Smax adds Excitement.
30th April: Lee Child of LA Performance Services has this morning announced that Smax Smith is the second Top Fuel dragster racer in the TF match race at this weekend's Excitement Nationals at Shakespeare County Raceway.

Smax, who won the Pro Fuel Shootout at the Easter Thunderball at Santa Pod on his first outing in a Top Fuel Dragster, will be racing in the Purple Loans-backed Top Fueller owned by Knut Söderquist against Darryl Bradford in the Wildside Inc Top Fuel Dragster. Longtime fans will remember that Darryl made his Top Methanol licencing passes in a dragster owned by Smax, giving this weekend's match race a master-and-apprentice angle dwarfing anything Star Wars could come up with.

"I'm more than excited to get back in the Purple Loans car again!", said Smax this morning. "Knut gives me a good car and it's a good track. I'm out for Andy Carter's track records (5.19/288 - Ed), and then I can sit and watch the Fuel Funny Cars and turn green with envy!"
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Smax is looking forward to racing Darryl. "Darryl's a great guy", said Smax. "He is very good on the lights so I will have to be on my game at the start line. I don't think either of us dreamed that we'd be racing each other in Top Fuel one day...it's all my fault!"

Excitement Nationals entry list.
30th April: The official entry list for this weekend's Excitement Nationals at Shakespeare County Raceway is now available courtesy of APIRA Club and Race Secretary Wendy Talbot and with thanks to Ozzy Ewing for this help. There is a healthy entry in most classes with Pro ET and Custom Car Street Eliminator particularly well-supported on four wheels, and Super Street Bike and 9.90 Bike the standout classes on two wheels. The first round of the European Top Gas Series has nine entries with a couple of names new to us on the list.
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You can view the Excitement Nationals entry list by clicking here.

Joon seeks Fuel FC crew.
30th April: Last Saturday we were pleased to break the news that Holland's Lex Joon will be racing in Fuel Funny Car this season. Lex Joon Racing's Team Manager Gerda Dijkstra has been in touch to let us know that LJR are now looking for additional crew.

"We need two crew members for our Funny Car programme", says Gerda. "You will be working on the car so some previous drag racing experience would be nice, and you will need to be dedicated. You will be working for food because no-one in our team gets paid apart from me!"
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Gerda tells us that although the team is based in Holland they would be quite happy to take on crew from the UK. "We will be running the British Championship so you will know which weekends you will be working", she says.

If you are interested in working on Lex's Fuel Funny Car team then you can visit Lex and Gerda in the Showtime Fuel FC pit at Shakespeare County Raceway this weekend, or you can contact Gerda as follows:

Telephone: 00 31 75 61 24 034
Mobile: 00 31 65 43 36 820
E-Mail: gerda@lexjoonracing.nl

UK racers lead NDRS.
30th April: Our buddies at Svensk Dragracing have updated their web site with the points standings in the Nordic Drag Racing Series after the first round, the Easter Thunderball at Santa Pod. Right now it's looking good for the UK racers with Tim Adam leading Super Comp, Peter Lane leading Twinlab Super Gas, and Mike Bentley leading Super Street. OK, we realise that's a bit of a non-sequitur as the Scandinavian season has yet to start, but a number of UK racers are planning to visit any or all of Sweden, Norway, Finland and Denmark this season so they will be going with some points already under their belts. You can view the NDRS points at www.dragracing.se/nscpoints.html.
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The Svensk Dragracing web site has also been updated with a Swedish/Norwegian NDRS primer. "The two languages are very similar and the racers have already developed some kind of 'NDRS-in-between-Scandinavian'", says our good friend Christer Abrahamson. "To be honest, if you just speak slowly there is no problem, but there are a few words that can cause confusion and also sometimes laughter!"

Llewellyn emerges.
30th April: Speaking of UK racers who contest the NDRS, UK Super Comp racer Zane Llewellyn will be putting in his first appearance of the season at this weekend's Excitement Nationals at Shakespeare County Raceway. Zane has had a very busy winter, scarcely having time to look at his dragster whilst working on the rides of his fellow Bristol Doorslammers racers. He brought us up-to-date with events in the Bootsoop workshop.
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"I've only had just over a week to recover from our trip to the FHRA American Car Show in Helsinki before crashing in to rebuild the dragster", says Zane. "We are burning the candles at both ends at the moment, but I think we're on course. There are no real changes to the car for this year, just a quick look inside the engine and trans, and a bit of re-wiring. I did intend to stretch the frame by twenty inches, but that will be done in the 'dead' period in July before we go off to Scandinavia. Unfortunately the work on Conrad Stanley's Vega and Hoch Grant's 100E had expanded to two almost total re-builds so I haven't had time to do my own thing. We're pretty pleased with the Vega, just a bit of tweaking should get it sorted and running the Super Gas performances that we would expect from a Bristol car. The 100E will be ready mid-season, before the dragster is stretched, and will run in Super Street."

You can stay in touch with the latest from Bristol on Zane's web site at www.bootsoop.freeserve.co.uk.

Bars are for drinking in.
30th April: UK Super Street Bike racer Pete Bellenie tells us that he had to indulge in a small amount of bribery to persuade his ace clutchman to accompany him to the Excitement Nationals at Shakespeare County Raceway this weekend. The SSB racers are wont to say that "Bars are for drinking in" and Pete took advantage of the adage to get his man.

"I did have a few problems at the Pod at Easter", says Pete. "My excellent new crewman, Joe, worked like a demon all of the weekend to sort them out. However, we had to retire in the semi-finals because the bike would not stay in a straight line due to a bad tyre (or at least I hope that's what it was). I was trying to kiss the wall at one point or so my better half, Su, told me. Next pass I thought I was going to take out the cones up the middle of the track, so for safety reasons we had to retire.
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"As you all now know, I have a Paul Wing slider clutch. It does still need a little tinkering, and the man himself was not coming to Shakespeare County, so I had to invite him down to the heart of Kent and ply him with lots of ale to persuade him that he needs to come. "No, No" he said at first, but we all know what beer does - and so the following morning I had a hangover, but I could also remember that he is my clutchman for the weekend! What a wonder beer is!"

£50 for Perfect Light.
30th April: The Eurodragster Perfect Light Award fund has been reset to £50 after Sportsman ET racer Rick Denny pulled the first perfect light of the season at the Easter Thunderball at Santa Pod. The Perfect Light Award will again be up for grabs at this weekend's Excitement Nationals at Shakespeare County Raceway.
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The Perfect Light Award is open to any racer in any class, and will be awarded to the first racer at an eligible event to record a perfect Reaction Time, 0.400 or 0.500 as appropriate, in either qualifying or eliminations (not open practice).

If the Perfect Light money is not won this weekend, then the prize fund rises to £75 at the next eligible event, the FIA Main Event. If the money is won this weekend, then the Perfect Light fund will be reset to £50 for that race.

Good luck everyone!

Cold alternative to Halon.
30th April: If you were tuned in on Monday you will recall UK Tech Inspector Geoff Martin's reminder that Halon fire extinguishers are no longer legal in the UK. Fireforce Jet FC pilot Martin Hill has been in touch with news of a new service for racers.

"I am in the early stages of being able to offer Cold Fire as an alternative.", says Martin. "Cold Fire is a fire-suppressing agent for class B oil/fuel fires and is also suitable for wood and paper fires. In tests it performs as well as Halon. It suppresses quickly, prevents reflash, and is safe to store and handle. It leaves virtually no residue and is environmentally safe and biodegradable. It has the advantage of foam and dry chemical without the mess, and is accepted by most governing bodies including NHRA, IHRA and ADHRA.
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"I can supply the base liquid to add to water tanks and hopefully within the next few weeks I will be able to offer full on-board systems for race cars with the ability to refill discharged bottles."

You can get prices and spec sheets from Martin by E-Mail at martin@fireforceracing.freeserve.co.uk.

Web site updates.
30th April: Eurodragster staffer Sharkman has updated his personal web site Sharkman's Top End Tales with a report and a large number of pictures from the Easter Thunderball. Check it out at www.topendtales.com.
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FBs look for first SCR eight.
29th April: UK Custom Car Street Eliminator racer Ian Hook and his FB Racing team are looking to run their first eight-second pass at Shakespeare County Raceway at this weekend's Excitement Nationals. Ian has run eights in his '34 Ford at Santa Pod Raceway, most recently an 8.8 at the Easter Thunderball, but thinks that the feat is long overdue at the Warwickshire track. "With disappointing sixty-foot times at round one we have made some changes to the rear end, and we are keen to try the car out again", he says.
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The FB Racing web site has been updated with provisional points standings in the CCSE Championship, an Easter Thunderball race report, and the latest gossip from the street-legal scene. Check it out at www.fbracing.co.uk.

Spellbound by great start.
29th April: The UK's Spellbound Pro ET team are also looking forward to this weekend's Excitement Nationals after a great opener to the season at the Easter Thunderball. The Spellbound team, who won Santa Pod Racers Club's Most Professional Appearing Team for 2002, set a best no-gas time of 10.801 off the trailer with their Morris Minor pick-up and things continued in that vein, writes Marcia Ward.
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"I must admit that the tail wind did help, but we have changed the front runners which are much lighter and in addition we adjusted the valve clearances - small things but they seem to have helped", says Marcie. "We are currently working on a new engine with which we are hoping to put the car into the nines with no gas! We can't let Steve Wells get too far ahead of us! Malcolm (Motler, driver - Ed) was extremely happy when he cut his first .502 light and he managed consistent .5 lights all weekend, which always helps in Pro ET. Unfortunately we lost in the first round, even though Malc cut a good light he lost at the top end by .062 sec to Alan Didwell in a great race. We are really looking forward to this weekend and hope to go a few more rounds!"

Curbishley's slick crew.
29th April: UK National Super Comp Champion Martin Curbishley also had a good Easter Thunderball, although it had its frantic moments as Martin relates.

"After an excellent test day with Webster Race Engineering we were looking forward to the Easter Thunderball", says Martin. "With a brand new Jeff Bull engine installed we thought we might be slightly off the numbers with all last year's data not being relevant with the new set-up, but thanks to the best weather station crew it wasn't long before we were number one qualifier in Super Gas with a 9.904 and number three qualifier in Super Comp with a 8.94.
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"The fright of the weekend was realising that we had a puncture in the rear right slick just fifteen minutes before the second round of Super Gas eliminations. After a manic twelve minutes in the pits renewing both rear slicks we managed to make the call with minutes to spare. This wouldn't have been possible without the help of Captain Jeff Bull, Malcolm Francis, Simon and Vince of Belmont Racing, Ian Jackson for the loan of the spoons and Spencer 'The Boy' Tramm. Sorry Will for making you wait and then knocking you out.

"We rewarded all the helpers by making both finals and have recommended them to Frank Williams for a place on his Grand Prix tyre changing team. Well done guys, I couldn't have managed without you."

Comp Eliminator 101.
29th April: Our good buddies at Svensk Dragracing have updated their web site with a guide to Comp Eliminator. "The class has been around in the Nordic countries for many, many years so we older guys find it so natural - I mean, it is so simple and entertaining", says Christer Abrahamson. "So now it is time to explain it for everyone who doesn't know or for those who say they get it but are afraid to ask!"
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The Svensk Dragracing web site at www.dragracing.se has also been updated with the great news that Twinlab have signed up as a major sponsor in NDRS Super Gas.

Andrews in the USA.
29th April: If you have been going racing for some years you may remember Herb Andrews, who raced in the 1970s and 1980s, firstly in Pumping Iron, a steel flip-top HB Viva, and Magnum Force which had a Hilborn injected Chevy in a Pat Cuss '27 roadster body, and which was the first European small block-powered altered into the eights. Herb now helps his Canadian friend Ralph Hope to run in Comp Eliminator at NHRA races, most recently at the Orlando Speedway and then the Gatornationals in Florida. Herb sent us a very interesting account of his time on the NHRA tour.

We arrived at Orlando Speedworld on the Thursday morning. The first time the car ran it was in the left lane. As it left the line it turned towards the centerline. Also the parachute did not open. Good start. It ran 8.27/157 which is respectable for the first run after the winter layoff. At both divisional and national events if the car improves NHRA check the fuel and weigh the car. So it was round to the scales and then back to the truck to pack it all away for the night. On the Friday the next qualifying run was in the right lane. Again as it left the line it turned right but this time violently. Had Ralph not lifted it would have gone into the barrier. Last year we had such violent tyre shake off the startline that the intake scoop broke and fibreglass went into the engine, causing damage to the titanium valves. The problem is that divisional tracks are not in such good condition as national ones and the clutch is so sensitive. To avoid the tyre shake this year we had wider tyres on the rear although the roll out was the same. However this made no difference and the tyre shake was still there so for the third and final qualifying run we changed back to the smaller tyres and also adjusted the rear suspension. The car ran straight down the track without any problems.

In the eliminations on Sunday we won the first round but were beaten in the second. The speed was 161 mph which for an inline six-cylinder Ford is moving on. All the time we were at Orlando the temperature was between 85 and 92. While normally that would be nice it makes working on the car hard. I drank best part of a gallon of water per day. We got to the track by 8:00 am and left around 6:00 pm each day. Between the Orlando and Gainesville races we went down to Sarasota and for once we got a few days on the beach. All of the other years I have been there we have had the race car or truck (or both) apart. A rumour had been circulating at Orlando that the Gatornationals was going to be cancelled due to the flooding that had been going on during the previous month. On Sunday the announcer stopped the rumour by saying that the race was going ahead. We checked the net on the Tuesday before the Gators and NHRA decided to run classes from Top Fuel down to Comp at Gainesville while Super Gas down had to race at Orlando until the last sixteen remained in each class and then go to Gainesville for the finals on Sunday. Imagine the scene, racers coming long distance only found out that they were not racing at Gainesville when they got there. After the rent-a-cop broke the news they had to drive the extra ninety miles to Orlando and find accommodation, difficult to do with 125,000 spectators expected over race weekend.
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Normally we arrive in Gainesville on the Wednesday morning prior to the race. NHRA rearranged the schedule and our first run was Friday. We spent an extra day on the beach and arrived there Wednesday night. Thursday was spent getting the car tecched and sorting out the car. I was painting the rear tyres with compound to improve the adhesion when we noticed the rear end was noisy. The rear end is a eight and three quarter Chrysler and race gears in the ratio that we use are not available. The crown wheel and pinion are street gears that have their Rockwell value softened in an oven. The pinion was damaged so we had to change it. The car left straight on the first qualifier on Friday morning, which was in the right lane but at the other end the car moved around a lot. Had Ralph not lifted the car may have gone over. It ran 8.21. On our second qualifying run we were a designated pair. NHRA select six racers as designated pairs and they have to run first. This stops some of the holding back waiting for the track to come around. The handling problem was still there but worse. However Ralph stuck with it and it ran 8.14 which got us qualified.

On Saturday we were scheduled to run our third and final qualifier at 8.30 am so we had a 5.30 am wake-up call. On the way to the track it was raining so when we got there we worked on the car still in the truck. We discovered that the bad handling was due to new steering rose joints fitted during the winter. They were too tight so any slight steering wheel movement resulted in over correction. We took the truck to a flat concrete pad, rolled the car out and set the tracking. Around this time the rain came back so we covered the car and waited. After the rain stopped NHRA set the field because they were behind schedule so our next run at 5.30 pm would be the first round of eliminations. Most of the day was spent doing the routine maintainance and then waiting around for the run. The race was a bit behind schedule due to a number of Top Fuellers, oiling the track. The first call for Comp came over the tannoy around 5.30. Just prior to this we had warmed the engine, put in the race plugs in, finished charging the battery and set the wheelie bar. It was after 6:00 pm by the time we ran and it was getting dark. The run went well, the car leaving the line straight and just on the wheelie bar and we advanced into the second round scheduled for Sunday. With the adjustments we made between round the car picked up to a 8.12 with a decent 60' time and a .516 reaction time.

The 5.30 am wake up call on Sunday came soon enough and we were at the track by 7.30 am. Although we were scheduled to run after the Pro Stock Bikes so in theory had plenty of time getting into the track late is risky due to the large amount of spectators. Our second round opponent was Doug Harris in an ex-Pro Stock Truck. After going through the normal warm up procedure we pulled down to the staging lanes about 1:00 pm and got ready to run. Unfortunatly Ralph redlit with a .465 light and Doug went on to the final where he lost. That's racing! The car picked up to a 8.07 with the 60' our best of both weekends, so all was not lost. We went back to the pits and spent the next hour or two loading the truck for Ralph's 1100 mile solo drive home. After saying our goodbyes I stayed at the track to see the semi finals and then headed to Orlando to get the plane home.

Fan looks for ride.
29th April: Fan Ben Rushforth has been in touch asking for the help of Eurodragster readers to get to the Excitement Nationals this weekend. "I really need to go, I have a bad case of Funny Car fever!", says Ben. "I live in the Leeds/Bradford area, and I do have petrol money". If you can help Ben then drop him a line at ben_speed_automotive@yahoo.com.
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Contest: Two SCR tickets to be won.
28th April: To promote this weekend's Excitement Nationals at Shakespeare County Raceway, promoter Lee Child of LA Performance Services has teamed up with Eurodragster.com to give one lucky winner a pair of weekend tickets to the Power Nationals, which takes place at SCR on 14th-15th June and which is to be headlined by a Top Fuel Dragster match race.

For your chance to win the Power Nationals tickets, answer the following question:
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What do you think will be the Low ET, to the thousandth, in the Top Fuel Dragster match race at this weekend's Excitement Nationals?

E-Mail your prediction to contest@eurodragster.com together with your name, address and daytime telephone number by 23:59 UK time this Friday, 2nd May. The winner will be the person whose prediction is closest to the Low ET, and will be announced at Shakespeare County Raceway next Monday afternoon. If the winner is at the track on Monday then they will be presented with their tickets by Lee. One entry will be accepted per E-Mail address.

Good luck!

The Big Stick is back.
28th April: Last time we saw the Lethal Calibra of John Ellis it was being loaded into its trailer at the doorslammers last year, after the big stick Ragin' Ray White had hit it with proved to be a bit too big and melted 5 pistons! Undeterred John, Ray and the gang have been working hard through the winter and the Calibra is now ready for action and will be taking to the track at this coming weekends Excitement Nationals at Shakespeare County Raceway.
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"We fired the new 698ci motor last Saturday at the C&S racing engines work shop." says Ray. "When the motor fired for the first time I looked at the faces of the rest of the guys and they were all looking at me with the same look on their faces, the motor sounded amazing." Ray is predicting the usual tyre smoking wheelstanding action from the Calibra and also has a little message for CC Racing's crew chief Cliff Gould; "I'm still looking to be the first one to run that 6 second pass, no pressure mate!"

Heaven & Hell at the Thunderball.
28th April: Many thanks to Carla Pittau, one half of reigning Pro ET Champions team Heaven and Hell (not sure which half though! - Photo Ed) for sending a most entertaining account of how the team got on at the opening round of the Championship at the Easter Thunderball. Over to you Carla;

"How is it that hours during an oil down are eternal and the winter is over in an instant? Is it because you are stuck on the fire-up road with nothing to do other than worry that your oil temperature is going down too much and you don't know when you should start your engine that you start going into zombie mode and your thoughts wander from the origin of life in the cosmos to the futility of weather forecast and by the time you finally get to the start-line you feel 10 years older, or is it because you had five hundred sixty-five thousand thirty-three jobs to do to your car in the winter season which you were going to start tomorrow morning and suddenly tomorrow morning you have to go to the Easter Thunderball instead, that the months between November and March shrink to a few hundredths of a second? This is only a slight exaggeration, of course!

In the case of Heaven & Hell Racing, our winter hibernation did include a freshen up of the trusty 383 and a few small improvements to the suspension, as well as new headers (er.. installed in the last few minutes before the second Webster Test day), and the car has been painted, but for sure the graphics have not materialised of their own accord (plain Jane among multicoloured neighbours - bright for sure, but very plain), the dashboard is the same as ever (I was going to do that in the morning, honest), and all the small, tedious, not very important little improvements have been postponed to another time continuum.
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However, the new springs, purchased on advice from Jon Webster, and the new, loose bushings on the A arms (purchased on advice from National Dragster - or was it Hot Rod Magazine?) - together with a harder launch facilitated by the new transbrake, gave us hope at the first test day when the Camaro started launching a little more vigorously and it seemed we were going in the right direction: towards a launch looking a little more SuperStock than SuperLame.

Just as well that a good launch was immortalised by Tog, as the elation was short lived, the second test day saw SuperLame launches again, but it was only at the Thunderball that we discovered that our torque converter was giving up the ghost, or at least the sprag had. This led to more SuperLame launches (I feel so bad about Sharkman being promised a launch worthy of his lens, only to be presented with a slightly lifting bonnet....) and to some inconsistent 60 foot times. We did run our best ET yet, a 10.43 - but with a bad 60 foot, which meant the run could have been well into the 10.3s, and to add to our disappointment we qualified 13th! 13th!!! It's even a bad luck number, for chrissake! A big consolation for us, at that stage, was the big success of Zed Case, our best mates, who not only turned up with the prettiest Zed I have ever seen, but pulled a 10.05 out of the bag without even trying, just shaking down the newly rebuilt small block (with Bob Doyle specified new pistons, that certainly succeeded instantly in waking up the old girl).

Anyway, due to other problems with the transmission that only manifest themselves when using the transbrake, we had to footbrake the whole weekend, and Rick used his long experience of footbraking to produce good consistent lights - one .61 out of 11 runs - all others were .5s, including a .501 (damn so near a perfect light, close but no cigar) and several low .5s. We got to the final, where Steve Wells, his newly flamed fenders to the rescue, lived up to his pre-season e-mail threats and put us out with a better light and a closer ET, despite the double breakout. Not a bad result for a weekend that started with a car plagued by problems - I won't bore you with the numerous minor ones - but obviously a lot of work needs to be done before the first Shakespeare Event and... oh no, is it really this coming weekend???? We've got to fix the converter, rebuild the transmission, fit the new slicks and I'm here striking the keyboard instead of running to the garage...!"

Halon in the UK.
28th April: After a couple of problems at the Easter Thunderball, UK Tech Inspector Geoff Martin has asked us to remind all racers that Halon Fire Extinguishers have been banned since the end of last year. Any Competitor who turns up for scrutineering with a halon extinguisher on the car will not be permited to compete. Geoff tells us that "There are no exceptions to this."
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Flowmeter sensor sought.
28th April: UK Top Fuel Bike racer Ian King is urgently seeking a a new or used -8 size Flowmeter sensor for use on a Racepak or similar datalogger. If you have such a sensor for sale then please drop Ian an E-Mail at ian@kingracing.com.
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Photo Hunt.
28th April: Joe Bond, established junior dragster racer and of course son of Top Methanol racer Doug Bond has been in touch with an appeal to our readers. Joe is trying to source a copy of a particular photo of his dads car.

