And the winner is... 28th February: UK Fuel Altered pilot Nick Davies writes that the week has finally arrived for Rob, Scott and himself to make their way across the Pond for the first meeting of their 2017 US Tour with the Havoc Bantam Fuel Altered: It feels pretty strange that we are four days away from the first qualifier of a race meeting and we haven't seen the car for nearly three months. Not our usual preparation. The plan is to arrive late in Los Angeles tonight (Tuesday), collect the rental car and drive to Bakersfield for some much-needed rest before getting to the track first thing tomorrow where we will meet the Rat Trap team and the two forty-foot trailers. The three dedicated Havoc crew will then help to set up the combined team pit before working flat out to recommission the car after its 8,000 mile journey with the aim of making a pass in Open Testing on Thursday afternoon. The race schedule then indicates one qualifier on each of Friday and Saturday against a 6.0 index for an eight-car field, with eliminations on Sunday. So, it's all about the show, right? With an abundance of big blower, big pump, twin-mag transformers which can allegedly break out even after clicking off at a thousand feet we know that we won't have a chance against the competition, right? Very wrong! This is a race for us and we are not going out there to make up numbers. We are going not only to qualify, but to win the meeting. The big guns will dismiss us at their peril... Follow our progress on Instagram and our Facebook page and live on Bangshift.com. The running order can be found at www.famosoraceway.com/march-meet.htm. Of course, it being Oscars week (Make sure they don't declare you winner - Ed), our thanks must be passed to the people without whom this just would not have been possible: The Hope family Geoff Stilwell at Beech Underwriting Agencies Motorsport Lawrie Gatehouse Stewart Bassett and the team at US Automotive Les Downey and the team at Lucas Oil Products UK Tony Thacker at Thacker & Friends The team at Motor State Family, friends, fans and, of course, Eurodragster.com (Thanks! You're welcome - Ed) Eurodragster.com will also have representatives at Famoso and we will bring you updates as we receive them. Reminder: £1000 to win Super Gas. 28th February: UK Super Gas racer Jon Giles has been to ask us to remind racers about the winner-takes-all £1000 in the Al's Gasser Super Gas Shootout 2017. Jon explains: For a long time now Super Gas has really struggled to find the car numbers to make it more exciting for the racers, crews and spectators, so in the closed season I tried to see if I could change this and make 2017 a bigger field and more appealing to everyone. I have managed to find some sponsorship but with certain conditions which are as follow. Prize money of £1000 to the winner only, not runner-up or top qualifier. Monies will be paid out even in the event of a rain-off. In the event of a rain-off the £1000 prize money will be carried over to the next meeting. This will be held at Santa Pod Raceway only and for five events: the Festival of Power, FIA / FIM Main Event, SPRC Summernationals, FIA / FIM European Finals, and the UK National Finals. There must be minimum twelve-car field on eliminations day, not just qualifying. Any less and no money will be paid out or carried over. This is a trial, 2017 only at this stage. It will be called and must be commentated as the Al's Gasser Super Gas Shootout 2017. No decals are required on the cars. Most of this has been agreed by Santa Pod Racers Club and Santa Pod Raceway. Comments welcome from all involved. A Facebook page will be set up for all rules and conditions. I hope that you all agree that with disposable income being challenged by economic conditions, and the uncertainty the future holds at this present time, I needed to do something to support a class which was ironically founded in the first place to make drag racing financially accessible to everyone. I see the way things are going, with the Pro classes being challenged the most why not turn the spotlight on a class which supports them at each event and reduce the pressure they must be feeling. As you know it's not easy as we saw from the numbers at the UK National Finals, but maybe when the spectators know that there is a small pot of gold to race for it may grab their interest. Who knows, but it's worth a try. Lucas Oil continue Junior support. 27th February: Wayne Jackson has been in touch with news from Brad Jackson Racing and Eurodragster.com sponsor Lucas Oil Products UK: I am pleased to announce that Lucas Oil Products UK will continue to sponsor the UK National Junior Dragster Championship in 2017 with prizes for first and second place at every Championship round. Joe Holland-Villa will continue with Lucas Oil sponsorship and we are pleased to welcome a new Lucas-sponsored driver, Aaron Fensome, for his final year in the Lucas Oil Junior Dragster Championship. Aaron was the first drag racer to purchase a new race suit from racewearonline.com and during discussions regarding his new custom suit and custom gloves he enquired about sponsorship. Aaron's timing was perfect; with Shannon Kiddell leaving Junior Dragster and moving to Pro ET it is great to continue to have two Lucas-backed cars in the 2017 Championship. UK Riders' and Drivers' Meeting report. 26th February: The 2017 UK Riders' and Drivers' meeting took place this afternoon (Sunday) at the Hilton Hotel in Northampton. The official minutes of the meeting will be published in due course but these are the main points. CLASS CHANGES ET Bike is a UK National Championship class starting this season. Big Bang will be a UK National Championship round for 8.50 Bike, 9.50 Bike, Supertwin Top Gas and ET Bike. The base index for Junior Stock Dragster has been changed from 12.90 seconds to 11.90 seconds. Junior Dragster harnesses will be valid for five years from date of manufacture so long as the date of manufacture is visible on the harness. Effective this season bike racers must wear their leathers, gloves and boots at scrutineering. 2017 UK CHAMPIONSHIPS The dates of this year's ACU UK and UK National Drag Racing Championship rounds are listed below. Entry forms for events at Santa Pod Raceway will be available tomorrow on the Santa Pod Racers Club web site at www.eurodragster.com/sprc and forms for events at Shakespeare County Raceway will shortly be available on the Shakespeare County Raceway web site at www.shakespearecountyraceway.com. Closing dates are listed on the entry forms and reminders will of course be posted here on Eurodragster.com. Super Street will contest two sets of qualifying and eliminations, both of which will count for points, at the FIA / FIM Main Event and FIA / FIM European Finals. One entry fee covers both contests. Bug Jam will again be a non-points round for Lucas Oil Junior Dragster. All teams intending to field more than one driver or rider for the same vehicle must send a list of the season's drivers to Ian Marshall or Yvonne Tramm at SPRC before the Festival of Power. Cars MSA Pro Modified Super Pro ET Pro ET Sportsman ET Super Comp Super Gas Super Street Street Eliminator Junior Dragster Other classes Festival of Power Santa Pod Raceway 14th-16th April ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Top Fuel Dragster, Fuel FC, Nostalgia Fuel, Comp Eliminator, VW Pro, VW Sportsman, Wild Bunch Big Bang Santa Pod Raceway 21st-23rd April       ✔         ✔ Outlaw Anglia, VW Pro, VW Sportsman, FWD, JDS, Nostalgia Super Stock Springspeed Nationals Shakespeare County Raceway 29th April-1st May   ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Outlaw Anglia, VW Pro, VW Sportsman, Wild Bunch, Nostalgia Super Stock FIA/FIM Main Event Santa Pod Raceway 26th-29th May ✔ FIA & MSA ✔ ✔   ✔ ✔ ✔ double-header ✔ ✔ FIA, Fuel FC, Comp Eliminator SPRC Summernationals Santa Pod Raceway 24th-25th June ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Nostalgia Fuel, Comp Eliminator, Outlaw Anglia, VW Pro, VW Sportsman, Wild Bunch, Nostalgia Super Stock Bug Jam Santa Pod Raceway 21st-23rd July       ✔       ✔ ✔ non-points Fuel FC, Outlaw Anglia, VW Pro, VW Sportsman Mopar Euronationals Santa Pod Raceway 28th-30th July ✔                 Nostalgia Super Stock Open Sport Nationals Shakespeare County Raceway 26th-28th August   ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Outlaw Anglia, VW Pro, VW Sportsman, Wild Bunch, Nostalgia Super Stock FIA/FIM European Finals Santa Pod Raceway 7th-10th September ✔ FIA & MSA ✔ ✔   ✔ ✔ ✔ double-header ✔ ✔ FIA, Fuel FC, Nostalgia Fuel, Comp Eliminator UK National Finals Santa Pod Raceway 23rd-24th September ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Nostalgia Fuel, Comp Eliminator, VW Pro, VW Sportsman, Wild Bunch, Nostalgia Super Stock Bikes Top Fuel Bike Pro Stock Bike Funny Bike Super Street Bike Comp Bike 8.50 Bike 9.50 Bike Junior Drag Bike Supertwin Top Gas ET Bike / NAST Supertwin ET Festival of Power Santa Pod Raceway 14th-16th April ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Big Bang Santa Pod Raceway 21st-23rd April           ✔ ✔   ✔ ✔ Springspeed Nationals Shakespeare County Raceway 29th April-1st May   ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ NAST ✔ Race, Rock'n'Ride Santa Pod Raceway 20th-21st May   ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ FIA/FIM Main Event Santa Pod Raceway 26th-29th May ✔ FIM ✔ FIM   ✔ FIM             SPRC Summernationals Santa Pod Raceway 24th-25th June ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Open Sport Nationals Shakespeare County Raceway 26th-28th August   ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ NAST ✔ FIA/FIM European Finals Santa Pod Raceway 7th-10th September ✔ FIM ✔ FIM   ✔ FIM             UK National Finals Santa Pod Raceway 23rd-24th September ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ EVENT ENTRY Both APIRA and SPRC have frozen entry fees this season. Prize money has again been increased by 2% for this season. 2016 Santa Pod Racers Club Champions will again receive free entry to rounds at Santa Pod Raceway in 2017, although see below. Free entry applies even if you change classes. At FIA / FIM events SPRC will cover the equivalent of the National Championship entry fee for Pro Modified, Pro Stock Bike and Super Street Bike. In the case of teams with more than one driver, one team driver per event will receive the free entry. Pitside power must still be paid for. The free entry must be used during 2017. For this year's SPRC Champions to receive free entry in 2018 there must have been an average of four bikes contesting events in Top Fuel Bike and an average of six vehicles in each other class. SPRC Champions will now also receive embroidered jackets (introduced at this year's Trophy Presentation). Class Two-day event Three-day event Four-day event MSA British Pro Modified; Top Fuel Dragster; Fuel Funny Car; Top Methanol; Nostalgia Funny Car £160 £170 n/a NB FIA classes pay FIA fees for FIA European Championship events ET classes; Super classes; Junior Dragster; Comp Eliminator; Topspeed Automotive Street Eliminator; VW classes; Outlaw Flat Four; Wild Bunch; Outlaw Anglia; Nostalgia Super Stock; other Sportsman car classes £130 SPRC: £145 APIRA: £130 £170 ACU Top Fuel Bike £165 £170 n/a NB FIM classes pay FIM fees for FIM European Championship events ACU Funny Bike; ACU Pro Stock Bike; ACU Comp Bike; ACU Super Street Bike; 9.50 Bike; 8.50 Bike; ACU Supertwin Gas; NAST Supertwin Gas; ACU ET Bike / NAST Supertwin ET; Junior Drag Bike SPRC: £135 APIRA: £130 SPRC: £150 APIRA: £135 APIRA JDB: £105 n/a Jet Car £155 £170 TBC Exhibition £165 £170 TBC PITSIDE POWER AT SANTA POD RACEWAY Fees for pitside power supply at Santa Pod Raceway have been frozen for two- and three-day events but the fee for single-phase has increased by £5 for the two four-day FIA / FIM events. Event duration Single phase Three phase 2 days £45 £145 3 days £55 £155 4 days £70 £170 OTHER BUSINESS The 2017 rule book has been put in the mail to car racers. Bike racers will receive their rule book within a week once a final amendment has been made. The rule book is on a USB stick; for a printed version please contact APIRA or SPRC. Generic Championship and runner-up trophies will be made available for photographs of National Championship winners and runners-up at the UK National Finals. Jon Giles confirmed that for the £1000 prize to be available in Super Gas, twelve cars must contest round one of eliminations. Swift snippets. 