Bremnes' and Jones' RFM Easter.
31st January: If you were tuned in to our Autosport International coverage then you will recall that UK Super Pro ET racer Liam Jones will be driving a Top Fuel Dragster from the Rune Fjeld Motorsport stable this season. RFM have announced that Norway's Birgitte Bremnes will be joining Liam in licencing at April's Festival of Power at Santa Pod Raceway.

"I am very happy to announce that I will be licencing in one of Rune Fjeld's Top Fuel Dragsters!", says Birgitte. "After completing my Top Methanol Dragster licence in Paul Ingar Udtian's dragster at the same event two years ago, it feels good knowing I'll be going back there to move to Top Fuel in 2015. 

"I am very grateful for the opportunity Rune is giving me to expand my driving capabilities into Top Fuel, and I will do my best to put down some good numbers. It feels like it has been a long winter and I'm sure that everyone can't wait to get back to the race track and get nitro back in their veins, but I assure you no one is more ready and hungry for it than me."

 Welcome Phoenix Personnel.
29th January: We are very pleased to welcome back Phoenix Personnel as a sponsor of Eurodragster.com News. Not only is the logistic industry recruitment specialist supporting Eurodragster.com and drag racing but they have imminent employment opportunities for up to thirty readers.

"Phoenix Personnel have decided to join Eurodragster.com now because we are progressing with our recruitment company and want to show our support for the sport which we love", says Emma Wray. "We feel that Eurodragster.com represents the sport very well and we have also had good results in the past with our training company CEJ Training Services."

"We have recently won a new contract in the Downham Market area", says Carole Ismail. "As a result we are looking to recruit thirty Class 1 C&E drivers to start on Monday 9th February. The work is full-time, Monday to Friday with various start times. If you are interested, or if you know someone who might be interested, then please call us on 01604 881664."

You can find Phoenix Personnel's web site at www.phoenix-personnel.co.uk.

Swift snippets.
29th January: Good luck and stay safe to 2014 FIA European Pro Modified Champion Mattias Wulcan who is participating in the first round of the Arabian Drag Racing League in Qatar, and to Sweden's Adam Flamholc who is contesting the US Street Nationals in Bradenton. You will be able to stay in touch with our heroes' progress on the Wulcano Racing Team Facebook page and the Flamholc MMR Racing Facebook page respectively.

Dial In Day: Your chance to learn.
29th January: So, you think you have the quickest ride around? Then Run What You Brungs at Santa Pod Raceway are the perfect place to prove your vehicle's true performance, without the fear of getting caught for speeding or worse, writes Phil Bennett of SPR:

We pride ourselves on being the most affordable track experience in the UK and all you need to take part is a full road driving licence and a vehicle.

Don't worry if it's your first time, you won't be racing against a Top Fuel Dragster! Our helpful track staff will be more than happy to give you a few pointers and you're sure to find some friendly faces around the pits too. You can also register on-line for free for our RWYB Challenge, for which points are awarded based on your performance at each event you attend. At the end of the season the winners of the car and bike classes will be taking home the £500 bounty and the opportunity to run their vehicle at the Flame and Thunder exhibition event in front of thousands!

If you and your Club are planning a day out, then look no further as a RWYB day is the perfect place for any car / bike meet and we can offer allocated pit areas and unlimited track time.

If you're an experienced RWYB'er and considering your next step, then the Dial In Day on 7th March is the day for you! It's a non-committal way to learn about and sample bracket racing which is the affordable, entry-level format of drag racing. The price is the same as a normal RWYB and your standard road car will suffice, in fact we won't allow anything quicker than twelve seconds to take part – if you're going quicker than that, you should know the score anyway!

Bracket racing is all about creating a level playing field, no matter how fast or slow you go. The emphasis is on consistency as opposed to raw speed so the way to win is by replicating ETs and cutting lightning reaction times. Before each head to head race, each competitor will predict the time in which they are going to complete the quarter mile, which is known as choosing their dial-in time. Each car will get the green light and therefore leave the start line at different times, with the difference being the difference in dial-ins (i.e. the slower car will go first). Then it's a case of first to the finish line wins with the only catch being you can't go faster than your dial-in time. If you do, you'll be instantly disqualified handing the victory to the racer in the other lane.

That's all there is to it. Easy, right? Maybe if you're a robot, but the chances of getting a perfect Reaction Time and Elapsed Time to the nearest thousandth of a second on every single run are, for us humans, zero. Luckily you don't need to be perfect, just better than the guy or girl in the other lane.

In addition to having a go at racing yourself with qualifying and elimination sessions, the day will consist of informative class room sessions explaining the finer details of the sport with handy hints and tips to set you on the way to becoming ultimate racer.

For further details, or to book for the Dial In Day or any RWYB, please visit www.rwyb.com or call 01234 782828.

2015 UK Power Tour is go.
27th January: Andy Dibley writes that the UK Power Tour is back for 2015:

This year the Power Tour will be running at Santa Pod Raceway and York Raceway over Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th July. After last year's successful first year, the UK Power Tour proved to be a popular event, being the closest thing in the UK to Hot Rod magazine's Drag Week. Like Drag Week, the Tour follows the same basic rules. All cars must be road legal, and compete at all tracks. They must also hand in their fastest timing ticket at each track to be calculated into the final overall ET of the weekend. The person in each class with the lowest average ET wins.

This year's UK Power Tour offers three classes: NA for Naturally Aspirated, PA for cars running with Power Adders and Unlimited for full-blown race cars running tube chassis and including any form of power adders. The overriding rule however is that all cars must be road legal; all cars must complete the UK Power Tour without being trailered or transported.

There is a £15 sign up fee to take part, and then the regular RWYB fee is applicable at both tracks. For more information on the UK Power Tour head over to www.ukpowertour.co.uk or Like the event's Facebook page.

Outlaw Anglia salute winners.
27th January: Callum Pudge writes with an update from the Trophy Evening of the UK's Outlaw Anglia racers, which took place last Saturday:

Numbers one and two in the Championship were again Cliff Griffin and Colin Millar, who both had more than their fair share of engine problems throughout the season. Colin's season came to a premature end, due to engine problems but the outcome of the Championship could have easily gone either way.


This year, the Debbie Hancox Memorial Trophy was awarded to Phil 'Ginner' Middleton, a popular and well-deserved winner of this special trophy. Ginner was also third in the Outlaw Anglia points Championship after a close season chasing points.


The party went really well with lots of food, beer, banter, beer, drunken dancing and beer. Everybody had a great time and there were probably a few sore heads in the morning!

It looks as if the coming season is going to be great as there are a few new cars in the pipeline planning to test, and most teams doing their normal seasonal upgrades. The Outlaw Anglia website is overdue an update, and I have been tasked to help create a new web site with regular updates and more information about the class. 

Outlaw Anglia hope to provide another season of exciting, close racing and great entertainment! See you at the tracks!

Pictures courtesy and ©Callum Pudge

Swift snippets.
27th January: Geoff Martin of the UK's Tech Team has been in touch to advise interested parties to take another copy of the 2015 FIA Technical Regulations and SFI Specifications. "There were some anomalies in the originals", says Geoff. You can view the FIA's drag racing regulation page by clicking here.

UK Super Pro ET racer Simon Gough is looking for two new crew members. Duties include setting up the pit, packing up the pit and testing before every event. Simon plans to attend all UK Championship events at Santa Pod Raceway, both UK Top Sportsman events, and the NitrOlympX, eight events in total. Tickets are provided and crew are fed and watered. If you can commit to all eight events then please call Simon on 07913 551099.

Eurodragster.com sponsor MPM Oil are releasing a new range of additives in the UK on 1st March. You can check out the flyer (PDF format) by clicking here. "They look great, and the quality of the product is second to none!" says Richard Stevens of MPM Oil UK. "There are a few products with which you may not be familiar, but if you would like any further information feel free to get in touch at info@mpmoil.co.uk."

Santa Pod Raceway's Early Bird Discount, which offers 20% off 2015 event tickets, ends this Friday (30th). Starting tomorrow (Wednesday), Santa Pod's ticket hotline on 01234 782828 (outside the UK +44 1234 782828) will be open for extended hours, 08:30 to 19:00. You can also book tickets on-line via Santa Pod Raceway's web site at www.santapod.com.

