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Super Series 4 statement released.
31st August: We mentioned yesterday that Terry Gibbs of Obsession Motorsports was preparing a statement giving his views on events at Super Series 4 at the weekend, and on the future of the Super Series. Terry's statement is now available on the News page of the Super Series web site at www.eurodragster.com/superseries.

PBR Top Fuel Bike team disbands.
31st August: Top Fuel Bike team owner Phil Baimbridge has decided to disband his Top Fuel Bike operation. Phil writes:

"I have given the matter of my future involvement in Drag Racing a lot of thought over the past few months. Taking account of recent events, combined with growing personal and work commitments I have decided to disband the PBR Fuel Bike team.

"It would take too long to list all the people who merit mention for the help they have provided over the last fifteen years, but here are some of the notables: Nigel Batsford; Dave Burlow (Dave Burlow Engineering); Pete Goodgame; Chris Hampson; Wilf "the tow" Hathaway; Ade "the push" Hemmings; Roy Kennard; Alan Roberts (Fearnley Engineering); The Trett Family; Steve Woollatt

"And, of course, Teresa, family and friends who have always supported me.

"I sincerely hope the sport of Drag Racing and particularly my own passion, Fuel Bikes, prosper in the future."

Everyone at Eurodragster wishes Phil, Teresa and the rest of the PBR team the very best for the future.

Top Fuel, Pro Mod at Sunday's RWYB.
31st August: Swedish Top Fuel Dragster candidate Tommy Moller will be at this Sunday's Run What You Brung at Santa Pod Raceway, putting in his final licencing passes in the ex-Peter Lantz Top Fueller, which he recently purchased together with Kenneth Lorenzon. Tommy has entered next week's FIA European Finals but has so far only completed in the first of three mandatory licencing passes, so Top Fuel fans should see a half-pass and a full pass on Sunday if Tommy completes his licence.

We also understand that Gordon Appleton is planning to test his Pro Mod on Sunday.

Entry to the RWYB on Sunday is £8; a further £10 and the production of a valid DVLC driving licence (Competition licences are not valid for RWYBs) will get you as many passes down the track as you can fit in. Gates are open at 9:00 am and the strip is usually open by 10:00 am. For more details see the Run What You Brung page on Santa Pod Raceway's web site at www.santapod.com.

Eurodragster.com will be reporting live from the RWYB on Sunday.

Latest Finals entry list.
31st August: We've just posted the very latest version of the entry list for the FIA European Finals. As mentioned yesterday the Top Fuel Dragster entry is now up to seven, and the FIM class entries have gone up with Supertwin Top Fuel notable. You can find the Finals entry list on the Next Event page of Santa Pod's web site at www.santapod.com.

Fuel sale.
31st August: Fuel distributors JFDI are having an end-season sale. Mike Kason writes:

"As advertised in the Eurodragster Swap Meet, we are pleased to announce an end of season clearout sale on 110 octane leaded 76 racing fuel at a price of £6.70 per gallon. There is a limited supply and it is available for collection from North London. This is barrelled first-quality racing fuel and represents a saving to racers of almost fifty per cent. So purchase your fuel early for the finals at SPR. Contact Mike Kason on 0589 733833."

Web site updates.
31st August: Swedish Top Fuel Tour Champion Peter Lantz's web site has been updated with news and final Top Fuel Tour points standings. Check it out at www.plr.nu.

The latest Custom Car Street Eliminator Points Standings are now available on the FB Racing website at www.fbracing.co.uk. Ian Hook's race report will follow shortly, along with all the latest news from the world of 'Street Legal Pro-Mods'.

UK Super Comp team Phil Bennett Racing have updated their web site at www.supercomp323.8k.com with a report from Super Series 4 and new photographs.

Malmgren Contest winner.
30th August: Congratulations to Björn Jansson of Stockholm who won our contest to become a member of Michael Malmgren's Pro Stock crew for a day at the FIA European Finals next week. Thanks to everyone who entered.

The answers to the questions were as follow:

1. Who is the main sponsor of Malmgren Racing? AC Delco

2. Michael Malmgren's last Pro Stocker was an Oldsmobile Cutlass. What is this year's model? Chevrolet Camaro

3. What nationality is the racer who has run the highest terminal speed with a Eurodragster.com sticker on their vehicle? Swedish (Peter Lantz - Ed)

Our thanks again to Malmgren Racing for the privilege of running this contest.

No Super Series in 2001?
30th August: Just before we went to publish today, we received a statement from Super Series organisers Obsession Motorsports:

"Due to the backlash from racers against Obsession Motorsports and all members of the Gibbs family after the events at Super Series 4, the 2001 Super Series is in jeopardy. Terry Gibbs will be relasing a statement within the next forty eight hours."

We will bring you Terry's statement as soon as we receive it.

 Carter books Finals place.
29th August: Returning UK Top Fuel Dragster pilot Andy Carter has confirmed that he is to race at the FIA European Finals at Santa Pod Raceway next week. Interoute Telecom Services, who sponsored Andy's return to Top Fuel at Super Series 4 this weekend, have come in with another sponsorship deal to allow Andy to run at Santa Pod. "The guys from Interoute were at Shakespeare County Raceway at the weekend and loved it", said Andy, who impressed them with bests of 5.225 and 274.39 mph in a performance which had many onlookers expressing disbelief that he'd ever been away.

Andy has now entered the European Finals, taking the Top Fuel entry to seven. "I've agreed it all with Rune Fjeld", said Andy. "There's a possible hiccup with the arrival of parts after a couple of engines were trashed this weekend, but the parts have already been ordered and I don't think it will be a problem.".

Andy is determined not to make up the numbers at Santa Pod. "I'm going to try to win", he said. "At every race I've ever entered, I've gone to win or I wouldn't have been there".

Turners win MSA Championship.
29th August: Congratulations to Rob Turner, Crew Chief Steve Turner and the Turner Racing team on their victory in the 2000 MSA Top Methanol Championship. The final round of the Championship, at Super Series 4, was drama-filled as Dave Wilson and Team Nemesis came to Shakespeare County Raceway with the Championship lead and qualified first, only to go out in round one as the clutch blew on the Nemesis TMD and didn't get to the finish line. The Championship then depended upon the outcome of Rob's next two races, which he won.

You can stay in touch with developments in the Turner Racing camp on their web site at www.turnerracing.com.

Lantz wins Tour after Öberg victory.
29th August: More congratulations, this time to retiring Top Fuel racer Peter Lantz who won his second consecutive Swedish Top Fuel Tour Championship after his runner-up place in this weekend's race at Malmö. Congratulations also to also-retiring racer Monica Öberg who won this weekend's event. Peter Lantz's webmaster Lars-Åke Henriksson takes up the story:

"In the first round Peter didn't give Alan Jackson a chance by stopping the clock at 3.45/373 km/h. In the second pair, Monica took an easy victory when Pelle smoked the tires off the line. The third place race between Pelle and Alan was an easy win for Alan when Pelle left the start line in a cloud of smoke for the second time that afternoon.

"The final was a thriller and the crowd loved it. After two long burnouts they finally backed up and staged. Monica was out of the hole first and Peter really tried to get round but had to see Monica cross the line first. It was a really close race. Monica recorded 3.69/320 km/h to Peter's quicker 3.68/368 km/h.

"So was Peter a true gentleman and let Monica take the win in her last race? No, I don't think so!"

You can find the official Top Fuel Tour web site at www.topfueltour.com, Peter Lantz's web site at www.plr.nu and Monica Öberg's web site at mracing.just.nu.

Tributes to Dave Grady.
29th August: We have received more tributes to Super Gas leading light Dave Grady, who died last week.

Fuel tuner Jon Wright and his wife Lesley write: "Dave Grady was a really special person and we would not have had the Super Gas class introduced in England if it wasn't for him. Along with Graham Beckwith, Mark Flavell, Mick Bettison and others, he formed the G Force - Super Gas Drag Racers Association - around 1980 and started running the class at York Dragway. Amongst much turmoil between the clubs they stage-managed a Championship which ran across all three tracks with everything equal, fair and square for all the racers that took part. This really was the forerunner to the whole National Championship system in UK Drag Racing. He was so involved back then and brought much sponsorship, publicity and exposure to the sport, not only for York but for all tracks. He also gave us racers a lot of laughs along the way and really made competitive racing fun. We've already missed him from the sport now we shall miss him from our lives."

Fuel and Top Methanol racer Smax Smith writes: "What a shock! The Anthill Mob drag racing team and I have known Dave for over twenty five years. Back in the good old days of York Dragway when he had the coolest High Spirits with the plate BAD4U and we raced a collection of dustbins, before hitting his favourite haunt - the Damn Yankee. What a weird year, losing Chris Hampson and Maz Harris, but all left this dirtball doing the things they loved."

Semcon Drag Finals preview.
29th August: Our good friends at Svensk Dragracing have updated their web site with a preview of this weekend's Semcon Drag Finals at Mantorp Park, which is the final round of the Nordic Drag Racing Series. Not only that, but there are Pro Mod and Pro Stock shoot-outs, a decider between the NDRS Pro Mod and NPSC Super Pro Mod Champions, and much more (if anyone would like to sponsor the Eurodragster staff on a freebie to Mantorp then you know our e-mail address - Ed).

The Nordic Drag Racing Series is again very close in a lot of classes, particularly Super Comp, Super Gas, Super Street and Junior Dragster. "I don't know if I will be able to commentate the race without losing my voice this weekend!", says Christer Abrahamson of Svensk Dragracing. "I am going to be so excited!"

The Semcon Drag Finals preview is now showing on the Svensk Dragracing web site at www.dragracing.se.

FHRA moves house.
29th August: The Finnish Hot Rod Association has moved HQs and so their address and phone numbers have changed. The FHRA is now located at:

FHRA
Sahaajankatu 27
FIN-00810 Helsinki
FINLAND

Telephone +358-9-2515 250
Fax +358-9-2515 2515

The old telephone numbers now reply with a message giving the new numbers.

Last chance to join the crew!
22nd August: Entry closes at midnight (European time) tonight in our contest to become a crew member of the Malmgren Racing Pro Stock team for a day at the FIA European Finals. All you have to do is to answer three easy questions. Click here for details and to enter, or click on the Malmgren Racing Contest link on the left hand side of any Eurodragster page.

