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Racing in Sonoma is No Drag! NHRA FRAM Autolite Nationals

This weekend brings the NHRA FRAM/Autolite Nationals to Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, California. Loud, obnoixious cars invaded a 1/4 mile strip in wine country. The sheer audacity of the visual and audio experience is why drag racing is so popular. Who would think on a Friday afternoon the grandstands at Infineon Raceway at Sears Point would be packed?


The whole experience is awesome, even for the non –car lover. Pretty Navigator can attest to that. In fact, she enjoyed it so much, she screamed every time the cars went by. But at these races, no one can hear you scream…

Why would a self-professed non-car person get some much enjoyment from such an intense experience? The reason why the drag races are so popular versus the purer road circuit or high-speed oval races is that it’s not hours of potentially monotonous droning. What NHRA drag racing offers is an intense experience lasting 4 to 6 seconds with a clear winner at the end and just a enough data, elapsed time and trap speed, to give a reference point. It’s repeated instant gratification which makes for a really fun experience. Add in some flames, like at dusk or at night, it's just way cool. Check out the video.

Even parking about 1/2 mile from the track is very organized. The shuttle service ran quickly and efficiently for arrivals and departures. Plenty of food and drink with vendor displays of types besides the action in the pits.

In the pits, it may seem boring to watch an engine get rebuilt, but upon start-up and a few revs, it’s like massive explosions happening all at once. Nitro methane exhaust will burns your eyes and throat to the point that the crew has gas masks on when the start-up occurs. A friend watching himself on video being subjected to the exhaust even had a second reaction!

Walking around there are all sorts of vendors selling the standard merchandise of hats and t-shirts, Harley Davidson was present with their 2012 bikes and a drag race simulator, the U.S. Army with a technology display including a night vision demonstration and flight simulator. If you could do a number of overhand grip pull-ups, all the way down and chin over the bar (well into the teens if not higher) you win a free t-shirt.

This is an experience everyone should have and I guarantee you’ll really enjoy it. Just bring earplugs and something warm to wear at night for Friday night qualifying. Then sit, relax and cheer, or scream!

Check out the results here:
http://www.nhra.com/events/2011race13.aspx
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