English Verison:
A great season for the team, despite the mechanical problems which plagued Carla’s car. The problems also contributed to her placing 7th in the points despite a good start which saw her in third place after achieving the dream of many years racing and getting to the final with Rick at Tallhed in June, where Rick took the win.
She then suffered transmission failure, a broken shock mount and finally a broken rear axle. The transmission failed at the first Piteå race, so she was a no show in the first round and as the next race was also in Piteå the following weekend, and due to the great distance from home she had no choice but to sit it out. The team then travelled to Sundsvall for the following race, left motorhome and trailer with Rick’s car there (huge thanks to the officials there who allowed that, and what a brilliant place to race) and then continued home, where they swapped the transmission, travelling then back up to Sundsvall where they found that a shock mount was broken. Fortunately they found somebody who could weld it up and she could race, but sadly she went out with a red light in the second round, while Rick got to the final.
The axle decided to go out at the second Tierp race, so Carla was able to go home and fetch a ring and pinion from an old combo with 4.56 gears and literally chuck it in the housing in the pits using the same shims. Hey, if it broke, well, it was already broken, and if it lasted at least this race and the next in Sundsvall, great. Then the team would properly replace it with the correct gears, 5.13, and with the tools and the care needed.
However, at least for Carla, the fun part of the meeting at Tierp was the passenger ride she did for the Uppsala Nya Tidning journalist Marcus Mylläri, which resulted in a few articles on the team in the paper and a video on the newspaper website. Marcus seemed to greatly enjoy the ride and wrote enthusiastically about drag racing, so it was extremely fortunate that the axle broke after the passenger run!
The hurriedly installed axle did hold up, but the driver was definitely not at her best, so Carla was out in the first round at Tierp, and after a first round win with a 0.002 reaction at Sundsvall she went out in the second against, you guessed, Rick.
This pairing with your teammate malarkey is going on a lot, and it is unfortunately due to the difference in performance between the two cars, leading to a top 10 qualifying position for the red ’70 and a 20th-ish position for the blue ’84. This results often in a pairing in the first or second round, so some strategic qualifying is needed and must be seriously pursued in the future.
But onto the good news: the sturdy ’84 Camaro, veteran of a thousand huge wheelies, withstood all the battering Rick threw at it and didn’t miss a beat all season. The engine didn’t let us down either, Carla’s built transmission worked a treat despite no freshen up for the last 4 seasons (time to do that now!) and last but by no means least, Rick did a great job driving, taking the win in 3 races (Tallhed, Tierp 1 and Tierp 2), plus a runner up in another two (Vårgårda and Sundsvall). Rick finished the season bagging the Summit EDRS championship, the Mid Sweden Cup championship and getting a runner up in the Swedish Championship. We are very happy with that!
Every victory carried a cherry on the cake. The first came with Rick and Carla getting to the final together, something they had wanted to do since they acquired the second car in 2008 and which they only managed at Brainless Raceway (a 50 foot dragway beautifully built by Bob and Tracy Doyle) when racing tiny Scalextric versions of their cars!
The second cherry (still on the cake, not on the tree!!!) came with the first Tierp victory. Tierp Arena hosts the biggest races, and it is sweet indeed to be fortunate enough to win one such meeting, but to win both of them in the same season is very simply awesome, especially when to do so you have to win 6 rounds.
So we close the season on a high, despite Rick defeating Carla 3 times this season, and the bitter-sweet side of meeting your team-mate is of course that at least one of you will get through to the next round, (or even better, that we get both the winner and the runner up trophies!) but oh boy the team has to do some serious thinking about trying to qualify on opposite sides of the ladder. We keep reading of racers doing that in the States, and it sounds much easier than we found!
We would like to thank the people who helped during the season: Mikael Lind, providing help and advice, class sponsor PPM Racing for their work on Rick’s engine, all track officials and crews, Susanna Sundberg for assisting the team as pit and start line crew whenever she could, Åke Hedberg for stepping in when she couldn’t, neighbour and friend Anne Kokkonen who took care of our cat so well, class sponsors Hansen Racing, PPM, Lundstedts Rör Motala AB, Östervåla Bilplåt and Canmeka AB. Many thanks to the Swedish Stock & Super Stock Association, and of course our fellow Stock/Super Stock racers, who have always lent a hand when needed and who are great fun to race, and eat and drink with!
Swedish Verison:
Heaven & Hell Racing – 2024 Säsongssammanfattning
En fantastisk säsong för teamet, trots de mekaniska problemen som plågade Carlas bil. Problemen också medverkade till Carlas placering 7:de i EDRS-mästerskapet, trots att hon började med 3:e plats när teamet äntligen gjorde vad de hade drömt om i många år och var i finalen tillsammans på Tallhed Raceway i juni, där Rick blev vinnare.
Då gick hennes växellåda sönder, sedan gjorde det också stötdämparfästet, och till sist bakaxeln… Växellådan tog slut vid första tävlingen i Piteå under kvalet, så hon kunde inte tävla, och eftersom nästa tävling skulle ske i Piteå under helgen därpå, och på grund av den långa vägen hemifrån, hade hon inget annat val än att stanna kvar och bara hjälpa Rick.
Teamet åkte till Sundsvall för nästa tävling, lämnade husbilen och släpp med Ricks bil på plats (stort tack till racerbanans funktionärer för att de tillät det) och fortsatte hemfärden, där de bytte växellådan och sedan åkte tillbaka till Sundsvall, bara för att få veta att stötdämparfästet hade blivit trasigt. Som tur var hittade de någon som kunde svetsa det och sedan fick hon tävla, men ett rött ljus på första rundan innebar slutet på hennes tävling, medan Rick fick andra plats.
Bakaxeln bestämde sig att släppa ifrån sig vid andra Tierps tävling, men Carla kunde åka hem och hämta en utväxling från en gammal axel med 4.56 växlar och de formligen slängde in den med samma shims. Om den gick sönder, var den ju redan trasig, men om den höll i sig under den där tävlingen och nästa i Sundsvall, toppen. Senare skulle teamet byta utväxlingen ordentligt med den rätt förhållande, 5.13, och skulle använda de lämpliga verktyg och omtanken som behövdes.
Men allt var inte så dåligt för Carla, för hon hade ganska kul när Uppsala Nya Tidnings journalist Marcus Mylläri åkte med i hennes racerbil som passagerare, vilket resulterade i några artiklar om teamet i tidningen och i en video på tidningens hemsida. Marcus verkade trivas väldigt bra och skrev entusiastiskt om dragracing, så det var tur att axeln gick sönder efter passagerarkörningen!
Den hastigt installerade axeln höll upp, men föraren var inte på topp, så Carla blev utslagen på första varvet vid Tierps tävling och efter ett bra första varv med en 0.002 reaktion vid Sundsvalls tävling blev hon utslagen på andra repan där hon körde emot, ni gissade rätt, Rick!
Att köra mot mans lagkamrat på första eller andra varvet blir ett riktigt plågoris, och den händer på grund av bilarnas olika prestanda, vilket innebär att den röda bilen ofta ligger bland de 10 bästa i kvalificeringen, men den blåa ska bara bli omkring 20:de. Det betyder ofta att de två förarna ska tävla mot varandra på första eller andra rundan. En hel del strategisk kvalificering behövs och måste eftersträvas på allvar i framtiden!
Nu till de goda nyheterna! Den handfasta blå Camaro, veteran från tusen stora hjullyft, stod emot allt misshandel Rick kastade på den och presterade bra under hela säsongen. Motorn svikit oss inte heller, växellådan som Carla byggde funkade utmärkt trots att den inte hade blivit översynad under de senaste 4 säsongerna (dags att göra det nu!) och sist men inte minst, Rick gjorde ett riktigt bra jobb med att köra: han vann tre tävlingar (Tallhed, Tierp 1 och Tierp 2), och var tvåa vid ytterligare två (Vårgårda och Sundsvall), och på slutet vann han EDRS-mästerskapet, Mid Sweden Cup-mästerskapet, och placerade sig tvåa i SM. Vi blev väldigt nöjda med det!
Varje seger hade grädden på moset. Den första var när Rick och Carla blev vinnare och tvåa, något som de hade velat göra sedan de köpte sin andra bil 2008. Den andra grädden på moset blev den första vinsten på Tierp. Tierp Arena är värd för de största tävlingarna, och det känns så skönt att vinna en sådan tävling, men att vinna båda två under samma säsong är helt enkelt fantastiskt, speciellt när man behöver vinna sex varv för att bli evenemangets vinnare.
Vi avslutar säsongen på topp, trots att Rick slagit ut Carla tre gånger. Det finns förstås en bitterljuv sida när vi tävlar mot varandra: åtminstone en av oss får tävla vidare (annars i bästa scenario får vi båda pokaler, vinnarens och tvåans!) men teamet behöver fundera om hur man placerar sig på rätt plats i kvalet. Vi läser om förare i USA som gör det, men det låter mycket lättare än vi fick reda på!
Vi skulle vilja tacka alla som hjälpte under säsongen: Mikael Lind, som gav både råd och hjälp på banan, klass sponsorn PPM Racing som lagade topparna för Ricks motor, alla racerbanans funktionärer och besättning, besättningsmedlem Susanna Sundberg, som hjälpte till när det var möjligt, och Åke Hedberg som ofta blev vikarie när hon inte kunde, Stock / Super Stock sponsorerna Hansen Racing, PPM Racing, Lundstedts Rör Motala AB, Östervåla Bilplåt och Canmeka AB. Stort tack till grannen och vännen Anne Kokkonen, som tog hand om vår katt när vi åkte till tävlingarna. Vi tackar också den Swedish Stock & Super Stock Association, och självklart våra medracare, som alltid har hjälpt till och som är så roliga att tävla, äta och dricka med!
Private testing organiser and FWD racer Scott Lewry has announced this update, Scott writes: Due to there not being enough interest for Monday 30th September this date will not be going ahead as their simplye isn't enough funds to cover the track hire.
I have spoken directly with 80/90% of the people signed on already and I we have over 50 people who have preferred/committed to Monday 7th October. So this will be the new rescheduled date!
Apologies to those who cannot make it but its out my hands to a certain extent and this time of year the weather isn't going to get a lot better, unless we have a rain off then we go again. If you haven't let me know if you want to carry over/credit for next year or a refund please do ASAP.
We have plenty of spaces for people to sign on if you wasn't already.
- £110 Racer and 4 crew
- £10 Camping pp
- £10 Spectators
Payments to [email protected] via PayPal or message me via facebook at this link for payment bank details.
Please pray to whoever you need to and keep everything crossed. Any questions please ask. I will post up a list today or tomorrow of who is currently in.
Dale Leeks announced on his Facebook page yesterday about him licensing in the West Ten Fuel Funny Car over the National Finals weekend. Dale writes:
It was great to be back running on home soil at Santa Pod again after being away for 2 years. This time with more wheels and more power. I’m so hyped to start this journey and there’s been a huge list of amazing people surround me to make this happen.
Where ever I go in the world and race I’m surrounded by just simply the best people which makes it so much fun. I look forward to going back to Maryland in 2 weeks time to race with exactly that. The final round of the Maxx Ecu Pro Extreme Championship against the baddest boys in the 1/8th mile.
Thanks to Nick Brooke-Langham for sending this Gasser Circus report into Eurodragster.com from The NSRA Hot Rod Drags which took place at Santa Pod Raceway on 13th-15th September. Nick writes:
Full of excitement the Gasser Circus drivers descended on Santa Pod for the 6th and final round of the Gasser Circus Showdown. The NSRA Hot Rod Drags would play host to an at times unexpected and unbelievable victory.
The weekend kicked off with a forecast more akin to July & August with glorious sunshine booked in for Saturday and possibly Sunday. This may of course be down to our American driver Dale Snoke, who was back as the Mooneyes Ambassador, and he always tries to pack some Californian sunshine when he attends the UK.
As the drivers fired their engines and went through their warming procedures, 5 of them still had a chance to take the title. They were No.1 Steve Matthews, No.2 Sean Milsom, No. 3 Simon Prest, No.4 Chris Layram and No. 5 Ray Turner. Qualifying could be a significant point in their seasons long racing!
With the Gassers at the end of the fire up road qualifying got underway with at least 4 cars due to miss out with a 16-car ladder in operation.