Santa Pod signs Recruit.
27th January: Autotech Recruit, a nationwide recruitment agency specialising in supplying skilled technical staff to the automotive industry, has signed a two-year sponsorship with Santa Pod Raceway.

"There is a great synergy between our company and Santa Pod", explains Gavin White, Autotech Recruit's Managing Director. "The venue regularly attracts very large audiences. A vast number of spectators have some affiliation with motor industry and a lot of them work as vehicle technicians. This gives us an excellent opportunity to introduce our recruitment agency to relevant people. The UK economy is battling shortages in skilled staff and automotive sector is no exception. Our business is built on helping fast-fit outlets, independent garages and dealers in finding the right technical staff as fast as possible and we believe sponsorship of Santa Pod Raceway will let us grow our business by reaching new audiences."

Caroline Holden, Santa Pod's Commercial Manager, is delighted to introduce Autotech Recruit as a new sponsor. "We are pleased to welcome a successful local company to Santa Pod", she said. "There is an undeniable correlation between our target markets and we're certain that exposing their brand to our fans will bring mutual benefits. Autotech Recruit are unrivalled in their field and we're proud to be part of their business growth plans."

APIRA Perpetual Awards vote 1.
26th January: Avon Park International Racing Association and Eurodragster.com are again teaming up to give Eurodragster.com readers the chance of input to the APIRA Perpetual Awards, which will be presented at the APIRA Trophy presentation on Saturday 7th March.

For several of the 2014 season awards, a shortlist has been decided upon for which votes can be submitted by E-Mail. The votes of Eurodragster.com readers will be taken into consideration when the APIRA Committee decides upon their winners.

This week's latest category is the Iris Page Memorial Trophy. The Iris Page Memorial Trophy is presented to a racer, team, official, marshal or other individual who has either contributed to the sport over the last twelve months, or who has achieved their own personal goals against all the odds thrown at them.

The APIRA Committee's shortlist, in alphabetical order, is as follows:

Barry Bohannon and Paul Wright (Track Announcer and Shakeysounds)
Vote for Barry Bohannon and Paul Wright

The Detroit Spinner team (Nostalgia Doorslammer)
Vote for the Detroit Spinner team

The Fossil Fuellers team (8.50 Bike and 9.50 Bike)
Vote for the Fossil Fuellers team

The Moor family (Team Elysion) (Comp Bike, Supertwin ET and Junior Drag Bike)
Vote for the Moor family

Neil Townson (Supercharged Outlaws)
Vote for Neil Townson

To place your vote, either use the links above or go to the official APIRA Perpetual Awards voting page which you can view by clicking here or by clicking on the APIRA Perpetual Awards vote link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page.

For each of the Awards, one vote per E-Mail address per nominee will be accepted: multiple votes for the same nominee from the same E-Mail address will all be disqualified. And every year we say this, but every year someone tries it on: please note that blatant attempts at organising mass votes - for example asking workmates, forum members or Facebook friends to vote en masse - are easily identified and all such votes will be disallowed as they have been in previous years. Concerted attempts at vote-rigging will result in the nominee being removed from the shortlist whether or not that nominee knows what was going on. We know all the dodges so it's just not worth trying. If in any doubt about what constitutes canvassing then please drop us a line at editor@eurodragster.com.

Additionally, if anyone should have issues with the content of any of the shortlists then please have the courtesy to contact APIRA direct rather than Eurodragster.com. E-Mails to Eurodragster.com regarding the shortlists will receive neither a reply nor any other acknowledgement.

PMR offers Inspiration.
24th January: Paul Marston went back to school last Wednesday, visiting Barking and Dagenham College but not as a pupil.

Paul had been invited by Bob Noseda and Eamonn Lorimer, Employment and Skills Development Dpecialists to be part of Inspiration 2015, in which the collage invites speakers to talk about their lives and the career paths which have led them to where they are now. It was also a tie-in with former drag racer Jeff Rainbird, resident motor vehicle lecturer at Barking and Dagenham, who is embarking on a drag racing project in which the students will build their own race car with supervision, incorporating their own ideas. The Ford Focus is intended to run in Sportsman ET.

Paul would like to thank the College, especially Bob and Eamonn, for the invitation. "It was nice to see Jeff again and to help out with the project", said Paul. "There were more than thirty students in attendance and twenty six signed up to the project. So I would judge it a successful launch of this new endeavour.

"I would also like to express my gratitude to the Crew Chief and PMR crew member Jordan Brastead who put together a short film for the presentation, which you can view at youtu.be/NFr_PdeYdXM."

Paul says to stay tuned for more news about UK Top Sportsman and UK Top Dragster.

Swift snippets.
24th January: Funny Bike racer Lizz McCarthy asked us to say a big Happy Birthday to crew member Sarah 'Minx' Chapman. No sooner said than done, have a lovely day Sarah.

Eurodragster.com sponsor CEJ Training Services has added First Aid courses to its offerings. For more information check out the company's new web site at www.cejtrainingservices.co.uk.

Web site updates.
24th January: Our good buddy, bike photo-journalist Steve Moxley's report on the Extreme Performance Bike Weekend is now showing on the Eat My Ink web site at www.eatmyink.com. You can check out Steve's report by scrolling down a short way on the Home Page. Moxey has also written a profile of former Pro Stock Bike racer, now coffee maker and tuner, Chris Hope which you can check out on the ACU web site newsletter at www.acu.org.uk.

2015 UK Riders' and Drivers' meeting.
22nd January: Many thanks to Ian Marshall for confirming that the 2015 UK Riders' and Drivers' Meeting will be held on Saturday 21st February at the Hilton Hotel, Northampton, on the eastbound A45 just off Junction 15 of the M1 (postcode is NN4 0XW, map). The meeting will commence at 12:00 midday. Refreshments will be available free of charge on arrival.

Items to be discussed include the 2015 UK National Championships (ratification of dates as well as Championship matters), event entry fees and pitside electrical supply, and prize funds, as well as Any Other Business.

Racers are invited to submit items for the agenda but please note that an item will only be discussed if its proposer actually attends the meeting.

If you have any items for the agenda of the 2015 Riders' and Drivers' Meeting then please send them either to Santa Pod Racers Club at ir.marshall@btconnect.com or to Shakespeare County Raceway at enquiries@shakespearecountyraceway.co.uk by close of office hours on Friday 14th February.

Full SFI Tour schedule.
22nd January: Further to yesterday's news item, many thanks to SFI Foundation President Arnie Kuhns for sending us the full schedule for the 2015 SFI European Recertification Tour.

The following items will be inspected on the Tour:

SFI Spec(s) 1.1 through 1.5 Clutch Assemblies
SFI Spec 4.1 Rigid Auto Trans Shield
SFI Spec(s) 6.1 through 6.3 Bellhousings
SFI Spec 14.4 Rigid Valve Cover Shield
SFI Spec(s) 15.1 through 15.4 Drag Race Wheels
SFI Spec(s) 29.1 and 29.2 Flexplates
SFI Spec 30.1 Flexplate shield

Seat belts, race suits etc cannot be inspected on the Tour.

Tour schedule

Thursday 5th March - The Netherlands

Dutch Hot Rod Association
Aambeeld 11
1969 NC Heemskerk

Inspections between 08:00 and 12:00

Friday 6th March - Finland

US-Parts Finn Am Oy
Holkkitie 10
Helsinki

Inspections between 08:00 and 12:00

Saturday 7th March - Sweden

Persåkers Speed Shop
Solbergavagen 28
Åkers Styckebruk

Inspections between 12:00 and 16:00

Monday 9th March - UK

Santa Pod Raceway
Airfield Road
Podington
NN29 7XA

Inspections between 08:00 and 14:00

Netherlands SFI Tour stop.
21st January: Many thanks to Kees van der Meij for letting us know that the Netherlands stop on this year's SFI European Recertification Tour is on Thursday 5th March at the DHRA Headquarters:

DHRA
Aambeeld 11
1969 NC Heemskerk

Inspections will take place between 08:00 and 12:00. Cash will be the only form of payment accepted.

