Interview: Martyn Jones. 30th April: For the latest in our occasional series of Features presented in association with Stroud Safety and Andy Robinson Race Cars Eurodragster.com interviewed UK Super Pro ET racer Martyn Jones. ©Eurodragster.com Martyn Jones' name is synonymous with Super Pro ET. Martyn aka Syd was one of the originators of the class in Europe and has won four UK National Championships with Crew Chief Dave Crunkhorn, aka Crunch, one of UK drag racing's longest-serving team members. We asked Syd about his racing history, his various race cars, and of course his new blown-alcohol dragster Small Fortune. Click here to read our interview with Martyn Jones, or click on the Features, Interviews, Tributes link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page. Editor's note: If you would like to volunteer to be the subject of an interview or Feature here on Eurodragster.com then please drop an E-Mail to us at editor@eurodragster.com. Springspeed Nationals update. 30th April: Many thanks to Shakespeare County Raceway for passing on the provisional running order for Saturday's qualifying at the Springspeed Nationals, which you can check out by clicking here or by clicking on the Event Coverage link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page and selecting the Springspeed Nationals. ©Eurodragster.com As ever please note that the running order is provisional and subject to change due to weather or track conditions or for any other reason deemed necessary by race officials. Hanna tunes Hanssen. 30th April: The US' Will Hanna tells us that he will this year be tuning the Top Methanol Dragster acquired by Fred Hanssen of Frøya's Islanders Drag Racing Team. "I will be assisted by former owner Howard Main at Santa Pod Raceway", says Will. "The car was piloted by Darvin Martinets back in the States for the last two years. I tuned it for the last year and a half to a best of 5.34/267 which of course was at the NHRA overdrive of 228%. The car was formerly driven by Guy Kelly who won several Division 2 Championships after purchasing it from original owner Mark Hentges. Besides driving Top Alcohol FC for two years, I tuned Jason Cannon's Top Alcohol Dragster to the Division 2 Championship in 2003, and have worked closely with a number of teams since, including Lee Callaway and Steve Harker. This year I am Crew Chief on Chris Foster's TAFC. ©Eurodragster.com "We will be testing on the weekend prior to the FIA Main Event in an effort to get Fred's licence upgraded and to get him up to speed driving. We will also have a couple of former crew guys teaching the new guys: Howard's brother Danny Main and former Comp racer Joey Ficca will be on hand to assist. "I will be at all events this year with the exception of Mantorp Park, when I have a prior commitment to Chris Foster's TAFC team. They are skipping a race so that I can make Santa Pod for Fred, so I have to skip one of Fred's races later in the year. It's kind of a bummer, as they say Mantorp is a fun race (Oh yes - Ed). "I have to extend thanks to Dave Wilson, Kate Robinson at Andy Robinson Race Cars, and Derek Flynn for assisting with information to make everything happen. "I look forward to racing the FIA circuit and to meeting many of the racers who view my web sites InsideTopAlcohol.com and InsideCompRacing.com on a regular basis. I would just ask the locals take it easy and don't beat up on the visitor too badly!" Malmgren to PAC springs. 30th April: Swedish Pro Stock racer Michael Malmgren has announced a sponsorship deal with the USA's PAC Racing Springs. As part of the deal Michael will be able to supply springs to racers at the track: PAC Racing Springs is the world's premier valve spring manufacturer specialising in valve springs for racing applications, carrying out in-house development and researsch with, for example, spintron dyno testing of all valvesprings. Nascar, drag racing, Formula 1, Rally and Sprint cars and everyday street engines use PAC Racing products to provide unsurpassed performance. Innovative designs produced by skilled springmakers from highest quality materials ensure the highest-performing springs available. PAC has fourteen plants in three countries and was founded in 1914, but the PAC Racing Spring division started in 2005 and is part of Peterson American Corporation They can make springs to match any custom need for any type of engine. For more information check out www.racingsprings.com. ©Eurodragster.com More and more Pro teams in the USA are using PAC and especially in Pro Stock most of the 500 ci engines are using them. My engine builder Bob Ingles saw some power gains on the dyno and some good results on-track track which made the switch easy. We had a chat with Chris Osborn of PAC at the PRI Show in December. PAC are new on the market and are hungry to reach into the European market as well. So have we set up a deal where Malmgren Racing will have sets of each of the most popular valve springs in our trailer for Pro Stock, Pro Mod and Alcohol engines. We have an agreement to offer these springs at a very good price, so nobody will have to pay more than what they would cost in the USA. For more details and pricing call me on +46 4216 6693 or E-Mail me at michael.malmgren@myresjohus.se. Your chance to sponsor a Pro Mod. 30th April: UK Pro Mod racer Ray White is offering the chance to sponsor his wild blown-alcohol Zephyr for the forthcoming FIA Main Event. "We would all love to have the big bucks sponsors but it was hard enough before the credit crunch", says Ray. "What I'm offering is both sides of the car big enough to read your company name or logo or even a happy birthday, your girlfriend's or boyfriend's name, or anything you can think of. You will get access to our pit so you can have your pictures with the car, crew and driver all for as little as £100. The more you want to pay the bigger the space. All these £100s add up, and companies don't forget that you can claim money back as advertising. If interested then please drop me a line at specialistlx@ukonline.co.uk or call me on 07850 200260. Grab this chance while you can and we will see you at the Main Event." ©Eurodragster.com Ray adds that the Zephyr is in good shape. "The crew and I are really looking forward to running again", he says. "We will test on the Sunday before the race and I have recruited some more crew for the Main Event: Adrian Spencer ex-Pro Mod Crew Chief, Danny Cockerill ex-Pro Mod Money Spender of the Year, and Slowmod's Rob Smallworth. With this much experience I can't wait." Wells aims for eights. 30th April: Having made a few changes to their Team Orange Super Comp Ford Pop pick-up over the winter, Steve and Jayne Wells and crew Malcolm and Marcie Motler went to the Auto Trader Easter Thunderball hoping for quite a few runs to sort out the launches. "Despite the superhuman efforts of the Santa Pod crew we only had two qualifying runs due to rain", says Steve. "Both these runs were aborted before 330 feet, so we went into eliminations lacking confidence. Although we lost in the first round, the changes made to the clutch and ladder bars were in the right direction as we ran a new PB of 9.18 with a terrible sixty foot time and clutch slip all through top gear. At least we now have some info to work with from the datalogger. ©Eurodragster.com "We will again be aiming for an eight at the Springspeed Nationals this weekend, again with the help of the Motlers and our sponsors motorhome4rent.co.uk and Cam Auto whose tiny Red Top Battery, available from their E-Bay shop at www.stores.ebay.co.uk/camautodevelopments, helped us lighten the Pop by seventy five pounds over the winter." Swift snippets. 30th April: We are indebted to Santa Pod Racers Club Secretary Paula Marshall for forwarding us Version 11 of the official FIA Main Event entry list. You can check out the entry list by clicking here or by clicking on the Event Coverage link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page, and you can download entry forms from the SPRC web site at www.eurodragster.com/sprc although be advised that a late entry fee will be charged. ©Eurodragster.com Reigning FIA European Top Fuel Champion Andy Carter has renewed his sponsorship of the UK's Junior Dragster class which will be contesting its third UK National Championship at this weekend's Springspeed Nationals at Shakespeare County Raceway. Both finalists will be awarded £25. The UK's King Racing Top Fuel Bike team are the subject of a front page colour article in this month's Motor Cycle Monthly magazine. MCM is a free monthly paper, distributed to over 700 of the UK's main motor cycle dealers. With drag bike racing taking front page position usually reserved for MotoGP pictures it bodes well for the promotion of the forthcoming European Drag Bike Championship season opener at Santa Pod Raceway. To view an on-line version of the magazine visit www.mpldigital.com/mortons-media/motorcycle-monthly or to find out where you can pick up your free copy visit www.motorcyclemonthly.co.uk/stockists.html. Web site updates. 30th April: UK photo-journalist and graphic designer Mark Gredzinski's web site at www.gredzo.com has been updated with a gallery of shots from the Auto Trader Easter Thunderball. "These are different pictures to those selected for the Custom Car race report of the event", says Mark. "I have kept it down to fifty pictures to keep it concise, and if anyone is interested in a shot of a particular vehicle they can always contact me via the site. My next oil painting should be finished this week and some good progress has been made on six model-making projects with all of them in primer. As the paint I use for bodywork is solvent-based, I have to spray outside which I can now do in the warmer air. Other recent work includes some extra signwriting on Stan and Paula Atkin's new Mustang which will be noticeable, hopefully in a good way, when the car appears for testing in May or June. I've got some lettering and logo design to do on three supercharged cars for later in the year and more will be revealed on those later." ©Eurodragster.com Smoky and smokin'. 30th April: Warwickshire based Tractor Pulling team Just Smoky are set to display their awesome 3.5 ton Super Stock tractor alongside the Mark Pacey's Chevy-powered Mini Modified at this weekend's Springspeed Nationals at Shakespeare County Raceway, writes SCR's Jerry Cookson. The Jones family are no strangers to this bizarre American sport. Dave Jones' father John and uncle Bill have had an active role in Tractor Pulling since 1979, when they first took to the track with a single turbocharged Fordson diesel competing in events at the Royal Show and Town and Country Festivals in nearby Coventry. "After three successful years with the Major, dad and Bill progressed onto a Ford 8600 Super Stock until 1990, when the tractor was downscaled into a Pro Stock machine that competed regularly on the British circuit", says Dave who took over the controls in 1998. The Jones family then mothballed Smoky Joe to concentrate on developing the family farming business of two 1000-hectare arable operations in Warwickshire and Bedfordshire. "It took Alisdair Walsh and over twelve months to build Just Smoky with help from American racer Ron Builtemeier of BMS Motorsports who supplied many of the parts and advice", says Dave. "At the end of 2005 Just Smoky rolled out of the workshop." Since then Dave's team have gone on to win the British Super Stock Championship and the European Superpull as well as runner up in the Eurocup. With Tractor Pulling and drag racing not too dissimilar Dave and his team have been lending sponsorship support during the winter to another Warwickshire-based drag racing father and son team, Leamington's Griffin family. Along with his former racing dad Frank, Cliff has been racing in the Outlaw Anglia class for years in a car based around Ford's iconic fifties styled Anglia. But that's where the similarities end. This particular Ford is powered by a methanol-burning and supercharged 468 ci Chevrolet which has already covered the standing start quarter mile in 8.8 seconds at over 150 mph. In recent testing at Shakespeare County Raceway, Cliff was seen perfecting his trademark John Force-style burnouts to good effect. So anyone visiting the strip this weekend had better watch out. Cliff Griffin picture courtesy and ©Peter Donaldson ©Eurodragster.com Springspeed Nationals update. 29th April: Many thanks to Shakespeare County Raceway for passing on the pit plan for this weekend's Springspeed Nationals, which you can view by clicking here or by clicking on the Event Coverage link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page and selecting the Springspeed Nationals. Marshals will be on hand to direct racers to their pit spaces, which are individually numbered. Gate times and the provisional running order will be published tomorrow. SCR have also kindly passed on Version 3 of the Springspeed Nationals entry list which you can check out by clicking here or by clicking on the Event Coverage link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page and selecting the Springspeed Nationals. SCR would like to thank the following companies who in the last few weeks have pledged support towards this year's Springspeed Nationals Event Trophy Programme: Peter Walters Race Design; Andy Robinson Race Cars; Drag Race Engineering; NT Autos; Apsley Transmissions; Power Race Graphics; Jacksons MOT; www.ukdrn.co.uk; Roy Wilding Nostalgia Race Cars; adoorablehandles.com; volkszone.com; TSR Engine Conversions; PAE Consulting; Turboville.com; Windrush Roofing & Leadwork Ltd; Newgate (Newark) Ltd; Furlong Tyres; Stephen Moon Consulting; www.timtime.co.uk; Barton Care; Scottie’s Vehicle Transportation; and of course our favourite drag racing web site Eurodragster.com. Thanks guys for all of your support and encouragement. See you at the strip. Today (Wednesday) is the last day to book advance tickets for the event. The ticket hotline is open during normal business hours at 01789 414119. For ticket prices and other details check out Events at www.shakespearecountyraceway.com. ©Eurodragster.com This weekend's Springspeed Nationals at Shakespeare County Raceway is the third event in the 2009 Eurodragster.com Perfect Awards scheme. £125 is on offer for perfect performance. The Eurodragster.com/Speedflow Perfect Light Award has been reset to £50 after it was won by Junior Dragster racer Gabrielle McDonald at Big Bang. The money will be paid in cash to the first racer this weekend to record a Reaction Time of 0.000 seconds. The Perfect Light Award is available to all racers in all classes during qualifying and eliminations, but will only be awarded for the first Perfect Light of the event. The Perfect Light Award is presented in association with performance hose and fitting manufacturer Speedflow whose web site you can find at www.speedflow.co.uk. Although the Perfect Light Award goes to three places, we will not pay out for red lights with zeroes in the first three decimals since a foul is a foul however far in the first non-zero digit may be. So a reaction time of 0.0001 will win you the money (if you're first to do it), but a reaction time of -0.0001 will not. Decals are not formally required for the Perfect Light Award but of course we appreciate it: you can get Eurodragster.com decals at the track from any Eurodragster.com staff member. ©Eurodragster.com The Eurodragster.com/Gold RV Perfect ET Award has been increased to £75 after it went unclaimed at Big Bang. The money will be paid in cash to the first racer this weekend to run to the thousandth on their dial-in or index during qualifying or eliminations. The Perfect ET Award is available this weekend in Super Pro ET, Pro ET, Sportsman ET, Super Comp, Super Gas, Super Street, Junior Dragster (eliminations only), 9.50 Bike, The Wild Bunch, VW Pro, VW Sportsman, Supertwin ET, 8.50 Bike and Junior Drag Bike, but will only be awarded for the first Perfect Run of the event. The Perfect ET Award is presented in association with RV sales and service specialists Gold RV whose web site you can find at www.goldrv.co.uk. To be eligible to collect the Perfect ET Award, racers are required to carry Eurodragster.com/Gold RV Perfect ET decals, one on each side of the vehicle whether car or bike. If you pull this weekend's first Perfect ET but are not carrying decals then there will be no discussion; we will not pay out and the next person to pull a Perfect ET will get the money assuming that they are carrying decals. The decals will be available from the Signing On office as soon as it opens on Saturday morning; please note that, as is usual with contingency schemes, racers are responsible for requesting or picking up decals when signing on. A list of required decals per class is always on display in the Signing On office. Fancy a blown motor? 29th April: If you are looking for a blown-alcohol motor then UK altered racer Joe Bond and the Nuthin' Fancy team are the guys to see at Shakespeare County Raceway this weekend. "We will be bringing last year's engine, which is for sale, in a cradle so if anyone interested and wants to see it up close and personal then it will be with us at the weekend", says Joe. Joe was last seen changing lanes and punting timing reflectors left, right and centre at the Auto Trader Easter Thunderball. "I'd like to say sorry to the Santa Pod crew and my fellow racers for deciding to take up slalom on the Sunday afternoon", says Joe. "I don't like wasting people's time so I apologise for the down time. Apart from that, Easter went pretty well for us. We ran 7.2/188 with some little problems here and there. We hope we have cured those, so we are looking forward to getting back out on the track at the Springspeed Nationals." ©Eurodragster.com The team's web site at www.nuthinfancyracing.co.uk has been refettled by sponsor Dom Romney. "It only looks slightly different but it is easier for me to update", says Joe. "So a huge thanks to Dom, also to Peter Walters Race Design for his continued support. Thanks also to everyone, fellow racers, sponsors and fans alike who support the NFAA, it's the most awesome class to race in". Swift snippets. 29th April: Congratulations to ex-pat UK Top Alcohol Dragster racer Michael Manners who has made the Jegs Allstars in the USA. "The Jegs Allstars is made up of the number one driver in each class from each NHRA Division and it is run as a race within a race", says Mike. "It will be contested at the NHRA National Event in Chicago which starts on 4th June." ©Eurodragster.com Commiserations to Dave Grabham and the UK's Freddy's Revenge blown-alcohol altered team who have had to withdraw from the Springspeed Nationals after running out of time to repair engine damage suffered at the Auto Trader Easter Thunderball. We are indebted to Santa Pod Racers Club Secretary Paula Marshall for forwarding us Version 10 of the official FIA Main Event entry list. You can check out the entry list by clicking here or by clicking on the Event Coverage link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page, and you can download entry forms from the SPRC web site at www.eurodragster.com/sprc although be advised that a late entry fee will be charged. Sandie Gibb has asked us to wish a very Happy 6th Birthday to Thaliah Gibb. "Lots of love from Mummy, Daddy and her big sisters", says Sandie. Have a lovely day Thaliah. A chopper for the smaller woman. 29th April: Viveca Averstedt and husband Håkan may no longer be active in the straight-line sport - they moved from Sweden to the USA at the turn of the millennium, hoping to mix it with the big names in Top Fuel, though the harsh reality of running a blown-nitro car on a limited budget meant their aspirations were dashed due to lack of significant sponsorship - but they're still living the good life in the Sunshine State of Florida, currently being resident in Winter Park, writes Andy Willsheer. 'Lil' Ms Dynamite' did compete in an A/Fuel Dragster at one time but that has been sold, the determined twosome now putting time and energy into Viking Custom Bikes, an enterprise headed by Håkan plus his brothers, and involving construction of low-slung custom motorcycles. "This was something that just kind of evolved from when Håkan built me my first bike", said Viveca. "It was small and compact, just like me (Viveca is just a tad over five feet tall) and we think we've found a niche in the market. After all, not every rider is big or tall." Håkan has built a chopper for himself - "He was into these way back in the Sixties" - and the two certainly enjoy time riding together. With orders trickling in from their Scandinavian home country, the Averstedts are hoping they can get the fledgling business running on a profitable basis in the not too distant future. They still make a point of attending the ACDelco Gatornationals in Gainesville each year - this year they made it along to Friday's Pro qualifying - so anyone attending the East Coast season-opener in the future should keep their eyes peeled and say hello from the fans on this side of the Pond. And if you'd like a tarmac-hugging bike - or, come to that, any customised two-wheeler - you could do a lot worse than having a word with Håkan and see what he has to offer or check out www.vikingcustombikes.com. Picture courtesy and ©Andy Willsheer ©Eurodragster.com Web site updates. 29th April: A couple more Auto Trader Easter Thunderball updates for you today. First up is the Showtime Fuel Funny Car team whose Easter update you can check out at www.showtimeracinguk.com. ©Eurodragster.com The official web site of the UK's Nostalgia Fuel Altered Association has been updated with an Easter Thunderball report which you can find at www.nfaa.info. The official web site of the weekend's Big Bang at Santa Pod Raceway has been updated with a report and gallery which are well worth a look, taking in not just the race but the surrounding lifestyle event. Check it out at www.big-bang.co.uk. Six weeks to a win. 28th April: Former Junior Drag Bike racer, RWYBer, and now Supertwinner Andy Irvine's electric drag bike took the win in the No Emissions class at Friday's Alternative Energy event at Santa Pod Raceway. Andy started construction about six weeks ago alongside his normal first year university Motorcycle Engineering course work. He was supported by Kingston University and LiFeBatt batteries to compete in the Alternative Energy event. ©Eurodragster.com The bike's frame was purpose-built by Andrew and totes an Aprilia RS125 front end, Yamaha back wheel, 144v battery pack by LiFeBatt, two electric motors and assorted electronic controllers and makes an estimated 90-100 bhp. ©Eurodragster.com Andy started his day on Friday with an 18.6/60, progressing to a 14.998/92.64. On the subject of alternative energy Phil Steele tells us that bike sprinter Peter Ford has been running bio-ethanol for several years in his road-going supercharged 600 Bandit which he uses for sprints and hillclimbs, and that Rouge et Noir 2 which Phil rides is currently enjoying the same brew. Springspeed Nationals update. 28th April: Shakespeare County Raceway still has a few Trophy Sponsorship opportunities left for bike classes for this weekend's Springspeed Nationals. These include 8.50 Bike, Supertwin ET, Best Appearing Bike Crew and Best Engineered Bike. If you would like to take up these opportunities for £30 per class then please contact Shakespeare County Raceway on 01789 720180 or E-Mail enquiries@shakespearecountyraceway.co.uk. There are only a few days left. Entry is still open for the Springspeed Nationals; you can download the official entry form from the Downloads page of the Shakespeare County Raceway web site at www.shakespearecountyraceway.co.uk. You can check out Version 2 of the entry list by clicking here or by clicking on the Event Coverage link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page and selecting the Springspeed Nationals. ©Eurodragster.com Nigel Taylor of NT Autos is glad to be able to sponsor Super Comp at the Springspeed Nationals. "Having supported Long Marston, Avon Park and Shakespeare County Raceway over the years, racing in street classes and crewing in Wild Bunch and Outlaw Anglia, I am happy to continue to be involved in a different way and to continue to support this excellent race track", says Nigel. "I'm looking forward to the weekend." Eurodragster.com will of course be reporting live from Shakespeare County Raceway this weekend in association with American Car Imports. We are planning the full service of live reports, pit notes, end-day galleries and Webster Race Engineering/Lex Joon Racing USA Tour 2009 webcam. York set for Bank Holiday. 28th April: The UK's York Raceway is looking forward to starting its race season with Championship rounds this coming May Bank Holiday weekend (Sunday-Monday 3rd-4th May). Sunday hosts qualifying for the first Championship rounds and practice for American Super Stock and is the first round of the 0-60 Championship. York Raceway is the only dragstrip in the UK to have 0-60 mph timing integrated with the TSI timing computer to provide precise 0-60 times along with the traditional drag racing times, printed on the same ticket. After a great trial run last year it has proven very popular with the racers and will feature at two other events this year. ©Eurodragster.com Monday hosts American Super Stock, the first round of the UK's largest all-American drag racing field, featuring anything which America has to offer such as purpose built race cars up against street-legal muscle in this bracket race series; Round 1 of HR Challenge, a street-legal heads-up class featuring anything from hot rods to American muscle to Japanese turbo; Round 1 of Pro ET, 12.00 and quicker bracket racing and Sportsman ET, up to 12.00 bracket racing; Round 2 of Air-Cooled Eliminators, York's ever-growing class of Beetles, Campers, and Karmann Ghias - anything flat four-powered in this bracket racing class. For more details visit www.york-raceway.co.uk. Swift snippets. 28th April: Anders Envall tells us that this is likely the most powerful motor ever seen in The Best Damn Garage In Town in Gothenburg, a 526 ci Brad Anderson piece built by Quain Stott and which propelled him to a 6.03/239.70 and similar to a combination which ran 5.94/238. Swedish Pro Mod racer Patrick Wikström is now the proud owner and he hopes that it will get his OFAB Thriller Camaro near to, or into, the fives. We are indebted to Santa Pod Racers Club Secretary Paula Marshall for forwarding us Version 9 of the official FIA Main Event entry list. You can check out the entry list by clicking here or by clicking on the Event Coverage link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page, and you can download entry forms from the SPRC web site at www.eurodragster.com/sprc although be advised that a late entry fee will be charged. Many thanks to Yvonne Tramm and our very own Simon for passing on the post-Easter Thunderball standings in the UK National Drag Racing Championships. Simon adds that the post-Big Bang points standings will follow shortly. You can check out the UK National points on our Speedflow-sponsored Points Standings page by clicking here or by clicking on the Points Standings link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page. ©Eurodragster.com Ex-pat UK Top Alcohol Dragster racer Michael Manners qualified #1 at the weekend's NHRA Divisional event at Indianapolis. "The #1 was a 5.249/272.94 with my first qualifying pass", says Mike. "We experimented on the next two runs and smoked the tyres at about 300 feet. We were 0.156 quicker than Reichert in qualifying. We broke the crankshaft a little before half track in round one of eliminations, which ended our day". Mike's next event will be the NHRA Divisional in Houston on 15th-17th May. Thanks to Andy Marrs of TSI Timers Europe for forwarding us the official timing data from the weekend's Big Bang at Santa Pod Raceway, which you can check out by clicking here or by clicking on the Timing Data link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page. Thanks also to Andy for forwarding a new UK records sheet with the new bests set at the event, which you can find by clicking here or by clicking on the European Bests link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page. Lose quickly, win a tyre. 28th April: Lee Child of Eurodragster.com Links sponsor LA Racing Parts and Straightliners organiser Trevor Duckworth have teamed up for a joint sponsorship programme for ACU Super Street Bike for the 2009 season. With the competition becoming really tough in Super Street Bike, Trevor and Lee decided to award the quickest first round loser with a brand new Mickey Thompson MCR2. The Auto Trader Easter Thunderball at Santa Pod Raceway hosted the first round of the ACU Super Street Bike Championship. The weather played a major part in the qualifying and resulted in only two sessions for the season opener. Dave Smith, who finished fifth in the 2008 Championship, secured eleventh qualifying position matched up against last year's Champion Steve Venables who qualified sixth, only just two tenths ahead of Dave. Taking the holeshot and the best sixty foot time of eliminations Dave did everything right until he was reeled in by half track. Steve Venables took the win with a 7.48 to a Mickey Thompson MCR2 award-winning 7.82. Congratulations to Dave Smith for winning the tyre with such a stout run, which is confirmation of how tough ACU Super Street Bike competition can be. ©Eurodragster.com "Because of the delay in getting the LA Racing Parts/Straightliners decals for this sponsorship programme we were unable to get decals to Santa Pod Raceway for the Easter Thunderball", says Lee. "But the decals are now ready and can be collected at Straightliner events or mailed from LA Racing Parts, and will be available to collect from Sue Davis in Signing-On at the next Championship round. Two decals must be visible on the bike to win the tyre if you are the quickest round one loser." For information on the whole Mickey Thompson Tire range contact Lee on 01803 554308 or E-Mail mttires@laracingparts.com. Teng Tools for street racers. 28th April: Lee Child of Eurodragster.com Links sponsor LA Racing Parts is proud to announce that Teng Tools is now an associate sponsor for King of Europe West at Santa Pod Raceway on 9th-10th May. Teng Tools and their excellent products have been involved in drag racing for a number of years. They supply the private individual, automotive-related businesses, Sportsman and Professional race teams and are the true choice of Champions. ©Eurodragster.com Venom Racing Fuel Altered pilot and NFAA Championship contender Tony Betts has been involved in a very long-standing sponsorship and promotional programme with Teng Tools. "I have known Tony for a long time and I only know that less than one hundred per cent is not an option either for him or for his race team and drag racing promotional work", says Lee. "Tony played a major part in co-ordinating the sponsor programme for the King of Europe West for which I am very grateful." A range of Teng Tools is on display in the Venom Racing snake pit at race events throughout the 2009 season. Chec kout www.venomracing.co.uk for the team's full schedule, and for Teng Tool product information visit www.tengtools.co.uk. King of Europe West sponsorship opportunities are still available from trophies to class sponsorship, all at affordable pricing. For more info E-Mail Lee at lee@kingofeurope.net. Entry is still open for the King of Europe West at Santa Pod Raceway. For details check out www.kingofeurope.net. Web site updates. 28th April: Photo-journalist Dick Parnham has updated his Fotopic gallery with shots from the Auto Trader Easter Thunderball, which you can check out at dickparnham.fotopic.net. ©Eurodragster.com Big Bang results. 27th April: Congratulations to the winners at this weekend's Big Bang at Santa Pod Raceway: Super Modified: Andy Hone 7.5725/177.07 def. Nigel Payne 7.6648/181.24 B&H Automotive/LA Racing Parts Street Eliminator: Andy Frost 8.6659/146.62 def. Mats Andersson 9.9216/133.98 Sportsman ET: Geoff Cowley (14.80) 14.8783/91.45 def. Spencer Tramm (15.93) 15.8710/81.02 b/o Junior Dragster: Josh Saunders (7.90) 7.9905/78.21 def. Joe Kellett (9.00) 9.0507/70.18 VW Pro: Colin Jardine (11.30) 11.8126/112.30 def. James Hodson (10.75) 10.8399/128.22 VW Sportsman: Lucy Matthews (23.55) 23.7330/55.51 def. Russ Weir (16.40) 16.2896/80.39 red Outlaw Anglia: Richard Colby 8.9014/154.11 def. Colin Millar 10.9241/123.42 9.50 Bike: Phil Pratt 9.5360/124.49 def. Carl Atkison 9.4173/135.59 8.50 Bike: Sandra Chaplain 8.5525/154.64 def. Julian Harris 9.9489/145.19 Congratulations too to Nigel Payne who (subject to ratification) set a new Super Modified speed record of 181.24 mph. Congratulations also to Junior Dragster racer Gabrielle McDonald who took the £75 Eurodragster.com/Speedflow Perfect Light Award with a 0.0003 in qualifying, and to B&H Automotive/LA Racing Parts Street Eliminator racer Andy Frost who ran and backed up the first 190 mph speed by a European street-legal car but whose 190.40 can't be called an official record because of the status of Drag Radials in the class this season (See News FAQ 16 - Ed). Click here to check out our American Car Imports-sponsored Big Bang coverage, or click on the Event Coverage link on the left hand side of any Eurodragster.com page and select Big Bang. Springspeed Nationals update. 