Ever since the production of the first car, drivers have been trying to reach crazy speeds. That is how drag racing was born. As cars got better and drivers got more experienced, vehicles began reaching 100 mph.
But it wasn't until the mid-40s that some people turned their cars into something serious. In the 1970s, the basic idea of drag racing car design changed. When Don Garlits motor suffered an explosion and cut off his right foot, he ordered a car built with an engine in the back. Within years, all cars had engines behind the driver seat.
From the '70s onwards, drag racing cars started to turn into what we know now. The era of sponsorship has begun with huge corporations offering their support to the best teams. Crew members started to get money and their garages turned into workshops. Here are some of the fastest drag racing cars ever made.
15 Bugatti Veyron 16.4
Bugatti Veyron 16.4 delivers in excess of 1,000 hp. This car engaged in a 1/4-mile shenanigan and used a track as the battlefield. The car belongs to Team Dutchbugs. These are the guys who took a Veyron offroading and pulled other crazy stunts. The Bugatti Veyron 16.4 could do a quarter-mile in 8.027 seconds.
14 Rocket Ekanoo Lexus
Rocket Ekanoo Lexus is a 4,000 hp beast built by the Ekanoo Racing team. Packing insane power from the 500 cubic-inch big-block, the car can get up to 220 mph. The team added their custom-built torque converter, a 3-speed transmission, and their renowned billet shifter into the drivetrain.
13 FireForce 3 Jet Car
In 2016, the FireForce 3 Jet Car became the fastest drag racing vehicle in the world. It could reach 1/4 mile in 5.79 seconds at 336 mph. The FireForce 3 Jet Car got the Pratt & Whitney J60 engine with 5,500 lbs of thrust, which turned into 10,000 hp.
12 2019 Tesla Model S
Tesla cars winning races isn't surprising. They have become a synonym of a killer in these events, beating top names. The 2019 Tesla Model S produces 825 hp and 959 lb.ft. of torque, pushing forward 4,941 pounds of weight. All Tesla drag racing cars drive with 2 motors that deliver power to the axles.
11 Camaro Dragster
In 2017, the Camaro Dragster could reach a quarter of a mile in 10 seconds at 140 mph during official testing. The car was equipped with the ZL1’s supercharged 6.2L LT4 V8 engine. It was used to test new parts for the ZL1 that the brand then sold to the public.
10 2018 FireForce 5 Jet Dragster
The 2018 FireForce 5 Jet Dragster is capable of doing the 1/4 mile in 5 seconds at 300 mph. The car has the Pratt & Whitney J60 turbojet engine that delivers 5,500 pounds of thrust. The company said they sourced the engine from a helicopter. The Dragster weighs 1,200 pounds and uses 28 gallons of fuel.
9 Top Fuel Dragster
The Top Fuel Dragster features the custom-made 500 cubic inches engine with superchargers. It is capable of delivering 8,000 hp. However, rumor has it, the car can produce 10,000 hp. The Dragster is so fast that it can't be measured by dynamometers. That's why there is a room for debate on its power.
8 Rimac Concept 1
Croatia’s Rimac Automobili delivers exceptionally fast cars. The Rimac Concept 1 delivers 1,914 hp and can get from 0 to 60 mph in 1.85 seconds. This vehicle with the crazy specs is one of the quickest cars in the world. Its 120 kWh battery enables 400 miles of range.
7 The Bloodhound Car
In 2019, the Bloodhound Car could reach 562 mph in its run through the Kalahari Desert. After posting the maximum speed, the team returned the car to its tent to check performance data. This car is full of sensors that record how well it behaved as it skyrocketed across the desert.
6 Dodge Challenger Demon
The Demon has a 6.2L V8 engine with a 2.7L supercharger. The car can deliver 808 hp and 770 lb.ft. of torque when using 91 octane gasoline. If that's not enough, the Demon can produce 840 hp using 100 octane gasoline. The car weighs 4,252 lbs, which is much lighter than other Dodge models.
5 EKanoo Racing Outlaw Supra
Modified by the Ekanoo Racing team and driven by Gary White, the EKanoo Racing Outlaw Supra got a Toyota 2JZ engine with a Precision Turbo as well as a tuned Liberty transmission. With these modifications, the car could reach a top speed of 240.8 mph in 2014 during the Bahrain National Drag Racing Championship.
4 Supercharged V8 Lamborghini Drag Racer
With its fiberglass shell, the Supercharged V8 Lamborghini Drag Racer is a pro modified model. The car is undergoing testing, from the lack of competitors. The team could make the perfect setup to ensure the car makes it down the track. The Lamborghini Drag Racer can reach 1/4 mile in 8 seconds.
3 Twin-Turbocharged Lamborghini Huracan
In 2017, the twin-turbocharged Lamborghini Huracan set the half-mile World Record of 257 mph. This was the only event the car has competed in. It was also the first vehicle to achieve a 250 mph half mile pass. Surprisingly, the Lamborghini Huracan is a real road car with its stereo, navigation, interior, and smart systems.
2 Alpha Logic Performance's Nissan GT-R
Under the hood of the Alpha Logic Performance's Nissan GT-R is a "methanol-fed 4.3-liter billet block from AMS Performance that's paired up with T1's ported factory cylinder heads and valvetrain, along with GRP connecting rods, Diamond pistons, and Trend wrist pins." The car can make 3 400 hp and 2 200 lb.ft. of torque.
1 Robert Hight's NHRA 'Funny Car'
Do not let the name confuse you. Robert Hight's NHRA 'Funny Car' is one of the fastest vehicles in the world. The car can reach a top speed of 339 mph. The "Funny Car" is a name for incredibly fast cars that belong to the National Hot Rod Association.