First pair up was Martyn Hallam in his Hallam, Hallam & Couch Willys lined up alongside Niamh Smith in her ‘Nogbad the Bad’ Austin. Nobody was quite prepared for what followed as Martyn normally pulls a wheelie and he did not disappoint this time, however, although the initial launch was straight the car continued to climb and the wheelie bars were called upon for their services, this is where it got all a bit tricky as it seemed as though one of them dug in and this made the still climbing car turn to the left, so much so that Martyn treated all of those watching to a one wheel stand as he had 3 wheels off the ground it was only the right rear that remained in contact with the strip.
Martyn back pedalled and the Willys dropped so all 4 tyres were now back in contact and he immediately hit the gas again eventually running through on an 11.77 with Niamh close by on a 12.84.
Ray Turner up next racing alongside another Ray this one being of the Irish variety. Ray Turners run of 10.77 put him into the number 1 qualifier spot.
Simon Prest The Rocket was next up with his pit buddy Jason Pickett in his 55 Cherry Bomb, as they left the line Simon had a nice, neat run, while Jason still getting to grips with the power his new Williams Brothers built Small Block was producing headed skywards with a wheelie which saw him land heavily. Simon with his eye on the championship had a poor outcome from his run as he broke out running 10.93, Jason meanwhile ran through at 12.88.
Double 57 time with Keith Bartlett in his Roarin Rat running alongside points leader Steve Matthews. Keith dialled 10.05 and ran a breakout 10.03 while Steve popped a huge wheelie on a 9.47 dial in, the car was a handful and Steve headed towards the centreline but stayed the right side of it with 10.96.
Adam Kruczynski in his Not So Mellow Yellow 55 Chevy dialled 10.99 & in the other lane Sam Glen in the Glen & Glen Austin dialled 10.49. As both cars headed down the track shifting gears, the gantry soon showed they had both ran bang on their dial ins, and impressive piece of racing.
Next up was The Traitor Pop with yours truly behind the wheel, I had dialled 11.24 and after a bit of sideways action in the burnout came to the line with Nick Hewison in his Short Fuse Fordson, Nick having 9.96 on the rear roof section. At the end of my run I had posted an 11.26 and slotted into number 5 and Nick running a 9.96 had gone better hitting his dial which placed him 3rd.
Nurse Stoner Nova driven by Harvey Turner dialled 10.86 and in the opposite lane Pat Hobbs had 11.64 on his freshly sign written Falcon now called Bandito Bird. At the end of their respective runs Harvey had broken out with a 10.79 and Pat safely qualified with an 11.62.
Chris Layram and his Outa Gas Pop ran a 10.10 on a 10.11, whilst John Gibson’s High Roller dialled 10.65 but ran a 12.05, this due to him heading towards the wall on his run and having to back out.
Bad Blood with Ian Turberville at the wheel dialled 12.5 the car now minus its blower as Ian sought a way to make the car quicker, he would eventually run a disappointing 15.30, whilst in the other lane Sean Milsom ran a 10.19 on his posted 10.06.
Jason Darling was out getting seat time in his Chevy Nova 10.30 on a 9.90 dial with an on and off the throttle run as the car scrabbled for traction.
Brian Gibson was on a solo as Paul Dominey had an issue. Brian’s car was built by Dale Snoke who himself was at the side of the startline and could see the 11.48 on the back window, and when the timing stopped Brian had run 11.71.
To finish of the first round Paul Dominey had sorted his issues and he too would solo, having dialled 10.36 at the top end the gantry confirmed he had just run a 10.53.
Round 2 of Qualifying
Glorious sunshine continued as Steve Matthews was keen to get on with it ensuring he was at the front of the Gassers as he was languishing in 14th. Nick Hewison was alongside and both drivers ripped off a strong burnouts Nick had dialled 9.88 and Steve 9.49. Both cars wheelied as they left the line and ran next to each other, with Nick staying number 3 and Steve moving in the right direction up to 9th with a 9.58.
Ian Turberville in his Barracuda was chasing a 12.5 and, in my Pop, I was after 11.24, as it turned out both of us were disappointed as Ian ran another 15 and I ran 11.65.
Keith had a good burnout in Roarin Rat, and as he edged up to the line Simon Prest in The Rocket joined him. Simon ran an arrow straight 11.00 and moved up from 18th to 8th whilst Keith left a cherry but still ran a 10.03 on his 10.00 dial in moving him up to 6th from 19th. Redlights not a factor during qualifying.
Sean Milsom in his Morris van, prepared to qualify alongside Chris Layram in his Pop. Both pulled wheelies off the line and red lights but the run by Sean saw him move up from 11th to 7th and Chris’s 10.08 meant he made no improvement.
Sam Glenn held onto his number 1 qualifying position on his next run whilst in the other lane Ray Irish in Gas Junkie Willys ran 10.18 on a 10.14 and moved up from 21st and nudged Sean down to 8th as he occupied 7th.
Adam Kruczynski dialled 11.09 pulled a cherry and ran 11.10 and Pat Hobbs 11.64 but ran a breakout with 11.61.
Jason Darling dialled 10.00 and went onto run a 9.15, with Niamh in her Austin dialled 12.85 and finished the run with a 12.89
Next the battle of the 55 Chevy’s with Jason Pickett dialling 9.89 and ran a 10.24 that saw him in 16th. Ray Turner in Green Onions on a 10.77 saw him move up from 10th to sixth.
Harvey Turner ran 10.81 up to number 6 pushing his father down one place. Brian dialled 11.48 running 11.57 which saw him stay 15th.
The white Dorset of Paul Dominey dialled 10.36 and ran 10.40 he moved up 7 spots to 9th and John Gibson dialled 10.75 and ran a slowing 12.00.
Marv Hallam on a solo but still produced a beautifully controlled wheelie, as he ran 9.92.
Late in the afternoon down time was still being experienced on the track which delayed proceedings so much so that qualifying ended prematurely. This had an impact on the standings with the 5 main contenders scattered across the qualifying list with Steve Mathews languishing in 15th, Sean Milsom 12th, Simon 14th, Chris 4th and Ray 7th. With points awarded for qualifying positions, 3 of them were not sitting well on Saturday night.
Sunday arrived and the sun Dale had packed appeared to be enough as a fine day greeted everyone.
Eliminations got underway with Ray Irish in his Willys pickup dialling 10.17 taking on number 2 qualifier Adam Kruczynski in his yellow 55 Chevy 10.98. Ray took the win with a 10.25 as Adam ran an off form 11.26
Niamh Smith was up against Nick Hewison number 3 qualifier. Niamh dialled 12.75 and Nick 9.90. Nick was on the chase and a good chase it was with Niamh cutting a 03 light, but Nick went one better with a 02 and so it was he took the win with a 9.93.
Paul Dominey in his 640 Dorset dialled 10.21 as he prepared to race number 1 qualifier Sam Glenn, he had dialled 10.49. This was a great pairing of Austin’s who left almost together a fine side by side race with a double breakout being the end result and Paul taking the win with a 10.13 to Sam’s 10.40 as he broke out be less.
I was up against Pat Hobbs and his Falcon, and he had dialled 11.61 I was still on my 11.24. Pat should have left first but we left at the same time, and I was ahead throughout the run but came off the throttle a bit too much as I ran 11.58 but luckily for me Pat ran 11.33 a breakout handing the win to me.
Chris Layram and Sean were number 2 and 4 in the points and almost dialled identical times with Chris 10.05 and Sean 10.09. A superb race ensued as they poured the power on until they crossed the line. One of the Championship contenders was out, and it was Chris as Sean took the win with a 10.21 to Chris’s 10.18 a 02 win for Sean.
Harvey Turner dialling 10.90 had the chance to influence the title as he had Simon who dialled 10.79. A green light race followed at the tale of the tape Simon took the win with a holeshot his 0.047 better than Harvey’s 0.181 with Simon on a 10.94 to Harvey’s quicker 10.81. Simon was still in the Championship.
Another battle of the Tri Chevy’s with Championship leader taking on number 5 in the points Ray Turner, this was a crucial race for both drivers.
Steve dialling 9.54 and Ray 10.77. Huge wheelie from Steve and the chase was on when by halftrack Steve was almost alongside at ¾ he was, but Ray stayed ahead and crossed the line first but broke out with a 10.75 to Steve’s winning 9.58. Ray too had slipped from contention.
Brian Gibson dialled 11.55 and Keith 9.98. At the conclusion Brian had run a breakout, but frustratingly for Keith he had left just a tad too early.
Eliminations Round 2
With only 3 drivers left who can take the title.
Steve was again at the front of the que, as he prepared to race Nick Hewison in his Short Fuse Fordson. Steve dialling 9.58 and Nick on a 9.90, nerves were high and so was the wheelie that Steve left the line with Nicks Fordson taking a lower angle of attack. The tension could be seen in the way Steve brought his 57 Chevy back down with a landing that made the car bounce, but he was still on it as Nick took a small lead, as they headed towards the finish line would Steve continue to the semi-finals, the lights confirmed yes, he had taken the win with a 9.80 to Nicks 10.04.
As the lights on the gantry went off the third of the contenders Sean Chili Milsom was rolling out of his burnout as in the other lane Brian Gibson in Identity Crisis did the same. 10.14 on Sean Ain’t Misbehavin Van and 11.44 for Brian. If Sean was paying attention the win was his as Brian left early with an oh so close -0002 but it did not seem it as Sean had another exhilarating and pleasing wheels up launch before running through on a 10.16. The Title race continued.
As I brought the Traitor Pop round, I was up against the impressive Paul Dominey I dialled 11.24 and Paul also staying with his favoured 10.21. A green light race followed with Paul chasing me down, I stayed in it and so did Paul with him overhauling me by 1000 feet, no breakout with him running a winning 10.24 with me on an 11.27.
Eyes were soon firmly on the startline as Simon had to win against Ray Irish to keep his dream alive. Simon had 10.92 on his back window and Ray had 10.18 on the rear roof section of his Willys pickup. A green light race ensued and as both drivers shifted it looked like Ray was deploying a new tactic as the fibreglass bonnet of his Willys, majestically rose into the air, and performed numerous spins that Max Whitlock would be proud of, even the landing in the old fire up road was not overly impactive, and it did not seem to put Ray off as he and Simon were door handle to door handle. Heart in mouth time but Simon edged ahead and at the line he had the win with an 11.00 to Rays 10.22.
As the afternoon became even darker with low cloud precipitating the sky the Gasser Circus pits had 4 cars left in competition amongst them were 3 of the Championship rivals, Steve Matthews Honkin Tonkin 57 Chevy, Simon Prest in his Mercury The Rocket, Sean in his Ain’t Misbehavin van and Paul Dominey who was having a stellar weekend ably supported by his brother.
Just after 4pm the gassers were all assembled at the end of the fire up road with the first pairing being Honky Tonkin 57 Chevy of Championship leader Steve Matthews and Paul Dominey in his Austin Dorset. Paul had never been this far in Gasser Circus racing, but he was fired up as was Steve. When given the signal to fire under the direction of their crews both cars came round and burnt out.
As they edged towards the line the tension was palpable amongst the gathered eliminated drivers and crew, so we can only imagine how it felt for Steve. The cars broke the required beams, and we were set, and all hoped for a green light race. Suddenly some of the Gasser Circus drivers assembled at the side began shouting and waving as there were no dial in times showing on the gantry at the finish line. But with both cars in stage it looked like we were going racing, as the tree activated one driver was off and the other the merest of launches before stopping.
Paul was off and on a run that saw the win light come on in his lane. With the Championship leader sat just past the line had the championship taken a dramatic and negative turn for Steve? It rapidly became clear as to why no dial in had been shown, the excitement getting too much for all including the crew in the tower as the timing had been left on RWYB and not activated for Sportsman. Under the direction of the track officials the race was called void and Steve would live again and the Championship was still within his grasp.
As crew went in search of Paul, the other side of the ladder involving Sean and Simon were called to the line. For one of them the Championship would end in a few minutes, and you could not help but recall that Simon and Sean are friends having worked on the Top Fuel car of Daryl Bradford long before they began racing each other, but they lay it all on the line when they race. With Sean showing a 10.16 Sean and 10.90 for Simon.
Simon was last to light the Stage bulb, and as the tree dropped he was first to leave it was all going to plan as he left a green on the tree, but Sean is a determined racer and he was chasing Simon down, but all the way down the strip Simon stayed just ahead and he was still there when they crossed the line, and the gantry confirmed that Sean was now out of the Championship as not only had he broken out with a 10.13 but Simon had run a 10.90 on a 10.90, incredible consistency from The Rocket racing team, but who would he be meeting in the final?
Back at the end of the fire up road, all the drivers and crew from eliminated cars were helping both Steve and Paul ensure they had cooled down their motors.
