Editing Drag racing (section)

== Classes ==
[[File:Caterpiller-sponsored dragster.jpg|thumb|right|Caterpillar-sponsored dragster. Note wide slicks and high-mounted wing, to assist traction.]]

There are hundreds of classes in drag racing, each with different requirements and restrictions on things such as weight, engine size, body style, modifications, and many others. [[NHRA]] and [[International Hot Rod Association|IHRA]] share some of these classes, but many are solely used by one sanctioning body or the other. The NHRA boasts over 200 classes, while the IHRA has fewer. Some IHRA classes have multiple sub-classes in them to differentiate by engine components and other features. There is even a class for aspiring youngsters, [[Junior Dragster]], which typically uses an eighth-mile track, also favored by VW racers.

In 1997, the [[Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile|FIA]] (cars) and [[Union Européenne de Motocyclisme|UEM]] (bikes) began sanctioning drag racing in Europe with a fully established European Drag Racing Championship, in cooperation (and rules compliance) with NHRA. The major European drag strips include Santa Pod Raceway in Podington, England; Alastaro Circuit, Finland; [[Mantorp Park]], Sweden; Gardermoen Raceway, Norway and the [[Hockenheimring]] in Germany.

[[File:'Pain Killer' jr. dragster.JPG|thumb|''Pain Killer'' J/D. Note the driver, helmet off, is still in the car, which is under tow on the return road, headed for the pits.]]

There is a somewhat arbitrary definition of what constitutes a "professional" class. The NHRA includes 5 pro classes; Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock, Pro Modified and Pro Stock Motorcycle. The FIA features a different set of 5 pro classes; Top Fuel, Top Methanol Dragster, Top Methanol Funny Car, Pro Modified and Pro Stock. Other sanctioning bodies have similarly different definitions. A partial list of classes includes:

[[File:Top Fuel.JPG|thumb|Top Fuel dragsters<!--identify the cars & place!-->]]
* [[Top Fuel]] Dragster (TF/D). The dragsters, or "diggers", are the fastest class. Among the fastest-accelerating machines in the world, these cars can cover the dragstrip in less than 3.7 seconds and record trap speeds over {{convert|330|mph|abbr=on}}. Under current rules, Modern Top Fuel dragsters are {{convert|25|ft|abbr=on}} long and weigh {{convert|2,320|lb|abbr=on}}<!--under current rules...--> in race-ready trim. Methanol mixed with up to 90% [[nitromethane]] is used as fuel.

 [[File:Funny Car AAA.JPG|thumb|Typical Funny Cars<!--identify the cars & place! Are these actual TF/FCs?-->]]
* Top Fuel [[Funny Car]] (TF/FC). Similar to their dragster counterparts but with a shorter wheelbase and a carbon-fiber body that loosely resembles a production automobile, Funny Cars, or "floppers", routinely run in the 4.0s and can exceed 315&nbsp;mph. In 2017, NHRA driver [[Robert Hight]] ran a career-best ET of 3.793 and speed of 339.87&nbsp;mph.