Web site updates.
29th August: Dutch Top Methanol Funny Car racer Lex Joon has updated the News page of his web site with a report from the Nitro Olympics at Hockenheim, where his participation in the Top Methanol Cannonball was eventful to say the least. You can find Lex Joon's web site at www.eurodragster.com/lexjoonracing.

The DTE Racing web site at www.dteracing.com has been updated with a report and pictures from this weekend's Nordic Pro Street Cup event at Thulin Raceway.

The Top Fuel UK web site is to be closed down. The TFUK team tell us that they are to go their separate ways since they do not have the time to maintain the site. The pictures and videos used on TFUK are, of course, available on the web sites from which they were sourced.

Super Series 4 coverage.
28th August: The weather and several oildowns variously affected Super Series 4 and the race was not finished. But it had some great moments including the triumphant return of Andy Carter in Top Fuel Dragster, stunning times and speeds in Custom Car Street Eliminator, close qualifying in Funny Bike and Pro Stock Bike, and drama in the final round of the MSA British Top Methanol Championship.

Click here to view our on-the-spot race reports and pictures, or click on the Race coverage link on the left hand side of any Eurodragster page.

Funeral arrangements for Dave Grady.
26th August: Thanks to Jeanette Smith for sending us details of Dave Grady's funeral:

Join Dave on his 'Last Ride Out' on Friday 1st September 2000. From his home by the Owston Park Lodge Public House off the A19, South towards Doncaster, Junction 34 off the M62.

Departing 12.30, to arrive at St Benedict's, Garforth for 1.00pm. All 'Show & Go' vehicles welcome. Lifts can be arranged, please phone 01422 843651, and also phone this number for any further details or help with arrangements.

Top Fuel Tour latest.
26th August: Thanks to Stefan Boman for keeping us up to date with the latest on the Top Fuel Tour's final round at Landskrona.

"Everyone went up in smoke directly from the line, and the eighth-mile ETs would hardly get you in the field in Pro Stock over the quarter mile", says Stefan. "The qualifying order was: 1. Monica Öberg, 2. Alan Jackson, 3. Peter Lantz, 4. Pelle Lindelöw".

We hope to bring you news of tomorrow's eliminations, stay tuned.

Dave Grady.
25th August: Super Comp racer Zane Llewellyn and his family write with the following tribute to Dave Grady.

"We were shocked and dismayed on hearing of the death of Dave Grady.

"Dave was so enthusiastic about everything that he was involved in. That enthusiasm was infectious to everyone that he came into contact with. We do indeed see him as the father of British Supergas racing. He was solely responsible for our involvement in the Super Classes.

"We are very sad to have lost him so suddenly. Our thoughts are with his family and friends."

FIA Finals entry past 250.
25th August: The entry list for the FIA European Finals at Santa Pod Raceway in September has broken the 250 mark. The count in Top Fuel has gone up to six with the entry of Tommy Moller, whom we understand will be licencing at the Run What You Brung on Sunday 3rd September. Other notable entries are twelve in Pro Mod including Tami Brander's wild blown-alcohol Mondeo station wagon, and twenty six in Super Street Bike, the Finals being the last round of the informal European Super Street Bike Series. The entry in FIM Competition Bike and FIM Supertwin Top Fuel is now building up as racers return from the long swing from Mantorp to Gardermoen then Hockenheim.

You can view the FIA Finals entry list, and get ticket details and other information, on the Santa Pod Raceway web site at www.santapod.com. The entry list is available on the Next Event page.

Web site updates.
25th August: The web site of Custom Car Street Eliminator and Pro-ET racer Ian Hook has been updated. Latest positions for the various special awards are now up to date. These include "Fastest Street Car" (V8s r Us) and "Most Improved" (Robinson Race Cars). There are also details of some of the many new cars appearing/being built for the rapidly expanding Street Eliminator Series. Check it out on www.fbracing.co.uk. Finally FB Racing would like to offer their thanks to the Mid-West American Car Club for their hospitality during last weekends American Car Show at Cheltenham Racecourse. A good time was had by all!

The Fantasy Drag Racing Championship at www.fantasy-sports-web.com has been updated following the Nitro Olympics at Hockenheim. With Roger Petterson and Rob Van Geffen both in dominant form, those who selected them did particularly well. Spencer Tramm has an eleven-point lead from Sharkman and Andy Marrs. There are still a number of races left in this season's competition, and another is planned for the Australian season which starts in November.

Dave Grady.
24th August: We are very sorry to have to announce the passing of Dave Grady, who died after a motorcycle accident last night.

"Dave was the father of UK Super Gas, and a motivator second to none" said Santa Pod Raceway track announcer Graham Beckwith and his wife Carolyne, who broke the news to us. "His loss will affect a large part of the Drag Racing family. He will be sadly missed."

To Dave's partner Kerry, and to his family and friends, we send our love and deepest sympathies.

Carter plans hassle-free return.
24th August: UK Top Fuel pilot Andy Carter is looking forward to a laid-back return to drag racing at Super Series 4 this weekend. Andy last raced in the UK in 1997, when he was team owner and manager as well as driver. This weekend he will be racing Rune Fjeld's spare car, which Barry Sheavills drove to the 1998 FIA European Top Fuel Championship and Gordie Bonin the 1999 Championship, in a match race against Barry.

"This weekend I can go to the track, get in the car, do the job, then go home again", says Andy. "I would not want to run my own team again, because it took the fun out of it for me. I'll see how I enjoy it and then make my plans for next year.".

Andy has won a sponsorship from Interoute Telecom Services for this weekend's race. "I have also had a lot of help from Terry Gibbs (Super Series organiser - Ed), for which I am very grateful", he says.

Andy has to make a familiarisation pass in the car on Saturday, and then goes into the match race against Barry Sheavills on Sunday and Monday. "I want to win, or I wouldn't get in the car!", says Andy. "But I am also looking forward to seeing everyone again."

Ticket prices and other information about Super Series 4, including the official entry list, are available on the Super Series web site at www.eurodragster.com/superseries.

Top Fuel Tour farewell for Monica and Peter.
24th August: The 2000 Swedish Top Fuel Tour ends at the Big Drag Nats at Landskrona this weekend, and with it the distinguished twenty-year racing careers of two of Europe's most popular Top Fuel Dragster drivers: Monica Öberg and Peter Lantz, both of whom are retiring from racing after Sunday's eliminations.

Reigning Top Fuel Tour Champion Peter Lantz has an all-but unassailable lead in the 2000 Championship: in fact, he has yet to lose a round of racing since the Top Fuel Tour started in 1999. Monica Öberg will want to go out on a winning note and also gain revenge over Peter after he won the last TFT round, at Tullinge, by overtaking her right on the finish line.

The second, third and fourth TFT places are by no means set, with the UK's Alan Jackson only thirty points in front of Monica in second place, and Pelle Lindelow looking to tune his fast-improving combination still further.

Obviously both racers can't win this weekend, but everyone at Eurodragster would like to say good luck to both Monica and Peter, and many thanks for all of the pleasure and excitement we've had from watching them race over the years.

You can find more details on the Top Fuel Tour on the official web site at www.topfueltour.com, and more details on the Big Drag Nats on the SHRA Malmö web site at www.shra-malmoe.com.

European SSB Series results.
23rd August: The official web site of the European Super Street Bike series has been updated with qualifying and elimination details, timing data, and pictures from last weekend's round at Hockenheim, and the post-race points standings. Series originator Peter Calwer had particular pleasure in posting the results of this round since his Rudi Thurmayr, riding Peter's bike, won the race. "The weekend was incredible for us", says Peter. "We never expected that result, and we know that a little bit of luck was on our site, but that's racing..."

You can find the European Super Street Bike Series web site at www.dragsterracing.de/eurossb; click on the Stage 5 button to see the weekend's results.

Ozzy's FAST weekend.
23rd August: Our good friend Ozzy Ewing, who is a member of the APIRA Tech Crew at Shakespeare County Raceway, spent last weekend at Hockenheim as an honorary member of the FAST Team, SCR's safety crew who always officiate at the Nitro Olympics. Ozzy's experiences have obviously had a deep effect upon him, as he writes:

"FAST will be ready and prepared for the NITRO cars at Super Series 4, and anybody who says otherwise should have been at Hockenheim.

"As an honourary FAST member the annual trip to Hockenheim for the 2000 Nitro Olympics was going to be more than a memorable occasion. My normal job of tech crew was replaced by track spotter between start line and the 1/8th so issued with my radio and instructions I set off to take up my position.

"I know Drag Racing is exciting but when you get to stand a couple of feet away from a Top Fuel Dragster and Funny Cars there's no other experience in the world like it. You don't hear these cars, you just feel them shaking you to bits as they thunder past, and then you have to remember to check the track for any debris or oil. My collection of trophies now includes a belt, piece of sprocket, various bolts, a fuel filler cap of a Fuel Harley, a piece of a blower belt of a Funny Car, and oil-covered boots from a Top Fuel Dragster.

"Over the weekend I got first-hand working knowledge of what FAST do and how they do it. All I can say is FAST run a very professional crew covering all eventualities in a controlled and precise manner. I even got to help on oil downs until the early hours thanks to Fred Farndon and his ever-leaking Top Fuel engine. What I saw over the weekend has really given me a new perspective of the service that FAST provide to the sport of Drag Racing, and I have to say they are clearly the best Safety Crew outside of the States. For me this is one experience that I will not forget and I will probably still talk about until they take me back next year!"

You can find more details on the activities of the FAST Team by clicking on the FAST logo on the APIRA web site at www.eurodragster.com/apira.

The Tokyo Toy is back!
23rd August: UK drag racing fans of more than a few years' standing will remember the Tokyo Toy Toyota, which was driven by Steve Dunn. We have received the very welcome news that the Tokyo Toy team is back on track. Jon Evans writes:

"Three years after the unfortunate demise of the original Tokyo Toy Super ET Celica, we (Steve Dunn and Jon Evans) are now, at long last, back on track with a brand new car - bigger, better and quicker than before. It is another Toyota Celica, but this time with a full Andy Robinson Race Cars tube chassis underneath, and a 454 LS6 big block. Fresh out of Martin Curbishley's paint shop last weekend, the first outing was at the Ultimate Street Car event at Santa Pod, where it ran an arrow-straight 10.68/127 on only its second pass down the 1/4 mile, immediately running quicker than we had dared to hope it would. We're now really looking forward to joining in the Pro ET wars at Super Series 4 this weekend, and for the rest of the season."

