European Drag Racing News

Leif Eklund.
31st March: FIM/UEM European Championship Co-ordinator Lars Andersson has been in touch with the sad news that Leif 'Fladder' Eklund passed away on Saturday evening after a long illness.

"Fladder started racing in 1985 with a Hedlund engine", says Lars. "This was a V-twin engine made in Sweden mostly for sidecar dirt racing. He later changed it to a Harley Davidson engine and was racing for many years. He was also involved in both Top Fuel and Top Methanol racing as a team member.

"Leif was also the organiser of drag races at Barkaby's former airport which was just outside the club house of Sofia Hogs which also was his home and club.

"Leif was well-known in Chopper and Drag Racing both in Sweden and outside.

"Let him ride in peace now."

There is nothing we can add to that save to send our deepest sympathies to Leif's family and friends.
©Eurodragster.com
Well Dones all round.
31st March: Easter Thunderball Street Eliminator winner Colin Lazenby has dropped us a line to congratulate his SE competitors on the tough fight they gave his Pinnacle-sponsored Chevy at the weekend.

"Commiserations to John Sleath on not backing up his speed of 179.27, which would have broken our record", says Colin. "To be totally truthful, a new speed record was on the cards given that John went 180 mph at the National Finals last year. I have always enjoyed racing against John, a genuine competitor, and with his now-consistent mid- to low eight-second form, the outcome of our meetings are almost impossible to predict. Crikey, even my own nephew predicted that John would win!

"Congratulations also to Steve Nash and his Wildcat Racing team on his 8.116 lap, the quickest ever in Street Eliminator history. There remain a number of teams clearly capable of running quicker times, but this achievement is more significant given that it was the first competition-standard track of the season. I guarantee that quicker times will follow.

"A big Well Done to Dale Reardon who did just fine after being eased into the mangerial role as Class Organiser. He did just fine - a good choice and a good guy too. I must thank Clive Bond, who was there just in case we needed him, and we did once or twice. Another very genuine guy - why can't more people be like that?

"Finally a huge thanks to all who contributed to this weekend's racing. With four of our boys' cars currently being shipped back from the World Street Race, and at least another six in the final stages of construction, I sincerely hope that we have a bigger field at round two, which takes place at Shakespeare County Raceway on 16th-17th April."

Just keep smiling!
31st March: The UK's newest Top Methanol Dragster racer, John Parkinson, said that he and his team aimed to keep smiling throughout the Easter Thunderball. Although a broken starter motor robbed John of the chance to make his first Top Methanol pass, the Every Penny team were happy with their progress.

"With all the pressure of the last weeks,I told the crew on Friday that whatever happened we must remember it's supposed to be fun", says John. "I said let's just get there, do what we have to do to get out on the track, but we must enjoy it and not lose heart if we don't get out."

john and the team arrived at Santa Pod Raceway with work left to do on the car, and despite their best efforts all weekend the starter motor let them down on Sunday. "We came knowing that we might not make too many runs over the three days, but we felt it was important to be there and to show some commitment to the class - and to get to know the rest of the teams as well", says John. "To that end I woudl like to say a huge Thank You to all the people we spoke to over the course of the meeting. They all welcomed us, and offered advice, which we took gratefully. Everyone made us feel welcome and gave us encouragement for the rest of the year. I did that I'd be no threat to them this year, and that I expected to be out in the first round. But just let them throw a blower belt, or shake their tyres, and I'd be more than happy to drive round them! Seriously though, everyone in the class made us feel at home and I thank them all for that.

"It was also really good to see Gary and Lin Malin and their kids. GarY and Lin stood at our pit trying to decide if it was us or not; so much time has passed, and lots of things have happened since we saw each other, so it took a while for us to recognise each other again. For me it was an emotional meeting as I was responsible for Gary ending up in the field at Shakespeare County Raceway, and I know he has battled to get back out, which he did long before me. I hope that Gary can get out again this year as we have a meeting to attend, at the end of the strip at SCR.

"We are getting on sorting out a new starter for the next meeting, and we have had help from Dave wilson, Martin Hannis and Martin Hill, all with good advice and offers of help. The car is still in the trailer, and will stay there till the next meeting as it is ready to go. That's a luxury I never thought I would see.

"I look forward to seeing everyone at the next race, and hope that we can keep on smiling!"

Satisfied customers...
31st March: Eurodragster.com Swap Meet sponsor Jeff Bull has been in touch to congratulate engine customer Spencer Tramm on his win in the Super Gas Twentieth Anniversary Shootout at the Easter Thunderball, and to let us know how his other customers fared.

"Spencer did look a little worried a couple of times when the engine developed a small water leak from one of the block heaters, and a tyre valve decided to leak, but they were soon fixed", says Jeff. "Not too many people know that Spencer is now on a advanced mechanics' crash course, now that he has all the necessary tools purchased by Martin Curbishley. As Spencer runs a Transmission Specialties Power Glide and 8" Spragless Converter he also gets the racers bonus paid by Transmission Specialties through Jeff Bull Race Engines. Well Done Spencer!

"Another happy Jeff Bull Race Engines customer was Mike Lacey. Mike damaged his TH400 and converter on his newly-reworked engine in testing the Saturday before the Easter Thunderball, leaving him looking for a replacement unit. After many phone calls to people in the UK who could have helped, Mike decided there was only one way to go and ordered a new Transmission Specialties TH400 and Spragless Converter, if we could get it to him on Friday. Bear in mind that this was Tuesday afternoon. We called Peter at TSI to check on parts availability, we then called on the services of Malcolm Francis at Air Sea Logistics to get it shipped over in time. Job done, the parts were delivered to the track by Malcolm and myself before Mike had got the sleep out of his eyes on Friday morning. Thanks for a great service Malcolm! Mike went on to have his first ever problem-free weekend with the car and ran his best ever time and speed without using the transbrake. Well Done Mike!"
©Eurodragster.com
If you were at the Easter Thunderball or tuned in to our Event Coverage then you will have read that Jeff's wife Belinda successfully licenced for Super Gas at the weekend. "We would like thank Paula Marshall for her help in the run-up to the event", says Jeff, "and big thanks to all the kind people and friends who gave Belinda their support over the weekend."

"Big big thanks to Darren Prentice and Ian Marshall for giving me the opportunity to do my observed runs on Saturday and Sunday", says Belinda Bull, "and thanks to all the Pod track team and my fellow Super Gas racers for bearing with me while I got to grips with the car. Thanks to Em for her help during the mopping-up operation on Friday after we had a slight technical problem with the fire extinguisher in the car, and also for the entertainment in the fire-up road (don't forget the lip balm next time love!). More thanks to everyone - too many to mention, they know who they are - who stopped by our trailer with support and encouragement, it meant a lot and certainly helped me big time. All the waiting around on Sunday didn't seem such a big deal after all when I managed to make my last-chance licencing pass very late in the day, and ran a PB of 9.75/153. The biggest thanks of course go to my hubby for having faith in me, for his patience, and most of all for all the long hours and hard work he has put in to get the car ready. It was great to see it pay off when the car passed tech with flying colours!"

Busy Newbury set for Main Event.
31st March: UK Pro Stock Bike racer Martin Newbury says that his first race this season will be May's FIA Main Event at Santa Pod Raceway.

"The reasons for the late start are work commitments and the purchase of a new CNC machine and one of the latest CAD/CAM packages", says Martin. "As we speak we are producing our own range of race and street products for both bikes and cars, and the list is constantly expanding. We can also produce one-off parts at realistic racer prices. If any-one would like more information then please contact Psycle Workz on 01733 755917 or E-Mail psycleworkz@ntlworld.com.
©Eurodragster.com
"The full range of products will shortly be on display at www.psycleworkz.com, and we have also launched our race team site at www.crew22.com which will be updated regulary.

"We are currently supporting Chris Stebbings and his Nitro Harley, and look forward to a successful 2005 season."

Swift snippets.
31st March: UK Pro ET racer Wayne Hiscock and his wife Pam were very pleased with the performance of their '71 Chevelle at the Easter Thunderball. "The winter season has seen the implant of a 468ci BBC purchased from Stuart Doignie and quicker ETs were hoped for, but not quite so soon!", says Pam. "Wayne jumped from #24 to #1 qualifier in the final session on Sunday and recorded a PB of 9.701 - completely unexpected as it was only the second full pass with the new set-up. A change of gears is now required and will hopefully result in many more nine-second passes. We would like to thank Carl Burton for setting up the Pro ET Sponsorship Scheme (definitely recommended to all Pro ET racers), and Darren Hulkes for providing the much-needed window net."
©Eurodragster.com
2004 FIA European Top Fuel Dragster Champion Andy Carter would be pleased to hear from anyone who can assist him with an awning. "I know I have asked this before, but I had a problem with my computer and lost all the responses", says Andy. If you can help Andy to get hold of an awning (Don't B & Q sell them? - Ed) then please drop him a line at fiatopfuel@aol.com.

Web site updates.

31st March: Just when you thought the site couldn't get any better, Alan Currans has updated his excellent Acceleration Archive with a history of Swedish Top Fuel Dragster team P & G Racing. Written by long-time Archive contributor Andy Barrack with major input from Pelle Lindelöw (right) and Gunnar Elmqvist, the fascinating illustrated feature charts in minute detail the history of what was one of the longest-standing teams in European Drag Racing History. The feature is in the form of an interview and runs to no less than eight pages, with additional photographs still to be added. "I don�t think that any racer has been covered more thoroughly or given such an insight into European � and Japanese! � drag racing", says Alan Currans. "I am very proud that Pelle is the subject of our début interview". You can check out the feature under Feature Articles at www.theaccelerationarchive.co.uk.

UK Top Methanol Dragster racer Lindsay Deuchar has updated his LA Racer web site with an account of the Easter Thunderball, at which he ran a personal best. You can check out Lindsay's report at www.laracing.co.uk.
©Eurodragster.com
The Drag, Rod and Classic Review web site at www.drcreview.com has been updated with a review of the weekend's Easter Thunderball at Santa Pod Raceway.

Brian Fawcus has updated his fan site with one hundred photographs from Monday's eliminations at Santa Pod Raceway. "The pictures are under the rather pretentious banner People, pits and bits", says Brian. Pretentious or not, Brian's pictures make great viewing at drag.fawcus.com.

James Hands has added two sponsors to his Racing 05 fan site, namely Eurodragster.com and 3t Creative. James has also updated his site with a short interview with Eurodragster.com News Editor Tog, which you can find at pages.123-reg.co.uk/jimmy43-800350.

Erwin Raets has updated his European Drag Racing Database with the timing data from the Easter Thunderball. "I had to add between twenty and twenty five racers to the database", says Erwin. "That always happens at the first race of the year". You can find the results of Erwin's work at www.eurodrag.com/eventclasses.asp?event=223.

Exclusive Eurodragster.com offer.
30th March: Precision Welding Systems, who are responsible for the development and marketing of the REHM brand of welding products in the UK, are celebrating their new sponsorship of UK Super Modified racer Tim Garlick by offering Eurodragster.com readers exclusive special deals on REHM products. Discounts of up to fifty per cent are available on a range of six products from a welding helmet to Mig and Tig welders.
©Eurodragster.com
"We are very excited about our new sponsorship within drag racing", says David Rochford of Precision Welding Systems. David adds that PWS would be happy to offer further information, such as REHM welding knowledge, if readers would be interested.

You can check out Precision Welding Systems' exclusive Eurodragster.com offers at www.p-w-s.co.uk/eurodrag.htm.

