General
Home Page
Add a web site
Jeff Bull Swap Meet
Send a News Item
Site Search by Hauser Racing
2021 FIA/FIM Championships schedule
News, Coverage, Features
Latest News
John Woolfe Racing Event Coverage
OCS Paint Points Standings
Features, Interviews, Tributes
Racer Blogs
LA Racing Parts Links
Racers' web sites
Associations, Clubs
Race calendars
Results, Reports, Info
Pictures, Video
Performance Parts, Merchandise
Sponsors
Tracks, Shows
Information
Timing Data
European and UK Bests
Champions' Champions
Editor's Diary archive
Sorry, offer only available to bona fide European drag racing teams |
| Drag Racing Clubs: let us know your event dates and we'll advertise them here - FREE! |
| Tell news@eurodragster.com when you update your web site and we'll feature it here |
Back to Home Page
What's New
 |
31st May: The King Racing web site is now carrying several tributes to Chris Hampson, sent in by racers and fans alike, including a moving tribute from Chris' Team Owner Phil Baimbridge. Ian King is posting the tributes as he receives them; you can either send a message via the Click here to send us your gossip link on the web site, or by e-mail to ian@kingracing.com. Ian has also posted an address to which sympathy cards and other messages of condolence can be sent.
Both dragbike.com and stripbike.com are also carrying tributes to Chris.
Malmgren's gratitude.
31st May: Chris Hampson's death naturally totally overshadowed the FIA Main Event, but in as much as the race could have had highlights, one was Europe's first ever six-second run in Pro Stock, by Michael Malmgren in the final round. Michael and Jari Konola had been swapping the European ET record all day, with Michael stamping his name all over the record books at the end with a fantastic 6.990 pass.
Crew member Magnus Cato writes in appreciation of Malmgren Racing's reception after their feat. "Our team just want to say how much we appreciated all the cheering and the congratulations we received from the spectators and everyone in the pits. The feeling when we towed back the car through the pit was just amazing and made the work a lot easier."
We at Eurodragster were in a win-win situation since both Michael and Jari's cars were carrying the new Eurodragster stickers. "That sticker will never come off", says Magnus. Well, of course not!
A big thank you from Eurodragster to Michael, Jari and all of the other racers in various classes who have so readily agreed to carry our stickers. It's very much appreciated and we hope that they turn out to be as lucky for all of you as they appear to have been for Michael. If you don't yet have Eurodragster stickers and want some then don't worry, we'll be bugging you at the next race!
Web site updates.
31st May: The official web site of UK Fuel Funny Car team Showtime Racing has been updated with a report on the weekend's events, which culminated in a new European best of 5.39 seconds on Monday. You can find the SRUK web site at www.showtimeracing.co.uk.
The TFUK web site at www.top-fuel.co.uk has had a facelift. The site still contains all of the features from the previous version such as an engine tour, class run-down and race dates and has a few new features still under construction.
Chris Hampson.
30th May: Eurodragster is deeply saddened to have to report that UK
Top Fuel Bike racer Chris Hampson (right, at the Thunderball) died after a top end crash at
Santa Pod Raceway yesterday.
We would like to extend our deepest sympathy to Chris' family, friends and team.
Fellow Top Fuel Bike racer Ian King has posted a fine tribute on the King Racing web site. Ian has promised to post details of funeral arrangements when they become available.
A Tribute.
30th May: Our good friend, Drag Racing journalist and photographer Roger Gorringe has kindly sent us a tribute to Chris Hampson, which you can read by clicking here.
FIA Main Event coverage.
26th-29th May: We're now in our customary place in the control tower at Santa Pod Raceway, bringing you the news from the FIA Main Event. Click here to see the latest from Santa Pod.
Rapport på svenska hos Svensk Dragracing.
Malta's first Five.
25th May: Congratulations to Manty Bugeja on becoming the first Maltese drag racer into the fives, with a pass of 5.932 at yesterday's Main Event Press Day. Yesterday's event not being a race, it can't be deemed an official record but team owner Joey Carabott and the team must be very confident about their chances this weekend. What was impressive about the pass was that the car was visibly and audibly shaking towards the top of each gear, and so there is a lot more to come. "We know what to do about the shake", said Charlie Draper.
If we can be forgiven the shameless self-promotion, we were very pleased to hear that Joe, Manty and the team's mobile phones started ringing shortly after we posted the news about the five-second pass on yesterday's coverage from Santa Pod, several drag racing fans in Malta were evidently sitting by their PCs waiting for news. Thanks for tuning in guys, and thanks to everyone who has written with appreciative comments.
Rain halts Moller's Fuel licence.
25th May: Swedish Pro Mod racer Tommy Moller only got the chance to make one pass in Knut Soderquists' Carbon By Design Top Fueller at yesterday's Press Day. Tommy is upgrading his licence because he is planning to run an injected-nitro dragster in Top Methanol, and the plan was for Tommy to make the necessary three passes yesterday, coincidentally impressing the media with the nitro experience.
Tommy made his first pass in the late afternoon, on and off the throttle in the burnout and then an on-and-off launch, off the pedal by sixty feet. Not long after the car was towed back to the pits, the rain set in. We don't know what the plan is now, since Alan Jackson will be competing in the CBD Top Fueller at the Main Event this weekend, but as soon as we hear anything concrete we will let you know.
You can find our reports and pictures from yesterday's Press Day via our Race Coverage page.
Progressive problem stops Beck's progress.
25th May: UK Pro Stock Bike racer Dave Beck writes with news of is first round exit at last weekend's AMA/Prostar round in Rockingham (USA), where he was riding Jay Regan's Pro Mod Bike.
"I had a bad weekend", says Dave. "I lost in the first round because of a progressive problem. I left with four hundredths advantage on the tree, but had a 1.40 sixty-foot time - you won't win with those numbers. Five weeks to the next race - I need some money and some luck!"
Dave adds that he has a Pro Stock Bike top end for sale, which has run 7.6/176, together with a new set of 48 millimetre carbs, and that he may sell his bike at the end of the year. "I can get any parts for anybody at a fair price!" he says. If you are interested then please e-mail Dave at beck.racing@virgin.net.
