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What's New
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29th February: Mike Kason writes with news of his new fuel outlet at Santa Pod Raceway:
"JFDI Promotions Ltd, in conjunction with Smax's Hardcore Parts and 76 Racing Fuel, will be selling NHRA-approved racing fuel for all meetings at SPR. For the Easter meeting, NHRA-legal Nitro and Methanol will be available either in 40-gallon sealed drums or decanted in smaller quantities. Also available, to start with, will be 110 octane (UK equivalent 115 octane) NHRA-approved racing leaded fuel and if there is a demand, NHRA Pro Stock fuel will be made available. All will be for sale at the track by agreement with 76 Racing fuels and Santa Pod Raceway.
"For advance orders call Mike Kason at JFDI on 0589 733833 or fax 0181 868 9441. Pre-orders would be appreciated to guarentee delivery, however, there will be fuel available on race days. JFDI can also supply Jaz fuel containers to decant fuel into.
"Mike Kason's JFDI with 76 Racing Fuels are fuel sponsors for Smax Smith's Top Fuel Funny Car. If demand is there, the range will increase and will hopefully include merchandise.
"JFDI, 76 Racing Fuels and Smax's Top Fuel Funny Car Racing Team wish all racers, promoters and officials a successful 2000 season. We also wish Eurodragster.com and its webmasters a great 2000."
Thanks very much, Mike. We're already having a great 2000 and the racing hasn't even started yet!
...And still finds time to take corners.
29th February: On the subject of Mike Kason, he tells us that he can be seen on page 96 of the current edition of Autosport magazine, demonstrating his FIA Historic Tourismo Speciale Grp 2 Giannini race car at Brooklands last weekend. Mike also drives an Osella sports prototype in the Italian hillclimb championship with Autosport Sorrento and hopes to race in some rounds of the Le Mans AutoItalia Championship in the JS Motorsports Super Tourismo Alfa 156.
"This on top of helping on Smax Smith's Top Fuel Funny Car team, the JFDI/76 Racing Fuels service, and hopefully an entry into this years Goodwood festival of speed", says Mike. Where does he find the time?
FIM Championship dates confirmed.
28th February: This year's FIM European Drag Bike Championship calendar has been confirmed, including dates at Drachten and Hockenheim. Full details are available by clicking on the Upcoming Events button on the King Racing web site
Drag Racing Unplugged.
28th February: Whilst getting ready for the 2000 season, we came across our notebooks from last year's race updates. We thought that, like us, you might enjoy re-living the 1999 season as described by drivers, riders, Crew Chiefs and crew, and scribbled down by the Eurodragster staff. Click here to read their comments.
Andreasson out, but with credit.
27th February: Sweden's Leif Andreasson qualified ninth at Phoenix with a storming 5.728/250.18. This put him up against Rod Alexander in round one, and although Leif drilled Rod at the tree, 0.511 to 0.528, Rod's 5.739/251.63 was just too good for Leif's 5.791/249.26 in what was by all accounts a very close race.
Leif's web site at www.andreassonmotorsports.com has already been updated with an account of the weekend.
Leif must be very pleased with his USA trip so far: he has run some great times and speeds, and judging by his, Lex Joon's and Rob Turner's performances in the USA in the last few weeks we are in for a great season of Top Methanol action here in Europe.
There is more to come from the Europeans in the USA; Leif is now en route to Las Vegas, and Micke Kågered and Michael Malmgren are due out very soon.
European Drag Database latest.
27th February: Tommy Nilsson, webmaster and chief statistician of the European Drag Racing Database, has written with the latest on his superb web site.
To quote Tommy, the site now contains "464 personal best ETs, 232 photos of active drivers, 54 hyperlinks to drivers' personal websites, 67 European records, 54 Championships, 41 race dates for the year 2000, results from 23 events, 1314 qualifying rounds and 2614 elimination rounds".
If you have not visited the Database then we can highly recommend it: you will never find a more authoritative site on European Drag Racing performance. We at Eurodragster use it during our live race updates to check out facts and figures and it has never failed to deliver. Check it out at www.eurodrag.com.
Web site updates.
27th February: The official web site of UK Top Methanol Dragster team LA Racing has been updated including a set of pictures of the European racers in action at the NHRA Winternationals at Pomona. Check it out at www.laracing.co.uk.
The Drag Torque fan site has been updated with a new Home Page, a chat room, and a message board. The site also features a large number of fan Dave Nelson's spectator-side photographs. Drag Torque can be found at http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/Shop/6122.
Danish Nationals date changed.
26th February: The date of the Danish Nationals, a round of the Nordic Drac Race Series, has been changed to 19-20 August. You can find more details and the NDRS calendar on the Svensk Dragracing web site.