"I am after a picture taken in 1997 when the car was in the Gulf Oil colours" says Joe. "the particular picture I am after was taken when Doug had a problem with the Lenco coming loose. In the photo the lenco has fallen out of the bell housing but is being held on by the drive shaft." If you think you have the picture in question then please email Joe at jb_razor@hotmail.com.
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Web site updates.
28th April: Many thanks to British Top Methanol Championship Co-ordinator Dave Alexander for letting us know that full results, timing data and points standings after Round One of the British Drag Racing Championship are now posted on the European Top Methanol Racers Association website. You can find the ETMRA site at www.etmra.com
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Also updating his site after the Thunderball is UK1320's webmaster Gareth Evans. Gareth has given the site a fresh look for the new season and included in the update are not just pictures from the Thunderball but also some images from the Test and Tune at Shakespeare County Raceway the weekend before.

Choose your Super Comp race.
27th April: The first two rounds of the 2003 European Super Comp Series will count on an either/or basis, writes Dickman of Patrik van Hal's team. "The first race is the FIA Main Event at Santa Pod", says Dickman, "and the second is the Danish Nationals at Vandel in Denmark the next weekend. You will not lose points if you do not show up at one of these two events. After that, every round counts towards a race number for 2004."

The European Super Comp Series is scheduled to take place over seven events at Santa Pod, Vandel, Drachten and Mantorp Park and is open to all Super Comp racers: to register just drop an E-Mail to supercompseries@hotmail.com or check out the Series web site at home.quicknet.nl/qn/prive/dj.koster.
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One racer who will be taking part in the Series is Patrik van Hal, who will be competing in his popular Pat's Toy Firebird. "Now that the Series is almost starting Pat's Toy team is refreshed, and we can't wait to meet all the teams in one big Championship like it has never been before", says Patrik. "It's about time to get a proper Championship in this very nice class, there are a lot of teams who have been driving Super Comp for years but there was never a real Championship for this class. We know that there will be no prize money this year, but if we can make this series a real nice and interesting one, there must be some companies who will be interested for the 2004 series. Our first race will be The Danish Nationals, and after that we hope to meet the English, Dutch, German, French, Swiss and Scandinavian drivers at the Season Opener at Drachten."

The Pat's Toy web site has had a makeover and can now be found at patstoy.webhop.net.

Goring set to step on it.
27th April: UK Jet Funny Car pilot Roger Goring will be "stepping on it" when the Firestorm team make exhibition passes at next weekend's Excitement Nationals at Shakespeare County Raceway. The Firestorm Jet FC, one of only three on the planet in which the driver sits ahead of the engine instead of beside it, has run its best times and speeds at SCR and Roger says that he is looking forward to renewing the acquaintance.
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"We made some shakedown passes at York last weekend", says Roger. "It all went as it should - in fact it went very well, we were very pleased". Roger and his team of Helen Rusling and Ian Blaylock spent the winter relocating parts to make between-run maintenance easier. "There have been some very late nights over the winter", says Roger, "but when you get your first green light and light the afterburner you forget all of that!"

The team have done some minor work on the flame show mechanics since running at York, and Roger tells us that he will be giving the show "a good shot" (the webcam can't wait - Ed). "We'll light up the start line and then we'll step on it!", he says.

You can stay in touch with the latest from the Firestorm pit on the team's official web site at www.firestorm-jfc.co.uk.

Wildside Inc: This is not a test.
27th April: If you were tuned in last Thursday then you will remember that we broke the news that Top Fuel Dragsters have been added to the mix at this weekend's Excitement Nationals at Shakespeare County Raceway. Lesley Wright of the Wildside Inc Top Fuel Dragster team has been in touch with the team's reaction to the last-minute booking.

The invitation to appear at the Excitement Nationals has got the whole Wildside crew into immediate race mode. John and Lesley Wright are extremely grateful to all the guys for upsetting family schedules to help them put on not just a great show but hopefully recapture records. During his tuning career John Wright has held the ET record at this, his home track, for eleven years with various drivers. After holding the record for something like four years after his outing there with Viveca Averstedt's Valvoline car, Andy Carter took it away just last season. John's own racing career started at Shakespeare County Raceway and he has been a representative of the organising club, worked for the track owner and even promoted his own event 'The Pro Comp Classic' back in 1992.

Upon hearing the news, driver Darryl Bradford's jaw dropped then got into gear. "Unbelievable...and a thousand more superlatives spring to mind about being offered this fantastic opportunity! I got my methanol license in front of all the tremendous people at the track three years ago and I never dared dream to be racing there one day in a Top Fuel Dragster. We are so much looking forward to showcasing our new sponsors, Racing Champions, Royal Purple, Flint Insurance and Cambridge Motorsport at John's home track and fulfilling a few more dreams. I would like to say a personal thank you to Lee Child and the whole of APIRA for the chance to pilot our car there, we hope you all come down and enjoy the show."

The Wildside Inc Team are also proud to announce new sponsorship for this event from the Birmingham Museum of Science and Discovery - Thinktank. Thinktank have had an extremely successful fortnight with their theme of 'Speed' and have very kindly come on board to extend their own promotion and marketing campaign. "We very much hope this is the start of a long relationship with Thinktank", said Lesley Wright. "To all those who visited the exhibition we hope that you enjoyed it. Our thanks go to Sara Cridland, Derek Todd and Kate Clarke and all their staff for making our visit so successful. Although this week is going by at 300 mph to get prepared for the event I can assure you this is not a test - we proved the car last year and Darryl is more than comfortable with it now. We have upgraded the rear end so John can tune in loads more hit at the start and he wants his record back! A major sponsor deal to provide a trailer load of parts would be reassuring but we'll be giving it everything we've got. We'll also have our Racing Champions collectible models with us for sale and, as John says, the more you buy the faster we go'. See you at the strip."

You can find the Wildside Inc web site at www.wildsideinc.co.uk.
©Eurodragster.com
Excitement Nationals snippets.
27th April: Top Methanol Funny Car racer Doug Ripley is looking forward to an easier weekend at the Excitement Nationals after having to refill his fire bottles during last weekend's Easter Thunderball and then suffering tyre shake, although he did clock his best-ever sixty-foot time in eliminations. "We are hoping that all of our problems are behind us now", says Crew Chief Cliff Gould. "The car has been stripped and inspected, with no serious problems found. Doug came away with a few bad bruises from the tyreshake, so it looks like he came off worse than the car."

Returning European Top Gas racer Job Heezen will be contesting the first round of the 2003 European Top Gas Series at the Excitement Nationals after making some checkout passes at Santa Pod a few weeks back. "After testing successfully at the Pod we have reinforced the chassis of the bike to be able to handle the newly-found extra horsepower", says Job. "The runs at the Pod had more in common with a good rodeo than with straight-line racing, and we hope to have redressed that situation next weekend."
©Eurodragster.com
Super Modified racer Graham Ellis is to miss the Excitement Nationals as he is putting together a new engine in his Olds Cutlass. "The car has has some chassis updates, new aerofoil rear wing, new paint, new rear end and Lenco ratios", says Graham. "Lastly will be a new purpose-built Super Mod nitrous motor. The displacement will hopefully an optimum size for the class, and we aim to hit the ground running. It will be a while before my 7.89/173 normally-aspirated record falls. Now I'm going on the hunt for the quickest nitrous cars in the class."

Super Street Bike racer Dave Bailey will also be missing the Excitement Nationals because he has melted pistons "and stuff" to fix. Dave did however have an announcement for us. "It's official! Dave Bailey has bought Ken Cooper's Pro Mod bike!", said Dave. "I will still be campaigning the Brute Farce Super Street Bike for the remainder of the year - seven seconds still to run - but I will be joining the ranks of Funny Bike in 2004. Just drinking in bars is fine for seven seconds, but you need to find another use for them if you want to run sixes!"

Web site updates.
27th April: UK Custom Car Street Eliminator racer Sue Jackson's Silver Fox Racing web site has been updated with a report and photographs from last weekend's Easter Thunderball, where Sue made it to the final and ran new PBs. "The report has a bit of a Vette bias but it's worth checking out", say Sue and Ian. You can find the Silver Fox Racing web site at www.silverfoxracing.org.uk.
©Eurodragster.com
MPM back Joon Funny business.
26th April: If you were tuned in yesterday you will remember that we expected a major story to break very soon. This morning we are pleased to announce that FIA European Top Methanol Funny Car record holder, Holland's Lex Joon, has announced that he is to race a Fuel Funny Car this season with backing from new primary sponsor MPM International Oil Company. Lex has acquired the ex-Skuza Dodge Avenger 'spare' Showtime Fuel FC from Bob Jarrett and plans to contest the MSA British Nitro FC Championship starting with the FIA Main Event at Santa Pod Raceway in late May, as well as making exhibition runs at Drachten. MPM have also become title sponsor of one of this year's events at Drachten, which are promoted by Lex Joon Racing.
©Eurodragster.com
"Lex Joon Racing are thrilled to work with MPM International Oil Company" says Team Manager Gerda Dijkstra. "MPM not only deliver first class products but are also very involved in dragracing. MPM already supports some national drag racers and last year were involved in drag racing events for the first time. This year MPM wanted to do more in the field of marketing relations. Lex Joon Racing are very proud that a company such as MPM have chosen us. The people at MPM are not only enthusiastic about drag racing but can also see the commercial possibilities offered by the sport."

MPM International Oil Company was founded in 1993 and is located in Zoeterwoude the Netherlands. The extensive range of products includes engine oils, transmission oils, brake oil, oil for hydraulic systems and many more. MPM trades across the planet and supplies only to wholesale business. Michiel van Wilgen, President of MPM International Oil Company, is just as enthusiastic about the co-operation with Lex Joon Racing as is the team. "The sport of drag racing is not only fascinating but also offers us as a company a lot of opportunities", he says. "Next to a bigger name MPM also wants to make its entrance in to the English market. Lex Joon Racings Top Fuel Funny Car programme fits in perfectly with these plans. The events in Drachten can be used for marketing relations. I know for sure that the people there will remember this event for a long time especially now that there will be an MPM-liveried Top Fuel Funny Car with Lex behind the wheel."

You can read full details on Lex's web site at www.lexjoonracing.nl, and for more information about MPM International Oil Company check out their web site at www.mpmoil.nl.

Something happening for Määttä.
26th April: Finnish Comp Bike racer Asko Määttä has announced a change in his plans for 2003. "Something has happened", says Asko. "The ex-Levi's Katana Pro Stock Bike which was raced by Eki Ryttis and which I bought last autumn will not be my race bike this season! That bike is promising, with its new carbon fibre Suzuki F-style fairings, and I'll be racing with it next season.
©Eurodragster.com
"A couple of weeks ago I was buyig the wheels for my bike and together with the wheels I bought the ex-Keke Ruuskanen/Vesa Rautio Pro Stock Bike Kosman-style roller (right), so I have decided to have some fun with it this summer. Neither I nor any of our team are anything but impressed about the new plan. I'm really race-committed and ready and willing to have this thing between my legs on the strip. It's a pity that we won't be ready to come to the first race at Santa Pod: none of us want to test the bike first time out as you will understand."

Asko's new bike is to be called Baldie's Gun IV, although he has not raced number three yet. "I'll be racing Baldie's Gun III later this season or next year", he says.

Real Steel Outlaws.
26th April: The UK's Outlaw Anglias are delighted to welcome Real Steel as new sponsors for the 2003 Outlaw Anglia championship, which gets underway at next weekend's Excitement Nationals at Shakespeare County Raceway, writes Paul Wright. This season will see the re-emergence of a few old timers to join the swelling Outlaw Anglia ranks.
©Eurodragster.com
Pete Ashworth has been out testing the Dayglo Twister 3 after a seven-year absence. Cliff Griffin has freshened up the motor and applied a lick of paint, maybe a blower for next year. Bob Hancox is trying a Ron's fuel injection system on his alky-burning SBC Prefect. Paul Hensher, last season's runner-up, is midway through a motor re-build in preparation to take on all-comers for the #1 spot. Jim Isaacs, a new name in the Outlaw ranks, has been finding his feet in the white 460 Ford Pop. Gary McCormack has been busy having his Fordson chassis updated and adding a blower to the mix. Pete Moore has hopefully ironed out his transmission glitches in his superb Fordson. Ian Norman is having Popeye IIs chassis bought up to spec, for a welcome return, after an extended lay-up. John OSullivan made an inaugural pass in his new Anglia at the 2002 Doorslammers meet, and is on the lookout for a BIG Chevy motor - watch out if he gets it! Martyn Paynes stroked SBC motor has yet to prove its worth, but a new cam and converter could make it all work. 2002 Champion Rob Stone has a new car in the build, which he hopes to debut towards the end of the year, and it looks like hell need it to stay on top. Paul Wright is currently rebuilding the blown (literally) alcohol BBC motor, to run in the snowplough-nosed Anglia campaigned by Dale Giles last year.

The Real Steel Outlaw Anglia Championship 2003 dates are:

3rd-5th May: Excitement Nationals, Shakespeare County Raceway
14th-15th June: Power Nationals, Shakespeare County Raceway
23rd-25th August: Allstar Nationals, Shakespeare County Raceway
18th-19th October: Halloween Showdown, Shakespeare County Raceway

The Outlaw Anglias will also be appearing at:

28th-29th June: NSRA Nostalgia Nationals, Shakespeare County Raceway
8th-10th August: Bulldog Bash, Shakespeare County Raceway
6th-7th September: NSRA Hot Rod Drags, Shakespeare County Raceway

For more information about the Outlaw Anglias, check out the series' official web site at www.outlaw-anglia.co.uk.

VWDRC points, Big Bang entry.
26th April: We are grateful to Spencer Tramm for sending us the first of this year's Championship points, the standings in the Volkswagen Drag Racing Club 2003 Pro and Sportsman classes. You can view the VWDRC points by clicking here, or by clicking on the Points Standings link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster page.
©Eurodragster.com
We are also grateful to Santa Pod Racers Club secretary Paula Marshall for passing on the official entry list for next weekend's Big Bang at Santa Pod, which includes the second round of the Volkswagen Drag Racing Club Pro and Sportsman Championships, and the first round of the VWDRC Alternative Engine Championship. You can view the Big Bang entry list by clicking here.

Rat Fink returns.
26th April: Following a two-year rebuild, Kirk Motorsport's newly-rebuilt Super Modified 67 Camaro Rat Fink made its debut at Santa Pod's Easter Thunderball along with the team's all-new purpose-built forty-foot articulated race transporter/mobile workshop/hospitality unit, writes George Kinghorn.

"Lets hope it goes as well as it looks" was the comment from the majority of people who saw the new set up. Following a touch and go time over the last few weeks the car was finally readied for action late on Friday and made its first checkout pass on Sunday. Unfortunately having qualified during the last session on Sunday, the car refused to start in the fire up road prior to the race on Monday. The fault was traced to the battery and brought the team's weekend to a premature end.

Team owner and driver Andy Kirk summed things up: "We approached the weekend with the aim of shaking down the car and ensuring that everything was spot on, as well as trying to register a few Championship points at the same time. It was an extremely successful weekend and we achieved everything we set out to do. We are now looking forward to the Excitement Nationals at Shakespeare County Raceway in less that a fortnight, and aim to be stepping things up by starting to introduce the nitrous over the weekend. I would like to finish by saying that there are many individuals out there who have made all of this possible. There are far too many to mention here, but you know who you are, thanks for everything and I hope to see you at the track soon."

Kirk Motorsport's newly-redesigned website will be launching early next week at www.kirkmotorsport.com.
©Eurodragster.com
Thunderball snippets.
26th April: Europe's newest Pro Stock Bike racer, the UK's Paul Watson, enjoyed his first weekend in competition which culminated in an 8.103 pass on the ex-Al Cook PSB on Monday. "I would like to say a big Thank You to all the people who made my debut into PSB possible", says Paul. "Firstly to Al and Phill Cook for all the help and encouragement, to Chris Hope and his crew for sorting out my electrics, to Dave Beck for my final tune-up - what a ride - and finaly to my crew Kim and Kev who work so hard and without whose help this would not be possible."
©Eurodragster.com
Custom Car Street Eliminator racer John Sleath would like to hear from anyone who has video or photographs of his accident at Santa Pod on Monday. "Now that I have calmed down a bit I think it is time to find out what really happened", he says. If you have any video or photographs of John's accident then drop him a line at john.sleath@virgin.net.

Straight Insanity.
26th April: Paul Marston Racing enjoyed one of their best ever starts to the season at the Easter Thunderball, writes Paul Marston. "The debut of the Insanity Vega in Super Street, going a couple of rounds, was an outstanding achievement", says Paul.

"Add to this that the Insanity Vega passed scrutineering no problem, that was the first time it had been scrutineered since 1986! A real credit to the high standard of preparation at Paul Marston Racing by the crew, well done. We simply could not have hoped for more, to go from a race car which was completely untried and untested, and which was in a thousand pieces only a couple of weeks ago, to a competitive race car is a real credit to everyone at Paul Marston Racing.

"The Insanity Vega has always had a reputation for being a handful on the track, but after a great deal of hard work and a real no-nonsense approach the team got the job done. They were all that determined that they would not settle for anything less than leaving the event on Monday with a drivable race car.As with all these kinds of things it was a team effort, not just by us but the people around us as well. I must also thank fellow racer, CCSE competitor Andy Ryan, who gave up his time whilst at the track to help us. Also ex-Pro Mod driver Dave Pollen for his past knowledge of the Vega, and previous owner Paul and his crew for sharing their experiences with us.
©Eurodragster.com
"Advancing to the quarter-finals of Super Street was a real unexpected bonus, with our losing pass being an arrow-straight affair, the race car felt stable and I kept my foot in all the way. This endorsed that we had solved all the immediate problems and isolated the main fault of the apparent schizophrenic handling qualities of the Vega.

"With this under our belts the Vega is now with Gary in the Jeep Club workshops (020 8501 4471) where the whole rear axle assembly is receiving some upgrades, along with attention to other areas including the fitting of the tunnel ram now that we have the Vega on a muzzle! We are grateful to Jeep Club for the use of their facilities at such short notice and access their equipment and staff. Your support is appreciated.

"We always knew that there was work to do, as there always is, but with this race car it was finding it that was the main objective. People have spent years trying to get this race car to run straight, to pinpoint the reason is as I said before a real team effort and a credit to everyone involved. The icing on the cake was that after the renovation Insanity passed chassis tech and is now legal to run down to a 7.50 ET. That was great news and finished off a great weekend which was the product of a lot of hard work before and during the event by the crew at PMR.

"The Vega will be back on four wheels for more testing on Thursday, before returning to Santa Pod for more driver training and passenger rides at the Big Bang Event next weekend. This event should also see a return to the track of Grumpy's Dodge and a comprehensive PMR crew showing. This will of course mean that there will be no Paul Marston Racing entry at Shakespeare County Raceway, due to our driver training commitments at Santa Pod. We wish all competing teams all the best at the first event of the year at Shakespeare and we will try to visit Shakespeare on Sunday when the VWDRC will be running their eliminations and we get a day off!

"Many thanks go out to everyone involved with our racing programme this year, look out for some major announcements of new sponsors over the next couple of weeks. Our apologies to all the fans who came to see us in the pits at Santa Pod over the Easter weekend only to find us buried up to our noses in race car, thank you for your understanding. We did not have as much time to chat as usual. Thank you to everyone who asked about the ChryslerCard PT Bruiser, let us assure you all it will be back out over the season at selected events. Lastly, very special thanks go out to our two newest crew members at PMR, Pete and Ron, from my car club the Damn Yankees. They settled in perfectly, we are indebted to them for all their efforts over the weekend and at testing at the Webster Race Engineering Test Day on Wednesday at Santa Pod."

Web site updates.
26th April: UK Pro ET racer Terri Lee has updated her web site with the latest news from the workshops of her Blown It Escort Van. "We won't be at Shakespeare County Raceway next week as we will be busy putting the engine back in the van ready for the Main Event", says Terri. You can find Terri's web site at www.terrileeracing.co.uk.
©Eurodragster.com
Carter's busy week.
25th April: UK Top Fuel Dragster racer Andy Carter had quite a time of it last week. On Wednesday the First National Telecom-sponsored team had their first test session at Santa Pod Raceway to try out the newly-purchased Top Fueller, on Thursday Andy's wife Sarah gave birth to their son Albert, and at the weekend Andy was back at Santa Pod for the Easter Thunderball. Carter Motorsport PR Dan Welberry dropped us a line to sum up the last week's events.

"What on earth happened to the weather?!", said Dan. "I actually believed for a brief moment that I would be heading home on Monday night with a killer tan...wrong (Santa Pod...Easter...come on - Ed)! Saturday was more like January than the June-like week we had experienced prior to the event, with the wind claiming many an awning and tent on its way through the Bedfordshire countryside.

"On the track I think, looking back, that this event was perhaps a day early for Carter Motorsport. The efforts of the Super Crew had been outstanding leading up the meeting but there are just some things you can't plan for. The minor problems that hampered our progress on the Webster Test Day had been resolved in time for the event but the planned test runs were still absent after the Saturday conditions did everything they could to prevent the precious track time.

"It's very hard to go straight into race mode under these circumstances, but you wouldn't want any other driver than Andy in the hot seat if the situation dictates it! A Sunday morning 6.35/144.66 half pass was a good starting point with Andy still getting used to the cramped confines of the rail's cockpit. The second round produced an improved 6.19/230.04 with more valuable data being gathered for the future set-up of the car.

"With Smax leading the field, overnight prayers were said and all we could do was to let one fly on Monday morning and hope that Smax slowed considerably. We flew to an early-shut-off 5.47/197.97 and Smax slowed but not enough! We would like to congratulate Smax and his crew on their first Top Fuel victory.

"So that was it for our first outing in the new First National Telecom Top Fuel Dragster. We had learnt a lot about the car, the new operation, and reaction times - not Andy's: ours in the pit, trying to catch the new range of fliers, T-shirts, posters, mouse mats etc. with the wind doing everything it could to blag a few without paying!

"I know that Andy would like to thank the Super Crew for an outstanding effort over the weekend; all those who stopped by to congratulate Andy and Sarah on the birth of baby Albert; everyone involved in the season build-up and, of course, our sponsors First National Telecom Services, Lucas Oils, NGK Spark Plugs, Wynn's Lubricants, Binamic, SID, Global Commercial, Yuasa Automotive Batteries, Rainbow Conference Sets, 3t Creative, Earls Performance Products, Obsession Motorsports/Gibbs Heating and Plumbing, Sigma Signs and IPA Print Associates Ltd.

"See you at the Main Event - please stop by and say hello."