25th April: Many thanks to Shakespeare County Raceway for forwarding us Version 2 of the official entry list for the Springspeed Nationals, which takes place on 2nd-4th May. You can check out the entry list by clicking here or by clicking on the Event Coverage link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page and selecting the Springspeed Nationals. Entry is still open for the Springspeed Nationals; you can download the official entry form from the Downloads page of the Shakespeare County Raceway web site at www.shakespearecountyraceway.co.uk. If you have any queries then please E-Mail enquiries@shakespearecountyraceway.co.uk or call 01789 720180. ©Eurodragster.com The Springspeed Nationals pit plan and running orders, together with gate and pitting times, will be available here on Eurodragster.com in the middle of next week. Alternative Energy record falls. 25th April: As the VWs streamed in for this weekend’s Big Bang there was a little bit of green culture taking place at Santa Pod Raceway which hosted the second in its series of Alternative Energy Racing days. There were not quite as many teams and entries as last year but among those chip-fat burners, silent electric movers and bio-fuelled machines lays much of the future of tomorrows motorsport. Electric Go Karts vied for quickest ETs against the likes of bioethanol-powered Kawasakis, Ducatis and all manner of British cars. Best ET was by the Kawasaki ZZR1400 from the Motorcycle News publication team which laid down a 9.95/145 setting a new British record for bioethanol-fuelled bikes (below left). Warwickshire College provided a modified 2.5 Vauxhall Omega running on vegetable oil bio diesel which performed the best burnouts on four wheels despite only lighting up one rear tyre but ran 16.17/94. ©Eurodragster.com After several attempts with a short shift stick the Retro Ford team burning bioethanol in their Escort (above right), changed it for a normal shift stick and managed solve its mis-shifting of gears all the way down track recording a best of 10.69/122. After his tussle riding powerful two wheelers a couple of weeks ago at the Motor Cycle Industry Association Media Day, Eurodragster.com Photo Editor Roger Gorringe found something a little more in his comfort zone, the brilliant and eco-friendly Urban Mover electric-powered bicycle. It’s something which fellow photo-journalist Mark Gredzinski would give his eye-teeth for, saving him hours pedal-pushing getting to each drag racing event. Webster's return. 25th April: Joint Eurodragster.com webcam sponsor Jon Webster made his return to Top Fuel Dragster at the Auto Trader Easter Thunderball, driving for McDonald Racing in a Top Fueller hired from Rune Fjeld Racing. Jon has been in touch to let us know how the Easter Thunderball went for the McDonald brothers: McDonald Racing's weekend began much the same as everyone else's: damp, to say the least. This gave us a little help in a way, because we were all fresh to the Rune Fjeld Motorsport dragster and it had undergone a complete stripdown in previous weeks. Under the guidance of Rune, we were charged with the task of reassembly, which had only begun a week before the event. The extra time on the car gave us the vital time to check and double-check everything and allowed Stuart time to familiarise himself with the car, which has up to date systems for clutch, fuel and ignition control as well as data logging. Although to a point the weather gave us a little help, we were getting a little stir-crazy by the time Sunday morning came around, but to much relief the prospect of going racing looked promising. The warm-up went to plan; I was a lot happier having sat in the car with it running and getting re-acquainted with the surroundings. The crew moved around the car like naturals, almost as though they had been doing it all season. ©Eurodragster.com I had to complete a familiarisation pass before I could line up against anyone in the other lane, and I was only allowed to go to 330 feet. A couple of pairs went before us, and they struggled to get hold of the track so I wasn't expecting any great numbers especially when Risto stood up on his tires from the hit. The car stumbled a little on fire-up but once fired felt good. The clutch is totally different to what I had in Peter Knight's car, but once in use felt logical. I had to pedal the throttle in the burnout as the stop was a little too aggressive but the reverser and clutch were spot on for the back-up. My crew saw me safely to pre-stage and it was like I had never been away. I put the fuel on the high side and there was a slight delay moving into full stage but once in, the lights went down and much to my surprise it hooked, well for at least eighty feet, then it shook like a really shaky thing. The shake was the worst I had ever experienced, but conversely it was the best sixty foot time I had ever run, 0.88 seconds. The shake was pretty much the format of the weekend for everyone, some better, some worse. Our averages placed us third putting us in the third/fourth shootout run-off with Thomas Nataas. The crew turned the car around efficiently and we went on to take third. My appreciation goes out to Rune and Lindsey; a big Thanks to Stuart and Richard McDonald and the crew Sarah, Steve, Steve, Robin, Mark; and of course Jeanette and Shelby. We are all looking forward to the FIA Main Event where we hope to do well. FIA Main Event snippets. 25th April: Norfolkline will be pleased to offer a concessionary fare to any drag racing competitors using their cross-Channel ferries to attend the upcoming FIA/UEM Main Event at Santa Pod Raceway on 22nd-25th May. Further details can be obtained from Wayne Bullen, General Manager of Norfolkline's Freight Division in Dover, by calling (+44) 1304 218401. ©Eurodragster.com Santa Pod Raceway can again offer racers portable toilets installed in their pit, cleaned and serviced for the FIA Main Event for £100+VAT. If you have any queries, or to book your portable toilet, E-Mail Darren Prentice at darren@santapod.com. Greek Championship kicks off. 25th April: Our good friend Elias Vathias tells us that the first round of the 2009 Greek Championship was held at Serres Racing Circuit on 11th-12th April. Elias says that the weather was very good and that racers and spectators alike enjoyed a good race. You can check out all of the information from the race as follows: ©Eurodragster.com Photographs High-definition video Good-quality video of car classes Good-quality video of bike classes Entry list and results Timing data The next Greek Championship Drag Race will be held at Polykastro on 16th-17th May; you can find the complete 2009 Greek Championship calendar at www.greekdragster.com/events.shtml. Swift snippets. 25th April: If you want someone to cheer on in the USA this weekend then ex-pat UK Top Alcohol Dragster racer Michael Manners will be contesting the NHRA Divisional Event at Indianapolis. Mike tells us that the team are looking to get a handle on all the power made by the Aquygen-sponsored dragster. In addition ex-pat UK Top Fuel Dragster racer Smax Smith is contesting this weekend's IHRA Springnationals at Rockingham in the Leverich family's Top Fueller. You will be able to stay in touch with Mike's and Smax's progress on the Drag Race Central web site at www.dragracecentral.com. Swedish Pro Mod racer Ulf Rapp says that almost everything is ready for testing the ex-MSS Motorsport Mustang at Gardermoen next weekend. "There will be a lot of nerves in the first runs, so I hope that everyone can live with a lot of sixty foot runs at first", says Ulf. Ulf's web site at www.rapptimeracing.se has a new look and includes the first shots of the Mustang in its new colours. "The site is only in Swedish at the moment", says Ulf, "we'll see what we can do about that later on." ©Eurodragster.com UK Sportsman ET racer John Parker has asked us to wish good luck to his racing colleagues at next week's Springspeed Nationals at Shakespeare County Raceway. "We're off to France to race at their first championship round at Mirecourt, running in the thirten-second heads-up bracket", says Billy. "I firmly expect to have my arse kicked but hope that the post-race sightseeing will make up for that." Anne-Marie and Stephen Seamarks of Gingerman Racing have been in touch to ask us to wish massive Happy 18th Birthday to Matthew Seamarks, who will be spending his birthday at Big Bang doing what he likes most - racing. The picture shows Matthew at his first-ever competitive race which was the 2003 Easter Thunderball, at age eleven in the Santa Pod Racers Club hire car. Matthew's race number at that event was JS25, and this year is JMa4. Have a great birthday Matthew. Many thanks to Santa Pod Racers Club Secretary Paula Marshall for forwarding us Version 8 of the official entry list for the FIA Main Event and Version 7 of the official entry list for the PTM Show. The official closing date for both events was yesterday (Friday); entry from now on, if accepted, will be subject to a late-entry fee. You can check out the FIA Main Event and PTM Show entry lists by clicking here or by clicking on the Event Coverage link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page, and you can download entry forms from the SPRC web site at www.eurodragster.com/sprc. Team members sought. 25th April: Two of Top Methanol's finest are looking for team members; one for their race car and one for their business and race car. Since a number of Swedish Top Methanol FC team Andréasson Motorsports' USA crew can't make it to the European races, and several of the European crew members from previous year are unable to fit the FIA Championship races into their programme, there are vacancies for mechanics."We prefer applicants to have racing experience, ideally with blown methanol cars, and they should able to attend all of the FIA races and three NHRA events in the autumn", says Anders Magnusson. "Are you one? If so then call Leif Andréasson on +46 70 555 9166." ©Eurodragster.com Due to continued growth, Eurodragster.com sponsor Gold RV is looking for a full time mechanic to work on American RVs. "The work is varied and can be challenging", says Derek Flynn. "We work on all sorts of chassis, engines and gearboxes and we are seeking someone with a sound mechanical background as well as someone who can turn their hand to almost anything such as plumbing, electrical etc. Providing you are a skilled mechanic and you are sensible, conscientious and hard-working then we can teach you the rest. Welding experience would also be a bonus. An interest in drag racing would help as you would also be helping with the preparation and running of our Top Methanol Dragster throughout Europe and you would be expected to attend the seven meetings we attend a year - and you get paid for it. A clean licence is also preferred and if you have C or C1 entitlement that would be a bonus. If this sounds like you then please give me a call at 01420 544482 or or send a CV to derek@goldrv.co.uk. DVD review: Pro Mod 2007 & 2008. 25th April: Powerpoint Communications' Pro Mod 2007 & 2008 DVD covers action in the first two seasons of the MSA British Drag Racing Championship. A menu on the DVD enables you to choose between the 2007 season, review and each of the 2008 non-FIA races including the Easter Thunderball, SPRC Summernationals and UK National Finals which are sourced from TV footage. Long time commentator John Price and the enthusiastic and personable Abbey Griffiths present the fastest doorslammers around. John's particular enthusiasm for "The Hot Rods" shines through. At the start Ray White, Kev Slyfield and Bert Englefield explain their affinity with the class' varied body styles and the attraction of the extreme performance combined with easily-identifiable cars. Robert Joosten joined the fray at the 2007 Easter Thunderball and came away victor when Andy Robinson suffered problems. At the SPRC Summernationals, there was one shot qualifying on Sunday morning but Danny Cockerill had no problems with this, running a 6.38/226. The final at this race was Eurodragster.com sponsor Andy Robinson v Bert Englefield and Andy took his first win. At the 2007 European Finals the now-retired Gordon Appleton talked of his ambitions for his final event and Andy Robinson experienced a high speed explosion on one of his quickest passes to date. Rolf Amman had a wild incident and came away unhurt. Plenty of racing action is included from this event, the first round of which is "Never before seen" - unless you were at the track of course. Sadly, Ray White and Kev Slyfield did not make the cut in qualifying. Andy Robinson, after running a 6.16, got through to the semi final where his clutch failed. Nevertheless, Andy still led the MSA Championship after the event, in spite of missing out on the FIA crown to Micke Gullqvist and the event win to Patrik Wikström. At the 2007 National Finals Andy Robinson clinched the championship, qualified #1 with a 6.25 and won the event, a great way to finish the season . ©Eurodragster.com At the 2008 Thunderball, new boys Graham Ellis and Wayne Nicholson made their initial runs in the class. Wayne explains the story behind the Lucky Devil name of his Corvette. After the track crew cleared the snow, the racers braved the cold track. Andy Robinson had lots of new parts and in spite of getting well out of shape, he got back on it for the event win. Footage of the construction of Graham Ellis' Superbird is included with Andy Robinson a key player in getting his own competitor on track. There is also footage of the NSRA meeting at Billing Aquadrome where John Price shows the predecessors of the class, the A/Gas Supercharged cars from the 1960s. At the 2008 Main Event, the track was cold and tricky with some wild runs, and the part of round one that took place is shown. The SPRC Summernationals saw the return of Kev Slyfield after the tree-destroying incident at Shakespeare County Raceway. The Dodge Viper of Roger Moore made its début while Graham Ellis ran an impressive 6.52. Andy Robinson blew a burst panel in his bye run leaving Bert Englefield to solo for the win and the championship lead. By the 2008 National Finals, both Andy Robinson and Danny Cockerill had been forced to withdraw due to mechanical issues. Roger Moore ran his first six, a 6.81, and was really pleased with progress out of the box. Bert Englefield qualified to win a well deserved MSA Championship but engine woes meant he was unable to take part in eliminations, which Graham Ellis won. The action from the Pro Fuel Shootout from this event is included. Expert commentary and entertaining interviews are provided by Paul Venners. Additional features include Drag Racing Tech Talk where Paul explains matters to viewers new to the sport, such as what happens when you have too much nitrous in the mix and why racers do burnouts. Once again this is a highly professional production by Quartermilehigh.com and is 1 hour 42 minutes of top drag racing action. There is so much here which is not on the FIA DVD that it is a must-buy for those into Pro Modified. Copies may be acquired worldwide on-line from www.quartermilehigh.com for £14.95 plus £1.50 shipping for the UK and Europe and £13.00 plus £1.75 shipping for other countries. PMR at Easter. 25th April: Paul Marston Racing enjoyed a successful start to the beginning of the 2009 campaign at the Auto Trader Easter Thunderball: Both Mick Howling driving Grumpy's Dodge in Pro ET and Paul Marston driving their PiranZ-backed Super Comp dragster qualified well. Again both entries went two rounds of competition. We could have done better, that's for sure, but it was only the first round of the National Championship and the damage was not too bad. It sure helped that both Mick and I qualified well, those qualifying points help shore things up. I got comfortable in the dragster quite quickly, but unfortunately in the first round we had a shifter problem in the which kind of messed things up a little. I got round Dave Catton driving the DRE Shogun in round one, it was a great race. In round two, however, we went in one direction with the throttlestop to compensate for the manual shifting, but nowhere near enough. Take nothing away from Pete Cresswell, he ran a heck of a race and deserved the win light, but I was only twenty six inches behind and next to Pete pulled the next quickest reaction of the round. Mick Howling also had a malfunction which robbed him of a chance of advancing. It happens sometimes, but I know Mick and he learned the lesson and will come back stronger for round two at Shakespeare County Raceway. ©Eurodragster.com Many thanks go out from the entire PMR crew for all the hard work put in by all the Santa Pod track and start line crew, their efforts once again were second to none. Not forgetting the Santa Pod fire crew who put in such long hours as we ran all the way to curfew to get the event done, also all the staff and Management at Santa Pod for the improvements carried out at the facility over the winter period, the scrutineering bays are great. A big thank you to Nigel and Jules at Nitro FM for their marathon sessions Friday and Saturday and for allowing Paul Marston Racing to host a couple of shows to give you guys a well-deserved rest. Lastly but not least, thanks to the Paul Marston Racing Crew who were back in the swing of things straight away, extra special thanks to Mick Howling who apart from being the best team-mate you could wish for was instrumental in the preparation and logistics in readiness for the 2009 season. Our race cars were competitive and reliable, we owe all you guys and girls. Tog, Simon, Roger and Kirstie at Eurodragster.com, once again above and beyond the call (Thanks - Ed). Commentators Colin and Darryl slipped effortlessly into a pair of very very big shoes, well done. Our sponsors PiranaZ, London Road Tyres, ACL Bearings, Geddex, CTM Performance & Machine. The fans, thank you for all the visits to our pit area, it is always our pleasure to meet and greet you. Web site updates. 25th April: The official web site of the Allard Chrysler Action Group at www.theaccelerationarchive.co.uk/acag/acag.html has been updated with a YouTube video link showing Norwegian artist Tommy Vågen working out of doors on his unique painting of the Allard Chrysler dragster. The painting will be auctioned in support of the restoration of the car. ©Eurodragster.com Introducing Cedrag.com. 24th April: Paul Fischer writes to introduce Cedrag.com, a web site dedicated to delivering news and information about the drag racing scene in central Europe: With self-confessed and naked plagiarism we're developing a web site, having copied the format and thrust of Eurodragster.com, and we are busy gathering news, views, reports, profiles and press releases for the hardy band of drag race people in our region. "We" are actually three people, based in Croatia, Romania and Hungary who believe that Eurodragster.com has been key in achieving the consolidation and cohesion now evident in western and northern Europe. We hope to achieve something along those lines for racers from the Czech Republic to the Black Sea and over to the Adriatic coast - those within feasible driving distance from each other. ©Eurodragster.com The long-term hope is for a group of racers to form a central European circuit one day. For now, we'd be very grateful to hear from anyone in our region who is in any way connected to drag racing or from racers from "the west" who may like to run here. It doesn't matter which language you use. Our immediate aim to get enough news to make a daily bulletin, Monday to Friday. Check us out at www.cedrag.com and E-Mail us at info@cedrag.com. Mosten Race Day entry open. 24th April: Thanks to Ian King for passing on the news that registration is open for this year's Mosten Race Day in Denmark, which takes place on 3rd-6th September. Classes for this year are: Top Fuel Bike; Super Twin; Top Gas; Harley Drag; Super Gas; Open Drag; Street Class; Junior Drag Bike; Old School; Harley Street; Top Doorslammer; Top Fuel Shootout; Show Class - 250,000 DKr total in prize money available for for this class. There are twenty rock bands, and lots of beer and girls (No sherry? - disappointed Ed). Come and see the new King of Mosten crowned, or will the old one still retain the title? For more information go to www.Mosten-mc.dk, www.Streetfire.dk and www.Motor-Festival.dk ©Eurodragster.com There is an Alternative. 24th April: Alternative Energy Racing is taking place at Santa Pod Raceway today (Friday), writes Rick Cuthbert. This is the second year the event has taken place and once again a wide variety of vehicles, none of which are powered by fossil fuels, is hitting the strip. Motive power comes from a range of internal combustion and electric engines, including those powered by ethanol, bio diesel, plain vegetable oil, and electric battery. ©Eurodragster.com From a drag racing point of view, the most interesting entries are both two-wheeled. Motorcycle News is running an ethanol-powered Kawasaki ZZR1400 with the aim of being the quickest bio-fuel bike in Europe. The standard bike runs nines straight from the showroom, so the high-compression ethanol motor should produce some stunning times. The other interesting entry is the purpose-built electric drag bike by Life-Batt. Using a 144 Volt battery, this could be capable of some incredible performance. Very few details of the machine exist in the public domain, but the performance of the Killacycle bike Stateside shows that electric drag bikes are capable of running well into the sevens. The current - excuse the pun - UK record for an electric vehicle stands at 14.4 seconds so all being well this should fall today. For more information, visit the official web site at www.aeracing.org. Swift snippets. 24th April: If you want someone to cheer on in the USA this weekend then ex-pat UK Top Alcohol Dragster racer Michael Manners will be contesting the NHRA Divisional Event at Indianapolis. Mike tells us that the team are looking to get a handle on all the power made by the Aquygen-sponsored dragster. In addition ex-pat UK Top Fuel Dragster racer Smax Smith is contesting this weekend's IHRA Springnationals at Rockingham in the Leverich family's Top Fueller. You will be able to stay in touch with Mike's and Smax's progress on the Drag Race Central web site at www.dragracecentral.com. Our best wishes to UK Comp Bike racer Richard Gipp who is back in hospital after firstly being allowed out last Friday. If you would like to visit Richard or call him then he is in the Gayton Ward of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King's Lynn, whose web site you can find at www.qehkl.nhs.uk. Best wishes also to Honorary Eurodragster.com staff member Erik Zettervall who suffered an injury whilst helping son Carl with his karting. Just more proof of our belief that circuit racing is evil. Get well soon Erik. Thanks to Mikko Österberg for forwarding us a picture of the Cobalt Motorsport / Österberg Racing Pro Stock in its 2009 colours (below left). "The driver is as before Richard 'Nixxon' Sundblom", says Mikko. "We also welcome our new and old sponsors for this season: Elsamar.com, Berner, Makita, Bargarn, Serioosi, LSK Projekt, Mamako, Rakennus Ja Kaivuu S.Jokinen, and Fjader." ©Eurodragster.com "Ever seen a project which has been going on for almost twenty years?", asks Paul Vrind. "This '67 Camaro (above right), with Poncho 455 HO and 8¾" rear axle is fully caged but still needs a lot of time and money from its owner, Skip van den Berg from Holland. As a professional truck driver he is always away from home so he hasn't got much free time left to work on his car. Skip is Crew Chief for the Westcoast Outlaws Motorsports which also takes a lot of his time. Sometimes Skip wants to sell his Camaro but most of the time he wants to keep it. Will it ever be finished? The future will tell." Entry is still open for the Springspeed Nationals, which takes place at Shakespeare County Raceway on 2nd-4th May. You can download the official entry form from the Downloads page of the Shakespeare County Raceway web site at www.shakespearecountyraceway.co.uk, and you can check out the current entry list by clicking here or by clicking on the Event Coverage link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page. If you have any queries then please E-Mail enquiries@shakespearecountyraceway.co.uk or call 01789 720180. Many thanks to Santa Pod Racers Club Secretary Paula Marshall for forwarding us Version 7 of the official entry list for the FIA Main Event and Version 6 of the official entry list for the PTM Show. Racers are reminded that today is the deadline for entry to both events; in the case of the FIA Main Event this closing date applies to both Pro and Sportsman racers. You can check out the FIA Main Event and PTM Show entry lists by clicking here or by clicking on the Event Coverage link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page, and you can download entry forms from the SPRC web site at www.eurodragster.com/sprc. We have a couple of birthdays today. Paul Watson of DynoSpeed Developments has been in touch to ask us to wish a Happy 50th Birthday to UK Super Street Bike racer Mark Watkins. "Let's hope he doesn't overdo the hair colour tonight, have a great day" says Grumps, who adds that Mark's SSB is no longer for sale. Mary and Grace Roaf have asked us to say a big Happy Birthday and lots of love to Honorary Eurodragster.com staff member Colin Roaf; no sooner said than done ladies, you have a great day Colin. SCR/Lebanon Valley tie-in. 24th April: Announced formally at last weekend's Public Track Day is Shakespeare County Raceway's tie-in with Upper State New York-based Lebanon Valley Dragway, writes SCR's Jerry Cookson. "A group of us from the Raceway went over to America the day after Christmas last year to meet up with Lebanon Valley's Track Owner and Promoter Howard Commander and to have a look around the facility" says Jerry. "Not only do they have a fully operational quarter-mile drag strip but a banked half mile clay oval for World of Outlaws Sprint Cars and NASCAR Modifieds. "The idea came about following the connection with Portatree and Shakespeare County's ten-year relationship with company owners Al and Sue Smyth. Al utilizes the Lebanon Valley track as test bed for his timing systems used by tracks like ours all over the world. "The track also operates in the same environment with its seasonal climate, changeable track conditions together with the t ypes of vehicles they race there. So what better way forward than to establish a link of communication offering advice with any track preparation issues which may arise between the two tracks, and how the promotion and the marketing of events can be a key to success on both sides of the Atlantic." Howard was recently voted Track Operator of the Year and is responsible for getting the careers of Monster Truck legend Dennis Anderson and the Gravedigger phenomenon off the ground as well as being a supporter of former NASCAR Champion Tony Stewart in his formative years racing Midgets and Sprint Cars. "In the last few months we have exchanged views on a regular basis with Lebanon's track manager Steve Robelotto", adds Jerry. "Furthermore both tracks' web sites are now hosting each others logos with links to each site." At pretty much the same time last weekend Lebanon Valley ran its first Test & Tune and Diesel Drags meet with great success. You can view a series of photos from the weekend's events, taken by official photographer Jim Knights, at photosbyjim.smugmug.com. "We're planning on a return to the Dragway in the summer months for the Fourth of July NHRA Divisional Race Celebrations, part of the Lucas Oil NHRA Sportsman Series, as well as a Test & Tune and Top Dragster Championship event in Augus", concluded Jerry. ©Eurodragster.com A Street Eliminator weekend. 24th April: B&H Automotive/LA Racing Parts Street Eliminator racer Colin Lazenby has been in touch with an account of his trip to the Auto Trader Easter Thunderball together with a report of the event, which he won: Self and our kid set off on the Tuesday before the race, journeying south having promised to call in on Ian Hook and the Fat Boys if time permitted. We made it, but only just before 23:30. We enjoyed a beer or two at the most hospitable (Cheltenham Motor Club) before picking up the obligatory curry and heading back to Fatty's place where we sampled even more 'southern' hospitality. And amazingly having ventured into Fatty's very comfortable, almost too comfortable garage, we found two of the FBs beavering away fabricating while the fat one was out on the town - incredible. Goodness knows what time we left Fatty's but the boys were still working in the garage. We ourselves finally arrived at the gates to Clive Bond's shop at 02:00. "MORNING!" said Clive, at 07:00 the next morning. He kindly gave us a moment to get ourselves decent while he put on a much needed brew. Our kid and I surveyed Clive's fine craftsmanship on the bulkhead nitrous line's and wiring. Clive could almost not contain himself to show me the new, much wittered-about nitrous purges. He's right, I did go on about it somewhat. We then set about putting the transmission back in the car, along with the prop shaft, then the newly-coated headers followed by the silencers etc, etc. We replaced both batteries, as at least one had died on us at the UK National Finals. By around mid afternoon we were ready for a big four-link change whilst Clive 'supervised'. Wheels and tyres off first, then loosen everything else off. We made our changes then re-assembled the lot. Fresh rear gear oil courtesy of Nimbus Motorsports and Torco's finest then it was back on with the wheels and tyres. We finished around 18:00 hrs, washed up and went to find ourselves some sustenance. Me and our kid must have looked like the two characters from Brokeback Mountain (As you were, Willsheer - Ed) as we tucked into a sumptuous curry for the second time in two nights at our cosy little table for two. Our kid insisted we sat at a table for four so we would look less suspicious. Did we? Did we hell. The following morning we finished all those little jobs off which seem to take forever before packing up to leave for the track. We pinched as many of Clive's Snap On tools as we could physically carry without being detected and while we aimed to get away for 12:00 noon, we actually left at five past. The two-hour journey to the Pod from Clive's took three and a half hrs, thanks for the directions. We arranged to meet up with the girls and Brad who got got to the track with the Van Royce an hour or so before we did. We got ourselves pitted, signed on, and went along for scrutineering - all pretty much straightforward. Garry had pledged to be there the early hours of the following morning, and he was. ©Eurodragster.com The Easter weekend saw a new name on the title with LA Racing Parts joining B & H Automotive as main sponsors, along with associates RPM magazine, Eurodragster.com, Embroidery Solutions, quartermilehigh.com and Webster Race Engineering, new rubber under some arches, new faces and new cars. But the same exciting brew of insane street-legal performance, variety of cars and low, low ETs. Yep, the Street Eliminator UK cars were back in action at Santa Pod's Auto Trader Easter Thunderball. A range of effects from the inevitable impact of the recession to the much happier arrival of daughter Amber Rose for Martin and Julie Taylor (congrats guys) produced a smaller field than is usual for this successful class. On the missing list were returnees Ray Tucker, Andy Frost and Jerry Charles who were sidelined with damage before the weekend even started. Also notable by their absence were former champions Steve Pateman, Steve Nash and Ian Hook. However it was good to see the new faces and new cars of rookies David Murdoch ('33 Willys) and Mark Todd (Firebird), two welcome additions to the B&H Automotive/LA Racing Parts Street Eliminator UK line-up. The field of eight was reduced to seven as the limited qualifying time left David Murdoch unable to meet the 13.50 cut off whilst Jon 'Moose' Hollingworth qualified but was unable to continue after problems on his first pass in the twin-turbo Cortina. When the smoke cleared the remaining field was headed by Colin Lazenby in his mega-motored '56 Chevy with an 8.54 at a stunning 185 mph. In number two spot was Jeff Meads, now running MT radials on his Pop, with an 8.85. In round one of eliminations Meads and Lazenby went through courtesy of byes. Mark Todd took a maiden win over Mats Andersson and the blown Ford v blown Chevy match-up went the way of the Blue Oval as Alex McIntosh put Bill MacDermid's Camaro back on the trailer. The semi-finals went the way of the nitrous cars as Lazenby resoundingly beat Todd and Meads eliminated the Mustang of MacIntosh by just three tenths in a tight race. Both Meads and Lazenby saved their quickest passes for the final but Meads' improvement to an 8.56 wasn't enough as Lazenby powered to an 8.27/184 win. The class returns to Santa Pod Raceway for this weekend's Big Bang but with just a couple of weeks between races those teams with damage are have had to work hard to be there perhaps leaving the way clear for Meads and Lazenby to stretch their points advantage further. Stay tuned for more! Web site updates. 