Thanks to Santa Pod Racers Club Secretary Ian Marshall for sending in this reminder that the FIA/FIM Main Event which is held at Santa Pod Raceway on 23rd-26th May that the closing day is this Friday 25th April. *A surcharge will occur after this date.
The current entry list for the event is at this link. You can enter by clicking here. Late entry may cost extra, so competitors are urged to sign up today.
Festival of Power brought mixture of results from European and World records being broken, Good Friday saw Santa Pod Raceway making their tribute to Richie of FireForce Jet Funny Cars with a minute silence followed by Fire Force powering down the track.
Congratulations to the winners at the weekend:
- Pro ET : Stuart Thompson(9.69) 9.7782/133.60 def. Nick Mugridge(10.00) 10.1206/126.27
- Super Pro ET : Lee Huxley(7.62) 8.6595/154.68 def. Akan Didwell(8.65) 7.616+1/176.41 RED
- Street Eliminator : Victoria Smith 7.8623/185.85 def. Rob Carter 10.1828/108.04
- Super Comp : Leah Kellett 8.9541/167.96 def. Nathan Hulkes 8.9662/152.15
- Super Gas : Stuart Doignie 10.0216/148.08 def. Bob Molden 9.8503/112.21 Breakout
- Comp Eliminator : Rouven dawson 7.8798/169.77 def. Dan Williams 10.1773/126.14
- Pro Modified : Andres Arnover 5.7362/254.62 def. Andy Robinson 5.9797/241.59
- Funny Car : Terry Haddock 4.1240/307.88 def. Steve Ashdown 6.1441/124.08
- Nostalgia Funny Car : Tim Garlick 6.5145/213.07 def.
- Sportsman ET : Gary Lake(13.89) 13.9281/96.44 def. Clive Dandridge(12.44) 18.8721/49.30 RED
- Comp Bike : Jasmine Cordelle 7.2325/178.51 def. Michael Piggott 7.2169/199.79
- 8.50 Bike : Paul Morris 9.0775/153.63 def. Carl Thomas RED
- 9.50 Bike : Hayden Mechaell 9.5533/115.04 def. Joshua McLean 9.5800/122.43
- Super Street Bike : Jake Mechaell 6.6618/222.29 def. Kostas Giannopolous 7.9934/127.23
- Top Fuel Bike : Neil Midgley 10.8782/72.03 def. Steve Woollatt BROKE
- Funny Bike : Eric Richard 6.5181/222.18 def. Marteen Zijlstra 7.1266/177.83 RED
- ET Bike : Phil Pratt(8.97) 8.9726/148.10 def. Nicholas Playdon(10.50) RED
- Junior Dragster : Harry Peters(8.25) 8.2833/79.09 def. Chevrolet Checkett(7.90) 7.9897/80.50
- Junior Drag Bike : John McLean(11.43) 11.5733/32.77 def. Jaxon King(13.00)
Congratulations to Andres Arnover for a new European best for the quickest Pro-Modified car in Europe with a 5.6956, and for resetting both the MSUK ET and speed records at 5.695/254.67, both of which are new SPR track records. Katie Higgs managed to grab a quick chat with Andres, "It was a little surprising." Andres commented, you can see her pit notes at this link with Andres.
Fuel Funny Car saw Terry Haddock Showtime Funny Car set a new European best and SPR track records with an outstanding run of 4.1 seconds at 307 mph.
Thanks to Andy Marrs for confirming these records, which were archived at the weekend, you can view all the records by clicking here.
Also, Comp Eliminator racer Terry Newton who took the record for the fastest FWD Ford 4 cylinder in World in and the fastest ZETEC Engine Ford in the world with a 8.7252/168.48mph, congratulations once agan. Eurodragster.com with in the next few days will be contacting Andres and Terry for an interview on their new records.
Congratulations to Peter Nee Super Pro ET racer Lee Huxley who won the Bad Habit Racing Perfect Light Award of £75 supported by Cath and Tig Napier, Maverick Diagnostics Pro ET racer Charles Seward won the Hayley Hadfield Perfect ET Award of £50 supported by Andy 'Fadster' Hadfield by dialing in 8.85 Dial in and ran 8.8506. Finally to Maverick Diagnostics Pro ET racers Nick Mugridge and Matthew Dowdy who won the Eurodragster.com Finish Award of £50 each for the closest finish of a green light and non-break out race. Nick and Matthew's finish line margin was 0.0026 seconds or 5.52552 inches.
Thanks to David Anniwell of the Santa Pod Timing Crew for sending us detailed timing data, including test day results, which when received we will post to our timing data area which you can see by clicking on Data, then Timing Data at the top of any Eurodragster.com page. Official results can be seen at Santa Pod's Official Results Site.
The meeting was held in Sunny, Windy and occasionaly wet conditions, the track superbly prepared by the SPRC marshals.
You can check out our John Woolfe Racing-sponsored Festival of Power reports, results and galleries by clicking here or by clicking on the Events link at the top of any Eurodragster.com page. We should repeat our new policy that the watermarked photos from our galleries can be downloaded and may be used in social media posts but please do not crop or modify them, in particular, we need the watermark retained. Social media sharing may be done on mobile devices from the new site.
Please join Editor Chris Winn in thanking Graham Watkinson for his commitment to bring you live coverage with nearly 1000 posts over 3 days, Julian Hunt and Diana Macrae for their hard work over the race weekend providing their amazing pictures. Also not forgetting Katie Higgs for her outstanding pits notes.
Thanks to Remco Scheelings from autosport.nl for this article on Drag racing: Festival of Power with fast outliers
The Festival of Power at Santa Pod Raceway traditionally kicks off the European drag racing season. Although the race does not count for the FIA or FIM European Championship, it is one of the most important races for the various English championships and often an indication of what can be expected later in the year. The opening did not disappoint, with several records broken so early in the season. With 5.695 seconds, Andres Arnover was even good for the first Pro Modified run in Europe under 5.70 seconds.
Please note the page may need to translated into English. You can read on this article by clicking here.
Happy Birthday to Ronnie Mercer driver of Annie, Ford Pop and races in Pro ET, Dorset Horn racer Dick Sharp, former Funny Car racer Lesley Prior, former Fuel Altered racer Mick Moore, racer Dan Page and US legend Joe Schubeck. We hope you all have a fantastic day.
Many thanks to Julian and Diana for covering the Festival of Power, Santa Pod Raceway, also thanks to Tog for sorting and uploading them to the site. Also you can check out the return of "Pit Notes" which is covered by Katie Higgs, check them out on the coverage page. You can see all the Pictures and Pit Notes at this link, supported by John Woolfe Racing.
Happy Birthday for today to British Drag Racing pioneer Keith Stacey, Sick Week and former Super Modified racer Paul Mander, former Pro Modified racer and Eurodragster.com security consultant Ray White, Sportsman ET racer Troy Attree and German photographer Mathias Schneider. We hope you all have a great day.
