Note: All information based off of back issues of Turbo Magazine.
1992Horsepower level: 250-plusAverage e.t.: Mid to high 14sLow e.t. at the beginning: 13.8 sec., SOHC Junior Aspper (RPS, Redline)Changes from the previous year: This was the first documented season, so for our purposes there were no changes; this is our beginning. Slicks started at 20x8 on stock steel rims.
1993Horsepower level: Low 300Average e.t.: High 12s to low 13sLow e.t. at the beginning: 12.85 sec., Junior Aspper (RPS, Redline)Changes from the previous year: More power!
1994Horsepower level: Mid to high 300Average e.t.: mid to low 12sLow e.t. at the beginning: 12.41 sec., Archie Madrazo (Rev Hard, JG, Split Second)Low e.t. at the end: 12.21 sec., Myles Bautista (Rev Hard, MAN Autoworks, Precision)Changes from the previous year: 22x8-in. tires. Myles tried 24.5x8s, but broke too many axles, so it was back to the 20-inchers for him.
1995Horsepower level: Low to mid 400sAverage e.t.: Low 12sLow e.t. at the beginning: 12.21 sec., Myles Bautista (Rev Hard, MAN Autoworks, Precision)Low e.t. at the end: 11.6 sec., Albert Medrano (AEM, Cyber)Changes from the previous year: By season's end the stinkbug look was in, and 24.5-in. slicks found their way on FWD racers. Enter "The Honda Tape" era.
1996Horsepower level: mid to high 400sAverage e.t.: Mid to high 11s; by season's end there were only a handful of low 11-sec. cars.Low e.t. at the beginning: 11:36 sec., Dave Shih (The Wheel Connection, JG, Dynamic Autosports, Wicked)Low e.t. at the end: 10.82 sec., Dave Shih (The Wheel Connection, JG, Dynamic Autosports, Wicked)Changes from the previous year: Who needs rear bumper reinforcements? Better yet, who even needs a rear bumper in drag racing?! If you had a rear bumper, then you weren't fast! Come to think of it, who needs a rear hatch? Remove it and replace it with clear plastic and duct tape!
1997Horsepower level: High 400s (With the exception of Viet Lam, who produced 564 hp.Average e.t.: Mid to low 11sLow e.t. at the beginning: 10:87 sec., Dave Shih (The Wheel Connection, JG, Dynamic Autosports, Wicked)Low e.t. at the end: 10.76 sec., Viet Lam (JG, Speed Image, and Wicked)Changes from the previous year: More power and 1,000-lb springs in back to keep the rear end from squatting. The Prelude-engine/Civic-body swap begins! Bogart wheels are the latest rage.
1998Horsepower level: 500Average e.t.: High 10s, low 11sLow e.t. at the beginning: 10.61 Tony Fuchs (DRAG, JG, Cyber)Low e.t. at the end: Controversial-10.46 sec., Jojo Callos (KG Precision) Honorable-10.53 sec., Charles Madrid, in two vehicles: JG CRX, owned by Andrew Yang, and Pitcrew Civic, owned by Pitcrew.Changes from the previous year: More racers relied on VTEC engines, and the move was made up to 25-in. tires. Charles Madrid introduced the first one-piece front-end on his Civic. More air-to-water intercoolers are starting to get used.
1999Horsepower level:: Mid 500sAverage e.t.: Mid to low 10sLow e.t. at the beginning: 10.39 sec., Ed Bergenholtz (STR/Clutch Masters)Low e.t. at the end: 9.68 sec., Kenny Tran (Jotech)Changes from the previous year: Enter the wheelie bar era.
2000Horsepower level: High 500s to low 600sAverage e.t.: High 9sLow e.t. at the beginning: 9.4 sec., Lisa Kubo (Nitto Tires)Low e.t. at the end: 9.42 sec., Lisa Kubo (Nitto Tires)Changes from the previous year: 26-in. tires, stronger drivetrain.
2001Horsepower level:: Low to mid 600sAverage e.t.: An almost full 9-sec. Quick Class field.Low e.t. at the beginning: 9.42 sec., Lisa Kubo (Nitto Tires)Low e.t. at the end: 9.12 sec., Jojo Callos (JG/Edelbrock)Changes from the previous year: 28-in. tires and tranny gear changes. Enter the Tilton clutch!
2002Horsepower level:: I wouldn't be surprised to see 700-plus on race gas.Average e.t.: Probably low to mid 9sLow e.t.: We'll let you know by the end of the year.Start of the season: At the time this magazine gets printed, we are a week away from the season opener.End of the season: We'll let you knowChanges from the previous year: NHRA allows alcohol in the Hot Rod (Quick) Class.