26th February: We would like to say a big Happy Birthday to our good friend and Honorary Eurodragster.com Staff Member Darren Prentice of Santa Pod Raceway. Have a great day Darren. Happy Birthday also to UK Fuel Funny Car racer Kevin Kent, you have a great day too Kevin, and to safety crew member Geoff Quaife. Have a great day Geoff. Longtime and attentive readers will know that today (Sunday) is Eurodragster.com's 19th birthday. The usual thanks to Andy Carter who sent our first news item in 1998 and to all of the racers, clubs, officials, promoters, sponsors, fans, family, friends and everyone else without whose support we could not do this. SPRC event entry update. 25th February: Santa Pod Racers Club Secretary Ian Marshall has been in touch to advise racers that, as every year, entry forms for events at Santa Pod Raceway will be available after the annual UK Riders' and Drivers' Meeting, which in this case takes place in Northampton tomorrow (Saturday) - see yesterday's news for details about the meeting. Entry forms will be available from the SPRC web site at www.eurodragster.com/sprc from Monday. Forms for events at Shakespeare County Raceway will also be available very shortly after the Riders' and Drivers' Meeting. Ian adds that the 2017 rulebook will be ready within a week or so and will be distributed to Club members on USB stick. If you would like a printed version then please contact SPRC or APIRA. Kirstie seeks lady racers' help. 25th February: Eurodragster.com Photographer and Sportsman ET racer Kirstie Tramm is seeking the help of fellow female racers with a talk which she is giving in March. "I'm the guest speaker in my school for International Womens' Day on 8th March", says Kirstie. I will be wearing my race suit! I would be grateful for quotes from our lady racers in any class and in any country to encourage our young female audience that anything is achievable. Short and snappy quotes would be particularly appreciated, thank you." If you would like to help Kirstie with this great cause then please drop her your message at kirstie@eurodragster.com. Supertwins go Dutch. 25th February: Job Heezen writes that the Supertwin Drag Bike Association recently got together in Amsterdam (I guessed from the picture it may not have been Cleckheaton - Ed): We tried to make a statement with this new set-up that the STDBA is not just about racing, rules and tech talk or whetever but about long-term friendship. We thought that this time we would organise it in such a way that not only racers would come to the meeting but also the people surrounding them such as team members, friends and family, to stress their importance. We were able to make some really good hospitality deals in the historic town of Volendam, a fishermens' enclave to the north of still close to Amsterdam, and a town which has kept most of its original character. The picture shows how well this character suits the Supertwins. After the short Volendam intermezzo the journey continued to Amsterdam. Being a city with as many canals as streets we had the splendid option to go for a boat tour showing all the beauty of the city, the harbour, the small canals in the inner city, the monuments, and the beautiful and romantic atmosphere of Amsterdam by night. In the meantime we had time for the annual meeting which was what it was all about. Some major issues were reviewed: the relationship between Scandinavian and Central European racers, the development of the EDRS, the position towards the FIM Championship and the upcoming FIM World Series etc. At the end of the day we issued a statement which reflected the thoughts of the STDBA members at the meeting on 11th February: We unanimously fully welcome and support the idea of an FIM European Series in 2018 being held in Central Europe (including the UK) and Scandinavia; We urge all parties involved to make the maximum effort to realise a Championship Series based on two Central European events and two Scandinavian events on major tracks and on traditional international race dates. Priddle book Blog update. 25th February: Photo-journalist Keith Lee tells us that has posted a progress update on his Blog on Alan Currans' excellent Acceleration Archive, as he gets fully into the process of writing his book on the life and times of one of European drag racing's true iconic drivers and constructors - Dennis Priddle. "The project is going well, as I gather more information and pictures every day", comments Keith, "with Dennis contributing a wealth of detail for me to work with." Dennis also features in Keith's latest column in the April edition of Custom Car magazine, which looks back at the excellent bench racing session staged at the British Drag Racing Hall of Fame gala. You can check out Keith's Blog at www.theaccelerationarchive.co.uk/keith/lee_blog2.html. Reminders I and II. 24th February: The 2017 UK Riders' and Drivers' Meeting will be held at 13:30 this Sunday (26th) at the Hilton Hotel, Northampton, on the eastbound A45 just off Junction 15 of the M1 (postcode is NN4 0XW, map). Items to be discussed include the 2017 UK National Championships (ratification of dates as well as Championship matters), event entry fees and pitside electrical supply, and prize funds, as well as Any Other Business. Refreshments will be available free of charge on arrival. Voting for the 2016 season APIRA Perpetual Awards closes at 23:59 UK time tonight, Friday (00:59 European time Saturday). To check out the shortlists and place your votes check out the official APIRA Perpetual Awards vote page by clicking here or by clicking on the APIRA Perpetual Awards vote link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page. Success for our sponsors. 24th February: Courtesy of Marc Wesler of renewing Eurodragster.com sponsor VP Racing Fuels comes this flyer (below left) celebrating all of the VP-using 2016 NHRA Champions and featuring Sweden's own double NHRA Lucas Oil Top Alcohol Funny Car World Champion and now Fuel Funny Car racer Jonnie Lindberg. The flyer is in PDF format and will print to a very large size for that bedroom wall. Via Les Downey of fellow renewing Eurodragster.com sponsor Lucas Oil Products comes news from Tom Bogner of Brian Fitzpatrick's 6.17/226 world record for an Import Dragster, set in Top Dragster at the NHRA Winternationals at Pomona. The alcohol-burning six-cylinder Toyota-powered dragster makes 2,000 hp and uses Lucas Oils' 50 Plus. Brian qualified seventh in a field of thirty four, the other dragsters all being V8s. Swift snippets. 24th February: The latest spy picture to arrive at the offices of Eurodragster.com came with no words. If you know more, or if you would like to send your own spy picture, then drop us a line at eurodragster.com@btinternet.com. After what he terms as a season to forget in 2016, Swedish Pro Stock Bike racer Kenneth Holmberg is looking forward to the new season in which he will contest both the FIM European and EDRS Pro Championships. Courtesy of our good friend Remco Scheelings you can read more on the Drag Racing Europe Blog by clicking here. VP's Eastern Europe distributor. 24th February: Eurodragster.com sponsor VP Racing Fuels has introduced its newest distributor, oils4cars SRO, based in Košice, Slovakia. As VP's authorised dealer, oils4cars will service customers in Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Austria with a full line of VP's race fuel blends including unleaded R5, Motorsport 109, Motorsport 103 and many more.   VP Madditives, formulated for petrol and diesel engines, will also be available from oils4cars.  The family of additives includes VP Fuel System Cleaner, VP Power Boost combustion enhancer and VP Octanium octane boost for petrol engines, along with VP Diesel All-In-One Fuel Conditioner and VP Cetanium cetane boost for diesel engines. "Over the last years oils4cars has proved to be a strong and reliable partner to many businesses in Europe", Stanislav Brindza, Sales Manager for oils4cars. "We are convinced that the same business approach will enable us to serve VP Racing Fuels customers in an effective and professional manner.  We believe that VP represents world class quality, as evidenced by its co-operation with M-SPORT and also based on our own experiences in rally.  With both companies fueled by a passion for motorsport and successful business experiences, oils4cars sees great potential in our cooperation with VP.  We are happy to open a new chapter of business together with VP Racing Fuels." "We're very pleased to welcome oils4cars to the VP family" said Marc Wesler, International Sales Manager for VP Racing Fuels. "Stanislav Brindza and his team are well-respected in the industry and very knowledgeable about performance products as reflected in the success of their Red Ants rally team.  We're confident they'll represent the VP Racing Fuels brand well and look forward to growing our businesses together." More information about oils4cars is available on-line at www.oils4cars.com. Hall of Fame Gala changes venue. 22nd February: The British Drag Racing Hall of Fame Annual Gala Awards Dinner is moving to a new venue for the 2017 event on Saturday 18th November: the luxurious four-star Oatlands Park Hotel in Weybridge, Surrey. Its magnificent grounds were originally the site of a grand Tudor palace built by Henry VIII for Anne of Cleeves in 1538. Other monarchs including Elizabeth I, James I and Charles I, also resided at Oatlands during their reigns. It opened as a hotel for the first time in 1856 and has played host to a number of world-famous guests including writer Emile Zola, novelist Anthony Trollope and artist and poet Edward Lear. Now some of the great names from drag racing will join this list on Saturday, November 18th as the sport celebrates its British pioneers. British Drag Racing Hall of Fame Limited CEO Brian Taylor said "It is very difficult to find a venue which is convenient, which can take our numbers and enable us to pay tribute to our pioneers in a fitting yet affordable style. It is true that we had a very successful event at the Sheraton Skyline, London Heathrow, in 2016, but we really wanted a venue which could more readily handle all the activities held during the day and, most importantly, one with character and a sense of being in Great Britain. The Oatlands Park Hotel and its associated history certainly do that in spades and we are very pleased to have hunted it down." Honorary Chairman of the BDRHoF Stu Bradbury said "We are always trying to improve the event, particularly the environment for guests to socialise with old friends they haven't seen for years and to give time to mingle with the celebrity guests. We also wanted a hotel that has local interest for those making a weekend of it. The Oatlands Park has easy access from Junction 11 on the M25 and is near London Heathrow Airport. It is only a few minutes' drive from the world-famous Brooklands Motorsport and Aviation Museum. This features many historic aircraft and cars, including one of the few Concordes in existence and the fabulous twenty four-litre Napier Railton which graced the Brooklands circuit setting many records in the 1930s. "On the same Brooklands site you can find Mercedes-Benz World where you can put your driving skills to the test on the Handling Circuit in a range of Mercedes-Benz vehicles. Or let the Silver Arrows Display Team show you how it's done. Plenty of Mercedes vehicles on static display. Also nearby you can find Hampton Court, Windsor Great Park, Legoland, Windsor Castle and lots more. Trains from Weybridge station can take you to Waterloo Station in London so we think this new venue has it covered." The main part of the Gala Awards Dinner evening is of course devoted to introducing and inducting the British Drag Racing Hall of Fame class of 2017 and these will be announced on Eurodragster.com during the weekend of Dragstalgia at Santa Pod Raceway on 14th-16th July. The Sydney Allard Media Awards will also be presented at the Gala – this year introducing an