Kids' Questions About Drag Racing

[draglist]

Q: I was watching some Funny Car races on TV yesterday with my grandson and he asked me why they are called Funny cars. I have no idea why or where the name came from. Can you tell me why they are called funny cars and where the name came from? Ivy

A: Hi Ivy. It's because the earliest versions of the cars in the 60s had radically altered wheelbases that truly did make them look funny. In the 70s and 80s the cars looked much more like their stock bodied counterparts and there was a short lived movement to change the name to Fuel Coupes. Today, with aerodynamics much akin to bars of soap, many drag racing historians and fans feel the cars deserve the term funny car more than ever! Thanks for the question. It's great to see you watching the races with your grandson. I hope we can claim you and your grandson as long term fans. Here are a few links to some questions I fielded from some schoolchildren a few years ago. They many answer some other questions you may have. All the best! bp

http://www.draglist.com/stories/SOD%20J ... 061101.htm
http://www.draglist.com/stories/SOD%20A ... 080701.htm
http://www.draglist.com/stories/SOD%20A ... 081501.htm