At 04:25 the cars were once again in their respective burnout boxes, with Steve dialling 9.64 Paul 10.21 both cars rolled into stage and the rerun semi-final was set, could Steve make it through to the final or would Paul who had never made it this far before pulling out a big shock.
Paul left first then Steve was off in pursuit, with a final beckoning for both drivers they were not only on it but they stayed on it so much so that as they crossed the line, both had broken out with Steve running a 9.57 and Paul a 10.16, this meant that Paul had won as he broke out by the least. The Championship had just been turned on its head and the lead Steve had held for the majority in the Championship was still there but only just!
The final pairing in the Gasser Circus Showdown 2024 was now set and with a 5 o’clock cut off for racing the clock was now against the final being run with just 30 minutes of track time left.
Could it get any more intriguing the simple answer is yes, as it began to drizzle, which in the Gasser Circus pits had everyone trying to work out what this meant, if we could not run the final the winner of the round would be Paul as he had qualified higher than Simon and the winner of the Championship would be Steve by virtue of being ahead in the points.
Despite the drizzle the Santa Pod crew did not call the event even as it ticked past 5 o’clock. Back in the pits good but nervous humour was still prevailing with a tense Simon and a dancing Steve, apparently it was a rain dance!
The weather looked to have played its final part in this year’s racing, but as 5:15 arrived the finalists were called to the fire up road and the valiant work of the track crew continued. But then the drizzle intensified, but the Gasser Circus family stayed at the start and the track crew were determined the Gasser Circus Championship would be decided on the strip.
The drivers may have been trying to stay in the zone, but the Gasser Circus teams were having fun, and when Ian and Chris took to the track in the Bluebird to glue the track, a Mexican wave awaited them each time they came back to the start, it was something that will live long in the memory, just as the final round will, with Simon still able to take the title.
Just after 5.30 the track crew work was completed, and the final was on. Simon in the right lane Paul in the other. Simon needed a win to take the title, Paul went straight in and unusually lit both bulbs. Simon, rolled in and lit them his side, as the tree activated Paul was on his transbrake and as Simon left Paul reacted leaving a red on the tree, no one wants to see a final decided like this, but as Simon powered down the track he had 10.99 seconds to consider that he had driven all the way to not only the winners circle, but he had become the 2024 Gasser Circus Showdown Champion.
An incredible season populated with numerous PB’s for nearly all the drivers, had ended with an incredible final round. Commiserations to Steve Matthews who was brilliant throughout the year and a special mention to Paul Dominey taking his Dorset to its first final.
Back in the pits Simon celebrated with his crew his sister Rachel, the victory a family affair, Simon gratefully received the Pin from Neil Melliard for winning the event, and the superb winner’s plaque again from the very gifted hands of Neil. Simon was also the recipient of a Mooneyes Jacket that Dale Snoke had brought over on behalf of Shige and it was befitting that the winning car was created and initially raced by Dale in California.
We could not close out our incredible season without some heartfelt thank you messages, to all our sponsors Melliards Modern Lettering, The Rocket Racing Team, Goodale American Speedshop and Tom Margesson. We of course could not do this without the passionate support of our families and crew, plus the amazing crew at Santa Pod who keep us safe and go above and beyond to ensure we get to race, and finally Julian Hunt, we thank you all.
The Gasser Circus returns in 2025, and we all look forward to seeing you all again in the pits and on the strip.
Gasser Circus – Racing the Dream
Thanks to Wild Bunch co-ordinator Claire Meaddows for announcing this update from 36th Hot Rod Drags and end of year results. Claire writes: A fantastic event where we were lucky with the weather and completed 3 full rounds, despite some late sprinkles of rain!!
This event was Wild Bunch Series Round 4, Spirit of Nostalgia Series Round 6 and Roy Wilding Nostalgia Race Cars Series Round 3 (Final). The Wild Bunch had an excellent total of 29 teams participating at the event: 9 altereds, 17 slingshots, 1 rear-engined dragster and 2 funny cars, with 1 British Drag Racing Hall of Fame members amongst them tuning their car with their son driving! 24 teams participated in the competition rounds on Sunday.
You can see full results at this link on www.the-wild-bunch.co.uk.
Claire has also published a detailed account of the class at the 36th NSRA Hot Rod Drags which you can see by clicking here. Her report includes team-by-team updates, the top 4 trophies and 8 spot prizes, with a list of PBs.
A big Thank You to Claire for providing information on points and personal bests for each event to both the commentators and us, much appreciated!
Happy Birthday for today to Comp Eliminator racer Robin Orthodoxou who we hope to see back next year, Outlaw Anglia racer and crew Jedd Guy, photographer Darren Skidmore and Swedish videographer Tommy Ledberg. Also Happy Birthday to Katie Higgs. We hope you all have a great day.
The British Drag Racing Historians are proud to present part one of the John "Jynx" Harrison stories. Originally posted on the 10th February 2023:
This story is told by John ‘Jynx’ Harrison’s son Paul; he recalls his memories of John, the family, friends and the Dragster Developments Team. John with Robin Evemy and Brian Sparrow joined fellow Heathway Engineering employee Allan Herridge to form Dragster Developments in 1962. John himself built a dragster and his DD Atlantic car raced at early drag races in the UK including the 1964 International Drag Festival. After extensive modifications in 1965 it was renamed Jynx in 1966, and Twin Jynx followed in 1972. John continued to work for Heathway Engineering until the 1980s but sadly passed away in 1993.
Part 1 of John "Jynx" Harrison's story is at this link. You can see our list of pioneer stories at this link or by clicking on the link under News in the main menu.
Eurodragster.com would like to thank John Hunt, Nick Pettitt and Mick Gleadow for recording, transcribing, editing and providing illustrations for our stories.
Many thanks to Julian & Diana for covering Saturdat at the National Finals, Santa Pod Raceway, you can see all the pictures at this link, supported by John Woolfe Racing
Happy Birthday for today to statistical guru Andy Marrs, Andy Robinson crew member Nick Chandler, SPR ACU/FIM Chief Bike Tech Inspector Steve Johnson and hot rodder photojournalist Keith Harman. We hope you have a great day.
Happy belated Birthday wishes to site sponsor, Outlaw Anglia co-ordinator and racer Colin Millar, to Nostalgia Funny Car racer Wendy Baker and back up girl Holly Jakes. We hope you all had a great day yesterday.
Good Morning, Eurodragster.com are ready today to bring you live coverage from day two of the National Finals at Santa Pod Raceway, supported by John Woolfe Racing.
We have added a link to send in your pit notes on our events page at this link. you can send them in by clicking here.
To follow our coverage, go to our event index by clicking here or to follow the live reporting click here.
Many thanks to Julian & Katie Higgs for covering Friday at the National Finals, Santa Pod Raceway, you can see all the pictures at this link, supported by John Woolfe Racing
Happy Birthday for today to British Drag Racing Hall of Fame member and former Jet driver and timekeeper at SPR Steve Horn, also to Outlaw Anglia racer Dave Sidaway, to Nostalgia Superstock racers Lola Cavey and Connor Hall and to Supercharged Outlaws crew member for Aaron Windridge, Meghan Evans. We hope you all have a great day.
Good Morning, Eurodragster.com are ready today to bring you live coverage from day one of the National Finals at Santa Pod Raceway, supported by John Woolfe Racing.
We have added a link to send in your pit notes on our events page at this link. you can send them in by clicking here.
To follow our coverage, go to our event index by clicking here or to follow the live reporting click here.
Happy Birthday for today to former Comp Bike racer Ken Cooper, Wild Bunch racer Tim Roy and German TTK Performance Golf racer Markus Welte, also to Draglist.com's John R. Bockelman. We hope you are all having a great day.
The British Drag Racing Historians are proud to present part one of the 1964 Drag Festival Reports:
This is the first part in a series of three race reports from the ‘1st British International Drag Festival’ which happened 60 years ago today. This part covers the first weekend which happened on the 19th and 20th September 1964 visiting Blackbushe Airport on the Saturday and RAF Chelveston on the Sunday. The Drag Festival was probably the most reported event in drag racing history such was the importance of this historic venture, bringing the American sport to the UK and beyond. Reports appeared in countless magazines and newspapers on both sides of the Atlantic.
Story produced by Nick Pettitt and published by editor of Eurodragster.com Chris Winn.
You can view this story by clicking here
Happy Birthday for today to Super Street Bike racer Brad Head, Kejja Motorsport's Jake Wray and Cannon Racing crew member Michael Vickers. We hope you are all having a great day.
Hot Rod Week continues with Day 2: Survive to fight another day! Yeah, it seems this year we have the most cars in the sixes that we’ve ever had, and the most in the 7s as well. But being fast is hard on parts and on day two we already have 35 cars out of the competition.
For comparison, we lost 48 cars over the course of the full week in 2023, so we’re certainly trending in the wrong direction!
You can view Day 2 results by clicking here and follow this link to read more on how the racers are getting on.
Happy Birthday for today to World's Fastest Shed constructor and racer Kevin Nicks and former Super Gas and Pro ET racer Steve Dunn, we hope you are both having a great day.
Patrick and Deena Rose O'Connor have posted on thier Facebook page pictures from the weekend's Hot Rod Drags at Santa Pod Raceway. You can view them by visiting this link. Patrick has videos from the event at this link.
We are sad to hear and report that Ejgil Solkær passed away. Thanks to Ian King for sending eurodragster.com this update, Ian writes:
It is with deep sadness that I learnt of the passing of Mr Ejgil Solkær. As a member of the Danish Federation (DMU – Danmarks Motor Union), he was part of the Road Racing Commission from 1999, serving as Chairman from 2013 to 2018.
He wholeheartedly supported my work with Lars Andersson as fellow committee members to form an independent Drag Race Commission (previously only a subsection of the Road Race Commission).
Although not heavily involved in drag racing he was an enthusiastic Jury Chairman at some Nordic events and spent much time visiting teams in the pits on his trusty bicycle to check if all was OK and if he could help in any way.
His cheery exclaim of `More Power!’ was always a funny moment whenever leaving our team pit (and we often responded with a similar quote from Young Frankenstein – ‘More Power Igor!’ but we were never sure if he got the joke …)
He was a consummate and enthusiastic supporter of motorcycle sport and in 2020 FIM Europe awarded him as an Honorary Member.
I would like to send my deepest condolences to his family, close friends and the DMU, he will be sorely missed.
We here at eurodragster.com are also sadden and send our condolences to his family and friends at this sad time.
(Picture 1 taken from FIM Europe website: https://www.fim-europe.com/, pcitures 2 and 3 from Ian King of King Racing)
In 2024 the SPRC National and Club Drag Racing championships have once again had six rounds of racing for each class, of which the National Finals is the championship deciding event for most classes, writes former editor Simon Groves. Bar the Festival of Power, all rounds have been able to be completed, and our hat goes off to the work of the track and SPRC staff, particularly Ian Marshall who steps down as chief starter after this event but will still be around the track as well as SPRC secretary. Several championships are finely poised at this point, as only a few have already been decided. Our guide below takes you through each class.
Champions in FIA/FIM-E European classes, the Funny Car Cup and the Nostalgia Funny Car Cup were listed in our update on 10th September.
The final round of the Tony Morris Carburetors Outlaw Anglia SPRC Club Championship, was held at the Green Light Nationals in August and congratulations to Colin Millar on the title.
Motorsport UK Pro Modified: Congratulations to Eurodragster.com sponsor by Andy Robinson who secured the championship at the Euro Finals and won two of the five rounds to date. Bobby Wallace, Andy's closest competitor this year has also secured the runner up spot.
Track Worx Comp Eliminator: Gary Carr leads by over one round of racing from Nic Williams, with Dan Williams over four rounds of racing further back. Gary will need to qualify better and go further than Nic Williams to secure the championship. For Nic, qualifying top and winning the event must be his goals to secure the championship.
B Fast R Super Comp: Team Dolly Daydream (Leah Kellett) have a more than two rounds lead over Paul Hudson and Warren Watts who are tied in second place. With seven cars entered, Leah will need to go a round further and qualify better than Paul and Warren to secure the title. Paul and Warren’s best hope is for Leah to drop out in round 1 and to qualify #1 and win the event.
Tony Morris Carburetors Super Gas: Despite not attending the Festival of Power, Stuart Doignie has a more than two round lead over Morrice Boys Racing (Stuart Morrice driving this event) after considering the 200 points all rounds bonus. Dave Fulton is less than a round further back.