Regular students of the SFI European Tour will be able to infer the other stops and dates from the above and indeed the Finland stop is, as you would expect, on Friday 6th March but SFI Foundation President Arnie Kuhns will supply us with full official details of dates and venues for the next Eurodragster.com News update.

Swift snippets.
21st January: On behalf of all of the officials of the British Drag Racing Hall of Fame, Management Board member and sponsor Geoff Stilwell has been in touch to wish BDRHoF Chair Stu Bradbury a rapid recovery after recent surgery. "Love and good wishes to Stu and Bev", says Geoff. "British Airways is warming Stu's seat for the trip to the International Drag Racing Hall of Fame induction and the Gatornationals, so he needs to be well."

A note to all Eurodragster.com sponsors that renewal invoices will be sent out over the next few days. If you do not receive your renewal by Sunday and it is not in your Spam folder then please drop a note to tog@eurodragster.com. If anyone would be interested in joining Eurodragster.com's roster of sponsors then please E-Mail the same address for details.

FIM Europe rules, officials' seminar.
20th January: Thanks to Palle Lind for letting us know that, following the FIM Europe Drag Racing Commission's meeting in Rome on 25th October, the 2015 FIA European Drag Bike Championship regulations are now available on the organisation's web site at www.fim-europe.com/index.php/sport/road-racing--drag-bike/drag-bike.

Additionally, the FIM Europe Drag Racing Commission will be holding a Seminar for Clerks of the Course and Sporting Stewards on 21st February at the Hockenheim Ring in Germany. Those officials who need to attend to maintain or renew their licences should contact their own Federations for further details and application forms.

Feature: Corr on tuning for Top Fuel.
 19th January: For the latest in our occasional series of Features presented in association with Lucas Oil Products, Fuel tuner Eddie Corr tells the inside story of his part in Andy Carter's and Barry Sheavills' legendary side-by-side four-second 300 mph pass in 2002. This is the first of a planned series of articles.

"I've been in motor racing one way or another since I started out racing Moto X at seventeen", says Eddie. "However, mostly what I learned in Moto X was that I wasn't that good at it and that perhaps tuning was something I could be better at. Fast forward through an engineering degree, and with a few brief stints in real jobs here and there, I've since spent most of my career in professional motor racing. I've been privileged to work for Porsche, Lotus, Prodrive, Williams F1, and of course quite a few of Europe's (and even some of America's) Top Fuel teams.

"After seventeen years running Fuel cars, I thought I might have a tale or two which some might be interested to hear. Most of what's already been written on nitro cars has no meaningful technical content, and I've always felt that there was a place out there for someone to write about the real meat of what goes in Top Fuel. So for anyone who has watched the FIA European Top Fuel Dragster Championship from about 1997 onwards, or for anyone who wishes to know the real inside story of how you run these cars technically, I hope what I've written is of interest. There is actually a whole book of this stuff, as I've written it bit by bit over all the years I've been in drag racing, so if this taster gets positive feedback I'll move on getting the rest of it out there as well. Enjoy!"

You can check out Eddie's fascinating and detailed account of that historic qualifying session by clicking here or by clicking on the Features, Interviews, Tributes link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page.

Revealed: The new Miss-Guided.
19th January: Natalie Laugher writes that the spy picture of 4th January featured the Miss-Guided team's new 1963 Vette:

In 2012 we purchased a '63 Vette, originally built by Jon Hogarth, from Martyn Willis. However after a few runs with the car we realised it wasn't quite what we wanted and we decided to start again from scratch keeping the body,  engine/trans and a few other assorted bits.  We sold everything else to help fund the new build.  

Webster Race engineering built a 25.1 rolling chassis which was mated to the 572ci BBC rebuilt by Jeff Bull and now with added blower from KillerRons and transmission refreshed by Kev Cerasale.  After running the car at some test days we headed to the NSRA Nostalgia Nationals where things did not quite run according to plan resulting in some cosmetic damage, but never being shy of taking advantage of an opportunity, after the new front end was fitted we took the decision to send the car to Rich Walters who has waved his magic spray gun over the car to give it a nice new look.

We are delighted with the new car, although the build it has taken longer than anticipated. This year we will be running in Super Pro ET and possibly Top Sportsman and Supercharged Outlaws if testing goes well.

Jackson's new clothes.
19th January: Wayne Jackson writes that Brad Jackson Racing are looking forward to the 2015 season with current and new backing:

Brad will be racing in Super Pro ET for his second season in an adult class. The car has a fresh new look for 2015 and Brad will be racing for the Lucas Oil Products stable as his main sponsor.

Brad has a new associate sponsor on board which will be of interest to all racers: Torq Racewear who supply race equipment and custom-designed three-layer FIA 8856-2000 race suits good for six seconds, manufactured by the Italian company HRX starting at just £350 plus VAT. These custom suits are well worth a look; you can find a link to Torq Racewear on Brad's web site at www.bradjacksonracing.com and on the HRX Racewear Facebook page.

Swift snippets.
18th January: Sweden's Marcus Wålm, owner and driver of Wålmracing, has put his injected-nitro Top Methanol Dragster up for sale. The dragster is for sale turn-key and race ready with spares and tools. For more information check out the Cars For Sale section of our Jeff Bull Race Engines-sponsored Swap Meet.

If you had your appetite for what makes a Top Fueller tick whetted by Dan Welberry's Haynes Top Fuel Dragster manual then tune in to Eurodragster.com tomorrow for the first of a series of Features in which Fuel tuner Eddie Corr gives the inside track on various aspects of Top Fuel, in this case the story of his part in Andy Carter's and Barry Sheavills' legendary side-by-side four-second 300 mph pass in 2002.

Amanda Cox and the whole Topspeed Automotive team asked us to say a big Happy Birthday for today (Sunday) to Jamie Reeves. No sooner said than done, have a great day Jamie.

PRO Winter Warm-Up webcast.
16th January: Our good buddies at Bangshift.com will be broadcasting the PRO Winter Warm-Up live and free from Palm Beach International Raceway today (Friday) and tomorrow.

Broadcast commences at 15:30 UK / 16:30 European today and you can stay in touch with all of the action from PBIR on Bangshift.com by clicking here.

Gipp Racing sponsors, riders.
16th January: The UK's Gipp Racing drag bike team are very pleased to announce OntheBottle as a new sponsor for 2015. OntheBottle will be providing Gipp Racing with Nitrous refills and VP Racing Fuel.

"Check out their web site at www.onthebottle.co.uk for everything Nitrous and pay Mark a visit on their stand at meetings this year", say the team. "We would also like to thank Eurol for their continued support this year for oil and lubricants, check out their web site at www.eurol.com.

"After a great season last year winning two National Championships, two SPRC Championships, one APIRA Championship and too many PBs to count we are all really looking forward to this new season. The Gipp Racing riders in 2015 are currently:
  • Allan Davies, Funny Bike and Pro Stock Bike
  • Chris Tombleson, Pro Stock Bike
  • Dan Bergelin, 8.50 Bike
  • Steve Whiting, 8.50 Bike
  • Dean Stevens, 9.50 Bike
  • Mark Nipper Stevens, Projoint H2
  • Louis Davies, Shark Attack Junior Drag Bike
  • Kerryanne Frazier SV650

The Beast's 2015 plans.
16th January: Swedish Supertwin racer and current speed record holder Per Bengtsson plans to step up his race programme for the coming season. After running a limited schedule for the last two years, The Beast team are now ready to run the complete 2015 EDRS Pro Nordic Motorcycle Championship Series. The series consists of four race dates with almost a month between each, which suits the team very well as there are other commitments to take care of during the season. To be prepared before entering the first NMC event, at Tierp Arena on 4th-7th of June, the team will attend some test sessions at Malmö Raceway in early May. The plan for 2015 also includes November's Manufacturers Cup World Finals at South Georgia Motorsports Park in Valdosta, USA.

