We are grateful to Santa Pod Raceway CEO Keith Bartlett (pictured) for sending a copy of his speech given at Saturday's SPRC Dinner Dance and Trophy Presentation:
A very good evening, ladies and gentlemen, and might say fellow racers.
As always it is a pleasure to be able to have the opportunity at this dinner dance to say a few words to all of you, that is if I can keep it to a few words and those know me well also know that is not likely,
I know that many people, especially my lot (the over 60s) will always say `oh the promoter is pleading poverty again, as usual.`
I would like to outline some of the reality of being a drag racing promoter in today's climate, both economical and weather wise.
I stated in this dinner dance last year that 2024 is likely to be a hard year like 2023, but I did not envisage it being quite as a difficult year at Santa Pod as it was.
In fact, it was the hardest year we have had for over 15 years, excluding the Covid-19 pandemic period. This was a result of a combination of things which resulted in an almost perfect storm situation.
Firstly, the weather between October 2023 and the end of May 2024 was one of continued rain, week in week out. The whole site was waterlogged, and we had to cancel the Festival of Power, which was the second year running.
At Santa Pod we have hardly ever cancelled events and there we were cancelling a major event for the second year running, worse still, the revised date a few weeks later was also rained out. This was a double-whammy, we lost a lot of money and the event and its brand standing was badly damaged after 2 years of cancellation.
In addition, the following Spring events were rained out of badly rain affected. By the time the Main Event came round Santa Pod had lost close to £500k.
The poor weather pretty much continued through to July and when you add the very poor economic situation that has developed over the past few years and especially since the new government have been in power we have seen the perfect storm and a resulting huge financial loss for Santa Pod over the year to December 31st. The impact of this huge loss is that we have not been able to re-invest in the site as we have always, over the winter months in previous years.
There are many areas at Santa Pod that need large investment and upgrading, but even basics like upgrading toilet blocks and shower blocks are now restricted as a result of our 2024 losses. That then has a knock-on effect for this year's events and the facility overall. As I stated at this dinner dance last year, we cannot put tickets up as the changing economic situation demands. We set our ticket prices in November of the preceding year.
Now, as we are entering the 2025 season, we must also keep in mind that people do not have the same amount of disposable income to spend on entertainment and leisure activities.
We saw that last year in the secondary spend being lower than all the previous years, this is likely to be much the same or ever harder. With the ever-increasing taxations being put on companies by the current government along with the public being squeezed on cost of living, which in turn will make them more cautious on what and where they spend their money, given these facts, I know we are in for a challenging year.
Staffing remains a major issue in our sport, by that I mean not just Santa Pod and the skill set we require to run and operate our events, but the skilled mechanics and crew required to run successful professional drag racing teams along with other classes.
We are the most forward motorsport in the world where women are equal drivers to the men competing against each other, there are few other motorsports that have that situation. Why can't we have more women or female mechanics(Suzi-jari Conalla and Annie Wallace)
So how are we approaching 2025 at Santa Pod given the current economic climate?
Many Companies in the leisure and hospitality sector plus the retail sectors are `battening down the hatches` cutting their marketing, advertising and promotional budgets. This is the norm in times of recession for the majority.
My view is quite the opposite and at Santa Pod we are increasing significantly our marketing, advertising and promotional budgets in 2025. This is the time to put your brand out at the front, advertise and market your events, make your event content appealing across the board to all demographics, including the families and young people, all of who are looking for a good day or weekend out.
The competition is not just other motorsports events alone, but the whole outside entertainment sector, It's got little to do with us being in drag racing, it's about entertaining people and giving value for money, at Santa Pod we are working on doing just that and more so in 2025. I firmly believe and from over 50 years experience I feel that this will pay dividends already in 2025 and into 2026.
Along with the families, we are working diligently on capturing youth and the Generation Z market.
To reach this market, we are working closely with a few selected well-known influencers, particularly those with a performance car following. These influencers have huge social media followings in the millions. Already in 2024 we saw great results and with greater participation in 2025 we can look forward to even better returns.
The basis of these partnerships with high profile influencers is that they want to associate with the brand of Santa Pod, and we want to associate with them. We operate the track behind closed doors with no spectators, and they are free to invite whatever and whoever they wish to invite. Both parties get a large amount of coverage on social media and their own `YouTube` channels and social media platforms.
Speaking of social media and the world of digital marketing, which has become the norm over the past 3 years, I feel is now far too congested and almost counterproductive with zillions of ads online daily.
At Santa Pod I am driving us to return to more traditional marketing with printed media, leaflets and flyers etc, along with good old-fashioned large, printed billboard poster banners at the side of the road. It has worked for the music industry forever and Santa pod might not be rock and roll, but it is pure entertainment and at 300mph+, and that is good as rock and roll in my book!
Street Weekend in June was the second year for the event and despite the heavy rain on Friday, overall the event was a huge success, and this year Street Weekend 3 is already looking even better. This format of drag and drive is popular across the USA, Australia and Sweden, although our format is different to other formats.
At the last two years BDRHoF Awards dinner held in November each year, we have unveiled new drag cars acquired by Santa Pod for our future Santa Pod Museum. You cannot build a museum without a selection of cars.
The National Championships which so many of you in this room participate in looks set to be an excellent series this year with increased entries expected despite the economic outlook.
I might add that if you race in either Pro ET or Super Pro ET not only are they very well-supported classes, with big numbers of cars entered, but also so many of the drivers are shit hot on the lights. As I sure my two daughters will find out this year as they step up from the juniors. The MSUK National Championship is a credit to British Drag Racing.
This year I think we will see the Pro Mod class in the British Drag Racing Championship better supported than the last 2–3 years, with European teams running all rounds. This has somewhat been helped by the cancellation of the second round of the FIA Championship at the Tierp Arena in Sweden in June.
Talking of the FIA and FIM European Drag Racing Championship, 2024 was disappointing overall in terms of Top Fuel entries, but Santa Pod benefitted from a very good Pro Mod entry.
The reality is that Top Fuel dragsters bring in spectators. If you only have 3–4 cars and one breaks, the show is not good. If you have 6–8 cars, not only is the whole show more marketable and appealing, but if one or two cars break, you still have a show.
For the 2025 season, we are trying very hard to have at least 4 Top Fuel cars and 4 Funny Car at the two FIA events, with the AAFC appearing at 4 events this year. When we add to that the Nostalgia Funny Cars, especially the Nitro Funny Cars, plus the Jet Cars, then we have a good show giving good track action and entertainment.
As much as I feel the Sportsman and National classes are the backbone of drag racing in the UK, without the big cars, the Fuel cars and the Jet cars, we will not have a same level of income streams. My personal view is that you will see the best and highest level of drag racing in the Sportsman and National classes, but those classes do not put the number of bums on seats that Santa Pod Raceway needs today to trade profitably.
To give you a brief outline on areas and projects that Trakbak Racing and Santa Pod are involved in, starting as always with the FIA and FIM European Drag Racing Championships.
Further afield, some of you will be aware of my and TBR involvement in the Hal Far drag racing track in Malta.
Kuwait project and other Middle Eastern connections for investment in SPR and the FIA and FIM-E Championships.
Tonight is also a good time to talk about the significant changes that have been made to the Medical Department at SPR. Many of you may not be aware of the recent regulatory changes imposed by the CQC. This means that our service has to be registered with the CQC and the standards required are HIGH!
The structure, staffing and service has been completely overhauled to meet those tough standards.
Ryan Marlow who you may know as our senior paramedic will now be the registered manager of the Santa Pod Medical Services supported by Caroline Holden, a new Chief Medical Officer and a new team of experts in their field.
We value the life of every racer and visitor at SPR and our mission is to provide the safest care and lead the way in motorsport medical cover.
- Brief overview on sponsorship at Santa Pod and motosports in general
- Track, team and quantam`s returns
- Sports Media groups and property owners
- Dragstalgia and Doorslammers summary if time allows.
In summary I feel that Santa Pod still has a long way to go to get to where I want it to be. With that said I am proud of what we have achieved over the last 25 years, and for that I include the SPRC and all the track crews that have worked with us during that time. Led by Ian Marshall who has been the best Chief Starter not only in Europe by far, but also Ian would rank as a top level starter in the USA.
In 2025 I know Dave Warren will be looking to fill those boots too. Luckily for us Ian is not going anywhere and will still have a big impact on the track at Santa pod.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the staff at Santa Pod Raceway, which includes 38 people i the main office and around 200+ people contracted in during the season. Some of those staff are here with us tonight.
For all of you attending this function, the racers and crews of British drag racing on behalf on Trakbak Racing I woulld like to say a massive thank you for all of your support of Santa Pod Raceway and continuing to race at our track depsite the difficult times that we are in the UK are living in. I would ot want to do it without you........not much else to say, other tghan to say that real race cars have doors!
Thank you all for the support you have given.
You can view all the pictures from the evening at this link. Once again thanks to Julian Hunt for his hard work and to Santa Pod Raceway/Santa Pod Racers Club for achieving another brilliant and successful evening.
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Eurodragster.com is a leading online destination for all things drag racing. Our platform offers - Live reports- real time coverage of UK and European drag racing events, providing fans with up to the minute updates and in-depth analysis. News - the latest news, gossip, and stories from the world of drag racing keeping the audience informed and engaged. Classifieds- a robust marketplace for buying, selling, and trading drag racing equipment, parts, and accessories.
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Contact us to learn more about our sponsorship and how we can fuel your brands growth in 2025. Email at this link
Happy Birthday to SPR commentator, VWDRC chair and racer, and European FWD promoter Luke Stevenson, Nitro FM producer and IT/audio technical wizard Julian Parsons, ACU bike scrutineer Les Harris and FWD racer Terry Newton. We hope you all have a great day.
World Series of Pro Mod continues today with Q3, you can view all the latest information and galleries by visiting the Drag Illustrated website at this link or via their Facebook page by clicking here. Also click here for the schedule.
Thanks to Luke Robinson of Robinson Race Cars for sending in these 2025 SFI Tour Dates: Hopefully this helps racers have as much time as possible to prepare for their first event after having their parts inspected.
"We trust that most racers will be able to utilize the location that is closest to them and this will be much more convenient than shipping parts long distances for recertification".
Stop 1
England (Santa Pod, SPRC)
Tuesday, 11 March
Santa Pod Raceway
Hospitality Suite
Airfield Road, Podington, NN29 7XA.
Stop 2
Netherlands (DHRA)
Thursday, 13 March
Hotel Ibis Amsterdam Schiphol
Schipholweg 181
Bedhoevedorp 1171PK.
