Drag races at BIR
 

So, I went up to Brainerd for the NHRA drag races the other weekend. As a first timer I must say that I was a little shocked. Those top-fuel cars are absolutely insane. There was a rain delay so they ran the top-fuels first because of issues with time for ESPN. So they didn't even ease me into the madness. My jaw dropped on the first run. I didn't know I should plug my ears. They hurt for while after that. I saw lots of people with ear plugs, but I thought they where just being sissies. The sound is so loud you can literally feel the car as it launches to 320 mph in 3.8 seconds.

If you haven't had a chance to see this in person I highly recommend doing it. TV doesn't even come close to giving justice to this experience. If you want see raw, untamed, ridiculous power (8000 hp) this is the place for it.

I found this today. Kinda reminds me of what I saw at Brainerd. This thing goes over 6000 mph in about six seconds.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5bPu58fSc0

And this has some cool facts about dragsters:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Top_fuel

+1 mboe. I've been to Maple Grove several times. They actually distort your vision as they go by. Aside from seeing the birth of my 2 children and the space shuttle launch, it's one of those experiences in life you never forget.

You're right. I doesn't even look real. Almost a strobe light effect. I was thinking...is it the intense sound waves that cause this?