"We have a lot of things going on for this season and the whole team are looking forward to stepping up the programme and aim for the title in the NMC Series", says Per. "The race dates are well-spread in the calendar and all the tracks involved have the capability to produce a high-quality racing surface so we think that the level of the competition will be really high. After competing in the US both in 2012 and 2013 we now feel it's time to go back for the Manufacturers Cup World Finals, which is in its sixth year and which has become the Grand Finale for the the quickest drag bikes in the world. We hope that competing in the NMC Series earlier in the season will help us to be competitive when we are up against the toughest in the business."

Right now the team are negotiating with several sponsors. Their first commitment will be a display in the Red Line Oil booth at Autoexpertens' big fair in the Friends Arena in Stockholm on 30th-31st January. The Beast team wish to say a big Thank You to all of their partners for their support in the coming season: Red Line Oil, Gates / Lönne, Autoexperten Växjö, Liqui Moly, Ulvsgården AB, Fanhultstvätten Älmhult, Persåkers Speed Shop, Bilservice i Åseda, Rävemåla Bilservice, Larssons Bilverkstad Lenhovda, Swedcut, Bentec Engineering and Flexoart.

Please visit The Beast website at www.bentec.net for further information and complete race schedule for 2015.

Superstock's second Shootout.
16th January: Following two successful years as a one-off, Super Stock racer Peter Walton will be organising a second Superstock Shootout race at this year's NSRA Hot Rod Drags at Shakespeare County Raceway on 11th-13th September.

The rules are very simple for the dial-your-own bracket with no breakout. It's open to pre 1974 Super Stock cars with stock rear suspensions but bolt-on upgrades are allowed. Some ladder bar cars are permitted but only if the car is in the spirit of the class! Engine size can be as big as your wallet will allow but no power adders. Race fuel and slicks are allowed but all cars must have all the normal safety features such as cage, seatbelts, and helmet.

"The idea for the class came about after being totally blown away by the quality of the Swedish Super Stock cars at Mantorp Park put the idea into my head", says Pete. A few years later the first race took place at Dragstalgia to rave reviews so it was only a matter of time before a second race at another strip was on the cards. "With so many Stockers and period race Stockers around these days the Superstock Shootout is going to be a great addition to the Hot Rod Drags this year", says SCR's Jerry Cookson. "With so much interest in nostalgia racing its events like this that will encourage more people to race in the class at an affordable level."

If you fancy entering the Superstock Shootout then get in touch with Pete on 07970 206827 or E-Mail peterwalton2ph@btinternet.com.

Swift snippets.
16th January: Phil Bennett writes that Santa Pod Raceway are seeking drag racing vehicles for static display at Stunt Fest on Saturday 21st February. "It's a great family day out so bring the kids along as well", says Phil. If you would like to take your vehicle along to Stunt Fest then please contact Phil at phil@santapod.com.

Shakespeare County Raceway have been in touch to thank 2015 lane sponsors Serck Motorsport for their kind hospitality during Autosport International. "From the moment the show opened on Thursday the stand became very busy with motorsport enthusiasts all wanting to catch a look and photograph Adam "It's not a turbo" Sayers' street-legal Procharged '57 Chevy 210 Sedan", says SCR's Jerry Cookson. Racing Manager Graham Smith, Darren Wiggins and Craig Sitton were kept busy answering customer questions as well as putting Shakespeare County Raceway in the forefront by hosting the track's banners and flyers. Furthermore, the deal for the right lane sponsorship was cemented with the customary handshake.

Dragracing marknad.
16th January: Johan Samuelsson writes that this year's Drag Racing Swap Meet takes place on Saturday 14th February at the Norrköpings Mässhallar, close to the E4 motorway about sixty kilometres north of Mantorp Park (map).

"This event is arranged by Åby Motorklubb and is the major winter drag racing event in Scandinavia", says Johan. "All categories of race parts can be found from new to used, from Pro classes to street racing.

"The main entrance opens at 09:00 and gates close at approximately 15:00. During the day there will also be meetings with some of the Swedish drag racing class associations etc.

"For sales pitch reservations, admission fee or road directions etc please contact Åby Motorklubb via www.abymotorklubb.se or call +46-11-69833."

Invitation to Bechyne.
16th January: Zur Info an alle interessierten Teilnehmer für einen möglichen Termin für ein Test & Tune in Bechyne vom 24. – 26. April 2015:

Wie auch in den vergangen Jahren ist ein Test & Tune nur durchführbar, wenn sich potientielle Teilnehmer vorab anmelden, um abzusichern, dass dieses Event vom 24. – 26. April 2015 kostendeckend durchgeführt werden kann.

Das Test & Tune wird eine &dbquo;geschlossene” Veranstaltung sein, ohne Zuschauer und ohne Einnahme von Eintrittsgeldern. Dies ist Vorgabe des Vermieters, der tschechischen Armee. Der Vermieter verlangt trotz fehlender Einnahme von Eintrittsgeldern bei Event-Anmeldung vom Veranstalter im Vorfeld eine Mietzahlung, die auch im Falle einer Absage nicht erstattet wird.

M.S.T.O. und Predators &dbquo;Drag Racing” benötigen daher vorab eine schriftliche Anmeldung von mindestens 80 Teilnehmern, um hier kostendeckend zu arbeiten. Die Teilnehmergebühr wird EUR 110,- zzgl. EUR 20,- Strom betragen. Wir bitten alle DragRacer die an dem Event &dbquo;Test & Tune” teilnehmen möchten, uns bis spätestens 31. Januar 2015 eine Zusage per Mail an: mail@Jerry-Lackey.de zu schicken. Danach erfahren wir sofort, ob das Event stattfinden wird, und das Ergebnis per Mail und im Internet bekanntgeben.

Das 6. Grand Nationals Event wird in Kürze beim DMSB angemeldet, der Termin steht fest für den 29. – 31. Mai 2014.

Wir hoffen auf zahlreiche Anmeldungen für unsere Events in Bechyne.

Infos: www.dragracing.de

Clive Mills.
14th January: We were very sorry to hear from Lee and Brian Huxley of the death of their great friend and sponsor Clive Mills, aka Spiders Disco:

Clive was 58 and died after a short battle with cancer. He leaves behind his wife Debbie and children Tara, Lauren, Jordan, Philippa and Grant.

Clive had been an avid spectator and drag racing fan since the age of 16. A lot of regular drag racers will I'm sure recognise him in the picture but may not recognise him by name. Clive was a gentle man and I can't remember him ever being sad except when it was raining and he had been sat in his car for hours waiting for the track to dry. Always laughing, joking and smiling along with at least one of his children with him enjoying his love for our sport. We send our deepest condolences and are thinking of them all at this sad time.

Clive's funeral will take place at 11:30 am on Tuesday 27th January at Oakley Wood Crematorium, Bishops Tachbrook, Royal Leamington Spa, CV33 9QP. His family have asked if Clive's ashes can be taken up the quarter mile in the Dark Horse Mustang in 2015. "This he would have loved" says his daughter Jordan. Clive's children will still be continuing their support for drag racing in 2015.

 SPRC Dinner Dance hotel rooms.
13th January: If you are planning on attending the Santa Pod Racers Club Dinner Dance and Trophy Evening at the St John's Hotel in Solihull on 7th February then Yvonne Tramm tells us that the hotel will be reclaiming unused bedrooms from SPRC's block booking at midday this Friday (16th).

These hotel rooms are available at a preferential rate of £75 for a single room and £85 for double or twin tooms, including breakfast on Sunday morning. To book your room, please call the hotel by midday Friday on 0844 854 2910 quoting Santa Pod.

Bookings for the Dinner Dance itself will also be closing very shortly. Tickets are £32 per adult and £15 for under-twelves which includes three-course meal plus tea / coffee and mints. You can download the booking form (PDF format) by clicking here. A Word format form is available on the Entry Forms section of the SPRC web site at www.eurodragster.com/sprc. Please note that booking forms should be sent to Yvonne Tramm at the address specified and not to the SPRC address.