Good Morning, Eurodragster.com are ready today to bring you live coverage from the Festival of Power at Santa Pod Raceway. We have Julian Hunt and Diana Macrae covering pictures and Katie Higgs wondering around the pits covering the pit interviews. Eurodragster.com event coverage supported by John Woolfe Racing.
To follow our coverage, go to our event index by clicking here or to follow the live reporting click here.
Thanks to Andrew Flavell for sending this latest news from Melbourne Raceway that Top-Merch have announced that they will support the Melbourne Junior Motorcycle Class and Melbourne Junior Elite Class for the 2025 season.
Winners from each round will receive a cash prize. The overall winners at the end of the season will win a teamwear bundle featuring their choice of logo. "Good Luck to all the juniors, you’re an inspiration
Jacqui & Shaun”
You can see more on Melbourne Raceway by clicking here to visit their Facebook page.
Happy Birthday for today to British Drag Racing pioneer Bruce Brown, who reaches his 81st birthday, Maltese Opel Dragster racer Tyson Debono and former Super Pro ET racer Nigel Turner, have a great day guys.
Thanks to former Nitro FM presenter Nigel Fitzmaurice for sending in his latest Podcast with: Hills and Dopey from team Freddys revenge, which can be view by clicking here.
Many thanks to Julian and Diana for covering the Festival of Power, Santa Pod Raceway, also thanks to Tog for sorting and uploading them to the site. Also you can check out the return of "Pit Notes" which is covered by Katie Higgs, check them out on the coverage page. You can see all the Pictures and Pit Notes at this link, supported by John Woolfe Racing.
Good Morning, Eurodragster.com are ready today to bring you live coverage from the Festival of Power at Santa Pod Raceway. We have Julian Hunt and Diana Macrae covering pictures and Katie Higgs wondering around the pits covering the pit interviews. Eurodragster.com event coverage supported by John Woolfe Racing.
To follow our coverage, go to our event index by clicking here or to follow the live reporting click here.
Congratulations to Andres Arnover for his new record for the quickest Pro-Modified Door Car in Europe with a 5.6956/254.67mph.
Also Congratulations to Comp Eliminator racer Terry Newton who took the record for the fastest FWD Ford 4 cylinder in World in and the fastest ZETEC Engine Ford in the world with a 8.7252/168.48mph.
Happy Birthday for today to Pro Modified crew, sometime driver, and former Eurodragster.com sponsor Andrew Wright Jnr, Finnish Super Twin racer Matti Vahasaari, crew member for Huxley Motorsport Richard Bell, VW Sportsman racer Ian Dale and Outlaw Anglia racer Rob Turrington. We hope you all have a great day.
Thanks to former Nitro FM presenter Nigel Fitzmaurice for sending in this latest Podcast with: Albert Carter son of Andy taken at Manston Park Raceway, which can be view by clicking here.
Many thanks to Julian and Diana for covering the Festival of Power, Santa Pod Raceway, also thanks to Tog for sorting and uploading them to the site. You can see all the pictures at this link, supported by John Woolfe Racing.
Good Morning, Eurodragster.com are ready today to bring you live coverage from the Festival of Power at Santa Pod Raceway. We have Julian Hunt and Diana Macrae covering pictures and Katie Higgs wondering around the pits covering the pit interviews. Eurodragster.com event coverage supported by John Woolfe Racing.
To follow our coverage, go to our event index by clicking here or to follow the live reporting click here.
Chris Dossett from Trakbytes (www.trakbytes.co.uk) has announced that The Trakbytes website has been updated with nearly sixty new entries. The earliest is from 1965 and the most recent from 2005.
With the Festival Of Power starting today we take a look back at the events from twenty years ago as a new section of the archive beginning in 2005 opens. Back then the Easter event was known as the Thunderball, and featured the fifth running of the popular Pro Fuel Shootout which saw the Top Fuel Dragsters and Funny Cars battling it out for the honours.
Among the competitors for the 2005 event there are a number of names that appear on the 2025 entry list, including Andy Robinson, Steve Woolatt, Spencer Tramm, Dave Cherrett, Brian Pateman, Conrad Stanley and Collin Morrice. Danny Cockerill was running his first six second passes in Pro Mod, and Jon Webster achieved his first four second run in Top Fuel. Martin Hill put in a pass in Fireforce 3 that set an astonishing new World best and Chief Starter for 2025 Dave Warren was running in Super Street Bike, a class which was seeing it’s first seven second runs. One name who will be at Santa Pod this year was unusually not present in 2005. Showtime crew chief, and my old raceday boss, Bob Jarrett returns with a new Showtime Funny Car driven by Terry Haddock. Good luck guys.
There are also details from the first of Shakespeare County Raceway’s first major event of the year which saw the Street Eliminator field whittled down to one car before eliminations had even begun (a one-car cruise did take place!).
Clive Rooms and Jerry Cookson have been busy scanning programme covers and entry lists, and the 2000 and 2001 sections look considerably brighter as a result.
There are also details from some of the sixties Elvington records weekends, seventies and eighties meetings from Santa Pod, Blackbushe, Snetterton and York, and 24 new names have been added to the Competitor Index which now contains 2762 racers from the UK’s Drag Racing history.
The Hall Of Fame entries for Sydney & Alan Allard, Alf Hagon, Clive Skilton, John Hobbs, Dennis Priddle and the Page’s team have also been updated.
Happy Birthday for today to 1964 British International Drag Festival star and drag racing legend Tommy Ivo, German Pro Modified racer Norbert Kuno, Finnish Super Street Bike racer Vesa Ruhanen, Super Twin Top Gas racer Jack Shook, Sports Compact Honda racer Luke White and former Hulk Shogun racer Gary Springford. We hope you all have a great day.
Many thanks to Julian and Diana for covering the test day here at the Festival of Power, Santa Pod Raceway, also thanks to Tog for sorting and uploading them to the site. You can see all the pictures at this link, supported by John Woolfe Racing.
Thanks to Racing Operations Co-Ordinator Liam Kimberley from Santa Pod Raceway for sending this announcement on Nitrous Bottle Refills at the Pod Shop.
We’re pleased to confirm that Nitrous bottle refills will continue to be available at the Pod Shop throughout the 2025 season. Whether you're getting ready for a race or need a quick top-up, feel free to stop by anytime during an event to get your bottles refilled.
-
£11 per lb
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70p per oz
Make sure you're ready for the track by stopping in for a refill whenever you need it. We look forward to seeing you!
Thanks to Manston Park Raceway's Paul No-Prep Marston for sending this report on last weekend's seanson opener‘Racing in Mexico’ event, Paul writes:
Well, what can I say, we made something special happen last weekend. The inaugural event at Manston Raceway Park. ‘Racing in Mexico’ For anyone who does not know what that means. It refers to illegal street racing in the States, you can’t say where it is being held, so you say that you were racing in Mexico, where apparently anything goes. Well, you don’t have to do that now, you can race your No Prep, or any car for that matter at Manston Raceway Park. We built this track in seven weeks, I simply cannot name all the people who pitched in to help us achieve this, because I will end up leaving someone out. So I will say thank you to all of them, we made a lot of people very happy last weekend.