award for best video. Event sponsors will be confirmed during the year. The BDRHoF is now taking reservations for the 2017 Gala Awards Dinner by E-Mail at stuart@britishdragracinghof.co.uk or by telephone on 01933 279102. This year the tickets are priced competitively at £65 which includes a pre-dinner reception. The event always sells out well in advance, so if you would like to join us for the occasion we suggest you make your reservation sooner rather than later. On receiving your reservation you will be given the procedure to book rooms at the negotiated room rate which includes breakfast and VAT as well as parking. Ongoing news about the Gala, sponsors and other events in which the BDRHoF is involved will be published on the British Drag Racing Hall of Fame web site at www.britishdragracinghof.co.uk, on Eurodragster.com, and on Facebook and Twitter. Walters chases the missing Six. 20th February: UK Super Pro ET racer and Eurodragster.com sponsor Peter Walters has announced that in 2017 he will be driving the blown-alcohol six-second Super Pro ET rail owned by Derek Flynn of fellow Eurodragster.com sponsor Gold RV. Peter's own dragster will remain in the workshop this season. "We wrecked two motors in my own dragster last year", Pete told Eurodragster.com. "We decided to change from a Small Block to a Big Block. We were going to carry out the change over the winter but then decided that we would take the season out, take our time and spend more money on it." The plan to drive the Gold RV dragster was hatched when Derek and Fiona Flynn visited the Walters household at Christmas. "We spoke about my driving Derek's car at a couple of rounds, then I spoke to Derek a couple of weeks ago and he said that we will run it al all of the SPRC rounds", said Pete. "It is usually is quite simple with Derek, he says "Do you want to do this?" and I say "Yes"! My dad was going to crew with Derek this season anyway, whatever happened. We may bring my own dragster out to test at the end of the season." Pete will be pulling double duty at some events as he and sister Holley will also be campaigning a 1996 Mustang in Sportsman ET as a two-driver team. "It'll be a bit of fun", said Pete. "It will be the first time that Holley has ever driven anything on the track." Driving the Gold RV dragster will plug a gap in Pete's schedule of Personal Bests. "I've never driven a six-second pass!", he said. "I have run eights and sevens in my own dragster, and fives in Dave Wilson's injected-nitro Top Methanol dragster, but I have yet to drive a six." This formality should be dealt with quickly as testing is scheduled for the Pro Peak Performance Test and Tune Day the day before the Festival of Power at Santa Pod Raceway in April. See Jackson for racewear and more. 20th February: Wayne Jackson tells us that Brad Jackson Racing Ltd are launching a new arm to their team selling a range of custom racewear, gloves and underwear as well as other safety equipment. "Printed and embroidered garments are available", says Wayne. "The suits, one of which Brad wears, are made in Italy and are all FIA 8856-2000, even the entry level suit, so legal all the way to Super Pro ET, rear-engined, unblown no nitrous, 6.0 seconds. "Besides the racewear there are belts, seats, and the legendary Tiger Grip work gloves. To follow shortly are steering wheels and Hans devices. The main focus on the web site over the coming days and weeks will be the addition of the Lucas Oil Products' UK inventory." You can check out the new site and place your orders at www.racewearonline.com. APIRA Perpetual Awards vote 6. 13th February: Avon Park International Racing Association and Eurodragster.com are again teaming up to give readers the chance of input to the APIRA Perpetual Awards, which will be presented at the joint APIRA / Supercharged Outlaws Trophy Presentation on Saturday 4th March. The votes of Eurodragster.com readers will be taken into consideration when the APIRA selection panel decides upon its winners. For six of the 2016 season awards, shortlists have been decided for which votes can be submitted by E-Mail. One shortlist will be posted on Monday each week. The final shortlist is the McDonald Racing Ireland Best Newcomer trophy, for the most promising newcomer to contest events at Shakespeare County Raceway. This trophy was presented for the first time in 2012 and is posted by Graham, Edel and Gabrielle McDonald. Last year's recipient was Sportsman ET racer Andy Dibley, whose entry fees to the Springspeed Nationals and Open Sport Nationals were paid by McDonald Racing in addition to the trophy. The shortlist for the McDonald Racing Ireland Best Newcomer trophy, in alphabetical order, is as follows: Colin Felstead, Pro ET Vote for Colin Felstead Frankie Fordham, Lucas Oil Junior Dragster Vote for Frankie Fordham Elaine Hancock, Sportsman ET Vote for Elaine Hancock Gary Hester, ET Bike Vote for Gary Hester Leo Lester, ET Bike Vote for Leo Lester Samir Lukac, VW Pro Vote for Samir Lukac John Mclean Jr, Comp Bike Vote for John Mclean Jr Bill Murfin, Super Pro ET Vote for Bill Murfin Kim and Richard Willcox, Lucas Oil Junior Dragster Vote for Kim and Richard Willcox Natalie Wood, VW Sportsman Vote for Natalie Wood To place your vote, either use the links above or go to the official APIRA Perpetual Awards voting page which you can view by clicking here or by clicking on the APIRA Perpetual Awards vote link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page. If the E-Mail is not automatically generated with your chosen name in the title then simply send an E-Mail to apiraawards2016@eurodragster.com giving the category (Iris Page Memorial Trophy etc.) as the subject of the E-Mail and the name of the person for whom you wish to vote in the body of the E-Mail. For each of the Awards, one vote per E-Mail address per nominee will be accepted: multiple votes for the same nominee from the same E-Mail address will all be disqualified. And every year we say this, but every year someone tries it on: please note that blatant attempts at organising mass votes - for example asking workmates, forum members or Facebook friends to vote en masse - are easily identified and all such votes will be disallowed as they have been in previous years. Concerted attempts at vote-rigging will result in the nominee being removed from the shortlist whether or not that nominee knows what was going on. We know all the dodges so it's just not worth trying. If in any doubt about what constitutes canvassing then please drop us a line at editor@eurodragster.com. Additionally, if anyone should have issues with the content of any of the shortlists then please have the courtesy to contact APIRA direct rather than contacting Eurodragster.com or posting cryptic comments or bullying candidates on Facebook. E-Mails to Eurodragster.com regarding the content of the shortlists will receive neither a reply nor any other acknowledgement and comments on the subject on our Facebook pages will be deleted. Voting closes at 23:59 UK time this coming Friday, 24th February (00:59 European Saturday 25th). Web site updates. 20th February: In the latest instalment of his exclusive Racer Blog presented in association with Gearhead Garage Paul Marston works on the fuel lines, brakes and windows of his twin-turbo Cortina and makes a note of the latest weight loss. You can take a look by clicking here or by clicking on the Gearhead Garage Blogs link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page. Quiz benefits Bloodwise. 19th February: Yvonne Tramm got in touch to thank all of those who took part in the Riders and Drivers Quiz for Bloodwise at last weekend's SPRC Dinner Dance and Trophy Presentation: Thank you all for your generous donations to the Bloodwise charity.  A total of £345 has been sent on behalf of you all. Congratulations to Emma Wray who won the three-way tie and who received a bottle of champagne and a box of chocolates. I do hope that you all had a good night. Murty on barriers. 19th February: Steve Murty of the International Organisation of Professional Drivers has asked us to post this statement. As ever News FAQ 16 applies: Like many highly sensitive subjects in life there are those on the internet that voice an opinion without any perceived liability regarding subjects in which they have no practical knowledge or experience and no professional indemnity insurance. This can then create dangerous myths which may lead others in to boycotting certain venues unnecessarily. One such myth which has reared its head recently is that motorsport tracks are more dangerous and a safety issue if not surrounded by concrete walls. Such unfounded motorsport myths have compensation lawyers sharpening there pencils all over the country as it infers that event organisers that run events where there are no concrete barriers are obviously negligent and therefore potentially liable to pay compensation. It is and always has been the policy of the IOPD that the best barriers are the ones not there. Barriers on racing venues are only required to enable spectators or paddock to be close enough to the action or just to fit it all in limited land space. In the UK everybody is so used to barriers everywhere on the roads that drivers tend to feel unsafe without them. However if you were in America where land space is not the same problem as the UK all you find between highways is wide open spaces where the land slopes down in to a slight ditch to prevent cars and trucks passing across in to oncoming traffic. Where cars and Armco barriers are used on circuits both are energy absorbing devices which dissipates the kinetic energy of a wayward car. Cars can hit a barrier pointing in any direction at any height, either spinning, rolling and turning end over end and often a combination of both. From the drivers point of view energy must be dissipated as gradually as possible without subjecting him to deceleration that causes internal injuries. The magnitude of energy to be dissipated increases at the square of the speed ie a 60 mph impact in to concrete is equivalent to dropping the car from a height of 80 metres, at 120 mph it's 314 metres, at 180 mph its 700 metres and at 200 mph it is the equivalent of dropping a car from a kilometre! In the worst scenario should a car leave a race track and barrel roll it then dissipates kinetic energy relatively slowly and subjects the driver to substantially less G-forces. Armco barrier acts like a spring dampener absorbing energy. Concrete walls do not, however concrete walls are less likely to allow a car though or over the wall. Both concrete and Armco cause crashing cars to bounce back on to the course and possibly in to other racers who may be innocent passers-by. No barrier no rebounding race cars! Armco barrier that deflects by 0.5 metres reduces the severity and therefore the g forces on the driver by around (50% the difference between concrete and Armco). Large run off areas on F1 circuits allow for declaration of car at around 1G. A well restrained motor racing driver may walk away from a 30G impact and this increases to over 40G if wearing a Frontal Head Restraint. Whatever personal opinions car driver may have regarding barriers they must not lose sight of fact that 50% of sprint and drag racers are motorcyclists and therefore should consider there safety also. No motorcyclist wants barriers to hit if it can be avoided. This is always a difficult balance for the racing circuits to achieve and is often compensated for by the use of air and tyre walls. Summit Racing back EDRS. 17th February: Speedgroup are pleased to announce that Summit Racing Equipment, the world's largest mail order automotive performance equipment company, has becomes the title sponsor for the EDRS European Drag Racing Series, which has been operated by Speedgroup since 2012. Effective this season the Series will operate as the Summit Racing EDRS Series. The 2017 Summit Racing EDRS Series, the biggest drag racing series in Europe, comprises eighteen events at thirteen tracks in five European countries: MAY 12-14 Malmö Raceway SWE (SRIF) 20-21 Tallhed / Orsa SWE (Night Cruisers Färnäs) 26-27 Vålrgårda SWE (SHRA Borås) JUNE 3-4 Thunder Valle NOR (Jaeren DR) 15-18 Tierp Arena SWE (NDRS MC)  23-25 Tallhed / Orsa SWE (Night Cruisers Färnäs) 29 June – July 2 Alastaro FIN (FHRA) 30 June- July 2 Sundsvall SWE (SHRA Sundsvall) JULY 7-9 Piteå Raceway SWE (SHRA Luleå) 8-9 Pärnu, ESTONIA (EDRA) 14-15 Fällfors SWE (SHRA Skellefteå) 27-30 Gardermoen NOR (NDRG) AUGUST 4-6 Tallhed/Orsa (MC event) SWE (Night Cruisers Färnäs) 11-13 Sundsvall Raceway SWE (SHRA Sundsvall) 19-20 Lindesberg SWE (SHRA Lindesberg) 24-27 Tierp Arena SWE (NDRS MC) SEPTEMBER 1-3 Mosten DEN (Mosten MC) 15-17 Gardermoen NOR (NDRG) "Stepping up to the series sponsorship is the perfect opportunity to expand Summit Racing's support for the EDRS racers", said Jim Greenleaf, Summit's Motorsport and Events Manager. "We experienced an incredibly positive response to our participation in the contingency program in 2016. We are impressed with Speedgroup and the vision they have for the future of drag racing in Europe. Summit Racing looks forward to being a part of the program for many years to come." Speedgroup CEO Åsa Kinnemar says that Summit Racing first became involved through the contingency programme operated by Speedgroup 2016: "The response and appreciation from racers for Summit Racing's support and commitment in the contingency programme alone was amazing. Now we are delighted to get the opportunity to intensify the co-operation with Summit Racing by also having the Series operating under the Summit Racing EDRS Series name and banner. The co-operation with Summit will allow us to further develop and add new values to the series both short and longer term." King of America? 