Andreasson Phoenix update.
26th February: With two out of three qualifying sessions completed at Firebird, Sweden's Leif Andreasson is lying 20th in Federal Mogul Funny Car with a best of 8.528/119.77, on what is by all accounts a very tricky track. The FMFC bump spot is currently 6.681 so with a good run today Leif will have a good chance of getting into the field.
You can keep up with developments on NHRA Online and Drag Race Central, and Leif is posting updates on his web site at www.andreassonmotorsports.com. Go for it, Leif!
Happy Birthday Darren!
26th February: It's not often that Eurodragster publishes personal messages, but today is a worthy exception: Santa Pod Raceway's International Race Director Darren Prentice is celebrating his birthday today.
Darren had an initiation by fire at last year's Main Event when terrible weather decimated qualifying, and the calm and fair manner in which he handled the situation belied his few weeks in the job. In the space of one season he very quickly earned the respect of racers and colleagues all of whom, we're sure, join us in wishing Darren very happiest of birthdays.
Hauser Racing seeks Fabricator/Welder.
25th February: Renowned UK race car builder Geof Hauser is looking to take on an additional member of staff at his Northamptonshire-based business. Geof tells us that he is looking for:
"An experienced fabricator/welder to join our team. Applicant should have good MIG/TIG welding ability, sheet metal fabrication skills, able to work on own initiative and have a good understanding of race car principles. The salary will be commensurate with experience."
If you are interested in applying for the job you should send your C.V to:
Hauser Racing
Unit 10 Midland Business Centre
Midland Road
Higham Ferrers
Northants
NN10 8DN
Andreasson set for Phoenix date...
24th February: Swedish Top Methanol Funny Car racer Leif Andreasson is in NHRA competition again this weekend at Firebird International Raceway in Phoenix. Leif ran at the NHRA Winternationals at Pomona a couple of weeks back and qualified eighth, running a new personal best before going out in round one.
Crew member Anders Magnusson writes:
"Leif Andreasson and the crew is ready for another strike in an NHRA National at Firebird International Raceway this weekend (just like the venomous rattle snakes here in Arizona). The team is slightly decimated since Håkan and Anders couldn't make this race (they are home in Sweden, the snakes didn't get them if that's what you thought). But the remaining crew will work a little harder, and Randy Anderson will be available with help and advice to make things run in proper order."
Federal Mogul Funny Car qualifying commences tomorrow. You will be able to keep up with developments on NHRA Online and Drag Race Central, and Leif Andreasson is already posting updates on his web site at www.andreassonmotorsports.com. Good luck, Leif!
...Whilst Joon comes home
24th February: Dutch TMFC racer Lex Joon has updated the News page of the LJR web site with his account of his test session in Tucson, and his subsequent experiences at Pomona. Unfortunately, Lex has decided to come home after damaging the car at Pomona and so won't be seen at Phoenix this weekend.
Dragsters on display.
24th February: If you're in or near Milton Keynes today, tomorrow or Saturday then be sure to drop in to the Shopping Centre where Santa Pod Raceway have put on a small display as part of a show featuring local attractions. The Shockwave Fuel Funny Car and a Hauser Racing Junior Dragster are on show, and the SPR team will be handing out flyers, calendars and badges. "You can't miss us, we have pride of place in the show", says Santa Pod's Kelly.
Web site updates.
24th February: Dutch racer Paul Vrind, who runs a 10-second street-legal Pontiac LeMans in Super Street, has updated his web site at www.paulvrindracing.mypage.org. The site features details on the car, race dates, photographs and more.
UK Sportsman ET team Dead Parrot Racing have given their web site a facelift. As well as all the previous features, the site now also features a Photo Contest with a difference - they want you to send in embarrassing photographs! - and the "Mr. Hanky Awards" which we are assured will mean something to viewers of South Park. You can find these new additions on the Features page of the Dead Parrot site at www.justsolutions.ltd.uk/dpindex.htm. By the way, Tim, the answer is 36.
Anything we can do to help...
24th February: Monique Pels of Holland's Zodiac Racing Supertwin Top Fuel Bike team passed on the following about the recent Supertwin Top Fuel World Championship in Australia:
"As you probably know, the number of hits on the ADBA web site was enormous throughout the World Championship. In the second week of the Championship, ADBA's vice-president Peter Salmon told me that they discovered that the majority of visitors came via the EuroDragster Web Site!"
Thanks for letting us know, Monique. Credit where it's due, though: thanks to all of you for coming here, and thanks to all of the teams, tracks, clubs, fans, webmasters and everyone else who gives us stuff to write about. We couldn't do it without you - keep it coming.
Ride-alongs: The Next Generation.
