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Wild Bunch Presentations.
30th November: Chris Hartnell will be needing a new sideboard to display all the silverware he took home from the Wild Bunch / Supercharged Outlaws / MDRA Presentation Dinner on Saturday. Dick Sharp also took away a fair share of the shiny stuff, while there was a surprise award for Custom Car Columnist Mark Gredzinski (it was certainly a surprise to Mark - he nearly dropped his camera when it was announced).

There was some great news on the sponsorship front as Mike Kason announced that JDFI were increasing their sponsorship by 66% for the 2000 season and Nigel Swift announced a 50% increase in sponsorship from Custom Chrome.

Mr Super Series, Terry Gibbs was there and he informed me that Andy Robinson Race Cars, NNB Computers, Kendall Oil, Ramair Ltd (formerly Mack Construction), Allsport Logistics, MPD UK Sales, Ampar, Panasonic and Fans & Spares have all renewed their sponsorship of the Super Series for next season.

Returning to the Wild Bunch, there's a full list of trophy winners (well, as many as I could remember after two halves of shandy) and some photos of the occasion here.

Anyone interested in the marketing opportunities afforded by the fastest sport on earth can drop us a line at webmaster@eurodragster.com and we'll be happy to put you in touch with the appropriate people.

Wayne's World!
29th November: The UK's Wayne Saunders won the NOS Pro IV class at the IDRC/NHRA International Finals import race at Pomona. After a bye in round one, he defeated Marcos Acosta's Mazda RX3 in the Final with an 8.56/160.11 to Marcos' 11.28/84.78. Wayne seems to be getting on top of the electrical problems which have plagued his USA tour; US correspondent Jay Eshbach writes that Wayne put in a pass in the low 8.1s before eliminations started yesterday.

SPRC Dinner Dance.
29th November: Tickets are now on sale for the Santa Pod Racers Club Dinner Dance, which takes place at the Stakis Northampton Hotel (right by Junction 15 of the M1) on Saturday 12th February 2000. The dinner is followed by the presentation of trophies to the winners and runners-up in the 1999 SPRC Championships. Then there is the famous raffle followed by dancing, drinking (finally, something we're allowed to call alcohol!) and bench racing into the small hours.

Tickets to the Dinner Dance are £26, and hotel rooms are also available at a special rate of £37 per person. For more details and a booking form please call SPRC on 01933 313625 (from outside the UK +44 1933 313625).

 Saunders qualifies second.
28th November: The UK's Wayne Saunders qualified second in his Ford Focus the NOS Pro IV class at the IDRC/NHRA International Finals import race at Pomona Raceway, California. Wayne qualified with an 8.662/152.12 and goes into today's elimination with a bye in round one.

You can keep up to date with events at Pomona on the Import Drag Racing Circuit web site, whose Home Page features a familiar-looking photograph and video clip of Wayne testing at Santa Pod Raceway.

TF Harley World Championship.
28th November: Monique Pels writes with more details of the World Top Fuel Harley Championship which is to be held in Australia in January and February of next year, and which includes four European competitors.

"The competitors are:

From Europe: Rob van Geffen, Ton Pels, Anders Karling and Willem Been; From the USA: John Mancuso, Bill Furr, Mark Connor, Steve Moore and Jim McClure; From Canada: Ron Houniet, Ken Kent, Dave O'Hara, Greg McLean. The Australian participants are still to be announced.

"The schedule for the World Championship will be as follows:

  • ROUND 1 January 29th 2000: Calder Park Raceway Melbourne
  • ROUND 2 February 5th 2000: Willowbank Raceway Brisbane
  • FINALS February 12th 2000: Adelaide International Raceway
"For full details and Rider Profiles see http://www.americandragbike.com/worldseries/index.html."

Monique also has Championship details on her own web site at http://home.wxs.nl/~monique_pels/WORLDC.HTML, and as mentioned on 25th November Ton Pels' web site is also carrying information on the event.

Join the Jet set.
28th November: If you are on the look-out for a jet engine to power your racer or for a track dryer, then James Everett may have the answer. His company specialises in the sale of jet engines, specifically Rolls Royce Viper Mark 102 and 202 and Nimbus Mark 105. Prices start at £1800; you can get more details from James at R.J.Everett@btinternet.com or by phone on 01473 747685 (outside the UK +44 1473 747685). Don't forget to mention that you read it here.