Peter Nee Super Pro ET: Scott Hauser is more than two rounds in the lead from Giles & Hartley Racing. With a big field of 25 cars entered, qualifying positions could make up some of the difference so if G&H qualify several places higher than Scott, he will still need to go further in eliminations.
ModUrStang Pro ET: Class co-ordinator Brett Featherstone has a lead over rookie Rouven Dawson by only one qualifying position, but there are two others within two rounds of them, Leigh Morris and Nick Mugridge. Ronnie Mercer is also in the mix. With 31 cars entered, qualifying and eliminations will be tough.
Hutchinson & Dibley Sportsman ET: Gary Lake has accumulated a substantial lead over 50 Shades of Racing (Eurodragster’s own Kirstie Tramm) with Stef Pateman in third place more than two rounds further back. Barring an early exit and Kirstie winning the event and qualifying near the top of the 28-car entry, Gary could be on course for his third consecutive class title.
Topspeed Automotive Street Eliminator: A tight battle has emerged between Tony Higgs and Andy Bond who is one round of racing behind. Al McSweeney is further back by over four rounds. An entry of 11 cars means that Tony needs to qualify well and hope that Andy is defeated early in eliminations, or Andy could be getting his fourth consecutive and fifth overall title.
Lucas Oil Junior Dragster: Luke Mugridge is over a round ahead of Ted Sullivan. Can Luke follow brother Nick and get his first championship - 20 years later? In terms of championship points, these two are ahead of the other competitors in the class, but either could be prone to a poor qualifying performance (unlikely) or being knocked out early in eliminations.
SPRC Club Championship classes
Springbridge Direct Wild Bunch: Congratulations to Team Rebel (twin brothers Pete and Rob Brown) who secured the championship at the Green Light Nationals.
Pro Race Engineering VW Pro: James Hodson is more than two rounds of racing ahead of Chris Waterhouse with Hazel Carter more than two rounds further back.
Quantum Leap Racing VW Sportsman: Jordan Clark leads Paul Robinson by less than one round of racing. Nigel Gregg is more than one round further back.
Outlaw Flat Four: Leader Adam Lowe is not on the entry list – if he must miss the event, he leaves the door open to Darren Sheppard, and the entry of 10 cars makes it likely that Darren can accumulate enough points to overcome Adam’s lead – qualifying better than sixth should suffice.
VP Racing Lubricants Nostalgia Super Stock: Adrian Portelli leads Mick Sharpe by more than three rounds of racing, and with five cars entered, this championship could be decided early in the event.
Bike classes
ACU Banks Night Club Top Fuel Bike: Six bikes are entered which could make this the best ACU round of the year for the nitro burners. Steve Woollatt is just over one qualifying position ahead Phil Crossley and will secure the title if he qualifies and finishes ahead of Phil. The returning Neil Midgley and class debutants Kev Charman and Ryan Davison, in testing mode, will nevertheless provide additional competition for the event title, along with Jiri Lukes who is in 3rd postion currently.
ACU Leeks Landscapes Funny Bike: Points leader Roger Moore’s main competition is Dave Peters who is less than one round behind. With other points contender Eric Richard absent, the championship will go to which of Roger and Dave go further in eliminations.
ACU Taylor's Trophy Super Street Bike: Jake Mechaell is leading by over two rounds from Alan Morrison Jnr with only these two in contention. With nine bikes entered for the National Finals, Jake could take the title by winning one round of racing.
ACU Suzukiperformancespares.co.uk Comp Bike: Danny Cockerill leads the standings by less than one round from Mark Dainty, with Michael Piggott in third more than one round further back. 13 bikes are entered, meaning that Danny needs to qualify well and go further than Mark to secure the title, and Michael needs Danny and Michael to go out early to move up in the final positions.
ACU Eurodragster.com Junior Drag Bike: Hollie King leads Declan Butt by more than three rounds of racing and could secure the title early if Declan goes out in round one.
JKE Race Works 8.50 Bike: Jay Roe leads by less than one round from Craig Wright with third placed Ian Chrichlow no longer in contention after handing his bike over to Scotty Crookston after the Summer Nationals. This should be a tense battle between two tough racers.
Atlantic Fluid Tech 9.50 Bike: Dave Hall is over two rounds ahead of Rob Stanley, and could secure the championship if Rob loses in round one.
Warpspeed Racing ET Bike: Former junior drag bike champion Scott Collier is three rounds of racing ahead of multi time ET Bike champion Phil Pratt with Gary Hester less than one round behind Phil.
You will be able to experience all the drama live at the track if you go to Santa Pod's website at this link to buy tickets to attend the event. You can also see the current points by going to our points page at this link.
£200 is up for grabs at this weekend's National Finals event at Santa Pod Raceway courtesy of Eurodragster.com and our sponsors
This weekend's Bad Habit Racing Perfect Light Award has been reset to £50 after it was won by Mordurstang Pro ET racer Chris Newsam with a 0.0000 R.T. at the FIA/FIM-E European Finals Event. 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 Tony Morris Carburetors Super Gas racer Don Scott with a 9,7005 1/4 ET on 9.70 dial in at the FIA/FIM-E European Finals Event. 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 Bob's Photo Finish Award, which is presented in association with Eurodragster.com sponsor Bob Roberts, 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 FIA/FIM-E European Finals Event the Award was won by FIM-E/Eurodragster.com Junior Drag Bike racers Hollie King and Anouk Burgering with a finish line margin was 0.03 feet or 0.37896 inches
The closest race will be decided upon distance rather than time since, for example, 0.001 seconds at 230 mph is further than 0.002 seconds at 110 mph. For this reason the official timing data will need to be consulted so the winners will be announced here on Eurodragster.com as soon as possible after the event and the winners will then be contacted for their preferred method of payment. The award will be paid on green light drag races only, and not on bracket races where there is a breakout.
HOT ROD Drag Week celebrates its 20th anniversary with a five-day challenge to crown the Fastest Street Car in America.
HOT ROD Drag Week We're celebrating the 20th running of the weeklong drag-and-drive competition. This year we're heading back to the Midwest September 15 through September 20 with National Trail Raceway (Hebron, Ohio) as our start/stop host track.
- Day 1: Monday, 16th Sept - National Trail Raceway (Hebron, Ohio)
- Day 2: Tuesday, 17th Sept - Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park (Indianapolis, Indiana)
- Day 3: Wednesday, 18th Sept - US 131 Motorsports Park (Martin, Michigan)
- Day 4: Thursday, 19th Sept - Milan Dragway (Milan, Michigan)
- Day 5: (Finals): Friday, 20th Sept - National Trail Raceway (Hebron, Ohio)
You can read more and follow the action on the Motor Trend website by clicking here.
Thanks to Mike Kraaij from DHRA Dragracing Holland for update Eurodragster.com for sending in this report about the Race weekend of Neil Midgley TFB3 in FIM-E during the European Finals 5th-8th Sep tember 2024 when he made his comeback. You can read Mikes report by clicking here.
Santa Pod Raceway's Event Coordinator Max Frost has released this announcement: Santa Pod is on the lookout for Demo race cars and bikes for our Flame & Thunder event on October 26th. Any cars will need to have run 11.99 or quicker, and all bikes 9.99 or quicker to be considered for first batch entry (Junior Dragsters & Junior Drag Bikes are exempt from the ET requirements). To apply, please send an email to Chris or Max, including personal best ET and photos of the vehicle.
Please note for this event spots are not necessarily first-come, first-serve, as we have a quota for the different types of cars and bikes we would like to have. Anyone that doesn’t get a spot in the first batch will be put on a waitlist and will be invited as spots open up. If your vehicle doesn’t meet the ET cutoffs, we’ll also put you on the waitlist for consideration.
Congratulations to the winners at the weekend's NSRA 36th Hot Rod Drags held at Santa Pod Raceway:
Gasser Circus : Simon Prest (10.89) 10.9935/115.92 def. Paul Dominey(10.16) 10.7650/114.34 RED
Outlaw Anglia : Rob Stone 8.3399/158.49 def. Colin Millar 7.9318/161.34 RED
Nostalgia Superstock : Stuart Thomson(9.76) 9.8043/137.69 def. Stewart Arthur(12.32) 12.4619/97.70
Thanks to the Santa Pod Timing Crew for sending us detailed timing data, including test day results, which we have posted to our timing data 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.
You can check out our John Woolfe Racing-sponsored FIA/FIM European Finals reports, results, pit notes and galleries by clicking here or by clicking on the Events link in the main menu at the top of the page. Please join Chris in thanking Graham and Julian for their hard work over the race weekend.
We will publish more highlights and racer comments tomorrow. If you want to send your own highlights of the Hot Rod Drags, write to us via [email protected] or to the editor via Facebook messenger.
Many thanks to Julian for covering Sunday at the NSRA Hot Rod Drags, Santa Pod Raceway, you can see all the pictures at this link, supported by John Woolfe Racing
Santa Pod Raceway released this Funny Car Cup update last week. Thanks to Chris Hobson for sending this and allowing Eurodragster.com to publish:
The 2024 Funny Car Cup came to a thrilling, record-breaking conclusion at Santa Pod Raceway during the European Finals.
𝗞𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗻 𝗞𝗲𝗻𝘁 and the West Ten Motorsport team entered the finals with a commanding lead, having claimed victories at both the Main Event and Bug Jam. Securing the championship title only required qualifying for the event and making it through to the first round, which Kent did with ease, defending his Funny Car Cup crown.
Former series winner 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝘃𝗲 𝗔𝘀𝗵𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻 Undertaker Racing secured the second spot in the 2024 championship, overcoming significant challenges following a unplanned trip into the top end field at Bug Jam, where impact in his car, left the chassis and body too damaged to repair in time for the Finals. In a determined effort to keep their season alive, Ashdown and his crew chief, Dave Bryant, made the long journey to Sweden to collect a replacement chassis and body from Patrik Pers. With the new car in hand, the team completed a full rebuild and qualified solidly for the Finals. A 4.36 pass against Kent's 4.58 in the semifinals earned them a place in the final, where Ashdown would go on to secure the event win.
𝗣𝗮𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗸 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝘀 and the Speedghost Motorsport team arrived at the event following several days of testing with U.S. racer and 2008 IHRA Funny Car Champion Terry Haddock. In the third qualifying session, Pers reset the ET and speed benchmarks with an impressive 4.174-second run at 299.69mph, agonizingly close to the elusive 300mph mark. However, history was made just hours later. On their next run, Pers lowered the ET record further with a 4.169-second pass at a blistering 303.05mph, becoming the first Funny Car in Europe to break the 300mph barrier over 1,000 feet.
𝗝𝗼𝗵𝗻 𝗛𝗮𝗹𝗲, another U.S. racer, piloted the Elsom Motorsport "One Bad Texan" Funny Car in its debut weekend. Originally planning to make a few test passes and gather data, the team ended up with the runner-up trophy. Facing record-setter Patrik Pers in the first round, it appeared their weekend was over, but the Speedghost team was disqualified for a centerline violation, sending the Elsom car into the final against Ashdown's Undertaker team.
The final seemed poised for a fairy-tale debut for Hale and "One Bad Texan" as Ashdown encountered issues early, allowing Hale to pull ahead. However, Hale also ran into trouble, crossing the centerline and handing the victory to Ashdown, who secured the event win and cemented second place in the series.
All four teams left the European Finals with reasons to celebrate, whether it was another championship title, an event victory, record-breaking runs, or a highly successful debut. The 2025 season promises to be even more exciting as these teams look ahead to the future!
Thanks to Lloyd Perkins for sending this Euro Finals report from Team Perkins, Lloyd writes:
Thought we would send in another update after a weekend of issues and bad luck…
First, we was extremely excited to be in extremely tough 23 car field in comp eliminator and to be a part of such a huge event on the calendar.
After the Green light nationals we had some transmission issues where we broke a couple of clusters and had to re weld our fourth gear which took some time and relying on getting some spares Finland, however with all of that being sorted we was ready to make it happen…
We go into Q1 on Thursday, more transmission issues! Which meant we had to pull it out again repairing the same issues which meant we had to sit out for the rest of the day, first issue of the weekend.
Going into Friday we got that sorted and then suddenly, we had a massive lack of power which had our head scratching, meaning we had to thoroughly check the car over to see where we are losing it. It Turns out we had a crack in our distributor cap, meaning we had to frantically search for a new rotor arm and cap, hence the call to all racers, luckily, we found one to get us going.