Web site updates.
25th May: UK Fuel FC team Shockwave racing have updated their web site with Easter Thunderball and Super Series 1 additions to the Photo Gallery. Check it out at www.millennium-computer.co.uk/shockwave.
Eurodragster staffer Sharkman has updated his web site Sharkman's Top End Tales with a set of pictures from last weekend's testing at Santa Pod Raceway.
Alteno SSB results.
23rd May: The Cleber Turbo Team Berlin web site has been updated with the results of last weekend's round of the German Super Street Bike Series, at Alteno, which was won by Clemens Walleit. The pages on the site are bilingual, but the buttons are not. If you can't speak German then click on zum Rennplatz to see the Results page. The CTTB web site can be found at www.dragbike.de; and don't forget that the German SSB Series has a web site at www.dragsterracing.de/ssb.
Thanks to CTTB's Wally for the following message for our German readers:
"Hallo Racefans, Die ersten Punkte sind verteilt. Unter www.dragbike.de, Rennplatz, Saison 2000 konnt Ihr Euch über das Rennergebnis informieren".
Main Event entry updated.
23rd May: The entry list for this weekend's FIA Main Event at Santa Pod Raceway, which can be found on the Next Event page of Santa Pod Raceway's web site, has been updated to the very latest state of play, and shows a very healthy entry in almost every class.
Ticket prices and other details for this weekend's race can also be found on the SPR web site at www.santapod.com.
If you can't make the race then we will of course be posting live updates from Santa Pod, in conjunction with our good friends from Svensk Dragracing whose help made last year's FIA European Finals coverage such a success.
Our Main Event build-up continues with coverage of tomorrow's Press Day - be sure to tune in tomorrow since we understand that there may be a surprise in the offing.
Web site updates.
23rd May: On the subject of Svensk Dragracing, their web site at www.dragracing.se has been updated with downloadable/printable entry forms for this year's Nordic Drag Race Series events.
The Drag Racing Central discussion forum has a number of interesting debates underway, including European Pro Mod with contributions from Nick Davies and Micke Gullquist, and a proposal to arrange a coach trip to Hockenheim in August. Check out DRC at pub10.ezboard.com/bdragracingcentral.
Congratulations to Rickard Larsson who won the latest contest on the Swedish Pro Street News Magazine.
UK Sportsman ET team Dead Parrot Racing have updated their web site with news of a new addition to the team, and a report and photographs from Super Series 1. The DPR web site is at www.deadparrotracing.com.
Pre-Main Event testing.
22nd May: Mister Whippy makes his entrance into drag racing, off-the-trailer 7.0s in Pro Stock, Pat Talbot repeatedly wiping out personal bests, rain, more rain, and a Run What You Brung which no-one thought could take place - just a few of the highlights at Santa Pod over the weekend.
We were at SPR on both Saturday and Sunday; our reports and pictures are available from our Race coverage page.
Beck in R1 exit.
22nd May: That song about nothing being finer than Carolina in the morning is probably not on Dave Beck's lips today. The UK Pro Stock Bike racer, running Jay Regan's Pro Mod Bike, went out in round one of eliminations at this weekend's AMA/Prostar race in Rockingham, USA. After qualifying eleventh at 7.360/188.54, Becky was eliminated in round one by David Vantine, 6.966/184.22 to 7.539/184.04.
You can find full details on dragbike.com.
Web site updates.
22nd May: UK Top Methanol Dragster racer Lindsay Deuchar has updated his web site with an account of his ultimately-fruitless thrash to get to Super Series 1, a Main Event preview, and a video of his PB-shattering 5.99 at the Easter Thunderball. Check it out at www.laracing.co.uk.
Smax in disc emergency.
19th May: Fuel FC racer Smax Smith has appealed for help to enable him to run his Funny Car at next week's Main Event.
"I desperately need a minimum of six clutch discs!" says Smax. "I run 10inch with 1 1/2 inch fine spline approximately 70 Rockwell hardness. Can anyone out there help before May 25th? I can get hub centres and rivets if need be, and can sort it out myself but they must be new discs. I may even be able to machine 10 1/2 inch discs. Someone must have some - HELP!!!!!"
If you can help get Smax on the track then please phone him on 01772 612266 (+44 1772 612266), 01772 617506 (+44 1772 617506), or on his mobile on 0796 7738909 (+44 796 7738909) - or e-mail smax@fastco-uk.freeserve.co.uk.
Web site updates.
19th May: A little while back we praised a webmaster for sending his own Press Release (saves our decrepit fingers you see), and Trevor Jones of the the FB Racing web site must have been paying attention since he has done just that. Over to Trevor:
The FB Racing web site run by racer Ian Hook, has now been updated with an all new Custom Car Street Eliminator section. Inside are details of all the competitors and their cars (complete with photographs in most cases), the current points standings, details of the competition itself, a summary of the winners in previous years, and a personal race report by Ian. Elsewhere on the site can be found a links section, a downloads section (with demo versions of many of the popular PC drag racing related applications), details of the driver and the car being campaigned this year, and there is also a practice tree (for all of us who need all the help we can get!!).
The FB Racing web site can be found at www.fbracing.co.uk.
SPR tests closed Saturday, open Sunday.
18th May: This weekend sees two test sessions at Santa Pod Raceway. On Saturday a private test will be taking place, with a small number of Pro and Sportsman racers in action. This test session is unfortunately closed to the public, but Santa Pod Raceway have very kindly invited Eurodragster along to bring you reports and pictures, an invitation we have of course accepted.
Sunday's test is a normal Run What You Brung, which is of course open to the public. We do not currently know if any of the Pro racers are planning to put in passes on Sunday (if we hear then we will of course let you know), but a number of Sportsman racers are planning to test at the RWYB. And let's not forget that you can run your own car or bike down the track - you may find yourself sharing a staging lane with one of your heroes. Entry to the track on Sunday is £8.00, and a further £10.00 and the production of a valid DVLC licence gets you as many passes down the track as you can fit in. You can get full details about Run What You Brung events on Santa Pod's web site at www.santapod.com.
