Z Max Dragway

[Rob S.]

Are you guys familiar with the four lane Z Max Dragway in North Carolina?

I'm watching it now. What bothers me is that some races are 1/8 mile, some are 1,000 feet and some are 1/4 mile.

I understand that the four lanes are meant to enhance the spectator experience, make it more like other kinds of racing. But where will it stop? Some curves, to make it more exciting?

Attention world: Stop changing! Some of us old folk don't like it.

[LAB3]

I'd never seen four lane drags until recently, looks like it might be worth checking out in person.

As to varying lengths 990 ft would be exactly half way between an 1/8 and 1/4 mile, or 3/16 of a mile. 1000 feet is 25/132 of a mile. Only old people know how fractions work!

Someone just set a funny car record by running 3.995 in 1000 feet, couldn't imagine going from 0 to 316 mph, the G forces have to be insane.

[Rob S.]

Only old people know how fractions work!.

I order 3/8 pound of deli meat at the supermarket and the youngsters working there are completely flummoxed! I tell them .38 is good. I just know if I order 1/2 pound I'm going to get .12.

[Baatfam]

Byron Dragway in Northern IL ran four up back in the 60's. I've seen photos.

Flashback Friday: 4-Wide Racing Is Anything But A Recent Invention

Current and former race tracks the likes of St. Louis International Raceway, Lon Island’s New York National Speedway, Minnesota Dragway, York U.S. 30 Dragway in New York, Illinois’ Byron Dragway, California’s Fontana International Dragway, and Ohio’s Dragway 42 all held “quads” at some point in their history.

[storm 64]

Our local drag strip switched to 1/8 mile racing.
It use to be a 1/4 mile track with no problems.
1/8 mile racing just SUCKS!
It's hard to tell who won!
I guess they shortened the track to 1/8mile for insurance purposes.

The new IHRA did the same thing. All their events are 1/8 mile.... I won't be back.
At least NHRA still has 1/4 mile racing in their Pro-Stock and sportsman classes.

[Rob S.]

1/8 mile racing just SUCKS!

Couldn't agree more.

[LAB3]

Our local drag strip switched to 1/8 mile racing.

I've been to that track, actually the last time I was there was the last time I was at a drag race. They had a vintage bike drag event on Saturday afternoon but the locals where running cars Friday night and Saturday morning, all 1/4 mile except for the top fuel cars which ran the 1/8th. My best bet is that it's done to keep the speeds down to safer limits.

[rphillips]

I Remember back in the "60"'s, only at night we could listen to WLS radio in Chicago. There was an advertiser there "Mr. Norms Dodge" they were into muscle cars a lot. WLS also advertised 4 wide racing at "Great Lakes Dragway", 4 wide was hard to imagine back then and I never saw it. WLS in Chicago also advertised "Pug Vickers Honda" motorcycle shop in Huntingdon TN. a lot, seemed really odd Pug Vickers advertising 500 mi. away in Chicago.... Odd the memories I have.