While I am at it, a massive debt of gratitude to everyone who joined us for the opening event, our crew at MRP who worked so hard to give everyone the very best experience, especially my family Sam and Max Marston, who believed in my passion, dream and determination to make this a reality.
The racers who are the show, you all stepped up to the mark and put on one hell of a show. The spectators who joined us at our very first event. I hope you enjoyed the show as much as we did.
We are back again 3rd-4th May, Mayday Bank Holiday when we do it all again along with Velocity Vintage Drags. Please follow our FB page Manston Raceway Park and for tickets click here.
Congratulations to the winners of the first round of the 2025 at Manston Park Raceway:
SATURDAY
- BIG TYRE - PSYCHO PHILL DREWITT def. JOHN BEAM
- SMALL TYRE - PSYCHO PHILL DREWITT DEF, DAVE VINCEC
- TAILGATE - JAMES GREW def. BILL WILSON
- TRUE STREET - AARON SPRINGFORD - TERRY DEW
SUNDAY
- BIG TYRE - JOHN BEAM def. CHRIS MILLS
- SMALL TYRE - PSYCHO PHILL DREWITT def. DAVE VINCEC
- TAILGATE - BILL WILSON def. TERRY DEW
- TRUE STREET - JOHN BEAN def. AARON SPRINGFORD
Thanks Callum Pudge for allowing Eurodragster.com to use some of his pictures, you can see his full gallery of the event by visiting Pudgey's Pictures Facebook page at this link
Thanks to Martyn Greathead for sending the results and report from Straightliners Round 2 at Melbourne Raceway last weekend:
Fantastic turnout for the first MELBOURNE RACEWAY meeting of the year with big crowds witnessing some epic racing and another new track record from Graham Sykes and the FORCE OF NATURE steam rocket bike running a 3.37sec at 169.63mph.
Congratulations to the winners of the second round of the 2025 championship:
6 SEC CLASS - In the semi’s Chris Hodgson beat Phil Tomlinson and Jamie Brookes beat Mark Taylor. The final saw Chris get one over on Jamie with a near perfect 6.10sec run.
SIX SIXTY BIKE - First timer Damien Hope quickly got the hang of the Hayabusa turbo beating Colin Fallows in the semi with Peter Slater forcing Chris Jacobs into a breakout. In the final Peter did the same, with Damien breaking out this time.
SIX SIXTY SCOOTERS - In the final Jamie Lawn took the win, Nigel Howard breaking out.
SIX SIXTY JUNIOR - Jet Jackson got through to her first final but was beaten by Alfie Barraclough.
SIX SIXTY SPRINT CAR - Dexter Wilson took the final forcing Jude Elliott into a breakout.
SIX SIXTY CARS - Pete Eborall made it all the way to the final lining up against Bob Molden, Bob taking the win being within 0.02sec of his dial in, a bit close for comfort, and Pete just 0.16sec outside of his dial in.
NO MERCY BIKES - First timer Damien Hope did a sterling job beating Mark Patman and Peter Slater to make the final. Simon Mountford beat Terry Mountford and then got a bye into the final. Damien did a brilliant job to take his first final win running a 6.613sec on a 6.60sec dial in to beat Simon.
JUNIORS - Alfie Barraclough pushed Toby Jackson to a breakout in his semi with Maisie Thornton through on a bye. It was so close at the finish line, too close to call until the win light came on on Alfie’s side of the tree.
JUNIOR SPRINT CAR - Jake Little beat Dexter Wilson in his semi Dexter’s car petering out at half track as the carburettor decided to part company with the engine!!!! Jude Elliott beating another first timer, Charlie Wilkinson. Jude took the final win in a close race, Jake the one doing the breaking out.
JUNIOR ELITE - New bikes for these riders this year to get used to, clutch and gears new to them. William Mountford beat Jack Taylor who stalled on the line Jorja Cleall going through on a bye with William taking the final win, Jorja still getting used to the clutch/throttle control away from the start.
AMERICAN SUPER STOCK - It was good to see a 12 car field of Super Stockers along for a round at MELBOURNE. In the semi’s Jared Heathcote red lit against Craig Elliott who actually ran under his dial in, Lee Chiles going through on a bye. In the final Lee and Craig both went under their dial ins but it was Craig by the least amount taking the win.
NSCC - Ian Walley took honours on Saturday but red lit in round 2 on Sunday leaving Gary Bird on a bye to the final. In the other semi Shane Bird beat Scott Pressland setting up a Bird family final. Gary got the jump on Shane at the start and ahead at the 60 foot mark Gary taking a well deserved win.
Straightliners Championship results and points, which are available by clicking here.
You can check out John Woolfe Racing long term sponsor of eurodragster.com event coverage. A full event gallery can be found by clicking here or by clicking on the Events link at the top of any Eurodragster.com page. We should repeat our new policy that the watermarked photos from our galleries can be downloaded and may be used in social media posts but please do not crop or modify them, in particular we need the watermark retained.
Festival of Power has begun today with testing, unfortunately eurodragster.com today will only have Julian and Diana covering pictures.
We will update when the galleries are completed, you can visit our Event Coverage by clicking here or go via Events in our main menu. Our event coverage is supported by John Woolfe Racing.
Happy Birthday for today to Nostalgia Super Stock racer Ash Rawson, World's quickest Lotus Elise racer Lee Connor and Super Street Bike racer Pete Field. We hope you all have a wonderful day.
£225 is up for grabs at this weekend's Festival of Power courtesy of Eurodragster.com and our sponsors.
This weekend's Eurodragster.com/Bad Habit Racing Perfect Light Award has been set to £75 after it was not won at SpringSpeed Nationals. The money will be paid to the first racer at the event to record a Reaction Time of 0.000 seconds. The Perfect Light Award is available in all classes during both qualifying and eliminations, but will only be awarded for the first Perfect Light of the event. The Perfect Light Award is presented in association with Cath and Tig Napier of Modurstang Pro ET team Bad Habit Racing.
Decals are not mandatory for the Perfect Light Award but we would appreciate it if Eurodragster.com decals are carried. Eurodragster.com decals are available in Signing On or from Eurodragster.com staff.
The Hayley Hadfield Perfect ET Award supported by Andy Hadfield has been reset to £50 after it was won by Pro-ET racer Lee Huxley at the Springspeed Nationals by dialing in 8.62 and ran 8.6206. The money will be paid to the first racer at the event to run +0.000 on index or dial-in. The Hayley Hadfield Perfect ET Award is available in Peter Nee Super Pro ET, Modurstang Pro ET, Hutchinson & Dibley Sportsman ET, W.A. Watts Automotive Super Comp, Tony Morris Carburetors Super Gas, Pro Race Engineering VW Pro, Quantum Leap Racing VW Sportsman, Lucas Oil Junior Dragster, JKE Race Works 8.50 Bike, Atlantic Fluid Tech 9.50 Bike, Warpspeed Racing ET Bike and Eurodragster.com Junior Drag Bike. But will only be awarded for the first Perfect ET of the weekend. The Perfect ET Award is presented in association with Andy 'Fadster' Hadfield of the Twister Race Team in memory of his late wife Hayley.