24th April: Eurodragster.com Reserve Photographer Peter Donaldson has updated his Fotopic gallery with shots from the weekend's Public Test at Shakespeare County Raceway. You can take a look at Peter's pictures at peterdonaldson5305.fotopic.net. ©Eurodragster.com Also updating a Fotopic gallery is Jamie Dyks who has posted pictures from the Auto Trader Easter Thunderball. Jamie's shots can be found at topnitro.fotopic.net. Springspeed Nationals update. 23rd April: Many thanks to Shakespeare County Raceway for forwarding us Version 1 of the official entry list for the Springspeed Nationals, which takes place on 2nd-4th May. You can check out the entry list by clicking here or by clicking on the Event Coverage link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page. Entry is still open for the Springspeed Nationals; you can download the official entry form from the Downloads page of the Shakespeare County Raceway web site at www.shakespearecountyraceway.co.uk. If you have any queries then please E-Mail enquiries@shakespearecountyraceway.co.uk or call 01789 720180. ©Eurodragster.com A number of trophy opportunities are still open to any companies or individuals who would like to put their name to a Class winner's event trophy at the Springspeed Nationals, writes SCR's Jerry Cookson. Classes with trophies available for sponsorship are: Super Comp Funny Bike Pro Stock Bike Comp Bike Supertwin ET Some opportunities are left in the Best Appearing categories too. £30 per class buys two trophies with winner and runner-up plaques engraved with the sponsor's name, in addition to three days' worth of PA coverage when your class appears. To register your interest please contact Shakespeare County Raceway as above. Cockerill aims for June. 23rd April: Colin Lazenby has been in touch with an update on the progress of former Super Modified and Pro Modified racer, and current 9.50 Bike racer, Danny Cockerill who is planning a return to four wheels in B&H Automotive/LA Racing Parts Street Eliminator: Danny Cockerill has been around for some time. His Ford Pop was built way back in 1992 by JMW when they were effectively next door to ICE Automotive in Southend. I remember the feature in the magazine (sad, I know). The Pop first ran in Super Gas, then in the Bob Nixon founded Outlaw Anglia class (unless I'm mistaken) where Dan won the Championship in 2003, that was way before the calling of Pro Mod where ultimately it went 7.68/180 mph. This insane ride could often be seen carrying the front left wheel up to at least the eighth and usually way beyond. I remember asking Dan about selling it: he vowed he would have to sell the car and the engine separately recognising that he'd evolved with the car and anyone else who tried to tame it may well find themselves wrong way up. The Pop was eventually sold on in 1998. The Rover 200 came out the year after. This car was upgraded by Andy Robinson Race Cars to the current chassis specs at the time. It was painted in a similar colour scheme to the Pop and with this car he won the Super Modified Championship in 2003. Ultimately Dan went 7.26/191 with this car but this still wasn't quick enough and Pro Mod was once again calling. Following discussions with Andy Robinson the idea for a McAmis-bodied '57 was formed. When the body arrived it was modified before the work could commence in earnest. The '57 was to be a complete turn-key car. And when it did come out in 2005, with the paint almost still wet, I recall it immediately went on to win Best Engineered Car, Competitors' Choice and runner-up in Best of Show at Obsession Motorsports' Xtreme Wheels show at Alexandra Palace. Running in Pro Mod the same year it went as quick as 6.17/230, an astounding acomplishment for both the builder and the driver. Dan also took this ride to the British Pro Mod Championship in the same year. Yes, 2005 truly was an astounding year for such a new car. But the story didn't end there. Fast forward to Danny's present ride: Andy Kirk's former Championship-winning Super Modified Camaro. This car was also originally built by Jon Webster though by now he was working at Hauser Race Cars. All the current upgrades to the Camaro have again been handled by Jon at Webster Race Engineering. The chassis has been fully upgraded to SFI spec 25.2 and powder-coated. All the tinwork has been re-anodised and, even though I'm not being told as such, there'll be lots of other WRE trickery in there too - Dan's a guy who doesn't undertake any task by half and this in evidence across every inch of the newly-formed Camaro. Now there is just as much money changing hands on Dan's eventual choice of tyre as there is on Colin Lazenby's engine size. Will he go for the M/T Sportsman Pro or the M/T Drag Radial? I say keep everyone guessing just for the hell of it (Yea, but I know your engine size - Ed). Jeff Taylor Performance Engines built the Pro-Charger motor which was last run in Bo Butner's Comp Eliminator car in the NHRA where it ran mid sevens. It's since been modified to run on the class fuel choice Shell V Power. Expect to see this team competing at the very top end of the B&H Automotive/LA Racing Parts Street Eliminator class from around the SPRC Summernationals onwards. And with Dan's driving ability one has to wonder what he'll be able to achieve with this combination. For sure he'll be looking to run mid to low eights and, who knows, we might even see other Pro Mod drivers fancying their chances with some of the SE former heroes with the likes of Pat*man, Splinter, Frost and of course the FBs. Guys, are you listening to this... ©Eurodragster.com More Meca news. 23rd April: Martin Olsson of Malmö's Meca Raceway has been in touch with some more news about forthcoming events at the popular eighth-mile venue: A lot of teams and racers have already entered the Bikeline Bikeweekend on 15th-17th May and we hope for a great race. All bike classes are represented from Junior Drag Bike to Top Fuel Bike. As well as the drag racing there will be live music, great food and a lot of fun. Registration is open until 11th May, for rules and race registration visit www.tsds.se. ©Eurodragster.com Meca Raceway will also be hosting the first event in the 2009 Toyo Tires Dragracing Series, the Malmö Motor Renovering Nationals on 29th-31st May which is the first of five Scandinavian points races. Classes, rules and regulations can again be found at www.tsds.se. A lot of teams are hungry to go racing this season, so we think it will be a really interesting race. Swift snippets. 23rd April: Many thanks to Santa Pod Racers Club Secretary Paula Marshall for forwarding us Version 6 of the official entry list for the FIA Main Event. Racers are reminded that tomorrow (Friday) is the deadline for FIA Main Event entry for both Pro and Sportsman racers. You can check out the FIA Main Event entry list by clicking here or by clicking on the Event Coverage link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page, and you can download entry forms from the SPRC web site at www.eurodragster.com/sprc. Frøya's Islanders Drag Race Team will be fielding no less than three cars this season. In addition to Paul Ingar Udtian's Top Methanol Dragster, team mate and former Super Comp racer Fred Hanssen will be driving a blown-alcohol Top Methanol Dragster imported from the USA, and the team will also be campaigning a Top Methanol Funny Car. Fred plans to licence at Santa Pod Raceway on the weekend before the FIA Main Event and will have the assistance of two US tuners at the race. Stay tuned for more. ©Eurodragster.com If you want someone to cheer on in the USA this weekend then ex-pat UK Top Alcohol Dragster racer Michael Manners will be contesting the NHRA Divisional Event at Indianapolis which starts tomorrow (Friday). Mike tells us that the team are looking to get a handle on all the power made by the Aquygen-sponsored dragster. You will be able to stay in touch with Mike's progress on the Drag Race Central web site at www.dragracecentral.com. Event entry update. 22nd April: Entry is still open for the Springspeed Nationals, which takes place at Shakespeare County Raceway on 2nd-4th May. You can download the official entry form from the Downloads page of the Shakespeare County Raceway web site at www.shakespearecountyraceway.co.uk. If you have any queries then please E-Mail enquiries@shakespearecountyraceway.co.uk or call 01789 720180. Entry is also still open for the NDRG Spring Nats at Gardermoen on 2nd-4th May. For more details check out www.ndrg.no. ©Eurodragster.com Many thanks to Santa Pod Racers Club Secretary Paula Marshall for forwarding us Version 5 of the official entry lists for the FIA Main Event and the PTM Show. Racers are reminded that this Friday (24th) is the deadline for entry to both events; in the case of the FIA Main Event this closing date applies to both Pro and Sportsman racers. You can check out the FIA Main Event and PTM Show entry lists by clicking here or by clicking on the Event Coverage link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page, and you can download entry forms from the SPRC web site at www.eurodragster.com/sprc. Gipp: Six weeks or less? 22nd April: UK Comp Bike racer Richard Gipp is at home recovering after his 160 mph top end crash at the Auto Trader Easter Thunderball. Richard was allowed out of hospital last Friday and Eurodragster.com spoke to him yesterday to find out how he is getting on. "I've broken the third, fourth and fifth metatarsal on my left foot, broken my right wrist, and have a severe sprain of my right ankle", said Richard. "Plus I have lots of other bruises and scrapes. It's the sprain which hurts the most." The last we saw of Richard was a cloud of smoke from which he and the bike appeared separately. We asked him what had happened from where we was sat, at least initially. "The bike was tucking the front end in and was trying to go right all the way", he said. "I got to the gantry and it went left. I looked round for Phil Leamon in the other lane to see where he was because I knew I'd have to go left after the finish line. I rolled off the throttle and got into an almighty tankslapper and the next thing I knew I was on my ear. "I saw sky, tarmac, sky, tarmac, sky, concrete, sky, tarmac and then I saw blood all over my visor and I thought "I wonder if I'll get out of this?". I tried to pull my arms and legs in but the force just threw them out again. I tucked in my head and it didn't touch the ground. The tankslapper and coming off the bike seemed to happen very quickly but the rest of it was slow motion. I don't know whether my wrist broke as a result of the tankslapper or from the first impact. "When I stopped I tried moving each limb. The right arm was flat on the track but the hand was pointing up (Thanks for that image - Ed). I was going to get up, because you have to wave to the crowd and get the applause! But then I thought "No"." Barely had Richard stopped rolling and sliding than the safety crews were with him. "I had just about enough time to see that all my limbs were still there then the safety crews were on the scene", he said. "You can't fault them, you have to praise everything they do. But riding the spinal board to Bedford Hospital wasn't a comfortable experience and it hurt when they took me off it!" ©Eurodragster.com Now at home, Richard is impatient to get the casts off and get back on the track. "My wife Dawn came and got me from hospital on Friday", he said. "They weren't keen on me leaving but Dawn wanted me home so that she could nag me! They've told me six weeks before the cast comes off so I might be out of the Main Event. But once I start working with the doctors here, you never know. They have to take more X-rays and hopefully they can reduce the ton of plaster I have on at the moment so I can get more mobile. I will be back for the Summernationals. I should say that Dawn has been as good as gold, or maybe she's lulling me into a false sense of security!" Richard's bike didn't come through the accident too badly. "It needs a new front end but other than that just bits and bobs", he said. "There's not a scratch on the bodywork. The Upperton motor appears to have come through quite well. I need to get new leathers, helmet and boots. Stu Crane and Bob Brooks will be helping me with the rebuild." Richard asked us to thank everyone who came to his aid. "Firstly thanks to the safety teams at Santa Pod for everything they have done", he said. "Thanks to Dawn who again has been good as gold, to Al and Brendan Young for sorting out my stuff, to Jerry Collier for retrieving the bike and putting it in the van, and to Al Young, Kev Charman, Lizz McCarthy and Steve Johnson for visiting me in hospital. And thank you to everyone including the guys on 200mph for the messages of support and offers of help." Swift snippets. 22nd April: Many thanks to Andy Marrs of TSI Timers Europe for forwarding us the official timing data from the Auto Trader Easter Thunderball. You can check out last week's timing data by clicking here or by clicking on the Timing Data link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page. Swedish Pro Stock Bike racer Ulf Ögge writes to remind bike racers of the Bikeline Bikeweekend event at Malmö's Meca Raceway on 15th-17th May. "It will be a good start to the 2009 season", says Ulf. "There will be plenty of runs available and the event is for all bikes up to Top Fuel Bike". Ulf himself will be attending having firstly tested at the NDRG Springnats at Gardermoen. For more information about the Bikeline Bikeweekend, or to enter, check out the Toyo Scandinavian Dragracing Series web site at www.tsds.se. ©Eurodragster.com The latest spy picture to arrive at the offices of Eurodragster.com (below left) came with no information at all: The picture at above right is not exactly a spy picture but, in similar vein to the current vogue for UK Government officials to be pictured with confidential documents, Santa Pod Raceway's Chief Timekeeper Steve Horn is seen giving away the feathered secret of how information is sent to Eurodragster.com when we are not actually attending an event. If you know any more about either spy picture, or if you would like to send your own spy shot, then drop us a line at eurodragster.com@btinternet.com. Sharron Collier has asked us to thank all those who responded to Jade Racing's plea for help after Jerry Collier's car broke down in Sheffield. "The car has been recovered", says Sharron. "Thanks to everyone who called. We were even offered a car!". School's in at PMR. 22nd April: Paul Marston Racing's Drag Race Driving School is gearing up for the beginning of its 2009 season, says Paul Marston: The school's first three dates are nearly full, starting with the forthcoming Professional Test Days at Santa Pod. The full schedule is now on the Paul Marston Racing web site. Mixing it up as well are the infamous and ever popular Drag Race Passenger Rides. If you already have a Driving Experience or Passenger Ride voucher, now is the time to contact the office and make your booking. ©Eurodragster.com All the 2008 prices have been held in 2009 to help in these money conscious times. For further details please visit the web site at www.paulmarstonracing.com or E-Mail us at office@pmracing.fsnet.co.uk. Alternatively drop into the Paul Marston Racing pit at any National Championship event. The World's fastest Caterham. 22nd April: Northamptonshire kit car enthusiast and amateur racer Peter Lumsden came away from Saturday's Public Track Day at Shakespeare County Raceway with the unexpected title of 2009 Fastest Caterham Driver in the World, writes SCR's Jerry Cookson. Having driven his self built Rover K series powered Caterham R400 racer to the track and back again and made fourteen or so runs in the six hours of available track time, and given that it was his first drag race, Peter adapted to the drag racing track craft quite quickly by placing the R400 firmly into the mid twelve-second bracket for much of the event. But once all the dust had settled his early morning benchmark of 12.413/110.87 stood for much of the event and was judged by competition's end as the Quickest of the Day over Stuart Flanagan's Nissan SR20 DET-engined Caterham at 12.778 and Geoff Crick's 12.908 from his 1800cc K-Series Caterham Superlight R. "Taking the pot home added an extra sparkle to what was a great fun day", says Peter. "I'll be back next year to defend my title! Now then, where can I get an extra 50 bhp?" Running alongside the Caterhams were members from the Dax Sporting Club which run similar set-ups but with motorcycle engines or V8s. Duncan Cowper's Dax, powered by a versatile Hayabusa turbo engine masterminded by Geoff Page Racing, ran a string of eleven second quarters resulting in a best of 11.437 at 128.87 mph to claim the title. Second quickest was Robert Green in his V8 powered Dax 2000 at 11.670 while third was Southampton's Alex Suckling with a 12.803/110.33 achieved with a 350 bhp turbo Cosworth version. Fastest Caterham in the World Peter Lumsden (Caterham 7 R400) 12.413/110.87 Stuart Flanagan (Caterham) 12.778/110.62 Geoff Crick (Caterham Superlight R) 12.908/110.87 Fastest Dax in the World Duncan Cowper (Dax Rush) 11.437/128.87 Robert Green (Dax 2000) 11.670/116.20 Alex Suckling (Dax Rush Cosworth) 12.803/110.33 Picture courtesy and ©Dave Derry ©Eurodragster.com Web site updates. 22nd April: Colin Donisthorpe has updated his Fotopic gallery with pictures from the Auto Trader Easter Thunderball. You can check out Colin's shots at colindonisthorpe.fotopic.net. ©Eurodragster.com The official web site of the UK's Chaos Fuel Altered team has been updated with reports from the pre-Easter Test Weekend and the Auto Trader Easter Thunderball as well as a new 2009 gallery with shots from both events. You can find the Chaos web site at www.chaos-fuel-altered.com. Big Bang racer update. 21st April: Santa Pod Racers Club Secretary Paula Marshall has been in touch with information for racers taking part in this weekend's Big Bang at Santa Pod Raceway: Santa Pod Raceway's gates will be open on Thursday (23rd) between 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm and will then be open for the duration from 9:00 am on Friday. Signing-on will be open from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm on Friday evening and then reopen on Saturday morning. Car scrutineering will be take place on Friday afternoon and then again on Saturday morning, and bike scrutineering will take place from 8.30 am on Saturday. ©Eurodragster.com Please note that if you wish to take part in Saturday's Run What You Brung sessions then you must bring your DVLC licence as well as your competition licence. If you bring only your competition licence then you will only be able to run in qualifying, not RWYB. Sunday is a full permit day (i.e. no RWYB). Thanks to Ian Marshall and to Paula for forwarding us the provisional running orders for Saturday and Sunday, which you can view by clicking here or by clicking on the Event Coverage link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page and selecting Big Bang. Please note that these running orders are provisional and are subject to change due to weather or track conditions or for any other reason deemed necessary by Race Officials. Meca offers Pro Test and Tune. 21st April: Martin Olsson has been in touch to let us know that Malmö's Meca Raceway is holding a Pro Test and Tune on the weekend 2nd-3rd May: ©Eurodragster.com It is the same concept as in previous years, a spectator-free event for testing and tuning your race vehicle for the upcoming season. For 5000 SEK you will get two days of testing on a fully-prepared track with world-class traction. Included in the entry fee are: Track open from 10.00 to 18:00 each day Lunch for five people on Saturday and Sunday Twenty sponsor tickets Electricity at 230/8A or 400/16A To enter the event please register at www.tsds.se. Ferrettis test at SCR. 21st April: Longtime Italian Fuel bike enthusiasts Antonio and Luigi Ferretti were back in action in England over the weekend testing the team's two Top Fuel Bikes at Shakespeare County Raceway's Public Track Day. The brothers were testing before the forthcoming ACU Drag Bike round at the Warwickshire venue's Springspeed Nationals, writes SCR's Jerry Cookson. After a successful first outing last month demonstrating the bikes on home soil at the Adria circuit, the weekend didn't quite go according to plan for Antonio Ferretti's newest addition to the family when, on the first pass of the day, the machine backfired at mid track resulting in a sudden flash of flame. The crankshaft snapped in two sacrificing several other expensive parts in the cylinder head and possibly the supercharger as well. But were the boys downhearted? No. They had to hand bike number two, the team's original bike, which Luigi had run at Shakespeare County two years ago. Following a couple of practice outings to bed in the bike, and weaving around like a spider on its web in an effort to get a full-powered run, Luigi pushed the bike to its almost maximum potential to run 6.858/206.09, which he later followed up with a 6.770/198.69 before a broken supercharger belt halted the young Italian's day. Luigi's best sixty foot was 1.08. The team are already en route back to Italy as we speak, with a cardboard box full of broken parts for company, but the brothers have already promised their return later next week to contest round two of the UK ACU Top Fuel Bike Championship at Shakespeare County Raceway. Picture courtesy and ©Dave Derry ©Eurodragster.com Swift snippets. 21st April: UK Comp Bike racer Richard Gipp tells us that he and his bike are "On the mend" after his top end spill at the Auto Trader Easter Thunderball. When told that witnessing his crash was a bit scary Richard replied "You should have seen it from my side". We will have more from Richard soon. ©Eurodragster.com Many thanks to Santa Pod Racers Club Secretary Paula Marshall for forwarding us Version 4 of the official entry lists for the FIA Main Event and the PTM Show. Racers are reminded that this Friday (24th) is the deadline for entry to both events; in the case of the FIA Main Event this closing date applies to both Pro and Sportsman racers. You can check out the FIA Main Event and PTM Show entry lists by clicking here or by clicking on the Event Coverage link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page, and you can download entry forms from the SPRC web site at www.eurodragster.com/sprc. Our good friend Helen Todd of Powerpoint Communications has been in touch to let us know that that the 2008 MSA British Pro Modified Championship is now available on DVD. The DVD is available on-line for £14.95 plus p+p at www.quartermilehigh.com and will also be on sale at the Pod Shop at Santa Pod Raceway. A review will follow soon, but regular readers will be aware that Helen and David Coleman produce very high-quality DVDs so there is no real need to await our opinion. Bennetts approaching £2500. 21st April: Eurodragster.com Blogger Luke Bennett of the UK's Bennett Racing blown-alcohol altered team says that his fundraising target of £2500 for Macmillan Cancer Support is fast being approached: We had a good weekend at the Easter Thunderball. Due to the weather, instead of holding three mini raffles we decided to do one big raffle which we drew on Monday afternoon with all the prizes donated by friends and family. Our main prize was a framed photo of the Winged Express which was kindly donated by Eurodragster.com (You're welcome - Ed), and it definitely drew in a lot of attention! After rallying around all the other Fuel Altered team members, and with the help of spectators, we managed to raise another £205 towards our aim of raising £2,500 for Macmillan Cancer Support. Our total after the raffle is an amazing £1900.22. Thank you to everyone who either donated a prize or bought a raffle ticket at Santa Pod Raceway. We really could not do this without your help and support. The picture at right shows Steve, Hollie, Lisa, Luke, Louise, Frank, Adam and new crew members Jo and Alan celebrating Bennett Racing's victory in the Nostalgia Fuel Altered Association at the Auto Trader Easter Thunderball in a Personal Best time of 6.635 seconds. Big Bang Perfect Awards. 21st April: This weekend's Big Bang at Santa Pod Raceway is the second event in the 2009 Eurodragster.com Perfect Awards scheme. £125 is on offer for perfect performance. The Eurodragster.com/Speedflow Perfect Light Award has been increased to £75 after it went unclaimed at the Auto Trader Easter Thunderball. The money will be paid in cash to the first racer this weekend to record a Reaction Time of 0.000 seconds. The Perfect Light Award is available to all racers in all classes during qualifying and eliminations (not RWYB), but will only be awarded for the first Perfect Light of the event. The Perfect Light Award is presented in association with performance hose and fitting manufacturer Speedflow whose web site you can find at www.speedflow.co.uk. Although the Perfect Light Award goes to three places, we will not pay out for red lights with zeroes in the first three decimals since a foul is a foul however far in the first non-zero digit may be. So a reaction time of 0.0001 will win you the money (if you're first to do it), but a reaction time of -0.0001 will not. Decals are not formally required for the Perfect Light Award but of course we appreciate it: you can get Eurodragster.com decals at the track from any Eurodragster.com staff member. ©Eurodragster.com The Eurodragster.com/Gold RV Perfect ET Award has been reset to £50 after it was won by VW Sportsman racer Lucy Matthews at the Auto Trader Easter Thunderball. The money will be paid in cash to the first racer this weekend to run to the thousandth on their dial-in or index during qualifying or eliminations. The Perfect ET Award is available this weekend in Sportsman ET, Junior Dragster (eliminations only), 9.50 Bike, VW Pro, VW Sportsman and 8.50 Bike, but will only be awarded for the first Perfect Run of the event. The Perfect ET Award is presented in association with RV sales and service specialists Gold RV whose web site you can find at www.goldrv.co.uk. To be eligible to collect the Perfect ET Award, racers are required to carry Eurodragster.com/Gold RV Perfect ET decals, one on each side of the vehicle whether car or bike. If you pull this weekend's first Perfect ET but are not carrying decals then there will be no discussion; we will not pay out and the next person to pull a Perfect ET will get the money assuming that they are carrying decals. The decals are available in the Signing On office; please note that, as is usual with contingency schemes, racers are responsible for requesting or picking up decals when signing on. A list of required decals per class is always on display in the Signing On office. Web site updates. 21st April: Our good friend Alan Currans has updated his excellent Acceleration Archive with shots of Saturday's action at the Public Test Weekend at Shakespeare County Raceway. You can check out Alan's pictures via What's New at www.theaccelerationarchive.co.uk. ©Eurodragster.com It's official: it's Anita. 20th April: Finland's R20+ Energy Drink Top Fuel Dragster team have announced that Anita Mäkelä will be driving in the 2009 FIA European Championship. Anita made the final of the Pro Fuel Shootout at the Auto Trader Easter Thunderball on her return to the seat of a Top Fueller and then scooped 85% of the votes in the poll held here on Eurodragster.com. "We would like to thank all of the Eurodragster.com readers, for participating in the R20+ Energy Drink TF Driver vote", says Anita. "Tommi is pleased with the result because it shows that most of the readers think the same way he does. And it was our family who got all the votes. ©Eurodragster.com "The result is very flattering and although I'm a bit rusty, I'll definitely do my very best in every FIA event this year. I really enjoyed myself at Easter. The car was difficult to drive, but being up against one of my favourite racers, John Spuffard, in the finals made me even more eager to race." "I'll be back!", says Anita's husband and fellow Top Fuel Dragster racer Tommi Haapanen. "Thank you all!", adds Anita. "Now I'll start filling in my entry form and see you at Santa Pod in May. Come on Lex, do the same!" How Cinderella got to the 'Ball. 20th April: After an off-season wrought with problems and sorrow the UK's Heaven & Hell Pro ET team found themselves with the Auto Trader Easter Thunderball to contest and very little time to prepare, writes Carla Pittau: Not only was a new Dart Little M Sportsman block in need of machining and still sat in a cardboard box in the garage a couple of months after it was purchased from Pro ET class sponsors Real Steel to replace the cracked one in the Heaven & Hell As Well Camaro, but various other little time consuming jobs awaited their turn such as a leaking fuel pump, front suspension on the team's 1970 Camaro, etc. etc. The main dilemma was how to get the block to Kenny Coleman of Engine Data Analysis for the necessary milling work, get it back to build it, and then get back to Kenny up in Castleford for the dyno session. As much as we juggled the dates and the times it just wasn't possible to make it in time. EDA weren't about to leave us in the lurch though, and once again Kenny came to the rescue (did I mention EDA also sponsors Pro ET?). So it was decided that EDA would build the short block after the machining work, and then Rick and I would finish it off at EDA on a Friday, with Saturday set aside for the dyno session. Simple! How many engine builders would help you in this way? But it got even better. On the Friday we had plenty of help from the other members of the EDA team, Dennis and Ben , then on Saturday all was buttoned up and went on the dyno. The figures gave us precious information on power curves over the RPM range, the target horsepower of 600 was reached and desired torque was more than achieved at 530 lbs at 5500 RPM. At this point cruel fate demonstrated that repositioning the valves in the heads had a undesired side effect. Before anybody asks, that's the way we got them eight years ago, no problem unless the block is decked. The intake valve in number seven cylinder showed us without doubt that it was at least twenty five thousandths lower than its colleagues and got close enough to kiss the corresponding piston. Kenny quickly spotted the ominous note and shut the engine down, then we took the rocker covers off to discover a broken rocker stud marking the troubled area. Fortunately no other damage was done, even the pushrod was nice and straight. ©Eurodragster.com Although the other cylinders were within tolerance we decided to err on the side of caution so on Saturday afternoon we decided to take the engine apart and to machine deeper valve recesses on the piston tops, taking off thirty five thousandths on each intake valve relief. And this is of course when Kenny Coleman went once again way over and above the call of duty: he turned up at 7:00 am on Sunday to do the machining work (and it was really 6:00 am as the clocks had just gone forward!) and we then proceeded to work all day to finish off, put the engine back together and back on the dyno, phew. It was 8:30 pm when all was done and we finally got the engine loaded up in the back of the Silverado for the four-hour drive back home. The usual marathon for Heaven & Hell but what incredible backing from EDA. Not only do they never let us down, they help to an almost embarrassing extent, when you feel that you really should win the lottery just to compensate them adequately! So the two Cinderellas could go to the 'Ball, and with a weekend to spare to install the engine and finish up all the other little jobs with the help of the other fairy godmothers to prepare the chariots and get us on our way. Of this more at the next instalment of the fairy tale, which includes leaving a glass slipper on the start line, or was it a ring and pinion... When actions speak louder than words. 20th April: Never in the history of the King of Europe has the event taken place at such a prestigious venue as Santa Pod Raceway. King of Europe West, to be held at Santa Pod on 9th-10th May, will confirm who is hot and who is not at the famous home of UK drag racing. The street-legal drag race will not be about who's got the biggest power or the lightest car, but which team that has the racecraft to take the win lights and the title King of Europe West. There are four heads-up categories gunning for the King of Europe eliminations: Stock Street is for cars running no quicker than 12.00 seconds. This a great class for every type of car and is very popular at all King of Europe drag series events. Street Front Wheel Drive has some very close racing. VWs and Hondas are very popular in this class. Street Four Wheel Drive is one of the toughest classes and is a very popular class at airfield venues, but with the awesome track prep of Santa Pod Raceway, Street Four Wheel will be hot for sure. ©Eurodragster.com Street Rear Wheel Drive is just awesome, like all the other categories, and will be very interesting with the no wheelie bar rule. The King of Europe ET record will tumble for sure. All classes run a sixteen-car elimination and will have a final for their category title. The King of Europe West title race consists of quickest four in Street RWD, quickest four in Street FWD, quickest four in Street 4WD and quickest two in Stock Street and the quickest two overall qualifying will race in a direct elimination. Entries are still being taken for the King of Europe West. Everybody has a chance at the title, so to be part of the finest street-legal drags in Europe register at www.kingofeurope.net/2009/drag/reg.html or for more details about the King of Europe events check out www.kingofeurope.net. If you have any queries about King of Europe West then contact Lee Child of Eurodragster.com Links sponsor LA Racing Parts at lee@kingofeurope.net. Swift snippets. 