17th February: 2016 was a momentous year for UK Top Fuel Bike racer Ian King and his King Racing - Gulf Oil Drag Racing team. Another record-setting tenth FIM European Championship was won, and in doing so Team Principal and rider Ian King became the most successful rider in European drag bike racing history by accumulating more Championship points of any rider in any class over the two decades since he began competing in the Championship. At the end of the season he diversified his sporting focus by using the very same Championship-winning machine for a successful attempt to set a new FIM World Land Speed Record on a track and in conditions totally at odds with the environment in which he had been so successful over his ten European Drag Racing Championships. So, what for 2017? Following his successful one-off race in the 2014 USA National Championship opening round where he not only won the event but became the final and permanent member of the prestigious MTC Top Fuel Five Second Club, invitations from the organisers to race the entire USA National Championship, and the hopes and desires of his many fans across the globe were compelling and so he and his team have been working on a programme to see if Ian could become the first European rider to do so since the late Brian Johnson more than three decades ago.   Since then the team have been working feverishly on a programme to race the entire season in the home of drag racing in the USA Championship, whose details you can find at www.dragbike.com. The plan is financially demanding, but some notable supporters have already stepped up to the plate to assist. However, the team are still some way short in reaching the necessary budget required for such an undertaking and as such are reaching out to the wider drag racing community for help in supplementing the budget already raised to make the plan a reality. Ian is extremely grateful for the outstanding support for his endeavours and hopes that competing in the US Championship in 2017 will be possible. With that funding in mind one US fan of Drag Bike racing, Mark Rendeluk, has kindly set up a funding page to help in the quest at www.gofundme.com/help-ian-king-get-to-race-mancup. All contributions, however small will be very gratefully received by the King Racing team. Ian King can also  be contacted on his Facebook page or by E-Mail at ian@kingracing.com. No Prep looking at York. 17th February: Paul Marston tells us that after a recent visit to York Raceway he has been invited to look into running a No Prep event at the track later this year: No Prep is Doorslammers only, heads up eighth-mile, no times, numbers drawn out of a hat to decide the pairings, call-out allowed first round only minimum £50 side bet, no weight limit, no limit to engine or power adders, other than safety there are no rules. Entry would be £125 and if there are enough entries the prize fund to win will be £1000 cash. What we need now is for drivers and teams to register their interest in competing at this event. There will be no limit to entries but we will be looking for at least sixteen interested teams before we go back to Steve Murty and confirm a date. Everyone knows that York needs support and this is your chance to do just that. I know that there are teams interested in travelling up from the south, and York has some great Doorslammers of its own so this event could be quite a showdown. To register your interest please contact us via Facebook on either the Paul Marston Racing or UK Top Sportsman pages, E-Mail pmracing@fsmail.net, or call me on 07831 650230. UK Top Sportsman #7. 17th February: UK Top Sportsman will be celebrating its seventh year at the Mopar EuroNationals at Santa Pod Raceway at the end of July. Paul Marston writes: We are most grateful to the organisers that the very fastest Sportsman Doorslammers will be racing at the very best muscle car event on the calendar. UK Top Sportsman is two races in one weekend. First there is the Pro Tree bracket race, no throttle stops allowed. This race kicks off Friday and runs to conclusion. On Saturday night there is the one-shot qualifier for the sixteen-spot Heads-Up race, with the eliminations on Sunday. UK Top Sportsman is open to anyone with a Doorslammer, providing it can run 9.99 or quicker. There are just safety rules, other than that there are no rules on engine size, power adders, vehicle weight, 2WD or 4WD. Its run what you brung and hope you brung enough! This is where you will see the very best Sportsman drivers not just in the UK but also in Europe: we welcome all European race teams and have had drivers from many European countries race with us. In 2017 Rene Ehrismann from Switzerland made it to the final of the Heads-Up race. This is an event run by racers for racers and is also the richest pay-out for a Sportsman race in the country. The wealth is shared as we pay from the third round onwards. With an average of thirty two teams regularly entering UK Top Sportsman, it's a great event in which to compete with lots of racing. Two races in one weekend! Yes it's the toughest event of the year ad it brings out the very best in the race teams with Personal Bests, plenty of seven-second runs and a lot of scalps to be taken. This is the race everyone talks about, the race for which people build new Doorslammers. This is the one that really matters. So make a note in your diary - Santa Pod Raceway, Mopar EuroNationals, 28th-30th July. We are still looking for a title partner / sponsor and associate business partners / sponsors for this event, so if anyone is interested in enjoying the exposure and the benefits of the exclusive webcast and TV time, plus all the press releases and on the day and trackside promotion, then please contact us via Facebook at UK Top Sportsman, E-Mail pmracing@fsmail.net, or call me on 07831 650230. Outlaw Street 2017. 16th February: Mark Wallington writes that 2017 is the eighth year for the UK's Outlaw Street series: That's right, we've been running for eight years - where's the time gone! For those of you who've followed the series through the race reports over the past seven years, or who've seen members racing at Santa Pod or Shakespeare County Raceway, you'll be familiar with the rules and format, but for anyone who's not, or who fancies 2017 being the year they dip their toe into drag racing, here's a summary of the who / what / where of Outlaw Street. Outlaw Street is an amateur drag racing series open to anyone who owns a street-legal car and who wants to enjoy quarter mile racing with like-minded people, and at the same time have an opportunity to win a trophy and be part of the fastest-growing drag series in the UK. The series is open to all marques of vehicles, four cylinders and up (which is part of the eclectic appeal of Outlaw Street). We do however have a strong grounding in anything American V8 powered, whether it be a 1930s hot rod, a 60s muscle car, a pick-up truck or a modern day Mustang or Corvette, or old English tin with a V8 stuffed under the bonnet. The series is spread across eight race meets throughout the 2017 drag racing season, starting in May and runing through until October with an awards and prize night in November. We hold rounds at both Santa Pod Raceway and Shakespeare County Raceway at a mix of events including Run What You Brungs, Saturday Night Specials, Lifestyle events and specialist weekends such as the Mopar EuroNationals and VW Action. The Series is actively supported by both tracks with Outlaw Street invited to a number of invitation-only events throughout the year. The added luxury with the Series is that you don't have to stay all weekend to be eligible for points, you can just turn up for a day and race for a few hours, which makes the Series a lot more accessible to those racers with weekend work/family commitments. Thanks to our sponsors Wisbech American Street & Performance Limited, Joe & Co and many others, we've grown our vast selection of trophies and awards including along with the traditional Top Three of the season, Reaction Time trophies for each round, American Car Magazine subscriptions for points winners, Fastest Elapsed Time trophies for both fastest V8 and non-V8 cars and more. The rules for the series are quite simple. Your car must have: A current MOT A current TAX registration A full functioning exhaust system Tyres with road legal tread depth Your car can't have: Open Headers Slicks The points system is built on a combination of three factors: Quickest ET on the day Your own personal improvement from the last race meet Attendance This means that you don't have to run the fastest car to have a chance of winning a trophy across the season, as proven by the top three winners in virtually every year of the series to date. Points are posted on the Outlaw Street forum after each meet so you can track how you're doing, who's beating you and who you've got to beat. Although there are eight rounds in the 2017 series, only six count towards the final score to decide the series winners. Of the eight rounds the first you attend counts as your Dial-In round and as such is a zero points round. In addition there is one holiday / breakage round meaning you can choose to drop one round per year and not ruin your chances of being competitive within the series. Membership per season is £40. This gives you entry to the Outlaw Street forum, your own unique race number, membership card and Outlaw Street stickers along with several discount passes throughout the season. We are very pleased to confirm sponsorship and support for the 2017 series from WASP Ltd (Wisbech American Street & Performance), Joe & Co, American Car Magazine, Santa Pod Raceway, Shakespeare County Raceway, Graham Durbridge Artworks and HRG Services. The Series dates for 2017 are: OS-1 13th-14th May: Saturday Night Special (night racing), Sunday Run What You Brung, Santa Pod Raceway OS-2 27th-29th May: Yanks Weekend / Gary's Picnic, Shakespeare County Raceway OS-3 10th-11th June: Public Test Weekend, Shakespeare County Raceway OS-4 28th-30th July: Mopar EuroNationals, Santa Pod Raceway* OS-5 19th-20th August: Saturday Night Special (night racing), Sunday Run What You Brung, Santa Pod Raceway OS-6 1st-3rd September: VW Action, Santa Pod Raceway* OS-7 30th September-1st October: Public Test Weekend, Shakespeare County Raceway OS-8 28th-29th October: Bonfire Burn-Up, Shakespeare County Raceway Prize Night: Saturday 11th November, The Crown Lodge Hotel, Outwell, Cambridgeshire *Provisionally scheduled for webcast on Eurodragster.com If you'd like more information about the series you can find out more at www.outlawstreet.co.uk or follow us on Facebook at Outlaw Street. Glad and sad. 15th February: