Perhaps the best part

[Joe]

When a late model or Cup car fires the engine. That's enough to keep me coming around. That rattle, rattle, rattle, and then that roar.

Racecars are cool.

[racnphotos68]

You know that is how I got hooked on racing. It was at Daytona at the twin 125's back in the early 80's and they let the boyscouts in for free. I went thinking I was gonna hate it but when they cranked those engines I was hooked. The goosebumps eventually went away and I was the only scout that was paying attention at the end. Shortly after that my dad and I found Orlando Speedworld and I have been involved with racing in Central Florida since.
Now I get to stand mere feet from our local guys as they start their engines and I take my photos.
Thanks for reminding me of such good memories for me.

[MW68SS]

If you want to feel power and get goosebumps walk thru the pits at Eastbay or Volusia when the Late Models are here during Winternationals. With 70-80 800 hp engines all warming up at the same time you can actually feel the power thru the ground. Goosebumps and addiction all the way. Very awesome.

[Frasson118]

Very cool stuff indeed. BUT, there is no thrill in the world like the sound and feel of a Nitro burning Top Fuel Dragster.

Growing up an oval track fan, I didn't give much appreciation to Drag racing until I went to the Gatornationals in 1990. Withing 2 minutes of walking in, Frank Bradley (I still remember because of the imression it left on me) fired up his engine in the pits as we were walking through... and I was completely blown away. This was only at an IDLE. When he goosed the throttle, it seemed to me like a bomb had exploded. I thought there was no way that sound could actually be on purpose. I was a brand-new Drag racing fan after only 2 minutes into my first visit.

It's safe to say I have returned on several occasions since!

[Austin34471]

Very cool stuff indeed. BUT, there is no thrill in the world like the sound and feel of a Nitro burning Top Fuel Dragster.

Growing up an oval track fan, I didn't give much appreciation to Drag racing until I went to the Gatornationals in 1990. Withing 2 minutes of walking in, Frank Bradley (I still remember because of the imression it left on me) fired up his engine in the pits as we were walking through... and I was completely blown away. This was only at an IDLE. When he goosed the throttle, it seemed to me like a bomb had exploded. I thought there was no way that sound could actually be on purpose. I was a brand-new Drag racing fan after only 2 minutes into my first visit.

It's safe to say I have returned on several occasions since!

Those dragster/funny car engines are crazy. During my first ever Gatornationals, we were walking through the pits when some dragster fired up. I about fell over. Not only is the sound deafening, but the burning nitro makes your eyes water and it makes your nose feels like its on fire. How much longer til the GatorNats? I can't wait to go again!

[tccaz]

Theres nothing like the smell of nitro in the morning. Best thing about drag racing.

[flvideo]

You talking about a rush. A couple years ago before I started shooting video at CCMP, i got up in the Figure Eight flag stand to take some shots of the TBARA Sprints. There were 21 cars I think. With those guys coming under me at speed coming out of turn 4 Man what a rush 21 ground pounding sprints with I'd guess 800HP or so coming out of the turn at one time. The sound is deafening and the wind from them is strong too. Make a race nut crazy. Bob...