20th April: The latest spy picture to arrive at the offices of Eurodragster.com came with the words "This captain is hoping to be streets ahead of the competition!". If you know more, or if you would like to send your own spy picture, then drop us a line at eurodragster.com@btinternet.com. ©Eurodragster.com Courtesy of Finnish Funny Bike racer Asko Määttä comes video evidence that Baldie Racing fielded a Junior Dragster in 1989, two years before the US' Vinny Napp who usually gets the credit for starting JD in 1991. The documentary made by Finland's TV2 in 1989 shows Asko's son and now Crew Chief Mika driving the car, as well as an interview with and racing footage of then-Comp Eliminator racer Anita Mäkelä. You can check out the video at www.yle.fi/elavaarkisto/?s=s&a=06092 and select Virtasalmen Motopark 1989. You can find out what Baldie himself is up to at www.dragrace.fi/teams/maatta_asko_eng.html. Ex-pat UK Supertwin racer Paul Castle took the Grandpa's Toy nitro Harley to a Harley Day organised by his local Harley Dealer and the local Harley Club in Eindhoven yesterday. "We arrived at about 9.30 am and set up the pit tent and the bike to try and represent how it would be in the pits", says Paul. "The event started at 11:00 am and lasted until 6:00 pm during which time a lot of interest was shown in the bike, and during which we answered lots of questions about the bike and drag racing in general. I think we did a pretty good promotion job and hopefully converted a few more fans to our wonderful sport. It was an excellent day but I was totally worn out and I knoew I would sleep well last night!" Bahrain1 win in Qatar. 20th April: Ali Aryan of the Bahrain1Racing team, owned by Southern Governor Shaikh Abdulla bin Hamad Al Khalifa, won the Pro Mod category during the third round of the Qatar Drag Racing Championship in Doha on Friday, writes Bahrain Drag Racing Club President Fahad Taqi. Aryan defeated Emirati driver Khaled Al Balooshi of Qatar's Al Anabi Team in the final race. The victor clocked a winning time of 5.92 seconds, narrowly overcoming Al Balooshi's mark of 5.94. Al Balooshi's Al Anabi teammate Robert von Smith of the US took the final podium position in third, while Aryan's Bahrain1Racing partner Khaled Mohammed finished fourth among all Pro Mod challengers. Aryan outpaced von Smith during the Pro Mod semi-finals, while Al Balooshi outshone Mohammed. "The competition was very strong and Al Balooshi is a very tough driver to beat," said Aryan. "But by the grace of God, I was able to deal with everything properly and I managed to do well and take the win". Shaikh Abdulla congratulated him and the team on the victory, and encouraged them to continue working hard to achieve good results for both Bahrain1Racing and the Kingdom of Bahrain. It was the second successive triumph for Aryan and his squad, who are sponsored by Zain, Global Banking Corporation (GBCORP), Cebarco and Bahrain International Circuit (BIC). Aryan previously took first in the Pro Mod category during the fourth round of the Bahrain Drag Racing Championship at the BIC last month. He also defeated Al Balooshi in decisive race of that round. In their previous participation in Doha, Aryan clocked a Middle East record and the world's second fastest time in his category of 5.82, although he finished as runner-up then. "Winning today compensates for our last time here, when I set that record but couldn't take the win in the final", Aryan added. The current world record of 5.73 is held by legendary American drag racer and former International Hot Rod Association Pro Mod World Champion Scott Cannon Jr, who set it in 2008 in the USA. Bahrain1Racing's team manager Ameer Akhater Zadah commented: "The race was interesting and Aryan was able to give it all he had as he ended things in his favour. We've won again, thanks especially to the guidance of Shaikh Abdulla, and we're looking forward to continuing our good form." Bahrain1Racing are expected to next compete in the round five of the Bahrain championship, which will be held between 6th and 8th May at the BIC. It will be organised by the Bahrain Drag Racing Club in co-operation with the circuit and the Bahrain Motor Federation. ©Eurodragster.com Web site updates. 20th April: Further to his video of Mark Bishop's whoopsie at the Auto Trader Easter Thunderball, Santa Pod Raceway's resident RWYB photographer Ian Blackett writes to share another slow-motion video, this time of Pro Mod racer and Eurodragster.com sponsor Andy Robinson. "The Quicktime footage at www.blackettphotography.com/videos/andyrobinson.mov shows wheels up, tyre twist, tyre shake, wheelspin, body flex, wheelie bar oscillation and many other points", says Ian. "We are considering offering an analysis package for runners and riders at Test and Tune. Pre-arranged, at a fixed price, we would slo-mo video every one of their runs, allowing access to the footage in our new Portakabin shortly afterwards to allow changes to be made to their set-up if required. Teams could then take home all their runs at the end of the day on CD for further analysis and use on their web sites. We would continue to take our normal photos of everyone else who has not taken up the slo-mo option. We have many more videos from the weekend including more awesome Pro Mod action and Pro Fuel night videos with slow-motion bunny ears galore! Anyone interested in slo-mo videos from Easter can contact me at ian@blackettphotography.com." ©Eurodragster.com Swift snippets. 19th April: Many thanks to Santa Pod Racers Club Secretary Paula Marshall for forwarding us Version 3 of the official entry lists for the FIA Main Event and the PTM Show. Racers are reminded that next Friday (24th) is the deadline for entry to both events. You can check out the FIA Main Event and PTM Show entry lists by clicking here or by clicking on the Event Coverage link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page, and you can download entry forms from the SPRC web site at www.eurodragster.com/sprc. The latest spy picture to arrive at the offices of Eurodragster.com shows an item urgently in need of dentistry by the look of things. If you know more, or if you would like to send your own spy picture, then drop us a line at eurodragster.com@btinternet.com. ©Eurodragster.com German Super Pro ET racer Norbert Schneider tells us that he will be returning to Santa Pod Raceway to contest Super Pro ET at May's FIA Main Event. FIA European Top Fuel Dragster Champion Andy Carter says that tickets are available between his appearances for the prize draw to watch Andy race at an NHRA event at the end of this year. "Tickets are £10 each which we thing is pretty good for two flights to the USA and entry to a race", says Andy. For more information about Andy's prize draw see our news item of 5th April and to buy tickets contact Andy at cartermotorsport@hotmail.co.uk. We've had a plea for help from the Jade Racing team after Jerry Collier's car expired in Sheffield on Friday. "Are there any car racers around our area who may have a car trailer not being used this weekend which we may borrow to fetch it home?", says Sharron Collier. If you can help then please call Jerry on 07935 801171 or 01246 570304. Voting for the 2009 driver of the R20+ Energy Drink Top Fuel Dragster closes at 23:59 UK tonight (Sunday). If you have not already voted between Anita Mäkelä and Tommi Haapanen then check out Friday's news item. R20+ Energy Drink TF driver vote. 17th April: Eurodragster.com readers are being given the chance to help to decide the 2009 driver for Finland's R20+ Energy Drink Top Fuel Dragster team. Easter Thunderball Pro Fuel Shootout runner-up Anita Mäkelä and 2008 FIA European Top Fuel Dragster Championship #6 Tommi Haapanen have asked readers to vote for the driver they would like to drive the R20+ Energy Drink Top Fuel Dragster in the 2009 FIA European Championship. You can submit your vote to Eurodragster.com by clicking on one of the links below. Clicking on a link will generate an E-Mail; just hit Send to submit your vote. If the link does not generate an E-Mail then please write to eurodragster.win@btinternet.com specifying R20+ Energy Drink Top Fuel Driver as the subject of the E-Mail and giving Anita or Tommi's names in the body. Vote for Anita Mäkelä Vote for Tommi Haapanen One vote per E-Mail address will be accepted. The deadline for votes is 23:59 UK this Sunday, 19th April. Event entry update. 17th April: There is one week to go before the official closing date for all classes, Pro and Sportsman, for the FIA Main Event, which takes place at Santa Pod Raceway on 22nd-25th May. Entry after Friday 24th April, if accepted, will be subject to a late entry fee. You can see the current version of the official FIA Main Event entry list by clicking here or by clicking on the Event Coverage link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page and selecting the FIA Main Event. There is also one week to go before the official closing date for HKS classes for the PTM Show, which takes place at Santa Pod Raceway on 9th-10th May. Entry closes on Friday 24th April; you can see the current version of the official PTM Show entry list by clicking here or by clicking on the Event Coverage link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page and selecting the PTM Show. You can download PTM Show and FIA Main Event entry forms from the Santa Pod Racers Club web site at www.eurodragster.com/sprc. SPRC Club Secretary Paula Marshall has asked us to remind racers that SPRC will accept cheques post-dated to seven days before the event (not the closing date). If you have any queries about this or about event entry at Santa Pod Raceway generally then please contact Paula Marshall at paula.marshall@btconnect.com. ©Eurodragster.com Shakespeare County Raceway would like to remind all UK National Championship drivers and ACU UK Drag Bike Championship riders that entry is still open for the forthcoming Springspeed Nationals, which takes place at the Warwickshire dragstrip on 2nd-4th May. You can download the official entry form from the Downloads page of the Shakespeare County Raceway web site at www.shakespearecountyraceway.co.uk. If you have any queries then please E-Mail enquiries@shakespearecountyraceway.co.uk or call 01789 720180. Springspeed Nationals trophy update. 17th April: With Shakespeare County Raceway's Springspeed Nationals just over two weeks away, on 2nd-4th May, a few class sponsorship opportunities are still on offer in both the car and bike, writes SCR's Jerry Cookson: The classes sponsored so far and those currently still on offer are as follow: Nostalgia Fuel Altered Association: Peter Walters Race Design Super Modified: available for sponsorship Super Pro ET: Peter Walters Race Design Super Comp: available for sponsorship Super Gas: Eurodragster.com Super Street: Apsley Transmissions (Engine and Gearbox Specialists) Pro ET: Power Race Graphics Sportsman ET: Jacksons MOT Outlaw Anglia: available for sponsorship Outlaw Flat Four: available for sponsorship Wild Bunch: Roy Wilding Nostalgia Race Cars Street Eliminator: available for sponsorship VW Pro: available for sponsorship VW Sportsman: available for sponsorship Junior Dragster: available for sponsorship Top Fuel Bike: Turboville.com Funny Bike: available for sponsorship Pro Stock Bike: Newgate (Newark) Ltd Competition Bike: available for sponsorship Super Street Bike: Eurodragster.com 9.50 Bike: available for sponsorship Junior Drag Bike: Stephen Moon Consulting Supertwin Fuel: Timtime.co.uk Supertwin Gas: Timtime.co.uk Supertwin ET: available for sponsorship Best Appearing Crew (Car): available for sponsorship Best Appearing Crew (Bike): available for sponsorship Best Appearing Car: available for sponsorship Best Appearing Bike: available for sponsorship Best Engineered Car: Drag Race Engineering Best Engineered Bike: available for sponsorship A mere £30 per class buys two class trophies with winners and runner-up plaques engraved with your company's name, in addition to three days' worth of PA coverage when your class appears. Everyone from corporate companies, race shops, media and web sites are welcome to participate. Banner placement may also be considered for the event at additional cost. To register your interest call Jerry on 01789 720180 or E-Mail enquiries@shakespearecountyraceway.co.uk. ©Eurodragster.com York Raceway open for business. 17th April: The UK's York Raceway's season has kicked off with a brilliant two days of racing, comprising over one thousand timed runs: Sunday was the 14th Annual Mini vs Beetle, providing us with one of the closest Mini v Beetle shootouts ever featuring cars from the North's ever-growing Air-Cooled Eliminator v the wide range of twin engine Mini-powered Minis, bike-powered Minis and Honda-powered Minis. The top four were paired up with each other and the others ran a handicap system to make it as fair as possible. The outcome was 7 to the Minis and 6 to the Beetles. Several new race cars made their début for the 2009 season. One was The Shogun which had a mixed weekend: on the Sunday the car suffered transmission problems, and after dropping its oil we all thought we had seen the last of it for the weekend. But the crew worked though the night to get it back on the track and it was a great surprise to see the car back out on the Monday. It was instantly running a lot better; their first pass of the day was a 10.9, and this was soon knocked down to 10.6. On Monday we saw the début of Ian Kerr's new toy. His 1000 hp Willys pick-up made a couple of shakedown passes but soon had to retire due to some teething problems. We also ran our first Championship round for Air-Cooled Eliminator in which last year's runner-up Nigel Hull got all the way to the final only to red-light, giving the first win of the season to Adam Proctor. Photos from the weekend at York Raceway can be found at richardsmith.fotopic.net. ©Eurodragster.com A Dirty weekend. 17th April: Charlie Draper, tuning consultant on the UK's Wratten Brothers blown-alcohol altered team, says that the Easter Thunderball was a weekend of highs and lows for the UK record-holding team: Two and a bit days of rain and, despite the track crew's best efforts, a poor track on Sunday gave us lows with a lane-crossing but stout run, but no time as Paul went through the beams in the other lane which meant it didn't count to our aggregate time, bummer. But we had a tremendous high on Sunday night! By the time Pro Fuel, Top Methanol and Pro Mod had finished what little bit of dusk there was had well and truly vanished when the NFAA guys started their round. I am still grinning from Paul's night run, which has got to be one of the most memorable runs I have ever seen. 6.7 seconds at 196 mph on a dodgy track and into the pitch black and I do mean pitch black. I have been going racing for many years and not seen racing on a darker night than that, awesome. Hats off to Paul from me. After a hard night's work changing the gearbox, clutches, engine bearings and clutch parts Monday finally rolled round and we felt pretty good on our last chance to make the cut for the finals. But we rolled a sprag in the gearbox on the burnout which meant we had no drive. The crew still got the car fixed just in case lightning hit one of the final four cars. We rolled down as a alternate in case one of the others didn't start but to no avail. ©Eurodragster.com Congratulations to Frank Bennett on the win and new PB, and good to see Tony Betts getting to grips with his car as that first Five has his name on it, but be quick as John has the helm again. It's a shame that Dave Grabham blew his motor against Joe Bond for the 3rd/4th place run-off, though. Can anyone help out the Dirty Harry NFAA team with a good high resolution photo of the car at the Easter Thunderball which we can use on our promotional stuff? We can't offer money but will gladly give a credit on the photo we use. Please E-Mail pictures to dbrdave@hotmail.co.uk. As for future events one thing of which I am sure is that the records for both the NFAA classes will tumble this year. Drop in on the Wratten pit and, as long as we get a good photo, pick up a free hero card or buy a poster for your wall. Our season so far... 17th April: Crew Chief Perry Antoniou writes with a report of UK Super Modified racer Tim Garlick's season so far: Tim Garlick Racing began its 2009 season by attending the Peak Performance Test and Tune Day. Straight off the truck we made a half pass to shake out the cobwebs that had accumulated with both the start line crew, myself included, and also the rest of the team including the driver himself. Our second pass gave us the numbers we were expecting after our rebuild and new clutch configuration. Back in the pits the data indicated that Tim still had a cobweb or two to shake off. Our third pass of the day gave us the low 7.6 we were looking for; we then decided to pack up and leave whilst the going was good! At the Easter Thunderball we sat around for three days due to bad weather giving us one qualifying pass on Sunday afternoon. We replicated our low 7.6 and we were then waiting for a second qualifier late that evening. Unfortunately this was delayed due to lack of track time and we got our second pass almost first thing on Monday. This put us into second qualifying position on a nine-car ladder. Santa Pod had us running around like lunatics on Monday giving us our first round over Simon Farmer who is still waming up his driving seat, then a bye which we used to get some clutch data. Our third round was against Craig Gibbs, who was there as Andy Hone had been disqualified for running below his chassis tag, and we ended up the final against Nigel Payne. But alas we were all exhausted, the night was upon us, and Tim reacted a little too soon before the lights ran thus giving the win to last year's Champion. ©Eurodragster.com All in all we had a great first meeting, good qualifying position, good ETs and good feedback from the car itself. Whilst second place is not good enough we were happy with the points achievement and hope to maintain or at worst improve on this at the Big Bang in two weeks' time. It was good to see more cars in the class and I hope even more join in the future. We were breaking in a new crewman, Jason Evans, and I want to thank him for putting up with our foul language, dark humour, singing and the bad weather at Santa Pod. Many thanks to Rob Loaring without whose help we would be running around like headless chickens at the first meeting, to Pete our botttle man, and to Paula Garlick for the tea and munchies. Master Thomas Garlick also deserves a big thanks for being such a good boy all weekend and keeping the big children entertained. Thanks to all those friends, fans and other racers who nipped by to say hello and to all the team at Santa Pod who worked so hard at the weekend despite bad weather from the outset. Obsession's fantastic Thunderball. 17th April: Fellow UK Super Modified racer Craig Gibbs says that the Obsession Racing team had a fantastic weekend at the Easter Thunderball: Before I go into our weekend, I would just like to congratulate commentators Colin and Darryl on a stirling job at the weekend. Filling John's and Graham's shoes is no mean feat, but some how they pulled it off - well done guys. Like most teams fed up with the rain, we honestly weren't expecting to get a run in, let alone make it to the semis. After a squirrelly run on Sunday afternoon, which saw Obsession heading for the wall, which resulted in an early lift and a 9.3, the Super Crew of Adrian, Dave and Darren sprung into action checking out the rear end on the car. With Adrian making the call on an adjustment to the preload, the car came out and ran an arrow straight 7.84 in the first qualifier on Monday morning. The first round saw us paired up against Rob Smallworth with the immaculate '55 Chevy. Rob had been having his own issues with the car so far, but with Rob you always know that he can pull it out of the bag when required and he did just that, a superb run, which we only beat by pulling a better reaction time. Second round paired us against Andy Hone aka Fred - the quickest guy in the class, no arguments. We knew it would be tough getting past him, and didn't expect to. Adrian had found an issue with our fuel pressure dropping off at mid-track prior to this run, which we didn't have time to investigate properly, so it was agreed that if I was behind Fred at half track, I would come off it to save the motor. Just after half track I was about a car behind, and our computer trace shows that at one thousand feet I lifted and shut the motor off completely - hence we ran only 157 mph on a 7.86 run. It wasn't until Fred's crew came to tow him back at the top end that it became apparent that he had run the 7.49. I was gutted for Fred as I already knew that he wasn't able to run quicker than 7.50 due to chassis limitations. I'm sorry Fred; if it was down to me it would have been you in the semis mate. Still on we went. ©Eurodragster.com The semi saw us paired against Tim Garlick. Knowing what we knew about the fuel pressure we had not been able to tune the car all weekend, which meant that the whole set-up was running real safe, to account for what was happening. I was hesitant as to what to do, the call was made that we would go for it. A short pedal, and a missed shift saw us behind at mid-track, and by then you know when you're against someone like Tim there is no getting past him again, and that was that. Despite the weather, we had a fantastic weekend. There were laughs, and a good time was had, and all the crew worked great together. I would like to congratulate both Tim and Nigel for getting to the final, Nigel especially for that outstanding run in the semis, a 7.54 from a normally-aspirated car, and the mph figures, Belinda Bull for her first 7.60 run, and all the guys in SuperMod for putting on such a fantastic show. I would also like to thank Adrian Spencer. This guy really knows his stuff, and is a real asset to the team as are Dave Clarkson, and Darren Herbert-White who worked so hard over the weekend, especially when the call was made on Saturday afternoon to pull the clutch out of the car for re-facing, which on its own took over three hours such was the state of it. Thanks to Tina, Louise and Porsche for keeping us fed, watered and entertained all weekend, Jeff Bull for all his help and advice as always - thanks Jeff, Rob Smallworth for the loan of air pod lines on our Lenco, and everyone else who helped and contributed over the weekend - you all know who you are. I would also like to say a big get well soon to Rob Chilton, who is at home laid up in bed at the moment with a nasty infection (Ow, get well soon Rob - Ed). Here's looking forward to the Big Bang! The story of the subtle skulls. 17th April: Vince Gibbs and Ray Eldred of the UK's Nosferatu Racing Super Pro ET team have been in touch with what they say is a "dismal" race report: Weather...Ho hum...April Bank Holiday weekend, plus drag racing, equals rain. This formula is a constant for the UK although we all know the rain last year turned into fluffy white particles. Still, you roll the dice and take your chances. We rolled 'em and got a two and a four. The first qualifier on Sunday had a less than good burnout due to a cold surface. We went past 330 feet and the tyres were skating on the surface, little tyre smoke and not much heat. Back to the start line, staged and then massive tyre shake on the hit. We lost all electrical power in a second and the motor died. First run for Nosferatu and we had the shame of being pushed back. In the pits we hunted for a loose connection but found nothing. For the second qualifier the burnout was much better even in the fading light and temperatures. Stage and a great launch, 1.07 sixty foot time, but just after the 330 foot beams the power went off again which killed the motor and we coasted to an 8.77 at 98 mph. At least we had qualified although eighteenth out of a twenty one car field. Back to the pits and we found the electrical gremlin, a faulty main power switch mechanical problem. We fixed that and were ready for a full pass in the first round eliminations on Monday but it left us with a dial-in problem, what do we do with no data and an improved motor with more horsepower? We made our best guess on the data we had and paired up against the 2008 Super Pro Champion Rick Cooke. ©Eurodragster.com The burnout was good and I was focused on a good reaction time as Rick left 0.8 seconds before us. I watched the Tree come down and I was off, no tyre shake and I was on one. Just before the eighth mile we lost the blower belt and Rick went on to take the win - he is a great bloke and deserved it. That was it, over the four days we had covered about one quarter mile in three runs. On the up side we had a great response from the public to our new subtle paint scheme - you can't see the detail from the tower - as Nosferatu is actually covered with skull graphics. Gloss black graphics over a satin black base coat (to see more visit our official web site at www.nosferatu-racing.co.uk. We would like to say a big thank you to the Santa Pod team for their huge commitment and efforts over the weekend. All of them deserve a medal for their tireless efforts to allow us to run. They never give up, they are all outstanding. Also thanks to Eurodragster.com for the live reports, daily updates, race reports and pit notes (Thank you, you're welcome and thank you for the news item - Ed). Also many thanks to our current sponsors Torco Advanced Lubricants for keeping Nosferatu well oiled and to Wipac for keeping the crew warm looking professional with the supply of our team clothing. We would also like to thank Simon Hodder for building and maintaining our web site. Top man! Supercharged Outlaws set for 2009. 17th April: With their new season nearly upon them, this weekend is the first chance for the UK's Supercharged Outlaws to brush off the cobwebs and get ready to race, writes Dave McKenzie: This weekend at Shakespeare County Raceway is a Public Test Weekend and a few of the Outlaws will be at SCR checking out their cars ready for the season opener, Santa Pod Raceway's Wheels USA event on the early May Bank Holiday, Cars testing this weekend include Steve Goode with the Wobble altered and Vic Hammond with the imported Speed Demon slingshot. Paul Watts has had to pull out of the test weekend as his new back axle is not quite ready; Paul will make Santa Pod though. There may be other cars turning up but let's wait and see who comes through the gates. The entry list is steadily filling up for the first two events and it looks like we will have at least eight cars, if not more at both events. Wheels USA at Santa Pod is sponsored by Paul Watts of Academy Glass, Ryde IOW and the Yanks Weekend at Shakespeare County is sponsored by Bill Felstead and Fester Race Cars of Romford. Paul Watts is supplying trophies for first and second place at Wheels USA, and not only is Bill Felstead putting up the first place trophy for the Yanks Wekeend, but he is also giving £100 to the winner of the event. We thank both of these companies for their support of the Supercharged Outlaws. Roy Wilding and Brian Gandy have both been busy in the off-season working on the new track drier at Shakespeare County Raceway and also building the new Christmas Trees, the new tree supporting the Supercharged Outlaws with lettering on the front. New teams this year include Vic Hammond with the Speed Demon slingshot imported from the USA last season. The car looks superb and also runs the numbers. A second new team with the Outlaws this year could be Jayne Kay putting her new Funny Car through its paces. The car is an ex-Dan Larsen Top Methanol Funny Car. Gary tells me that Jayne wants to move things slowly while she gets used to the car, and the Supercharged Outlaws is the ideal place to learn. Jayne will hopefully be out later in the season. ©Eurodragster.com Other team news is that the Plymouth altered of Dave McKenzie and Mark Windridge will be back this season after tacking a year out to rebuild. Everything is on schedule for a return at the beginning of the season. Alec Coe and the Shy Talker slingshot team have had their engine rebuilt by Norm Wheeldon, and Alec will be looking for the seven second bracket this year. Another racer looking to step up is Lee Gallimore.With a six second tune-up from Bill Todd in the USA Lee will be going for it this year. Defending Series winner Roy Wilding has not been sitting back - expect a lot from the old stager this season. Ian Hanson has put a new Big Block engine in the beautiful Corvette...the car was already quick, now watch it go. Paul Watts with the No Easy Pick-up also has been busy over the winter. New back axle, new gearbox and I believe a new block will make Paul more competitive this year. Nick and Sue Osgathorp will make their track début this year with the gorgeous Excalibur nitro slingshot. This car looks too good to race! But with a Donovan fuel motor in between the rails it will make a great nostalgia slingshot and credit to the man for building such a beautiful car. Steve Goode will again be trying to unleash the awesome power of the Wobble altered. After spending all last season getting used to the car I expect to see a marked improvement in Steve's times this year. If consistency wins our series then wise money may go on Richard Davies with the '41 Willys. Richard only missed out on being series winner in 2008 by missing the round at York due to holiday commitments. Bet his holiday is booked around the events this year! I've not mentioned every team but you can be guaranteed a good show wherever the Outlaws are appearing. With eighteen teams registered for 2009, and more in the wings waiting to join us, it is shaping up for another bumper season for the Supercharged Outlaws. New events, new cars and great weather will make a brilliant season. See you all at the track. Web site updates. 17th April: Two Easter Thunderball Blog updates today, and two tales of victory as Luke Bennett of the Bennett Racing blown-alcohol altered team and Top Methanol Dragster racer Derek Flynn recount their winning starts to the 2009 season. As ever you can check out the latest Blog updates by clicking here or by clicking on the Racer Blogs link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page. ©Eurodragster.com Tim, who didn't give us his surname, has updated his fan site with some great spectator-side pictures from the Easter Thunderball. You can check out Tim's pictures at www.dragster-photography.com. Santa Pod's official RWYB photographer Ian Blackett caught a great slow-motion video of Mark Bishop's wheelie in Super Pro ET qualifying at the Easter Thunderball. You can check out Ian's video (Quicktime format) at www.blackettphotography.com/videos/Vegas%20Hustler%20Wheel%20Stand.mov. Ian tells us that he will shortly be offering slow-mo videos for £10 apiece; stay tuned for details. Riehl likes Top Fuel. 16th April: Germany's Jens Riehl says that his NHRA Top Fuel Dragster licencing in Las Vegas was uncomplicated. Jens was the first racer to licence under the scheme run by Swiss Top Fuel Dragster racer and Eurodragster.com News sponsor Urs Erbacher. "Team Erbacher were great", Jens told Eurodragster.com. "They concentrated hard and worked on the car as fast as they could, to make me the first German to get an NHRA Top Fuel licence in one unbelievable day. "Urs Erbacher and Crew Chief Wayne Dupuy were thebest of teachers. They made me feel comfortable in the car from the first warm-up. And I'd never imagined how heavy you can become in a car on the second half of the track, when the G-force goes up to five or six. It's great! "The most impressive moment was when John Force came down to the start line and shook hands with me before I pressed myself into the small cage. He said "See you down there" which of course meant that he wanted to watch my run...wow! You can believe that this gave me the determination to get down the track and it worked! Thank you John, and thank you to Urs, Wayne and the whole super team for the fantastic job. If anyone else has a little experience in drag racing and an ambition to get an NHRA Top Fuel licence then choose Team Erbacher! ©Eurodragster.com "I want to race with Urs and his team in the USA and the plan is that I contest one race with the back-up car, hopefully Las Vegas in October. This would be a good start to my first year." Jens will shortly be updating his web site at www.riehl-dragracing.de with pictures from his licencing, and you can check out a video of one of Jens' licencing passes on YouTube at www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5GVVjl8sZM. Jens adds that higher-quality videos will shortly be uploaded by Urs. Monkey business on a PSB. 16th April: The UK's Mark Smith and The Punisher Pro Stock Bike team had a very successful weekend at the Easter Thunderball: Sadly the weather stopped all racing on Friday and Saturday but finally on Sunday afternoon the weather changed for the best and all hell broke lose. In qualifying session 1 Mark ran an 8.1, his Personal Best and second place behind Dave Beck who ran a 7.9. The Eurodragster.com write-up read "I find it hard to believe that the guy is a PSB rookie!" (Still do, a superb performance - Ed). The Stunt Monkeys were over the moon with this run and the crew were jumping for joy on the start line. On Monday morning Mark and The Punisher ran a 9.1 in the second qualifying round, once again a great run. ©Eurodragster.com Mark then took part in the first round of Pro Stock Bike eliminations round and ran a great pass getting a 8.2. Eurodragster.com said "This was Mark's first competitive outing in PSB and he wins in the first round, well done Mark! A bang and a cloud of smoke from Mark's motor at the top end, track checked and found to be OK, hopefully no damage". Sadly there was damage so Mark did not compete in round 2. The Stunt Monkeys crew would like to send well wishes to Richard Gipp who unfortunately fit the wall at 150+ mph but had a broken wrist and ankle as far as we are aware, and we just heard that he is having surgery shortly. Mark would like to say a big Thank You to Paul Watson (Grumpy), Kerry Newell (wife to be), Mark Green, Georgina Green, Richard Gipp, Nigel, Ray Debben, Brummie Dave, Paula at Santa Pod Racers Club, Ian King, and Les Harris for all their help and support. Mark is now hoping to get The Punisher back up and running for the next meeting. We will keep you posted with updates. The Stunt Monkeys are still looking for sponsors, if you are interested please contact us at stuntmonkeys@live.co.uk. As seen on the webcam... 