Decals are not mandatory for the Perfect ET Award but we would appreciate it if Eurodragster.com decals are carried. Eurodragster.com decals are available in Signing On or from Eurodragster.com staff.
The Eurodragster.com Photo Finish Award, will award £50 each to the racers involved in the closest finish of a green light and non-breakout race of eliminations at this weekend's event. At the Spingspeed Nationals the Award was won by 772 Coatings Super Comp racers Steven Hudson and Warren Watts with a finish line margin was 0.0017 seconds or 4.25 inches.
Decals are not mandatory for the Photo Finish Award but we would appreciate it if Eurodragster.com decals are carried. Eurodragster.com decals are available in Signing On or from Eurodragster.com staff.
Thanks to Drag Seen editor Paul Martin who was at Santa Pod Raceway last weekend for the Run What Ya Brung, he kindly sent in some pictures of the day. You can see his gallery at this link, or you can click "News" on the menu bar and then click "Features".
Thanks to Santa Pod Racers Club Secretary Ian Marshall for sending this important information for racers this coming weekend at Santa Pod Raceway for the Festival of Power.
THE MAIN GATES TO THE TRACK WILL OPEN AT 08.00 ON Thursday, 17th April 2025. Unless pre-booked on the test day
EVENT TIMINGS
Please remember for car entrants, if this is the first event you have competed in, in 2025, you must go to scrutineering in the scrutineering building. If you have already done this in 2025, you only need to sign-on, but there are still random spot checks throughout the weekend.
Thursday 17th April
- 08.00 – 18.00 – Signing on open
- 10.00 – 18.00 – Scrutineering open for cars at the Scrutineering building
- 11.00 – 18.00 – Scrutineering open for bikes at the Scrutineering building
Friday 18th April
- 07.00 – 20.00 – Signing on open
- 08.00 – 18.00 – Scrutineering open for cars and bikes at the Scrutineering building
- 09.30 – Track open for qualifying
Saturday 19th April
- 08.00 – Signing on open
- 08.00 – Scrutineering open for cars and bikes at the Scrutineering building
- 09.30 – Track open for qualifying/eliminations
Sunday 20th April
- 09.00 – Signing on open
- 09.00 – Scrutineering open for cars and bikes at the Scrutineering building
- 09.30 – Track open for eliminations
Entry fees must be paid 3 days prior to commencement of the race event entered. There is a fine applied to late payments (late being asked for your payment in the signing on office) this will be £25 for the first offence and £100 for future failings within the race year.
You can view the running orders by clicking here or by clicking "Events" on the top bar and then click "Festival of Power"
Eurodragster.com's coverage page is at this link or go via Event Coverage in our main menu. We plan to post on-track and off-track photographs on each day and there will be also live reports. Our event coverage is supported by John Woolfe Racing.
Thanks to Remco Scheelings from Drag Racing Europe for this article on Tina Høst Nedregård back in the FIA European Championship:
After an impressive debut at Tierp Arena in August 2023, there was a long period of silence around Tina Høst Nedregård. But this season the Norwegian Swede will be back in the FIA European Top Methanol Championship.
You can read on this article by clicking here.
Thanks to Former editor Tog who was at Melbourne Raceway at the weekend's Straightliners Round 2. You can see his galleries of on-track and off-track pictures from day 2 of the event at this link, plus results by going to our event coverage page at this link supported by John Woolfe Racing.
Happy Birthday for today to Wild Bunch/Super Comp slingshot driver Terry Clifford, Wild Bunch racer and blogger Russ Heaven, Nostalgia Super Stock racer Glynn Boardman, and former Wheelgame Racing crew chief Adrian Spencer. We hope you all have a great day.
Happy belated Birthday for yesyerday to Super Street Bike tuning guru Brad O'Connor, Wild Bunch racer Dan Sharp and Nostalgia Super Stock racer, also to eurodragster.com sponsor and committee member Chris Goodale. We hope you all have a great day.
Thanks to Chris Schreier from Santa Pod Raceway for sending this important racer information regarding the pits at next weekend's Festival of Power, Santa Pod Raceway:
With a Bumper entry of 312 vehicles for Festival of Power, pit space will be at a premium, more so than it usually is! Please make sure everyone pitting, is pitted right up against your neighbour. It only takes half a metre between pits to loose a whole pit bay in a row, so every inch counts. Please be courteous of your fellow racers, and take up no more room than you need.
Of note, against the normal layout, 9.50 Bike will be pitted against the track fence, and Junior Drag Bike will be pitting in the car pits, alongside Junior Dragster. Please bear this in mind when entering the pits. Your usual space may have changed. A Pit Marshal will direct you to where you need to go.
We would like to take this opportunity to remind all racers that tickets and pit passes are yours, for you use. The sale or gifting of to someone not in your race team is Strictly Prohibited.
Hope everyone has a safe and fast Easter weekend!
Thanks to Former editor Tog who is at Melbourne Raceway for this weekend's Straightliners Round 2. You can see his galleries of on-track and off-track pictures from day 1 of the event at this link, plus results by going to our event coverage page at this link supported by John Woolfe Racing.
Graham Sykes on is Force of Nature Steam Bike yesterday took another track record at Melbourne Raceway with his impressive run of 3.370 seconds @ 169.63 mph. Well Done Graham, you view his run on the Melbourne Raceway Community Facebook page by clicking here.
Thanks to former Nitro FM presenter Nigel Fitzmaurice for sending in this latest Podcast with: Dan Wellbury, which can be view by clicking here and by clicking the picture on the right.
Happy Birthday for today to former Top Methanol Funny Car champion Leif Andreasson, former Pro Stock Bike racer Gabriella Nikolovska, sometime nitro tuner Herb Andrews, Outlaw Anglia crew and gearbox guru Dave Eady, Outlaw Anglia racer Stephen Brindle and Top Fuel crew member Luke Shakeshaft. We hope you all have a fantastic day.
Happy Birthday for Yesterday to crew member for Ashley and AC Bell Tony Deluca, UK Blowers chief Nigel Jenkins, Speedshop Malta proprietor Simon Blackburn, and Junior Dragster cheerleader Yasmine Bengtson. We hope you all have a fantastic day.
Kieran (MK1Kieran) Jenkins and Callum Pudge are at Manston Park Raceway this weekend for the first event and season opener, we wil be publishing YouTube and Facebook links soon for videos and pictures, all our events are proudly supported by John Woolfe Racing..
