European Drag Racing News

Street Eliminator: it ain't over.
30th September: The final round of the UK's Real Steel Street Eliminator Championship takes place at this weekend's UK National Finals at Santa Pod Raceway, and although the Championship is now safely in the hands of Colin Lazenby there is still plenty to play for, writes Ian Hook of FB Racing:

Andy Frost’s second place looks pretty safe but is certainly not impregnable. To be 100% certain of it Frosty will have to go at least two rounds but one will do it if he qualifies in the top four. However, in the worst-case scenario, a DNQ, even John Sleath down in sixth place could catch him. But Frosty is a hard man to beat (just ask Colin!) and if he maintains his 100% winning record in SE he’ll have a double celebration. Below Andy the next six racers could all swap places and, if some of the big guns go out early or there are a couple of DNQs then Wilf Stacy and Ray Comer, in seventh and eighth respectively, could be fighting it out for third spot.
©Eurodragster.com
Apart from the Championship standings there are a few racers looking to lay down low ETs. Colin laid down the gauntlet with his record-breaking 8.12 at the Allstar Nationals. John Sleath promptly picked it up and threw it straight back with an out-of-class but still stunning 8.06 at the FIA European Finals a couple of weeks later. Steve ‘Splinter’ Nash is back after suffering engine damage at the Bug Jam, now armed with very high end con rods and running a ‘gentle’ 8.30 he’ll be looking to return to the 8.1s which he ran earlier in the season.

Mr 100%, Andy Frost, found an 8.2 habit at the Allstars and is sure to be looking for a bit more at his last meeting on nitrous. As reported at the European Finals he’ll be fitting a pair of hairdryers for 2006. Ian ‘Fatty’ Hook who Andy defeated in the quickest Street Eliminator race in history at the Allstars (and there’s a very good chance that record will go this weekend) knocked over three tenths off his previous best in that race and has been working on the ’34 Ford since then to make the home-built hot rod hotter yet! Finally, three others in an ET chase will be Wilf Stacey, Ray Comer and Jon Webster. Wilf and Ray have gone 9.0 and 9.1 respectively so look out for eights from these two. And don’t forget Jon Webster’s MG - with a re-worked converter the new machine could really fly!

So, the Championship may be over but the excitement certainly isn’t. Saturday’s qualifying will be worth the entry price on its own - don’t miss it.

Bonhams Bike Shop.
30th September: Ben Walker of Bonhams Auctioneers has been in touch to let us know that the company will be holding an auction of motorcycles and parts at the Staffordshire County Showground on Sunday 16th October, and that the auction includes a number of bikes from the collection of legendary UK drag bike racer and tuner Pip Higham.

"The collection includes the 1978 Kosman Suzuki 1260cc Competition Bike (estimate: Ł6,000 - Ł9,000), 1979 Suzuki GSX1100 'The Deuce' Pro Stock Bike (estimate: Ł2,000 - Ł3,000) and the 1982 Suzuki GS1600EZS 'The Six' (estimate: Ł5,000 - Ł8,000)", says Ben.

You can view the auction catalogue on-line at www.bonhams.com/cgi-bin/public.sh/pubweb/publicSite.r?sContinent=EUR&screen=Catalogue&iSaleNo=12186, and if you have any queries then you can contact Ben at Bonhams by E-Mail at ben.walker@bonhams.com or on 08700 273616.

Joe joins the Junior Bikers.

30th September: Steve Davies has been in touch from Germany to tell us that he is able to offer Junior Drag Bike frames at a reasonable price, and that his son Joe (right) will be riding the first example in the UK next season.

"I had been looking for a Junior Dragster when I came across Ian 'Rush' Carruthers' Junior Drag Bike site and it just blew us away", says Steve. We tried to buy a bike, which was not easy as we are in Germany, so we purchased plans from the USA and went looking for a chassis builder, also not easy in Germany. Last September we found a small motorcycle customizing company who just loved the idea. We now manufacture chassis for Junior Drag Bikes - yes, it's become a business! - and our first five chassis have all gone to Scandinavia. We are ready to take orders from England, pricing starts at under Ł500".
©Eurodragster.com
Joe's bike is a Suzuki V twin 125 , with Aprilia upside down forks, Brembo brakes front and back, and 225 Low Profile car tire on a Suzuki seventeen-inch rear wheel.

Click here for a picture of the chassis which Steve can supply, and for more details check out his web site at www.juniordragbike.com.

Swift snippets.
30th September: Yvonne Tramm and the Quantum Leap Racing team have asked us to say a very happry Fortieth Birthday to UK race car builder, Super Comp racer, Sportsman Racing authority, Tech Comittee member, former Eurodragster.com sponsor and all-round good guy Chris Isaacs. Have a great day, Chris.
©Eurodragster.com
Web site updates.
30th September: Thanks to Claire Meaddows for letting us know that the official web site of the UK's Wild Bunch is now back on-line as the result of a lot of hard work by webmaster Ed Yates. You can find the Wild Bunch web site at www.the-wild-bunch.co.uk.
©Eurodragster.com
UK Super Street racer Pete Thompson had updated his Size Does Matter web site with details of his beautiful blown Chevelle as well as an unfortunate picture of its Ford Escoprt predecessor. Check it out at www.freewebs.com/dingdongchevelle. "We are all looking forward to 2006 as our track time was very limited this year due to change of plans and our house move", says Pete.

UK National Finals coverage.
30th September: We will be covering this weekend's UK National Finals live from Santa Pod in association with American Car Imports.

Our coverage will consist of frequently-updated reports on the on-track action on both days and a Photo Gallery at the end of each day. Simon is planning to be with us on Sunday and will be keeping us bang up-to-date with the unfolding Championship scenarios.

The Webster Race Engineering/MPM Oil webcam will be on-line and will be scheduled to broadcast a picture every two minutes.
©Eurodragster.com
We will post a direct Home Page link to our coverage as soon as it commences; in the meantime you can access our Event Coverage Index, which includes the official entry list and tomorrow's provisional running order, by clicking here, by clicking on the laptop logo at left, or by clicking on the Event Coverage link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page and selecting the UK National Finals.

UK National Finals running order.
29th September: We are as ever indebted to Santa Pod Racers Club Secretary Paula Marshall and Santa Pod's Race Director Darren Prentice for forwarding us the provisional running order for Saturday's qualifying for the UK National Finals.
©Eurodragster.com
Click here to view Saturday's running order, click on the laptop logo at left, or click on the Event Coverage link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page and select the UK National Finals.

Please note that this running order is provisional and is subject to alteration due to weather, track conditions, or for any other reason deemed neecssary by race officials.

Paula has also told us that Santa Pod Raceway's gates will open at 15:00 tomorrow (Friday).

ACU UK Championship outcomes.
29th September: We are again indebted to Simon Groves who has given us a run-down of the outcomes in the 2005 ACU UK Drag Bike Championships, which conclude at this weekend's UK National Finals:

The ACU British Drag Bike Championship reaches its conclusion at Santa Pod with strong fields in all classes and a number of Championship positions unresolved, even though the provisional Champions are fairly clear.

In Top Fuel Bike congratulations go to Steve Woollatt on his umpteenth Championship; on the way to it he ran personal best numbers of 6.42 and 219.17 mph. With Steve taking a well-deserved rest from racing this weekend to work on his bike for 2006, some of Europe's big hitters are stepping into the breach. Double European Champion Ian King (2001 and 2005) and four time Champion Roel Koedam (1997, 1999, 2003 and 2004) will both be trying to run record-breaking numbers. Second-placed man in the Championship Steve Carey could just be overtaken by Ian King for runner-up spot, but only if Ian qualifies #1, wins the event, and scores best time and speed and Steve qualifies last and goes out in the first round.

In Funny Bike congratulations to Chris Hall, who has an almost unassailable lead over Neil Midgley, from whom we have seen record-breaking runs this year. Chris, who was 2000 champion, won at the Easter Thunderball and Shakespeare Nationals, whereas Neil (2002-4 Champion) was the victor at the Summernationals. Neil's second place could be under threat from Stu Chamberlain if he qualifies #1 and wins the event with low ET and High Speed and Neil has problems.

Dave Beck has had a great year in Pro Stock Bike, winning every completed event in the ACU Championship so far and running the class' quickest and fastest ever times and speeds (7.168/184.27). In true awards ceremony style, though, Dave won't be able to be present at SPR as he will be racing Pro Mod Bike at the AMA Prostar Schnitz Memphis Blues Nationals this weekend. Other riders have stepped up in a big way with Len Paget running a number of personal bests with new equipment. Len and Ray Debben will be fighting over second place, Ray being a couple of rounds behind Len but with some potential stoppers in the field.
©Eurodragster.com
Congratulations also go to provisional Comp Bike Champion Gary Jones who with Crew Chief Dave Friend won the Easter Thunderball, Shakespeare Nationals and Allstar Nationals with their EFI turbo Suzuki. Second placed TJ O'Brien could still be overhauled by Sandra Chaplain or Philip Leamon should either of these qualify better and go two rounds or more further.

Fact: the Super Street Bike ACU records which stood at 8.108/185.97 have been well and truly blown away this year to 7.720/195.24. Second fact: seven bikes have run under the eight-second barrier so far and all will be present at the weekend. So it's fitting that seven-second pioneer and current speed record holder and Steve Venables (Kawasaki) already has a huge lead in this year's Championship. Second-placed Jamie Sneddon (Honda Blackbird - who has run as quick as 7.66) has a big lead in turn over third placed Mark Fisher (Suzuki Hayabusa).

For the latest points in the ACU Championship, visit www.kingracing.com/pdf/ACU-BritishDragbikeChampionship-PointsTable2005.pdf.

Swift snippets.
29th September: Luke Bennet tells us that the Bennett Racing blown-alcohol altered will not be attending the UK National Finals. "I was stripping the heads down, noticed that number two seat wasn't nice, and on further inspection found that it had actually moved", says Luke. "We could probably run on it but it's not worth the risk because if it was to drop out the damage would be massive. This is all down to the mag, where it was retarding itself to nine degrees the heat generated must have been warm and with the steel seats, in alloy heads, it has moved". Luke says that the engine will be taken out of the altered over the off-season to be checked front to back.
©Eurodragster.com
Lee, Barbara and Charlotte Kirk have asked us to say a big Happy Birthday to UK Super Modified racer Andy Kirk, which we are very happy to do. Have a great day, Andy.

Close finish for the Wild Bunch.
29th September: Wild Bunch Race Co-ordinator Claire Meaddows has been in touch with news from the nostalgia racers' latest appearance at the NSRA Hot Rod Drags, and a preview of the UK National Finals where the 2005 Champion will be decided:

The Wild Bunch fielded seventten cars at the Hot Rod Drags, and amongst the highlights of the weekend were some Personal Best ETs and speeds. Tony Wynne-Jones has now started to get more performance out of his new engine in the Welsh Raider II Radical and ran a promising 11.214 with more still to come from the machine, which won the Best Radical trophy. Father and son Pete and Gavyn Loveridge coaxed their fluorescently-flamed slingshot Herr X to a new best speed of 126.06 mph. Taking only his third-ever run in the Coe and Mortimer Shy Talker blown-alky slingshot was recently-married Tom Coe. His Dad Alec had run the car to a pair of 8.6s on the Saturday, but when Tom stepped in he recorded the car's best time and speed yet, a stunning 8.441/166.62! Tom also won the Best Slingshot and Most Improved ET trophies for his efforts.

Darryl Howells has been steadily lowering the ET with the newly-rebuilt engine in the DASH Racing Chemical Reaction slingshot, and put in a number of PBs with the best a strong 10.028. Chemical Reaction was also voted the Drivers' Choice by all the teams participating at the weekend. Roy Wilding continued to make progress with his new Chariot of Fire altered, raising his best speed to 118.49 mph, and winning the Best Altered spot prize. Sid Slattery started the weekend well with a great 10.604 PB in his beautiful silver Jag-powered Destiny slingshot, and the whole team showed their professionalism and smart appearance, winning the Best Appearing Team spot prize.
©Eurodragster.com
The winner this weekend was Smokin’ Joe Stevens in the Back in Black altered, and he also took away the Best Burnout prize for his powerful smoky burnouts! Sarah Howells was second in Bernie Nicholas’ Destiny’s Angel altered, Roy Wilding was third and Darryl Howells fourth.

