When the recognized guru of drag racing in one voice said that the first 3.6- second race in the class Top Fuel (TF) will take place this season, reason to doubt their words were not, frankly, no.
But no one could not have imagined that within two weeks of the four races will be recorded. And apart from that collapse like a house of cards all previous world records in nitromethane classes (Top Fuel and Funny Car).
The past last weekend NHRA Lucas Oil Nationals began without any reservations on all fronts the fastest event in the history of drag racing is largely due to weather conditions: air warmed only to 13 ° C, leaden clouds hung very low, and the temperature of the strip It was optimum. But let's take first things first.
At the beginning of the first round, Larry Dixon took only 3.703 seconds to overcome a distance of 1,000 feet. Already in the next race after Antron Brown crossed the finish line, sensational numbers flashed on the scoreboard — 3,680 seconds, which immediately provoked a roar of public commentators and screams overjoyed team Don Schumacher Racing.
Met in the final won first place in qualifying and Richie Krempton Brittany Force, for which this is the second final of the season. The victory went to Kremptonu. In the decisive race very confident Ritchie traveled daughter of award-winning rider in the history of NHRA, while also joining in the «Club 3.6».
Besides Spencer scored Meissen, setting a new world speed record in the class TF — 332.75 mph. At the end of the stage in Brainerd balance of power at the top of the standings remained virtually unchanged, except that Krempton Larry Dixon moved from third to fourth place.
Fighting in the classroom Funny Car (FC) again held under the banner of the black-and-purple team Jack Beckman, which is the third event in a row again, he made the fastest race in history — 3.901 seconds, improving his already phenomenal time two weeks ago.
It is worth noting that a lot of the pilots at this stage showed the best results of his career, and the number of outputs from the 4.0-second zone this season has exceeded the total number in the entire history up to 2014 inclusive.
Again, the result stayed in the status of the best short-lived. In the first round of races Shootout Matt Hagan, seemingly just abolished all the laws of physics, and staked for a new world speed record class — 329.58 mph, along the way becoming the first driver in history to break the 3.9-second barrier, spending a distance of 1,000 feet just 3.879 seconds. What happened at the start with the members of his team, it is difficult to describe in words, because not every weekend past achievements become part of history in such quantities. In the second round of the fans waited, perhaps the most epochal duel of the championship: Beckman against the Haganah. Which driver will be able to confirm their time? And once again a record NHRA chalked up Jack Beckman.
Individual decoration Lucas Oil Nationals began, albeit unsuccessful, but very spectacular race women: Courtney Force and Alexis DeZhoria just miraculously managed to avoid the concrete striker in the first round, showing a truly superhuman piloting skills, triggering a strong reaction of the public. «The girls give you an unforgettable show at the weekend. Is not that right, guys? „- Said Madame DeZhoria after arrival, finished his sentence very well rhetorical question.
The winner in the class was Robert Hite, who is desperately unlucky this season. As a result, in the drivers' standings Beckmann is the first line, Hagan — the second, and Tommy Johnson, Jr. very thoroughly located in third place with an impressive margin of John Force.
In the class of Pro Stock (PS) struggle proceeded in a much more relaxed pace: average, lack of sensation, and has already become a familiar transcendental reaction time for pilots. Erica Enders Stephens has regained first place in the championship, accurately speaking throughout the weekend, Greg Anderson once again failed to reach the semifinals and Chris Mack Gehey demonstrated a very high level of skill, and this has provided a «bronze» in the standings.
That this was the last event of leaving summer. Frowning, dank and rainy, but definitely hot emotionally and obscenely fast. Before Countdown To One was only one phase of the regular season, which will be held at the legendary Lucas Oil Raceway in Indianapolis. Many pilots have received the required number of points, guaranteeing them access to the playoffs, while others hope to continue the struggle for the top trophies almost gone.