22nd February: The Svensk Dragracing web site has been updated with details of an amazing project to construct a 1000-horsepower, methanol-powered two-seater dragster specifically designed to take sponsors, media and other lucky souls for ride-alongs (NB Eurodragster will have a reporter at Piteå in July, lads).
Two-seater dragsters are already established in the USA. The UK's Santa Pod Raceway have long given doorslammer ride-alongs to journalists at Press Days, but this project takes the concept to a whole new level in Europe. Check it out at www.dragracing.se.
Sheavills update - as promised.
22nd February: As mentioned in our news item on February 16th, we have now started to take over the running of Barry Sheavills' web site, which you can find at www.topfuel.co.uk.
We have just posted a news update on Barry's site, covering a recent shopping trip to the USA, Barry's participation in the Top Fuel v Fuel FC event at the Easter Thunderball, initial news on race dates, and the latest on sponsorship. You can read this news update by clicking on the Press Release icon on Barry's web site.
We expect to gain full access to Barry's site within the next week or so, after which the site will undergo a minor facelift and the other sub-pages will be brought up to date.
Smith relishes Shakespeare date.
21st February: Shockwave Fuel Funny Car pilot Gordon Smith is already relishing the idea of a recently-announced match race at the end of April.
As revealed last week on the Avon Park International Racers Association and Super Series web sites, Gordon will be taking on John Spuffard in the new Showtime FC at a "Duel of Fuel" at Super Series 1 at Shakespeare County Raceway, (previously Avon Park Raceway). This is the first time in a number of years that Fuel Funny Cars have been seen at the Warwickshire track, and it is Gordon's first visit in a Fuel car.
"It's a new challenge for us" said Gordon. "We've never run there before. We think that the track conditions might favour us - we will be able to step on the clutch and run the numbers. We're looking forward to racing there, and we will certainly put on a good show - we're not there to test, we're there to kick butt!".
Gordon sees the match race as the start of something big. "Hopefully we'll run well enough to be invited back later in the year", he said. "We hope that by running there we will be able to raise the profile of Shakespeare County Raceway even higher".
The Shockwave team is also on the look-out for sponsorship for the 2000 season. Potential sponsors and fans alike will be able to see the Shockwave FC in the flesh on Thursday, Friday and Saturday of this week, on display in pride of place in the middle of the shopping centre in Milton Keynes. You can also keep abreast of developments in the Shockwave camp on the team's official web site at www.millennium-computer.co.uk/shockwave.
RWYB Report.
20th February: The first RWYB of the UK season took place today at Santa Pod Raceway. A big turn out of street cars was complimented by a small number of race cars taking the opportunity for some early testing. Click here to view Sharkman's brief report and pictures of what went on.
Australia at first hand.
20th February: Two of the European Supertwin Top Fuel contenders involved in the recent World Championships in Australia have posted first-hand account on their web sites.
First up is Ton Pels' Zodiac Racing, whose experiences are related on Monique Pels' web site at home.wxs.nl/monique_pels/WORLDC.HTML.
Sweden's Anders "Charley" Karling's Championship account can be found on his web site at www.karlingracing.com; click on the News icon to read how Anders fared.
Web site updates.
20th February: The latest issue of the Swedish Pro Street News Magazine includes a contest to win a T-shirt. Webmaster Hasse wrote us to apologise for taking a little while to translate the contest into English and because of this has extended the closing date to February 24th. No need to apologise, Hasse, when did Eurodragster ever translate anything into Swedish apart from "Talar ni Engelska"...
The official web site of the Team Nemesis UK Top Methanol Dragster operation has undergone a major update to make it ready for the 2000 season. Just about every page has had additional information added, and there are one or two new pictures to be found. Check it out at www.eurodragster.com/nemesisracing.
Season run-in starts on Sunday.
18th February: The run-in to the 2000 season in Europe commences this Sunday (20th) with the year's first Run What You Brung at Santa Pod Raceway. We understand that a number of racers are planning to attend; at least one Super Comp car and a couple of Junior Dragsters are pencilled in. We should have a reporter at Santa Pod on Sunday and we will bring you news of any significant events.
If you fancy giving your own car or bike a run out then £8 will get you into the track, and £10 and a valid DVLC licence buys you unlimited runs down the strip (NB Competition licences are not accepted at RWYBs).
You can get more details about RWYBs at Santa Pod Raceway by clicking on the Run What You Brung button on Santa Pod's current web site, or by calling Santa Pod on 01234 782828.
Editor's note: On the subject of events at Santa Pod, we are pleased to be able to tell you that although Santa Pod are currently working up a web site of their own, it has already been agreed that Eurodragster should continue to bring you live updates from races at SPR this year.
Malmgren announces new sponsor.
