Ripley recovering fast.
31st March: New Top Methanol Funny Car racer Doug Ripley is already working on a return to the track after a frightening introduction to the class in his first test run at Santa Pod last weekend.

MSA British Top Methanol Championship Co-ordinator Dave Alexander tells us that during Doug's first ever TMFC burnout the Lenco let loose, spun and ended up resting against Doug's leg. Doug is fine, suffering only a big bruise on his leg, and is keen to get back out as soon as he can. He really enjoyed his first time in the car, and was amazed at the amount of power that it produced.

The Lenco and Crowerglide were wrecked, which has led the team to re-think their technical strategy for the car. "It was built as a nitro FC chassis and reacts accordingly", said Doug. "We need to have parts that work the way the chassis does if it's going to run with the big boys. We know that we won't be giving sleepless nights to the likes of Kågered and Andréasson this year, but we are determined to learn and progress into the top three."

Doug is already doing deals for parts to get back on the track; these include a new two-speed gearbox and possibly a TFX block as well. "Jane is finalising some sponsorship for the team, and Doug is working out how to spend it!" says Dave Alexander. Doug may not make it to the Easter Thunderball, but should be be ready to roll for the next event.

Last chance for pre-season test.
31st March: Santa Pod Raceway's next Run What you Brung, which is next Sunday (8 April), will be the last chance for racers to test before the Easter Thunderball. The pre-Thunderball RWYB is traditionally attended by a number of racers; we don't currently have any news on who is planning to test next Sunday but we will of course let you know as we hear. This RWYB will see the start of the live update part of Eurodragster's event coverage for the 2001 season.

Santa Pod's Kjell Petterson tells us that the track may be sprayed to allow racers to test on a representative surface. Any Pro-class racers planning to attend next Sunday's RWYB are asked to contact Ian Marshall at Santa Pod Racers Club on 01933 313625, or E-Mail Paula Marshall at paula@sprc.fsnet.co.uk before Wednesday 4 April, to allow the appropriate arrangements to be made for safety and track crews.

The RWYB is also, of course, open to the public so this could be your chance to share the staging lanes with your heroes.

Gates open at 8:00 am and the strip opens at approximately 10.00 am. Entry to the track is £8; under-16s get in free. If you want to take to the track then £10 and the production of a valid DVLC licence will get you unlimited runs down the famous quarter-mile strip. Racers have to meet all safety standards for their class.

For more information check out Santa Pod's web site at www.santapod.com or call them on 08700 782828.

Racers: if you plan to attend next weekend's RWYB then don't hesitate to let us know at news@eurodragster.com and we'll post the news here.

European SSB Challenge 2001.
30th March: Last year's informal European Super Street Bike Challenge is to be repeated in 2001. The highly-successful series was the brainchild of German SSB owner and dragsterracing.de webmaster Peter Calwer, but he is unable to administer it this season due to business commitments so 2000 ACU Super Street Bike Champion Graham Dance and UK SSB racer Pete Bellinie have taken over its organisation. This year's dates are as follow:
  • Round 1: Main Event, Santa Pod Raceway, 26-28 May
  • Round 2: Nitrolympics, Hockenheim, 17-19 August
  • Round 3: Super Series 4, Shakespeare County Raceway, 25-27 August
"We hope to encourage as many foreign competitors to enter as possible", says Graham Dance, "The final round at Shakespeare County Raceway will feature free entry for overseas competitors. We would especially like to invite any Super Street Bike racers from Scandinavia; if they have a street-tyred bike with no more than a 68-inch wheelbase then their bike will more than likely be legal to race."

For more information, E-Mail Graham Dance at gsign@dial.pipex.com or talk to him at any UK race. Stay tuned to both Eurodragster and the King Racing web site at www.kingracing.com for more news including prize funds.

NSCC moves to SCR.
30th March: The first round of the Northern Street Car Challenge, which was scheduled to take place at York Dragway in April, has been moved to the APIRA Test and Tune weekend at Shakespeare County Raceway on 21-22 April. Events at York are falling victim to the Foot and Mouth crisis; there is a large amount of livestock on the Melbourne Airfield facility leaving promoter Steve Murty and the Pennine Drag Racing Club with very little say in the matter.

You can find full details on the News page of the FB Racing site at www.fbracing.co.uk.

Bruiser into competition untested.
30th March: Paul Marston's PT Bruiser makes its long-awaited debut in Super Comp at Santa Pod's Easter Thunderball, but the team's plans to hit the ground running have been ruined by the weather, which has wiped out all but the most basic of testing.

"The Bruiser has yet to see a drag strip, let alone make a pass", says Paul. "Consequently we will be attending the Thunderball in far from ideal conditions. With so much power on tap, ideal conditions are required to gain any worthwhile and reliable data. This has, sadly, been scuppered by the wet stuff. We still have a full test programme to complete before we can even think about becoming a contender in Super Comp."

The PT Bruiser has many innovative features, all of which need testing. "Although the chassis design is conventional, the shape and size are new and so the aerodynamic characteristics of this package are unknown", says Paul. "You kind of realise this when you cannot find a car cover anywhere that fits! I have tried three now; even the cover on Grumpys Dodge is too small even though it's three feet longer. The motor and transmission set-up is again a new concept, which we had to work closely with Jari Konola Pro Stock Racing and gearbox/convertor specialists ATI transmissions in the States to perfect. The rear suspension design is also a little trick but hopefully should dial in pretty quickly with the help of Jon Webster of Hauser Race Cars. So we will be going through a developmental test programme from the beginning of the season until we have it right. After that - well, we shall see!"

Meanwhile the crew at Paul Marston Racing have been kept busy, the recently-created team has been hard at work on the rig, pit area, tooling, ordering spare parts, uniform design, integrating new crew members and everything else which goes into the setting-up of a new operation. The workshops are also scheduled to be extensively modernised after the agreement of a new long-term lease. Plan include a new office, computer system, four-post ramp, screeding and paint from top to bottom.

"This is going to be one hell of a year!", says Paul. "With all of this work this now underway, we can concentrate on developing the Bruiser with good in-house centralised facilities. This means that we can push forward our plans to negotiate the fielding of a second race car, with a surprise new driver, later on this season."

You can be sure that as soon as Paul Marston Racing are ready for that announcement, you will read it here first.

Lex amends race calendar.
29th March: Dutch Top Methanol FC racer Lex Joon has announced that his racing season is to start at this years FIA Main Event at Santa Pod Raceway, rather than at the Easter Thunderball as originally planned. Lex has a number of new parts on his car and has decided to take the extra time to get the FC ready. He plans to attend the pre-Main Event private test at Santa Pod to enable Crew Chief Bernie Hepworth to work on the baseline tune-up before taking to the track in anger the next weekend.

You can find full details and Lex's 2001 calendar on his web site at www.lexjoonracing.nl.

Wild Bunch in on-line upgrade.
29th March: The official web site of UK nostalgia racers the Wild Bunch has had a makeover courtesy of their friends at DemonScream web design. The new Wild Bunch site features up-to-date news, dates and results, a whole bunch of stuff for sale, and a new section where racers can advertise for information on their cars' histories, specifications of parts etc.

"The site will be updated constantly throughout the season, and is a great way to keep up to date with what the Wild Bunch are doing" says Eddie Yates. "Any Wild Bunch members who would like to get their team on the site should send pictures and photographs to me at eddie@the-wild-bunch.co.uk, or you can contact me for more details."

You can find the Wild Bunch web site at www.the-wild-bunch.co.uk.

Haley gains new crew member.
29th March: Congratulations to 9.90 Bike racer Andy Haley and his wife Kim on the birth of their son, who arrived at 7:15 on Wednesday evening and weighed in at 8 lb 5 oz. "I understand that they will be calling him James", says Ozzy Ewing of Supertwin Gas team Jade Racing. "Mother and baby are both doing well."

Reymond consolidates TF plan.
28th March: Denmark's Kim Reymond is now the proud owner of a Top Fuel Dragster after purchasing the US Autos Fueller from its previous owners Peter Christiansen and Sweden's Johnny Nilsson. Kim previously drove the USA-Autodele Top Methanol Dragster and finished third in last year's FIA Championship, but sold the car to fellow Dane Peter Jensen in order to go Top Fuel. He had originally lined up a TF hire deal for 2001 but obviously decided that outright ownership was the better option.

Kim's new acquisition belonged to fellow Dane Jens Nybo before being bought by Peter and Johnny. Under their ownership the car was driven by Kent Persson in the 1999 Swedish Top Fuel Tour, and by Tommi Haapenen and Jens Nybo (again) at two FIA events that year.

We understand that Kim plans to contest the full FIA Tour in 2001, and that in addition to members of his previous Top Methanol crew, Kim is to be joined by three members of Jens Nybo's Top Fuel crew whose experience should get the team up to speed in a very short period. New engine parts are to be installed before the team's first appearance at the FIA Main Event at Santa Pod Raceway in May.

