First driver to hit the lanes this year is Estonian Pro Mod Driver Andres Arnover:
We start the 2024 season quite early spring and the car got new upgrades. We tested a new set of shocks and a transmission converter setup. The first weekend at Santa Pod showed that we were moving in the right direction. Got a new personal best 5.82@251mph. Then onto the Doorslammer event, we got the car to run very well, 5.75 @258mph another new PB again but lost finals because of electrical problems. The car shut off at the starting line after burnout. Fixed and onto the Main event, first outing for the FIA. First time we got into the semi-finals this year, but after the rain started they cancelled our race.
Next race, middle of June in Tierp Arena, Sweden. We qualified in 2nd place but at elimination round 1, we changed a little bit of bump setup and the car jumped too far and lit the red light. Back to Sweden for the 3rd event at Tierp Arena, we qualified again second place with [email protected]/h(223.54mph). The car worked great till the second elimination round and then the Hyperactive boost controller broke down. Unfortunately it overboosted the engine and span the tyres. The FIA fourth race in Hockenheim, we qualified 1 place and won that race. For me it was first European championship race win.
After that last race in Santa Pod Raceway we made some small changes and qualified again number one position, 5.78@254mph. The car was tenth quicker than second place. We were having problems with the third member, but Carl Cox took his third member out of his Pro Mod car, and we were ready to go to the elimination rounds, but this time during round eliminations the transmission starts to leak from the an6 line connection and oil goes on to the track. So the start marshal asked me to shut off the engine, and they pushed the car back. This was bad luck, but things happens.
Now after 3 years we are Number 3, 2022, 2023 and 2024 in FIA Pro Mod class, which shows we are doing something right.
At the end of the season, my good friend in Estonia called me to go and race in Malta. I have never been to Malta raceway before, and it was a big challenge to me. The track was very bumpy, and the chassis wasn't happy, but we are first car to drive in Malta 5.94@247mph. It was an awesome weekend!
I'm very happy how the car now works, and we are just refreshing everything to be back in Santa Pod at the end of April. No need to make big changes, just little bit more luck.
Next out of the blocks is Street Eliminator Champion and Ford Capri owner, Anthony Higgs:
What a year it’s been for us in Street Eliminators! Ups and downs all over the place, but we came out winning two events (Easter Nationals and the Euro Finals) and even took the championship win, we definitely did not see that coming. To top it off we ended the season hitting a PB of 7.04 and eventually hit that elusive 206mph, the wife is finally happy that we’ve justified the twin chutes. Issues along the way included pulling a red light at a really crucial point at the Summer Nationals, very unlike me (known as Mr Snoozy off the line), which took us out of the running.
We encountered our usual breakages along the way, which everyone knows is second nature for me, a bent crank being one of the issues. Thankfully, a good friend, Chris Straub at Straub Technologies, stepped in, providing a new crank and bearings in record timing.
Our first time entering Doorslammers didn’t go as well as we’d hoped, pulling Rob Carter in Percy Passat for the first round. Unfortunately for us, Rob just pipped us to the finish line, a cracking weekend though and definitely something we’d consider for next year, funds permitting.
We were asked to be involved in the filming with the Hoonigan guys in June. That was certainly an interesting day, “no prep” meant no traction off the line, but the old Capri didn’t let us down. So what’s the plan over winter? We have new Afco struts, TBM brakes and we are changing over to a dry sump set up. The engine is out and we’re going through it to check all is OK, refreshing a few things along the way. Obviously, I have to thank my family for their relentless support and our friends that continue to help, Hilsea Tyres for their sponsorship. Also a big thanks to all the other racers and sponsors of the class, the banter is second to none, you all make racing what it is!
To finish off this episode, we have Jasmine Cordelle, Comp Bike mainstay and all out racer:
I would probably describe the 2024 season as unlucky, lots of highs and lows, which pretty much sums up drag racing or any motorsport. We had 6 championship rounds, 2 we lost points due to engine damage, 2 we lost due to weather and the other 2 I came 1st and 2nd. For the championship to be decided by the weather is always a hard pill to swallow.
Comp bike is an amazing class to race in, the championship was so close between the top 5 all came down to the last race of the year, which makes things very exciting. A great bunch of people who are always looking out for each-other, whether it be spare parts or praise! Let’s talk about the highs, we finished the season with a personal best of 7.26 @180mph, 2 final appearances, 1 win and 1 runner-up.
I am looking forward to the 2025 season, not much is changing, just even more hungry for the championship! Hopefully be able to get back to the states and see my extended racing family! Manifesting in the background, I will be able to run pro-stock FIM one day and go get that record/ 6 second pass.
Would like to say a big thank you to my main men, dad, Colt and Allan, would not be possible without you and I will try my best to damage less in 2025, but I cannot promise! Also, a big thank you to the rest of my family for their continued support, my sponsors Mazak, Lou and Dean Cosnett, and finally my bank account.
Additionally, another thank you to the whole Santa Pod team for another amazing facility to race at, all the amazing photographers and reports who capture all our memories for us! If anyone/ company would like to jump on board of trying to achieve that record in FIM give me a message and make my dreams come true.
Wish you all a great 2025 season with personal bests, health and wins.
