"peter wezeman" wrote in message
m...
"John Keeney" wrote in message
...
"Keith Willshaw" wrote in message
a= 410/5.2 or 78 feet per second per second
which is indeed about 2.5G

Dated data, Keith.
NHRA Top Fuel records are at least 332.18 MPH top speed and 4.477s
elapsed
time, both by Kenny Bernstein in 2001.
Funny Cars are just a little behind at 326.87mph & 4.731s (different
drivers).

a=3.4g -or there abouts-

Is the coefficient of friction of those special tires that high,
or do they use aerodynamic downforce to increase the traction?
If memory serves, the coefficient of friction of Formula One
racing tires is on the order of 1.2, but of course a drag slick doesn't
have to last nearly as long. One journalist wrote that, touching
a racing tire at operating temperature, it feels sticky, about like
wet bubble gum.

They use aerodynamic devices to increase down force (ie the
"normal force") but they also far exceed 1g acceleration off the
line (which is clearly impossible since the coefficient of friction
can not exceed one -it's a definition thing, just ask any physics
professor).
An engineer, of suitable background, will tell you the "grip" of
the tire is doing the trick.