16th April: UK Super Pro ET racer Mark Bishop says that he is unlikely to return to racing until next year. In an incident caught by Eurodragster.com's Webster Race Engineering/Lex Joon Racing USA Tour 2009 webcam, Mark's Vegas Hustler altered stood up on the tail of its Topolino body and then thumped back down to earth at the Easter Thunderball. "We don't have the finances to rebuild straight away", sais Mark. "Thank you to everyone who made a contribution towards the rebuild funds. It was not a completely bad day as we had knocked two tenths off our PB in the first session. The plan will be to get my dad's Willys ready for the Main Event and crew for him, but we will come back faster and stronger...oh and with wheelie bars. ©Eurodragster.com "Thanks to all the Santa Pod marshals, ambulance crews, fellow racers and all the fans for their help and kind words and offers of help. Also massive thanks to our sponsors Chilli-jobs.co.uk and Dave Eady's American Parts Centre for their understanding of our lack of participation for the rest of the season." You can find a video of Mark's wheelie at www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjqDN-lCt34, and if you caught any pictures or video then Mark would be pleased to hear from you via his web site at www.vegashustleracing.co.uk. Swift snippets. 16th April: As #1 qualifier in Pro ET at the Easter Thunderball, Phil Toppin received £100 and a trophy from Rick McCann of Team Heaven & Hell and owner of Ramair Ltd, who sponsored the round as part of the Pro ET Sponsorship Scheme. "Phil got there with a 9.01 on a 9.00 dial-in, well done Phil from everyone in the Pro ET pits", says Neil Hunter. "Pity he got shut down in eliminations against event runner up Jon Turner. Congratulations also to Keith Herbert on a well-deserved win. Thanks to our sponsors Motorshack, Toxico, Brize Norton Hot Rod and American Specialist, Real Steel, LA Racing Parts, Performance Unlimited, Cometic Gasket, Total Seal Rings, Engine Data Analysis, Hauser Race Cars, A1 Motor Stores and Inkwell Printing. The post-Easter Thunderball points standings in the MSA British Drag Racing Championship (for Pro Modified) are now available on the Championship official web site at www.msadragracing.co.uk. Paul Watson of DynoSpeed Developments asked us to congratulate Stefan Schnarwiler on his performance on his Super Street Bike at the Easter Thunderball. "Stefan had a great time on my turbo 'Busa and we look forward to his return at the Summernationals", says Grumpy. UK Super Gas racer Jon Giles has asked us to thank all of the Santa Pod family for their support and kind words for himself and partner Donna. "This sport and the people never cease to amaze me, as we are newcomers", says Jon. "I would especially like to thank Jon Morton, Heidi Page and the Morrice family, and Francesca and I would like to send Get Well Soon wishes to Donna. We look forward to racing again sometime this year, all being well." ©Eurodragster.com The latest offer from Eurodragster.com News sponsor Tireshake.com is a range of CH3NO2 caps at €12. "Get your caps before summer gets here", says Benny Edvardsson. You can find the caps under New at www.tireshake.com. Security for the King. 16th April: The countdown has started to King of Europe West, the toughest street race in Europe, to be held at Santa Pod Raceway on 9th-10th May and Lee Child of Eurodragster.com Links sponsor LA Racing Parts is proud to announce that Wright Guards Security will be an associate sponsor of the event. "Matt Wright, the proprietor of the company, has always been a great supporter of the events in which I have been involved", said Lee. "Not only has Matt been a great supporter of drag racing events, but a supporter of drag racing as a whole. Wright Guards Security is a great company and having used Matt's security services I can tell you that his customer support is no different to his drag racing support - it is just excellent. The whole service gives complete peace of mind at an affordable cost. ©Eurodragster.com "We are really hoping that Matt will début one of his new street-legal race cars at the King of Europe West. Will it be the Bug or the muscle car? We will just have to wait and see." For more information on Wright Guards Security and its services, check out their web site at www.wrightguardssecurity.co.uk or click on the logo at right. You can find out more about King of Europe on the Series' official web site at www.kingofeurope.net. The great news is that Santa Pod Raceway have added a Peak Performance Day on Friday 8th May to allow testing. For more details check out www.rwyb.com. PSDS kick-off. 16th April: With only a matter of days to go, drivers are getting geared up for the first round of the 2009 Pro Street Drag Series, which takes place this Saturday and Sunday (18th-19th) at Shakespeare County Raceway, writes PSDS spokesman Robin Greaves: I'm sure that Richard Batty in his blisteringly quick Mitsubishi FTO will be keen to repeat his overall Series win again in 2009, although many other drivers will be planning to knock him off the top spot this year. With over thirty five new competitors having signed up for 2009, record numbers of PSDS drivers are expected to attend this year. Many of the drivers who competed last year have been busy over the winter period making improvements to their drag machines. In the Street Class Tony Walters is planning to break in to the nines with his revamped Nissan 200SX, John Moreby has been installing a new turbo into his already very quick ten-second Impreza wagon, and Mike Smith has added NOS to his twin-engined Mini Estate. Also will we see a magical seven second run this year in our Pro Class? Mick Begley seems to think so with his ex-Duke drag R33 GTR, currently holding the 4WD European record of 8.21/176 mph which he achieved in the 2008 Pro Street Drag Series. Mick's car has recently been dyno'd at 1346hp and he has added a 175 shot of NOS in an attempt to smash his own European record hopefully with a seven second run. Keith Cowie also believes his car is capable of a seven second run this year but may struggle to make the first round due to head gasket problems causing the coolant system to become pressured up. This happened on Keith's last run of the 2008 season when the motor blew two core plugs, dropping water under the wheels, causing the back end to come round right at the top of the track doing about 160 mph! Whatever happens there is sure to be plenty of action in the first round of the 2009 Pro Street Drag Series so make sure you don't miss out. To compete, sign up at www.prostreetdragseries.co.uk, or to spectate just turn up and pay on the gate! ©Eurodragster.com American Super Stock on the rise. 16th April: The American Super Stock series was established to give those with classic American muscle cars the opportunity to put them to the use for which they were intended. It has grown to become the biggest drag racing series in the UK for American cars and it is packed with close racing and fun - not to mention a range of fantastic machinery. There are now over sixty racers who have signed up over the last couple of seasons or who will hopefully be participating in 2009. The series is open to any American car (or truck etc) of 'streetable' appearance, although it does not need to be taxed and tested. Open headers, slicks and nitrous oxide injection are permitted. A/SS is now run as a bracket (i.e. handicapped) series, so it's more inclusive and slower cars can still compete effectively, whilst the fast guys can carry on getting faster. But it means it's the consistency of the car and the skill of the driver that wins races, not necessarily the fastest car, so all have a chance of winning, and there's plenty of competitive thrills. That said, some cars are now running into the nines. And if you do have a seriously quick car, at York Raceway's events you can also enter into heads-up racing at no additional cost. Take a look at www.americansuperstock.co.uk which was constructed mid-season last year. The site got more hits in January than for the whole of July and August 2008, indicating the continued increase in interest in the series. And participation continues to grow, what with the strange lads from LEAK, who race u nder pseudonyms and alter-egos... And guys like 'Quiet Lad Bozi', who's now graduated up to a '66 Coronet with built 440ci and resplendent in period super stock-style graphics. And whilst the series continues to attract many veterans and legends, Bozi is just 21. With the ever-increasing support from the series' sponsors, A/SS probably has the biggest prize fund in the country for an individual class, this support continues to makes the series grow each year. The prize fund is shared out in awards across the year for round winners and runners-up, number one qualifiers and overall Championship winner. Sponsors also reap the successes of the series, and being included on the A/SS site is very effective for traffic and ranking for a sponsor's site. Before you know it, American Super Stock will be back at the track for another season of racing. Dates for this year, all held at York Raceway, are now confirmed: 4th May: UK Open Nationals - Round 1 24th-25th May: UK Spring Nationals - Round 2 Sunday 24th, Round 3 Monday 25th 5th July: Northern Sportsman Nationals - Round 4 1st-2nd August: UK Northern Nationals - Round 5 Sunday 2nd 30th-31st August: UK Northern Finals - Round 6 Sunday 30th, Round 7 Monday 31st American Super Stock is indebted to its sponsors Total Seal, Beyond Marketing Services, Billadeau Speed & Equipment, Classic American, EDA, Houlston Racing, Laughton Property, Mint Motors, Neimantas Jewellers, Performance Unlimited, Supanova, Transaxle Services, W Drake Ltd, York Box, and Youhill Machinery. ©Eurodragster.com A drag racing golfer. 16th April: Journalist Brian Taylor tells us that drag racing got some exposure in the unlikely arena of the weekend's US Masters golf tournament: American professional golfer Kenny Perry made the play-off at the US Masters. Not many will know that he's a drag racer when he has time. When recently asked about the contents of his garage he said "Well, let's see. I got a '55 Chevy and a '57 Chevy, both Bel Airs. I got two Camaros, a '68 and a '69. And I got a '67 Chevy II Nova". The Nova runs on nitromethane, the highly combustible fuel first used by the moonshine whiskey runners whose exploits inspired a generation of post-war hot-rodders and the whole drag racing thing. "I'm a muscle-car fan" Perry added, rather superfluously. "I like power." Kenny didn't win the play off, but it got drag racing a few mentions on global TV. ©Eurodragster.com Fast & Furious Car Show 2009. 16th April: Biler, Lir, larm, lak, læder, og lækre babes i lange baner 1. - 3. maj 2009 går det løs - inden for som uden for Fredericia Messecenter. Der er masser af guf for ører og øjne, når alle de bedste bilbyggere, udstillere, driftere og hotte babes liner op til 2009 udgaven af Fast & Furious Car Show. Det bliver et brag af en udstilling - alle er i fuld gang med forberedelserne. Om du er til skinnende, buldrende amerikanere, ekstreme ombygninger af standard biler, Ferrari, racerbiler, det nyeste biltilbehør eller driftbiler med rygende bagdæk betyder ikke så meget - Fast & Furious Car Show har det hele, bare det handler om motorer. Ja, og pigerne,-- dem vil vi ikke undvære, idet biler og flotte piger, er en betinget coctail. De vil være overalt, de vil stå på spring for at komme med på dit billede, så medbring dit kamera og få taget et billede af dig og drømmepigen, med en fed bil i baggrunden. Besøg fotograferne på deres stand og få lavet en plakat med dig og drømmepigen, et minde for livet... Danish Tuner Awards - Bilstyling konkurrencen over dem alle! Og som kirsebærret på kransekagen - toppen af poppen - chokoladestykkerne i vanilieisen... Danish Tuner Awards 2009! Her findes de flotteste og bedst byggede biler fra de danske garager. Bilerne præsenteres på den store scene hvor der bliver kåret biler i adskillige kategorier, og vinderen af titlen Best in Show 2009 kan gå hjem kr. 15.000 rigere. Udover de Danske deltagere, vil både Norge, Sverige, Finland og Tyskland, være repræsenteret med nogle af de mest ekstreme biler. Fast & Furious Drift Challenge og Streetfire Motor Park Fast & Furious Car Show er meget mere end bare en bil udstilling. Køreteknisk anlæg der ligger lige ved siden af hallerne, er i dagens anledning omdøbt til Streetfire Motor Park, og her huserer 'Drifterne' , der kører bil på en måde, der kan få blå blink på taget af enhver politibil. De kører stærkt, de laver hjulspind og de kører sidelæns. Det bedste af det hele er, at du kan købe en tur som passager. Lån af hjelm er en selvfølge, men rene underbukser og kamera medbringes hjemmefra. Denne spektakulære sport er det mest seværdige man kan forestille sig... Padborg Park kommer også og giver opvisning med den nye Legend Cars klasse, ligesom der vil være opvisning med en 3000 hk Corvette, helikopterrundflyvning, Tivoli og en go-cart bane at muntre sig med... Db Drag - Lydtrykskonkurrence Hør de sindsyge deltagerbiler i DB Drag lydtrykskonkurrencerne, når de dyster om de mange pokaler, og prøver at blæse ruderne ud med lydtrykket fra bilens anlæg. I år deltager bilerne i den internationale EMMA konkurrence. Hvis du vil vide mere om dette fantastiske multishow, som for 3 år i træk år vil samle tusinder af bilfans, så er det ikke spor for tidligt at drifte, cruise eller race ind på www.streetfire.dk. For yderligere information og presseakkreditering kontakt: Steffen Dam, steffen@streetfire.dk, Tlf. 53 54 55 30 ©Eurodragster.com Web site updates. 16th April: Eurodragster.com Photo Editor Roger Gorringe has been pressing on furiously since the last set of wheels turned at the Auto Trader Easter Thunderball. Whilst your News Editor has been languishing on his recliner moaning about being shagged out Roger has already found the time and energy to submit a race report and pictures to the US Competition Plus web site at www.competitionplus.com, and also to post photographs on his personal web site at www.nitroexposure.co.uk. ©Eurodragster.com Also posting photographs from the Auto Trader Easter Thunderball, and the preceding Test Weekend, is Nigel Holland whose pictures you can check out at www.nigelholland.co.uk. Lizz McCarthy has updated the Nitrous Junkie web site at www.nitrousjunkie.co.uk with a report of UK Funny Bike racer Kev Charman's Easter Thunderball weekend. Editor's note: We're still working on our backlog of news but today we simply ran out of lunch break. Tune back tomorrow for Easter Thunderball updates from Vince Gibbs and Ray Eldred, Wratten Brothers tuning consultant Charlie Draper, and Tim Garlick, what went on at York Raceway over Easter, and much more. Please keep the news items coming to news@eurodragster.com and we'll include those too. Event entry update. 15th April: On-line entry is now available for all three of this season's events at Drachten in The Netherlands. Click here to enter the races on 19th-21st June, 10th-12th July, or 21st-23rd August. Shakespeare County Raceway would like to remind all UK National Championship drivers and ACU UK Drag Bike Championship riders that entry is still open for the forthcoming Springspeed Nationals, which takes place at the Warwickshire dragstrip on 2nd-4th May. You can download the official entry form from the Downloads page of the Shakespeare County Raceway web site at www.shakespearecountyraceway.co.uk. If you have any queries then please direct them to enquiries@shakespearecountyraceway.co.uk or call 01789 720180. ©Eurodragster.com There are one and a half weeks to go before the official closing dates for the HKS classes running at the Performance Tuning and Modified Show, which takes place at Santa Pod Raceway on 9th-10th May, and for all classes at the FIA Main Event, which takes place at Santa Pod Raceway on 22nd-25th May. In both cases the closing date is Friday 24th April and you can download PTM Show and FIA Main Event entry forms from the Santa Pod Racers Club web site at www.eurodragster.com/sprc, and if you have any queries about event entry then please contact Paula Marshall at paula.marshall@btconnect.com. Swift snippets. 15th April: Stephen Moon has started a rebuild fund for UK Comp Bike racer Richard Gipp who had a 160 mph top end crash at Santa Pod Raceway at the weekend. "Richard has been one of our most dedicated racers in recent years, campaigning all ACU and UEM rounds, so hats off to the guy for being a hard core racer of the highest order", says Stephen. You can get in touch with Stephen at stephen@stephenmoon.com or you can donate immediately via Paypal using the same E-Mail address. Stephen would also be pleased to hear from any company or individual wishing to donate items for a raffle. Thanks to Swedish Pro Modified racer Adam Flamholc for sending us a shot of his new ride at the Elmia car show. You can stay in touch with Adam's blog (Swedish-language) at flamholcdragracing.blogg.se. ©Eurodragster.com Per Andersen, car owner and tuner of the FIA Championship-holding Carter Motorsport / Andersen Racing Top Fuel Dragster team, tells us that an approach has been made to the Danish Government through the National Dragracing Club Denmark about the new law which, put simply, bans the possession of nitromethane in Denmark and which would also prevent the transport of nitro through the country. "I have no idea whether it is terror-related or whether it has something to do with the Climate Summit in Denmark later this year", says Per. Stay tuned for developments. Congratulations to UK Street Eliminator racer Martin Taylor and his wife Julie on the birth of Amber Rose Taylor who was born on Sunday morning. Ann-Marie Lazenby tells us that Amber Rose arrived little early but was a healthy weight. Mother and baby are doing well and Martin is quite clearly elated. We have had an enthusiastic response to the inclusion of full qualifying standings direct from Santa Pod Raceway's timing system in our American Car Imports-sponsored Auto Trader Easter Thunderball coverage. Although we were and are grateful for the credit the facility to include the timing data was actually down to the hard work of Steve Horn and David Anniwell and the rest of SPR's timing crew to whom many thanks. With a couple of tweaks this feature is here to stay in our event coverage from SPR, and TSI Timers in the USA are already on the case of the couple of bugs which were uncovered at the weekend. The Eurodragster.com staff were not quite so enthusiastic about the amount of shameless copying of text and pictures from our coverage at the weekend. Put simply this is theft of our copyright material. Quite apart from that consideration, we are the ones doing the hard work and we have the right to expect that work to be viewed in its original location which is after all where our sponsors pay good money to have their logos. If you are not one of the very few web sites with whom we have a standing agreement to copy results then please stop it. We're being nice about this so far. Web site updates. 15th April: In the latest update of his exclusive Racer Blog, Dutch Top Fuel Dragster racer and joint Eurodragster.com webcam sponsor Lex Joon brings us the latest news from the LJR workshop and hints at an FIA Main Event appearance. As ever you can check out the latest Blog updates by clicking here or by clicking on the Racer Blogs link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page. ©Eurodragster.com We have already received a number of web site updates from the Easter Thunderball. First to write was John Seymour whose photographs are available at www.TheBaldPhotographer.com/Motorsport. Dick Bodily has updated his Fotopic gallery with shots from Monday's eliminations which you can find at dicksphotos.fotopic.net. "I've tried to vary where I've taken the shots from to try to make the gallery a bit more interesting", says Dick. Updating with pictures from Sunday's qualifying is Paul Lister whose shots you can find on the Drag Car Anon web site at www.dragcaranon.co.uk. Editor's note: As you can imagine we have far more news than this to bring you. Today's update is abbreviated because your News Editor is not at his best, but stay tuned as the next update will include Jens Riehl's thoughts on his recent Top Fuel Dragster licencing passes, wheelying Pro ET racer Mark Bishop's plans for the rest of this season, Easter Thunderball updates from Vince Gibbs and Ray Eldred and Wratten Brothers tuning consultant Charlie Draper, a sponsor for the forthcoming King of Europe West, and much more. Please keep the news items coming to news@eurodragster.com and we'll include those too. Easter Thunderball results. 13th April: Congratulations to the winners of this weekend's Auto Trader Easter Thunderball at Santa Pod Raceway: Pro Fuel Shootout: John Spuffard 7.8948/107.35 def. Anita Mäkelä 5.1850/208.10 DQ Top Methanol: Derek Flynn 5.7233/247.55 def. Rob Turner 13.8843/54.39 MSA Pro Modified: Henri Joosten 6.8959/204.25 def. Roger Moore 9.9797/89.01 Super Modified: Nigel Payne 12.0501/81.82 def. Tim Garlick left before lights ran Super Pro ET: Bob Doyle (8.95) 9.0162/150.45 def. Steve Taylor (7.60) 8.4191/151.40 Pro ET: Keith Herbert (11.00) 11.1911/101.41 def. Jon Turner (11.35) 11.3979/119.74 Sportsman ET: Nick Gay (13.80) 13.8093/93.89 def. Lawrie Drysdale (15.63) 15.6817/86.12 Super Comp: Brian Pateman 8.9219/154.08 def. Jon Morton 8.9627/147.56 Super Gas: Jon Morton 9.8624/140.66 def. Stu Doignie 11.2026/102.03 red light Super Street: John Grant 11.5470/103.78 def. Leigh Morris 13.8007/65.84 Junior Dragster: Rosie Hunt (8.00) 8.0326/80.44 def. Joe Kellett (8.98) 8.9888/71.17 Nostalgia Fuel Altered Association: Frank Bennett 6.6352/181.22 def. Tony Betts 7.4669/129.37 B&H Automotive/LA Racing Parts Street Eliminator: Colin Lazenby 8.2782/184.31 def. Jeff Meads 8.5633/163.57 Wild Bunch: Chris Hartnell (9.20) 8.9966/145.64 bye, David Rowlands did not start VW Pro: Richard Merriman (12.99) 13.0674/103.11 def. James Hodson (10.97) 10.9434/120.35 breakout VW Sportsman: Russ Weir (16.35) 16.4027/80.97 def. Mark Malone (18.21) 18.1580/69.76 breakout Top Fuel Bike: Steve Woollatt 7.9745/122.18 bye Pro Stock Bike: Ray Debben 7.8092/169.11 def. Len Paget 7.7394/143.82 Funny Bike: Gary Jones staged, bye Comp Bike: Stu Crane 7.9971/171.03 def. Ivan Birch 8.0260/170.31 Super Street Bike: Garry Bowe 7.8817/181.27 def. Rich Stubbins 7.8343/184.93 9.50 Bike: Steve Coombs 9.6235/139.90 def. Richard Sawatzki 9.7666/140.28 Our best wishes to Comp Bike racer Richard Gipp and 9.50 Bike racer Mark Winder who suffered spills from their mounts at the top end and start line respectively. Mark was discharged from the Medical Centre at Santa Pod but Richard was taken to hospital and we await official word on his condition although we understand that we are talking injuries rather than serious illness. Congratulations to VW Sportsman racer Lucy Matthews who won the Eurodragster.com/Gold RV Perfect ET Award in the first round of eliminations. The Perfect ET Award has been reset to £50 for Big Bang whilst the Eurodragster.com/Speedflow Perfect Light Award, which went unclaimed at the weekend, has been increased to £75 for Big Bang. ©Eurodragster.com Click here to view our American Car Imports-sponsored Auto Trader Easter Thunderball coverage, or click on the Event Coverage link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page and select the Auto Trader Easter Thunderball. 2009 Pro ET Sponsorship Scheme. 11th April: The UK's Pro ET racers will again be running a Sponsorship Scheme in 2009. The #1 qualifier at each event, and the top three finishers in the UK National Championship, will receive cash, trophies and vouchers. The #1 qualifier at each event will win £100 plus a trophy and a £60 Hauser Race Cars voucher. To be eligible for the Pro ET No 1 Qualifier prize racers must carry the sticker of the event sponsor on the windscreen of their vehicle, or on the vehicle body if there is no windscreen: Auto Trader Easter Thunderball: Ramair Architects and Builders Springspeed Nationals: Charlies Taxis FIA Main Event: Spirrac Ltd Refrigeration and Air Conditioning SPRC Summernationals: Pro ET 314 In Memory Open Sport Nationals: Platinum Choice Insurance FIA European Finals: English Rose Tattoo Studio UK National Finals: Apsley Transmissions Engine and Gearbox reconditioning) The top three in the 2009 UK National Championships will receive £300 and a trophy for first, £200 and a trophy for second and £100 and a trophy for third, which will be presented at the Pro ET End of Season Bash. The following 2009 sponsors' stickers must be displayed to be eligible for the Pro ET Championship prizes at season's end: Motorshack, Toxico, Brize Norton Hot Rod and American Specialist (01993 844144), Real Steel, LA Racing Parts, Performance Unlimited, Cometic Gasket, Total Seal, Engine Data Analysis (no sticker), Hauser Race Cars, A1 Motor Stores and Inkwell Printing. There is a £10 registration fee for both the #1 Qualifier and Championship prizes, and racers much register no later than the Springspeed Nationals. Sponsorship Scheme Co-ordinator Charlie Chivers would like to thank the sponsors and racers for their support in 2009. ©Eurodragster.com Swift snippets. 11th April: Sweden's 5 x M Funny Bike and Super Gas Bike team have welcomed Bilcity Landskrona and Fleninge MC-Skrot as sponsors for the 2009 season. "Our first race this year will be at the all-bike event at Meca Raceway on 15th-17th May, but we will test Mikael Andersson's Funny Bike in the days before the race", says Crew Chief Marcus Andersson. "We are also building a Super Gas Bike which I will ride. We are working every day to get the bikes finished: wish us luck and don't forget to write something in our guestbook". Good luck guys. You can find the guestbook and new pictures of the 5 x M Funny Bike at www.5xm-dragbiketeam.tk. ©Eurodragster.com Web site updates. 11th April: Eurodragster.com Reserve Photographer Peter Donaldson has updated his Fotopic gallery with his complete set of shots from last weekend's Public Test Weekend at Shakespeare County Raceway. You can check out Peter's shots at peterdonaldson5305.fotopic.net. ©Eurodragster.com Also updating from last weekend's Public Test Weekend at SCR is Jon Spoard of the excellent UK Drag Racing Nostalgia site whose shots you can find at www.ukdrn.co.uk. Whilst there be sure to check out Jon's extensive historical galleries and video clips, and if you like to talk about the old days then the site has a very well-run and informative discussion forum. Bellio finds the funds. 10th April: Belgian Top Methanol Funny Car racer Danny Bellio and his team have worked very hard to get their Avenger ready since acquiring the sponsorship to run in 2009: At first we were not going to race in 2009 because we had no money. As always it's a big problem and without sponsors it's hard. But we have to thank Han Peters from Recrea Media in the Netherlands for helping us to find some sponsorship, and we are very grateful that Han has taken the time and effort to do this for us. This is a story you hear from other people, but it never happens to you - but not this time. One say in September last year Han came and checked us out and had a lot of questions regarding our racing plans. He didn't say much but a few weeks later he came back with the news that he would take care of the sponsor problem. And now here we are ready to rock and roll. ©Eurodragster.com Our sponsors for this year are Lucas Oil Products, Speedshop Belgium, Recrea Media, Tirion Uitgevers BV, Grafisch Buro van Erkelens, Netto Job, and Van den Boogaard Reclame. If anyone else would like to help us then they can contact Han for information at info@recrea-media.nl. We have a lot of new things for this year, and for the first time we are going into a new season without having to pay for everything on this money hungry beast ourselves. We are on our way to the track and you will see a complete new team ready for the 2009 season. Thanks from the Wrattens. 10th April: UK blown-alcohol altered team and UK record holders Wratten Brothers Racing are looking forward to making a full pass at this weekend's Auto Trader Easter Thunderball after running their best ever sixty foot time in testing last weekend. Paul and Terry Wratten got in touch to say a big Thank You to their sponsors: Firstly, Customville American, who have sponsored the car for a numberof years. For all your American car needs contact them on 0208 590 1449 or at www.customville.com. Cheers Trevor and Russ! Arboreal Print Group for large quantity, quality business cards at unbeatable prices. Contact 01708 733031. Hyside Motorcycles, Collier Row, Romford. Contact 01708 763360. New for this year we'd like to welcome on board Miss L Fire. This company supplies a collection of original 40s, 50s and 60s style shoes and handbags. Check out their web site at www.misslfire.com or call 020 3326 2590. And no, the team will not be modelling these fab shoes in an effort to win Best Appearing Team'! Strictly Dubs, Water Cooled VW Specialists who are constantly pushing the envelope in VW modifying, to Show-winning standards! www.strictlydubs.com or call 01621 778811. ©Eurodragster.com Thanks also to Charlie at CTM Engineering (020 8592 1180) for getting our heads machined and assembled in short time, and Shinda and Bobby at Star Garage (020 8597 8404) - MOT's at competitive rates, BMW and Mercedes specialists, what these guys don't know about these motors ain't worth knowing!. Without all this support we could not continue racing, so thanks a million to everyone. Whilst we are in this grateful mood, thanks also to our great team: Charlie, Russ, Scott, Mark, Pete, Kev and Ant. A proper bunch of blokes and probably the best team around. Cheers lads, let's get to it! Web site updates. 10th April: UK Pro Modified racer Wayne Nicholson has updated the Lucky Devil web site with a report and pictures from last weekend's testing at Santa Pod Raceway. You can check it out at www.luckydevil777dragracing.com. ©Eurodragster.com Swift snippets. 