[[File:Pro Stock.JPG|thumb|A typical Pro Stock car<!--identify the car & place!-->]]
* [[Pro Stock]] (NHRA, IHRA/MMPSA). Often called "factory hot rods" because of their resemblance to production-based cars (and because they must maintain a relatively stock appearance), and commonly known as  "doorslammers", Pro Stockers can record quarter-mile times in the 6.4 second range, and speeds over {{convert|210|mph|abbr=on}}. They can rev to more than 10,500 rpm and make in excess of {{convert|1300|hp|abbr=on}}. NHRA engines can be no more than {{convert|500|cuin|L|adj=on}} [[Engine displacement|displacement]] while MMPSA cars can run a maximum of {{convert|820|cuin|L}} (called "Mountain Motors").  IHRA engines can be no more than {{convert|400|cuin|L|adj=on}}.  Both classes require the motors to be naturally aspirated.
* [[Pro Stock Motorcycle]] (NHRA and IHRA). These highly modified vehicles, which can run under 6.8 seconds at more than 195&nbsp;mph, feature a purpose-built tube chassis and a lightweight, aerodynamically enhanced replica of original bodywork.
* [[Pro Modified]] (Pro Mod).  Known as [[Top Doorslammer]] in Australia.  Some engine restrictions, very high power. Cars can run superchargers, turbochargers, or nitrous oxide. Cars running blowers are limited to {{convert|527|cuin|L|1}} while cars with nitrous can run up to {{convert|740|cuin|L}}.  This class is globally recognised, although the name differs between North America and Australia.
* [[Top Alcohol Dragster]] (TA/D). Known as Top Methanol Dragster in FIA competition. Top Alcohol Dragsters resemble Top Fuelers, but have significant differences. They may use a supercharged methanol-burning engine or an injected nitromethane combination. They can run in the 5.1s at more than 280&nbsp;mph.
* [[Top Alcohol Funny Car]] (TA/FC). Known as Top Methanol Funny Car in FIA competition. Similar in physical appearance to their nitro-burning Funny Car counterparts, Top Alcohol Funny Cars are restricted to the use of methanol fuel and have three-speed transmissions. They can run in the 5.4s at more than 265&nbsp;mph. In the IHRA, Alcohol Funny Car is the fifth pro category, replacing NHRA's Pro Stock Bike.
[[File:Comp Eliminator.JPG|thumb|A typical Comp car<!--identify the car & place!-->]]
* Competition Eliminator. This is the NHRA class with the most variety. Each of its 88 sections is assigned an index based on what a well-built car should run, and races are handicapped according to those indexes.
* Outlaw Series
* [[Pro FWD]]
* Sport Front-Wheel-Drive (SFWD). This is a class that is dedicated to solely front wheel drive vehicles. One of the motivations behind the creation of this class was to keep cars as original looking as they could possibly be. SFWD is one of the most common and popular import drag racing classes. The two most common vehicles in this class are the Honda Civic and the Acura Integra. In this class, the number one restriction is that each vehicle must retain its original chassis. No modification to the OEM floorboard or Firewall is permitted. In addition, at least one headlight and both brake lights must be fully functional. Suspension and brake modifications are allowed to a certain extent. Aftermarket components are permitted as long as the original mounting points are not modified. All four brakes must be retained and parachutes are permitted. The stock dashboard and windshield must be retained along with the car's original interior from the front seats forward, while rear seats as well as passenger-side seat may be removed. Racing gas or E85 may be used; methanol may not. Internal engine modifications of all types, aftermarket engine blocks, and engine swaps are permitted. Engines may use nitrous oxide or be turbocharged. Tires may be a maximum of {{convert|25|in|mm|abbr=on}} tall and {{convert|9.5|in|mm|abbr=on}} in tread width. All cars must meet a minimum weight requirement of {{convert|2200|lb|kg|abbr=on}}, plus any weight penalties teams may incur for having certain equipment installed that would have given them too much of an advantage over the competition.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ogs1320.com/sfwd/ |title=SFWD rules |publisher=Ogs1320.com |access-date=30 August 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.superstreetonline.com/features/1305-sport-front-wheel-drive-class-explained/ | title=Sport Front-Wheel-Drive Class Explained – Honda Tuning Magazine| work=SuperStreetOnline| date=23 June 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.superstreetonline.com/features/1305-sport-front-wheel-drive-class-explained/|title=Sport Front-Wheel-Drive Class Explained – Honda Tuning Magazine|date=23 June 2013|work=SuperStreetOnline|access-date=29 November 2017|language=en-US}}</ref>
