Congratulations to the winners at the weekend's NSRA Nostalgia Nationals held at Santa Pod Raceway:
- Nostalgia Superstock : Harvey Turner 12.0902/108.69 def. Jim Tucker 10.1770/1232.03
- Gasser Circus : Ray Turner 10.7319/123.41 def. Jason Picket 9.7950/126.58 Breakout
- Outlaw Anglia : Rob Brindle 9.5506/108.97 def. Martyn Payne Double Red.
Big accident between Mick Hannah and Jack Williams at the weekend, we all here at Eurodragster.com are pleased to hear that they are okay and wish they a speedy recovery.
Nostalgia Nationals reports and galleries by clicking here or by clicking on the Events link in the main menu above. A big Thank You from Chris Winn to Graham Watkinson for providing another great set of live reports over the weekend and to photographers Julian for his hard work.
Racer reports are welcome, please send them to eurodragster.com at this link. Event supported by John Woolfe Racing.
The British Drag Racing Historians are proud to present Beadle Brothers Part 3:
Tony and Don Beadle played a big part in British Drag Racing and this last part of their story kicks off in 1974 when Tony set up the British Flathead Racers Association and worked towards running a Flathead Eliminator in the UK. Tony was always looking for a cheap way to race and built an Econo Dragster in the early ‘80s then formed the Rover V8 Challenge Series. In the early 1990s Tony finally hung up his helmet to focus on his journalism role.
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. Edited by Nick Pettitt.
You can view this story by clicking here.
Thanks to Andy (Tog) Rogers for covering the day two at Manston Park Raceway and providing Eurodragster.com pictures of the More Money Nationals event. To follow the coverage, go to our event index by clicking here. Supported by John Woolfe Racing.
Pictures are ©Eurodragster.com please follow our policy that the watermarked photos from our galleries can be downloaded and may be used in social media posts but please do not crop or modify them, in particular we need the watermark retained. To purchase originals please E-Mail [email protected].
Happy Birthday for today to Wild Bunch crew member for Rebel and Wrathchild Hayley Fyfe, and to Super Twin 'Beast' team member and former Mantorp Park administrator L-o Jonsson. Have a great day
Santa Pod Raceway announced this press release on Friday 2nd May - "SANTA POD’S ‘THE MAIN EVENT’ BRINGS TOP RACERS FROM EUROPE AND AMERICA" Drag racers from 16 European countries plus the USA will gather at Santa Pod Raceway over late May’s Spring Bank Holiday weekend to contest the opening round of 2025’s FIA/FIM European Championships. With an entry list approaching 300-strong, The Main Event encompasses competition for national as well as international title chases, with classes ranging from youngsters piloting Junior Dragsters and Dragbikes all the way up to the fastest two- and four-wheeled adult machinery on the planet.
300mph Top Fuel Dragsters are the quickest and fastest of them all. Switzerland’s Jndia Erbacher defends the 2024 crown she snatched dramatically by winning the season’s final two races. Erbacher renews on-track hostilities with Sweden’s speed queen, Susanne Callin, whom she narrowly beat to the title. In performance terms, the two are closely matched, each with 3.8-second, 320mph personal bests. Among the opposition, Britain’s Liam Jones returns to international competition after five years’ absence, having limbered up at last month’s Easter event.
The Pro Modified contest brings another chance to see the remarkable Estonian racer, Andres Arnover, in action. The Main Event combines the opening FIA Pro Mod Championship round with round two of the Motorsport UK British Drag Racing Championship. Arnover already leads the UK points after winning round one at Easter with the quickest Pro Mod elapsed time achieved in Europe, 5.695sec, dipping beneath the 5.7sec barrier which few others have even approached. Arnover already holds Santa Pod’s Pro Mod speed record at 254.86mph. Another 250mph-plus racer is the defending FIA champion, Finland’s Jere Rantaniemi, who scooped the crown with a final-round victory over Britain’s Andy Robinson last September at the European Finals. Both will figure in the 16-strong international field of racers bidding to overcome the turbocharged Estonian.
