In the 2019 Australian Winter Nationals I got the chance to crew for a top fuel drag bike team. After one pass I was watching the top fuel dragsters roll out, had grown up apart of the sport. But this day, one of the dragster crew members invited me to stand with them on the start line. It was like nothing I had ever experienced! Standing by the start line as a spectator is exhilarating, but stand with the crew so close behind on of these monsters in absolutely incredible. Will remember that experience for many years to come.
Throughout the 80s my husband and I would go to the Gatornationals and Spring Nationals (in Atlanta) every year, that was back when they didn't have all the huge sponsor trailers and you could stand so close you could touch them. Watching them work on the cars in between rounds, Gary Ormsby, Joe Amato, Bernstein, Big Daddy, Darrell Gwynn, Eddie Hill, all the greats. When John Force was always a bridesmaid and never a bride. We had a ton of fun watching people in the pits stand right behind the car as they cranked it up and poured the nitrous in the engine. When that s*** started blowing out it would scatter everybody it was a riot ! Y'all know what I'm talking about ! You could also stand at the fence at the starting line and way past the stands if you wanted to. When Bob Glidden had his monumental wreck and rolled in Atl we were halfway down the track at the fence watching him roll past. We saw the 300 mph barrier broken. We also went to Bristol one year and this was when the stands were all concrete, no metal, and the acoustics down in that cut were incredible. I feel sorry for y'all having to pay money to be held at arm's length when we could practically stand on the track with them back then.
I just love those 2 ladies plugging their ears while the cars are just idling.......they are totally unprepared for the immense sounds they are about to experience!
THUNDER VALLEY!!!!! Its a great complex to experience motor sports, there and right next door at BMS. Beautiful country, excellent people, shout out to Bristol!
A few years ago I did the Doug Foley drag racing experience at Charlotte ZMax dragway. It was the day after one of the big NHRA events. As part of the training we walked on the track where the cars take off. They were sort of a slow time and as I was standing on the track around the corner came a top fuel dragster to do a practice run. it was the Al Anabi race team I can't remember the name of the driver. Anyway no one was around watching so I moved a little closer as the dragster staged. I literally stood about ten feet away from the engine as it launched. Now that's close.
My favorite track. Worked for Kelley Motorsports N/FC back in 2009 and bumped out Robert Hight (might be the last time he didn't qualify). Never forget working on the car and getting to watch the Q2 session from our pit stall next to the time boards.
been this close to one funny car once... that was unreal... this gotta be one of the biggest rush when it comes to motorsport you can have as a spectator.
David Christ , Been to the mile high nationals at bandimere, so sad no race this year, just an example how close the drag race communities are, I happened to meet my bandimere at a regional race, what a great person!!! Ask John Force!😉👍
David Christ , yeah! I am pissed though they are having national events at indy, yet not other tracks! Bullshit political crap! By the way you know trump likes drag racing?😉👍
The first time I did this was at Irwindale raceway in California around 1974. I was standing beside the side road where they pushed the the cars up to the starting area. Just as the rail passed me the driver pop started the beast and it blew nitro out of the exhaust pipes and right into my eyes. I heard the burn out and the launch but just saw a burning blur.
New England Dragway in Epping NH has to be the most dangerous track on the NHRA circuit. The fans on the pit side can't be more than 20ft from the starting line.....it's crazy.
@@robertperry4751 Totally agree bro. I've been waiting my whole life for the NHRA to finally come here. To have it cancelled this year really bummed me out. 13 months waiting since last year now to wait another.
This is how close we sued to stand in Vegas. cheap seats!! we stand all day anyway.Now that its a 4 LANE I'm not sure .I'd like to try Chicago...But VEGAS is GREAT if you get a chance.
That is the classification of the dragsters and funny cars. They are in the "Top Fuel" class. The "fuel" part of it is the fuel they burn, nitromethane. Technically you can run any fuel you want but they burn nitro as it produces the most power. These days fuel cars are generating over 11,000 HP. Nitro motors are a very different animal.
My brother in law and I headed out to the finals couple weeks ago here in Houston (Baytown) but got a late start (10:00). We had planned on leaving at 8:00. When we got close to the track the line was 3 miles long. We turned around and went to breakfast lol.