* [[Stick Shift]]. Reserved for vehicles with a [[manual transmission]]. The rising popularity of automatic transmissions in drag racing created the demand for these classes. Popular sanctioning bodies include United Manual Transmission Racers, Pro Stick Racing, Rocky Mountain Stick Shifters, and Ozark Mountain Super Shifters.
* [[Super Comp]]/Quick Rod. The quickest of the heads-up Super classes (8.90 index) is composed primarily of dragsters. Most cars are capable of running well under the index but use electronic aids to run close to it without breaking out.
[[File:Super Gas Probe.JPG|thumb|Super Gas Probe<!--identify the car & place!-->]]
* Super Gas/Super Rod. Super Gas entries, which run on a 9.90 index, are primarily full-bodied cars and street roadsters. No dragsters or altereds are permitted. As in Super Comp, competitors use electronic aids to run as close to the class standard without going under.
* Super Street/Hot Rod. Racers compete on a fixed 10.90 index. All vehicles must be full-bodied cars and weigh no less than 2,800 pounds except for six-cylinder cars (2,000) and four-cylinder and rotary-powered cars (1,200). Engine and chassis modifications are virtually unlimited.
[[File:Super Street Mustang.JPG|thumb|Super Street Mustang]]
[[File:Super Stock.JPG|thumb|A typical Super Stock car<!--identify the car & place!-->]]
* Super Stock. Super Stock vehicles resemble ordinary passenger cars, but are actually heavily modified. Entries are classified using factory shipping weight and horsepower and compete on indexes. The breakout rule is enforced.
* Stock. Stock cars are similar to Super Stockers, but rules regarding everything from engine modifications to body alterations are much stricter. Virtually any car is eligible to compete, and entries are classified using factory shipping weight and horsepower.
* [[Sport Compact]]
* Top Sportsman (NHRA, IHRA, ANDRA). Competitors in these full-bodied entries may choose their own dial-in for eliminations, generally from 6.00 to 7.99 seconds. Full Tree starts are used, and the breakout rule is enforced. Cars can run in the sixes at more than {{convert|200|mph|abbr=on}}.
[[File:Top Dragster.JPG|thumb|Blown Top Dragster{{clarify|date=July 2018|reason=alky, gas, or fuel?}}<!--identify the cars & place!-->]]
* Top Dragster (T/D) (NHRA, IHRA, ANDRA). Competitors in these open-wheel entries may choose their own dial-in for eliminations, generally from 6.00 to 7.70 seconds. Full tree starts are used, and the breakout rule is enforced. Cars can run in the sixes at more than {{convert|200|mph|abbr=on}}. Cars can run any combination of motor: blown, turbo, nitrous or just all motor.
* Top Fuel Funny Bike (high performance 5 second bikes)
* [[Nostalgia Super Stock]]
* NHRA and ANDRA [[Summit Racing]] series Super Pro, Pro, and bike.
* Junior Dragster (racers between the ages of 8 and 18 may race a half scale version of the sport's fastest car, Top Fuel Dragster. Juniors run as follows: 12.90-slower for 8-9&nbsp;year olds, 10-12&nbsp;year olds at 8.90, and 13-18&nbsp;year olds 7.90 and slower at a top speed of 85&nbsp;mph). These cars race at 1/8 mile or 1/16 mile.
* NHRA new class for Juniors is JR COMP running 6.90s at a top speed of {{convert|110|mi/h|km/h}} (1/8 mile or 1/16 mile).
A complete listing of all classes can be found on the respective NHRA and IHRA official websites.

[[File:Dragster engine.jpg|thumb|left|Dragster engine with dual-plug heads, dual ignition magnetos, and intake snorkel]]

The UEM also has a different structure of professional categories with Top Fuel Bike, Super Twin Top Fuel Bike, and Pro Stock Bike contested, leaving the entire European series with a total of 8 professional categories.

To allow different cars to compete against each other, some competitions are raced on a handicap basis, with faster cars delayed on the starting line enough to theoretically even things up with the slower car. This may be based on rule differences between the cars in stock, super stock, and modified classes, or on a competitor's chosen "dial-in" in [[bracket racing]].

For a list of drag racing [[world record]]s in each class, see [[Dragstrip#Quarter mile times]].