Thanks to UK Comp Eliminator racer, Jordan Payne, for getting in touch with Eurodragster.com to share his latest big news. Jordon writes
“I am very grateful to have recently been offered an amazing opportunity”, Jordan explained. “I’m soon going to be moving across the pond to work for GESi (Global Emissions Systems Inc) and will be getting to spend time with KB Titan Racing, the 2024 NHRA Championship winning Pro Stock team!
VP Racing Fuels’ Freddie Turza connected me with KB Titan last April, when I made a visit to the NHRA 4-Wide in North Carolina. Team owner and CEO of GESi, Eric Latino, gave me a tour of their spectacular facility, introducing me to the team and inviting me to hang out with them at the racetrack. I had a fantastic time and since have been offered the chance to work for GESi and spend some more time with the race team. There’s no way that I could refuse!
I know it’s going to be extremely hard work, but I’m very excited and really looking forward to learning and making the most of the experience!
If I’m able to raise the funding to do so, I’m planning to test and licence in an NHRA Pro Stock car later this year. Driving a Pro Stock car has been a dream of mine since I was 8-years-old, I never thought it would actually be possible, so the fact that there’s now a chance for me to make it happen is incredible!
I’d like to thank everyone for their help and support over the years, without it this moment would never have been possible, and I’m truly grateful.
With my move approaching fast, the difficult decision has been made to list the Corvette up for sale. As I’ll no longer be around to drive the car and my dad is unable to run the car alone, as sad as the decision is, moving the car on seems to be the most logical step right now. Don’t be surprised if you come across an advert online.
I’ll make sure to keep you up to date with my US adventures via Eurodragster and my social media @stickysituationracing. This could be the start of something gigantic, and I still can’t quite believe that it’s happening!”
Everyone here at Eurodragster.com wishes Jordan the very best on his travels, and we will be waiting to see his first win and report here on the site.
Good Luck Jordan! The advert for the car can be found here CORVETTE
Happy Birthday for today to former Top Methanol Dragster racer Derek Flynn, Top Methanol Funny Car racer Sascha Pretzsch, former Junior Dragster racer Katie Ellis, former Top Fuel racer Kim Reymond, and Nostalgia Super Stock racer Billy Mills. Have a great day all.
Happy Birthday for yesterday to Outlaw Street racer Owen Forrest and former Wild Bunch racer Adam Price. We hope you both have a fantastic day.
We are sad to hear this news that the front man Richie of FireForce Jet Funny Cars has suddenly passed away, this devastating news as been released on Facebook today.
Richie aka Front Man / Mr Ignition for Martin Hill’s Jet car family. It all started in 1994 when Martin approached Richie to help him out as he was short of crew,
Richie has been working with Martin for over 20 years and the team has gone from strength to strength including breaking and still holding the world record! As long as Martin runs jets.
As his family, friends and the Fire Force Team process this devastating news, they ask for privacy.
We at Eurodragster.com send our deepest condolences at this sad time to Richie's family, friends and the Fire Force Team.
Happy 60th Birthday to Motor Psycho crew chief Darren Galloway, have a great day Darren.
We here at Eurodragster.com are sad to hear this news from Steve Williams, Steve writes: It is with a heavy heart that I have to inform you all that my brother-in-law and great mate Alan Loten, owner/driver of the nostalgia jaguar power altered Paranoia, passed away suddenly couple of weeks ago. This was totally unexpected and, prior to his death, we had been actively planning for a full season of racing this year with a new engine. This will no longer be possible.
Alan first discovered drag racing in the early 70’s when, on a trip to Brayfield to watch Banger Racing, he and a friend saw a signpost to Santa Pod and decided to see what it was all about. After that first meeting, he never went Banger Racing again but had no idea that he would end up successfully racing a car himself. In the mid 70’s he met Brian Thomas who had started building a car and, with Brian being a welder/fabricator and Alan a mechanic, decided they had the necessary skills so formed a partnership to complete the car.