NFAA account opened.
30th March: The inaugural event of the UK's Nostalgia Fuel Altered Association, the weekend's Easter Thunderball at Santa Pod Raceway, was certainly a baptism of fire says co-ordinator Lawrie Gatehouse.

"All of the cars had new combinations to some extent or other and, of course, none had run since last year", says Lawrie. "Mickey Moore in The Mob ran strongly for most of the weekend, culminating in his first 210 mph pass on Monday, at the expense of a set of pistons. The Extreme Racing Topolino of Bob Glassup looked good and ran every which way but straight, as he struggled with the extra power, culminating in a best of 178.5 mph on Sunday, plus a trip to collect mud and grass at the top end when the 'chute failed to open . The following round saw a very out-of-shape trip and significant damage by way of bent inlet valves.

"Clayton Round's Rebel T laid down an observed run of 7.73/177.8 once a malfunctioning mag had been replaced, courtesy of a loan from Ian Hansen, after a trip to Birmingham. Sunday saw a stellar 7.23/188.3, Clayton's best ever, but at the expense of the valve train, sidelining their efforts. It looks like there is a six in that motor and Clayton, Chris and Julian intend to go looking for it.

"Jim Seward's Harry the Spider team thrashed all weekend getting the motor and clutch set up and finally fired up on Monday. They pulled into the fire-up area with a strong sounding mill, did a burnout and a couple of hops, only for the drogues to pop open due to the vibrations, so that was finito to their weekend. The efforts by Jim Seward, Phil Cornish and the team, who worked incredible hours to put on a show, were thwarted - such a shame.
©Eurodragster.com
"Special thanks go to the track preparation and safety crews, Santa Pod Raceway, SPRC, the commentators, Eurodragster.com and everyone else involved...it was a fraught but enjoyable weekend.

"At least we didn't oil the track - Bob Glassup's little leak was a catch can overspill, easily cleaned - and all the teams learned a lot about the set-ups, now that we have had some serious track time. We hope that we didn't disappoint the fans too much and look forward to our next outing in June when we will be better prepared and should be able to field eight cars, if all goes according to plan."

Not a good weekend...
30th March: UK Super Street racer Mark Watkins says that he will be taking a change of underwear to the track next time, after his wild ride in the Team Nippon Datsun at the Easter Thunderball. The engine let go and put fluid under the wheels, but a great driving job kept Mark off the guardrail and away from his opponent.

"It wasn't a good weekend", says Mark. "We ended up with the car intact but the engine destroyed. It looks like #3 rod broke or spun a bearing. I think most of the internals are shot but we hope to be sorted in time for the Main Event. I have already been phoning rounding and sourcing even stronger bits, thanks to all the donations from the public and racers alike.
©Eurodragster.com
"We are still very happy, though, as the car got lots of attention and I wish we had charged a pound for every photo, I could have been on a very good holiday with the proceeds by now."

The Team Nippon web site at www.teamnippon.co.uk has been updated with Mark's comments on his ride, and a video of his great driving job. "Sorry for the oildown", he says.

Racers: Send your Easter Thunderball reviews or Power Nationals previews to us at news@eurodragster.com and we'll publish them here.

Sportsmanlike behaviour!
30th March: UK Sportsman ET racer Keith Crampton has been in touch to congratulate fellow Sportsman ET racer Martin Lewis on his class win at the Easter Thunderball. Keith has also paid tribute to the Sportsman ET racers for their enthusiasm and commitment over what he says was a frustrating weekend at times.

"Although we are the little guys and girls, there are a lot of tough racers up in the 'top field' pits", says Keith. "It was good to see such a variation in the class too. Some regulars, newcomers, returners and a wide age range (I'm saying nothing more)!
©Eurodragster.com
"An interesting piece of trivia is that this is the second time in a row that Martin Lewis has beaten me in the second round - the last time was at last year's FIA European Finals. This weekend Martin was number one qualifier and I was number five - last September, I was number one and he was number five. Third time lucky!"

Wheels-up snaps sought.
30th March: Tom and John Atkinson say that they are over the moon at getting into their first Pro ET final and actually getting a win with their Time Is Money Ford Cortina Estate at the Easter Thunderball. They add would be pleased to hear from anyone who caught a shot of the race car launching wheels-up on Saturday evening.

"Saturday was absolutely freezing, and we were sat about in the fire up road for too long whilst they did all the demos which wasn't fun!", says Tom Atkinson. "On Saturday night, during the last qualifying run of the day, we managed to get the wheels up big time which was totally unexpected, hence the request for a picture. Sunday was much the same, getting called up then a lot of waiting about for the demos, but having a lot fun on the track and getting through the first round which is always a huge relief.
©Eurodragster.com
"Finally Monday, the sun was out and it was great. We didn't expect to get past Carl Burton (Ding Dang Doo) in the second round but managed to do it, in the semis managed to get round Keith Herbert then met our good friend Jonny Morris in the final. All in all a great day for us! Well done to Jonny Morris too. Also we would like to add huge congratulations to Jon Webster and Peter Knight."

If you have any pictures of John Atkinson with the front wheels up on Saturday evening then you can drop Tom a line at hellfireracing@hotmail.com.

Swift snippets.
30th March: UK Funny Bike racer Sarah Jane Head has been in touch to thank everyone who contributed to her collection at Santa Pod Raceway at the weekend. Scary was collecting for the local air ambulance whose attendance after her accident last year played a big part in saving her life. "The air ambulance is a much-needed service for any motorsport", says Scary. "If there were no racers there would be nothing to watch."
©Eurodragster.com
Darren Gould of UK Top Methanol Funny Car team CC Racing says that there is more to come from Doug Ripley's TMFC as the chutes were out early on both of his six-second passes and one was only to the top of second gear. "I can't tell you how happy we are that we got down the strip", says Darren. "We are looking forward to the next event at Shakespeare County Raceway to start clawing down the ET. Congratulations to all of the Top Methanol teams for a record-breaking weekend and a great display". You can read all about the CC Racing team's weekend on their web site at www.freewebs.com/ccracing.

We are grateful to Santa Pod Raceway's Track Manager Kjell Pettersson for forwarding us a preliminary and provisional running order for the FIA Main Event, which takes place at Santa Pod on 27th-30th May. You can check out the FIA Main Event running order by clicking here, or for a more colourful PDF version click here.

This week's issue of UK motorsport newspaper Motorsport News, published today, includes a two-page illustrated feature on the World Street Race written by Jo Holland. Next week's issue of MN will feature an interview with 2004 FIA European Top Fuel Dragster Champion Andy Carter. Motorsport News is �1.99 and is available from any good newsagent.

Ready to Play?

30th March: Eurodragster.com Home and News sponsor Andy Robinson Race Cars have been importing parts from the USA for many years and have become UK agents for many manufacturers. To cover the rest of the market ARRC have now become sole UK agents of a major US warehouse and can now offer a comprehensive mail order service, writes Bob Roberts.

"The catalogue or Playbook has over four hundred pages stuffed with goodies from bling to hard core, from injection to exhaust and from bed liners to car bras", says Bob. "All of the usual suspects are represented such as Holley, Moroso, NoS, Comp Cams and K & N. There are also relative newcomers such as Chikara and CryO2 for the Sport Compact scene.
©Eurodragster.com
"When you�ve chosen your goodies from the catalogue (right) then just phone, fax or E-Mail ARRC for a quote for total cost and delivery time. Payment can be cash, cheque or credit card. Catalogues cost �5, which will be deducted from the first order of �50 or more, and can be obtained by calling ARRC on 01256 880589, or via their web site at www.robinson-race-cars.co.uk."

1st Stop for Fastco.
30th March: Smax Smith has been in touch to let us know that Ben Heward of 1st Stop Body Shop is the new owner of Fastco-UK, taking over from Ian Pellant. "I wish Ian well with his future plans", says Smax.

"Ben is a keen American car enthusiast and plans to expand his speciality body shop to supplying new and used American cars and car parts supplied by me, says Smax. "Together we will endeavour to beat most prices on parts, so call us last with your best quote and we will try to beat it. Also if you are having trouble locating a particular part, or if you have a technical question either E-Mail me direct at smax@smax.co.uk, call Ben on 01603 665000 or fax 01603 665005, or E-Mail 1ststopbodyshop@aol.com. Ben is located at 130 King Street, Norwich NR1 1QE.
©Eurodragster.com
"I am in Canada, which is hot rod heaven, scouring the countryside looking out for bargains. I am getting set up for shipping on a more regular basis so if you need new or used performance parts then E-Mail us!"

Web site updates.
30th March: Slimboyfat has updated his web site with some excellent photographs from the Easter Thunderball. The pictures in the main concentrate on the three Volkswagen Drag Racing Club classes but other classes are also represented - don't miss the excellent portrait of Trev Capewell in his Top Methanol FC. You can check out Slimboyfat's photographs at www.pbase.com/slimboyfat/thunderball_05.
©Eurodragster.com
Also posting photographs from the Easter Thunderball is Andrew Bamford, whose Racing Green web site you can find at www.racing-green.co.uk.

James Hands has updated his Racing 05 fan site with some pictures from the Easter Thunderball including a feature on Pro Fuel Shootout runner-up Andy Carter. You can find James' web site at pages.123-reg.co.uk/jimmy43-800350.

Nataas takes Shootout.
29th March: Norway's Thomas Nataas won the 2005 Pro Fuel Shootout which took place at this weekend's Easter Thunderball at Santa Pod Raceway. Thomas took his first Shootout win with a holeshot against Andy Carter in a race which saw the cars side-by-side all the way down the track, a mere nineteen inches between them at the finish line, and neither driver aware who had won.

"The car has been running well all weekend", Thomas told Eurodragster.com after the race. "We didn't set the car to go fast, we just set it to get down the track and it was running good times. I think it's going to be hard to beat the Rune Fjeld cars this year!"

"I never saw Thomas all the way down the track, and he never saw me", said Andy Carter. "When we got to the end of the track I asked Thomas "Do you know who won?" and he had no idea. We realised that it had been a very close race and we both put out our hands to shake at the same time". Thomas added that he only saw Andy's B&Q-sponsored car when he pulled his 'chutes. "I pulled my chutes before Andy pulled his and of course he went past, and I thought that must have been close", he said.

"I am very pleased for Thomas, and Rune, and for my new crew members", said Andy. "And if Thomas beat me then he must be good!"

Pro Mod winner Roger Johansson was pleased to have made the trip from Sweden. Roger's car disappeared into a cloud of smoke at the finish line and we all feared the worst for his engine but it transpired that a pressure hose came loose from the oil pump. "I couldn't see the finish line!", said Roger. "My plan was to run in the 6.2s but it just went dead after 1000 feet. I was waiting for Danny to come past me!".

Top Methanol victor Dave Wilson set a new MSA Championship record of 5.500 in the final round, taking the record away from Rob Turner who had set it in the previous round, but under MSA rules both racers receive points for setting a record.

Super Street Bike racer Steve Venables capped off a very fruitful week by running the first SSB seven-second pass in competition, winning the event, and setting new records of 7.742 seconds and 193.20 mph (subject to official ratification). "It was an up and down weekend", said Steve, "but we pulled through. I've never been so nervous going into a final round though!". Jamie Sneddon and Brad O'Connor also went into the sevens, Jamie twice holding the ACU ET record during the weekend, so that is three of the four Webster Race Engineering gold rings gone for seven-second passes.

Also on two wheels, Top Fuel Bike racer Ian King enjoyed a return to form, taking the event win after qualifying #1 and running Low ET of the event, whilst Chris Hall and Gary Jones won on their returns to competition. The first-ever running of 9.50 Bike saw brothers and team-mates Steve and Paul Coombs in the final round, Steve taking the win.