Stop 3
Finland (FHRA)
Friday, 14 March
FHRA Office
Teollisuustie 2
01800 Klaukkala.
Stop 4
Sweden (ME Racing Service AB)
Saturday, 15 March
ME Racing Service AB
Svetsgränd 10
781 72 Borlänge.
Happy Birthday for today to Top Fuel Bike guru Frank Brachtvogel and former Top Methanol Funny Car racer Jonas Staflund, we hope you have a great day guys.
Thanks to Nick Pettitt from The British Drag Racing Historians for sending this very sad news that Drag racer Mick Wheeler passed away earlier this month after a long and happy life.
Like most of the early drag racers in the UK, Mick’s introduction to the drags happened after seeing a newspaper advert for the International Drag Festival in 1964. Mick and some mates went along to RAF Chelveston where the second meeting of the Drag Festival was held and they were blown away by what they saw.
They were particularly impressed by the Willys Gassers and decided they would nail together a Jag powered Model Y Ford and had it ready to race at Santa Pod in June 1966.
They called it Juggernaut and it ran 17 second ETs at first, later getting down to a best of 13.92. For 1967 Mick decided to go it alone and built a Hillman Imp powered rear engined dragster. Mick called it Scorpion and ran the Imp engine in standard 875cc form for 1967.
For 1968 he built a much-modified 998cc engine running methanol through Wal Phillips injectors soon getting into the 12s at just over the ton. He continued racing until 1969.
You can view Mick’s Pioneer Story by clicking here.
We at Eurodragster.com send our deepest condolences at this sad time to Mick's family and friends.
Thanks to Ian Marshall at Santa Pod for updating us with the current news about the Class Title Sponsors for 2025. Ian writes:
The 2025 season is just days away and many of you who have pored over the entry list will note that all bar one class now have a Class Title Sponsor, The class titles that are sponsored by a variety of companies are important to us at SPRC and would ask that the next time you need a product or service perhaps look at using those people that support our sport, remember what goes around comes around, the more we support them the more they can support you and so on.
Comp Eliminator - ASD Fuel Tech
ASD Fuel Tech are the UK authorised dealer and distributor of the full range of Fuel Tech products.
Now in our seventh year working with Fuel Tech, having used other engine management brand It’s easy to see why Fuel Tech is gaining in popularity. Key features are touch screen full dash, data logging, vehicle safety and ease of use even with customer new to EFI engine management.
The system can also be used on carburetted vehicles controlling ignition, power adders, safety and data logging. We are very pleased to be title sponsor for Competition Eliminator 2025 hoping to make more competitors aware of how Fuel Tech can move their program forward. To date, we have many successful customers using Fuel Tech products, you all know who you are and thank you for your custom and recommendations.
Web www.fueltechuk.com, Facebook ASD Fuel Tech, Tel 01302 368774, Email
Super Gas - Tony Morris Carburetors
Tony Morris and Dave Gibbons are delighted to announce that Tony Morris Carburetors will once again be the headline sponsor of the 2025 Super Gas series! As the sole UK agent for Tony Morris Carburetors, Dave Gibbons’ TMC with RDR Performance Carburetors operation will also offer a 10% discount on parts and labour on servicing, as well as keen pricing on new carburetors for Super Gas race car requirements. Tony Morris Carburetors specialize in performance carbs on the 4150 and 4500 Holley platform, and each carburetor is hand built for its application. Not only do TMC supply traditional four barrel racing carbs, they also supply twin blade carburetors featuring the patented upper jets, which provide superior tunability and offer the advantage of a wider range of flow rating to optimise your combination. Contact Dave via messenger on TMC with RDR Performance Carburetors | Facebook , on Instagram at #thecarbfellas or by e-mail at this link with your requirements.
Super Pro ET - Peter Nee
Steve and Babs Saunders writes: Pete was a true Hot Rodder at heart, he lived and breathed drag racing, hot rods and American muscle cars. He was with me from the very early hot rods days in the beginning of the 80's and at the very start of my drag racing. He loved NHRA Drag racing, British Drag Racing and going to the states travelling visit as many drag racing meetings as possible. Apart from being my Crew Chief, he himself had many different cars through his life ending up with his much loved Firebird which he was planning on racing himself in 2022.
Pro ET - Maverick Diagnostics
Maverick Diagnostics is a leading provider of advanced vehicle diagnostic solutions, specialising in OEM and aftermarket tools, software, and support services for independent workshops and automotive professionals. With decades of industry expertise, Maverick offers a comprehensive range of diagnostic equipment, including OEM-approved dealer tools, multi-brand diagnostic systems.
In addition to hardware and software sales, Maverick Diagnostics provides in-depth training, technical support, and consultancy services, ensuring workshops have the knowledge and tools needed to handle modern vehicle repairs efficiently. The company also offers live training services through our Automotive training Academy, helping businesses stay ahead in an increasingly complex automotive landscape.
Maverick Diagnostics is committed to empowering independent garages with cutting-edge technology, industry-leading expertise, and ongoing support, making it a trusted partner for workshops across the UK and beyond.
Sportsman ET - Hutchinson & Dibley
Hutchinson and Dibley Ltd is a Oxon / Bucks based precision CNC engineering company specialising in the production of 'hard-to-manufacture' parts. They have over 50 years of experience in most industries including defence, oil, gas and marine as well as machining most common metals and plastics but also working with difficult materials such as Titanium, Magnetic Iron and Inconel. Our shop facility includes CNC turning and milling as well as welding and fabrication equipment. Our entire production is ISO9001:2015 approved and accredited. You can visit their website: www.hutchinsondibley.com
VW Sportsman - To Be Confirmed
Junior Dragster - VP Racing
VP Racing are proud to be class title sponsor of UK Junior Dragster class. Our range of oils includes Break-in oil, Classic Racing Oil, High Performance Synthetic Blend oils and Professional Grade Fully Synthetic Oils. Please call our sole UK importer and distributor Williams Bros.
Racing with any trade, racer or retail enquiries on 01327-220777 or email at this link
Street Eliminator - Top Speed Automotive
Although historically trading for nearly 50 years, Topspeed Automotive in its current guise was founded in 2007 by two brothers, who having been key members of the Motor Sport Industry for over 30 years (and still active today), wanted to combine their love and passion for all things automotive and their knowledge of warehousing and corporate finance into an exciting business venture. Initially focused on the on-premise retailing of automotive parts, both standard and performance/racing, this grew rapidly with the introduction of our ecommerce site and later, our acquisition of the UK Automotive distributor, CM Frost. Now based in central England, at our 15,000 square feet distribution centre, with offices in Surrey, England and Dallas, Texas we have focused on combining exceptional automotive application experience with a strong supporting technical infrastructure. Contact us at by email on this link or call us on tel:0044 (0) 1933 225 564 or visit our store local to Santa Pod at. Topspeed Automotive Limited Unit 6 Everitt Close Dennington Industrial Estate Northamptonshire Wellingborough NN8 2QE United Kingdom
Nostalgia Super Stock - Goodale American Speed Shop
Goodale American Speedshop (G A S), Specialists in Performance , Race & Restoration parts for all American Cars & American Powered Vehicles, Muscle car & Truck specialists –
We have regular airfreights from the USA along with container freight for body panels and other large items, we have lots of performance and service items held in stock, and ready to be shipped to our customers.
We can obtain nearly any part from our vast network of wholesalers in the USA, including, slicks and drag radials, which we stock, custom camshafts & torque converters, we are also dealers for Lucas Oil, Blueprint Engines (dealers) We can supply everything from an oil filter to a body shell,
To contact by phone or email 07951 121389 or 01945 583073 or visist us at F Goodale & Son Ltd, Barton Nurseries, The Wroe, Emneth, PE14 8AN
VW Pro - Pro Race Engineering
Pro Race Engineering are a race engineering company with many years experience, building high performance race engines and chassis setups. We specialise in custom works and builds. We also have our own line of products from billet steel main caps, pulleys and connecting rods. We have worked together in various industries as multiskilled engineers for eight years. We have taken our passions of cars to start a race team followed by a company called Pro-Race Engineering. Our first year of testing/developing components has been very successful and the company is growing quickly. We now have four types of rod fitment, two girdle kits and two billet crank pulleys to our portfolio with much more coming in the near future.
Outlaw Anglia - TMC
Tony Morris and Dave Gibbons are also delighted to announce that Tony Morris Carburetors will also be the Title Sponsor of the Outlaw Anglia class. As the sole UK agent for Tony Morris Carburetors, Dave Gibbons’ TMC with RDR Performance Carburetors operation will also offer a 10% discount on parts and labour on servicing, as well as keen pricing on new carburetors for Super Gas race car requirements. Tony Morris Carburetors specialize in performance carbs on the 4150 and 4500 Holley platform, and each carburetor is hand built for its application. Not only do TMC supply traditional four-barrel racing carbs, they also supply twin blade carburetors featuring the patented upper jets, which provide superior tunability and offer the advantage of a wider range of flow rating to optimise your combination. Contact Dave via messenger on TMC with RDR Performance Carburetors | Facebook , on Instagram at #thecarbfellas or by e-mail at this link with your requirements.
Wild Bunch - Springbridge Direct
Bob Hawkins of Wild Bunch class title sponsors Springbridge Direct Ltd has been supplying high quality topsoil using the finest constituents for over 25 years. As well as screened and blended topsoil Springbridge also supplies quality turf, barks, composts and a large range of aggregates in either bulk bags or loose loads. A general bulk and grab haulage service is also always available at extremely competitive rates. Springbridge’s own fleet of low-carbon lorries can deliver to your site, anywhere in the south east, including London and to all low-emission zones. Springbridge will help you save time and money on your next outdoor project. You can call them on 0333 456 1919 for full details, or visit the website at www.springbridgedirect.co.uk.
Top Fuel Bike - Ashdown Bulk Haulage
We provide a wide range of waste management services and Civils works services across the entire South East of England. No job is too big or too small for Flexiwaste and Flexiwaste Civils- we’re always happy to help. Get in touch today if you need us. Email at this link with your requirements. Call us: 01622 619383,, Message/ Whatsapp us: 07494 474504, Flexiwaste Environmental Services LTD, Unit OY21, Elm Court Business Village, Gillingham, ME7 3JQ.