ACU licence problem not a problem...
27th March: Paula Marshall of Santa Pod Racers Club has asked us to reassure racers whose ACU licences have not yet arrived. The issue of 2001 licences is being delayed by problems at the ACU, but event organisers have been informed that 2000 licences are acceptable in the interim. "I was worried that racers would think that SPRC was sitting on their applications", says Paula, "but please be assured that they are signed and forwarded to the ACU as soon as we receive them."

You can find an explanation of the circumstances at the ACU on Championship Co-ordinator Ian King's web site at www.kingracing.com.

...nor is Easter Thunderball.
27th March: Paula Marshall has also asked us to remind racers that the closing date for entries to Santa Pod's Easter Thunderball is this Friday (30th March). Paula tells us that the MSA and ACU have issued permits for the event, which should go some way towards assuaging fears over cancellation due to the Foot and Mouth crisis, and as outlined above the ACU licence problem should not stop racers from entering.

If you have any queries about entering the Easter Thunderball, or to get hold of an entry form, contact SPRC on 01933 313625, or E-Mail Paula at paula@sprc.fsnet.co.uk.

King to star on Discovery Channel.
27th March: Back to ACU Championship Co-ordinator Ian King, and in his other capacity as a Top Fuel Bike racer Ian is to be the subject of a documentary to be screened worldwide on the Discovery Channel.

Diesel Films are producing a series of programmes with each one dedicated to a particular motorcycling sport, for example motocross, road racing, speedway and so on. King Racing have been chosen as the subject of the programme on drag racing, and filming will commence with sequences at their Hertfordshire workshops, followed by extensive filming at the Easter Thunderball meeting.

To give an insight into how Top Fuel bike team actually prepares a bike to run in the six second zone the presenter, Robert Taylor, will become part of the team for a day, undertaking various duties and tasks necessary for the thousand-horsepower Puma to take to the strip. Robert will also attend a Run What You Brung with his own road-going Suzuki Bandit to gain valuable hands-on experience of drag racing.

The production company, Discovery Communications Europe, also plan to release the series in a video format for sale through retail outlets.

"This presents a remarkable marketing opportunity for companies associated with King Racing to place their name or product in front of a global television audience", says Ian King. "Consequently we are looking for any companies or individuals who are interested in supporting the team for the season who will, in turn, benefit from the high media profile enjoyed by King Racing."

If you are interested in sponsoring King Racing then you can contact Ian at sponsorship@kingracing.com, by phone on +44 (0) 7785 341099, via Fax on +44 (0) 1763 852707, or through the King Racing web site at www.kingracing.com.

Over The Hill Racing join FIA Tour.
26th March: From our good friend Hasse, the webmaster of the Swedish Pro Street News Magazine, comes news of a new Top Methanol Funny Car participant on this year's FIA tour.

"The team is called Over The Hill Racing", says Hasse. "The car is an ex-Pat Austin Firebird", says Hasse, "and is one of the fastest TMFCs in the world. The driver is Jörgen Johnsson, who was Nordic Pro Street Cup Supermod Champion in 1997 and 1998 and third-placed in 1999, and he also won Pro Mod at Hockenheim in 1998. The Crew Chief is Torsten Dahl."

Hasse tells us that the Over The Hill gang (sorry, couldn't resist it - Ed) are planning to run the whole FIA Tour in 2001.

NABD Rally relocates.
26th March: The National Association for Bikers with a Disability rally, which was to scheduled to be held at York Dragway on 11th-13th May, is the latest event to be affected by the Foot and Mouth epidemic. The event is still to take place on 11th-13th May but has moved lock, stock and barrel to Santa Pod Raceway.

The rally features a Run What You Brung, Bike and Trike Show, stunt riders, bands, trade stands and a lot more. One of the headliners is Roger Goring's Firestorm Jet Funny Car which is scheduled to put in a number of passes on the Saturday (12th May).

For more details on both the event and this very worthwhile charity as a whole, check out the NABD web site at www.nabd.org.uk.

Tie me down, says Goring.
26th March: And we segue very smoothly from one news item into the next with the news that Firestorm Jet FC pilot Roger Goring has asked for our readers' help in finding a location to test the new afterburner on his car.

Roger usually tests his car at York Dragway, where tie-down facilities are available. However the closure of Melbourne Airfield, on which the Dragway is located, has left Roger with a new afterburner to test and nowhere to do it. "We desperately need to test this new afterburner", says Roger, "but to do that we need to find somewhere to tie the car down. If there is anyone out there who can offer us a facility then please get in touch."

The requirements are quite simple, says Roger. "We need a tie-down point which can withstand six and a half thousand pounds of thrust - that's three tons of pull. There mustn't be anything behind the car which we could burn down, and it's got to be somewhere without neighbours two streets away because it gets loud!"

If anyone can help Roger either with a facility of their own or an informed suggestion, then please E-Mail him at firestorm-jfc@cableinet.co.uk, or contact him via the Firestorm web site at www.firestorm-jfc.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk.

Bootsoop back on tour, Chevy joins team.
26th March: UK Super Comp racer Zane Llewellyn has announced that he is to repeat last year's European tour. Zane's trip to Scandinavia last year was beset by problems ranging from non-functional mobile phones and new body panels affecting reaction times, right the way through to engine damage and an injury to his wife, but Zane became a fan favourite and the problems have not prevented him taking another shot. This year he repeats a Scandinavian trio of races plus visits to Hockenheim and Koksidje in Belgium.

Zane has also announced that his son Chevy is to contest the 2001 UK National Sportsman ET Championship in his newly-completed Skoda.

You can find full details, plus all the rest of the latest news from the Bristol Doorslammers, on Zane's web site at www.bootsoop.freeserve.co.uk.

Web site updates.
26th March: Swedish Super Mod racer and fan favourite Patrik Wikström has moved web addresses to www.outlawrace.com. The site features all the information you could want on Europe's quickest and fastest doorslammer (at 6.35/220) including details on the Nokia-sponsored car, a team run-down, results, photo gallery, and sponsorship information - with more to come.

2001 Pro Fuel Shootout.
24th March: Santa Pod Raceway have confirmed that last year's highly-successful Pro Fuel Shootout is to be repeated at the Easter Thunderball. The Shootout pits Top Fuel Dragsters directly against Fuel Funny Cars, with the Fuel FCs being given a head start which last year was 0.4 seconds. Last year, John Spuffard was victorious in the Showtime Fuel FC after Peter Beck broke and was unable to make what would have been a very close final.

This year's participants will be Barry Sheavills and Andy Carter in Top Fuel Dragster, and John Spuffard and Gordon Smith in Fuel Funny Car. The Shootout will take place on the Sunday and Monday of the race, and will again be run on a Cannonball basis: there will be three Top Fueller v Fuel FC qualifying races, then the Top Fueller and Funny Car with the quickest aggregate ETs will face off in the final.

For more information including ticket details either check out the new Santa Pod web site at www.santapod.com, or call their ticket and information hotline on 08700 782828.

On the subject of Santa Pod Raceway, this year's calendars have now been printed and will be sent out to everyone on Santa Pod's mailing list within the next week or so. As from this year, Santa Pod's calendar will be printed on an April to April basis, to include the first Run What You Brung dates for the following year. If you are not on Santa Pod's mailing list then give them a call on 08700 782828 and they will put a calendar in the post to you.

More live drags at Doncaster.
24th March: APIRA Press Officer Jerry Cookson has been in touch to let us know of more drag racers in action at the Doncaster Custom and Sports Car Show on 7-8 April.

"The Supercharged Outlaws will be performing live in the live action arena", says Jerry. "Mark Needham has got together nine Outlaw cars including Roy Wilding's Hemi Hunter slingshot, and Smax Smith's Nitro Funny Car."

Jerry tells us that he will be on hand providing colour commentary during the Supercharged Outlaw displays, and that our good buddy Ozzy of APIRA's timing crew will be posting an illustrated report from Doncaster on the APIRA web site a few days after the event.

2001 NHRA T-shirts available.
24th March: Colin Stevens of C & P Hot Rod Ts writes to inform us that he now has 2001-season official NHRA racer T-shirts in stock. The T-shirts are priced at up to £17. For more details check out the C & P Hot Rod Ts web site at www.eurodragster.com/hotrodts, contact Colin at colinhotrodts@btinternet.com, or visit C & P's famous stall at Santa Pod and Shakespeare County Raceways.

Web site updates.
24th March: On the subject of APIRA, the Avon Park International Racers Association web site at www.eurodragster.com/apira has been updated with has been updated news, a new links page, updated Junior Dragster page and picturess, location map, a revised Exhibitions and Shows listing, pictures from the Brentwood Show, and more. "We've had a couple of thousand hits in about eight weeks - thanks to everyone for visiting", says APIRA's Jerry Cookson.

UK Top Fuel Bike racer Brian Johnson's web site has been updated with an interesting article on how he goes about preparing a cylinder head. Check it out at www.brianjohnson.co.uk.

As mentioned above, Santa Pod Raceway have introduced their new web site at www.santapod.com. The site contains news items, calendar, ticket prices, details of corporate hospitality and track hire, merchandise and more. "More categories will be added throughout the season with links to other relevant sites", says Santa Pod's Caroline Day.