Moving into our next run, where we thought we had solved the issue, we still had a huge lack of power and after checking again we noticed that whilst we were trying to solve the distributor issue, a nitrous solenoid fancied completely blocking itself!
Then we roll out to round 1 on Saturday night not knowing if all of the issues have been solved and we manage to pull together a 7.85 which was our quickest run of the weekend, however sadly bowing out to Dan Williams with a red light, however we was glad to find the power again, although 2nd gear didn’t fancy pulling! So back to base to pull the gearbox out and sort this issue, however it was just an easy fix, luckily!
So a good few issues to keep us guessing, however it was still great to be a part of it and getting to line up against Carl Cox in qualifying.
I can’t complete another write up without Saying another massive thanks to the Williams Bros and VP for the fuel and oil, it really helps us out and can’t thank you enough!
Also another shout out to Bill at Topspeed and Jemma Hale for picking up a cap for us at such short notice, really appreciate the help.
Now onto the National Finals where Lloyd takes the seat after a long time out, and we can hope and pray for a better weekend.
Good Morning, Eurodragster.com are ready today to bring you live coverage from the NSRA 36th Hot Rod Drags, supported by John Woolfe Racing.
We have added a link to send in your pit notes on our events page at this link. you can send them in by clicking here.
To follow our coverage, go to our event index by clicking here or to follow the live reporting click here.
Many thanks to Julian for covering Saturday at the NSRA Hot Rod Drags, Santa Pod Raceway, you can see all the pictures at this link, supported by John Woolfe Racing
Happy Birthday for today to Top Fuel Bike legend Ian King, Competition Bike racer and Nostalgia Funny Car crew member Philip Leamon, U.S. Fuel Altered racer Brian Hope and VW Pro racer Daniel Pigott. We hope you all have a wonderful day.
Good Morning, Eurodragster.com are ready today to bring you live coverage from the NSRA 36th Hot Rod Drags, supported by John Woolfe Racing.
We have added a link to send in your pit notes on our events page at this link. you can send them in by clicking here.
To follow our coverage, go to our event index by clicking here or to follow the live reporting click here.
Many thanks to Julian for covering Friday (Test Day) at the NSRA Hot Rod Drags, Santa Pod Raceway, you can see all the pictures at this link, supported by John Woolfe Racing
Happy Birthday for today to Nostalgia Funny Car racer Ricky Gowen, ET Bike racer mum Jayne Kay, Good Guys Supercharged Outlaw racer Steve Clarke, Sportsman ET racers Rob and Chris Creswell, Pro ET and Nostalgia Superstock racer Vic Parsons.
We are sad to hear and report that Frank Griffin, passed away on 4th September. Thanks to Colin Pudge for sending eurodragster.com this update:
Sadly, 'Fearless Frank' Griffin passed away on the 4th September after losing his battle with cancer. Frank was a very well-known racer (and dancer in Kenny's Bar) and was almost a permanent fixture at Shakey over the years. Campaigning his red pop in many guises ended up as the wild handling supercharged outlaw.
Frank knew every way down the Shakey quarter with his car, but most of the runs were more than a quarter of a mile as most people remember! When this car was retired, he built with Cliff the widened & lengthened multi championship-winning car in Outlaw Anglia.
Lynn, Cliff and Lorraine would like to thank everybody for their kind condolences online.
Frank's funeral arrangements are now in place and will take place at Oakley Wood Road Crematorium, Bishops Tachbrook, Leamington Spa. CV33 9QP on Friday 4th October at 12:00 noon. Followed by the Wake at Cubbington Sports & Social Club, Windmill Hill, Cubbington, Leamington Spa. CV32 7LN.
Dress code is casual or team colours, family flowers only, Donations to Air ambulance please via a link which will be set up soon by J Deeley & Son Funeral Directors on their website.
Frank's wish was for cars to follow the hearse to the crem. Anybody needing details, contact either Cliff on Facebook or me at this link.
We here are eurodragster.com are sadden and send our condolences to all Frank's family and friends at this sad time.
Julian will be at the track today to cover the start of this weekend's NSRA Hot Rod Drags at Santa Pod Raceway. You can keep track of the all his pictures this weekend.
Also after a great return of the pit notes last week at the FIA/FIM-E European Finals by Dave Nelson, we have added a link to send in your pit notes on our events page at this link. you can send them in by clicking here.
Graham will be covering the live reporting today and the weekend, you can follow the action by clicking here or by clicking the event menu at the top of the page. Coverage sponsored by John Woolfe Racing.
Ant Hill Mob team member Aidan Heatley Smith has been in touch to say good luck to dad and legend Smax Smith who will be competing in the Leverich Racing / Ant Hill Mob Top Fuel Dragster at this weekend Pep Boys NHRA event at Maple Grove Raceway, Reading, Pennsylvania.
Smax (picture courtesy Blackbird's Drag Racing Photography) will be in his second race of the season, following a June appearance at the New England Nationals at Epping NH.
The best luck to him and the team, with 19 Top Fuel Dragsters entered, Smax will need to run quick to qualify for eliminations.
Many thanks to Santa Pod Racers Club secretary Ian Marshall for sending us details of track opening and signing on at the National Finals being held next weekend 20th-22nd September, including scrutineering times.
The main gates to the track will open at 09.00am on Thursday, 19th September.
Thursday 19th September
- 9.00 – 18.00 – Signing on open
- 10.30 – 18.00 – Scrutineering open for cars at the Scrutineering building
- 13.30 – 18.00 – Scrutineering open for bikes at the Scrutineering building
Friday 20th September
- 07.00 – Signing on open.
- 07.00 – 18:00 – Scrutineering open for bikes at the Scrutineering building
- 08.00 – 18:00 Scrutineering open for cars at the Scrutineering building
- 09.30 – Track open for qualifying
Saturday 21st September
- 08.00 – Signing on open.
- 08.00 – Scrutineering open for bikes at the Scrutineering building
- 08.00 – Scrutineering open for cars at the Scrutineering building
- 09.30 – Track open for qualifying/eliminations
Sunday 22nd September
- 08.00 – Signing on open.
- 09.00 – Scrutineering open for bikes at the Scrutineering building
- 09.00 – Scrutineering open for cars at the Scrutineering building
- 09.30 – Track open for qualifying/eliminations
Sportsman Car Racers, please note that you only need to attend Scrutineering if this is your first event in 2024 or you have had major changes to your vehicle requiring a Scrutineering inspection.
Entry fees must be paid 3 days prior to commencement of the race event entered. There is now a small 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 check the running orders by clicking here or go via Events in our main menu. Our event coverage is supported by John Woolfe Racing.
Thanks to Mike Kraaij from DHRA Dragracing Holland for update Eurodragster.com for sending in this Euro Finals 2024 FIA Report. you can read Mikes report by clicking here.
Happy Birthday for today to Pro Modifed racer, and welcome Euro Finals participant, Fredrik 'FastFreddy' Fagerström, Swedish Super Street Bike racer Mathias Bohlin and Swedish race official Oscar Lindgren. We hope all of you have had a great day.
The British Drag Racing Historians are proud to present part one of the Allard Dragon stories:
This story takes a look at the Allard Dragon dragsters that first burst onto the scene early in 1964. Much interest came from the motoring press and excerpts from some of the articles are included along with detailed lists of the component parts used to build these affordable dragsters capable of 11 second runs at over 120mph, available to the public in kit form as an easy step into the growing draggin’ scene here in the UK.
The story was produced by Phil Waters with pics added by Nick Pettitt. and published by editor of Eurodragster.com Chris Winn.
You can view this story by clicking here.
Santa Pod Raceway will be celebrating the 36th annual Original Hot Rod Drags, supported by the NSRA. It’s a hot rod show at the race track! The usual, ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ formula with Pre ’73 RWYB, invited race classes, Wild Bunch, fireworks and much more.
Nostalgia Drag Racing
- Outlaw Anglia - Spectacular Heads-up drag racing from sit-up-&-beg style Fords - Anglia, Popular, Fordson or Prefect.
- Gasser Circus - A drag race series formed to keep alive the spirit & traditions of the Gasser Wars.
- Supercharged Outlaws - Supercharged dragsters, altereds and door slammers.
- Wild Bunch - Nostalgia slingshots, altereds and dragsters.
Additional trophies for the quickest ET & Quickest Flathead. (Sat & Sun)
Flathead Meltdown - Having formed in the 80s/90s and having been run at Shakespeare County Raceway for several years, the Flathead Meltdown is making its welcomed return to the Hot Rod Drags this weekend at Santa Pod Raceway. Open to flathead vehicles only, these Hot Rods are required to be period correct, meaning no disc brakes, coil overs or radial tyres. (Fri, Sat & Sun)
Dirty Dozen - These are trophies awarded by the NSRA committee. The cars don’t have to be the shiniest or prettiest, they certainly don’t have to be the quickest but they are judged to have been representative of the ‘Spirit of the Event’. The only criteria is that they must have been put through their paces on the quarter mile at some point over the weekend. (Sun)
Cracklefest - There will be a cracklefest with cars lining up and all firing up together. (Sat)
Firestorm Jet Car - Roger Goring's state of the art Ford Mustang bodied Jet car is one of only 3 centre drive Jet Funny Cars in the world and the only one outside of the USA. (Sat & Sun)
Mooneyes Dragster- Mooneyes and their original Dragster were one of the first teams to give the UK a taste of Drag Racing at the Brighton Speed Trials in 1963. Now, we are delighted to welcome the Official Mooneyes team and their replica dragster to Dragstalgia 2024. The chassis is built by Dode Martin of Dragmaster, who built the Original Mooneyes Dragster, with a 350ci Chevy run on Methanol. Get up close and personal to this iconic machine in the pits. (All Days)
Dos Palmas - The beautiful 'Dos Palmas' dragster will be on display at Dragstalgia. This car made it's first appearance in the UK in 1964 and the following year became the first American Dragster to be imported into the UK, setting various records before returning to the US. (All Days)
Funny Car - There will be nitro in the air this weekend as the Thermoreg funny car will be putting in some test passes at Hot Rod Drags.
Graham and Julian will be covering the live reporting and pictures, you can follow the action by clicking here or by clicking the event menu at the top of the page. Coverage sponsored by John Woolfe Racing.
Thanks to sponsor John Tebenham for sending in his report from last weekend’s Euro Finals, JT writes: An outstanding weekend for the Fabulous Lightning McQueen.
We qualified in 8th with a 6.03 dial in, not the fastest but deadly consistent. Kev Slyfield has been helping with our incredible ICE engine and after every run he was just shaking his head as we never broke anything. This would not be possible so a massive thanks to Kev who left with a big bag of used spark plugs.
Eliminations first round a blower car we both shook, but there was no way I was going to lift and with a.04 light we had that. In the second round we had Kim, so Kevin and I chatted how I was going to stage, so same again both .05 lights and we done it again.
We had to borrow fuel from the Stranger Things team a massive thanks for the help. We broke the blower belt, belt covers, burst panel and fuel line. Don't know in what order. An enormous thanks to Andy Robinson who helped us all the way. Unfortunately couldn’t make the call for the semi-final. due to the issue we encountered.
We had a plan to win, and I’m absolutely convinced we could win the whole thing.
We all need help; everyone tells me I need lots of help.
Signseen sponsored a loan to run the pro mod and the BBQ’s. 238.7 mph was our previous best, we went 242.37 mph which was amazing.
Happy Birthday to Santa Pod Raceway's time keeper and race control Neil Boulton, Turner Racing's Vicky Reid and Team Banzai's Steven Russell and Frankenstien nostalgia racer Simon Devos. Have a great day all.
Thanks to Remco Scheelings from Autosport.nl for these reports from FIA/FIM-E European Finals at Santa Pod Raceway:
Euro Finals thriller with bizarre denouement FIA European Championship
The FIA European Drag Racing Championship has experienced one of the most bizarre denouements ever during the European Finals at Santa Pod Raceway. Jndia Erbacher and Jere Rantaniemi started the final round of the FIA European Championship as the number three in the title fight, but at the end of the day they ran away with the European titles in the Top Fuel and Pro Modified classes. In the Top Methanol class, Jonny Lagg had to watch from the sidelines and wait for the outcome of the final before the Swede could celebrate his championship. Only in the Pro Stock class, Jimmy Ålund's 13th title was already certain before the eliminations, but the Swede was surprisingly eliminated in the first round. In the meantime, the grapes were extremely sour for David Vegter. Until the semi-finals, the Dutchman was still in the title race in the Pro Modified class, until his engine broke down in winning position and Vegter went home with a lot of damage instead of a title and the cup.