We will of course also be reporting from the RWYB on Sunday.
Svensk Dragracing back online.
18th May: We're pleased to announce that our good friends at Svensk Dragracing now have their web site back online. The guys say sorry for the downtime, although we would argue that they have no need to apologise since the problem was with the ISP and totally beyond the control of Svensk Dragracing. It's good to have you back folks!
The site has been updated with news on Comp Eliminator indexes, and an interview with Micke Callin. Check it out at www.dragracing.se.
Web site updates.
18th May: Following on from the Shockwave Fuel FC team's report on their recent outings at Santa Pod and Shakespeare County Raceways (May 16th), the other Fuel FC team overlooked by air traffic control, Showtime Racing, have updated their web site with their own, illustrated account of the Easter Thunderball and Super Series 1. The Showtime Racing site can be found at www.showtimeracing.co.uk.
ICE machine for sale.
17th May: Reigning UK Pro Mod Champions ICE Racing have put their 6.6-second Oldsmobile Cutlass up for sale. ICE's overseas developments are believed to be the reason for the sale, a decision which has shocked the team's many fans who have been lapping up Nick Davies' huge rolling burnouts and bracket-like 6.7s this season.
The ICE car was originally built by Jerry Bickel. In 1993, it was driven by Tony Rose to the first six-second Pro Mod pass in Europe. It was also the first European Pro Mod to break the 200 mph barrier. Nick took over the car when Tony retired, and he and Crew Chief Rob Loaring have got a best of 6.69 out of the car. "It has taken anything that we could throw at it and asked for more" says Nick.
Nick won't be drawn on ICE's future plans, save to say "Don't worry - we'll be back!" (we'll hold you to that - Pro Mod-loving Ed).
If you fancy buying yourself a Pro Mod, you can get full details including contact information in the Cars For Sale section of our Swap Meet.
Bike racer in hedonism allegation.
17th May: UK Pro Stock Bike racer Dave Beck is again on his way across the Atlantic, to ride Jay Regan's Pro Mod Bike at the next round of the AMA/Prostar series, this time at Rockingham.
It seems, though, that Dave might have been enjoying himself too much. "You come over here, blow my new motors up, go out at night, take advantage of the local girls, then just hop back across the Pond to recover for the next time" is Jay's reported comment on his rider's role.
However, Dave adds, "We have the motors rebuilt and the bike is all ready to go, Jay has been burning the midnight oil this past week. It's only a two-day race so two motors should see us OK!"
Dave's comment on his Team Owner's allegations? "What a life.".
Race coverage from Rockingham will be available on dragbike.com throughout the weekend. Good luck Dave!
Want to race in the USA?
17th May: If hedonism is your bag (see above), then Top Fuel Bike racer and ACU UK Championship co-ordinator Ian King writes with an offer you can't refuse!
"As you may all know, it is traditional for a contingent of European Dragbike racers to travel to the AMA Prostar World Finals at Gainesville in November every year. This is the highlight of the year in terms of motorcycle dragracing, and attracts over 800 bikes of all classes to one of the best tracks in the world.
"In the past, Ton Pels from Holland has arranged a 40 foot container, that has held anything up to eight bikes and associated tools, pit bikes etc, that is delivered to pits at the track. But, due to other commitments, Ton will not be able to arrange a container for this year.
"However, Top Fuel Bike rider Brian Johnson is planning to arrange a container to run from England and to be delivered to the track in the usual way. The viability of the trip depends on the amount of riders willing to share the costs. He is currently calculating the costs for the trip, and this information should be ready in time for the Main Event.
"In the meantime, should you wish to discuss the trip details further, please contact Brian on +44 (0)1344 625182, mobile +44 (0)370 425441, or e mail him on brian.j@btinternet.com. Remember, first come first served!"
Main Event entry online.
17th May: The entry list for next week's FIA Main Event at Santa Pod Raceway is now available on Santa Pod's web site at www.santapod.com. Click on the Next Event link to see the entry.
Web site updates.
16th May: Jim Seward has updated the Harry The Spider web site with an account of his new Fuel Altered's first outing at Shakespeare County Raceway last weekend. You can find the Harry The Spider site at www.geocities.com/hts_racing.
Another race team posting an account of their last outings is the Shockwave Fuel Funny Car team. This time the report is from the last two races, the Easter Thunderball and Super Series 1. Check it out at www.millennium-computer.co.uk/shockwave.
Studious Lindelöw misses Main Event.
15th May: Swedish Top Fuel pilot Pelle Lindelöw will be sitting out the Main Event, as amongst other things he has an exam to sit. "I was planning to come" says Pelle, "but I was too optimistic about things - it helps a lot in this business normally! But I have to face the facts. Firstly I'm studying Logistics (it's never too late to read a book or two) and will have the final exam on Friday 26th May; the second reason is travelling costs; and the third reason is that no one has got the time."
Pelle has the rest if his season planned, however. "I've already sent in my entry form for the FIA race in Alastaro, and of course I will be at Piteå and the other races in the Swedish Top Fuel Tour", he says. "We have a complete new MSD system and a new clutch on the car. The motor will be the same TFX which was purchased before the Finals last year. The paint job and everything else will look the same - the only visible difference on the team will be a couple of pounds more weight and a few more grey hairs."
You can keep in touch with P & G Racing on their web site at www.pgracing.nu.
Gardermoen Sunday report.
15th May: Many thanks to Christer Abrahamson of Svensk Dragracing for another report from the Norsk Dragracing Spring Nationals at Gardermoen:
The snow from last year felt far, far away during this beatiful raceday!
The two Pro Stockers kept on testing and Jari Konola made a couple of 313 Km/h runs. Niclas Andersson made some tuning on the new engine. Micke Callin made a 8.06 run with his sleek Competition Monte Carlo.
The Super Comp final was a thrill with local hero Morten Dahlen defeating young Yngve Sohlberg. Morten was right on 8.90x times during both qualifying and eliminations. Yngve, who's running in his first race in his home country (because racing in Super Comp at the age of 16 is not allowed here) had a couple of fantastic reaction times during the day. The reactiontimes in the final were 0.001 for Yngve and 0.008 for Morten! But his 8.97 was not enough to beat Mortens 8.92!