Spencer Tramm won the Super Gas 20th Anniversary Shootout which was held over from last year's UK National Finals, and went home an appropriate �990 richer.

As already reported Martin Hill became the fastest Jet drag racer on the planet at 336.10 mph; also in exhibition Eric Teboul recorded a best of 5.867 on his Rocket Bike.

Congratulations to the Easter Thunderball winners and runners-up:

Pro Fuel Shootout: Thomas Nataas 5.054/283.14 def. Andy Carter 5.047/274.62
Top Methanol: Dave Wilson 5.500/248.48 def. Rob Turner 5.541/251.43
Pro Modified: Roger Johansson 6.533/193.96 def. Danny Cockerill 19.589/37.79
Super Modified: Kev Perkins 7.776/177.10 def. Andy Kirk 8.289/162.40
Street Eliminator: Colin Lazenby 8.425/173.67 def. John Sleath 8.535/176.41
Super Pro ET: Ian Tubb (7.53) 7.591/175.12 def. Pat Talbot (7.97) 8.028/162.68 red
Pro ET: John Atkinson (9.22) 9.294/132.38 def. John Morris (10.75) 10.923/119.96
Sportsman ET: Martin Lewis (15.80) 16.379/81.53 def. Rick Denny (13.43) 13.358/99.11 red
Super Comp: Brian Pateman 8.960/152.65 def. Martin Curbishley 8.954/151.10 red
Super Gas: Spencer Tramm 9.947/118.79 def. Conrad Stanley 9.891/128.66 b/out
Super Street: John Grant 11.092/114.11 def. Dave Cherrett 11.240/111.32
Junior Dragster: Ross Norris (8.74) 8.825/74.24 def. Collin Morrice (9.33) 9.327/69.56 b/out
VW Pro: Jonathan Grigg (12.70) 12.841/104.88 def. Neil Davies (12.40) 12.093/109.77 red
VW Sportsman: Chris Bray (16.10) 16.181/83.31 def. Paul Herbert (13.31) 15.280/83.76 b/out
VW Alternate Engine: Matt Attwood (13.65) 13.840/97.19 def. Spencer Tramm (9.90) 10.054/113.14
©Eurodragster.com
Top Fuel Bike: Ian King 6.482/209.29 bye, Steve Woollatt no show
Pro Stock Bike: Dave Beck 7.380/167.90 def. Richard Gipp 7.820/166.66
Funny Bike: Chris Hall 7.194/179.46 def. Neil Midgley no time (broke on run)
Comp Bike: Gary Jones 8.232/168.54 def. TJ O'Brien 8.905/105.87
Super Street Bike: Steve Venables 7.742/193.16 def. Jamie Sneddon 8.617/141.94
9.50 Bike: Steve Coombs 9.679/138.36 def. Paul Coombs 9.638/136.41

Both of the Eurodragster.com Perfect Awards were won this weekend. As previously reported, Super Comp racer Andy Williams won the Eurodragster.com/LA Racing Parts Perfect ET Award with his astounding 8.900000, and Super Gas racer Olav Skjervo took the Eurodragster.com/Speedflow Perfect Light Award with a 0.000 Reaction Time during yesterday's eliminations.

Click here to view our American Car Imports-sponsored Easter Thunderball coverage, or click on the Event Coverage link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster page.

Our good buddy Gareth Evans has also been posting end-day reports and pictures on his UK1320 web site at www.uk1320.com.

Easter Thunderball timing data.
29th March: We are indebted to Andy Marrs of TSI Timers for forwarding the timing data from the Easter Thunderball.
©Eurodragster.com
You can view the Easter Thunderball timing data by clicking here, or by clicking on the Timing Data link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page.

Flint sponsor Wright TF.
29th March: The UK's Wright Racing Top Fuel Dragster team have confirmed that Flint Insurance will once again be team insurance broker for the 2005 season.

"Flint Insurance can give you a good deal on your commercial business insurance, cars, trucks, vans, and motorcycles, and they specialise in race car insurance", says Lesley Wright. "The cover is provided whilst the vehicle is in the workshop and travelling from home to the track. They also do great rates on privately-owned transporters with cover extending to European travel. After spending all your hard earned cash getting a race car and trailer together this cover is invaluable for the peace of mind it brings.
©Eurodragster.com
"Thanks to David Taylor and all the team at Flint Insurance for their support. Call them on 0870 0115320, or visit their web site at www.flintinsurance.co.uk."

Swift snippets.
29th March: Further to the news item of 20th March about Crane Cams' sponsorship of Top Fuel racer Andy Carter, Crane Cams Inc of Daytona Beach, Florida have been in touch to let us know that Crane Cam products are available in the UK through their sole distributor, Bedford-based USAutomotive Ltd, and not direct from Crane Cams Inc. USAutomotive were appointed distributor in 1997 and can be reached on 01234 273155, sales@usauto.co.uk or at their web site at www.usauto.co.uk. The latest range of Crane Cams products includes a new line of street/race distributors and the recently introduced Zcams for all popular V8 engines including Ford's modular V8 in 4.6 and 5.4 litre capacity.
©Eurodragster.com
Venables' new marks.
28th March: Congratulations to UK Super Street Bike racer Steve Venables who, having laid down a brace of seven-second passes in testing last weekend, did it in competition at the Easter Thunderball at Santa Pod Raceway and set new National records.
©Eurodragster.com
Steve clocked 7.991/190.67 in qualifying on Saturday, then yesterday sat and watched Jamie Sneddon record 7.939 on his Honda Blackbird, then took away Jamie's ACU ET record with a 7.925/193.20 which subject to official ratification is the new ET record. Steve's 193.20 was too fast for a record, since Saturday's 190.67 didn't back it up within one per cent, but the 190.67 is the new ACU speed record.

Stay tuned to Eurodragster.com's Easter Thunderball Event Coverage since we're sure that this story isn't yet finished!

Stotz likes what he sees.
28th March: US AMA/Prostar Pro Street racer Kent Stotz is enjoying his weekend at the Easter Thunderball, where he is providing tuning advice to Super Street Bike racer Jamie Sneddon who purchased Kent's Honda Blackbird. Speaking to Eurodragster.com last night, multiple AMA/Prostar Champion Kent said that he was very impressed with Santa Pod's track and the approach and innovation shown by racers on this side of the Pond.

"This track works very well even in the cold and humidity this weekend", said Kent. "There isn't a track in the USA which could do this, so credit to the guys who do the track here. I have found that the track has not been a limiting factor here, it can't be used as an excuse.".

When Jamie purchased the Blackbird, Kent asked him and Paul Watson of Eurodragster.com Home/News page sponsor Dynospeed Developments whether they wanted the bike set up for a less grippy track. "They said no", said Kent. "I was sceptical but I came here and it's just as Grumps said. I've been 7.2 at 200 on that bike and it can do that here. This is the best track I have been on outside the US professional tours."

We asked Kent what input he is providing to the DSD team this weekend. "I told Paul and Jamie what I thought they should do and why", he said. "Paul agreed, or had already thought of everything I told him. Today (Sunday, when we spoke to Kent - Ed) I told Paul to make the calls because I won't always be here. We have been through combinations for different conditions, and the data which came with the bike from the USA is directly comparable. A data recorder, over time, is the cheapest piece of equipment you can buy if you factor in engines and parts saved. Buying a data recorder and using the data it gives you is what turns a Sportsman racer into a Pro."

Kent said that he has been impressed by the variety of bikes he has seen on his visit to Santa Pod Raceway. "In the States, fifteen of twenty bikes are similar, here maybe two in twenty are the same, and that's the biggest difference", he said. "The bikes are all within range of each other, and only a few use tried and tested methods, everyone else uses their own ideas. There is a lot of innovation over here."
©Eurodragster.com
Four-time Champion Kent found it difficult to let the Blackbird go but he said that he has a new bike at home. "There are some things I can do better on a new bike, and I have to do them because the competition is doing them", he said. "I don't wish to blow my own horn but I am the only repeat Champion in the class". Kent was quick to credit his sponsors for his success. "Honda Riders Club of America and Honda Pro Oils came on board after I won the Championship in 1998", he said. "They asked me if I could do it on a Honda. In 1999 Honda gave me a bike to look at, and I found it made a lot of power and was reliable. I built the bike in 2001, and in 2001 and 2002 I did the whole AMA/Prostar series, won the Championship, and held the ET and speed records. I am also sponsored by Pingel, Star Racing, Airtech, Falicon and Velocity Racing, and more recently Hyperpro Suspension, Joe Rocket Leathers, and JE Pistons have come on board - I wouldn't be where I am without them."

Kent and his family are returning to the USA on Tuesday, and Kent will be picking up his bike and going straight back to the AMA/Prostar tour. "The bike is running but not ready, but it should be good to go when I get back", he said. "This year we are taking the class to a new level. We are running with the NOPI Drag Race Association, also known as the NDRA, who feature Sport Compact cars. We are appearing at four of their events this year in front of twenty five thousand spectators over each weekend. NOPI Tuner Vision is on the TV each night so we will get good coverage. These bikes are popular with the fans, they can relate to them and even when you are doing 150 miles per hour at the eighth they could still sit up!"

Kent said that he would like to make more trips to the USA if funds and schedule permit. "It's Jamie's call", he said. "I would like to see some racing here in good weather! Honda's promotional schedule keeps me very busy, I don't get many free weekends, but I would like to come back."

SCR turning Japanese.
28th March: Maxed, modded and darn right outrageous are three kinds of terminology used in describing the growing sector of the Japanese import performance market. There isn�t a month that goes by without the specialist-modified press uncovering another seriously quick Skyline, Evo or GTR from the Japanese genre, writes Shakespeare County Raceway Press Officer Jerry Cookson.

Years ago rumours turned into reality when 1000 bhp Nissan GTRs started to populate the UK cruising scene. But how quick are they in a straightline standing start quarter mile drag! Well, now�s your chance to find out as the first ever Jap Racer Days series is about to hit the strip running at Startford-Upon-Avon�s Shakespeare County Raceway this Sunday, 3rd April.

Import drag racing began in the United States in the seventies. Surely but slowly the import movement began to gather momentum before being thrust in front of the public�s eye in the late nineteen ninety�s where organisations began running the first national series dedicated to imports.

The cars are not your typical race cars but street sleepers in disguise. Chosen engines are now considered to be the most technologically advanced in the world, producing more power on eco-friendly petrol than any other engines in the world.

The Jap Racer Days series is designed to find the quickest and fastest street legal Jap vehicle in the country, points will be awarded for elapsed time and top speed with an extra bonus points haul for attending all three events. With a prize fund of �1850 on offer by season�s end, this weekend�s Jap Racer Day promises to be exciting, loud, and fast. If you have got what it takes, then bring it on!

Saturday, as well as Sunday is the second in the track�s spring Public Track Days where you can run your own road car or bike for as little as a weekend�s shopping. Saturday also plays host to the American Car World Street Racer Series where anything goes from big American muscle cars through to four or even eight-cylinder nitrous injected British and European imports.

Entry to the track will be �10 on Saturday and �12 on Sunday or �20 for the weekend. Another �15 per day or �25 for the weekend will buy you as many runs as you can make with certificate of speed to prove it!

