Is the Fastest car King of the hill?

[Tom]

<a href="http://www.zerotohundred.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=28361">

</a><p class="MsoNormal"><u>The World of Drag Racing</u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">During the BFGoodrich Asian Motorsports Festival
Ultimate ¼ Mile Clash I on 16^th October , while the spectators
were indeed enthralled by what they saw and experienced throughout the course of
the evening’s proceedings, there were many who were a bit befuddled by the race
results at the end of the day.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In particular, why it was that the “Beast from Bangkok”
Nissan 200SX from Thailand won the RM10,000 for the Fastest Time of the Day (FTD)
yet came in second to the Garage-R Mitsubishi EVO 6 from Singapore in the
final Eliminator. It appears that the car crossing the finish line first would
be faster, and in normal racing, this may be true, but not so in Drag racing.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Firstly though, for the FTD, it does not matter when the
best time of the day was achieved, be it in the preliminary, semis or final. The
Thai car achieved the FTD in the semi-final, where the driver, Panya Aramrasmee
set an absolutely blistering time of 9.099 seconds in the quarter mile. This was
his best time ever, in his drag racing career.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In the final eliminator however, it was Singaporean Lim
Lean Tiek in his EVO6 who crossed the finish line first, ahead of Panya in the
Nissan 200SX. This won Lim the first place in Class A, but not the FTD, because
Lim’s time was 9.507 seconds in the final quarter mile. Panya’s time of 9.099
seconds was unbeaten, thus winning Panya the coveted RM10,000 FTD prize. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">

</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The final run against Lim and Panya will probably go down
in the record books as one of the closest finishes in Drag racing history. At
the finish line, both drivers were separated by a mere 0.058 seconds! Now comes
the interesting bit. Drag racing is not just about power and speed and who has
more horses under the bonnet, indeed one of the most crucial factors of any drag
is who gets the power down faster and who has the better ‘reaction time’.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Reaction time in this case means the time the driver takes
to get his car off the line when the Christmas tree signals green. For the final
shootout between Lim and Panya, both drivers exhibited incredible reaction
times. Lim got his EVO 6 off the line in 0.878 seconds, whereas Panya took a bit
longer, with a reaction time of 0.981 seconds, a difference of 0.010 seconds was
all it took for Lim to cross the finish line ahead of Panya.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">

</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Now what’s interesting is, Panya was actually FASTER in
the actual final quarter mile than Lim, with a top speed of 237km/h against
Lim’s 232km/h trap speed. In </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">fact, the computer calculated ‘elapsed’ time even showed
that Panya’s overall ¼ mile run time was 9.462 seconds, and Lim’s was 9.507
seconds; a difference of 0.045 seconds. And yet Lim crossed the line first. How?
</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">

</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The simple reason for this is, Panya lost the final
shootout to Lim at the starting line, not the finish. His slightly slower
reaction time to Lim’s when the lights went green, cost him the first place.
Perhaps if the drag distance was slightly more than a quarter mile, Panya would
have crossed the finish line first, but that’s what makes drag racing so
competitive; you only have a quarter mile, no more, no less. </p>
<table class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: none; border-color: inherit" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" border="1" id="table1" bordercolor="#C0C0C0">
<tr>
<td style="width: 105.35pt; border: 1pt solid windowtext; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in" vAlign="top" width="140">
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="Tahoma" size="3">
<span style="font-weight: bold; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Tahoma">
Drivers</span></font></td>
<td style="width: 119.8pt; border-left: medium none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: 1pt solid windowtext; border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in" vAlign="top" width="160">
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="Tahoma" size="3">
<span style="font-weight: bold; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Tahoma">
Reaction time</span></font></td>
<td style="width: 116.55pt; border-left: medium none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: 1pt solid windowtext; border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in" vAlign="top" width="155">
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="Tahoma" size="3">
<span style="font-weight: bold; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Tahoma">
ET(elapsed time)</span></font></td>
<td style="width: 128.25pt; border-left: medium none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: 1pt solid windowtext; border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in" vAlign="top" width="171">
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="Tahoma" size="3">
<span style="font-weight: bold; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Tahoma">
Time at finish line</span></font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 105.35pt; border-left: 1pt solid windowtext; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: medium none; border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in" vAlign="top" width="140">
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="Tahoma" size="3">
<span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma">Lim</span></font></td>
<td style="width: 119.8pt; border-left: medium none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: medium none; border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in" vAlign="top" width="160">
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="Tahoma" size="3">
<span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma">0.878
<span class="SpellE">secs</span></span></font></td>
<td style="width: 116.55pt; border-left: medium none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: medium none; border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in" vAlign="top" width="155">
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="Tahoma" size="3">
<span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma">9.507
<span class="SpellE">secs</span></span></font></td>
<td style="width: 128.25pt; border-left: medium none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: medium none; border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in" vAlign="top" width="171">
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="Tahoma" size="3">
<span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma">10.385
<span class="SpellE">secs</span></span></font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 105.35pt; border-left: 1pt solid windowtext; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: medium none; border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in" vAlign="top" width="140">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="SpellE"><font face="Tahoma" size="3">
<span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma">Panya</span></font></span></td>
<td style="width: 119.8pt; border-left: medium none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: medium none; border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in" vAlign="top" width="160">
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="Tahoma" size="3">
<span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma">0.981
<span class="SpellE">secs</span></span></font></td>
<td style="width: 116.55pt; border-left: medium none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: medium none; border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in" vAlign="top" width="155">
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="Tahoma" size="3">
<span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma">9.462
<span class="SpellE">secs</span></span></font></td>
<td style="width: 128.25pt; border-left: medium none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: medium none; border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in" vAlign="top" width="171">
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="Tahoma" size="3">
<span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma">10.443
<span class="SpellE">secs</span></span></font></td>
</tr>
</table>
<p class="MsoNormal">At this level of the game, everything is taken into
account; power, speed, control, accuracy, reaction time, skill and precision. As
clearly seen, it is not always the most powerful car that wins a drag. And as
Vin Diesel in ‘Fast and Furious’ put it so eloquently, “It doesn’t matter if
you win by an inch or a mile, ask any racer, winning is everything.” Nothing
could be more true about drag racing. </p>