You can read the full article by visiting this link. (Please note this report will be in Dutch, you can translate the page on most browsers.)
FIM Europe titles at Euro Finals awarded
It was not as exciting as the car classes that competed for the titles in the FIA European Championship during the European Finals at Santa Pod Raceway, but there was still a lot at stake and at the end of the day the champions of the FIM Europe Drag Bike European Championship were honored. Rikard Gustafsson (Top Fuel Bike), Marcus Christiansen (Super Twin), Jörg Lymant (Pro Stock Bike) and Hollie King (Junior Drag Bike) took the double by claiming not only the title but also the race win in their class. In the Super Street Bike class, victory at the European Finals went to Jake Mechaell, but the title for the second year in a row went to Alan Morrison Jr.
You can read the full article by visiting this link. (Please note this report will be in Dutch, you can translate the page on most browsers.)
Those were also the European Finals of 2024
The European Finals at Santa Pod Raceway traditionally concluded the FIA European Drag Racing Championship. As can be read elsewhere on AUTOSPORT.nl, the 2024 edition had everything to offer, from thrilling runs and fast times to drama and euphoria. The course of the race has already been described and here are some other things that attracted attention in the pits or on the track.
You can read the full article by visiting this link. (Please note this report will be in Dutch, you can translate the page on most browsers.)
Thanks to Mike Kraaij from DHRA Dragracing Holland for update Eurodragster.com for sending in this Euro Finals 2024 FIM-E Report. you can read Mikes report by clicking here.
Nick Davies and the Havoc Team announced on Facebook earlier this week, Nick wrote:
"And that was that. We almost couldn’t have asked for a better way to bow out after winning the Ron Hope Memorial Trophy against the Bradford’s Fiat but, after 20 amazing years, it’s time.
The memories we have made with the ‘little green car’ are extraordinary and couldn’t have happened with out the help of some fantastic people and partners. From USAutomotive, 7707 Landspeed Racing, Rat Trap Racing, Santa Pod Raceway, VP Racing, Stewart Bassett, Geoff Stilwell, Tony Thacker, Ron Hope, my team of Rob, Scott, Tom, Thomas, Callum, Eva, Jo and Nigel, and each and every supporter who has bought t-shirts or just wished us well.
Thank you all from all of us. Never say ‘Never!’, but certainly for now, ‘That’s all folks!’
Happy Birthday for today to Straightliners bike racer and Junior Drag Bike constructor David Taylor, hope you are having a great day David.
airdensityonline.com add Melbourne Raceway to their list of tracks covered. You can view the site by clicking here.
Thanks to Robin Jackson for announcing that bookings are now open for the British Drag Racing Hall of Fame’s 2024 Gala Awards Dinner, which takes place on Saturday 23rd November at Oatlands Park Hotel in Weybridge, Surrey.
The occasion celebrates the induction of this year’s new Members, Ray Baskerville & Peter Miller, Martin Hill, the Huxley Family, John Spuffard, and Straightliners, and includes the presentation of the Stuart Bradbury Junior Drag Racing Awards to the season’s Junior Dragster and Dragbike champions.
To request a copy of the booking form containing details of the event and the chosen menus and dietary options, along with directions for hotel room reservations, please email [email protected].
The Hall of Fame could not exist to celebrate drag racing’s history and achievements without the support of our sponsors, to whom we are indebted:
Santa Pod Raceway, Santa Pod Racers Club, Ashdown Bulk Haulage and The Undertaker Fuel Funny Car, USAutomotive, the National Street Rod Association, Straightliners, Lucas Oil Products, VP Racing, Atlantic Fluid Tech, Twister, Eurodragster.com, WA Watts Automotive, Three Brothers Brewing Co., UK Scaffolding and Shotgun Racing, Peter Walters Race Design, Paul Whitehouse Art, JulianHunt.net and Shakespeare County Relics.
Congratulations to the winners of the FIA/FIM-E European Finals, held at Santa Pod Raceway from 5th-8th September:
FIA Top Fuel Dragster: Jndia Erbacher 20.6636/35.87 solo run
FIA Top Methanol: Sandra Bellio 11.6962/66.72 solo run
Nitro Funny Car Cup: Steve Ashdown 5.4706/136.94 def. John Hale 5.4149/138.11
FIA/Motorsport UK Pro Modified: Jere Rantaniemi 5.8997/249.59 def. Andy Robinson 6.4792/169.15
FIA Pro Stock: Robin Noren 11.9685/72.08 solo run
Nostalgia Funny Car: Paul Harris 6.4479/196.38 solo run
Track Worx Comp Eliminator: Jordan Payne(7.96) 7.4637/181.31 def. Ahmed Jamshaid(9.14) 8.5589/167.27
W.A Watts Automotive Super Comp: Leah Kellett 8.9399/173.71 def. Warren Watts 8.9507/150.06
Tony Morris Carburetors Super Gas: Stuart Doignie 9.9022/156.32 def. Peter Creswell 11.5287/89.26
Peter Nee Super Pro ET: Scott Hauser(7.33) 7.3495/178.45 def. AC Bell(8.95) 9.1097/147.10
Modurstang Pro ET: Rouven Dawson(8.88) 16.3868/67.65 solo run
Topspeed Automotive Street Eliminator: Anthony Higgs 7.3521/193.04 def. Mark Todd 8.5345/115.36
Lucas Oil Junior Dragster: Mackenzie Love(8.03) 8.082678.13 def. Teddy Howe(9.30) 9.5163/68.45
FIM-E Top Fuel Bike: Rikard Gustafsson 6.0786/239.86 def. Neil Midgley 7.0949/129.41
FIM-E Super Twin Bike: Marcus Christianssen 6.1433/226.76 def. Per Bengstessen 6.3240/
FIM-E Pro Stock Bike: Jorg Lymant 7.3557/178.46 def. Alex Hope 7.5008/174.41
FIM-E Super Street Bike: Jake Mechaell 6.7512/212.93 def. Alan Morrison Junior 6.9574/179.25
FIM-E Junior Drag Bike Cup: Hollie King(8.45) 8.4604/79.51 def. Jaxon king(13.30) 13.6007/44.14
2024 FIA Champions
- FIA Top Fuel Dragster: Jndia Erbacher
- FIA Top Methanol: Jonny Lagg
- FIA/Motorsport UK Pro Modified: Jere Rantaniemi
- FIA Pro Stock: Jimmy Alund
2024 FIM-E Champions
- FIM-E Top Fuel Bike: Rikard Gustafsson
- FIM-E Super Twin Bike: Marcus Christiansen
- FIM-E Pro Stock Bike: Joerg Lymant
- FIM-E Super Street Bike: Alan Morrison Junior
- FIM-E Junior Drag Bike Cup: Hollie King
2024 Funny Car Champions
- Nitro Funny Car Cup: Kevin Kent
- Nostalgia Funny Car: Tim Garlick
You can see final points tables for the above classes via our Points Standings page.
The event was held in mixed conditions. The indefatigable track crew.
Thanks to Andy Marrs for confirming a new MSUK and a number of European bests which were archived at the weekend, you can view all the records by clicking here.
- MSUK Pro Modified speed: Jere Rantaniemi 252.25mph (405.96kph) backed up by a 250.87mph (403.74kph)
- FIA Pro Modified side by side speed: Jere Ranatiemi 250.87,ph (403.74kph) v Andres Arnover 254.86mph (410.16kph) = 505.73mph (813.90kph)
- FIM Super Twin Top Fuel side by side ET: Per Bengtsson 6.3240 v Marcus Christiansen 6.1433 = 12.4673
- SPR track record Fuel Funny Car speed: Patrik Pers 303.05mph (487.71kph)
- SPR track record Fuel Altered ET: Nick Davis 5.9838
- SPR track record Fuel Altered speed: Nick Davis 239.85mph (386.00kph)
Congratulations to Mordurstang Pro ET racer Chris Newsam with a 0.0000 R.T. who won the Bad Habit Racing Perfect Light Award of £100 supported by Cath and Tig Napier and to Tony Morris Carburetors Super Gas racer Don Scott with a 9,7005 1/4 ET on 9.70 dial in who won the Hayley Hadfield Perfect ET Award of £50 supported by Andy 'Fadster' Hadfield.
Congratulations also to FIM-E/Eurodragster.com Junior Drag Bike racers Hollie King and Anouk Burgering who won the Bob's Photo Finish Award of £50 each posted by sponsor and longtime Eurodragster.com supporter Bob Roberts for the closest finish of a green light and non-break out race. Hollie and Amouk Burgering's finish line margin was 0.03 feet or 0.37896 inches.
Please can the parents of Hollie and Anouk contact Chris Winn at this link or by Facebook by clicking here to arrnage winnings to be paid.
Thanks to the Santa Pod Timing Crew for sending us detailed timing data, including test day results, which we have posted to our timing data 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.
You can check out our John Woolfe Racing-sponsored FIA/FIM-E Main Event 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.
Please join Chris in thanking Graham on Live Reporting, Julian, Diana and Dave Nelson for their hard work over all four days, plus the test day.
Thanks to Remco Scheelings from Drag Racing Europe for this report from FIA/FIM-E European Finals at Santa Pod Raceway:
Jndia Erbacher (Top Fuel), Jonny Lagg (Top Methanol), Jere Rantaniemi (Pro Modified) and Jimmy Ålund (Pro Stock) claimed the 2024 FIA European Drag Racing Championship titles in their respective categories at the European Finals at Santa Pod Raceway. It was an action packed day at Santa Pod with eliminations full of upsets and drama with unexpected outcomes.
In Top Fuel and Pro Modified Erbacher and Rantaniemi started race day from the third position in the championship to claim the title at the end of the day and win the race in their respective categories. Lagg had to wait until the outcome of the final, won by Sandro Bellio, before he was sure about another title. In Pro Stock Ålund already secured his 13th title in this category in qualifying, but lost in the first round of eliminations, while Robin Norén claimed his first win of the season.
You can read the full article by visiting this link.
Thanks to Remco Scheelings from Drag Racing Europe for this report from FIM-E European Finals at Santa Pod Raceway:
The 2024 FIM-E Dragbike season came to a close after a long and spectacular eliminations day at Santa Pod Raceway.
Overnight heavy rain and then some unwelcome delays caused by more rain and oildowns pushed the event completion right up to the local curfew, but with all eliminators decided wrapped up in the gloom and champions crowned.
You can read the full article by visiting this link.
We are sad to hear and report that Julie Willcox, passed away on 6th September after a short illness.
Julie was well known and did so much for the sport and was a hardworking team member at the old Shakey track. She was also a big Wild Bunch fan.
Jerry Cookson posted on facebook
"It is with great sorrow that we have to report the passing of NDRC/NDRA & SCR/APIRA marshal and official Julie Willcox last Friday morning after a short illness. Since the mid eighties Julie had been a part of the Long Marston family when the Warwickshire Drag Strip started to flourish. There wasn't a job on that drag strip that she couldn't turn a hand too whether it was marshalling the racers in the staging, working in race control assisting the timekeepers, pit marshalling to the general pre race and race day paperwork; Julie did it all. Some did say she was the original 'Duracell Bunny'!
Back in those early days of officialdom Julie did find time to race a Ford Sierra in the NDRC Street class at Long Marston and Blackbushe where she named the car 'Jaws'!
Where ever you were on the drag strip Julie would be there offering her advice to new racers and the beloved Junior classes where grandson Richard competes today in Junior Drag Bike with great success.
Julie was passionate about this crazy sport we all love so much and its at times like this that the British drag racing community mourns another tragic loss."
We here are eurodragster.com are sadden and send our condolences to Andrew, Alan, Lizzy, Gemma, grand children Richard, Kimberly and Skyla and to family friends across the British drag racing community Rest in Peace.
(picture by Jeff Land)
Many thanks to Julian & Diana for covering Sunday at the FIA/FIM-E European Finals, Santa Pod Raceway, you can see all the pictures at this link. Also thanks to Dave Nelson for his pit notes over the weekend, you can view the latast notes by clicking here. Supported by John Woolfe Racing
Happy Bithday to Junior Dragster team Dad Chris Redshaw, we hope you have great day Chris!
Thanks to Nick Brooke-Langham for sending in the Gasser Cirus report from VW Action. Nick writes:
Round 5 of the Gasser Circus Showdown, was hosted at VW Action at the end of August. It will be an event long remembered and talked about not least because the racing was so close with new PB’s being posted throughout the weekend for various cars and drivers, the abundance of pit space but above all else within the Gasser Circus ranks, it will be the truly awesome way one car side-lined on Saturday was throughout the evening and night repaired so it could race again on Sunday.