Aside from the other FIA classes – Pro Stock, Top Methanol – the Funny Car Cup is led by a Texan record setter. When 1960s American racers began cramming nitro-burning dragster engines into saloon-style cars, someone quipped that these machines looked ‘kinda funny’, and the name stuck – funny peculiar, not funny ha-ha. At Easter, Texas veteran Terry Haddock set new European Funny Car marks at 4.124sec/307.88mph en route to victory. Like Top Fuel Dragsters, the wild-handling Funnies race over 1,000 feet instead of the classic quarter-mile, for safety reasons. Britain’s Steve Ashdown will be Haddock’s chief opposition.
On two wheels, the FIM European Championship brings entries in Top Fuel Bike, nitro SuperTwin, Pro Stock and Super Street bikes. The Main Event’s supporting programme includes full fields of UK championship car and motorcycle classes.
The Main Event 2025 takes place from Friday 23rd to Monday 26th May at Santa Pod Raceway, near Wellingborough NN29 7XA, with a wide range of off-track entertainments complementing the racing action. Full event details are available at https://santapod.co.uk/main-event.php.
Book in advance, online at https://santapodtickets.com/p/mainevent or by telephoning the Box Office at 01234 782828. Paddock access is free for a close-up view of all the pitside action.
Photos attached:
- Top Fuel Dragsters: 2024 FIA champion Jndia Erbacher (Switzerland – far lane) vs. Susanne Callin (Sweden).
- Pro Modified: 2024 FIA champion Jere Rantaniemi (Finland).
- Top Fuel Bike: Jiri Lukes (Czech Republic).
- Funny Car: record setter Terry Haddock (USA).
[ Pictures: Dave Jones/Callum Pudge / Santa Pod ]
Many thanks to Julian and Graham for covering the 3rd day here at NSRA Nostalgia Nationals, Santa Pod Raceway, also thanks to Tog for sorting and uploading them to the site. You can see all the Pictures and race reports at this link, supported by John Woolfe Racing.
Pictures are ©Eurodragster.com please follow our policy that the watermarked photos from our galleries can be downloaded and may be used in social media posts but please do not crop or modify them, in particular we need the watermark retained. To purchase originals please E-Mail [email protected].
Happy Birthday for today to former FIA Drag Racing Commission chair Lars Pettersson, former Gasser Circus racer John Gibson, Modified 100e racer Karl Reardon and blown slingshot racer Andy Hill. We hope you all have a great day.
Happy Birthday for yesterday to Comp Eliminator racer René Ehrismann who turned 60, hope you had a fanastic day. Happy Birthday to former Top Fuel and Funny Car racer Pete Crane, former Super Pro ET racer Lee Cohen, Outlaw Anglia racer Richard Colby, forthcoming Porsche 944 racer Jacey Grant, VW Beetle racer Donald Harvey, from Sweden four time FIA Pro Stock champion Niclas Andersson and doorslammer racer Mats Stefansson. We hope you all had a great day.
Thanks to former Nitro FM presenter Nigel Fitzmaurice for sending in his latest Podcast with: Jeff and Belinda Bull, please subscribe and share Nigel's channel. You can be view by clicking here.
Eurodragster.com brings you live coverage from the NSRA Nostalgia Nationals, supported by John Woolfe Racing. To follow our coverage, go to our event index by clicking here or to follow the live reporting click here.
Coverage team: Graham (reports), Julian (photography) Coverage ©Eurodragster.com.
Happy Birthday for today to Comp Bike racer Adam Burns, French Pro Stock Bike racer Charly Abraham, Flying Iceberg Buick racer Anthony Mitchell, former Sportsman ET racer Neil L'Alouette and Finnish Stock eliminator racer Jarmo Markkanen. We hope you all have a great day.
Many thanks to Julian and Graham for covering the 2nd day here at NSRA Nostalgia Nationals, Santa Pod Raceway, also thanks to Tog for sorting and uploading them to the site. You can see all the Pictures and race reports at this link, supported by John Woolfe Racing.