I’m not sure which is crazier, strapping into an 11,000hp top fueler for a three and a half second ride, or climbing on the back of 1800lbs of out of control Bull for an 8 second ride.
www.sccoia.org/articles/top-fuel-dragster-fast-facts/ And those are older facts, they are pushing over 10,000hp now. They are incredible machines. Also the fact that they sometimes measure over 3.0 on the Richter scale.
Haha. Not just a loud noise. It is a full body experience. You eyes will be streaming, sound is louder than a rock concert and your whole body shakes as it creates a mini earthquake.
At least go once. I only went once probably 40 years ago and I still remember the "punch" in my ribs and some internal organs and I was well up in the bleachers. Back then the rails had 2500 HP and hit 250 MPH typically. I've only gone gliding once but that was memorable too. Now if I'm near a drag strip, it's because it's next to the road track where I take the motorcycle ;)
I love when they first start the engine and then you hear the Nitro hit the engine and it turns into a beast
It's alive 😂
When you're raised near a Top Fuel track and spent many weekends watching John Force and the big dogs run, you can smell/feel this video....
That’s awesome!
Love how they designed the track and stands into the side of a hill.
ITS BRISTOL BABY ! THEY DONT CALL IT THUNDER VALLEY FOR NOTHING GOOD TIMES
In the 2019 Australian Winter Nationals I got the chance to crew for a top fuel drag bike team. After one pass I was watching the top fuel dragsters roll out, had grown up apart of the sport. But this day, one of the dragster crew members invited me to stand with them on the start line. It was like nothing I had ever experienced! Standing by the start line as a spectator is exhilarating, but stand with the crew so close behind on of these monsters in absolutely incredible. Will remember that experience for many years to come.
What?
Throughout the 80s my husband and I would go to the Gatornationals and Spring Nationals (in Atlanta) every year, that was back when they didn't have all the huge sponsor trailers and you could stand so close you could touch them. Watching them work on the cars in between rounds, Gary Ormsby, Joe Amato, Bernstein, Big Daddy, Darrell Gwynn, Eddie Hill, all the greats. When John Force was always a bridesmaid and never a bride. We had a ton of fun watching people in the pits stand right behind the car as they cranked it up and poured the nitrous in the engine. When that s*** started blowing out it would scatter everybody it was a riot ! Y'all know what I'm talking about ! You could also stand at the fence at the starting line and way past the stands if you wanted to. When Bob Glidden had his monumental wreck and rolled in Atl we were halfway down the track at the fence watching him roll past. We saw the 300 mph barrier broken. We also went to Bristol one year and this was when the stands were all concrete, no metal, and the acoustics down in that cut were incredible. I feel sorry for y'all having to pay money to be held at arm's length when we could practically stand on the track with them back then.
I can never get over that startup of the motor. I wish my car started up like that lol
Start your car on alcohol, then start feeding in the nitromethane after it starts running 😂
K Petro that’s not a bad idea lol
@@kpetro1675 Just start it up on Nitro, rev it all the way out, and make your rods go Sputnik
I think your heart literally stops beating for a second when they go by. That shockwave defines compresses your chest.
Aaron, Imagine what it feels like to be sitting in one of those during takeoff!😉😳🤪👍
I just love those 2 ladies plugging their ears while the cars are just idling.......they are totally unprepared for the immense sounds they are about to experience!
How can you dislike 10,000hp nitro burning top fuel cars
Because They drive a prius
Probably greenies
AMEN TO THAT! 👍🏼❤️🔥
Gretha does..
@@Lutzilla_ exactly lol
My favorite strip, Thunder Valley!!! Shout out to Bristol!
Awesome video. I live 20 minutes from thunder valley👍🏼😇🇺🇸
Ahhh the sounds of Thunder Valley!! Those nitro cars seem a lil louder in the mtns of Bristol Tenn that’s for sure
nothing compares to standing there feeling it, but it looks like the shock waves make the camera distort as they launch. nice vid.
binge watching A-10 warthog gau-8 videos brought me here
You just don't hear it you feel it.
You dont feel it you fear it
It ATTACKS!! You.
Got to love "thunder valley"
That strip with those hills and top fuel...Murica
Bristol, baby!
THUNDER VALLEY!!!!! Its a great complex to experience motor sports, there and right next door at BMS. Beautiful country, excellent people, shout out to Bristol!
the best one of these iv seen yet awesome job
BRISTOL!!! I love that track!!!
