Rocket Dragster racing is a form of Drag Racing usually using High test peroxide rocket engines.

Kitty O'Neil in 1977 recorded the quickest quarter mile elapsed time of 3.22 seconds at 396 MPH and made a quarter mile run with a top speed of 412 MPH. This is in excess of the performance of more familiar Piston Engined dragsters.^[1]

A different type of rocket propulsion uses hybrid rockets using Nitrous Oxide as the oxidant such as the British Rocket Dragster, 'laffin-gas'. However, there are significant safety concerns regarding this method after several explosions at Santa Pod Raceway, one of which propelled an engine component into a public viewing area at high velocity.

Rocket dragsters are banned in most events for safety reasons, mostly due to their very high performance. However, they continue to run at several European venues.

See also

Jet dragster

References

1. ↑ Drag Racing Story of the Day - The Rocketman Checks In: Ky Michaelson Lists All his Rocket Dragsters