What is backpeddling and why do top fueler's slicks sometimes wobble?

Question

What are they talking about when the mention backpeddling a top fuel dragster and what causes their slicks to start shaking?

Answer 1

When the tires start to spin or break loose, the driver needs to get off the throttle and get back in when the tires hook back up again. Sometimes both cars will break loose and the drivers need to pedal the car all the way down the track.

Answer 2

The other guys are right about the backpeddeling....ie...getting off and on the throttle to control the wheel spin.

As far as the tires wobbling, it's caused by the rubber gripping and slipping the track's surface.  Not only that, but there's a mighty large sidewall on those tires, and they're really soft.  Tires that are that soft, and thin are prone to wobble going down the track.

Answer 3

One of the main components of Nitro ( Funny Car & Top Fuel) drag racing is being able to control the high horse power with relationship to the rear wheels.  Sometimes they have to much power and the tires lose traction (it's like driving your passenger car on snow) when their tires shake they have to lay off the trotle for a moment so the tires slow down then re apply.  This is backpeddling.

Answer 4

Down force... you can also see the car flex (dragsters) a lot while the car goes into shake or smoke the chassis is unloading so the down force has to go some where... As for why they smoke or shake its because they lose traction... the tracks are coated with rubber and vht to make them as sticky as possible where all that horsepower will have somewhere to hook up... the tires are heated during the burnout which causes the them to become sticky...when you lose traction you either back pedal the car which it just feathering the throttle to see if the car will hook back up.. But if it doesn't the best and safest thing to do is let off its not worth tearing the car or yourself up over...Many times when the car goes into shake it will cause the car to move one way or another so you have to work the steering wheel and feather the throttle at the same time. Also check out how much power is going to the tires by looking at the shape of the fuel car tire on tv or in pictures from about half track... its amazing how a tire can look not round...

Answer 5

Backpedaling is backing off the throttle and the car shakes when the tires completely hook up with the track.  The tires on the cars are spinning the whole way down the track and when they completely hook up they shake.