Congratulations to SPRC Club Secretary and Chief Starter Ian Marshall and Nitro FM's Nikki Skinner who have announced their engagement. Nikki and Ian were actually engaged on their trip to the USA last autumn with the proposal coming at Yosemite Falls after a two-hour trek to the base of the top fall. Our very best wishes for a long and happy future. Ex-pat UK Top Alcohol Dragster racer and outgoing Eurodragster.com sponsor Mike Manners, who raced in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, has confirmed that he has retired from racing. "I have had some neck and back problems over the last three years which occasionally forced me to cancel races", Mike told Eurodragster.com. "Then two doctors in two days told me that I was risking severe nerve damage from the G-force, let alone a wreck, and that I was silly to continue driving. I had a fantastic time doing it and my only regrets are that I did not get my NHRA Top Fuel licence and that I never raced at Santa Pod". Our best wishes to Mike and our thanks for his long support of Eurodragster.com. Malmgren signs ARP at PRI. 15th February: Swedish Pro Stock racer Michael Malmgren is pleased to announce that he signed ARP Autmotive Racing Products as a product sponsor on his trip to PRI. ARP have signed a deal with Malmgren Pro Stock Racing to promote their products on the FIA European Championship Tour. "We are very proud to add ARP to our list of performance parts product sponsors", says Michael. "Bob Ingles, our engine builder, relies only on ARP fasteners. We need the best products possible to keep our high-revving Pro Stock engines alive, and that's why we rely on ARP fasteners." "We are proud to be associated with Malmgren Pro Stock Racing", says Nigel Atkinson of ARP. Michael confirmed that, although EFI is now allowed by the FIA rules, he will be sticking with the carburetted set-up in 2017. All welcome to refettled Jurby. 15th February: With one UK track and possibly another under threat of closure Ian Merryweather of the Manx Drag Racing Association writes with some welcome good news: The Manx Drag Racing Association would like to announce they are in the process of building a new prepped track for all to come and enjoy. Work to put in the new concrete startline is underway, along with new tarmac further down track. The concrete stretches 145 feet from the burnout box. The removable start line gantry we have will be in place along a new mobile timing kiosk. Jurby Airfield, where the Manx Drag Racing Association have been running events in partnership with the Straightliners since 2010, has the benefit of no noise restrictions whatsoever, in fact the only restriction we have is that the grass on site is not allowed to be cut until August due to nesting Skylarks! There is a huge motor museum on site, a bus museum, a kart track, and for those who break the rules the Isle of Man prison - or Jurby Hilton as the locals call it! Their Drag Fest event, which has been sponsored by Pokerstars since 2010, has always been tagged on to the final weekend of the Manx Grand Prix / TT Classic bike racers' fortnight, usually first weekend in September. Many of the UK racers have made the trip over and had a great time - ask Mark Flavell, Paul Watts, Spencer Tidswell and Ben Rushforth to name but a few. The biggest problem has always been finding suitable ferry sailings due to the bike teams leaving en masse after their fortnight of action. This year, however, Trevor Duckworth's Straightliners and the MDRA have got together to offer the drag racing masses a new event. The Tynwald Drags, which will be held over the weekend of 1st-2nd July, does not clash with other UK events this year, or any events on the Island. Therefore there are plenty of ferry sailings available at very reasonable rates (although we would still advise booking early). For more information including ferry packages visit the events page at www.manxdragracing.com. We all hope to see you in July and don't forget next month's Custom Car magazine, due out 24th February, for the write-up up of the 2016 Pokerstars Drag Fest. The original Stat Guy speaks. 15th February: Longtime Eurodragster.com readers will know of our long association with TSI Timers Europe especially timing and stats guru Andy Marrs who recently announced that he is retiring from active duty on SPRC's timing crew, although he will still continue to consult on timing matters. At Saturday's SPRC Dinner Dance and Trophy Presentation Marrs was stitched up a treat, being presented with the Alex Brachtvogel Memorial Trophy and then, when he had got back to his seat, being called up again to receive the John Ledster Memorial Trophy. It's not often that we see Marrs at a loss for words but he eventually recovered and has been in touch to thank all those responsible: I'm still reeling from Saturday night! I don't really know what to say apart from thank you to everyone. To Carole, Karl and Ian and to everyone else involved in conspiring to get me there, and obviously to everyone who nominated and voted for me. I feel massively honoured to receive the awards. I'm in some very special company with those who have received these awards before me, and I am stunned to be thought of in the same way. I'm just a bit of a nerd that is fascinated by the numbers in the sport who realised that there were a few other anoraks out there who were and are interested in them! Rest assured I won't be disappearing into the sunset. I'll still be popping up the track now and then, and I will still be working on the numbers. A word from a sponsor... 15th February: It was a successful weekend at Pomona for Eurodragster.com sponsor Lucas Oil Products. Tom Bognor writes: Top Alcohol Funny Car winner Shane Westerfield (below left) uses Lucas Oil 70 Plus current formula - no additives, just good old oil out of the jug. Above right is one of the pistons from Del Worsham's Fuel Funny Car. Del has had no parts failures using Lucas Oil. I have been present for every fill, drain and run down track this year, beginning with pre-race testing in Phoenix. Del is running the new Special Blend 70 Plus, again we have not run any additives to date, just oil out of the jug. All parts have been serviceable, just the way the team likes it. No liners replaced, or any other parts. Del lost in the second round against Ron Caps, 2016 Champion, but he did take out Robert Hight in round #1. I am very pleased with the results of the first race. ...and a word to our sponsors. 15th February: Eurodragster.com sponsors please note that this year's sponsorship renewals have been sent out. If your renewal has not arrived and it is not in your Spam folder then please get in touch with Tog at tog@eurodragster.com. If you are interested in sponsoring Eurodragster.com then please get in touch with Tog at the same address. APIRA Perpetual Awards vote 5. 13th February: Avon Park International Racing Association and Eurodragster.com are again teaming up to give readers the chance of input to the APIRA Perpetual Awards, which will be presented at the joint APIRA / Supercharged Outlaws Trophy Presentation on Saturday 4th March. The votes of Eurodragster.com readers will be taken into consideration when the APIRA selection panel decides upon its winners. For six of the 2016 season awards, shortlists have been decided for which votes can be submitted by E-Mail. One shortlist will be posted on Monday each week. The latest shortlist is the APIRA Alan Wigmore Memorial Trophy. The founder of the National Drag Racing Club, Alan Wigmore was dedicated to every aspect of the sport at home as well as in America. As Chairman of the NDRC Alan got to do just about every job there was to organise as well as run race events. This Award is presented in Alan's memory to the chosen individual who has shown the same dedication, spirit and enthusiasm for the sport which Alan showed in his years in drag racing. The APIRA selection panel's shortlist, in alphabetical order, is as follows: Dave Rowlands (Shakespeare County Raceway fire crew) Vote for Dave Rowlands Chris Schreier (APIRA race official) Vote for Chris Schreier Graham Smith (Organiser, Tri Chevy Shootout) Vote for Graham Smith Tony Smith (ACU / APIRA race official) Vote for Tony Smith To place your vote, either use the links above or go to the official APIRA Perpetual Awards voting page which you can view by clicking here or by clicking on the APIRA Perpetual Awards vote link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page. If the E-Mail is not automatically generated with your chosen name in the title then simply send an E-Mail to apiraawards2016@eurodragster.com giving the category (Iris Page Memorial Trophy etc.) as the subject of the E-Mail and the name of the person for whom you wish to vote in the body of the E-Mail. For each of the Awards, one vote per E-Mail address per nominee will be accepted: multiple votes for the same nominee from the same E-Mail address will all be disqualified. And every year we say this, but every year someone tries it on: please note that blatant attempts at organising mass votes - for example asking workmates, forum members or Facebook friends to vote en masse - are easily identified and all such votes will be disallowed as they have been in previous years. Concerted attempts at vote-rigging will result in the nominee being removed from the shortlist whether or not that nominee knows what was going on. We know all the dodges so it's just not worth trying. If in any doubt about what constitutes canvassing then please drop us a line at editor@eurodragster.com. Additionally, if anyone should have issues with the content of any of the shortlists then please have the courtesy to contact APIRA direct rather than contacting Eurodragster.com or posting cryptic comments or bullying candidates on Facebook. E-Mails to Eurodragster.com regarding the content of the shortlists will receive neither a reply nor any other acknowledgement and comments on the subject on our Facebook pages will be deleted. The final shortlist, to be published next Monday (20th February) will be the McDonald Racing Ireland Best Newcomer Award. Swift snippets. 13th February: Mike Janis got in touch to alert European readers to this very tidy Pro Mod which he is selling on Racing Junk. The Camaro comes as a roller or turn-key having made all of twelve eighth-mile passes. You can find out more on Racing Junk by clicking here. Having been selected for the Norwegian National Drag Bike Team, Thomas Olsen and the Brothers In Arms Pro Stock Bike team are upgrading and gearing up for EDRS Pro Nordic MC competition in 2017. You can read more on the Drag Racing Europe Blog by clicking here. Love and best wishes for a rapid recovery to Dianne Hope of the Rat Trap Fuel Altered team who is back at home in Tennessee after a scary-sounding kayaking accident and hospitalisation in New Zealand. Look forward to seeing you at Goodwood Dianne. SPRC Presentation gallery. 12th February: The official Trophy Presentation pictures from last night's SPRC Dinner Dance and Trophy Presentation are now available. The gallery, which is presented in association with Lucas Oil Products, can be checked out by clicking here or by clicking on the Features, Interviews, Tributes link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page. Copies of any picture are free and can be obtained by E-Mailing tog@eurodragster.com with the image number. Many thanks to photographer Grace Roaf for her hard work last night. SPRC Perpetual Award winners. 12th February: The winners and runners-up in the 2016 UK National Championships, MSA British Drag Racing Championship, and Santa Pod Racers Club Championships were presented with their trophies at the SPRC Dinner Dance and Trophy Presentation in Daventry last night (Saturday). The winners of SPRC's Perpetual Awards, for whom Eurodragster.com readers had the chance to vote, were also presented with their trophies. Congratulations to the SPRC Perpetual Award winners: Most Promising Newcomer: Michel Tooren (Pro Modified) Best Appearing Car: Jon Webster (Nostalgia slingshot) Best Appearing Bike: Rikard Gustafsson (Top Fuel Bike) Most Professional Appearing Team: Shark Attack Drag Racing (Rene van den Berg and teams) James Edgar Memorial Trophy: Andy Wright (Pro Modified) Alex Brachtvogel Memorial Trophy: Andy Marrs (TSI Timers Europe) John Ledster Memorial Trophy: Andy Marrs Obsession Motorsports Sportsman of the Year Trophy: Brian and Lee Huxley A big Thank You to everyone who submitted votes for the SPRC Perpetual Awards. York Raceway fights threat. 