You can stay in touch with the latest from the Carter Motorsport pit on the team's official web site at www.andycarter.net.

Jade running on three.
25th April: The Easter Thunderball saw the first competitive outing of the year for Jerry and Sharron Colier's Jade Racing and their Kawasaki H2 Comp Bike. After a nightmare journey and numerous gearbox problems, the team finished the weekend with a new personal best time and their sights firmly set on a world record. Here's how Crew Chief Sharron Collier saw the weekend:

"What a week! We left home on Thursday to go to Santa Pod via Steve French's for gearbox fixings, and broke down on the A14. We were limping along at about 25 mph (with our 'tour bus' trailer behind) when Nick 'Shaggy' Daniels came flying past waving out of the window of his Transit. We waved like mad, flashed (the lights!), indicated left, gesticulated, but he still thought we were just acknowledging him and carried on. We didn't have his phone number so I rang Andy Haley who said he would try to get in touch with Shaggy and ask him to pull in at the next layby. We didn't make it to the next layby - we limped into the next services. Whilst we were wondering what to do next, Shaggy turned up. He'd had a call from Andy and turned around and come back to tow our trailer to Rushden for us! So we descended on Sean, or wonderful crewman (thanks Sean!), who lives in Rushden.

"Jerry went over to Steve French's in Sean's car and Steve sorted out our gearbox gremlin. Meanwhile Dave Bartz drove all the way over from Ipswich after finishing work at 10:00 pm and fitted emergency 'get you to the track' parts in the dark at around midnight. Unfortunately, although the van ran, it still ran on three cylinders. Jerry's comment was "As long as we can run on three cylinders for the rest of the weekend I don't care!".

"We limped to the Pod on Friday morning and built the H2 for the fifth time in a week, but when we fired it up, our gearbox gremlin was still there and it tried to jump into gear from neutral. We were in despair and just wanted to go home! We'd had the engine out four times the weekend before at Shakespeare County Raceway and still never got on the track. Thanks to Chris Hall and Steve French managing to say the right things and getting our motivation motivated again, we got back on the case and Jerry finally found the gremlin. We took the engine out of the H2 for the sixth time and replaced the spring causing the problem.
©Eurodragster.com
"Qualifying saw two gentle passes to make sure all was OK and then Jerry put the gas on and ran 8.21 and then 8.05 - incredible. The world record for a two-stroke triple is 7.97 and it is just a sniff away. Jerry shut it off just past half track in the semi-finals as he felt something was wrong and wasn't prepared to trash it - it's points we're chasing, not records. Nothing looks seriously wrong although we are going to strip the motor and check.

"We then had to think about getting our van fixed so that we could get trailer and H2 home and after replacing the cylinder head on Tuesday we finally arrived home at 3:00 pm Wednesday afternoon. We think that a week of solid graft for the sake of 8.05 seconds was absolutely worth it!

"The whole thing wouldn't have been possible without the help of some pretty damn good people, so thanks to: Sean our crew man, Shaggy, Andy Haley, Steve French, Chris Hall, Bartzy and Mark (two bandits in the back room), and Sefton and Lizz for donating their old Orion to us as a back up vehicle to get home!

"Jerry, Scott, Sean and I will be showing off this weekend on our very own Jade Racing stand at the Classic Bike Show at Stafford Showground. We will be stripping and rebuilding H2 on the display because we've got to do it anyway because we're at Shakey next weekend and because it's interesting for people to see! Also on show we will have Jerry's world record-breaking 9.52 RD and of course Scott's PW50. Watch out for world record number three!"

You can find the Jade Racing web site at www.jaderacing.com.

SPR to be touched up for RWYB.
25th April: This Sunday's (27th April) Run What You Brung at Santa Pod Raceway is also hosting the first Street Machine Street Racer Sunday of 2003. Track manager Kjell Pettersson tells us that he personally walked the track yesterday morning and that it is still in good condition after the Thunderball, but that given good weather the strip will be, in Kjell's words, "touched up" with VHT on Sunday.

Santa Pod's gates open at 8:00 am on Sunday and the strip opens at approximately 10:00, weather permitting. Entry to the track is now 10 per person, under-sixteens go free. If you want to race your vehicle there is an additional charge of 15 for unlimited runs. A valid DVLC driving licence must be presented, seat belts are required in cars and crash helmets must be worn by bike riders and the drivers of soft-topped cars. Bike riders must also wear appropriate bike-riding clothing. Drivers of open top cars must also wear arm restraints. For more details check out Santa Pod Raceway's web site at www.santapod.com.
©Eurodragster.com
Kjell would also like to remind racers about the pre-FIA Main Event test which takes place at Santa Pod on Saturday 17th May. Bookings are still being accepted at £117.50 per vehicle including VAT, which includes six admission tickets. Full details, conditions, and an entry form can be found by clicking here (PDF file for Acrobat Reader). If you have any enquiries then call Santa Pod Raceway on 01234 782828 (outside the UK +44 1234 782828).

Web site updates.
25th April: UK Custom Car Street Eliminator racer Andy Frost has updated his Red Victor web site with a report from the Easter Thunderball. We don't know how Andy found the time as he currently has the engine of his eight-second Vauxhall apart to fix damage in time for next week's Excitement Nationals at Shakespeare County Raceway. "I have all the parts, thanks mostly to Knight Racing Services", says Andy. "It's the time factor as I'm up to my neck in work.You know me, I'll be in the garage 'til whenever to make it". You can read Andy's race report at www.redvictor1racing.co.uk.

Alan Currans has updated his excellent Acceleration Archive with twenty of his favourite pictures taken during the 2002 season. "Sharkman and Tog have very little to fear although I should warn you that I plan to add such a page each year just to keep you blokes on your toes", says Alan. We've taken a look and we think that Alan is being a little too modest. Check it out at www.theaccelerationarchive.co.uk.
©Eurodragster.com
Top Fuel adds Excitement.
24th April: If you were tuned in yesterday, you will remember that we promised you some exciting news about next week's Excitement Nationals at Shakespeare County Raceway. Lee Child of LA Performance Services, who sponsors Eurodragster's Links pages through his company LA Racing Parts has revealed exclusively to Eurodragster that next week's already-extensive list of attractions has been joined by Top Fuel Dragster action.
©Eurodragster.com
Lee has announced that Darryl Bradford will be racing in John and Lesley Wright's Wildside Inc Top Fueller, which is currently on display at the Thinktank in Birmingham. We understand that there will be two Top Fuel Dragsters in attendance; the identity of the second Top Fueller is yet to be confirmed.

You can call the ticket hotline on 01803 554308, advance ticket prices are available until next Wednesday, 30th April. "If you order your tickets now, you will be able to use the money you save to purchase one of the new die-cast models of the Wildside Inc dragster!", says Lee.

Stay tuned for further news about the Excitement Nationals.

Sleath grateful for support.
24th April: UK Custom Car Street Eliminator racer John Sleath has written to thank everyone who helped after his crash at Santa Pod on Monday.

"I would like to thank all the guys and girls of the Santa Pod fire and rescue for making sure that I was out of the car after my 120-plus mph kiss with the left hand lane wall", said John. "I would also like to thank all those people who put the remains of the Audi in the back of the coach (which is now up for sale). You all know who you are and I'm really grateful. Thanks also to all the people who have phoned, E-Mailed and texted words of support .
©Eurodragster.com
"A big sorry to Jon, Jo, Nigel and of course Michelle for giving you such a unpleasant experience.

"We are getting the other ends of the oil cooler pipes checked out for any funny business - I know it won't do any good, but it will make me feel a bit better. It feels very strange not having a project on the go but who knows, something else may come up in the future. It will leave me more time to work on other people's cars."

Syd seeks video...
24th April: Also in the wars at the weekend was UK National Super Pro ET Champion Martyn 'Syd' Jones, whose transmission let go in a big way right on the finish line on Monday, leaving him with "About three inches of bellhousing at the front and about one inch of tail housing at the back, and a big gap in the middle".

Martyn would like to hear from anyone who has video of Monday's run, especially top end footage. "We're all puzzled about what happened first", he says.
©Eurodragster.com
If you have any video of Martyn's run then please drop him a line at martyn_a_jones@btopenworld.com.

"Thanks to Santa Pod's safety crews, and apologies to everyone for the downtime", adds Martyn.

...Johnson seeks bits.
24th April: Another racer facing a layoff after the Easter Thunderball is Super Pro ET racer Chris Johnson who suffered terminal engine damage in his beautiful MG Rover Coupe.

"Unfortunately what should have been a good return to the track after two years off turned bad with a big bang!", says Chris. "The number two inlet valve head dropped off and made a visit to most of the other cylinders. I pulled the motor apart on Tuesday night and the good news is the crank and sump are OK. The rest, however, is scrap! Anybody got some Big Block Chevy bits to build a replacement?"
©Eurodragster.com
If you can help Chris then you can drop him a line at the.johnsons@talk21.com.

Best wishes to Les.
24th April: Unfortunately we are not finished with the bad stuff yet since Richard Warbuton has been in touch with news of another bad Easter weekend.

"Les Sanderson from Cheltenham, a long standing supporter of drag racing, marshal, crew and frustrated racer, is currently in hospital recovering from a nasty motorbike accident which happened on Good Friday", says Richard. "He was enjoying a ride in the sunshine on his Harley when a bike coming from the opposite direction crossed the white line and hit Les and his wife, Jill, head-on. Jill escaped with cuts and bruises but Les has suffered severe injuries to his left arm, leg, wrist, ankle and foot as well as a smashed rib on his right side.
©Eurodragster.com
"Les is currently in Dixton Ward, Cheltenham General Hospital, Sandford Road, Cheltenham GL52 7AN. I am sure he would appreciate any good luck messages."

We are sure that everyone will want to join Sharkman and Tog in sending Les and Jill our very best wishes.

Easter Thunderball timing data.
24th April: Many thanks to Andy Marrs and Steve Horn of Santa Pod Raceway's timing crew for forwarding us the Easter Thunderball timing data. You can view the timing details by clicking here, or by clicking on the Timing Data link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster page.
©Eurodragster.com
Erwin Raets' European Drag Racing Database at www.eurodrag.com has also been updated with qualifying and elimination results from the Thunderball.

Web site updates.
24th April: Spring certainly must be in the air at Wizzard Technical Designs, as the Shakespeare County Raceway web site has had a makeover just in time for the 2003 race season. Webmaster Ozzy Ewing tells us that not only are there new pictures on every page, but also new graphics and a bolder, stronger image to bring the site up to date. Check it out at www.shakespearecountyraceway.com.

Stuart Dempsey has updated his Custom Car Street Eliminator fan site with a report and pictures of the CCSE action at the weekend's Thunderball. Check it out at ccse.homestead.com.
©Eurodragster.com
Excitement entry date extended.
23rd April: The closing date for entries to next week's Excitement Nationals at Shakespeare County Raceway has been extended to next Wednesday, 30th April.

"Because the Easter Thunderball and the Excitement Nationals are very close together this season, we realise that racers might have wanted to see if they survived the Thunderball intact before entering the Excitement Nationals!", says promoter Lee Child of LA Performance Services. "We will therefore be accepting entries up to next Wednesday, and please note that entries up to that date will not incur a late-entry fee."
©Eurodragster.com
Entry forms for the Excitement Nationals are available on the Avon Park International Racers Association web site at www.apira.org.uk. If you have any queries then please contact APIRA Club and Race Secretary Wendy Talbot on 01379 740100.

The Excitement Nationals features the first round of the British Nitro Funny Car Championship, the first round of the European Top Gas Series, the second round of the MSA British Drag Racing Championship (for Top Methanol) and the UK National and ACU UK Drag Racing Championships, and the first round Ultimate Power Drag Racing Championship as well as Championship rounds of the National Association of Supertwins and Wild Bunch. There will also be demonstration passes by Roger Goring in his Firestorm Jet Funny Car.

Tune back tomorrow because we will have some more exciting news about the Excitement Nationals.

Smax throws down gauntlet.
23rd April: Pro Fuel Shootout winner Smax Smith is a very happy and grateful man after a début weekend in the Purple Loans-backed Top Fuel Dragster which could not have gone any better.

"If there is a God he must look like Al Jackson - is he the man or what!", says Smax. "Both Alan and Knut Söderquist orchestrated this race like a sweet symphony, and the strategy was like a game of chess. It worked perfectly, and I was fortunate to be part of it. Alan said we should run a 5.0 in the final and it was actually a 5.07/283 mph - although the Pod lights never lie so it must have been a 4.55! The car is a Cadillac and a pleasure to drive...now, if only Knut will fit me a stereo...
©Eurodragster.com
"A big Thanks to the Supercrew who did a great job running two cars from one trailer. A wealth of experience there with Gary Page, Terry and Mark (Animal), Scotch Rob, Mack, Mark and Dave on clutch, Knut and of course top tuner Al Jackson. Thanks also to Purple Loans and their charity Purple Dreams for making this possible.

"Less than two tenths off the European record on my first full pass in an old car! See you all at the Main Event - the gauntlet is down."

You can stay in touch with all the news from Smax's pit on his web site at www.smax.co.uk.

Zombie set to scorch Roads.
23rd April: The UK's Ian Caseley will be stepping up in a big way in the not-too-distant future when he swaps his metallic pink 100E for a state-of-the-art Jet Dragster. The Viper-powered, afterburner-equipped rail is currently under construction at Webster Race Engineering and Ian hopes to be on track next season.

"Right now I have a lot of fun with my 100E, names Roadzombie after a Californian Hot Rod club from way back", says Ian. "I was lucky enough to see a Jet Dragster in 2001 and then started this project. I wanted a 100E Funny Car body, but as things progressed it was decided a dragster would be easier to build, to drive and to work on."
©Eurodragster.com
Ian handed over the construction of the vehicle to Jon Webster in November of 2002, in the interests of safety and credibility. "I can just imagine saying to a scrutineer 'Yeah, I made this in the garage at home and no, I have never made this sort of thing before'!", he says. "We are incorporating the latest build specification and safety items. The car has a 260-inch wheel base and is approx 335 inches front to back. It will carry the Roadzombie name and be the same metallic pink as my 100E."

With no sponsors the dragster is a long-term project. "I can't say when we will be at the strip", says Ian, "primarily because I have a lot of development work to do on the engine and afterburner. But I do hope to do test runs next year."

Ian is very grateful to UK Jet FC driver Roger Goring for help so far, together with Australian Jet FC driver Paul McRitchie who supplied details of the afterburner which he uses. "Hopefully that will save me a lot of work and money on R and D", says Ian.

Ian has promised to keep us in touch with developments.

Machine ran out of Time.
23rd April: The UK's newest Comp Eliminator team, Time Machine Racing, were on a tight schedule to make the weekend's Easter Thunderball. Driver Martin Gleadow tells us that the team got a lot done despite not being able to run.

"We got to the track as promised, even though the car didn't turn a wheel or even start up", says Martin. "Nevertheless, we still managed to make it to the track with a newly painted car and most of the parts we needed, not bad going considering we picked the car up the Saturday before the meeting. The initial plan was to finish building the car at the track with a view to starting it on the Monday, since the gearbox needs refreshing and we just didn't have time to get the car in a race ready state. However, events conspired against us and a few niggling problems stopped us from getting the engine running. Rest assured however that they will be solved by the Excitement Nationals, and Time Machine IX will be flying down the quarter mile, allowing me to get to grips with the car - my first ride down a drag strip.
©Eurodragster.com
"Many thanks to everyone who leant us parts, consumables and advice over the course of the weekend, and special thanks must go to the following: Steve Silvester for towing the trailer to the track, Doug Ripley for help and advice in the run up to the weekend, Fay at Speedflow for being constantly available to answer our questions, sell us parts, and slowly and simply explain to us the abundance of different threads which don't fit together, Gosnay's Engineering for getting us out of more than one sticky situation, USAutomotive for excellent customer service and parts, Sussex Auto Parts for finding us a Powerglide output shaft at short notice, Hauser Race Cars for sourcing us a yoke and providing a nice sunny yard to sit in while everyone wondered where the delivery truck had got to, Kev - sorry, I have forgotten your surname - for talking me through the Powerglide. Thanks also to Rune Fjeld and Knut Söderquist, anyone else I may have forgotten who helped us out in any way, and of course our superb crew who worked tirelessly all weekend and still remembered to have fun!

"Thanks must also go to Lucas Oil Products and R-M Paints for their continued support. Thanks also to all the race fans who came up to wish us well, we really do value you guys! Feel free to visit us in the pits whenever you want, as long as we are not too busy there will always be someone to talk to you. If anyone is looking for a motorhome for the racetrack (or indeed for a 'normal' holiday), we have a five-berth Bedford CF350 for sale; more details on the team web site at www.eurodragster.com/timemachineracing.

"We are also looking for an MSD two- or three-step module, big tach, and shift light. See our advertisement on Eurodragster's Swap Meet."

VWDRC Thunderball report.
23rd April: We are indebted to Paul Venners of the Volkswagen Drag Racing Club for sending us a report of the first round of the 2003 VWDRC Championships, which took place at last weekend's Easter Thunderball.

This season looks set to be the long-awaited return of the VWDRC, with unprecedented numbers of new racers out this, the first round of the championship for both VW Pro and VW Sportsman. The new class of VW Alternate Engine will be joining the rest of the Club at round two, the Big Bang, after last years successful demo season.

With so many entries in the 'entry level' class of VW Sportsman, it may come as a surprise to learn that many of the Thunderball's VWSP entry were rookies! With the usual last-minute hassles many of last year's regulars were awaiting new parts or had elected to skip the round in order to set cars up at round two where there will be much more track time. Members of the Committee were kept busy answering questions and allying fears about the procedures involved with signing on and getting through scrutineering. The hard work paid off as by the second cycle of qualifing the rookies were feeling far more confident and had wondered why they been so nervous prior to the event!

Graham Fairhead qualified #1 in the two litre type 4-powered fastback, twelve years of crewing for various VWDRC cars (most recently as Stephen Lee's crew chief) paying off. James Lake in the 1600-powered UVA Fugitive is used to driving 'off road' as he is often behind the wheel of a tractor or combined harvester, but converted to the quarter mile nicely as #2 qualifier - two rookies in the top two postions! Roy Ayton was due to take to the strip last season but eventually ventured out in his Scirocco for the first time. His cousin Martin Ayton had been busy over the winter, fitting a two-litre Corrado powerplant into his own Scirroco. Martin 'Stretch' Charles, Michael 'KSA' Gerahaty and Martin Kearn were all persuaded/encouraged to go racing through involvement with the volkszone.com's online VW Community: being the first few to venture out into competition, they are the tip of the iceberg of a huge new batch of racers.

Sarah Rollings' other half Shaun is crew chief on Scott Evison's 'Slush Puppy' VW Pro car, and the prep talks paid off as she cut a series of .5 lights through the weekend. Natashia Garcia (who is building a tube framed Pro car) had a small army of helpers to prep her last season's rookie car the Custard Tart at the last minute. Sir BB (Brian Burrows) looked like he hadn't had a day off with .5 lights all weekend and huge burnouts in the 'grubby Ghia'. Simon Longman in the Hustler GT Buggy settled in his new 1776 engine quickly, making #3 qualifier. Ian Dale bent a few pushrods in the underrated Strip Burner bug, but as usual kept a beaming smile on his face and quietly proclaimed he will be ready for round two. Chris Bayliss celebrated getting through a meeting without a breakage (at last!), and although a CV joint retired early on the 1302, Stephen Lee had a good weekend (he carries a few spares).

The final comprised the two favourites, reigning champion Stuart Hinds and the so on-form Brian Burrows - that was until he pulled a cherry whilst waiting for his light to drop. Just a little to much 'bling' for good this time out. Congratulations to Stuart, a good way to start the defence of the championship!

Many thanks to Beetlemania who are sponsoring VW Sportsman this season. It's just a shame that a last-minute change of plan meant that the company's Chris K had to fly off on honeymoon and not race the mad UVA Shogun Beetle estate car. He lands on the Saturday of round two and has enquired as to the MSA regs on 'Just Married' traditional dragging cans!
©Eurodragster.com
Seasoned campaigner and legendary party host Scotty Evison celebrated yet another #1 qualifier in VW Pro. Running a two car team Scott has an entourage J-Lo would be proud of! The car itself has been running in various guises for most of the VWDRC's seventeen-year history. Russell Fellows is the Club's longest-competing racer and his fully street-legal (and regularly driven) Bug is edging ever closer to the magic ten-second barrier. A second broken rocker has led Russ to suspect a dodgy set, and he plans to replace all of them in the once controversial hybrid VW/Porsche engine. Paul Woodhead is set for an all-out attack on the championship, after a 'toe in the water' at Bug Jam last year. Judging by the smiles, laughs and low eleven-second timing slips he is going to enjoy this season in the street sleeper grey Bug (even after removing the cooling system to make it even lighter than a crisp packet!).

Neil Davies was bedding-in his new big race motor. After checking and uprating most of the fuel system the team were still at a loss to explain the unexpectedly slow fourteen-second times. Then the tell-tale sign of chuffing gave them the answer, a blowing head. He cannily carried on regardless, turning up the rev limiter in the process. Speaking of heads when will it all come together for the Jacksons? After blowing the intercooler twice (thanks to Jon Webster for the repairs) a huge hole developed in one of the turbocharged hi-tech engine's heads. After a winter spent completly redesigning the Hillborn injection set up, successfully destroying the Taylor Machine Services dyno, they really thought they had put last years woes (and misfires) behind them. The ever-cheerful father and sun Brummie team packed up and sat down for a 'kipper tie'. Keep the faith Boys!

Paul Bate in the oh-so-clean orange rocket ship dropped a valve just before the the famous M1 Junction 14. He had no choice but to be relayed home and after stripping the motor to inspect the damage made it back with the family to spectate.

The final was contested by Neil Davies and Russ Fellows. Neil had planned to try to pull a good light, and to force Russ into a red light. Russ was well aware of the Headstraight's engine woes and was having none of it. Neil decided to give the Rathbone Racing bug a run for its money, but with the head lifting he had no chance. Well done to Russ and Kate (not only the Bud Queen but, after Saturday night, the Dancing Queen too!).

Many thanks to Jon Rathbone Racing for sponsoring both VW Pro and several VWDRC teams. Jon's own jaw-dropping Pro car will have its new 'unbreakable' Mandola gearbox fitted soon, and he should be out for Bug Jam.

Many thanks to the VWDRC's hard working Committee, especially Spencer Tramm who has been inundated with paperwork and admin work making sure that all the keen new entries make it to the track with the knowledge and paperwork they need, and best wishes to Cath Bishop who has been stuggling with a bad back and family pressures. As the Club's Chair, Cath has worked really hard to turn things round. When she took office the Club's future looked grim, but with her guiding hand the VWDRC is looking forward to its busiest and best season since it began. Thanks Cath, can't wait for you to get back out on the track...