York Dragway dates hit by crisis.
23rd March: We were sorry to receive this press release from York Dragway's web site manager Jeanette Smith:

"Due to the Foot and Mouth crisis, and the fact that Melbourne Airfield (York Dragway), is home to some 10,000 pigs, the work parties scheduled for Sundays 25th March and 1st April are now cancelled.

"The York Dragway Easter Sunday Street Fighter motor cycle round has been re-scheduled for Easter Monday and moved five miles north to the Elvington Air Museum venue. The York Dragway Easter Monday Street Meet for cars including the Mini vs. Beetle Shoot-out is cancelled and will be re-scheduled to run later in the year.

"All other events scheduled for the York Dragway Melbourne venue are planned to go ahead as normal, but circumstances may dictate some date or venue changes if the Foot and Mouth crisis worsens.

"All supporters club members will be notified in writing of any changes.

"Please watch the York Dragway web site for updates or we will see you all on the Pennine Drag Racing Stand at the Doncaster National Custom and Sports Car Show, where we are displaying three of the North's finest cars. Doncaster Custom and Sports Car Show is Saturday/Sunday 7th & 8th April 2001."

Schöfer bounces back.
23rd March: German Top Methanol Dragster racer Peter Schöfer and his team are hard at work on their car, a few short months after a burglary threatened to rule them out for the year, if not altogether. "We had a burglary on New Year's Eve", says team member Gittli Koller. "A lot of money was stolen - in fact it was enough to buy a used Hemi".

Peter and the team didn't give up, and are bouncing back. They are currently modifying their Lantz chassis, lengthening it to 285 inches. 'Tall' front wheels and a new rear end are also to be installed, and a new larger engine has been acquired to replace the blown small block which put Peter into the Fives.

"There are so many things to do", says Gittli. "We are working very hard on the new car, and waiting for the new season".

The latest updates will be posted on the Peter Schöfer Racing web site very shortly; stay tuned for details.

Nemesis get their kicks with 76.
23rd March: The UK's Nemesis Top Methanol Dragster Team have announced a joint marketing programme with 76 Racing Fuels and Lubricants. The two-car team will be using a plethora of 76 branded products during their assault on the British and European Championships this year.

"Our brief is to develop and strengthen business to business relationships on behalf of 76, and with the superb range of fuel, lubricant and pit-stop products we will be using exclusively throughout the season, I feel confident that we can meet and exceed our targets with no problems whatsoever", said Nemesis marketing guru John Andrews. "We run the fastest Top Methanol car in the UK and therefore demand the ultimate in reliability, quality and performance from our suppliers. 76 have been market leaders in the development of high-specification oil-based products for six decades so they fit very neatly into our racing and marketing programme."

76 Racing Fuels and Lubricants join American Car Imports, Air Sea Logistics and Motorgraphic (0117 946 7052) on Nemesis' impressive tally of partners. You can find the 76 web site at www.76lubricants.co.uk, and you can stay in touch with all the latest from Team Nemesis on their official web site at www.eurodragster.com/nemesisracing.

Special Mothers Day Treat at RWYB.
23rd March: Any mothers who attend this Sunday's Run What Ya Brung/Public track day at Santa Pod Raceway will receive a free gift when entering the track. We have also been informed that Doug Ripley should also be testing his ex-Tony Baker Top Methanol Funny Car.

Once again the RWYB will be going ahead despite the Foot and Mouth crisis, and every vehicle will have to pass through the disinfectant bath when entering Santa Pod.

Gates open at 8am, and racing starts approx. 10.00am. Gate prices are £8 per person, all kids under 16 go free, and if you want to race your vehicle the charge is £10 for unlimited runs down the famous quarter-mile strip. However, you must bring a valid driving licence. For more information please visit Santa Pod Raceway's newly re-launched web site www.santapod.com or call Santa Pod Raceway on 08700 782828.

Web site updates.
23rd March: Those of you who like your race cars to be street legal can now plan your summer around a host of street'n'strip style events. FB Racing at www.fbracing.co.uk have now updated their Race Dates page include all Custom Car Street Eliminator, Northern Street Car Challenge and Street Machine Street Racer events. There are also pictures of one of the more unusual new cars in CCSE, and of yet another car being built for the class. Check out the News page for more information.

You can drive the Dutch Spirit!
22nd March: The latest updates on Dutch Top Methanol Funny Car racer Lex Joon's web site give fans the opportunity to drive his Dutch Spirit FC.

Well, sort of. Follow the Lex Joon Racing and then Want to race? buttons, and you'll find a downloadable set-up for Lex's FC for use in the NHRA Drag Racing II computer game, and a great 3D inside view which allows you to see exactly what Lex sees whilst strapped in the cockpit.

Also on Lex's site is the great news that he has added some new sponsors to his operation, namely Hepworth Architectural Aluminium, Huber Industrial Techniques, Stena Line and Lex Joon USA Cars, and that Splitfire Spark Plugs and Valvoline Oil have renewed for 2001.

You can find all this great stuff on Lex's web site at www.lexjoonracing.nl.

90%, valve covers in FIA rule updates.
22nd March: The FIA web site at www.fia.com has recently been updated with the rules for the 2001 European Drag Racing season. Notable amongst the new rules are the introduction of 90% nitro and valve cover ballistic blankets for Fuel cars, which were introduced in the USA in 2000.

The Drag Racing and Sporting Regulations for the FIA European Drag Racing Championship documents are in PDF format, and can be found by selecting Technical and Sporting Regulations from the pull-down menu at the top of the web site, then clicking on Drag Racing.

Super Series 2001 goes ahead.
22nd March: With less than seven weeks to go until the opening race, UK drag racers can breathe a huge sigh of relief following the new year announcement made by Obsession Motorsports that the popular Sportsman based Super Series Drag Racing Championship will continue in 2001 at Shakespeare County Raceway.

"This is tremendous news", said track spokesman Jeremy Cookson. "Although the series encountered teething troubles towards the end of last year, which no one could have foreseen, the faith shown by the majority of the racers has convinced Obseesion Motorsports to continue to provide a sound and and self supporting championship with the continued growth of British drag racing in mind."

In previous years Super Series has run in conjunction with the UK National Championship. This arrangement will continue in 2001, but with important changes. At the May and August Bank Holiday meetings (Super Series 1 and Super Series 4), the National and Super Series Championship rounds will be held over the first two days; qualifying Saturday and eliminations Sunday. This will leave room for the fuel, methanol and jet car shows to appear on Monday together with a monster E.T. Bracket Shootout for any Sportsman racer who wants to take part.

The three ground-breaking Super classes, which form the backbone of the Super Series formula (Super Comp, Super Gas and Super Street) all report a healthy interest in the forthcoming season. Early indications suggest that an even larger number of drivers and teams will have registered for the championships by the time the season gears up at Shakespeare County in May.

High spot will be the SCR debut of Paul Marston's 8.2 litre Chrysler PT Cruiser; the first of its kind anywhere in the world. The Cruiser, based on its road going cousin, has received rave reviews at two of the country's leading motorsports exhibitions, and has already been tipped to be a major league player for the National Super Comp Championship.

Super Series gets underway in May with the first of two three day event shows on May 5th/7th; followed by May 19th/20th; June 16th/17th; 25th/27th August, and the finals on September 22nd/23rd. For additional information, contact Obsession Motorsports Ltd, Heathfield Farm, Smarts Heath Road, Woking, Surrey, GU 22 0RG or Telephone: 01483 236262.

Press release issued by Shakespeare County Raceway and APIRA Press Officer Jerry Cookson.

Fireforce twosome live at Doncaster.
22nd March: Following on from Tuesday's announcement that Paul Marston's PT Bruiser is to be on display at the Doncaster Custom Car Show on 7-8 April, we've heard that both of the Fireforce Jet Funny Cars have been booked to put on displays in the outdoor live arena.

"Hopefully we will be putting on our normal arena show, with Fireforce 1 with Tony Baker in the hot seat, and with a bit of luck Fireforce 2 will also be there", says team owner and Fireforce 2 pilot Martin Hill. "Everything permitting, both cars will do an afterburner show together side by side in the arena. It will probably be one solo show each day with Fireforce 1, and to close the show each day a side by side flame and smoke show. We have been given instructions that if we do put on the two-car show, it must be orchestrated so that both cars are not on burner at the same time so to minimise any possibility of damage."

Jet fans are in for a real treat at Doncaster, as Roger Goring's Firestorm Jet FC will be on display indoors on the York Dragway stand.

New sponsor for Paul Marston Racing...
20th March: Paul Marston has announced the addition of an associate sponsor to his PT Bruiser race team. The Individual Clothes Company will be designing and providing a contemporary uniform for the team.