Business as usual.
27th November: Here we are on the new server. Didn't feel a thing, did you? Just a couple of minor things to attend to (I had to disable drivers' news updates and the posting of new ads in the SWAP-MEET among other things) (and I bet Tog and Sharkman have forgotten their passwords!) but otherwise its business as usual. If you come across any broken internal links (ie links to other pages at eurodragster.com) please mail me at webmaster@eurodragster.com. On the other hand, if you find any broken external links (to other web sites) please let Sharkman know at links@eurodragster.com. And don't forget, if you have any news, Tog is eagerly awaiting it at news@eurodragster.com.

New server.
25th November: Eurodragster is moving to a new, bigger and better server. Don't worry, the address will remain the same but unfortunately we'll be unable to update the news until the move is completed. We hope that the new server will cure the service problems we've been suffering lately.

Zodiac update.
25th November: Ton Pels' Zodiac Racing web site is looking even better than ever after a complete overhaul by crew chief Vincent. There's information about the forthcoming World Championship in Australia, a calendar of FIM events for next season, information about the team's sponsors and lots more.

APIRA Online.
25th November: The APIRA (Avon Park International Racers Association) web site goes live with news of the club's AGM and the provisional calendar of events for next season at the newly-rechristened Shakespeare County Raceway. APIRA's Press and Publicity Officer, Jerry Cookson says they plan to use the web site to help distribute news and information to members more quickly and to encourage feedback from members. Knowing Jerry, we're sure the site will soon grow to be a mine of useful information. You'll find the site at http://eurodragster.com/apira/.

European race dates.
25th November: The European Drag Racing Database has been updated with a calendar of European Drag Racing dates for next year. "The calendar is filling up rapidly, and the last count saw thirty one events in eight different European countries" says web master Tommy Nilsson.

As well as the race calendar, the European Drag Racing Database contains lists of European records, personal bests, historical Championship standings and much more, and for us Imperial types you can even set a personal preference for speeds to be displayed in MPH or KMH, which is then remembered on subsequent visits. Check it out at http://www.eurodrag.com.

Henrik Thorén interview.
25th November: The Svensk Dragracing web site has been updated with an interview with Swedish Junior Drag Racer Henrik Thorén. Although officially still a Junior, Henrik has his sights set on doorslammer racing some time soon! See the Svensk site for more.

6.4-second Harley!
25th November: UK Supertwin Top Fuel racer Ben Beneke writes with some amazing news for Harley fans.

"On Saturday November 20th, Johnny Mancuso and the crew of Mancuso Racing Team headed to Houston Raceway Park in Baytown, Texas for a little 'test and tune'. The air was cool and the weather sunny, and he was looking forward to some good passes on one of the fastest tracks in the country, but would he really 'let it all go' on a practice run?

"I guess so, because the first pass was an incredible 6.471 ET at 214.64 MPH. That's right...the first Nitro Harley to go the quarter in less than six and a half seconds! So much for time off in the off-season.

"The full story is at http://www.mancusoracing.com.

"This is on a bike that still runs a single stage clutch, can you imagine the possibilities if they started to use sophisticated multi stage clutches. Four-cylinder Top Fuellers look out!"

Gainesville correction.

Photo (C) 1999 Turbo-Ville
23rd November: Apologies to Brian Johnson for incorrectly stating that he was unopposed in the Top Fuel Final at the AMA/Prostar Z-Max World Finals in our news item on 15th November. In fact his opponent, Tony Lang did make the race. To quote from Ian (Turbo) Turburville's coverage for "Supertwins" and "Freeway" magazines: "Every American watching expected it to be a walkover for previous champion Lang but our Brian was made of sterner stuff and as the green light blinked on that evening he exploded into glory by beating the best in the world with a near perfect run of 6.292 @ 227 mph. Not bad for a home made bike that uses the big ends from a Bedford CF truck!" Not bad indeed, BJ. Tony Lang, we are informed, ran 6.50 in what he had prevoiusly announced was to be his last race before retiring. Many congratulations to BJ and thanks to Ian Turburville for setting the record straight and for sending us the accompanying photo of BJ receiving the trophy. Don't forget you can buy CDs full of Ian's photos of drag bikes from around the world. Email turboville@usa.net for more details.