16th February: Swedish Pro Stock racer Michael Malmgren has written
with the latest on his USA trip, to announce a new sponsor and to reveal exclusively to
Eurodragster the design of his new car.
"Half my crew will fly over and pick up my new engine at J&B shop", says Michael. "Then we will drive down to St Louis to install the engine into our new Jerry Bickel Camaro. The next stop is Gainesville in Florida to test before racing at the Gatornationals. There are three weeks to the next race after that, so the other half of my crew will fly in to drive the bus to Las Vegas and then to Houston.
"Malmgren Racing is very proud to present AC-DELCO/GM MOTORSPORT as our new main sponsor. The team is very thrilled about this upcoming tour and sponsorship, and I hope that we will be able to keep you up to date with the latest results (and good ones I hope)."
Thanks very much Michael, we're all rooting for you and we too hope that the results are good!
Barry: don't worry.
16th February: UK Top Fuel racer Barry Sheavills has asked us to reassure fans worried by the lack of updates on his web site. The good news is that we here at Eurodragster will very shortly be taking over the running of Barry's site, and he assures us that he has plenty of news lined up on his plans for this season, including initial race dates and sponsorship details. "Please sit on your hands just a little while longer" said Barry.
Pro Mod UK updated.
16th February: The Pro Mod UK web site has had a major facelift. The site now features news, results, points standings, biographies and more. Check it out at www.interalpha.co.uk/customer/vpinhorn.
Web site updates.
15th February: The official web site of Swedish Top Fuel Team Peter Lantz Motorsports has been updated with additional race dates. Peter's race calendar is beginning to look busy with appearances pencilled in at the FIA Main Event, the FIA European Finals, and all three dates of the Swedish Top Fuel Tour. If you've not visited Peter's site then we can recommend it, for example check out the report on last year's FIA European Finals if you'd like to know what goes through a Top Fuel driver's mind when the front of his car goes up and keeps on going up. Peter's site is at www.plr.nu.
Trakbyte's UK Drag Race History has just received the latest of its regular updates. Another must-see site, Trakbyte's charts the history of drag racing in the UK from the very earliest days. The site had a facelift a little while ago and the new features include Snippets in which racers and fans write in to add their own experiences to events outlined in the history pages.
Richard Bell, otherwise known as "The Pie Boy", has given his web site a makeover. The new site at pieboy.rdrp.tripod.com contains a wealth of information including a Newcomer's guide to Drag Racing including a brief history - an excellent idea, Richard. Richard is involved in UK Super Street team Top Banana, and his site also includes information on the team.
Eurodragster's own Sharkman has added another video clip to his personal web site Sharkman's Top End Tales. The new clip is of the Showtime and Shockwave Fuel Funny Cars pulling a paired burnout at last year's FIA European Finals, and joins an impressive catalogue of video clips of classes ranging from Pro Mod to Super Street Bike. The link to Sharkman's movies is near the bottom of his Home Page.
On the subject of the Shockwave Funny Car, Eurodragster staffer Tog has posted a few pictures from the recent fire-up of the Shockwave FC, which we covered here on the News page on January 29th. You can find Tog's pictures at www.togsdragracing.com/shockwave for the next few weeks.
Comp Eliminator comes to the UK.
14th February: Already an established class in mainland Europe, Comp Eliminator is to be introduced to the UK this year. The index-based class which caters for dragsters, altereds and doorslammers is to be tried out over five rounds at Santa Pod Raceway this season, starting at the Thunderball in April and culminating at the October Meet.
A number of European Sportsman racers have been seen at Santa Pod in recent years and the introduction of Comp is expected to encourage more visitors, and it is hoped that UK racers will visit Europe to take on the local exponents. The first UK team has already signed up to run Comp in the UK this year, and others are expected to follow.
"Trakbak Racing, the promoters of Santa Pod, will be putting up the prize money for the first year to help the class get off the ground", said Santa Pod's Event Director Kjell Petterson. "We already have our first entrant in the shape of Talbot Racing and we are looking forward to receving more entries now that the class has been launched officially".
Stephen Talbot of Talbot Racing said: "Our new dragster was built with Comp Eliminator in mind, so in some ways it's a natural step for us. We are looking forward to racing heads up, and we are interested to see who we will be racing this year!"
Any racers wanting more details should contact Kjell Petterson at Santa Pod on 01234 782828 (+44 1234 782828 from outside the UK).
Oil's well for Team Nemesis.
14th February: It's been a good few days for the UK's Nemesis Top Methanol Dragster team. On Saturday they attended the Santa Pod Racers Club Dinner Dance where they picked up their trophy for runner-up spot in the 1999 MSA British Top Alcohol and were also awarded the "Most professional-appearing crew" trophy, and today they have announced a substantial increase in sponsorship commitment from US company Lucas Oil Products.