Article from: BFGoodrich Asian Motorsports Festival</p>

<p class="MsoNormal">Full Feature here:

<a href="http://www.zerotohundred.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=27000">

</a></p>

 

[LAWRENCE_Q]

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HKS ruled the game

 

[DJmobile]

reaction time sure is important though...

the fast an furious wanted a 10 sec car...

if that 200SX got a 9.009 sec car..
do we beat the americans??

hahaahahah...
aniway, whats the fastest time set for a Quarter mile drag on Guiness book of records?

 

[polyxtroy]

The DJ there stated that the 200SX's time is 9.0777 Sec. Tom, kindly elaborate please.

 

[MK84]

Good writeup Tom! *two thumbs up*

 

[ninja_iga]

fantastic report

 

[normality78]

Farking good write up of explanation. you're da man Tom.

 

[albie]

Originally posted by polyxtroy@Oct 27 2004, 22:17
The DJ there stated that the 200SX's time is 9.0777 Sec. Tom, kindly elaborate please.

The fastest time of the day from Panya was indeed clocked at 9.099s instead of reported 9.077s by the DJ. :)

 

[DRFT_240sx]

u have to add the reaction time in too....

 

[simonchangwaimun]

nicely done!

 

[SDF]

TOM's da man !

 

[najibkl]

How comes u can get those incredible info Tom...R u reporter or sumthing like dat...

I think not simply person can get this infos...

Anywhere keep it up dude...

p/s : When u coming down to KL again...Wanna buy sticker byhand...The price of advert still remains??

 

[glee]

Originally posted by DJmobile@Oct 27 2004, 21:16
reaction time sure is important though...

the fast an furious wanted a 10 sec car...

if that 200SX got a 9.009 sec car..
do we beat the americans??

hahaahahah...
aniway, whats the fastest time set for a Quarter mile drag on Guiness book of records?

the "10 sec" car that the americans were talking about in the movie are street cars that they own to race on the road.

Full blown drag cars in the US go a lot faster than that.

some stats from the American Drag Racing Association for fastest 1/4 milers. (notice that the quickest guy is a schumacher also ;) )

Quickest Fields in NHRA History:

TOP FUEL - Tony Schumacher, Long Grove, Ill., 4.455 seconds to David Grubnic, Ennis, Mont., 4.639 seconds, 2003 Auto Club NHRA Finals, Pomona, Calif.
FUNNY CAR - John Force, Yorba Linda, Calif., 4.697 seconds to Tony 7artone, Manhasset, N.Y., 4.862 seconds, 2004 CARQUEST Auto Parts Nationals, Joliet, Ill.

PRO STOCK - Greg Anderson, Concord, N.C., 6.661 seconds to JR Carr, Pasco, Wash., 6.718 seconds, 2004 CARQUEST Auto Parts Nationals, Joliet, Ill.

PRO STOCK BIKE - Craig Treble, Chandler, Ariz., 7.062 seconds to Fred Camarena, Placentia, Calif., 7.189 seconds, 2003 FRAM-Autolite NHRA Nationals, Sonoma, Calif.

 

[2jzgte]

great report Tom!!

but there is something that needs some clarification --

"The simple reason for this is, Panya lost the final shootout to Lim at the starting line, not the finish."

by looking at the RT, it is absolutely true that Panya lost at launching at the starting line, but did you watch the race?? did you see how Panya's car was leading from the first meter of the race till about 200m at 3 cars distance????

it was when he missed his 3rd gear then only Lim could catch up and finish the race together, so power does make the difference.

BUT "Drag racing is not just about power and speed and who has more horses under the bonnet, indeed one of the most crucial factors of any drag is who gets the power down faster and who has the better ‘reaction time’. "

just something to add to your statement - it is the driver that makes the difference and it is the driver who knows how to handle the car well will drive the car to win!! Like in this case, it was truly Panya's mistake in missing the 3rd gear that cost him the victory, so if he is to blame anybody, it would be himself.

but in any coming race, i'm sure a car that clocks best time with difference of half a second slower from his opponent will get nowhere near if both cars are running a perfect run.

1 more thing, the fastest time - is it 9.077 or 9.099?? i believe this is the ET right??
if it is RT + ET, then does it mean Panya launched the car within 0.022 sec????

 

[glee]

Originally posted by 2jzgte@Oct 28 2004, 09:31


1 more thing, the fastest time - is it 9.077 or 9.099?? i believe this is the ET right??
if it is RT + ET, then does it mean Panya launched the car within 0.022 sec????

panya ran the fastest time of the day at 9.099 secs, but that time was set during the semi-finals. in the Quarter finals, he ran a 9.303 secs.

in the final eliminator run, he clocked 9.462. It was actually the worst run he did in the entire final step ladder. Btw, i don't believe he missed 3rd gear. if he did, the split between both cars would not have been 0.058 seconds. Missing a gear would have guranteed him losing the race by a wider margin. Everything above happened in only a blink of an eye.

The most amazing thing is, both drivers were fantastic with their reaction times, with panya doing it in 0.981 secs, and lim in 0.878 secs.

For the fastest time of the day set by Panya in the semi-finals, he had a reaction time of 0.945 secs, ET is of course 9.099 secs, with a trap speed of 239.990 km/h.