FIM points posted.
23rd August: The latest (post-Hockenheim) standings in the FIM Drag Bike Championhsips are now available via the FIM Championship button on the King Racing web site at www.kingracing.com.

Web site updates.
23rd August: Swedish Top Methanol FC racer Leif Andreasson's web site has been updated with a number of news items, and an updated Photo Gallery. "I apologise to our fans for not having updated our site in proper order during the Mantorp/Gardemoen sweep this summer", says crew member and webmaster Anders Magnusson. "I hope to compensate for this with new interesting stories and lots of new pictures from this season in Europe - and soon also from the USA including pics of Leif when he drove the Nascar. Stay tuned, we are going to make a web-drive for the finals at the Pod!". You can find the Andreasson Motorsports web site at www.andreassonmotorsports.com.

Fellow Swedish TMFC racer Micke Kågered has updated his web site with a report and pictures from Hockenheim. Check it out and keep an eye open for one of the more unusual sponsor's gifts that we've seen. The Kågered Racing web site can be found at www.kagered-racing.com.

Swedish Pro Street News Magazine webmaster Hasse has kept his promise by posting another large batch of pictures from Tullinge on his web site at www.swedishprostreetnews.com. Hasse also tells us that he has a contact in search of a Pro Mod or Comp Eliminator car, potential vendors can mail him at info@swedishprostreetnews.com.

React quickly, take our money.
22nd August: We are pleased to announce that Eurodragster.com will be posting prize money at Super Series 4, the FIA European Finals, Super Series 5, and the National Finals (October Meet). Starting at SS4 this weekend, cash will be awarded to the first racer at each of these events to record a perfect Reaction Time.

The prize fund starts at £50 at Super Series 4, and if not won will roll over and go up by 10 at each subsequent race, so there is a possibility that £80 could be on offer at the National Finals. If the prize is won, then the fund is reset to £50 at the next race and is again increased by £10 at each subsequent race.

The rules are quite simple: the money will go to the first racer at an event to record a perfect Reaction Time, in either qualifying or eliminations (but not open practice). Every racer in every class, both Pro and Sportsman, is eligible.

We also plan to run a similar scheme throughout next season. In the meantime, though, we are very much looking forward to opening the cheque book at least once this year. Good luck everyone!

Super Series 4 entry on-line.
22nd August: The entry list for this weekend's Super Series 4 at Shakespeare County Raceway is now available via the Race Info button on the Super Series web site at www.eurodragster.com/superseries.

The entry is massive with something for everyone from Top Fuel Dragster, Fuel Funny Car, Fuel Altered and Top Methanol to the usual large complement of Sportsman racers, the Wild Bunch, Outlaw Anglia, Custom Car Street Eliminator, National Association of Supertwin classes, and of course the Fireforce Jet Funny Car team. You really should not miss this one! Ticket and other details are of course available on the Super Series web site.

Danish National results.
22nd August: Our good buddy Tommy Nilsson has updated his European Drag Racing Database with full qualifying and elimination results from the weekend's Danish Nationals at Vandel. Check it out at www.eurodrag.com.

Can't afford a Junior Dragster?
22nd August: If you can't afford a Junior Dragster then there is an option open to you, at least in Sweden: as long as you are sixteen years old then you could pick up a second-hand car and go ET racing. Tomas Lindblad is one such racer, and he takes up the story.

"I run a Toyota according to ET racing rules in Bracket or ET Racing classes. I'm sixteen years old and earned my licence this year: I'm the only racer in Sweden of my age with a licence for a full-sized race car, the other juniors drive Junior Dragsters. I am not allowed to run quicker than 16.00 seconds on the quarter mile and 10.50 seconds on the eighth mile. My best so far has been 17.400, which is about 11.00 seconds over the eighth, so I am not far behind the Junior Dragsters. My Toyota cost me at the most 2000 Swedish Kroner, which is very cheap compared to some Junior Dragsters."

Tomas and his father are very keen to hear from, and to help, anyone who may be interested. If you would like to talk to Tomas then his e-mail address is tomas_lindblad@hotmail.com.

Web site updates.
22nd August: The web site of UK Fuel Funny Car team Showtime Racing has been updated with the latest news from the Showtime camp as they prepare to race at Super Series 4 this weekend, and some additions to the Parts For Sale page. The Showtime Racing site can be found at www.showtimeracing.co.uk.

Santa Pod Raceway's web site at www.santapod.com has been updated with this year's TV coverage schedules, and the latest additions to the FIA Finals entry list.

One week left to join the crew!
22nd August: Entry closes next Tuesday in our contest to become a crew member of the Malmgren Racing Pro Stock team for a day at the FIA European Finals. All you have to do is to answer three easy questions. Click here for details and to enter, or click on the Malmgren Racing Contest link on the left hand side of any Eurodragster page.

Lindelöw for Finals.
21st August: Swedish Top Fuel Dragster racer Pelle Lindelöw has confirmed that he will be attending the FIA European Finals at Santa Pod Raceway in September.

"Everybody in the team has to dig deep in their pockets for travel money", said Pelle. "But on the other hand we've had a pretty good and healthy season so far - not at all like last year - so we think that we can afford it. We have almost given up hope for the FIA title this year so that was not the incentive for the trip. We know that we have a chance to run really well at the Pod if they prepare the track as well as they usually do. We are also looking forward meeting all the fans, fellow racers and friends we've made at Santa Pod over the years"

Pelle knows that it will not be easy to win Top Fuel at the Finals but he has grounds for optimism. "I'm sure that the 'new' competitors in Top Fuel will do their best to push us old-timers out of the ladder, but we will do everything we can to be one of the two teams in the Final on Sunday afternoon", he said. "Our best run so far this season, 5.15 in Piteå, is still not the best that this car can perform. We know that there is a 4.9 in the set-up, that's been proven."

Pelle is also bringing some back-up in the hunt for victory. "We have contracted Monica Öberg's Crew Chief Dan Söderberg for this race, so we will come armed to the teeth!"

You can stay in touch with the latest from Pelle Lindelöw and the team on his web site at www.pgracing.nu.

Finals entry on-line.
21st August: The official entry list for the FIA European Finals is now available by clicking on the Next Event button on Santa Pod Raceway's web site at www.santapod.com. The list shows a healthy entry with Pro Mod particularly noteworthy. Thanks to Paula Marshall at Santa Pod Racers Club for supplying the entry list.

Although entry is now officially closed, we understand that a number of additional entries are expected and the entry list on the SPR web site will be updated as and when amendments arrive.

Last Hockenheim report.
21st August: We have now posted the last update from the Nitro Olympics at Hockenheim, which includes the final results in most classes. You can read the update by clicking here, or via the Race coverage link on the left hand side of any page on Eurodragster. The official Nitro Olympics web site is available at www.nitrolympics.de.

Many thanks to Jerry Cookson and Ozzy Ewing of APIRA for keeping us informed.

Zane: it all went a bit wrong.
21st August: UK Super Comp racer Zane Llewellyn has returned home early from his Scandinavian tour after hitting a number of problems.

"We had a number of fairly big upsets during our tour this year", says Zane. "My new phone didn't work, hence the lack of reports (in the light of what follows, we'll let you off Zane - Ed). Wendy, my wife and No.2 crewchief injured her knee and had to be flown home for an emergency operation. We were plagued with rollout/chassis reaction problems resulting in LOADS of red lights. My old faithful thirteen-year-old 460 let a rod go in the second round at the Night Race at Alastaro. Then we had to drive all the way to Germany to get an earlier ferry after not being able to race in Denmark this weekend. Other than that, we had a great time!"

Everyone at Eurodragster sends Wendy their very best wishes for a rapid recovery. Zane will be publishing more of his tour diary on his web site at www.bootsoop.freeserve.co.uk.

UK National and Super Series points.
21st August: The latest (post-Super Series 3) standings in the UK National Drag Racing Championships are now available on our Points standings page.

The latest standings in the Super Series are now also available via the Results page of the Super Series web site at www.eurodragster.com/superseries.

Thanks to Yvonne Tramm, Simon Groves and Spencer Tramm for supplying the points to us.

Web site updates.
21st August: Swedish Super Pro Street and Super Small Block team DTE Racing have updated their web site at www.dteracing.com with the latest news and a whole bunch of new pictures.

Andy Holden has posted a number of his drag racing photographs on his web site at www.holten.demon.co.uk/Drag. Of particular interest are photographs from York Dragway (UK) back in the days when it was called Melbourne, but there are also pictures from NHRA races with the promise of more to come.

Linde Open coverage.
20th August: Our good friends at Svensk Dragracing have posted on their web site a report and full qualifying and elimination details from the Linde Open, one of the most popular events on the Nordic Drag Racing Series which takes place on a public street. The Svensk Dragracing web site can be found at www.dragracing.se.

Nitro Olympics coverage.
20th August: The official Nitro Olympics web site is now being updated with qualifying and elimination details from Hockenheim, and pictures and the first movie have also been added. Check it out at www.nitrolympics.de.

Also, Eurodragster's guest reporters Jerry Cookson and Ozzy Ewing are reporting for us from the Nitro Olympics, quite some feat since they are also working at the race. Thanks guys! Click here to see their reports, which you can also reach from the Race coverage link on the left hand side of any Eurodragster page. A brief report of Saturday's events is now in place. Jerry and Ozzy will be reporting in with a report on eliminations at the end of the day.

Juniors feature on UK TV.
20th August: UK Junior Drag Racing is featured on BBC1's Xchange programme tomorrow morning (Monday 21st). The programme runs from 9.25 am to 9.55. Filming took place at the recent Super Series 3 at Shakespeare County Raceway. As well as interviews and race action, the coverage is expected to feature in-car footage taken on board Katie Gibbs' Junior Modified Dragster. We suggest that watching parents have their cheque books ready!