The sponsorship deal, and the increased deal already announced with Express Freight Services, will allow the team to contest all rounds of the 2000 FIA European Championship and the MSA British Championship. The dragster is to be repainted to match other Lucas-sponsored cars around the world. A sneak preview of the new paintjob will shortly be posted on the team's web site.
For more details of the new deal, check out the News page of the Team Nemesis web site.
Showdown at the Thunderball?
14th February: We understand that the one of the headline events at Santa Pod Raceway's Easter Thunderball is to be a Winston Showdown-style race between Top Fuel Dragsters and Fuel Funny Cars. The basic fact appears to be true, but stories vary about the number and identity of the contestants. We are trying to find out more and will post more details as soon as we receive them.
TF Supertwin Championship finishes.
13th February: Congratulations to the USA's Bill Furr on winning the first ever Top Fuel Supertwin World Championship, with victory at Adelaide International Raceway wrapping up the series.
The European contingent were all pre-qualified due to their performances in the first two rounds of the Championship Series, which took the pressure off a little. In round one of eliminations, Rob van Geffen was victorious whilst Anders Karling and Ton Pels were defeated, Anders Karling after drifting along the centre line. Anders did not seem overly happy about the state of the track (see his comments on the Svensk Dragracing web site), an observation which may be borne out by the curtailment of eliminations on Saturday when large quantities of dust were blown onto the track.
Rob van Geffen progressed through round two and then fell to Bill Furr in round three, with Bill's margin of victory measured in thousandths.
You can find full details on the official web site of the American Drag Bike Association, who again did a stirling job this weekend keeping us informed both on the web site and via e-mail - thanks especially to ADBA's John Baskerville, and John Baremans.
SPRC Champions honoured.
13th February: The Santa Pod Racers Club paid tribute to their 1999 Champions at a Dinner Dance and Trophy Presentation in Northampton last night. Trophies were awarded to the winners and runner-ups in each class, and to some of the UK National Championship winners who were not able to pick up their awards at the presentation at Santa Pod in November.
There were also a number of perpetual awards, which were presented to:
Paul Giddings Memorial Award: Helen Curran (Super Street Bike)
Best Newcomer: John McIntyre (Super Comp)
Best Appearing Car: George Chiarella (Super Comp)
Best Appearing Bike: Paul Willis (Pro Stock Bike)
Best Appearing Team: Team Nemesis (Top Methanol Dragster)
Best Crewman: Ken Cooper (Owner/Crew Chief/Rider etc. Team Cooperised)
As well as trophies, the perpetual award winners were presented with a copy of the Millennium edition of the Worlds best-selling motorcycle calendar from Crossbow, courtesy of Top Fuel Bike team King Racing and their primary sponsor Active 8 Networks.
Chris Bates withdraws.
11th February: UK Super Gas racer Chris Bates has announced his withdrawal from competition. "The team and I would like to wish everyone involved in the sport a successful 2000", said Chris, "and my thanks go to Harvey Engineering, Bracknell Roofing, Reg Hall Insurance, TRS, Earl's and PRP Autos and Engineering for their support over the past few years".
Chris was a regular contestant in Super Gas with his Ford Sierra Cosworth until being sidelined by breakages at last year's Cannonball at Santa Pod Raceway. Chris was also a regular at press days at Santa Pod, memorably giving Eurodragster staff member Tog a 9.9-second, 134 mph ride-along in May 1998, and he was the first racer to buy a web site from us. We hope to see you back in the future, Chris.
Web site updates.
11th February: The official web site of UK drag strip York Raceway has changed URL to www.yorkdragway.btinternet.co.uk. "The old URL will still work ", says webmaster Jen, "but please update your bookmarks to the new URL as, BT may remove the old format some time in the future". York Dragway's entertaining (and musical) site also features video clips, Pennine Drag Racing Club points standings, a Photo Gallery, classified ads and more.
A new issue of the Swedish Pro Street News Magazine is now on-line. As well as the unmissable Swedish Drag Racing gossip, the new update has features on the Studebaker Racing Top Doorslammer and what webmaster Hasse describes as "the rampaging of Roger Burlin", a For Sale page, a contest sponsored by Autoshop Racing Engines, and much more.
Quit? Not me! says AJ.
10th February: UK Fuel pilot Alan Jackson has rushed to reassure his fans that he has not retired from drag racing. An article in the motorsport press this week about Smax Smith's move to Fuel FC mentioned in passing that Al, from whom Smax bought the FC, had quit.
"I am not retiring from drag racing", said Al. "I will continue to co-crew chief and drive the Carbon By Design Top Fueller at selected FIA events this year. I will also be helping Smax at Easter with the tune up and teach him some nitro driving skills with my old F/C."