12 Gassers arrived on Friday, Sam Glenn, Paul Dominey, Simon Prest, Ray Turner, Steve Matthews, Nick Brooke-Langham, Nick Hewison, Sean Milsom, Niamh Smith, Chris Layram, and Adam Kruczynski. It was so good to see Jason Pickett back with his Cherry Bomb 55 Chevy, sporting its brand new Williams Brothers engine sat in the engine bay. On Saturday the number of Gassers rose to 13 with the arrival of High Roller and John Gibson. Qualifying had been a frantic affair aided by the tail wind that had many drivers facing the challenge of the wind unsettling their Gasser when on a hard run.
By the end of the fun and games the ladder was set, with some really happy drivers, which I was one having ran my first 10 in The Traitor Ford Pop, Jason had got to grips with his new setup and posted a 9, very impressive.
One driver who was considering his options was Sean Chili Milsom, who along with crew Drew Mason been searching nearly all season to stop the wheelie bars steering the car on launch. Sean is not one to dial out a wheelie as he believes like so many drivers that it’s all part of the show. On his final qualifying run, they had opted to remove the wheelie bars and turn down his two step to lower the hit on the Morris. When the hit came the front rose and kept on rising until the weight bar almost kissed the track and the car began to come back down, unfortunately as it landed the front axle snapped, forcing the wheels in opposing directions and slowing the car, with an additional small puncture to the sump. The van looked a sad sight stranded over the centreline, but with Sean emerging from the stricken van he received a huge cheer and round of applause from the watching crowds. He and the track crew seeing the funny side, when a voice from the crowd shouted out ‘you can’t park that there mate’!
With the Van back in the pits the axle was removed and taken to Tony Pearson’s workshop. Here, an inner sleeve was machined and welded into the axle by Drew and a few hours later they were back in the pits putting it all back together. Reassembly work with others chipping in was finished for the night just after 11pm, to allow time for a few beers with final details completed the next morning.
Sunday arrived and when Sean came round to race, Ian Marshall was not only surprised but gave Sean a round of applause, realising the dedication and skill that had gone into keeping the car in the hunt. Sean was lined up against Paul Dominey in his Austin Dorset, with Sean taking a rewarding win.
Steve Matthews in his Honky Tonkin 57 came to the line against Jason Pickett at the top end it was Steve who had won. Jason was not disheartened he had after all reset his PB with a 9.68 in his 55 Chevy.
Defending Champion Chris Layram in his Outa Gas Pop took the win against Sam Glenn in the Glenn & Glenn Austin pickup. Simon Prest who was number 1 qualifier and he had a bye to the next round.
Adam Kruczynski in his Not So Mellow Yellow 55 Chevy, came to the line against Nick Hewison in his Short Fuse Fordson. Nick wheelied off the line and took the win at the end of the run.
I was next up against Ray Turner, with my Traitor Pop twisting its way out of the burnout I edged to the line as in the other lane Ray Turner in his Green Onions 55 Chevy did the same. Ray is fearsome racer and he showed the way to me taking the win.
It was good to Niamh Smith back in her Austin Nogbad The Bad, and after a successful qualifying Niamh’s form continued as she beat the High Roller of John Gibson.
Quarterfinals and the next few races could impact significantly this year’s Championship as the main contenders were all represented.
Simon Prest in his Rocket Racing Mercury got the jump on Nick Hewison with Nick’s slower reaction time of 0.128, Simon taking the win on a 10.89. Chris Layram had a bye to the semi-final and Ray Turner prepared to race Niamh, who knowing Ray was always good on the tree was just a bit too eager and she too left a red bulb glowing in her lane.
The two drivers at the top of the Championship lined up against each other with Steve in his 57 and Sean in his Morris Van Ain’t Misbehavin. The tree activated and Steve left early leaving a cherry on the aforementioned tree, it was frustrating for him, but even more as Sean left the line and moments later his car fell silent. The fault traced to a short in the switch panel. Sean advanced and some began to think could he possibly go from being out to winning the event.
The semi-final and the supreme effort of repairing Sean’s car had ensured he was able to get this far, but he too was destined to light the red bulb with opponent Simon progressing to the final.
The other pairing was Chris Layram and Ray Turner, the green car semi-final was all but that as the cars reacted to the tree Ray was a tad too early and the red bulb told everyone that Chris was through to another final.
The final pair entered the fire up road which like the pits was now baking in temperatures close to 30 degrees. Both drivers took their respective rides through their burnouts and with the traditional door swinging team in place Chris edged his car towards the line. Simons crew watched as the drivers rolled into pre stage and then Full Stage, the revs rose as the tree dropped, and suddenly we were off and the final underway, it was great to see green lights in both lanes, and the cars were side by side all the way down the strip, the gantry confirmed that Simon had repeated as he had also won last year’s VW Action. The timings told a tale of reaction times with Simons 0.116 to Chris’s 0.231.
Back in the pits celebrations and congratulations took place and Simon was awarded an exquisite metallic blue Pin from the highly skilled hands of Gasser Circus Sponsor Neil Melliard. In an ironic twist Simon also received £50 for being No. 1 Qualifier, this prize fund supplied by his Rocket Racing Team.
The Gasser Circus are so grateful for the support of all their sponsors Melliards Modern Lettering, Rocket Racing Team and Goodale American Speedshop. We are also grateful for the professionalism of the track crew who keep us all safe and sort it all out when it doesn’t quite go how we would all want it to.
The Gasser Circus Showdown, is now finely poised with 5 Drivers still in contention. The final Round at the NSRA Hot Rod Drags will decide just who it is that lifts the trophy and will be the 2024 Gasser Circus Champion. Make sure you don’t miss this, it is going to be an epic battle.
Good Morning, Eurodragster.com are ready today to bring you live coverage from the final day of FIA/FIM-E European Finals, 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 Eurodragster.com editorial team member Dave Nelson for taking time yesterday to see racers and teams in the pits to gather pit notes, you can read Saturday's pit notes by clicking here.
Many thanks to Julian & Diana for covering Saturday at the FIA/FIM-E European Finals, Santa Pod Raceway, you can see all the pictures at this link, supported by John Woolfe Racing
Thanks to Remco Scheelings from Drag Racing Europe for this update from FIA/FIM-E European Finals at Santa Pod Raceway:
Jndia Erbacher, Sandro Bellio, Andres Arnover and Jimmy Ålund number one qualifiers at European Finals
Jndia Erbacher (Top Fuel), Sandro Bellio (Top Methanol), Andres Arnover (Pro Modified) and Jimmy Ålund (Pro Stock) claimed the number one qualifying positions at the European Finals at Santa Pod Raceway in England and will lead their respective categories into Sunday’s eliminations at the fifth and final round of the 2024 FIA European Drag Racing Championship. Three of these four drivers were also the leaders after Friday qualifying and all four also claimed the number one qualifying spots at Hockenheim two weeks ago.
You can read the full article by visiting this link.
Gustafsson, Christiansen, Mechaell, Lymant and Morrison take top spots heading into Euro Finals eliminations
The final two qualifying sessions on the 2024 FIM-E season at the Euro Finals at Santa Pod Raceway shuffled some of the pack, but largely remained as was yesterday (Friday) with one notable exception.
You can read the full article by visiting this link.
Good Morning, Eurodragster.com are ready today to bring you live coverage from the FIA/FIM-E European Finals, 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 Eurodragster.com editorial team member Dave Nelson for taking time yesterday to see racers and teams in the pits to gather pit notes, you can read Friday's pit notes by clicking here.
Many thanks to Julian & Diana for covering Friday at the FIA/FIM-E European Finals, Santa Pod Raceway, you can see all the pictures at this link, supported by John Woolfe Racing
Thanks to Remco Scheelings from Drag Racing Europe for this update from FIA/FIM-E European Finals at Santa Pod Raceway:
Tommi Haapanen, Sandro Bellio, Andres Arnover and Jimmy Ålund leaders after the first day of qualifying for the European Finals
Tommi Haapanen is the provisional number one qualifier in Top Fuel with a great 3.89 second ET after the first day of qualifying for the European Finals, the fifth and final round of the FIA European Drag Racing Championship at Santa Pod Raceway in England. In Top Methanol Sandro Bellio is in the lead after day one, while Andres Arnover stormed to a great 5.78 seconds to take the lead in Pro Modified. In Pro Stock Jimmy Ålund once again claimed the provisional number one qualifying position with 6.62 seconds.
You can read the full article by visiting this link.
Gustafsson, Bengtsson, Mechaell, Lymant and Morrison lead day one at the Euro Finals
The opening day of the last event of the 2024 FIM-E championship at Santa Pod Raceway, England was initially a bit steamy and humid although the second qualifying session held largely in the dusk saw improved air and portents of what’s to come over the remaining two days of the Euro Finals.
You can read the full article by visiting this link.
Happy Birthday to Pro ET racer Chloe Wilkins, Nostalgia Funny Car crew member Dean Betts and Outlaw Anglia racer Col Law. Have a great day all.
Good Morning, Eurodragster.com are ready today to bring you live coverage from the FIA/FIM-E European Finals, 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.
Many thanks to Julian & Diana for covering day 1 at the FIA/FIM-E European Finals, Santa Pod Raceway, you can see all the pictures at this link, supported by John Woolfe Racing.
Thanks to Mike Kraaij from DHRA Dragracing Holland for update Eurodragster.com for sending in this preview for the Finals and from the FIA preview for the Finals at Santa Pod Raceway this weekend. The preview of the classes, full of background information, which you can access by clicking here.
Thanks to Robin Jackson for sending this release on Dragstalgia article in the Classic & Sports Car magazine, Robin writes:
‘Chatty bunch, those drag racers!’
Racers who participated in Dragstalgia in July may recall being visited by a team from Classic & Sports Car magazine wandering the Santa Pod pits on the hunt for material to compile an article in a forthcoming issue. The team were delighted with the reception they received – ‘Chatty bunch, those drag racers,’ said the leader.
The October issue of ‘Britain’s best-selling classic car magazine’ is now on sale and contains an illustrated six-page Dragstalgia feature by writer Ryan Standen and photographer Jack Harrison which includes detailed photo profiles of nine of the racers interviewed. Classic & Sports Car magazine is available on news stands nationwide, price £6.50, and online by clicking here.
Image attached: Classic & Sports Car magazine front cover – October 2024 issue
Congratulations to the winners of the 2024 Straightliners Championship round 7 at Melbourne Raceway last weekend.
Complete lists of ETs and speeds recorded on Saturday and Sunday, including RWYB bikes, are available by clicking on this link. Thanks to Martyn Greathead for supplying Straightliners Championship results and points, which are available by clicking here.
Roger Goring and Julian Webb, jet funny car and Spiderman, put on a great flame and thunder show before blazing down the 1/8th with low 4sec runs, Roger setting a new track record speed of 203mph and Julian on the 200mph mark.
Saturdays first run for Graham Sykes, with the new set up on Force of Nature, endured a wild run but still crossing the stripe at 159mph. Sunday’s run ran much smoother with a 3.64sec run, just shy of his 3.60sec best, at 159mph. the main menu above.
NO MERCY SHOOTOUT BIKES
The 15 bike field eventually whittled down to the final with some close finishes along the way. Andy Higham made it through on his Deofol 500 with Peter Slater, who’d whisked Sue away via helicopter on Saturday night, made it to the other final spot against some tough competition. Peter took the win with another trademark wild ride and another 5sec run, by the way Sue said yes to Peter’s proposal!!
6 SECOND CLASS
In the fastest class it was quite amazing that the top three qualifiers were all on 6.12sec passes, Ian Wicks, Jamie Brooks and Maxine Taylor, with Peter Slater just 1/100th behind on 6.13secs. In the semi’s Maxine red lit against Peter and Ian beat Chris Hodgson. Peter once again lined up in a final but it was Ian who took a well deserved win pushing Peter to a run under 6secs, a 5.94sec for a breakout.
JUNIORS
Once again last round winner, Maisie Thornton made it through to the final pushing William Mountford to a breakout in the semi and Jack Taylor beating Toby Jackson. Maisie was quick away on the green but Jack just managed to cross the line first for the win.
JUNIOR SPRINT CAR
Poppy Brook pushed Jude Elliott to a red light to match up against Dexter Wilson who’d gone through on a bye. Come the final and Poppy had at last got the hang of the tree and was quick away sadly breaking out big style so Dexter took a popular win.
