Swift snippets. 26th February: Ian Marshall has been in touch to let us know that the Santa Pod Racers Club office is currently offline after a broadband failure. Ian says that the broadband should be fixed within forty eight hours of the failure and that he will respond to E-Mails as soon as he is back on-line. You can call SPRC on 01933 313625. A reminder that voting for the APIRA and Shakespeare County Raceway Perpetual Awards closes at 23:59 UK time tomorrow (Friday). Thanks to all of those readers who submitted nominations for the British Drag Racing Hall of Fame. All nominations received will be put in front of the Board of Selectors at this year's selection meeting which takes place this coming Sunday (1st March). Swift snippets. 24th February: The latest spy picture to arrive at the offices of Eurodragster.com came with the words "Nearly time!". 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. Thanks to Bob Roberts for letting us know that UK Pro Modified racer and Eurodragster.com sponsor Andy Robinson is the subject of a two-minute video clip made by The Travel Channel. One of a series of videos named My Life In Motion, Andy's feature packs a lot in to the two minutes; you can take a look for yourself and, if you are a racer, look for yourself, on YouTube by clicking here. Web site updates. 24th February: Bike photo-journalist and all-round top bloke Steve Moxley's report on Dragstalgia 2014 is now showing on the Eat My Ink web site at www.eatmyink.com; to see Steve's report scroll down on the lower centre frame. Also just posted, this time on the ACU web site, is Steve's profile of 2014 ACU UK Funny Bike Champion Gary Jones which you can check out under Sporting News at www.acu.org.uk; a profile of ACU UK Comp Bike Champion Allan Davies will be posted later this week. Waving goodbye at Andersen Racing. 23rd February: After frenzied speculation Karsten Andersen of Andersen Racing and Eurodragster.com sponsor Landmeco has been in touch with the promised exclusive statement for Eurodragster.com readers about a sale at Andersen Racing: There has been a lot of buzz this weekend about Jonnie Lindberg and the Andersen Racing trailer going from Denmark to Sweden. Is it his? Is the trailer empty or does it actually contain the fastest Top Fueller in Europe? Well, the wait is over, and here are all the facts right here on Eurodragster.com. YES: Jonnie Lindberg did drive the trailer from Denmark to Sweden this weekend YES: Jonnie Lindberg and Wally did try the fastest Top Fueller in Denmark YES : The Top Fueller is still in Denmark – at least for a little while yet YES: You will probably see the trailer around Europe again as the new owners, Åke Granholm and family, will be touring it during the 2015 season So you see Andersen Racing are selling out. We are one trailer short, but there are still lots of good stuff remaining. The fastest Top Fueller in Europe, the best tune-up, a lot of really good parts at a really good price. Make us an offer while you can. 2015 French ATD calendar. 23rd February: Thanks very much to Vince Perrier for forwarding this year's French Association Trophée Dragster calendar: 1st-3rd May: 20th Drag Power Show, Chambley (54) 6th-7th June: 1st European Dragster, Clastres Dragway (02) 3rd-5th July: Run Cap Sud, Le Pêchereau Airfield (36) 24th-26th July: 21st Drag Power Show, Fréjus (83) You can find out more at www.trophee-dragster.fr or on the series' Facebook page. APIRA Perpetual Awards vote 6. 23rd February: 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 category is the McDonald Racing Ireland Best Newcomer Trophy. The McDonald Racing Ireland Best Newcomer trophy, for the most promising newcomer to contest events at Shakespeare County Raceway, was presented for the first time in 2012 and is posted by Graham, Edel and Gabrielle McDonald. Last year's recipient was Sportsman ET racer Stephen Cherrett, whose entry fees to the Springspeed Nationals and Open Sport Nationals were paid by McDonald Racing in addition to the trophy. The shortlist for the McDonald Racing Ireland Best Newcomer trophy, in alphabetical order, is as follows: Harley Coulsell, Lucas Oil Junior Dragster Vote for Harley Coulsell Blade Dummer, Junior Drag Bike Vote for Blade Dummer Steve East, The Wild Bunch Vote for Steve East Damian Halliwell, Topspeed Automotive Street Eliminator Vote for Damian Halliwell Natalie Jones, Junior Drag Bike Vote for Natalie Jones Ed Keech, VW Sportsman Vote for Ed Keech Jan Lukes, Sportsman ET Vote for Jan Lukes Pete Rollinson, Outlaw Anglia Vote for Pete Rollinson Megan Talbot, Junior Drag Bike Vote for Megan Talbot Dave Ward, Super Street Bike Vote for Dave Ward Kimberley Willcox, Lucas Oil Junior Dragster Vote for Kimberley Willcox 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. Voting closes at 23:59 UK this Friday (27th) / 00:59 Saturday European. 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. UK Riders' and Drivers' Meeting report. 21st February: The 2015 UK Riders' and Drivers' meeting took place this afternoon (Saturday) at the Hilton Hotel in Northampton. The official minutes of the meeting will be published in due course but these are the main points: The dates of this year's UK Championship rounds are listed below. Entry forms for events at Santa Pod Raceway will shortly be available on the refreshed Santa Pod Racers Club web site at www.eurodragster.com/sprc and forms for events at Shakespeare County Raceway will shortly be available on the Shakespeare County Raceway web site at www.shakespearecountyraceway.com. Closing dates are listed on the entry forms and reminders will of course be posted here on Eurodragster.com. All teams intending to field more than one driver or rider for the same vehicle must send a list of the season's drivers to Ian Marshall or Yvonne Tramm at SPRC before the Festival of Power. Cars Top Methanol Pro Modified Comp Eliminator Super Pro ET Pro ET Sportsman ET Super Comp Super Gas Super Street Street Eliminator Junior Dragster Festival of Power Santa Pod Raceway 3rd-5th April ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Big Bang Santa Pod Raceway 24th-26th April           ✔         ✔ Springspeed Nationals Shakespeare County Raceway 2nd-4th May       ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ FIA/FIM European Championships - The Main Event Santa Pod Raceway 22nd-25th May ✔ FIA ✔ FIA & MSA ✔ ✔ ✔   ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ SPRC Summernationals Santa Pod Raceway 27th-28th June   ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Bug Jam Santa Pod Raceway 17th-19th July           ✔       ✔ ✔ non-points Mopar Euronationals Santa Pod Raceway 24th-26th July   ✔                   Open Sport Nationals Shakespeare County Raceway 29th-31st August       ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ FIA/FIM European Championships - The Finals Santa Pod Raceway 3rd-6th September ✔ FIA ✔ FIA & MSA ✔ ✔ ✔   ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ UK National Finals Santa Pod Raceway 19th-20th September ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Big Bang this season is not a UK National Championship round for 8.50 Bike and 9.50 Bike but is a round of the SPRC Championships for 8.50 Bike and 9.50 Bike. Shakespeare County Raceway are hosting additional UK National Championship rounds for 8.50 Bike and 9.50 Bike on 18th-19th July and 26th-27th September, and an additional APIRA Championship round on 23rd-25th May. Bikes Top Fuel Bike Pro Stock Bike Funny Bike Super Street Bike Comp Bike 8.50 Bike 9.50 Bike Junior Drag Bike ACU Supertwin Top Gas ACU Supertwin ET Festival of Power Santa Pod Raceway 3rd-5th April ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Springspeed Nationals Shakespeare County Raceway 2nd-4th May   ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔     FIA/FIM European Championships - The Main Event Santa Pod Raceway 22nd-25th May ✔ FIM ✔ FIM   ✔ FIM             SPRC Summernationals Santa Pod Raceway 27th-28th June   ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Public Track Weekend Shakespeare County Raceway 18th-19th July           ✔ ✔       Open Sport Nationals Shakespeare County Raceway 29th-31st August   ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔     FIA/FIM European Championships - The Finals Santa Pod Raceway 3rd-6th September ✔ FIM ✔ FIM   ✔ FIM             UK National Finals Santa Pod Raceway 19th-20th September ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Public Track Weekend Shakespeare County Raceway 26th-27th September           ✔ ✔       Extreme Performance Bike Weekend Santa Pod Raceway 17th-18th October   ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Entry Fees have again been frozen for this year, and remain as below. Due to escalating bank charges for paying in cheques, SPRC would prefer payment by Bacs this season; this has been made clear on this year's redesigned entry forms. Prize money has been increased by 2% this season. 