Thanks to Debbie Clarke for sending in this Pro ET Springspeed Nationals report by Nova Scotia: Just like that we are underway with the 2025 Season. Springspeed Nationals and we were probably all thinking the same, 3 weeks previous while clearing frost off the windows before going to work. How the hell can we race in these conditions. We were wrong and although still extremely cold the sun did its best and we went racing.
Vic Parsons showing us the way with a .004 off the trailer and if this is how the season is going to progress we are in for some tough qualifying, a few breakouts as the air is amazing. Frankie Taylor in the Best Appearing Car of 2024 as voted by the PRO ET Racers is about to less than expected run up the track, unfortunately ending in a wild ride upside down. Thankfully, Frankie was able to get out unscathed thanks to a well-built car. We all look forward to a speedy return. All the best to Mick, Frankie, and Team Banshee. After a short break and clean up we are back and the top 8 are .0 something. Not bad for the first outing, including Neill Watkins, Simon Innes, John Bean, Rouven Dawson, Don Scott, Jack McClure, and Dave Rudd, 9 teams break out in the great air. New racer to PRO ET for 2025 Collin Morrice shows his natural skill for leaving with a nice 0.01 reaction time. This year is going to be interesting for sure.
After a long qualifying session, we are out for Q2, and the word is Q3 will not happen so this will be important. Warren Watts has a great stab at No. 1 with a .006 off dial closely followed by Tom Watkins .008 and Marc Huxley .009. John Bean goes to No. 6 after his PB in Q1 8.76 well done team. The .0 numbers go to number 20 and its sad to see 2023 Champion Leigh Morris although going quick unqualified.
Returning this season it’s great to see Paul Jess Bishop back and they are on form with Jess in at No.10, the ladder is set for Sunday morning.
So, the evening presentation for the first event of the year started with our usual unfinished business and trophies to be handed out to racers who were unable to attend the Awards night and trust me it was a tough moment handing Team Banshee the Best Appearing Car of 2024 Trophy.
- Number 1 Off the Trailer, Sponsored by GTM Racing was presented to Vic Parsons who took the £50 prize money and Trophy as a Sponsorship member.
- Number 1 Qualifier Overall was also presented to Vic Parsons, he wasn’t letting anyone get round him this weekend!
- Nick Muggeridge took the trophy and money for Taking out No.1 Qualifier in Eliminations, sponsored by Team Nove Scotia.
- Collin Morrice took Best Reaction Time During Qualifying Trophy for his 0.01, well done Collin
Every team at this event agreed to the following as we presented all Tenner Ladies funds collected this weekend and all left over monies from the previous rained out National Finals to Team Banshee to help in the rebuild. Thank you to every racer in supporting this decision.
Buttons Holes also donated a 10% off first order voucher which was given to the Number 1 Qualifier, Vic, who in return kindly donated to Team Banshee.
Elimination Round One:
- Vic Parsons goes .01 off dial for the win.
- Mason Griffiths .01 off dial for the win
- Don Scott .01 off dial for the win
- Collin Morrice takes the win as I struggled to shift gears in the amazing John Bean loan car, sorry team.
- Simon Innes beat a breakout by Dave Cherrett
- Bob Molden is a holeshot win over Doug McClure
- Darren Huxley beats Matthew Dowdy
- John Bean goes .01 off dial as Charles Seward breaks out.
- Tom Kaye breaks out by -0.0002 ouch! To give Neill Watkins the win who went 0.0007.
- Bill Wilson breaks out to give Nick Muggeridge the win.
- Amy Watkins takes a nice heads-up win.
- Jess Bishop takes the first eliminations cherry of the year to allow Billy Everitt through
- Tom Watkins goes through as Ronnie Mercer breaks out.
- Geoff Cowley breaks out to allow Rouven Dawson the win.
- Dave Rudd and Marc Huxley have a super class race with Dave running .009 of dial for the win.
- Stevie Gates takes a holeshot win over Suzie McClure
Elimination Round Two:
- Winners: Bob Molden, John Bean, Mason Griffiths, Dave Rudd, Nick Muggeridge, Don Scott, Tom Watkins and Collin Morrice.
Elimination Round Three:
- John Bean with a great reaction time to beat Mason Griffiths
- Tom “Cherry” Watkins allows Bob Molden the win.
- Nick Muggeridge with a holeshot win against Don Scott
- Dave Rudd breaksout to allow Collin Morrice through.
Semi-Final
- Bob Molden vs Nick Muggeridge and in a double breakout Bob takes the win.
- John Bean vs Collin Morrice and John sees red to allow Collin into his first PEO ET Event Final
Final
- Bob “O.A.P” Molden vs Colin Morrice
- Collin breaks out by -.0031 to give Bob the very Lllloooooonnnng overdue win, hopefully it isn’t another 30 years wait for the next one or probably King William will be sending him a card to go with the trophy!
A big thank you to the new sponsors of 2025: 772 Coatings, Buttonholes, Eurodragster.com, GTM Racing, Performance Unlimited, SPMC Race Engines and to all our existing sponsors who have continued to support Pro ET: AB and C Solutions, Bean and Ballantyne, B H Construction, BLP, CSK Building, Goodale American Speedshop, Garrett Race Fabrications, Harry’s Coachwork and Pit Equipment, Hauser Racing Ltd, Julian Hunt, Huxley Motorsport, Independent Scaffolding, Maverick Diagnostics, Nova Scotia Racing, Oscar, Silverton Aggregates, Simple Smart Homes, Supercharged Outlaws, Three Brothers Brewing Co., J Turner Upholstery, UK Scaffolding (SE) Ltd, VP Fuels, W A Watts Automotive and Willams Brothers Racing
See you all at Festival of Power
Thanks to Paul Evans from Mad Welshman Photography for sending in a gallery of pictures from the Yam Yam Racing test day, you can view the gallery by following this link.
Happy Birthday for today to Old School Classic Altered constructor and painter extraordinaire Bryan Whitfield, Super Gas and Super Pro ET racer Collin Morrice, and former Shakespeare County Raceway tech guru Simon Day . We hope you all have a great day.
Kieran (MK1Kieran) Jenkin has publish on his Facebook page coverage of the Yam Yam Test day a couple of weeks ago, you can see more by clicking here. Also Kieran has pictures from the Fast Show and Saturday night special both at Santa Pod Raceway last weekend.
Thanks to Santa Pod Raceway for the press release on "Battle of the sexes" at Santa Pod’s Festival of Power which takes place Friday 18th to Sunday 20th April.
Of 312 drivers and riders entered for Santa Pod Raceway’s Easter weekend Festival of Power, 55 are women and girls. Drag racing’s gender-equality profile distinguishes it from other forms of motorsport which struggle to field female participants, and the profile applies to all classes on the track, from Junior Dragster and Dragbike competitors right up to the stars of Top Fuel.