Shakespeare County Raceway will be open 10.00am on Saturday and 11.00am on Sunday. The track can be found on the B4632 six miles south of Stratford town centre. For more details about Shakespeare County Raceway check out the track�s official web site at www.shakespearecountyraceway.com
©Eurodragster.com
The fastest Jet on the planet!
27th March: UK Jet Funny Car pilot Martin Hill became the fastest jet-powered drag racer on the planet this afternoon (Sunday) with a pass of 5.793/336.10 in his Fireforce 2 Jet Funny Car. Martin's speed beats the previous best of 330.90 mph set by US Jet Dragster pilot Bill Mattio. Martin clocked 288 mph on a 1000-foot pass yesterday and said that the car was accelerating very hard to that point; today he stayed on the throttle all the way to record the fastest-ever Jet terminal speed, Funny Car or Dragster.
©Eurodragster.com
Stay tuned and we will bring you Martin's comments as soon as we speak to him.

The return of the Rat.
27th March: UK Super Street Bike racer Rachel Pattison is to return to the track this season after purchasing Steve Venables' last SSB. Rachel acquired the low eight-second bike after selling her Bandit, the quickest in Europe, to former 9.90 Bike racer Jim Beck.

"Steve doesn't need the bike any more because he's moving on!", says Rat. "It's a ZX12R, bored out to 1500, with lots of ZX bits on. It's bloody quick - apparently! I've never had a Kawasaki before, at least not a Kawasaki race bike, but this one was affordable". Rat picked the bike up from Steve last week. "The cheque might bounce next week!", she says. "When I got it home I almost advertised it on the internet for more than I paid for it, just for a laugh!
©Eurodragster.com
Rat took a year out in 2004, so plans to test the bike this season with a view to running in competition in 2006. "This is a quicker and more technical bike", said Rat. "I am on a definite learning curve but I just need to get back into it and I will do the best I can. I won't be annoyed if it takes me all year to learn to ride the bike. We will be doing some Test and Tunes, but I hope it doesn't need much tuning!"

Rat asked us to say a big Thank You to Richard Cawthorn, whom she says she has borrowed from Ivan Birch again. "Sorry Ivan!", she says. "By the way, where are you when I need you Squirby!"

Zeroes as far as you can see.
27th March: Congratulations to UK Super Comp racer Andy Williams who was the first winner of the 2005 Eurodragster.com/LA Racing Parts Perfect ET Award with an 8.900 in qualifying at the Easter Thunderball yesterday (Saturday). It doesn't end there, though, as when Santa Pod Raceway's timing crew looked at Andy's ET out to six places, it was zeroes all the way - 8.900000! What are the odds?

After track announcer Graham Beckwith read off the string of zeroes on the PA at Santa Pod, he said "Now we need to ask Andy how did you do that?". We asked Andy, and he said "I just do what the computer says to do!".

Andy is now �50 better off courtesy of Eurodragster.com and LA Racing Parts. "I would like to add my congratulations to Andy, well done", said Lee Child of LA Racing Parts.

The Perfect ET prize fund will be reset to �50 for the Power Nationals in mid-April, whilst the Eurodragster.com/Speedflow Perfect Light Award is still available this weekend although we have had RTs of 0.002 and a 0.003 on day one.

Wolf heads for Wright Racing.
25th March: The legendary John Woolfe Racing wolf head logo is to appear again on a race car in 2005. The Wright Racing Top Fuel Dragster is to return to the track sporting the wolf head with a number of demonstration and match race appearances already booked at events at Shakespeare County Raceway this year. The dragster, owned by John and Lesley Wright and to be driven again by Darryl Bradford, will be carrying the names of a number of other companies all of whose products will be available through joint Eurodragster.com Links sponsor LA Racing Parts in a co-operative marketing deal.
©Eurodragster.com
John and Lesley Wright kindly invited Eurodragster.com to their Rushden workshop to check out the dragster, now in John Woolfe Racing blue applied by Curbishley Automotive, and to talk to Dave Riswick of JWR and the representatives of the other companies involved in supporting the car.

Click here to check out our report and pictures of our workshop visit, or click on the Features link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page.

Easter Thunderball running orders.
25th March: We are indebted to Santa Pod Raceway's Race Director Darren Prentice and Santa Pod Racers Club Secretary Paula Marshall for forwarding us the provisional running orders for tomorrow's (Saturday) and Sunday's qualifying at this weekend's Easter Thunderball.
©Eurodragster.com
Please note that, as ever, published running orders are subject to change due to weather or track conditions or for any other reason deemed necessary by the Race Director.

You can check out Saturday's and Sunday's running orders on our Easter Thunderball coverage index, which you can view by clicking here, or by clicking on the Event Coverage link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster page.

Hauser will be fuelling.
25th March: Geof Hauser of Hauser Racing has been in touch to confirm that he will be selling race fuel at Santa Pod Raceway this weekend.
©Eurodragster.com
"Contrary to some rumours currently circulating we have abundant stocks and will be able to satisfy all racers' requirements", says Geof. "We are now distributors for Sunoco Race Fuels and are proud to be working with such a professional organisation."

You will be able to find Geof in the Junior Dragster pits as usual.

Warren Krazy about SSB.
25th March: UK Super Street Bike rookie David Warren had a very successful first on-track outing on the Krazy Kat bike at Santa Pod Raceway last Sunday. Until he went to Santa Pod with the Krazy Kat team, David's only experience of the bike was a dyno session. David got in touch to tell us how the testing went from his point of view.

"We got over the small problem of not having a tyre to go on the bike", says David. "Thanks must go to Ian Marshall of Webster Race Engineering for sorting it out so quickly and at such short notice. Then we were en route to Santa Pod.

"On Sunday morning it hit me what I had let myself in for. I was full of mixed emotions which ranged from "What are you doing?" to "I can't wait to get on this bike". We arrived at Pod to a cold misty day, checked the bike and warmed her up and then we were ready for the first pass. The bike was fired and pushed around to the bleach box and I was given the signal to start the burnout, with my heart in my mouth I started to spool the turbo and then dumped the clutch and she was spinning. After the burnout I got the pat on the back from Steve and the final check from Roger and from now on in I was on my own. I went in to pre-stage and went though the start line routine which I had gone through a thousand times in my head. I started to let the clutch go and this is where things started to get interesting as I shifted as the bike started to pick up speed. I have never felt a bike pull so hard but so smoothly at the same time. After I got her in top gear just before half track the bike started to pull really hard, and when the shift light came on after three-quarter track I shut her down to record 9.258/152.

"This blew my personal best out of the water and nicely topped up my speed. I shut the bike down and turned off the track, and waited for Steve to pick me up. During this time I had a while to think about what I had just gone through, and I just wish I could repeat half the stuff I said.
©Eurodragster.com
"After the back slaps and congratulations the time soon came around for me to go out for another pass. We set the bike up up and towed down to the fire up road. We finally got the call to go out and I could not wait. After coming out of the burnout and putting the bike in to neutral we found a false neutral which stalled the bike. We re-fired her and went to the start line. I got myself ready and started to spool the turbo and waited for the lights to drop. After a feather of the throttle at sixty feey I hit second and then third and she was off and pulling really hard! I went though the finish line and started to shut down and this time it felt quicker again. When Steve got to me and told me the time I could not believe it, and I had to see the ticket for myself, which read 9.068/159.45.

"I was over the moon and I couldn�t believe how many people were saying "Well done" to me at the track and on my phone (Eurodragster working well).

"Overall we are really happy with what we achieved at the weekend, but I still know that this is only the start of things and I have still got a mountain to climb.

"I would like to thank everyone who has given me their support and told me "Well done", you know who you are and you don�t know how much it means to me. I would also like to say thank you to Roger, Steve and the team, to my family, and to everyone else who has helped me get to where I am now."

Mickey Thompson back SCR.
24th March: LA Performance Services have announced that Mickey Thompson are to sponsor a number of series and classes at Shakespeare County Raceway. Winners and runners-up in selected Ultimate Power Championship classes, the Jap Racer Series, and the American Car World Street Racer series will receive cash awards as long as they run Mickey Thompson tyres, run MT decals, and produce a receipt from an authorised UK distributor.

The Ultimate Power Drag Racing Championship classes to be sponsored by Mickey Thompson at the Ultimate Power events on 16th-17th April, 18th-19th June, and 27th-29th August are as follow:

Top Methanol: Winner �100, runner-up �50
Super Pro ET: Winner �50, runner-up �25
Street Eliminator: Winner �50, runner-up �25
Outlaw Anglia: Winner �50, runner-up �25
Super Street Bike: Winner �50, runner-up �25
9.50 Bike: Winner �50, runner-up �25
©Eurodragster.com
Mickey Thompson will also be sponsoring the Jap Racer Series, which takes place at Shakespeare County Raceway on 2nd April, 29th-30th May, and 2nd October. The Jap Racer Series, which will be extensively covered by Japanese Performance magazine, aims to find the quickest ET and speed for a street-legal Jap vehicle, with points awarded for ET and speed and �1000, �500 and �350 to be awarded by LA Performance Services to the Series winner, runner-up and third place. Mickey Thompson will award �50 to the winner and �25 to the runner-up of each of the three Jap Racer Series events.

The American Car World Street Racer Series, which holds rounds at Shakespeare County Raceway on 2nd April, 14th-15th May and 2nd October, will also be sponsored by Mickey Thompson with �50 awarded to the winner and �25 to the runner-up of each of the three events.

"I am over the moon with the support from Mickey Thompson", says promoter Lee Child, who jointly sponsors Eurodragster.com's Links pages through LA Racing Parts. "I would like to thank Julian Baldwin, Roger Everson and Nigel Underhill for their support over the last two years."

SPR gates, scrutineering.
24th March: Santa Pod Racers Club Secretary Paula Marshall has kindly provided us with details of opening and scrutineering times at Santa Pod tomorrow (Friday 25th):
©Eurodragster.com
Santa Pod Raceway gates open: 11:00
Signing-on: 14:00 - 20:00
Car scrutineering: 15:00, weather permitting
Bike scrutineering: 17:00, weather permitting

"I am expecting the 2005 rule books to arrive this week", says Paula. "If they are available then I will put them in the envelopes."

Midgley makes it.
24th March: If you were tuned in to our coverage of the pre-Easter Thunderball Test Weekend, you will recall that 2004 ACU UK Funny Bike Champion Neil Midgley's season got off to the worst possible start when he suffered a catastrophic transmission failure whilst testing a new gearbox. Neil's crankcases were rendered scrap, but he tells us that he will be at the Easter Thunderball.
©Eurodragster.com
"I have now put last year's transmission onto my number one engine and installed it in the bike ready for Easter", says Neil. "On stripping the spare engine it is evident the damage is limited to the gearbox and cases. I have built the engine back up as far as I can with the spares available and will hopefully complete it on Friday with some borrowed parts at Pod."

If you were tuned in to Eurodragster.com News on 27th February you will recall that Neil has decided that his future lies in a new project and has put his Championship- and record-holding bike up for sale. "With the sale in mind I am reticent to invest in the parts needed to replace those damaged on Sunday", says "I am therefore offering the bike race-ready with the 6.73-second engine, but no spares, for �15000 - no offers."

Glassup calms it down.
24th March: UK blown-alcohol altered racer Bob Glassup says that he is looking forward to joining the Nostalgia Fuel Altered Association at this weekend's Easter Thunderball. "We are quite excited about being part of some good altered action", say Bob and Matthew Glassup.

Bob's was one of the altereds which has been doing pre-season promotion for the NFAA, including at Brentwood and at Xtreme Wheels International. "It was particularly nice to have four altereds under the NFAA banner at Xtreme Wheels", says Bob. "It generated a lot of interest and positive comments. It was a great effort from all involved in bringing along their cars."
©Eurodragster.com
Bob recorded a best of 8.00/175 last year, but team have done some work to prevent the wild launches. "Keeping the car in a straight line was quite a task in itself", says Bob. "Over the winter break we have changed the gear ratios from 4:56 to 4:11, hopefully this will help keep the front wheels out of the sky on the launch. We eagerly await the weekend to see if it has helped enough, as last year we didn't really get a great deal of track time to get the car set up properly and run the numbers we had hoped."