2:03
It’s so loud, you can see the sound waves when the camera shakes!!!
I remember watching a trash barrel move about 6 inches when John Force did a burn out in Ennis Tx a few years back. Made me jump. Lol
And a burnout is nothing compared to a launch...hell, they haven't even turned up the fuel yet... maybe quarter power..😏
A few years ago I did the Doug Foley drag racing experience at Charlotte ZMax dragway. It was the day after one of the big NHRA events. As part of the training we walked on the track where the cars take off. They were sort of a slow time and as I was standing on the track around the corner came a top fuel dragster to do a practice run. it was the Al Anabi race team I can't remember the name of the driver. Anyway no one was around watching so I moved a little closer as the dragster staged. I literally stood about ten feet away from the engine as it launched. Now that's close.
Glad you liked how special that was. It was awesome being as close as the cameraman.
between the eardrum breaking noise the unburnt fuel Nitro and the smoke from the Slicks I backed away but it was neat !
Normally tv does no justice as to how loud it is but this gotta be one of the best caught on camera.
ahhhh...Bristol. one of the tracks ive knocked off my list to visit.
That's my bucket list track.
TheoneGodfather That was my first, the rest havent come close. Its name is WELL deserved
My favorite track. Worked for Kelley Motorsports N/FC back in 2009 and bumped out Robert Hight (might be the last time he didn't qualify). Never forget working on the car and getting to watch the Q2 session from our pit stall next to the time boards.
I’ve been there every year since 2014
Thunder Valley Dragway is AMAZING
been this close to one funny car once... that was unreal... this gotta be one of the biggest rush when it comes to motorsport you can have as a spectator.
The first time I saw felt heard a nitro methane powered car was 1968 at Bristol Tn I have been hooked ever since
Thunder Valley is definitely the best place to see this.
David Christ , Been to the mile high nationals at bandimere, so sad no race this year, just an example how close the drag race communities are, I happened to meet my bandimere at a regional race, what a great person!!! Ask John Force!😉👍
David Christ , yeah! I am pissed though they are having national events at indy, yet not other tracks! Bullshit political crap! By the way you know trump likes drag racing?😉👍
David Christ ,No shit?😉😳👍😂
David Christ Bandimere is built on the side of a hill. Bristol is built in a valley between mountains.
4 Wide at Charlotte (and now Vegas) is awesome.
The first time I did this was at Irwindale raceway in California around 1974. I was standing beside the side road where they pushed the the cars up to the starting area. Just as the rail passed me the driver pop started the beast and it blew nitro out of the exhaust pipes and right into my eyes. I heard the burn out and the launch but just saw a burning blur.
thunder valley is awesome
Years ago at Edgewater Park you were '20 from the left lane at the lights,it would shake your guts.
Nothing screams MURICA more than 8000hp.
Thing idling sounding like me ripping a bong. Jeez.
U might suck up some water with that lmao 😂
Does anyone know how much throttle they use for the burn before the run?
I watch Clay Millican's videos, and on one of them he said it's about 30% throttle. He doesn't use a throttle stop but some guys do.
0:48 what it sounds like to be a cat drinking water under water
When they launch it scares me and I'm not even there!
That was such a stout Run , conditions were perfect . Chief dialled it in .
I think I see the two shock waves as ripples in the video image at 2:03.
What did you film this with? Excellent quality!!
LOVE that roar!!!!
New England Dragway in Epping NH has to be the most dangerous track on the NHRA circuit. The fans on the pit side can't be more than 20ft from the starting line.....it's crazy.
But it great been going to that track in Epping for years
@@robertperry4751 Totally agree bro. I've been waiting my whole life for the NHRA to finally come here. To have it cancelled this year really bummed me out. 13 months waiting since last year now to wait another.
I think its closer than that in Ennis
At 2:03 you can see the shock wave hit the camera.
Holy crap……you’re standing at ground zero!
love the sounds
is this Bristol in the USA ?
Philip Payne yes. in Tennessee
Good ole thunder valley
It is a shame bristol isn't on the calendar next year
lmao popped my ear from sitting at home lmfao
😅🤣🤣
Just seen this. The first and last time will make you shake
Long Island needs a drag strip.
I loooove bristol
Looks like the crowds closer lol
It's Bristol Babyyy
Bristol BABY!!!