Olav Asle Øvstetun was the winner in Super Gas, defeating Petter Sukkestad in the final. John Amundsen won Super Street and Jan Petter Havnø was the happy Junior dragster winner!
Well-known Ole Christian Ødvin took the big trophy in Super Gas Bike and Jens Petter Pettersson took care of Street Bike.
Thanks very much for the report, Christer. More coverage of the Spring Nationals is available on the Norsk Dragracing web site at www.norskdragracing.com.
Racers test at NSA sprint.
15th May: The reports keep coming! The National Sprint Association held a sprint at Santa Pod Raceway yesterday. Amongst the entrants were Holland's Ton Pels (Supertwin Top Fuel bike) and the UK's Paul Willis (Pro Stock Bike). We are indebted to our friends at TSI Timers (Santa Pod's timing crew) for the following reports:
Morning: Ton Pels made one very easy checkout pass to record 7.915 at 175.30. Paul Willis ran 7.76 at 171.17. Several other classic-looking bikes were running very respectable ten- and eleven-second times.
Afternoon: Ton Pels put in two more runs, 7.75 early shut-off pass and finally a slowing nine-second run after losing a cylinder. Paul Willis made two more runs, 7.72 at 164 and a slowing eight-second run with problems. Two Funny Bike racers used the day to put in test launches and runs, and various 9.90 and 10.90 bikes also did some testing. A nice warm lazy day, hope its like this at the Main Event!
Thanks very much, guys.
Streetfighters report.
15th May: The News page of the APIRA web site has been updated as promised by APIRA press officer Jerry Cookson with a report of yesterday's events at the Streetfighters race at Shakespeare County Raceway.
To our friends in Holland.
14th May: We're sure that all of our readers will want to join us in extending our deepest sympathy to our friends in Holland after yesterday's disaster in Enschede. We're all thinking of you, guys.
Gardermoen report.
14th May: Thanks to Svensk Dragracing's Christer Abrahamsson for sending the following report from today's action at the Spring Nationals at Gardermoen.
Today was one of these tremendous days that you will remember for a while! 24 degrees centigrade, wonderful weather.
Super Gas started out with a couple of 9.90s in the first round of qualifying. Super Comp took a couple of rounds to get there but it ended with the top eight in both Super Gas and Super Comp in the .90s.
Five Super Twins are here and have been making test runs. Reigning champion Per Bengtsson had a completely new fuel system which he quckly sorted out. 'Gotten' Gottenberg arrived with a completely new bike, and a 7.90 on the first day put a smile on his face. "The crankshaft is all that remains from the old bike", he said. "This one runs much more steadily and there is still much to sort out. I'm taking it a small step at a time."
Lars Whalberg in Super Twin has a totally different engine combination. "I'm dissapointed that I did not run a new European record immediately!", said the softly-spoken Swede. "Seriously, I ran a new personal best over the eighth-mile and the new engine proved that it will work fine with a little tuning."
The Totalmek Pro Stock is here, running 7.1 in two test passes. Niclas Andersson told us that the new stick shifter really brings out the fun in driving these machines! They will put their new engine - which arrived in Scandinavia yesterday - in the car tomorrow. It should be really interesting to see them out there. Jari Konola is suffering from chassis problems - but his engine sounds incredibly sharp!
Thanks very much for writing, Christer. Further coverage of the Spring Nationals is available on the Norsk Dragracing web site at www.norskdragracing.com.
Streetfighters report.
14th May: The News page of the APIRA web site has been updated with a brief report on yesterday's events at the Streetfighters race at Shakespeare County Raceway. The event continues today, and a further report will be posted later on.
Super Series 1 TV coverage.
14th May: TV coverage of Super Series 1 at Shakespeare County Raceway will be broadcast as part of the World Motorsport programme on Sky (in the UK and Eire) at the following times:
- 21:00 Sunday 14th May, Sky Sports 3
- 20:30 Monday 15th May, Sky Sports 2
- 14:30 Tuesday 16th May, Sky Sports 2
ICE join the Allstars!
13th May: UK Pro Mod Champions ICE Racing have announced a sponsorship deal with
Allstar Performance Parts. Driver Nick Davies says:
"Team I.C.E Racing are pleased to welcome Allstar Performance as sponsor of their championship winning
Pro Modified Oldsmobile Cutlass for the FIA Main Event at Santa Pod. Allstar offer a vast range of products to the
performance industry, including chassis, drivetrain and safety components. A visit to their
website at www.allstar-performance.com gives some indication of
the range available but a catalogue and price list will be available from the I.C.E. trailer at the
track."Smax to race at Main Event.
13th May: Smax Smith has confirmed his attendance at the FIA Main Event at the end of this month. "I'll be at the Press Day, and now that I'm licenced I'll be racing at the Main Event! A big thanks to Mike Kason of JFDI for sponsoring us with 76 Fuels."
You can stay in touch with the latest from Smax on his web site at www.smax.co.uk.
What a "Van Driel" looks like.
13th May: Funny Bike racer Steve French, who coined the phrase "a Van Driel", meaning terrible engine damage, after Herman Van Driel's engine explosion at the Easter Thunderball (see our news item of 27th April), has sent us a couple of pictures illustrating just what doing a Van Driel comprises.
The first picture shows the wide-ranging effects of Herman's engine explosion (with all the damage helpfully pointed out), and the second picture is merely labelled "Yes, that is the clutch basket you can see!".
We've had no news from or of Herman yet, here's hoping we see him back in action at the Main Event.
Web site updates.
13th May: Eurodragster staffer Sharkman has updated his site Sharkman's Top End Tales with a report and pictures from Super Series 1, and yet more Windows wallpaper. Sharkman's Top End Tales is at www.btinternet.com/~sharkman.
AJ: We'll be there.
11th May: Top Fuel pilot Alan Jackson has confirmed that the Carbon By Design Top Fuel team will be running at the FIA Main Event st Santa Pod Raceway at the end of May. Alan has had a busy year already, overseeing Smax Smith's entry to Fuel Funny Car at the Thunderball - a debut which was widely viewed as an unqualified success (although not unqualified in the sense that Smax got his licence!). But now Alan has turned his attention to his own return to the wheel.
