
Straight line drag racing is automotive competition in its purest form. It’s a raw display of power, and here in the USA we like it quite a bit. Burning up as much rubber and gas as you can in the least amount of time possible is about as American as it gets.

It’s a style of racing that is as old as the car itself, and the very first drag race probably took place somewhere around the time the world’s second car was built. What I’m trying to say is that this sort of thing is in our blood, which is why I’m surprised it has taken so long for an event like Omega Motorsport’s ‘No Fly Zone’ to happen in Arizona.

No Fly Zone isn’t like the usual drag events you might see at a traditional quarter mile strip. NFZ takes over a airstrip runway for a weekend and allows entrants to rolling-start drag race whoever, whenever. This relaxed approach to organization is intentional and leads to some fun and interesting pairings.

There are the match-ups you might expect, like this supercharged pair of GM monsters giving it their best.

Or these monochromatic C7s that had a run at each other. Their identical exhaust notes created an odd sort of doppler effect as they roared off just barely out of sync.

But there are some cars that competed against each other that were a bit less expected than a pair of Corvettes. Take these two: a Bugatti Veyron and a Toyota MR2. The Mr. Two clearly isn’t stock, and if the writing on the windshield is to be believed then it’s pushing 630hp. But is that enough to conquer this (tuned) Veyron’s 1,100hp? The answer is no, though the little Toyota did hold its own.

Any type of car can be registered to race at NFZ. If you’d like you may drag race your Jaguar XJR, and why wouldn’t you?

This how-is-that-even-here BNR34 Skyline GT-R was competing as well. I’ve been lucky enough to see a few before, but I still love coming across them stateside where they are so seldom found. It’s amazing how a car that is commonly available elsewhere in the world receives so much attention when it’s in non-native territory.

The variety of cars at the event was fantastic, and it’s hard to say that it was dominated by any one type of car. There were definitely a lot of GT-Rs, but there were a lot of CTS-Vs too. And Porsches. And Corvettes. And Supras. You get the idea…

Seeing all this variety was really encouraging to me. Not that I had any doubts, but it’s proof that automotive enthusiasm is alive and well in all categories.
Big Power
Arizona might not be Texas, but I feel the ‘bigger is better’ attitude emanating from the Lone Star State has a definite ripple effect on many people here. AZ is home to a huge amount of gigantic bro-dozers and anything you can imagine that might house a big stinkin’ V8.

Evidently we’ve also got some seriously substantial power, as proven by the number of cars with over 1,000hp competing at the event – the Gallardo being the most popular platform for a mega-horsepower build.
It turns out it does a Gallardo a lot of good to add some forced induction by way of two big turbochargers. So much good in fact, that the red one above (which has 1,270hp by the way) clocked in at just over 208mph on the half-mile strip.

That puts it ahead of the Veyron and this car, though just barely.

‘This car’ is a 997 Turbo developed by EVOMS that has a dyno tested 1,517hp on low boost, and it hit 207mph. This was the Porsche’s first time out though, so I’m sure with adjustment and some better luck it will easily better that figure in the near future. More on this car soon…

This Nova wins the numbers game though. I only got to see it run a couple of times, but you could hear all 1,700hp for miles around. It was definitely the loudest car there too, supporting its traditional dragster look.

One thing that was fun to watch was how hard some machines squat under full load. Cars like these rear-heavy Porsches almost look like they’re on hydraulics when taking off.

I feel I’m much more of a mountain-road car type of person as opposed to a straight-line, spin-the-world-the-other-way-with-torque car type of person. But I must admit that even I couldn’t help but get a huge kick out of seeing these cars with absolutely terrifying amounts of power hurtle down an airstrip at full blast.

Getting close-up exposure to these land rockets as they throw everything they’ve got at the tarmac really makes you wish the opportunity to see them in this habitat came around more often. I recall standing near the end of the runway as the red Lambo made an all-out pass and you could really feel the speed. Even at a good distance, it was a truly impressive thing to see.