Kågered's early Christmas present.
22nd November: 1999 FIA European Top Methanol Funny Car Champion, Sweden's Micke Kågered, has purchased a Dodge Avenger TMFC from US racer Bob Newbery. Micke plans to run the car at three NHRA events early next season before shipping it to Europe to run the FIA tour. Full details are available on the Latest News page of the Kagered Racing web site.
  • Drag race teams: Now that the season is over, be sure to let us know what you're up to during the winter so that we can let your fans and sponsors know. Simply E-Mail us at news@eurodragster.com and we will do the rest.
2000 Calendar on sale.
22nd November: The official Santa Pod Racers' Club calendar for 2000 is now available at the reduced price of £5.00 plus £1.50 postage and packing. A perfect Christmas present for drag racing fans, the Calendar features full-colour action photographs of both UK and European racers at Santa Pod Raceway. It is available from SPRC via the following methods:

Credit Card orders:
Phone 01933 313625 (outside the UK +44 1933 313625) or Fax 01933 355558 (+44 1933 355558)

Mail Order:
Santa Pod Racers Club
PO Box 12
Rushden
Northamptonshire
NN10 0ZU
ENGLAND

Cheques payable to Santa Pod Racers Club

Web site is Top Banana.
22nd November: Richard "The Pie Boy" Bell writes to tell us of the launch of his second web site, the official web site of 1999 UK National Super Street Champions Team Top Banana. You can find the Top Banana site at http://members.tripod.com/topbananahome.

FIA Top Methanol weight breaks.
21st November: Thanks to UK Top Methanol Dragster racer Lindsay Deuchar for informing us that the FIA and MSA have adopted the NHRA Top Methanol Dragster and Funny Car weight breaks for European Drag Racing as from next season. In a nutshell, this means quicker and faster Top Methanol performances in Europe next year.

Lindsay and fellow TMD team Turner Racing were amongst those campaigning for this change and deserve congratulations on the eventual result - we say "eventual" advisedly for reasons you will find on the News page of Lindsay's web site, which contains full details on the new weight breaks including a Fax from the FIA.

LA Racing web site moves.
21st November: Still on the subject of Lindsay Deuchar, the LA Racing web site has moved to its own URL at http://www.laracing.co.uk.

Web site updates.
20th November: Swedish Super Comp team Staflund Dragracing have launched a Swedish-language web site featuring news, photo gallery, a team run-down, results, sponsor page and more. You can find Staflund Dragracing at http://w1.910.telia.com/~u91008244/.

A new UK fan site, Drag Torque, features David Nelson's photographs from Santa Pod Raceway, covering a wide range of classes. Drag Torque is at http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/Shop/6122/.

Spikey's fan site again features spectator-side photographs from Santa Pod Raceway, from both this season and previous seasons. Spikey's site is at http://www.tjread.freeserve.co.uk/DragRacing/DragMain.htm.

Finally Eurodragster staffer Sharkman has reorganised his web site Sharkman's Top End Tales so that the Home Page loads more quickly, and has also added a number of video clips from round four of this year's Super Series at Avon Park Raceway. The clips cover Pro Mod, Top Methanol Funny Car and Super Street Car - check 'em out.

Gary keeps his promise.
17th November: Drag racing fan Gary Cottingham has kept his promise to post a 1999 Santa Pod season review on his new web site, which we mentioned on November 9th. Take a look at Gary's review at http://www.garyswebsite.atfreeweb.com.

Server problems.
17th November: As regular readers will no doubt have noticed, we have had problems with the Eurodragster server recently. We are doing everything we can to rectify the problem and we apologise for any inconvenience caused.

Johnson wins, King shocks.
15th November: The UK's Brian Johnson won Top Fuel Bike at the AMA/Prostar World Finals at Gainesville in Florida. Brian took the field with consistent 6.3s in the 220s before running unopposed in the final when Tony Lang didn't make the call.

The UK's Ian King also made headlines by defeating Larry McBride in round one: a couple of weeks back, McBride ran the first ever five by a bike and was the hot favourite both to repeat the feat and to win the event. Ian went out to Brian Johnson in round two.