The CBD team's number one car was destroyed in a huge crash at Hockenheim last year, luckily not seriously injuring Danielle dePorter who was driving the car at that event. The crash curtailed Alan's headlong pursuit of Gordie Bonin in the FIA European Top Fuel Championship, and it is now nearly ten months since he made a pass in a Fuel car. Team owner Knut Soderquist has imported a Hadman chassis from the USA and the CBD team have been working hard to get it ready for the first round of the FIA Championship.
"We've got one or two little things left to do", said Alan, "but we're going to be ready and we'll be doing our best to win the event. I'm looking forward to taking control of the four butterflies again - it's been ages!"
Alan tells us that the Hadman chassis is very light. The team have had to make some adjustments to the back end of the chassis for the 12" rear end, and they have made some changes in the clutch.
US tuner Bill Schultz will again be flying in to assist the team at the Main Event, joining Knut, Alan, and John Wright. We think that the CBD team could well have taken the record for the most Crew Chiefs from John Force!
"I'll have to make shakedown passes to begin with because it's a new car", said Alan, "but then we'll be there to win."
Message from Svensk Dragracing.
11th May: Our good friend Erik Zettervall at Svensk Dragracing has asked us to pass on the following message:
"Our web site is unfortunately down due to some technical problems outside our control. We are pushing as hard as we can to have it up and running again as soon as possible."
Vår sajt är tyvärr nere på grund av tekniska problem utanför vår kontroll. Vi trycker på så mycket vi kan för att få igång den så snart som möjligt.
We're missing you, guys, hope it's sorted out soon.
Gardermoen Spring Race.
11th May: Christer Abrahamsson, also of Svensk Dragracing, has sent us the following news item. Obviously it should have gone onto the Svensk Dragracing web site rather than Eurodragster, and so out of respect to our friends we will present it in their customary format.
Gardermoen have their season starting race and test session
the forthcoming weekend. Of course there will be all the
Norwegian Super class racers, and also some FIA racers are
coming to test.
-We have a lot of new Norwegian Super class cars that will
be very interesting to watch, says Björn Svenning from NDRG.
This is the first race in Norwegian championships.
-Four Pro Stock cars will be testing, Niclas, Konola, Berg
and Hauge. A new Top Methanol Funny Car, Lars Engen will
also make a maiden run this exciting weekend.
Also some Competition racer will test-drive, Callin for
example.
- There is even six or seven Super Twin Bikes that will give
the spectators some excitement! smiles Björn.
Christer has also sent us a picture (by Norsk Dragracing Gardermoen) from the same race last year, which was snowed out.
"Scandinavians have for a long time made jokes about snow on
dragraces, but it really happened last spring at Gardermoen. This will NOT happen this year!"
he says.
You can keep up with the latest from Norsk Dragracing on their web site at www.norskdragracing.com.
Comp Eliminator index changes.
11th May: Thanks to European Drag Racing Database webmaster Tommy Nilsson for letting us know that NDRS Comp Eliminator indexes have been changed. "All current indexes have been raised by one tenth of a second, and the new Roots High Helix classes have been added", he says.
The new indexes are available on the European Drag Racing Database at www.eurodrag.com.
FHRA Test pictures and movies.
11th May: Mikko Niemi has posted on his web site some excellent pictures and movies of last weekend's FHRA Test Days at Alastaro. The text is all in Finnish, but even if you can't read Finnish the captions to the pictures and movies make it pretty clear what's what. You can find Mikko's site at www2.spt.fi/~straycat/fhra/fhratestdays.htm.
European bests.
11th May: Andy Marrs of TSI Timers Europe has been putting together a list of European bests, using the European Drag Racing Database, the King Racing web site, and his own timing records as references.
From his research, Andy has produced a table which is available by clicking here. If anyone has any corrections or amendments, Andy tells us that he would be pleased to hear from them at tsitimers@orange.net.
Main Event test: pre-entries only.
11th May: Further to yesterday's news item about the pre-Main Event test, Santa Pod's Kjell Petterson has asked us to stress that any racer wishing to run at the closed test session on Saturday 20th May test must book in advance as entries will not be accepted on the day. More details below.
Racers invited to test before Main Event.
10th May: Santa Pod Raceway's track manager Kjell Petterson has confirmed that a test session will be taking place on the Saturday before the Main Event (20th May). The session is open to both Pro and Sportsman racers, but will unfortunately be closed to spectators. Don't fret, though, since Kjell has very kindly invited Eurodragster along to attend to report upon proceedings that day, an invitation which we will of course be taking up.
Any racers who wish to attend the test session on Saturday 20th May can obtain details from Kjell Petterson on 08700 782828 (Pro classes) or Ian Marshall on 01933 313625 (Sportsman classes).
Points - we got 'em (again).
10th May: As promised on Monday, the current standings in the UK National Drag Racing Championships are now available on our Points Standings page; many thanks to Spencer Tramm, and to Simon Groves of APIRA, for their help.
We are also indebted to Sue Beneke for sending us the current standings in this year's National Association of Supertwins Championships. These are also now available on the Points Standings page.
Web site updates.
9th May: Our good friends at TSI Timers Europe, who are responsible for the timing at Santa Pod Raceway, have updated their web site with new contact details. The TSI site contains an in-depth explanation of drag race timing systems; if you've not checked it out then we can highly recommend it. TSI Timers' site is at users.breathemail.net/mechy.
Dutch racer Bobby Portier has posted on his web site some photographs from the recent sprint at Lelystad in Holland. "It's a timed one by one race over 1/8 mile, on a public road", says Bobby. "Years ago the area was at the bottom of the sea!". Check out the Pictures link on Bobby's web site at www.bobbyportierracing.mypage.org.
The Swedish Pro Street News magazine is currently running a competition to win an Autoshops T-shirt. The closing date is 20th May. Go to www.swedishprostreetnews.com, select your language, and you will find the contest at the top of your language's Home Page. Good luck!