Round two for all VWDRC fans is the Big Bang VW Festival at Santa Pod Raceway on 3rd-5th May.

Training drivers the Mainline way.
22nd April: Last Friday we promised you a scoop from Smax Smith's pit, and Team Manager Paul Townsend has been as good as his word with news of a new venture for the Pro Fuel Shootout winner.

Smax has decided to open Europe's first Top Methanol driving school. "I've been training drivers unofficially for many years", says Smax, "including Top Fuel driver Darryl Bradford as well as TV personalities and motoring correspondents. I've decided to open this to existing racers wishing to move up a class into Top Methanol racing. I've designed a programme capable of being tailored to most skill levels, and I can take a driver as far as he wants to go!".

Having moved to Top Fuel dragster on the FIA Tour this season, Smax sold his Mainline Menace Fuel Funny Car and bought Leif Helander's five-second Kaxig TMFC to use as a school vehicle. "The car is beautiful with superb engineering", says Smax. "We have access to track days each month with full safety support to allow drivers to experience the Top Methanol thrill".
©Eurodragster.com
Training will initially take place in the UK but may move to full European coverage later in the summer depending upon customers' requirements. The car makes about three thousand horsepower so Smax will be looking to ensure that drivers respect the vehicle and undergo sufficient classroom training to make the experience both enjoyable and safe. "I'll be taking two or three drivers at each track day, and it will be a long hard day for me and the mechanics to ensure that the customers have complete satisfaction", says Smax. "We will be insisting on Class B MSA licences and I will speak to each prospective driver to make sure that I consider them capable. I will send written paperwork to read and understand before they come to the track, so that they can store some of the technical information before the excitement of the day. Call it pre-race homework!".

If you are interested then contact Smax on 07967 738909, or Team Manager Paul Townsend on 07980 984119, during daytime working hours. Paul tells us that the fee is affordable and not as much as you may think - speak to Smax or Paul and they will tailor a price to suit your needs. "Anyone with sufficient skills to make it will be offered advice on the issue of fund raising through sponsorship should they wish to race the car competitively for a meeting or season.", says Paul. "This is something so fantastic it can only have come from the Mainline team!"

Stay tuned to Eurodragster for the latest dvelopments in Smax's venture.

Teboul's world-best Eighth.
22nd April: French Rocket and Top Fuel Bike racer Eric Teboul ran the quickest eighth-mile by any bike on the planet at Santa Pod Raceway yesterday afternoon (Monday) when he ran the second of two demonstration passes during the Easter Thunderball. On a pass of 6.17/181.05, Eric's rocket-powered bike was clocked at 3.889 at half-track, with a speed of 203 mph.
©Eurodragster.com
Eric's first pass, on Sunday, was a 6.39/181.85. He was on the throttle to about three quarter track on both his passes as he was concerned about getting the bike stopped. "The problem I have is stopping", Eric told Eurodragster at Santa Pod yesterday. The G forces tail off on the Top Fuel Bike but the rocket never stops accelerating - I don't have a parachute and I only have small brakes!"

Eric will be appearing at Santa Pod again in a few weeks as he will be taking part in the Speedfreaks Ball both on the Rocket and Top Fuel Bikes.

ICE Eight Second Club complete.
22nd April: Nick Davies and Rob Loaring of our Home and News Page sponsors ICE Automotive Racing Engines have been in touch to congratulate Andy Frost and both John Hales and Jon Webster of Team Powerpour for their performances at the Easter Thunderball. These two cars now complete the ICE Automotive Eight Second Club which opened some seven years ago.

"At the outset of the current format of the Custom Car Street Eliminator, ICE agreed with then-Editor Tim Baggaley that, in a style similar to that seen in the US, the first eight cars to run backed-up eight-second passes would become members of the Eight Second Club and win a coveted member's jacket", says Nick Davies of ICE Automotive.

"The time it took for the first jacket to be won is a testament to the difficulty and hard work needed to get one of these treaded-tyred, street-legal land missiles into the eights. For it to take a further two years after the award of the first jacket is further evidence, should any be needed, of each teams enormous achievement."
©Eurodragster.com
The complete roll of honour comprises:
  1. Steve Pateman
  2. Jeff Meads
  3. Steve Neimantas
  4. John Sleath
  5. Sue Jackson
  6. Ian Hook
  7. Andy Frost
  8. Team Powerpour - John Hales and Jon Webster
"Congratulations to all teams, and our thanks to Custom Car for a great seven years", says Nick.

Denny wins £50.
22nd April: UK Sportsman ET racer Rick Denny came away from the Easter Thunderball fifty pounds richer after he won the first Eurodragster Perfect Light Award of 2003. Rick pulled a 0.500 Reaction Time in qualifying on Saturday, making sure of the money this time. "The last time I ran a perfect light, Jack Brewster beat me to it!", said Rick.
©Eurodragster.com
Eurodragster's Perfect Light fund has now been reset to £50 and will next be available at the Excitement Nationals at Shakespeare County Raceway in two weeks' time.

Thanks from the new Big Daddy.
22nd April: UK Top Fuel Dragster racer Andy Carter has asked us to pass on a big Thank You to everyone who stopped by at the First National Telecom Services pit during the Easter Thunderball to drop off presents and cards and to offer congratulations on the birth of his and Sarah's son Albert.
©Eurodragster.com
"Sarah and Albert are doing very well and will both be at the FIA Main Event, so please feel free to drop by and say hello - you could even buy a T-shirt while you are there!", says Andy. "I would also like to say Thank You to all our sponsors and to my Super Crew."

Andy tells us that a Thunderball race report will be posted very soon his his web site at www.andycarter.net.

Söderquist posts trophies.
22nd April: Also putting up prizes this season is Carbon By Design team owner Knut Söderquist, who will be presenting trophies to Crew Chiefs and a team. "I will be putting up Oscars at every FIA event to the best Crew Chief who has a CBD injector on the car", said Knut. "The trophies will be made from solid aliminium. I will also award trophies to the best team at the end of the season although I have not yet decided on the points system for that".
©Eurodragster.com
Stay tuned for more news about Knut's trophy scheme.

Organising a Hockenheim trip?
22nd April: Yvonne Tramm of Santa Pod Racers Club has been in touch to ask if anyone is organising a trip to this year's Nitrolympics which take place at Hockenhem in August.
©Eurodragster.com
"I had four guys in the SPRC Club trailer over the weekend who want to go to Hockenheim this year", says Yvonne. "I have the information about the tickets, but they wanted to know if anyone is organising a trip. I guess that the answer will be 'No' because it is the same weekend as the Allstar Nationals at Shakespeare County Raceway, but if any of Eurodragster's readers are organising a trip then please get in touch with me on 01954 210028 (evenings)."

Thunderball web site updates.
22nd April: Team member Chris Dossett has updated the official web site of the UK's Showtime Fuel Funny Car team with a report and pictures of the team's eventful weekend at Santa Pod. You can check out Chris' excellent report at www.showtimeracing.co.uk.

Eurodragster staffer Tog has updated his personal web site Tog's Drag Racing Page with proofs of all of his photographs from the Easter Thunderball. Tog was breaking-in a new camera at the same time as working on the Eurodragster reports. "Not all of these pictures will make the final web site update so if you want to see the unedited version then get in quickly!", says Tog. You can view Tog's proofs at www.togsdragracing.com.

Brian Fawcus has updated his personal web site with a video clip of the Fireforce 1 Jet Funny Car in action at the weekend, together with a panorama photograph. Check it out at drag.fawcus.com.
©Eurodragster.com
Web site updates.
22nd April: UK Custom Car Street Eliminator racer Ian Hook has updated his FB Racing web site with a report from the APIRA Test and Tune which took place at Shakespeare County Raceway a couple of weeks back. Ian promises a report on the FB team's Thunderball - where they returned to the eights - very soon. Check out the Test and Tune report at www.fbracing.co.uk, where you can also find all the latest street-legal gossip.
©Eurodragster.com
Easter Thunderball results.
21st April: Congratulations to the winners and runners-up in the Easter Thunderball at Santa Pod Raceway, the first race of the UK National Championships and Nordic Drag Racing Series:

Pro Fuel Shootout: Smax Smith ntr/283.36 def. Gordon Smith 16.46/64.91
MSA Top Methanol: Rob Turner 5.65/238.22 def. Dave Wilson 5.70/245.31
Super Modified: Andy Hone 7.988/168.12 def. Kev Perkins 8.110/170.99
Super Pro ET: Ian Bishop (7.90) 7.940/155.07 def. Danny Cockerill (7.90) 7.971/168.56
Pro ET: Steve Wells (10.22) 10.216/112.21 breakout def. Rick McCann (10.65) 10.632/129.24 breakout
Sportsman ET: Ian Turnbull (12.00) 12.057/110.41 def. Kev Syfield (12.28) 12.240/111.15 breakout
Super Comp: Tim Adam 8.931/139.99 def. Martin Curbishley 8.983/149.45
Super Gas: Peter Lane 10.028/139.51 def. Martin Curbishley 9.876/140.83 breakout
Super Street: Mike Bentley 10.851/132.72 breakout def. Bob Doignie 10.850/117.05 breakout
Junior Dragster: Joe Bond (9.60) 9.683/65.91 def. Holley Glassup (8.65) 8.707/73.38 red light
Custom Car Street Eliminator: Steve Pateman 8.653/168.81 def. Sue Jackson 8.723/155.06
VW Pro: Russ Fellows (11.80) 13.188/84.58 def. Neil Davies (12.99) 14.801/78.43
VW Sportsman: Stuart Hinds (16.30) 16.435/81.64 def. Brian Burrows (13.65) 13.745/96.34 red light

Top Fuel Bike: Steve Woollatt 7.06/188.25 def. Antonio Ferretti no time recorded
Pro Stock Bike: Dave Beck 7.434/174.07 def. Richard Gipp 8.189/160.41
Funny Bike: Neil Midgley 7.147/183.28 def. Dave Holland 7.284/146.37 DQ (hit timing equipment)
Comp Bike: Phil Leamon 8.944/154.32 def. Bob Brooks 10.200/90.82
Super Street Bike: Graham Dance 8.343/176.04 def. Karl Larcombe 8.533/166.95
9.90 Bike: Geoff Connor 9.913/130.37 def. Fred Furlong 9.856/131.00 breakout
10.90 Bike: Steve Knapp 11.053/121.74 def. David Warren 10.978/121.73 DQ (blue line violation)

You can read more in our American Car Imports-sponsored Event Coverage, which you can view by clicking here, or by clicking on the Event Coverage link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster page.
©Eurodragster.com
Smax takes Shootout.
21st April: Rookie Top Fuel Dragster racer Smax Smith won the 2003 Pro Fuel Shootout at the Easter Thunderball one day after his first licencing pass in a Top Fueller. Smax took the win from Fuel FC racer Gordon Smith whose tyres went up in smoke off the line. A time of 4.55 and speed of 283.36 came up on the top end display, the speed was good but, much as we would liked to have believed it, the time was invalid; expert opinion gave Smax a time in the 5.0s or 5.1s. Smax's comment on his win was "Yee-ha!".
©Eurodragster.com
You can read more in our Easter Thunderball coverage - see below.

Roaring twenties for Beck.
21st April: UK Pro Stock Bike racer Dave Beck recorded Europe's first 7.2-second PSB times at the Easter Thunderball yesterday (Sunday), setting new UK records of 7.295 and 183.08. Dave kicked off with a 7.338 before running the big numbers with the Roger Upperton-built four-valve 1640 engine: a 7.295 and a 7.297.

"This engine ran a 7.38 at the Finals last year", said Dave. "We came here with that set-up freshened up. We ran the 33 yesterday and then loosened the clutch up a bit and the 29s came out!". Dave said that he was unlikely to run any of this year's FIM events because of work commitments and his US racing schedule of Jay Regan's Pro Mod Bike, but he had a warning for his UK PSB competitors. "Roger's got another engine at home which is better than this one!".
©Eurodragster.com
You can read more in our Easter Thunderball coverage.

Carter team grows.
19th April: Terry and Tina Gibbs have proudly announced the arrival of Andy and Sarah Carter's son, and their grandson, Albert Terry Carter, who was born at midnight on Thursday. Albert weighed in at six pounds and nine ounces, and both he and Sarah are doing just fine.
©Eurodragster.com
We are sure that everyone would like to join Sharkman and Tog in sending their congratulations to Andy and Sarah and Terry and Tina.

 Another American car import.
18th April: The UK's American Car Imports Racing Top Methanol Dragster team will be contesting the 2003 season with an all-new Hadman chassis built for the team in the USA to the same spec as that used by leading NHRA Top Alcohol racers.

"In all my years in racing I never thought I would be flying to Seattle for a seat fitting!", said driver Dave 'Grumpy' Wilson. "At the back end of last year we went to the USA, we looked at what everyone was running there and we looked at what we were doing and we decided that a new chassis was the way forward."

"We ran well last year but not well enough", said team owner Anthony Cohen, who sponsors Eurodragster's Home and News pages and Event Coverage through his company American Car Imports. "We broke records at just about every event we attended. But we have continually been hitting tyre shake about one second into a run and we think it's all down to the chassis. We are trying to be number one in Europe and you have to try these things. We looked at two chassis builders, Hadman and Uyehara, and we saw that the top racers were using Hadmans. Brad Hadman is delighted to have a customer in Europe and is excited about working with us."

The car also features a new rear end which Dave Wilson described as bulletproof. "We asked them what you do to maintain it and they replied that you put oil in it and look at it once a year!", he said. "We have two new forged blocks and enough parts to build two complete engines. But this weekend at Santa Pod we will be using our existing engine and tune-up in the new chassis; we finished the car at the start of this week. We will be looking to shake down the new car although not literally!"

The new ACI dragster's paintwork is almost identical to that of the previous car, with the exception that the pick-up depicted on the side of the dragster is now a Dodge Ram rather than a Ford Lightning. "The new Ram SRT10 will produce five hundred brake horsepower from the factory", said Anthony Cohen. "A slightly less powerful Ram is already available with a Hemi, which produces three hundred and forty five brake horsepower. We will be using a Ram as a tow vehicle this weekend to promote the link between the fastest and most exciting US trucks and the fastest and most exciting motorsport."
©Eurodragster.com
The team will also have a new purpose-designed trailer which will appear very soon. "We have completely ripped it out and rebuilt it", said Anthony. "We designed it to give the guys on the team a workshop and comfortable accommodation. There is an upper deck for sleeping, a kitchen and lounge. At the back we have a state-of-the-art tail lift and inside an engine lift. There is also a viewing platform. The team will also have new shirts to match the team artwork. It's about building a package and this package looks very, very good."

"The plan is to run this weekend with the new chassis and existing engine, then the new chassis and new engine at the Excitement Nationals at Shakespeare County Raceway, then the new chassis, engine and new trailer at the FIA Main Event", said Dave Wilson. "Obviously you don't want to do all of the new things in one go."

"We think that 5.4s are possible, and we want to run in the 5.5s consistently", said Anthony Cohen. "Peter Schöfer, the Turners, Simo's dragster driven by Jari Halinen, and everyone else are all very stiff competition and we have to be at the top of our game."

The 2002 dragster will now be on display at American Car Imports' North London showrooms where it will have pride of place in a dedicated area surrounded by framed magazine articles and other promotional material.

The ACI team has a strong line-up of sponsors with Alternative Automotive Fuel Conversions, Silverline Tools, Euro American Car Services, North Hants Tyres and ExpertIT coming on board and Sony Playstation, Total Design, Custom Graphics and US Automotive all increasing their involvement in 2003. Wolfgang Pempe, an ACI employee, has been appointed the team's Media Manager. American Car Imports have also renewed their sponsorship deal with Santa Pod Raceway. ACI will have signs all around the facility including on the track, on the tower and at the front gate. "It's a major deal, and we aim to have a strong visual presence at the track", said Anthony.

The team will shortly be relaunching their web site with a new look, but in the meantime you can check out the existing web site at www.americancarimportsracing.com.

Workshop visit: Steve Woollatt.
18th April: With the UK Championships about to start, Eurodragster paid a visit to 2002 ACU UK Top Fuel Bike Champion Steve Woollatt and the Dealer Top Fuel Bike team to see how their title defence preparations were going. We found the "Bespoke shed" a hive of activity as Steve and the guys put the finishing touches to the six-second Puma-powered machine before the Easter Thunderball.

Click here to read our feature on the Dealer TFB team, or click on the Features link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster page.
©Eurodragster.com
The Cat sat in the Rat.
18th April: Custom Car Street Eliminator racer Andy Oliver has been in touch to confirm that his ten-second Andy's Rat Camaro is to be driven at Santa Pod this weekend by fellow CCSE racer Steve Nash. Steve, popularly known as 'Splinter', is still preparing his Wildcat Cougar and so is taking the seat of Andy's Camaro to garner CCSE points.
©Eurodragster.com
"The deal was finalised on Wednesday", says Andy. "Splinter's car is going to be in with a shout this year but it's not quite ready. He wanted to get the all-round bonus so he will be driving my car. I am crewing with Doug Ripley this weekend so it's all down to Splinter. He won't be using the nitrous but he'll be there to jump in if anyone slips up."

Up to the track for a rest...
18th April: The UK's Team Titanium International Limited Funny Bike team have done a lot of running around lately, says Nigel Hoskison of primary sponsor Titanium International Limited.

"Two weeks ago I was in Warrington to finalise our sponsorship arrangements with Rock Oil, whose range of lubricants and consumables we will again be using exclusively this season. Rock Oil will additionally be providing us with team clothing which should arrive in time for the next race. From Warrington my next stop was Chesterfield to pick up the first batch of titanium fasteners for the bike, manufactured by new sponsor Stainless Steel Fasteners. This is their first venture into sponsorship, so if anyone is looking for high-quality fasteners in a range of materials for either racing or their business give them a call on 01246 451818.

"Come the weekend it was off to the workshop to help rider Dave Holland to prepare the bike. The tools which have been supplied by Snap-On Tools got their first serious work out! We took a break from working on the bike to take the bodywork to the paint shop for its new livery, more of that later. The day finished with me taking the wheelie bars back home to Solihull, and then an early start on Sunday to deliver the bars and new material to one of Titanium International's subcontractors in Sheffield, Northern Special Metals, who specialise in Titanium fabrication and welding and who work with other materials as well.

"In between the running about, UPS had managed to 'misplace' two of three boxes of parts sent over by Jay Regan of MRE, leaving us with a spare engine without barrels and pistons (the boxes eventually turned up last Monday). This presented problems for Ken Cooper who was building the engine. Back to this past weekend, up to Sheffield on Saturday to collect the new wheelie bars, down to Dave's on Sunday to finish the bike off. It was eventually fired up for the first time at around 4:00 pm.

"The story doesn't end there. We will be at least one crewman down this weekend as Brian Jolley is due to become a father for the first time any day now. Finally the colour scheme on the bike will be unchanged for this race as the painter had an 'off' on his road bike and has not been able to do the respray.

"We will be there on Saturday thanks to the efforts of our sponsors and a lot of other people to whom I say a big Thank You. I didn't realise you could have so much fun when you were not racing!"

Mutterings from Preston.
18th April: Following his move to Top Fuel Dragster and his acquisition of Leif Helander's Methanol Funny Car, we hear mutterings that Smax Smith is set to make a big announcement after the Easter Thunderball. Everyone is-tight lipped in Smax's camp, but he was seen at the Webster Race Engineering Test Day on Wednesday taking a real interest in proceedings and watching Team Manager Paul Townsend start his licence runs before his attack on Pro ET in 2003. Word is that the news will excite many current racers. We're promised a Eurodragster exclusive on Tuesday so stay tuned.
©Eurodragster.com
Stroud back UK Championships.
18th April: Bob Stroud from Stroud Safety is pleased to announce a new contingency sponsorship for UK National Championship classes Super Street, Super Gas, Super Comp, Super Pro ET, Pro ET, Sportsman ET, Super Modified and Custom Car Street Eliminator. Racers who have a Stroud race suit and who run Stroud decals will qualify for a £50 voucher if they win and a £30 voucher if they are runner up in any of these classes.

The Stroud vouchers will be redeemable through Andy Robinson Race Cars against the future purchase of any Stroud product. Stroud Safety manufacture parachutes, race suits and safety apparel, engine diapers, transmission blankets, and blower restraints.
©Eurodragster.com
"Andy Robinson Race Cars is very proud to be associated with Stroud Safety as we feel that their products offer racers excellent quality combined with very good value", says Andy Robinson. "I have track-tested several Stroud products on my own Studebaker Pro Mod and highly recommend them!"

If you would like more information on this sponsorship, or on Stroud Safety products, should call 01256 880589. Stroud decals will be available at both Santa Pod and Shakespeare County Raceways.

Wildside Inc TF for sale.
18th April: The collectible model of the Wildside Inc Top Fuel Dragster will make its season début this weekend at the Pod Shop at Santa Pod Raceway. "Although it's sad that we can't make the race, as the car is on display at Thinktank, Birmingham, this is the next best thing" says driver Darryl Bradford. "You can take home your own Top Fuel car this weekend for just £5, or £25 for the larger more detaileded model"

Darryl will be at the track to cheer everyone on, especially Smax Smith who gave him his first opportunity to race a couple of years ago. "Good luck to everyone participating and we'll see you with the real car at the Main Event", he says.

Meanwhile our good friend Ozzy Ewing of Wizzard Technical Designs has been in touch to let us know that the official Wildside Inc Top Fuel Dragster web site is now on-line at www.wildsideinc.co.uk. "It was very clear to me in our initial meeting that a strong corporate image was needed with a very British theme, reflecting the Top Fuel Dragster colour scheme", said Ozzy. "This web site will be the window to the world which allows Wildside Inc Racing the opportunity to show off their British Top Fuel Dragster. The input from John, Lesley and Darryl has made this web site into an on-line brochure for the fastest and quickest motorsport on earth."
©Eurodragster.com
Wild Bunch/Real Steel Round 1.
18th April: Tony Smith, Gareth Kent, Dick Sharp and Matt Lee took the top four places in the first round of the Wild Bunch and Real Steel Championships at last weekend's APIRA Test and Tune at Shakespeare County Raceway, which was contested by no less than twenty one cars. "We are very pleased to announce that Real Steel have renewed their sponsorship this year", says Championship co-ordinator Claire Meaddows. "Subject to contingency conditions Real Steel are posting over a thounsand pounds so thanks very much to them."