This is how close we sued to stand in Vegas. cheap seats!! we stand all day anyway.Now that its a 4 LANE I'm not sure .I'd like to try Chicago...But VEGAS is GREAT if you get a chance.
Chicago is good............ua-cam.com/video/smC-rN2oOVo/v-deo.html
Thunder valley too hell yeah
Thunder Valley! Aptly named!!!
One CANNOT endure the burnout/launch sans hearing protection. Fingers, muffs, or plugs are a must.
Imo the launch is much worse haha. Burnout is more bearable.
When my Jeep sounds like that it gets towed.
What does "top fuel" mean?
That is the classification of the dragsters and funny cars. They are in the "Top Fuel" class. The "fuel" part of it is the fuel they burn, nitromethane. Technically you can run any fuel you want but they burn nitro as it produces the most power. These days fuel cars are generating over 11,000 HP. Nitro motors are a very different animal.
I don’t get people bagging on the sound. No microphone can do this justice. What do you expect from UA-cam’s 2 channel audio?
Your not close enough, try standing in between the launch pads, I did ... it was a blast
What Do They See . NOT A LOT ?
don't those fumes kill your eyes I can't handle it
its not fumes. its unburnt fuel
therealAK ALASKA it's the fumes
My favorite dragstrip use b old bridgr twp raceway park but that fell victim to greed so now it Maplegrove in reading pa
Bigfoot was yonder out there in the mountains and it scared the hell out of him"
I bet that Crew could leave the track head over to the bowling alley and fit right in easy.
It’s almost like NLEs haven’t been invented yet. Almost.
Years at maple grove pa
At Vegas, you can get general admission and stand right off the starting line! Get Thant???😉👍
I heard that the top fuels give off a mini earthquake
Dark Killer25 they do. I’m not sure what it registers
2.3 on the Richter scale
That's why they call them ground pounders.
Bristol baby
gettin down there is called wearin rubber! your cars will smell like it for weeks!! enjoy
fucking UNBELIEVABLY fucking LOUD...FUCKING EXPLOSIONS .Klowns on the street wear "loud exhaust" but theres no cam
Yeah and the puppy is on idle
Man you had a great video going there until the sound failed. Sounded like an outboard in a barrel of water lol
Maximuspadus Right? Lol!! I was so disappointed when I watched it later
My brother in law and I headed out to the finals couple weeks ago here in Houston (Baytown) but got a late start (10:00). We had planned on leaving at 8:00. When we got close to the track the line was 3 miles long. We turned around and went to breakfast lol.
Maximuspadus The Mike's in most devices can't handle the loudness so the sound failed .
RIP audio
I was there
Was my first nationals too
Well, first in memory
Just listen to them idle from 1:30 to 1:50. Jesus fuck.
what do they see there NOT even the Race ?
0:12 go leah fireade
caitlynn clark Are you sure that’s her dragster? I’m used to it in yellow. and now chrome.
Those things with loosen the fillings in your teeth and give you a deep body massage at the same time.
I’m not sure which is crazier, strapping into an 11,000hp top fueler for a three and a half second ride, or climbing on the back of 1800lbs of out of control Bull for an 8 second ride.
horsepower!
Ear plugs head phones. Yea they don't work.
I don't get it. It's a loud engine... What's so exciting?
www.sccoia.org/articles/top-fuel-dragster-fast-facts/
And those are older facts, they are pushing over 10,000hp now. They are incredible machines. Also the fact that they sometimes measure over 3.0 on the Richter scale.
It's more than the sound, it's how it feels.
Haha. Not just a loud noise. It is a full body experience. You eyes will be streaming, sound is louder than a rock concert and your whole body shakes as it creates a mini earthquake.
You don't get it? What are you? A soy boy or something?
At least go once. I only went once probably 40 years ago and I still remember the "punch" in my ribs and some internal organs and I was well up in the bleachers. Back then the rails had 2500 HP and hit 250 MPH typically. I've only gone gliding once but that was memorable too. Now if I'm near a drag strip, it's because it's next to the road track where I take the motorcycle ;)
Terrible audio quality.
Audio is crap.
I miss watching top fuel. Just can't watch boring 1000ft racing.
what?
You'll never understand till you stand near one, bone and heart shaking. Nitro-methane is no joke either.