9th April: Shakespeare County Raceway will début its new Christmas Tree at the weekend after the original was hit last year. "Thanks to the support of Supercharged Outlaw racer Roy Wilding, two new Trees have been built", says Jerry Cookson. "SCR Chief Timing Technician Wayne Schreier assembled both Trees after a recent trip to the Massachusetts-based workshops of Portatree Timing Systems creator and NHRA Super Stock racer Al Smyth. The original Tree is still in working order and will now be used as a show piece at car shows and events (picture courtesy and ©Dave Derry). UK Jet Funny Car pilot Roger Goring has accepted an invitation to run at the 17th Drag Power Show at Mirecourt in France on 1st-3rd May. "The event has been running for seventeen years, formerly at Chambley, and has gone from strength to strength", says Roger. "I have been before as a spectator and was stunned by the whole show. It is a huge deal for us, as this is the first time Firestorm has appeared in France. There is also going to be some friendly rivalry as the event promoter Donald Pottier runs his own Jet Funny Car. England v France then! Quite a few of our buddies are already planning the trip on their motorcycles...I think I feel a party coming on!". You can find out more at www.duckteam.fr. The first of two spy pictures to arrive at the offices of Eurodragster.com (below left) came with the words "A big (block) bullet!". The second picture (above right) came with the words "Something new for the weekend...I hope". If you know more, or if you would like to send your own spy picture, then drop us a line at eurodragster.com@btinternet.com. Andrew Murton (above right) won the first round of this year's UK Street Racer Series at Santa Pod last weekend, writes David Murton. Andrew's Nevermind '68 Camaro took the win by 0.02 seconds over Stuart 'Ringman' Ramsey 's '67 Camaro. Andrew, who won last year's inaugural Power Tour Championship, also set a new PB of 9.53/141. The 4/6 cylinder class was taken by Darren Scammell in his Mk 1 Escort Cosworth, but his win was clouded by the cam belt breaking at 7000 revs. The next SRS round takes place at Santa Pod on 1st-4th May and new participants will be warmly welcomed. More information at www.uk-srs.co.uk. FIA European Top Fuel Dragster Champion Andy Carter will be at the Easter Thunderball this Saturday, Sunday and Monday with a small stand selling and promoting primary sponsor Lucas Oil. "Racers will be able to put in orders in for upcoming events Phil, Gary and I will do our best to do a racer price for you!", says Andy. "You will also be able to buy a copy of King of Europe, pick up a flyer and get an autograph. Come and say hello!" Just as we went to post this update we heard that Ray White has withdrawn from Pro Mod this weekend. No word as yet on why this is but Ray is never tardy with news items to Eurodragster.com so doubtless he will let us know. UK Super Comp racer Malcolm Motler will be selling Spellbound T-Shirts from Steve Wells' pit at Santa Pod Raceway this weekend. The shirts are &10 each and come in sizes from S to XXL. Malk tells also tells us that he closed down his Morris Minor business at the end of November and is now enjoying himself working as a welder fabricator at Eurodragster.com sponsor Andy Robinson Race Cars. "There are a few small jobs I want to do on the pick-up", says Malcolm. "We are hoping to be out later this summer trying to improve on our 9.32." Entry remains open for the Springspeed Nationals, which takes place at Shakespeare County Raceway on 2nd-4th May and which is a Championship round in the UK National and ACU UK Drag Racing Championships as well as rounds for Street Eliminator, the Wild Bunch, Outlaw Anglia, Volkswagen Drag Racing Club, Outlaw Flat Four, National Association of Supertwins and Junior Drag Bike, and a demonstration round of 8.50 Bike. You can download the official entry form from the Downloads page of the Shakespeare County Raceway web site at www.shakespearecountyraceway.com. If you have any queries about Springspeed Nationals entry then please contact Julie Willcox at enquiries@shakespearecountyraceway.co.uk or call 01789 720180 (outside the UK +44 1789 720180). Thanks to Santa Pod Racers Club Secretary Paula Marshall for forwarding us Version 7 of the official entry list for Big Bang, which takes place at Santa Pod Raceway on 25th-26th April and which is a Championship round for VWDRC, Super Modified, Sportsman ET, Junior Dragster, 9.50 Bike, Street Eliminator and Outlaw Anglia, and a demonstration round for 8.50 Bike. You can view the entry list by clicking here. Big Bang entry is still open although subject to a 100% late entry fee; you can download the entry form from the Santa Pod Racers Club web site at www.eurodragster.com/sprc. PMR sponsors renew. 9th April: Paul Marston Racing are proud to announce that Florida-based Automotive 1 Speed Parts Shop are renewing their support for the 2009 season. "This is great news for PMR", says Paul Marston. "The parts arrived over the weekend which means that Paul Marston Racing will once again be able to offer those small but essential consumable race parts at the track. Available at the PMR trailer will be race only spark plugs, oil filters, plug lead sets, core plugs, valve cover gaskets, starter motors , alcohol fuel lubes and fuel scents, a limited amount of 116 octane race gas and alcohol, racing trans fluid and motor oils, and more, at competitive prices. ©Eurodragster.com In addition Geddex Products have also renewed, so Paul Marston Racing will also have the full range: Dial In: Does not mark paint or lexan and wipes off easily, in white, orange and yellow. Wheels Up: Wheelie bar marker which leaves an easy to see and apply trace. Also in white, orange and yellow. Burnout Gard: Protect your paint with this simple to use spray on protector then simply wash off the rubber. Great for paint, perfect for bike wheelie bars. Slick Air: A can of compressed air handy for simple top-ups on your tyres in the staging lanes. Please E-Mail us with any pre-orders at office@pmracing.fsnet.co.uk so that we can carry them to the track for you. Paul Marston Racing would like to sincerely thank these two great sponsors who have faith in us and in what we do. In these economically tough times their support is even more appreciated. See you all at Easter. Web site updates. 9th April: Our good buddy Alan Currans has updated the official web site of the UK's Chaos Fuel Altered with a final batch of pictures of repair work on the car. You can check out the pictures by clicking on Galleries then Crash repairs at www.chaos-fuel-altered.com. ©Eurodragster.com Interview: Colin Theobald. 8th April: For the latest in our occasional series of Features presented in association with Stroud Safety and Andy Robinson Race Cars Eurodragster.com interviewed Colin Theobald, the new lead commentator at Santa Pod Raceway (Maybe now you will all believe it's not me - Ed). Amongst other things we asked Colin about his drag racing background, his previous experience of track announcing, and the prospect of sharing Race Control with that group of rapscallions and ne'er do wells that is the Eurodragster.com team. ©Eurodragster.com Click here to read our interview with Colin Theobald, or click on the Features, Interviews, Tributes link on the top left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page. Dupuy on That Boomer. 8th April: No sooner had he returned from Las Vegas than Wayne Dupuy, Crew Chief for Eurodragster.com News sponsor Urs Erbacher's Top Fuel Dragster team, got in touch to let us know what was responsible for the fearsome engine explosion in eliminations in Houston last week. "It sheared a thirteen-run crank", Wayne told Eurodragster.com. "The gear which drives the camshaft filled the manifiold with nitro. Because the valves were not opening and the crank was still turning it fired off the crank trigger and kaboom! It was on a winning run too. All the rods are still in but bent from the boomer. ©Eurodragster.com "We ran in Vegas and still had some bad luck. We are all trying very hard and can't seem to have things go our way. We're just in a rut and that's what racing does to you - a hero one day and zero the next. We will keep moving forward and hold our heads up. "Monday's licencing with Jens Riehl went like clockwork, no problems whatsoever.We made four runs in a row and did very well with no damage at all. Maybe we have turned the corner on our slump." A flaming good job. 8th April: UK Top Methanol Dragster racer and Eurodragster.com sponsor Derek Flynn has forwarded us a rendering of the 2009 colours of his 5.4-second injected-nitro dragster (click on picture for larger version). Readers with reasonably good memories will recognise the front of the car from a recent spy picture. "We are all very excited about the Easter Thunderball and we hope our new flames will go even faster than last year's", says Derek. "Whilst it was a shame to cover up most of that beautiful carbon fibre we are really pleased with the design which Pete of Peter Walters Race Design came up with, and we love the prep and paint job on the dragster and tow car which Richard and Lee of J&W Automotive have done for us. Sorry we don't have a real shot of the car - you will have to come and have a look for yourself at Easter or wait for the shots which will hopefully appear later, so for now you will have to make do with the front of the excellent Gold RV Racing handout card which will be available at our pits, also designed by PWRD. Thanks guys, you have done a flaming good job for us yet again. ©Eurodragster.com "We would like to send our best wishes to Lisa Selles in the Gold RV Junior as well as Peter in his resplendent Super Pro ET dragster and of course my old mate Bob Glassup with his extra 1000 hp, go guys go! And good luck to all the racers who are competing for the Eurodragster.com/Gold RV Perfect ET Award this weekend (see below), be safe be fast and be quick. To all our friends and fans, please stop by our pits and say Hi if you get the chance." McDonalds back, with dual-role Webster. 8th April: The UK's McDonald Racing Top Fuel Dragster team are all geared up for their reappearance in the Pro Fuel Shootout at this weekend's Easter Thunderball. "We are very pleased to announce our return to the Top Fuel field after what has seemed like an eternity to us", says Stuart McDonald. "We have to thank Rune Fjeld for the deal to hire a complete latest-specification car and are looking forward to working with Rune Fjeld Motorsport. "It is also a pleasure to be able to be able to bring Jon Webster back to Top Fuel as our driver. Jon is in our opinion one of the most professional and highly skilled drivers out there, demonstrating his ability across numerous classes and vehicles and it will be fantastic to put another British driver in front of our home crowd. Jon is also a highly respected engineer and chassis/race vehicle fabricator so it is a great asset to have such experience and knowledge on the team. Jon has built and carried out work on so many race vehicles including our own previous car and has an enviable reputation for quality workmanship. If you are considering having any type of race vehicle fabrication undertaken check out Webster Race Engineering at www.webster-race-engineering.co.uk and contact them direct to discuss your requirements. "Our current arrangements will enable us to enter five British events this year including two FIA rounds at the FIA Main Event and FIA European finals. Unfortunately the absence of a primary sponsor hasn't allowed us to expand any further than this at the moment but we are pleased to say that many of our former associates and sponsors have continued to support us into this new deal and we have welcomed many new partners as a result of this latest development. We do still have a number of areas where sponsorship would really help and with this in mind we would appeal to anyone out there who would like to be associated with our team and Top Fuel to contact us in order that we may discuss how we could best promote you or your business. We have a number of options available from as little as £500 so this is a real opportunity for any company or individual who may have thought Top Fuel sponsorship outside their budget to come on board with us. You can contact us via our web site at www.mcdonaldracing.co.uk, and/or please feel free to come and speak to us at the Easter." ©Eurodragster.com Joint Eurodragster.com webcam and Eurodragster.com Home and News sponsor Jon Webster is looking forward to racing in two classes at this weekend's race and they couldn't be any more diverse: not only is he driving the Top Fuel Dragster for the McDonald brothers, but he is also riding the 9.50 Bike campaigned by Tim Blakemore Racing. "I'm looking forward to driving the Top Fueller for the obvious reasons", says Jon. "Ultimate speed and power, the camaraderie of a large team working together, the prospect of driving a Rune Fjeld car prepped by Stuart and Richard McDonald and the rest the guys and girls of the McDonald team. Mcdonald Racing and I have been in association for the last few years, and it's great to finally get to the track and do some racing together. Stuart and Richard showed what they are capable of when they ran their own car. I have to admit I have missed the long cars since driving for Peter Knight back in 2005, an experience that I will hold precious for ever. "This drive materialised due to recent specification updates for Top Fuel Dragsters which moved the goalposts again for McDonald Racing to field their own car this year. Stuart and the guys really wanted to race this year so he hatched a plan and negotiated an arrangement with Rune. I spent a bit of time in Rune's camp over the weekend as the teams were prepping three cars under one roof. It was very harmoniuos atmosphere, admittedly without the pressure of racing. There is a bit more to do on the car as I write but come race day we'll be there and eager to go." Jon says that the 9.50 Bike is a different proposition altogether but still a big attraction. "The competion is very close, it has a large entry, and the class has a lot to offer any competitive racer - you only have to look at the entry", he says. "I've always enjoyed bikes and the Kawasaki is a hoot to ride because it has so much power (280 bhp). I've got a lot to learn about riding in competiton and a lot to learn about the bike set-up, but Tim Blakemore is pointing me in the right direction on both accounts. "At the end of 2008 I'd already agreed to carry on with 9.50 Bike for 2009, retiring the MG to lifesyle events such as King of Europe and Ten of the Best. When the Fuel car came along, Tim and Kawazaki were very gracious and encouraging, and there won't be any conflict between the two apart from the quick change of outfits, which we've done before. "I almost didn't have a bike to ride this weekend. I've been trying to get out and have some time on the bike for a few weeks but didnt get a chance until the Peak Performance Day on Saturday and that didn't work out because I was working with Jamie Sneddon on a new Motec management system which we fitted over the winter. For Sunday's Run What You Brung the weather was perfect but I broke the motor after one run. But as I write Tim is putting wheels in motion to get things sorted for the weekend." Easter Thunderball Perfect Awards. 8th April: This weekend's Auto Trader Easter Thunderball is the first event in the 2009 Eurodragster.com Perfect Awards scheme. £100 is on offer for perfect performance. This weekend's Eurodragster.com/Speedflow Perfect Light Award is £50. The money will be presented to the first racer this weekend to record a Reaction Time of 0.000 seconds. The Perfect Light Award is available to all racers in all classes during qualifying and eliminations, but will only be awarded for the first perfect light of the event. If not won this weekend then the Award will be increased to £75 for Big Bang; if it is won then it will be reset to £50 for Big Bang. The Perfect Light Award is presented in association with performance hose and fitting manufacturer Speedflow whose web site you can find at www.speedflow.co.uk. Decals are not formally required for the Perfect Light Award but of course we appreciate it if racers carry Eurodragster.com decals: you can get Eurodragster.com decals at the track from any Eurodragster.com staff member. This weekend's Eurodragster.com/Gold RV Perfect ET Award is £50. The money will be presented to the first racer this weekend to run to the thousandth on their dial-in or index. The Perfect ET Award is available this weekend in Super Pro ET, Pro ET, Sportsman ET, Super Comp, Super Gas, Super Street, Junior Dragster, 9.50 Bike, Wild Bunch, VW Pro and VW Sportsman during qualifying and eliminations (eliminations only for Junior Dragster) but will only be awarded for the first perfect run of the event. If not won this weekend then the Award will be increased to £75 for Big Bang; if it is won then it will be reset to £50 for Big Bang. The Perfect ET Award is presented in association with RV sales and service specialists Gold RV whose web site you can find at www.goldrv.co.uk. To be eligible to collect the Perfect ET Award racers will be required to carry decals, one on each side of the vehicle whether car or bike. The decals are available at signing-on but please note that, as is usual with contingency schemes, racers are responsible for requesting or picking up decals when signing on. A list of required decals per class is always on display in signing-on. Swift snippets. 8th April: Brian Taylor tells us that he has received some orders for Allard Chrysler Action Group T-shirts (below left) but that a few more orders would get the maximum discount. "My local supplier has agreed to supply XXL at the same price as S. M, L and XL", says Brian. "Please send cheque for £22.00 made out to Brian Taylor to 14 Trinity Court, The Esplanade, Sidmouth, Devon, EX10 8BE. If you order more than one shirt then extra shirts on the same order are £15.00 each. Brian also tells us that ACAG member Paul Whitehouse is creating a painting of the Allard Chrysler dragster racing Mooneyes. "Paul's approach is more traditional than that of Tommy Vågen", says Brian. "Again we will have a limited number of prints made for sale. The below picture of Tommy Ivo 's car shows Paul's style. Neat, don't you think? The project is also being featured in the May issue of Custom Car magazine - something to watch out for." Luke Bennett tells us that the Bennett Racing raffle for Macmillan Cancer Support at this weekend's Easter Thunderball includes the following prizes: a framed Roger Gorringe photograph of the Winged Express Fuel Altered, a Relentless T-Shirt, Cocaine energy drinks, bottles of red and white wine, one-litre bottle of Jack Daniels (I'm looking at you, Sharkman - Ed), one litre bottle of Smirnoff vodka, one litre bottle of Pernoid, two bottles of cognac, 6" x 9" car photos, cappucino mug gift set, ladies' watch, four Easter eggs, and a Cocaine energy drink T-Shirt. Tickets are 50p or £2 a strip from the Bennett Racing blown-alcohol altered pit. The Bennetts' fundraising efforts recently made it into the local media; click here to take a look. ©Eurodragster.com Grandstand book offer. 8th April: As the European drag racing season approaches, Eurodragster.com News sponsor Grandstand Motor Sports is delighted to announce a special offer for fans travelling to mainland Europe's major FIA races this summer. Grandstand, the UK leader in motorsport travel, is presenting excursions to July's Veidec Festival at Mantorp Park, Sweden and August's NitrolympX at Hockenheim, Germany. Grandstand guests attending either of these events will receive autographed copies of Andy Carter - King of Europe, the lavishly-illustrated hardback book co-authored by Andy Carter and Dan Welberry, which details in 180 full-colour pages the life and career of Europe's reigning and only three-time FIA Top Fuel Champion. Grandstand's end-of-season NHRA tours to Las Vegas and Pomona received an added boost with the recent announcements from Andy Carter and Lex Joon that each plans to race at those events. Grandstand's tours include flights, quality hotels, ground transport (coach transfers in Europe, car hire in the USA) and a tour manager's services, plus some interesting additional attractions not available to ordinary fans. Regular readers of Eurodragster.com may have some inkling of the way in which doors can swing open for Grandstand guests. ©Eurodragster.com For more information on Grandstand Motor Sports' drag racing and other motorsport programmes, and to receive a free copy of its 2009 brochure, please telephone 0845 375 0300 (from outside UK: +44 116 231 1222), visit www.grandstandmotorsports.co.uk , or simply click the Grandstand logo at right. Picture courtesy and ©Patrik Jacobsson Web site updates. 8th April: In the latest entry in his exclusive Racer Blog, Luke Bennett brings us up to date with the final Easter Thunderball preparations on the Relentless blown-alcohol altered. As ever you can check out the latest Blog updates by clicking here or by clicking on the Racer Blogs link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page. We have a couple of updates for you from the weekend's pre-Easter Thunderball testing at Santa Pod Raceway. First up is Simon Hodder, who kindly stepped in to help Eurodragster.com out of a hole in August and thus is guaranteed a plug and a good write-up. Simon's pictures from Saturday's Peak Performance Day are of course excellent anyway and can be checked out at www.simaxphotography.co.uk ©Eurodragster.com Jamie Dyks has updated his Fotopic gallery with pictures from the weekend's testing at Santa Pod, which you can find at topnitro.fotopic.net. Don't the MCIA know who we are? 8th April: The Motor Cycle Industry Association held its Media Test Day yesterday at Santa Pod Raceway's near neighbour the Bedford Autodrome, attracting manufacturers such as Aprilla, Baotian, BMW, Ducati, Honda, Harley-Davidson/Buell, Kawasaki, KTM, Royal Enfield, Suzuki, Triumph, Vectrix and Victory Motorcycles to a packed and enthusiastic media throng and several TV celebrities. The day was meant as a promotion of safety, cost-effectiveness and the overall camaraderie of the bike community in the £3 billion a year industry. Police forces from all over England were represented to act as escorts to the road courses around the Bedfordshire countryside as well as to promote Bikesafe an initiative working with the biking world to increase knowledge, skills and safety awareness for every biker. The cops even took a turn trying out the various machines making for some quick double-takes as fully uniformed bike officers took to the road on fat wheeled Harleys, sporty Suzukis or big Ducatis. Honorary Eurodragster.com staffer, Andy Willsheer and Eurodragster.com Photo Editor Roger Gorringe were each invited along to try some rides. "Its a very long time since I have straddled any kind of powered two-wheeler", said Roger, "in fact it was around 1967 when I was a Mod and rode a Vespa". After a few circuits on a blustery track on various machines of the suitably lower cubic centimetre capacity, Roger was heard mumbling as he walked away bow-legged - "I think I'll leave it to the regular bike guys, it's safer taking photographs!". The wuss. ©Eurodragster.com The clickable pictures above show Andy Willsheer going back to his Mod days on a latter day Vespa, and Willsheer giving a rather big-headed official the "Don't you know who I am" treatment, all to no avail - Gorringe eventually had to pull him away telling him it was actually a dummy. Thunderball running orders, gates etc. 7th April: Many thanks to Santa Pod Racers Club International Race Director Darren Prentice and Club Secretary for forwarding us the provisional running orders for this weekend's Auto Trader Easter Thunderball. You can check out the running orders by clicking here or by clicking on the Event Coverage link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page and selecting the Auto Trader Easter Thunderball. ©Eurodragster.com As ever please note that these running orders are provisional and are subject to alteration due to weather or track conditions or for any other reason deemed necessary by race officials. Thanks also to Paula for letting us know that Santa Pod Raceway's gates will open at 3:00 pm on Thursday. Signing on will be open from 3:00 pm until 8:00 pm on Thursday, and scrutineering will be available on Thursday for both cars and bikes until 8:00 pm. Event entry update. 7th April: Thanks to Santa Pod Racers Club Secretary Paula Marshall for forwarding us Version 6 of the official entry list for Big Bang, which takes place at Santa Pod Raceway on 25th-26th April and which is a Championship round for VWDRC, Super Modified, Sportsman ET, Junior Dragster, 9.50 Bike, Street Eliminator and Outlaw Anglia, and a demonstration round for 8.50 Bike. You can view the entry list by clicking here. Big Bang entry is still open although subject to a 100% late entry fee; you can download the entry form from the Santa Pod Racers Club web site at www.eurodragster.com/sprc. This Friday (10th) is the official closing date for the Springspeed Nationals, which takes place at Shakespeare County Raceway on 2nd-4th May and which is a Championship round in the UK National and ACU UK Drag Racing Championships as well as rounds for Street Eliminator, the Wild Bunch, Outlaw Anglia, Volkswagen Drag Racing Club, Outlaw Flat Four, National Association of Supertwins and Junior Drag Bike, and a demonstration round of 8.50 Bike. You can download the official entry form from the Downloads page of the Shakespeare County Raceway web site at www.shakespearecountyraceway.com. If you have any queries about Springspeed Nationals entry then please contact Julie Willcox at enquiries@shakespearecountyraceway.co.uk or call 01789 720180 (outside the UK +44 1789 720180). ©Eurodragster.com There are two weeks to go before the official closing dates for the HKS classes running at the Performance Tuning and Modified Show, which takes place at Santa Pod Raceway on 9th-10th May, and for all classes at the FIA Main Event, which takes place at Santa Pod Raceway on 22nd-25th May. In both cases the closing date is Friday 24th April and you can download PTM Show and FIA Main Event entry forms from the Santa Pod Racers Club web site at www.eurodragster.com/sprc, and if you have any queries about event entry then please contact Paula Marshall at paula.marshall@btconnect.com. Hungary FIM/UEM update. 7th April: József Hadnagy of Speed Rider MC writes that the FIM/UEM round in Kunmadaras, Hungary is going ahead on 21st-23rd August. "We, the promoters and organisers are working very hard to get everything ready", says József. "The barriers are built and the track will be prepared to European standards. We are also planning to run a complete FIA and UEM Championship round (cars and bikes) in 2010, but we want to focus on this year's event first and we are looking forward to welcoming bike riders from all over Europe at Kunmadaras in August." You can find out more at www.kunmadarasmotorsport.hu. ©Eurodragster.com Wie bereits angekündigt wird in diesem Jahr zum die ersten Mal ein FIM/UEM Europameisterschaftslauf in Kunmadaras/Hungary stattfinden. Wir, die Veranstalter und Organisatoren arbeiten hart daran alles vorzubereiten: die Begrenzungsmauerns sind gebaut und die Strecke wird in euroäischen Standard präpariert und geklebt. Des weiteren arbeiten wir an den Vorbereitungen für eine komplette FIA und UEM Meisterschaft (Autos und Bikes) in 2010, aber wir wollen uns erst mal auf die Vorbereitung des diesjähigen Events konzentrieren und freuen uns schon darauf Motorradfarher aus ganz Europa in Kunmadaras im Mai und auch im August willkommen zu heißen. Weitere Information: www.kunmadarasmotorsport.hu. Pro Modified: Just like RWYB. 7th April: 2008 MSA British Drag Racing Champion Bert Englefield who has raced for twenty years first entered Pro Mod in 1998 and is now on his third car and combination having fielded normal aspiration, nitrous injection and blown methanol. The BA Racing team enter the 2009 MSA Championship with #1 on the car and a significant new part on top of the motor. "We now have a DMPE M4 supercharger, with tuning help from Darren Mayer", says Bert. "Everything else has been freshened which in Pro Mod terms really means replaced. Sponsorship comes from Lucas Oil UK for the fifth year running - thanks to Les Downey. If anyone needs Lucas products we usually have stock at the track. ©Eurodragster.com This year's crew is the same and we welcome Rob Chilton who steps up from Super Modified, and he thought that was hard work! 2009 also marks Crew Chief Andy Wright's twenty first year with me. In that time we have built two race cars, modified them probably fifty times, crashed one of them three times, and built numerous engines - we could write a book on the midnight escapades. Finally for anyone thinking of entering Pro Modified: it's a real easy class to run. No throttle stops or having to worry about breaking out etc, just like a Run What You Brung really. The problem is you have to make sure you have brought enough." Brothers out to keep their title. 7th April: After a successful 2008 Europes fastest brothers, Timo and Dennis Habermann, are looking forward to a dream season in Top Methanol Dragster in 2009. "I ran 5.46 at Hockenheim and set a new track record there last year", says Timo. "We have found a consistent tune-up and we hope that we can keep the consistency in 2009. Dennis made a storming 5.58 second run at the FIA European Finals with his old dragster which was one hundred pounds overweight, so we have bought a rolling Spitzer chassis from US veteran Marty Thacker which has run 5.26 seconds and which was third in the NHRA Championship in 2008. The new dragster is still powered by our own set-up of Fontana Engine with Whipple supercharger and B&J Transmission, so Dennis will also be in the 5.4s this year. "We will use the Easter Thunderball mainly as a test weekend, but nobody knows what we could really do there Our team is still the same powerful team which we had all through 2008. "We are also still sponsored by Uni Fit Katalysatoren, Böhm Solartechnik , Autokrandienst Habermann, Exide Batteries and Norfolkline, but we are hoping to find some additional sponsors for 2009. "The main thing is that we are Europe's fastest brothers and we will do everything we can to hold on to that title." Gutted Bradshaw out of Thunderball. 7th April: John Bradshaw and Abbey Motorsport have now had a chance to inspect the damage caused to the engine of their seven-second Project GTST Nissan Skyline Saturday's Peak Performance Day at Santa Pod Raceway and it is not good news as they are "Gutted" to confirm that they will have to miss the Auto Trader Easter Thunderball. "It is a real kick in the teeth", says John. "Eerything was going so well. We ran a 7.80/170 squirming down the track on less boost than last year to start things off. We then increased the boost very slightly and were getting a real stomp on - 0.04 quicker at the eighth - and then lost power at the top of fourth gear and all of fifth, but we still crossed the line at 7.82/166. Looking at the datalogging we would have seen around 7.65-7.68 at 180ish but that's life. It was certainly unexpected and the first engine-related issue we have had in eighteen months. ©Eurodragster.com "On strip down it looks as if a minor issue has led to a much bigger one, so it's time to burn the midnight oil again and to get the car ready for May. "On a more positive note it looks as if the minor changes we have made over the winter, gear ratios etc, will make a huge and positive difference to the car's performance so we can't wait to get back out there." Todd set for SE début. 7th April: UK Street Eliminator racer Mark Todd has had a hectic few months trying to juggle family life with trying to run a business and getting his Firebird ready to race, but he has made it and is all set for his first taste of the B&H Automotive- and LA Racing Parts-backed street-legal class at this weekend's Auto Trader Easter Thunderball. Mark's 1969 Pontiac Firebird is all glass and steel except for the Harwood hood, and has a full interior including original rear seats. The chassis is tagged to 8.50 seconds and the whole is powered by a Dart block 406 Small Block Chevy with twin Garett ball bearing turbos. The car weighs in at 3650 lb with driver. "Last season in the NSCC was a fantastic year with no significant breakages and consistent low nine-second performance", says Mark. "I thoroughly enjoyed the season not just for the racing but also the people I have met and friends I have made. By the end of last season the car had run a best of 9.15/153, and it was apparent that the combination was maxed out. For 2009 the decision was made to eliminate the limiting factor and free up the true potential of the well-built Small Block. First was out with the old turbos and in with new bigger Garrett ball bearing turbos. In October 2008 a lucky pre-credit crunch shopping trip netted a set of potent 18 degree heads. Time to start burning the midnight oil to mock up the heads and turbos and manufacture a new set of 321 st. headers. By Jan 2009 the new combination had been fully assembled in situ to check fit and clearances. The engine was pulled and shipped over to John Sleath for rebuild and dyno. ©Eurodragster.com At this stage it quickly became apparent that the new heads were far from compatible. Adaptor plates were manufactured to re-align inlet ports, the distributor mounting area was cut and shut, new stud girdles were made etc...take John's word for it when he says getting the heads to fit was a pain in the butt. All the extra effort was rewarded by fantastic 1400+ hp dyno results, a credit to John's knowlege and tuning skills. This is more than 200 hp per litre from a 406 ci Small Block. I can safely say that the limiting factor has well and truly been eliminated - let's just hope the driver isn't the new limiting factor. "The car is now fully rebuilt and ready to race. Last week during a one-hour trouble free shake down cruise the car shockingly displayed better street manners with lower engine temperatures and reduced cabin noise, I could almost hear the stereo. This weekend the car was back at John Sleath's for final checks and corner weights. This week it's off to the Thunderball for my first taster of Street Eliminator. Wish me luck (Good luck - Ed), and come say hello. "Thanks to my wife Natalie for not filing for divorce, John Sleath whose engines speak louder than words, Grant at AET Turbos for great turbos and advice, and Andy Hadfield for help and banter." Swift snippets. 