Germany's Norbert Kutzera qualified 7th in Top Fuel Bike but went out in round one. The UK's Ceri Visick qualified 17th in Pro Stock bike, just seven hundredths off qualifying 16th and making the field. Ken Cooper qualified 31st on his Pro Mod Bike, not making the 16-bike field. Dave Beck qualified 5th in Pro Mod Bike, and went out in round two. Holland's Stan Verheijen qualified 10th in Funny Bike, going out in round two.

Full details are available on Dragbike.com.

Pomona progress.
15th November: The UK's Rob Turner qualified 21st in Federal Mogul (i.e. Top Methanol) Dragster at the NHRA Finals at Pomona, with a 5.895/235.84, not making the 16-car field. Finland's quartet of Stock racers qualified 48th (Pasi Mikkonen), 65th (Jarmo Makkanen), 66th (Martti Luoso) and 67th (Jukka Johannson). Jarmo Markkanen made it to the third round in the all-run field.

Full details are available on NHRA Online.

Svensk update.
15th November: The Svensk Dragracing web site has been updated with some more details on the Finnish Stock contingent's Millennium Tour in the USA, and a short interview with Swedish Super Gas racer Håkan Mattson.

Sporting gesture helps UK bikers.
13th November: In a tremendous sporting gesture, the entire field of Top Fuel Bike racers at the AMA/Prostar Nationals in Gainesville have voted to allow Brian Johnson and Ian King to make three qualifying runs today, to make up for time lost whilst the shipping problem was sorted out yesterday. Ken Cooper is also to be allowed to take an extra qualifying shot on his Pro Mod Bike which was in the same container. Good sportsmanship, guys!

The bikes turned up at the track at 1:00 this morning and everyone finally made it to bed at 4:00.

Check out Dragbike.com for the latest including the progress of Ceri Visick and Dave Beck, and don't forget that you can find news of Rob Turner (TMD) and the Finnish Stock racers at Pomona on NHRA Online.

More Flame and Thunder.
13th November: Photographs and words from the Flame and Thunder Show are showing on two more web sites.

First up is our own Sharkman who has posted a batch of pictures on his site Sharkman's Top End Tales.

You can find a brief report and more pictures on BJ's Drag Racing Pages at http://www.jsjhisted.freeserve.co.uk/. By all accounts, BJ is enjoying his new life as a web master. "As the website has been so successful this year, I should be moving to a new address soon; I haven't enough space. Can I take this opportunity to thank you all for your support this year, we're just not worthy!".

Finally, young race fan Richard "The Pie Boy" Bell has updated his site, which you can find at http://members.tripod.com/richardthepieboy.

The European invasion.
12th November: European racers will be taking part in two large races in the USA this weekend.

UK Super Pro ET racer Wayne Saunders is due to appear at the NHRA Finals at Pomona, as are UK Top Methanol Dragster team Turner Racing, and Finnish Stock racers Jukka Johansson, Martti Luoso, Jarmo Markkanen and Pasi Mikkonen; you can stay in touch with the events at Pomona on NHRA Online.

Gainesville Raceway in Florida sees the AMA/Prostar World Finals. A number of Europeans including the UK's Brian Johnson and Ian King on their Top Fuel Bikes, and Dave Beck on a hired Pro Stock Bike, are at Gainesville. You can keep up with this race via Dragbike.com.

We will bring you any news we receive over the weekend, but please check the above web sites for the numbers since we would only be repeating what you can find there.

Shipping error jeopardises UK effort.
12th November: ...And whilst we were posting the above news item, UK Top Fuel Bike rider Ian King checked in from a bright and sunny Gainesville Raceway with news which could jeopardise the participation of a number of the UK contingent.

"There has been some sort of mix-up in the shipping", he said, "and our bikes are still in their container and stuck in Customs. We hope and pray that the problem is sorted out today so that the bikes can get to the track this afternoon and we will at least be able to qualify tomorrow. If they don't turn up today, then we're in trouble."

Ian has promised to keep us in touch: stay tuned to Eurodragster and Dragbike.com for the latest.

Nemesis' Express wish granted.
11th November: UK Top Methanol Dragster team Nemesis Racing have announced a major uprating of their sponsorship deal with UK firm Express Freight Services.