Bob and his team will be joined this weekend by the legendary Norm Wheeldon, who built the chassis and who will be giving them expert advice on running a blown engine.

Swift snippets.
24th March: UK Top Fuel Bike racer Ian King will be accompanied by a TV crew at this weekend's Easter Thunderball as he is to be part of a Discovery Channel programme entitled Big Big Bikes. The King Racing team will this weekend be testing a new Automan clutch and fuel control system, as used by a number of NHRA Top Fuel teams.

Our good friend, photographer Richard Heeps tells us that he will be displaying his photographs in the Pod Shop at Santa Pod Raceway throughout the season, starting at this weekend's Easter Thunderball. "There will be a broad selection of images from the UK and America", says Richard, "and I will be refreshing the pictures for every event". You can check out some of Richard's excellent photographs on his just-updated web site at www.richardheeps.co.uk.
©Eurodragster.com
UK Street Eliminator racer Pete Smith tells us that he had to miss last weekend's pre-Easter Thunderball testing due to last-minute problems with his new Just Mental 'Vette. "Don't worry, I will be there this weekend", says Pete.

Steve Debben tells us that ZX12R cylinder studs, as used in the seven-second engine built for Super Street Bike racer Steve Venables by Debben Performance, are now available on-line on the company's web site at www.debben.co.uk. "We also have Gascacinch back in stock", says Steve.

Chiarella continues research.
24th March: Back on 6th March we brought you the news that UK Super Pro ET racer George Chiarella is planning to move up into Pro Mod. Ben Chiarella tells us that Straight To The Point Racing have had a number of enquiries about their blown-alcohol Small Block Chevy, and have also been continuing their research.

"We have checked out the chassis rules, and we just have to put in a few tubes to make us legal", says Ben. "This is because we built the chassis to six-second spec to begin with. Johan Samuelsson E-Mailed us with advice about running the Bruno in Pro Mod, he told us that we can do it but that we will have to release it with the left foot and we will also need a billet converter and 6.3 bellhousing. Thanks to Johan for the advice, it has saved us a lot of money because we won't have to buy a new gearbox or clutch set-up.
©Eurodragster.com
"We would also like to say a big Thanks to the Crew Chief of the West Coast Choppers Willys and Corvette Pro Mods for the interest in our car.

"We will keep you informed as we progress to Pro Mod!"

Bennett in with a bang, almost.
24th March: The tech inspection of UK blown-alcohol altered racer Frank Bennett's chassis almost got off to an explosive start at the B + J Nostalgia Skunk Works on Tuesday, says Johnny Hall.

"Frank Bennett was due to bring his Altered chassis over for inspection and updating in the evening", says Johnny. "At about three in the afternoon, there was a knock on the workshop door, and it turned out to be the Police . They told us that a hand grenade without a pin had been found on the fifth hole on the golf course behind our 'shop - about thirty five yards from our back wall.
©Eurodragster.com
"They told us that we had to be ready to evacuate at a moment's notice and to keep away from the back wall in case the grenade went off. With chassis inspector Mark Norton and Frank Bennett due in a couple of hours it was a big problem, and they also decided to close Crow Lane which is the road containing our entrance. Bill and I were unconcerned and decided to carry on working, a stinking hand grenade is no problem to us.

"About an hour later, the bomb squad removed it, all was clear and the road was reopened. Frank and Luke Bennett put the chassis onto our jig, Mark turned up, did his business, told us what needed doing, and we all went home."

Carter signs two-year B&Q deal.

23rd March: Reigning FIA European Top Fuel Dragster Champions and record holders Carter Motorsport have signed retailing giant B&Q as title sponsors for the 2005 and 2006 seasons in a two-year deal. Racing under the B&Q Power Tools banner, the team will also be supported by manufacturers Makita, Metabo, Ryobi, AEG, DeWalt, Bosch, and B&Q�s own power tool brands, Performance Power Pro and MacAllister, along with a wealth of associate sponsors.

The team�s closely-guarded new livery and web site will be launched during Santa Pod�s Easter Thunderball this weekend, prior to a fully-loaded tour of all FIA rounds, match races, exhibitions and promotional visits to B&Q warehouse stores throughout the UK.

"This is B&Q�s first venture into professional motorsport, so we are naturally delighted to have finalised this prestigious deal with such a high-profile household brand" said owner-driver Andy Carter. "B&Q�s reputation for quality, service, and value is second to none, and their range of power tools simply can�t be beaten. Our mission is to further strengthen B&Q�s presence in the trade power tool sector of the marketplace with the ultimate power tool, a 6500 bhp Top Fuel car!"

As the season opens, Carter Motorsport will also be rolling out their new pitside hospitality unit, an expanded range of merchandise, and some top-secret innovations on the car.
©Eurodragster.com
Interview: Andy Carter.
23rd March: Eurodragster.com interviewed Andy Carter on the eve of the announcement of the B&Q deal, which was particularly well-timed as Andy goes to the Easter Thunderball planning to be the first racer to win the Pro Fuel Shootout three times.
©Eurodragster.com
We asked Andy about his off-season activities, his plans to win the Pro Fuel Shootout and the 2005 FIA season, and the deal with B&Q.

You can read our interview with Andy Carter by clicking here, or by clicking on the Interviews link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page.

Swift snippets.

23rd March: If you were tuned in to Eurodragster.com News yesterday you will have read that Pro Mod racer-to-be Tim Mugridge promised us pictures of his new Pro Mod, which he will be racing in 2006. Tim was as good as his word, sending us the picture at right (click on picture for large version) as well as the hood scoop, Junior Dragster Champion Nick Mugridge in the driving seat, Nick Mugridge standing by the car, and the Mugridge family's two race cars.
©Eurodragster.com
Santa Pod Raceway are looking for doorslammers to make exhibition passes at the Fast Show, which takes place on Sunday 3rd April. "Street Eliminator, Pro Mod, Super Pro ET and Super Mod would be ideal", says Rick Cuthbert of Trakback Racing. "It should be a fun day for anyone who wants to test and/or showcase drag racing to this enthusiastic audience. If you would like to run demos at the show then please contact me at rick@thefastshow.com. If you want to just come along and have a look or participate in the Run What You Brung, the show is open to all, and a great mixture of cars were seen at last year's show from classic and American cars through to hot-hatches and supercars. For more information on the Show, visit www.thefastshow.com.

A very Happy Birthday to Dutch Top Fuel Dragster racer Lex Joon, who is doubtless hoping for a Pro Fuel Shootout victory this weekend as a belated birthday present. Have a great day, Lex.

PMR postcard from Gainesville.
23rd March: Paul Marston spent the weekend at the Gatornationals in Florida and sent us an account of the race

The weather conditions swapped between England at Florida. On Thursday the main Sportsman qualifying day was a complete washout, with not a wheel turned in anger. It wasn't a complete loss as I made myself busy as usual. Amongst the people I met were Terry and Tina Gibbs, over to enjoy the very best in Pro Mod and collect parts, as all dedicated English racers should. Next were Gordon Appleton and Crew Chief Adrian Spencer, and finally legendary Street Racer Andy Harris, who was enjoying a month-long stint of Florida weather.

Friday was a little better, the weather hovered in the 40s to 50s as the sun failed to break through all day. It was cold and fairly miserable for us racers as it took hours to dry the track due to the near 100% humidity combined with the cold temperatures. Although Super Comp was due out about 8.30 am, by 10.00 am it was clear that the schedule was due some changes. Sure enough the news came that Super Comp was now to be run after all the Pro Classes were through both of their scheduled two sessions. This was to be changed again late afternoon, a complete scrapping of any runs Friday to a Saturday morning one-shot deal, after another 4.00am start to the day, at least we could now just enjoy the rest of the day and with better weather scheduled for Saturday, relish the opportunity of at last getting down the track.

Notables of the Pro sessions were Byron Hines� Screaming Eagle Pro Stock Bike Harley Davidson, son Matt Hines casting his name in stone as the very first Pro Stock bike rider to run a six with a 6.99. Following close behind was the bun fight of the Pro Stock qualifying, with the mineshaft air and cool temperature conditions meaning massive power for these 1300+ HP monsters, if you could get hooked up you were on a mission. Greg Anderson was once again the class of the field, re-setting the Pro Stock ET and Speed Records once again with a second session mind-numbing 6.63/208, backed up by the first session run it is now the new official mark.

I once again kept busy, this time with my guests for the day Matt Wright and his partner Cheryl. With Fuel Funny Car running in the fours, John Force as #1 qualifier and Top Fuel Dragster in the 4.4 zone I think it is fair to saw Matt and Cheryl enjoyed the day. Matt and Cheryl would also like to extend their thanks to Tony Morris and Tim Hutcherson for their hospitality and warmth of the Toterhome during this cold day. We have also been joined for most of our stay by German Top Methanol Dragster driver Timo Habermann and his girlfriend Alex, also good friends of Tony Morris. Timo has been enjoying the sights and making himself busy amongst the Top Alcohol pits both here at the Gators and last week at the Florida Nationals. The Habermann team will be returning to Santa Pod for the FIA Main Event later this year. Other Brits over here were the man himself Steve Green and Ampar's Dave Riswick, who were enjoying the hospitality and atmosphere the Gatornationals provide.
©Eurodragster.com
Web site updates.
23rd March: Eurodragster.com Photo Editor Sharkman has updated his personal web site Sharkman's Top End Tales with a number of Windows wallpaper files from the weekend's pre-Easter Thunderball testing at Santa Pod Raceway. You can check out Sharkman's wallpapers at www.topendtales.com.
©Eurodragster.com
The war machine stirs.

22nd March: Holland's MPM Top Fuel team fired up their new dragster for the first time at the weekend, indoors at Lex Joon's Zaandam shop (right) and a week before the car's first competitive appearance at the Easter Thunderball at Santa Pod Raceway. Crew Chief Eddie Corr warned Eurodragster.com that this was just the first noise from the war machine in the 2005 campaign.

"A busy two-day schedule saw the car tested and fired, and the new crew got their initial training", said Eddie. "We have two more crew members available in England, the two Andys from the 2001-2003 Carter crew, hungry to get stuck in at Easter.

"System checks were made and I inspected the tune-up as supplied by the Bacas to see what it needs for Easter at Santa Pod. The ignition system needed some attention, and so the car was fired on fuel this weekend for the first time. The tune-up issue is interesting because the car is currently a 4.40 car on 90%, we will be running it this year throughout Europe at a lower level of tune than 4.40s, and Easter will be the lowest of all.

"The car is in very good condition, has a good spares package, is already SFI tagged for 2005, and the datalogger is a fantastic new 'toy' for me. It will be an interesting year. Easter will basically be a toe in the water for the car and the team, the FIA Main Event will be diving into the water. So we�ll see how we go. Everything is speculative until qualifying starts at the Main Event!"
©Eurodragster.com
"It was really exciting to fire up the car", Lex Joon told Eurodragster.com. "The car was sitting in our shop, and we knew it was good, but when it's fired and you can see everything is working the way it should it feels like a dream come true. We did not have to make any adjustments: Kevin Poynter, Baca Racing's Crew Chief, had given us a car which was ready to rock and roll, even the ignition timing was spot on. For Eddie and the rest of our crew it will be a steep learning curve, but we are ready for it no matter how it comes. Obviously we will not be looking to set any records at Easter as we will be working on a set-up for the car, and Eddie will not be there as he has a work commitment which was made before we knew we would be running at Easter.