Appleton returns at Super Series 4.
18th August: We've just heard that UK Pro Mod racer Gordon Appleton is to make a return to competition at Super Series 4 at Shakespeare County Raceway next weekend. Gordon retired after last year's FIA European Finals (who can forget his Blues Brothers last-night party), but we guess he just can't stay away! We understand that Gordon will be testing at the Ultimate Street Car event at Santa Pod this weekend; stay tuned for details.

Gordon will be joined in Pro Mod at Super Series 4 by Bill Weston.

More Super Series 4 news.
18th August: Terry Gibbs of Obsession Motorsports informs us that he has arranged for lighting in the pits at next weekend's race. "It's to assist racers arriving late in the evening", he says, "the entry is huge and so the lighting will help us to ensure that everyone gets their allocated pit space whever they arrive. We have extended the pits, but we still need the fullest co-operation from everyone. Please help us to help you by following the directions of pit marshals and being considerate to your fellow racers when pitting."

Terry also tells us that Super Series 4 is to be televised. An Outside Broadcast unit will be in attendance, and the race will be shown stand-alone (rather than as part of a general motorsports programme) on Sky Sports. As well as on-track action the TV crew will be conducting interviews in the pits. "This is your chance to impress - make sure that your vehicles are well turned-out and that you wear your team uniforms!" says Terry.

Last but by no means least, we hear that there may well be a Fuel Altered at Super Series 4 in the shape of Jim Seward's Harry The Spider. That's not all though - Terry Gibbs tells us that a deal is in the works to bring two (and maybe even four) US Fuel Altereds to Shakespeare County Raceway next year to do battle with UK Fuel Altereds at a Super Series event. We will of course bring you more on this story as it develops.

Lantz's incredible pedalling job.
18th August: Swedish Top Fuel racer Peter Lantz's web site has been updated with the latest points standings in the Swedish Top Fuel Tour, and three great video clips from the 1999 season, provided by Nils Malmhäll and processed for the Net by Ulf Mårtensson.

One particularly dramatic video clip is of Peter's huge wheelie at Pite Dragway last year; it can be seen from the video just how incredible a double-pedalling job Peter did to get the car down safely - then he naturally puts his foot straight back in, only for a front tyre to deflate at the Top End (and you can clearly see the point at which that happens in the video, too). The other new video clips feature a burnout, and a great clip of the engine starting which just begs for your speakers' volume to be turned up to eleven. Check it out at www.plr.nu.

Jets in action this weekend.
18th August: UK Jet fans who fancy a fix have a choice of venues this weekend. Roger Goring will be appearing with his Firestorm Jet Funny Car at the Street Machine/UK Street Racers Sunday at North Weald Airfield on Sunday. For more details of events at North Weald check out the UK Street Racers web site at www.ukstreetracers.com or call 01932 228350.

Meanwhile Martin Hill and Tony Baker will be appearing in their Fireforce Jet FCs at the Ultimate Street Car event at Santa Pod. More details on this event at the USC web site at www.ultimatestreetcar.co.uk.

Web site updates.
18th August: The European Drag Racing Database at www.eurodrag.com has had a mega-update with FIA and FIM points standings, new Comp Eliminator indexes, and a new batch of historical results including a season's worth from Santa Pod Raceway in 1997.

The Swedish Pro Street News magazine at www.swedishprostreetnews.com has been updated with some new photographs from Tullinge. "Now I only have 150 more pictures from Tullinge to post", says webmaster Hasse whose birthday it is today! Happy Birthday, Hasse!

In the Super Series 4 news above, we mentioned Jim Seward and his Harry The Spider Fuel Altered; Jim has updated the HTS web site at www.geocities.com/hts_racing with a report on his outings at last weekend's Bulldog Bash.

Gordie looks forward to return...
17th August: Reigning FIA European Top Fuel Champion, the USA's Gordie Bonin, is relishing his return to European competition at Hockenheim this weekend, and has not ruled out a return to the FIA Tour.

Gordie is competing in the second Europe v USA Top Fuel match race, together with US racer Jimmy Rector, Germany's Rico Anthes (who is also the promoter of the Nitro Olympics), the UK's Barry Sheavills and Switzerland's Peter Beck. "I won't miss the chance to race, even once, proudly wearing the FIA Number 1 on the wing!", Gordie told us. "Besides, we never really got to race Mr. Sheavills head to head, or Rico. That's gonna change this weekend!"

Gordie was invited to race at Hockenheim last year but couldn't make the gig. However, the appointment for this year's race was made very early. "The opportunity to race at Hockenheim started with conversations with Rico Anthes at the Frankfurt Auto Show, the week after the European Finals at Santa Pod last year" said Gordie.

Gordie is now bound for Germany and looking forward to renewing old acquaintances. "All my Championship Crew - Duncan Harris, Gary Page, Terry, Mick, they'll all be there! I can't wait!", he said. Gordie is also looking forward to renewed contact with European race fans. "Your fan base is incredible, and very 'user friendly'. Gary Schuetz (of Prolong - Ed) and I were welcomed as part of the family by every racer and fan with whom we had the opportunity to come into contact. That was very refreshing from start to finish", said Gordie.

As for future plans, Gordie has not lost hope of returning to the FIA Tour. "You know how badly we wanted to come back and defend our FIA title in 2000", he said. "Because of factors on both sides, Prolong International was not successful in procuring the right UK distribution, which was a real shame because Keith Bartlett put such a great package together for Prolong and I to be able to compete in the 1999 series: minimum dollars, maximum exposure! You'll never again, anywhere, see another Sponsorship/Marketing opportunity as attractive as that one was. But we haven't given up on UK Distribution, I'm still looking at returning in 2001!"

Amongst Gordie's reasons for returning would also appear to be another ticket to the FIA Champions' Banquet in Monaco. "Now there's something not everyone in the world gets to see: a reception for 250 at the Monte Carlo Sporting Club to honor the Champions of World Motorsports. Being in the same room as Mika Hakkinen, Bernie Ecclestone, Prince Rainier, Jackie Stewart, team Ferrari etc will be a moment cherished the rest of my life.", he said.

...and Barry is waiting.
17th August: UK Top Fuel racer Barry Sheavills is ready and waiting for Gordie Bonin at Hockenheim. In the latest news update on his web site, Barry says that the Europe v USA match race is "a chance to get my own back on Gordie Bonin, to beat him in a heads-up race!". You can read the rest of the latest news update on the Press Release page of Barry's web site at www.topfuel.co.uk.

FIA/NDRS points posted.
17th August: Our good friends at Svensk Dragracing have updated their web site with the latest points standings in the FIA European Championships and the Nordic Drag Racing Series.

The last NDRS round, last weekend's Night Race at Alastaro, also had a points issue. "The race was scheduled to run during Saturday night, but rain stopped it. So they ran it Sunday night instead", explained Christer Abrahamsson of Svensk Dragracing. Christer went on to explain that several racers had ferry tickets for Sunday and so had to leave the track before eliminations continued. There is an explanation of how the points for this race were determined on the Svensk Dragracing home page at www.dragracing.se, together with a preview of the coming dual-race weekend.

ACU points posted.
17th August: Also on the subject of points, the latest (post-Super Series 3) points standings in the ACU UK Drag Bike Championships are now available on the King Racing web site at www.kingracing.com.

Mid West tally grows.
17th August: The roll of drag racers appearing at this weekend's Mid West American Auto Club Show at Cheltenham Racecourse is getting longer and longer. Organiser Les Sanderson tells us:

"Many thanks to 'Crazy' Chris Hartnell, we have at least five Wild Bunch cars coming to Cheltenham. Also the full Shell Oils team (both Top Methanol Dragsters and the Junior Dragster), Team Top Banana are bringing two cars, FB Racing; Andy Williams is bringing his Roadster - he hasn't got his bits through yet, so I said bring the broken bits and BEG! Bob Lees and Neil Grant will be there, as will Dave Baldwin, at the last meeting I did see Timmy Hines trying to persuade Mick Cheley to come. Now I know Mick likes to party, and that's what the Mid-West is all about - have fun with your car and party. There are also at least five other cars from different classes, we want to show the diversity clases.

"If anyone wants to promote their sponsor but can't get to the event, we are producing 500 goody bags to distribute to exhibitors. If anyone wants to send me anything to put in these bags, I will be happy to do it."

You can get full details on the Mid West Show on the Club web site at www.mid-west.co.uk.

Pro Stock contest: keep 'em coming.
17th August: Entries are coming in thick and fast for our Pro Stock contest, announced on Tuesday, the prize for which is the chance to become a crew member of the Malmgren Racing Pro Stock team for a day at the FIA European Finals at Santa Pod Raceway. The answers to three simple (honest) questions could win you this chance of a lifetime. Click here for details and to enter, or click on the Malmgren Racing Contest link on the left hand side of any Eurodragster page.

The Eurodragster team would like to say a big Thank You to our friends at the Svensk Dragracing and UK1320 web sites for plugging this contest on their pages.

Davies goes back to roots.
16th August: Reigning UK Pro Mod Champion Nick Davies will be going back to his roots at Super Series 4 and the FIA European Finals when he races in Super Gas in Jon Webster's roadster. Nick started his drag racing career in Super Gas, and didn't fancy spectating after the engine in his Olds Pro Mod was damaged at Super Series 3. Jon Webster is spending the rest of the season in the Talbot Racing Super Pro ET dragster which leaves his SG/Super Comp roadster idle, and Nick saw his chance.

"The engine in the Oldsmobile is due for a freshen and, as it's all for sale, there seemed little point in freshening it for one meeting as, should it sell, any prospective purchaser is likely to freshen it anyway", said Nick. "Competition is as fierce as ever in the ultra-competitive Super Gas and, having missed it for much of the season, it is an appealing way to finish the last few meetings."

Nick also has a theory to test. "Too many people have offered views that one can never drive a slower car", he said. "I've never understood why but would like to see if they are right. I know Jon's car works very well and, as he is committed to the E-Manumit dragster until the end of the season, he made an offer I couldn't really refuse."