"We are delighted to be able to increase our involvement with Nemesis Racing", said Malcolm Francis, Managing Director of Express Freight Services. "The positive exposure gained through our association with the team in 1999 exceeded my expectations and I am thrilled that our business will again be represented by such a dedicated and professional organisation in 2000. We look forward to them being major contenders for the 2000 FIA European Top Methanol Championship."

Andy Bissett, head of Marketing for Nemesis Racing, added "Our experiences with Express Freight Services in 1999 proved to be positive for everyone involved and we are very pleased that they have expanded their marketing arrangements with us for next year. We look forward to representing them throughout Europe in 2000."

You can read the full Press Release by clicking on the News link on the Nemesis Racing web site.

Wayne Saunders' USA trip.
11th November: Thanks to "Nitro Si" for sending us a report (and picture) on the progress of UK Super Pro ET racer Wayne Saunders, who is currently demonstrating his new Ford Focus at NHRA races in the USA. Si was at the recent NHRA race in Dallas and takes up the story:

"NHRA said that would let Wayne make two runs. He was scheduled to make one run on Saturday night before the Pro session, but time ran out. The officials then let Wayne run on Sunday, but the car let them down just as it was in the staging beams, with the rpms up ready for the launch: it had a problem which I believe was with the manifold, and did not make it down the track at all. It's a shame, as the car generated a lot of interest, especially when they found out it was a 2.0 litre 4 cylinder motor!"

Speedflow publish online catalogue.
11th November: Our sponsors Speedflow have now published on online catalogue of their high-performance hoses, fittings, adaptors and accessories. The catalogue is highly detailed and includes photographs of every item. Click here to check out the catalogue.

Showtime Flame and Thunder report.
11th November: The official web site of the Showtime Racing UK Fuel FC team has been updated with a report and pictures of the team's appearance at the Flame and Thunder Show. You can find the Showtime web site at http://members.aol.com/sruk/showtime.html.

L-A Motorsport update.
11th November: Another web site update, this time from UK Junior Dragster team L-A Motorsport whose web site has been updated with details of JD parts for sale. You can get details by clicking on the News link on the L-A Motorsport web site.

Bilsport Performance Show.
9th November: The Svensk Dragracing web site is carrying a report and pictures from the recent Bilsport Performance Show. Click here to go directly to the report.

Flame and Thunder report.
9th November: Drag racing fan Gary Cottingham has started his new web site with a brief report and a few pictures from last weekend's Flame and Thunder Show at Santa Pod. Gary promises a 1999 season review shortly, and plans to post full reports next season. Check it out at http://www.garyswebsite.atfreeweb.com.

Flame and Thunder Show.
7th November: Alan Didwell (Car ET) and Phil Pratt (Bike ET) were the open bracket winners at yesterday's season-closing Flame and Thunder Show at Santa Pod Raceway.

Al Didwell had actually gone out in round one, but bought back and won the day by running incredibly close to his dial-in. He met Chris Isaacs in the Final: Chris similarly had gone out in round one and bought back, and had been running right on the numbers for the rest of the day in his street Volvo. Chris also had a huge fan club on the spectator bank cheering his every move. Al ran a perfect 11.08 on an 11.08 dial-in to take the title.

This race was Phil Pratt's first ever competitive outing, the experience garnered from attending just about every Run What You Brung obviously counting for a lot as he ran very consistently all day before taking the money in convincing fashion.

The huge crowd saw some very close racing in both classes. Closest race of the day was between Spencer Tramm in a fifteen-second street Camaro and Super Gas racer Shaun Lathan: after waiting for six seconds, Shaun shot up the track and won the race by eight inches, his terminal speed being almost exactly twice that of Spencer's car.

Barry Sheavills brought the house down by keeping his Top Fueller glued to the track, in the dark, in England, in November, to record a 5.56 half-pass. He recorded 3.2 at 234 mph at half-track, and a 0.887 60-foot time would have been highly respectable even in decent weather.

John Spuffard ran a couple of low sixes in the "Showtime" Fuel FC, on both occasions pedalling at about 330 feet before shutting off at half track.

Mark Newby in the "Split Second" Jet Dragster gave everyone a scare when the parachute failed and he went thirty yards into the field at the bottom of the track. Mark was fine, and a brief look at the car in the pits last night revealed minimal damage.

A Run What You Brung is underway at Santa Pod today, but the UK racing season is well and truly ended.