2014 Santa Pod Racers Club Champions will again receive free entry to rounds at Santa Pod Raceway in 2015. At FIA and FIM events SPRC will cover the equivalent of the National Championship entry fee for Pro Modified, Pro Stock Bike and Super Street Bike. In the case of teams with more than one driver, one team driver per event will receive the free entry. Pitside power must still be paid for. The free entry must be used during 2015. Class Two-day event Three-day event Four-day event MSA British Pro Modified; Top Fuel Dragster; Fuel Funny Car; Top Methanol; Nostalgia Fuel Altered Association; Nostalgia Funny Car £155 £160 n/a NB FIA classes pay FIA fees for FIA European Championship events ET classes; Super classes; Junior Dragster; Comp Eliminator; Topspeed Automotive Street Eliminator; VW classes; Outlaw Flat Four; Wild Bunch; Outlaw Anglia; other Sportsman car classes £125 SPR: £135 SCR: £130 £160 ACU Top Fuel Bike £160 £160 n/a NB FIM classes pay FIM fees for FIM European Championship events ACU Funny Bike; ACU Pro Stock Bike; ACU Comp Bike; ACU Super Street Bike; 9.50 Bike; 8.50 Bike; ACU Supertwin Gas; NAST Supertwin Gas; NAST Supertwin ET; Junior Drag Bike £130 SCR: £125 SPR: £140 SCR: £135 SCR JDB: £105 n/a Jet Car £150 £160 TBC Exhibition £160 £160 TBC Fees for pitside power supply at Santa Pod Raceway have again been frozen this season. It was again stressed that the power fee is for one hook-up for the racer and that crew or others who are found to be using hook-ups will be asked to leave. Event duration Single phase Three phase 2 days £45 £145 3 days £55 £155 4 days £65 £170 Other business(in the order arising) Various options have been investigated to prevent a recurrence of the problems at last year's Festival of Power. Run logs have been analysed and running orders changed. To help save time getting Junior Dragsters and Bikes or broken vehicles off the track an extra gate is to be installed in the guardrail next to scrutineering. Shakespeare County Raceway's jet dryer will be operational at the Springspeed Nationals, Open Sport Nationals, NSRA Nostalgia Nationals and NSRA Hot Rod Drags. Santa Pod Raceway's gantry is to be rebuilt to increase the distance between its uprights and the guardrails, and it will also be relocated to the finish line rather than halfway through the top end speed trap. With a view to attracting more cars into SPRC Comp Eliminator, indexes are to be introduced for VW, FWD and JDS racers. Santa Pod Racers Club's new web site, designed and programmed by Peter Walters Race Design, will launch tomorrow (Sunday 22nd) at www.eurodragster.com/sprc. Hall of Fame Gala DVD released. 21st February: Those who attended the 2014 British Drag Racing Hall of Fame Gala Awards Dinner in November have many great memories of a fantastic evening. The good news is that if you want to relive the complete event, or if you want a flavour of what you missed, then the evening has been encapsulated on a ninety-minute DVD supported by the special sixteen-page A4 size Souvenir Programme. Although many fantastic still photographs have been published it is impossible for photographers to capture everything which happened during the evening's presentation. That's where the video comes in. From its unique opening sound of the 1961 Allard Chrysler dragster firing up and the new electronic theme music produced by Essex-based Hipnotic Jazz, you know this is going to be different. The video is produced by AMP Audio Solutions and includes all the presentations along with the accompanying cheers, tears and standing ovations. Below left a screen shot taken from the video showing Don Garlits kissing his late wife's name on the Lucas Oil Global Achievement Award, upon which the words In memory of Pat Garlits will be engraved whenever it is awarded. Only the video has captured this. Her Royal Highness Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia and Serbia presented the award. The five BDRHoF Inductee presentations and speeches are included as are those of the two Sydney Allard Media Award recipients. There is even a Don Garlits tribute film, a special edit of footage covering fifty years of the NHRA Nationals made by Dean Papadeas who gave permission for it to be used at the Gala Dinner. You can find a trailer at youtu.be/788SEhVETYM. Whilst stocks last the DVD can be purchased along with the special sixteen-page full-colour souvenir programme of the event. The publication was sponsored by Custom Car magazine and the front cover reflected the look of early copies of the publication. It features full details of all inductee citations - Gerry Belton, Russ Carpenter, Don Garlits, Dennis Norman and John Whitmore – plus the other awards presented on this unforgettable night. The ninety-minute PAL format DVD of the 2014 British Drag Racing Hall of Fame Gala Awards Dinner is £15 plus £1 UK P+P The ninety-minute PAL format DVD of the 2014 British Drag Racing Hall of Fame Gala Awards Dinner plus souvenir programme is £20 plus £2 UK P+P The souvenir programme is £10 plus £1 UK P+P The DVD is also available in NTSC format on request. You can order your DVD and programme at www.britishdragracinghof.co.uk/merchandise. For European and Rest of World postage and packing charges telephone Stu Bradbury on +44 1933 279102 or E-Mail stuart@britishdragracinghof.co.uk. The return of the Toy. 20th February: Swiss Pro Modified racer Peter Wacker has announced that he will return with his popular Roofer's Toy this season. Peter, his '57 Bel Air and his legendarily pulchritudinous crew have been absent for ten years. "I had a chat with Andy and Kate Robinson last week and decided to go racing again this year", says Peter. "Andy is now co-ordinating everything to recertify the Roofer's Toy chassis for the 2015 season. New Stroud race gear and Simpson helmet are also on their way. "The 735 ci Nitrous motor will be renewed by Rob Loaring and Nick Davies at ICE Automotive. They did an excellent job as motor builders and as the Roofer's Toy's Crew Chiefs when we won Pro Mod at the 2004 FIA Main Event at Santa Pod. "The car will stay as it is, maybe a rear axle gear ratio change and a slightly bigger NOS jets. The driver intends to lose some weight as well. "It is clear that after my ten years' absence Pro Mod has developed and the cars are easily running low sixes. It will be very hard to qualify, but that is the challenge! We will show up at Santa Pod the week before the Main Event to test and tune the car then race at the Main Event and at the NitrOlympX at Hoclenheim. To stay tuned visit the Roofer's Toy Facebook account or my web site at www.roofers-toy.ch. APIRA presentation still booking... 20th February: Tickets are still on sale for the Avon Park International Racing Association and Shakespeare County Raceway 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. ...APIRA Perpetual Awards vote 5. 