NHRA Faces A Not-So-Loud EV Future, And It Knows It
By Brian Stark – March 2, 2021
Electrification is coming and the NHRA is beginning to acknowledge that reality. Earlier this week, the National Hot Rod Association put forth a statement where the 70-year-old organization fully recognized that the trajectory auto manufacturers are on does not include ICE. “longtime NHRA partners Toyota, Dodge/Chrysler, General Motors, and Ford, have shifted their focus to prioritize the development, production, and marketing of electric and hybrid vehicles, fueling a rapid expansion of the EV...market,” wrote Kevin McKenna, NHRA’s National Dragster Senior Editor.
Truth be told, EV drag racing is not new to NHRA. In 2020, Steve Huff made a 201.07 mph pass at Tuscon Dragway in Arizona, logging an impressive elapsed time of 7.52 seconds, breaking the previous 189 mph EV record set by none other than “Big Daddy” Don Garlits.
Also noted by the NHRA were exhibition runs made during NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series national events in 2019 and ’20 featuring Chevrolet’s COPO Camaro and Ford’s Cobra Jet Mustang. “The COPO Camaro quickly dipped into the nine-second zone while just a year later, the CJ1400 Cobra Jet produced consistent low eight-second runs at speeds well above 160 mph, further highlighting the rapid pace in which EV technology continues to evolve,” McKenna explained.
Chevrolet’s eCOPO electric drag racer produces roughly 700 hp and 600 lb-ft of torque from twin electric motors, powered by an 800V system. (Image courtesy Chevrolet)
A curiosity is NHRA’s connection to Camping World, a company that announced a partnership with Lordstown Motors in December 2020 wherein Lordstown and Camping World would begin to explore the development of an electric motorhome built on Lordstown’s Endurance EV truck platform, plus the development of other camping solutions, like replacing gas generators with batteries. In turn, Camping World signed on to become a service location for Lordstown’s Endurance EV pickup, as well as extending its road-side support to Lordstown customers.
Back to drag racing: “It’s certainly no secret that electric vehicles are becoming more and more popular with consumers, and the technology associated with them continues to move forward at a rapid pace,” said Ned Walliser, NHRA vice president-competition, adding, “At NHRA, we are eager to keep pace with the latest developments in EV technology.”
According to NHRA’s press release, the next step in their keeping pace with electrification comes at the Gatornationals:
“Looking ahead to the next steps in the advancement of electric drag racing, NHRA has extended an open invitation to interested parties to participate in an open dialogue on the topic. This invitation includes, but is not limited to, OEM auto manufacturers, aftermarket parts suppliers, racecar builders, and companies that specialize in safety and fire suppression. The first of numerous proposed meetings are scheduled to take place during the upcoming Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway, March 12-14.”
Ford stepped up the EV drag racing game in 2020 with its 1,500 whp CJ1400 Cobra Jet. The system involved 800V and up to 700 amps, resulting in consistent low eight-second quarter-mile passes. (Image Courtesy Ford)
A primary topic to be covered includes EV fire suppression and prevention – a topic many racing organizations have been grappling with over the years as EVs enter all aspects of motorsports, from pro to amateur, drag racing to road racing.
“An accident involving an electric vehicle typically demands a different response than you might have with traditional gas, methanol, or even nitromethane-powered vehicles,” explained NHRA Director of Engineering Tim White. “There are also some concerns regarding the treatment and disposal of a damaged or potentially damaged battery. We’ve already seen progress in these areas, but as always, improving safety is an ongoing and never-ending process.”
The conversation is beginning, but don’t expect the ground-rumbling dragsters to disappear overnight. “Fans come to NHRA events to see everything from 300 mph Top Fuel dragsters and Funny Cars to classic American muscle cars, and I don’t see that changing anytime soon,” Walliser concluded. “We do need to always keep our eyes focused on the future, and electric vehicles will very much be a part of that.”
The obvious question is whether the fans will embrace the change.
(Main image courtesy Ford)
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