house go to work at a really hard job?,I worked as a heavy equipment mechanic for over 30 years I didn't have a nice clean work bench or even a roof over my head unless we'd rig up a tarp to keep rain off us maybe while changing out cylinder heads that wieghed around 450 lbs or maybe a whole rebuild of entire machine some in the neighborhood of 250 tons ,! My point is nobody ever cheered us on ! You are just as important as these guys we can live without dragsters but our hiways and airports ECT,ECT depend on big machines ! Working on this stuff require knowlage far greater than a race car!!!

[@daviddownen40]

What an idiot, I don't worship these guys, but I do appreciate all that they've done for their sports, whether it be Nascar, Open wheeled racing or what ever format of racing you watch. Nobody wants to see anyone die doing the things they like or have a passion for, but sometimes through tragedy come new ideas to make our lives safer. I was a Truck driver for the past 30yrs, dangerous, I worked in Ship Building in San Diego for 3yrs dangerous I've worked in several other trades that were dangerous but I love each and every one of them, I never asked for any kudos because I was never ungrateful for not being patted on the back and told nice job Dave, so please let it go if some people such as myself and many other thousands love Drag Racing. Let me be the first to say thank you for your hard work through your life and it was a job well done!!!

[@brettmedlin5058]

I am HDR for local 12 also. Grease and dirt is on our work bench and when the operators want to go home early or have a 4 day weekend they just break their equipment. Guess who gets to stay all Friday night or into weekend wrenching so they can work the next Monday. We make it happen.

[@Brexit-or8ld]

*knowledge

[@utooberblooper]

john force is the winning-est funny car driver in HISTORY,that man deserves respect and so does his entire crew and family,his daugthers also drive the funny cars and kick major ass doing it. back when you were under a tarp,if you ever put a car together that won you would start to get fans but it seems like you have bitterness and resentment because you CONTINUALLY LOST.

[@theboostinrebels8832]

Sounds like a whole bunch of jealousy. Over half the drivers in the NHRA come from a blue collar background and have busted their ass to get where they are today. Stop trying to make yourself feel needed in this world, everyone is easily replaced.