The Top Fuel Dragster match race heading the Festival of Power programme is a prime example – female versus male, head-to-head in ground-shaking, 300mph racing machines. Sweden’s Susanne Callin and Britain’s Liam Jones will limber up for the FIA European Championship which starts in May in a tussle for early-season primacy.
Callin was once Europe’s first 300mph teenager, then spent 14 years away pursuing family life before returning to the track in 2019. Her daughters step up from the Junior Dragster ranks this season. All compete under Santa Pod’s Slick Tricks Racing banner.
Jones, Britain’s foremost Top Fuel racer of the past decade, returns to action after a break piloting a car sporting the livery of Bro Joe, a new coffee brand. The Yorkshireman and his Norwegian partner, Maja Udtian, are a unique couple: both are 3-second, 300mph Top Fuel stars, and former rivals on the track. Indeed, Maja’s career-best figures, 3.806sec/316.55mph, are marginally quicker and faster than her partner’s, a gap he’ll no doubt want to close early on.
By contrast, the opening round of the Funny Car Cup is an all-male affair. ‘Funny Car’ is a misnomer: there is nothing amusing about these machines. They share the same nitro-burning, 10,000-horsepower engines as their Top Fuel counterparts, but crammed into a short wheelbase beneath a lightweight, replica body. They are notoriously hard to handle. A pair of Texans take on a British duo, one a seasoned Funny Car handler, the other an accomplished dragbike racer making his four-wheeled debut.
Last year, Texan Terry Haddock tuned a Swedish driver to Europe’s first 300mph Funny Car speed achieved over today’s 1,000-foot racing distance. Now the Swedish car has a new British owner, and Haddock will drive as well as tune it, as he does at home in America’s NHRA series. Fellow Texan John Hale drives a colourful machine dubbed One Bad Texan (they love their car names, not numbers, in drag racing).
Steve Ashdown flies the flag for Britain in The Undertaker, having won the Funny Car Cup in 2022. The Funny Car novice, Dale Leeks, is a British dragbiker with an American championship under his belt, earned last year in the Xtreme Dragbike Association’s Pro Xtreme division.
Keeping up the decibels, though of a different timbre, the Jet Car Challenge is a smoke-flame-thunder annual favourite at the Festival of Power, while uproarious Pro Mods launch 2025’s Motorsport UK British Drag Racing Championship. Supporting the programme are full UK national championship rounds for cars and motorcycles. Paddock access is free and open – a close-up view of the pitside action is all part of the show.
The Festival of Power is an event for all the family – championship drag racing on the track and all manner of entertainments alongside. The Festival takes place over Easter weekend, from Friday 18th to Sunday 20th April (not Easter Monday).
Tickets are bookable only online by clicking here or telephone the Box Office at +44 (0) 1234 782828. Full event information can be found at this link.
Photos attached:
- Top Fuel Dragster – Susanne Callin (Sweden).
- Funny Car – John Hale (USA).
- ‘Uproarious’ Pro Mod – Andres Arnover (Estonia).
- Junior Dragbike – Hollie King, UK champion.
[ Pictures: / Santa Pod ]
Many thanks to sponsor Peter Walters and points co-ordinator Yvonne Tramm for updating the National and Club SPRC Championship points after the Springspeed Nationals which you can see on our points page by clicking here or on the Santa Pod Racers Club website.
Some news from Australia which saw Damien Harris sets the fastest and quickest Top Fuel time in Australian history. Damien ran at time 331.63mph (534KPH) in 3.683 Seconds which has made him the quickest and fastest Top Fuel racer in Australian history.
NDRC - National Drag Racing Championship released this news article: Damien Harris runs quickest and fastest Top Fuel pass ever set in Australia.
History has been made at the Riverbend Nationals with the packed Dragway at The Bend crowd witnessing the quickest and fastest ever Top Fuel pass in Australian history during qualifying today ahead of Sunday’s racing for the National Drag Racing Championship (NDRC).
Damien Harris ran an incredible 3.683-second pass at 534.23kph over the 1000ft distance in the Rapisarda Autosport International Dragster in the second of two qualifying sessions for the Top Fuel bracket held on Saturday.
Harris’ performance was just one of a number of impressive passes laying the groundwork for another record-breaking Riverbend Nationals weekend, with five three-second and four 500kph+ NDRC Top Fuel passes already recorded before racing begins on Sunday.
XPRO Nitro Funny Car, Top Doorslammer, and Top Fuel Motorcycle qualifying competitors also had the crowd on its feet at Dragway at The Bend, alongside the Aeroflow National Sportsman Championship.
As the sun set on an action-packed day of qualifying, Damien Harris (Top Fuel), Josh Leahy (XPRO Nitro Funny Car), Russell Taylor (Top Doorslammer), and Damian Muscat (Top Fuel Motorcycle) had all top qualified in the group one ranks and will lead their fields into race day.
Harris’ incredible Top Fuel effort was delivered as part of a side-by-side Q2 pass with teammate Wayne Newby and saw him secure the top qualifier’s spot while Newby’s 3.7388 second 524.56kph full candle run alongside Harris saw him easily take the second qualifier position.
Phil Read, who until today had held the Top Fuel ET record after setting it at Dragway at The Bend’s Spring Nationals in October last year, also broke through the three-second barrier to run a very strong 3.791s/521.54kph to claim the third-quickest time of the day.
Top Fuel rookie racer and West Aussie Kyle Putland (4.420s/308.17kph) was fourth quickest, ahead of a newly-returned Phil Lamattina in fifth (6.921s/161.32kph) – the Victorian only recently getting back behind the wheel at last month’s Westernationals after nearly eight months away from drag racing.
“It’s something we’ve been chasing for a while, so it’s awesome,” Harris said.
“I can’t thank the Rapisarda family, Atlantic Oil, Santo Jr., and all my guys enough. They’ve really worked hard between Perth and here to get the car in this spot and make the most of the conditions here at The Bend.
“The car had me pinned all the way. I had a very good feeling it was going to run into the sixties and 330s. I climbed out of the car and asked an official, and he had no clue. I said, ‘Could you please ask someone on your two-way?’ and yeah, it was awesome.
“I’m really happy for Wayne, too. We had two Rapisarda cars running side by side, which is just the dream. I’m just over the moon,” concluded Harris in his trademark reserved style.
You can read more at this link.
Picture credited to NDRC - National Drag Racing Championship
Thank to Bill from Top Speed Automotive and Eurodragster.com sponsor for sending in this latest news on TopSpeeds specials for this month. Bill writes: BLUEPRINT CRATE ENGINE. We at Topspeed Automotive , one of the original dealers for Blueprint crate engines in the UK.
With years of experience and great aftersales service coupled with cheap and easy delivery options we are the people to contact.
For cheapest delivery option on a crate engine or anything else, we are currently loading our 3rd sea freight container of the year so give us a call.
We Also we have direct links into GM, Ford & Chrysler for any of their standard or performance style engines.
Give our experienced staff a call on 01933 225564 or email at this link [email protected]
You can view more on their Facebook by clicking here.