Joe has also wrapped up the Roy Wilding Nostalgia Race Cars Series, winning this for the fourth year in a row! Crazy Chris Hartnell was in second place, Psycho Mikey Cresswell with the Living the Dream slingshot was third and Steve Field with The Black Pig altered was fourth so congratulations to all of them!

Another highlight of the weekend was the group photo-shoot at the top end of the track after racing on Saturday, organised as part of the celebrations for the Tenth Anniversary of the Wild Bunch. The group featured fifteen Wild Bunch cars, including five from the first full season of the Wild Bunch back in 1996, and the drivers included three pairs of father and son teams! Some of these pictures can be seen on Sharkman’s web site at www.topendtales.com.

The whole Bunch are now looking forward to the UK National Finals at Santa Pod which will be the deciding round of the Wild Bunch Series and the penultimate round of the Series of our main sponsor, Real Steel. We have twelve cars entered and the Top Three is too close to call. Tony Smith is still leading in The Cunning Plan altered, with 40 points as soon as he signs on. He is followed by Mike Cresswell who will collect attendance bonus points to boost his total to 37 when he arrives at the track. Chris Hartnell is currently third on 30 points but has unfortunately had to withdraw as Backdraft sustained some block damage at the Hot Rod Drags. This means that Helen Smythe, currently fourth with the Team Twisted Hell’s Belle altered, will take over third place when she signs on, reaching 32 points. There will then be a total of nine points available, so there is all to play for amongst the Top Three!

Will we see a new Wild Bunch Champion? Or will Tony Smith take a back-to-back win? All will be revealed on Sunday Sunday Sunday! Can’t wait!

Sunday Saturdays and Jap Racers.
29th September: It’s the final shootout in the six-race points battle for the Saturday Street Racers at Shakespeare County Raceway this weekend. However, the event will be run as a Sunday supplement for the American Car World magazine-backed series running in conjunction with the final instalment for the Jap Racer Days series, writes SCR Press Officer Jerry Cookson.

Counting five of the best points haul in the V8 class has already secured Andy Bond yet another ACW SSR title. Having dominated four of the five rounds encountered so far in his ex Billy ‘The Kid’ Macdermid Super Gas Camaro at Shakespeare County and Santa Pod, Andy’s determination for a third title next year is going to be put to the test with the likes of Street Eliminator racer Ray Cormer (who came out on top of the penultimate rounds time trial at Santa Pod) with his 9.1-second Small Block Chevy Camaro Z28, number two man in points Stuart Ramsey with his Big Block ’67 Camaro and Ian ‘Monkey Boy’ Mather who is said to be sidelining his blown ’74 Opel Manta in favour of a new ride for 2006! Fourth in points going into Sunday’s event is Chris Goodale’s wheelstanding ’69 Chevelle followed by Mark Bracking’s tubed out Small Block Ford Pop.

In the Four/Six Cylinder class, it’s going to be a straightforward dogfight to the bitter end between the Blue Oval racers of Terry Davies and Mick Rogers, although the stealth looking two-litre Vauxhall of Mick Wilkes has a slim outside chance of stealing the Ford boys' thunder. During the last round at Santa Pod, the Cosworth powered Ford Cortina of Mick Rogers was in fine form for the forty points to credit his 10.8s followed by Davies’ ’72 Escort and Ben Tompkins' Dutton Pheaton kit car, both carding mid eleven second quarters.

Split into two classes - Front Wheel Drive and Four Wheel/Rear Wheel Drive combined - the first Jap Racer Dayevent in April attracted over sixty rice rockets and even more in May as the continued war now presses on to find the quickest and fastest street sleeper in the land, where the winner has a chance at scooping the Ł1000 prize fund on offer in this inaugural series.

Going into Sunday’s event decider, round one winner Steve Brookes has a commanding lead with his 2.8 litre Nissan Skyline R33 and is the current track record holder for the Front Wheel Drive class with an 11.9 at at 124 mph. Hoping to stop him at any cost will be Garth Wong’s R32-GT-R. Garth will be using every inch of power available to him in the GT-R, put together by his own tuning company MGT Racing Ltd, to stop Steve in his tracks. Third is another GT-R in the capable hands of Kev Carrington. Turning up to the first round in April for a bit of fun turned into a more serious affair as by the end of the day his 12.7s were rapidly turning into 12.1s with an eleven just around the corner.

Leading the Four Wheel/Rear Wheel Drive category is the very rapid Honda Civic Type-R driven by Paul Jones. Competing in his own company racer (System-R) it took a couple of goes to perfect his start line techniques which eventually led to track record times of 13.7 for the Honda’s normally aspirated engine. Nicky Haddon is second followed by Julian Hammond’s 16v Honda Accord.

So whatever the outcome, it’s the finals and this time its all-out war to find the quickest and fastest street legal racer from the land of the rising sun.

Time trials begin at 11.00 am Sunday and it's an all day Run What Ya Brung/ Public Track Day on a fully-prepared track. General admission to the Raceway is just Ł12.00 and for Ł15.00 will buy you unlimited runs on one of Europe’s quickest and fastest surfaces. For further information, check out SCR's web site at www.shakespearecountyraceway.com.
©Eurodragster.com
Web site updates.
29th September: Santa Pod Raceway's official web site has been updated with pictures from the weekend's On2Wheels bike event. You can get directly to the On2Wheels pictures at www.santapod.co.uk/e_2wheels.php.
©Eurodragster.com
UK National Championship outcomes.
28th September: We are indebted to UK National Drag Racing Championship Co-ordinator Simon Groves who has given us a run-down of the outcomes in the 2005 UK National Championships, which conclude at this weekend's UK National Finals at Santa Pod Raceway:

The 2005 UK Drag Racing Championships have seen increased numbers of competitors in each class and fierce competition at all eight events held at both Santa Pod Raceway and Shakespeare County Raceway. The National Finals promises to be a hard-fought conclusion to the Championships, and of the ten classes involved only three are completely sewn up. To be sure of seeing the Championships resolved as they happen, you will need to be at Santa Pod this weekend.

Congratulations to Danny Cockerill ('57 Chevy Bel Air) who is provisionally UK Pro Modified Champion by virtue of being runner-up at the Easter Thunderball, a semi-final finish at the Main Event and qualifying at the European Finals. In Super Modified, Graham Ellis (Oldsmobile Cutlass) only needs to sign on to win the Championship for Ellis Racing from second-placed Andy Kirk (Rat Fink '68 Camaro). Andy is a long way ahead of the rest of the field.

Paul Knight (Pontiac Trans Am) is less than one round win ahead of Chris Johnson (MG ZS) in Super Comp. In turn Chris is less than one round win ahead of Brian Pateman ('68 Firebird). However Brian will miss out on the 200 points bonus for attending all rounds, making his task more difficult. In Super Gas there are potentially 800 points available and this makes the Championship a three-way battle between the Frank Mason ('54 Corvette), Spencer Tramm (Corrado) and Conrad Stanley (Chevy Vega). Frank (2002) and Conrad (2004) have both won Championships in previous years, but will Spencer be able to come through for his first? In Super Street, congratulations to John Grant from Planet Bristol (Ford 100E) who is provisional 2005 Champion. Runner-up is a tight battle between class stalwarts Dave Cherrett, Bob Lees, Paul Spiers and Leigh Morris (2002 champion).
©Eurodragster.com
Super Pro ET is a close fight between leader and 2004 Champion Ian Tubb, who won the Easter Thunderball, Barry Giles, who won the Shakespeare Nationals and Summer Nationals, with Steve Johnson, John Everitt and Martyn Jones (2002 Champion) also in the running for the runner-up placing. Pro ET has a full field with up to 1040 points available. John Atkinson (Cortina Mk1 Estate), who has had consistent performance but has not won since the Power Nationals in April, has a relatively safe cushion of 690 points ahead of previous double Champions (2002 and 2004) Team Heaven and Hell (Carla Pittau and Rick McGann's Camaro). Runner-up honours could also be won by Team Top Banana, Carl Burton (Sierra) and Joe Stevens ('23 T) , with Ron Bartlett (Ford 105E) and Aiden Kenny (Ford E93A) mathematically in with a shout. In Sportsman ET, Rick Denny (who has won each meeting completed at SPR but has not attended SCR) is 190 points ahead of Tanya Partridge (Camaro), after taking attendance bonuses into account. Tanya will need to qualify better and go two rounds further than Rick to take her first Championship. In turn, Tanya's second position in the Championship could be under threat from Ian Petrie, Nick Gay (Metro Pickup) or Keith Crampton (Camaro) should she go out early.

Another strong field in Junior Dragster means that up to 920 points are available. Jay Hauser is just over one round ahead of Collin Morrice who is in turn two rounds ahead of Nick Mugridge. Qualifying could make the difference with up to 220 points available for number one qualifier.

Fred Furlong (2003 Champion) is over three rounds ahead of Steve Coombs in 9.50 Bike. Realistically, the battle is between these two as Andy Bird is a further 280 points back.

You can view the post-FIA European Finals UK National Championship standings by clicking here or by clicking on the Points Standings link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page.

Tramm back in action.
28th September: UK Super Gas and VW Alternate Engine racer Spencer Tramm tells us that, thanks to the amazing efforts of engine builder Jeff Bull, his Quantum Leap Corrado is ready to fight for three titles at this weekend's UK National Finals. Spencer is currently second in the UK National Super Gas Championship and AMR Motors VW Alternate Engine Championship, and is leading the Santa Pod Racers Club Super Gas Championship.
©Eurodragster.com
"When Jeff stripped the engine he found a broken lifter so it was lucky that we spotted it quickly and decided to park the car at the European Finals or the consequences could have been much worse", says Spencer. "The engine went back in the car last Saturday, and it sounds awesome, so we are fit and raring to go.

"A big thanks to Jeff Bull Race Engines, Chris Isaacs, Nick Kemp (who got coerced into helping us to take the engine out), my fantastic crew George and Rachel Georgiou (A nicer couple you couldn't hope to meet - Ed), Phil Barker and Ady Goodier and finally my sponsors Big Boys Toys, Stanley Parr Limited and The Great Big British Quiz as whatever the outcome this weekend it's been a great year made better by the support from you guys!"

Spencer adds that guest crewmembers Steve Woodbridge and Adele Atherton will be collecting for Macmillan Cancer Research at Santa Pod this weekend. Steve's grandfather is currently undergoing chemotherapy, so Steve and Adele will be bringing a bucket for everyone's spare change this weekend.

Swift snippets.
28th September: We would like to wish a very Happy Fortieth Birthday to our good friend, UK Outlaw Anglia racer, Super Pro ET racer, and renowned Big Chief Hooligan Mark Pointer. Hope that you have a great day, Hooligan.
©Eurodragster.com
Nigel Taylor tells us that US auto supply and service business Carolina Classics is expanding to take over a local garage premises. "We are growing rapidly with more and more parts going out the door every day", says Nigel. "The little village garage we are taking over is a very 1950s-60s 'We serve you petrol' and MoT service centre. We will have the pleasure of displaying a few Yank cars at roadside. Carolina Classics would like to thank all of our customers for their support over the last three years, even we didn't expect it to take off as it has". The Carolina Classics web site at www.carolinaclassics.co.uk has been updated with more information and pictures on cars and services.

PMR's magnificent seven.
28th September: In the beginning no-one would have believed that Paul Marston Racing’s Drag Race Driving School would, within three years, be able to field seven competitive drivers in three classes. This weekend’s UK National Finals at Santa Pod Raceway is a historic occasion with seven competitors from Paul Marston Racing making up twenty five per cent of the Super Street entry, ten per cent of the Pro ET entry, and John Everitt in Super Pro ET. Paul Marston says that this is the biggest single team entry at a National Event in UK drag racing history.

