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Quarter Mile ET Formula:
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Quarter Mile ET (Elapsed Time) is the time it takes for a vehicle to travel a quarter-mile distance from a standing start. It's a standard measurement used in drag racing to evaluate a vehicle's acceleration performance and overall power-to-weight ratio.
The calculator uses the quarter-mile ET formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula calculates the estimated quarter-mile time based on the power-to-weight ratio of the vehicle, with the cube root relationship accounting for the non-linear nature of acceleration.
Details: Quarter-mile time is a crucial performance metric in automotive testing and racing. It provides a standardized way to compare acceleration capabilities across different vehicles and helps enthusiasts and professionals evaluate modifications and tuning effectiveness.
Tips: Enter the vehicle's horsepower and weight in pounds. Both values must be positive numbers. The calculator provides an estimated quarter-mile time in seconds.
Q1: How accurate is this calculator?
A: This provides a theoretical estimate based on power-to-weight ratio. Actual times may vary due to traction, gearing, driver skill, and other factors.
Q2: What is considered a good quarter-mile time?
A: Times vary by vehicle type: 14+ seconds for average cars, 12-13 seconds for sports cars, 10-11 seconds for high-performance vehicles, and under 10 seconds for dedicated drag cars.
Q3: Does this account for drivetrain losses?
A: No, this calculator uses engine horsepower. For wheel horsepower, results may be more accurate for actual performance.
Q4: Can I use this for motorcycles?
A: Yes, the formula works for any vehicle, though motorcycle times may be affected by different traction and aerodynamics.
Q5: What factors affect quarter-mile times besides power and weight?
A: Traction, transmission type, gearing, aerodynamics, tire condition, track surface, and atmospheric conditions all significantly impact actual performance.