Happy Birthday for today to Santa Pod Raceway commentator Colin Theobald, videographer/crew/SPR commentator Thomas Cook Abbott, former Funny Bike racer Lizz McCarthy Charman, Wild Bunch racer and historian Mick Gleadow, ET Bike racer and Junior Drag Bike dad Leo Lester, and Williams Brothers patriach Keith Williams. We hope you all have a wonderful day.
Happy Birthday for Yesterday to former Top Fuel racer Øyvor Jacobsen, injected Camaro racer Brian Waskett, and Malta photographer Alex Buttigieg. We hope you all had a great day.
Thanks to Robin Jackson from Santa Pod Raceway for sending in this release:
As the UK considers its response to President Trump’s new tariff regime, Santa Pod/Trakbak Racing’s Business Development Manager, Richard Foster-Turner, has drawn attention to two British government websites relevant to race teams and companies which import American goods.
The first website includes a dense, 417-page list of possible US imports (animal, vegetable, mineral) which might attract UK tariffs if the government so decides. References relevant to motorsport can be found, for instance, on pages 158, 329-plus, 384-plus, and elsewhere. See under Documents.
The second website focuses on the government’s consultation to help it decide its response. Comments are invited from businesses great and small.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-seeks-business-views-on-response-to-us-tariffs
Richard Foster-Turner writes:
‘I wonder if the businesses in our wider community need to pitch in with responses to this government consultation. I looked through the list of commodity codes, there are lots relevant to “racing cars” including tyres, engines and complete race cars.’
Non-UK European racers and businesses may wish to consult their own governments and the European Union for advice.
Happy Birthday for today to Pro ET and Super Gas racer Simon Gough, Swedish Top Doorslammer racer Caroline Strand and FWD racer and car detective Sean Prout. Also to Chris Orthodoxou wife Angella. We hope you all have a great day.
Happy Birthday for yesterday to Super Pro ET racer Andy Thetford, VWDRC racer Ken Blomer, Pro ET/Super Gas team member Lauren Molden and Outlaw Anglia team member Michelle Mockford, we hop you all have a great day.
Thanks to UK Comp Eliminator racer, Jordan Payne, for getting in touch with Eurodragster.com to share his latest big news. Jordon writes
“I am very grateful to have recently been offered an amazing opportunity”, Jordan explained. “I’m soon going to be moving across the pond to work for GESi (Global Emissions Systems Inc) and will be getting to spend time with KB Titan Racing, the 2024 NHRA Championship winning Pro Stock team!
VP Racing Fuels’ Freddie Turza connected me with KB Titan last April, when I made a visit to the NHRA 4-Wide in North Carolina. Team owner and CEO of GESi, Eric Latino, gave me a tour of their spectacular facility, introducing me to the team and inviting me to hang out with them at the racetrack. I had a fantastic time and since have been offered the chance to work for GESi and spend some more time with the race team. There’s no way that I could refuse!
I know it’s going to be extremely hard work, but I’m very excited and really looking forward to learning and making the most of the experience!
If I’m able to raise the funding to do so, I’m planning to test and licence in an NHRA Pro Stock car later this year. Driving a Pro Stock car has been a dream of mine since I was 8-years-old, I never thought it would actually be possible, so the fact that there’s now a chance for me to make it happen is incredible!
I’d like to thank everyone for their help and support over the years, without it this moment would never have been possible, and I’m truly grateful.
With my move approaching fast, the difficult decision has been made to list the Corvette up for sale. As I’ll no longer be around to drive the car and my dad is unable to run the car alone, as sad as the decision is, moving the car on seems to be the most logical step right now. Don’t be surprised if you come across an advert online.
I’ll make sure to keep you up to date with my US adventures via Eurodragster and my social media @stickysituationracing. This could be the start of something gigantic, and I still can’t quite believe that it’s happening!”
Everyone here at Eurodragster.com wishes Jordan the very best on his travels, and we will be waiting to see his first win and report here on the site.
Good Luck Jordan! The advert for the car can be found here CORVETTE
Happy Birthday for today to former Top Methanol Dragster racer Derek Flynn, Top Methanol Funny Car racer Sascha Pretzsch, former Junior Dragster racer Katie Ellis, former Top Fuel racer Kim Reymond, and Nostalgia Super Stock racer Billy Mills. Have a great day all.
Happy Birthday for yesterday to Outlaw Street racer Owen Forrest and former Wild Bunch racer Adam Price. We hope you both have a fantastic day.
We are sad to hear this news that the front man Richie of FireForce Jet Funny Cars has suddenly passed away, this devastating news as been released on Facebook today.
Richie aka Front Man / Mr Ignition for Martin Hill’s Jet car family. It all started in 1994 when Martin approached Richie to help him out as he was short of crew,
Richie has been working with Martin for over 20 years and the team has gone from strength to strength including breaking and still holding the world record! As long as Martin runs jets.
As his family, friends and the Fire Force Team process this devastating news, they ask for privacy.
We at Eurodragster.com send our deepest condolences at this sad time to Richie's family, friends and the Fire Force Team.
Happy 60th Birthday to Motor Psycho crew chief Darren Galloway, have a great day Darren.
We here at Eurodragster.com are sad to hear this news from Steve Williams, Steve writes: It is with a heavy heart that I have to inform you all that my brother-in-law and great mate Alan Loten, owner/driver of the nostalgia jaguar power altered Paranoia, passed away suddenly couple of weeks ago. This was totally unexpected and, prior to his death, we had been actively planning for a full season of racing this year with a new engine. This will no longer be possible.
Alan first discovered drag racing in the early 70’s when, on a trip to Brayfield to watch Banger Racing, he and a friend saw a signpost to Santa Pod and decided to see what it was all about. After that first meeting, he never went Banger Racing again but had no idea that he would end up successfully racing a car himself. In the mid 70’s he met Brian Thomas who had started building a car and, with Brian being a welder/fabricator and Alan a mechanic, decided they had the necessary skills so formed a partnership to complete the car.
This was the first of three cars that they built together with all work, apart from the paint, completed by the pair with the cars getting progressively better engineered, faster and more successful as they progressed. The third car debuted in 1981, making it 44 years old now, but it is still running today. Being a race car it has been modified over the years but large parts of it are still original and the overall look is the same.
Alan initially raced from 1975 till 1985 when the pressures of a young family meant he had to retire, but during their partnership Alan and Brian won many trophies and championships domestically and were also invited to race on the continent including the initial French races held on the start finish straight at Le Mans in the early 80’s.
They also attended numerous shows and demonstrations in Germany, France, Italy and elsewhere, where the car won numerous prizes. During this time, the car was involved at Santa Pod in what we believe to be the only race between a car and a bike ever staged there, when they raced Brian Johnson on his pro stock bike with a handicap, to decide a tied championship. They won!