“We do not come to make up the numbers, every single driver at Paul Marston Racing comes with just one objective - to win”, says Paul. “There are no team orders; it’s every man for himself on the start line but every one has the full tactical and analytical resources of Paul Marston Racing behind them. This many drivers present unique logistical challenges for the PMR Super Crew. But taking into consideration that at the FIA European Finals the four entered drivers made every single round of Thursday’s qualifying marathon, they should take the extra race car entry and drivers in their stride.

“This is a proud moment for everyone at Paul Marston Racing, Crew Chief Sam Marston, Gary Springford at Drag Race Engineering, Logistics and Statistician Anthony, Super Crew Michael Pusey, Sefton Whitlock, Lizz McCarthy, Darren Barthell, Dean Dogberry, Massive Mileage Mark and all the rest. Sponsors who have believed in us and helped us through the tough times are Chrysler UK, 76 Racing Fuels and Oils, ChryslerCard, Mac Tools, Black Box Sound and Light (07831 650230), Disco Equipment Hire (0208 597 4575), Drag Race Engineering (0208 597 9484), London Road Tyres (01708 735355), Mopar Muscle Association, PT Cruisers UK, Gary Jones Snap-On, Cooke’s Tools (0208 590 3279), Buzbys Garage, all the rest of our associate sponsors and supporters, and last but by no means least the fans.
©Eurodragster.com
“If you think this is the pinnacle just wait for 2006, this is just the beginning. Now is also the time to contact us if you wish to book one of our infamous Drag Race Passenger Rides or if you are thinking of enquiring, expressing an interest or enrolling on the Paul Marston Racing Drag Race Driving School or have an interest in joining us at a National Event and competing with us. You can do it via the internet at www.paulmarstonracing.com, call the office on 0208 597 4575 or mobile 07831 650230, or come and see us in the pits at Santa Pod this weekend.

“Finally all of the PMR crew would like to thank all of our fellow competitors and crew for the co-operation and understanding they have shown with our new drivers. They understand and appreciate that what Paul Marston Racing and the Drag Race School have done over the past three years has directly resulted in more professionally-trained sportsman racers entering National Events in good competitive Drag Racecars. More competitors means more rounds of competition, great for racing and hopefully helping to secure a healthy future for our great sport. Drag racing is blessed with having so many forward-thinking Sportsman racers, genuine people enjoying this great sport with an eye on the future, long may it remain so.”

Psycho II.
27th September: The UK's legendary 'Psycho' Phil Drewitt is to return to what he correctly describes as "The best motorsport in the world" after racing stock cars on short tarmac ovals for several years. Phil, remembered for his wild wheels-up launches and Super Gas prowess, is planning to run in Street Eliminator.

"I paid visits to Shakespeare County Raceway and Santa Pod and it was good to see so many friends and receive such a warm welcome", says Phil. "I guess after fifteen years of drag racing I should know where I belong by now (You came back, that's the important thing - Ed) so I have just purchased a 514 ci Ford Pop - yes, I'm still going to stay Ford-powered. I will be keeping the car street-legal with the hope of a little Street Eliminator action, nothing to worry the big boys but just for fun.
©Eurodragster.com
"Top Bristol racer Zane Llewellyn will be sorting out a glide with brake to help get things sorted in the gearbox department. I may also have a little bit of nitrous from my very good friend Trev Langfield whose kit helped us win the Super Gas title in 1990. I think he may have a few good ideas on how to get the Pop into the mid-nines. It's good to be back, see you soon."

Packed everything but the dyke...

27th September: Dutch Super Comp racer Robert Joosten says that he and his team have had a lot of fun this season which even the rain couldn't spoil, even though they forgot to bring a dyke to the FIA European Finals (right).

"We broke the converter at the European Finals and as always we were pleasantly surprised with the help of our UK racing friends", says Robert. "After we borrowed a converter from Ian Marshall the Pro Truck made a perfect run, showing that the old converter had been giving us trouble for a long time. It was too bad that the rain started to fall again, and on Sunday morning we had no good weather forecast so we decided to give Ian his converter back and head for home.
©Eurodragster.com
"Of course, the weather gods then decided to stop the rain and to give the race fans, who had been waiting patiently for two days, a race they wouldn’t forget. To bad we were on the ferry at the time...

"The racing is over for this year, but we can’t wait for next year!"

Swift snippets.
27th September: Many thanks to National Association of Supertwins Championship Co-ordinator Lorraine Laycock for sending us the 2005 NAST Championship standings after the weekend's On2Wheels at Santa Pod. "What a superb meeting we had", says Lorraine. "Four qualifiers in the morning and eliminations in the afternoon. A big Thank You to all at Santa Pod for making the day A-OK for the Twins - everyone had a great day!". You can view the NAST points by clicking here or by clicking on the Points Standings link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page. The NAST racers have one round left, this weekend's UK National Finals at Santa Pod, after which the Championship standings will be finalised on the racers' best five of six events.
©Eurodragster.com
2005 FIA European Top Fuel Dragster Champion Lex Joon has been in touch to let us know that he will not be attending this weekend's UK National Finals at Santa Pod Raceway for financial reasons. Lex appeared on the entry list as the paperwork requirements make it easier for a racer to be removed from an entry than to be added at the last minute. Lex tells us that he wanted to see if he could run some records with the MPM Top Fuel Dragster at the end of the season, having been prevented by the weather this year. "It looks like we and the fans will have to wait until 2006", says Lex, "but at least we have something to look forward to during the winter."

Thanks as ever to Santa Pod Racers Club Secretary Paula Marshall for forwarding us the final version of the UK National Finals entry list. Although, as mentioned above, Lex Joon has gone from the list, the Exhibition contingent has now been joined by Gordon Appleton's blown-alcohol Pro Mod. Click here to view the UK National Finals entry list, click on the laptop logo at left, or click on the Event Coverage link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page and select the UK National Finals.

Smoothly into the eights.
27th September: UK Funny Bike and 9.50 Bike racer Dave Bailey completed the tests of the Wizards of Nos smooth progressive nitrous system on his street 'Busa at Santa Pod Raceway at the weekend. The system did its job, catapulting Dave into the 8.8s, and Dave told us all about it.

"In the first attempt at a Run What You Brung I discovered the Busa’s clutch had died but still managed to run a load of 9.1s and a couple of 9.0s", said Dave. "The European Finals was the second attempt, I borrowed Pete Bellinie’s lockup clutch and spent the meeting trying to set it up correctly but failed. Ran more 9.1s and another couple of 9.0s.

"The third attempt was at On2Wheels this weekend. I gave up trying to set the lockup; I put in some strong clutch springs and just used it as a normal clutch. I suffered a minor electrical problem which required a bit of a re-wire in the morning then ran the first real pass on the smoooth system. It was set to activate as soon as I hit full throttle in first gear. It was then set to build from 0 to 35% in a tenth of a second, i.e. quickly, then from 35% to 100% over three seconds. This was stupidly smooth and only gave me a 9.022/163.
©Eurodragster.com
"For the second pass I reduced the 35% to 100% build time to 2.5 seconds leaving the rest of the settings the same — and I tried to launch a bit better too! Again it was stupidly smooth: it was nothing like my previous best run of 8.95 seconds on the old nitrous system. There was no huge surge building to a wheelie requiring a short shift to second gear, it just kept accelerating. Then it nosed over at the end - I should have re-filled the nitrous bottle.

"I rode back thinking it was a 9.2 or 9.3 second pass only to find Grumpy of DynoSpeed Developments congratulating me. It was an 8.844/162! So there’s still a lot more to come, but the prototype is now going back to Highpower Systems now for continued development, and the Busa with its BTC pulsed system - newly updated and capable of raising the power to 300 bhp - is up for sale as I’m broke!"

Successful 2005 for Meca.
27th September: Martin Olsson tells us that the Winternats at Malmö's Meca Raceway was very successful, with a number of new track records and personal bests set during the course of the weekend before rain washed out eliminations.

The records included:

Track record ET of 4.084 over the eighth mile, the quickest eighth mile by a European doorslammer, Micke Nord
Track record sixty foot of 0.981, Micke Nord
Harley Drags record of 5.872/201.38 kmh, Magnus Rĺström
Record for naturally-aspirated two-stroke bikes below 1000cc, 5.191/207.53, Ebbe Parnstĺl
Track record for Supertwin of 4.465, Jaska Salakari
Swedish record for Stock/Super Stock HS/A of 7.52, Janne Kretz

Because there were no eliminations, results were determined by qualifying placings:

Junior Dragster 1: Martin Kretz, 2: Rasmus Möller, 3: Jon Erlandsson

Gatbilar 8.90 BreakOut 1: Staffan Hansson, 2: Christer Johansson, 3: Sören Wegge

Gatbilar Pro 7.90 BreakOut 1: Lars Bengtsson, 2: Peter Jonasson, 3: Tommy Andersson
©Eurodragster.com
Bracket 1: Johan Johansson, 2: Ĺse Simonsson, 3: Richard Thomasson

Hot Street (Street) 1: Erik Andersson, 2: Peter Harritz, 3: Allan Andersson

Stock/Super Stock 1: Marc Kelty, 2: Micke Wollmér, 3: Peter Lindberg

Competition 1: Adam Flamholc, 2: Mats Brag, 3: Frank Gudmundsson

Extreme Street (Pro Street) 1: Christer Hĺĺrd, 2: Micke Hansson, 3: Peter Rosenqvist

Extreme Outlaw (Top Doorslammer) 1: Micke Nord, 2: Kent Trenneman, 3: Christer Jacobs

Street Bike 1: Fredrik Andersson, 2: Micke Nilsson, 3: Tage Olsson

Pro Street Bike 1: Nisse Lagerlööf, 2: Mattias Bohun, 3: Gabriella Nicolouska

Super Gas Bike 1: Henrik Andersson, 2: Anders Grönwall, 3: Joakim Segerberg

Harley Drags 1: Magnus Rĺström, 2: Ulf Ögge, 3: Ole Jensen

Harley Break Out 1: Hans Isaksson, 2: Hans-Christian Pedersson, 3: Sören Karlsson

MC Outlaw 1: Micke Andersson, 2: Tommy Jonsson, 3: Ebbe Parnestĺl

Super Twin Top Gas Bike 1: Jan Malmberg, 2: Christer Hansson, 3: Erik Frank

"We had 844 runs on the Friday and Saturday", says Martin. "We have been running the Toyo Street Xtreme Shootout every Wednesday all summer and we have the last one tomorrow. On average we have had 2300 spectators and eighty five teams and street racers every week. So far this year we have had 9248 individual runs at Meca Raceway.

"We at Meca Raceway would like to thank all of the drivers, teams, spectators and sponsors for a great year. We hope to see you next year with even faster times and closer racing. We will welcome you back on 3rd May 2006."

For more information check out Meca Raceway's web site at www.srif.se.

Watson returns in 2006.
26th September: Paul Watson of Eurodragster.com Home and News sponsor DynoSpeed Developments says that he will be racing his Pro Stock Bike again in 2006. The 7.4-second bike will be joining Jamie Sneddon's Super Street Bike and a number of 9.50 Bikes in carrying the DSD banner.

"We will be running the Blackbird in SSB as well, as we seem to have a good handle on it now", says Paul. "We both went testing at the On2Wheels at Santa Pod this weekend. We firstly went to bed-in the #1 engine on the Blackbird with a couple of gentle passes. Jamie ran a 7.9/180 and on the last run dropped the sixty foot time down to 1.32, which brings me on to the track.

"This year Santa Pod have excelled themselves. The track has been awesome all year even at RWYBs so to Kjell and all the crew - Ian, Bob, Steve, Richard, Darren and John - thank you for all the help. Great prep, great job.
©Eurodragster.com
"It's been a while since the DSD Pro Stock Bike was out, so a 7.8 off the trailer was OK but I seem to be a bit rusty. We then began to run consistent 7.6s with 1.14 sixty foot, and ran a new PB speed of 175 mph. Although this motor has run 7.4s we will be running a different package next year and hopefully can be more competitive both here and in Europe.