20th February: 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 category is the APIRA Alan Wigmore Memorial Trophy. The founder of the National Drag Racing Club, Alan Wigmore was dedicated to every aspect of the sport at home as well as in America. As Chairman of the NDRC Alan got to do just about every job there was to organise as well as run race events. This Award is presented in Alan's memory to the chosen individual who has shown the same dedication, spirit and enthusiasm for the sport which Alan showed in his years in drag racing. The APIRA Committee's shortlist, in alphabetical order, is as follows: Nick Brooke-Langham, Gasser Circus Vote for Nick Brooke-Langham Sarah Howells, The Wild Bunch, fund-raising Vote for Sarah Howells Dave Massam, National Sprint Association Vote for Dave Massam Claire Meaddows, The Wild Bunch Vote for Claire Meaddows Bruno Sanderson-Brown, SCR safety crew Vote for Bruno Sanderson-Brown The Schreier family, SCR timing crew Vote for The Schreier family 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's 2015 plans. 19th February: Paul Marston writes with news of Paul Marston Racing's plans for 2015 as the UK National Drag Racing Championships come ever closer: As I write there are only six weekends left and three are already spoken for with the Riders' and Drivers' Meeting, Southern Swap Meet and Santa Pod Raceway's Dial In Day at which Mick Howling and I will represent Paul Marston's Drag Race School and help out Ian Marshall, James Forster and the rest of the Santa Pod team. This leaves just a scant three weekends to get everything else done, so thank goodness for half term - you can always use that extra pair or two of hands! PMR have embarked on some pretty major restructuring of the logistics side of the team. A new world headquarters in still undergoing construction but is in the latter stages and should be fully operational by the summer. The weather always plays its part and we are doing a pretty good job of working around it. Transportation wise there have also been some major additions, which will become obvious at the Festival of Power and which have been the main focus of the team for the majority of the off season. It was felt that this was an area where improvements could and would be made. PMR's 2015 driver line-up will comprise Mick Howling and I driving a Team PMR entry in Super Pro ET, and I will compete in Super Comp. There will be a sprinkling of guest appearances throughout the season but the title campaigns will be fought in Super Pro ET and Super Comp. Race car wise, I will most probably drive the newly-purchased all-conquering Miller four-link dragster in both Super Pro ET and Super Comp at the Festival of Power. The choice of weapon could change depending on how the beginning of the season shapes up. We feel that we now have the race cars up to a level at which any of them can be competitive in their respective fields. The next level is testing different components to ascertain whether there is any improvement in consistency to be had from this process or whether a bigger window can be built for the cars to be less sensitive to track, weather, air, tyres, gearing, convertor or other factors. As with everything, once you have reached and achieved one level you must start looking for the next. There are a lot of very talented teams and drivers out there and the racing is getting tighter and tighter. The only way to stay competitive is to keep moving forwards otherwise you simply go backwards. In addition it's a package deal: it's not just the team and the driver, it is more than ever the equipment. A deadly consistent race car can win you races which the driver alone can't and over a season that can make a real difference. With some very exciting new cars making their débuts in 2015 it will be very interesting to see who is in the top five at the end of the season. One thing is for sure though, the 2015 season will be tougher to win than it was in 2014. The Whoopass Monza is coming back together nicely after the world famous (via YouTube) axle explosion in last season with just some finishing-off of the axle reassembly to be completed followed by a day at Drag Race Engineering for a transmission swap and a full systems and chassis alignment check. Finally the replacement tinwork will need to be fabricated and installed to finish her off. The Monza will most probably make her 2015 début at North Weald for the first Quick 8 Heads-Up event on Sunday 10th May. Like everyone else we are looking forward to the beginning of the season. See you all there. Racers: It's high time to let your fans know about your plans for 2015. Drop us a line with details at news@eurodragster.com and we'll do the rest. Swift snippets. 19th February: We were very sorry to hear from UK Super Pro ET racer Joe Stevens of the death of crew member and Shakespeare County Raceway stalwart Bev Arnison, who passed away in his sleep on Saturday night. "I am sure that Bev will be greatly missed by all who knew him", says Joe. "His funeral is at 1:00 pm next Friday (27th) at Carlisle Crematorium, Dalston Road, Carlisle CA2 6AT (map). Casual dress, no suits or ties". You can find out more about Bev's funeral on the Co-op Funeral Directors' web site by clicking here. Our condolences to all of Bev's family and friends. A reminder that the 2015 UK Riders' and Drivers' Meeting will be held this Saturday (21st) 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. From Dutch Pro Modified racer Robert Joosten comes this rendering of his new race car produced by Eurodragster.com sponsor Peter Walters Race Design. "The car is a '71 Cuda originally built for Dave Wood's driver Troy Critchley by Tim McAmis Race Cars", says Robert. "The car has only made a few runs but showed big potential running an "easy" 3.7 at the eighth. The car is now at the paintshop of Jeff Hoskins who will bring this design to reality. Pro Dutch Racing will carry out some testing in the USA and the outcome of that will show us in which direction we need to go." It's almost time for the annual meeting to select the next intake to the British Drag Racing Hall of Fame. If any Eurodragster.com reader would like to submit a nomination (UK or overseas) then check out the qualifying criteria at www.britishdragracinghof.co.uk then E-Mail your nomination and supporting text to tog@eurodragster.com. Thanks to Stefan Boman for letting us know that a ten-minute video feature of Jonnie Lindberg's recent NHRA Winternationals victory is available on the Bilsport web site by clicking here. Shakespeare County Raceway PR Jerry Cookson tells us that SCR and the National Sprint Association will be hosting a display at this weekend's Race Retro at Stoneleigh Park in Coventry. "On display will be Justin Newall's Hagon Triumph plus a few different machines from Dave Massam's stable of classic bikes", says Jerry. The show will be open between Friday and Sunday and you can find out more at www.raceretro.com. The UK's Firefighter Racing Juniors, Kimberley and Richard Willcox and Kayleigh Goodrich, are seeking assistance to have their Junior Dragsters and Junior Drag Bikes painted to help increase awareness of the Fire Fighters Charity in aid of whom they will be raising funds. Supporter status starts at £15 and various options are available. For full details on backing a very worthy cause check out the team's Pledge Sports web site by clicking here. Good luck and stay safe to Sweden's multiple FIA European Pro Stock Champion Jimmy Ålund who will be contesting Pro Stock at this weekend's Carquest Auto Parts NHRA Nationals in Phoenix. Qualifying starts at 19:00 UK / 20:00 European tomorrow (Friday) and you will be able to stay in touch with Jimmy's progress at www.dragracecentral.com. Web site updates. 19th February: Nostalgia slingshot legend Johnny 'Mental' Hall got in touch to let us know that the Stamford Speed Shop web site has had a makeover. The site at www.stamfordspeedshop.com includes workshop updates, customer cars and more. VP Racing Fuels press release. 