P-O-W-E-R

I was at Palm Beach Int'l Raceway Park this weekend and stumbled up on a team testing and running in two brand new top fuel dragsters. To say they were impressive is an understatement.

The first series of images are of the dragster preparing for a run and doing a burn out.

The next three-image sequence is the actual run. Unfortunately, the team stood between me and the car. I was shooting with a 500mm and with the noise, they were oblivious to the fact I was back there. However, it still produced an interesting shot. Look at their pant's legs in the first photo during the dragster's launch. Then look at their pant's legs in the last photo.

But the most amazing thing is the heat. I have never seen anything like this and had I not shot the image, I would swear it's a Photoshop effect. I assure you it's not. This is pretty much right from the camera. The time between the first image in in the sequence and the last?

One second.

I'm told the horsepower is somewhere between 7000 - 8000 HP and it generates 6000 lb-ft of torque.

Regardless of your interest in drag racing, this was REALLY impressive.

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Those are great! I've never seen anything like the pants. Of course, I can't remember ever being behind the crew when a fueler ran. I presume it was sympathetic vibration from the concussive exhaust beats. Have you seen that very often?

cropped too tight, IMO.

1 and 4 are very very good. You can't appreciate these machines until you've seen them in person. The images give me that feeling.

Thanks.

Great captures, the heat coming off these things are unreal!

Very unusual angles and the heat haze is awesome John,contrasts really well with the three pit crew.
Super shots and lighting.
Pons

1 & 4 are awesome! I could totally see number 4 hanging in their race shop!

Very interesting shots John ... that heat is impressive. This would make a great advertising shot for a hearing aid company !!

Those were the Don Schumacher-built cars that were constructed to be shipped to Abu Dhabi, where they'll be raced.

Supercharged nitro drag racers are the most intense motorsports machines you'll find. Even low-level jet fighters on afterburner don't compare. Slower racers, such as the 260-mph Top Alcohol dragsters, produce an impressive amount of noise, but Top Fuelers are felt as much as seen. They'll generate header flames that project above the tall rear wings, even in daylight. And when seen from the front, they force a remarkable amount of rotational distortion into the fat rear slicks.

Also, Top Fuelers don't have radiators and use the engine heat seen in the images to generate more power.

After experiencing one top fueler, imagine the sensations when these cars will race four-abreast in March in North Carolina.

Maybe try a different angle?

No I'm JK. Those are great. I agree with whoever said they were cropped too tight...but that really is just preference and not really an issue I guess.

FMX wrote in post #9493627
Maybe try a different angle?

No I'm JK. Those are great. I agree with whoever said they were cropped too tight...but that really is just preference and not really an issue I guess.

There is no doubt I'd have preferred to shoot the first set looser. Not making excuses, but I didn't have that option. First, I was not there to shoot this car. I was shooting Ferrari's on a road course. This beast rolled out and I was standing there with my 500mm mounted and the other body and lens over in the car. As you can see, what happened as I got further back, people would continually get between me and the car. I was able to clear them, but the crew could not hear me. (Gee.... wonder why?).

So, yes.... the first group would have been nicer if they were looser. But, that wasn't a choice. Either way, I WOULD NOT have changed the angle. This is the shot I wanted it.

This was a three minute opportunity at the most. I don't feel I need to defend the images. Given the circumstances, I'm quite pleased with what I managed to come away with.

JT

Those are some cool shots, and very interesting angle on the burnout. I've found that there is no amount of explaination that can give these cars any justice - is just something you have to experience to understand. The best part, standing within 10 feet of these cars in the pits when they start them up to runs some tests and burn in the clutch - the concussion almost knocked my 250lb uncle off his feet!

brave man standing behind and pointing your lens at it. chunks of rubber and pebbles often become projectiles!

I love the tightness of these as its just different, as is the wheelspin.

And I am sure the 500mm helped add to the heat effect