At Test and Tune/Run What You Brung events Wild Bunch placings are determined by averaging proximity to dial-in over the weekend's runs. The top four placings were:
©Eurodragster.com
Tony Smith 100.060%
Gareth Kent 100.205%
Dick Sharp 100.301%
Matt Lee 100.660%

Seven racers set personal bests over the weekend and three racers - Clayton Round, Paul Martin and Trace Froome - made their Wild Bunch débuts. Dick Sharp took Low ET and joint Top Speed at 9.586/140.42 in the Dorset Horn altered, Dennis Hawkins also recording 140.42 in his Wicked Lady dragster, whilst Tom Coe went closest to dial-in at +0.020 and his dad Alec best Reaction Time at 0.580.

The weekend's spot prizes were awarded to:

Best Altered: Dick Sharp and Bunt Willcox, Dorset Horn
Best Dragster/Radical: Dennis Hawkins, Wicked Lady
Best Slingshot: Sarah Howells, Ram Raider
Best Appearing Team: Matt Lee, Worth The Wait

You can read more on the Wild Bunch's official web site at www.the-wild-bunch.co.uk.

Web site updates.
18th April: Ian King has updated the Pit Lane Gossip page of the King Racing web site with a report of the Power Racing Promotions Advisory Group meeting which took place in Stockholm a couple of weeks ago. Check it out at www.kingracing.com.
©Eurodragster.com
Shootout format revealed.
17th April: Santa Pod Raceway's Track Manager Kjell Petterson has announced details of this weekend's Pro Fuel Shootout at Santa Pod Raceway. The highly-popular Shootout is to be run along similar lines as in previous years, with Fuel Funny Cars pairing up against Top Fuel Dragsters, and the Funny Cars being given a head start.
©Eurodragster.com
"Qualifying will be Top Fueller v Funny Car as much as possible", says Kjell. "We have four Top Fuellers and two Funny Cars, but we will rotate the pairings in qualifying so that everyone gets the chance to race against the other type of car. Each car will have three qualifying passes, two on Sunday and one on Monday, and then on Monday afternoon the final will be between the Top Fueller with the quickest aggregate qualifying time against the Funny Car with the quickest aggregate time."

The Fuel Funny Cars' head start is currently a closely-guarded secret. In previous years it has ranged from 0.40 seconds to 0.35 seconds - however it is set, the Top Fuel racers tell us that it is an eternity - but Kjell is not letting on. "You will have to attend the race to find out!", he says.

For more details about the Easter Thunderball including ticket prices, check out Santa Pod Raceway's web site at www.santapod.com.

2003 SPRC Championship sponsors.
17th April: Santa Pod Racers Club have announced the official sponsors of the 2003 SPRC Championships:
  • Andy Robinson Race Cars Vouchers to the value of £50 to the winner and £30 to the runner-up in Super Pro ET and Super Comp

  • Dave Eady's American Parts Center Voucher to the value of £25 to the winner of Sportsman ET

  • Engine Data Analysis £50 cash to the winner of Super Pro ET

  • Knight Racing Services £50 cash to the winner of Super Comp

  • Hauser Race Cars Voucher to the value of £50 to the best Reaction Time/Elapsed Time package in Super Pro ET, Pro ET, Sportsman ET, Super Comp, Super Gas and Super Street
    ©Eurodragster.com
  • Webster Race Engineering Custom-made gold Seven Second Ring for the first Super Street Bike to record an official seven-second pass, backed up within one per cent at the same event

  • Eurodragster.com £50 to the first racer at an event to record a perfect Rection Time, with prize fund increased by £25 if unclaimed
"We are very grateful indeed to all of our sponsors for the continued support they are giving to Santa Pod Racers Club, drag racing at Santa Pod Raceway, and to the sport as a whole", says Ian Marshall of SPRC.

The dates of this year's SPRC Championship are:

19th-21st April: Easter Thunderball
24th-26th May: FIA Main Event
28th-29th June: SPRC Summernationals
5th-7th September: FIA European Finals
27th-28th September: UK National Finals

FB stops smoking...
17th April: UK Custom Car Street Eliminator team FB Racing are now feeling confident that the engine rebuild which they carried out last weekend's APIRA Test and Tune has produced the desired result. Ian Hook has been driving the '34 Ford around the streets of Cheltenham the past few evenings in order to bed in the new rings.

"The car's doing better than me in that it's not smoking at all now!", says driver Ian Hook. "I have to say that my crew did a brilliant job at the weekend - not only in getting the job done in good time and in difficult circumstances, but also in maintaining the flow of comic remarks whilst doing so! They really are an excellent bunch."

The team are hoping that they can continue with and even better the eight-second form they produced during the final CCSE round in 2002 when they compete in the same class at Easter Thunderball. With a more powerful 477 ci big-block Ford now on board, along with several other improvements, the home-built hot rod should be able at least to worry some of the major title contenders. "It's a tough class to compete in, as you are always striving to go that bit quicker - but perhaps that (and the other racers) is what makes it so great", says Ian. "See you all at the Pod!"

You can find the FB Racing web site at www.fbracing.co.uk.
©Eurodragster.com
...and Red Victor gets shirty.
17th April: Fellow CCSE racer Andy Frost will be selling new T-shirts featuring his Red Victor race car at Santa Pod this weekend. "Mike at JCP Print and Promotions (0121 440 7919) went the extra mile to get my new T-shirts ready", says Andy. "They really are USA quality but with the bonus of being done over here and at twenty five per cent less cost too! Thanks also to Mark Gredzinski (01922 720377) for the stunning artwork, which in my humble opinion is as good as you could get anywhere on earth, period! The T-shirts will be on sale £10 each in Large and Extra Large."
©Eurodragster.com
Andy has updated his official web site with the latest news from the Red Victor camp. Check it out at www.redvictor1racing.co.uk.

WRE Test Day photographs.
17th April: Eurodragster staffer Sharkman has been burning the midnight oil and has updated our Event Coverage of yesterday's Webster Race Engineering Test Day with more than seventy photographs. You can view our American Car Imports-sponsored Event Coverage by clicking here, or by clicking on the Event Coverage link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster page.
©Eurodragster.com
2003 Perfect Light Award.
16th April: We are pleased to announce that the Eurodragster Perfect Light Award is to run again in the 2003 season. This will be the fourth year of the Perfect Light Award, which has so far paid out £820 to racers.

Starting at this weekend's Easter Thunderball at Santa Pod Raceway, the first racer at an eligible event to record a perfect Reaction Time, 0.400 or 0.500 as appropriate, in either qualifying or eliminations (not open practice) will win a minimum of £50.

If the Perfect Light money is not won at an event, then £25 is added to the pot for the next race. If the money is won, then the Perfect Light fund is reset to £50 for the next race.

The Perfect Light Award is open to any racer in any class, and will be awarded at any Championship race from which Eurodragster is reporting. At present the list of eligible events is as follows:
©Eurodragster.com
Easter Thunderball, Santa Pod Raceway
Excitement Nationals, Shakespeare County Raceway
FIA Main Event, Santa Pod Raceway
Power Nationals, Shakespeare County Raceway
SPRC Summernationals, Santa Pod Raceway
Veidec Drag Festival, Mantorp Park, Sweden
Allstar Nationals, Shakespeare County Raceway
FIA European Finals, Santa Pod Raceway
UK National Finals, Santa Pod Raceway

Good luck to everyone, and we look forward to writing the cheques!

Perkins handles Cockerill's hot rod.
16th April: Eagle-eyed readers perusing the entry list for this weekend's Easter Thunderball will have spotted that UK Super Modified racer Danny Cockerill's Championship-holding Rover Coupe is in the hands of Crew Chief Kev Perkins. Danny tells us that the man voted 2002 Super Modified Crew Chief of the Year is driving the seven-second Steelcraft-sponsored car in fulfilment of a promise.
©Eurodragster.com
"When Kev was looking for a team to work with, he wanted to drive", says Danny. "When Kev came on board with us we did a deal that I would give him a couple of drives. We are registered as a team this season so that either of us can drive and the team gets the points. Depending upon the points and how the racing goes, Kev might have another go at the end of the year."

This year's Super Modified Championship is the first to carry UK National status. "It would be lovely to win again", says Danny, "and we have as good a chance as anyone."

Danny and the team have been working long hours through the off-season to prepare the car for the season, including new parts to take account of the 2003 rule changes. "We've been up until midnight working on the car every night for the last couple of weeks" he says. "The car has a new aerofoil-style rear wing, we have dropped the cam spec, rewired, and replumbed the nitrous and fuel systems. We've also freshened the paint - the colours are still the same but it was looking a bit tired."

Danny also tells us that his tractor and trailer are for sale; you can find more details on our Jeff Bull Race Engines-sponsored Swap Meet.

Shockwave look to Prolong deal.
16th April: The UK's Shockwave Fuel Funny Car team have signed a sponsorship deal with Prolong UK. The lubricant and appearance product manufacturer's name will be on the Firebird FC at this weekend's Easter Thunderball at Santa Pod Raceway.

"The deal is in its early stages at present", says driver and co-owner Gordon Smith. "Representatives of Prolong are coming to Santa Pod Raceway this weekend for further talks. We are very grateful indeed to Prolong for their backing so far and we are looking forward to a long and fruitful relationship."
©Eurodragster.com
The Funny Car has now returned from Doncaster where it was on show at the weekend as part of a display to promote Santa Pod Raceway. "The lads all enjoyed it", says Gordon. "They did a lot of good work promoting the race. We had an excellent response from everyone who came to see us and we would like to thank them for visiting. Now we look forward to seeing everyone at Santa Pod this weekend!"

Gordon also tells us that he enjoyed reading Eurodragster's interview with fellow Fuel FC driver Bill Sherratt, who will be driving the Showtime FC this weekend. "I'm looking forward to seeing Bill on the track again", he says. "He's a good racer and a real gentleman. But it's still going to be me in the final on Monday!".

Toy out to play.
16th April: UK Pro ET racers Steve Dunn and Jon Evans will be joining what looks to be a sizeable list of racers testing at today's Webster Race Engineering Test Day at Santa Pod Raceway, as they give their Tokyo Toy Toyota its first run out after several off-season changes.
©Eurodragster.com
"It's not just an oil change this winter", says Steve Dunn. "We have bigger wheels and tyres (the old items are for sale on the Swap Meet); new rear double adjustable shocks; new brake master cylinder to resolve a brake binding problem suffered through much of last season; and a new suspension set-up from Andy Robinson Race Cars including new front springs.

"Please pass on our best wishes to all the Pro ET racers for a fun and successful season."

Tales from a busy weekend.
16th April: When we last heard from UK Wild Bunch racer Scottie Durant, he was all set to take his new altered In The Dog House Again to last weekend's APIRA Test and Tune at Shakespeare County Raceway. Scottie and his team made the gig, and although he didn't get to take the car down the track he was very pleased with his weekend.

"As you heard last week we were planning on firing the altered at home", says Scottie. "With Mark 'Turbo Turtle' Turton on my doorstep at 6:15 am, we spent the day getting the last bits and pieces done. At 5:30 we got the altered out of the garage, with the help of John Parkinson (every night that week). After a few problems, we did it, with a big cheer from the neighbours! We left home at 10:15 pm with Mark towing our new caravan up to Shakespeare County, then went back to Chesham to get his own caravan. Top man!
©Eurodragster.com
"At the track we sorted out all the leaks on the injection system, only to find out we had no gears! But after three years I was a happy chappie.

"I would like to thank a few special people who helped me over the last week and at the track this weekend: John Parkinson from Every Penny Racing, Mark Turton, Leigh Turland, Glyn and Elliot Jones, Sue and Ian Jackson, Dave Wilson, Andy Bissett, and my girlfriend Karen Talbot. I would also like to thank my sponsors Demon Scream Web Design and Hosting Services, Every Bottom Drawer (parental advisory - Ed), and Nite Vibes mobile entertainment (07734 009243 or 01494 758263). My new web site has been set up and will be launched in May, thanks to Katie of What Katie Did (parental advisory - Ed).

"We will be at Surrey Street Rodders' Wheels Day this Friday (18th) at Brooklands. It's a great day out for all the family, hope to see you there!"

Eurodragster interview: Bill Sherratt.
15th April: UK Fuel Funny Car racer Bill Sherratt is to return to the seat of an FC for the first time since 1999 when he drives the Showtime Avenger at this weekend's Easter Thunderball at Santa Pod Raceway. Bill has been racing since the 1970s with a large part of that career involved in Fuel cars, either as driver or lately as Assistant Crew Chief on the Showtime team.
©Eurodragster.com
In the latest of Eurodragster's occasional series of exclusive interviews, we asked Bill about his return to the hot seat, his views on Top Fuel/Funny Car handicapping, and the favours he may be expecting of his fellow racers!

Click here to read our interview with Bill Sherratt, or click on the Interviews link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster page.

Racers: It's not too late to send your Easter Thunderball previews. Drop us an E-Mail at news@eurodragster.com and we'll publish your news here.

Teboul eyes record.
15th April: French Rocket Bike and Top Fuel Bike racer Eric Teboul is aiming for the record books at the Easter Thunderball at Santa Pod Raceway this weekend. Eric has already recorded a low six, on a test pass at Hockenheim last season, with his bike which is powered by a rocket designed for NASA's Lunar Landing Module.
©Eurodragster.com
"This week I have to put on a rocket show to promote the Le Mans 24 Hour race, and after the show I am ready to go to Santa Pod", says Eric. "I am going to make two passes and I hope that I become the first European bike racer under six seconds. But we'll see this weekend!"

Jade Racing: not joking.
15th April: If you were tuned in yesterday you will have read that the Wildside Inc Top Fuel Dragster is appearing at the Top Speed exhibition at the Birmingham Museum of Science and Discovery over the next couple of weeks. Ozzy Ewing, PR of the UK's world record-holding Jade Racing Supertwin Gas bike, wrote to tell us that the Jade team will also be on display in Birmingham:

"When youre World Record holder it's nice to be recognised" was the comment made by Jade Racings Rick Davis when asked to display his World Record-holding RD 400 at the Thinktanks Top Speed exhibition which takes place throughout the Easter holidays.

Rick set the current record with an official time of 9.569 seconds, beating his team mate Jerry Colliers previously-held record of 9.574 seconds by five thousandths of a second. This world record was originally set by Tom Turner of TSR in California in the early 1990s and was reset by Jerry Collier in 1998 and 2001.

So after delivering the Worlds quickest naturally-aspirated RD 400 to the ThinkTank in Birmingham it was over to Adrian from Central News who was amazed by Rick's bike, and delivered his final piece to camera while sitting astride the machine. I have seen the news item and Andy Corben said "...And to get back to the office, the worlds quickest naturally aspirated RD 400. It will do nought to sixty in one second. You must be joking."

Members of Jade Racing will be giving a talk at the Exhibition on Saturday (19th) alongside the Wildside Inc team.

You can stay in touch with the latest from the Jade Racing pit at www.jaderacing.com.
©Eurodragster.com
Web site updates.
15th April: UK Wild Bunch racer Tony Smith has updated the News and Reviews page of his Cunning Plan web site. "The page will now be updated after I do anything to the car and after every event I attend", says Tony. The Achievements page has also been updated after Tony's new personal best of 12.05 at the APIRA Test and Tune on Sunday - congratulations Tony! - and the winners of the Guess Who contest have also been posted. Check it all out at www.cunningplan.btinternet.co.uk.
©Eurodragster.com
Thunderball entry list, running orders.
14th April: We are indebted to Santa Pod Racers Club secretary Paula Marshall for forwarding an updated entry list for this weekend's Easter Thunderball at Santa Pod Raceway. Again the entry list is showing a very healthy entry in most classes, although Pro Modified and Comp Eliminator will not now be contested as there were not sufficient entries. The racers concerned - John Ellis, John Tebenham and Martin Gleadow - have moved into Super Pro ET for the weekend.

You can view the Easter Thunderball entry list by clicking here.
©Eurodragster.com
We are also indebted to Paula and to Race Director Darren Prentice for passing on the provisional running orders for the Saturday and Sunday of this weekend's event - Monday's running order is of course finalised after qualifying finishes on Sunday. These running orders are, as usual, subject to change due to weather conditions and other factors.

Click here for Saturday's running order
Click here for Sunday's running order

For more details about the Easter Thunderball including ticket prices check out Santa Pod Raceway's web site at www.santapod.com.

Tight Timescale for Machine.
14th April: The UK's Time Machine Racing Comp Eliminator team are working very hard indeed to get their altered ready in time for this weeekend's Easter Thunderball after collecting it at the weekend, writes Adam Gleadow.

"We picked up the ex-Ralph Craig altered from Doug Ripley's workshop, where it has had the necessary updates done, on Saturday", says Adam. "The body is stripped and ready to receive its new paint, and the block is back from the machine shop after having the bore four bolt mains conversion done. Darren, Martin and Paul will build the car up - all in five days! We make no promises that we will get up the track, but the car will be at the Thunderball.
©Eurodragster.com
"At the same time team's new twenty five-foot box trailer is being kitted out and filled up with all the racing essentials."

You will be able to stay in touch with progress on the Time Machine web site at www.eurodragster.com/timemachineracing.

Wildside Inc Speed trip.
14th April: "Kids, if you're looking for somewhere to take the grown-ups over the Easter holidays check out the Birmingham Museum of Science and Discovery, which plays host to a whole collection of fascinating vehicles and exhibitions based on a theme of speed", says Lesley Wright of the Wildside Inc Top Fuel Dragster team.

"The Wildside Top Fuel Dragster will be on display over the whole Easter fortnight, and driver Darryl Bradford will be a guest speaker this Saturday (19th April). Other guest speakers include Don Wales, owner/driver of Bluebird, and Mark Newby and Colin Fallows who started their need for speed in the world of drag racing. After achieving British Land Speed records in their Split Second and Vampire Jet Dragsters, they are currently working on a land speed record with an electric-powered vehicle. Go to see them at the exhibition and check out their web site at www.britishlandspeed.co.uk.

"One of the features of the exhibition is the first British showing of the film Top Speed at the Millennium Centre's IMAX theatre. There is something for every kind of speed junkie here with ten themed galleries over four floors - tell 'em Darryl sent you."

You can find the Museum's official web site at the www.thinktank.ac.
©Eurodragster.com
APIRA Test and Tune coverage.
14th April: APIRA's first event of the season took place in pleasant spring weather at Shakespeare County Raceway this weekend. The pairing lanes were never less than packed as a large number of racers took the chance to get in some last-minute testing before the UK National Championships start at Santa Pod next weekend. The Test and Tune saw the début of some new vehicles including Clive Bush and Andy Staton's stunning new Supercharged Outlaw dragster, Trevor Graves' new Honda, and the Rampage team's Monza body, and the Junior Drag Bike racers also put in their first test runs.
©Eurodragster.com
You can view our American Car Imports-sponsored event reports and pictures by clicking here, or by clicking on the Event Coverage link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster page.

Our next Event Coverage, which will include the Webster Race Engineering/Dragrace Drachten webcam, will be from Wednesday's Webster Race Engineering Test Day at Santa Pod Raceway.

Super Mod goes National.
12th April: Next weekend's Easter Thunderball at Santa Pod Raceway represents both the first round of the National Super Modified Championship as a bona fide MSA White Book class as well as a chance to really flex muscle for racers only too keen to put their off-season performance changes and modifications to the test, writes Championship Co-ordinator Sharon Hogarth.

As most avid Super Mod fans will know that although the class runs heads-up and balls-out, Super Modified teams run to a tight set of rules governing power-to-weight ratios. The 2003 season will see racers bedding in a number of new nitrous and normally-aspirated combinations specially prepared to meet new and stricter guidelines aimed to reign in the front runners and even out the competition.

The Thunderball will see a number of fully-fledged Super Mod teams battling it out for the number one spot as well as newcomers to the ranks débuting their new rides and throwing down the gauntlet to the competition.

Whilst there are a number of new Super Mod cars and contenders hitting the scene over the course of the season - including the Jumping Black Flash Mustang of John Atkinson fame and Obsession Motorsports' 69 Camaro wielded by Craig Gibbs - the class welcomes Paul Brooks and Andy Kirk at the Thunderball, and we look forward to their joining the Super Mod circus.

Paul Brooks will be firing-up his new and freshly-prepped Super Mod Sierra Cosworth. By all accounts a trick bit of kit with plenty of history. Danny The Rug Cockerill, reigning Super Mod Champion and sporting the coveted #1 on his 509 ci NOS-powered Rover Coupe has handed the keys to Crew Chief Kev Perkins for one race, and Danny will be out there on the start line demanding authority. Make no mistake!

Andy Fred Hone just kept getting quicker and quicker last season with his Gleeson Wright-backed Granada Scorpio, raising more than a few eyebrows. Fred will no doubt settle back into the driver's seat pretty damn quickly and be up there with the front runners, the 461ci NOS motor on song and battling for supremacy from the word go. Andy Kirk will be unveiling and unleashing the all-new Rat Fink 67 Camaro and hopes to hit the ground running. Andy and his team have worked long and hard on the car and promise that fans wont be disappointed.

Rob Smallworth, Championship Runner Up in 2002, is campaigning the 588ci Nitrous-powered 55 Chevy Bel Air. Rob will be looking to topple Danny Cockerill and set the pace early on - and all this without the aid of sniff this season!

Super Mod fans can also look forward to the welcome return of Graham Ellis (Pro Oldsmobile Cutlass), Tim Garlick (Wildcat Mk3 Cortina), Jon 'SID' Hogarth putting his '63 Vette through its paces, and Ian and Paula Marshall, joint drivers of the Highlander Camaro who have been working extremely hard on their ride over the winter months, as the 2003 Season progresses.

You can find the official Super Modified web site at www.eurodragster.com/supermod.
©Eurodragster.com
Web site updates.
12th April: Alan Currans has updated his Acceleration Archive web site with a second gallery of Timo Aartomaa's pictures. "The update features no less than thirteen great pictures of Allan 'Bootsie' Herridge burning out, losing traction, hitting the fence (and almost Timo!), and suffering an engine fire, plus some pit shots showing the carnage to the engine", says Alan. "Also included are an early Pro Stock Bike, the first eight-second altered in Finland, the Canon funny car, Krister Johansson and a fine picture of Anders Lantz". You can find it all at www.theaccelerationarchive.co.uk.
©Eurodragster.com
Fifteen things happening for Smax.
11th April: The UK's Smax Smith is having a busy time of it trying to do several things at once as he prepares for his Top Fuel Dragster début at next week's Easter Thunderball at Santa Pod Raceway. Smax has been racing in Fuel Funny Car for some seasons but he and Sweden's Leif Helander recently swapped their Fuel and Top Methanol FCs and right now Smax is concentrating on the Purple Loans-sponsored Top Fueller.

"Before we could finish the new Purple Loans dragster, we had to secure the deal and sign the paperwork", says Smax. "As usual this took a lot longer than anticipated, but the supercrew have been working flat out on the car and Knut (Söderquist, car owner - Ed) has bought all the parts from the States for the FIA Championship. The spare car has been updated and is ready to go - young Chris Andrews ran 287 mph in it on his licence run! - at Easter should the new dragster not be one hundred per cent. Knut will not allow car on the track unless he feels it's perfect!