How Smax smacked it.
16th August: Fuel Funny Car racer Smax Smith has updated his web site with his personal account of the Mainline Menace's collision with the guardrail at Shakespeare County Raceway last weekend.

"It's a big disapppointment that Super Series 4 is no longer possible", said Smax. "Huge apologies to Terry Gibbs (Super Series promoter - Ed) who is going out on a limb to bring the biggest Top Fuel show to Shakespeare County, and I can't make it due to the damage to the Menace. Repairs are underway and it ain't terminal!"

You can find Smax's full report on the News page of his web site at www.smax.co.uk.

SS4/FIA Finals entry closing.
16th August: A final reminder that entry to Super Series 4 at Shakespeare County Raceway and the FIA European Finals at Santa Pod Raceway are both closing imminently, so be sure to get that paperwork in if you want to be sure of competing at these events! The entry secretaries of both events are willing to fax out entry forms to make things easier.

Enquiries about Super Series 4 entry should be addressed to Wendy Talbot of APIRA on 01986 788114 (from outside the UK +44 1986 788114), and enquiries about the FIA Finals should be addressed to Paula Marshall at SPRC on 01933 313625 (from outside the UK +44 1933 313625).

UK ET Racers Association re-organises.
16th August: The UK ET Racers Association has been reorganised. Committee member and Super Street racer Anne Peck writes:

"The ETRA has been reorganised to form the Sportsman Racers Association, which encompasses the three Super classes as well as the bracket classes, so that all Sportsman racers are included. A newsletter is out at long last which explains this re-organisation. One of our aims this year is to produce a Sportsman Racers' Register, along the lines of the ET Racers' Register which was last issued about 6 years ago! We will be giving out forms to complete at the next two meetings, and one has gone out with the newsletter. The Committee of the SRA currently consists of myself, Carla Pittau, Ian Turnbull and Paul Marston, and we desperately need more people so volunteers would be welcome! Please come and see any one of us at the track if you are interested."

Web site updates.
16th August: Dutch Top Methanol Funny Car racer Lex Joon has updated the News page of his web site with a preview of this weekend's Nitro Olympics at Hockenheim, at which he will be competing in the Top Methanol 'Cannonball'. Check it out at www.eurodragster.com/lexjoonracing

Swiss Top Methanol Funny Car racer Dezsoe Krivan has given his web site a makeover. The site features news, photo gallery, team run-down, links, and more. You can find Dezsoe's web site at www.dragracing.ch.

Contest: spend a day on a Pro Stock crew!
15th August: Eurodragster.com has teamed up with Malmgren Racing to offer one lucky drag racing fan the chance of a lifetime to be a member of the European record-holding Pro Stock team for the Saturday of the FIA European Finals at Santa Pod Raceway.

The contest winner will spend the day working on Michael Malmgren's crew. Malmgren Racing will provide a crew overall, and will also feed and water the contest winner for the day. The contest winner and a guest will also have their entry to the track paid for by Malmgren Racing on Saturday September 9th.

Click here for details of the contest, and to enter!.

Thrills and spills at Bulldog Bash.
14th August: On Saturday we brought you the news that Smax Smith had crashed his Fuel Funny Car at the Bulldog Bash. Alas, Smax was not the only racer to crash at the weekend, although everyone involved is A-OK. Simon Day of APIRA's Tech Crew takes up the weekend's story:

"Friday was a busy day for a change at the Bash these days with over 500 pairs of vehicles running down the strip. Events of note for the day began with Cooky (Nigel Cook - Ed) parting company with his beautifully prepared Funny Bike after a terrifying looking tank slapper at about the 1/8th mile mark at over 100 mph. This was followed by a tyre shaking run for Mickey Moore resulting in a very expensive looking meeting wih the armco about 100 feet out from the line leaving Mickey and his crew with a severely bent chassis. Demos for the day also included a spectacular launch from Smax, with the Mainline Menace Fuel car lifting the front wheels from the line before tyre shake forced him to shut off just after the 60 foot lights. Racing for the day closed with an awesome display of Martin Hill and Tony Baker running side by side in the Fireforce Jet Funnycars (well it might have been closer if Tony hadn't fallen asleep on the line!).

"Sunday demos were brought to a premature close in the first session when an oil line let go on the Mainline Menace as Smax left the start line causing the car to turn hard left under full power and go nose first into the barrier at around 70 mph before spinning around and coming to rest against the opposite barrier just in front of the grandstand where an unhurt Smax immediately appeared through the roof hatch to take a bow to the crowd. Damage to the car was extensive with a badly damaged body and bent chassis & wheelie bars. As Smax is off to Canada on holiday on Tuesday it is not known at this time if the car can be repaired in time for Super Series 4.

"Demos were closed for the day at 6 o'clock by a second side by side run for the two Fireforce Jet cars this time with Tony managing to holeshot Martin but unfortunately not being able to better Martin's 6.2/258 mph run.

"For those of you interested in reading about the rest of the event, a full report can be read on the Biker's Web site at www.bikersweb.co.uk."

Thanks very much, Simon.

Alastaro Night Race results.
14th August: The official web site of the Finnish Hot Rod Association has been updated with full qualifying and elimination results of this weekend's Night Race, one of the most popular races in the Finnish calendar. You can get to the results by going to the FHRA site at www.fhra.fi and then clicking on Tapahtumat & Tulokset.

PDRC Northern Nationals report.
14th August: It must be the month for updates from APIRA, as APIRA's Press Officer Jerry Cookson kindly sent this report of the PDRC Northern Nationals which took place at York Dragway this weekend.

"With York Dragway celebrating 25 years of active competition with the PDRC Northern Nationals, jet jockey Roger Goring put in some more low speed check out passes in the 'Firestorm' Pontiac Firebird Funny Car. After some initial fuel delivery gremlins earlier in the day, Roger lit the blue touch paper and set the track alight with a thundering eighth-mile speed of 183.29 mph in 4.403 seconds.

"In the Pro Drag display, Steve Green powered his Ampar-supported Rover assisted Cortina to a day's best of 8.973/154 mph to the appreciation of the many northern drag fans.

"The Wild Bunch 'On Tour' event fell to the 460ci big block Ford slingshot dragster of Pete Loveridge, from Clayton Round's 'Shortshot' Fiat Topolino. Although the drivers elected to run over the eighth mile, the 'Crazy one' Chris Hartnell put in a storming 9.6 run over the quarter on Saturday. Best reaction time went to Tony Smith in the 'Cunning Plan' Minivan.

"In eliminations, the hotly-contested Street Shootout went to defending PDRC Points Champion Dave Rushforth with consistent mid fourteen second runs from his road legal Mustang over Steve Gilmore's Ford 100E. The final for the Pro Shootout bracket was all about startline reactions as Dave 'Tig' Napier stole the win from Paul Hudson's Camaro by virtue of a quicker reaction time of .588 to .601, 12.77/103 to 12.919/104.

"The final of the north of England's true street racer series coupled the Chevy powered Cortina of John 'Moose' Hollingworth against the Model B Coupe of Steve Neimantas. But the race was won on the startline when Neimantas pulled a cherry, 11.50/123 to 10.21/132. "Saturday's results included another popular win for Pro ET star Dave Billadeau. Dave pushed his mighty Plymouth GTX past twenty other entries in the tracks 'Big Bracket' over the Hemi Cuda of Derek Gregson 10.94/123 to 11.31/120.

Thanks very much, Jerry.

On-sale Super Gasser in seaside trip.
14th August: UK Super Gas racer Shaun Saunders has put his Datsun 240Z Super Gasser for sale on our Swap Meet section.

"I have raced the Datsun for five years both in the USA and here, I just fancy a change" Shaun told us. "If I don't get a serious response then I am going to ship it back to the states where I might run at a few events in California and Arizona. I am often in the States so if something comes along at the right price then I might purchase it".

Shuan has one more date lined up with the Datsun. "I am running the car at the Brighton Speed Trials this year, on Saturday September 9th. It's a pity that it clashes with the European Finals as I would prefer to race there. I have tried to get my name on the Fastest Time of Day trophy many times without success, so fingers crossed for this year!"

If you are interested in buying a proven Super Gasser then check out Shaun's advertisement in our Swap Meet section, and don't forget that you can place your own classified ad there at no charge.

Beck rides out at Indy.
14th August: The UK's Dave Beck was back in USA Competition this weekend at the AMA/Prostar Pingle Thunder Nationals at Indy. Dave qualified fifth in Funny Bike at 7.116/185.14, won round one against Bob Bodven 7.183/180.90 to 7.271/177.54 before going out to Bryan Bennett in round two, Bryan's 6.854/198.45 too good for Dave's 7.845/126.08.

You can find full race coverage from Indy at www.dragbike.com.

Ultimate Street Car 2000.
14th August: This weekend (18th-20th August) sees the annual Ultimate Street Car event at Santa Pod Raceway. Over to Trakbak Racing's Ed Titheridge:

"What's got 20,000 legs, drinks 60000 cans of lager, uses 9,000 rolls of loo paper and knows how to party? Answer - Ultimate Street Car 2000. You can Run What Ya Brung on the quarter mile drag strip, or watch Martin Hill hit 200mph in under 7 seconds in his Jet Car! Check out our burn out arena, show n shine competition, helicopter rides, fun fair, Miss Ultimate Street Car (offering £400 and a Fast Car photo shoot to the winner), and Miss Moneypennys marquee including the gorgeous Lisa Pinup and legendary Alex P. So go and spread the word, Ultimate Street Car 18-20 August 2K at Santa Pod Raceway (Nr Jct 14, M1). Where else can you get all this and camping for only £25?"

You can get more details on the Ultimate Street Car web site at www.ultimatestreetcar.co.uk.

Hockenheim entry list on-line.
14th August: With only a few days to go to the Nitro Olympics at Hockenheim, which take place this Friday to Sunday (18th-20th August), the entry list is available at the Nitro Olympics web site at www.nitrolympics.de, although be aware that you will need Acrobat Reader to be able to view it.

The Nitro Olympics is one of Europe's biggest drag races and this year features the return of the Europe v USA Top Fuel match race including the return of Gordie Bonin to the driving seat of a Top Fueller, a Top Methanol 'Cannonball', a round of the FIM European Drag Bike Championships, the second round of the informal European Super Street Bike Series, and much more including the Nitro Olympics' famed Saturday Night Show.