19th February: Eurodragster.com sponsor VP Racing Fuels have announced the introduction of Cetanium cetane concentrate, the latest addition to its line of Madditive performance chemicals. "Cetanium will increase cetane up to ten numbers for off-road racing diesel applications" said Bruce Hendel, VP’s Director of Consumer Products. "That’s the largest increase of any cetane boost on the market." Packaged in 32 oz containers, Cetanium cleans injectors and pumps, prevents sludge and deposits and replaces lost lubrication.  This yields an increase in horsepower, increased fuel mileage, a reduction in smoking and greater protection, including for biodiesel applications.  Each container treats up to ten gallons (38 litres). Cetanium joins VP’s other previously introduced Madditives, including VP Fuel System Cleaner; VP Power Boost combustion enhancer; VP Octanium octane improver; VP Fuel Stabilizer with Ethanol Shield; and VP Diesel “All-in-One” Fuel Conditioner.  Like each of the other Madditives, Cetanium is engineered to provide genuine performance improvements at a cost-effective price. "While the performance chemicals market is crowded, dealers and their retail customers will find Cetanium and our other VP Madditives to be best in class", said Bruce. "The VP brand on these products carries the same assurance of quality and performance customers have come to expect from VP Racing Fuels for the last forty years.  Dealers can rest assured there will be widespread demand for Madditives among their performance enthusiast customers." For more information about Cetanium or to order VP Madditives, call +1 302 368 1500, write to vpatlantic@vpracingfuels.com, visit www.vpracingfuels.com and vpracingfuels.com/europe. Roger Butterworth's funeral. 18th February: Thanks to Bryan Whitfield for the details of Roger Butterworth's funeral, which are as follow. Roger's funeral takes place at 3:45 pm on Friday 6th March at Heart of England Crematorium, Heart of England Way, Nuneaton, Warwickshire, CV11 6WZ (map). There is no dress code and hot rods and customs are welcome. Family flowers only but a collection will be taken for Shakespeare County Raceway's safety crew. The wake will be held at Greene King Stadium Football Club, Leicester Road, Hinckley, Leicestershire, LE10 3DR (map). You can read the full arrangements by clicking here. APIRA Perpetual Awards vote 4. 16th February: 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 category is the APIRA Endeavour Award. The APIRA Endeavour Award is presented to a racer, team, supporter or member of the media in recognition for services rendered over the last twelve months, as well as their overall support of Avon Park International Racing Association and Shakespeare County Raceway. The APIRA Committee's shortlist, in alphabetical order, is as follows: CC Medical Services, Medical crew Vote for CC Medical Services Mark Coulsell, Wild Bunch Vote for Mark Coulsell Alan Davis, Shakespeare County Raceway track prep Vote for Alan Davis Dave Smith, Media Vote for Dave Smith Jenny Wren, Photographer Vote for Jenny Wren 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. Swift snippets. 16th February: We were stunned to hear of the death of Mel Mcclaine, Mopar nut and very early and fervent Eurodragster.com supporter right down to the frequent quarter-mile walks along the left-side bank at Shakespeare County Raceway with picnic baskets for Sharkman or Tog, or both, always featuring cold roast chicken. If ever there was a person for whom the phrase "one-off" was coined it was Mel, who delighted in Tog's description of her as "Drag racing's answer to Keith Richards" and who lived her life exactly as she pleased. The muscle car scene is never going to be the same. Rest in peace dear Mel, our deepest sympathies to family and friends. Web site updates. 16th February: One of a photoshoot of Eurodragster.com sponsor Andy Robinson's Camaro Pro Mod, taken by our good buddy and photographer Matt Woods, graces the cover of the March issue of RPM magazine. More of Matt's pics are used in the feature in the magazine. For more details check out www.rpm-mag.com In the latest instalment of his exclusive Blog presented in association with Alamo Rent-A-Car, Santa Pod Raceway Track Announcer Colin Theobald treats those who were not there to a repeat of the poem especially composed for last weekend's SPRC Dinner Dance and Trophy Presentation. As ever you can stay in touch with the latest Blog updates by clicking here or by clicking on the Alamo Blogs link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page. Help sought. 14th February: Santa Pod Raceway are once again looking for used slicks for sledding for the 2015 season. If you have any used slicks (please, no Drag Radials or street tyres) then please get in touch with Ian Marshall at ir.marshall@btconnect.com to arrange collection. Brian Taylor writes that tour guides are again sought for the Institute of the Motor Industry's annual Student Day at the FIA Main Event at Santa Pod Raceway in May. "The day at Santa Pod has become very popular with schools and colleges", says Brian. "It has proven to be a very successful way of linking up drag racing with the established motor industry apprenticeship schemes. I have been asked by Donna at Santa Pod to get a group of IMI Student Pit Tour Guides together again ready for Friday 22nd May. This is usually a joint effort between the Allard Chrysler Action Group and the British Drag Racing Hall of Fame. Santa Pod anticipate around seven hundred students this year. The base will be the mid-track VIP Centre unless otherwise informed between now and then. We anticipate the first tours starting at 10:30 am". If you would be interested in acting as a tour guide then please contact Brian at brian@allardchrysler.org or call him on 01395 579733. Dexter Price writes that Team Gridlock's Driver Adz Price will be taking part in the London to Paris Bike for JDRF (Diabetes Research). "We know that several of our fellow racers, or their their families, and officials are plagued by this condition as are some of our own drag racing family and Adam is doing his bit to help", says Dex. "There are so many worthwhile causes out there and we know that things are really tight at the moment, but if anyone can spare anything, even just to wish Adam well in his training, it would be so much appreciated. This started as a way to lose weight and be more healthy and to ultimately go faster for 2015 but developed into signing on for an epic bike ride for charity. The Team Gridlock Dragster will be sporting the JDRF logo in 2015 to help support the cause. You can pledge support at uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/Adam_Raff_LondonToParis." Swift snippets. 14th February: Jan Lukes, the Two Brothers Racing team, supporters and family asked us to say congratulations to UK Funny Bike racer Jiri Lukes and partner on the birth of their daughter who arrived yesterday (Friday). "She was born only yesterday but there are already plans to build a Junior Bike!", says Jan. Web site updates. 14th February: The Acceleration Archive's roving reporter Benoit Pigeon was at Bradenton recently following the fortunes of Adam Flamholc as he got to grips with his new US-based ride. A short report and pictures can be found via the What's New link at www.theaccelerationarchive.co.uk. Swift snippets. 