"On seeing the Bruiser featured in so many magazines they contacted us and asked if we had any firm plans on crew uniform", says Paul Marston. "When I said no, they asked if they could show me some of their ideas. Three days later they were in my office with some samples, which looked fantastic. Hopefully we will sign a deal in the next few days to have the uniforms in time for the Easter Thunderball. Their design concept is refreshingly different to the usual crew uniform, and is really in keeping with the Bruiser. Through supplying the Bruiser team, they hope to showcase their new range of original designs and slogans aimed at the true race enthusiast. I am really excited about this unique opportunity"

Paul thinks that the sponsorship deal may be partly down to his being a Good Samaritan last year. "Individual Clothing have been supplying limited edition shirts to the VW scene for some time now", says Paul, "and I first met the owners at last year's Bug Jam at Santa Pod. I helped one of them to run his Beach Buggy down the hallowed strip. He had no in-date crash helmet and no wrist restraints, which are mandatory in an open-top car. I lent him my crash helmet and made up some wrist straps. I guess he remembered me!"

Paul tells us that this isn't the last sponsorship announcement which we should expect from Paul Marston Racing. "We are also close to closing a deal with another major associate sponsor and will announce more details as the deal is finalised", he says. "As I have said before - watch this space!"

...as Doncaster appearance confirmed.
20th March: Paul Marston has also confirmed that the PT Bruiser is to appear at this year's Doncaster Custom Car Show. The race car will be indoors, and Paul and crew will be on hand to meet fans and answer questions.

"It looks a great show, the biggest in Britain of its kind, the crew and I are really looking forward to it", says Paul. "I must thank the organisers for inviting us; I hope we make a worthy addition. It is a great opportunity to be good ambassadors for Drag Racing, showing the more serious application of copious amounts of Horsepressure to the masses. With the Easter Thunderball at Santa Pod the following weekend it is also an excellent excuse to be part of the Donny experience, as if we needed one (as if Hippo's poetry and The Great Alberto weren't reason enough - Ed)! It is also a great way for all the crew new and old to get reacquainted before getting down to more serious business at the Thunderball."

The Doncaster Custom Car Show takes place at the Doncaster Exhibition Centre, Doncaster Racecourse, on Saturday-Sunday 7th-8th April. The Show is open between 9:00 am and 6:00 pm both days.

Foot and Mouth.
20th March: We've had a number of queries regarding the position of race tracks in the UK in the light of the current Foot and Mouth epidemic.

The current situation as we understand it is that both the MSA and the ACU have only banned events at non-permanent venues. Drag Racing is therefore still able to go on at Santa Pod and Shakespeare County Raceways, although doubt has been expressed on York Dragway's web site about the imminent work days at that venue.

The MSA web site at www.msauk.org and the ACU web site at www.acu.org.uk contain the latest news. If there is any change then racers will doubtless hear directly from the organising clubs; the King Racing web site at www.kingracing.com has been and will continue to publish any news received; and we will of course publish any updates here.

Web site updates.
20th March: CCSE competitor Ian Hook's FB Racing web site has been updated. There's lots of news of the goings-on in street'n'strip racing plus a load of tech stuff in the Diary of a Streetracer section. If you are into street legal race cars it's the site to visit, find it at www.fbracing.co.uk.

ukracer.com expands.
19th March: One of our Home and News page sponsors, the ukracer.com web site, has expanded its coverage with the addition of a page dedicated to Kit Cars and one-off Specials. "The listings are different to those on our drag/hot rod listings, and many of them are of interest to rodders and racers", says webmaster Paul Fischer.

ukracer.com is a one-stop, fast-loading directory of parts and service suppliers for racers, rodders, and other motor enthusiasts. Check it out at www.ukracer.com.

Event Coverage slot available again.
19th March: Meanwhile, the sponsorship slot on Eurodragster's 2001 Event Coverage has become available again after a deal fell through. If you are interested in supporting our Event Coverage and gaining exposure for your company in front of thousands of visitors each race weekend, please E-Mail us at administrator@eurodragster.com.

Web site updates.
19th March: Swedish Super Mod star Fast Freddy Fagerström's web site has been updated with new photographs and a 2001 race calendar. Fast Freddy's site can be found at come.to/fast-freddy.

On the subject of Fast Freddy, Eurodragster staffer Sharkman has posted a new video clip of Freddy Fagerström on his web site Sharkman's Top End Tales at www.eurodragster.com/sharkman.

The Swedish Pro Street News Magazine at www.swedishprostreetnews.com has been updated with English-language news and and updated Nordic Pro Street Cup calendar.

Web site updates.
18th March: The official web site of the Motorsports Against Racism festival, which is to be held at Eco Raceway, Wittstock (Germany) in the last week of June, has had a complete facelift. The site features all the latest news and details on the Festival including the first round of this year's Swedish Top Fuel Tour, a just-added Cannonball-style event for TMFCs, and a daily schedule. The Motorsports Against Racism web site can be found at www.motorsport-gegen-rechts.com.

Trakbyte's UK Drag Race History at members.aol.com/trakbyte has been updated with new historical entries in various decades, a new picture of the week, and more. Don't miss Chris Dossett's heartfelt and very accurate summation of life as a webmaster on the What's New page.

www.dragracing.de: Am Sonntag, den 18.Mrz 01 findet wieder der wchentliche Drag Chat statt. Nachdem letztes Wochenende heftig diskutiert wurde, darf man wirklich gespannt sein, wie es weitergeht. Wir denken das dies eine gute Mglichkeit ist, endlich mal einige notwendige Sachen zu klren und hoffen auch morgen wieder auf ordentlich Gesprchsstoff. Wir hoffen Euch am Sonntag um 19:00 Uhr zu sehen.

Of prepped tracks and RWYBs.
17th March: UK Funny Bike racer Ken Cooper, recently returned from racing in the USA, writes seeking views from his fellow racers about track preparation at Run What You Brung events at Santa Pod. "It seems that a lot of people will not go testing at RWYBs at the Pod because the track is not up to scratch, especially for the more powerful vehicles and or slick tyred vehicles", he says. "I wonder how many more people would go testing if they were to fully prep even one lane. I know the extra prep would cost, but I feel sure that if, for instance, they charged another £10 per vehicle wishing to use that lane people would be prepared to pay. At the end of the day the more racers can test, the more you learn, the quicker you go. I know this from experience."

We spoke to Santa Pod Raceway Track Manager Kjell Petterson, who is responsible for track prep. He told us that prepping one lane at RWYBs could lead to inconsistency at subsequent race events. "I am against preparing only one lane", said Kjell. "Both lanes should in my opinion be prepared whatever we do. I don't think that the racers would appreciate it if one lane were much better on a race weekend, which is what could happen if we did this. The other thing is that there are so many non-race cars and bikes at RWYBs at Santa Pod Raceway. For us to cater for everybody in the best possible way, it would impossible to promise that one lane would be kept for race vehicles only."

Kjell confirmed that, as Ken says, there was a cost element. "To prepare a track before every RWYB here at Santa Pod Raceway would cost in the region of £900-1200, plus the cost of manpower each time for a basic preparation."

Kjell is however open to suggestions and has his own suggested solution. "I am of cause happy to discuss this, to see if we can find a way to do it", said Kjell, "but I feel that it would be hard to achieve in the way described. I think it would be better if, for example, a group of racers got together and rented the track for a test day. I would be happy to discuss a deal for that. I have one or two free Saturdays that could be used, but it could not be done for a tenner."

Ken Cooper would be interested to hear from fellow racers on this subject, and is awaiting your comments at ken.cooper1@virgin.net.

Falkstedt becomes a Mad Bomber.
16th March: Finnish Top Methanol Dragster team Mad Bomber Racing have announced a new driver for the 2001 season. Miki Falkstedt takes over as pilot of Europe's only 250 mph Top Methanol Dragster, as Jarmo Roivas has had to vacate the driving seat due to other commitments.

Miki, a 34 year old marketing manager from Espoo, Finland, has a distinguished background in drag racing. He started his drag racing career at Frank Hawley's Drag Racing School in 1988, where he licenced in a Top Methanol Dragster. He ran in Comp for three years before moving up to a Top Methanol Funny Car in 1993. Miki ran five seasons in TMFC; career highlights included the Finnish Championship in 1995, and the first five-second TMFC pass in Europe with a 5.94.

"I am very excited about this new challenge and feel that we have an excellent chance of winning the FIA Championship this year", said Miki.

Crew Chief Simo Patoharju and the Mad Bomber team certainly have the form, having guided previous pilots Anita Mäkelä and Jarmo Roivas to numerous European Championships and records. Mad Bomber Racing have announced that they are to contend all five FIA rounds in 2001.

"Mad Bomber Racing welcome Miki Falkstedt to the team", said Simo. "We believe that he will keep the MBR Dragster on a winning streak. We thank Jarmo for his services and wish him the best in his career."

 UK Fuel FC Championship announced.
15th March: Subject of much speculation and rumour over the closed season, the 2001 UK Fuel Funny Car Championship has now been officially announced. The Championship will consist of four or five rounds; two dates are already set at Shakespeare County Raceway in May and August, and two or possibly three dates are awaiting confirmation by Santa Pod Raceway.

"It has taken a tremendous effort from Keith Bartlett, Terry Gibbs, and myself and things have now come together", said Showtime Fuel FC Crew Chief Bob Jarrett, who represented the Fuel FC teams in negotiations with the two promoters.