Funny Bike - Leeks Landscapes
The Leeks Landscapes Group, is a group of companies catering to all aspects of Landscaping, Waterscapes, ponds, lakes, civil engineering and more delivering projects to the commercial and domestic sector throughout the UK. www.leekslandscapes.co.uk
Comp Bike - Suzuki Performance Spares.co.uk
Suzuki Performance Spares, are your premier source of quality guaranteed new and used parts for major motorcycle brands, they specialise in spare parts for modern, classic motorcycle, racing and Drag Race parts. Contact details: - www.suzukiperformancespares.co.uk or 07900 362 809
Super Street Bike - Kathy Taylor
Kathy Taylor a long-time supporter of all things Drag Bike, on this occasion taking the Super Street Bike Title Sponsorship as her way of putting something back in to the sport.
8.50 Bike - JKE Race works
We welcome the return of Jake Mechaell JKE Race Works, who once again is sponsoring the class title for 8.50 bike. Jake says: "I’m pleased to be the class sponsor again for the 8.50 bike championship during the 2024 season. The class is perfect for racers to have a stepping stone between 9.50 Bike and Superstreet/Comp Bike. It’s such a competitive class with a great bunch of riders. With the volume of bikes, we have coming through the workshop in preparation for 8.50 bike it’s a class which is only going to continue to grow. "JKE Race Works offer a huge range of services including complete bike builds, bespoke fabrication, engine building, one off turbo kits specifically designed to suit your needs, bike setup, track support, engine tuning, suspension servicing, 1-1 tuition and much more. We are located next door to Santa Pod Raceway which gives our customers the convenience of an accessible drop off and collection location.
It also allows us to provide support to all racers if they have an unfortunate part failure which can be repaired during the meeting to keep them out there making the most of their race weekend. "Our dealership statuses are growing every month, and we can offer great racer prices on the following brands so far: MTC Engineering, Racing lines, Putoline Oil, Antigravity Batteries, HEL Performance and Ramair Filters. Our aim is to give the highest standard of work at a reasonable price and help our customers reach their goals with all the support and advice needed. "Please follow JKE Race Works on Facebook and Instagram to see the work we produce and to keep up to date with future projects. Contact details are 07841 389360 and email by clicking here."
9.50 Bike - The Evans Family
The Evans Family - Philip Evans, who has been a very long-time supporter of all things Drag Racing, in his professional role with the FIA and Motorsport UK, now retired from Atlantic Fluid Tech, has taken up the mantle of Class title sponsor for 9.50 bike.
ET Bike - S Johnson Transport
Steve Johnson The person who originally put the idea forward to form the ET Bike class, Steve who is Chief Scrutineer for the ACU and FIM E bikes decided to not only put his time in, but also his money to support the ET Bike title sponsorship programme.
Junior Drag Bike - Eurodragster.com
Eurodragster.com was created 27 years ago on 26th February and provides comprehensive and timely reporting of European drag racing news. As always, we are excited about the forthcoming season, are attending over 50 races and will post in-depth live reports on 20 of them, including all FIA/FIM-E and UK National championship rounds. Our news and race report pages are viewed by over 12,000 racers and fans across Europe monthly. We are proud to be supporting Junior Drag Bike which has an increasing field with newly built machines, the riders of which are becoming the championship bike racers of the future.
Thanks to Chris Dossett from Trakbytes for sending this update on the Trakbytes website which has been updated this week with 28 new entries. The earliest of these are a couple of updates in the 1965 section, and the most recent date from a mere twenty years ago with the completion, for now, of the 2024 season.
Along the way there are details of some emerging familiar names at a 1966 Vincent Club sprint, a move to nitro for one of the UK’s most successful Pro Comp drivers, the first six second runs on two and four wheels for a pair of competitors, one of whom is still active today, the beginning of Avon Park’s Super Series events, and an exciting European Finals in which no less than four Top Fuel drivers arrived with the chance of taking the Championship title.
There are updates to the Hall Of Fame file for Allan Herridge, Dennis Priddle, John Hobbs and the Stones team, and the index of competitors from the first four decades of UK Drag Racing has grown to boast no less than 2738 individual competitors. All this, and more, available now at www.trakbytes.co.uk.
Thanks to Eurodragster supporter and sponsor Chris Goodale and Niamh Smith for sending in this announcement that GAS Bash is back for 2025, and it’s set to be even bigger and better than 2024, now being held the day following Dragstalgia, on Monday 30th June. After the success of last years’ event, Goodale American Speedshop is pleased to announce entries are now open for the most exciting private Bracket competition of the year!
Spectators and competitors are invited to make a long weekend of Dragstalgia, staying on site to catch the action at the GAS Bash on the Monday.
Bracket competition entries are open to all race classes at Dragstalgia, and pre-1985 door cars, that fit within the 8.90-14.50 index. That means you can enter with your Outlaw Anglia, Wild Bunch slingshot, your Gasser or muscle car from the UK Nostalgia Superstock and Nostalgia Eliminator classes, just to name a few. At £150 to enter, you’ll be in with a chance to win some great prizes from Goodale American Speedshop, plus a whole host of goodies that will be given away on the day.
Another option is the £100 test and tune entry open to vehicles manufactured any year, where with plenty of private track time available inbetween Bracket rounds you can really spend some time in the seat.
Email Chris Goodale at this link for the booking form and more information.
Happy Birthday for today to Santa Pod Raceway Race Track Manager Darren Prentice, fuel Funny Car racer Kevin Kent, UK & European drag racing photos administrator Dave Turner, Super Twin Top Fuel racer Willem Been, Outlaw Street racer Rob Leyman, and former Sportsman ET racer Connor Holt. We hope you all have a great day.
Eurodragster.com turns 27 years old today, what an achievement this has been for past and present involved in keep you updated with UK and European drag racing news, history and many more. established in 1998.
Thanks to Santa Pod Racers Club secretary Ian Marshall for sending this update on ACU Drag Bike Regulation Changes for 2025:
The ACU Drag Bike regulation changes listed below are for the 2025 season and beyond, first and foremost we must apologise for the late submission, this has been completely out of our control, however steps are being taken to improve how and when the regulation changes are published to our racers, for the 2026 rules changes (if any) they will be submitted and ratified before the end of October 2025, then publish to allow for any changes if required.
You can view this update by clicking here.
Thanks to Julian Hunt for his hard work at the 2024 UK National and SPRC Drag Racing Championships Presentation gallery on Saturday 22nd February at Milton Keynes. You can see all the pictures at this link or by clicking on "News" at the top menu then clicking "Features"
In the coming days we will be publishing Santa Pod Raceway's CEO Keith Bartlett speech.
Thanks to Remco Scheelings from Drag Racing Europe for this report on Tony Bryntesson and his sponsor Bilsport.
The collaboration between Bryntesson Motorsport and Albinsson & Sjöberg’s magazine Bilsport continues after both parties have extended their partnership agreement.
Tony Bryntesson’s Top Methanol dragster with 5,000 horsepower will continue to race under the name Bilsport-dragstern, a name now well-known throughout drag racing Europe.
You can read on this article byclicking here.
Many thanks to Photographer Ashley Booth-Dale for covering the Straightliners - The Speed Show at the weekend, you can see all the pictures at this link, supported by John Woolfe Racing
Classic and Collectors Auctions
Co-founder Harry Flint partners with Ben James, videographer and Jamie Binnie to launch their channel alongside the coming website.
Ahead of the 2025 launch of Classics & Collectors Auctions, the team have launched a YouTube channel to accompany the website. The channel will cover all aspects of car culture and automotive enthusiasm. From pristine, concourse ready classics right through to home built monsters, and everything in-between.
The Classics & Collectors Auctions website is focused on matching the right car with the right buyer through our expert team of consignors and a concierge service that is designed tell the full story and history of the vehicle. Buyers also get to ‘meet the owners’ this way, providing you an opportunity to demonstrate your pride of ownership and draw a larger crowd of online bidders. In an ever-changing automotive landscape, Classics and Collectors aim to celebrate the preservation of automotive history, and the continuation of the culture as a whole.
It's our pleasure to invite you to come and join us for the ride.
Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ClassicsandCollectorsAuctions/featured
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/ClassicsAndCollectorsAuctions
Instagram: @classicsandcollectorsauctions
Official website: Coming soon.
Happy Birthday for today to twin Super Pro ET racers Elodie Dubois and Fabien Dubois, Kieran's mum Ali Jenkins, longtime fan of the site and Tierp Arena crew member Carl Zettervall, and Clastres photographer Stéphane Cousin. We hope you all have a wonderful day.
Happy Birthday for today to UK Nostalgia Superstock organiser and SPRC class champion Don Scott, Super Gas racer Tim Moore, Scarlett & Sons team member Mark Scarlett and Irwindale Raceway announcer and Great American Auto Scene host Bob Beck, we hope you all have had a great day.
Congratulations to the the winners and runners-up in the 2024 Motorsport UK at a packed Dinner Dance Trophy Presentation Evening last night.
British Drag Racing Championship, SPRC National Drag Racing Championships, ACU UK Dragbike Championships and SPRC Club Championships were presented with their trophies at the Santa Pod Racers Club Dinner Dance and Trophy Presentation in Milton Keynes last night (Saturday). Each National Champion was presented with a Victory Trophy incorporating a picture of their respective vehicle. The winners of SPRC's Perpetual Awards, for whom Eurodragster.com readers had the chance to vote via the Santa Pod Racers Club website, were also presented with their trophies
Congratulations to the SPRC Perpetual Award winners:
- Obsession Sportsman of the Year: Colin Theobald
- Most Promising Newcomer: Hayden Mechaell
- Best Appearing Bike: Imperial Wizzard/Keith Edwards and Phil Crossley
- Best Appearing Car: Banshee/Frankie Taylor
- James Edgar Trophy – Outstanding Crew Chief: Dave Bryant
- Most Professional Appearing Team: Rob Elsom
- John Ledster Memorial Trophy: Nigel Anniwell
- Alex Brachtvogel Memorial Trophy: Ian Marshall
- John C Bennett Foundation Award: Junior Drag Bike Club
- Outstanding Social Media Presence Award: Kieran Jenkins
- Spirit of Santa Pod Award: Tim Hinchcliffe
Thank you to everyone who submitted votes for the SPRC Perpetual Awards.
Santa Pod Raceway CEO Keith Bartlett's speech will be published this coming days.
The Trophy Presentation gallery will be sorted and uploaded very soon, Thank you Julian Hunt. Photos are watermarked, meaning it is ok to copy and post them on social media; if you want to obtain free-of-charge originals please contact [email protected] or via Facebook messenger.