"Knowing that I will be the one to drive this car is something else. I know people's expectations are high, and so are ours. Our competition will be ready when they have to race against us, and we will be more than ready - after firing the MPM Top Fuel Dragster I know that for sure!"

The Autosport.nl web site contains some great pictures from the fire-up taken by our good friend Remco Scheelings, as well as Remco's Dutch-language report on the day. Check it out at www.autosport.nl.

Mugridge Sr to return.
22nd March: Former Custom Car Street Eliminator racer Tim Mugridge will be entering the UK Pro Mod wars in 2006. Tim, father of 2004 UK National Junior Dragster Champion Nick Mugridge, was due to pick up the car at the premises of Eurodragster.com Home and News Page sponsor Air Sea Logistics yesterday (Monday).

"The car is a Tim McAmis-bodied '68 Camaro", Tim told Eurodragster.com. "The chassis was built to the latest spec by Dave Monday Race Cars. I bought the car new and unraced from Robbie Vandergriff who hasn't got the time to race it. The car is the sister car to Chad Hedgecock's Eagle Racing Camaro and is absolutely beautiful, everything down to the last nut and bolt is chromed. And it has a huge wing!"
©Eurodragster.com
Tim said that he estimates the car to be ninety per cent complete. "I brought a lot of parts back from Orlando last year intending to have a car built here so I haven't much left to get", he said. "I have to paint it, wire it, get a propshaft, engine, clutch and bellhousing. Whatever I bought and don't need I will be selling."

The engine will be at least 706 ci. "I could have had Gordon's 722 ci engine but the timing wasn't quite right", said Tim. "I have bought a four-speed Lenco from Gordon, though."

Tim said that it will be 2006 before he makes it out on-track. "We are moving house which is going to take some time", he said. Stay tuned as Tim promised us some photographs when he had taken delivery of the car.

Belinda takes the seat.
22nd March: Eurodragster.com Swap Meet sponsor Jeff Bull has been in touch to let us know how well his wife Belinda got on driving her Super Gas Camaro for the first time at the Peak Performance Day at Santa Pod on Saturday.

"We had a great day", says Jeff. "Sorry Tog, the seat has now been booked for this year! It does look easy from the outside as you well know (from the outside, yes - Ed). I am very pleased with what Belinda achieved in four passes, and we are now looking forward to the next step. I would like to thank all of our friends who were there giving Belinda their support and encouragement, also big thanks to all the Santa Pod crew for keeping their watchful eyes on her.
©Eurodragster.com
Jeff Bull Race Engines, Doug Herbert (Performance Parts) and Peter at Transmission Specialties will be supporting this weekend's Super Gas Twentieth Anniversary Shootout, which takes place at the Easter Thunderball this weekend after being rained out last October. "Hopefully the weather will be kind enough for the Super Gassers to race for the big prize fund, and to reflect on all the great people who helped keep this class going over the years, thank you all", says Jeff. "Good luck to all the racers in all classes, have a safe and enjoyable weekend."

Interview: Nigel Anniwell.
22nd March: This weekend's Easter Thunderball at Santa Pod Raceway will be the first event at in some years without the presence of Nigel Anniwell on the start line, in a fire truck, or in the pits at one of the tracks in the UK. Nigel is a perfect example of the selfless and generally unsung supporter of drag racing having for many years been one of that small but select group who officiate at races, giving up their free time and putting their lives on the line for little or no reward or recognition, content in the knowledge that their efforts help to make events safer for racers and public alike and ease the pressure of responsibility on race officials and organisers.
©Eurodragster.com
Nigel has in his many years of active involvement performed a number of jobs at UK tracks including marshal, starter and fire diver performed a number of jobs at UK tracks including marshal, starter and fire diver before having to retire last year, hopefully temporarily, due to a shoulder injury. We spoke to Nigel this week and in a very interesting interview he tells us about his experiences supporting the sport, his favourite moments, his plans for the future, and more.

You can read our interview with Nigel by clicking here, or by clicking on the Interviews link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page.

ARRC continue UK sponsorship.
22nd March: Eurodragster.com Home/News page sponsor Andy Robinson Race Cars have announced that they will again be posting contingency sponsorship of the UK National Championship in 2005.

The deal covers Hoosier tyres and Stroud Safety Equipment as well as Andy Robinson Race Cars. The ARRC and Hoosier deals are contingent upon racers displaying appropriate decals, and these will be available from Andy Robinson at Santa Pod Raceway this weekend. The Stroud deal is contingent upon the driver wearing a Stroud race suit. "You know where to go if you need a new suit", says Bob Roberts.
©Eurodragster.com
Details are available by clicking on the Sponsorship link on the ARRC web site at www.robinson-race-cars.co.uk.

Nelson Scheming elevens.

22nd March: Dave Nelson will be making his first competitive outing in his slingshot The Crooked Schemer at this weekend's Easter Thunderball. Dave is making a sensible start, running in Sportsman ET whilst he completes his licencing and gets a handle on the car.

"The name of the car was provided by Dave Mustaine of the famous heavy metal band Megadeth", says Dave. "The car has been built on a very tight university student's budget, and is powered by a slightly modified 3.5 Rover v8, and a little whiff of gas. It is entered into Sportsman ET for this weekend, although the aim is to run high elevens so it can run in Pro ET.

"My current personal best is a 14.3/93 while not running so hot, without the gas but with lots of wheelspin on a very cold and slippery Santa Pod RWYB track (it had been snowing). The plan is to complete my observed runs, and then see what happens. It would be nice if we could get below our best time, and maybe get closer to our eleven-second target. This is our first time as racers at any non-RWYB event, so any advice would be welcome."

On Cloud Nine with the Angel.
22nd March: UK Wild Bunch racer Sarah Howells turned substitute driver at the APIRA Test and Tune at Shakespeare County Raceway at the weekend. Sarah took a turn driving Destiny's Angel for Bernie Nicholas of Evolution Racing and blasted her personal best.

"Regular drivers Bernie's daughter Tarzy and Chev Charman-Osbourne are busy with other things for a large part of this season, so another 'angel driver' was needed!", says Sarah. "I've not been in a dragster for well over a year since driving Ramraider so I was a bit nervous to say the least! Having undergone the cockpit familiarisation and pit fire-up, I was towed around the pits to get used to the steering and then drove the car under power around the top of the pits to get even more comfortable.
©Eurodragster.com
"By the time I got into the fire-up road I was amazingly cool, calm and confident, so much so that my promised 'shopping trip' in the car turned into an 11.647/129.61 which I think left everyone a little stunned back on the start line! My confidence grew and I used the transbrake on the last five of my weekend's seven runs. My best run was 10.285/143.39, ten mph quicker than I've ever been before! What a feeling!

"A massive Thank You to Bernie for the drive of a lifetime, which I get to repeat throughout the season until Tara or Chev are in a position to hop back in! Thanks to the Dogs B****cks team who all came to offer support (especially Gos for walking the distance from the first return road to the second when I flew past him on my first run!), thanks to the Hartnell squad for numerous hugs and wild celebrations as the times got quicker and thank you thank you thank you to my husband Darryl for leaving his own precious Chemical Reaction slingshot in the garage to spend the time crewing and encouraging me over the weekend.

"It's a long way down from Cloud Nine but I intend staying up here for quite a while!"

Swift snippets.

22nd March: Ben Linney has been in touch to let is know that the Top Secret Drag R ran an impressive 10.3/136 on its first and only proper launch after a warm-up run at Elvington at the weekend (right). "This was the very first run by Drag R since coming to the UK, with Tim just getting used to the R33", says Ben. "The run was at mid boost 1.5 bar, pump fuel map with 50/50 Optimax/Cool Blue for safety, ignition retarded three degrees CAS, run on Toyo Proxes road tyres and without Nitrous". You can read more at www.linney.org/newsnew.htm.
©Eurodragster.com
Ian Turburville has been in touch to let us know that he will be available for the supply of helmets, Simpson shoes, Sure Shots, uniforms, videos, nitro Harley parts, Milestones replicas and ACF 50 lubricant at the Easter Thunderball. "I will be in my bright orange awning with the Fansfueler project at the VIP Hospitality site at the bottom of the fire-up road", says Turbo.

Web site updates.
22nd March: Our good buddies at Svensk Dragracing have updated their web site with a page of Nordic Drag Racing Series event invitations, entry forms, and supplementary regulations as well as forms for the FIA Main Event. "Be sure to check out the page frequently as it will be continously updated as new information becomes available", says Erik Zettervall. You can find the NDRS paperwork at www.dragracing.se/nerladdning.html.
©Eurodragster.com
Another good friend, Gareth Evans, has updated his UK1320 web site with photographs from the weekend's APIRA Test and Tune at Shakespeare County Raceway. You can find Gareth's great pictures at www.uk1320.com.

James Hands is currently holding a vote on his Racing 05 web site, the question being "Who will win this weekend's Pro Fuel Shootout?". You can vote at pages.123-reg.co.uk/jimmy43-800350/racing05/id23.html.

Cockerill misses the field.
21st March: The UK's newest Pro Modified racer, Danny Cockerill, expressed himself pleased with his first outing at Saturday's Peak Performance Day at Santa Pod Raceway. Danny made three passes at Santa Pod on Saturday, culminating in a 7.067/202.59 after which his parachutes failed but he got the '57 Chevy stopped at the cost of slight damage to his brakes.

"You know how it is when everything is new", Danny told Eurodragster.com yesterday. "I had a new car, new engine, new firesuit, boots and gloves and I couldn't feel anything! The routine is different from my Super Mod and it seems simple, except that I can't see the Tree in either lane - I suppose I'll have to lean over or something."
©Eurodragster.com
After a burnout and wheels-up launch on his first pass, Danny hit what looked like vicious tyre shake on his second pass. "I didn't think it was that bad", said Danny. "I didn't get the blurred vision or a headache or anything although people outside told me it looked bad. It didn't feel a lot different to the Rover."

The Chevy made a move towards the guardrail on Danny's third pass, but he pedalled and got it straight, then got back on the throttle. But for the pedal the pass would have been a six, but it was at the finish line that the real fun started. "There must be a huge area of dead air behind the car because the parachutes fell out and sat on the wheelie bars", said Danny. "We'll have to do something about that. I stood on the brakes and pulled the handbrake and I made it, but it stank in there afterwards! But I had the choice of going into the field or turning off the track, and I nearly ended up in the field."

Danny spent yesterday hunting for a new brake caliper so that he could put in another pass at the Run What You Brung, but in the end the part was unavailable and so he returned home to prepare for this weekend's Easter Thunderball. "I'm reasonably pleased with how it went", he said, "and I'm over the jitters now".

You can check out reports and pictures of the weekend's testing at Santa Pod and Shakespeare County Raceways in our American Car Imports-sponsored event coverage, which you can view by clicking here, or by clicking on the Event Coverage link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page.

Wells out until 2006.
21st March: UK Super Gas racer Steve Wells will miss the 2005 season after his fan-favourite Ford Pop pick-up hit the guardrail in testing at Santa Pod Raceway on Saturday. Steve was unhurt and the Pop can be fixed, but we are unlikely to see him in competition this season, putting an end to what must be one of the longest ever-present records in European drag racing.

"We attended the Peak Performance Test Day to shake down the Pop before our onslaught on the 2005 Super Gas Championship", says Steve. "During the we freshened up the engine and made various modifications including a self-designed throttle stop.

