Was watching the IHRA World Finals today and saw an electric Junior Dragster going rounds. Looking at the IHRA rulebook, they are pretty specific about what engines Junior Dragsters can have. Maybe, because it is an electric motor vs. engine , it is OK? Take care. Tom Worthington

There are several of them at National Trail in Columbus

Was one running years ago at Pageland, SC

It seems odd they make a fuss about which internal combustion engines are allowed, but there is nothing at all about electric motors. Take care. Tom Worthington

The Sportsman class track champ at Dragway 42 was driving a Tesla. They're pretty interesting. Kinda like trying to race a golf cart. They're impressively fast, particularly for being so heavy. Runs 7.50's in the 1/8th. They come with their own set of issues. He basically tries to dial it based on the battery life. If it's a long weekend I've heard that it may run as quick as 11.70's in the 1/4 at the beginning of the weekend, and 12.30's by the end.

"This was only a drill, this was only a drill..." I just looked harder at the rulebook. Electric Junior Dragsters are addressed in the rulebook. There is no mention in the Engine Section. However, at the very end of the Junior Dragster Section, they lay out the requirements for Electric Junior Dragsters separately. Resume your regular programming. Take care. Tom Worthington

quote:

Originally posted by Michael Beard:
The Sportsman class track champ at Dragway 42 was driving a Tesla. They're pretty interesting. Kinda like trying to race a golf cart. They're impressively fast, particularly for being so heavy. Runs 7.50's in the 1/8th. They come with their own set of issues. He basically tries to dial it based on the battery life. If it's a long weekend I've heard that it may run as quick as 11.70's in the 1/4 at the beginning of the weekend, and 12.30's by the end.

I wonder if a portable generator would have enough capacity to keep one of those topped off? Take care. Tom Worthington

We were there and didn't ever run against the car. My son did win Friday's race. We did also see the Tesla.
We have seen that electric jr at other races. It seems to be crazy consistent, and runs considerably more mph than other cars running the same time.

Myself: I don't like it. No weather variations for the electric give it a big advantage over IC engines. It's a completely different mousetrap. They are quite expensive kits from Jegs. I tell everyone who is considering it to think hard about it. As more people see the unfairness in this, they will start insisting that they run in their own class. What fun will that be?

If you had a kid that went through the entire age range they look like a no brainer. Supposedly one setup can be tuned to run from the slow index all the way down to 7.90. I just wish the gas engine rules would be opened up to allow more options. At the end of the day it is bracket racing, not a stock eliminator class.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: regal,

quote:

Originally posted by Tom396:
It seems odd they make a fuss about which internal combustion engines are allowed, but there is nothing at all about electric motors. Take care. Tom Worthington

2018 IHRA rulebook, Page 24-25 have a full section on electric jr dragsters. Motor, batteries, voltage, etc.

https://cld.bz/QQ75PZu/24/

I don't keep up on the electric stuff so I'm really don't know how many options there are.

quote:

Originally posted by Tom396:

quote:

Originally posted by Michael Beard:
The Sportsman class track champ at Dragway 42 was driving a Tesla. They're pretty interesting. Kinda like trying to race a golf cart. They're impressively fast, particularly for being so heavy. Runs 7.50's in the 1/8th. They come with their own set of issues. He basically tries to dial it based on the battery life. If it's a long weekend I've heard that it may run as quick as 11.70's in the 1/4 at the beginning of the weekend, and 12.30's by the end.

I wonder if a portable generator would have enough capacity to keep one of those topped off? Take care. Tom Worthington

I think if you could keep one topped off at 100%, it would be deadly consistent. I'm not sure there's enough time between the late rounds to charge it though.

The Tesla supercharger stations charge at 480v. Our old director at my work had a charging station at his home (230v) and he would charge his overnight. 6-8 hours.

quote:

Originally posted by Tom396:

quote:

Originally posted by Michael Beard:
The Sportsman class track champ at Dragway 42 was driving a Tesla. They're pretty interesting. Kinda like trying to race a golf cart. They're impressively fast, particularly for being so heavy. Runs 7.50's in the 1/8th. They come with their own set of issues. He basically tries to dial it based on the battery life. If it's a long weekend I've heard that it may run as quick as 11.70's in the 1/4 at the beginning of the weekend, and 12.30's by the end.

I wonder if a portable generator would have enough capacity to keep one of those topped off? Take care. Tom Worthington

No. We had electric hookups in our pit spots at the Bracket Finals, but he said it doesn't really do much. One pass kills 5 miles of range. He'd go find a supercharger station overnight when he went back to the hotel. Sometimes it would run very consistent. Other times it'd throw a wacky run out there. They just have *different* variables to deal with than regular engines.

McIlvain Race Cars built 1 or 2 for Jegs...I've seen them in various stages of the build. Pretty cool deal really...ET is completely controlled by a dial (speed controller) and capable of running well under 7.90.

quote:

Originally posted by OhiomafiaWireGuy:
McIlvain Race Cars built 1 or 2 for Jegs...I've seen them in various stages of the build. Pretty cool deal really...ET is completely controlled by a dial (speed controller) and capable of running well under 7.90.

I know I am over simplifying. But why not just have a practice tree race?

quote:

Originally posted by Bucky:

quote:

Originally posted by OhiomafiaWireGuy:
McIlvain Race Cars built 1 or 2 for Jegs...I've seen them in various stages of the build. Pretty cool deal really...ET is completely controlled by a dial (speed controller) and capable of running well under 7.90.

I know I am over simplifying. But why not just have a practice tree race?

they already do, its called 1/8th mile racing!

Jr Dragsters are the most obnoxious sounding racing vehicle ever. I'm for making them ALL electric.

Regal is correct, and that is the selling point for them. One car for your whole junior career and who knows what else. We haven't seen a huge advantage when they show up other than the kid who drives the ''JEGS'' car could win racing a Hot Wheels car. He's tough.

quote:

Originally posted by Michael Beard:
The Sportsman class track champ at Dragway 42 was driving a Tesla. They're pretty interesting. Kinda like trying to race a golf cart. They're impressively fast, particularly for being so heavy. Runs 7.50's in the 1/8th. They come with their own set of issues. He basically tries to dial it based on the battery life. If it's a long weekend I've heard that it may run as quick as 11.70's in the 1/4 at the beginning of the weekend, and 12.30's by the end.

Really surprised they let the Tesla race against the Dino cars. I’m not at all surprised a good driver won a championship with one. Create a class for them! Battery life , wind and track? Start a list on what affects the fossil fuel car..

If drag racing goes electric, I'm going fishing!

quote:

Originally posted by Edd Harney:
If drag racing goes electric, I'm going fishing!

Winner! End of thread...………..