Bartlett's view from Autosport.
13th January: Longtime Eurodragster.com readers will know that a traditional part of our annual Autosport International visit is a State of the Union chat with the management of Santa Pod Raceway. This year we grabbed a few moments with a very busy Santa Pod CEO Keith Bartlett who had this to say:

For Santa Pod Raceway 2013 and 2014 have been very good years. People now seem more comfortable spending more of their disposable income, whereas four years ago the media spread doom and gloom all around and as a result people became very worried and were inclined to batten down the hatches to an even greater extent than they may otherwise have done. Today at Santa Pod we are seeing this change of attitude in the way of increased spectator attendances. However we must be clear the Santa Pod brand is now very strong, plus the whole Santa Pod experience at our events is part why people are attending our venue. With that said all the management and staff at Santa Pod work very hard at marketing and promoting our business fifty weeks of the year and from myself down, no-one is allowed to sit on their laurels. We must keep improving. Today all our staff are of the mindset that we must do better and from that attitude the results are there to be seen by everyone. I must add that I am harder on myself than I am on anyone else in my companies.

We will again be looking to step our corporate and VIP Hospitality side of our events this year. We will have two spectacular mid-track units accommodating up to thirty five to forty people in each. In addition to that I am personally developing a Santa Pod brand of clothing which will be sold further afield than just at Santa Pod Raceway. That's just one of my babies for 2015-2016.

TV production is another area in which we will continue the development. The multi-camera live HD Web TV will be broadcast from the FIA/FIM events as in 2014. All our TV shows are broadcast in many countries and in 2014 this included the USA and this will be the case again in 2015. I am confident that broadcasting our complete FIA/FIM Championship events at Santa Pod live over the web will result in greater attendance at Santa Pod overall and at the same time increase the returns to our sponsors and corporate partners. I know many people, including some of my own staff, are of the thought that live TV broadcasts in any form are a risk to spectator attendance. I am a firm believer that the exact opposite is the case. One only has to look at what Sky Sports have done with live Premiership football over the past ten years. The gate attendance at all Premiership football matches increased massively as a direct result of Sky Sports' live broadcasts. In today's new media world web-based live TV, if done to a high enough standard, can achieve the same type of results in percentage terms of the size of the sport in question. Also in live web-based TV you have a global audience, not just a national audience, which is a big plus for drag racing as it is truly a full international and worldwide motorsport.

Many people are very aware that there has been some political instability in some area of both the FIA and FIM Championships over the past two to three years.  We are trying hard to bring it together so that everyone is pulling in the same direction. I have been working with Micke Gullqvist of Speedgroup for a long time on this and particularly closely in the last six weeks, to put together a structure to take the Championships forward in 2015 and onwards. It's never straightforward with different groups who may have different goals, but we must ensure that the sport of drag racing becomes the winner in any new structure for the operation of the Championships. If this is achieved then everybody from the racers to the event promoters, sponsors and most importantly the spectators will become the winners. Hopefully we will then all see drag racing continue to develop and expand to the level that we would all like to see it develop.

In today's leisure market, drag racing is in the marketplace of both leisure and motorsports. Drag racing has a huge advantage over so many other leisure activities and in particular other motorsports. What we have, and what most people don't fully grasp, is that we have the best-kept secret in the world of motorsport. We have a product which is pure entertainment and excitement and which delivers to the whole family be they eight years old or fifty eight years old. People only have to look at what we have done at Santa Pod to see that the model, if correctly structured, marketed and promoted, works and produces the revenues required. We must continue to try and bring greater awareness to a far larger audience and in particular the corporate markets, to demonstrate just what a unique product we have in our sport of drag racing. This must apply to everyone involved in our sport, be they promoters, racers, official bodies and organisations, sponsors and even including the drag racing fans. While on the subject of fans I would like to take this opportunity of thanking everyone and anyone who has any involvement whatsoever in or at Santa Pod Raceway and in particular all the racers, teams, SPRC, fans and spectators for your ongoing support in 2014. Without all of you it just would not work at the same level.    

2015 looks to be an exciting year for Santa Pod, Trakbak Racing, Track Group Europe and Speedgroup with the FIA and FIM Championships. I think that if commonsense prevails, and hopefully it will, then we will go into 2016 on a very sound structure for everyone involved and with the future looking orange.

See you all at the track.

Swift snippets.
13th January: Bob Roberts says that one of the things which happens every year is that Eurodragster.com sponsor Andy Robinson Race Cars gets phone calls the week before Easter from people who have just realised their harnesses are out of date. "To help our customers (and ourselves) we are offering a 10% discount on all FIA-spec harnesses ordered and paid for during January", says Bob. "They will have 2015 tags and are good for five years. There are many options of fittings and colour so to discuss your requirements and place an order call ARRC on 01256 880589 or E-Mail robinson_racecar@yahoo.co.uk.

Alders Automotive are pleased to announce that they will be supporting the Super Pro ET Championship again in 2015 and are again offering racers a discount. "This will be the third year in which we have sponsored the series and would like to wish everybody competing in the series the best of luck for the 2015 season", says Richard Alder. "We will also be offering a 10% discount to everybody competing in the Championship". You can follow Alders Automotive on Facebook at www.facebook.com/aldersautomotive.

Diana Macrae asked us to wish her partner and Podington Pea Andrew Shakeshaft a very Happy Birthday for today (Tuesday). Our pleasure DD, have a great day Andrew.

Steve Dudley writes that the next Chelmsford slot drags of the 2014-15 season at MrD Raceway will take place at 8:00 pm on Friday 23rd November at The Cathedral Primary School, Victoria Road, Chelmsford, Essex CM1 1PA. "There is a small car park in the school grounds but please park carefully as it is narrow", says Steve. "Entry and racing are free, all we ask is that you make a donation of a couple of pounds to help toward the hire of the hall, although it's not obligatory. I have loan cars for anybody wishing to try out this exciting form of slot car racing. We usually run a couple of eliminations, for added tension. Come and have a go, it's great fun!"

Anslow seeks help.
13th January: UK VW Sportsman Racer Jason Anslow is offering fans and companies the chance to become involved in Quick Release Racing's 2015 campaign:

Having been lucky enough to win the VWDRC Sportsman title and Rookie of the Year in 2013, 2014 was a challenging second season. I retired Quick Release and built Skool's a Drag to help me move on in the sport and ultimately create a car that would enable me to move up through the classes whilst reducing the ETs!  However, if anyone follows the VWDRC or has seen Quick Release Racing's Facebook page they may know I suffered a number of breakages during 2014 which has hindered the development of the car on track and also the upgrade finances.

2015 is shaping up to be a very full season with an extra VWDRC Championship round as well as other shows such as European Bug-In over the channel in Belgium. In all I would hope to have the car take part in at least ten events. To help me move forward I am reaching out to all those who know me, and also to those I don't, to ask if they are willing and able to help me fund the car for the upcoming season and maybe beyond.

I know that times are tough and that Sportsman drag racing is mostly self-funded so all I am asking for from those who can help is a donation of £20 from individuals or £40 from a business. I know I am unable to offer the packages which other high profile racers can, however for those who can help, the following is what I can do:
  • For the individuals who donate I will display their name on the new rear wing being fitted to the car, on a sponsors' board in the pits and on the Quick Release Racing Facebook page. They will also receive a photograph of the car and be entered into a draw to win two tickets to Bug Jam in July.
  • For any business donations you have the option of your company name as text on the wing or to have a company logo on the car body itself by way of sticker up to size A5. All else will be the same as above. If any companies are able to help more than this then suitable signage can be discussed.
For those who do choose to support me money can be paid to me via Paypal, direct bank transfer, cheque or cash. All monies raised will be used for the running / upgrade costs of the car for the season ahead. If you are able to do so I can be contacted at jasonanslow@hotmail.com or through my  Facebook page. I can then give you details on how funds can be sent.

As mentioned I know that there are not huge amounts of cash out ther and any help is very much appreciated. For those not able to help, it would be appreciated if you could share this post with others.

For those who got this far I thank you and hope you are able to help.