"The first run out was an arrow straight half pass followed by a plug check. On the second pass something let go in the engine causing water to be blown out of number seven cylinder and onto the slicks. This happened about a hundred feet from the finish line causing a huge cloud of steam at the top end. The Pop went left, then hard right hitting the new wall at 115 mph. The back of the Pop then slammed into the wall and along for some yards.
©Eurodragster.com
"The concrete wall kept the Pop upright and slowed it down. All the safety equipment did its job and I was getting out as the safety crew arrived. I would like to thank all of the fire and safety crew for their swift response and for their help getting the remains of the Pop onto the trailer. Also a big Thank You to Sharkman, Spencer and Carol for looking after Jayne, who was watching it all happen from the start line.

"We have not yet discovered the full extent of the damage, but will update our web site when the Pop and engine are stripped. Unfortunately this is the end of our season before it starts. Since the crash in 1996 we have done eight years' racing without missing a meeting. We are not expecting to be back out until 2006, although you'll see us around at some of the races."

Flavell's dusty début.

21st March: If you were tuned in yesterday you will have read that UK Super Pro ET racer Mark Flavell and his team were hoping to test their new chassis at York Raceway. Mark has been in touch to let us know that he made it (right) and that testing was satisfactory.

"While you guys were swanning around in the heat of the deep south, we 'tuff nuts' from Up North - actually just read nuts - made it as far as York to iron out a few bugs in our latest creation", says Mark. "We couldn't have been more pleased. We kept stopping the work party of Pennine Drag Racing Club members who were out in force licking the venue into shape for their very busy 2005 season.
©Eurodragster.com
"With no timing equipment and a dusty racing surface it was only ever going to be a systems and driving check but we learned a few things and came away very happy with our efforts. Steve Murty made us very welcome and the Flavell Racing Team will be returning with fire in those pipes later on in the year to attack the northern asphalt with a vengance. Thanks guys.

"Thanks also to everybody who has helped us; hopefully the Easter Thunderball will see us quickly find consistent form and start our Championship bid."

Nitro is brilliant!
21st March: Johnny Hall has been in touch to confirm that the B + J Nostalgia Nostalgia Fuel slingshot broke a roller rocker and a chromoly pushrod on its pass at Santa Pod Raceway on Saturday.

"Everything else seems OK apart from the burst panel", says Johnny Mental. "Bill and I will tear the engine down to check that there is nothing untoward, new parts will be ordered from the States, and we will be out as soon as possible."
©Eurodragster.com
Johnny says that he was very impressed with the reaction of the top end crews after there was a loud bang from the car in the shutdown area. "I would like to pass on my thanks to both the rescue and paramedics, as they where both on me before the car had stopped", he says.

"We really enjoyed ourselves yesterday and feel as though we have made progress, all the info gleaned will all come together soon. One of the best decisions of my life...going Nitro racing, it's brilliant!"

The magnificent eleven.
21st March: In addition to the recently announced deals with Wynns, Crane, Lucas Oils (UK) Ltd, Norfolkline, Mike Shorer, and Brown and Miller Racing Solutions, British Top Fuel Dragster team Carter Motorsport have now re-signed the following eleven sponsors for the 2005 season:

NGK Spark Plugs 0144 282 1000
Binamic 0144 224 4833
Sigma Signs 0189 527 3268
K & N Filters 0192 563 6950
Yuasa Batteries 0121 777 3262
Gold RV Sales and Service 0142 054 4482
Motorgraphic 0198 372 1041
Rainbow Conference Sets 0189 544 8102
Pioneer Print 0208 505 1552
Shipleys Fruit and Veg Ltd 0175 353 1520
3t Creative 0120 247 0170

�We are absolutely delighted to have the continued support of these great companies�, said team PR John Andrews. �At this level of competition, good sponsorships are a vital ingredient to the success of any team, and we are lucky enough to have the very best in European drag racing�. The car will also be displaying Webster Race Engineering and Eurodragster.com decals as a show of appreciation for all of the excellent work they have done for the team over the past few years."
©Eurodragster.com
Meads Expresses thanks.

21st March: Paul Webster has been in touch to pass on a big Thank You huge thank you to Jon and Regina Phillips of Nitrous Express for the immense amount of support which they gave UK Street Eliminator racer Jeff Meads at last week's World Street Race at No Problem Raceway in Louisiana.

"Jon was walking round the pits on Thursday night and spotted we were using an NX Shark Nozzle system", says Paul. "We have just fitted this and it was our first outing with it. On looking around the car Jon spotted a fault from then on he was a man possessed.

"Without Jon's help we would probably still be struggling to find the fault and are indebted to him, over the weekend Jon offered constant help and support and his product and tuning knowledge were awsome.

"As well as the incredible amount of help he gave us Jon also put his money where his mouth was by offering us contingency if we won or were runner-up, he was true to his word by handing over two new NX bottles."

UK Test Weekend coverage.
20th March: This weekend was UK racers' last chance to test before the UK National Championship season starts at next week's Easter Thunderball. Test events took place at both Shakespeare County Raceway and Santa Pod Raceway, Eurodragster.com reported from both venues in association with American Car Imports.
©Eurodragster.com
You can access our Pre-Easter Thunderball Test Weekend event coverage index by clicking here, or by clicking on the Event Coverage link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page.

Many thanks again to Gareth Evans of UK1320 for reporting for us from Shakespeare County Raceway.

Two inches enough for Pateman.
20th March: World Street Race winner Steve Pateman was understandably very happy with his week in the USA. "It was blinding", said Steve. "It doesn't get any better than that! The Americans were so friendly and helpful and showed great interest in the car. From Friday morning people we telling me I was going to win and I kept having to say to them "Anything can happen on race day"!"

Steve was running short passes during testing, leading spectators to believe that he was concealing his hand. "I wasn't sandbagging", said Steve. "I always sort out the first sixty feet before I worry about the other end. I might have run the Low ET but my best sixty foot was 1.31 and one of the Americans ran 1.29."

Reading the race results, it looked as if Steve had the perfect weekend, but it could have been different. "The car flew!", he said. "The only real disappointment was on the Cruise when I ran out of petrol literally across the road from the gas station. That was my mistake, my crew were telling me to put more fuel in it and I said it would be OK.

"Then I did something stupid in the semi-final and almost put myself out of the race. I left on the other guy and the engine was screaming. I tried something, which was a stupid thing to do - and no, I'm not going to tell you what it was! - and it blew a fuse in the control box. The engine went dead and it suddenly went very quiet - all I could hear was the tyres sticking to the track as I slowed down. The Brits were up on their feet yelling me on and the other guy came screaming past on the finish line and I thought I had lost. But I won by 0.0009 seconds!". We calculated Steve's margin of victory and it turned out to be 2.4 inches.
©Eurodragster.com
Steve also managed to have some fun whilst in Louisiana. "We had a real laugh together", he said. "One day all of my team and all of Fatty's team, nineteen of us, got on one of those air boats and went out on the swamps, and the boat was powered by a 502 Chevy! Fatty must have been suffering having to ride a Chevy. But then Fatty's motorhome had a big Chevy in it too, I spotted him in the middle of the night with a tape measure taking its measurements."

The car is now on its way back to the UK and is scheduled to arrive in time for the Power Nationals at Shakespeare County Raceway in mid-April. "The car is now back to where it was at the National Finals a year and a half ago (where Steve set the ET record which still stands - Ed)", said Steve. "There's a lot left in there and now we can push it a bit harder and progress it."

Steve said that he was glad that he went to the World Street Race. "It was well worth all the grief, expense and travelling", said Steve. "Hats off to Andy Frost, he put in a lot of effort and pulled it off, hopefully he will be able to get a few nights' sleep now! Obviously I must add a huge thanks to my crew for supporting me and to my sponsors who got me there and int he case of Mickey Thompson even had stuff delivered to the track!"

The World Street Race participants are to be presented with their team trophy during Sunday's Street Eliminator qualifying at next weekend's Easter Thunderball at Santa Pod Raceway. "Matt Wright, who sponsored the World Street Race, will be presenting the trophy", says organiser Andy Frost. "We will be also selling the remainder of the WSR T-Shirts from Matt Wright's trailer at the Thunderball, and during this week we will be auctioning a special framed WSR T-Shirt, signed by all the competitors. The auction will be taking place on my forum at members5.boardhost.com/REDVICTOR, bids will be E-Mail only and I'll announce the winning bid on Thursday of this week."

Malmgren's nose job.
20th March: Sweden's Malmgren Racing Pro Stock team have been working hard on their six-second Pontiac Grand Am to make it ready for the 2005 FIA European Championship season. Anyone who knows the team, though, will not be surprised to hear that they will be making time to have some fun.

"The Grand Am is still stripped down for some additional paintwork, as well as some repairs to the nose of the car, as you will remember we landed in the gravel trap at Mantorp", says team member Magnus Cato. "Both our engines have been overhauled; everything was fine but some minor work needed to be done to the heads as all Pro Stock engines were affected by the change to unleaded fuel last season."
©Eurodragster.com
The team have also worked on the front suspension. "We think that this was one of the reasons that the car didn't run as strongly as we thought we could", says Magnus. "The front shocks sunk together too quickly, which made the car dig the nose in, causing tyre spin."

The team will be meeting up during Easter to add the final touches, and also to have a party. "It will be great fun meeting all the guys again over a pint or two.", says Magnus.

Add nitrous, fuel, money...
20th March: UK Comp Bike racer Phil Leamon says that a few changes have been made to the Vehvac-sponsored Leamon Brothers bike for the 2005 season. Vehvac have come back on board as the main sponsor and the bike now has new blue and white decals on the tank and tail. "It looks a little like the Scottish Saltire!", says Phil.

"The engine combination the same as last year", adds Phil, "with a few mods to the clutch, hopefully to get more consistent sixty foot times. Our super crew is the same as in the last three years, no need to change a combination which works!"
©Eurodragster.com
The former ACU Comp Bike Champion and last year's runner-up thinks that the class will be even quicker this season. "TJ O'Brien, Vaughan Foster and Gary Jones will all get more consistent if they sort out the gearbox and various other mechanical problems", says Phil, "I may have to add a little more nitrous and fuel and, dare I say, spend some money if I want to stay in the top three!"

OK, who moved Easter?
20th March: UK Super Pro ET racer Mark Flavell has one question to ask as he and his team prepare for next weekend's Easter Thunderball at Santa Pod Raceway.

"Who went to the Committee Meeting and voted to move Easter forward, I�d like to know?", he says. "Instead of being linked to the phases of the moon or whatever, it should be set by a democratic vote by the entrants to the Easter Thunderball, and run when we�re good and ready - admittedly, in some cases that might be late May."
©Eurodragster.com
Mark says that the team have spent more time preparing their newly-acquired chassis than they have spent at home or in the office. "We get in the workshop and I lock the door, so nobody leaves until the job�s done!", he says. "We did take on a lot this closed season but we�re nearly there.

"Whilst everybody else is testing at either Santa Pod or Shakespeare County this weekend, we�ve still got a lot to do, but if things come together we�ll undertaking limited testing at York Raceway on Sunday. If it does come together, we�ll send some pictures. If it doesn't, is it too late to try out my idea of a vote?"

Carter gets lift from Crane.
20th March: With just days to go before the first race of the season, FIA European Top Fuel Dragster Champion Andy Carter has been joined by one of the biggest names in drag racing, Crane Cams. Crane will be supplying cams and lifters for the 6,500 bhp car as the team prepare to defend their FIA Championship crown.

�Having Crane on board is a huge bonus,� said Crew Chief Ben Allum. �With this kind of power we need reliability and consistency from every component, and Crane have been setting the benchmark for innovative camshaft and valve train design since the early 1950s�.