Direct from the Nemesis pit...
9th May: The official web site of the Nemesis Top Methanol Dragster team has been updated with a long and highly entertaining account of the team's first two races this season, in which their fortunes were remarkably mixed. You can find the account on the News page. In addition the Photo Gallery now features some pictures of the Nemesis TMD in its new livery. Check it out at www.eurodragster.com/nemesisracing.
...and from Lex Joon Racing.
9th May: Dutch TMFC racer Lex Joon has also been busy, adding his thoughts on the forthcoming Main Event to the News page of his web site at www.eurodragster.com/lexjoonracing.
On the subject of the Main Event, we understand that entries in both Top Methanol classes are currently at or approaching double figures, with a similar situation in Pro Stock, and that the Top Fuel entry stands at four. The entry list should be available on Santa Pod's web site within the next week or so.
Super Series 1 timing data.
9th May: Requested by many, sent by Ozzy, extracted by Tog (who now has severe eyestrain, offers of private nursing to the usual address). An extract of the timing data from Super Series 1 is now available from the Results page of the Super Series web site. The data can be read in situ or downloaded in spreadsheet and text formats.
The Super Series site will soon be undergoing a facelift to feature this year's snazzy designs and colourschemes.
Web site updates.
9th May: It's not often that a webmaster sends us a ready-written news item, but Andy Remnant of the Custom : Cars : Custom : Bikes web site has done just that (he must have known about the eyestrain). Over to you, Andy:
"The 'Custom : Cars : Custom : Bikes' website has just been updated with more pictures, and improved navigation. Of particular interest to nostalgia drag racing fans are some extracts from the June 1966 issue of Drag Racing & Hot Rod magazine - just click on 'Other Stuff' on the main menu to go to the feature on the then-planned visit to England by the U.S. Masters Commando drag team. The site is updated monthly, so for great pictures of custom and race cars and bikes, check it out regularly. The web address is www.andyrem.freeserve.co.uk but can also be found by the easier-to-remember www.andyrem.com."
Thanks Andy, we'll take it from there. What need we add, other than that this is one of the most professional-looking sites you'll see, and that it is well worth a visit.
Andreasson turns left...
8th May: We have here the evidence that Swedish TMFC racer Leif Andreasson has been persuaded to take a turn at circuit racing - albeit temporarily (phew). Crew member Magnus Andersson takes up the story:
"Monday 10 April. The day after NHRA eliminations. A quiet calm day, when nothing exciting is happening. Wrong! At least if your name is Leif Andreasson, and you have been told by the TV crew following you that it's time to teach the dragracer how to turn. But let's go easy with him, turning both right and left might be too much! So the oval racetrack, handily located nearby the dragstrip, which has only left turns would be an excellent choice.
"Even more exciting is the Richard Petty NASCAR school located on that track. Now we all got the point. Leif going through the steep banked turns at high speed in a NASCAR racer!
"An instructor in another car drove in front of him to show the proper line around the speedway. Knowing a Funny Car racer was following him, he used the full seven hundred horsepower to pull away at pretty high speed, to see if that drag racing Swede would follow the pace or lift off. I think you know what happened: a Funny Car racer doesn't lift unless he hits tyre shake! Leif went right up close to the rear of the pace car and stayed there, running at an average speed of 140 mph (225 km/h) around the track.
"The Film crew from Viasat Sport have got it all covered, and some photographs will be available soon."
...and it's a slick move.
8th May: Staying with Leif Andreasson, it has been announced that Andreasson Motorsports will be using Hoosier slicks this season.
"Several new ET and speed records and personal bests have been set in the Federal Mogul Dragster/Funny Car classes in the USA by cars running on Hoosier slicks" says Magnus Andersson. "This includes Leif himself who ran a personal best of 5.728/250.18 in the USA earlier this year. Andreasson Motorsports expects to gain in performance and consistency using the Hoosier tyres. Something which will be much needed in the stiffening European competition."
You can keep in touch with the latest from Andreasson Motorsports on their web site at www.andreassonmotorsports.com.
Points - we got 'em.
8th May: With the UK drag racing season having started, points standings are beginning to emerge. The UK National Championship standings should be available on Eurodragster later this week, together with National Association of Supertwins points, but the SPRC and ACU Championship standings are now available from various sources.
The SPRC Championship standings are available on our Points Standings page; thanks to Spencer Tramm and SPRC for these. The ACU Championship points are now available on the King Racing web site.
Web site updates.
8th May: The European Drag Racing Database has been updated with qualifying and elmination results from last weekend's Super Series 1 at Shakespeare County Raceway. You can find the Database at www.eurodrag.com.
BJ has updated his fan site with a report and some excellent pictures from Super Series 1. BJ's site is at www.jsjhisted.freeserve.co.uk.
Showtime sponsor Snaps to it.
7th May: UK Fuel Funny Car team Showtime Racing have announced a sponsorship deal with Snap On Tools. "Bob, John and the team would like to take the opportunity to welcome Snap On Tools through the pages of Eurodragster and we hope that this is the beginning of a long and successful partnership" says team member and SRUK webmaster Chris. More details on the Showtime web site at www.showtimeracing.co.uk.
We understand that today is SRUK Crew Chief Bob Jarrett's birthday. If that's the case, Bob, Happy Birthday!
Streetfighters and Outlaws.
7th May: APIRA Press Officer Jerry Cookson writes with some very welcome news about the return of the Supercharged Outlaws to Shakespeare County Raceway.
"The Supercharged Outlaws will be on hand next weekend at the Streetfighters biking bash. The fuel/methanol altereds of Mickey Moore and Jim Seward will be on hand testing, also attending will be Roy Wilding's tasty fuel slingshot dragster, the Wild Bunch cars of Martin Holgate and Steve Goode - both five window coupes - and Team Rainbow's alky dragster.
"These guys, and at least six others, will be on hand for the opening round of the Supercharged Outlaw series at the Mopar Nationals at Shakespeare County Raceway next month. Now you can't miss that, can you!".
You can stay in touch with the latest from Shakespeare County Raceway on the APIRA web site.