A nine-driver field.
13th January: Nigel Taylor writes that the Detroit Spinner Ford Prefect is almost ready for another season backed by its crew, sponsors, supporters, and followers:

Cliff Hepton at American Motor Factors, Andy Frost of Penn Autos, Graham Smith of Serck Motorsport, Peter Borrett of Saunashop.com, Justin Horne of Joust Performance and Recovery, Mark Onthebottle of On the Bottle nitrous, Michael Hawkins of Get Plastered, Clacys Garage, Bob Hancox, Chris Cotten, Ben Waldron, Jeff Goddard, Graham True, Col Law, Steve Dale, Paul Dale, Stephen Lowth, Tom Mitty, Kelvin Helsdown, Dave Fulton, Stuart Ashton, Rob Gregory, Eddie Ed, Kirsty Cleall, Nick Dunford, Steve Marshall, Mandy Darlison, Danny Mitty, Mick Patey, Richard Hicks, Neil Gibbs, Arthur Bonner, James Gilmour, Sophie Taylor, Elisha Taylor, Mackenzie Taylor and Fletcher Taylor.

The plan is to run the 18th-19th April Test and Tune with Jeff Goddard, Mark Onthebottle and Arthur Bonner, the NSRA Nostalgia Nationals with a surprise driver then Graham Smith / Col Law and Arthur Bonner, Dragstalgia with Andy Frost, Michael Hawkins and Arthur Bonner, then the NSRA Hot Rod Drags with Dave Fulton, Graham Smith / Col Law and Arthur Bonner.

A busy year ahead! It's like a competition between nine different drivers

Big thanks to everyone involved.

VP celebrates forty years.
13th January: As Eurodragster.com sponsor VP Racing Fuels enters its fortieth year in business, the Texas USA-based company continues to power the top race teams and engine builders in all forms of motorsports.

"We expect 2015 to be another big year for us in North America but also in Europe and on the other continents" said Jim Kelly, Regional Manager for Eastern NA and Europe for VP. "Our racing fuels continue to make more power in drag race engines than any other brand whether it be with unleaded or leaded fuels. The key has always been we use the best components available to yield max HP, components that leave race engines running cooler and cleaner than other products. We've fuelled every NHRA Pro Stock World Champion since 1975 when we started and we're still making the most power not just on the dyno but at the race track where it really counts."

In addition to providing on-site fuel service at the Isle of Man TT again this spring, VP will be fueling the Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona as part of a multi-year agreement to fuel IMSA as well as the Pirelli World Challenge, Watkins Glen International and a long list of notable racers, tracks and series around the world.

VP has an extensive distributor and dealer network throughout the UK, Europe, Scandinavia and the Middle East as well as a full time professional technical staff to support all types of motorsport efforts. Please visit www.vpracingfuels.com/europe for more information.

Web site updates.
13th January: A second appearance for Bob Roberts in today's update and having watched drag racing on TV over the years without more than passing interest being shown in the rôle of the crew Bob decided to do something about it himself. You can check out Bob's excellent documentary about the between-rounds work of Eurodragster.com sponsor Andy Robinson's Pro Modified crew by youtu.be/plAWSEROhGE.

Our good buddy Alan Currans has updated his excellent Acceleration Archive with an eleventh page of Roger Phillips' pictures. "This update is called The Class of '72 and continues the story of the great rivalry in Pro Fuel between Dennis Priddle and Clive Skilton and the hectic development of cars which accompanied it", says Alan. As ever you can stay in touch with the latest updates via the What's New? link at www.theaccelerationarchive.co.uk.

Autosport International report.
 11th January: In association with Alamo Rent-A-Car we have now posted our report from Friday's Trade Day at Autosport. The drag racing content mainly centred upon the Santa Pod Raceway / Lucas Oil stand but we managed to find cars and a bike elsewhere as well as speaking to sponsors and racers from Top Fuel Dragster to VW Pro.

Click here to check out our Autosport International report, or click on the Alamo Event Coverage link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page.

Regular readers will know that we traditionally talk to a member of Santa Pod Raceway's management at Autosport and this year is no exception as we managed to snag some time with a very busy Keith Bartlett, Santa Pod's CEO. Keith's words are currently undergoing proofing and we will post them on Tuesday's update.

Swift snippets.
11th January: Cath Napier asked us to say a big Happy Birthday to her husband, UK Pro ET racer Tig Napier. We're very happy to do so, have a great day Tig. Cath and Tig have confirmed that they wish to continue the Eurodragster.com / Bad Habit Racing Perfect Light Award this season so a big Thank You to them.

Many thanks to everyone who submitted votes for the SPRC Perpetual Awards. Voting is now closed but keep those voting fingers warm as we will shortly be running a similar exercise for the APIRA and Shakespeare County Raceway Perpetual Awards.

The Bomber goes high-yield.
9th January: Our Autosport International report, presented in association with Alamo Rent-A-Car, will be posted tomorrow but it would be unfair to make you wait to read that UK Super Pro ET racer Liam 'Bomber' Jones will be contesting this year's FIA European Top Fuel Dragster Championship in one of the Rune Fjeld Motorsport stable of dragsters. Licencing is planned for a Run What You Brung before Easter.

Another welcome piece of news is that Liam's Super Pro ET dragster will be driven this season by former Pro Stock racer Conrad Stanley.

We will have more about this soon, but in closing Liam is hoping that the Top Fueller will carry his famous camouflage colour scheme.

Introducing MSEF.
 8th January: After a year of organisation up, the Motorsports Safety Education Foundation gave its first presentation at the recent PRI Show at Indy. Lena Perés writes:

There are many ways to learn about safety in motorsport. Either by reading the rule book or through other drivers, or through personal experience and incidents at race tracks, which is the worst way. The MSEF aim to provide an additional path to knowledge for safer racing by offering an interactive options. MSEF have all the latest safety knowledge to be enable you to compete in the sport you love over and over again, and now they are giving us all the opportunity to benefit from and add to that knowledge.

This year the MSEF presented their organisation board and their mission at a press conference. The board of the foundation is Mike Long (President, Eagle Motorsports),Tom Weisenbach (Executive Director), Murf McKinney (President, McKinney Corp) and Al Lowe (President, AED Motorsport Products).

Accidents have dropped over the years, but still they happen. MSEF now want to help and educate the family and team members supporting the drivers to further increase the safety of the practitioners. MSEF plan to provide the latest safety knowledge in a simple manner on their web site at www.motorsportssafety.org where you can read more about their purpose and objectives.

Swift snippets.
8th January: The 2014 Top Fuel Dragster points on the FIA web site have been amended to show Sweden's Micke Kågered as Champion even though Thomas Nataas had more than one event's lead. It appears that not only have Thomas' points been removed for the event, as sanctioned by FIA, but that Thomas' opponents in his elimination rounds have been awarded his win points. The latter was not done to Tommy Johnson Jr in his similar situation and FIA rules state that points are not transferable. Words are being had and we will bring you clarification when we receive it.

Don't forget that voting for the SPRC Perpetual Awards closes at 23:59 UK time tomorrow (Friday). To check out the shortlists and place your votes, click here or click on the SPRC Perpetual Awards vote link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page. Those 2013 Perpetual Award winners who have not yet returned their trophies are asked to get in touch with Ian Marshall at Santa Pod Racers Club on 01933 313625 to arrange collection.

Steve Dudley writes that the next Kent slot drags meeting of the new season takes place on Mr D Raceway at 2:00 on Sunday week (18th) at Higham Memorial Hall, School Lane, Higham, Kent ME3 7JL. "The hall is chargeable", says Steve. "If you would be kind enough to carry on the tradition of a couple of quid in the pot it would be appreciated. I have loan cars available if you do not have your own and would like to take part in eliminations."

NitrOlympX: Lackey speaks out.
6th January: NitrOlympX Race Director Jerry Lackey has been in touch to confirm that despite rumours to the contrary this year's race, the thirtieth NitrOlympX, will be taking place on 7th-9th August and that it will be a round of both FIA and FIM European Championships. Some minor English corrections aside we are presenting Jerry's statement as written and in its entirety:

In the name of the NitrOlympX organising team, I hope all racers in Europe had a wonderful Christmas and a good start to the New Year 2015. I wish all of you a record-breaking safe season and look forward to seeing you all at most of the 2015 drag race season events.

