Defining a Funny Car
Funny cars are a drag racing car class governed by the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA). The NHRA provides specific rules about what a funny car can be equipped with.
A majority of the NHRA’s funny car rules relate to the engine. Funny cars must use a V-8 with a displacement of 500 cubic inches or less. A maximum of two valves are permitted for each cylinder. Other regulations cover engine materials, exhaust, and gear ratios.
Each engine is constructed from strong materials.Check out this link here. Protective equipment such as ballistic blankets are included in the design.
A funny car’s wheelbase must be between 100 and 125 inches. The ground clearance must be three inches.
The fuel in a funny car typically consists of nitromethane and methanol with a high ratio of fuel-to-air. A funny car consumes several gallons of fuel for each race. A pair of parachutes are needed to slow a funny car down because of their incredible top speed.
Funny cars originally began appearing on the race scene in the 1960s. The NHRA currently governs funny cars and a number of other racing classes today. Modern funny cars are currently limited to racing 1,000 feet to protect drivers and spectators.