Uh, having just watched a show on modern "Top Fuel" dragsters, all three
'cars' (if that's what you call them things) only had 1 (one) gear, there was
no shifting at all. They just slipped an automatic clutch until the vehicles
speed got up high enough to fully "catch". If the automatic clutch was set
too tight it'd smoke the tires, too loose and you got a poor take off. They
replaced the clutch after each race they could manage it. The driver
controlled the slip as well by the throttle. Watching the video, the drivers
usually started at about 3/4 throttle and pushed it up from there as the
dragster rocketed down the track. (I don't think you can call a car like this
a "manual" since theres not shift at all)
I'm certainly no expert on this, so if the show was wrong forgive me, but
it all made sense the way it was set up. I do know that drag bikes have push
button transmissions and they rocket through the gears so fast it's almost as
fast as the driver can push the button.
Shaun H.
---original message---
Pro Stocks DO NOT have autos!!! They are all 5 speeds, and starting next
season,t he drivers have to shift em with a lever, not a button. Also Top
Fuel, F/C, All Alky cars, and majority of the comp cars are all clutch cars.
Brad
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