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Drag racing
Drag racing is a competition in which vehicles compete to be the first to cross a set finish line, usually from a standing start, and in a straight line. First gaining popularity in the USA after World War II, the sport has become increasingly popular over the years.
Today, there were hundreds of dragstrips in operation, mainly in USA, UK and other European countries.
Most drag races begin with a standing (stationary) start and are just 1/4 mile long (1,320 ft (400 m)). Races last between 3.9 and 17 seconds, with finishing speeds ranging from 80 to over 330 mph (530 km/h), depending upon the type of vehicle being used.
Informal drag races can be started by
any means, including flag-waving and arm-dropping. These methods are
more likely to be seen in an un-professional setting, being most popular
with illegal street racing.
Some cars rely on traction bars to keep the front end from lifting off the pavement, thereby wasting energy that would otherwise propel the car forward. On front-wheel-drive cars, these are not used to prevent wheelstanding, but to pre-load more weight onto the front wheels, increasing traction.
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