IHRA Class Action: Top Dragster

Only one level separate from the IHRA Drag Racing Series, the Summit Racing Equipment Pro-Am Tour comprises the Good Vibrations Top Sportsman, Good Vibrations Top Dragster, Super Stock, Stock, Quick Rod, Super Rod and Hot Rod, which compete for both Pro-Am and World Championships within the series. These teams and drivers are the backbone of IHRA drag racing.

The fastest sportsman category in IHRA drag racing, Good Vibrations Top Dragster, is also renowned as one of the most innovative classes in IHRA. Combining dragsters and altered vintage roadsters, the class presents handicap racing with six second, 225mph contestants.

Weight for Top Dragsters can be as heavy as 1,800 pounds for big-block dragsters and altereds, and as low as 1,350 pounds for V6 and four-cylinder entries.

Wheelbase is 175 inches minimum from rear-engine dragsters, and 150 inches for front-engine dragsters. Wheelbase for roadsters and altereds can range from 120 to 150 inches.

Engines are wide open: "Any internal combustion reciprocating engine permitted." Nitrous oxide is permitted, but not on supercharged or turbocharged engines. Clutchless transmissions can have five gears; aftermarket planetary units can have three. Converters are required on supercharged entries. Two parachutes are required if the car goes over 200mph.

Obviously, Top Dragsters offer teams a variety of ways to build and race a car using as much innovation as they want. And looking at the Paul Rebis machine in the photo above, they can be good-looking too.