NHRA Powerade Drag Racing Series

Introduction

Americans are known for their automotive pride - in the States, motor sport is varied and hugely popular, ranging from monster trucks to the oval circuit races and drag racing.

This NHRA (National Hot Rod Association) DVD covers the 2007 Powerade Championship, featuring the Top Fuel rail cars that do the quarter mile in under five seconds, reaching top speeds of 330 mph and the Top Fuel Funny Cars, with their flimsy plastic bodies covering a huge engine that is only marginally slower than the rail cars. The other classes are the Pro Stock and Pro Stock motorcycles - a massive attraction - with the motorcycles achieving 100 mph in one second and 200 mph by the end of the quarter mile strip.

Running at approximately 120 minutes, this DVD covers the championships of all four classes, breaking them down into the races the final eight, final four and then from the four to the eventual winner. Each section follows a similar pattern covering a round in the championship from venues across the US; the Top Fuel rail cars are first, then Funny Cars followed by Pro Stock cars then motorcycles so the DVD finishes with the winner of the Pro Stock motorcycle event.

Video

The NTSC region 0 disc has a nice transfer from the ESPN footage, with clear coverage of the vehicles in the daylight and at night, when the most powerful cars shoot flames from their exhausts thanks to the potent fuel mixture of nitromethane and methanol!

Audio

This is well narrated by respected commentator Bob Frey, who talks over any sounds from the races.

Extra Features

There are brief tributes to NHRA founder Wally Parks and Pro Stock racer Eric Medlen, who died of racing related injuries in 2007, and a short photo gallery.

Conclusion

When we first had cable installed in our house, the array of channels was nothing like it is now, with such novel offerings as L!VE TV, MTV Europe (remember them?) and Eurosport, which was very different, featuring such sports as tractor and truck racing and coverage from the drag circuit in Europe. I'd never seen such things before (including the topless darts and the midgets on trampolines doing the weather forecasts) and my interest in drag racing more or less came and went. Eurosport has since changed its focus and such events are no longer available in the UK.

A familiarity with the drag circuit would probably enhance your enjoyment of this DVD title as you'd know the drivers and be more invested. As it is, NHRA Powerade Drag Racing Series Countdown to the Championship 2007: Year in Review is enjoyable, but more one for the fans than the casual viewer.