Drag racing has never been super appealing to me, but after attending No Fly Zone I feel like I have a better understanding of why so many people have an interest in it. It’s a shot at seeing how their cars stack up against others, whether they’re similar or not so similar, and in a clear-cut and exciting way. It’s a pure expression of speed, power, and automotive enjoyment and I can’t think of a single reason not to get behind that.
Otis Blank
Email: otis@speedhunters.com
Instagram: @otisblank




















I'm in love with that Nova
Watch the Nova take care of Lambo -- Nova was having a pedal fest trying to find some traction all the way down the track
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUr4Jl0mUoU
I'll say it again, but you guys need to make a calender of events! I feel like I've missed out on so many events simply becuse I didn't know they were happening.
Great photos!
I guess i'm not even strictly american, because i absolutely don't understand the hype around dragracing.
I mean come on, it's pay2win at its worst form.
@Epoxy Its about the cars, not the drivers. If it were about drivers they wouldnt even need cars, they could stick to gocarts.
Fiatdude ho lee shit
@Epoxy dude neither do I. I think its because I can't stand the ethos behind american automobile manufacturing from 1969-present.
That truck at the end. More info?
@Epoxy If that were the case then surely the Veyron would always win?
Personally I think it's a great way of showing what levels of "get up and boogie" a car has. It also showcases car vs car rather than being about driver skill. Each has their place of course and I can respect a fast car as much as a fast driver.
@Epoxy And other forms of racing aren't pay to win? Please. Tell that to a Top Fuel Team. Theres no skill involved in setting up a dragster you're right. These guys just plop a chunk of cash down and thats who wins.
*eyeee roooollll*
What car is that in the 7th picture, in front of the GT-R? It is a Lexus SC? If so, I wonder how fast it was and what engine/transmission had...
@race bays like some sort of "events" page, categorised by country, and type of motorsport? I think that would be an awesome idea as well so it gets my vote!
@Chris Tyre pressures. Chassis setup. Traction. Reaction time. None of that is relevant. Who ever has the most money, biggest engine and highest horsepower wins. Didn't you know that? Of course the car will go down the track in a straight line.
Fiatdude talking about pedaling it. sounds like he was on 5% throttle most of the time
that mini truck tho!!!
that nova didn't smoke em 75% of the race....right?
I'd love to know the 630hp MR-S more , it looks very noob outside , like seriously , if I drive a Gallardo or something , I would mistake it as a 140ps weak MR-S ...
greenroadster , It is Lexus SC , that is as far as I know .
for those complaining about this being strictly pay to win, then i have a solution that may catch wind. Make money limits on builds, require owners to have a list of ALL mods and costs, and have cost divisions to see who can do the best, with the least.
Whoa, whoa, whoa, wait.
You didn't tell about that Audi wagon in the bonus pics.
CharlesChris15 Thats actually a really good idea I'd love to see someone Ghetto rig two Holsets to a Lambo haha
Brett Allen I guess these guys are more driver enthusiasts than car enthusiasts.
UGR!
johnbezt
you really think there is one set of ideas behind american cars from 1969 to the present? people who don't like american cars or drag racing are just ignorant close minded pretentious snobs and probably take Jeremy Clarkson too seriously.
scibO Fiatdude You learn at these events -- where there's paint, there's no throttle -- and the Nova is completely off the throttle going over runway stripes -- -- the paint is sooo slippery
@race bays I've created a motoring events guide for all sorts of events here in New Zealand, including circuit racing, drag racing, drifting, cars shows, and car club events: http://www.kiwimotoring.com. I'm working on an international version of the site at the moment.
Yeah of course. And you didnt really need info and experience on whats the best part that suits your car and engine right?
Nah man, if you feel like today is longer than usual, that's probaby because the Nova has spun the earth in the opposite direction.
Really love those final-gen gallardo over the huracan...what a clean style
@turbo BEAMS ae86 If you are reffering to the second generation Gallardos, I completely agree! Clean is probably the last thing i would call the third gen Gallardos, though...
Wish I had more info... A 630hp wagon is right up my alley! It was built by a company called AZ Euros.
I remember that! The noises that car makes are incredible.
We love the idea of a calendar, but a global one be really difficult to maintain. Much respect to you for making a local one!
"Straight line drag racing is automotive competition in its purest form"
Yeah, nah.
@Epoxy Is it always just about the winning?
RDS That little MR2 is pretty bad ass. About 2000 lbs and 600+ rwhp. Not too shabby. And it handles like a go-kart, so I'm told.
GregoryYatko
I'd love to know what the owner done to it .
I like Nova, <3
https://happywheelsnow.com
thanks for the post