Glossary

H

HAIRPIN: A slow, 180-turn, which exits in the opposite direction a driver enters.

HAMMER DOWN: The driver has the pedal to the metal or has "dropped the hammer" full throttle.

HEADERS: A fine-tuned exhaust system on NHRA cars that routes exhaust from the engine; replacing conventional exhaust manifolds.

HELICOPTER TAPE: Used to cover and protect exposed areas from flying debris, as helicopter technicians developed it to protect rotors.

HEMI: A Hemi engine, used in NHRA action, has a hemispherical shaped cylinder-head combustion chamber, like a ball cut in half.

HOLE SHOT: Drag racing term describes beating an opponent off the starting line and winning a race despite having a slower elapsed time. Other racers use this term to describe a good start or restart.

HOMOLOGATED: Examination process by which the FIA ensures that rally cars comply with regulations.

HOOKED UP: A car is performing great when all parts are "hooked up" or working well together.

HORSEPOWER: The estimated power needed to lift 33,000 lbs. one foot per minute, roughly equated with a horse's strength.

HOT PITS: A car(s) is/are on the track. Only crew members and racing officials are allowed into the pits for safety reasons.

HYDRAULIC: When an NHRA car's cylinder fills with too much fuel, thus prohibiting compression by the cylinder and causing a mechanical malfunction, usually an explosive one.

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