"My entry is in, and we will definitely be ready for the Pro Fuel Shootout. I am so looking forward to hitting the throttle again, this time with the motor behind me! I will then be qualified to argue with Leif Helander and co. about whether these are girlie cars or not! Methinks 305 mph ain't soft!
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"The Pro Fuel Shootout should be fascinating stuff. It will be great to see Gordy Smith's new body and updates, as well as a Welcome Back to Bill Sherratt - hope Bob Jarrett has given him a good set-up! Andy Carter has a new set-up as does Micke Kågered so there are a lot of unknown elements in the field. It should be mega-exciting!"

Apart from Purple Loans and their charity Purple Dreams, Smax has welcomed Champion Spark Plugs on board and is still hunting associate sponsors to help secure the FIA Championship. "Remember the TV coverage alone is great value for money on a Top Fuel car!", says Smax. If you would be interested in sponsoring Smax then you can contact him at smax@smax.co.uk.

Meanwhile Smax and his sons are preparing their Junior Modified Dragster which thirteen-year-old Ronan will be driving at the Easter Thunderball. "As Ronan is first in the I have to refit the pedals and rebuild the dash so that he can see as he's only little (all the best people are - Ed)!", says Smax. "We aim to get Ronan into the eights as he has already run 9.1! We welcome Yankwheels.com on board, they have painted the car and airbrush whizz Lee Stone has done the graphics, all to be débuted at Easter as well as the new wheels!"

The Funny Car swap between Smax and Leif Helander took place last Sunday. "I was really sad to see the Fuel car go after running 265 mph with it", says Smax. "I really felt we could easily have run it into the mid fives, but without the sponsorship I was fighting a losing battle financially. I wish Leif and crew all the luck in the world and will love to watch him run 5.30s! I am now desperately seeking sponsorship to run the Top Methanol FC or I will have to sell it turnkey. It is ready to run 5.8s with new rods and pistons, clutch and valve springs, and the pump and mag have been to the USA to be freshened."

You can stay in touch with the latest from Smax's pit on his official web site at www.smax.co.uk.

Nervous Wright's day out.
11th April: UK Super Street racer Matthew Wright found out what it was like to be an anxious parent on Monday as he dyno'd the engine of his new pick-up. Matthew, who will be sponsoring the 2003 Ultimate Power Drag Racing Championship through his company Gleeson Wright Security Services, took a friend with him to catch him if he fainted. You can feel Matt's concern as you read his account of the day:

The day started early - 6:00 am - for Andy 'Fred' Hone and I. Having loaded the van the night before we went off to Peter Knight Racing Services in Daventry. On arrival we were greeted by Peter and Malcolm, and after unloading and going through the motions of installing the motor on the dyno we were ready for the warm-up.

Peter asked me how nervous I was, I can only describe it as how a parent would feel on their only child's first day at school. As it was I'd had little sleep the night before worrying whether the engine was going to make the power I wanted or spread itself all over Peter's dyno room floor. Ignition on, contact, Peter hit the starter button. "She runs, great", I thought, "that's one hurdle over". After revving our fresh motor at a steady 2500 rpm for a while to get it warm and start the running-in process Peter shut it down to do the valve lash.

Just as we were removing the valve covers, Ian Marshall (Santa Pod starter god) strolled in saying "That should make your truck interesting Matt" as he looked round the blown big block Chevy on the dyno. "Here, what's that?". Looking at a broken push rod Ian had spotted a loose roller rocker. On inspection the new rod had failed! You can imagine what was going through my mind. "Let's have a look", said Peter in his calm manner. "OK let's clean it up and put in a new set", lash done, rods fitted, it was time for some power runs. Motor running and warm, timing set, Peter leaned on the dyno. I said to Fred "Here we go, s**t or bust". I looked at the computer screen - 550 plus bhp at 5000 rpm.
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Peter said "This engine is going to make some realy good power, let's play with it a bit". We re-jetted it, added some more timing and off we went again. "How far do you want to go rpm-wise?", said Peter. God I don't know, thinking of how much I had invested! "6500" said Fred. OK let's do it, I was shaking looking through a window at my investment having its nuts thrashed off. 657.5 bhp! You could have parked a bus in the smile I had on my face!

"There's more", said Peter, "the power curve is still going up, lets take it to 6800 rpm". OK I said, not that I had much choice with Fred, Peter and Malcom goading me on. 6800 rpm, 671.8 bhp, 573.1 pounds of torque at 4.6 psi of boost. "That will do me", I thought. "Right, let's swop the pulleys round and give it more boost", said Peter. I was having kittens, but I must admit that 700 plus bhp was looking a very good prospect - if you're going to be a bear, be a grizzly! Motor running, timing adjusted, Peter started the run. 700 bhp and climbing! The final bhp figure is now a secret, sorry. Let's just say it made more power than I need in Super Street!

I would like to thank Peter Knight, Malcolm and all the staff at Knight Racing for a very good job, I could not recommend them enough and a very fair price too. Thanks to C and S Engines for the motor build, good job John. Last but not least Thank You to my good friend and fellow racer Andy 'Fred' Hone for taking a day out of his busy week to help me. Hopefully see you all at Easter.

Hiscock returns.
11th April: After four years crewing with UK racer Alan Didwell's Pro ET Capri, Wayne Hiscock is planning a return in the driving seat of a '71 Chevelle, writes Pamela Rumble. Wayne has been out of competitive action since 1998 after winning the Sportsman ET Championship in his '69 GTO.
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Wayne is hoping to compete in Pro ET and, dependent on weather and completion of a final few jobs, will be testing the new Andy Robinson Race Cars full tube chassis '71 Chevelle at the APIRA Test and Tune at Shakespeare County Raceway this Sunday.

Wayne's thanks go to Tim and Paula Garlick and Alan and Leigh Didwell for all their help and encouragement to get the project finished.

Tebenham demos at Santa Pod.
11th April: UK Comp Eliminator and Super Pro ET racer John Tebenham will be putting in demonstration passes in his Ford Probe at this weekend's RS Owners Club event at Santa Pod Raceway. SPR's David Lloyd-Jones tells us that the Pod Shop will also be open with the latest merchandise already in stock in time for the new season.
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Although a Ford day, all makes of car are welcome for the Run What You Brung but please note that this is a car-only event. Gate prices are £10 per person and sign-on is £12 for four runs. A valid DVLC licence must be presented when signing on. For more details check out Santa Pod Raceway's web site at www.santapod.com.

Editor's note: For those with an interest in trivia, today is the twenty-sixth anniversary of Eurodragster staffer Tog's first visit to a drag race.

VWDRC announce sponsors.
10th April: The UK's Volkswagen Drag Racing Club are pleased to announce 2003 sponsors for two of its three classes, writes Spencer Tramm.

Pro VW will be sponsored by Jon Rathbone Race Cars. Jon has recently set up his own chassis shop after gaining experience at VW legend Clyde Berg's in the USA and Hauser Race Cars, and already has his own show-winning race car in his portfolio. Jon is able to undertake one off custom fabrication right through to full race car construction and can be contacted on 01782 417808.
©Eurodragster.com
Sportsman VW is to be sponsored by Beetlemania, a London-based Volkswagen garage which sells and services air-cooled VWs. Beetlemania have been involved with the VWDRC for the past two seasons as the sponsor of Chris Kouzaris' UVA Shogun Van in the Sportsman class.

The VWDRC Championship is to contested over six rounds starting at the Easter Thunderball at Santa Pod Raceway and then the Big Bang, SPRC Summer Nationals, Bug Jam, UK National Finals and the Flame and Thunder Show.

The VWDRC would like to thank last year's sponsors www.volkszone.com and Volksbits, as well as Santa Pod Raceway and Santa Pod Racers Club for their help.

You can find the very tidy VWDRC web site at www.vwdrc.com.

Kennel doors open.
10th April: UK Wild Bunch racer Scottie Durrant plans his first outing with the new In The Dog House Again altered at this weekend's APIRA Test and Tune at Shakespeare County Raceway. The alcohol-burning big block Chevy-powered altered is receiving last-minute attention before chasing sticks with the Wild Bunch, who contest the first round of both their own and the Real Steel series this weekend.

"We have been working like mad to make it this weekend", says Scottie. "All being well we hope to fire it up at home on Friday afternoon so that will wake the street up! A big Thank You to Paul Stubbings for building the rolling chassis, and everyone who has helped me to build the altered."
©Eurodragster.com
Scottie will be joined by Dog Squad team-mates Nick Connor with his Barking Mad altered and Mark Turton who will be crewing "When he's not got a hangover."

"I would like to thank my sponsors Nite Vibes mobile entertainment (07734 009243 or 01494 758263), Every Bottom Drawer (parental advisory - Ed) and Demon Scream Web Design and Hosting Services", says Scottie, "and big thanks to Katie of What Katie Did (parental advisory - Ed) for getting my new web site ready in her spare time - it should be online within the week."

You can find the Dog Squad web site at www.growlerracing.co.uk.

Oultaw Anglia racer Bob Hancox has been in touch to let us know that he will also be attending the Test and Tune this weekend making a welcome return with his very rapid Runaway Prefect, and a sizeable contingent of Custom Car Street Eliminator racers is also expected to take part in the first round of the National Street Car Championship.

FIA Main Event entry forms.
10th April: We are indebted to Kjell Pettersson for forwarding us copies of the FIA and FIM/UEM Championship registration forms and invitation/entry forms to the FIA Main Event, which takes place at Santa Pod Raceway on 24th-26th May. The forms are in PDF format:

FIA Championship Registration Form
FIA Invitation, Entry Form and Supplementary Regulations
NDRS Pro Modified and Fuel Funny Car Invitation, Entry Form and Supplementary Regulations
©Eurodragster.com
FIM/UEM Championship Registration Form
FIM/UEM Invitation, Entry Form and Supplementary Regulations

Sportsman Invitation, Entry Form and Supplementary Regulations

Entry form for pre-FIA Main Event Test Day on Saturday 17th May

Courtesy of Club Secretary Paula Marshall the Entry Forms page of the Santa Pod Racers Club web site at www.eurodragster.com/sprc also has the above forms in Word format, as well as Main Event entry forms for all Sportsman car and bike classes.

Marston comes clean.
10th April: Paul Marston Racing have announced a sponsorship deal with US-based Geddex, whose products the team use to keep their race cars so presentable.

"We will be stocking the Geddex range of products at the track", says Paul. "Geddex produce a range of really handy products for the Sportsman racer. Being Sportsman racers themselves they do all their own R and D! Ever wondered how we kept the PT Bruiser so clean? The products are:

BURNOUT GUARD: A simple spray-on protector which you simply spray on your paintwork, enjoy a day of hard racing and burnouts, and then simply wash off all the rubber with just soapy water
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DIAL-DOWN: Throw away the shoe whitener, it is always a pain to get off and scratches Lexan. Dial-Down goes on easy and comes off the same, no problem and does not scratch. Available in distinctive orange.

WHEELEZE: The professionals choice for wheelie bar wheels, leaving a more discernible trace off of the start line. Also available in Orange

"Paul Marston Racing have used the Burnout Guard on the PT Bruiser along with the Dial-Down, both work really well. The pricing is also very competitive, so come and see us in the pits. If any racer has used these products before and wishes to pre-order and collect at the track, please contact us through our web site at www.paulmarstonracing.com. We will also have product information leaflets available at the track."

Marrs takes League lead.
10th April: Congratulations to our good friend Andy Marrs of Santa Pod's timing crew and his wife Deborah on the birth of Zak Harrison Marrs (right), a brother for Erin, who arrived at 9:41 am this morning weighing in at six pounds and five ounces.

"Mother and baby are doing fine, though Deb is obviously very tired and sore!", says Andy. "Zak opened his eyes, fed for ten minutes, then fell asleep for two hours - I wonder where he gets that from!
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"This puts me back on top of the TSI Timers Fertility League, nudging ahead of the Billintons (Antony, the midwives were asking if you'd moved away from the area)."

Sources close to Eurodragster suggest that Deborah Marrs was recently seen in the Bedford branch of B & Q purchasing two bricks, although Andy claims that it was more likely two large breeze blocks.

We are sure that everyone would like to join Sharkman and Tog in wishing Andy, Deborah and Erin their congratulations on Zak's arrival.

Web site updates.
10th April: Eurodragster staffer Sharkman has updated his personal web site Sharkman's Top End Tales with no less than twelve new Windows wallpaper files from last Sunday's Run What You Brung at Santa Pod. You can download the files from the Wallpapers/2003 pulldown at www.topendtales.com.
©Eurodragster.com
Records fall at Hal Far.
9th April: The Malta Drag Racing Association's second event of seven in 2003 took place last weekend at Hal Far Raceway. Our good friend MDRA President Anthony Borda very kindly wrote with a summary of what sounds like a great weekend's action.

"This event was fantastic from all aspects, with lots of records being broken", says Anthony. "In the Top Methanol class, we saw John Ellul of the Elbros Racing Team breaking Borg Bothers' elapsed time record by a tenth of a second. John Ellul made a couple of nice passes with his Fontana dragster clocking 5.8 and 5.9 runs. In Diesel Truck, we saw Tommy Agius in a twelve-litre Volvo breaking his own elapsed time record and registering a couple of records in two different classes, clocking 11.4 seconds at 124 mph which for a six-ton truck is very remarkable. There were lots of other drivers who registered Personal Bests, and lots of National records were recorded at this meeting by drivers like Massimo Barbara, Godwin Carabott, Jesmond Mallia, Paul Pace and lots of others."
©Eurodragster.com
You can find full details of last weekend's event at Hal Far Raceway on the MDRA's very professionally-turned-out web site at www.maltadragracing.com.

Seventh heaven for Emms.
9th April: The UK's Cool Green Racing Junior Modified/Advanced Dragster team are cock-a-hoop after Ricky Emms recorded a seven-second pass first time out at Santa Pod's Run What You Brung on Sunday. Ricky clocked 7.94 off the trailer which is believed to be the first seven-second Junior Dragster pass in Europe (unless our readers know different - Ed).

"We had a brilliant day on Sunday, better than we could have hoped for", says Ricky's dad and Crew Chief Chris. "This year the car has had the same set-up which we used to run sevens when Ricky was racing in the USA last year, but it has been producing so much power that it was spinning the tyres on the Run What You Brung tracks. Randy Ditzel, who is the owner of Half Scale Dragsters, sends us tuning advice and ideas and sent us a new tyre compound to try."

Chris tells us that the engine ran rich on the 7.94 pass, but that the Cool Green team always run rich on their first pass and then start to tweak the tune-up. "After the seven-second pass we made an adjustment to the jets but then the weather changed", says Chris. "It ran an 8.0 but spun off the line. The biggest problem is slowing the car down and we are going to use weights for that. The idea is to run the 7.70 which we know the car can run, then to add ten pounds so that it runs a high 7.8, and then five pounds, and so on until we run consistent times. Obviously we can't run 7.70 at a race or we'll get thrown out!"
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Ricky also drew plaudits for some astounding reaction times at the weekend - starting his account with a perfect 0.500 followed by a 0.503. "We originally planned not to worry about ETs this weekend but to concentrate on Ricky's reaction times and he did just great", says Chris. "The new motor has a more powerful clutch with more revs, so it picks up quicker. We don't have a tach yet so we have to use guesswork when setting it up. We hope to get a tach by the end of the season."

The Cool Green dragster is now in pieces being thoroughly checked over before the Easter Thunderball, where Ricky will be defending his UK National Championship with backing from Peterborough Signs, Half Scale Dragsters, G-Max Racing Fuels and Turner Racing, with Driver Transport Training coming on board later in the season.

Easter Thunderball entry and VIPs.
9th April: We are indebted to Santa Pod Racers Club Secretary Paula Marshall for sending the official entry list for the Easter Thunderball which takes place at Santa Pod Raceway on 19th-21st April. The entry list is very healthy in almost every class and features a number of new names and the return of some old stagers. "It is possible that Pro Mod and Comp Eliminator will not be contested as the minimum entry for each is three", says Paula, although she quickly adds that this is not the final version of the list as she is waiting to hear from a few racers.
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You can view the current Easter Thunderball entry list by clicking here. For more details about the Easter Thunderball including ticket prices check out Santa Pod Raceway's web site at www.santapod.com.

Whilst we're on the subject of the Easter Thunderball, Kelly Ingall from Santa Pod Raceway has been in touch to remind us of the special VIP deal available at this race. "For £79 plus VAT per person, you can join us in the VIP hospitality suite and enjoy weekend admission, access to the VIP balcony (Sunday or Monday), refreshments throughout the day, buffet lunch, complimentary earplugs and programme, VIP parking and toilets, and a souvenir of your day", says Kelly.

If you would like to take advantage of SPR's offer then contact Kelly by E-Mail at kelly@santapod.fsnet.co.uk, by phone on 01234 782828 or by fax on 01234 782818.

Free M and Hs on offer.
9th April: Performance parts supplier LA Racing Parts, who sponsor Eurodragster's Links pages, are inviting proposals from racers for a free pair of M and H Racemaster 28 x 10.5 x 15 tyres to be supplied as a sponsorship deal. Lee Child of LA Racing Parts is offering a new pair of the M and H tyres to one racer, who can compete in any class. The successful candidate will be required to carry LA Racing Parts decals and to run the tyres throughout the season starting with the Easter Thunderball.
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Any racer interested in running the M and H tyres should E-Mail a proposal to info@laracingparts.com with a description of their vehicle and a few words on why they would like the tyres.

Lee also tells us that M and H are to be involved in contingency sponsorshop at Shakespeare County Raceway this season - stay tuned for details.

NDRS, Big Bang entry forms.
9th April: Our good buddies at Svensk Dragracing have updated their web site with invitations and entry forms for 2003 Nordic Drag Racing Series events including the trial events at Santa Pod Raceway. The page will be updated on a regular basis and the guys will notify additions and amendments. You can find the paperwork, which is in PDF format, at www.dragracing.se/nerladdning.html.
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The Santa Pod Racers Club web site at www.eurodragster.com/sprc has been updated with entry forms and supplementary regulations for the Big Bang VW Festival in May.

Shockwave designer in business.
9th April: Further to yesterday's news item about the new Shockwave Fuel FC body, graphic designer Darren West, who designed the striking paintjob, has been in touch with some details about his new company and the services which he can provide to racers.
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"My new company is called Power Race Graphics", says Darren. "I have been working as a graphic designer for thirteen years. I have wanted to get involved with race car design for about ten of those years and I'm finally in a position to do it. I've been a big drag racing fan for the last twenty five years, it's what I love and I'm really excited about the new venture. I've been working away quietly over the winter getting into a position to launch the business and I'm finally there!

"In brief, the services which make up the business are:
  • Paint scheme design for Pro racers, Sportsman racers, Nostalgia racers, all Bike classes and Hot Rods (example right - click on picture to view larger version)
  • Sponsorship proposals and presentation portfolios
  • Racer Merchandise, T-shirts, hero cards etc.
  • Advertising - design and artwork. Company identity and catalogue design for suppliers"
If you would like more details then you can contact Darren by E-Mail at powergrfx@dw1320.fsnet.co.uk or call 01305 766732.

Shockwave stars.
 8th April: Driver Gordon Smith was very pleased with the outcome of the Shockwave Fuel Funny Car's visit to Santa Pod Raceway on Sunday. The car was fired up for the first time with its all-new set-up and the new body (right, click on picture to view a different angle) made its public début, attracting admiring glances from everyone at the track.

If you were tuned in to our event coverage from Santa Pod on Sunday you will recall that we described the sound of Shockwave's warm-up as "fierce". Gordon agreed! "It was quite frightening!", he said. "Dave (Bryant, co-owner and Crew Chief - Ed) and I are well pleased with it. We only had to make a couple of small adjustments and it was perfect. Now we can't wait for Easter!"
©Eurodragster.com
The grey, red and black paintjob on the ex-Jim Dunn Firebird body was the brainchild of graphic designer Darren West, who expressed himself "Delighted with the response so far!". Darren will be starting his own design business very shortly so stay tuned for details. Doug Ripley at CC Racing transformed the design into reality at his Dartford workshop.

This weekend Shockwave will doubtless attract more admiration as the car will be in display at the Doncaster Show helping to promote Santa Pod Raceway. "Dave and the guys will be there with the car so if you are there then go over and say hello", said Gordon.

Last UK testing chances.
8th April: One of the final chances to test before the start of the UK National Championship season is this weekend's (12th-13th April) APIRA Test and Tune at Shakespeare County Raceway. The track is to be fully prepped and a full complement of marshals and the FAST team will be on hand to support racers.

The gates open at 3:00 pm on Friday. Entry to the track is £15 per person per day or £25 for the weekend. Children under sixteen and accompanied by an adult go free. All APIRA club members will receive a discount of £2 on a weekend ticket on production of a valid membership card. Entry includes camping, grandstands, toilets and showers.
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An additional £15 per day or £25 for the weekend buys as many passes as you can fit in on the Warwickshire track. A valid DVLC licence must be presented to sign on and please note that crash helmets are compulsory regardless of vehicle type.

You can find out more about Shakespeare County Raceway including a map at www.shakespearecountyraceway.com.

The very last chance to test is the Webster Race Engineering test day at Santa Pod on Wednesday 16th April.

Racers: If you are planning to run at Shakespeare County Raceway this weekend then don't hesitate to send a preview to news@eurodragster.com and we will post it here.

Fangs for the memory.
8th April: One Shakespeare County Raceway stalwart who will unfortunately not be attending the APIRA Test and Tune this weekend is our good friend Carl Wadkin-Snaith who owns the Fang Supertwin Modified Honda CB500T. Carl and son Dominic are working on the latest incarnation of the bike.

"Because my company Turnertech has been so busy since last August, my Plan B got a bit behind, so we had to instigate Plan Z", says Carl. "As a result, the supercharged Fang will appear soon...-ish, but not until we have been able to test out of the public gaze. All I can say is that it looks good and that keeping the front wheel down will be a problem!"
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Carl will be in the saddle for initial testing before Dominic takes over. Carl filled us in on the bike's appearance. "Dominic and I often discuss what it would be like to have a sort of Wild Bunch/Hot Rod type class for bikes", he says. "In that vein the rise of the Custom Cruiser class in the States is quite interesting. Anyhow the Fang will be as close as I can get to a Hot Rod on two wheels, less roof of course!"

The Fang web site at www.thefang.co.uk is a veritable goldmine for drag bike enthusiasts and also contains much of practical use to those with Honda CB500T bikes.