Equally surprised to read of Al's retirement was drag racing journalist and photographer Roger Gorringe, under whose by-line the article was published. "The printed article wasn't quite how I submitted it", he said.
Pomona Stock: what really happened.
10th February: Finnish Hot Rod Association President Tapio Väljä has been in touch to let us know how the Finnish Stock drivers actually fared at Pomona last weekend. It seems that NHRA Online, usually the fount of all knowledge, made a few mistakes.
"All of the Finnish Stock drivers were in the elimination field in NHRA Winternationals", said Tapio. "There was an error on the NHRA pages saying that Jarmo Markkanen lost in round one: it was round two. All the other Finnish Stock drivers went out in round one; Pasi Mikkonen and Martti Luoso redlit, and Jukka Johansson broke out. In round two Jarmo Markkanen broke out, although he was first to the finish.
"The reason that Jarmo Markkanen did so well in qualifying was that his engine was rebuilt by Gregg Luneack (you might remember that he blew his engine at the Nordic Drag Racing Series Finals at Mantorp last September), and his qualifying time, 10.87, is a new Finnish record in C/SA-class and also the fastest time in Europe in that class. It is 0.83 seconds under class index."
Congratulations, then, to Jarmo and many thanks to Tapio for the news.
TF Supertwin Championship qualifying.
10th February: John Baskerville of the American Drag Bike Association has been in touch to explain how the qualifying structure works for this weekend's final round of the Top Fuel Supertwin World Championship, at Adelaide International Raceway. He also has some very nice things to say about the European racers!
"The first two rounds (at Calder Park and Willowbank Raceways) were 'qualifiers' - riders accumulate points which seed them into qualifying positions. This means that anybody can win the series and any team can come out No 1. It will all come down to one warm February day at Adelaide International Raceway (AIR).
"Peter Salmon has explained it very well in an interview with Nina Henderson on the ADBA website. You can get that info and the seeding table at http://www.americandragbike.com/smoke.html.
"You will be very pleased to know that all three European riders have qualified in the top eight: Rob Van Geffen is the leading European qualifier at No. 4, and there is growing apprehension amongst the other teams that he and Charlie Karling are now ready to get down to some very serious window-rattling action with these blower bikes. Don't leave Ton Pels out of this either - even though one feels he would need to run a PB to be part of the Finals action, someone who is always smiling and who laughs so easily must know something we don't. It is a huge disappointment for all Australian fans that Willem Been was not able to be here with us during this series but the reduced European team has captured the Australian public. We are hoping that you can convey this in some way to your European audience on our behalf, thank you for sending us a great team.
"We are hoping to have instantaneous updating from AIR for this round."
Thanks very much for the explanation, John, and thanks for the nice words about our guys. We love 'em to bits too.
Word from Australia.
8th February: We are indebted to John Baskerville of ADBA for taking the time and trouble to send us a commentary on the European racers' progress at last weekend's TF Supertwin World Championship round at Willowbank Raceway in Brisbane.
"Rob Van Geffen broke his frame. Spent all day Sunday working on it to have it ready for this week. He rolled up to the line knowing it was broken, hoping that he could just put a bit of pressure on - the old mind game. I think he will do well in Adelaide. Everyone likes this guy (and all the Europeans actually).
"Charlie Karling broke a blower belt, not a cam belt as I was told. This is the sleeper in the pack - when this guy puts it together for a meet, they aren't going to see him for dust. The ground shakes, everything moves when this Thing leaves the line. Charlie made some mods to the bike before he left Sweden and he is VERY happy, just needs to look more into his traction problems I think. Perhaps he just isn't coming to grips with the ambient temperature or the track temperature?
"Ton Pels broke a lobe off the camshaft in Godfather 7. He is having a great series, relaxed, great crew, very, very professional. His bike is running as well as can be expected given the big differences between our weather and yours in Europe. Ton won't win the series but he will be right at the top of the tree - that's the value of professionalism."
Thanks very much, John.
Anders Karling's web site has been updated with his own report from Brisbane, including great news about his guaranteed qualifying place for this weekend's race; check it out at www.karlingracing.com. The American Drag Bike Association web site is carrying reports, statistics and video clips from the Championship series so far, including contributions from Anders Karling and an interview with Ton Pels. The ABDA site is also carrying Nina Henderson's fascinating interview with Championship contestant Bill Furr, who is not afraid to say what he thinks!
The third and final round of the Championship is in Adelaide this weekend; the ADBA web site is the place to go for live updates.
The Europeans Abroad: weekend summary.
7th February: It's been a hectic weekend for the European racers who have been in action in the USA and in Australia.