Happy Birthday for today to rocket bike legend Eric Teboul, Super Pro ET racer Billy Gane, Sportsman ET racer Georgina Smith, Vegas Hustler racer Mark Bishop, and Outlaw Street racer Rod Atkinson, have a fantastic day all.
Happy Birthday for today to Nitro FM presenter Paul 'Oz' Wright, former Top Methanol Funny Car racer Dez Krivan, Outlaw Flat Four Racer Nigel Hull and Willys Wars racer Guy Davenport. We hope you all have a fantastic day.
Thanks to former Nitro FM presenter Nigel Fitzmaurice for sending in this latest Podcast on the interview with: Paul Marston at Manston Raceway Park which can be view by clicking here.
Paul Marston posted on Facebook: This was recorded last weekend before we started promo filming at Manston Raceway Park It was great to see former Santa Pod Nitro FM DJ and host Nigel again. For those who don't know. Nigel was a frontline Ambulance Driver and Paramedic for the NHS and was in the thick of it at the very start of the Covid 19 epidemic. There was little understanding of how the disease was transmitted then. Nigel caught Covid 19 right at the beginning. He was given last rights 3 times, but due to the brilliant NHS staff and Nigels sheer determination, he is still with us. If you ever meet him, thank him for his service, he is a true hero. Never quit, never complains, just gets on with life the best way he can.
Photojournalist Alice Fairhead has written in with news of her doing a charity hike for Macmillan Cancer Support
Back in January 2023 which seems so long ago now I decided to take on the challenge of the Norfolk Coast Mighty Hike for Macmillian cancer support, walking 26 miles on a set route along the very pretty Norfolk coast raising money as I go. After having very achey legs I said I wouldn't do it again but I knew I could do better so I signed up again in 2024 and I trained harder than the previous year. In 2024 I did do better and knocked 25 minutes off my time from 2023.
This year I've decided to carry on the Macmillan mighty hike series but I'm heading up North to the lake district and I'm walking 25 miles around Ullswater in June. I'm pleased to say I've already been doing walks in my local area every weekend since before the new year and I've already done a practice walk of 14 miles in 4hr 23mins last week.
We all know and have lost people to cancer in recent years with many being in our racing families and close to our hearts so this year I'm determined to do it again despite the lake district being far more hilly than East Anglia
Click Here is my just giving page, £250 is the minimum pledge we can make but it would be great to smash it, if any individuals or companies would like to sponsor me it would be very much appreciated.
Being close to my heart I'd love to do as well as last year and raise even more so anything and everything no matter how big or small is greatly appreciated
Happy Birthday for today to Super Pro ET racer and team manager Nick Good, Nostalgia Funny Car crew member Joseph Harris and Norwegian Super Gas racer Christer Uhlin, we hope you all have a great day.
Former Nitro FM presenter Nigel Fitzmaurice is offer "Podcast opportunities with Nigel". Nigel writes: I am putting out an offer for Race Teams to do a pre Season Podcast with Me, I am currently looking for teams individuals to get in touch with me. You can contact Nigel at this link.
Happy Birthday for today to Super Twin Top Fuel Bike racer Jaska Salakari, German Top Methanol Dragster racer Silvio Strauch, Junior Dragster dad Stuart Fagg, Pro Modified racer still-in-waiting Steve Rawlings, Top Doorslammer racer Anne Britt Nilssen and Netherlands based Comp Bike racer Thurtny Martina. We hope you all have a great day.
Thanks to Michael Malgren for his words on his visit to the PRI Show in Indy and announces new sponsors for his 2025 season. Michael writes: Malmgren Racing had the pleasure to visit PRI show in Indy for the 20th straight time, always nice to meet our sponsors and racers and friends in US. My buddy Joe Pando at MSD, has been supporting my team for long time, always very supportive and helps out on technical questions about ignition system.
Industrial Hard carbon, one of our newest sponsors, has been supporting my team for the last 4 years, doing a superb job coating our Victory valves. Very nice people and had the pleasure to visit their shop in Charlotte last summer.
I was joined by the ex owner of Diamond pistons, which is now is owned by my partner Race Winning brands. Ron is my piston guy always taking good care of my orders and make sure we get our pistons on time, fantastic good people.
At the show we of course also visited all our other sponsors / partners such as ARP, Richmond gear, Strange engineering, BMRS hose and fittings, Auto-Verdi, VP lubrication, PAC springs, Victory valves, Trend wrist pins and pushrods and JE pistons. We also visited the booth of our new 2025 sponsor, Total Seal Piston Rings.
Press Release from Michael Malmgren and Total Seal:
Total Seal Piston Rings to become an official supplier of Malmgren Racing for the 2025 season. Phoenix, AZ, January 17, 2025: Total Seal Piston Rings, the leader in advanced piston ring technology, and Malmgren Racing, the 2023 FIA European Pro Stock Champion join forces for the 2025 season. “Michael Malmgren’s success-proven determination and quest for perfection are shared values that we have here at Total Seal Piston Rings” said Ben O’Connor, VP of Sales, and Marketing. “We look forward to this exciting opportunity to collaborate with this championship winning organization.”
About Total Seal Piston Rings:
For more than 50 years, Total Seal has been known as the “Home Of The Gapless Piston Ring”, but today Total Seal® provides much more than Gapless rings. From our patented Gas Ported piston rings to industry leading Diamond Finish rings, no other manufacturer offers as broad a selection of piston rings as Total Seal®. Based in Phoenix, AZ,
Total Seal manufactures innovative and advanced piston rings, tools, and ring sealing solutions right here in the USA. Whether it is an engine or an air compressor, if it takes a piston ring, Total Seal can make a better ring that improves the performance and durability of any internal combustion engine or air compressor.
Happy Birthday for today to Junior Dragster racer Mackenzie Love, Audi exponent Audrius Bagdonavicius, photographer and former Eurodragster.com contributor Peter Donaldson, former Super Pro ET racer Rick Cooke and Swedish photographer Cenneth Schiller. We hope you all have a great day.
Thanks to Santa Pod Racers Club secretary Ian Marshall for sending in the 2025 Drag Racing White Book update, you can see the updates at this link.
The regulations shown are a 2025 update to the Drag Race White Book, all elements in red are the changes for the 2025 season.
They are and have been listed in the Rule Book as found on the SPRC website by clicking here.
The British Drag Racing Historians are proud to present Beadle Brothers Part 1.
Tony and Don Beadle played a big part in British Drag Racing and this first part covers the years 1964 – 1970 when they teamed up with Allan Herridge racing the Pulsation and Motovation slingshots. These dragsters were built with information from articles in American magazines, often quite technical, and learning from other drag racers, in the UK and America. They used their ingenuity to design and build their own dragsters with a limited budget, using a lock up garage without electricity.
At the time Hot Rod magazine contained quite detailed technical articles, also Allan Herridge worked at an engineering company so he had access to machining equipment. Some of the bits he made for us was of a fantastic standard, like John Harrison also made, so that should be recognised. Some things they could do quite easily, it was the lack of a workshop with power that made it harder.
Mick Gleadow has been in touch with Don Beadle and Tony’s widow Jennie gathering information along with his own memories of the Beadle brothers to write these stories.
Parts 2 and 3 will follow over the next few weeks...
Produced by Mick Gleadow with help from Don Beadle and Tony’s widow Jennie. Edited by Nick Pettitt. You can view this story by clicking here.
Happy Birthday for today to Daimler dragster exponent and BDRHoF member Russ Carpenter, photographer Dick Parnham, Funny Car champion and constructor Johan Lindberg FWD racer Lisette de Koning and Modified 100e racer Robert White, we hope you all have a great day.
Thanks to former Eurodragster.com editor Andy "Tog" Rogers who attended Manston Raceway Park on Sunday 16th February for the testing day and filming, Tog writes:
It was a perishing cold but promising start to the season at Manston Raceway Park, the former RAF Manston, where Paul Marston and his hard-working team are organising No Prep events this season. This weekend was dedicated to clearing enough of the site and attracting enough cars to test the team’s plans, and to photograph and film material for promotional use. Clearing the site was more than achieved courtesy of a band of volunteers who on Saturday turned a weeded-over and effectively derelict stretch of taxiway into a clearly defined, vegetation-free and most of all safe eighth-mile race track with plenty of shutdown area. The rest of the overgrown stretch of taxiway will be dealt with before the first No Prep event in April as it is planned to form the pits.
As well as individual volunteers with race cars a group from Velocity Vintage Drags, whose event of that name will be included as part of the early May Bank Holiday at Manston, came along to give the track a try and to hold a photo session.
The assembled racers found the track to their liking and a small group took part in an eliminator which was won by Outlaw Street racer Dave Vincec in his concours-quality Nash Metropolitan over Josh Duncan’s Super Pro ET Rover.
You can see a gallery of pictures from Manston Raceway Park byclicking here or by clicking events on the menu bar.
For more information including race dates, planned classes and rules check out Manston Raceway Park on Facebook atthis link. On-line event entry will be available on the organisation’s official web site which is due to launch shortly
Crail Raceway have released the 2025 dates on their Facebook page last week on Friday 14th February, they wrote: "We're Back! First Drag and Drift of 2025, Crail Raceway is back for another year, and we’re kicking things off BIG! 2025 is going to be absolutely mega, so let’s start as we mean to go on – full throttle, tyres screaming, and plenty of sideways action! If you’ve been itching to get back on track, Sunday 23rd February is your time to shine!
The first event takes place this Sunday 23rd February
- Gates Open: 8AM
- Track Live: 10AM - 4PM
- Entry: £10 per person (U16s £5, U12s FREE)
- Drag & Drift All Day: £20
- Drifting Only: £15
The track is ready and we know you’re all buzzing to get back at it! More runs, more skids, more action – let’s make this the best season yet! Anyone can race, so bring your car and get involved!
Tag your mates, fire up the engines, and we’ll see you at the track! Let’s do this!
You can see more by visiting Crail Raceway Facebook page at this link and on their website by clicking here
Crail Raceway is a truly unique venue for motorsport. Set on the coast of Fife within the former HMS JACKDAW Airfield with its famous hangers as a backdrop you will not forget your time here.
Scotland’s only 1/4 mile drag strip with a new state of the art timing system, including full Christmas Trees (countdown start lights), computer and staging gear specially imported from USA from drag timing specialists Portatree (www.portatree.com).
Happy Birthday for today to Pro ET racer Amy Watkins, former Pro Stock racer Thomas Lindström and former Top Methanol Funny Car racer Trace Froome. We hope you all have a fantastic day.