We hope to be able to bring you updates from Hockenheim; stay tuned for more details. In the meantime you can read all about the Nitro Olympics either at www.nitrolympics.de or www.dragster.de (which requires Flash).

Web site updates.
14th August: Norwegian Super Comp racer Linda Rnning has upped sticks and moved web sites. You can now find Linda featured on her sponsor's web site at www.simlane.com.

The Fantasy Drag Racing Competition at www.fantasy-sports-web.com has been updated with the results from Super Series 3 and the Sko Uno Drag Festival. Spencer Tramm is out in front with his Quantum Leap team, closely followed by Eurodragster staffer Sharkman and Andy Marrs. A new feature of the site is an updated Links Page, where you can now post a link to your own web site, under a list of categories - this can be accessed at www.fantasy-sports-web.com/asp/links.asp.

Smax crashes the Menace.
12th August: We've just heard that Smax Smith has crashed his Mainline Menace Fuel Funny Car at the Bulldog Bash at Shakespeare County Raceway. Smax is OK.

Our good friend Ozzy Ewing of APIRA's tech crew is at SCR and sent this report:

"Smax was running in the demonstration vehicles and was was the second last car to run before fireforce. Smax burnt out, entered pre-stage and staged (right hand lane). It looks like an oil line exploded on the left hand side of the car covering the rear slick in oil as he launched hard sending the car diving into the Left Hand Side armco where the car hit front end first before bouncing round and ending up straight across the track over the right hand lane.

"Smax ever the showman was out of the car unhurt and thankfully OK. Smax then proceeded to pull the car over in the direction of the topless car wash and stay there with the babes after the FAST crew had removed the car, his body work is still sitting on the left hand side banking. The car is a little worse for wear as the chassis is bent after hitting the Armco at full launch pace (100mph + !!!), so donations gratefully received."

Thanks for the update, Ozzy, we're pleased to hear that Smax is OK. We'll bring you more news as we receive it.

Jonsson plans to join Finals invasion.
12th August: Thanks to Hasse, webmaster of the Swedish Pro Street News magazine, for letting us know that Swedish Super Pro Street racer Anders Jonsson is planning to join the Scandinavian invasion at the FIA European Finals at Santa Pod Raceway in September. Anders has quickly become a fan favourite in the Nordic Pro Street Cup with his beautiful 2000 Camaro which has one of the best paint jobs you'll ever see (click here to see a picture on the Svensk Dragracing web site). In his first season with the 508 Chevy-powered car, Anders has broken the Super Pro Street record at 7.26 and is now intending to show UK fans what he's made of.

Racers please note that as mentioned earlier this week, entry to the FIA Finals will be closing at the end of this week. Contact Santa Pod Racers Club on 01933 313625 (outside the UK +44 1933 313625) for more details.

Deuchar out for season.
12th August: UK Top Methanol Dragster racer Lindsay Deuchar has had to concede defeat in his quest to rebuild his engine in time for the two remaining Top Methanol races this season. Lindsay was going great guns earlier this season with a new personal best on almost every pass he made, but then it all went horribly wrong at the Main Event when his block was damaged on a 5.90 pass. He has since been trying to source a replacement block. "As hard as we tried, time and money (lack of!) has caught up with us and we will not now be able to make the last two races of the year - Super Series 4 at Shakespeare County Raceway or the European Finals at Santa Pod", says Lindsay.

You can find the full story on the News page of the LA Racing web site at www.laracing.co.uk. Lindsay would still be glad to hear from anyone with a Stage 6 KB Short Deck block; you can contact him at laracer@laracing.co.uk or via his web site.

Web site updates.
12th August: The Little Big Racing web site at www.netax.se/vopar.html has been updated with an account of Super Gas racer Linda Axeldal and family's weekend at Tullinge, where they ran the car in Real Street, and some new photographs.

Brian Fawcus has updated his fan site with some photographs from Super Series 3, a video clip of Roger Goring putting on a flame show in the Firestorm Jet FC, and a batch of brother Mark's pictures from Music City Raceway in the USA. Check it out at www.x28800.demon.co.uk/drag.

Moller/Lorenzon buy PLR Top Fueller.
11th August: Top Fuel racer and reigning Swedish Top Fuel Tour Champion Peter Lantz has confirmed that Tommy Moller and Kenneth Lorenzon have bought his Top Fueller, and that Tommy plans to step into the hot seat for the FIA European Finals.

Peter Lantz is to retire from the driving seat after the final Top Fuel Tour round at Landskrona next week, after which Tommy and Kenneth will take delivery of the car and Peter will become Team Manager. Tommy will then complete his Top Fuel licence with the aim of competing at the Finals in September. Peter's Crew Chief Morgan Svensson and the rest of Peter's crew plan to attend the FIA Finals to show Tommy and his crew the ropes.

You can get the full story on the PLR Motorsports web site at www.plr.nu.

Roger: nothing wrong with the track.
11th August: Jet Funny Car pilot Roger Goring has rushed to stamp on a story which quoted him as claiming that the sticky track surface at Shakespeare County Raceway slowed down his new Firestorm FC at Super Series 3 last week. Roger recorded bests in the 6.4s at 250 mph at Super Series 3, in what was his first checkout on a quarter mile track.

"Shakespeare County Raceway is a super, super track", Roger told us. "We had a great weekend and we can't wait to go back".

Roger suspects that the story was sparked by a jocular comment by one of his crew. "He said that we were down three miles per hour on the eighth from our testing at York, which we were", said Roger, "and he joked that maybe the track was too sticky. I guess someone heard that and took it seriously. The fact is that we were running on baby settings because we are walking before we run, and we were on an unfamiliar track. When we start turning the wick up, our best eighth-mile speed (188 mph - Ed) will be straight out of the window!".

Nemesis: more tales from the road.
11th August: The web site of UK Top Methanol Dragster team Nemesis Racinghas been updated with a long and entertaining account of the Lucas Oils/Express Freight Services-sponsored outfit's trips to Mantorp Park and Gardermoen to compete in the FIA Championships. Check it out on the News page at www.eurodragster.com/nemesisracing.

FIM points updated.
11th August: Post-Gardermoen standings in the FIM Championships are now available via the FIM Championships link on the King Racing web site at www.kingracing.com.

Gardermoen: the Turners' view.
10th August: Webmaster for the Turner Racing and Shockwave teams, Stuart Abram has been in touch with us here at Eurodragster to put forward Turner Racing's viewpoint on what happened at Gardermoen. Stuart writes:

I am writing on behalf of the Turner Racing team to point out some facts about the cancellation of the FIA Event at Gardermoen this weekend.

Some reports have made some very sweeping statements regarding a huge oildown and then an accident, but no report actually states that following the cleanup of this oildown the top fuel car of Barry ran a respectable time of 5.33 to Peter's 5.46 in the right lane.

Although the cleanup operation did take rather a long time to clean up, many other factors occurred before the cancellation of the meeting and the running of the pro stock's this being a change in direction of the wind and the onslaught of rain, this change in direction of wind lead to fine sand being blown across the track.

Although no one person can say this was the exact cause the organisers have stated the oildown did not contribute to the cancelling of the meeting.

The Turners are racers and always want to race and are very upset about the oildown, but given how out of shape the car was all those present believe Rob did a masterful driving job in not rolling the car and bringing it to a safe stop, all be it at the cost of putting oil down.

I hope this clears up some confusion as Rob, Carmel and Steve are very concerned that some reports link the oildown and the accident too closely and seem to forget about Barry beating Peter whilst running in the right lane prior to the rain stop.

Thank you for passing those comments on to us Stuart. Should anybody wish to contact Turner Racing their E-mail address is TurnerRacing@topalcohol.freeserve.co.uk.

Web site updates.
10th August: Eurodragster staffer Sharkman has updated his personal web site Sharkman's Top End Tales with a report and pictures from Super Series 3. Along with the report there are some new wallpaper files and the opening of a new term at Sharkman's School of Excellence. Check it out at www.btinternet.com/~sharkman.

Big Weekend at York.
9th August: This coming weekend (August 12th-13th) sees York Dragway playing host to its biggest meeting of the year. Cath Napier, secretary of the Pennine Drag Racing Club takes up the story:

"The meeting will feature two rounds of Northern Street Car Challenge, the IOPD/PDRC brackets (Pro and Street classes), a round of Wild Bunch racing,A show by the Mopar Muscle Association, the NASC Great Northern Run, Annual Street Racer championship, The PDRC 'Big Bracket' and of course the Leeds cruise on Saturday night, then back to York for a party and disco until...

For more info contact the York Office on 01422 843651 or me (Cath Napier) on 01325 350268."

Admission for weekend including camping is £15 per adult on the gate, kids 13-16 half price and 12s and under go free. There is also a Family ticket available wih which two paying adults can take two accompanying children free of charge. For a map of how to get to York Dragway, click here.

Web site updates.
9th August: Our good friend Erik from Svensk Dragracing has written to tell us that the NDRS series points standings have been updated to reflect the results from the recent rounde at Gardermoen.

Horst Pauli, the webmaster for Peter Beck's Top Fuel team has also contacted us to let us know that Peter's web site at www.topfuel.ch has been updated with a report on the team's progress at Mantorp and at Gardermoen, and details of the work underway to ensure that the team put on the best possible show at the Nitro Olympics at Hockenhiem on 18th-20th August.

Championships wait on Gardermoen decision.
8th August: Sunday's events at Gardermoen have left European Championship co-ordinators with a knotty problem. The early termination of the race, and the circumstances leading up to it, have left a question mark over whether or how many points should be awarded. The outcome will of course have repercussions upon placings in this year's European Championships, leaving the authorities in a delicate situation and the racers biting their nails.

The Latest News page of Micke Kågered's web site at www.kagered-racing.com has been updated with Micke's own account of what occurred at Gardermoen. We have no doubt that this story will run awhile yet, and will bring you further details as we receive them.

Our friends at Svensk Dragracing have now posted details of those eliminations which did take place at Gardermoen, together with some great pictures.