In order to still many of the rumours that have circulated in the drag racing community in past months about the NitrOlympX and the Hockenheimring I would like to say the following.

First off, the person or persons who are spreading the rumours that there will be no FIA Championship held at the Hockenheimring in 2015 are unfortunately mostly racers or organisers themselves and have no idea what harm they are doing to not only the NitrOlympX but to our sport of drag racing in general here in Europe.

It is well known that the NitrOlympX has a record of having the most spectators and many times the most participants than any other dragster event in Europe. It cannot be denied that the NitrOlympX is popular amongst almost all racers in Europe because of the atmosphere surrounding the event and our spectator numbers are wished for by organisers at other events in Europe. For these reasons, it is not at all understandable why baseless rumours are still being spread.

Fact 1: We have applied for and have approved from the FIA a date for the 30th NitrOlympX from 7th-9th August 2015. The date is already posted on the FIA 2015 calendar.

Fact 2: Even if it is true that a few Scandinavian racers have supposedly stated that they will not participate at the NitrOlympX in 2015, we will go on with our plans for the Championship and will co-operate with the organisers of events at Santa Pod Raceway in order to try to save the FIA Championship.

Our 30th NitrOlympX event will help us decide our faith in future FIA Championship events at the Hockenheimring and we will invite all FIA classes in the hopes of getting a good turnout of racers from all countries.

Fact 3: Despite attempts to cause the downfall of the FIM Championships by certain organisers of opposing Championships, we have applied for and have an approved FIM date also of 7th-9th August 2015 for the 30th NitrOlympX. We will invite all FIM Classes including the FIM Europe Super Street Bike Cup and we will then decide how we will continue with the FIM Championships.

Fact 4: The road builders who put down the asphalt for our 2013 season track will, weather permitting, be doing some testing in January and will then make suggestions and supply estimates for renewing the Hockenheim quarter mile track.

Despite a well known Pro Stock racer's comments that I claimed we would have a killer track in 2014 - it was not said by me - we were not able, in the short period of time given us after the F1 event, to get the quarter mile back to 2013 condition. The 2014 track was not an unsafe track but admittedly was not a track for best record numbers.

I have been guaranteed by the Director of Logistics at the Hockenheimring that we will definitely have a much better track surface in 2015 and that, there being no F1 event at the 'Ring in 2015, we will be given plenty of time for our crews. With the guidance of the Santa Pod track specialists, we will have a super good quarter mile track in 2015 (Note: There are zero killer tracks in Europe).

Materials for treating our renovated track surface to the value of over €75,000 have already been purchased and on the way from the USA and Denmark plus a new Andy Robinson rubber sled to better forced the rubber on to the track. This sled and others will be pulled by one of our four new John Deere tractors which are all to be used in treating the 2015 track. 

Fact 5: I intend to bring in the new highly-interesting and growing class from England, the Supercharged Outlaws.  This will be a invitational class for 2015 and the results from our overall  2015 event will help us to decide whether we go with a full sixteen-car field in 2016.

I am asking the Editor of Eurodragster.com to release these statements and must now leave it up to all racers, FIA and FIM, to decide which direction both Championships will go in 2016.

Editor's note: Please see News FAQs 16 and 15.

End of the lollipop.
6th January: After thirty eight years of racing UK Super Pro ET racer Dave Ward has been advised by doctors to retire from racing and hang up his boots.

"I have been diagnosed with a benign brain tumour, and I've been told it would not be sensible to continue racing", Dave told Eurodragster.com. "Although this has been a difficult decision I know it is the right thing to do.

"The dragster is up for sale in the Cars For Sale section of the Jeff Bull Swap Meet and although it feels like the end it's not quite, as Felicity is going to race her Mustang in Sportsman ET and I will be supporting her all the way.

"I have many people to thank. Firstly my wife for putting up with my racing for so many years, Ian Gibbs my loyal Crew Chief, Adrian and Daniel Holloway, Jeff Hart, Felicity Gibbs, Graham Chamberlain, Paul Saint, Bill Sullivan and my children Jon, Steve and Nats for spending all my spare cash at the track. Last but not least my dad John Ward for making all this possible. Thanks to everyone who knows me, I will miss you all. From myself and the Rampage team, best regards and stay safe."

We're sure that everyone will join us in wishing Dave well for the future and we look forward to seeing him at the track with Felicity.

Swift snippets.
6th January: As he did last year, multiple FIA European Pro Stock Champion Jimmy Ålund is to start 2015 in the USA, again racing out of the KB Racing stable. After testing Jimmy is due to contest four events including the defence of his Four Wide title.

Noise and fumes, all welcome.
6th January: If you fancy methanol fumes in your nose and one of the best sounds on the planet in your ears then Dave McKenzie tells us that he, Mark Windridge, Eddie Fryer, Will McKenzie, and Nathan Kershaw will be at the Manchester Ultimate Custom Show this Saturday and Sunday (10th-11th) with The Thing Supercharged Outlaw Dodge Daytona Funny Car and that fire-ups are on the menu.

"Andy Fadster's Twister and Jayne and Gary Kay's altered will be there", says Fuzzie. "Fire-ups of The Thing and Twister are scheduled both Saturday and Sunday. Come along and get an early fix". For more information about the Show check out its official web site at www.ultimatecustomshow.co.uk.

Fuzzie adds that anyone interested in joining the Supercharged Outlaws is welcome to their AGM which takes place at 1:00 pm at Clifford Chambers village hall, close to Shakespeare County Raceway. The Supercharged Outlaws presentation for 2014 follows at 7:00 pm at the New Inn in Clifford Chambers. "No dinner tickets are left but anyone who wants to come along to watch the presentation is welcome", says Fuzzie. "They will just have to wait in the bar (What a hardship - Ed) until we have eaten our meals."

APIRA presentation booking...
6th January: Avon Park International Racing Association and Shakespeare County Raceway are pleased to announce details of their Championship Presentation Evening to be held on Saturday 7th March in the Valley Suite of the Severn Valley Railway, Comberton Place, Kidderminster DY10 1QR. The evening will honour the 2014 APIRA Champions and runners up along with APIRA and SCR Perpetual Award winners.

The evening will commence at 6:00 pm and the buffet will open at 7:30 pm. The Championship presentation begins at 8:30 pm. There will be a disco till late provided by Shakey's resident DJ Jamie. There will also be a raffle.

Tickets are £15 per person including Hog Roast with all the trimmings and a choice of desserts; please see the booking form for the options. You can download your booking form (PDF format) from the Downloads page of the Shakespeare County Raceway web site at www.shakespearecountyraceway.co.uk. Please note that all booking forms should be returned to the address on the form by 17th February 2015. Credit card payments can be made by calling 01789 414119 during business hours.

There are many hotels and guest houses nearby including a Holiday Inn Express, Premier Inn and Travelodge. Please see the Severn Valley Severn Valley Railway web site for details. There is plenty to see and do at the Severn Valley Railway as well as the historic towns of Bewdley, Bridgnorth and Kidderminster. The Severn Valley Railway itself offers a fantastic day / weekend of heritage steam which includes a very informative visitor centre named The Engine House at Highley Station. Perfect for all petrol heads!

If you have any queries then please call 01789 720180 or E-Mail enquiries@shakespearecountyraceway.co.uk.

2013 Perpetual Award winners please note that all trophies should be returned to APIRA/SCR as soon as possible.

APIRA and Eurodragster.com will again be teaming up to give Eurodragster.com readers the chance to vote for the 2014 season APIRA and SCR Perpetual Awards. The first shortlist will be published shortly.

...SPRC Dinner Dance closing.
6th January: Booking will soon be closing for the Santa Pod Racers Club Dinner Dance and Trophy Evening, which takes place at 6:00 pm on Saturday 7th February at the St John's Hotel, Warwick Road, Solihull, Birmingham B91 1AT (map). This event will present Champions and runners-up in the 2014 UK National Drag Racing Championships, MSA British Drag Racing Championship, Santa Pod Racers Club Championships and SPRC Perpetual Award winners.