This was the first of three cars that they built together with all work, apart from the paint, completed by the pair with the cars getting progressively better engineered, faster and more successful as they progressed. The third car debuted in 1981, making it 44 years old now, but it is still running today. Being a race car it has been modified over the years but large parts of it are still original and the overall look is the same.
Alan initially raced from 1975 till 1985 when the pressures of a young family meant he had to retire, but during their partnership Alan and Brian won many trophies and championships domestically and were also invited to race on the continent including the initial French races held on the start finish straight at Le Mans in the early 80’s.
They also attended numerous shows and demonstrations in Germany, France, Italy and elsewhere, where the car won numerous prizes. During this time, the car was involved at Santa Pod in what we believe to be the only race between a car and a bike ever staged there, when they raced Brian Johnson on his pro stock bike with a handicap, to decide a tied championship. They won!
After Alan’s retirement Brian carried on with the car till 1995 when he sold it to Martin Holgate, Martin ran the car till 2009 when he retired and sold the car back to Alan who continued to run it till his passing. Alan’s second stint with the car was supposed to be about fun but it didn’t take long for the old competitive spirit to kick in. Running in the Wild Bunch, he did manage to win some of their trophies and championships to continue the success of the car.
Alan’s funeral will be at: - Hampden Chapel, Chilterns Crematorium, Whielden Street, Amersham, BUCKS. HP7 0ND. on Monday 14th April at 11:30, all are welcome. The family have asked for no flowers, but wear bright colours in Paranoia’s Red, Gold, or Blue if you can, but not essential. It is planned to setup a charitable collection in his memory at a later date.
The family would also like to invite you for refreshments after the service at the Squirrel Pub, Penn Street, Bucks. HP7 0PX, approx. two miles up the road towards High Wycombe. Could I please ask you to drop an email to team-paranoia@hotmail.co.uk if you are going to attend to give us some idea of numbers for the catering. There is a live stream of the service, but I don’t have the code yet, if anyone needs this info drop me an email as above and I will let you know.
We at Eurodragster.com send our deepest condolences at this sad time to Alan's family and friends.
Thanks to Santa Pod Raceway's Neale Saunders for sending in this latest release on Santa Pod Raceway Renews Partnership with DFDS for 2025!
We’re excited to announce that Santa Pod Raceway has once again renewed its partnership with DFDS for the 2025 season! This long-standing collaboration continues to offer racers exclusive discounted travel across the channel, making it easier and more affordable to get to and from events.
With DFDS, racers benefit from special rates on cross-channel ferry bookings, ensuring a smooth and cost-effective journey before they hit the track. Whether you're traveling from the continent to Santa Pod or heading to a European event, DFDS is committed to providing a hassle-free travel experience.
We’re grateful for the ongoing support of our racing community, and this partnership renewal is part of our commitment to making racing more accessible and affordable. To take advantage of this exclusive racer discount, download the 2025 Booking Form available on the SPRC website or by clicking here. Booking requests should be sent to dover.fbookings@dfds.com, where the DFDS team will handle your reservation.
Here’s to another year of fast crossings and even faster racing!
Thanks to ET Bike racer Robbie Dobbie for sending the ET Bike report from Springspeed Nationals which took place last weekend at Santa Pod Raceway. Robbie writes:
After the torrential downpours forcing the cancellation of the National Finals last year the forecast was cool and windy but dry for the SpringSpeed Nationals. Numbers were slightly down for ET Bike and unfortunately reduced to a 16 'bike field when Jake Boden dropped a valve during Friday testing. Very disappointing for him having knocked 2 seconds off his PB after fitting a turbo to the Suzuki Bandit. Michael Gooding made a welcome return from Comp. 'bike but after qualifying 13th had a problem with the Suzuki twin and elected not to run on Sunday as he didn't want to add to the large pile of scrap parts he already has. Only 2 of our Dutch friends made the trip over, both running in ETB and 8.50. Ralvin Petronilia gave it too much of a handful and was under the 8.70 cut off. Probably a quick word from Patrick Merite put him right for the next session where he qualified at 14 or he would have had a wasted journey.