Freddy still plans SPR return.
8th August: If you kept in touch with our reports from Tullinge you will have seen that Freddy Fagerström was at one point chased down the shutdown area by the emergency crews, leading to worries that he and/or his six-second Super Mod pick-up had been damaged.

Not least amongst those worrying were fans looking forward to Freddy's return to Santa Pod Raceway at the FIA European Finals in September. Freddy brought the house down at SPR last year with a stack of six-second runs culminating in his sound thrashing of a TMFC in a match race, a feat which decided his Eurodragster Moment of the meeting prize.

The good news is that Freddy still plans to be at SPR for the Finals. Our good friend Hasse, webmaster of the Swedish Pro Street News magazine, has spoken to Freddy and writes: "His engine is bad but he hopes that he will get Santa Pod and run 6.4-6.3 this year. He wants to be the World's fastest pick-up". Thanks for passing the news on, Hasse.

Finals: closing date looms...
8th August: On the subject of the FIA European Finals at Santa Pod Raceway, we understand that the official closing date for entries is three weeks before the event, which would put it somewhere around the end of next week. If you have not yet entered the Finals then now may be the time to get that paperwork done - we know for a fact that early entries are always appreciated by the organisers.

...as does Super Series 4.
8th August: The entry list for Super Series 4 at Shakespeare County Raceway at the end of August is filling up rapidly. We hear that entry may have to be closed before the end of next week, so if you want to compete at Super Series 4 then be sure and get your entry to APIRA's Wendy Talbot very soon.

German SSB reports and results.
8th August: German Super Street Bike racer "Wally" Walleit has updated his web site at www.dragbike.de with results from last weekend's German SSB Series round at Muehldorf. You can also find a full report and results on Loud and Proud, the official web site of the German SSB Series, at www.dragsterracing.de/ssb.

Super Series 3 timing data.
8th August: Timing data from Super Series 3 is now available via the Results page of the Super Series web site at www.eurodragster.com/superseries. We are as ever indebted to our good buddy Ozzy of APIRA's tech crew for providing this data.

Scrapheap Challenge: what happened.
8th August: On the subject of Ozzy of APIRA, he was present at the filming of the Scrapheap Challenge TV programme at Shakespeare County Raceway a couple of weeks back. As you will remember, Eurodragster's very own Sharkman was on the facility but was, shall we say, prevented from covering the event. Ever the gentleman, Ozzy spied for us and takes up the story (if you want to wait for the TV broadcast, please skip to the next news item):

"Scrapheap challenge is a TV programme in which two competing teams each have to build a device to do a certain task. This time the two teams; the Meglomaniacs and the Brothers in Arms had to build a vehicle that would be capable of a best of 3 runs down a drag strip. As you know the teams are joined by an expert in the field, on this occasion Brian Johnson (Top Fuel Bike) joined the Meglomaniacs and Andy Robinson (Pro Mod) joined the Brothers in Arms.

"As you would expect BJ and the meglomaniacs built a vehicle based on a Honda 400/twin engine in a frame that ended up looking very like a trike. While Andy and the Brothers built a spaceframe chassis with a Rover V8 feeding into a van rear axle.

"The vehicles though built on the Wednesday in 10 hours were taken on the Thursday to Andy's workshop were both vehicles were altered for safety and proper 'rough' roll cages fitted that looked like they made them in the scrapheap.

"So onto the first run well no point in doing burnout's though not for lack of trying, both vehicles staged launched and Andy's car was left standing on the start line as the trike put in a 11.207@61.56mph (I guess this is over the eighth - Ed). The reason Andy was left standing was they broke the transmission on the car - so ever hopeful they ran the car backwards putting in a 19.732@30.95 - round 1 to the trike.

"The Brothers in Arms with Smax's help were going to change the gearbox on the car but some bright spark from the audience suggested turning the rear axle upside down and back to front so at least the car would go forward. This was duly done in front of the bleach boxes.

"The two vehicles then staged and launched, this time the car put in a run of 11.490@48.80 and the trike storming home with a 11.141@61.31.

"The final run saw the trike win with a run of 11.279@60.81 and the car putting in a final effort of 11.508@48.44."

Thanks very much, Ozzy.

Top Fuel Bike for sale.
8th August: Top Fuel Bike racer and ACU Championship co-ordinator Ian King writes:

"Fed up of throwing good money after bad in Funnybike, Prostock bike and Superstreet? How about getting the attention, sponsors, prizemoney and pitspace you crave? Want your picture in more magazines and calendars than all your colleagues? Want money for nothing and your chicks for free?

"Due to a new sponsorship deal, the King Racing Top Fuel Puma will be up for sale at the end of this season, either as a complete turnkey operation for £25,000 or as a complete rolling chassis (everything inc body, wheelie bars, brakes etc etc, but minus the engine and transmission components) i.e drop in your own engine, blower (if required), clutch and go for £8,000.

"The engine is a Puma Yamaha FJ 1327 cc, Puma Chassis, Brachtvogel Puma multistage clutch, latest B&J 2 speed gearbox, latest Autorotor blower, Performance Machine Wheels, ISR Brakes, Beasley Aluminium Body work etc etc.

"Throw on a fuel timer system, a good rider, and some Pampers and run a Five!

"Contact King Racing at admin@kingracing.com, mobile telephone +44 385 341099, fax +44 1763 852707, or register your interest via the Gossip page of the King Racing web site."

What we and all your other fans want to know, Ian, is what have you got up your sleeve?

Web site updates.
8th August: German drag racing fan David Beitler has launched a web site at drive.to/nitrofan, featuring his spectator-side photographs from NHRA races, photographs of his extensive collection of scale models, drag racing information, and more.

UK racer Phil Bennett's Super Comp team have launched a web site at www.supercomp323.8k.com. Super Comp 323 Online features a full run-down on the car, photographs, news, links (one particular link missing though, guys) and more.

Ferrer, Hauge OK after on-track meeting.
7th August: Yesterday's FIA, FIM, NDRS and Norwegian Championship race at Gardermoen was disrupted and eventually curtailed by a huge oildown and then a collision between the Pro Stocks of Jacob Ferrer and Kjetil Hauge. Both drivers are OK but the same can't be said for their cars. Ake Persson was similarly unhurt in a high-speed crash in his Nova Pro Mod on Saturday.

As predicted the race had the makings of a classic with several new records and personal bests. You can get the full story and stats on the Svensk Dragracing web site at www.dragracing.se.

Lantz takes TFT round two.
7th August: Peter Lantz won the second round of the Swedish Top Fuel Tour at Tullinge, Stockholm, yesterday. He beat Monica Öberg in a final decided at the top end. This ends the quarter-mile careers of both Monica and Peter, both of whom are retiring at the end of this year's Top Fuel Tour - the final TFT round at Malmö is over the eighth.

You can get to guest reporter Ivan Sansom's report from Tullinge from our Race coverage page.

Web site updates.
6th August: UK Super Pro ET team and Eurodragster sponsors Speedflow Racing have updated their web site with the latest news, including a report from last weekend's Super Series 3 at Shakespeare County Raceway. Check it out at www.speedflow.co.uk, from the Home Page click on Speedflow Racing and then Team News.

The UK1320 web site at www.uk1320.com has been updated with some excellent photographs and an interesting report from Super Series 3.

Eurodragster staffer Tog has updated his personal web site Tog's Drag Racing Page with no less then 107 more pictures from the Midnight Sun Internationals at Pite Dragway, and a small number of additional pictures from the Cannonball at Santa Pod. Tog promises his Super Series 3 pictures as soon as he can find the time to scan them. You can find Tog's Drag Racing Page at www.togsdragracing.com.

The official web site of the UK's Top Banana Super Street team has been updated with a report from Super Series 3, new sections including Pro ET and Links, and an up-to-date Rivals page. Check it out at www.topbanana.home-page.org.

Lantz wins held-over TFT Final.
5th August: Peter Lantz has won the final of the first Top Fuel Tour round, which was rained-out at Pite Dragway in mid-July. Our guest reporter Ivan Sansom is at Tullinge; you can get his on-the-sport report from our Race coverage page.

Thanks also to Lars-Åke Henriksson for sending us the news about Peter's victory today.

Shockwave prepare for Super Series 4.
4th August: Gordon Smith and Dave Bryant, joint owners of the Shockwave Fuel Funny Car, are busy preparing for their next appearance, at Super Series 4 at Shakespeare County Raceway where they are one of five booked-in Fuel FCs.

"Gordon, Dave and the rest of the Shockwave team are really looking foward to competing again at Shakespeare County Raceway, where we had so much success back in May", they say. "We will be looking to repeat our best-ever run of 5.79 secs which was set at Super Series 1. To help us in achieving this, we have purchased a new short motor from our friends at Showtime Racing. This will give us the security of having a race-ready spare motor in the trailer, although hopefully not needed! We have also found that we had a problem with the camshaft at the Cannonball, which was causing us to destroy superchargers at great expense. A new camshaft has been purchased. We have also sent our Waterman Red fuel pumps back to 'Rage' in the USA to be completely overhauled, and there are lots of other new things going on, watch out for news on our web site at www.funnycar.uk.com, which will be updated shortly with our Cannonball report. And we must say thanks to Bob and John at Showtime for their help."

Ton goes all John Force.
4th August: Following on from yesterday's news about Ton Pels' thirtieth anniversary in the sport, Crew Chief Vincent Pels has written about Ton's weekend at the Sko Uno Drag Festival at Mantorp Park, where the Zodiac- and Accel-sponsored racer shocked everyone by DNQing.

"They resurfaced the track for the first eighty feet", says Vincent. "Then it rained all week before the race so they couldn't prep the track. That's why nobody was running the numbers. We changed a lot on the bike for that race, and it looks like it is making a lot more power. But it worked against us last weekend (we tried to test at Drachten, but track conditions weren't much better or worse over in Holland). So in the end we twice blew the tire off like a John Force burnout, and in the third qualifying session we ran a 5.00 pass - EHRRRGG!! On that 5.00 pass we took out so much - clutch, bigger gear ratio, fuel volume, Nitro percentage, ignition timing, Ton's right wrist - that we actually hurt the motor.

"So in the last qualifying session we gave it a bit more to spare the cylinders and pistons. You probably guessed what it did...Yep, made 'The Force' jealous again with a big burnout from the line and ran 5.60 or thereabouts.

