Home
Back
Wallace Formula:
| From: | To: |
The Wallace Racing Formula estimates quarter-mile elapsed time (ET) from vehicle weight and horsepower. It provides a quick and practical way to predict drag racing performance based on power-to-weight ratio.
The calculator uses the Wallace formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula calculates the cube root of the weight-to-horsepower ratio and multiplies it by the empirical constant to estimate quarter-mile performance.
Details: Quarter-mile elapsed time is a standard performance metric in drag racing. Accurate ET estimation helps racers optimize vehicle setup, predict performance, and compare different vehicle configurations.
Tips: Enter vehicle weight in pounds and horsepower. Both values must be positive numbers. The calculator provides estimated quarter-mile elapsed time in seconds.
Q1: How accurate is the Wallace formula?
A: The formula provides a good estimate for typical drag racing vehicles but actual performance may vary based on traction, aerodynamics, and drivetrain efficiency.
Q2: What is considered a good quarter-mile time?
A: For street cars, 12-14 seconds is good performance. Professional drag cars can achieve times under 7 seconds. Times vary significantly by vehicle type and class.
Q3: Does this account for driver skill and track conditions?
A: No, this is a theoretical calculation based on power-to-weight ratio only. Actual times depend on traction, shifting, reaction time, and atmospheric conditions.
Q4: Can I use this for motorcycles?
A: Yes, the formula works for any vehicle type as long as you input accurate weight and horsepower values.
Q5: What factors affect quarter-mile performance besides weight and horsepower?
A: Traction, gearing, aerodynamics, tire compound, suspension setup, and launch technique all significantly impact actual quarter-mile times.