SCOOTER SHOOTOUT
Eric Cope beat Amy Wolstenholme to match up with Stuart McVicker in the final Eric crossing the stripe first.
NSCC SATURDAY
Saturdays 13 car field saw Ian Walley beat Grace Sleath in the semi with James Murray beating Derek Beck for the other place, once again a MK2 Cortina final. James cut a perfect green and was away to beat Ian.
NSCC SUNDAY
Stephen Gilmour made it to the final beating Nick Gunby with Ian Walley beating Craig Brown, who’d done a sterling job to make it to the semi’s, Ian then dispatching Stephen for another win.
NORA ELIMINATIONS
With a mix of bikes and scooters in the NORA Championship and based on the shootout formula of dial ins and staggered tree it was Eric Cope, Lambretta, who lined up against Rob Kneeshaw, Suzuki 750, in the final. Just 0.10 of a sec split their dial ins with Eric leaving first. Sadly Rob was too keen and got himself a red light handing the win to Eric.
We would like to thank former editor Andy (Tog) Rogers for covering the weekend with on and off track pictures. You can check out our John Woolfe Racing sponsored Melbourne Raceway results and gallery by clicking here or by clicking on the Events link in
A very Happy Birthday to former Top Fuel and Super Twin Bike racer Roel Koedam. Have a great day Roel from all of us at Eurodragster.com.
Good Morning, Eurodragster.com are ready today to bring you live coverage from the FIA/FIM-E European Finals, 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 Santa Pod Raceway Commercial Manager Caroline Holden for sending details of the FIA/FIM-E 2024 Championship Trophy evening. taking place this Sunday 8th September after racing at the European Finals.
Winners, second & third place FIA/FIM-E Championship teams are invited to celebrate with their team and collect their trophies at this free event. Each team finishing in the top three championship positions for all FIA/FIM-E classes, will each be given a table for 10 guests/wristbands to attend the event. Teams unable or not wishing to attend the prize giving banquet may donate their tickets to other FIA/FIM-E Championship teams if they wish.
The prize giving will take place in the VIP Hospitality Village. Doors are open from 8pm and food is available from 8.30pm, with all drinks at half price. The evening will be open to all teams after 10pm (or after presentations whichever is earlier) with bar and disco open till late! You can download the event invitation by clicking on this link.
Santa Pod Raceway and Trakbak Racing wish all riders and drivers good luck this weekend!
Many thanks to Julian & Diana for covering the test day at the FIA/FIM-E European Finals, Santa Pod Raceway, you can see all the pictures at this link, supported by John Woolfe Racing.
Happy Birthday to Pro Mod racer Wayne Nicholson, Pro Mod crew member and Pro Doorslammer racer Tony Underhill, and former Supertwins racer and Junior Drag Bike dad Brian Udall Have a great day all.
The FIA/FIM-E European Finals Test & Tune Day has begun today, you can follow the Coverage from Santa Pod Raceway by clicking here.
Eurodragster.com today will have Julian covering the pictures. Live reporting by Graham will be from tomorrow onwards.
We will update when the gallery is completed and uploaded to our Event Coverage by clicking here or go via Events in our main menu. Our event coverage is supported by John Woolfe Racing.
Thanks to Jordan Payne for sending in this announcement that Global Emissions Systems Incorporated (GESi®) will be featured on the Sticky Situation Racing Comp Eliminator Corvette this weekend during the FIA European Finals at Santa Pod Raceway.
GESi®, founded by NHRA Pro Stock / Pro Mod driver Eric Latino, has conducted over 20 years of R&D in creating and testing their patented and proprietary advanced emission reduction technology called Dry Selective Catalyst™ (DSC™).
“I was very fortunate to be introduced to Eric in April by Freddie Turza of VP Racing Fuels,” said Jordan. “Whilst in North Carolina to visit the 4-Wide Nationals at zMax Dragway Eric was very generous with his time - showing me around the incredible KB Titan Racing facility and going out of his way to introduce me to the team”.
Since 2001 GESi® has been involved with the performance aftermarket, offering solutions to those looking for emissions control in their high horsepower vehicles. Filling a void in the market, where inexpensive ceramic converters just can’t meet the demands of these environments.
Today, G-Sport Emissions Systems, a division of GESi®, works with numerous high performance exhaust manufacturers of European, import, and domestic aftermarket downpipes and exhaust solutions that meet or exceed today’s emissions regulations without compromising performance.
“I’d like to thank Eric and show my appreciation by promoting GESi® at the European Finals,” said Jordan. “If you own a performance vehicle and don’t want your catalytic converter to compromise your vehicle’s performance, then G-Sport by GESi® is your solution! I’d like to wish Eric and the whole team at KB Titan Racing the best of luck for the remainder of the NHRA season.”
G-Sport by GESi - High Flow Catalytic Converters website can be visited by clicking here.
Today is the centenary of the birth of late racer ‘King’ Harold Bull who was the first down the hallowed Santa Pod Raceway quarter mile and is a member of the British Drag Racing Hall of Fame.
Also Happy Birthday to Mark Rumble, Crew Chief to Samuel in Junior Dragster and Wayne in Super Gas, Mark is celebrating his birthday at Santa Pod on Wednesday 4th September. Hope you have a great day Mark!
Thanks to photographer Ashley Booth-Dale for sending in his links to Thrustfest from Melbourne Raceway last weekend, you can view them by clicking: Facebook and Flickr. Ashley has send in also this link for his "unofficial 5-second club" list.
Thanks to Events Coordinator Donna Finnegan at Santa Pod Raceway for sending in this announcement, Donna writes:
Friday 6th September in the evening Santa Pod will have the Nitro Session and a message to ALL racers and crew members that they are welcome to watch the Nitro Session from the main Grandstand "free of charge" at the forthcoming FIA/FIM European Finals.
Free entry will be permitted from 5pm (Fri 6th Sept only) with access through gate numbers 111-248. A racer ticket or start-line pass will need to be shown to the grandstand stewards before entering.
N.B We also politely remind you that the Grandstand operates a strict NO SMOKING/VAPING policy.
£250 is up for grabs at this weekend's FIA/FIM-E European Finals event at Santa Pod Raceway courtesy of Eurodragster.com and our sponsors
This weekend's Bad Habit Racing Perfect Light Award has been reset to £100 after no winners at the last couple of events. 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 7.60 Heads up racer John Sleath at the Greenlight Nationals. 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 Bob's Photo Finish Award, which is presented in association with Eurodragster.com sponsor Bob Roberts, 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 Greenlight Nationals Event the Award was won by Eurodragster.com Junior Drag Bike racers Sophie Pollen and Maggie Smallman with a finish line margin was 0.0006 seconds or 0.74522 inches.
The closest race will be decided upon distance rather than time since, for example, 0.001 seconds at 230 mph is further than 0.002 seconds at 110 mph. For this reason the official timing data will need to be consulted so the winners will be announced here on Eurodragster.com as soon as possible after the event and the winners will then be contacted for their preferred method of payment. The award will be paid on green light drag races only, and not on bracket races where there is a breakout.
Thanks to Mike Kraaij from DHRA Dragracing Holland for update Eurodragster.com for sending in this preview for the Finals and from the 37th NitrolympX at Hockenheim. The preview of the bike classes, full of background information, which you can access by clicking here.
ACU UK Championship co-ordinator Ian King has posted the latest points tables online at this link or clicking here. Ian thanks Eurodragster.com former editor Simon Groves for his assistance in compiling the tables.
Happy Birthday for today to former NFAA racer Paul Wratten, Top Fuel crew member Paul Spaxman, Pro Stock/Funny Bike racer Karl-Heinz Weikum, FWD Corsa racer Ian Milne and Schumann Motorsport head Udo Schumann. We hope you are all having a great day.
The British Drag Racing Historians are proud to present part one of the Alan Allard story. Originally posted on the 29th January: Alan Allard watched his father Sydney build the first British dragster in 1960 and saw it run at various sprints and on airport runways throughout the country in the early 60s.
In 1964 Sydney decided he wasn’t going to drive anymore handing the keys to Alan who got his first experience of driving a dragster, jumping from a rally 100 bhp Ford Anglia, to a 5.7 litre V8 supercharged machine. Alan also drove one of the new blown 1500 Ford powered Allard Dragons and was kept busy driving both dragsters at the 1964 Drag Festivals.
A second big Allard Dragster was built at the end of 1964 and Alan was once again in the driver’s seat driving in the rain at Blackbushe during the 2nd Dragfest. Then in 1966 Alan took it to Elvington for a shot at the quarter mile standing start world record.
Alan also ran the Allard Dragoon Anglia at Santa Pod in the 60s taking many Competition Altered wins. Read more by clicking here.
Alan's story was written by Alan, edited by Nick Pettitt and published by Eurodragster.com former editor Simon Groves with help from Andy "Tog" Rogers. All pics are from the Allard Archives unless marked otherwise.
Thanks to Remco Scheelings from Drag Racing Europe for this update from Ivan Sansom & Rose Hughes on Alex Hope:
Raising an eyebrow or two on the FIM-E Euro Finals entry list is the reappearance of Alex Hope in Pro Stock Bike after a few seasons away. With father Chris overseeing the refresh of his old stocker that Alex last steered in the late 2010s, followed by a couple of years in Super Street Bike action, the V&H 2 valve Suzuki could shake things up for those in this year’s points chase.
You can read the full article by visiting this link.
Thanks to Remco Scheelings from Drag Racing Europe for this preview from FIA European Finals, Santa Pod Raceway:
The FIA European Championship is ready for a grand finale at Santa Pod
The FIA European Drag Racing Championship reaches its climax with the European Finals at Santa Pod Raceway, the traditional grand finale of the season. In all four categories the championship is yet to be decided and especially in Pro Modified, where the top four are separated by only a few points, anything can happen and the title fight may last until the final run of the season. But also in Top Fuel Duncan Micallef can’t relax as the championship leader is closely followed by Susanne Callin and even Jndia Erbacher can’t be counted out. In Top Methanol Jonny Lagg is the clear favourite, while in Pro Stock Jimmy Ålund will try to remain undefeated while claiming his 13th European Pro Stock title.
You can read the full article by visiting this link.
Former Eurodragster.com editor Andy (Tog) Rogers is at Melbourne Raceway for this weekend's Straightliners Round 7. You can see his galleries of on-track and off-track pictures from day 2 of the event, plus results by going to our event coverage page at this link supported by John Woolfe Racing.
Melbourne Saturday off- and on-track galleries and best times (courtesy Martyn Greathead) now showing on Eurodragster.com.
Markus Christiansen sent this NitrOlympX report from 23rd-25th August, Markus writes:
Hockenheim weekend was fantastic, we started out the weekend with soft set up and it resulted in a solid qualifying run. We suffered a fuel problem from the previous event in Tierp, but by Saturday we solved the issue and got the bike running smooth at idle again.
On Sunday elimination round one and two we kept in on the safe side with a soft setup to get through the day without any troubles, this was to save the bike for a potential runs. We would have turned the screws, but he didn’t make it and we had to face Chris van Nimmen in final.
We would have loved to turn everything up for the final, but we soon realised we had a big leak on the rear cylinder and a valve spring had broken and we’ve bent a valve. With the issues we worked extremely hard to get everything changed including the head just in time for the final.
We ran with a minimum service and set up, but the bike did run very well, better than we expected and we won the race and the event. This kept our winning streak going since 2022.
Next round is at Santa Pod Raceway for us with the championship already secured, so if the conditions are good, we will have a go at the world record for normally aspirated bikes.
We are there to win the race and that will be our focus if the conditions are good, we will not miss the chance of a record attempt.
Happy Birthday for today to Nitro Revival organiser Cindy Gibbs, Top Fuel crew member Laurie Bamford, Street Eliminator racer Jason Weir, Top Doorslammer racer Mattias Wulcan, Charles Bang Special driver Gavin and Pro ET racer Thomas Bublitz and VWDRC racer Oly Whitehouse. We hope you have a fantastic day.
Many Thanks to Karl Linß for sending in these pictures from the Meguiars Drag Festival, Mantorp Park, Sweden, 26th-28th July 2024. you can see all the pictures at this link, supported by John Woolfe Racing.
Happy Birthday for today to Super Street Bike racer Steve Venables, Banshee Outlaw Anglia racer Mick Taylor, Sportsman ET racer and Junior Dragster crew member Chris Barnes and Åland-based Super Comp Bike racer Kim Hilander. We hope you all have a fantastic day.