Thanks to Debbie "Clarke" Read and Brett Featherstone for their write up from the Pro ET Awards Night on the 18th January: Brett and Debbie writes:
Thank you for all the kind words of support to Deb’s, Kim, John and Brett over the weekend at the Bedford Swan on the 18th January. The 2024 season Awards/Bash was a successful night and we glad everyone seemed to have an enjoyable time.
The Trophies given out on the night, as nominated by the racers were as follows: -
- Rookie of the Year: Rouven Dawson
- Best Appearing Team: Hayling Garage
- Best Appearing Car: Banshee
- Crew Chief of the Year: Deb’s (Nova Scotia)
- Wheelie of the Year: John Bean (Shotgun)
- Hard Luck Award: Wicked Lady
- Neil Hunter “Just do it”: The McClure Family
- Spirit of Pro ET: Team Watkins
Six of this seasons top ten Championship Racers were presented with their bespoke trophies by Elaine at Coolengineeredart and a personalised Pro ET Calendar, a special thank you to Julian Hunt Photography and Debs for hours of painstaking work to complete these.
All trophies won by racers who were unable to attend the Awards/Bash will be handed out at either the SPRC event privately or at Springspeed Nationals.
The notable prizes won during the raffle included a gift voucher as supplied by W A Watts Automotive won by class sponsor Sam Young, who has kindly re-donated this voucher as a prize for the coming season to a sponsorship participant racer (details once decided).
Tom Kaye won the Williams Brothers £100 voucher kindly donated by Nick Williams, we would like to thank him for his kind contribution and support for Pro ET, please visit by Clicking Here for parts requirements before the season gets underway.
Thank you to Colin Theobold for his help and compere during the night it still amazes me how much he knows about us racers. Colin was presented with a special thank you award from Pro ET once again supplied by Elaine at Coolengineeredart.
Oscar Young was also presented with a cool replica of the top ten trophies for being No.1 fan of Pro ET.
Class Sponsor and racer Warren Watts who was joint winner with Pete Dodd last year said that with not being overly involved in the Pro ET pits this year, it had been quite a hard decision to make and decide who to hand the Neil Hunter “Just do it” award to, but there was one group of people who’s name had repeatedly come up. Coming into the class and making it a family affair, which we all agree that’s what Pro ET is all about the McClure family, congratulations and well done to you all.
Finally, for those not present Pro ET gave Ian Marshall a special gratitude award for his long service as Chief Starter.
Thank you once again to all our 2024 sponsors for allowing this even to take place.
We will be contacting existing Companies very soon, so if you are able to continue to support the class, please let us know. Alternatively any new support would be greatly appreciated so please contact Debs or myself through messenger or email at this link. To have a Company logo included on the Santa Pod pit lane banner we must have a printable format logo .pdf .jpg no later than the 14th February.
You can view some of the pictures from the evening and the top ten cars by clicking here.
| Final Position 2024 | Race No | Name | Surname | Vehicle Name | Vehicle Make | Vehicle Model | Engine Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2025 | Brett | Featherstone | Nove Scotia | Chevrolet | Nova II | 440ci |
| 2 | 3805 | Rouven | Dawson | Chevrolwt | |||
| 3 | 157 | Ronnie | Mercer | Annie | Ford | Anglia 103 | 363ci |
| 4 | 1089 | Nick | Mugridge | Mugridge Motorsport | McGee | Dragster | 1000cc |
| 5 | 2001 | Tom | Kaye | Black Belt Racing | NSR | Jr Comp | 1440cc |
| 6 | 569 | Leigh | Morris | Green With Envy | Jaguar | E Type | 33800cc |
| 7 | 85 | Marc | Huxley | Can Do 2 Reborn | Toyota | Corolla KE20 | 347ci |
| 8 | 772 | Warren | Watts | Chevrolet | Camaro | 540ci | |
| 9 | 5736 | Matthew | Dowdy | Chevrolet | Nova | ||
| 10 | 22 | Dave | Fulton | Chevrolet | Nova | 423ci |
Eurodragster.com is pleased to announce the renewal of its popular Perfect Light, Perfect ET and Photo Finish Awards scheme for 2025.
The Perfect Light Award has been running since 2000 and Perfect ET since 2004. Eurodragster.com Photo Finish Award started in 2018 from Bob Roberts. The Perfect Light and Perfect ET award operate at UK Championship events for a reaction time of 0.000 and 0.000 to dial-in ET. Photo Finish Award operates in eliminations only at UK Championship events.
Hayley Hadfield Perfect ET Award in memory of Supercharged Outlaws racer and Chairman Andy 'Fadster' Hadfield's much missed wife who passed away with pancreatic cancer in 2022. Andy's wild Twister 23T street-legal hot rod which has provided some of the most exciting passenger rides ever. We are grateful to Andy Hadfield who has sponsored the Perfect ET award since 2019.
We would like to give a big Thank You to Bad Habit Racing, the team of Cath and Tig Napier, who have been mainstays of UK Sportsman racing for over 20 years, running their distinctive purple Dodge Challenger in Pro ET, with a Plymouth Barracuda as back-up in Sportsman ET and occasionally UK Nostalgia Super Stock. Cath and Tig have supported the Perfect Light award since 2013.
The cash awards will be £50 for each award winner, with a rollover of the Perfect Light and Perfect ET Awards respectively if there is no winner at an event. Full details will be announced before and after each event, with the winner of Eurodragster.com Photo Finish Award confirmed after the official timing data from the event is available.
Eurodragster.com Photo Finish Award has been generously supported by long time Eurodragster.com and drag racing fan Bob Roberts in the past who has kindly supplied material in previous years. We would like to thank Bob for his support covering the photo finish award, unfortunatley Bob could not continue this year due other commitments, therefore we here at Eurodragster.com have decided to continue the awards. The Award as usual will pay £50 each to the racers involved in the closest race of eliminations at this weekend's event. 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. Eurodragster.com Photo Finish Award is open to all classes during eliminations only.
Although Eurodragster.com decals are not mandatory we would appreciate if it they are carried. Eurodragster.com decals are available in Signing On. The Perfect Awards and Eurodragster.com's Photo Finish Award will operate from the first championship event of the year, the Festival of Power on 29th-31st March.
Happy Birthday for today to crew member for Micke Gullvist Motorsports Fredrik Westerlind, 9.50 Bike racer Dion Hartley, Lithuanian Topolino racer Giedrius Jurevicius and former Wild Bunch racer Pete "Eddie" Yates. We hope you all had a great day.
Thanks to Tony Thacker for sending in this report and gallery from the Grand National Roadster Show. Tony writes: With attendees from all over the world, and especially the UK, the 75th Annual O’Reilly Auto Parts Grand National Roadster Show (GNRS), presented by and Meguiar’s, went down in history as one of the all-time memorable hot rod and custom shows. The GNRS always attracts the crème de la crème and this year was exceptional with 11 top class roadsters competing for the America’s Most Beautiful Roadster Award (AMBR) and another 11 competing for the Al Slonaker Memorial Award.
What made the show a little special for attending Brits was the unexpected appearance of Gary Belcher’s circa 1979 Jag V-12-powered T that appeared on two Custom Car magazine covers and recently sold at auction by Bonhams in September ’24 for a tad under £44K. It’s now owned by Aaron Lawyer. On hand to celebrate the occasion were four past Custom Car staffers: Kev Elliott, Greg Emmerson, CJ Prew, Tony Thacker and contributing artist Teri Smith.
This year’s AMBR winner was Beth and Ross Meyers’ ’36 Roadster built by Troy Trepanier’s Rad Rides By Troy of Manteno, IL. Powered by a McCulloch-supercharged, ’57 312ci Ford Y-block, the car was stunningly detailed from its hand-formed steel body down to its mid-century, race-inspired wheels.
Meanwhile, the Slonaker Award went to Bill Barbato’s ’33 Pontiac Sedan built by CAL Auto Creations of Bennington, NE. The Slonaker entries were a diverse lot this year—everything from a twin-engine 1935 International Truck to a slammed ’73 DeTomaso Pantera, to a ’71 VW Thing. Even the winner was a little unusual being an Art Deco-inspired two-door called ‘AuraBella.’ Designed by Gary Ragle and Eric Black, the Poncho sits on an amazingly detailed, custom-fabricated frame by Liquid Metalworks of Hackettstown, NJ.
In each class there were some stand-out builds worth mentioning. The rumored AMBR runner ups were Gary and Scott Lorenzini’s Deuce Roadster built by the Veazie Brothers that won AMBR Outstanding Engine, and Mike DeVriendt’s ’32 Roadster pickup that won both AMBR Outstanding Engineering and Outstanding Paint Awards.
The Slonaker was apparently an equally close fought competition between Greg Heinrich’s ’35 Chevy that took Outstanding Paint and Outstanding Undercarriage while Beth Meyers’ ’32 3-window built by Ellis Simmons took Outstanding Engine and Outstanding Interior and Roger Wiebel’s decidedly different VW Thing took Outstanding Detail and Outstanding Engineering. ARP Racing Products presents both AMBRA and Slonaker Awards.
This year’s special exhibit in Building 9 celebrated both the 75 years of AMBR as well as a special 16-car tribute to George Barris. More than 50 past AMBR winners were displayed and while they were all in some way special the very first, 1950 winner, Bill Niekamp’s Model A Roadster was the take-home choice and it looked every bit a winner today as it did 75 years ago.
The Barris exhibit was polarizing as some fans lusted after the Batmobile while others leaned toward Dragula and The Munster Coach while others wanted to drive away the legendary Hirohata Merc’.
For those looking for something radically different Detroit builder Dan Webb displayed an in-progress, hand-crafted tribute to the “Panhard Razor,” a 1926 French race car featuring a steering wheel that goes around the driver’s legs. The workmanship was stunning but the ‘legs-through’ steering had many observers scratching their heads.
The GNRS is always good for celebrity spotting and the American Hot Rod Foundation (AHRF) booth hosted 103-year-old Ed ‘Isky’ Iskenderian promoting his new documentary ‘ISKY’ and signing copies of the accompanying book ‘Isky and The Old Master.’ The line was out the door and Isky entertained everybody with his amazing memory and interest.
Of course, there were plenty of less shiny, as found, and as raced cars both in the general displays and in the ‘Suede Palace’ that once again played host to a huge number of less-than-shiny but visually appealing rods, customs and trucks.
With some 600 vehicles spread throughout seven buildings and another 1,000-plus drive-ins, the Grand National lived up to its nick name of “The Grand Daddy of Them All” and there was something for everybody. It might not have the cache of the 75th but I can’t wait for the 76th.
