European Drag Racing News

Kågered drops 2003 bombshell.
30th December: FIA European Top Methanol Funny Car Champion and Swedish Top Fuel Tour Champion Micke Kågered has included a bombshell in the announcement of the team's plans for 2003. After driving both the Bacho Tools Top Fueller and the Quaker State Top Methanol FC for two seasons, Micke has decided to concentrate exclusively on the Top Fuel seat for 2003 and to hand the controls of the Top Methanol FC to four-time FIA European Pro Stock Champion Niclas Andersson.

"Several options had been on hand over the last few months, but in the end this seems like the most attractive solution to us", says Micke Kågered. "I already stated before end of the 2002 season that it was my last year as pilot of two cars. I have just recently decided that I want to drive a Top Fueller again, and I could not think of anyone better to ask to drive my Funny Car than Niclas. My crew liked and supported the idea right from the start, and we are all looking forward to including Niclas in our team from now on!"

Niclas, 30, lives in Näsviken Sweden was the driver of Jonas Larsson's McDonalds-sponsored Pro Stocker between 1998 and 2001. He won the FIA European in all four seasons in which he competed in the class. Although he had a very competent team around him, the statistics tell a great deal about his ability as a driver as well. Niclas was thrilled when Micke Kågered called him and asked if he was interested in driving the TMFC for Team Kågered in 2003. He said that it is his best Christmas gift, and that it did not take him long to accept the offer.

"I definitely see this opportunity as a big challenge", says Niclas. "To drive for one of the most successful teams in Europe and to have Micke Kågered as my teacher is the best scenario imaginable for me! Top Methanol Funny Car is one of the hottest classes with great performance, large starting fields and very tough competition and I like that! Once I get to know the car and feel confident driving it I hope to give the more establised drivers a real good match."

Micke Kågered is still suffering from the back injuries he got in the Top Fuel accident in England three months ago, but he expects to be fully recovered by the time the race season 2003 starts. Explaining his reasons for choosing the Top Fuel drive again, Micke says: "I have achieved so much with my Methanol Funny Car already - set records and won the championship several times. In Top Fuel I still have much to achieve. Although I have won the Swedish Top Fuel Tour twice I have not had a go at the whole FIA championship series in Top Fuel yet - so that is what I would like to focus on next season.

"From what I hear there is going to be a good field in Top Fuel in 2003, with a majority of the teams running the full FIA series. My team really want to give European Champion Kim Reymond and co the best match we can, and I look forward to piloting Knut Söderqvist's new car which has just arrived in England from the USA. I looked at the car when I was in the US and in my opinion it is a very fine car. It will be a new and exciting experience for me to watch someone else drive my Funny Car, although it may take a while for me to get used to it!"

You can read more on the Kågered Racing web site at www.kagered-racing.com.
©Eurodragster.com
More on Obsession's return.
30th December: If you were tuned in on 21st December you wil have read about the Gibbs family's plans for the return of the Obsession Camaro, which previously ran in Super Gas but which is now headed for Super Modified and ultimately Pro Modified. Driver Craig Gibbs has been in touch with more details about the return of Obsession.

"As you know, the car is currently sitting in the 'Specialists in Designs' workshop in Great Yarmouth, the home of Sharon and Jon Hogarth", says Craig. "The original plan was just to spruce the old girl up with a few modifications and a lick of paint, and to run Super Gas again. This soon changed after a visit from John Atkinson convinced us to do a little more than just a spruce-up.

"It was decided that the car would be prepared for Super Modified. The car - what's left of it - is now undergoing a complete makeover. The chassis is being built to Pro Mod spec with the inclusion of double frame rails and is being constructed in chromoly. The body is also receiving the SID treatment and should hopefully look a little more muscular when it's finished. Although Super Modified rules have a limit on the wheel/tyre size, the car is being built with the step up to Pro Mod in mind by allowing enough room to squeeze the larger wheels and tyres under the arches, should the time come.
©Eurodragster.com
"The body is now off the original chassis, which is for sale - see Swap Meet for more details: photos can be E-Mailed if anyone is interested. It was sad to see the empty shell sitting on the floor of SID's workshop, we have had the car for twelve years now and she is firmly part of the family, which is why we wanted to keep the identity of Obsession by re-using the body. The great thing about Jon and Sharon's operation is that everything can literally be handled in-house, from the initial chassis build, to the final coat of paint, which makes life a lot easier for us.

"The engine and transmission combination is as yet undecided. The way that the Super Modified rules work, I think that we will wait to get some idea of the car's likely weight before making a final decision on the drivetrain.

"If all goes to plan, the car should be ready by the end of May. We will of course keep everyone updated with the progress over the next couple of months."

Stay tuned for more details. In the mean time, Craig asked us to pass on best wishes for a Happy New Year and a great year's racing from everyone at Obsession Racing and Obsession Motorsports.

SPRC Perpetual Awards week 4.
30th December: Voting is still open for Best-Looking Car, Best-Looking Bike, Most Professional-Appearing Team, and the Alex Brachtvogel Memorial Trophy in the 2002 Santa Pod Racers Club Perpetual Awards. Keep those votes coming!

