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In drag racing, can deploying the chute at just the right moment win a race?
For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. The chute is deployed by means of a spring that pushes the drone chute away from the car. Since the spring pushes against the car, could this exert enough force to move the car forward just enough to record the win? I saw a race two weeks ago that was so close! When they showed the photo finish, the car that won had just deployed the chute and the other car had not deployed the chute yet. In a game of micro seconds (RT, ET, etc.) does this come into play?
These racers are pretty quick with their reactions and after making so many passes down the track in their careers, knowing exactly when to pull the lever should be a cinch. Remember, there is a lag time between when the spring exerts its force, the drone catches the air, the chute straps unfurl and the chute blossoms. I don't think it would be as difficult as you might think.
5 Answers
- 1 decade agoFavorite Answer
I don't think so. The spring would have to provide enough force to overcome the rolling friction of the tyres and the drivetrain of the car. Also it would have to provide a force greater than the force of the increased wind resistance that the launched chute would cause. When you deploy the chute the car and the chute become one element in the system in question. The opposite reaction in this system is placed upon the air that contacts the catchment area of the chute. Additionally the effect you would have, especially in a 5000 hp top fueller, would probably be within the margins of error of the timing equipment. Interesting thought though...
- ?Lv 71 decade ago
Doing that, deploying the drag chute at the precise moment to hope gain an edge would also lose you a speed record, if you are that fast. In drag racing your top speed is measured 66 feet before the finish line "and" 66 feet after the finish line. So, popping the drag chute just prior to the finish line, hoping to gain maybe .000001 second will slow your top speed for the quarter mile.
- Frankie ColettaLv 51 decade ago
NO. That would be like trying to push a brick wall over with a twinkie.
The springs for the chute are extremely light. You can push them to full compression with your hand.
- 1 decade ago
actually it wouldn't help, even with such physics because humans don't have that kind of reaction time, and plus once it's deployed the car will slow down as the chute expands and unfolds into full deployment.
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- 1 decade ago
possibly, but good luck finding the EXACT spot to deploy the shoot.
Any earlier would make you lose, and any later, and the race is already over.
- Anonymous1 decade ago
drag racing is a sport of go straight go fast and have fun. a shute is desighned to stop the car not make it go faster.