Pictures are ©Eurodragster.com please follow our policy that the watermarked photos from our galleries can be downloaded and may be used in social media posts but please do not crop or modify them, in particular we need the watermark retained. To purchase originals please E-Mail [email protected].
Thanks to Andy (Tog) Rogers for covering the day one at Manston Park Raceway and providing Eurodragster.com pictures of the More Money Nationals event. To follow the coverage, go to our event index by clicking here. Supported by John Woolfe Racing.
Pictures are ©Eurodragster.com please follow our policy that the watermarked photos from our galleries can be downloaded and may be used in social media posts but please do not crop or modify them, in particular we need the watermark retained. To purchase originals please E-Mail [email protected].
Eurodragster.com brings you live coverage from the NSRA Nostalgia Nationals, supported by John Woolfe Racing. To follow our coverage, go to our event index by clicking here or to follow the live reporting click here.
Pictures are ©Eurodragster.com please follow our policy that the watermarked photos from our galleries can be downloaded and may be used in social media posts but please do not crop or modify them, in particular we need the watermark retained. To purchase originals please E-Mail [email protected].
Coverage team: Graham (reports), Julian (photography) Coverage ©Eurodragster.com.
Many thanks to Julian Hunt for covering the first day here at the NSRA Nostalgia Nationals, you can see all the pictures at this link supported by John Woolfe Racing.
Thanks to Andy (Tog) Rogers for covering the test day at Manston Park Raceway and providing Eurodragster.com pictures of the More Money Nationals event. To follow the coverage, go to our event index by clicking here. Supported by John Woolfe Racing.
Pictures are ©Eurodragster.com please follow our policy that the watermarked photos from our galleries can be downloaded and may be used in social media posts but please do not crop or modify them, in particular we need the watermark retained. To purchase originals please E-Mail [email protected].
Happy Birthday to Outlaw Anglia racers Kim Harrison and Rob Nixon, Junior Drag Bike constructor Simon Holgate,and Trakbak Racing Business & Project Development Manager Richard Foster-Turner, we hope you all had a great day
Good Morning, Eurodragster.com have Julian Hunt covering the test day pictures from the NSRA Nostalgia Nationals at Santa Pod Raceway. Live reporting by Graham from Saturday and Sunday. Eurodragster.com event coverage supported by John Woolfe Racing. To follow our coverage, go to our event index by clicking here.
Pictures are ©Eurodragster.com please follow our policy that the watermarked photos from our galleries can be downloaded and may be used in social media posts but please do not crop or modify them, in particular we need the watermark retained. To purchase originals please E-Mail [email protected].
Thanks to Media/Photo/Editor Mike Kraaij from DHRA Dragracing Holland for update Eurodragster.com for sending in this preview for the FIA & FIM-E Main Event, which takes place 23rd -26th May. You can access by clicking here.
Thanks to Phil Drewitt for sending in this press release on DOORSLAMMERS 2025 will see the debut of a new team entering the PRO DOORSLAMMER class. Trevor Hirst from ASD/FUELTECH UK, owner of the Skinny Kid Brothers built Ford Mustang is teaming up & entrusting driving duties to Phil “ 403 MAFIA” Drewitt.
The bright Red Mustang is powered by an ASD built 521ci, twin turbo Ford Wedge motor, complete with Bruno/Lenco transmission. Trevor & Phil have worked together in the past, the Ford motor in Phil’s Super Gas championship winning XR3i Escort was built by ASD in 1990. In more recent years Phil's 540 ci 8second Chevy motor was built by ASD complete with FT600 Fueltech management in the 403 MAFIA Ford Anglia.
2025 will see the team building together, with the ultimate goal being 6 second passes @ 200+ mph.Phil said: “I am fully aware of the amazing opportunity that Trevor has created for me. There is no doubt it will be a steep learning curve getting to grips with a car of this calibre and will demand the utmost respect. Ive been assured it will be easier than hustling my wheel-standing 8 second Anglia"
The team will be is headed by OWNER, Trevor Hirst, CREW CHIEFS, Stephen Hirst & Dave Drewitt. John Sleath Race Cars.