Bob tells us that the Championship is open to all Fuel FCs, and that each round will consist of a four-car field. Confirmed entries are Mark Hawkins, with his new Dodge Avenger which appeared for the first time last August; Smax Smith, with the now-rebuilt Mainline Menace; Gordon Smith in the Shockwave Firebird; and John Spuffard in the Showtime Pontiac.

"Smax has already run the numbers, Gordon might now give us a run for our money, and of course our car is proven", said Bob.

Confirmed dates so far are Super Series 1 at Shakespeare County Raceway on 5-7 May and Super Series 4, also at Shakespeare County Raceway, on 25-27 August. The Santa Pod dates are due to be confirmed very shortly, and we will of course bring you these as soon as we have them.

The Championship will give the UK Fuel FC teams a new focus. "We are all dedicated to our racing and are looking forward to the coming season with much enthusiasm. I feel that this year will see the Funny Cars regain the respect that they deserve", said Bob.

FHRA Springnats move.
15th March: Thanks to our good friend Christer Abrahamson of Svensk Dragracing for passing on the news that the Finnish Hot Rod Association's Springnats, the third event in the Nordic Drag Racing Series, has been moved from Alastaro to the Motopark at Pieksämäki. The date remains at 25-27 May.

You can keep in touch with the latest from the FHRA on their official web site at www.fhra.fi, and with all the news on the NDRS on the Svensk Dragracing web site at www.dragracing.se.

Web site updates.
15th March: Eurodragster staffer Tog is now hosting on his web site the latest batch of photographs from his good friend, US Drag Racing photographer Bob Frye. The new pictures are from the season-opening NHRA Winternationals at Pomona Raceway. Check it out at www.togsdragracing.com.

Read and Upton in Oz action.
14th March: UK ex-patriates Steve Read and Jay Upton are in action in Australia at this week's ANDRA Nationals at Calder Park, north of Melbourne. For Top Fuel pilot Steve Read, the stakes are particularly high.

"This meeting marks the fourth (of five) stop of the Australian Top Fuel Championship, and sees Steve Read tied for the points lead with longtime Australian favourite Jim Read", writes Dragster Australia European contributor Ivan Sansom. "Jim Read recently became the first Top Fuel pilot outside of North America to crack 300 mph; Steve, a three-time winner of the Nationals, would be pretty close to the top of anybody's list of candidates to follow him through that barrier in the Santos Cranes fueler, and to become the first European to run those numbers."

Top Fuel Bike pilot Jay Upton will also be in action at Calder on his radical Puma Triumph. Jay recently returned to competition with a number one qualifying effort at the Westernationals in Perth.

Qualifying is on Thursday and Friday, with eliminations following on Saturday. Qualifying and elimination details will be available throughout the weekend on the ANDRA web site at www.andra.com.au.

Nemesis, by Air and Sea.
14th March: The UK's Nemesis Top Methanol Dragster team have announced the renewal of their associate sponsorship deal with freight forwarding company Air Sea Logistics Limited.

Air Sea Logistics are more familiar to racers and fans as Express Freight Services, but the change in name doesn't make any difference to the company's long-standing support for drag racing. Air Sea Logistics ships race parts from the USA and elsewhere for a large number of UK racers, often to a deadline: at the 1999 FIA European Finals they famously shipped a rear end from the USA for Team Nemesis at twenty four hours' notice.

"Team Nemesis are a dedicated and hard-working team who share the same goals as us. That is to be the best at what they do, but have fun doing it", said Malcolm Francis, managing director of Air Sea Logistics Ltd. "We have been with them now for two seasons as an associate sponsor, and I am pleased to announce that we shall again be an associate sponsor for this year."

Nemesis Crew Chief Andy Bissett is equally pleased. "We are thrilled to be a part of Air Sea Logistics' new business plan and to have their support once again", he said. "Many times over the past two seasons they kept us on the race track by bringing parts over from the USA at extremely short notice. They are the best in the business. It's that simple. So this is a very important deal for us, and we're keen to ensure it continues for many seasons to come."

You can find more details on the News and Partners pages of the Team Nemesis web site at www.eurodragster.com/nemesisracing, and more details on Air Sea Logistics' services on their web site at www.airsealogistics.com.

Web site updates.
14th March: The official web site of the UK's Shockwave Fuel Funny Car team has been updated with the latest inside news, including more on the FC's new transmission and some thoughts on the planned Top Fuel v Fuel FC Pro Fuel Shootout at Santa Pod's Easter Thunderball. Check it out at www.funnycar.uk.com.

Farewell and thanks to Tony B.
13th March: We are sorry to confirm that Tony B, joint-founder of Eurodragster along with Tog, has officially left the staff of Eurodragster due to ill-health.

Tony was involved in the initial discussions which led to the formation of Eurodragster in late 1997, and was instrumental in setting up and writing most of the code for the original site. As Eurodragster grew Tony continued to contribute, both with ideas and by writing the code necessary to make other people's ideas a reality.

Unfortunately health problems dogged Tony for a large part of his tenure at Eurodragster, ultimately preventing him taking an active role throughout the 2000 season. Tog and Sharkman ran the site as a partnership during 2000 in the hope that Tony would be able to resume his active role in 2001, but Tony has recently been in touch with us to confirm that he wishes to stand down officially from the Eurodragster staff.

The staff of Eurodragster is now officially Tog and Sharkman. We are both very grateful to Tony for the time and effort he has put into the site, and thus into European Drag Racing itself. That Eurodragster is one of the premier Drag Racing web sites in Europe is in no small part thanks to Tony. We are also very grateful to Tony for agreeing to allow us to continue to use the code which he originally wrote.

We are sure that you will join us in saying a big thank you to Tony and wishing him all the best for the future.

Saw the race? Now buy the T-Shirt!
13th March: FIA European Top Fuel Dragster Champion, Finland's Anita Mäkelä has unveiled her T-Shirt design for 2001. The colourful design gives a hint of the car's colour scheme for this season, and also features a great chicken motif, Anita being a chicken farmer by trade.

"They're a nice idea for birthday present, wedding present, mother's day present or just a surprise for a friend", says Anita. "Or why not for yourself! With a large range of sizes, you'll easily find a suitable one. Even the smallest in the family are not forgotten! All the T-Shirts are white, which bring out the bright colors very well. Be part of our team!"

Full details, including information on ordering shirts directly from Anita and Tommi, are available on Anita's web site at www.anitamakela.com. The shirts will also be on sale at every race which Anita attends this season.

European Top Gas Series calendar.
12th March: Via the good offices of APIRA Press Officer Jerry Cookson comes the news that the 2001 European Top Gas Series calendar has now been released by "Top Gas Mother" Angela Wittenzellner. This year's series for the two-wheeled gassers visits the UK, Sweden, Holland and Germany. The calendar is as follows:

28-29 April: Wittstock, Germany (Test and Tune)
19-20 May: Shakespeare County Raceway, UK
16-17 June: Vasteras, Sweden
7-8 July: Drachten, Holland
3-5 August: Mossling, Germany
17-18 August: Hockenheim, Germany
1-2 September: Drachten, Holland
7-8 September: Wittstock, Germany

The already-popular ETG series has been joined by five new teams this season. You can find full details on the official web site of the European Top Gas Series at www.topgas.com.

Top Methanol field masses for Thunderball...
12th March: A strong Top Methanol field is lining up for the first round of the MSA British Top Methanol Championship at Santa Pod Raceway's Easter Thunderball on 14-16 April. We understand that the TM field could number more than eight and includes the first appearances in TM competition of Wendy Baker in the Krypton Dragster and Doug Ripley in the ex-Torque of the Devil Funny Car.

Our friends in the Showtime Fuel FC team also tell us that last year's highly-popular Top Fuel v Fuel FC Pro Fuel Shootout is set to be repeated this year (see below), and the Thunderball is the first round of this year's UK National Championships, so there will be a lot of action to see.

Santa Pod Raceway are already taking advance bookings for the Easter Thunderball; advance tickets are £12 Sunday, £14 Monday, £20 Saturday-Sunday or Sunay-Monday, or £28 for the three days. Entry is free for under-16s and free camping is included with weekend tickets. For more details, or to book tickets, call Santa Pod's information and ticket hotline on 08700 782828 (from outside the UK +44 1234 782828).

...enjoy it as a VIP.
12th March: Santa Pod Raceway have also announced that special VIP packages are available at the Easter Thunderball. The packages are available for either Sunday or Monday individually, or for both Sunday and Monday. The package includes admission to the event; admission to the VIP suite; morning coffee and pastries; buffet lunch and refreshments; afternoon tea; complimentary earplugs; indoor TV screen viewing of Sunday's F1 Grand Prix; dedicated grandstand seat and VIP parking.

The package costs £49.99 per day, or £79.99 for both days if booked together. For more details or to make bookings, contact Kelly via E-Mail at kelly@santapod.fsnet.co.uk or call 08700 782828 (from outside the UK +44 1234 782828).