10th February: The UK government's Garden Villages scheme, intended to build new villages, has targeted used and disused airfield sites including Long Marston Airfield, home of Shakespeare County Raceway. Chris Murty writes that although Melbourne Airfield, home of York Raceway, has escaped the attentions of the Garden Village planners, the venue is under threat as a consequence of another decision and needs the urgent support of the UK drag racing community: Sherburn-in-Elmet has been named as the chosen location for a new £55 million factory. This means that the current users of Sherburn must find a new location. A major parts manufacture are looking to build a new proving ground to test their products and are in negotiations with the owners of Melbourne Airfield to resurface the venue with two new test tracks. This company have stated that they do not want to share the facility with drag racing. However there is still hope. The land owners have welcomed negotiations with Pennine Raceway Ltd, the promotional and management company of York Raceway, and have intimated that they would consider accepting a substantially-improved offer of rent from Pennine Raceway Ltd. Over the past three months Pennine Raceway Ltd have had to look at how to raise triple the rent just to remain in negotiations. Therefore, York Raceway propose the following for 2017: More RWYB-only days, giving more track time to RWYBers; More race rounds, giving our racers even more racing and better value for money; The introduction of a £10 per run scheme in RWYB, to encourage new people to take part; A loyalty card system, five RWYB sessions and get the sixth session free, as a thank you for loyalty; Invite several drag racing classes to travel north, with potentially three new classes visiting York in 2017; In 2017, regretfully raise RWYB by £10 per day to £40 for one day and £60 for two days, and to raise race fees by £20 per day to £60 for one day and £80 for two days). We hope that with these changes, and with more independent race Championships embracing York, that here will be at least two permanent venues in the UK in the immediate future for the preservation of the sport. Pennine Raceway Ltd are open to offers from promotion and marketing companies looking expand events, or as a potential new home. We would also welcome any company looking to sponsor or to invest in the venue and take drag racing and lifestyle events forward. York Raceway has 365 days use as a motorsports venue and there are currently no sound limits. If you would like to get involved in supporting York Raceway then please get in touch at info@yorkraceway.org.uk. The Army game. 10th February: The UK's Team Mulisha are pleased to announce that with effect from this season they are a recognised British Army Drag Racing Team. Each team member is from the Royal Electrical Mechanical Engineers who work closely alongside 3 Army Air Corps at Wattisham Flying Station. The current team is Sgt Daniel Pigott (aka Lester) Mk2 Golf VR6, Sgt James Gould (aka Jay) Mk3 Golf VR6 SC, and Cpl Sam Chisholm-Brown (Team Captain) Mk2 Golf R32. The team compete in VWDRC VW Pro and VW Sportsman and invite members of the British Army to take part. If you are interested then you can contact Team Mulisha through their Facebook page. Night of the Outlaws. 10th February: Callum Pudge writes that the annual Outlaw Anglia Presentation party took place on Saturday 28th January and that, as always, it was a fantastic night: Before the party started, there was an AGM organised by Colin Millar at the Hilton Hotel in Coventry giving drivers and crew a chance to have their say on the future of Outlaw Anglia and how to move the class forward. The meeting was very well attended and lots of positive ideas were put forward. Everyone also had a chance to see a preview of the new and improved Outlaw Anglia web site which will be launched before the start of this season. Cliff Griffin and team picked up their winners' trophy after a season full of ups, downs and plenty of seven-second passes. Jedd Guy and team fought hard for the runner-up trophy, getting Shorty's Hot Rod down into the sevens in the process, well done guys! Bob, Carole and Fiona presented the Debbie Hancox memorial trophy to Barn and Gemma Levy; congratulations and well deserved in the spirit of Outlaw Anglia. Once again, Penny Bird organised a raffle to help raise funds for the Air Ambulance Service which raised an impressive £415. A big Thank You to everyone who donated prizes or bought raffle tickets and donated prizes. The first race of the season will be at Big Bang at Santa Pod. We hope you'll join us for what we plan will be one of the best seasons so far of Outlaw Anglia. Johansson working towards return. 9th February: Swedish Pro Modified racer Roger Johansson is well-advanced on his return to racing after his horrifying 200 mph crash at last year's FIA / FIM Main Event at Santa Pod Raceway. Roger is recovering well from what were at the time very serious injuries and a replacement car, a Mustang naturally, is being readied. "The crash was a combination of bad things", Roger told Eurodragster.com. "I stayed in it a little too long. I was little out of the groove and I hit a bump. Then everything was over in a split second". Roger was helicoptered to hospital with badly damaged legs and internal injuries but we were pleased to hear that things have improved somewhat. "My legs are working well, I still some pain in my back, but the doctors are very happy with the results", he said. Incredibly the motor was salvegeable from the wreck. "The motor was almost new", said Roger. "It only had three runs on it. I had to replace everything in front of the motor such as dry sump pump, vacuum pump, ignition, oil tanks and all of the hoses. I could not see any damage to the crank but the engine is too expensive so I ordered a new one." Roger's new Mustang has the same body style as the crashed car but this time has an RJ Race Cars chassis. "RJ Race Cars build some of the quickest and prettiest Pro Mods in the world", he said. "We were happy with the old one, but this one is a couple of notches nicer. We have always tried to have the best safety equipment, so in the new car we have a Racetech seat which is the best seat for a high-speed race car. The engine and transmission have been updated with the latest stuff for 2017 and Andy did a very nice job on the clutch can. The car is probably going to be black but you never know!" Roger hopes to be on track in May of this year. In the meantime he would like to thank his family, team members, Santa Pod safety crews and everyone who has been in contact and all of his racing friends. Roger has a Pat Musi 706 ci Ford SVO motor for sale which you can check out under Parts For Sale on our Jeff Bull Race Engines-sponsored Swap Meet. Get well soon Eileen! 9th February: We would like to join the British Drag Racing Hall of Fame in offering best wishes to Eileen Daniels following a recent accident. Geoff Stilwell of BDRHoF sponsor Beech Underwriting Agencies reports from America that Eileen, an International Ambassador for the BDRHoF and a great friend and supporter of the organisation's aims and principles, suffered a fall at her Florida home but that she is recovering well. BDRHoF members and guests who have had the pleasure of meeting Eileen at the last two Hall of Fame Galas, or at any of the historic drag racing displays which she organises at NHRA events in America, will doubtless echo the Management Board's good wishes. Europeans abroad. 9th February: A late entry to the European invasion at this weekend's Circle K NHRA Winternationals at Pomona is NHRA Lucas Oil Top Alcohol Funny Car Champion Jonnie Lindberg who accepted a late offer to assist in the tuning of, and an even more late offer to drive, Jay Payne's Top Alcohol FC. More on the Lindbergs' web site at www.lindbergbros.com. Good luck and stay safe Jonnie together with Fred Hanssen (Top Alcohol Dragster), Ulf Leanders (TAFC) and Markus Svensson (Stock Eliminator). Qualifying starts today (Thursday) and you can stay in touch with our heroes' progress courtesy of Drag Race Central at www.dragracecentral.com. Pomona is -8 hours on UK time and -9 hours on European time. Swedish Pro Modified racer Adam Flamholc has announced his US racing schedule for 2017: 9th-11th March: NMCA, Bradenton Motorsports Park 30th March-1st April: PDRA, Galot Motorsports Park 6th-9th April: NMCA, Atlanta 18th-21st May: NMCA, Bowling Green 13th-15th July: PDRA, Indy 27th-30th July: NMCA, Route 66, Joliet 24th-27th August: NMCA, Norwalk 21st-24th September: NMCA World Finals, Indy 19th-21st October: PDRA World Finals, Virginia Winter races in Florida "With help from our sponsors we are doing the whole NMCA tour this year, as well as a couple of  the PDRA events", says Adam. "Big thanks to 5 Days Plantation Shutters & Blinds, Hameetman Racing Engines, Malmo Motorrenovations, Line2Line coating, Amalie Oil, JanCen and R&R rods for making this happen! "We have had a good winter of racing in Florida. In October I got a new supercharger from Mike Janis (JanCen) which is working very well for us. We have tried some different set-ups with gear ratios, converters and so on. At the World Street Nationals in Orlando we ran 5.7 8 to the quarter mile and last weekend in Bradenton a 3.79 run to the eighth mile - both are new Personal Bests (Good man, congratulations - Ed). The competition in NMCA and in PDRA will be tough, but we will do our very best for sure." Fireforce 3 to star in Bahrain. 8th February: Martin Hill is pleased to announce that the FireForce 3 Jet Funny Car will be performing demonstration passes at rounds four and five of the Bahrain Drag Racing Championship at the Bahrain International Circuit on 23rd-24th February and 2nd-3rd March. The Bahrain Drag Racing Championship is the biggest drag racing series in the Gulf and will be the first outing of the 2017 season for the FireForce team. Martin Hill, owner and pilot of FireForce 3, says "We are honoured to have been invited to attend these events and will look forward to entertaining the crowds at the Bahrain International Circuit. We have already loaded the car and will be travelling to Bahrain mid-February to prepare for the event." This is the first time ever that a jet vehicle will visit the BIC and give the Bahraini crowds a taste of the immense power of FireForce 3. Martin says that updates and photos will be posted on the team's web site at www.fireforce.co.uk and on social media platforms. To find out more about the Bahrain Drag Racing Championship visit www.bahraingp.com. SPR driver-ambassador vacancy. 8th February: Caroline Holden tells us that as another busy season is in the making, Santa Pod Raceway are preparing to take their promotional show on the road to a number of events and exhibitions across the UK. To support the busy schedule, the SPR team now require an additional driver / drag racing ambassador for ad-hoc weekend work. Duties would include loading and transporting exhibition vehicles to other venues as well as being a Show Ambassador for the Santa Pod stand, therefore some knowledge of drag racing and Santa Pod Raceway would be advantageous. An HGV Class 2 licence is essential and the driver must ideally live within a twenty to thirty mile radius of Santa Pod. Competitive rates of pay and subsistence are offered. For further details, please E-Mail donna@santapod.com. Neergaard's thanks. 8th February: Further to Monday's Swift Snippet, Danish Top Fuel Dragster racer Stig Neergaard has been in touch to say that his weekend at the Danish Motor Awards and Motorshow, at which he was awarded the Årets Profil award, has been fantastic weekend for himself, Gitte, Kenni, his crew and all those who have been supporting him through the years: Being nominated for Motorsport Profile of the Year is a big thing, and is something I would never have thought possible. A big thanks to DASU for nominating me for this Award. To win the prize when you're up against three other great drivers, who all run professional race team, is fantastic, and couldn't have been possible without all my friends. 