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NHRA PRO MOD DRAG RACING SERIES
Magnaflux: The process of using a special electro-magnet and magnetic powder to detect cracks
in iron that may be invisible to the naked eye.
Minimum weight: The lowest allowed weight for the vehicle in a particular class.
Nitromethane: Produced specifically as a fuel for drag racing. It is the result of a chemical
reaction between nitric acid and propane.
Nomex: Trade name of DuPont, a fire-resistant fabric used in the manufacture of protective clothing.
OEM: Original equipment manufacturer
O.H.C.: Overhead cam.
On board data recorder: Electronic recording device that provides specific performance data
following a run. The data recorder cannot be used to control race car functions during a run.
Otto cycle: The four operations of intake, compression, power and exhaust (4-cycle engine).
Named for inventor Dr. Nikolaus Otto.
Pedaling: When a driver lifts off the throttle, then gets back on it again, in an attempt to regain
traction with the rear tires.
Pilot chute: A spring-loaded device which pulls the braking chute from its pack.
Port: The opening in an engine where the valve operates and through which the air-fuel mixture or
exhaust passes.
Pre-staged: When a driver is approximately seven inches behind the starting line and the small
yellow light atop his or her side of the Christmas Tree is illuminated.
Protest: A complaint filed against a competitor, investigated by officials.
Pro Tree: Used in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock, Pro Stock Motorcycle, Top Alcohol Dragster, Top
Alcohol Funny Car, Super Comp, and Super Gas, which feature heads-up competition. All three
amber lights on the Christmas Tree flash simultaneously, followed four-tenths of a second later by
the green starting light. A perfect reaction time on a Pro Tree is .000.
R.P.M.: Revolutions per minute.
Reaction time: The time it takes a driver to react to the green starting light on the Christmas Tree,
measured in thousandths of a second. The reaction-time counter begins when the last amber light
flashes on the tree and stops when the vehicle clears the staged beam.
Roll cage: Reinforced steel or Chromoly compartment that encloses the driver in the car.
Rollout: The measurement of one complete revolution of a tire, measured in inches. Rollout equals
3.14 times diameter.
Seating the clutch: The process of loading the clutch pack to allow the clutch discs and floaters
to properly align with each other before a run.
Scales: Used to weigh cars to assure that they meet class weight requirements. Top Fuel dragsters
and Funny Cars are weighed after each qualifying pass.
Shift light: In Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle, a light is activated on the dash when it is
necessary for the driver to shift gears.
Shoulder harness: An upper-torso restraint device.
Shut down area: The portion of the track after the finish line that drivers use to slow their
machines following a run.
Sixty-foot time: The time it takes a vehicle to cover the first 60 feet of the race track. It is the most
accurate measure of the launch from the starting line, which in most cases determines how quick
the rest of the run will be.
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