Web site updates.
12th March: The official web site of the UK's Showtime Fuel Funny Car team has been updated with all the latest, including their participation in a repeat of last year's Top Fuel v Fuel FC Pro Fuel Shootout at the Easter Thunderball. The site also includes a history of the team, race reports, photo galleries, timing data analyses and more. Check it out at www.showtimeracing.co.uk.

The German-language Dragscene.de web site has been updated with details of this year's German Drag Racing Championship. This wide-ranging site features news, points standings, race reports, calendars, links, team information, pictures and much more, covering not just the German scene but touching on other countries too. Take a look at www.dragscene.de.

Eurodragster staffer Sharkman has added another 2000-season video to the growing collection on his personal web site Sharkman's Top End Tales. The latest clip features Pro Stock racers Niclas Andersson and Jacob Ferrer in side-by-side 7.0s at last year's Main Event. Sharkman's site is at www.eurodragster.com/sharkman.

Help wanted with Heavy Breathin'.
11th March: Following on from the news item about the Hot Wheels AMX on Thursday, Paul Lingard has written asking for information and pictures on another historical UK race car.

"I'm looking for any information or pictures relating to the history of a race car called Heavy Breathin'", says Paul. "It was a 1970s Austin A40, originally painted red and running a Jag set up. The car has been bought by a friend of mine and is at present being re-worked for street and strip."

If you have any information or photographs, or or can help in any other way, then please contact Paul at linny@lingardp.fsnet.co.uk.

Society faces a new Menace.
11th March: The UK's Menace II Society Drag Racing Team have unveiled their new race car for the 2001 season. The new Datsun ZX is powered by a turbo-assisted small block Chevy and will be pounding the strip in Super Street, replacing the team's previous Mazda racer.

You can find full details including a picture of the new car on the Menace II Society web site at www.menace2.com. Don't miss the great opening animation!

Web site updates.
11th March: Gary and Phil Cottingham have updated their fan site at www.dragracing.atfreeweb.com. The site features a reworked Fans Forum, and Chat Room. "It would be nice to get a few more people joining in regularly on the new Forum", says Gary Cottingham.

Also hosting chat is the German Drag Racing Page at www.dragracing.de, which has its regular Sunday Chat session this evening at 19:00 European time.

CCSE calendar released.
9th March: Many thanks to Kev Elliott of Custom Car Magazine for sending us this season's Custom Car Street Eliminator dates.

The highly-popular CCSE is a UK series specifically for street-legal cars; all cars taking part have to complete a cruise, perform a hot start and fill up with regular unleaded petrol to be able to compete on the strip. Quickest ETs last year were in the low nines and the highest speeds were over 150 mph. We understand that there will be several new entries to the CCSE this season, many of which should quickly join the regulars as favourites to run the first eight.

This year's CCSE calendar is as follows:

14-16 April: Easter Thunderball, Santa Pod Raceway
5-7 May: Super Series 1, Shakespeare County Raceway
19-20 May: Super Series 2, Shakespeare County Raceway
26-27 May: FIA Main Event, Santa Pod Raceway
16-17 June: Super Series 3, Shakespeare County Raceway
30 June-1 July: The Cannonball, Santa Pod Raceway
25-27 August: Super Series 4, Shakespeare County Raceway
22-23 September: Super Series 5, Shakespeare County Raceway

You can find more details about Custom Car Street Eliminator, including rules, gossip and competitor run-downs, on participant Ian Hook's FB Racing web site at www.fbracing.co.uk, and Custom Car Magazine's own web site at www.kelsey.co.uk/magazines/custom is shortly to be extended with pages covering the CCSE, the Flathead Meltdown, and other Hot Rod events.

Europe's best wishes to Jim McClure.
9th March: Vincent Pels, Crew Chief of Ton Pels' Zodiac Drag Racing Team, has written to send his best wishes to US Fuel Harley rider Jim McClure, who has suffered a top end crash in Orlando. Jim, a friend to the Pels family as well as to many other European racers, is in hospital with a broken clavicle, shoulder and other injuries. "Our thoughts are with Jim, Phyllis, Jimmy, crew and family", says Vincent.

Reports and updates on Jim McClure's condition can be found on Dragbike.com, Stripbike.com, the AHDRA web site, and on the Pit Lane Gossip page of the King Racing web site at www.kingracing.com.

We are sure that everyone will want to join the Zodiac team and Eurodragster in sending Jim and his family best wishes for a speedy recovery.

JD test leads RWYB.
9th March: Thanks to Paula Marshall of Santa Pod Racers Club for the news that Collin and Stuart Morrice will be testing in the SPRC Junior Dragster at this weekend's Run What You Brung at Santa Pod Raceway. The new JD entrants are preparing for an assault on the UK National and SPRC Junior Dragster Championships which commence with the Easter Thunderball.

Early RWYBs give fans the chance to combine a run down the track with sneak previews of racers testing. Racers seen at RWYBs so far this year have included Super Street Bike's Graham Dance and Mark Pointer, 9.90 Bike racer Paul Ellingham, 10.90 Bike racer and SPRC Rookie of the Year Phil Pratt, Pro Stock Bike rider Dave Beck, Al Cook on the ex-Paul Willis PSB, Lee Baxendale on a Competition Bike, and Top Fuel Dragster pilot Andy Carter keeping his hand in in a street car.

Entry to Santa Pod Raceway this Sunday is £8; a further £10 and the production of a valid DVLC driving licence (Competition licences are not valid for RWYBs) will get you as many passes down the track as you can fit in. Gates are open at 8:00 am and the strip is usually open by 10:00 am. For more details call Santa Pod on 08700 782828.

Early start for Nordic Series.
8th March: The Nordic Drag Racing Series will be off to an early start this season. Our good friend Christer Abrahamson of Svensk Dragracing tells us that Norsk Drag Racing Gardermoen's Spring Nats on 5th-6th May, and the Drag Internationals at Mantorp Park on 12th-13th May, have now been added to the calendar.

This brings the NDRS up to eighteen races in Norway, Sweden, Finland and Denmark, and with a new points structure in 2001 it looks like it's going to be a spectacular and frenetic year in Scandinavia.

You can find more details, including the full NDRS calendar, on the Svensk Dragracing web site at www.dragracing.se.

Hot Wheels AMX info sought.
8th March: American Motors Owners Club member James Ditty has written to ask for information about an AMX which ran in the UK in the early 1970s.

"The car was called the Hot Wheels AMX", says James. "I saw it when I visited Santa Pod Raceway in either 1971 or 1972. I would like to know how many wins it had in the UK, who owned or drove the car, and if possible what happened to it. I am an AMC fan and I would like to write a Club article on this unknown piece of racing history. I would be very grateful for any help."

If you can help James then please E-Mail him at ditdit@aol.com.

Racers invited to motor show.
8th March: The organisers of a new motor show on the edge of London would be very keen to have a couple of drag racing representatives present. The South East Counties Motor Show is to be held at Danson Park in Welling on Saturday-Sunday 14th-15th July.

"The show will feature as many aspects of motoring as we can cram in!", says Mike Williams of Show organisers J and M Promotions. "From Dealerships to Remote Control and everything in between. We would be delighted to have a dragster or two in attendance."

If you are interested in displaying your race vehicle at the Show then you can contact Mike via E-Mail at willie.md@lineone.net.

Web site updates.
8th March: The official web site of the UK's Fireforce Jet Funny Car team has had another update. The News page has been brought up-to-date with the very latest from the keyboard of team owner and Fireforce 2 driver Martin Hill. Webmaster Dave Nelson has also asked us to apologise to fans who had problems with the links on the site last week, which were caused by a security problem. Check out the Fireforce site at www.fireforce.co.uk.

Pete Holmes.
7th March: UK Fuel Funny Car racer Smax Smith writes with some sad news:

"Those who were around when I was running the '35 Chevy blown alky altered may remember Dougy White who tragically took his own life. Well, Smax and the Ant Hill Mob are saddened to hear that Pete (Sherlock) Holmes also took his own life on Friday night.

"Sherlock was a star and mega professional when it came to fibreglassing. After my big crash in the Nitro Funny Car at the Bulldog Bash, Sherlock did a sterling job of repairing the badly damaged-body - as all Nitro fans will see this year - for no cost!!!! That's the kind of guy he was!!!

"We all want to send our thoughts and vibes to his family as he's going to be majorly missed."

Pete's funeral is to be held at Pleasington Crematorium at 1:00 this Friday.

We'd like to extend our own deepest sympathies to Pete's family and friends.

Lex reveals new Crew Chief.
7th March: Dutch Top Methanol Funny Car racer Lex Joon has revealed the identity of his new Crew Chief, hinted at on the News page of his new web site earlier this week. UK ex-Methanol racer and now tuner Bernie Hepworth has joined Lex Joon Racing after the Maltese team for whom he consults elected to sit out this season.