12th February: We were shocked and very sorry to hear of the sudden death of UK former Super Gas racer Roger Butterworth, who famously campaigned the iconic Snow White Chevy. As well as his prowess as a racer we remember Roger as ever-laughing and friendly and he was a firm supporter of Eurodragster.com from its earliest days. Fellow racer Kev Moore speaks for us all when he says "Such a sad loss, one of drag racing's true gentlemen". Our deepest sympathies to Roger's family and friends. UK Pro ET racer Mike Lacey asked us to say a big Thank You to Yvonne Tramm, Ian Marshall and Colin Theobald for making last Saturday's surprise proposal to Karen Stevens work out so well. "Luckily for me Karen did say yes, or it could have been embarrassing", says Mike. "Thanks for all the good wishes from everyone. See you all at the track in a few weeks." Andersens: We meant what we said. 11th February: Four months have passed since Denmark's Andersen Racing announced their retirement from Top Fuel Dragster and put their record-holding car and operation up for sale. Although there have been plenty of inquiries, the fastest Top Fuel car in Europe hasn't yet sold. Karsten Andersen of Andersen Racing and Eurodragster.com sponsor Landmeco explains why: Every enquiry we have had has been about when the Andersens will return to Top Fuel. No-one in the business seems to believe that our decision is actually final, but it is. Let us use Eurodragster.com to to make it clear once and for all: The Andersens will not be racing again, and it is a fact that all of our hardcore stuff is for sale. The best and fastest car, a complete set-up with tuning data, spares, and far from least the trailer, awning, tons of tools and must-have bits and pieces. So give us a call before someone else does: Per Andersen at pa@andersenracing.dk or call +45 229 35250 or myself at ka@andersenracing.dk or call +45 296 86819. van der Wijden succumbs to virus. 11th February: The Netherlands' Tom van der Wijden was delighted to learn that his Meth-Ness Funny Car and team won Santa Pod Racers Club's Most Professional Appearing Team trophy, voted for by Eurodragster.com readers. The Funny Car has moved to pastures new but Tom has a new ride which is guaranteed to keep his hands full. "I would like to say Thank You to everyone who voted for us", says Tom. "I am really happy that we, as a small Dutch team, received this award - are we the first Dutch team with this trophy (I believe so - Ed)? I also wish to thank my team of Willem, Leonie, Sjoerd and Gregor. "After selling the Meth-Ness Funny Car to Germany, the loss of my main sponsor, and my Crew Chief retiring I had to decide what to do. The drag racing virus won and with help I bought one of the fastest pick-ups in Europe, formerly raced by Martin Lundkvist and Team ProWest. "It has a 25.1F chassis so I have the choice of joining many classes. It has a methanol injected turbo Small Block Chevy and already ran 6.7. I bought it without the clutch and five-speed and will convert it to an automatic transmission. I must now find the money to get that transmission! "The plan is to race in Super Pro ET in the UK, Germany and Holland and a round of Top Sportsman at the Mopar EuroNats. Sponsors are very welcome to get us back on the track." Santa Pod DFDS deal continues. 11th February: Thanks to James Forster of Santa Pod Raceway for letting us know that SPR's deal with DFDS Seaways, offering racers discounted ferry fares to and from Europe, continues into 2015. "The racers are the real winners in this deal", says James. For more details, or to book your ferry trips, download the information sheet-cum-booking form (PDF format) by clicking here. The same form is available in Word format on Santa Pod Raceway's web site. Swift snippets. 11th February: The latest spy picture to arrive at the offices of Eurodragster.com came with the words "Nitro Harley blower + Subaru + Methanol + Beetle = :-)". 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. UK Super Street Bike racer, recovering from illness which almost finished him off a couple of times but fortunately didn't, is seeking sponsorship for his daughter Rhiannon Bellenie's entry into Pro ET with her unique dragster. If you would be interested in sponsoring Rhiannon, or if you have any ideas for finding her sponsorship, then please drop Pete a line at peter.bellenie@zen.co.uk. Swedish Pro Stock racer Michael Malmgren recommends a look at a video clip of the inside of Oakley One Icon headquarters in California. "It's a state of the art science building", says Michael. "It tells you everything about the Oakley history and brand - it's not just a brand it's more about a lifestyle".You can check out the video at www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYOsh4f6SdQ. SPR announce 2015 sponsors. 11th February: Santa Pod Raceway are pleased to announce the first four of their sponsorship arrangements for 2015, with two new companies joining the roster of marketing partners. Caroline Holden, Santa Pod’s Commercial Manager, explains: "We are delighted to welcome two new marketing partners joining us this season, Autotech Recruit and Empire RV, and to welcome back old friends, as it were, in Autoglym and Draper Tools. Autoglym continues with us for a further three-year partnership as a lane sponsor on the track and Draper Tools will again serve as official supplier of the tools and equipment vital to the safe and efficient running of Santa Pod. "We look forward to building on these relationships, old and new, throughout the coming season." Autotech Recruit Ltd, the UK’s leading specialist recruitment consultancy for MOT testers and vehicle technicians, has agreed a two-year partnership with Santa Pod. Gavin White, Autotech Recruit’s Managing Director, commented: "There is a great synergy between our company and Santa Pod. The venue attracts very large audiences and a vast number of spectators have some affiliation with the motor industry – many work as automotive technicians. This gives us an excellent opportunity to introduce our recruitment agency to relevant people." Empire RV specialises in the sale and rental of luxury American RVs, Travel Trailers and Fifth-Wheels from its dedicated 30,000 square-foot indoor facility in Somerset. Headed by RV specialist and industry expert James Tranter, immersed in the American motorhome scene for more than ten years, Empire RV deals with vehicles from leading manufacturers such as Winnebago, Four Winds and Thor, and provides every aspect of customer service – sales, private and corporate rentals, import and export, vehicle management, service and repairs, and LPG conversions. Free camping is a feature of Santa Pod’s major, long-weekend events. What better way to overnight there than in the comfort of an Empire RV luxury vehicle? Autoglym is a UK manufacturer of premium car care products used all over the world. Autoglym began its quest to revolutionise car care in 1965. From an initial product, Radiant Wax Polish, which quickly gained a loyal following of professional users impressed by the finish and ease of use, the company now manufactures more than one hundred premium products for car enthusiasts, “Sunday morning man”, professional car detailers and valeters, the motor trade, bus, truck and rail. Autoglym is the proud bearer of Royal Warrants from HM The Queen and HRH The Prince of Wales; its products clean and maintain to perfection the motor vehicles in both Royal Households. Autoglym and Santa Pod are both delighted to continue a partnership that stretches back more than ten years. Draper Tools nowadays carries probably the UK’s largest stock of tools in one place at its 535,000 square-foot premises in Hampshire, a far cry from its origins in 1919 when founder Bert Draper began selling government-surplus materials and tools in the area of Kingston upon Thames.  Once again Draper Tools will serve as Santa Pod’s Official Tool Supplier of Choice, cementing a relationship which began in 2011.  Draper Tools offers a vast store of products supplying markets ranging from automotive, professional engineering, building and electrical industries to home, leisure and gardening, adding new line products to its stock every week.  Not only do Santa Pod’s track support team and vehicle technicians rely on Draper Tools, but Draper’s own service and repair manager, Mark Smith, rides a Championship-winning Pro Stock Bike at the track – fettled and maintained, of course, by Draper Tools. Fake HANS Device alert. 9th February: The SFI Foundation, Inc. has been made aware of the existence of a counterfeit Head and Neck Restraint System which could pose a significant danger to those who purchase and use these products.  