Web site updates.
7th May: A new issue of the Swedish Pro Street News Magazine is now on the stands...well, on the Net. Webmaster Hasse tells us that the new issue includes articles translated into English, and that he has added some more Windows wallpaper. And as if that wasn't enough, the SPN magazine has now attracted sponsorship! Nice work, Hasse.
Gary Cottingham has updated his fan site with a report and pictures from the Easter Thunderball at Santa Pod Raceway, and has added a fans' discussion forum. Check it out at www.dragracing.atfreeweb.com.
The UK1320 web site has been updated with a report and pictures from last weekend's Super Series 1 at Shakespeare County Raceway. UK1320 is of course at www.uk1320.com.
Eurodragster staffers Tog and Sharkman have updated their personal web sites. Tog has updated his site Tog's Drag Racing Page with 151 pictures from the Easter Thunderball and just over one hundred pictures from Super Series 1. The pictures are currently available from a clickable directory listing, Tog promises a proper index page shortly (Eurodragster naturally taking precedence!). Tog's Drag Racing Page can be found at www.togsdragracing.com.
Sharkman has updated his site Sharkman's Top End Tales with a report and a large number of pictures from the Easter Thunderball, plus some new Windows wallpaper. Sharkman's Top End Tales is at www.btinternet.com/~sharkman.
Finally, Dave Nelson has moved his fan site Drag Torque to its own URL at www.dragtorque.co.uk, and has updated his site with close to three hundred pictures.
Kågered to test before Main Event.
5th May: Reigning FIA European Top Methanol Funny Car Champion, Sweden's Micke Kågered, will be testing at Santa Pod Raceway on the weekend before the FIA Main Event (which is on 27-29 May).
It has become traditional for a closed test session to be held on the Saturday before the Main Event, and the Sunday is of course a Run What You Brung. "We hope to be in good shape (Micke and the car!) for the Main Event" says Kågered Racing's Åsa Kinnemar. "We will also participate during the Press Day on Thursday May 25th".
Micke will be testing his ex-Bob Newbery FC, which he has already driven at races in the USA this year. The Funny Car, transporter and other equipment have been repainted in a new scheme, still featuring the colours of primary sponsor Quaker State, which you can see on Micke's web site at www.kagered-racing.com.
Micke is under no illusion about the strength of the TMFC field and is counting on his many fans to give him a boost. "We hope to see as many of our race fans as possible at the Main Event to help us get a good start of the season" says Åsa, "the competition this year is bound to be harder than ever!"
FHRA Spring Nationals cancelled.
5th May: This year's FHRA Spring Nationals, which usually take place at Malmi, Helsinki (Finland), have been cancelled. FHRA's Tapio Valja explains:
"We had a disagreement with the airport administration about the race and now they have denied us entry to the airfield. The manager changed at the beginning of this month, and the new manager doesn't recognise the deals which the old manager has done. Now we have to renegotiate the deal, but we don't have the time to reach an agreement in time to run the Malmi race. We are very sorry about this, but it was unforeseeable.
"Unfortunately we couldn't find an alternative location for the race and so it has been cancelled. We are working very hard to find another time and place for the race, and we will inform you as soon as we can if we can reschedule the event."
Web site updates.
5th May: Our raceday update sponsors High Performance Heaven have moved their web site to its own URL at www.hpheaven.com. High Performance Heaven is a one-stop source for links to performance product manufacturers and services for cars, bikes and other motorsport. It features a search engine and URLs can be submitted for inclusion in the database.
Europe's fastest schoolgirl, Sweden's Susanne Callin, has moved her web site to www.sc1165.com (so what happens to the address when you win the NDRS Championship, Susanne?). Susanne's site features a biography, pictures, links, news, technical information and more.
The first set of points for the Fantasy Drag Racing contest have been posted on the official Contest web site at www.fantasy-sports-web.com. Contest organiser Ian Highfield tells us that it is still not too late to enter teams for this year's championship.
Mäkelä aims for Main Event.
4th May: Finland's Anita Mäkelä is planning a return to Top Fuel Dragster at the FIA Main Event at Santa Pod Raceway at the end of May. Anita was last seen in Top Fuel in 1998, driving Peter Lantz's car, and then took a year out. This time around, Anita will be driving the Top Fueller owned by herself and husband Tommi Haapenen.
"Our Top Fuel chassis was updated by Peter Lantz during the winter, which has enabled us to use a new clutch system", says Anita. "The fuel system will also be rebuilt, and we will be using a new Lantz scoop and injector set-up. This is down to the good relations between Peter and ourselves which came from my driving his Top Fueller."
Anita gave birth to son Heikki, their second child (brother to Hanna), in August of last year. "Tommi was loyal to me" says Anita, "he said if Anita can't race then I can't race! He only ran once last year, driving the ex-Jens Nybo car at Mantorp Park".
Anita has a message for any competitor hoping that motherhood has mellowed her. "Being a mother doesn't really change you", she says, "I've still got a strong desire to race!"
Anita and Tommi hope to have finished the work on the car in time to run at the Main Event, which they have already entered. We eagerly await Anita's return!
Smax on Fuel FC debut.
4th May: UK Fuel Funny Car racer Smax Smith has updated the News page of his web site with his personal account of his entry into Fuel Funny Car at last week's Easter Thunderball. Smax's write-up is highly entertaining and is, naturally, written in his own unique style. Check out Smax's web site at www.smax.co.uk.
Web site updates.
4th May: We've had a slew of web site updates in the last few days. First off is the Swedish Pro Street News magazine, which has upped sticks and moved to its own URL at www.swedishprostreetnews.com.
Santa Pod Raceway's web site has been updated with a preview of the next race, the FIA Main Event, including a link to SPR's flyer for the race. The site now also contains a list of ticket prices for the rest of the season. SPR's web site is at www.santapod.com.
The official web site of the Swedish Top Fuel Tour is now available in English as well as Swedish. The TFT site is very well-designed, colourful and informative and is well worth a visit at www.topfueltour.com.
