How many gears do the Top Fuel dragsters have? i have heard 1 speed and ive heard 2. When they go down the track i never hear a gear shift

One. Multiple clutch disks/springs to bring on power gradually at pre- determined rpms.

One. Multiple clutch disks/springs to bring on power gradually at pre- determined rpms.

so what kind of transmisson is it? sequential? i dont understand how they keep a one speed car from just spinning tires at the launch.

Really there is no transmission, the cars are a direct driven. The multi plate clutches are designed to slip at the start, they have timers to give the clutch more engagement as the run progresses and finally full engagement at about half track or less for the top end pull. If you look real close at Races on TV with Top Fuelers (and Funny Cars too for that matter) when they launch you will see a dark cloud coming out the back of the vehicle as they get going, that is actually clutch dust being spewed out from the predetermined amount of slippage set into it by the crew chief.

Exactly.... AWP explained it better than I.

I saw a top fuel car for the first time last night (in person). OMFG!!! That thing was insane! I was standing about 25ft away from it when it took off, unreal! I gotta go to a top fuel event now :iceslolan

I went to the GatorNationals last year in Gainesville. They say its the fastest track on the NHRA tour. When top fuel takes off from the line every inch of your body feels like its being shaken from the inside out. One guy pulled like a 4.69 @ 330+. Freaking ridiculous. I love the way nitromethane smells.

Hell yeah, the nitro smelled sooooooooo good :iceslolan He didn't even do a full pass, let off of it and ran a mid 7 @ 109 LOL

Hell yeah, the nitro smelled sooooooooo good :iceslolan He didn't even do a full pass, let off of it and ran a mid 7 @ 109 LOL

dam thats a low trap speed. most of those guys let off after they cant hook up and still pass at 6-7 secs at 180+ mph.