For complete information regarding this matter, please click on either of the following links: www.sfifoundation.com/important-notice-regarding-counterfeit-product www.sfifoundation.com/wp-content/pdfs/Notice2-4-15.pdf Should you have any questions or comments regarding this matter, please feel free to contact the SFI office. Brown's Shorty from Grand Rapids. 9th February: UK Super Comp racer Paul Brown has revealed his new ride: a short-wheelbase dragster with which he will continue to contest Super Comp. Paul explains: When I sold my dragster after making my last runs at the 2014 SPRC Summernationals in 2014 , I thought I would find it hard being on the outside of the car for the last two meetings of the season, but it made a change and I really enjoyed crewing for Phil Jones and seeing and hearing the car run from the outside. I didn't rush into purchasing a new car straight away; there has been a lot of work away from the track looking for a new car with various different options and combos. I tried to strike deals on a number of cars but couldn't nail one at the final hurdle on a couple of cars. Finally, in October, I struck a deal on this 2009 Shorty dragster, based on a Land Shark dragster with a 185" wheelbase. It is a lot shorter than your average dragster. No, Mike Lacey, it doesn't have doors but I can draw one on and yes, Simon Gough, it is another shopping trolley but faster. The original plan was to buy a four-link car, but then I thought we should try something different and I now own one of only a few rear-engine Shorty dragsters in Europe. The car has front suspension and will be running a small block Chevy on methanol. This will give me a completely new challenge. My old car was one of the slowest cars in Super Comp and it didn't have a throttle stop installed. Now, instead of looking over my shoulder, this car will be one of the fastest cars in the class and should also be capable of running in the sevens flat out. I arranged with Golden Chariots shipping company to transport the car on its 4000-mile journey from Michigan and it was picked it up from Felixstowe last week by my Mum and Dad. I have only seen the car in a picture so I can't wait to see it next week when I get back to Bedford. We will go through the car and fully check it over and be out testing as soon as we can. We've got a lot to learn with the new set up and I need to get myself comfortable in the car. We will make a number of test runs before fitting the car with its throttle stop ready for Easter. The plan is to run a full season in Super Comp and to take part in Top Dragster. APIRA Perpetual Awards vote 3. 9th February: 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 category is the APIRA Shakespeare County Raceway Sportswoman of the Year trophy. The APIRA Shakespeare County Raceway Sportswoman of the Year trophy recognises the efforts of women in 2014 as racers, crew members or track officials. The APIRA Committee's shortlist, in alphabetical order, is as follows: Holly Baldwin, VW Sportsman / Bracket Gamblers Vote for Holly Baldwin Clair Davis, Crew, Gipp Racing Comp Bike, Pro Stock Bike and Junior Drag Bike Vote for Clair Davis Lisa Morris, Crew, Paul Morris 9.50 Bike Vote for Lisa Morris Sue Morris, Crew, Satan's Lady 9.50 Bike Vote for Sue Morris Jane Read, Shakespeare County Raceway marshal Vote for Jane Read Soma Smith, Crew, Mick Winyard 8.50 Bike Vote for Soma Smith Linda Williams, Crew, Time Traveller slingshot and SCR pit runner Vote for Linda Williams 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. SPRC Presentation gallery. 9th February: Grace Roaf's official Trophy Presentation pictures from Saturday's SPRC Dinner Dance and Trophy Presentation are now available. The gallery, which is presented in association with Lucas Oil Products, can be checked out by clicking here or by clicking on the Features, Interviews, Tributes link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page. Copies of any picture are free and can be obtained by E-Mailing tog@eurodragster.com with the image number. Many thanks to Grace for her hard work on Saturday evening. Swift snippets. 9th February: Congratulations to Sweden's Jonnie Lindberg who won Lucas Oil Top Alcohol FC at the NHRA Winternationals at Pomona, defeating Brian Hough in the final round. Ulf Leanders made a second round exit in TAFC whilst Jimmy Ålund went out in round one of Pro Stock. You can read full details at www.dragracecentral.com. SPRC Perpetual Award winners. 8th February: The winners and runners-up in the 2014 UK National Championships, MSA British Drag Racing Championship, and Santa Pod Racers Club Championships were presented with their trophies at the SPRC Dinner Dance and Trophy Presentation in Solihull last night (Saturday). The winners of SPRC's Perpetual Awards, for whom Eurodragster.com readers had the chance to vote, were also presented with their trophies. One of the undoubted highlights of the night was Pro ET racer Mike Lacey going down on one knee in mid-presentation to propose to longtime partner and UK National Super Street Champion Karen Stevens. We're pleased to say that Karen accepted and we wish Mike and Karen many happy years together. Congratulations to the SPRC Perpetual Award winners: Most Promising Newcomer: Harley Coulsell (Junior Dragster) Best Appearing Car: Steve Neimantas (Topspeed Automotive Street Eliminator) Best Appearing Bike: Phil Pratt (9.50 Bike) Most Professional Appearing Team: Tom van der Wijden and the Meth-Ness team (Super Pro ET) James Edgar Memorial Trophy: Daniel Giles (Super Pro ET and Junior Dragster) Alex Brachtvogel Memorial Trophy: Steve Johnson (Bike scrutineer) John Ledster Memorial Trophy: Phil Evans Obsession Motorsports Sportsman of the Year Trophy: Jon Giles Thanks to everyone who submitted votes for the Perpetual Awards. UK Riders' and Drivers' reminder. 7th February: A reminder that next Friday (13th) is the closing date for items for the agenda for the 2015 UK Riders' and Drivers' Meeting which takes place at 12:00 midday 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). Please note that an item will only be discussed if its proposer actually attends the meeting. Please send agenda items 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 next Friday. Swift snippets. 7th February: Good luck and stay safe to Jimmy Ålund (Pro Stock), Jonnie Lindberg (Top Alcohol FC) and Ulf Leanders (Top Alcohol FC) who are contesting this weekend's NHRA Winternationals at Pomona. In a great start, Jonnie and Ulf remain #1 and #2 qualifiers in Top Alcohol FC after Q2 and Jimmy Ålund is #10 in Pro Stock after Q2. Qualifying and Top Alcohol eliminations take place today and you can stay in touch with our heroes' progress at www.dragracecentral.com. Wayne, Gareth and Joe Nicholson asked us to say a big Happy 49th-plus-twelve-months birthday to Belinda Nicholson. "Thanks for being a great mum, fantastic wife and my best friend", says Wayne. Have a lovely day Belinda. Finland FIM cancellation confirmed. 6th February: The FIM Europe Drag Racing Commission has announced the cancellation of the second round of the FIM European Drag Bike Championships, which was due to be held at the FHRA Nitro Nationals at Alastaro, Finland on 2nd-5th July 2015. The event will instead be a round of the EDRS Pro Nordic Motorcycle Championships. Palle Lind writes: The Finnish Federation SML has formally notified FIM Europe that the organiser has withdrawn their application to host this event. The Comission is very concerned by this late decision, but will be working with all interested parties to reinstate the Finnish round in the 2016 calendar. Swift snippets. 6th February: Sharron, Jerry and Scott Collier have asked us to say a big Happy 10th Birthday to daughter and sister, Junior Dragster racer Skye Collier. "Skye will be out testing her new modified engine soon and she and can't wait to be back in the driving seat after spending winter learning to ride a geared 110 cc motorbike, which she loves driving off-road and through as much mud as possible!", they say. Have a lovely day Skye. The winners of the SPRC Perpetual Awards will be posted here on Eurodragster.com News tomorrow evening (Saturday) as soon as they have been announced at the SPRC Dinner Dance and Trophy Presentation. Thanks to all those who voted. Web site updates. 