"We are therefore seeking sponsors for 2006. Finances permitting we are hoping to do both the ACU and UEM Championships. Anyone can be a sponsor and be a part of the 2006 package. Just call me on 0208 500 5770 or E-Mail paul@dynospeed.co.uk. We have proven in the past that we have what it takes to win."

Joe enjoys first win.
26th September: UK Junior Dragster racer Joe Kellett had a successful first visit to York Raceway, says dad Pete.
©Eurodragster.com
"Three Juniors turned up for the Run What You Bring and we ended up having a little race", says Pete. "We were a bit puzzled at running heads-up since as you know Juniors usually dial in. Joe took the round against Vicky Molden and then went up against Ethan in the Dukesville dragster. Joe won the final and his first trophy, and he has a huge smile on his face.

"We would like to thank the White Noise crew for their support, a great bunch of people. Congratulations to Bob and the crew for their win. We will be going to York again next year and we hope that we can get a few more Juniors there."

Swift snippets.
26th September: UK Top Fuel Bike racer Steve Carey says that he and the Purple Princess team are aiming to enjoy themselves at this weekend's UK National Finals at Santa Pod. "We have had a good season and we know the bike can go straight, although it still likes to have a little wander now and then!", says Steve. "We have enjoyed the racing and are looking forward to next year."
©Eurodragster.com
UK Top Methanol Funny Car racer Trev Capewell says that he and wife Esta have had a huge response to the birth of their daughter Anastasia. "Thank you to all of you who have E-Mailed and given us gifts", says Trev. Trev says that he is still trying to run a five-second pass this season. "I am struggling to prep the car in time for the weekend, but we will be at the track on time ready to go", he says.

Santa Pod Racers Club Secretary Paula Marshall and daughter Holley have been in touch to ask us to wish a very Happy Birthday to Santa Pod Raceway's Chief Starter Ian Marshall. No sooner said than done, Paula, and we're sure that all of our readers will join us in wishing Ian the very Happiest of Birthdays.

Nicholson and the Lucky Devil.
25th September: UK Super Pro ET racer Wayne Nicholson is set for a 2006 return as work has started on his new race car. Wayne was injured and his racing operation destroyed in a motorway crash on the way to the 2003 FIA European Finals and he has asked for readers' help in tracking down the person responsible for the accident.

"After several court dates and arguing the toss about ifs and buts, the guy that caused the accident has gone missing!", says Wayne. "He is now actually in contempt of Crown Court and has a warrant out for his arrest. His name is Gary Dermondy, last known to be living with his son Richard somewhere in Middlesex. So if you know of him please do the honourable thing". If you can help then drop us a line at eurodragster.com@btinternet.com and we'll let Wayne know.

Onto the new race car and as previously revealed here on Eurodragster.com Wayne's car is to be a blown-alcohol '63 'Vette. "The body is from Hairy Glass, the chassis is chromoly to the best spec available, Lenco/Brono trans, and the engine is a blown-methanol Big Block Chevy", says Wayne. "The work has been entrusted to Webster Race Engineering and the motor is being built by Kenny Coleman and boys at EDA. In my opinion two of the best companies in the business.
©Eurodragster.com
"The last two years have been used to collect parts when they came up at the right price, and to decide exactly what we wanted to do. So we haven't really been away from racing, just the wrong side of the barriers.We will still compete in Super Pro - too many of those pesky dragsters at the minute - using the same race number as before, 777, and the car will have a name: Lucky Devil."

Wayne says that all being well he should be ready in early 2006 although he adds "How many times have we all said that before? Thanks to everyone who has asked about my health and when we will be back racing; its nice to be part of the scene once again."

More PBs for Barlow.
25th September: UK Outlaw Anglia racer Simon Barlow carried on his reecnt form of setting new PBs on every outing when he ran into the 10.3s at last weekend's NSRA Hot Rod Drags at Shakespeare County Raceway. Team member Jason Yates says that the PBs almost came at the price of a heart stoppage.

"We had a very scary first run when Simon nearly lost the car but he did a great driving job to save it", says Jay. "The tyres spun off the line, when the tyres stopped spinning and hooked up it sent the car all over the car all over the place, from right to left and back again, both rear tyres off the track. My heart just stopped for a minute. It was very very close to the guardrail but a fantastic drive by Simon.

"On the second run everything came together, a nice wheelie and a straight run clocking 10.31 which is a new Personal Best which was great. For the rest of Saturday we were running consistent 10.3s but couldn't get a 10.2. On Sunday it was eliminations and we had a bye into the semis, where we had new boy Dean White and we beat him as he broke out. We dialled in 10.25 but ran 10.33. In the final we had Justin Krekelaar and Simon did the biggest burnout ever, it was huge. He melted all the tread of the tyres and now we have homemade slicks, yeah! We had to hold the doors open for about a minute to get rid of all the smoke in the car. You can see pictures of the burnout on the Topnitro site.
©Eurodragster.com
"Simon left the line very hard and the front wheels went straight in the air, it wouldn't come down until he came off the throttle as it was heading for the guardrail and ran 11.5 . we ran 1 11.5 because simon come of it. So that was the weekend over and we were pleased with it. We are very pleased to say we finished sixth out of seventeen in the Outlaw Anglia Championship. We have enjoyed our first competitive year and hopefully we will step up for 2006."

On Saturday Simon gave two passengers the ride of their lives - his mum Sheila and SCR marshal Bev. "We had to run with no nitrous because the bottle's location wasn't safe for a pasneger. Simon's mum has always wanted to go down the strip so Simon gave her the chance, an 11.7a which is a new PB for a non-nitrous pass. Bev was also very excited and her run was another 11.71. Both said that they wanted to do it again as as soon as they got out of the car! We would like to say Thanks to the SCR officials for letting us make those passes."

Simon has one more outing this season, to make demonstration runs at the Halloween Showdown at Shakespeare County Raceway at the end of October. "We need new tyres first though!", says Jay. "We would like to say a big big thank you to Andy Frost for all his help last weekend and for the whole year, it has been much appreciated."

Alleyjax raffle winners.
25th September: UK Pro ET racer Mike Lacey, who sponsors UK Sportsman racing though his company Alleyjax, has been in touch with the winners of the raffle which he held at the FIA European Finals.
©Eurodragster.com
"Twenty per cent of the profits were donated to the Pro ET sponsorship scheme", says Mike. "Ł90 was given to Carl Burton of English Rose Racing on Sunday afternoon. A big thank you to everyone who bought raffle tickets. The three lucky winners were:

Shane Leetham, ticket 432
Richard North, ticket 19
Paul Slater, ticket 113

Mike says that the 2005 season has been a lot of fun for himself and partner Anna. "A big thank you to everyone who has helped us overcome the standard drag racing trials and tribulations of a new team!", he says. "A special thanks to teams Heaven and Hell and English Rose Racing.

"Well done to all the staff at Santa Pod for all their hard work throughout the season, especially at the European Finals! We are already looking forward to the 2006 season and we are going to be very bored, over the winter! Anna will hopefully compete in Sportsman ET next year, with a new car to the team."

Last chance to be Perfect.
25th September: Next weekend's UK National Finals at Santa Pod Raceway is the last eligible event in the 2005 Eurodragster.com Perfect Awards scheme. A total of Ł125 is on offer for the two Awards.

The Eurodragster.com/Speedflow Perfect Light Award has been reset to Ł50 after it was won by Bob Lees at the FIA European Finals. The money will be awarded to the first racer this weekend to record a perfect Reaction Time of 0.000. The Award is open to all classes and is available during qualifying or eliminations, but will only be awarded for the first Perfect Light of the weekend. The Perfect Light Award is jointly presented by Eurodragster.com and high-performance hose and fitting manufacturer Speedflow, whose web site you can find at www.speedflow.co.uk.
©Eurodragster.com
The Eurodragster.com/LA Racing Parts Perfect ET Award has been increeased to Ł75 after it went unclaimed at the FIA European Finals. The money will be awarded to the first racer to run to the thousandth on their index or dial-in during qualifying or eliminations. The Award is open to all ET classes, all Super classes, Junior Dragster, 9.50 Bike, all VW classes and the Wild Bunch, but will only be awarded for the first Perfect ET of the weekend. The Perfect ET Award is jointly presented by Eurodragster.com and performance supplier LA Racing Parts, whose web site you can find at www.laracingparts.com.

We're sure that everyone will join us in thanking Fay Fischer of Speedflow and Lee Child of LA Racing Parts for their support of the Eurodragster.com Perfect Awards scheme in 2005.

Carter looks back, and forward.
24th September: UK Top Fuel Dragster racer Andy Carter has been in touch with his thoughts on the 2005 season:

Five races in the FIA calendar this year and only three completed due to rain, not great for the sport but what can you do against the weather. Hopefully next season we will see seven races in the series with Germany coming back as an FIA round and Bahrain also coming on board.

In the discussions Ben (Allum, Crew Chief - Ed) and and I have had about this season, we have both expressed big disappointment. I think this just proves how high we set our standards at Carter Motorsport, because when you go in to detail, we were second in the points going into Sunday morning's eliminations with a very good chance of winning the Championship for a third time. This proves that we were a team to be reckoned with yet again.

Other achievements through 2005 were:

Runner-up in the Pro Fuel Shootout at Santa Pod, and on the way to the final ran a four-sec pass, which is great performance at that time of the year.
Won a match race against Darryl Bradford 2-0 at Shakespeare County Raceway
Number one qualifier (5.07) at FIA round 2, Finland
Low ET (5.07) at FIA round 2, Finland
Set High Speed (291 mph) at FIA round 2, Finland
Won FIA round 2, Finland
High speed (301 mph) at FIA round 3, Sweden
Involved in quickest side by side race in European drag racing history at FIA round 3, Sweden
Finished fourth in FIA European Top Fuel Championship

I was so down in the days after the European Finals and I really felt for the rest of the team after my red light, all that effort they put in wasted. I went into that last round the only way you should go racing, really believing we could win it. When you have that attitude and things don’t go right it’s a real kick in the nuts, but you have to pick your self up, get your head down and get on! I’m already into a new training program and I’m determined that the team will come back bigger and stronger next season.
©Eurodragster.com
The crew has worked tirelessly all year, often doing fifteen-hour days. There is so much work that goes on away from the track that the sunglasses and glory of the startline is just a tiny reward, and not all of them even get to go to the startline. I know I have said it before, but would like to say it again, thanks very much for all the effort that you all put in, in so many ways, at the track and away from the track. John Andrews, Dan Welberry, Kim Hessey, Sarah Carter. Paul Williams, Simon Williams, Steve Porter. Roger Neill, John Ogden, Jim Tucker, Neill Collins and the unseen hero, Paul Wright, not been at the track at all this season (he was missed I can tell you), but does so much in the office and workshop for me. Thanks team!

Now on to the head of the team, Ben Allum. In his first year as a Top Fuel Crew Chief he has performed fantastic under very difficult conditions which I won’t go in to here. I’m very pleased, I knew he would step up when he got this position and he has, big time! His time management, dedication, paperwork, people skills and most of all making sure that I had a good race car when we went to the startline were spot on. I know he will be the first to agree that we need to get more horsepower to the track and that there is always room for improvement in the team, but you can bet that Ben is already working on this and I’m sure you will see this from the Carter Motorsport / B & Q team in 2006. Well done Ben!

I will be making some changes in the structure of the team for 2006 and new people will be joining Carter Motorsport in various capacities to help keep pushing the team up and forward. Two new members to the team that I can announce now are, Phil and Gary Cottingham of Dragsterworld.com fame. Phil will be helping Dan, John and Sarah with setting up, taking down and general running of the hospitality. This side of the team is getting busier and busier and look out for a press release coming soon on a real exciting opportunity for spectators in 2006, Inside Top Fuel...as close as you can get without putting on a firesuit! Gary will be the official team photographer, taking photographs of all aspects of the team during the season, this will help with our budget search, as well as allowing partners already on board to have photographs instantly at their disposal if need be.