Tickets to the Dinner Dance are £32 per adult and £15 for under-twelves which includes three-course meal plus tea / coffee and mints. Please make it clear on the form if booking tickets for under-twelves and specify a child's meal. An additional £1 per ticket should be added if paying by credit card. Verbal bookings will not be accepted: bookings will not be confirmed until a completed form is received by SPRC. Please remember to bring your ticket on the evening as the raffle will be drawn on ticket numbers.

SPRC have negotiated a preferential rate for hotel rooms in the St John's Hotel. These are priced at £75 for a single room and £85 for double or twin tooms, including breakfast on Sunday morning. To book your room, please call the hotel on 0844 854 2910 quoting Santa Pod.

You can download the booking form (PDF format) by clicking here. A Word format form is available on the Entry Forms section of the SPRC web site at www.eurodragster.com/sprc. Please note that booking forms should be sent to Yvonne Tramm at the address specified and not to the SPRC address.

If you have any queries then please contact Ian Marshall at SPRC on 01933 313625 or E-Mail ir.marshall@btconnect.com

2013 Perpetual Award winners please note that trophies should be be returned to SPRC as soon as possible. To make arrangements for trophy return please contact Ian Marshall as above.

Swift snippets.
4th January: Eurodragster.com's annual visit to Autosport International at Birmingham's NEC takes place this Friday, Trade Day 2. If you, your vehicle, or pieces of your vehicle will be present at the Show on Friday then please be sure to let us know at editor@eurodragster.com and we can arrange a chat for our report.

On the subject of Autosport International, don't forget that DC Electronics are hosting a Meet and Greet with 2014 FIM European Super Street Bike Cup Champion Steve Venables at the Show on Thursday and Friday. You can check in with Ven and his bike between 11:00 am and 12:00 pm on stand E181 in Autosport Engineering on both days.

Voting for the SPRC Perpetual Awards will close at 23:59 UK time this Friday (9th). To check out the shortlists and place your votes, click here or click on the SPRC Perpetual Awards vote link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page. Those 2013 Perpetual Award winners who have not yet returned their trophies are asked to get in touch with Ian Marshall at Santa Pod Racers Club on 01933 313625 to arrange collection.

The latest spy picture to arrive at the offices of Eurodragster.com (below left) came with the words "All dressed up in a new party frock and nowhere to go (yet)". If you know more, or if you would like to send your own spy picture, then drop us a line at eurodragster.com@btinternet.com.


Dutch Euro Top Gas Series racer Herman Jolink, Felicitas and team got in touch to wish everyone a Happy New Year and to share this picture (above right) of Herman clocking a 10.513/201 kmh at a sprint in The Netherlands in October 1984. The bike toted a Ducati Bevel 998 cc  on high octane petrol, with pistons manufactured by Star Twin and frame by Jan Jansen. Now, about that tram which someone has crashed through the fence into the forest...

Nitro Bug update.
2nd January: Karl Harrison is expecting a busy 2015 as he prepares to debut a new Nitro Beetle with Andy Raw:

As most people in our little world know, Andy Raw and I are currently piecing together a Nostalgia Nitro Funny Car. Over the last year Andy has been gathering a rather nice collection of parts to bring a dream for both of us to reality. We will be showing the full build after Christmas as that's when things will really start moving on.

Our current status is we have a complete short motor, heads, rocker gear and spare heads/rocker gear, manifold and spare, ignition system, blower (from Kenny Gomez at Superpower Unlimited), hat, and fuel system to go along with my complete chassis, gearbox, clutch and can.

The body is currently being made and I can confirm that it will be a VW Beetle body. Jason Phelps of FGR Motorsport is going to mount and tin the body and Andy and I will build up the motor and running gear. Paint for the body is in the hands of Steve Taylor and Paul Jackson who have got a paint scheme all planned out.

We plan on being out for Dragstalgia 2015. If all goes to plan we then hope to go to Hockenheim as well. Both Andy and I are very fortunate to have the support from our better halves to enable us to spend countless amounts of hours work hidden in a workshop to bring this whole project alive so I would like give to give a massive thank you to Tash and Lisa for all their support and hard work they do which often goes unnoticed.

There are also a couple of other tricks or surprises up our sleeves to complement this build which we will share as and when the time is right. Andy has already been out and about talking to sponsors for the car and currently he has five or six definite sponsors for the coming season.

It's going to be a really exciting season with everything else we have going on as well with the two Harrison family Super Pro ET dragsters and the Team Rock.com / Marshall / FGR Motorsport nitro Funny Car. We will endeavour to keep to you all updated with progress as it happens, watch this space.

ESLA announce international dates.
 2nd January: Thanks to Dutch racer and European Street Legal Association organiser Margot Schmidt who has sent details of the European Street Legal Association (ESLA) series for 2015:

The aim of ESLA's street legal series through Europe is primarily to fulfil the needs of street-legal car and bike enthusiasts. The ESLA series will bring participants, motorsport shows, entertainment, media and business opportunities to various event locations across Europe. ESLA's goal is to organise a monthly three-day event in each participating country, with up to nine countries holding events by 2017.

ESLA and its partner tracks are dedicated to giving all aspiring drivers a place to race safely. Whether you're a hard-core racing enthusiast or just want to test your driving skills against others, ESLA offers a fun and easy alternative to dangerous and illegal street racing. When you are a certified ESLA member with a street legal motorcycle or automobile, you will be able to race in a safer and controlled environment at our partner tracks across Europe.

More information can be seen at: www.esla-events.com.

Quartermile Pro events.
2nd January: We have also received details of the Dutch Quartermile series which will comprise two Pro events which will also be organised by ESLA. Margot Schmidt writes:

The new Quartermile Organisation proudly presents our dates for the Quartermile Pro-events 2015, at Drachten airport in the Netherlands. The first Pro event will take place on 10th-12th July and the second on 2nd-4th October.

All participants of the pro-events of 2015 will be charged a special introductory price of €150. This fee includes one driver ticket, five extra tickets and use of all facilities. If entering a second class, you will also be charged a special introductory price of €100. Junior Drag Bikes and Junior Dragsters participate for free. Participants entering for either one or both Pro events will get the opportunity to run free demos at various International ESLA events in 2015; demo dates include free entry for drivers, crew and sponsors, free use of all facilities, free use of track, and international exposure.

There are limited spaces for free demos at ESLA events, so please send in your Pro Event participation entrey no later than 1st April 2015, through our web site at www.quartermile.nl. For free demo runs at ESLA International events, please contact us at contact@esla-events.com.

Swift snippets.
2nd January: Supercharged Outlaw racer Steve Goode who drives the Ghost Train Funny Car (pictured) has a request for crew. Steve says "I am looking for a man or woman to work on my Funny Car for 2015 and future years. I can crew provide tickets for events, so if you are interested please write to steve.goode376@btinternet.com or call me on 07811 622990."

Head of Eurodragster.com's Complaints Department Ray White says he has three five-gallon RCI fuel jugs free for the taking. Ray says "They just need a clean, I don't want anything for them and they just need to be collected. I'm not sending them anywhere and I'm not holding on to them until start of season but they might help someone out". You can contact Ray via his advertisement in Car Parts For Sale on our Jeff Bull Race Engines-sponsored Swap Meet.

Web site updates.
2nd January: Our good buddy Alan Currans has been in touch to let us know that he has updated his excellent Acceleration Archive with a page of wallpaper images taken from the 2015 calendar. As ever you can check out the latest update via the What's New link at www.theaccelerationarchive.co.uk.

Time Warp Nostalgia FC crew member Chris Eyre writes that his Nostalgia Funny Car web site has been updated with a write up from Mike 'Doc Stinger' Megrauer about his 2014 season and his plans for 2015, including a major change to the car. There is also a write up from prospective Funny Car racer Jon Best who will be remembered from his time in the NFAA running the 'Felsted, Best and Lotsabeera' altered and who hopes to be entertaining the masses soon, running nitro again. In addition there is news from Andy Raw and Karl Harrison. All of these reports can be found at euronostalgiafunnycar.jimdo.com/news. Chris adds that some more reports will follow soon.


Earlier news