UK Top Fuel Bike racer Brian Johnson, one of the quickest TFB racers on the planet, has launched a web site at www.brianjohnson.co.uk. Brian's nicely-designed web site features news (check out the wheelie photograph on the News page!), biography, bike specs, gallery, sponsor page, links and more.
The "other" BJ has updated his fan site with a report and a large number of great spectator-side pictures from the Easter Thunderball. BJ's site is well worth a visit, check it out at www.jsjhisted.freeserve.co.uk.
The Drag Racing Central discussion forum, which is run by Fantasy Drag Racing's Ian Highfield, has discussions taking place on various subjects including last weekend's Super Series event at Shakespeare County Raceway (gotta change that name, Ian!). The debates are going on at http://www.fantasy-sports-web.com/drag_racing_central/drag_racing_central.htm.
Joon's spoilt weekend.
3rd May: Holland's Lex Joon is back in Holland after the Easter Thunderball at Santa Pod Raceway and writes with disturbing news of an incident at the end of the race.
"Besides some starting gremlins and typical Easter weather, we can say that we had a really good race on Monday", says Lex. "Even though a burst panel blew out before the eighth-mile we still recorded 3.91 seconds to the eighth on a track that was not that what you want for the type of car we are racing.
"We thought that it looked promising for the future until later in the evening when one of our rear wheels, complete with slick, was stolen from our pit whilst we were loading the trailer. Not only are we very disappointed by the theft, but we have also suffered a major setback in our race set-up. The stolen tyre cannot be replaced because these tyres are not made any more! Not to mention the money we have lost.
"If this is the new future for drag racers (thinking about the ignition that was stolen from Simo last September), then I think the only way to protect ourselves is to draw a line between our fans and our crew - but that is something that the sport doesn't want to do; we always like to entertain the visitors not only on the track but also in the pits.
"I hope somebody will write to let us know that it is just a bad joke, but to be honest I'm not counting on it."
We at Eurodragster were utterly appalled to hear of Lex's loss - we hold out hope that there is a racer out there somewhere mystified about where they got the spare wheel from. But we had hoped that the theft of Simo and Jarmo's equipment last year was a one-off, albeit one too many. If you know that someone stole Lex's stuff then please do the decent thing and shop them immediately.
Deuchar sits out SS1.
3rd May: Top Methanol Dragster racer Lindsay Deuchar elected to sit out the second round of the MSA Top Methanol Championship at Super Series 1 last weekend, on what he described as a "technical knock-out".
Lindsay damaged his engine at the Easter Thunderball and faced a thrash to get ready for last weekend's race. "At the eleventh hour I decided to forgo the Shakespeare County Raceway round of the championship (which was a real choker) to concentrate on the FIA round at the Pod (the Main Event at the end of May - Ed). I would like to thank Martyn Hannis, Dave Wilson and Smax Smith for all respective offers but time caught up with us."
Lindsay is still on the look-out for a set of early Brad/Dart (ten bolt manifold) heads; if anyone is able to help then please contact him on laracing@laracer.co.uk.
Help needed.
3rd May: We've also received calls for help from a couple more racers, we are sure that Eurodragster's readers will be able to assist.
Clive Watkins is looking for help with refilling a Nitrous bottle, preferably in the Harlow (Essex, UK) area. If you can help then e-mail Clive on clive@teamwatkinsracing.freeserve.co.uk.
Former Outlaw Anglia and Top Fuel Dragster racer Andy Carter is looking for pictures of his Pop and Top Fuel Dragster in action. If you can help then contact Andy on his mobile on 07977 536024.
Eurodragster's Swap Meet section has a Help Wanted category in addition to Cars, Bikes and Parts etc. for sale and wanted. Check it out and see if you can make someone's day.
Beck's USA results.
3rd May: The UK's Dave Beck was back in the USA last weekend racing on Jay Regan's Pro Mod Bike at the AMA/Prostar event in Columbus, Ohio. On day one of the event, eliminations of the previously rained-out race in Atlanta were run. Dave made it to the semi-finals before going out.
In the Columbus race proper, Dave qualified fourteenth with a run of 7.335/185.21 and was eliminated in round two. You can get full details from dragbike.com.
Chambley results.
3rd May: Our good friend Tommy Nilsson of the European Drag Racing Database writes with news of his latest site update.
"It is with great pleasure we can announce that France finally has taken its rightful place in the European Drag Racing Database. Thanks to Michel Cailloux, webmaster of Le Dragster en France, the database now has the result of last weekends Drag Power Show at Chambley."
You can find the European Drag Racing Database at www.eurodrag.com.
Deep Forest Nationals moved.
3rd May: The Deep Forest Nationals NDRS round in June has been moved to the new Kubbe Raceway. You can get full details from the Svensk Dragracing web site.
Super Series 1 reports and pictures.
2nd May: The first Super Series event of this year at Shakespeare County Raceway was action-packed and drama-filled. Perm any one from a plane landing on the track as two Fuel FCs were in stage with both fuel pumps on, a fairy-tale ending in Top Methanol, Gordon Smith blowing away his personal best and going straight into the 5.7s, heartbreak for John Floyd as he set a world best for a two-stroke but wasn't able to back it up, timing gear flying in the Super Street Bike final, and much more.
A direct link to our raceday reports and pictures is available from our recently-added Race coverage page, which is in the menu on the left hand side of all Eurodragster pages.
Thunderball Timing Data.
1st May: After an absence due to ill health, TonyB is back with the timing data from last weekend's Thunderball at Santa Pod Raceway. He apologises (but not enough in our opinion) for leaving the annoying Christmas music on his home page for so long.
Earlier news
Eurodragster.com aims to bring you links to all the best European Drag Racing web sites. To add your site to Eurodragster's listings, simply email links@eurodragster.com with your URL and a little information about your site and we'll do the rest. When you update your site, drop us a line at news@eurodragster.com and we'll feature your site in our "What's New" section.
Eurodragster.com is a non-profit-making organisation run by a small group of Drag Racing enthusiasts for the sole purpose of promoting European Drag Racing. If you can help us to meet the modest cost of hosting this web site by advertising here, please email webmaster@eurodragster.com. We're sure you'll find our rates extremely competitive.