I've likened it to going shooting, and you're wearing ears, but when the person in the lane next to you pulls the trigger, the blast just kicks you in the chest.
Now imagine that kick-in-the-chest continuously a dozen times a second for the better part of a minute and you're not 4 feet away but more like 2 miles.
What I take from your comment is that I need to go see some top fuel dragsters! ;)
I've seen the H1 Unlimited hydroplane races, but they're turbine-driven so there's whine and a tremendous roar as the prop beats the water, but a distinct lack of thump. (It's hilarious listening to one spool up and head out of the pits, though...) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTZLiqA2qjY
The closest you can get to a top fuel dragster lighting up is about 30 feet. You really don't want to be any closer. Before you go, buy a good set of shooting range ear protectors.
The great thing about top fuel is it's the only motor sport where a pit pass is actually a pit pass. You can go into the pits and talk to the mechanics and drivers if they're not busy.
Once a crowd was hanging around a team that just finished putting their engine back together. They started it, blab-blab-blab-blab. Then they blipped the throttle. I knew it was coming and had the ear muffs on, but most didn't, and the crowd leaned back and cringed as the blast wave hit them.
3000 hp running through those little V8's is incredible.
Their souvenir stand sold blown up engine parts :-)
it's the only motor sport where a pit pass is actually a pit pass. You can go into the pits and talk to the mechanics and drivers if they're not busy.
H1 Unlimited begs to differ. :)
The "pits" are weird; there are dockside cranes that lift the boats out of the water into the pit area, and lift them back when they're done; servicing is always done between races, not during a lap.
But with the appropriate pass, you can wander right in. Don't touch the propellers; they could be made of adamantium-duranium alloy and poking 'em would still be rude. But otherwise, yeah, welcome to wrenchville! It's a bit drippier and smells weirder than other motorsports pits..
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You can feel it if you go to top fuel drag racing, too! In fact, it's more than just feeling, it's like someone is beating on your chest.
I've likened it to going shooting, and you're wearing ears, but when the person in the lane next to you pulls the trigger, the blast just kicks you in the chest.
Now imagine that kick-in-the-chest continuously a dozen times a second for the better part of a minute and you're not 4 feet away but more like 2 miles.
What I take from your comment is that I need to go see some top fuel dragsters! ;)
I've seen the H1 Unlimited hydroplane races, but they're turbine-driven so there's whine and a tremendous roar as the prop beats the water, but a distinct lack of thump. (It's hilarious listening to one spool up and head out of the pits, though...) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTZLiqA2qjY
The closest you can get to a top fuel dragster lighting up is about 30 feet. You really don't want to be any closer. Before you go, buy a good set of shooting range ear protectors.
The great thing about top fuel is it's the only motor sport where a pit pass is actually a pit pass. You can go into the pits and talk to the mechanics and drivers if they're not busy.
Once a crowd was hanging around a team that just finished putting their engine back together. They started it, blab-blab-blab-blab. Then they blipped the throttle. I knew it was coming and had the ear muffs on, but most didn't, and the crowd leaned back and cringed as the blast wave hit them.
3000 hp running through those little V8's is incredible.
Their souvenir stand sold blown up engine parts :-)
H1 Unlimited begs to differ. :)
The "pits" are weird; there are dockside cranes that lift the boats out of the water into the pit area, and lift them back when they're done; servicing is always done between races, not during a lap.
But with the appropriate pass, you can wander right in. Don't touch the propellers; they could be made of adamantium-duranium alloy and poking 'em would still be rude. But otherwise, yeah, welcome to wrenchville! It's a bit drippier and smells weirder than other motorsports pits..