Side by side by side by side

We've mentioned before that we are petrolheads from way back. And last night, we watched one of our favourite motorsports on the telly - drag racing - but like nothing you've ever seen before.

The National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) is the sanctioning body for drag racing in the USA, and its newest innovation was launched over the weekend. The zMax Dragway at Concord, North Carolina hosted the very first NHRA Four-Wide Nationals, and what a spectacle it was. Instead of the usual two lanes, zMax Dragway is FOUR LANES wide, and the Top Fuel Dragsters and Funny Cars race side by side by side by side.

Those vehicles develop around 8000 horsepower EACH. They no longer run the full quarter-mile, but rather are timed over 1000 feet - about 300 metres. They cover that distance in around four seconds, and attain speeds in excess of 300 miles per hour. It's breathtaking stuff when there are two cars running, but four? That's insane.

And we're delighted to report that our hero, John Force, won the Top Fuel Funny Car division. Force (pictured above) is the winningest driver in the history of dragracing, and in the final round, the second car across the line (of four) was driven by his daughter Ashley. Both cars recorded speeds of over 316 miles per hour; the fastest recorded by the class since the 1000 foot change two years ago.

So here's a taste of what it was like from the stands. This may not spin your wheels, but it sure as heck spins ours! Crank the volume up and enjoy!!