TORQUES AN FITTINGS & HOSE = Alex Austin & The Lads, GALA TENTS, Premier Printed Marquee and ASD FUELTECH UK = Total Management. GET YOUR MITTS OUT, Detail products, POLEVOTE = everything wiring. NEIL HARMSWORTH = 24/7 support, SMARTBEDS, Martin Bishop = support, LEAD IT BE, Premier lead workers= support.
Huge THANK YOU to Judith Hirst & Kerry Drewitt for unwavering support.
See you all in 6 seconds & 200mph.
Happy Birthday for today to Top Fuel NHRA racer Ida Zetterström, Street Week Sweden organiser Mats Appelgren, and Ford Consul racer Steve Taylor. We hope you all have a fantastic day.
Thanks to Remco Scheelings from Drag Racing Europe for this article on Lars Sjӧholm steps up to Pro Modified:
After several years with all kinds of doorslammers, Lars Sjӧholm is ready for the next major step, Pro Modified. The 2024 Summit Racing EDRS Series Top Doorslammer champion found a new challenge in a well-known Chevrolet Camaro with a blower engine. Sjӧholm and his LSR Motorsport team will try to get familiar with the new combination in the EDRS Bilsport Pro Modified Series, to enter the FIA European Championship later this year.
You can read on this article by clicking here.
Thanks to Force of Nature rider Graham Sykes for sending in this fantastic report from the Festival of Power, Graham write: What a fantastic bank holiday weekend at the Festival of Power at Santa pod with the Force of Nature Steam Rocket Bike.
Friday we ran around 6.00 pm and unfortunately I headed straight for the wall on the launch with a 0.75 second 60 ft and had to peddle the rockets power to avoid the left hand wall . So we coasted to a 6.3 1/4 Saturday we faired a little better and ran a 0.74 second 60 ft and just as I went past the grandstand around 175 mph a gust of wind took me and I had to lift again for 0.4 seconds so spoiled the run and coasted to a 6.1 second 1/4.
Sunday however was great weather and we were called to the line around 3.00 pm . And ran a 0.73 second 60 ft and 1.99 second 330ft. 3.2 second 1/8th and 6.05 second 1/4. That’s my personal best and the bikes fastest 1/4. The fastest ever run for a steam powered vehicle and one of the fastest runs ever to the 1/8th at Santa Pod .
The commentators Darryl Bradford and Colin Theobald said they cannot think of any other vehicle that has run sub 2 seconds 330ft . We are soooooo close to running a 5 second 1/4. And all this with the small rocket motor. With 88 litres of water and 1.9 seconds of power.
Really looking forward to getting the big motor finished later this year with 110 litres of water and up to 3 seconds of power! We damaged a few valve seats with having to shut off a few times so that’s the next problem trying to locate some seats in time .Next meeting is Melbourne 10-11th May see you there. Thanks go to Santa pod for all your help and support.
Graham and the "Force of Nature" Steam Rocket Bike team
Thanks to Comp Bike racer Daniel Madeira for sending in this report from the Festival of Power at Santa Pod Raceway, Daniel writes: First of all, I would like to thank you for the hard work you do covering every single event. Festival of Power was our first event on the comb bike after moving from 8.5, and we think we've found our class for now.
Racing against very competitive riders gave us the motivation to push the bike and fine-tune it after every run, resulting in PB's after PB's this weekend. On test day, we managed a new PB of 7.52 at 188 mph. After qualifying in 6th with another PB of 7.44 at 195.56 mph, we achieved yet another PB of 7.40 at 195.56 mph in the first elimination round against Pete Slater. In round 2 against G. Dance, we run 7.47. In round 3 against M. Piggott, who was in top form running 7.2, we knew it was hard to beat, so we did our best to get him of the line but it was not enough; however, we pulled another PB of 7.38 at 197.08. We're looking forward to the next racing meeting with some upgrades.
Happy Birthday for today to Wild Bunch racer Bradley Cooper, Outlaw Flat Four racer Jack Marriage and Comp Bike racer Michael Gooding We hope you all had a great day!