23,000 people voted for me. Thanks! Thanks also for all of the messages, all of the fantastic comments sent to me on Facebook, the texts and E-Mails, and thanks to all of you who visited us at our stand in Herning. Thanks to you all. You are fantastic friends! See you at the race track! You can check out a feature and video on the TV2 web site by clicking here. APIRA Trophy Night: Final call. 8th February: Saturday week, 18th February, is the closing date for bookings for the Avon Park International Racing Association, Shakespeare County Raceway, the Supercharged Outlaws and the National Association combined Championship Trophy Presentation Evening which takes place on Saturday 4th March in the Avon Room of the Hilton Warwick, Stratford Road, Warwick CV34 6RE (located on Junction 15 of the M40). If 2016 APIRA Champions or runners-up are unable to attend then please contact Jerry at shakespearecountyraceway@gmail.com so that alternative arrangements can be made for trophy presentation. The meals are: chicken liver paté, braised beef and chocolate torte; vegetarian option of melon, four cheese ravioli and chocolate torte; or children's meal of tomato soup, chicken nuggets, and chocolate torte. APIRA have negotiated a preferential rate for rooms in the hotel at £86 for a double or £76 for a single. All rates are inclusive of breakfast, car parking and VAT. A few rooms are left; to book please call the reservations team on 08008 568000 or visit the web site at www.hilton.com/warwick quoting reference code ASCRA. You can download your booking form (PDF format) from the Downloads page of the Shakespeare County Raceway web site at www.shakespearecountyraceway.co.uk. Payments can be made by BACS; account details can also be found on the booking form. If you have any queries then please call 01789 720180, or E-Mail shakespearecountyraceway@gmail.com. Further details about the APIRA Trophy Night can be found in our news item of 28th September 2016. APIRA Perpetual Awards vote 4. 6th February: Avon Park International Racing Association and Eurodragster.com are again teaming up to give readers the chance of input to the APIRA Perpetual Awards, which will be presented at the joint APIRA / Supercharged Outlaws Trophy Presentation on Saturday 4th March. The votes of Eurodragster.com readers will be taken into consideration when the APIRA selection panel decides upon its winners. For six of the 2016 season awards, shortlists have been decided for which votes can be submitted by E-Mail. One shortlist will be posted on Monday each week. The latest shortlist is the APIRA Endeavour Award. The APIRA Endeavour Award is presented to a racer, team, supporter or member of the media in recognition for services rendered over the last twelve months, as well as their overall support of Avon Park International Racing Association and Shakespeare County Raceway. The APIRA selection panel's shortlist, in alphabetical order, is as follows: Mike Burrowes (photographer) Vote for Mike Burrowes Simon Groves (Eurodragster.com) Vote for Simon Groves Steve Moxley (photo-journalist) Vote for Steve Moxley Richard Sawatzki (9.50 Bike) Vote for Richard Sawatzki Shaun Wilson (Shakespeare County Raceway Track Announcer) Vote for Shaun Wilson To place your vote, either use the links above or go to the official APIRA Perpetual Awards voting page which you can view by clicking here or by clicking on the APIRA Perpetual Awards vote link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page. If the E-Mail is not automatically generated with your chosen name in the title then simply send an E-Mail to apiraawards2016@eurodragster.com giving the category (Iris Page Memorial Trophy etc.) as the subject of the E-Mail and the name of the person for whom you wish to vote in the body of the E-Mail. For each of the Awards, one vote per E-Mail address per nominee will be accepted: multiple votes for the same nominee from the same E-Mail address will all be disqualified. And every year we say this, but every year someone tries it on: please note that blatant attempts at organising mass votes - for example asking workmates, forum members or Facebook friends to vote en masse - are easily identified and all such votes will be disallowed as they have been in previous years. Concerted attempts at vote-rigging will result in the nominee being removed from the shortlist whether or not that nominee knows what was going on. We know all the dodges so it's just not worth trying. If in any doubt about what constitutes canvassing then please drop us a line at editor@eurodragster.com. Additionally, if anyone should have issues with the content of any of the shortlists then please have the courtesy to contact APIRA direct rather than contacting Eurodragster.com or posting cryptic comments or bullying candidates on Facebook. E-Mails to Eurodragster.com regarding the content of the shortlists will receive neither a reply nor any other acknowledgement and comments on the subject on our Facebook pages will be deleted. The next shortlist, to be published next Monday (13th February) will be the Alan Wigmore Memorial Trophy. ATD close out 2016. 6th February: Didier Canicave writes that the annual meeting of France's Association Trophée Dragster in late January closed the 2016 season: President Eric Angeloni addressed the seventy six people present and presented a mixed assessment of 2016. Notably financial problems caused by the weather which was disastrous at the three French races with the low point being the finals at Vichy. After having answered the various questions Eric presented the projected Championship calendar for 2017: 6th-7th May: Rivannazzano, Italy 17th-18th June: Clastres (with ESLA and Quarter Mile) 8th-9th July: Clastres September TBA: Drachten (planned with ESLA) Many participants at the meeting wanted the return of free membership cards for the Racer Club, and racers in Street Cars B and C requested a re-grouping of their two categories, a proposal which will be studied by the ATD office. Then Eric thanked all the volunteers who participated in the organisation of the 2016 season. The meeting concluded with the presentation of trophies to the winning racers in each class. Swift snippets. 6th February: As well as participating in ACU UK and FIM European Drag Bike Championships, the UK's Alex Hope and Mark Hope will be competing in this season's EDRS Pro Nordic MC series. You can read more on the Drag Racing Europe Blog by clicking here. Further to our news item of 17th December we were very pleased to read that Danish Top Fuel Dragster racer Stig Neergaard won the Årets profil category in Bilmagasinet's Danish Motorsport Awards. Well-deserved after the Championship fight he put up last year, congratulations Stig. Staying on the subject of trophies and back to the Perpetual Awards. For both the (now-closed) SPRC and (still open) APIRA Perpetual Awards it has given us a nice warm feeling to see that those shortlisted have, to a man and woman, voted for someone else in their category rather than voting for themselves. Very sporting behaviour, well done all. Grimes returns to Europe. 6th February: Swedish Supertwin racer Per Bengtsson has teamed up with sixteen-time NHRA Wally winner Tommy Grimes who will ride the famous parallel twin The Beast again in 2017. Per will become Team Manager. Tommy, who made a European début at Tierp Arena in August 2016, is very anxious to come back to Europe for some serious racing with the Beast team despite a DNQ on that first outing. "After some consideration, I think the Beast team would grow in the right direction with myself as a Team Manager", says Per. "Therefore I've been in contact with Tommy and asked him if he had any plans or offers for 2017. The answer was "No, I've been waiting for you to call!". I think it was a big boost for the whole team to have the experience of working with a real professional racer like Tommy." "The potential in the bike and the team is exactly what I'm looking for", says Tommy. "The chemistry between the crew and myself was in place after the first day together at the track. It´s not very often you experience that." "We have already secured increased support from some of our existing sponsors and we are working really hard to get new partners onboard for the 2017 European and American tour", says Per. "The bike will go through several test sessions at Malmö Raceway before the first outing at Tierp Arena in June. I will do all of the pre-season testing myself, but Tommy will make a last-minute check at Malmö as well. "The plan is to run the whole 2017 EDRS Pro Nordic Championship Series with Tommy as the rider and with a clear ambition to take home the Championship. We will then send the Beast and equipment with hopefully some more high-calibre bike teams over to the US and run the Manufacturers Cup World Finals at Valdosta in November. We thank Wayne and Donna Pingel at Pingel Enterprise for their increased support". If you are a racer inerested in participating in this event in November then please contact the Beast team at per@navitaspa.se." A big thank you to the following partners for their continued support: Red Line Oil Scandinavia, Autoexperten Växjö, Bilservice i Åseda, Rävemåla Bilservice, Liqui Moly, Persåkers Speedshop, Ulvsgården AB, Swedcut, Per Andersens Restauranger, Fanhultstvätten Älmhult, Marine Diesel, Bentec Engineering, Brammer, Flexoart, and Bengtssons Sågverk Älmhult. Pro Mod: Get Inside. 6th February: Drag Racing Entrepreneur Will Hanna, owner of the popular forums InsideTopAlcohol.com and InsideCompRacing.com is launching a new web site, InsideProMod.com to cater to the Pro Mod / Doorslammer racing categories. Will plans to use the same blue print whjich has made his other web sites successful – generate useful content for racers to make it a community of racers. The wheels went into motion last December when another web site shut down due to low activity. Hanna began exploring the feasibility of launching another web site and discussed it with many figures in the industry at the Performance Racing Industry trade show. "We have a fair amount of Pro Mod activity on InsideTopAlcohol.com", said Will. "ITA kind of has become a home for everything blown alcohol or blown nitro in the world. I noticed a prominent Pro Mod forum was shutting down as of December and realized that was the last of the dedicated Pro Mod forums. I reached out to them to see if they needed help staying afloat, they declined and decided to proceed with shutting the site down. I am fortunate enough this is my full time job and we have the infrastructure there to start another web site. I asked a number of people within the industry at PRI if they would support it or if they thought I should do it, and it was a resounding yes. So we moved forward with it. "It's no secret that social media has taken some of the discussion that used to go on forums. Our strategy and our niche moving forward will be original technical content. There are plenty of outlets that cover the news, race results and personalities. Of course we will have that to a degree, but our focus will be on the technical side. I am going to use my experience as a crew chief to work with manufacturers to create engaging content that educates the racer. We are going to then use social media to leverage that content. We want to be a resource for racers as much as an entertainment source. It is going to add a lot of work to a full plate, but I've never been one to back down from a challenge." In addition to technical content, Will is introducing the Call 'Em Out forum to help facilitate racing rivalries and fan interest. "You can call someone out on social media and it will be broadcast to however many followers you have seen it in your feed", said Will, "but when you put it on our forum, the whole world can see it.  