Once considered the "bad boy" of motorsport, drag racing has evolved into one of the most technically sophisticated and exciting forms of automotive competition. Where at one time it was a sport practiced on deserted roads, today there are almost 400 professional racetracks in North America devoted to competitive drag racing. This action-packed book reviews the history of the sport from its origins in post-WWII California to the widely respected sport it is today. It explains the differences between car classes, such as Top Fuelers and Funny Cars, Alcohol Cars, Pro Modifieds and Pro Stock, and profiles the sport's pioneers and today's best-known racers. Drag Racing describes the latest developments in power, speed and racing safety. Consider these remarkable statistics: *From a dead stop a Top Fuel Dragster is the fastest-accelerating vehicle in the world and, at full throttle, it consumes the same amount of fuel as a fully loaded Boeing 747. *During the launch of a fuel car, the driver sustains close to five Gs of force--more than a space-shuttle astronaut. *Today's Pro Modifieds are capable of traveling a quarter mile in less than six seconds at speeds that exceed 240 mph. *A competitive NHRA Pro Stock engine produces over 1300 horsepower, and consumes gasoline at a rate of 7.5 gallons per minute. Dedicated and new fans alike will thrill at the rubber-burning pages of Drag Racing. REVIEWS: Essential for drag racing fans and libraries in communities where drag strips draw crowds. --Library Journal Gearheads will likely devour this book, but anyone who's ever sat behind a wheel and wondered what it would feel like to floor it will find this cinematic account difficult to put down. --Publishers Weekly ILLUSTRATIONS: 100 colour & 50 b/w photographs