We start at the NHRA Winternationals at Pomona Raceway in California, where seven European racers pitted themselves against the very best that the NHRA has to offer. In Federal Mogul Dragster, the UK's Rob Turner qualified with runs of 5.920/226.20 (9th) and 5.865/219.26 (12th), not bettering this in the third qualifying session to end up 14th. In round one Rob faced Brandon Henkelman and although getting a very slight holeshot clicked it off towards the top end, running 6.044/193.74, and Henkelman took the win.
Sweden's Leif Andreasson and Holland's Lex Joon ran in Federal Mogul Funny Car. Leif Andreasson was disqualified in the first round of qualifying, but then came back to record 5.845/243.28 (8th) and 5.775 at a whopping 246.26 to qualify 8th. Leif went out in round one of FMFC when the Chief Starter considered that he was taking too long to get into stage and ran the lights on him, handing the win to John Hyland. Lex Joon qualified with 6.573/192.25 (15th), then a personal best of 5.950 at another whopping 246.03 (14th). Lex couldn't better that run in the last qualifying session and ended up 18th and therefore not qualified. We would imagine that he is delighted with the new PB though.
In Stock, the Finnish Foursome were back. Only Jarmo Markkanen qualified, at 33rd, and he went out in round one. Pasi Mikkonen only just missed out, qualifying 45th (for reasons we don't pretend to understand, 41 cars ran in round one), Jukka Johansson qualified 72nd, and Martti Luoso qualified 76th.
NHRA Photographer Bob Frye tells us that he has taken a number of shots of the European contingent in action at Pomona; we will post details in due course.
Full details from Pomona are available on both NHRA Online and Summit Racing's Drag Race Central.
Across the Pacific now to Willowbank Raceway in Australia, and the second round of the Top Fuel Supertwin World Championship, which is sponsored by Easyriders.
Holland's Rob van Geffen and Ton Pels, and Sweden's Anders "Charley" Karling were again in action at Willowbank. Rob van Geffen qualified at 6.983/199.38 in the first session, running off the end of the track and into the sand trap, but he was uninjured and initial reports indicated that the bike barely scratched. Rob's time was good for 3rd after session one, 4th after session two, and he ended up 4th qualifier after session three. Rob won in round one of eliminations with a 7.037/195.57 before breaking on the line in round two. Ton Pels qualified at 7.321/169.17 (5th), not bettering the time in session two (8th), and 7.258/175.17 putting him 9th. Ton won round one with a 7.203/177.24, took a single in round two but unfortunately broke on that run and didn't make the call in round three. Anders Karling qualified with a 9.241/97.40 (15th), followed by a fantastic 6.764/200.89 (2nd) which was still good enough for 2nd after session three. He won round one with a 6.953/188.99 before losing in round two when a belt broke.
The official web site of the American Drag Bike Association did us proud this time around, posting detailed qualifying and elimination run-downs as well as providing live video coverage. You can find the ADBA site at www.americandragbike.com.
The third and final round of the TF Championship is next weekend, at Adelaide International Raceway.
Svensk Dragracing update.
7th February: Our good friends at Svensk Dragracing have updated their web site with their take on this weekend's action in the USA and Australia. They were also cheering for US Pro Stock racer George Marnell since Sweden's Markus Svensson is Crew Chief! George made it to the semi-finals.
The update also includes details of the Swedish SFI date and amendments to the 2000 race calendar. Check it out at www.dragracing.se.
Methanol Moves.
4th February: Dave Alexander, webmaster of the European Top Methanol Racers Association website, has been in touch to let us know that the site has moved. It can now be reached at www.etmra.com. Dave also tells us that " The site has received a facelift ready for the forthcoming season. As ever, results and points will be posted on a round by round basis. Past championship points and results can be looked up, and information about all the teams taking part in this years championships is there as well."
TF Supertwin Championship reports.
3rd February: Only a few days ago we were bemoaning the lack of information from the first round of the Top Fuel Supertwin World Championship at Calder Raceway Park in Australia. We're pleased to say that the web site of the American Drag Bike Association has now more than made up with reports, elimination details and video clips of last weekend's action. Check it out at www.americandragbike.com. Nice work, guys.
European contestants Ton Pels and Anders Karling are on their way to round two in Brisbane this weekend, but have found time in their schedules to update their web sites with reports on their weekend. Ton Pels' web site is at www.dragrace.com.au/bikes/vincent and Anders Karling's at www.karlingracing.com.
This weekend will hopefully see more information on the Net; a good starting point should be the American Drag Bike Association web site. The Svensk Dragracing web site is in touch with Anders Karling, and the Pit Lane Gossip page of the King Racing web site enjoys the benefits of Top Fuel Bike racer and ACU Championship co-ordinator Ian King's extensive contacts.
Micke's Monaco snaps.