7th April: Congratulations to Germany's Jens Riehl who won his Top Fuel Dragster licence in Las Vegas yesterday, driving Urs Erbacher's car under the Fat Attack training scheme and getting his licence signed by John Force and Urs. A very happy Jens said that the car was perfect, that the Fat Attack team did a great job, and that John Force was impressed. "Jens got his licence in four runs", Urs told Eurodragster.com. "We are very proud of him because he has only driven Super Comp in the past" (pictures courtesy and ©Urs Erbacher, and thanks to Gittli Koller for her help with this piece). Ex-pat Brit Top Alcohol Dragster racer Michael Manners didn't do too well at the weekend's NHRA Divisional in Dallas but he is not overly disappointed. "Strong winds in Dallas made NHRA change the schedule", says Mike. All qualifying and races were finished on Saturday and TAD along with everyone else lost a qualifying session. I smoked tyres at the hit in Q1. We thought we had found the problem, the wrong injector springs in the new motor gave too much nitro too early. I smoked the tyres again in Q2 so did not qualify. But the new motor is producing more torque that we had anticipated so bodes well for the future. I'm still number one in the Jegs All Stars for Division 4." ©Eurodragster.com With the season days from commencing we are still receiving spy pictures: The picture at left above came with no words at all but that's one race car we can't wait to see running. The picture at right above can't exactly be described as a spy picture since it features an identifiable person, to those that know him anyway, but came with the words "This red Jag, due out soon, will be quick as long as he doesn't bend it". If you know more, or if you would like to send your own spy picture, then drop us a line at eurodragster.com@btinternet.com. Jake Mechaell, the subject of a news item here on Eurodragster.com on Sunday, made his first 9.50 Bike passes at Santa Pod on Sunday. Jake made seven passes of 9.75, 9.75, 9.65, 9.58, 9.61, 9.54, and 9.56. "I feel comfortable and confident on the bike already so I will be entering the Summernationals to test my nerve in competition", says Jake. "I would like to say Thank You to my old man, and to Phil Pratt and Sue Morris for the support they gave during the day." Congratulations to Bryony Wadkin-Snaith who began to get acquainted with The Fang Honda CB500T at Shakespeare County Raceway on Sunday and promptly ran the bike's second fastest time to date by a few thousandths of a second. Proud dad Carl tells us that you can read more and check out a video clip at www.thefang.co.uk/news2009.htm. Congratulations also to UK Supertwin ET racer and honorary Eurodragster.com staff member John Hackney on new Personal Bests of 9.67 seconds and 145 mph on his TL1000 at Shakespeare County Raceway at the weekend. Paul Marston and Mick Howling of Paul Marston Racing enjoyed a very rewarding Peak Performance Day at Santa Pod last Saturday as the good weather and an excellent track surface allowed them to get all their pre-Easter Thunderball testing completed on the day, allowing for a nice relaxing Sunday. Both Mick in Grumpy 's Dodge and Paul in the PiranaZ backed Super Comp dragster had a perfect test session without a single hitch. "Everything is now set for the Thunderball", says Paul. "The consistency of Grumpy's Dodge was there for all to see and the Ugly Stick was kind to me as I re-familiarised myself to driving without a windscreen. Had we run on Sunday we would just have burned fuel and worn out the race cars. This season has the potential to be one of our best yet." Yvonne, Kirstie and Spencer Tramm have asked us to say a big Happy Birthday to Steve Tramm. Our pleasure guys, have a great day Steve. Open season at SCR. 7th April: Shakespeare County Raceway's Public Track Day event season started on Sunday, writes Jerry Cookson. With crowded pits, and the added attraction of UK National Sportsman racers testing in preparation towards the start of the season proper in seven days' time, the majority of the day belonged to the many Run What You Brung drivers and riders who not only signed up for a day's sport, but were automatically entered into the revised Sunday Special Challenges and Trophy Bike Dash formats keeping the staging lanes and freshly prepped track lively all day. Taking home the 4 Cylinder trophy to nearby Warwick was season campaigner Danny Clarke who pushed his Subaru STI Type R family runabout into first place late in the afternoon with an 11.489 second which pass sent early class leader Lee Crofts tumbling down the order having posted consistent 12.4s for much of the morning in his Bournemouth-based '56 VW Beetle. Pro Street Drag Series driver Robin Greaves took the 6 Cylinder trophy in his Nissan Skyline posting a 12.30 mid afternoon. In fact the category was more of a Skyline benefit event than anything with all top five drivers posting high twelves to low thirteens. Second quickest was the R32 GTR of Steve Davies with 12.899. Making a welcome return to the quarter mile in an all new short wheel base door slammer was Smokin' Joe Stevens. Packing pretty much the same horsepower that he was used to in the Back in Black Model T Altered, the man from Nottingham pushed the fully taxed and MOT'd retro looking '69 Hillman Sunbeam Stiletto to a weekends best of 10.474 at 141 mph to claim the 8 Cylinder win. John Russell laid claim to the Trophy Bike Dash after posting consistent mid nines (9.404/161) on his 1300cc Turbo Suzuki Hayabusa. There were two other Busas lurking with intent but at the close of play Lee Clarke's best of 9.58 and a 9.63 from Dave Thomas couldn't stop Russell's runaway ride. Special mention must go to Jemma Venables who, after several outings during the day coached by dad Steve, posted fifth quickest time of the competition with a 10.033 on her 1000cc Suzuki 9.50 Bike. If there had been an award for the Save of the Day then Shakespeare County Racer Paul Evans would certainly have won it. Paul unfortunately suffered the misfortune in having an oil seal blow 100 feet past the Tree sending the wayward 400 ci Pontiac powered Vauxhall Viva Estate across the centre line and into the path of regular the Subaru of Mark Thawities. Thanks to the quick reactions of the drivers in saving near contact with the armco, and to the track crew with a well executed clean-up operation which amounted to almost a full quarter mile of oil spread over both lanes prepped two days before by Jon Cross and crew, downtime was thankfully kept to a minimum. Congratulations to all of the winners, and better luck next time to the runners-up. The next Sunday Special Challenge and Trophy Bike Dash will be held on Sunday 19th April, and the track will be open as usual on Saturday for RWYB. See you there! Pictures courtesy and ©Dave Derry New best for Upton. 7th April: Jay Upton and his Honda MPE and Gates Belts & Hose backed team made a significant breakthrough during testing at last weekend's Grand Final at the Perth Motorplex. The team has been gathering momentum throughout the season, but has now jumped to the top of the performance tree, blasting out Australia's quickest-ever motorcycle pass at the weekend, 6.17 seconds at an early shutoff of only 185 mph (298 kmh). "We have been working on some new engine ideas for sometime, with limited success, but our most recent work is hugely successful as we saw at the weekend", said Jay Upton ."It will take us a little time to refine this, but we can now rewrite the record books over the next few races. We have been aware for a while that there are some high budget teams with current USA-built machinery already landed here in Australia. That's the reason we decided to go to the new engines and stiffer chassis. It's just taken a bit longer than we thought to get to the next level. I'm really happy that the new equipment has now outperformed our previous set-up" Jay and the team will be in Sydney the first weekend of May to contest the Snap-on Nitro Champs event and have to be favourites to reset the Australian Record. The Team is second in the National Championship and will be out to win for Honda MPE and Gates Belts and Hoses. ©Eurodragster.com Here come the girls... 7th April: Helen Smythe of Belle Designs is proud to announce a new range of embroidered sun tops, tees and blouses, created with the female racer and race fan in mind. "There are always a wide range of tops to suit the men and boys, but a limited amount of apparel that will appeal to the girls", says Helen. "With this range, we're hoping to give the girls a way of showing their passion for our great hobby": ©Eurodragster.com Available through Colin Stevens' C&P UK Nitro at both Santa Pod and Shakespeare County Raceway, the shirts will be on sale from the Easter Thunderball onwards. Helen adds "If these designs are what you're looking for, but you can't quite find the right size, style or colour, or even if you have ideas for a custom or personalised design, get in touch with me directly either on my mobile 07968 272665, or through my web site www.belle-designs.co.uk and we'll be able to put together a bespoke item for you." Web site updates. 7th April: The official web site of the UK's Firestorm Jet Funny Car has been updated with news of Roger Goring's pre-season test runs. Check it out at www.firestorm-jfc.co.uk. The official web site of the UK's Sportsman ET racers has been updated with an Auto Trader Easter Thunderball preview plus news of a new roll cage fittied to Tethys' Capri. Check it out at www.sportsman-et.co.uk. ©Eurodragster.com Thanks to Rick Cuthbert of Santa Pod raceway for letting us know that Santa Pod's Run What You Brung site has been updated with two video guides to running at a RWYB. "The videos are designed to be an introduction for those who are completely new to drag racing and want to take their street car or bike on the track", says Rick. "They focus on areas which commonly cause confusion such as the start line and staging process. So, if you've ever found yourself explaining to a newbie how the staging lights work by scribbling diagrams on the back of a napkin, simply send them to the RWYB guides and hopefully all will become crystal clear". We've checked these guides out and they are excellent; they can be found at www.rwyb.co.uk/guides.php. Eurodragster.com News Editor and Race Reporter Tog was allowed out of Race Control for a few minutes on Sunday to take all of fourteen photographs (And to stop me bitching - Ed) including some shots of Roger Goring on the start line. You can check out Tog's pictures from Sunday as well as pictures from last week's visit to Dave Wilson's shop for the first fire-up of Martyn Jones' new dragster and some recently-added Goodguys nostalgia shots from 2001 at eurodragster.fotopic.net or www.togsdragracing.com. Interview: Anita Mäkelä. 6th April: For the latest in our occasional series of Features presented in association with Stroud Safety and Andy Robinson Race Cars we interviewed fan favourite Finnish Top Fuel Dragster racer Anita Mäkelä, who is returning to the seat of a Top Fueller at this weekend's Auto Trader Easter Thunderball at Santa Pod Raceway. In a very entertaining interview we found out how much the 2000 FIA European Top Fuel Dragster Champion has missed racing, what Anita has been up to since giving up driving in 2003, and what the team's plans are for the 2009 season, but we also uncovered a dirty tricks campaign surrounding the decision about who drives the car for the rest of the season. ©Eurodragster.com Click here to read our interview with Anita Mäkelä, or click on the Features, Interviews, Tributes link on the top left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page. All the latest bits... 6th April: UK Pro Modified Graham Ellis will have some revolutionary parts on his blown-alcohol Superbird for this weekend's Auto Trader Easter Thunderball at Santa Pod Raceway. This being drag racing the parts have arrived at the last moment, but Graham's update starts with a trip to Sweden in December: Danny Cockerill and I transported the BAE hemi from the Superbird to Sweden to go into Thomas Dahlblom's McAmis 'Vette for his venture Pro Mod. We were shown a realy good time in Malmö by Thomas, his brother Ula and also Connie Johansson and Urban Johansson (not related). We checked out Jurassic Park - as it is named by the local guys, I think it has something to do with the average age of the females who frequent the place (enough said) - and had a lot of fun. At the same time Danny picked up his proven six-second Procharger Small Block for his Street Eliminator car. With my trusty engine sold I then set to fitting the Superbird with a brand new BAE 6 which was fresh from ERD. This was all going fine until I got a phone call from Carl Spiering in late January informing me of some updates which were available. These included a redesigned magnesium case for the PSI supercharger which had showed good results on ERD's in-house dyno, and some cylinder heads which have Carl's latest fuel system fitted. For a couple of years Carl has experimented on his own car with down nozzles fitted inside the valve covers, Fuel car style, instead of port nozzles. This brought about many problems but with determination it has come down to a point where it shows good increases on the dyno over the stock port nozzle arrangement. Talk is cheap and it's easy to dismiss dyno claims as trying to get a selling advantage to market their stuff, but when you get big name racers in the States setting records with this stuff you've got to sit up and take notice: NHRA Pro Mod standout Tony Pontieri second in the points last year and record holder at 5.90 and 243.9, Tim O'Hare 6.01 and 236 in a converter driven car, and Rick Destefano going over to this set-up after a long association with Acceleration Enterprises...that was enough proof for me. As I type the new blower, cylinder heads and fuel system are probably approaching western Ireland on a British Airways into London Heathrow thanks to Leslie at Air Sea Logistics. ©Eurodragster.com I am sending another pair of heads to ERD for modification, so to start with we will have just one pair with the new system but I need more for the FIA events. We have also got a decent AFT clutch for this year. Our titanium Crower is great but there isn't much info available over here so for a quick fix we got the AFT although I'm sure the Crower is at least as good at least. We are equipped with a complete spare ERD hemi and have a really good inventory of other spares with three pairs of BAE 6 heads. If we run out of stuff before the year's done then something is very wrong! I have cleaned the kitchen in the trailer and I emptied the toilet two weeks ago as it had fermented long enough, i.e. since September. We have two new crew members this year: Dave Reid replaces Dave Clarkson, and the lovely Barbara Kirk is our catering manager for this year so the guys can maybe eat a bit. On the down side I've lost my clutch disc store, apparently I'm not allowed to put race car parts in the kitchen! Welcome aboard you two. The rest of the crew is unchanged - Kev Perkins, Rob Millward, Andy and Lee Kirk, and Gareth Ellis. Big thanks to Carl Spiering at ERD for making this happen. I have to say that Carl is easy to talk to and to deal with, and unlike most guys from over the Pond who sell stuff here he has actually been here and seen the track and appreciates that we have good air here. And with Carl everything is for sale... OK, I've got the hardware, now have I got the cojones? Easter Thunderball snippets. 6th April: The Easter Thunderball will be the first outing for Ton Pels' Supertwin after a big bang at the European Finals where the rocker arms failed and the engine fuel locked making rider Roel Koedam the warmest person at the track on a cold day. "The bike was fired up for the first time last week with only thirty degrees advance and twenty five pounds' boost", says Ton. "The new cams designed in house and manufactured by Andrews Cams together with the newly-designed and Puma-manufactured rocker arms seem to work quite well together. The engine sounded strong and solid. We have the parts with us to go up by around ten pounds in boost in three pound increments. We will also be testing a new bike operating box." ©Eurodragster.com New Super Street racer Jem Brittin will be making his first competitive outing in his self-built Camaro at this weekend's race. "I built the from scratch with the help of Hauser Racing and Webster Race Engineering", says Jem. "It has never been raced before, although it does have Santa Pod connections since I purchased it from Kjell Pettersson about eight years ago. A lot of work has been done since. The car runs a 383 Small Block Chevy and is driven on the street regularly. I hope to contest for the Super Street title this year, although at the moment we are a bit off the pace but hope we can improve a bit in time for the Easter meet (10.97 on Saturday looked good - Ed). I have been coming to Santa Pod to spectate since the early seventies. I first raced in the early nineties in the now defunct Rover V8 Challenge. For the last seven years or so I have done startline security at Santa Pod and will be doing double duties at Easter: in between racing I will be securing the startline as usual." Pre-Easter Test Weekend coverage. 6th April: There was plenty going on at both Santa Pod and Shakespeare County Raceways at the weekend as racers took the last chance to test before the UK Championships start on Friday. In association with American Car Imports Eurodragster.com is pleased to present coverage from both tracks. From Santa Pod Raceway we have a live report and end-day photo gallery from Saturday's Peak Performance Day, and an end-day photo gallery from yesterday's Run What You Brung. You can check out our updates from Santa Pod Raceway by clicking here or by clicking on the Event Coverage link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page. ©Eurodragster.com From Shakespeare County Raceway we have a gallery covering both Saturday and Sunday supplied by Eurodragster.com Reserve Photographer Peter Donaldson. You can check out the gallery from Shakespeare County Raceway by clicking here or again by clicking on the Event Coverage link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page. Tog would like to thank Kirstie and Roger for cheerfully doing all of the hard stand-up physical work at the weekend whilst he languished in Race Control exercising a few fingers on a laptop keyboard, and we would like to thank Peter for getting the weekend gallery to us in double-quick time as usual. We would also like to thank those readers who have written with comments about the image quality of the picture on the new Webster Race Engineering/Lex Joon Racing USA Tour 2009 webcam, and with nice comments about the weekend coverage generally. Thanks for taking the trouble to get in touch. Street Eliminator 2009. 6th April: Europe's hardest-core race series, Street Eliminator UK, are delighted to announce their class sponsors and race dates for 2009, writes Association Chair Colin Lazenby: The class welcomes back B&H Automotive for their second year, and for this year we see B&H back as joint title sponsors with LA Racing Parts. Many thanks to Trevor and John at B&H for their continued interest in the class and to Lee Child of LA Racing Parts. Lee was last involved in the class some years ago and given the general economic climate it's great to have LA Racing Parts back on board. Thanks also to our other class sponsors: RPM magazine, available direct on subscription at www.rpm-mag.com/subscribe.html or through Graham Rennie at American Auto Mags; DVD Helen and Dave (or Dave and Helen) at quartermilehigh.com; all the staff at Eurodragster.com, the source of drag racing news in the world, not to be taken for granted; and a big thanks to Martin at Embroidery Solutions, back for their third year with the class. Let's not forget that there is one remaining Seven Second gold ring for the taking, courtesy of Jon Webster at Webster Race Engineering, for the next driver to run and back up a seven-second pass. One wonders who will put their claim on this much sought after prize in 2009. Previous winners are Steve 'Splinter' Nash, Andy Frost and Steve Pat*man. The dates for this year's seven-round Street Eliminator series are: 10th-13th April: Auto Trader Easter Thunderball, Santa Pod Raceway 24th-26th April: Big Bang, Santa Pod Raceway (set-up day Friday) 2nd-4th May: Springspeed Nationals, Shakespeare County Raceway 13th-14th June: SPRC Summernationals, Santa Pod Raceway 17th-19th July: Bug Jam, Santa Pod Raceway 21st-23rd August: Open Sport Nationals, Shakespeare County Raceway 26th-27th September: UK National Finals, Santa Pod Raceway More information on Street Eliminator, the drivers, and details about Associate Membership for followers of the class can be found on the class' official web site at www.streeteliminator.com. Swift snippets. 6th April: The latest spy picture to arrive at the offices of Eurodragster.com came accompanied by the words "1007 HP pump gas street car from the North East" and nothing more. If you know more, or if you would like to send your own spy picture, then drop us a line at eurodragster.com@btinternet.com. ©Eurodragster.com Fiona Flynn and the entire Gold RV Racing team have asked us to say a big Happy Birthday to UK Top Methanol Dragster racer and Eurodragster.com Home and News and Perfect ET Award sponsor Derek Flynn. No sooner said than done guys, have a great day Derek. Web site updates. 6th April: Author Brian Taylor has been hard at it again with two updates on Alan Currans' excellent Acceleration Archive. "The Crazy Horses blog has been updated with information on the launch of the book and how you can get your sticky mitts on a copy", says Alan. "Brian has also updated the Allard Chrysler Action Group web site with the latest goings on in an illustrated report. Happy reading!". You can check out both updates via the What's New link at www.theaccelerationarchive.co.uk. ©Eurodragster.com Carter aims for US end-season. 5th April: Hot on the heels of Lex Joon's plans to race in the USA at the end of this season comes word from FIA European Top Fuel Dragster Champion Andy Carter that he too plans to contest one or both of the last two rounds in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, in Las Vegas and Pomona. As well as support from sponsors Andy is giving fans the chance to participate with a prize draw and a pledge scheme. "Tickets for the prize draw will be £10", says Andy's PR Dan Welberry. "The prizes will be: Two flights to one of the races which Andy will contest together with two entry tickets and pit access. The winner will be responsible for their own accommodation, car hire, insurance etc. This prize is subject to a minimum ticket sale of 2,000. Andy's 2008 FIA Championship helmet, autographed, and two tickets to the day of the winner's choice at the 2009 FIA European Finals Two tickets to the day of the winner's choice at the 2009 FIA European Finals and hospitality in Andy's pit Autographed Lucas Oil crew shirt Signed copy of Andy's book King of Europe "Tickets will be on sale at race events and promotional appearances and also on-line. ©Eurodragster.com "As well as the draw, there will be two other main ways to support: A personal pledge of £50 for which you will get your name on the top panel of the dragster at the NHRA race and on the Supporters page of the web site. A business pledge of £1,000 which will get a (232x88mm) sticker on both sides of the car at the NHRA race and a logo on the Company supporters page with a link to the company's web site. Pledges will be taken at race events. We will of course bring you more details about this scheme as it develops. Don't forget that Eurodragster.com News sponsor Grandstand Motorsports is offering trips to the NHRA races in Las Vegas and Pomona at the end of this season. For more details check out www.grandstandmotorsports.co.uk or click on the logo at right. NSA enjoy SCR return. 5th April: After many years the National Sprint Association returned to Long Marston Airfield, one of the great old sprint venues from the past, yesterday. Shakespeare County Raceway's track team put on a great meeting and even sorted the weather, says Phil Steele (below right on a borrowed bike as NSA Southern Section Chair Dave Massem passes): Personal Bests for many riders were the order of the day topped by one Tony 'Damage' Daveridge (below left) on his Competition class Suzuki running a brilliant 8.8/148. He didn't stop smiling all day and in fact smiling was what most riders were doing, even those who suffered mechanical mishaps were all talking excitedly about our great new venue. ©Eurodragster.com The only downside was a small entry but hopefully by our next outing the news will have spread of what a great time we all had. Big thanks to Jerry Cookson and the SCR team for making us so welcome. On a final note NSA rider Steve Mead was at Santa Pod on saturday testing for the Easter Thunderball and ran a 7.9 first time out on his new Super Street Bike. Swift snippets. 5th April: Urs Erbacher and Leif Andréasson will be contesting Top Fuel Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car respectively in today's eliminations at the SummitRacing.com NHRA Nationals in Las Vegas. You will be able to stay in touch with their progress on the Drag Race Central web site at www.dragracecentral.com. UK Pro Modified racer Wayne Nicholson has confirmed that he is out of next weekend's Auto Trader Easter Thunderball after suffering damage on his first six-second pass in testing at Santa Pod yesterday. "We pushed out a head gasket and hurt the block and the head", says Wayne. "Repairable? Yes. In time for Easter? No. No-one said it was easy". "Our first run yesterday the first one was a hard launch with the wheels up and shaking like never before to a 1.10 sixty foot. For the second run we attempted to calm it down off the line, and were rewarded with a 1.0129. All the other increments are far better than before resulting in our first ever six, 6.727 showing a speed of 276 mph which is obviously incorrect (the timing crew say the ET is OK and estimate 209 mph - Ed)! A big Thank You to my crew Dennis, Luke, Adrian, Gareth and Joe and of course my wife Belinda. Thank you also to my sponsors Quarry Motors and Originals Hot Rod Supply Co." ©Eurodragster.com Our good buddy Markus Münch tells is that Germany's Norbert Schneider has fitted the former Quantum Leap Corrado with a new E85 bioethanol-fuelled motor of about nine litres. Norbert will be testing the car in Super Pro ET at next week's Auto Trader Easter Thunderball. The car also has a new paint scheme matching the Silver Bullet Racing team name (below left). "We of the German Super Pro ET Challenge are very excited about this", says Markus. "We'll see how testing and eliminations go. We would like to wish Norbert good luck and we will follow him via Eurodragster.com's fabulous event coverage". Thanks very much Markus. ©Eurodragster.com Markus also tells us that after deciding to run Super Comp this season Germany's Ove Kröger (above right) has changed his mind. "Ove will be running in the German Super Pro ET Challenge this season", says Markus. "In addition to these events he will race in Super Gas at Drachten, Mantorp and other racers. Ove likes driving and competition. He aims for a full field and he thinks that he can get this in Super Pro ET and in the Challenge." The first of two spy pictures to arrive at the offices of Eurodragster.com is the third in what is evidently a continuing series (below left). The chassis having been painted, this picture arrived with the word "Today". The picture above right came with the description "Big HP street-legal Northern muscle, possibly in the Hyde area of Stockport, will be out early season. Watch out for this one as there's sure to be some good wheels-up action". Sounds good to us, but if you know more, or if you would like to send your own spy picture, then drop us a line at eurodragster.com@btinternet.com. Colin Stevens of C&P UK Nitro dropped us a picture of the current state of play with the Oblivion altered (below left). "It will run for a while as a T then when money comes I will restore the Avenger body", says Colin. "The T has a short pick-up bed which I think is pretty unusual. I will be at the Pod at Easter if anyone fancies a chat." Jake Mechaell, son of UK Fuel Altered racer Clive, plans to campaign this Suzuki GSXR in 9.50 Bike (above right). "I'm looking at mainly doing Run What You Brung this year to get dialed in for a full season of the 9.50 Bike Championship next year", says Jake. "Depending on how well testing goes you may see me enter one or two rounds this year. Dad is doing well and we are hoping to get the Fuel Altered out a bit more this year for some fun!" Further to Friday's update, Santa Pod Racers Club Secretary Paula Marshall now tells us that the SPRC phone line is now working again. You can call Paula at SPRC on 01933 313625 (outside the UK +44 1933 313625). The sponsor Hunter. 5th April: UK Pro ET racer Neil Hunter has been in touch with a sponsorship update from the Seven Year Itch team: We would like to to thank The Sign Guys for coming back on board with us for the 2009 season. Paul has really gone the extra mile to update the car graphics this season. If anyone is needing new race car or trailer graphics you can't beat the quality and prices which Paul and team can give. You can call Paul on 07760 164325 or his web site will be up and running after Easter. ©Eurodragster.com Activ8 are assisting the team this season with their excellent Universal Friction Reducer Oil Additive. Having used this product last season, we just had to get in touch to thank them for such a great product. After we had mishaps with both head gaskets blowing and filling the engine with water and then the Main Event fire, when we lost 75% of the oil at 139 mph, we still managed to go on and win the Santa Pod Championship and set a new Personal Best too. You can see their web site at www.activ8.co.uk and anyone wishing to order the product can do so by visiting us in the Pro ET pits. Spirrac Refrigeration and Air Conditioning are also contributing to the season, and you can find their web site at www.spirrac.co.uk. Watch out for details on this season's Pro ET Sponsorship Scheme. NitrolympX press release. 5th April: Many thanks to Andrea Kloss for sending us a translation of the recent press release from the Nitrolympx: The countdown to the mega-event has begun for all speed fans: from August 14th - 16th, 2009 the European élite of the fastest motorsport in the world will meet at the NitrOlympX at Hockenheim and will once again turn the quarte rmile of this traditional German race track into the ultimate performance tester. After being an insider's tip of the motorsport scene in its first couple of years, the NitrOlympX at Hockenheim has now become an event with a long tradition and also the figurehead of German drag racing on the international scene. Year for year around 50,000 spectators stream into the legendary Motordrom to watch the spectacular battles for points between the fastest cars and bikes in the world. The highlight in 2009 without a doubt will be the fourth round of the FIA Drag Racing European Championship. Next to the 6000 hp Top Fuel Dragsters, that accelerate to over 500 km/h on the quarter mile, the Pro Stock cars will be returning this year after a couple of years of absence, which will be good for fans of classic motor tuning, because in this class the teams have to do without performance enhancing devices like turbochargers and compressors, only series and unleaded fuels are allowed. With this set-up striking results of more than 320 kmh in about 6.8 seconds can be reached. Of course the other race classes will be at the NitrOlympX, bikes as well as cars, with about 200 teams doing around 1000 runs. Next to the race action on the track the legendary night show with Top Fuel runs, bike stunts, jet show and the incomparable atmosphere of the Motordrom by night will be the event highlight on Saturday night. While on their walk through the pits and pit-boxes race fans can get nearer to the teams more than anywhere else. This year once again spectators can expect a perfect mixture of action, suspense and speed minute for minute. More information about the NitrOlympX 2009 can be obtained at www.nitrolympx.de. Tickets can be ordered from the Hockenheimring ticket-hotline on +49 6205-950222 or on-line at www.hockenheimring.de. ©Eurodragster.com Erbacher makes it II. 4th April: A massive engine explosion Sunday morning in the first round of eliminations in Houston that garnered a bunch of TV team but cost his race team upwards of $120,000 has forced four-time FIA European champion Urs Erbacher into his back-up Top Fuel dragster for this weekend's 10th annual SummitRacing.com NHRA Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. "With the short turnaround time between Houston and Las Vegas we just didn't have time to inspect the car as closely as I feel we need to for it to be ready to race", Crew Chief Wayne Dupuy said. "It needs to be put on a jig and checked with a laser before I put Urs back in the seat. I'm not going to take any chances. "I told the guys to load up last year's car and we left the new one in our Houston shop. This one is heavier, which isn't great, but we'll work with it. We went to the semis in Pomona in November so it's a pretty good car. I'm just glad we had it pretty much ready to go because we really only had a day to prepare it before we had to leave." As for the cause of the accident, Dupuy and Erbacher discovered the problem and have already taken steps to make sure it doesn't happen again. "It stripped all the teeth off the bottom crank gear and the camshaft quit turning," Dupuy said. "Consequently, the valves quit opening so the manifold filled up with fuel. With the new electronics the NHRA has us running it keeps firing so it ignited and we had that huge explosion. "That exact same thing happened to Tony Pedregon last year in Pomona when he had that big boomer and burned himself up. It was the same parts by the same manufacturer. The blower snout is longer, so there's more torque on the blower belt. That pulls that crank gear up more than normal and it gets hot. After awhile, the heat treatment wears off and you have trouble. "We're not really in the regular clique of racers out here so we hadn't heard about this problem. Most of the other guys talked about it after Tony's deal and they've fixed the problem. We just weren't in that loop so we learned the hard way." Erbacher will race this event and has plans to race in Chicago but unless he gets additional funding, he may be sidelined after that. "We are working very hard to stay and race NHRA," Erbacher said. "As we all have seen, it's very tough economic times right now so it is tough to get deals done. We're working as hard as we can. We want to stay and race." Erbacher is the most successful European driver to compete in NHRA Top Fuel in more than thirty years. ©Eurodragster.com Erbacher makes it I. 3rd April: Swiss Top Fuel Dragster racer and Eurodragster.com News sponsor Urs Erbacher has been in touch from The Strip at Las Vegas to let us know that he and the Fat Attack team have made this weekend's SummitRacing.com NHRA Nationals. ©Eurodragster.com "We have worked very hard to put together my old car from last year", sais Urs. "Now the European Championship car is together and has been through tech. We have two qualifying runs today and we are looking forward to that. This car wants to win again like it did in Europe. "We can fix the new car as well, it needs a new front half. Our next race here will be Chicago in June, but we will try our best today." Joon sponsors webcam. 