On the equipment front we have purchased a newer tractor unit, still keeping with the Renault Magnum as I think this is just a great-looking truck. This is away at the moment having the chassis sandblasted, then it’s off to be painted and once finished it will go over to Sigma Signs to be vinylled. It seemed that every time we moved the old one something didn’t work or went wrong and we are doing so many more miles now with the B & Q commitments we just can’t afford to be late or not get somewhere due to a breakdown. As usual there is also plenty to do on the trailer and general equipment over the winter, so that will keep the Tuesday night club busy.

Sarah, Albert and I are off to Florida in early October to spend a week together as a ‘normal’ family. I will be doing my best to switch off and to try not to think about the team. I’m looking forward to going on all those rides, especially the kids' ones with little AC - I don’t know who gets more excited, Albert or me! One thing that is confirmed that involves drag racing in some way is that we will be calling in on Viveca and Håkan Averstedt. Viveca has promised to cook us a meal and it will be great to catch up with them, I really hope that this team can do something and get back on the FIA tour and I’m sure that will be a hot topic over dinner.

Before I finish I must say thanks to our partners, B & Q, Lucas Oils (UK) Ltd, Wynns, NGK, Binamic, Pioneer Print, Shipleys, K & N, Motorgraphic, 3t Creative, Rainbow Conference Sets, Mike Shorer Fine Jewellery, BMRS Hoses, Crane Cams, Gold RV, Yuasa batteries and Norfolkline. If you’re a supporter of the team, please try and use our sponsors whenever possible, it does make a difference, here’s to a bigger and better season in 2006!

Thanks for all the E-Mails and texts, keep 'em coming! I look forward to seeing you at a B & Q store soon or maybe the Autosport Show in January.
©Eurodragster.com
Racers: Send your season reviews to us at news@eurodragster.com and we'll publish them here.

Swift snippets.
24th September: The traditional Top Fuel Dragster match race at this year's Flame and Thunder Show at Santa Pod Raceway on Saturday 5th November will be between Jon Webster in the Canto Consultancy Top Fuel Dragster and Chris Andrews in the Persåker Speed Shop dragster. We understand that Jon and Chris will race twice on the day.
©Eurodragster.com
Our good buddy and erstwhile birthday boy, Andy Marrs of TSI Timers Europe, has kindly supplied us with the all-time points standings in the FIM/UEM European Championships. Roger Pettersson is still the highest points earner whilst Roel Koedam and Ton Pels have moved above Anders Karling into second and third places. You can check out the all-time FIM/UEM points standings and detailed breakdowns by clicking here, or by clicking on the Champions' Champions link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page.

Web site updates.
24th September: The official web site of the UK's Street Eliminator class has been updated with a preview of next week's UK National Finals at Santa Pod Raceway. You can check out the Finals preview under News at www.streeteliminatoruk.com.
©Eurodragster.com
Eurodragster.com Photo Editor Sharkman has updated his personal web site Sharkman's Top End Tales with pictures from last weekend's NSRA Hot Rod Drags at Shakespeare County Raceway. Don't miss the photo sequence of Richie Webb's wheelie with self-retracting soft-top. You can find Sharkman's web site at www.topendtales.com.

UK National Finals prize money.
23rd September: Santa Pod Racers Club Secretary Paula Marshall has been in touch with an important announcement for racers contesting next week's UK National Finals at Santa Pod Raceway.
©Eurodragster.com
"SPRC will be paying double prize money for Sportsman classes contested at the FIA European Finals and the Bug Jam", says Paula. "That is:

Super Modified
Super Comp
Super Gas
Super Street
Super Pro ET
Pro ET
Sportsman ET
Junior Dragster
9.50 Bike
VW Pro
VW Sportsman
VW Alternate Engine

Version 3 of the UK National Finals entry list includes the return of Mark Watkins to Super Street Bike, and a couple of additional cars running in exhibition: 2005 FIA European Top Fuel Dragster Champion Lex Joon in the MPM Oil Top Fueller, and Gordon Smith in the Shockwave Fuel Funny Car.

"We didn't make all the runs we wanted to at the European Finals", Gordon Smith told Eurodragster.com this morning. "We have plenty of parts left and the event gives us two days to test. Dave (Bryant, Crew Chief and co-owner - Ed) has found some problems since the last race, so we want to go out there and put down a banger and finish the season on a high."

Swift snippets.
23rd September: UK Pro ET racer and class sponsorship co-ordinator Carl Burton has been on touch to tell us that, if they are in the Pro ET Sponsorship scheme and displaying decals, the #1 qualifier at the UK National Finals will recieve Ł60, a WASP voucher, Hauser Race Cars voucher, Allyjax voucher, and a trophy. "Thanks also to the rest of our sponsors Black Bear Harley Davidson, A1 Motor Stores, Webster Race Engineering, Toxico and Real Steel", says Carl. "Thanks also to Roger Gorringe and Mo Blackburn for the piece in the European Finals programme, and a big thank you to all the track personel at Shakespeare County and Santa Pod. I have written to Northampton Council and asked for fine weather next weekend."
©Eurodragster.com
A very Happy Birthday to Andy Marrs of TSI Timers Europe - timing data supremo, Santa Pod Raceway timekeeper, and honorary Eurodragster.com staff member. Hope you have a great day, Andy.

Now for 200 mph...
23rd September: From a Sportsman racer's perspective the FIA European Finals was "A bit of a bummer" due to the inclement weather conditions, says UK Super Pro ET racer Derek Flynn, but he still has some good memories of his weekend.

"I would like to say a huge thank you to all the Santa Pod crew who worked their socks off to dry the track and clear up oildowns as quickly as they could", says Derek. "We finally got a call late Sunday evening to run our first round of eliminations. Unfortunately my opponent had already packed up and gone so we were on a bye run, but wow what a run! I thoroughly enjoyed it, even though it was a little eerie -my first run in the dark!

"I can remember doing the burnout and all I could see was cameras flashing everywhere, and then one of the best runs I have done, whilst not quite the quickest or the fastest but most definitely the most enjoyable, 194 mph into the gloom, it felt like 250! It was also a little slippy at the top end due to the cold damp air, but wow when can I do it again!

"I would like to say a huge thanks to the Go Gold Crew who also hung around patiently and gave me a tune-up for the final run which got us the Low ET and High Speed in Super Pro ET for the weekend. We would also like to pass on our belated congratulations to Rob Turner and the Turner Motorsport team, who also sport the Gold RV logo, on winning Top Methanol Dragster at the Finals. I know they would have preferred to win it in better circumstances but you can only play the hand you are dealt and they played the tricky conditions perfectly. Also I know they would have preferred to have put in a full-on pass in the final round but the curfew was on us and it was agreed with the track officials that to save time they would just break the beams.

"Also total respect must go to Andy Robinson and his team. What a weekend they had and well done! Also I must say a big thanks to Andy for the assistance he gave us during the weekend in getting us back on the track.

"We are looking forward to the UK National Finals next week, and we are really hoping that the weather is kinder so that we have a good shot at achieving our goal of 200 mph."

Six seconds on a budget!

22nd September: If you were tuned in to Eurodragster.com News over last weekend you will have read that Johnny 'Mental' Hall shoed the B + J Nostalgia Top Fuel slingshot to its first-ever six-second pass at Shakespeare County Raceway. Johnny got in touch to tell us the story of the historic pass.

"Bill Felstead and I and all the rest of the B+J Top Fuel Nostalgia team have been struggling for twelve months to get a proper time on the boards at Shakespeare County Raceway", says Johnny. "We débuted the car at the 2004 Hot Rod Drags with some shakedown passes and were looking forward to the chance to do some full passes in the following meetings. It took until the 2005 Nostalgia Nationals before we felt we would be capable of running to the car's potential, and on the last run of the day on Sunday we blew the rear end to smithereens.

"In between outings of the car the B+J Race Cars business was going from strength to strength with our first doorslammer on the jig. The car in question belongs to Matthew Wright, partner of Gleeson Wright security, and on a visit to our workshop to check on the progress of his truck he asked us when the Nostalgia Fuel car was coming out next as he would like to tag along to see what it was all about. We told him that we had run out of funds and that we needed a set of gears for the rearend and also most importantly a tow truck to get there so we wouldn't be going. A week later Matt phoned us and told me to go up to Peter Knight's workshop as he had got Peter to ship over a set of gears special delivery. He also told us that we could borrow his own truck to tow our open flatbed trailer. We were awe-struck! That was last Thursday, two days before the Hot Rod Drags.

"Matt told us to take a couple of days off to get the car ready, which we did. Bill and I finished prepping the car at midnight on Friday and set off at 5.45 on Saturday morning. When we arrived at the track the security guard on the pit entrance said that it was full and the only space available was next to the bar, on the gravel opposite the Fuel Altered pits. Undeterred we met all the guys and proceeded to put up our second-hand awning with no sides, got the car off the trailer and started to ready the beast for action. Because Bill and I had done most of the work at our shop all that was needed was to set the valve lash, go over every nut and bolt on the car, and fuel the sucker up. While the guys did this I went and asked if we could follow the Fuel Altered guys down, which the organisers agreed to. We banged the motor off in the pits to warm her up, changed the oil, relashed her and then went down to Sid Slattery to borrow some racer tape to hold on our overflow beer can which was probably the best overflow can in the world! We tagged along behind all the Fuel Altered guys and then it was our turn.

"We were paired up with Mark Needham for a match race. Bill went through the start-up procedure and we both rolled forwards and did our burnouts and as I was backing up I saw Mark had broken and the starter gestured me on a single. At this point my goggles started to mist up and that's why it took me ages to get into stage. When the light went green I stood on the throttle on what seemed like a soft launch, as we had decided to do a high gear pass just to get a decent number on the board. The run had no real dramas apart from the motor starting to go away at a thousand feet. It ran as straight as a string. Pulled the chutes and got out at the other end with a buzz in my veins slightly disappointed that the motor had gone off. When I was rolling the chutes up Angela Wilding came running over and said " Do you know what time you've just run?". I told her I thought it felt like an eight zero and with that she told me we had run our first six. When the guys came and picked me up Dave looked at the engine and told me there were no teeth left on the blower belt and that explained why the engine had gone off and dropped the speed.
©Eurodragster.com
"Back in the pits everyone was buzzing, with dozens and dozens of people coming to congratulate us including the Drapers who said it was a crisp packet (only the oldies will understand that one). For those with a timing ticket fetish we did 1.13 to sixty feet, 4.48/169 at the eighth and 5.73 at 990 feet, and 6.92/182.99 at the quarter mile. Back in our gravel pit Bill immediately started to tear the engine down to the crank to check for any damage (right) and found only a couple of bruised bearings which he changed and we started to button her up. Nigel from UK Blowers saw me making up a gasket for our front discharge 6/71 and said "What are you using?". I told him it was cardboard from a box of photos we had. Five minutes later he brought over a 14/71 gasket which needed ten seconds of mods and it went straight on...thanks Nigel. The next thing on the agenda was trying to find a blower belt and then our lucky mascot Matt Wright turned up with a high-quality item in his hands. He started talking about déjà vu and stuff and we could just not figure it out how it was the exact same length. Scary...no, really scary!

"On Sunday we elected to do two passes and set out at lunchtime to back up our time. Through the same procedure and into stage for another high gear pass. This time everything was fine until four hundred feet, it stepped out so I straightened her up and nailed it again to record an 8.42/171. Back into the pits to tear it down again, another of our guests Gary Gleeson with his son Billy sat and watched Bill and the crew tear the engine down to the crank and back up again in about two hours and he couldn't believe it when we fired it up again to warm her up. Down into the staging lanes again, and on this run I got badly out of shape a couple of times and really thought I was going over so I decided to roll through the traps to record a 9.53/93.