3rd February: The Svensk Dragracing web site has been updated with a number of pictures from Micke Kågered's trip to the FIA Awards Banquet at Monaco, where he picked up his trophy as 1999 FIA European Top Methanol Funny Car Champion.
Meanwhile, Micke's own web site is being updated on a regular basis. Recent additions are more pictures from the FIA Awards Banquet, and a report and pictures from last weekend's Autoteknik Trade Fair at Jönköping in Sweden. Check it out at www.kagered-racing.com.
Jade at the Palace.
2nd February: Alexandra Palace, that is. We've just heard that Jerry Collier is exhibiting the Activ8 sponsored World Record-holding Jade Yamaha 2-stroke twin at the Motorcycle Road Racing & Superbike Show at Alexandra Palace, London. The show is on until 6th Feb, so if you can't get to Pomona, why not pay a visit.
New track record for APIRA.
2nd February: As we predicted at it's launch the APIRA web site is fast becoming a mine of information, thanks mainly to Press Officer Jeremy Cookson. The site now lists Track Records, more Shows and Exhibitions and 2000 European Championship dates (from club championships to international series), not to mention the inevitable news. To get your event or show listed, email Jerry at quartermilenewsmakers@compuserve.com
Europeans at Pomona.
2nd February: A number of European racers are at the NHRA Winternationals at Pomona Raceway this weekend. First up is UK MSA Top Alcohol Champion Rob Turner, who will be hoping to qualify Turner Racing's new Meyer-built NetCall-sponsored Top Methanol Dragster, after narrowly missing out at last season's NHRA Finals. Dutch TMFC racer Lex Joon and Swedish TMFC racer Leif Andreasson are entered in Federal Mogul Funny Car.
Four Finnish Stock racers are continuing their Millennium Tour with a return visit to Pomona after appearing at last season's Finals. Jarmo Markkanen (69 Nova), Pasi Mikkonen (68 Mustang), Jukka Johansson (70 Cougar Eliminator), and Martti Luoso (Camaro) will all be hoping to repeat or better Jarmo Markkanen's performance at the Finals where he made it to the third round in a tough field.
Qualifying in all classes starts tomorrow. We will post a brief summary of the European racers' progress at the start of next week. Live updates will be available from Pomona throughout the weekend on both NHRA Online and Summit Racing's Drag Race Central. Leif Andreasson is also planning updates from Pomona on his web site at www.andreasssonmotorsports.com, so be sure to check by his site over the weekend.
Web site updates.
2nd February: The official web site of the Nordic Pro Modified Association, covering Pro Mod racers in Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland, has moved to its own URL at www.promod.nu. The site features news, points standings, rules, team biographies and more.
The Axeldal family "Little Big Racing" team have updated their web site at www.netax.se/vopar.html, including new pictures of their "Vopar" Chrysler-powered, Volvo-bodied Super Gasser driven by 19-year-old Linda Axeldal.
Photo Contest: one week left.
2nd February: If you are thinking of entering the Eurodragster Photo Contest then you only have one week left to get your pictures to us: entry closes on Wednesday February 9th. You can find full details here.
Fangs in advance from Carl.
1st February: The Fang Drag Bike team's webmaster Carl is looking for pictures for his Photo Gallery and has asked if any of Eurodragster's readers can help. Carl is very specific about what he is after. "I'm creating a resource of photos and brief details of dragbikes", he says. "These are close ups of the mechanical details rather than action photos. Emphasis is on the home-built engine type machines and the amazing resourcefulness and innovation of the builders. A list of bikes I'm looking for can be found on the site".
You can find Carl's wish list at www.geocities.com/Eureka/Gold/3291/dragbike.htm, or mail him at turnertech@tinyonline.co.uk.
Have you seen Stardust's bottom?
1st February: The UK Drag Racing Nostalgia web site has recently been updated with a new batch of historical pictures, a new page entitled "It all went wrong", an addition to the "Where are they now?" page, and yet more information added to the history of Don Schumacher's famous Stardust Plymouth Barracuda Funny Car, which ran in the UK in the 1970s. Don has been in touch with Jon Spoard, UKDRN's web master, asking if anyone knows the whereabouts of the car's chassis as he would like to retrieve it (he knows where the body is, as you will find on the site). If you have any information about the chassis then please contact Jon through his web site.
Eurodragster's News record.
1st February: January was our best month yet for news: we published 89 news items, an average of almost three a day. Thanks to everyone who mailed or phoned with news, and thanks to all of our readers who keep coming back for more. We can't do it without you, so keep those news items coming in to news@eurodragster.com. It's obvious from our hit counters that drag racing fans have a rapacious appetite for news and the season is fast approaching so if you know what you've got planned, or if you have a new vehicle, or a new sponsor, or anything else to pass on then you know where we are!
Earlier news
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