You can view the full gallery by clicking here or by clicking new on the menu and then features.
Happy Birthday for yesterday to the Marras, Wild Bunch racers Pete and Rob Brown, FWD racer Scott Nobby Lewry, Santa Pod Raceway marshal John O'Shae and German Pro ET racer and photographer Clarissa Czekalla. We hope you all had a lovely day.
Thanks to SPRC official Yvonne Tramm for this important announcement about the Dinner Dance being held on Saturday 22nd February at the Doubletree Hotel, Stadium MK.
ATTENTION ALL DINNER DANCE ATTENDEES
Please remember that the hotel bars and reception are cashless
The DoubleTree hotel at Stadium MK charge for parking, handled by Ring Go.
Please see picture on the left for instructions on the Ring Go app and how to pay for your parking. The discounted rate for is £8 for 24 hours.
Before arriving at the hotel on Saturday 22nd February please set up an account on RingGo, following the instructions.
CLICK HERE to open RingGo instructions and discount code.
The discounted code will apear as the location code when you select your parking.
The postcode for the hotel is MK1 1ST (Doubletree, Stadium MK)
If you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact Yvonne by email at this link.
Happy Birthday for today to Old School Stocker racer Dan Blight and former slingshot racer Mike Oates. We hope you have a great day.
Thanks to Andreas Sjödin from Sjödin Motorsport HB/ ÅBM Racing for sending this 2025 schedule on the Top Doorslammer Series in Sweden.
The drivers have spoken and voted, the important things are good tracks that will handle the powerful cars! And that they are located in areas where it will show up cars!
Hope to see you out there this summer, help us make Top Doorslammer what it was back in the day!
Also, to all Top Doorslammer teams, old ones or teams that plans to race in the class in the future!
We would like to get the class to grow stronger again, we want our fans to see what we are doing to entertain them during the parts of the year when we’re not at a racing event!
So, please tell us what is going on out in the shops with our TD teams and cars?
We hope that you want to help us get stronger and a more entertaining drag racing class again!
Send a PM on the Top Doorslammer Facebook page or the Instagram page, including one or many pictures and a short or long text in English or Swedish.
Tell us about your plans for the year and future or just let us know what you are doing in the shop, and it will be published at those pages to update and entertain our fans!
You can see more by visiting Facebook at this link and Instagram by clicking here
Together we can make Top Doorslammer better, so help us out here!”
Happy Birthday for today to Junior Drag Bike mum Kerryanne Frazier, Comp Eliminator crew Dave Hancock, supporter and former Alky FC racer Tom van der Wijden, former Top Doorslammer racer from Sweden Thomas Dahlblom. We hope you all have a great day.
Thanks for Remco Scheelings from Drag Racing Europe for this news update on Liam Jones and Alex Hope team up in TF and PSM:
Liam Jones and Alex Hope will be reunited in 2025, Fuelled By Bro Joe. The team will field a Top Fuel Dragster for Liam Jones in the FIA European Drag Racing Championship and a Pro Stock Motorcycle for Alex Hope in the FIM Europe European Drag Bike Championship. Main partner for the team will be Bro Joe Brain-Boosting Coffee, an instant coffee blend designed to increase focus, clarity, and mental resilience.
You can read the full article by visiting this link.
Happy Birthday for today to Santa Pod Raceway Events Coordinator Max Frost, Super Comp crew and wife Angela Hudson, Nostalgia Super Stock wife Bev Tyrell, Nostalgia FC crew Stuart Bradley and '55 Chevy racer Iain Shurey. We hope you all have a great time.
Belated Birthday wishes for yesterday to Nostalgia Superstock and Pro ET racer Don Scott's wife's Brigitte. We hope you had a great day!
Santa Pod Raceway have posted on Facebook today with the latest update on the Dial In Day 2025 which takes place on Saturday 8th March 2025:
We only have a couple of spots left for the Dial in Day. Get booked in if you'd like to learn the basics of drag racing with your car or bike!
The hugely successful Dial In Day returns for 2025. Graduates from the previous events have gone on to achieve great things in the National Drag Racing championships in classes such as Sportsman ET, the VWDRC and beyond. There have been multiple event wins, number one qualifiers, perfect ET’s & reaction times and even a couple of championships won by those who started it all by attending the dial in day.
If you’re thinking about getting involved with drag racing, or just want a little insight into the world of participating, the dial in day will not disappoint. It’s a no obligation day that consists of classroom based sessions before track based mini events allowing you to experience full qualifying and eliminations.
You absolutely do not need a race based vehicle; in fact we restrict the day to vehicles completing the ¼ mile in 12 seconds and slower (9.00 for bikes) to re-enforce the accessibility of drag racing as a sport. Only the RWYB rules apply so in most standard road cars, that means you need to bring nothing more than yourself, your car and your driving licence.
As a result of the introduction of the extremely popular ET Bike class in 2016, we welcome bikes to the dial in day! The classroom based sessions will be applicable for both riders & drivers and there will be a separate bike class on track.
This is a participation event and although additional entrance tickets are available, do not expect to see a day's track action if you are coming to spectate.
Thanks to Santa Pod Racers Club secretary Ian Marshall for sending this important update regarding SPRC Summer Nationals:
The SPRC Summer Nationals 2025 will now take place over 3 days and will include Friday the 4th of July, the test day will be cancelled, the SPRC Committee apologise for the late call on this, we understand some may have already booked holidays, but unfortunately we had to make sure we could staff the event, that's now sorted and we look forward to 3 days of sun and great racing,
The date will remain the same, with the Friday added. Friday 4th – Sunday 6th July 2025.
Entry for this event will be available soon.
Happy Birthday for today to Pro Stock Bike crew chief and wife Cindy Newbury, Junior dad Andrew Willcox, FWD racer Matt Davison, and later owner of Twin Jynx Dave "Twolanes" Armstrong. We hope you all have a great day
Thanks to former Nitro FM presenter Nigel Fitzmaurice for sending in this latest Podcast on the interview with: Nitro Bug Andy Raw which can be view by clicking here.
Happy Birthday for today to Outlaw Anglia racer Phil Drewitt, Pro ET and UK Nostalgia Superstock racer Guy King and Swiss Super Street Bike racer Sandro Haldimann. We hope you all have a great day!
Happy Birthday for today to Unusual Car Sales UK admin Nigel Taylor, hope you have a great day!
Santa Pod Racers Club secetary Ian Marshall has sent in this update on UK Comp Eliminator 2025. Ian writes: Following the Comp Eliminator meeting held on the 26th Jan 2025 Santa Pod Racers Club have made several changes to the Comp Eliminator class and Index system. Starting with Spring Speed Nationals all Racers will run under the Personal index system, details of which are below.
Personal Index
An explanation of what's changing (This text copied from the NHRA)
A personal index change will be applied when an individual records a .610 under or greater run during eliminations. The class index will only be adjusted when a run of .710 or greater is recorded during eliminations. Both will be adjusted on .01 increments with no plateaus up to a .10 maximum adjustment per event to a class index.
Once a driver establishes a personal index in two classes, that driver is restricted to competition in the affected classes only and will not be allowed to compete in any other Comp class for the remainder of the current season. If a driver establishes a personal index in only a single class, the driver will be allowed to compete in any Comp class.
All qualifying will be based off of the class index. Any elimination run between cars in the same class will be heads up based off of the class index.
Any Racer who runs -.610 or greater in eliminations will cause his or her respective Personal Index to be permanently adjusted by an increment equal to the second decimal of the infraction immediately following the event.
The CIC adjustment will be conducted with one plateau and will follow the chart below:
| RUNS | ADJUSTMENTS | RUNS | ADJUSTMENTS |
|---|---|---|---|
| .600 to .609 | .00 | .660 to .669 | .06 |
| .610 to .619 | .01 | .670 to .679 | .07 |
| .620 to .629 | .02 | .680 to .689 | .08 |
| .630 to .639 | .03 | .690 to .699 | .09 |
| .640 to .649 | .04 | .700 or greater | .10 Maximum |
| .650 to .659 | .05 |
Any Racer who runs -. 710 or greater in eliminations will permanently reset the class index by an increment equal to the second decimal of the infraction again following the event,
Class Index
| RUNS | ADJUSTMENTS | RUNS | ADJUSTMENTS |
|---|---|---|---|
| .700 to .709 | .00 | .760 to .769 | .06 |
| .710 to .719 | .01 | .770 to .779 | .07 |
| .720 to .729 | .02 | .780 to .789 | .08 |
| .730 to .739 | .03 | .790 to .799 | .09 |
| .740 to .749 | .04 | .800 or greater | .10 Maximum |
| .750 to .759 | .05 |
We will be looking at the new indexes we have set and reserve the right to adjust accordingly following events during the season, the new indexes details are as below.
FWD
Please see the attached document as noted within the document this is for the 2025 season with additions for the 2026 season, the indexes may see an adjustment for as noted above.
| DESIGNATION | ENGINE | MAXIMUM TURBO SIZE | MINIMUM WEIGHT | INDEX |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BB/AF | Up to 6 cyl. | 77 mm | 920 kg | 9.18s |
| CB/AF | Up to 6 cyl. | 72 mm | 920 kg | 9.50s |
For the 2026 season, the class will recognise the performance and durability advantage afforded by the use of billet blocks and will therefore split into four categories to accommodate this. The indices in place at the close of the 2025 season will be lowered by 3/10’s for those competitors who choose to use a billet block manufactured from material of any description. The class designation will therefore change with the addition of an ‘F’, indicating the use of a factory block for those who choose this option. All categories will be limited to the use of an OEM, production, volume manufactured cylinder head.
On the assumption that the indices noted above remain unchanged during the coming season, the format for the 2026 season will be as follows
| DESIGNATION | ENGINE | MAXIMUM TURBO SIZE | MINIMUM WEIGHT | INDEX |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BB/AF | Up to 6 cyl. | 77 mm | 920 kg | 8.18s |
| CB/AF | Up to 6 cyl. | 72 mm | 920 kg | 9.20s |
| BBF/AF | Up to 6 cyl. | 77 mm | 920 kg | 9.18s |
| CBF/AF | Up to 6 cyl. | 72 mm | 920 kg | 9.50s |
Should any of the indices be lowered during the 2025 season they will be adjusted accordingly for the 2026 season as noted above.
RWD Turbocharged indexes
Please see the attached document, not all classes are effected, CT/A and DT/A will see additions to the class or index. DD/AT will no longer be competed.
