How do you go from a standing start to global racing fame in under a second? In a gripping new episode of Custom Cars and Mean Engines, we take you behind the scenes of the NHRA drag racing world from the legendary Las Vegas Speedway. Our guide is none other than Khalid AlBalooshi, a racing icon who shares the secrets, pressure, and power of becoming a champion in the most intense motorsport on the planet.
Khalid AlBalooshi has spent more than 18 years racing professionally, representing Bahrain Racing in one of the most demanding motorsports ever created. Competing in the Pro Mod category, his cars push beyond 3,000 horsepower and are built with carbon-fiber bodies for extreme aerodynamic advantage and minimal weight. According to AlBalooshi, success in drag racing is not just about horsepower. It is about mastering traction, weight distribution, and launch precision.
His vehicles accelerate from 0 to 100 kilometers per hour in less than one second and reach top speeds of over 530 kilometers per hour in just under 4 seconds. But the true test lies in consistency, reaction time, and the ability to harness overwhelming force into a perfect launch. Khalid emphasizes how even a 7-kilogram weight difference can mean the difference between winning and losing. The sport is a battle of fractions, where every gram and every microsecond counts.
Inside the cockpit, the driver endures crushing G-forces and breathtaking acceleration. AlBalooshi explains that the feeling inside the car is like having five times your body weight pushing down on you, making mental and physical preparation just as important as mechanical setup. With more than 2,000 runs under his belt, he can detect the slightest differences between car setups and race conditions.
From the body shape inspired by vintage Camaros to the lightweight fuel systems and precisely tuned engines, every aspect of a drag car is engineered for explosive performance. A single race-ready car costs between 450,000 to 500,000 US dollars. But for drivers like Khalid, it is not about the cost. It is about the thrill of controlling a machine built to defy limits, on a track where there is no room for mistakes.
Experience the speed, the science, and the sheer adrenaline of drag racing like never before. Join Motor 283 and Khalid AlBalooshi as they take you to the frontlines of the NHRA championship with exclusive behind-the-scenes footage and raw racing emotion.
Click the video to watch the full episode and discover what it takes to dominate the world’s fastest race.
Started my career in Automotive Journalism in 2015. Even though I'm a pharmacist, hanging around cars all the time has created a passion for the automotive industry since day 1.
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