"I've been corresponding with Bernie for a long time now" said Lex. "I know Bernie because I bought my first Alcohol Funny Car from him. I can use a guy who has Bernie's experience, because most of my crew are really hard workers bur are not familiar with someof the workings of drag racing - what I mean is rules, and talking with marshals or other Crew Chiefs. As you know Bernie, knows everything about these things from A to Z. He has experience in driving a Funny Car and a lot of other drag race vehicles, so he knows what's going on when you are behind the wheel!"

Bernie is similarly pleased. "It's a great pleasure to be offered the opportunity to work with Lex Joon Racing, a team who I have always admired for their dedication to get the job done, and to help such a determined driver as Lex Joon."

Not such good news is that Lex has lost his primary sponsors. "We have lost our main sponsor Red Oak Europe because they have a lot of problems with one of their manufactures - just as we had a good deal for this year's program. So we are really busy to see if we can find another sponsor to finance a year's racing."

For more details, check out Lex's great new web site at www.lexjoonracing.nl; we are very grateful to Lex for his warm tribute on the latest news update.

2001 Event Coverage Schedule.
7th March: As the season draws ever nearer, we are pleased to publish Eurodragster's current Event Coverage schedule for 2001. As ever, we plan to cover all UK Championship events, the two FIA/FIM rounds in the UK (our good friends at Svensk Dragracing account for the other three FIA/FIM races), and we have tentative plans to cover a couple of races on the Continent. In some cases we plan to cover two events in the same weekend.

The schedule is of course provisional; events are highly likely to be added as the season gets going. Click here to see our 2001 Coverage Schedule.

The 2000 Event Coverage has been split off and is now available via the Event Coverage Archive link under the Information heading on the left hand side of any Eurodragster page.

RWYB goes ahead at Santa Pod.
6th March: Santa Pod Raceway have confirmed that this Sunday's (11th March) Run What You Brung is to go ahead despite the current problems with Foot and Mouth Disease in the UK. Santa Pod have gone to great lengths to take the advice of the MSA, the local authority's Environmental Health department, and the Highways Agency, and have been given the all-clear.

"Santa Pod Raceway will be taking extra precautions, vehicles entering and leaving the site will have to travel through a disinfectant pool, and rights of way that exist surrounding the Raceway will be closed", says SPR's Site Manager Ian Lloyd-Jones.

Entry to Santa Pod Raceway this Sunday is £8; a further £10 and the production of a valid DVLC driving licence (Competition licences are not valid for RWYBs) will get you as many passes down the track as you can fit in. Gates are open at 8:00 am and the strip is usually open by 10:00 am. For more details call Santa Pod on 08700 782828.

 Loaring on Super Modified.
5th March: Regular readers will be familiar with the current proposal to create a new class in the UK. Named Super Modified, it is a limited-tuning doorslammer class which has been suggested and formulated by engine builder and Crew Chief Rob Loaring and reigning UK Pro Mod Champion Nick Davies, in consultation with racers and officials. Super Modified is open to doorslammers with normally-aspirated or nitrous engines, and with automatic or manual transmission. Weight breaks have been factored, for example to allow a small nitrous engine with a manual transmission to race a large-displacement normally-aspirated automatic, with both cars of the same weight. ETs are expected to be high sevens or low eights, and speeds up to 175 mph. The class is heads-up, first to the finish line with a .4 Pro Tree.

We recently had a chat with Rob Loaring about Super Modified. He explained the background to the class, the process undertaken so far, its future, and its place and role in UK drag racing. Click here to read Rob Loaring's comments.

If you are interested in Super Modified then please E-Mail administrator@eurodragster.com for a copy of the current draft of the rules.

Europeans' early exits in Gainesville.
5th March: The European contingent unfortunately had short days in yesterday's eliminations at the AMA/Prostar MRE Sunshine Nationals in Gainesville. Shortest day of all was had by the UK's Dave Beck who DNQ'd on Jay Regan's Pro Mod Bike. The other racers' records were as follow:

Norbert Kutzera (Germany), Top Fuel Bike: qualified 6th 6.845/151.64, round 1 def. by Mike Romine 6.740/202.79 to 10.245/83.24

Ken Cooper (UK), Pro Mod Bike: qualified 10th 7.123/185.95, round 1 def. by Charlie Farrar 7.228/176.43 to 7.396/177.13

Full qualifying and elimination details are available on Dragbike.com, and a lot of background stories are available on the Pit Lane Gossip page of the King Racing web site at www.kingracing.com.

Web site updates.
5th March: Norwegian Super Comp racer Linda Rnning's web site has moved URLs to www.simlane.org/linda. Linda's site features details on the car and an interesting downloadable computer game.

We are grateful to Darren Heavyside for putting us on to the latest update of the International page of the Awful Awful Fuel Altereds site at www.mysterion.net/AAFA/international2.html. The new page features many more pictures of UK Fuel Altereds from the 1970s and 80s including Tee Rat, Shutdown, Sneaky T, the Lawce Bros/Gunn altered, Aardvark, California Kid and Houndog. Check out the pictures of out-of-shape runs by T Rat and Sneaky T which prove that the "Let's Get Tog" Club is not at all a new concept. If you've not seen Page 1 of the International pictures then you can find a link to it at the bottom of the above page.

Happy Birthday, Wendy!
5th March: Birthday wishes to Supertwin Fuel Harley Crew Chief Wendy Clutterbuck - daughter of STF racer Steve - whom our spies tell us is very proud to have reached her thirties today.

We're sure that everyone will want to join us in wishing Wendy the very Happiest of Birthdays.

AC Delco renew Malmgren deal.
4th March: Swedish Pro Stock team Malmgren Racing have announced the renewal of their primary sponsorship deal with AC Delco. AC Delco took over as primary sponsor in 2000, a year which saw Michael Malmgren début a Bickel-built 2000 Camaro and run Europe's first and second Pro Stock sixes.

"We have extended the AC Delco deal for another year, and we are very proud of that", says Magnus Cato of Malmgren/AC Delco Racing. Magnus told us one of the secrets of gaining a big-name sponsor. "I encourage all the other European teams to go to Britain and put up a good show at the Autosport Show at the NEC. We had a real good time there, and got to know all the nice people at AC Delco and all nice people in British Drag Racing."

Malmgren Racing also have a message for their many fans. "We miss you a lot, and we hope to see you at different drag racing arenas all over Europe this summer", says Magnus. Magnus tells us that the team will be at Le Mans with their Camaro again this year (have you wangled the burnout along the main straight yet, guys? - Ed), and that there will be announcements of more such activities in due course.

Lex launches new web site.
4th March: Dutch Top Methanol Funny Car racer Lex Joon has launched a new web site at www.lexjoonracing.nl. Lex's very professional-looking site features news, team and car run-down (the team biographies are very entertaining), sponsor details, race calendar, links, guest book and more.

This is a sad day for Eurodragster since we have hosted a site for Lex for a couple of seasons. Lex was one of our first web site customers and we would like to thank him for his faith in us and for his business over the years.

PT Bruiser thwarted by weather...
4th March: Paul Marston's PT Bruiser is languishing in the workshop after the weather wrecked initial testing plans. Paul is however hoping that the delay may assist other racers as well as himself to hire a track for a private test.

"We were intending to test the PT Bruiser in February, but no-one told the weather and it has not been possible to set a date", says Paul Marston. "As we are now closer to our first event, the Easter Thunderball at Santa Pod, more teams may be ready to test under race conditions. Anyone who is interested please E-Mail me at grumpysdodgemarstond@freeserve.co.uk."

...but coverage snowballs.
4th March: Meanwhile the PT Bruiser continues to receive rave reviews and coverage.

"It is with the upmost pleasure that I can reveal to you that our Chrysler PT Bruiser launched at the NEC Autosport show in January this year will appear in the April issues of three major UK Car magazines - Car and Car Conversions, Custom Car and Street Machine - simultaneously", says Paul Marston. "All three magazines will have extensive coverage features, and one or more front covers too. I must thank all three of them for featuring the PT Bruiser. The interest in the Bruiser has been enormous, which is great for our sponsors and UK Drag Racing. We are opening new doors with the Chrysler PT Bruiser and crossing over into magazine coverage not usually associated strong support for Drag Racing. But to have made it to ink in such a short period of time, in no less than three respected publications, is no mean achievement.

"Although the Chrysler PT Bruiser is an outstanding race car, I feel that a major part of its popularity is the fact that it is based on an immediately recognisable road car. We currently have a small explosion of doorslammer-based racecars being constructed in the UK. I believe choosing a late model body is something which any team looking at building a new Drag Race car should consider very seriously before making any decisions. It costs the same, new bodies need no repairs, so the extra cost is offset and the sponsorship opportunities are enormous.

"Last but not least I must thank Eurodragster and all the other web sites which have covered the Chrysler PT Bruiser with pictures and reports. You really do make a difference."

Thanks very much, Paul!

Europeans at Gainesville.
3rd March: Germany's Norbert Kutzera is in fourth place in Top Fuel Bike, and the UK's Ken Cooper eighth in Pro Mod Bike, after one day of qualifying at the AMA/Prostar MRE Sunshine Nationals at Gainesville in the USA. The UK's Dave Beck is also running in Pro Mod Bike but has not put in a qualifying pass.

