How much Horsepower (HP) do we need?  Should we buy the base, the S, the GTS the Turbo or the Turbo S? Mark Donoahue, the famous Porsche works driver that conquered the Can-Am series with the 917 in the early 1970s, once said that "If you can leave two black stripes from the exit of one corner to the braking zone of the next, you have enough horsepower." 

Have you ever seen or heard a car that can produce upwards of 12,000 HP? If you have not, then this is your chance to experience something that is almost un-worldly. The National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) is holding their Potomac Nationals at Maryland Internation Raceway (MIR) the end of May. Your Tech Team thought that maybe you’d like to expand your automotive adventures by making the journey with us on May 30th to see Top Fuel cars and other car classes that race at this event. 

Top Fuel drag cars produce so much HP that there is no dynamometer in the world that can measure it.  Engineers calculate that they produce somewhere between 11,000 and 12,000 HP with 12,000 ft lbs of torque. These cars consume approximately 15 gallons of fuel, 90% nitromethane and 10% methanol, during their 3.6 second run over 1000 feet of asphalt. The exhaust alone produces approximately 1,100 pounds of downforce. (The aero devices of a 2016 GT3RS produce 750 pounds).  Top fuel cars hit the 100 MPH mark in 0.8 seconds, which is about 1/3 of the time that it takes a Turbo S to do the same thing. While the Turbo S will hit an impressive 20 PSI of boost, Top Fuel cars will hit 74 PSI. At the end of the 3.6 second run Top Fuel cars will hit 330 MPH.

After each run Top Fuel cars require a full engine rebuild! Drag racing allows the fans far more access to the cars and the teams in the pits. You’ll be able to watch the crews do the rebuilds and engine swaps in a matter of hours as they prep for the next run.  

These are violent pieces of automotive technology. These cars do not go quietly into the darkness.  Bring your ear plugs as they will generate 150dB, which is enough to do physical damage.  Not only will you see and hear these beasts, but you will feel the exhaust shock waves hitting your chest. This is a very visceral experience and will not be soon forgotten.

This event is a bit out of the box for PCA Chesapeake.  MIR is in Mechanicsville Maryland, which is about a 1-1/2 hour drive out of Baltimore.  MIR’s gates open at 9AM. We plan to leave Baltimore about 8 AM. Our launch location will be announced later once we get a feel for how many of us will be going. Parking will be on the grass, so you may not want to drive your GT4RS.

Tickets to get into MIR for this event are not available through MotorsportReg.  Tickets must be purchased directly from NHRA. Tickets are priced from approximately $60 to $90 for Saturday depending on seating. We are planning to sit in Section C2 rows K & L. The tickets will provide pit access, and you’ll be able to see the cars up close. You can buy tickets from NHRA here:

https://nhra.evenue.net/event/26MM/MM1SA

NHRA has not yet announced the class run schedule. We may adjust our arrival time at MIR once NHRA makes that announcement so that we do not miss the Top Fuel cars. Your Tech Team will monitor NHRA’s announcements are keep you informed of any changes.

Seating chart: $91.75 per ticket, includes taxes and fees:

WHEN and WHERE

• When: May 30, 2026, Saturday
• Meeting time: 8am
• End of races: afternoon/evening (TBD)
• Meeting Point:  TBD (central Maryland)
• Cost: Members are responsible for their admission tickets. https://nhra.evenue.net/event/26MM/MM1SA
• Registration is free and required for planning purposes.
• If you have already registered and need help to cancel your registration, refer to this link for detailed instructions.
• Speed Waiver link: https://pcachesapeake.speedwaiver.com/mwuzl

QUESTIONS

Please call Jim Earlbeck, 410-802-4397, or email jearlbeck@earlbeck.com, if you have any questions or thoughts on how to make this event better.