Turners' run out in Phoenix.
7th November: UK Top Methanol Dragster team Turner Racing have been at Firebird Raceway in Phoenix, USA, this weekend giving their new Bob Meyer chassis its first run out. Rob Turner put in runs of 6.408/227.23 and then 6.005/238.09 to qualify fifteenth. As this divisional race runs an eight-car field, the Turners are now packing up and on their way to Pomona for next weekend's Finals. But a 6.005 and a high speed on what was only the second full run of the new car, and in unfamiliar conditions, bodes well.

 Facelifts and Challenges.
5th November: German Super Street Bike record holder Rudi Thurmayr has a completely new web site at http://www.thurmayr.de/dragrace. The new web site of "Der Stahl" is beautifully designed and features news and a mine of information, a Photo Gallery, Links and much more. A lot of the text is in English as well as German - Bike fans miss this site at their peril.

Meanwhile Rudi's team boss Peter Calwer of dragsterracing.de (another essential web site) tells us that plans are afoot for a European Super Street Bike Challenge in 2000; he mentions having had "a lot of fun with the UK racers" at the European Finals. Anyone who has passed the Super Street Bike pits at day's end of any race this year may wonder whether an SSB Challenge is just an excuse for a huge party, but to say so publically would be indiscreet of us. Eurodragster wishes good luck to Peter and everyone involved in organising the Challenge: Super Street Bike is a rapidly growing class, and another pan-European competition can only be good for the sport. Peter will keep us informed, and we will of course pass on whetever we hear.

Our day out.
5th November: Speaking of parties, the Eurodragster team will not be posting race-day reports from tomorrow's Flame and Thunder Show at Santa Pod Raceway. It's been a long season and we figured that you, our faithful readership, would forgive us if we took a day off just this once to sit back and watch some racing.

We will post a brief report after the event.

Top Fuel Team Switzerland!
3rd November: Swiss Top Methanol Dragster driver - now former TMD driver - Peter Beck has announced the acquisition of a Top Fuel Dragster. "The Beck race team is dead!", says crew member Horst Pauli, "From now on we will be called Top Fuel Team Switzerland".

Some of the team will be flying to California next week to attend the NHRA Finals at Pomona, and no doubt will pick up parts and expertise whilst there.

Horst has promised that Peter Beck's current web site will undergo a facelift during the off-season, and that he will keep us informed of developments.

Grumpies now entertaining guests.
3rd November: Meanwhile, Peter's ex-competitors in TMD, Team Nemesis, have updated their web site with the latest news from the team and the addition of a Guest Book. Andy Bissett, crew member and the web site's news editor, is positively encouraging controversial Guest Book entries: "We certainly need a few laughs with 'Grumpy' as a driver and 'Grumpy 2' as a crew chief", he says.

Trophy presentation: all invited.
3rd November: The winners and runners-up in this year's UK National Drag Racing Championships will be presented with their trophies at Santa Pod Raceway during the Run What You Brung this Sunday (7th November). A private luncheon for racers and their guests will be taking place at 1:00 pm, after which the start line marquee (also known as the beer tent) will be opened to all comers to attend the trophy presentation, which is scheduled to commence at 2:00.

Entry to the track on Sunday is £8, with an additional £10 payable if you want to take advantage of the RWYB to make passes down the track (if so, then don't forget your full DVLC licence).

McBride slams down the gauntlet.
2nd November: Drag bike racer, journalist and photographer Ian Turburville (aka "Turbo") writes with news of Larry McBride's amazing 5.99 sec/243 mph run on his Top Fuel Bike in Houston at the weekend. We at Eurodragster thought that we had seen more or less everything when Brian Johnson ran 6.12/234 on his Top Fuel Bike at the European Finals, but BJ, Ian King and the rest of the European contingent at the AMA/Prostar World Finals at Gainesville in November really have had the ante upped. "Larry had hoped that he would do it in front of the bike fans at the World Finals, but conditions were just right so he went for it" says Turbo.

Ever the Harley lover, Turbo also mentions Dave Feazell's 7.696 on petrol on his Harley Pro Stock Bike, also at Houston. "If you can't be in Gainesville to congratulate these guys yourself, then have no fear, Turbo will bring you a complete report and you can follow the action on dragbike.com", he says, gallantly committing himself to keeping us up-to-date with developments at Gainesville since none of the Eurodragster team can afford to go.