"We talked to the Gardermoen organiser in Sweden, and he said 'Our track will be better next week, even if we don't do anything about it'. So, hopefully we can really see the potential of the new combination!"

Thanks very much for the insight, Vincent, and good luck to Zodiac Racing and everyone else at Gardermoen this weekend.

Drag Festival reports and pictures.
4th August: Our good friend Tommy Nilsson has updated his European Drag Racing Database with reports, statistics and excellent pictures from the Sko Uno Drag Festival, and details of new records set at the event. All are well worth checking out at www.eurodrag.com.

JDs on display at Knebworth.
4th August: If you are going to the NSRA Hot Rod Supernationals at Knebworth this weekend then be sure to stop by the Custom Car stand on Sunday, when Katie Gibbs' Junior Modified dragster will be on display. "We hope to get another Junior there", says Katie's mum, Tina Gibbs of Obsession Motorsports. "We will also be showing video coverage of Super Series 1999 and handing out fliers for Super Series 4."

Web site updates.
4th August: Ian Hook's FB Racing site at www.fbracing.co.uk has now been updated with the latest points standings in the Custom Car Street Eliminator Championship, following round five at Shakespeare County Raceway on July 29th/30th. The site also carries Ian's personal race report of the weekend's events, and the latest news on CCSE. FB Racing are also pleased to announce a new sponsor. Hugh Potter of Potter's Performance Parts has added his support for the rest of the season. Finally, if you'd like a closer look at their nine-second street-legal '34 Ford, pop along to the American Car Show at Cheltenham Racecourse on August 19th/20th where the car will form part of a drag racing display.

The News page of the Little Big Racing web site at www.netax.se/vopar.html has been updated with an account of Linda Axeldal's weekend at Mantorp Park in the Vopar Super Gasser.

The Godfather's 30 years.
3rd August: Congratulations to Gardermoen-bound Supertwin Top Fuel racer, Holland's Ton Pels who is celebrating the thirtieth anniversary of his entry into drag racing. Sportsman, gentleman, and great ambassador for the sport, Ton started racing in August 1970 on an Adler 250cc two-stroke, running 16s, and his subsequent career has seen many highlights including the first Harley Davidson Pro Stock Bike to run in the eights, the 1996 Supertwin Top Fuel Championship, and the first 200 mph run by a European Harley (and the third 200 mph by a Harley anywhere).

Eurodragster, and no doubt everyone else in drag racing, send Ton their very best wishes on the anniversary and wish him many more years in the saddle.

You can stay in touch with Ton's Zodiac Racing operation on their official web site at www.dragrace.com.au/bikes/vincent.

Davies to go Top Methanol in 2001.
3rd August: UK-born, Florida-based, Europe-racing Super Comp racer Steve Davies has announced that he will be competing in Top Methanol Dragster next season, thanks to a major sponsorship deal signed with Stefan Sanders of the Lubeck, Germany based company Energy Call. Energy Call have put a substantial sponsorship in place for the rest of the 2000 season and will be doubling this amount next year.

"It is great to have people who can see the future of the great sport of drag racing growing in Germany", said Steve. "This year racing in Super Comp here in Europe has been great fun, and now with Stefan Sanders and Energy Call joining PC Specalist (Christian Wilkens), MAG (Nick East) and Auto House Langenfelde in our team of sponsors, I think we have a winning team. We already have our new Murf McKinney chassis back home in Florida - now we can go get the rest!"

Steve races at Mossling this weekend and then moves on to Hockenheim for the Nitro Olympics on 18th-20th August.

FIA, FIM, NDRS move on to Norway.
3rd August: The FIM and FIM European Championships and the Nordic Drag Racing Series move to the Dragracing Challenge meeting at Gardermoen raceway in Norway, which starts tomorrow. Added to the Norwegian Championship this has the makings of a classic race and the entry list (available via www.norskdragracing.com, Terminliste, then click on Drag Challenge) is very healthy indeed. You can get all the latest from NDRG on their web site at www.norskdragracing.com.

Our friends at Svensk Dragracing, who plan to bring us live coverage from Gardermoen throughout the weekend, have a brief preview - including the almost-unbelievable information that the weather forecast is promising - on their web site at www.dragracing.se.

Unfinished business at Tullinge.
3rd August: This weekend also sees the SHRA's Bilsport Drag Nats at Tullinge Raceway in Stockholm, also starting tomorrow. As well as a round of the Nordic Pro Street Cup, the race sees the second round of this year's Swedish Top Fuel Tour. You will remember that the final round of the first TFT event, at Piteå, was rained off, and so the outstanding races will be run in the second round of qualifying at Tullinge.

The held-over Top Fuel final is to be between Peter Lantz and Alan Jackson, and the held-over third/fourth place run-off between Monica &Oum;berg and Pelle Lindelöw. The Tullinge race will be Peter Lantz's last race over the quarter mile before he retires (the strip at Malmö is eighth-mile) so he will be gunning for victory and will want to take advantage of his last chance at a four-second pass. Alan Jackson was in fine form at Piteå running a 5.07 off the trailer and quickly establishing himself as a favourite with the crowd. At Piteå there were a mere five thousandths between Peter Lantz and Alan Jackson's first-round ETs so the final would have been close-fought, and there is no reason to think that things will be any different this weekend. Monica Öberg ran the low ET of the race at Piteå with a 5.05, and Pelle Lindelöw set new Personal Bests on almost every pass over the weekend after a nightmare season in 1999, so the third/fourth place run-off also promises to be a close thing.

You can get more details on this weekend's race at Tullinge on the SHRA Stockholm web site at www.nitroz.se/motor/klubbar/shra, or for an overview of all of the series running at Tullinge this weekend, plus details on the track itself, visit the excellent nitroz.se web site at www.nitroz.se/motor. More details on the Top Fuel Tour are available from the official web site at www.topfueltour.com.

Jet racing: cast your vote.
3rd August: The official web site of the Fireforce Jet Funny Car team has been updated with a report from driver and team owner Martin Hill on the team's latest outings, and the work which has been carried out on the two cars.

There is also a very interesting piece by Martin on the subject of Performance v The Show, whether Jets should race, and what difference racing makes to the start line routine. Jet racing in the UK has been banned by the MSA since the late 1980s, but with three Jet Funny Cars and two Jet Dragsters now proving their mettle on UK strips, a lot of fans have been asking about the possibility of the re-introduction of racing.

To this end, the News page of the Fireforce site is currently running a vote on the subject, and Martin is encouraging fans to take part so that he can get a feeling for what they would like to see. You can cast your vote on the Fireforce web site at www.fireforce.co.uk.

NAST points.
3rd August: The latest points standings in the National Association of Supertwins Championships (UK) are now available via our Points Standings page, courtesy of Sue Beneke to whom many thanks.

Web site updates.
3rd August: Custom Car Street Eliminator racer Allen Curtis has updated the No Manners Racing web site with a report from Super Series 3. "Come and have a look, and sign our Guestbook", says Allen. The No Manners Racing web site can be found at ourworld-top.cs.com/ACurtis9/street.htm.

Svensk Dragracing back on-line.
2nd August: Some great news to start the day is the return of the Svensk Dragracing web site. Our good friends at Svensk Dragracing had their server crash in the middle of last weekend, which was of course one of the biggest weekends in the Swedish drag racing calendar.

Their ISP has now brought the server back on-line, although the web site has had to be reloaded from scratch. We are very pleased to see our friends back with us, just in time for updates from this weekend's race at Gardermoen!

The Svensk Dragracing web site can be found at www.dragracing.se.

Shelters available for hire.
2nd August: We've heard from Colin, one half of the C & P Hot Rod Ts team, who sell Hot Rodding and Drag Racing t-shirts and other merchandise at races and rod runs. Colin is now offering another service to racers.

"I hire out E-Z UP shelters to places like Ascot" says Colin, "and would like to offer this service to racers. The rate would be half what I would usually charge, to help racers improve their image. The E-Z UPS are 10x15 top-of-the-range items and could be hired for, say, the Finals at £30 for three days. An advance deposit of as much as possible would be needed. This service will start from mid-August."

If you are interested please contact Colin on his new e-mail address, colinhotrodts@supanet.com.

Harley-Davidson sponsor Supertwin Finals.
1st August: Santa Pod Raceway have announced that Harley-Davidson are to sponsor the final round of the FIM Supertwin Top Fuel Championship at the European Finals on 8th-10th September. The deal is a first for Harley-Davidson in drag racing.

Steve Earnshaw, Marketing Manager of Harley-Davidson UK said: "The power, performance and sound of the Super Twin is awesome and has to be experienced to be believed. Many people forget that Harley-Davidson has a real history of high performance on the race track and drag strip, and a visit to Santa Pod for the European Finals is a great opportunity for everyone our customers, dealers and staff to have a wild day out and witness what can really be done with a Harley-Davidson engine."

Keith Bartlett, CEO of Santa Pod Raceway, said: "We are delighted to be working with Harley-Davidson at the European Finals, Europe's biggest drag racing event. I feel that drag racing is the perfect showcase for the Harley-Davidson Screamin' Eagle Performance Parts brand."

NDRS points available.
1st August: Our good friends at Svensk Dragracing are still suffering their server crash, so they have asked us to post the Nordic Drag Race Series points standings after the Sko Uno Drag Festival. You can see the latest NDRS points standings by clicking here.

Web site updates.
1st August: The European Drag Racing Database at www.eurodrag.com has been updated with qualifying and elimination details from the weekend's Sko Uno Drag Festival at Mantorp Park. Webmaster Tommy Nilsson promises a report and pictures soon.

UK Fuel Funny Car and Top Methanol Dragster racer Smax Smith has updated the News page of his web site with an entertaining account of his involvement in the filming of Scrapheap Challenge for the UK's Channel 4, which we mentioned last week, and on which our very own Sharkman tried in vain to report on Friday. Check out Smax's report at www.smax.co.uk.

The official web site of the Avon Park International Racers Association at www.eurodragster.com/apira has been updated with details of the nine new track records set at Super Series 3 at Shakespeare County Raceway last weekend.


Earlier news


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