The Dragbike.com web site is reporting live from Gainesville, and our good friend Ian King is publishing news stories and updates on his web site on the Pit Lane Gossip page of the King Racing web site at www.kingracing.com.

Andersson to race in USA.
3rd March: FIA European Pro Stock Champion, Sweden's Niclas Andersson, is to take part in two NHRA races in the USA in March, driving Lennart Bergkvist's Olds Cutlass in Comp Eliminator. The first race is a Divisional event in Orlando next weekend, to be followed by the Gatornationals at Gainesville.

Full details are available on the News page of the Totalmek Racing web site at w1.650.telia.com/~u65002642, together with a great set of pictures from the FIA Championship banquet at which Niclas was presented with his 2000 Championship trophy.

Thanks to Totalmek Racing's Christina Lidström for the news.

Northern Street Car Challenge meeting.
3rd March: The 2001 Northern Street Car Challenge Drivers' Meeting will be held in the function suite of The Red Lion Hotel, Bispham, Blackpool from 7.30pm on Saturday 10th March. The Northern Street Car Challenge is a series for street-legal vehicles, run annually at York Dragway in the UK.

"Everyone is welcome", says James Murray. "The meeting is to discuss the forthcoming season of the Drag Race/Hot Rod and Custom series, prizegiving for the 2000 series - and there's the bar!"

You can get more information on the NCSC from Cath Napier at cathtig@aol.com, or James at jsm@jsm-net.demon.co.uk.

APIRA Test and Tune open to all comers.
3rd March: Avon Park International Racers Association are inviting racing clubs from across the motorsports spectrum to their Test and Tune event at Shakespeare County Raceway on 21st-22nd April.

"If you own a circuit racer that's fine. If you own a racing truck that's even better. You might own a dirt racer or even a stock car or rallycrosser, anything's invited as long as it meets MSA class regulations, has a wheel at each corner, and its pretty cool to look at!", says APIRA's Press Officer Jerry Cookson. Invitations have also been sent out to every American car club in the UK, making in all some seventy organisations invited to Shakespeare County Raceway in April.

"The reason we went this route is to generate extra revenue for the club and for track owner Anthony Hodges, and to generate more publicity", says Jerry. "And with the bigger circuits wanting a lot more money to hire the track these days everyone's looking for value for money."

Entry to Shakespeare County Raceway on Test and Tune weekend will be £10 each day, with a further £10 buying you unlimited runs for one day or £15 buying you unlimited runs for the weekend. More details from the APIRA web site at www.eurodragster.com/apira, or from Wendy Talbot on 01379 740100.

Web site updates.
3rd March: FIA European Top Fuel Champion Anita Mäkelä now has a For Sale page on her official web site at www.anitamakela.com. Anita's site also features news in English, Finnish and Swedish, a biography, team run-down, details on the car, photo gallery and more.

The Dutch Doorslammers site at www.doorslammers.nl has been updated with all the latest from Robert Joosten, Piet Kaptein and Patrik van Hal's race teams. Check out Piet Kaptein's wild K & H '34 Ford blown-alcohol Pro Mod, which is planned to be making its first appearance this season at the Test and Tune at Wittstock at the end of April.

The official web site of the UK Fireforce Jet Funny Car team has been updated with news including the recent appearance of Fireforce 1 at the Megadeth photo shoot at Santa Pod Raceway. The Fireforce site can be found at www.fireforce.co.uk.

"Unique" V8-powered TFB offered for sale.
2nd March: UK Top Fuel Bike racer Ian King is offering for sale a Puma V8-powered Top Fuel Bike. The new bike is a special project nearing completion, and is for sale to raise funds for King Racing's 2001 campaign.

"I took the bike over as an unfinished project", says Ian. "It was originally started by Pete Davis of Puma". Ian describes the Top Fuel Bike as unique, and with good reason. "Top Fuel Bike rules allow up to 2700cc V8 unblown configurations. Despite the fact that there have been some who have attempted this configuration, no one has really done it properly, with a real purpose-built engine from the top two engine constructors for Fuel Bikes, namely Trett, or in this case, Puma."

Ian says that the V8 machine has the potential to run some seriously-quick numbers. "The injected V-twins are now running down to 6.3s with a smaller capacity than this V8. As the V8 is smoother, it will not suffer the same mechanical maladies as the Twins, so bigger and smoother should mean faster - competitive in Top Fuel on a global basis. Who knows, it could be the fastest configuration: it certainly has the best Top Fuel Bike engine in the World."

Anyone interested in purchasing the bike can find full details, including a link to several photographs, in the February 27th entries of the Pit Lane Gossip page of the King Racing web site at www.kingracing.com, or contact Ian King direct at ian@kingracing.com.

Junior Dragster for hire.
2nd March: UK Former Junior Drag Racer Paul Lindley-Allen writes to tell us that as part of the deal to sell his Poltergeist Junior Modified Dragster, he is now in possession of Adam Gleadow's previous ride, a Junior Stock Dragster. This JD is available for hire during the 2001 season.

"If any one would like to drive a Junior Stock Dragster in 2001, please contact L A Motor Sport on 0115 846 9914 or mobile 07768 791 521", says Paul. "You'll get full support from the most consistent Junior team in the 2000 Championship series."

Home, News and Swap Meet sponsorship deals.
1st March: We are very pleased to announce that Eurodragster has secured sponsorship deals for the Home, News and Swap Meet pages. The deals run for one year and in addition to our funding deal with Stephen Talbot will help to ensure that Eurodragster continues to provide the best possible European Drag Racing news, coverage, links and other information.

The Home and News pages are sponsored by I.C.E. Automotive Racing Engines and a consortium of drag racing-related suppliers who are featured on the new ukracer.com web site, whilst the Swap Meet is sponsored by Jeff Bull Race Engines in an additional deal.

With experience of building high performance and racing engines over the last two decades, I.C.E. Automotive Racing Engines are in a unique position in the U.K. to spec, supply, build and support American domestic V8's to any stage of tune. From small block Fords, through to mountain Chevrolets, success has been achieved on the circuit as well as the quarter mile. Partners Rob Loaring and Nick Davies are pleased to associate themselves with Eurodragster.com for the next twelve months. "As the premier European drag racing website, it has long been seen as a natural fit to further the business in promoting both the parts-sourcing and engine-building services to a growing drag racing audience", said Nick Davies. With customers across the drag racing fraternity from Street racers to Pro teams, the service is considered by many to be second to none. You can contact I.C.E. Automotive via E-Mail at rooster.ice@btinternet.com or by phone on 01268 727317.

ukracer.com is a new and still developing web-based forum for British parts and service providers to the motorsports industry. It is operated by Fay and Paul Fischer and aims to provide a no-frills quick reference web site for racers and enthusiasts who need to find the right parts or get work done by professionals.

Paul Fischer writes "We have chosen Eurodragster.com as our first major marketing tool based upon the success we enjoyed during our three-year deal with Speedflow whose web-based customer traffic is now a vital part of the business. ukracer.com offers free classified Ads and cheap magazine-style "Banner" Ads. If you are a parts supplier or workshop based operation with an eye on cost effective internet advertising, give us a call on 020 8530 6664 or E-mail us."

Already signed up with ukracer's support for Eurodragster are Speedflow (no surprise there) who have chosen to return to Eurodragster to maintain easy access to their own extensive website. Speedflow supply high-performance hoses and fittings for all uses from street cars to Fuel cars and even Jet vehicles.

New internet advertiser Chris Isaacs has added his first-class chassis and car construction business Chris Isaacs Race Cars. Chris has won numerous races and championships, and he brings that know-how to bear on his customer's projects many of which have won races and championships themselves.

Jeff Bull Race Engines has also come on board, both as part of the ukracer.com deal and as sponsor of Eurodragster's Swap Meet. His high-performance V8 engine construction and modification business is based near Colchester where he has a large parts inventory, especially for big-block Chevy fans. Amongst Jeff's customers are Jon and Sharon Hogarth whose new Super Comp 'Vette has proven that it has power to spare.

LA Racing, Lee Child's mail-order supply company, is carving out a good reputation and he has chosen to use ukracer.com and Eurodragster to advertise his wide-ranging parts supply operation. LA Racing Parts import performance, race, restoration and stock parts from America. Everything is covered from engines, transmissions, axles, body panels, safety equipment, chassis tubing, lubricants and race fuels.

Long-time winning Sportsman ET racer Ian Turnbull brings his Dover-based Plough Garage to the forum, saying "I don't know how much business this may generate but I wanted to put something back into drag racing". Our thanks to Ian; we'll be cheering on the Camaro in 2001.

Eurodragster is very grateful to our new sponsors for their support. It is an honour and a privilege for us to be backed by companies which have such good names within Drag Racing for professionalism and excellent service. We urge all of our readers to use these companies to thank them for helping us.

Last slots available.
1st March: These sponsorship deals leave two advertising slots available on Eurodragster. Space is available on this season's Raceday Updates and on our Links pages; for more details E-Mail us at administrator@eurodragster.com.


Earlier news


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