6th February: The latest update to Alan Currans' excellent Acceleration Archive is a page of pictures by Jerry Cookson featuring three dragster and custom car shows held in the Midlands in 1980 and 1981. As ever you can stay in touch with the latest updates via the What's New? link at www.theaccelerationarchive.co.uk. Mark Turner writes to invite Facebook users to the UK and European Drag Racing photos page. There are already some excellent shots on the page including some real memory-joggers. You can check it out by clicking here. Comanche back UK Top Sportsman. 5th February: UK Top Sportsman, the roughest, toughest, richest, televised heads-up, no holds barred, anything goes Doorslammer race series is very pleased to welcome Comanche Race Cars as their Series headline sponsor for 2015, joining John Tebenham whose extra bonus money is already banked and exclusively available for the winner and runner-up in UK Top Sportsman at the Mopar EuroNats at Santa Pod Raceway in July. Paul Marston writes: Comanche Race cars' Managing Director Steve Ashdown, whose son Tyler Ashdown currently competes in Junior Dragster, watched UK Top Sportsman grow and was looking for an effective way to gain good exposure for his race and street car construction company. Comanche Race Cars is a one stop shop for everything and anything you may need or want from a simple tidy-up and upgrade of a 1950s truck to a full turn-key race car. It is well worth giving these guys a call on 07955 067124 or Facebook Comanche Race Cars. Not all, but a lot, of the jobs currently in the shop are fast Doorslammer projects including Steve's personal ride which will début at the first UK Top Sportsman / Top Dragster event of the year, Back With Mods at Santa Pod Raceway on 12th-14th June. Steve's Corvette is, as far as we know, the very first purpose-built UK Top Sportsman Doorslammer. It's really an Outlaw / Grudge race car, with Wayne Nicholson's ex-Pro Mod motor with a Kobelco K8 Blower, Big Duke heads and topped off with a Big'N'Ugly injector feeding alcohol, sixteen-inch slicks, three-foot rear wing and ninety-inch mono wheelie bar. Once the guys at Comanche Race Cars get this figured out, it's gonna be one bad hombre, not what you want to find in the other lane! Another car to emerge from their workshops soon is Ray Tucker's Corvette which runs twin 88 mm turbos on an EFI Big Block Chevy. Both Steve's and Ray's cars are built virtually from the ground up and reflect the growing market for blown, turbo and Procharged power adders which are all well-suited to a class like UK Top Sportsman where there are no rules other than safety. You can use whichever tyres you want, slicks, drag radials etc and as many power adders as you want. Wanna use turbos and nitrous? No problem, just bring it on, no weight limit either, this really is run what ya brung and hope you brung enough! There is also the Fast Bracket race, again heads-up but with a dial in, in this class anyone can win, it's a level field. In all of the UK Top Sportsman events, Heads Up and Fast Bracket, over the past four years, there has never been a repeat winner in either class. Comanche Race Cars race what they build, so to have them as our title sponsor for both UK Top Sportsman events in 2015 is a perfect match. UK Top Sportsman want business partners who bring that kind of commitment and excitement to our events and in this case you could not ask for more. Stand by for more sponsor announcements over the next few weeks. 2015 is shaping up to be the best year so far for UK Top Sportsman and a great début season for UK Top Dragster. To keep up to the minute with news, stay tuned to Eurodragster.com or like our Facebook page at UK Top Sportsman. Editor's note: We are pleased to confirm that the organisers of the Mopar EuroNats have asked for a Webster Race Engineering / Nimbus Motorsport webcast from the Mopar EuroNats, which will of course include UK Top Sportsman. We plan to broadcast all three days of the event. More details nearer to the time. Swift snippets. 5th February: In the "Looks familiar" department is one of the latest entries in Cars For Sale in our Jeff Bull Race Engines-sponsored Swap Meet, an Opel Manta Super Gasser formerly campaigned by the UK's George Chiarella which last ran in 1990. Currently residing in Germany, the car could be yours for €2900. Check out the Swap Meet for more details. 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 (15th) February 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." Perpetual Awards... organised votes... delete button... you know how it goes by now. Terry Axe. 3rd February: We were saddened to hear that Terry Axe, a member of the John Woolfe Racing team from 1971 to 1975, passed away peacefully last Saturday 31st January. Eurodragster.com sponsor Dave Riswick writes: Terry along with his late older brother Irvin were members of the John Woolfe Racing Top Fuel Dragster Team from 1971 to 1975. They worked alongside the late Peter Stanford (the team's Chief Mechanic) helping Dennis Priddle to acheve that famous first six-second run in May 1972. The Axe brothers were keen followers of the sport for many years and like so many from Yeovil, they both worked for Westland Helicopters and gained much engineering knowledge at Forward Garage Yeovil which came in handy when they took up tools with the team. Terry will be put to rest next to his brother at the Closworth Village Cemetery, Somerset. May we pause for a moment and remember our lost one. Terry we will miss you. The first photo was taken at Santa Pod at the Internationals meeting in July 1972, the team comprising (left to right): Barry Dufty, Tony Gane, Chris Powell, Terry Axe, Pete Stanford, Dennis Priddle, Dave Riswick & Dennis Holding (SEMA director) on the far right presenting the SEMA trophy to the Championship-winning team. The second photo was forty years on in May 2012 at the Mr Six team reunion at Yeovil, celebrating the anniversary of the day Priddle ran his first six-second run. Pictured left to right are: Chris Powell, Terry Axe, Tony Gane, Dennis Priddle, and Dave Riswick. APIRA Perpetual Awards vote 2. 2nd February: 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 category is the APIRA Shakespeare County Raceway Award for Outstanding Achievement. The APIRA Shakespeare County Raceway Award for Outstanding Achievement will be awarded to a racer who has achieved outstanding performance at Shakespeare County Raceway during the 2014 season. The APIRA Committee's shortlist, in alphabetical order, is as follows: Richard Batty, Outlaw FWD Vote for Richard Batty Matt Cooper, Outlaw Anglia Vote for Matt Cooper Lee Gallimore, Supercharged Outlaws Vote for Lee Gallimore Bob Hawkins, The Wild Bunch Vote for Bob Hawkins Alex Hope, 9.50 Bike Vote for Alex Hope Team Jacksons MoT, Super Gas Vote for Jacksons MoT Paul Jordan, VW Pro Vote for Paul Jordan Phil Pratt, 9.50 Bike Vote for Phil Pratt 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. Swift snippets. 2nd February: The invitation / entry form is now available for the 2015 European Drag Challenge at Kunmadaras in Hungary on 20th April-1st May and 14th-16th August (bikes) and at Kunmadaras and Kiskunlacháza on 14th-16th August and 13th September respectively (cars). A fully-prepped all-concrete track is on offer with a low entry fee, travel and prize money, and traditional Hungarian hospitality. Bike classes are Competition, Super Street, Modi Twin and Retro Drag and car classes are 7.99 seconds or quicker and 8.00-10.00. You can find out more by downloading the invitation / entry form (PDF format) by clicking here. Lena Perés writes that doors open at 10:00 and inspections commence at 12:00 on Swedish SFI Tour stop at Persåkers Speed Shop in Åkers Styckebruk on Saturday 7th March. It is planned that priority will be given to those with furthest to travel. Registration is now open at www.meracing.com/sfi-reg__1166 and full details of the arrangements are available on the ME Racing Service web site at www.meracing.com/news/time-for-sfi-inspection-2015__1344. 