* Weight of the vehicle: A lighter car needs significantly less horsepower than a heavier one to achieve the same ET (elapsed time).
* Aerodynamics: A car with a more aerodynamic design will require less horsepower to overcome air resistance at high speeds.
* Traction: If the car can't put all its power to the ground (due to tire limitations or poor suspension), it won't run as quickly, even with high horsepower.
* Drivetrain efficiency: Losses in the transmission, drivetrain, and other components reduce the amount of power reaching the wheels.
* Driver skill: A skilled driver can extract more performance from a given car than an unskilled driver.
While a rough estimate can be made using various online calculators and performance formulas, a 10-second quarter mile typically requires at least 1000 horsepower, and often considerably more, depending on the factors mentioned above. Some lightweight dragsters might achieve this time with slightly less, while heavier or less efficient cars would need significantly more.
