Nitrous

Nitrous in motorsport refers to nitrous oxide (N2O), a chemical compound that racers inject into their engines to create a sudden burst of extra horsepower and acceleration.

Think of nitrous oxide as a temporary power booster for race cars. When injected into an engine, it doesn't burn like fuel does. Instead, it acts like a super-charged version of the oxygen that engines normally breathe from regular air. At the high temperatures inside an engine, nitrous oxide breaks apart and releases extra oxygen, allowing the engine to burn much more fuel than usual.

This extra fuel burning creates a much bigger explosion in each cylinder, which translates to significantly more power sent to the wheels. The effect is almost instant - drivers can go from normal power to a major boost with the press of a button or flip of a switch.

Nitrous systems come in two main types. "Wet" systems spray both nitrous oxide and extra fuel into the engine together, giving precise control over the mixture. "Dry" systems only spray the nitrous oxide, relying on the car's existing fuel system to provide the extra fuel needed. Wet systems are typically used for bigger power gains, while dry systems are simpler to install.

You'll most commonly see nitrous used in drag racing, where cars need maximum acceleration over short distances. It's perfect for quarter-mile runs where drivers need every bit of power they can get for just a few seconds. Some street racing and drifting competitions also allow nitrous systems.

However, using nitrous oxide comes with serious risks. The extra power puts tremendous stress on engine parts, and many engines have been destroyed by improper nitrous use. It also requires higher-quality fuel and careful tuning to prevent engine damage. Additionally, nitrous bottles empty quickly, so it's only useful for short bursts of power rather than long races.