"We think that ours was the first six second run by a nitro slingshot in Europe for over twenty five years (Nearer thirty I'd say - Ed), if anyone could let us know we would be grateful. We would like to thank Prolong Oil for supplying us with an excellent product, Nigel at UK Blowers, Peter Knight Engine Services, Jeff and Bonnie Bennett, Chris and Sarah Bennett, Lee Child, my wife Joan and our children for putting up with my hobby, Bill Felstead for keeping our Budget Special alive time after time, all the crew including Dave, Mark, Nathan and Eddie, but most of all our lucky mascot Matt Wright ...thanks Matt, we couldn't have done it without you."

Smax congratulates Feldthusen.
22nd September: Smax Smith has been in touch from Canada to pass on his heartfelt congratulations to Sweden's Kenneth Feldthusen on his 6.782 pass at last weekend's Hot Rod Drags at Shakespeare County Raceway.

"Kenneth's time easily eclipses my 6.921 in my '35 Chevy, which has stood as Europe's fastest alky altered since 1999", says Smax (Video of Smax's run on topendtales.com - Ed). I have been watching what Ken is up to and expected my record to fall. Trust me, these guys are having fun - 200 mph in an altered is a handful and took me twelve years to take the record! However Ken needs to beat my speed record of 203.62 mph and the Mainline Menace 3 will always be the first altered to break 200 mph! Will Ken be the second?
©Eurodragster.com
"I believe we have some class acts out there. Frank Bennett, Neil Townson and Rad are all possible contenders with Clayton Round, Bob Glassup and the gang all improving.

"Keep us thrilled gang - I remember drag racing being this much fun!"

Freeman clocks PBs.
22nd September: Also on the Altered front, UK Super Pro ET racer Sam Freeman had a successful weekend at the Hot Rod Drags clocking Personal Bests of 8.450/154.48.

"We were slightly down on the sixty foot times (we have run several 1.13s) but the first two runs were very close to where we want to be, and overall we made some progress", says Sam. "I pulled one red light which was caused by a broken wire which stopped the transbrake working and which was easily fixed. We made seven runs, all over 150 mph and apart from the red light all were between 8.45 and 8.57. We're getting there and we still have a couple of things we want to try, possibly at the Pod this weekend.

"Young Matthew Seamarks of the Gingerman Junior Dragster came by and introduced himself as he is local to me (well the car) and informed us that the crowd seemed to be enjoying watching the car launch wheels up every run. Also Thanks to Sharkman who is becoming my marker for the end of the burnout, he always waves back when I stop and wave. Thanks to all the Press who were lined up down the armco snapping away on every run, I'm looking forward to seeing all the pics. Thanks also to Bev who always waves and smiles while sorting us out ready for the start of another run.

"All in all a good friendly event, and although I'm told that the track was not as sticky as it could I have been I managed to find plenty of traction."

Swift snippets.
22nd September: An updated UK National Finals entry list courtesy of Paula Marshall now includes Dutch Top Fuel Bike racer Roel Koedam. Crew Chief Marius Van Der Zijden says that the 6.0-second bike is in better-than-ever shape and that Roel hopes to show off its potential at next week's event.
©Eurodragster.com
Dave Coleman of Powerpoint Communications tells us that TV coverage of the Shakespeare Nationals filmed by Quarter Mile High was screened by Sky Sports earlier this week, but that Sky omitted to tell anyone. "The coverage featured Top Fuel, Street Eliminator, Super Modified, Outlaw Anglia and driver interviews with John Price", says Dave. "We're sorry that we couldn't tell you in advance, but happy to say that footage will also make up part of this year's Ultimate Power Series, Hardcore Street and Super Modified DVDs."

Last Saturday finally saw the wedding day of Fansfueler promoters Chris and Rebecca Parker, writes Jim Broome. "Besides friends from the music industry they had invited along a few of their racing acquaintances including potential initial beneficiary of the project, Barry Sheavills", says Jim. "Fortunately the photographer of this picture only managed to get the bride and groom in shot (right) as they scrubbed up better than most. A honeymoon in the US beckons including the prospect of at least one NHRA National event, providing Hurricane Rita doesn't thwart plans (Oh dear - Ed)."

King Racing Press Release.
22nd September: British Top Fuel Bike rider Ian King secured the second European Championship title of his career in front of his home supporters at the final round of the FIA/UEM Drag Racing Championships at Santa Pod Raceway, England.

However, the final round of the European tour was also marred by the same type of weather that resulted in early termination of the previous three events. The hard-working track staff and officials spent many hours attempting to dry the track and it seemed that this round was also one that would fail to see the event through to a conclusion. But their hard work paid off and the Professional classes would see finals run just before the 9.00 pm curfew on Sunday.

For King, the event started well enough with a 6.39 second pass good enough for number two qualifying position despite the run being his only full pass of qualifying in the wet conditions. Points accrued from attempting a qualifying pass were enough to ensure the title was his, and King could look forward to the finals with comfort and the chance to test new performance upgrades without the fear of lost points.

However, it was not to be as the first round saw King throw a supercharger drive belt after a tricky cool track and aggressive clutch settings saw King on and off the throttle in an attempt to keep the slick tyre hooked up to the track. His opponent, fellow countryman Gary Jones, took full advantage of King slowing to a stop ahead of him and drove past to take the round win. Jones' success continued throughout the event and he deservedly took the event title.

"I'm overwhelmed at winning our second European Title, especially in front of my home supporters and in a truly International series that boasts the strongest field of Top Fuel Bikes in the world", said King. "It's been a long and difficult season, not least of which was due to the unbelievable weather that we've all had to suffer for the last four events. I must pay tribute to the SPRC and Track officials who put in so much effort this weekend to see the event through to a conclusion. It shows what can be done with hard work and perseverance, against all the odds.

"For our team, this is the culmination of a tremendous effort by my close knit team of crew and sponsors who, despite the lows of the last three years, had faith in our abilities to return to the top again. I can't thank any of them enough: Mick Beaumont, Chris Powell, Martin Brookman, Nick Pepper, Debbie King and Marc Fossey - they all contributed above and beyond the call of duty. And as for our sponsors and associates, words fail me. The best products on the market, the greatest help afforded to us and the results speak for themselves. New track records, more events won than anyone else in the class, numerous number one and two qualifying positions, frequent new personal bests. Thanks to all of you - this title was won by you too. It'll be great to run with all of you and the Number One plate again in 2006."

With the 2005 European Top Fuel Bike Championship won King plans to attend the ACU/UK National Finals where tests with the all new Puma billet cylinder head are planned, followed by a long trip to Bahrain as an invitee of the Bahrain International Circuit for an FIA/UEM Invitational event in November, a precursor to a first ever round of the European Drag Racing Championship to be held at the prestigious Middle East facility next March.

King Racing's next event is the UK National Finals at Santa Pod, England on the 1st and 2nd October.
©Eurodragster.com
Web site updates.
22nd September: Eurodragster.com's Photo Editor Sharkman has updated his personal web site Sharkman's Top End Tales with a large number of photographs from the FIA European Finals. You can check out Sharkman's European Finals pictures at www.topendtales.com.
©Eurodragster.com
UK National Finals entry list.
21st September: We are indebted to Santa Pod Racers Club Secretary Paula Marshall for forwarding us the official entry list for the UK National Finals, which takes place at Santa Pod Raceway on 1st-2nd October.

As ever for a UK Championship event the list is showing a very healthy entry in all classes with the final round of the 2005 MSA British Drag Racing Championship attracting seven Top Methanol racers including Rob Turner who is also down to drive The Mob Fuel Altered in the seven-car NFAA field after a very successful début at Shakespeare County Raceway at the weekend. Darryl Bradford is entered in the Wright Racing Top Fuel Dragster; we understand that the team will be using this event to test.
©Eurodragster.com
One interesting factoid to come out of the UK National Finals entry list is that Pro ET have now completed the full set of having the largest entry at every single UK Championship event in 2005, including one shared with 9.50 Bike when both classes were limited to thirty two at this year's FIA Main Event. Congratulations to the Pro ET racers on that feat. Most other Sportsman classes are into double figures including newly-licenced Stuart Morrice's first outing in Super Gas, whilst Street Eliminator sees the competitive débuts of joint Eurodragster.com webcam sponsor Jon Webster's MG and George Scanlon's Chevy pick-up.

Sizeable fields in all the ACU classes are as ever led by Super Street Bike with sixteen entries, which includes the SSB débuts of Ade Lockley and Gary Drury, whilst in Pro Stock Bike we welcome Philippe Runget and Eric Demengel on their first visits from France. 9.50 Bike is also contested by a field of sixteen and there are respectable entries in all of the National Association of Supertwins classes.

You can view the official UK National Finals entry list by clicking here, by clicking on the laptop logo at left, or by clicking on the Event Coverage link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page and selecting the UK National Finals.

For ticket prices and other information about the UK National Finals check out Santa Pod Raceway's web site at www.santapod.com.

All hands on (pick-up) deck!
21st September: UK Super Pro ET racer Matthew Wright says that it is all hands to the pump to get his rebuilt Chevy pick-up ready for next week's UK National Finals, but that he found time to renew his acquaintance with an old and much-loved race car at Shakespeare County Raceway at the weekend.

"The chassis is going to be painted tomorrow, and then it's all hands to try to get it plumbed, wired and assembled in time", says Matt, who sponsors Eurodragster.com's Home and News pages through Gleeson Wright Security. "No one wants it to be there more than me. I recently bought my Mk 1 Escort back from Shane Knight, who had changed the colour from the Gleeson Wright livery to orange. I've now put the Escort back on the street and I was well pleased to run a 10.92/126 at the Hot Rod Drags on treads and full exhaust system. There's an easy 10.40 in it with a little more tuning."
©Eurodragster.com
Matt has also been involved with the B + J Nostalgia Top Fuel slingshot, helping Johnny Hall and Bill Felstead to get hold of a new set of gears. "I got a real buzz from being invited down to start line by Bill and John when they ran their awesome nitro machine, even more so when John ran a 6.90 - I hope it wasnt a crisp packet John...only kidding!", says Matt "No-one can take that away from John and the team, very well-deserved. If it had not been for Peter Knight at Knight Racing for supplying us with the gears within a week it may never have happened. I called Pete on a Thursday and asked if he could get the gears and they were there on the Tuesday and at a very good price! Cheers Pete."

Swift snippets.
21st September: A very Happy Birthday to Santa Pod Raceway's Chief Marshal and Chief Timekeeper, and honorary Eurodragster.com staff member, Steve Horn. Steve tells us that he may be persuaded to have a beer or three this evening to celebrate. We're sure that everyone will join Tog and Sharkman in wishing Steve the very happiest of birthdays.
©Eurodragster.com
Our good buddy Ian Turburville tells us that next weekend's UK National Finals will be the last chance to find those hard-to-find drag race parts you only get at the track. "I will have my remaining stocks of Simpson pit shoes, Simpson and Mechanix work gloves, Simpson helmet bags, ACF 50 chassis spray, DVDs, ACU-approved carbon helmets and those great Flip-A-Dial boards for all ET racers and Juniors which are selling fast!", says Turbo. "If anyone is interested I will bring all my very special die-casts with me to clear at below cost prices!". For more information check out Turbo's web site at www.turboville.com.

Web site updates.
21st September: The Racebilder web site at www.racebilder.nu has been updated with a large number of pictures from the weekend's Winternats at Meca Raceway. "We would like to thank SRIF for a really nice weekend", says our good buddy Patrik Jacobsson. "No-one could do anything about the weather but Saturday gave us a lot of exciting races. Michel Nord's 4.08 impressed us very much, we salute the Outlaw Racing team!"
©Eurodragster.com
Dave McBride has updated his Dodge Charger web site with a large number of pictures of Sunday's action at the NSRA Hot Rod Drags at Shakespeare County Raceway, with pictures of Saturday to follow. If you like your Mopars then Dave's web site at www.dodge-charger.co.uk is well worth a good long look around.

Hot Rod Drags one for the books.
20th September: This year's running of the Original Hot Rod Drags at Shakespeare County Raceway will be remembered for many things: Kenneth Feldthusen's track busting run for an ET record in Methanol Altered, Johnny Hall's first ever six second flyer in his nostalgia Top Fueller, and a surprise appearance by Top Methanol Dragster racer Rob Turner taking a turn behind the tiller of The Mob Fuel Altered, writes SCR Press Officer Jerry Cookson.