After Alan’s retirement Brian carried on with the car till 1995 when he sold it to Martin Holgate, Martin ran the car till 2009 when he retired and sold the car back to Alan who continued to run it till his passing. Alan’s second stint with the car was supposed to be about fun but it didn’t take long for the old competitive spirit to kick in. Running in the Wild Bunch, he did manage to win some of their trophies and championships to continue the success of the car.
Alan’s funeral will be at: - Hampden Chapel, Chilterns Crematorium, Whielden Street, Amersham, BUCKS. HP7 0ND. on Monday 14th April at 11:30, all are welcome. The family have asked for no flowers, but wear bright colours in Paranoia’s Red, Gold, or Blue if you can, but not essential. It is planned to setup a charitable collection in his memory at a later date.
The family would also like to invite you for refreshments after the service at the Squirrel Pub, Penn Street, Bucks. HP7 0PX, approx. two miles up the road towards High Wycombe. Could I please ask you to drop an email to [email protected] if you are going to attend to give us some idea of numbers for the catering. There is a live stream of the service, but I don’t have the code yet, if anyone needs this info drop me an email as above and I will let you know.
We at Eurodragster.com send our deepest condolences at this sad time to Alan's family and friends.
Thanks to Santa Pod Raceway's Neale Saunders for sending in this latest release on Santa Pod Raceway Renews Partnership with DFDS for 2025!
We’re excited to announce that Santa Pod Raceway has once again renewed its partnership with DFDS for the 2025 season! This long-standing collaboration continues to offer racers exclusive discounted travel across the channel, making it easier and more affordable to get to and from events.
With DFDS, racers benefit from special rates on cross-channel ferry bookings, ensuring a smooth and cost-effective journey before they hit the track. Whether you're traveling from the continent to Santa Pod or heading to a European event, DFDS is committed to providing a hassle-free travel experience.
We’re grateful for the ongoing support of our racing community, and this partnership renewal is part of our commitment to making racing more accessible and affordable. To take advantage of this exclusive racer discount, download the 2025 Booking Form available on the SPRC website or by clicking here. Booking requests should be sent to [email protected], where the DFDS team will handle your reservation.
Here’s to another year of fast crossings and even faster racing!
Thanks to ET Bike racer Robbie Dobbie for sending the ET Bike report from Springspeed Nationals which took place last weekend at Santa Pod Raceway. Robbie writes:
After the torrential downpours forcing the cancellation of the National Finals last year the forecast was cool and windy but dry for the SpringSpeed Nationals. Numbers were slightly down for ET Bike and unfortunately reduced to a 16 'bike field when Jake Boden dropped a valve during Friday testing. Very disappointing for him having knocked 2 seconds off his PB after fitting a turbo to the Suzuki Bandit. Michael Gooding made a welcome return from Comp. 'bike but after qualifying 13th had a problem with the Suzuki twin and elected not to run on Sunday as he didn't want to add to the large pile of scrap parts he already has. Only 2 of our Dutch friends made the trip over, both running in ETB and 8.50. Ralvin Petronilia gave it too much of a handful and was under the 8.70 cut off. Probably a quick word from Patrick Merite put him right for the next session where he qualified at 14 or he would have had a wasted journey.
Allan Davies hasn't finished his workshop and therefore the fuel 'bike so he is still with us on the big old GSX street 'bike. qualifying 7th he took out Ralvin in the first round but lost to Scott Collier in round 2. Patrick was handed the win in round 1 when Carl Hester, with new wheelie bars and a used slick off his dad got close to the wall. Patrick had more luck in round 2 when Nick Playdon, getting used to a turbo setup on the Buell, red lit but his luck ran out when he got a red light against number 2 qualifier Phil Pratt who was having gearbox problems. Unusually Gary Hester, 4th qualifier, had lost to Nick in round 1.
Justin Malton was gifted a first round bye when Michael was a no show. Now consistently in the nines Justin should have been in his nice new leathers but they failed scrutineering for a minor problem. Still no excuse for sleeping on the line in round 2 allowing Phil through to the next round after Dave Grundy on the clean day glo green Triumph had gifted the win to Phil with a bright red light in the previous round.
Peter Harrison had returned in 2025 with a sorted Ducati after a couple of years with starter and fuelling problems. However a huge wheelie against Scott, 3rd qualifier, in round 1 handed him the win.
Chris Venn on the Big Red Harley was the man to beat after qualifying number 1 with a .0074. After a bye in round 1 he faced Robbie Dobbie, who had previously put Kyle (Knievel) Rushby, who had swapped his Hyabusa for his old GSX1100, on the trailer. Robbie on the Honda broke out on a close run but Scott had the measure of Chris and ended his weekend in the Semis.
The final saw Scott Collier, the current 2024 champion, face Phil Pratt where a close race saw, very unusually, Scott break out. Is Phil on course for number 1 again?
Thanks to Bob Roberts for this report of his visit to NEC Classic Show a couple of weeks ago, Bob writes: Following Tog’s feature last year I thought I would try the Practical Classics Restoration show at the NEC, surely it couldn’t be as bad as Autosport.
In terms of pure drag racing content there was one genuine racer, that perennial Gasser Circus favourite Nogbad the Bad. Having said that there was plenty of other interest, more tool stands than you could shake a stick at, plenty of autojumble and some stars on the NSRA stand. In fact the NSRA stand should have featured some period appropriate race cars but as is traditional in March they were all in pieces being prepared for the new season.
A highlight for me was a drive around the NEC area in an LS powered Ford F1 pickup, by far the noisiest offering in the Sporting Bears Dream Rides charity. See more about what they offer at www.sportingbears.co.uk . For those who think sports cars should just be cut up there was both a Porsche and an MGB cut in half. For veterans like myself it was interesting to see John Baldachino’s HA Viva van looking as good as ever 40 plus years after being built although it did present the usual photographers problem of reflection in a black car. And finally there was a display of “barn finds”, truly shocking examples of what could happen to your pride and joy if not looked after.
You can view Bob's gallery by clicking here or by clicking on "News" on the top menu bar then clicking "Features".
Happy Birthday for today to Funny Car crew chief Dave Bryant, Supertwin Top Fuel Bike racer Svein Olav Rolfstad, Pro Stock Bike racer Martin Newbury, 8.50 Bike racer Ivana van den Berg. We hope you all have had a great day.
Yesterday's new article "Perfect Light sponsors Cath and Tig Withdraw." Happy April Fools. Rest assured Cath and Tig are not withdrawing and are continuing their amazing support, we thank them for the long support to the sport.
Latest news that Cath and Tig perfect light award sponsors have decided to withdraw, but don't worry another sponsor has come forward. We would like to thank Cath and Tig for their support over the years.
JSO are the new sponsors, but if want to collect the winnings, stickers are mandatory.
further update will follow as soon as we have it.
Happy Birthday for today to Wild Bunch and Super Comp racer Darryl Howells, and NHRA and Nitro Revival legend Steve Gibbs. Have a great day both.