Allan Davies hasn't finished his workshop and therefore the fuel 'bike so he is still with us on the big old GSX street 'bike. qualifying 7th he took out Ralvin in the first round but lost to Scott Collier in round 2. Patrick was handed the win in round 1 when Carl Hester, with new wheelie bars and a used slick off his dad got close to the wall. Patrick had more luck in round 2 when Nick Playdon, getting used to a turbo setup on the Buell, red lit but his luck ran out when he got a red light against number 2 qualifier Phil Pratt who was having gearbox problems. Unusually Gary Hester, 4th qualifier, had lost to Nick in round 1.
Justin Malton was gifted a first round bye when Michael was a no show. Now consistently in the nines Justin should have been in his nice new leathers but they failed scrutineering for a minor problem. Still no excuse for sleeping on the line in round 2 allowing Phil through to the next round after Dave Grundy on the clean day glo green Triumph had gifted the win to Phil with a bright red light in the previous round.
Peter Harrison had returned in 2025 with a sorted Ducati after a couple of years with starter and fuelling problems. However a huge wheelie against Scott, 3rd qualifier, in round 1 handed him the win.
Chris Venn on the Big Red Harley was the man to beat after qualifying number 1 with a .0074. After a bye in round 1 he faced Robbie Dobbie, who had previously put Kyle (Knievel) Rushby, who had swapped his Hyabusa for his old GSX1100, on the trailer. Robbie on the Honda broke out on a close run but Scott had the measure of Chris and ended his weekend in the Semis.
The final saw Scott Collier, the current 2024 champion, face Phil Pratt where a close race saw, very unusually, Scott break out. Is Phil on course for number 1 again?
Thanks to Bob Roberts for this report of his visit to NEC Classic Show a couple of weeks ago, Bob writes: Following Tog’s feature last year I thought I would try the Practical Classics Restoration show at the NEC, surely it couldn’t be as bad as Autosport.
In terms of pure drag racing content there was one genuine racer, that perennial Gasser Circus favourite Nogbad the Bad. Having said that there was plenty of other interest, more tool stands than you could shake a stick at, plenty of autojumble and some stars on the NSRA stand. In fact the NSRA stand should have featured some period appropriate race cars but as is traditional in March they were all in pieces being prepared for the new season.
A highlight for me was a drive around the NEC area in an LS powered Ford F1 pickup, by far the noisiest offering in the Sporting Bears Dream Rides charity. See more about what they offer at www.sportingbears.co.uk . For those who think sports cars should just be cut up there was both a Porsche and an MGB cut in half. For veterans like myself it was interesting to see John Baldachino’s HA Viva van looking as good as ever 40 plus years after being built although it did present the usual photographers problem of reflection in a black car. And finally there was a display of “barn finds”, truly shocking examples of what could happen to your pride and joy if not looked after.
You can view Bob's gallery by clicking here or by clicking on "News" on the top menu bar then clicking "Features".
Happy Birthday for today to Funny Car crew chief Dave Bryant, Supertwin Top Fuel Bike racer Svein Olav Rolfstad, Pro Stock Bike racer Martin Newbury, 8.50 Bike racer Ivana van den Berg. We hope you all have had a great day.
Yesterday's new article "Perfect Light sponsors Cath and Tig Withdraw." Happy April Fools. Rest assured Cath and Tig are not withdrawing and are continuing their amazing support, we thank them for the long support to the sport.
Latest news that Cath and Tig perfect light award sponsors have decided to withdraw, but don't worry another sponsor has come forward. We would like to thank Cath and Tig for their support over the years.
JSO are the new sponsors, but if want to collect the winnings, stickers are mandatory.
further update will follow as soon as we have it.
Happy Birthday for today to Wild Bunch and Super Comp racer Darryl Howells, and NHRA and Nitro Revival legend Steve Gibbs. Have a great day both.
