Tasca Goes 171 MPH in Fully Electric Ford Cobra Jet
Longtime driver of Ford Mustang Cobra Jet race cars Bob Tasca III (pictured in NHRA Funny Car action) just made another pass that was one for the record books. This time Tasca’s record setting run would be in a Ford Electric Cobra Jet at 8.12-second ET at 171.97 mph. The veteran nitro funny car driver was a shoo-in for the job and was quick to slip behind the wheel of the all-electric Mustang Cobra Jet 1400-horsepower e-drag car at NHRA Summit Racing Equipment Nationals yesterday crushing the 8.27 seconds at 168 mph he recorded in September of last year. The name of Ford’s all-electric Mustang Cobra Jet 1400 drag car may be somewhat misleading since it’s throwing 1500+ horsepower to the rear wheels. Ford Motor Company says that’s the equivalent to three 2021 Mustang GT V8 powerplants combined.
This wasn’t Bob Tasca III’s first record-setting run. In 2007, he broke the NHRA record for the quickest pass in alcohol-fueled funny car history at 5.451 ET and 263 mph. Tasca was also the first Ford driver to break the three-second barrier. Currently, Tasca owns and drives the Motorcraft / Quick Lane Nitro Mustang Funny Car and holds one of the quickest passes in Fuel Funny Car at 3.89 ET at 326 mph. Tasca Automotive Group was founded in 1943 by Bob Tasca, Sr. In 1953 Bob opened the original Tasca Ford in Bristol, Rhode Island. Just one year later this dealership was completely destroyed by Hurricane Carol and ultimately relocated to Providence, Rhode Island.
Although it is exciting to see a 1500 horsepower e-car lift the front wheels with a classic squeal from the rear, watching a drag race without a need for ear protection may take some getting used to. According to Ford Performance, this car was built in a collaboration with Cascadia Motion for the inverter and motors and Watson Engineering for the chassis support and development as well as the roll cage. This is Ford’s first factory fully electric dragster prototype, launched in April of last year. Inside the car, four PN-250-DZR inverters are mated to a pair of DS-250-115s, designed to spin up to 10,000 rpms but without the sound and smell of racing fuel.
Photo credit by Walter G. Arce