Crane Cams was founded by Harvey J. Crane Jr, and was originally based in an unused corner of his father�s Florida machine shop. Harvey was well aware of the critical effect that accurate, consistent camshaft design can have on engine power, and very shortly his cams were being used by hot rodders and drag racers across the state. Since then Crane Cams have diversified and flourished, and the drivers who have won Championships using Crane products reads like a Who�s Who of professional motorsport. Now based at Daytona Beach, and with an even stronger focus on the future, the employee-owners of Crane Cams call upon a rich and colourful racing heritage to move their company rapidly forward.

Crane Cams Inc. can be contacted at: 530 Fentress Blvd. Daytona Beach, FL 32114, United States of America. Telephone: +1 386 252 1151. Fax: +1 386 947 5124. Web site: www.cranecams.com.
©Eurodragster.com
Swift snippets.
20th March: UK Pro ET racer and sponsorship co-ordinator Carl Burton has been in touch with a plea to Eurodragster.com readers who are familiar with the Barry Grant Carburettor Professor Sharp PC 125OA. Carl's model has lost its memory and he would be very pleased to hear from anyone who may be able to help. If you can assist the English Rose team then please call Gary on 01354 650289.

UK 9.50 Bike racer Steve Knapp says that he will be adding nitrous to his bike because of the change from 9.90 Bike. "The bike made 190 bhp on the dyno, and I will be trying it out at Santa Pod on Sunday", says Steve. "Hopefully it will run some good times. The nitrous is on a gear position indicator, so it will be launched as normal on 130 bhp, then when it is in the chosen gears the gas cuts in on its own with no buttons to press."

UK Super Pro ET new entrant Nigel Taylor, who ran into the 8.4s at yesterday's Peak Performance Day at Santa Pod Raceway,has already got himself a fan club. "Good luck to Nigel and his crew, Dave, Giles and Ian, and we hope all goes well", say Moya and the Fan Club. "Although Nigel is no rookie, I imagine this is going to be a weekend of pure adrenalin. We look forward to seeing Nigel compete at the Easter Thunderball!"
©Eurodragster.com
The UK's Predator Racing Funny Bike team are entering their sixteenth season full of anticipation, says Shaun Howard. "Last year was forgettable due to various nitrous-related woes", says Shaun, "So we have tried to move away from using as much laughing gas. We have done this by improving the turbocharger to make more horsepower without relying on nitrous. To check if this is working we have also purchased a Racepak V300 datalogger to keep tabs on what's happening. Predator Racing would like to take this opportunity to thank Universal Turbos, Dave Branch Engineering, Richard Stubbings and Dave Beck for their assistance."

Nostalgia race car builders B & J Nostalgia have delivered Terry Clifford's updated Ratcatcher slingshot (right), which should be pounding the strips of England this summer. "We are busy all the time now at the Skunkworks", says Johnny Hall. "We have a waiting list of about two months for full chassis or updates which require the use of our jig, although other jobs can be accommodated pretty much as and when."

Rick Cuthbert of Trakbak Racing tells us that the Nostalgia display at next weekend's Easter Thunderball is coming along nicely, but that there is still room for more. �We have a great selection of famous cars from Santa Pod�s past already booked in", says Rick. "However, if you own a famous or interesting car or bike from the early days of drag racing and you want to show it off at the Easter Thunderball, then please drop me a line at rick@trakbak.com as there are a couple of spaces left. Vehicles do not need to be in running order but must look complete for the indoor static display which is to be held on all three days.�

Dan Eaton writes from the USA to tell us that he has a rare Chassis Research dragster for sale. "The car is one of a kind", says Dan. "For information please E-Mail me at fastcars@twcny.rr.com or call me on +1 315 697 8646."

Score one for the ladies.
20th March: Bahrain Drag Racing Club Secretary Fahad Taqi has been on touch to let us know that a female racer has competed in Middle East drag racing for the first time.
©Eurodragster.com
"Abeer Abdulla is the first ever Middle Eastern female to compete in a drag racing championship", says Fahad. "Abeer took part in the second round of the Championship in her own car, an Audi TT, and recorded a time of 16.105 on her first time on a drag strip. Abeer said that it was great for a female to race, especially in the Middle East. She thanked the BDRC for the event and confirmed that she will be taking part in the third round of the Championship.

"The Kingdom of Bahrain is proud to have a female competing, to show people that this kind of sport is not dangerous but is safe and fun."

Web site updates.
20th March: Our good buddies at Svensk Dragracing have updated their web site with the fully-detailed NDRS racers' calendar for 2005. Check it out at www.dragracing.se.

The Finnish Hot Rod Association web site has been updated with full details of next weekend's American Car Show, which our good friend Hannele Höydén tells us means the beginning of the Finnish season. You can read all about the Show, and a special associated hotel offer, at http://www.fhra.fi/fin/index.php?page_id=87.
©Eurodragster.com
The Drag, Rod and Classic Review magazine has been updated with a retrospective of the NHRA Winternationals written by our good friend Andy Willsheer. Check it out at www.drcreview.com.

John Hutchinson has updated his Nitromaniac web site with pictures from the 2003 Goodguys Fuel and Gas Finals. You can see John's web site at community.webshots.com/user/nitromaniac.

Venables into sevens.
19th March: History was made at today's Peak Performance Day at Santa Pod Raceway as Super Street Bike racer Steve Venables went into the sevens with a 7.918/186.83. Steve followed up the historic first seven-second pass by a UK Super Street Bike with an even quicker 7.787/188.41. The first seven was Steve's fourth pass of the day and followed an 8.03 opener, an 8.29 with wheelspin, and an 8.06 going through the clutch.

"What can I say?", said Steve. "Just fantastic, I'm bloody chuffed. Thanks to everyone involved, I have been waiting over a year to get that."

Steve's incrementals for the first seven-second pass were:
©Eurodragster.com
60 feet: 1.391
330 feet: 3.590
Eighth ET: 5.293
Eighth speed: 149.42
1000 feet: 6.676
ET: 7.918
Speed: 186.83

Congratulations Steve!

TMFC team logos urgently sought.
19th March: Anders Magnusson of Sweden's Andréasson Motorsports Top Methanol Funny Car team has been in touch with an urgent call to fellow TMFC teams. And we mean urgent, since the deadline is midday today (Saturday).
©Eurodragster.com
"We are about to print an event T-Shirt for this year's Kamasa Tools Mechanic Challenge and would like to include the logos of all TMFC teams. Having your logo on this pre-event T-Shirt does not mean that you are signing on to participate in the Challange, but a chance to get some free marketing for your team.

"So far we got logos for Andreasson, K�gered, Leanders/Lundkvist and Erbacher...are they going to be the only ones? TMFC racers please E-Mail printable team logos to anders@andreassonmotorsports.com noon today (Saturday)."

�50 more for .500!
18th March: If you were tuned in on Monday for the announcement of this year's Eurodragster.com Perfect Awards Scheme we promised some special news about the Eurodragster.com/LA Racing Parts Perfect ET Award at next week's Easter Thunderball.

As racers and regular readers are aware, the Eurodragster.com/LA Racing Parts Perfect ET Award presents a cash prize, in this case �50, to the first racer at an event to record an ET to the thousandth on their index or dial-in.
©Eurodragster.com
To celebrate the introduction of the new 9.50 Bike and 10.50 Bike classes in the UK National Championship, we are pleased to announce that should the first Perfect ET next weekend be run by a 9.50 Bike or 10.50 Bike racer then we will add a bonus of �50, making a total of �100.

The usual Eurodragster.com/LA Racing Parts Perfect ET Award condition applies, namely that the prize money will be paid to the first racer to record a perfect ET, so if the first perfect ET is recorded in a class other than 9.50 Bike or 10.50 Bike then the bonus will not be available. 9.50 Bike and 10.50 Bike racers, you know what to do...

Hello, Blackbird.
18th March: Paul Watson of Eurodragster.com Home/News sponsor Dynospeed Developments tells us that Jamie Sneddon will be testing his ex-Kent Stotz Honda Blackbird Super Street Bike at Santa Pod Raceway this weekend. Jamie will then be welcoming Ken Stotz to Santa Pod Raceway to provide input at next weekend's Easter Thunderball.

"The Blackbird arrived on Wednesday, and after a very successful day on the dyno at Dynospeed Developments we are ready for this weekend's testing", says Paul. "Kent arrives with his family on Saturday morning and will be staying with us until the week after Easter. Jamie and the team are very excited to have them over as our guests, and we hope they will feel at home here.
©Eurodragster.com
"We would like to thank Malcolm Francis of Air Sea Logistics for shipping the bike over for us - great service! - and a big Thank You to Ed Bush in the 'States who helped so much with the shipping - great team!"

Rich Fielding new bike.

18th March: UK Comp Bike racer Rich Fielding is returning to the track this year on a very smart new Comp Bike (right). Rich last raced in 2002 and then spent a couple of seasons crewing for Dave Beck's Pro Stock Bike team.

"I purchased this new bike initially for spares", says Rich, "but a check-over by Dave Branch showed that it was a better base from which to move forward. So a rebuild turned into a new build. All hopes of racing last year were delayed by the typical frustrating little problems which hamper any new build. As the bike originally competed in Super Street, so it needed some chassis modifications as well as wheelie bars. I was told that John Clift built the chassis so I guess it's now a John Clift/Dave Branch hybrid.

"The engine is from my old bike and was again built by Dave Branch, with help and advice from Ray Debben and Dave Beck. A rather large nitrous system has been added as well. It�s a big step up from the old bike in many ways. Dave Branch has worked his magic elsewhere generally tidying up and providing nice touches."

Rich is to make his first outing at next week's Easter Thunderball at Santa Pod Raceway. "Our hopes are very conservative at present", says Rich. "The main aim is just to get down the track and work from there!

"Thanks to Dave Branch Engineering, Dave Beck Racing, Debben Performance, M A Nicholls of Didcot (Paint), and to my crew, Andy and Paul."

Whither the off-season?
18th March: It has been a manic off-season for UK Super Modified racer Andy Kirk and the Rat Fink team. "We're not sure there even is an off-season!", says Lee Kirk (Tell me about it - Ed).

"Thanks to the commitment and support of Lawrie Gatehouse and Process Systems International Ltd, we have been able to capitalise on last year's third place finish and to do everything possible to make our Camaro a serious contender. Changes this year are an air-shifted four-speed Lenco and Ram clutch, chassis modifications, a rear wing to provide some top end stability, Mark Williams aluminium centre section and propshaft, Strange rear shock absorbers, Jesel shaft rocker system, titanium valves and a oil accumulator. Alongside the usual engine freshen we've also mounted our generator on the tractor unit and made several other little changes to the trailer.
©Eurodragster.com
"So as you can see, we've been quite busy! I'm typing this about eight hours before we leave for Heathrow Airport to take in the Gatornationals in Florida and some last-minute parts buying!

"Once again everyone on the team would like to say a huge Thank You to Lawrie and Judith at PSI for their continued and much-appreciated support, Andy, Kate and all the staff at Robinson Race Cars for all the first-class work and parts sourcing, Clive Bond at Ultimate Race Cars for supplying the horsepower, help and priceless advice and to everyone else who gives us the backing we need to stay on the track. Thanks guys!

"I would also like to thank all the Super Modified racers for the support I received in getting the Super Modified Racers Association web site up and running and for providing us with such a challenge on the strip. I'm sure it's going to be an incredibly tough year."

You can find the Kirk Motorsport web site at www.kirkmotorsport.co.uk, an