Wilding backs Juniors.
8th April: Courtesy of LA Performance Services comes the news that Roy Wilding Nostalgia Race Cars are to sponsor the Junior Dragster class in this year's Ultimate Power Drag Racing Championship at Shakespeare County Raceway. Roy Wilding will be putting up trophies for event winners and runners-up together with cash at the end of the season.
©Eurodragster.com for those with a conscience
"Ever since Roy acquired APIRA's number one membership card, he has always been supportive of Shakespeare County Raceway", says Lee Child of LA Performance Services. "That Roy, a leading light in the nostalgia field, is also supporting the Juniors - the future of our sport - shows both his long-standing and long-term commitment to drag racing, and I am very grateful to him for his backing."

If you would be interested in becoming a sponsor of the Ultimate Power Drag Racing Championship then you can contact Lee Child either by E-Mail at la.racing@virgin.net or call 01803 554308. Lee would be particularly interested in hearing from those interested in sponsoring bike classes.

One mean Pro Mod.
8th April: We are grateful to Peter Nilsson for sending us a picture of Lars-Inge Johansson's new blown-alcohol '66 Chevelle Station Wagon Pro Mod (right, click on picture to view larger version). Lars-Inge's very nice Pro Mod is currently one of the stars of the show at the Stockholm Motor Show.
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Details about the car are sparse at present but if looks are anything to go by then Lars-Inge's Pro Mod colleagues will already be looking over their shoulders.

More Race Rock pictures.
8th April: Les Harris, organiser of the Race Rock Show which took place in Norwich a couple of weeks back, has forwarded some more photographs of the event, taken by his good friend Bear. bear's pictures are very good and include some pictures of Les doing a passable imitation of his bike Tilly Two!
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You can view Bear's Race Rock pictures by clicking here.

Web site updates.
8th April: UK Pro ET racer Terri Lee's web site has been updated with the latest news from the workshops of the Blown It Escort Van where, we were pleased to read, engine rebuilding is underway. Check it out at www.terrileeracing.co.uk.

Editor's note: We are pleased to say that we have now started to despatch our Fifth Birthday Give-Away prizes. We will get everything out as quickly as we can so if you were a winner then keep an eye on your mailbox!
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Crank blackens Jacobsen's return.
7th April: Norway's Øyvor Jacobsen (right) had an abridged return to Top Fuel Dragster at yesterday's Run What You Brung at Santa Pod Raceway. On a well-prepped but very cold track - according to Eurodragster's weather sensor on the start line the temperature never made even fifty degrees all day - the Top Fueller struck the tyres at the hit on Øyvor's first pass. Although Øyvor was off the throttle very quickly the high revs blackened the crank to end her day. Øyvor idled down the track to a mid-twenty pass at just under forty miles per hour.
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"I went straight into stage rather than pre-stage and when the lights ran I sat there because I still had some bits and bobs to do!", said Øyvor. "When I hit the throttle the car just stood up. I am not too disappointed. I thought I would be terrified but I wasn't - it felt good and that's the most important thing."

Øyvor said that car owner and Crew Chief Rune Fjeld would make the call on the completion of her licencing passes. "We may come back for the Test Day (Webster Race Engineering's day on 16th April - Ed), or we may run on the day before the Thunderball", she said.

Rune Fjeld told Eurodragster that it was likely that only one of his three cars would be running in 2003. "One of the cars is in the USA at the moment anyway", he said, "so no-one else will be driving this year."

You can view our American Car Imports-sponsored reports and pictures - including a first look at the new Shockwave Fuel FC body (about which more tomorrow) - by clicking here, or by clicking on the Event Coverage link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster page.

Editor's note: Could Simon Chalkly and Chris Reed please contact Tog at tog@eurodragster.com.

World first for Walker?
7th April: One of yesterday's many highlights was what we think was the first occurrence ever, anywhere on the planet, of a twin-engined Junior Dragster. Johnny Walker's Junior Stock Dragster was carrying the legend Junior Super Stock, was runnning on the 12.90 index but recording speeds in the high forties, and on closer inspection - just about everyone who was told about it had to look for themselves to make sure - proved to have two Briggs and Stratton engines in the chassis.
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"It's an experiment - it's not legal for competition, of course, but at a Run What You Brung anything goes", explained Johnny's dad. "We have to change the gearing because it is topping out half way through the eighth-mile."

You can see a side-on picture of the twin-engined Junior Dragster in yesterday's event coverage. We would be interested to hear from our readers in the USA whether this has ever been tried on the other side of the Pond...

Ampar's Ultimate offer.
7th April: LA Performance Services have announced that Ampar Parts Network are to be a contingency sponsor of the 2003 Ultimate Power Drag Racing Championship at Shakespeare County Raceway. Ampar, a family of dealers who keep American vehicles on the road, will be posting cash for the winners and runners-up of Super Modified, Super Pro ET, Pro ET, Sportsman ET, Super Comp, Super Gas and Super Street. Ampar decals must be carried to win the money.
©Eurodragster.com, after all we did the work
"I am very grateful indeed to Dave Riswick for coming up with this great offer", says Lee Child of LA Performance Services, who sponsors Eurodragster's Links pages through his company LA Racing Parts. "Dave is very well-respected in the sport and the success of his company John Woolfe Racing was an inspiration to me when I set up my own business. Dave has a history of backing drag racing going back to the 1960s and I am very pleased that he has chosen to continue that support with the Ultimate Power Championship."

You can find the Ampar web site at www.ampar.com or call free on 0800 0130802.

HARA continues.
7th April: Germany's oldest Drag Racing club, the Hanau Auto Racing Association, is back in shape after yesterday's annual meeting, writes Frans Steilberg.

"The Club was nearly closed", says Frans. "It did not have a Board of Directors any more after the old Board turned the job down last season. Yesterday the Club members voted for a new Board of Directors after discussing the fact that they have to support the oldest Drag Racing Club - at thirty four years - in Germany."

For more information about Hanau Auto Racing Association check out the Club's web site at www.hara-dragracing.de.
©Eurodragster.com
More horses for Ripley.
7th April: Cliff Gould, Crew Chief of Doug Ripley's CC Racing Top Methanol Funny Car, has written with a brief update from Doug's workshop.

"We fired the car up again yesterday, and it seems that we have sorted out the few problems we had with the fuel system", says Cliff. "Doug definitely has more horsepower to play with this year. We would like to thank Flint Insurance and Allglass for their continued sponsorship this season; without their support we would not be able to take the car forward."
©Eurodragster.com
Doug Ripley's first outing this season will be in the first round of the MSA British Drag Racing Championship at Santa Pod Raceway's Easter Thunderball.

Knut's new and old projects...
7th April: Further to yesterday's news item about carbon fibre injectors for Top Fuel Bikes, Knut Söderquist of Carbon By Design has been in touch with news of his other new product. "We are producing injectors for Fuel Funny Cars using PSI injectors", said Knut. "The first one has just gone to Brad Anderson in the USA". If you would like more details then call Knut on 01933 385090.
©Eurodragster.com
Knut also tells us that the much-publicised one-piece Top Fuel Dragster body carried by Darrell Russell on Joe Amato's car in Las Vegas this weekend is something which he has looked at too. "I was on the case of a one-piece dragster body about four years ago!", he said. "Ask anyone, they will tell you! I will be doing some more work on this after Easter."

...and trailer space going spare.
7th April: Knut Söderquist is also inviting offers from racers who would like to do the European Tour but don't have the transport. "If all goes to plan I will be taking two trailers on the FIA European Tour" he says. "I have space for two bikes, or one dragster, or a Funny Car. I'm looking to share travel expenses. If you are interested then please call me on 01933 385090 or on my mobile on 07720 446695."
©Eurodragster.com
Web site updates.
7th April: The official web site of NDRS Pro Modified Champion Håkan Nilsson has been updated with more photographs of the team's recent very successful racing trip to the USA. Check it out at www.nilssonmotorsports.com

In preparation for the new season, feel-the-noise.com have started a mailing list which will be used to announcing each new batch of photos and videos following a race meeting. Readers can join or leave the list automatically, at any time, by using the "Information" menu on the site. Another ten video clips have been added to the site bringing the total to sixty two; webmaster Bob Valder tells us that he has six more video tapes still to go through.
©Eurodragster.com
Credit Card hotline for LA events.
6th April: LA Performance Services have announced the launch of a Credit Card hotline to take advance ticket bookings for their six events at Shakespeare County Raceway in 2003.

The Credit Card hotline is now available on 01803 554308 for tickets both for the Ultimate Power Drag Racing Championship events - the Excitement Nationals, Power Nationals and Allstar Nationals - and for LA Performance Services' European Doorslammer Nationals, Big Shootout and Halloween Showdown. Discounts are available from the Credit Card hotline compared to the events' gate prices.

Ticket prices for the Excitement Nationals on 3rd-5th May are as follow:
©Eurodragster.com
DayAdvance
Booking		Gate
SaturdayN/A£15
Sunday£15£20
Monday£15£20
Saturday-Sunday£25£30
Sunday-Monday£25£30
Saturday-Monday£33£40

TFB carbon fibre injectors.
6th April: King Racing have announced the launch of the world's first production carbon fibre injector for Top Fuel Bikes (right), designed and manufactured by Carbon By Design, the same company which supplies injectors to the majority of the NHRA Top Fuel Dragsters and Funny Cars such as those driven by John Force and Larry Dixon.

Designed to fit the current state-of-the-art Autorotor Opcon OA3150 2.3 RC supercharger used by the world's fastest and quickest Top Fuel Bikes and Nitro Twins, the injector features many advantages over the current models available on the market:
  • 675 grams in weight, less than one third of the current aluminium alternatives
  • Optimised air flow design
  • Needle roller butterfly shaft bearings
  • Minimised WOT travel (9.5 degree closed angle)
These trick items are priced at €1000 plus shipping from current European record holders, King Racing. For further information contact:

E-Mail: sales@kingracing.com
Telephone: +44 (0)7785 341099
Fax: +44 (0)1763 852707
©Eurodragster.com
First signs of madness.
6th April: Paul Marston Racing's Insanity Vega pick-up performed very well on its first outing, as did the first pupil of the team's Driving Tuition courses, writes Paul Marston.

"The Vega performed very well and presented no major problems", says Paul. "It did everything we asked of it. It was a learning curve for us both, to get used to the race car and to find what it liked and disliked. All the tests we set were passed, if not exceeded by some distance. For example, the car showed every indication that it could be turned round between runs surprisingly fast, in fact in about ten to fifteen minutes - a real bonus, considering what it will spend its first season doing. Throughout the day a careful watch was kept for leaks and drips, it did not lose a drop of anything throughout the session.

"At the start of the day I took the wheel for a gentle checkout pass, encountering no problems. Upon its return to the pits the Vega was carefully checked over and then sent out again. This time, more power was used and the Vega performed a couple of laps. Then some separate burnouts and launches, to check it out and make sure that all was as it should be.

"Then a break for lunch, and to await the arrival of Paul Marston Racing Drag Race Driving School's first pupil. With the Insanity Vega serviced and the batteries topped up, the rest of the day was spent as a driver familiarisation day. This particular pupil is starting completely from scratch, having never driven down the strip before. It is fair to say that their progress was first class, we honestly could not have expected more. They listened and learnt, the targets we set were realistic and achievable, but only if they were the right person. They confided afterwards that they considered this initial session as probably the most difficult, as this is where you make the first step and it all becomes real. The pupil achieved all the targets set by us and will progress to the next level. They arrived with trepidation, knuckled down and got the job done. They said that with this experience under their belt they have a clear understanding and focus of what we need from them, they are hungry. and ready to learn more.
©Eurodragster.com
"I must also say that the Vega performed perfectly, we had a great day. Because it was freshly-rebuilt there simply was nothing to do apart from the obvious checks and connecting the battery charger to keep the batteries topped up. There will be a few small adjustments needed on the Vega but our pupil, to their credit, drove round them and dealt with it, their adaptibility a good sign for the future as all drag racers know.

"We also achieved a first in getting PMR's General Manager Dave Kalisz to drive Insanity - a first for sure, well overdue. Well done Dave, congratulations! You are now one of us...

"The Vega is off to Gary at the Jeep Club workshops for a little fabrication work and then on to Webster Race Engineering for the chassis to be baselined. The following day it will run at the Webster Race Engineering Test Day along with Grumpy's Dodge; we will have pupils in both race cars.

"Special thanks must go out to everyone who has been personally involved with the Insanity Vega project, in particular Dave Kalisz, General Manager of Paul Marston Racing, for having patience, doing so much and asking for nothing in return, a true friend; Tony from Black Box for all the cleaning and polishing; Gary at London Road Tyres - tracking, tyre changing and balancing; Gary from Jeep Club - steering, welding, brakes, general advice and transporter; Terry at Cooks Engineering - fasteners and stainless pieces; Dave Gibbons - technical consultant on the engine; Mick Pussey - chassis and restoration work; and the rest of the gang at PMR."

Drachtencam.
5th April: Today we are very pleased to announce the second of two sponsors for Eurodragster's webcam. Dutch former Top Methanol FC team Lex Joon Racing will be using their slot to promote their sponsors, products and events. The first banner will be for Explosion Drag Racing Club's drag races at Drachten in Holland, which Lex and team manager Gerda Dijkstra promote.

"We admire the effort which is put into drag racing by Eurodragster.com, so we felt we had to sponsor you guys", says Gerda Dijkstra. "The webcam will give all those who are interested in the sport but who are not able to attend the meeting the possibility to take a glance of what's happening at the track. The weather conditions in particular can be viewed wonderfully with the webcam. We think that a lot of web servers will visit the webcam during the events, so we thought why not take the advantage and use it as a tool to promote products or activities? We want to use this web space to market different kind of products and also the meetings we promote in Drachten. This means that sponsors and also new automotive products which we are going to sell can be seen."
©Eurodragster.com
We are very pleased indeed to welcome Lex and Gerda on board. The amount of work which they put into promoting drag racing both in Holland and all around Europe, whilst still running their own record-setting race operation, would leave most of the rest of us out of breath. We look forward to helping them to promote their sponsors, products and events.

This year's races at Drachten take place on 14th-15th June, 12th-13th July, and 30th-31st August. Tickets are already available on the Lex Joon Racing web site at www.lexjoonracing.nl.

You will be able to see Lex's European record-holding Camaro TMFC this weekend at the Feyenoord football stadium in Rotterdam, in the company of a large number of other race cars and customs. More details on the Explosion web site or at www.explosion.nl or at www.chevybar.nl.

The next broadcast of the Webster Race Engineering/Dragrace Drachten webcam, will be from tomorrow's (Sunday's) Run What You Brung at Santa Pod Raceway, at which Norway's Øyvor Jacobsen will be making her return to Top Fuel Dragster and Gordon Smith and the Shockwave team plan to fire up their Fuel Funny Car. We will be posting our usual American Car Imports-sponsored Event Coverage with regular updates during the day and photographs of the day's action. We will post a direct link to our coverage as soon as it commences.

High-flying Ahonen becomes Eagle.
5th April: We are indebted to Heikki 'Heineken' Malinen for passing on the very exciting news that the current World Ski Jumping Champion, Finland's Janne Ahonen, is to be the second driver for the Eagle Racing Comp Eliminator team. Janne will be driving one of the team's two nine hundred horsepower small block-powered C/Dragsters in all four rounds of the FHRA Finnish Championship, as well as competing in Super Comp at the Kalajoki Nationals.

"I have ridden different kinds of motorcycles for many years, so speed is already in my blood", says Janne Ahonen. "Don't forget as well that at World Cup Ski Flying events we fly at speeds of up to 140 km/h". In Janne's eyes ski jumping and drag racing have many common key elements. "The run itself takes only a few seconds, but all the necessary work is done in quietly in the background. You need to make extensive preparations before every run and a lot of concentration is always needed for success."

Harri Horto, Team Manager for the very successful Eagle Racing Motorsport Team, is very excited about his new signing. "Janne is the fourth new driver for us in five years", he says. "With his long lasting and successful sporting backround, the World Champion ski jumper certainly has all the capabilities of being a very succesful driver. Janne really knows how to focus and to concentrate his mind on the tasks lying in front of him. If things go well in the Finnish Championship, we might even take Janne to what is the largest event in Europe, spectator- and competitor-wise, the Nitrolympics FIA European Championship round at Hockenheim in late August."

Janne has followed the sport and excitement of drag racing for some years. Some coincidence and the input of Janne's personal trainer Ari Saukko was how the ski-jumper finally got behind the wheel of a dragster, at last years season-ending Alastaro Finals. "I was given the chance to familiarise myself with the dragster for one full day", says Janne. At the end of the day I made my very first full pass with the Eagle Racing Super Comp dragster. The timeslip read 9.901 seconds at 237 km/h. That was pure enjoyment!"

There is no need for Janne to look far for his toughest competitor: team-mate Antti Horto is the reigning Finnish Competition Champion in the other Eagle Racing dragster.

Has team boss Harri Horto already promised Janne a brand spanking new Audi, like the one he received after winning the Four Hills tournament in 2003, if he happens to win the Finnish Championship this summer? "No, not yet", comments Janne 'The Eagle'.
©Eurodragster.com
Fat Boys aim for SCR date.
5th April: UK Custom Car Street Eliminator racer Ian Hook and his team are working flat out to try to complete the rebuild of their eight-second street-legal 34 Ford in time to make APIRA's season-opening Test and Tune at Shakespeare County Raceway next weekend (12th-13th April). A lot of work has been carried out on the car over the winter months, with the major changes a new Powerglide transmission from CCSE sponsors TSR and an aluminium radiator from Serck Services. The 477 ci engine which was damaged in the car's début last year has been rebuilt and modified versions of the wings, running boards and bonnet have been fitted.

"I am particularly keen to attend this meeting for two major reasons", says Ian. "With the Shakespeare County Raceway's continued support for our car in 2003 I want to make our presence felt as much as possible. Also, the weekend sees round one of National Street Car Championship and we have been hoping to race in that series for several years."

The Fat Boys have been held up by the late arrival of a tyre and are still waiting for a set of pushrods, but are hopeful of firing the car early next week and driving it before leaving for Shakespeare County Raceway on Friday. "Its going to be tight, so I may have to miss a meal or two!", says Ian. And if you know the FB Racing guys at all, you'll know what a supreme sacrifice that is.
©Eurodragster.com
Ultimate TV coverage...
5th April: LA Performance Services have announced that this year's Ultimate Power Drag Racing Championship, which takes place at Shakespeare County Raceway, is to be filmed throughout the season for an end-year review. The Excitement Nationals, Power Nationals and Allstar Nationals are to be taped by Powerpoint Communications. "Get your hair done, get your teeth whitened, and get the decals on!", says promoter Lee Child, who sponsors our Links pages through his company LA Racing Parts.
©Eurodragster.com
Lee also tells us that both the racing and the cruise aspects of this year's Custom Car Street Eliminator are to be filmed by Powerpoint Communications at both Shakespeare County and Santa Pod Raceways.

Stay tuned for more details.

...and thanks for slick response.
5th April: Lee Child has also asked us to thank racers for their prompt and generous response to Tuesday's appeal for used slicks to help to prep the track at Shakespeare County Raceway.
©Eurodragster.com
"It's been an absolutely great response", says Lee. "We've got everything from Top Fuel to Sportsman ET slicks. I am very grateful indeed to everyone who responded, thank you all for your support."

Sharkman and Tog would also like to thank everyone who stepped in so quickly, proving yet again that Eurodragster has the best readership anyone could hope for.

Isaacs moves shop.
5th April: UK race car builder Chris Isaacs Race Cars has moved to a new workshop in Essex. Popular Volvo-racing Sportsman ET racer and widely-acknowledged authority on bracket racing Chris has spent the last few weeks preparing his new premises and is now back at work on his full order book.

"Ever since I set up in business my long-term plan has been to buy a freehold industrial unit, and this goal has now been realised with the recently completed purchase of new, bigger premises in Wickford, Essex", says Chris. "We have been extremely busy over the past three weeks, laying a new concrete floor as well as the usual paint and electrical refurbishment and designing new office space. We are now back to work on customer cars, though an ongoing building plan will be taking place over the summer including a four hundred square foot extension which is to be used as a 'clean-room' showroom environment.
©Eurodragster.com
"The purchase and development of new premises is part of our ongoing commitment to the business of top-quality race car fabrication in a sport which is gaining in professionalism both on and off the track.

"Our new phone and fax number is 01268 571077, though as usual at Chris Isaacs Race Cars we are extremely heavily booked with work, so I should say a big Thank You to all our existing customers for their patience!"

Check out the new TMFCs.
5th April: If you were tuned in yesterday then you will have read that the Kågered Racing and Andréasson Motorsports Top Methanol FC teams are unveiling a new paintjob and new Alfa Romeo body respectively at this weekend's Stockholm Motor Show. Our good friends at Svensk Dragracing attended the VIP day of the Show yesterday and have updated their web site with a number of photographs of both TMFCs. Just as we predicted, they're both beautiful!
©Eurodragster.com
The pictures on Svensk Dragracing also include a first look at Lars-Inge Johansson's very tidy new Chevelle Station Wagon Pro Mod. Check it out at www.dragracing.se.

Web site updates.
5th April: Stuart Dempsey has launched the 2003 Fantasy League on his Custom Car Street Eliminator fan site at ccse.homestead.com. "The rules are the same as last year, and the contest is free to enter", says Stuart. "The rules are available on my web site with a listing of last year's drivers and prices. I have already entered my team, which is pretty hot, so get 'em while they are still hot. Entries will be accepted up to 23:59 on 19th April. To enter you can either E-Mail me at stuart_dempsey@hotmail.com or leave a message in the guestbook on my site."
©Eurodragster.com
Webstercam.
4th April: We are very pleased to announce that after one (trial) showing, Eurodragster has signed up two sponsors for our webcam, which we plan to have on-line at every event we cover this season.

The first sponsor is UK race car and bike builder Webster Race Engineering, whose first Test Day at Santa Pod Raceway a couple of weeks back was the webcam's first appearance. Jon Webster jumped at the chance to put his name to the new feature. "When the webcam came to our attention I immediately thought that it would be great if we at WRE could have some involvement because of the potential exposure our company would get", says Jon. "We are all aware of Eurodragster's popularity amongst the racing fraternity and with the rest of the world that is interested in drag racing. The professional coverage of events in the past has always impressed me and to be associated with that in some way can only be a positive thing from our point of view."

We are very grateful indeed to Jon Webster for his backing. In the few months since Webster Race Engineering opened the company's order book has filled to bursting, and the privilege is all ours to be associated with a company which has so quickly gained a reputation for high-quality work and professionalism.