2014 FIA European Pro Modified Champion Mattias Wulcan made a first round exit in the first Arabian Drag Racing League event of 2015 in Qatar. Mattias qualified seventh with a 3.98 in the only blown car in the field and expressed himself happy with his progress. You can find out more on the Wulcano Racing Team Facebook page. Stephen Billings got in touch from Wellingborough with this picture of a number plate which led him to wonder just how many of the popular and ever-growing Fiat-and-others race team there are now. Answers on a postcard please. During his UK visit last November, Don Garlits gave an interview to the distinguished motoring writer Rob Widdows, for Motor Sport magazine, which Rob described as the most interesting interview he had done for many years. Robin Jackson tells us that the results of that interview are published in the March issue of Motor Sport, available now at good newsagents at £4.99. We have had a couple of enquiries why, following recent events, we have not changed the FIA Top Fuel Dragster points on our OCS Paint-sponsored Points Standings page. The simple answer is that some time ago we got in touch with FIA to request a publishable explanation of the unprecedented reallocation of points to those who lost to Thomas Nataas at the FIA European Championship finals, but we have yet to receive the courtesy of a reply. If you are going to the SPRC Dinner Dance and Trophy Presentation this Saturday then please note that presentations start at 6:00 pm, so please be in your seats for that time. If you are late and miss your presentation then the MC will not be going back. SPRC would also appreciate it if the noise could be kept down during the presentations; it is only common courtesy both to the trophy winners and to MC Colin Theobald. If you wish to hold conversations then please remain in the bar. Bilsport banquet. 2nd February: Lena Perés writes that last week's Bilsport Awards Banquet featured a good dinner and great entertainment and that drag racers ruled the party. "There were about eight hundred guests present representing all Swedish motorsport, and all of the drag racers were given standing ovations", sha says. Junior Dragster racer Oscar Norling of SHRA Sundsvall won the Swedish Championship as well as the EDRS Championship this year. This resulted in the Bilsport Junior Award for the young enthusiast. Jimmy Ålund won the Bilsport Senior Award. Per Erik Lindgren, who drives in Competition Eliminator, won the Stora Grabbars Pris as he has taken several awards during his racing career including six in the Swedish Championship. Mattias Wulcan won the 2015 Bilsportare award as he has made a great career for himself in just four years. Right now he's racing in Qatar in the ADRL series. All of the FIA award winners on stage. Of the fifteen winners, ten were present and of those there were nine Swedes and one Norwegian. A good number to have in the same place a the same time. Got hair? Let it down. 2nd February: Following a great season in 2014 and a Championship which went down to the wire it was time for those Topspeed Automotive Street Eliminator racers who have hair to let it down and to celebrate the season's successes. Matt Atkinson writes: After an eventful AGM we had the best ever turn out for our Awards Evening at the Brandon Hall Hotel in Coventry attended by previous, current and future racers, 126 in total. After a three-course meal the trophy presentation began with each racer receiving a framed Matt Woods Photography picture for participating in the Championship. The top three in the Championship were then presented with a stunning trophy courtesy of class sponsor Webster Race Engineering and Power Pour with Martin Smith taking third place, Jon Webster runner-up, and Stu Williams the Championship. In 2014 the class was also fortunate to be able to award some perpetual awards of its own: Best Appearing Car sponsored by Serck Motorsport, Best Appearing Team sponsored by Insane Creations, Hardest Launching and Best Average Reaction Time sponsored by Webster Race Engineering, and Most Improved ET. Finally each event winner was presented with a cheque courtesy of AW Upholstery. The Perpetual Award winners were: Best Appearing Car: Mark Todd (Pontiac GTO) Best Appearing Team: Team Extreme Hardest Launching (Best to sixty feet): Runner-up, Stu Williams 1.243 / Winner, Jon Webster 1.213 Best Average Reaction Time: Runner-up, Andy Bond 0.055 / Winner, Jon Webster 0.027 Most Improved ET: Damian Halliwell Event Winners: Stu Williams, Jon Webster, Martin Smith, Matt Smith The event also marked the end of my full-time Chairmanship of the class. I have had a wonderful two years and enjoyed the experience so much, All of the racers, crew and families have made the experience all the better and it was so nice to end by winning the Spirit of the Class Award for a second consecutive year. A massive thank you to everyone who voted! Going forward for 2015 the class is in capable hands as Ben Barnwell will be taking on a lot of the responsibilities at the track, and I will be accompanying him through the process. So a big welcome to Ben who is a big admirer of the class and will do a great job representing Topspeed Automotive Street Eliminator. A massive thank you to everyone who made the awards evening the success it was, here's to a fast and safe 2015. Finally a big thank you to our 2014 sponsors to whom we are very grateful: Topspeed Automotive, Custom Car magazine, RPM magazine, Webster Race Engineering, Serck Motorsport, Insane Creations, AW Upholstery, Quartermile High / Zeon TV, Matt Woods Photography and Eurodragster.com, all of whom can be found on our web site at www.streeteliminator.com. VP hail X16 success. 2nd February: When Eurodragster.com sponsor VP Racing Fuels first introduced X16, it was described as "A perfect blend of performance and economy". According to Jim Hughes, President of Hughes Motorsports, X16 has delivered on its promise and more.  "We've used X16 to win national events in three different classes" Hughes said. "X16 is incredibly consistent – it offers a smooth air:fuel curve whether you're bracket racing with throttle stop or all-out. And it's versatile – you can use it in different engines, from 800 HP to 1500 HP, with different compression ratios. We're currently campaigning six cars in six different classes, so cost is an issue.  It's huge to be able to use the same fuel and be able to count on superior performance in each of our cars." Kevin Kleineweber, National Champion in Super Street, Super Gas and Super Comp for Hughes Motorsports, added "The repeatability of X16 is awesome and it's very economical.  After using another brand that was more expensive, we're now spending less and getting a more consistent product without losing any power." Designed for naturally aspirated engines, X16 is an economically priced option for two and four-stroke engines with compression ratios of up to 16:1 and for engines using nitrous up to 300 HP. "X16 offers the power and protection of leading 116 octane racing fuels for a lower price and is an ideal fuel for a variety of motorsports applications", said Jason Rueckert, VP's Regional Manager-Midwest and member of VP's Tech Support staff. X16 is available in pails and drums through VP's extensive dealer and distributor network. "For extreme nitrous applications, we continue to recommend the superior performance and engine protection of VP's C16, NO2 or C23. For forced induction applications, we recommend C16 or Q16." For technical questions about X16 or advice on tuning, contact VP's Tech Support staff at +1 812-878-2025 or dragtech@vpracingfuels.com. For more information or to locate your nearest VP dealer, visit vpracingfuels.com. Earlier news