Even before the event there had been an air of anticipation about what to expect from visiting Swedish altered racer Kenneth Feldthusen and the Northrace Team. Right from early Friday evening Kenneth and his gang were already creating new friendships, and by Saturday evening was already considered to be an honorary Brit flying the flag for Sweden.

With the tour bus parked, Kenneth had a minor scare in morning warm-up which interrupted taking part in the first session. But once the track had bedded in, the shiny red '34 Chevy Roadster backed by Champion Plugs made its presence known on the start line as it thundered its way to the eighth mile in a white wall of tyre smoke, and that was just the burnout.

With all eight cackling to one another, Kenneth launched the altered hard never for one second taking his foot off the loud pedal. The result was a stunning 6.782 second lap at 198.37 mph, but it all came at the expense of some sacrificial parts to the engine gods. So rather than strip and repair those cylinders which had gone down, a fresh KB bullet was wheeled from the back of the tour bus and duly installed over night for the Swede's second attack at the SCR mph track record which stood at 203 mph.

After fresh track prep by Darren and the boys Sunday, unfortunately, only netted a 7.029 at 190.31 mph, and again at the expense of several dropped cylinders. Good effort though, and one which Kenneth hopes he can overcome when he returns in 2006!

After finally tracking down another supposedly bulletproof crown wheel and pinion in the B & J Nostalgia camp thanks to Sportsman racer Matt Wright, it was a case of will it work or won't it! Knowing that the only rear end available contained taller gears than they would have liked the first run of the weekend was to be a high gear run only.

With the black fueller all fired up and sounding fat and lumpy on tick over Johnny Hall mashed the loud pedal as far it could travel and ripped off a surprising 6.924 at 182.99 mph. Crew chief's Bill Felstead and Dave 'Fuzzie' McKenzie were beside themselves. They simply couldn't take it all in.

Having had no seat time in an altered for some fifteen years (since the days of Straight Shooter), Rob Turner was drafted in to fill the vacant Mob seat left by Mickey Moore. After some quick pedal and seat modifications inside the tight-fitting cockpit, Rob gave quite a good account of himself showing that he had lost none of his skills in driving a short wheel based race car with a couple of short strong bunrouts, launches and three quarter track passes resulting in a 7.659.

Rebel T racer Clayton Round kept his lead in the NFAA series going into the finals at Santa Pod in October with a couple of high sevens along with Bob Glassup's Extreme Racing Fiat Topolino who encountered several wild excursions along the way which more than made for an exciting fourth round encounter.

From the sixteen Outlaw Anglias present Paul Wright looks to have sewn up another series career win (subject to confirmation) having overhauled points leader Mark Pointer at the start of the weekend. With Mark absent due to a broken motor sustained at the previous weekends Euro Finals, this left the way open for Paul Hensher to take the number two spot in points. In the timed runs Wright was the quickest of the lot with an 8.200/175.58 to Hensher's 8.705/163.61.

Particular mention must go to Simon Barlow with the Orange Pop who not only was pulling some hellish burnouts but also, with mentor Andy Frost watching, ran a couple of new PBs in the 10.3s.

Street Eliminator racer Wilf Stacey upped the Gasser Circus pace by running his Gone Crazy Zodiac as low as 9.082 at 149.49 early Sunday morning. This left Lee Pike and Jerry Denning scrapping in the high nines with the '57 Chevy Honky Tonkin and Circus ringmaster Terry Howarth lowering his PBs into the elevens as predicted with a fully-sorted nitrous kit on the '49 Ford Goldrush.

The quickest Flathead in the Custom Car Meltdown was Jim Turnbull's '32 Roadster with a couple of high fourteen second passes over Chris Hosegood's low fifteen second 1920's T Speedster, a rare antique racer if ever there was one.
©Eurodragster.com
Best yet for NFAA.
20th September: The dry weather at the NSRA Hot Rod Drags at Shakespeare County Raceway at the weekend was a welcome bonus for all racers, especially the Nostalgia Fuel Altered Association, writes series co-ordinator Lawrie Gatehouse.

"We were able to field six teams and the event was the best yet with some highlights and not too much damage", says Lawrie. "More importantly, all the teams enjoyed themselves hugely and gained significant track experience with new combinations.

"The first visit to an NFAA event was made by Kenneth Feldthusen and the Northrace Team, now our first overseas member. On his first run on an unknown track, Kenneth laid down a strong burnout to half track. On the green, paired with Frank Bennett's Topolino, Frank pulled a three-car holeshot with a sixty foot time of 1.019. Unfortunately the Bennett Racing car suffered a dramatic power loss, subsequently discovered as the timing retarding (See below - Ed) and the Northrace car stormed by to post a new ET record for the Class of 6.782/198.37 with the 'chutes out before the finish line.

"Bob Glassup gets the accolades for the most improved car with shotgun launches, wheels up, anyway- but-straight and posted Personal Best runs of 7.745/182.14 and 7.839/180.09. However, a broken drive shaft in the trans threatened to sideline him, until Andy Frost came up with the much needed parts, for which Bob is very grateful. The Extreme Racing crew then worked their socks off to enable the campaign to continue, thanks guys.

The Mob had problems with a burst fuel line and Wendy Baker was getting to grips with handling problems, having fitted a new front axle. Points leader Clayton Round had traction problems at first, but soon got back to high seven runs, though some way off the low sevens that they are used to.

The Northrace Team found a broken main bearing journal after their record run, fitted the spare engine, ran 7.029/198.31, only to find the same thing to happen again, sidelining them for the rest of the meeting. An out-of-balance new clutch assembly is though to be the cause of the problems.

On Sunday, Rob Turner piloted The Mob, due to Mickey Moore's indisposition and soon got used to the Altered, even though it is probably fifteen years since he last drove one. Rob laid down half passes of 9.0 and 7.65 in a car which was not exactly comfortable for his longer legs. Appreciation is due to Rob and the crew for stepping into the breach. On the last run, the numbers five and six rods let go, taking out some pistons & valves and cracking the block. Now The Mob have to thrash to rebuild the engine using their newly purchased billet block, in order to be ready for the National Finals at the 'Pod.

In all, it was the best NFAA event so far, which is just one year old since its inception. It shows considerable potential for the 2006 season, already in the planning stage, with a significantly increased number of teams participating.
©Eurodragster.com
Header flames from an alky burner!
20th September: Luke Bennett of the Bennett Racing blown-alcohol altered team dropped us a line to let us know how Frank bennett and the team fared at Shakespeare County Raceway at the weekend.

"It started off so well", says Luke. "We got there Friday night, found our pit bay and started to set up, got the car out and covered the engine for the night. In the morning I did the lash and everyone else got on with their jobs. The car was then ready to fire, so put starter on first got the oil up, then abit of petrol on the hat and we were ready to fire up, turned the starter over again and fired the car, then while running there was no oil pressure so we shut the car down and the problem was traced to the oil pump drive. That was the weirdest thing, it turned out to be a collet inside and it was not engaging with the drive. With that out of the way we fired up again and everything was fine, this now meant that we had missed the first run of the day so had a few hours to kill as car was ready.
©Eurodragster.com
"Then it was time for the first run which was against Kenneth Feldthusen, towed the car down to the line, fired up and set off for the burnout, which didn't happen...those who have done it before will know what we forgot! Backed the car up, we were last into stage and the reaction from the old man was spot on, 0.19, and we were several car lengths in front, then the car nosedived big time and he got off it and cruised through to a twelve.

"In the pits we checked the usual, found two broken lash caps, which found to have been caused by dead valve springs. All the inlet valves were changed, then as I was fitting up I noticed a problem with a lifter on number four. So with about forty minutes before we were due to run we had to have the blower and inlet off and replace the inlet, but we all worked excellently as a team and the job was done.

"The second run was against Clayton, this time a better burnout but not brilliant by any means. Staged and again a superb reaction of 0.16 but again the motor wasn't right so Frank was off the throttle.

"On Sunday's first run we had three-foot flames from the headers backing up from the burnout and we ain't no nitro burner! The timing was badly retarded. We shut the car down and towed back to the pits we found that the mag drive was allowing the mag to retard itself under load, that's why in the pits it was sweet, but as soon as it was under a bit of load on the burnout it would retard itself hence the poor display on the track. We found that it had nine degrees in it. Still we did have a lot of other good points, we ran a 1.10 sixty foot with the motor at half its best so lots more to come.

"Thanks again to anyone who loaned tools, and to whoever gave us the roll cage padding (I didn't see you)! Also thanks to Cliff Gould for all his help, it's well appreciated mate, and well done to Johnny and Bill on the six-second pass. Our next race is the UK National Finals at the Pod, we hope to have all the bugs out then."

Freddy just misses out.
20th September: Non-arrival of parts was the only thing which kept the Freddy's Revenge blown-alcohol altered away from the NSRA Hot Rod Drags, says Dave Grabham.

"Having taken Thursday and Friday off work, to spend time at the workshops of Andy Robinson Race Cars, Dopey brought the rolling chassis home on Friday night and the team had the motor in, wired, plumbed and fired-up by Saturday evening", says Dave. "Dopey and the team would like to thank all the guys at Andy Robinson Race Cars for the long hours and hard work they all put in, grafting a new front end onto the severely damaged chassis of the Nostalgia Fuel Altered Association car."
©Eurodragster.com
You can find a brief photo history of the Summernationals crash and subsequent rebuild in the 2005 Freddy section of the team's web site at www.freddysrevenge.co.uk, as well as pictures of Sunday's action at the NSRA Hot Rod Drags.

PMR FIA European Finals review.
20th September: It was as ever a busy weekend for the UK's Paul Marston Racing at the FIA European Finals, fielding three cars with four drivers, and that's after a storming appearance in the streets of Wellingborough as part of Santa Pod's Parade of Power in the preceding week. Paul Marston takes up the story.

"Before I start I must pay tribute to the bravery and dignity shown by John and Lynn Everitt during Finals weekend. As most of you will know, sixteen-year-old Oliver Everitt was involved in a fatal collision on his motorcycle. John did not return to the track on Saturday but did return with Lynn, Billy and Ruby on Sunday to contest the first round of eliminations in memory of Oliver Everitt in the dark late that evening running 8.28/158. On behalf of the Everitt family and Paul Marston Racing we would like to thank the crowd at Santa Pod that night for the round of applause after John's solo pass. The Everitt family had to dig deep that night; it takes a brave man to drive an altered during the day and someone special at night. But John was in safe hands, Oliver was with him every step of the way. On behalf of Paul Marston Racing I must thank all the fellow competitors and crew who have called to express their sympathies and condolences, rest assured they are being passed on the Everitt family.

"Gary Springford made a welcome return to Grumpy's Dodge in Pro ET, making every round of qualifying; the boys and girls missed their Crew Chief but managed to keep it together, although the Crew Chief was making the dial-in shots via telephone watching on the internet! Gary was relishing eliminations but as we all know the weather had other ideas. But to Gary's credit and the rest of the Paul Marston Racing crew, Grumpy ran faultlessly with both Gary Springford and his partner in crime Mick Howling. Mick, yet another Paul Marston Racing Drag Race Driving School graduate, was making a return having driven at the FIA Main Event earlier during the year. Mick was getting to grips with Grumpy with a throttlestop slowing her down to the Super Street 10.90 index. By the end of qualifying Michael was completely at ease, focused and ready for first round. He is now more than ready for the return leg, next week's UK National Finals.

"I returned in the Insanity Chevy Vega pick-up again in Super Street, having been working solidly on the little Vega for the best part of the past two weeks and determined to get the infamous Vega honed into the competitive threat that it always had the potential to be. During the Peak Performance Day prior to the European Finals, whilst Gary Springford was frightening passengers, I tested the Vega. It seemed the handling issues were pretty much put to bed with some suspension tweaks and larger fresher rubber on the back. I performed a series of scripted runs with some success but not a huge amount. After discussing the results with Gary Springford of Drag Race Engineering we decided to replace the rear shocks and change the cam timing. This bright idea of Gary's and mine saw me back at the track on Tuesday to effect the upgrades in pouring rain. Was I talking to the Vega while I was working on it, you better believe it!