I think often times in our quest to be professional and get sponsors, we kind of lose sight of that core instinct of drag racing – my hot rod is badder than yours. Rivalries drive popularity in every sport, ours is no different. We are going to leverage social media to expand the footprint of these call-outs. It's going to be fun. "In much the same way ITA has encompassed much more than just Top Alcohol, we hope to provide a place for heads up Doorslammer racing in general. We are going to do our best to accommodate them all and be a resource for them as well." You can join in the action at www.insidepromod.com. SPRC Dinner Dance: urgent message. 4th February: Yvonne Tramm has been in touch with an urgent message for those attending next Saturday's (11th) SPRC Dinner Dance and Trophy Presentation in Daventry. You have seen recent news items regarding shortages of vegetables. The DeVere Staverton Park have been in touch with Yvonne to say that their chef has been unable to obtain enough peppers and courgettes to go with the salmon fillet. Yvonne has asked the chef to use his discretion and instead to use any vegetables he can obtain. If you are attending next week's Dinner Dance and have ordered the salmon but are allergic to any particular vegetables, then please contact Yvonne on 07762 195729 or E-Mail her at ytramm@africonnect.com so that alternative arrangements can be made. Tom Larman. 3rd February: We were sorry to hear that UK Wild Bunch racer and all-round top bloke Tom Larman passed away yesterday (Thursday) following a stroke. Barry Bohannon writes: Tom ran the Ferret Model T Comp Altered with his son Craig as Crew Chief, his wife Wendy, and most if not all of his family at some events. Tom was one of the most cheerful and helpful people one could ever wish to meet, always the first to offer a helping hand and or merciless mickey-taking in equal measure. He once badly injured his foot in a freak pit accident towing the race car but even that didn't dampen his spirits, he was that kind of guy. He gave part of the eulogy at Scot Durrant's funeral last summer and his warmth and sincerity shone like a beacon amongst the sad faces gathered that day. The Wild Bunch pits will sorely miss Tom: his radiant smile, raucous laughter, rubbish jokes and cringe-worthy puns were a staple of any event at his beloved Shakespeare County Raceway Tom is survived by his wife Wendy, three children and four grandchildren to whom we send our deepest sympathies. SPRC's Super Street double-header. 1st February: Santa Pod Racers Club will try out a modified programme for Super Street at the 2017 FIA / FIM Main Event and FIA / FIM European Finals. SPRC Club Secretary Ian Marshall explains: To increase the level of competition for Super Street cars we will be running a double-header race at the two FIA events at Santa Pod Raceway. Qualifying will take place as normal on day one of the race weekend with eliminations running to conclusion on day two. On day three there will be a one-shot qualifier and then another set of eliminations, with the final rounds competed on day four. Points will be awarded separately for the two sets of qualifying and eliminations upon their completion or up to the point the event was concluded. These details are of course subject to change due to weather or other conditions which may limit track time. There are many differing scenarios which may occur at race meetings, the details of which will be outlined at the Riders' and Drivers' meeting on Sunday 26th February. If you have any queries then you can contact Ian at SPRC on 01933 313625 (outside the UK +44 1933 313625) or E-Mail ir.marshall@btconnect.com. Introducing Extreme Outlaw. 1st February: Jonny Niesner writes that Germany's new Extreme Outlaw Challenge is for the inexorable and unstoppable: Many teams have used the winter months to give their passion an official framework. The new Extreme Outlaw Challenge is a race class for rear-wheel drive cars powered by turbochargers, ProChargers or superchargers and which run the quarter mile in 6.00 to 8.50 seconds. Altereds, Funny Cars, Pro Mods and dragsters run against each other in this class – no other class offers so much variety for spectators. This class is loud and fast and the drivers will offer the finest burnouts. That's what makes this extraordinary class so attractive for spectators as well as promoters. The goal of XO is to compete as an official class in its first year this year, at events which can offer the specified conditions. More information can be found on our web site at www.extremeoutlaw.de or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/extremeoutlawdrag. If the class is to your liking then please don't forget to hit the Like button. Presenting your winners... 1st February: Crowned MSA British Drag Racing Champion for the fifth time in ten seasons, Pro Mod racer and Eurodragster.com sponsor Andy Robinson was presented with his 2016 Championship trophy last Saturday at the Motor Sports Association's annual Night of Champions, held at the Royal Automobile Club in London's Pall Mall. Robin Jackson writes: Andy was one of twenty-two national motorsport Champions to be honoured at the prestigious occasion, along with a host a special award-winners, and received his commemorative silver salver from FIA Deputy President (Sport) Graham Stoker. Andy's MSA title defence will not be his only motorsport undertaking in 2017. Plans to venture into Historic circuit racing were unveiled at the recent Autosport International exhibition. Andy and racing partner Jerry Clayton will enter a Studebaker Lark Classic Saloon Car imported from the USA and prepared for competition in the Andy Robinson Race Cars workshop. A certain irony attends this project, as a similar plan announced on Eurodragster.com several years ago was revealed to have been an April Fools' Day hoax. What do you do to liven those cold dark days and long nights early in January, asks Richard Merriman? Well, Topspeed Automotive Street Eliminator held its Dinner Dance and awards evening at the stunning Coombe Abbey Hotel just outside of Coventry. A change of location from last year's event, moving just up the road, but the feedback from those who attended was very positive. The Dinner Dance was preceded by the AGM to discuss a number of items. A healthy turnout meant there was good discussion and a number of valid points were noted. We say a huge thanks to Ben Barnwell for all his hard work over the past couple of years but he has decided to step down as Chairman and hands the reins to Jon Webster. Welcome on board Jon, and we welcome Richard Merriman as Club Secretary / web site administrator. They will be assisted by Ben Barnwell as Sponsorship Co-ordinator and Matt Atkinson as Treasurer. After a short break it was time to gather for the Dinner Dance and award presentation which kicked off the evening. A huge Congratulations to Street Eliminator Champion winner Matt Smith and runner-up Gary Gooding both of Team Extreme. The following awards were also presented: Best 60 foot: Winner Mark Todd, runner-up Gary Gooding Best Reaction Time: Winner Matt Smith, runner-up Nick Hale Most Improved ET: Mark Sheridan Best Appearing Car: Jon Webster Spirit of the Class: Nick and Nigel Hale A thoroughly great evening was had by all and there was much talk about the up and coming season. So at which events can you catch Street Eliminator this year? 14th-16th April: Festival of Power, Santa Pod Raceway 29th April-1st May: Springspeed Nationals, Shakespeare County Raceway 26th-29th May: FIA / FIM Main Event, Santa Pod Raceway 24th-25th June: SPRC Summernationals, Santa Pod Raceway 21st-23rd July: Bug Jam, Santa Pod Raceway 26th-28th August: Open Sport Nationals, Shakespeare County Raceway 7th-10th September: FIA / FIM European Finals, Santa Pod Raceway 23rd-24th September: UK National Finals, Santa Pod Raceway We would like to say a big thank you to our sponsors who of course help make all this happen: AW Upholstery, Insane Creations, Matt Woods Photography, Powerpour, Serck Motorsport, Topspeed Automotive, Custom Car magazine, Webster Race Engineering and Zeon TV. If you would like to keep up to date with what's going on check out our Facebook page and our web site at www.streeteliminator.com. A quarter century of Outlaw Anglia. 1st February: UK Outlaw Anglia racer Colin Millar writes that the class for the wild short-wheelbase doorslammers has also just had its AGM at which the racers declared a plain and simple objective: to raise the profile of Outlaw Anglia so that everyone can enjoy the spectacular show which has already lasted twenty five years. Colin writes: Outlaw Anglia is now officially twenty five years old, twenty five years of earth-shaking close heads-up racing with all the thrills and spills of trying to get a short wheelbase car 1320 feet up the track with huge amounts of power. There is not a huge number of us as not everybody has the mental ability to pilot these unstable and unforgiveing machines run after run event after event and keep coming back even in the face of destruction to engines, gearboxes, rear axles, and unfortunately complete cars. Outlaw Anglia has a new reformed focus to develop the awesome show it provides to anyone who has ever sat and watched a full round of spectacular heads-up racing. If you've never had the opportunity then get yourself along to the next available Outlaw Anglia meeting. We are a very friendly bunch and we consider the OA family to be one of the best drag racing classes that exists. We would like to invite inspire and promote new drivers and cars to join the class and we welcome spectators to come along and meet all the OA family at a track near you for a fun fast and exciting day out. There are a number of new cars coming out this year with other cars well into the build for launch in 2018, developing the latest technology and enhancing new materials to deliver power-to-weight ratios which were unthinkable only a short time ago. One day soon there will be a six-second Outlaw Anglia, watch this space. This is a very special year and we will not let this pass without allowing the spirit of Outlaw Anglia to show through. We have Tom Pugh who has gone above and beyond to provide the class with fantastic new vibrant artwork to commemorate our twenty five-year anniversary which is available to all on T-Shirts, hoodies and a vast array of other merchandise including mugs, umbrellas, data sticks, pens, trolley coins and much much more. All enquiries welcome to me either on Facebook or at cmillar@dp-services.co.uk or just catch up with us at the track. To celebrate these twenty five wonderful years there will be a huge party at the NSRA Nostalgia Nationals on Saturday night with great food, great music and the huge party spirit within Outlaw Anglia. We drive fast and party hard, we have a huge appetite to win on the track but we revel in the great friendship found within the OA pits. Callum Pudge, who at the very young age of eighteen has already established himself as an accomplished track photographer capturing everything that goes on within the tracks at both Santa Pod and Shakespeare County Raceway, has always shown a huge interest in our class and has now delivered the foundations of our new and inspiring web site which will deliver all the required past present and future facts associated with our class. The new site will be launched prior to the start of our race season. Eurodragster.com will deliver all the meeting updates as the class progresses through its event schedule for 2017 and there will be live webcam at selected events, thanks Tog (On behalf of the team thank you, you're welcome - Ed): 21st-23rd April: Big Bang, Santa Pod Raceway 29th April-1st May: Springspeed Nationals, Shakespeare County Raceway 24th-25th June: NSRA Nostalgia Nationals, Shakespeare County Raceway 14th-16th July: Dragstalgia, Santa Pod Raceway 21st-23rd July: Bug Jam, Santa Pod Raceway 11th-13th August: Bulldog Bash, Shakespeare County Raceway (non-points demo round) 26th-28th August: Open Sport Nationals, Shakespeare County Raceway 16th-17th September: NSRA Hot Rod Drags, Shakespeare County Raceway The best six of seven rounds count for the Championship. Our class had a fantastic 2016 season and with 2017 approaching  we would like to take the opportunity to wish all Outlaw Anglia racers and crew well, and to all our fans and spectators we wish you all the very best for 2017. Come and see us in the pits. No cherries! Earlier news