2 class indexes have been adjusted CT/A, DT/A with the addition of the designation F meaning factory, style heads and block, should a Racer wish to run aftermarket or billet items outside of the Factory spec, they will continue to run the current CT/A DT/A indexes.
| DESIGNATION | WEIGHT | REVISED INDEX |
|---|---|---|
| CTF/A | 50-499 kg/ltr | 7.59 |
| DTF/A | 500-649 kg/ltr | 7.89 |
Normally Aspirated Classes
Please see the attached document, 5 class indexes have been adjusted A/A, B/A, C/A, D/A with the addition of the designation F meaning factory, style heads and block, should a Racer wish to run aftermarket or billet items outside of the Factory spec, they will continue to run the current A/A, B/A, C/A, D/A indexes.
| DESIGNATION | CYLINDER HEAD | WEIGHT-KG/LTR | MINIMUM WEIGHT | INDEX |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AF/A | 94 – 129 | 885 Kg | 7.67 | |
| BF/A | 130 – 149 | 955 Kg | 7.83 | |
| CF/A | 150 – 179 | 955 Kg | 8.16 | |
| DF/A | Inline valve | 188 – 195 | 1000 Kg | 9.25 |
| DF/A | Canted valve | 196 and over | 1000 Kg | 9.25 |
The class indexes on the entry system will be updated over the coming days, to match those who have changed to the new Factory indexes.
Should any Racers have any questions regarding theses updates please contact Ian Marshall at this link or 01933-313625 office hours 8.30 - 6pm please.
There will also be a further update regarding the 2025 Comp Eliminator Sponsorship programme in due course.
4WD vehicles are also to be permitted within RWD classes, this is on a test basis for the 2025 season to calculate how 4WD works within the RWD format.
Depending on which class or index 4WD vehicles enter, all other criteria in terms of weight over engine size must be maintained, stock block and cylinder head may also use the new indexes above, in either turbo or normally aspirated classes, if you are unsure of which class or index your combination falls please contact SPRC as above, we are here to help.
Sam Hiscock joins us for his views on 2024 and the route ahead in 2025:
After watching my Dad race in Super Gas for a few years, I decided that I might like to get in on the drag racing action myself. I had a great Junior Dragster test day with Andy Fensome in October 2023, and it all started from there.
Andy had a complete Junior Modified dragster for sale which we picked up in January 2024, and it went in for paint with Neil at Skid Lidz Custom Paint soon after. I’d completed my licensing runs for Junior Stock on the test day, but this new car was going to be a lot faster, and I knew there would be a lot to learn both on and off the track.
My first event was the Festival of Power and since then I have really got to grips with driving and preparing the car and myself, and learning how the class rules works, over the season in Junior Modified. I’ve enjoyed every race, finishing up 21st in the Championship. I was very happy to be awarded a Junior Dragster Rising Star cup and to now have been nominated for the SPRC Best Appearing Car Award.
Furthermore, I am looking forward to moving up to JMA in 2025 and would like to thank all of my Junior Dragster teammates and crews for welcoming me into the class and for their helpful advice. Big thanks to my great Crew Chief Mark and Neil at Skid Lidz Custom Paint for the awesome airbrushed paintwork (his metal flake paint really does pop in the Santa Pod sun!). Also to everyone at Santa Pod Raceway, Santa Pod Racers Club for everything they do to make the racing happen; commentators, event reporters and photographers for the cool shots of ‘Bob’.
See you all next year for some more fun!
Happy belated birthday wishes to you Sam, a championship winning season awaits.
We are always on the hunt for garage updates, car stories and driver's diaries content. Feel free to drop me a line at [email protected]
Eurodragster.com sponsor John Tebenham tells us his iconic Ford Pop is still for sale, at a much reduced price:
I have to sell my "Crew Killer" Pop. I have just too many race cars, as I am moving house. It has all the best parts, a 650 hp I.C.E. Automotive engine, two speed Powerglide just refreshed with converter. The best times are 8.86 at 151 mph.
It's a great, easy to drive race car that does amazing burnouts I have had loads spent on it .
You can race it this season and be famous for only £29,750.
JT can be contacted on 07583 615973.
Thanks to Andreas from Sjödin Motorsport HB / ÅBM Racing for allowing Eurodragster.com to share their Facebook post on Looking for a team member: Andreas writes:
Experience is a good thing but fitting in and being interested and want to learn and listen is way more valuable than knowledge. I always say, if you really want something you can do it!
Important priorities for me during a race weekend is having good food and having the car ready when it’s time for it. Stressful situations is what a racing weekend is all about, many things to solve quick and you need to have some skinn on your nose and not be a person that are looking for what other people are doing wrong.
You must be dedicated and understand that this is something that is prepared for hundreds of hours back home at the shop and then we have just a few days during the season / whole year when we can do something with the preparations we made, here is no half assing during race weekends. You are not a person than just sits around reading a book smokes a cigarette thinking this is a vacation. This isn’t just a hobby, it’s a lifestyle.
You must be careful and make a proper job, It’s a lot of money involved and the safety when it comes to the driver is important.
If there is a problematic situation, you will ask how to solve it! Making a bad job is not an option. We will probably do 4 events in 2025, but a huge plus is to be able to help out in the shop at home also. If you are living close it is an even bigger plus! I’m kind of used to do much of the work by myself so I’m doing this to maybe make life a little easier for myself.
This is a non profit deal, we are just consuming money! So the paycheck is really bad, but instead this can be a really great and fun thing to be a part of, if you really want it and are dedicated!
Of course, food and things needed during a race weekend is something I will pay for. Yes, I’m asking for a lot! But I also know that this isn’t something for everyone, I have learned it the hard way and this isn’t for everyone!!!
Age, pretty much does not matter at all if you are the right one. Interested of working for free but have a good fun time doing it?
Send me a Facebook message at this link and Andreas will be in touch. Also you can contact Andreas via email by clicking here.
Happy Birthday for today to Nitro Funny Car racer Rob Elsom, Willys Wars racer Mark Puddick, Swedish Top Fuel Bike racer Thomas Pettersson, Pro Modified wife and crew member Belinda Nicholson expat Pro ET racer Colin Felstead, now based in Ohio. We hope you all have a great day.
Thanks to former Nitro FM presenter Nigel Fitzmaurice for sending in this latest Podcast on the interview with: Wicked Lady Pro ET which can be view by clicking here.
Thanks to Paul Watson for sending this update on the funeral details for Al Cook (Cooky):
Al Cook Junior wrote: It is with an extremely heavy heart that we share the news of the unexpected passing of our Dad. It is a massive shock that we have lost him and we appreciate everyone respecting our privacy whilst we navigate this period of grief as a family.
My mum in time may take over his social media and continue to chat to their friends and keep in touch. Over the last week we have realised how many hearts our Dad touched and he would have been overwhelmed with the response and messages of support we have received, thank you all for your kind words we are very proud to have called him our Dad.
For any of his friends that would like to pay tribute to Al (Cooky) and celebrate his amazing life with us the details are below:
Funeral will take place at Springwood Crematorium, Liverpool, L25 7UN on 12th February 2025 at 10:45am.
There will be a wake held at The Sefton Park Hotel, Liverpool, L17 4JE from 11:30am for those who would like to join us in remembering the good times and everything he accomplished in his life.
From two proud sons and a very proud wife.
We at Eurodragster.com send our deepest condolences to Al's family and friends at this sad time.
Happy Birthday wishes for today to Junior Dragster driver Sam Hiscock, NSS racer Claire Johnson, Wild Bunch racer Wayne Colliver, former Junior Dragster race Skye Collier, and long time drag bike racers Turbo Tim Boutle and Pete Le Gros, we hope all of you have a great day.
We were sad to hear of the passing of Junior Drag racer Elienisse Zoe Diaz last night at 10:54pm.
DragCoverage posted on their Facebook the following:
Elienisse was involved in an on track accident Saturday in her Jr. Dragster at Orlando Speed World and the entire Drag Racing Community has been showing their full support for this family during their greatest time of need.
Her family said “It is with immense sadness & devastation that I share the passing of our sweet girl, Elienisse Zoe Diaz last night- Tuesday, February 4 at 10:54pm. She was called home and entered the gates of heaven - fully healed from her earthly injuries”
“Please keep her mom, dad, brother, sister, and extended family close to your heart in prayer, as they navigate the unimaginable loss of their sweet girl.”
Orlando Speed World said “We are deeply heartbroken by the tragic incident that took place at OSW on Sunday. Our thoughts and prayers are with Elienisse’s family, and all those affected, including our racing community.”
“Motorsports is built on passion, but moments like these remind us of the risks that come with what we love. While injuries can heal, the pain of loss is immeasurable. We stand together in support, mourning, and prayer during this difficult time. We extend our deepest condolences to those grieving and will continue to uplift them in our thoughts.”
We at Eurodragster.com send our deepest condolences at this sad time to Elienisse's family and friends.
Pictures from DragCoverage Facebook page.
Thanks to Santa Pod Racers Club secretary Ian Marshall for getting in touch to announce 2025 SFI Day which takes place at Santa Pod Raceway on 11th March in the Bank Side VIP as previous years.
Ian writes: For those Racers wishing to have items SFI Re-certified, come along for 8:30am until 4pm prompt.
Thanks to Drag Race Union and Markus Münch for sending in this news update on The DRU Pro ET and Supro ET registration is now opened.
Drivers can register via Dragraceunion webiste by clicking here.
All the rules and terms of participation are at this link.
We welcome LV Performance Racewear and Parts as home and news page sponsor from February 2025.
LV Performance Racewear & Parts is based in Aalsmeer, The Netherlands and we ship across Europe. Behind LV Performance is Elin Lindegren. Elin is a part of Vegter Pro Mod Racing where David is the driver of the ‘67 Pro Modified Camaro in the FIA European Championship. Safety is personally very important to us and we only work with the brands and products we believe and trust in.
Time to get ready for the racing season or do you need new equipment for yourself or your racing car? LV Performance Racewear & Parts is a proud dealer of Simpson Race Products in Europe.
Please feel free to contact us through email at this link or via one of our social media channels Facebook by clicking here and Instragram at this link.
Spitfire Raceway at Parrenporth, Cornwall have announced the Spring Drag and Drift event of 2025 that takes place raceway Saturday 5th April between 11am to 3pm. ENTRY NOW OPEN!