"In the end it was all worth it as the Vega sat top of the pile running 10.909, 10.908, then 10.902 proving that not just was it now handling well but it was utterly consistent. All this obviously bodes well for the National Finals.

"A massive thank you goes out to all the tireless Paul Marston Racing crew who worked so very hard over the weekend. We really would be nowhere without you. Thank you to all of our sponsors who still believe in what we are doing, Santa Pod Raceway and all the crew who did a simply astonishing job over the weekend - there were some tough choices that had to be made and a lot of sacrifices but they made nothing but the right choices, the only choices, and got all the Pro classes finished, well done and congratulations to everyone. Last but by no means least thanks to all the guys at Eurodragster.com, Nitro FM, commentators extraordinaire John Price and Graham Beckwith, and of course all our fans who came to see us - and yes, the PT Bruiser will be out next year for a full season, for sure. See you all at the National Finals."

Web site updates.
20th September: Jon Best has updated his Best Intentions web site with an account of his weekend wielding a spanner for the B & J Nostalgia Top Fuel slingshot team. You can find Besty's report at www.bestintentions.co.uk.
©Eurodragster.com
Raisvuo set to choose driver.
19th September: Finland's Esko Raisvuo is set to choose a driver for his Top Methanol Dragster operation for 2006 after trying unsuccessfully to sell the ex-Eero Kilpelainen car.

"I have talked through it with everyone who has shown an interest", Esko told Eurodragster.com "Most of the candidates have not come up with the funds, and there aren't many left who have the funds and are sick enough in the head.
©Eurodragster.com
"Interested teams or individuals now have six days to come here and buy the car, or I will give someone a free ride next year. I will consider current stars, good and available drivers, or choose a star of the future (I've got a race licence - Ed). I will make my decision next Saturday accompanied by my buddies and a caseful of beer. The best decisions are never made without falling over and shouting out from under the table.

"I am bit sad, since we have some personal dreams left and staying in TMD will put off the realisation of those dreams to the future. We just will not let our dragster sit unused in the garage any more. The dragster isn't getting any newer and its tech is not getting renewed either.

"So Esko Raisvuo Motorsport will soon announce what will will do in 2006, who drives what and why, and what our goals are."

If you are interested in acquiring Esko's former European Championship- and record-holding dragster then as he says you have six days left to contact him at tmd.racing@pp.inet.fi or check out his web site at www.ee-speed.com.

Swift snippets.
19th September: UK Super Pro ET racer Paul Harvey has received his 410 ci Ford engine back from the USA although not without incident. "UPS dropped the pallet (Micke Gullqvist could have warned you about UPS - Ed), nothing serious but the brand new alloy front motor plate - specially made on a CNC machine in the USA - was bent and damaged, luckily nothing else broken", says Paul. "We are looking at different options, whether to keep the 410 ci and run it in the dragster, or sell and use the finance to keep the car running with a blown Cleveland using our two other spare engines."
©Eurodragster.com
Sweden's Micke Kågered has remained at the top of the all-time FIA European Championship points standings at the end of the 2005 season, which have been calculated by our good buddy Andy Marrs of TSI Timers Europe. Changes in the Top Ten since 2004 see Dave Wilson and Niclas Andersson swap fourth and fifth places, Rob Turner enter at eighth, and Ulf Leanders come in at tenth leaving Jari Konola the only remaining non-active driver in the top ten. You can check out the all-time FIA points standings by clicking here, or by clicking on the Champions' Champions link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page.

Jessica loves Santa Pod.

18th September: Dutch Junior Dragster racer Jessica Selles says that she and the Speedfreaks Junior team very much enjoyed their first-ever competitive visit to Santa Pod for last week's FIA European Finals.

"As far as we know, Speedfreaks Junior is the very first all-kids team to get on the track, and I am the first Dutch girl to race a Junior Dragster", says Jessica. "The crew is my sister Lisa, 9, who puts me on the start line (One of the undoubted stars of last weekend's event - Ed), my two cousins Levi, 9, and Benjamin, 7, are my mechanics and my dad (or my mum) is my Crew Chief. This is my rookie year in Junior Dragster and I was excited to race at Santa Pod. Unfortunately the rain kept us from running eliminations, but the night run was very exciting! I pulled a two-thousandth red light in the dark.
©Eurodragster.com
"We were very happy with tenth qualifying position in a twenty-three car field, but we had hoped to race because all of the European races we have attended have been interrupted by rainfall, except the races in Holland!

"Everybody we met was very friendly and we like to thank everyone who helped us. We are all looking forward to visiting again next year and hopefully to welcoming some of the English Juniors to Holland!"

If you are interested in racing in Holland then check out the eXplosion Club web site at www.explosion.nl.

Final countdown at York.
18th September: The action-packing finals at York Raceway next Sunday (25th September) will be creaming off the winners in the American Super Stock, Sportsman ET, Pro ET, Super Hot Rod, Hot Rod Challenge, and Air Cooled Eliminators Championships, writes York PR Howard Holmes.

"Once again, the Finals at York will provide a few cliffhangers for those who didn't score enough points at the beginning of the season!", says Howard. "There are also the seventh rounds for York Raceway's Modifiers Shootout and the NSCC makes also a welcome return to York for its seventh round. It's all wide open, mathematically, there are a lot of winning opportunities which can happen; only Al Perkins in 10.50 Bike and Bob Molden in Super Hot Rod look to have their Championships stitched up.

"But who's going to do it on the day? Will Russ Pursley retain his dominance and take the final victory on Sunday, or will Bob have more polishing to do for the trophy cabinet? In Sportsman ET, will Lee Chiles stay King of the Hill, with Des Taylor and Dave Rushforth snapping so close at his heels? Air Cooled Eliminators Glynn Morgan, Daz Chandler, Steven Roberts, Marcus Atkinson, Paul Hamilton and Dave Emerton could all get a top three placing.
©Eurodragster.com
"In Hot Rod Challenge, the title could go any way between Nigel Parkin in his ballistic big block Chevy Jaguar XJS, Russ Pursley with his Chevy Dutton and John Sleath with his Chevy Audi. Bob Molden may have the title sorted out for Super Hot Rod, but Darren Peart ,Chris Newsam, Chris Round, Neil Hunter and Andy Leigh could all be in contention for second place.

"As there is Chevy domination in Hot Rod Challenge, so there is considerable Mopar presence (and domination) in American Super Stock. Statistically, Dave 'Tig' Napier, Dave Billadeau, George Chiles, Howard Holmes, Dave Rushforth and Simon Boot all have a chance of winning the championships but there will only be one winner!

"And as if all this weren't enough, we've the very welcome return of Roger 'Roaring' Goring in the phenomenal Firestorm jet-powered Funny Car. There will also be Run What You've Brung sessions for cars and bikes too."

The Final anorak stats.
18th September: Our good buddy Andy Marrs of TSI Timers Europe has been in touch with his ever-popular 'Anorak Stats', this time from last weekend's FIA European Finals:

Blue lights (Track clear/Tower ready): 704
Pairs: 626
Single runs: 76
Byes: 2
Total vehicles entered in System: 1330
Made it to the finish line: 1234 (including 107 Junior Dragsters)
Made it to the Quarter: 1127
©Eurodragster.com
Average ET (not including JDs): 9.920, same as 2005 FIA Main Event
Average speed (not including JDs): 142.28
Low ET: 4.933, Lex Joon
High speed: 304.19, Lex Joon

Closest Races (Eliminations):
Pro ET Round 1, Clive Cox (winner) v Lance Richards, 0.005 (12.12 inches)

Closest to dial in:
Mark O'Halloran (Super Gas) +0.001
Vincent Gibbs (Super Pro ET) +0.001
Best reaction time: Bob Lees (Super Street) 0.000
NB Bob also clocked RTs of 0.001, 0.004, 0.017 and 0.044 and -0.005

Track Live (not in official downtime): 17 hours 20 minutes
Total run time (all cars to reach finish line including JDs): 3 hours 27 minutes 8.762 seconds

Runs under 5.00 seconds: 5 (Lex Joon x 2, Micke Kågered, Andy Carter, Susanne Callin)
Runs under 5.50 seconds: 15
Runs Under 6.00 seconds: 43
Runs Over 300 mph: 2 (Lex Joon, Susanne Callin)
Runs Over 250 mph: 22
Runs over 200 mph: 117

Swift snippets.
18th September: Fuel Altered pilot Wendy Baker and Top Methanol Dragster racer Rob Turner both took the wheel of The Mob Fuel Altered, usually driven by Mickey Moore, at the NSRA Hot Rod Drags at Shakespeare County Raceway this weekend. Steve and Rob Turner were at SCR crewing on Wendy's and Paul Stubbings' Time Warp Fuel Altered.
©Eurodragster.com
Web site updates.
18th September: The official web site of Sweden's Nilsson Motorsports Pro Mod team has been updated with a report and pictures of Håkan Nilsson's weekend at the FIA European Finals. Check it out at www.nilssonmotorsports.com.
©Eurodragster.com
James Hands has updated his fan site with some great photographs from the FIA European Finals. Don't miss the picture of Krister Johansson at speed with his front wheels off the deck. You can see James' pictures at jameshands.smugmug.com/gallery/612742.

Bon starts off-season work.

17th September: Dutch Top Fuel Bike racer Joey Bon is optimistic about 2006 after his 2005 season didn't go quite as planned.

"The only thing holding us back was our cylinder head", says Joey. "The current cylinder head, which had a couple of weak points, finally came to its early end at the European Finals (right). "The modification of the outlet ports, which took a lot of time for Machinefabriek Goedhals - thanks for the quick help, Gerard - and Jan Roelofs, couldn't help us any more. A leak in the head gasket resulted in an explosion from which we suffered severe damage to the cylinder head and cylinders. Luckily there was no personal injury - time to get me a pair of those inflammable undies! - but it was a mental injury for the team after all the hard work we had done before the race. However we decided to fix the broken cylinder head and cylinders. With a welding machine from Team Zodiac (thanks Ton) we fixed the holes. Most of the eight hours' work was flattening the cylinder head, but we finally we managed to get everything fixed after working day and night. Saturday morning we started up the MPM bike again, and it sounded fine.

"Since we missed the second qualifying session, we only had two more sessions left. In the third qualifier, Sverre Dahl made his run and we would be next. By the time we were ready to start the bike, it had started raining again and it would keep raining for the rest of the day. So the third and fourth qualifying sessions were cancelled and we were not qualified."

Joey says that the development work will continue through the closed season. "We are currently busy with Machinefabriek Goedhals in Amersfoort and Jan Roelofs Racing in Valkenswaard to finish the design of our own cylinder head and start production", says Joey. "We also plan to make a couple of adjustments to the bike and some other parts. We will keep you informed, and be sure to check our web site regularly at www.joeybonracing.com.
©Eurodragster.com
"I would like to thank my team: my good friend Paul Cocx - we will get there, Paul, Gerbelien Wilschut, my buddy Alex Buys, Viep Bloemen (thanks Viep), Lennart Broersma - thanks for your work on the site and success in the USA. Because of personal circumstances, my brother Danny wasn't able to be there and we hope he will be able to join us at the races again next year - we missed you Danny.

"I also want to thank my sponsors, for without them racing would not be possible: MPM International Oil Company (thanks a lot Michiel and Peter), Schijf Groep, Hatek Welding Techniques, Hyperpro Suspension, Tsubaki, A. Balm, Gerritsen coatings, Shoei and R.a.P. Detachering.

"Finally we would also like to congratulate Ian King on his European Championship. Well done Ian, we will make it a lot harder for you next year!"

BDRC in the tens.
17th September: Germany's Bavarian Drag Racing Club is today celebrating its tenth anniversary at its annual Sommerfest Party.

"The Club was founded in 1995 by racers and fans", says our