The trial of the webcam in mid-March resulted in very positive feedback both to Jon and to Eurodragster. "The next Test Day, on April 16th (from which a webcam broadcast is planned - Ed), is filling up and I think a large part of that is down to the coverage which Eurodragster gave the last Test Day, combined with word of mouth from the racers that were there", says Jon. "We were always sure that the facilities on offer at these Test Days would get racers' attention, as most realise the benefits which can be gained. Andy Frost and Carla Pitau and Rick McCann were more than pleased with the progress they made on the day, and from our point of view it is very refreshing to be able to prove our theories under controlled conditions and provide that personal touch which is sometimes needed."
©Eurodragster.com
It is not too late to sign up for the WRE Test Day at Santa Pod Raceway on Wednesday 16th April. Entry is £120; each Test Day is open to both cars and bikes and will feature a fully-prepped track along with full marshal and paramedic cover. A DVLC - not Competition - licence must be presented on the day with the exception of Junior Dragster. Gates will open at 9:00 am with the track open from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, with a half hour break for lunch. Mobile catering will also be on site at each event. You can download the application form by clicking here, or for more details or to discuss your race vehicle requirements call Webster Race Engineering on 01933 315236.

Stay tuned as we will be revealing the name of the webcam's second sponsor tomorrow.

Final York work party.
4th April: York Dragway PR Howard Holmes writes that the track is to have its final work party this Sunday (6th April). "We have had one of the biggest turn-outs ever at the last day and great progress has been made, probably proving the power of Eurodragster!", says Howard. "Pennine Drag Racing Club members and a number of racers were there. Having left the world's fastest Audi at home, the only elimination being undertaken by John Sleath was to the bumps on the pit access with a big mechanical digger. Please try and get there this Sunday for the final instalment and you'll take home some pride in what's being achieved!"
©Eurodragster.com
If you would like to take part then call 01422 843651, fax 01422 844171 or E-Mail yorkdragway@btinternet.com for more details.

On the following weekend, 12th-13th April, PDRC have a stand with three cars at the Doncaster Show. "If you're going, be sure to drop by at the York Raceway stand and say hello", says Howard. "We might even give you a sticker!"

Lose cobwebs on prepped track.
4th April: David Lloyd-Jones of Santa Pod Raceway has been in touch to confirm that the strip is to be fully prepped at Sunday's (6th April) Run What You Brung. "I am sure that you are aware anyway, but if any racer would like to blow away the cobwebs after the winter...", he says.
©Eurodragster.com
You can find out more about Sunday's RWYB on Santa Pod Raceway's web site at www.santapod.com.

Ensure your transporter is insured.
4th April: Further to yesterday's news item about the Shockwave Fuel FC (which was further to a news item on Monday) David Taylor, director of Flint Insurance, tells us that the company can arrange insurance for UK-registered race car transporters including articulated trucks. "We insure a number of UK racers' rigs", says David. "For a quote call 01322 555230 and ask for me!". David added that Flint Insurance can also arrange insurance for race cars and bikes.
©Eurodragster.com
Web site updates.
4th April: Alan Currans has proudly announced a new photographic contributor to his Acceleration Archive web site. "I have posted the first gallery of pictures taken by 1980s Finnish Pro Comp Funny Car pilot Timo Aartomaa", says Alan. "Timo was not only a talented driver but was also no slouch behind the lens and, as you will see, he certainly made the most of his privileged access to non-public areas. I have also taken the opportunity to re-organise the site, and the old selection page has been replaced by a Site Map from which gives access to all the galleries including Rob Cook's photographs". Check it out at www.theaccelerationarchive.co.uk.
©Eurodragster.com
TMFCs to unveil in Stockholm.
3rd April: The Stockholm Motor Show, which starts tomorrow, sees the unveiling of two Top Methanol Funny Cars, one with a new body and the other with a new paintjob.

Andréasson Motorsports are unveiling their new Alfa Romeo GT Coupe body, which as soon as it makes a pass will become the fastest Alfa in the world. The Alfa (right) is due to be unveiled at 14:00 tomorrow (Friday) on Stand 16-41 in Hall C. Team member Anders Magnusson has promised to post pictures on the team's official web site as soon as possible after the unveiling, but judging by the graphic it's a very nice-looking piece indeed.
©Eurodragster.com
Meanwhile Micke Kågered Racing are unveiling the new paintjob on their European Championship-holding TMFC, which is to be driven this season by ex-Pro Stock Champion Niclas Andersson. Micke Kågered very kindly showed us an artist's impression of the paintjob back at Autosport International; we were sworn to secrecy about the scheme but we don't think it would be breaching confidences to say that it's going to be one beautiful car. Stay tuned to Micke's web site for more.

Shockwave gets no claims bonus.
3rd April: Further to Monday's news about the Shockwave Fuel Funny Car, driver Gordon Smith has been in touch again to tell us that Flint Insurance have renewed their sponsorship for the 2003 season. "We are very grateful indeed to Flint Insurance for continuing their backing", said Gordon. "If you need insurance then call Flint and show them how much you appreciate their support for drag racing."
©Eurodragster.com
Flint Insurance, based in Harrow and Bexley, can provide all types of cover from car and bike, building, household and travel insurance to commercial vehicle and breakdown. Call 01322 555230, 0208 427 6464 or 0870 0115320 to discuss your requirements or visit Flint's web site at www.flintinsurance.co.uk.

Wells up for RWYB.
3rd April: UK Pro ET racer Steve Wells is the latest to confirm attendance at Sunday's (6th April) Run What You Brung at Santa Pod Raceway. Steve will be testing his hugely-popular wheelstanding Ford Pop pick-up for the first time this year.

"We are going, subject to a good weather forecast", says Steve (you're going, then - Ed). "This is the first year we haven't done anything to the car, as we never got the best out of the new engine and clutch last year, but at least we got our nine-second run. So this year the aim is mid-nines, and if we can go a few rounds here and there and give those worthy Pro ET Champions Carla Pitau and Rick McCann a run for their money then so much the better."
©Eurodragster.com
Steve is also very pleased to welcome back sponsor Connorson Construction Limited, who can be contacted on 0800 919818.

Racers: It's not too late to drop us a line if you will be at Sunday's RWYB. Send details to news@eurodragster.com and we'll post them here.

Flavell blown - thanks chick.
3rd April: Also on the subject of testing, UK Super Pro ET racer Mark Flavell came away from last Sunday's Run What You Brung at Santa Pod not entirely satisfied with the first run out of the new blown engine in his dragster, despite clocking times in the 8.4s.

"Sometimes it's hard to see the benefit of testing when you don't acheive your end goal but really that's what testing is", says Mark. "We went, we learnt, and we left a lot wiser. Fuel delivery problems and a hoplessly mismatched torque converter meant 8.40s was as quick as we could get the Performance Unlimited dragster down the track. But better to come up short in testing than when we're racing.
©Eurodragster.com
"A hard, long day for my Super Crew Des and Craig, thanks to Stuart for chipping in his Merc for a tow car, and to Ian Marshall for some of his experienced input. Also thanks to everybody who came up to wish us well - particularly the dark-haired chick, wow! We really enjoy and appreciate the support."

Web site updates.
3rd April: Finland's returning Top Fuel Dragster racer Anita Mäkelä's web site has had a makeover and has now been relaunched at www.anitamakela.com. The site has been brought up-to-date to preview Anita's return to the track and also includes some new features such as a fascinating Question and Answer session with Crew Chief Sami Lehtimaki.

Regular readers will remember that NDRS Pro Modified Champion Håkan Nilsson raced in the USA a couple of weekends back, smashing his personal bests in the process at 6.344/221.13. Håkan's web site now has a very interesting report of the Veidec-sponsored team's weekend in Virginia. Check it out at www.nilssonmotorsports.com.
©Eurodragster.com
Start as you mean to go on!
2nd April: UK Custom Car Street Eliminator racer Mark Bracking came away very pleased indeed with his first test of the season at last Sunday's Run What You Brung at Santa Pod Raceway. It was Mark's first time using nitrous in his Pop and he came away with new personal bests.

"I only used the gas on two runs", says Mark. "The first time was over the last hundred feet, and I recorded 11.83/124, a new personal best. On the next run there was just a little sniff in second gear just before half track, and a touch in third gear, and I attained the goal I have been after: 100 mph at half-track. The quarter mile was 11.78/126, another personal best.
©Eurodragster.com
"I'm looking forward to the first round of CCSE at Easter with gas and a nice track!"

Us too, congratulations Mark!

Bailey's crew earns his wings.
2nd April: UK Super Street Bike racer Dave Bailey was also in attendance at Santa Pod on Sunday, trying out combinations and trying to stop himself laughing after Eurodragster staffer Sharkman earned his wings whilst trying to help out.

"Firstly, Jamie Sneddon", says Dave. "Well, he keeps going quicker and quicker! 8.49/171 and 8.47/168 on a RWYB surface!
©Eurodragster.com
"Quickly moving on...many thanks must go to my last-minute pit crew, who saved me having to push my bike back from the return road after each run, and gave the spectators a free stunt show right in front of the grandstand. I must elaborate...our esteemed Sharkman, not wanting to see me put out by the long hike back from the end of the track, kindly offered to tow me. Not having experience of gears (clutch-less or otherwise), and having received minimal training, Shark set off past the grandstand. Recalling the instruction on how to select the next gear, Shark delicately stabbed the relevant lever and was unceremoniously thrown off the back of the bike. Having exceeded the Graham Dance Super Street Altitude Record and come close to the Jim Koenig loop record Shark recovered composure, re-mounted and proceeded up the old fire-up road to complete his duties. Super Street Bike - someone's gotta wheelie.

"Finally on to me. New plan failed - I owe Mr. Wing a pint - back to Plan A. The End."

"Pain heals, chicks dig scars, and glory lasts forever", commented Sharkman.

Obsessed King Straightlined.
2nd April: The UK's King Racing Top Fuel Bike team have announced that Obsession Motorsports and Straightline Racing have joined the push to regain the European crown they first won in 2001. Their support, alongside that of their existing associate sponsors, has ensured that King Racing will contest all rounds of the FIM / UEM Dragbike Championship. The most prestigious international championship in dragbike racing will see current European Record holders King Racing in action at Finland, Sweden, Norway, Germany and the two UK rounds, as well as exhibition events to be staged in the UK and Athens, Greece.

Team principal Ian King said: "We are enormously grateful to Terry and Tina Gibbs of Obsession Motorsports for their support in helping us overcome the enormous obstacle posed by the costs of international travel. With Terry and Tina 'oiling the wheels' to reach an agreement with Andy Carter of the First National Telecom Top Fuel team, our operation will join his Top Fuel car in the recently acquired trailer on his own effort to regain the FIA Top Fuel championship crown. Terry and Tina have once again shown their passion and support for furthering dragracing in Europe."

Ian continued "In one way, it's natural that we should hook up with Andy's effort as we made history together in the 2001 season by becoming the first two British competitors to win the European Bike and Car championships with Top Fuel machines in the same season. With Andy's agreement, Obsession Motorsports support, and further help from Nick Pepper and Chris Tombleson's Straightline Racing we hope to make this season as successful as the last time we competed in the full championship. We wish to thank Andy and his team for accommodating us in this way, and, of course, the continued support of our associate sponsors."

Obsession Motorsports and Straightline Racing join New Engineering Ltd, Rofor Engineering, Performance Machine, Wackyshack Paintshop, Turboville.com, RSG Customize, House of Kolor UK, Murdoch Racing Enterprises, Royal Purple UK, Goodridge UK, Vanson Leathers, MotorGraphic and Cometic Gaskets UK in their 2003 race effort.

You can find the King Racing web site at www.kingracing.com.
©Eurodragster.com
Rainbird drops proposal.
2nd April: UK Sportsman ET racer Jeff Rainbird asked us to pass on the following message to his fellow racers regarding his proposal for a new Sportsman bracket. "I have to apologise to all the Sportsman racers for not getting back to you before now to let you know what the outcome was for this class", says Jeff. "With the introduction of LA Heavy Street I am not going to pursue this format any more, so please let's not complain amongst ourselves this coming season that we have spent a fair amount of money and got only four runs. £20 at a RWYB would yeald about the same amount of runs. I will possibly be running Razor in this new class with the GTO, if he has finished his latest movie which is a low-budget remake of Debbie Does Dallas (never heard of it - Ed)."
©Eurodragster.com
Web site updates.
2nd April: Thanks to Dennis Kieselhorst for letting us know that the latest issue of the excellent German on-line magazine Dragracer.de is now available. This issue of the very colourful and well-designed magazine includes features on Swiss Top Methanol FC racer Dezsoe Krivan, a mean-looking pick-up and Camaro as well as model drag racing, news, race calendar and a lot more. Check it out at www.dragracer.de.

Editor's note: If you haven't yet worked out which of yesterday's stories was the April Fool, the answer is that none of them was! After considering and rejecting several ideas, we eventually decided that it would be a reasonably amusing fool to let everyone spend the day wondering which story was the fool. Apologies for our warped sense of humour. Look on the bright side - you now have 364 fool-free days.
©Eurodragster.com
Explosion time.
1st April: Racers at Explosion Drag Racing Club's events in Holland will enjoy the benefit of the latest generation of timing equipment in 2003.
©Eurodragster.com
The timing system, manufactured by Onysix and operated by Timing Services Holland, is already in use at various European drag strips and meets or exceeds FIA and FIM specifications. The system can cater for all classes from Junior to Top Fuel Dragster and has such features as barcode reading and real-time publication of results on the internet. It is to be certified by the TNO independent technology institute, making it the only such certified equipment in Holland.

The Onysix system was recently demonstrated to a delegation of the Explosion board, sponsors and a number of guests at the premises of Zodiac, who are sponsoring the system along with BNS. The demonstration (right) entailed the setting-up of a small drag strip in Zodiac's yard, with pushbikes the most powerful vehicles in evidence.

"Explosion Drag Racing Club and the Dutch racers have had a long-held wish fulfilled", says Bart Salentijn, Chairman of Timing Services Holland.

Heezen pleased with return.
1st April: Dutch European Top Gas racer Job Heezen (right, picture ©Turboville.com) was at Santa Pod Raceway's Run What You Brung on Sunday testing before the European Top Gas Series commences at Shakespeare County Raceway at the start of May. Job, who has been Series champion, had to sit out 2002 due to business commitments but he was not sat doing nothing last year and is ready to come out fighting in 2003.

"We had a good weekend in the UK as usual", says Job, "in wonderful conditions at the Pod. After working on the bike for approximately eighteen months we made our shake-down runs on Sunday and I am pleased to tell you that we are very satisfied with the outcome.
©Eurodragster.com
"Although the runs were far from perfect - I think I ran 450 metres instead of 400 metres - it is obvious that the bike has a lot of potential. The numbers I got are telling me that there is a lot of scope for the future. Even hitting the rev limiter twice and getting off the throttle three times I was able to record an 8.55 run with a terminal speed only four miles per hour less than the former record.

"The changes that we made are numerous: a complete new engine from top to bottom, a new injection system, a new primary drive-line, new clutch and a new induction system. Therefore I am happy that it ran so well on its first run, and I hope that we can show you some more this season..."

Job told us at Santa Pod on Sunday that he was looking at attending the APIRA Test and Tune at Shakespeare County Raceway next week, so we may get to see that "more" very soon.
That news is ©Eurodragster.com too
"I can see some serious seven second runs coming from this team in 2003 so watch out Euro Serie competitors!", adds our good friend, photo-journalist Ian 'Turbo' Turburville who was there on Sunday (and to whom we are very grateful for additional reporting - Ed). "Job and the Euro Serie racers will be appearing at the first round of their Championship at Shakespeare County Raceway on 3rd-5th May. Don't miss it!"

Excited Jacobsen confirms RWYB.
1st April: Norway's returning Top Fuel Dragster racer Øyvor Jacobsen has confirmed that she is to put in her licencing passes at this Sunday's (6th April) Run What You Brung at Santa Pod Raceway.

"We will be at the Pod as planned", Øyvor told us late last week. "Rune's trailer is to be packed at the weekend and then we will be on our way!"
©Eurodragster.com
Øyvor is obviously excited about getting back into a Top Fueller. "I have waited for this for so long", she said. "I can't wait for that first green light! I know it will all come back to me as soon as the engine turns over, if not before."

Car owner and Crew Chief Rune Fjeld will also be excited and interested to see how his latest chassis, bought from the USA late last year, performs.

If you fancy getting nitro in your nostrils in advance of the Easter Thunderball then entry to Santa Pod on Sunday is £9 per person, under-sixteens go free. Or, if you like the idea of sharing the pairing lanes with a Top Fuel Dragster, then there is an additional charge of £13 for unlimited runs on the track. For licence and safety requirements check out Santa Pod Raceway's web site at www.santapod.com.

If you can't make it to Santa Pod this weekend then stay tuned to Eurodragster as we will be attending the Run What You Brung to report on Øyvor's progress in association with our friends at American Car Imports. We are also pleased to confirm that we are planning to run the webcam again on Sunday. Stay tuned for more details later in the week.

APIRA seek final work crew...
1st April: On the subject of testing and tuning, Avon Park International Racers Association Club and Race Secretary Wendy Talbot has been in touch looking for volunteers this weekend (5th-6th April) to help to prepare Shakespeare County Raceway for its first event, the APIRA Test and Tune which takes place a week on Saturday.

"We need as many pairs of hands as we can get this weekend to help to get all the of final jobs done at Shakespeare County Raceway", says Wendy. "The equipment is all there ready to go - we are just short of people to help to do those jobs."

If you would like to pitch in this weekend to help prepare SCR for the coming season then please contact Wendy Talbot either by E-Mail at wendy@apira.org.uk or on the phone on 01379 740100. "I need to know the names of those coming", says Wendy, adding "there will be food and drink supplied!"
©Eurodragster.com
...whilst SCR sled needs slicks.
1st April: Whilst we are on the subject of Shakespeare County Raceway Lee Child of LA Performance Services, who will be promoting the Ultimate Power Drag Racing Championship at the Warwickshire track, tells us that FAST Team supremo Bruno Sanderson-Brown, who is in charge of track prep, is seeking racers' used slicks so that he can sled more rubber onto the racing surface.
Paraphrasis is still plagiarism, ©Eurodragster.com
"If you have any old slicks which you would like to donate then they are needed pretty urgently", says Lee. "Please contact me either by E-Mail on la.racing@virgin.net or by phone on 01803 554308 and we can arrange the logistics."

Spuff congratulates Dobbo.
1st April: If you were tuned in last week you will have read that UK Fuel Funny Car racer John Spuffard lost his fastest-outside-America title to Australia's Allan Dobson, whose 289 mph pass in a match race at Kwinana Motorplex last week just outpaced Spuff's best of 286 mph, set at Santa Pod last season. It will come as no surprise to Eurodragster readers that Spuff was one of the first to contact Dobbo and car owners Allan and Cheryl Greene to congratulate them on the feat.

"It was a magnificent achievement", says Spuff. "I E-Mailed the team with my congratulations. Of course, I said I would get the record back off them this season, but right now they are the fastest and I am very pleased for them."
©Eurodragster.com
John will be aiming to take his speed mark back during this year's British Nitro Funny Car Championship, which commences at the Excitement Nationals at Shakespeare County Raceway at the start of May. Before then, Bill Sherratt will be driving the second Showtime FC at the Easter Thunderball at Santa Pod Raceway, about which more soon. "Our test pilot will be out at Easter!", says Spuff. "He'll try out a few things for us and then we'll go out and get the speed record back!"

Marston approaching Insanity.
1st April: Business at the UK's Paul Marston Racing is gaining momentum, with the whole team stepping up a gear as Santa Pod's Easter Thunderball fast approaches. The latest addition to the Paul Marston Racing stable, the Insanity Vega, has now completed its winter rebuild having spent the last three months on stands. The motor has been fired up in the workshop, and everything has passed check-out, with the motor perfect as well as the drivetrain and electrical components. All that remains is for the new steering wheel to be added.

"The Vega does not look a lot different to when it rolled into the workshop", says Paul Marston. "Another Paul, the previous owner, could spot the changes. It needs a close inspection to notice but nearly every single part has had some kind of attention paid to it. The differences are subtle; what hides a lot of it is the fact that it was not repainted, that may come next season but for now as its a good paintjob so it stays! I now feel that the Vega has a part of me in it. I have made it just as I want it from a driver's perspective - with the layout, seat position, steering etc, you feel as one with the car. Having spent some very long hours working on it, it kind of makes the hairs on the back of your hands stand up when I open the workshop door and see it. It was always one of my ambitions to drive this race car, back from when I very first spectated, the wild wheels-up antics this car is capable of is what drag racing is all about. What a rush!"
©Eurodragster.com
PMR's General Manager Dave Kalisz commented on the ease with which the ex-Mean As Hell Pro Mod car came back together. "It is always a worry when we have had a whole car in a million pieces. With the ChryslerCard PT Bruiser it's no problem, as I reckon I could rebuild that race car in my sleep by now! But Insanity was fine. It fired up first time. No two-foot flames out of the carb, a problem it used to suffer. No problems, immediate starting is always a nice sign, it makes life easy - meaning I dont have to take it apart again!

"On another note, people will actually see me at the track far more than before in an entirely new role this year, you have been warned!".

"Dave Kalisz has been a part of the Paul Marston Racing organization for seven years now", says Paul. "He worked up from helping to clean and polish at C & S Racing to being a master tactician at the track and general manager of PMR as a whole."

Insanity's first outing was a trip to associate sponsor London Road Tyres to have the tracking and geometry set up on their laser table, then a private track test session to go thru a complete systems check on Tuesday. Once that has been successfully completed, the car will go to Webster Race Engineering for a full chassis set-up prior to the next test session at Santa Pod on Wednesday 16th April. "There we will be testing the chassis set-up and with Jon Webster assisting us to get it into competitive shape for the Easter Thunderball", says Paul. "For a race team this is where the real work starts. With the quality of race car seen on the track, there simply are not any easy classes. They are all filled with good cars and professional teams who know their racecraft."

With two of Paul Marston Racing's pupils licensing at the next WRE Test Day there is a strong possibility that one of them will compete at Easter, otherwise Paul will take the driving duties and compete in the Vega himself. "Whatever happens we will be appearing at Easter", says Paul. "With so much still to be achieved before we are ready its a race against the clock, nothing new there then!

"I must thank all of my tireless, hard-working crew at Paul Marston Racing, plus Gary at Jeep Club for his help and expertise, Gary at London Road Tyres and all the management and staff at Black Box Sound and Light's London Office for the people we have borrowed for the odd day or two! We will also be soon announcing our sponsor lineup for the coming season, so stay tuned for that one as well as crew lineup. Meanwhile we are duty bound to thank everyone who has encouraged and supported us at Paul Marston Racing over the years: Chrysler UK, ChryslerCard, ATI Performance Transmissions, MAC Tools, 76 Racing Fuels and Lubricants, Individual Clothing, London Road Tyres, Jeep Club, Disco Equipment Hire, Black Box London Limited and everyone else."


Earlier news


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