You don’t have to go home after the drag and drift, keep enjoying yourself at the on site airfield control tower cafe, Bar open til late, great food, stunning views, children’s play area, plus camping on site, £10 a tent pitch per night. You can book your camping stay at this link
Trophies will be up for grabs for quickest top ten on the drag strip, best appearing drift car, best of show and best club stand. Trophies will be presented just after 3pm at race control.
All vehicles are welcome at Spitfire Raceway. You can spectate or take part at Spitfire Raceway, spectators are £10 per person on the gate, under 16s go free. You can drag race from £15 after admission; crash helmet and full driving licence are required.
There is a Show & Shine competition with no charge after admission.
Gates are open at 8am and track action is from 11am to 3pm. All vehicles have a safety check for drag racing and drifting. There is a drag strip riders and drivers meeting at race control 10.45am. Don’t forget to you can camp on site. Enjoy the events and the local area.
All 2024 drag and drift events online bookings are now open. No more waiting - book away. Click on the links below to make your bookings
Drag strip driver/rider - Click Here. Drift driver - Click Here.
Spitfire Raceway is located at Perranporth Airfield, Cornwall TR5 0XS. Please respect the surrounding areas and speed limits when travelling to and from this event
Happy Birthday to Super Gas racer, Sportsman ET class sponsor and SPRC Committee Member Andy Dibley, to UK Funny Car legend Gordon Smith, Top Methanol Funny Car owner Danny Bellio, and to Funny Bike racer Nick 'Shaggy' Daniels, have a great day all!
Happy Birthday to Swedish Top Doorslammer racer Anders Edh, we hope you have a great day Anders!
Happy Birthday for today to Super Pro ET racer Daniel Giles, 8.50 Bike racer Stacey Reed, Sportsman ET racer Steve Mellors, former 9.50 Bike racer Dave Bowe and Outlaw Street racer Paul Knifton. We hope you all had a great day.
Dragzine.com posted on Facebook today with this update: The final day of Sick Week 2025 at South Georgia Motorsports Park was special. Brett LaSala ended the week by securing the Unlimited class win and overall Sick Week title with a 6.241 average. For good measure, LaSala burnt the scoreboards down at SGMP with a 6.079 pass at 236 mph, not bad for a street car on radials!
Ed Ensor didn't need a power-adder to have a good time on Sick Week. He smashed the naturally-aspirated record book with his 7.096 average during the week and finished the event without any major issues.
Josh Davis overcame a shattered windshield to earn a victory behind the wheel of Devin Vanderhoof’s Modified-class 1993 Mustang. Davis secured his second Sick Week orange helmet with a 6.577 average.
Graham Hays finished Sick Week with a 6.49 average and that was enough to earn a victory in the Unlimited Iron class. Fellow Nova driver Nick Reinhart took top honors in the highly contested Heavy Metal class thanks to his 6.930 average. Drag-and-drive veteran Glenn Hunter ripped off his first six-second pass during Sick Week, and then did it two more times for good measure. Those three six-second passes helped Hunter secure the Pro Street class win with a 7.017 average.
Things got WILD on the final day of Sick Week for the Super Street class. Bob Hess Jr. was leading Bradley Arnold going into the last day of racing, but a turbo failure put him behind the eight ball. After scoring a turbo from a fellow competitor, Hess was able to make a 7.655 pass to lock in a 7.453 average and the overall win.
Former NMRA series champion Darin Hendricks made his first drag-and-drive event count at Sick Week. Hendricks piloted his 1993 Mustang Cobra to a brisk 8.825 average to win the Stick Shift class. In the small tire Rowdy Radial class, Jamie Doller finished Sick Week with a 4.992 average and that was enough to win.
Cooper Bogetti decided to try drag-and-drive racing for the first time with his 2JZ-powered 1999 Camaro. That decision paid off and Bogetti won the Sick Week Freaks class thanks to an 8.847 average. Randy Seward dominated the Street Race 275 class and averaged an 8.506 to earn another orange helmet.
The Sick Street Race class saw Kein Bolger and his 1987 Buick Regal finish the week with an 8.583 average to snag the class win. Jeremy Bonnett drove his 1933 Willys to an 8.888 average and the win in the Gassers vs Hot Rods vs Beetles class. Consistency is key in the Dial-Your-Own (DYO) and Pro DYO classes. Azeem Sheikh picked up the Pro DYO win while Will Stoneberg got the win in the DYO class.
Thanks to Paul "No Prep" Marston for sending this recent update on Class Rules, Regulations, Licenses, ticket prices and Event format at Manston Raceway Park. Paul writes:
We have been a little quiet at Manston Raceway Park recently due to so much to sort out, we can now go live with our Rules and Regulations. Class details and how the events will run from a competitors and a spectators perspective.
Please check out the No Prep Racers Club Facebook page at this link for all the information. There is quite a lot to get through as it covers a lot of the areas.
We have a website in the making and is not far from being made live, it does take time to build, as anyone who has done this before will testify too. Paul can only say that we are moving as fast as we can. Yes mistakes will happen in doing, please bear with us.
Everything is still going in the right direction, we must thank everyone who has helped us out with help, advise and support. It's you guys that we are doing this for.
This place is for us all to enjoy this great sport of Drag Racing at a grass roots level here at Manston Raceway Park.
We should have the logo finished soon. The clock is ticking and we are working very hard to archive our goal, but the main thing is that we are not behind schedule.
Happy Birthday for today to Supercharged Outlaws racer Jake Clayton, Comp Bike racer Dave Thomas and US Funny Car legend Ed 'The Ace' McCulloch. We hope you all had a great day.
Dragzine.com posted on Facebook yesterday with this update: Brett LaSala continued to put on a master class on how to dominate a drag-and-drive event during day four of Sick Week at Gainesville Raceway. The Snot Rocket ripped off a 6.225 run and that solidified LaSala's crushing grip on the overall Sick Week lead. Josh Davis ran a new personal best of 6.372, but it just won't be enough to catch LaSala.
Drag-and-drive events are all about survival. Sick Week veteran Bryant Goldstone was forced to drop out after his Javelin hung a rod out of the engine in the burnout box. Former Sick Week champion Stefan Gustafsson was also forced out of the event after an oil pump belt broke and caused catastrophic engine damage.
The crowd at Gainesville was impressive on day four. There were tons of fans on hand to watch the racing and check out all the awesome cars in the staging lanes. The Sick Week show returns to South Georgia Motorsports Park today for the event's finale. You can see all the racing on FDRM+.
We have posted our event coverage plan for 2025 which you can see at this link or by clicking on 'Events' in the main menu at the top of the page. As ever, the usual caveats apply: event coverage is dependent on weather and track conditions and team availability.
We are thankful to our team for setting aside their time to make in some cases lengthy journeys to attend events. We are again scheduling events at Dakota Raceway, Smeatharpe, Devon, also, as a sponsor of Melbourne Raceway, we are pleased to announce coverage of all events at the track this year, with former editor Tog attending all but two.
At Santa Pod Raceway we are covering all championship events, both SPRC National and FIA/FIM-E as well as several lifestyle events and RWYBs. We will carry coverage of events at Tierp and Hockenheim, although it is maybe at the end of day rather than live. This will be confirmed closer to the time.
Thanks to Julian and Kieran for giving their time for UK and overseas trips and to Kieran for allowing us to embed video footage into the galleries.
Our event coverage is supported by John Woolfe Racing.
Florida businessman and land developer Chris Armstrong announced on Tuesday the launch of his latest venture, Armstrong Europe Racing. While Armstrong is no stranger to motorsports, this marks his debut on the international stage.
Armstrong Europe Racing is set to compete in the 2025 FIA European Drag Racing Championship, introducing a blend of American innovation and determination to one of the world’s premier drag racing circuits.
A seasoned entrepreneur, lifelong motorsports enthusiast, and man of faith, Armstrong shared his vision for the new operation, stating: “This journey is a blessing, and God has guided us to this moment. Our goal is to bring a fresh perspective to the European drag racing scene, combining our ingenuity and resources with the passion and excitement that is found overseas.”
Armstrong Europe Racing will compete in the championship’s Top Fuel class. The team is assembling a competitive roster, blending seasoned veterans with emerging talents, and committing to the full 2025 four-race schedule.
The European Drag Racing Championship, known for its intense competition and dedicated fanbase, offers a unique platform for Armstrong and his team to establish a foothold in the global motorsports arena. The 2025 season will see Armstrong Europe Racing competing at iconic venues across Europe, including two stops at the historic Santa Pod Raceway in the United Kingdom and a race at Tierp Arena in Sweden.
2025 FIA European Drag Racing Championship Schedule:
-
May 23-26: Santa Pod Raceway (United Kingdom)
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Aug. 7-10: Tierp Arena (Sweden)
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Aug. 29-31: HockenheimRing (Germany)
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Sept. 4-7: Santa Pod Raceway (United Kingdom)
“I’m thrilled to take this bold step forward in my motorsports journey,” Armstrong said. “This isn’t just about building a racing team—it’s about creating a legacy that embodies our core values of resilience, creativity, and faith. We’re here to compete at the highest level, aiming for victories and the championship. We’ll be announcing our driver and crew chief soon, and it’s going to be a dynamic one-two punch.”
Details regarding the team’s driver lineup, primary sponsorship, and crew leadership are expected soon, as preparations for the 2025 season move forward with growing energy.
Stay tuned to ArmstrongEuropeRacing.com for updates and news on the team’s progress.
Happy Birthday for today to Super Pro ET racer Martyn Jones, former Sportsman ET racer Ian Jackson, Straightliners administrator Helen Greathead, Estonian administrator Kristjan Veedler and photographer Jon Spoard. We hope you all have a great day
Dragzine.com posted on Facebook yesterday with this update: Orlando Speed World hosted day three of Sick Week and the racing was FAST. Brett LaSala continued his assault on the record books and tightened his grip on the overall Sick Week title with a 6.206 run. His average for the week is now 6.301 and he thinks there's more left in the Snot Rocket.
Josh Davis continues to hold down second place in the chase for the overall Sick Week title. Graham Hays, who's locked in a battle for third in the overall standings, had to replace a transmission in his Nova. With the fresh slushbox installed, Hays laid down a 6.661, his best time of the week.
Ed Ensor is putting on a show behind the wheel of his Foxbody Mustang in the Naturally Aspirated class. The conventional 632 cubic-inch mill that powers Ensor's Mustang propelled the Ford to a 7.078 run, smashing the current Naturally Aspirated class record.
Sick Week competitors got to make a run up the Atlantic coast through Daytona Beach on their way to Gainsville for day four of Sick Week 2025.