Meanwhile, Turbo himself is the subject of a biography currently showing on dragbike.com; check it out at http://www.dragbike.com/news/102799g.htm.

Kill those rumours - buy a new race car.
2nd November: Magnus of Swedish Pro Stock Team Malmgren Racing writes to quash retirement rumours (which we at Eurodragster hadn't heard anyway), and with news of a new arrival in the camp.

"All the rumours saying that Malmgren Racing will quit drag racing couldn't be more wrong", he writes. "To meet the challenge in 2000, we have this week ordered a brand new Chevy Camaro from Jerry Bickel. As you know, our faithful Oldsmobile is for sale, and as that car is loaded with options, all we could do was to fill in all the options list and get a car that will meet the new demands that we have. The old car is very good but this is the first time that we will have had have a brand new race car, and this fact is a great motivation for a bunch of old guys! This along with our Bob Ingles engine programme makes us confident about the future. The Camaro is also Y2K-compliant!"

Magnus also confirms that the co-operation between Malmgren Racing and Ferrer Racing will continue into next year.

SPR calendar changes.
2nd November: There have been some minor changes to next year's race calendar at Santa Pod Raceway. Amongst the changes are a "Saturday Night Special" added on April 1st, the Thunderball is now three days, the Big Bang VW event in May has moved to the following weekend, and the National Sprint Association is planning two motorcycle sprints. Full details are available by clicking on the Race Calendar icon on Santa Pod's web site.

Flame and Thunder Show preview.
1st November: The UK drag racing season closes this weekend with the Flame and Thunder Show at Santa Pod Raceway on Saturday (6th November). This race is always a classic end-of-term event, with not just drag racing but a bonfire and firework display, stunts, and other "happenings" which can only go under the heading of downright stupidity. In fact, something for all the family!

The drag racing at the Flame and Thunder Show takes the form of two brackets: all the cars race together, regardless of class, and similarly all the bikes race together. Everyone sets their own dial-in, and buy-backs are allowed after the first round. This very popular form of racing leads to some great pairings; it will not be unusual on Saturday to see a Super Comp or Super Pro car having to sit at the Tree for an age whilst a Sportsman ET car takes a huge head start.

At time of writing, 28 cars, 36 bikes and 5 Junior Dragsters are entered. All entry fees go into the prize fund, and the following sponsors have also put up money, vouchers or goods: Cambridge Motorcycles, Cooper Motorcycles, Dave Eady's American Parts Centre, Hauser Racing, Hoosier Tyres (via Wheelgame Racing), Chris Isaacs Race Cars, Kathy's Café and Andy Robinson Race Cars.

Other attractions include a demonstration run by Barry Sheavills in his Top Fuel Dragster ("Don't expect 300 mph though!", says Barry); Fuel Funny Car match racing between John Spuffard and Gordon Smith (Showtime UK Crew Chief Bob Jarrett tells us that he expects his car to make two runs); demonstration runs by Al Smith on his Top Fuel Harley; demonstration runs by Keith Deal in the newly-renamed Eightrage Volkswagen Beetle "Funny Car" (now sporting a blown alcohol engine); the jet vehicles of Martin Hill (Fireforce), Colin Fallows (Vampire), Mark Newby (Split Second), Ron Picardo (both trucks) and Steve Murty (Pirelli Jet Truck); and Steve Murty's wheelie truck.

Now, didn't we say "downright stupidity"? Yes, this year sees the return of the highly popular motorised Shed, Sofa and Orange, this time joined by a motorised Bathroom Suite (we are not making this up), Roller Boot and Dodgem Car. You don't believe us, do you. Well, all we can say is go along to SPR and see for yourself.

Eurodragster will not be posting live reports from the racing on Saturday, since we figured that after a long season we deserved a day's holiday. Don't discount some sort of surprise, though.

More details, including ticket prices, are available by clicking on the Next Event button on Santa Pod Raceway's web site.

Lantz web site moves.
1st November: 1999 Swedish Top Fuel Tour Champion Peter Lantz has moved his web site to a new, simpler address. You can now find the PLR Motorsports web site at http://www.plr.nu.


Earlier news


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