3rd April: We are pleased to welcome Dutch Top Fuel Dragster team and Eurodragster.com Blogger Lex Joon Racing as joint sponsor of the Eurodragster.com webcam in 2009 together with Webster Race Engineering. "After Eurodragster.com contacted us about the webcam sponsorship renewal we decided to use this opportunity to promote our USA tour later this year", says Lex Joon. "The amount of interest from European fans is growing after Urs Erbacher and Andy Carter made the decision to start racing in the USA. As you have probably already read we are planning to ship our operation over to the US to attend the Las Vegas and Pomona races later this year. We want to give the fans the opportunity to take a closer look from our pitside hospitality and companies a chance to go along with us for just a little bit of sponsorship money. More info about the Lex Joon Racing USA Tour 2009 can be found at our web site at www.lexjoonracing.nl." ©Eurodragster.com Lex Joon Racing is one of the longest-standing supporters of Eurodragster.com and we would like to say a big Thank You to Lex and Gerda Joon for their sponsorship and for their continued backing of Eurodragster.com. Be sure to check out Lex's web site to see how you can get involved in his US venture, and don't forget that Eurodragster.com News sponsor Grandstand Motorsports is offering trips to the NHRA races in Las Vegas and Pomona which Lex plans to contest at the end of this season. For more details check out www.grandstandmotorsports.co.uk or click on the logo at right. Pre-Easter Test Weekend coverage. 3rd April: The first 2009 broadcast by the Webster Race Engineering/Lex Joon Racing USA Tour 2009 webcam is from tomorrow's Peak Performance Day and Sunday's Run What You Brung at Santa Pod Raceway, as part of our pre-Easter Test Weekend coverage presented in association with American Car Imports. This weekend's coverage will consist of frequently-updated live reports on the on-track action on both days, together with a photo gallery at the end of each day. The webcam will be on-line from approximately 8:00 tomorrow morning and will broadcast a picture every sixty seconds until the track closes on Sunday evening. ©Eurodragster.com We will post a Home Page link to our coverage as soon as it commences, but in the meantime you can access the Event Index page, which includes the official Auto Trader Easter Thunderball entry list, by clicking here or by clicking on the Event Coverage link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page. Eurodragster.com Reserve Photographer Peter Donaldson will be attending the Public Test Weekend at Shakespeare County Raceway tomorrow and Sunday, and will be sending us a weekend gallery which we plan to post on Monday morning. Event entry update. 3rd April: Today (Friday) is the official closing date for entry to Big Bang, which takes place at Santa Pod Raceway on 25th-26th April and which is a Championship round for VWDRC, Super Modified, Sportsman ET, Junior Dragster, 9.50 Bike, Street Eliminator and Outlaw Anglia, and a demonstration round for 8.50 Bike. You can view Version 4 of the Big Bang entry list by clicking here. You can download the entry form from the Santa Pod Racers Club web site at www.eurodragster.com/sprc, and if you have any queries about Big Bang entry then please contact Paula Marshall at paula.marshall@btconnect.com. ©Eurodragster.com Friday of next week, 10th April, is the official closing date for Springspeed Nationals, which takes place at Shakespeare County Raceway on 2nd-4th May and which is a Championship round in the UK National and ACU UK Drag Racing Championships as well as rounds for Street Eliminator, the Wild Bunch, Outlaw Anglia, Volkswagen Drag Racing Club, Outlaw Flat Four, National Association of Supertwins and Junior Drag Bike, and a demonstration round of 8.50 Bike. You can download the official entry form from the Downloads page of the Shakespeare County Raceway web site at www.shakespearecountyraceway.com. If you have any queries about Springspeed Nationals entry then please contact Julie Willcox at enquiries@shakespearecountyraceway.co.uk or call 01789 720180 (outside the UK +44 1789 720180). There are three weeks to go before the official closing dates for the HKS classes running at the Performance Tuning and Modified Show, which takes place at Santa Pod Raceway on 9th-10th May, and for all classes at the FIA Main Event, which takes place at Santa Pod Raceway on 22nd-25th May. In both cases the closing date is Friday 24th April. "Racers should bear in mind that if it helps they can post-date their entry fee cheques one week before the event date (not the closing date)", says SPRC Club Secretary Paula Marshall. "Don't forget to enter - if you then need to cancel it's not a problem so long as you let me know. What is a problem is when racers are unsure if they can attend and leave it too late to decide they wish to come, then they either incur the late fee or I can't accept their entry". You can download Big Bang and FIA Main Event entry forms from the Santa Pod Racers Club web site at www.eurodragster.com/sprc, and if you have any queries about event entry then please contact Paula Marshall at paula.marshall@btconnect.com. Paula tells us that if you have tried to contact her on the SPRC phone number and not received a reply then please be assured that she is not ignoring you. There is currently a fault on the phone line which is being attended to. "If it is absolutely essential that someone needs to contact me they can try the fax line which is 01933 355558", says Paula. "I will let you know as soon as the phone line is working again." Belinda: I'm back! 3rd April: The UK's Belinda Bull is returning to the track this season and looking forward to getting back into her Chevy S10 pick-up after a year off. 2009 will be Belinda's first year in Super Modified after previously running the truck in Super Comp. ©Eurodragster.com Belinda's husband and Eurodragster.com Swap Meet sponsor Jeff Bull has been busy building what Belinda describes as an awesome-looking Super Modified-legal 565 ci motor. "Over the last few months Jeff has been working really hard to get the truck ready in time for the start of the season", says Belinda. "We will be trying things out at the Peak Performance Day on Saturday and making our first appearance in Super Modified at the Easter Thunderball. I am really excited about our move into Super Modifed and I'm looking forward to the challenge. "Huge thanks to Jeff for putting in the hours to get the truck ready, and for not throwing in the towel when I know he has felt like it at times. Thanks also to Craig and Tina Gibbs for their support, Smithy as always, Chris Isaacs, Doug and Ray at Doug Herbert Performance, Transmission Specialties and loads of other people whom I will get round to thanking personally." ARRC/Stroud UK contingency scheme. 3rd April: Eurodragster.com sponsors Andy Robinson Race Cars and Stroud Safety are pleased to announce their contingency sponsorship scheme for the 2009 UK National Drag Racing Championships. The Scheme applies to Super Gas, Super Comp and Super Pro ET and rewards the season Champions and runners-up. The Champions in these classes will receive a set of safety gear including an SFI-5 suit, helmet and shoes; those Super Pro drivers who require an SFI-15 suit can choose this style of suit only instead of the set. Runners-up in the three classes will get an SFI-5 suit. The SFI-5 suits will be in standard sizes and colours as shown at the Stroud web site www.stroudsafety.com and the SFI-15 suits will be custom made. ©Eurodragster.com As usual with contingency schemes, racers must display ARRC and Stroud stickers on both sides of the car to qualify for these awards. Stickers will be available from Andy Robinson's Pro Mod pit at the Auto Trader Easter Thunderball and at the FIA Main Event. Swift snippets. 3rd April: Lurking behind a domestic garage door somewhere in Buckinghamshire is the subject of the latest spy picture to arive at the offices of Eurodragster.com. Our mole tells us that the bodywork is straight from the original Jago moulds, and that the car is almost ready for action on the strip - "Definitely out this year". If you know more, or if you would like to send your own spy picture, then drop us a line at eurodragster.com@btinternet.com. ©Eurodragster.com Swedish Top Methanol Funny Car racer Leif Andréasson will be racing at the SummitRacing.com NHRA Nationals in Las Vegas this weekend, whilst ex-pat Brit Top Alcohol Dragster racer Michael Manners will be racing at the NHRA Divisional event in Dallas. You will be able to stay in touch with Leif's and hopefully Urs Erbacher's progress in Las Vegas, and Michael's progress in Dallas, on the Drag Race Central web site at www.dragracecentral.com. Frightening though it is, the FIA Main Event follows not that long after Easter so Event Programme Editor and Eurodragster.com Photo Editor Roger Gorringe is giving a heads-up to contributors in time to take notes at the Easter Thunderball if necessary. The deadline for submissions for the FIA Main Event event programme is Tuesday 5th May. The official closing date for entry to the FIA Main Event is 24th April and Eurodragster.com will be posting the official entry list as it is received and updated if you are not in receipt of your own copy. Thanks to those racers who responded to our request for Easter Thunderball previews. Whichever class you contest, if you would like to send your own Easter Thunderball preview then it is not too late; drop us a line at news@eurodragster.com and we'll post it here next week. Swift snippets. 2nd April: Dave Newbery has had to withdraw his Top Fuel Bike, which is ridden by Ian Carruthers, from the Auto Trader Easter Thunderball. "Rush, my crewman Darren and I have all put in the hours, but there was too much work to do and not enough time", Dave told Eurodragster.com. "Parts are also turning up at the last minute. We hope to make the Springspeed Nationals. We have made a lot of improvements and ultimately this will be a fast bike and worth waiting for." Organising a race event anywhere in Europe during March means that the weather is likely to play a major role, but Paul Fischer tells us that the sun god was clearly in a good mood for the opening round of the 2009 Hungarian Street Race Series at Kiskunlachlaza on the outskirts of Budapest. For an overview of how things are done in Hungary plus video, check out the 402 Street Race web site at www.geocities.com/paulsfischer/402/index.htm. Swiss Top Fuel Dragster racer and Eurodragster.com News sponsor Urs Erbacher, Crew Chief Wayne Dupuy and team faced a mammoth task to get back on-track for this week's SummitRacing.com NHRA Nationals in Las Vegas, which starts today, after his fearsome and chassis-damaging engine explosion in Houston on Sunday. Enquiries to Wayne and Urs have, probably understandably, produced no response but Urs' US PR guy Rob Geiger told Eurodragster.com that he was expecting to pen an iron-out-of-the-fire press release very shortly. Pro qualifying commences in Las Vegas tomorrow. ©Eurodragster.com Swedish Top Methanol Funny Car racer Leif Andréasson will be racing in Las Vegas this weekend, whilst ex-pat Brit Top Alcohol Dragster racer Michael Manners will be racing at the NHRA Divisional event in Dallas. You will be able to stay in touch with Leif's and hopefully Urs' progress in Las Vegas, and Michael's progress in Dallas, on the Drag Race Central web site at www.dragracecentral.com. UK Super Comp racer Brian Pateman tells us that he will be continuing the 40% discount on all Witter tow bars for Eurodragster.com readers into April, and that he is offering free delivery to Santa Pod at Easter. For more details or to buy your Witter tow bar call Brian on 01702 343401. After a year of trying to source a quality sublimation printer which would deal in small quantities, Ian Turburville has finally found one. "We can now supply fantastic NHRA type sublimation shirts, in four styles, to any design, at a price which matches the traditional embroidered shirts, with a minimum order of just ten shirts of mixed sizes", says Turbo. "We can supply matt and sheen fabric finishes, two styles of collar, and either full button front or quarter zip. Quality is first class, the designs can cover 100% of the surface of the shirt and they will never crack, peel, fade or run! They are very comfortable and cool to wear and wash superbly. Delivery turn around can be as quick as two weeks. You will get noticed in these!". If you have any queries then drop Turbo a line at turboville@ntlworld.com or visit his pit at the Easter Thunderball at Santa Pod Raceway. On the subject of Ian Turburville, the Supertwin racer is due a big pat on the back for taking it like a man when having his bluff called yesterday. Having submitted his racing-in-the-USA story too late to make yesterday's news update, Turbo was told that the item would have to wait until today, unless it would no longer be appropriate today. Left in a similar situation to the man standing in a dry corner with painted floor all around him, Turbo aroused our sympathy and so we posted his excellent April Fool anyway. Out to dry at SCR. 1st April: Shakespeare County Raceway are proud to announce the addition of a jet track dryer. SCR's Jerry Cookson says that the successful outcome of the project is thanks to the efforts of five individuals who not only poured many long hours into the build of this project but for a short space of time put their own race car builds on hold. The Raceway is now safeguarded when Mother Nature decides to make a grand entrance and interrupt events as she did on one or two occasions last year. "It's comforting to know that this valuable asset will be on hand ready to go when anyone attends one of our Championship drag race events or indeed the Raceway's nostalgia and Public Track Days", says Jerry. The dryer went through its first test runs last Wednesday on a soaking wet track at the Warwickshire venue and to great effect, a test which you can view on YouTube at www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dlng9PpAwxg. Shakespeare County management owes a great debt of thanks to those a credited with pulling off this significant feat off. "We certainly couldn't have made it all happen without the likes of UK Supercharged Outlaw racers Roy Wilding and Brian Gandy who have spent countless hours at their workshop in the Black Country transforming what was an ordinary Ford Transit Crew Cab into a much valued asset", says Jerry, "the kind of extra insurance policy a drag strip can have. Also let's not forget that these guys are used to working with horsepower of a different kind! The only time these guys see jet power for real is when they're flying off to a warmer climate. ©Eurodragster.com "Thanks also to Jeff Brooks - Brian's next door neighbour, crewman and tea boy, and all-round good guy who's there ready to step in at a moment's notice when the chips are down - to Lee Gallimore of LA Commercials for the loan of the trade plates, and to Adrian and Ian Bennett (no relation) from Jet Power for all their help, knowledge and encouragement from when the jet was first test fired almost twelve months ago to last week's trial runs. They all deserve a huge pat on the back and respect when you next see them at the track." SCR would also like to acknowledge the track dryer's first sponsor, Sonic Communications Ltd (0121 781 4400), for supplying a multi-coloured safety light bar and bullhorn. "It's been a long time coming since I personally began working for the track almost three years ago but I can finally say, with a tear in my eye, that all good things come to those who wait", concludes Jerry. Hope doubles. 1st April: UK Pro Stock Bike racer Chris Hope will be fielding a two-bike team later this season. Chris, who made two outings last year at the rained-out FIA Main Event and FIA European Finals, told Eurodragster.com that he has acquired a PMFR frame from the USA and that he will mount his primary 1655 cc Vance and Hines motor and newly-acquired TL1000 bodywork on the frame which is expected to arrive in the summer. Chris plans to equip his current Hayabusa-bodied bike with his spare motor and to run it as a second team bike to be ridden by Santa Pod Raceway timing crew and Eurodragster.com honorary staff member Andy Marrs, with whom Chris has been friends for some years. Andy was himself a biker until he became a family man but has recently acquired a Suzuki Bandit which he will be riding in 9.50 Bike to gain experience, starting at the Auto Trader Easter Thunderball. ©Eurodragster.com Subject to the timely arrival of Chris' new frame the plan is for Andy to make his first outing on Chris' current Pro Stock Bike at the Peak Performance Day at Santa Pod Raceway in early September. Chris plans to run his new bike at that Peak Performance Day and the FIA European Finals, and will then take both bikes to the UK National Finals with Andy riding the spare. After the UK National Finals a decision will be taken about contesting the Extreme Performance Bike Weekend which this year is the final round of the ACU UK Pro Stock Bike Championship. The patter of tiny Pinto... 1st April: UK blown-alcohol team and Eurodragster.com Bloggers Bennett Racing have a new addition. In a change from the usual altered staple, the new car is a Wild Bunch slingshot currently named Trespasser, to be driven by Adam Bennett. "The dragster runs a 2.1 litre Pinto using Cosworth block, crank and rods, with forged pistons, twin 45 Webers, and MSD ignition", says Luke Bennett. "This car is owned and will be driven by Adam. The plan is to rebuild the car completely from front to back. We will also change the radiator to an aluminium item, and the fuel tank for a polished aluminium tank from our sponsor Forge Motorsport. We will fabricate new bodywork ourselves. "The car currently runs low twelves and Adam's first target is to get the car into the elevens and then in the future a turbo and some nitrous. "We are already pulling new sponsors in for this car and we will be looking for more to support this and our other two race cars. Please get in touch via our web site if you are interested." Swift snippets. 1st April: UK Top Fuel Bike racer Steve Carey will be making his first outing of the year at the FIA Main Event at Santa Pod Raceway in May. Steve and the Purple Princess team have been making changes to what was becoming a wayward bike including a new fuel tank, alterations to the frame and new bodywork with advice and help from Frank Brachtvogel and Pete Davis. The bike will also feature a new colour scheme in 2009 although it will still, of course, be purple. Ex-pat Brit Top Alcohol Dragster racer Michael Manners tells us that he had a great time at the NHRA O'Reilly Springnationals in Houston where he made the semi-finals after qualifying fourth. "The rear end broke on launch but provided some momentum until about 400 feet when it gave up completely", says Michael. "We are producing so much torque, even with 94% nitro, that we will have to learn to manage it. We changed some ergonomics in the car and that seemed to help my appalling Reaction Times which have been so consistently bad that hopefully it is not all down to me". Michael will shortly be launching a web site covering his multi-car operation; stay tuned for details. Thanks to Santa Pod Racers Club Secretary Paula Marshall for forwarding us Version 3 of the official entry list for Big Bang, which takes place at Santa Pod Raceway on 25th-26th April and which is a Championship round for VWDRC, Super Modified, Sportsman ET, Junior Dragster, 9.50 Bike, Street Eliminator and Outlaw Anglia, and a demonstration round for 8.50 Bike. You can view the entry list by clicking here. Entry closes this coming Friday, 3rd April. If you have any queries about Big Bang entry then please contact Paula Marshall at paula.marshall@btconnect.com or call 01933 313625 (outside the UK +44 1933 313625). ©Eurodragster.com In the interests of improving the performance of their Studebaker Pro Mod, Eurodragster.com Home, News and joint Features sponsor Andy Robinson Race Cars are developing their own cylinder heads. Known as Clayton Specials, these heads are being prototyped in wood prior to digitisation ready for machining (below left, click for large version). "We think the BAE heads are great but now we have several seasons' experience with them we believe we can see benefits in some new features", says Bob Roberts. "The Pro Mod class is such a close competition that we have to look for any advantage we can find." Scott of UK Supertwin Gas team Les Harris Racing tells us that now that British Summer Time has arrived the National Association of Supertwins élite decided to get their bobsled (above right, click for large version) out for testing as it was far too cold in the winter. "We hope to go testing at the Norwich Dry Ski Slope", says Scott, "although there isn't much of a run off, so now the brake man has disc brakes at the back. We are looking forward to competing in Florida later this summer." Thanks to our good buddy Patrik Jacobsson for letting us know that entry is now open for the NDRG Spring Nats at Gardermoen on 2nd-4th May. For more details check out www.ndrg.no. SPRC Club Secretary Paula Marshall asked us to wish a very Happy 20th Wedding Anniversary to husband and SPRC Chief Starter Ian Marshall. No sooner said than done, congratulations to both Paula and Ian and hope you have a lovely day. Xtreme Xpectations. 1st April: Most drag racing fans would agree that the healthy growth of the Nostalgia Fuel Altered Asociation has been a massive plus for the sport in the UK. Under the NFAA banner, the racing has been close with the nitro and alcohol cars providing close racing and some very impressive times and speeds. Having unveiled the stunning Xtreme Racing Topolino in 2004, Bob Glassup and his team have pushed hard in the BBFA bracket with some impressive low seven second ETs and some spectacular looking, wild rides. A glorious new paint scheme provided the car with the looks to back up the performance in 2007, a year in which the family-run team packed the race trailer and headed across the Pond for the prestigious California Hot Rod Reunion. Bob flew the flag for the Brits in fine style and showed that we know how to build stunning Hot Rods which can put on an awesome show! On his return, Bob made the decision to sit out the 2008 season as his quest for more speed took over. The ex-Derek Flynn alcohol-burning rail had found its way into the Glassup family garage, complete with a 526 ci Hemi motor and a plan was hatched. The Chevy motor from the altered was heading for the dragster with the Hemi passing in the opposite direction. It sounds like a simple procedure but it has proven to be littered with minor issues which have done a fairly good job of making the overall rebuild budget that little bit larger than first thought! The result, however, is one exceptional race car that will not only turn heads with its stunning appearance but hopefully with performances to match. With a current Personal Best to date of 7.04 at 187 mph Bob and his family-based team will be out to well and truly smash that this year with times expected in the low six-second bracket. 2009 will be a big year for the team with a number of exciting projects ahead. A new web site will soon go live and the news coming from the Xtreme camp will gathering pace as the season progresses. One additional piece of news from the team is the addition of Dan Welberry on the PR and marketing side. Bob and Dan have remained good friends since their previous project together, the Xtreme Wheels Show. Son Matt is also lead creative for Dan's design business, Eurodragster.com News sponsor 3t Creative. "I'm delighted to be working with Bob and his Xtreme team", says Dan Welberry. "I'm not just saying this but Bob truly is one of the nicest guys you could wish to meet and Matt is a chip off the old block! I'm excited about the coming season for the team and I really believe that if consistency can be found, Bob will be a serious contender for NFAA Championship honours. I would also like to thank Andy Carter for allowing me to take up this fresh challenge, alongside my Carter Motorsport duties." Bob is delighted to be close to a return to track action and will be testing the new combination at Santa Pod Raceway this Saturday. The car will be unleashed in competition at the Auto Trader Easter Thunderball, where Bob is looking forward to mixing it up with his fellow NFAA racers. "We're just itching to get down the track now", says Bob Glassup. "It has been a long journey but we're really excitied about the year ahead. I couldn't do this without the support of my family and devoted crew. I must thank Cathie for supporting my drag racing addiction over the last twenty years, Rich and Lee at J&W for all their hard work and dedication as crew and getting the altered ready for this year. Thanks to Steve for the use of his workshop, Andy Robinson Race Cars for the chassis work, Gold RV for their support, and Lucas Oil. It's great to have Dan on board and the whole Xtreme team is looking forward to the 2009 season!" Be sure to visit the Team Xtreme pit over the Easter weekend and check out one of the most stunning race cars in the UK. ©Eurodragster.com A feat of Endurance at SCR. 1st April: Shakespeare County Raceway recently played host to the Endurance Rally Association's Flying Scotsman Reliability Trial for pre-war cars. Starting from the world famous Brooklands circuit at Weybridge on Friday the rally took in several stages in Warwickshire and the Midlands before journeying north to the Yorkshire Moors and ending in the Scottish highlands on Sunday. With cars dating as back early as 1905 in the form of a 10658 cc Star Gordon Bennett through to a 1911 Ford Model T right up to the most modern (in ERA terms) 1940 Alvis Speed 25, 62 cars converged on a cold and sometimes windy Long Marston Airfield last Friday afternoon and took on a number of challenging twisty sections, box junctions and garages with some added speed sections put in for good measure. The quickest was a 1924 Vauxhall from the Pioneers section of the entry list, and later went on to earn driver and owner Paul Rogers and Annabel Jones the overall Flying Scotsman win. A Model T in the hands of Neil Tuckett and Peter Eldred finished sixth. In the Vintage section Paul Carter and John Bayliss drove their 1936 Bentley into first place followed by the 1939 Citroen entered by Dutch pairing Olaf Pothoven and Rob van den Berg. Surprisingly only six failed to finish. ©Eurodragster.com What's in store at PMR. 1st April: Eurodragster.com News sponsor Paul Marston Racing are looking forward to an action packed 2009, writes Paul Marston: The Paul Marston Racing Drag Race Driving School is starting to fill up nicely, with some promising new prospects. There are still some dates available so if you have a course to book please contact us on our usual numbers. Paul Marston Racing will be fielding two strong entries for the whole series of the 2009 UK National Championships along with some one-off returning drivers. Meanwhile with six competitive race cars in the Paul Marston Racing stable to choose from, both Michael Howling and Paul Marston had some tough choices: "Which car shall I drive in 2009? Mmm, that's a tough one. After a lot of soul searching, the decision was made. Veteran driver and PMR driving instructor Michael Howling will return to Pro ET in Grumpy's Dodge, a good showing along with another top ten finish in 2008. Michael Howling will be looking to improve on that, with Grumpy undergoing a more thorough winter service than usual and some extra refinements. Easter cannot come around quick enough. Paul Marston himself will shoe the all-conquering PiranaZ backed Ugly Stick Super Comp dragster, after all there is a National Championship to defend! Paul has only previously campaigned doorslammers in the UK, so this is a radical departure from his usual weapon of choice. Paul is excited about this new challenge, having only driven dragsters in the States. Let us hope it brings some Florida sunshine to go with it for the Easter Thunderball. Paul Marston Racing will also be sharing technical information with Billy Gane and his Fat Pack team, who will be débuting their mean and lean Big Block Chevy powered AC Cobra in Pro ET. Billy has had a tough lead-up to the Peak Performance Day this weekend, having to switch motors last minute as a precautionary step. But Bill and Dave Gane along with the rest of their team have got the job done: when the going gets tough the tough get going. With only two official Paul Marston Racing entries, a new chapter opens for the highly successful Paul Marston Racing Drag Race Driving School. More drivers who have raced with the Drag Race School are now competing independently of Paul Marston Racing which is, after all, why the School was set up in the first place: to provide potential competitors a stepping stone, to race with us and learn. With this now happening, there is once more room for new drivers to graduate through the Paul Marston Racing Drag Race Driving School and progress to competing at UK National Championship events with us. Meanwhile there are important things for PMR to attend to. Namely with a more relaxed schedule there is more scope to take in events outside the usual National Event rounds. As Michael and Paul are only single-classing, this leaves a lot more time for lounging around, sunbathing, listening to Nitro FM, watching quality racing, eating lunch and polishing our race cars. Whilst the driver line-up is now a skinny Latté, the PMR crew line-up is still a double shot expresso with all the usual suspects: the World Famous Crew Chief, joined by Sefton Whitlock and Mrs Sefton Whitlock, Mick 'Pieman' Pusey, Lighthouse Lee, the Crew Chief's Little Helper and our latest Sorceror's Apprentice. They are all looking forward to the latest acquisition - the PMR golf cart, resplendent with four seats and battery powered to enable PMR to become carbon neutral and fully tree-hugging compliant. ©Eurodragster.com Turbo jumps the Pond. 1st April: After a lot of talks and negotiations with his great group of American sponsors, The UK's Team Turboville Supertwin team have decided to withdraw from the UK Championship and have started crating Mr Spokehead for its trip to the USA to compete in the AHDRA season instead for 2009. The season kicks off on 18th-19th April at Gateway International Raceway in Madison, Ilinois and UK sponsor Air Sea Logistics have agreed to fly the bike out for free in order to get there in time. Ian, Pete, Joe, Martin and Ingrid will fly out after Easter and get ready for the season of a lifetime. "It wasn't a hard decision once my American sponsors stepped in to help", says Ian Turburville. "I am not getting any younger and it is my dream to race my peers over there so it is now or never". Ian follows Svein Olav Rolstad and Charlie Karling who have made the pilgrimage before and had the time of their lives. The team will share transportation and costs with Canadian Champion Ron Houniet. Ron said it was the answer to his prayer too as it helps with his costs incurred with travelling such great distances to each meeting. The arrangement has the added attraction for Ian of having one of the worlds top nitro Harley tuners as a team mate. The full season schedule can be found at www.ahdra.com/schedule.html. Big thanks to Terry Stewart (Shaker Products), Tim Kerrigan (Red Line Oil), Custom Chrome, Gates Belts, Fast Lane Racing, Innovate, EGT, Arias Pistons, Slidercovers.com, Jim's and S&S for the chance! Earlier news