This week we are pleased to reveal the SPRC Committee's shortlist for the James Edgar Memorial Trophy, which is awarded for outstanding performance by a Crew Chief. This year's shortlist includes the Crew Chiefs of UK National, club and series Champions as well as European and UK ET and speed record holders.

The Committee's shortlist for the James Edgar Memorial Trophy is as follows (in alphabetical order):

Andy Bissett, American Car Imports Racing Top Methanol Dragster (driver Dave Wilson)

Dave Crunkhorn (aka Crunch), Martyn Jones' Super Pro ET Dragster

Chris Hannam (aka Cannon), Neil Midgley's Funny Bike

Maureen McKeown, Not Fade Away Super Gasser (driver Frank Mason)

Kev Perkins, Steelcraft Site Services Super Modified (driver Danny Cockerill)

We have set up a special page for the SPRC Perpetual Awards, which is updated every week as each category is announced. This week we have added the above list with voting links. You can view the SPRC Awards page and submit your vote by clicking here, or by clicking on the SPRC Perpetual Awards Vote link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster page.
©Eurodragster.com
Alternately, if you already know for whom you would like to vote then you can send an E-Mail to sprcawards@eurodragster.com, specifying SPRC James Edgar Memorial Trophy as the subject, and the Crew Chief for which you are voting in the body of the mail.

One vote per E-Mail address will be accepted for each award, so if you have already voted for Best-Looking Car and/or Bike and Most Professional-Appearing Team then you can still vote for a Crew Chief.

The Alex Brachtvogel Memorial Trophy was first awarded to Santa Pod Raceway's late Chief Marshal, Alex Brachtvogel, in 2001 to mark his outstanding contribution to Santa Pod Raceway and the sport as a whole. After Alex's death the trophy was named in his memory and continues to be awarded for contribution to drag racing. The staff of Eurodragster.com were privileged to be presented with this award in 2002.

There is no shortlist for the Alex Brachtvogel trophy. Readers are invited to submit nominations which can be for racers, race officials, track and safety crews, club officials, media, or anyone else who has contributed to the sport. To make a nomination, send an E-Mail to sprcawards@eurodragster.com, specifying SPRC Alex Brachtvogel Trophy as the subject, and your nomination in the body of the mail. All nominations will be considered by the SPRC Committee.

The next shortlist will be published next Monday (6th January).

Autosport outing for Wildside TF.
29th December: The Wildside Inc Top Fuel Dragster will roll out of the trailer for the first time in 2003 at next week's Autosport International at the NEC. Goodyear Tyres recently confirmed that they would like the car on their stand at the show next weekend (10th-12th January).

"Santa didn't bring our wish of a major sponsor for Christmas", says Lesley Wright, "so it's looking like the 2003 season will be just for the fun of it again. We bought a ten and a half inch rear end from Rune Fjeld which will be installed in time for the Main Event, the chassis rules have changed and, I believe, the rear wing will need upgrading and the dreaded belly pan will have to be installed. We had already installed the front impact bars last year so we got a bit ahead of the game. We might even get the computer fitted this year as we need some extra weight, as some of the other Top Fuel cars may need to do to be compliant with the rules.
©Eurodragster.com
"From what we've heard there are going to be a good few Top Fuel cars operating from England next year and most could make the whole FIA European Tour. If we can't join them the car will be available to attend shows and events, promoting drag racing and our product sponsors wherever we can. Show organisers can contact me at lesley.wright@ntlworld.com.

"We are grateful for the support which has been confirmed so far for 2003. Goodyear have supplied tyres, Flint Insurance of Bexley the transporter insurance, Fisher Financial of Northampton the transport costs, and Cambridge Motor Sport the machine work. One extra decal on the car at Autosport may give a clue of a new important addition to the team's ability to give more than race-day exposure to potential sponsors."

Lesley refuses to say any more about the mystery decal. "You'll have to come along to the show to find out!", she says, adding "the Wildside Team wish everyone a Happy New Drag Racing Year!".

Top Fuel Bike off-the-shelf.
28th December: If you were tuned in last Friday you will have read about Jon Webster's new company Webster Race Engineering. In the news item was mention of a jig for Top Fuel Bike chassis; Fuel bike builder and tuner Frank Brachtvogel has been in touch with more details about a scheme to produce off-the-shelf Top Fuel Bikes.

"Jon will be building Top Fuel Bike chassis to a new design by Pete Davies of Puma", says Frank. "The chassis is designed to allow an engine change within about forty five minutes - the engine can be lifted out of the top of the frame. Pete is designing engine plates to fit any type of engine to this chassis, the plates will be the same width whatever the engine."

Frank tells us that there is a lot of interest in this new design from the USA, because almost everyone uses Pete Davies' equipment. No less a person than Larry McBride will be promoting the new bikes in the USA. "Larry and I go back years, and he is very interested", says Frank. "He'll be the sole importer so everyone will only have to go to one person."

Of course, the bikes will not only be for export to the USA; if you are interested then you can get full details from Frank Brachtvogel on 01536 791935 (outside the UK +44 1536 791935).
©Eurodragster.com
Whilst we were speaking to Frank we asked about his involvement with Jon Morton and Chris Hannam's Top Fuel Bike, which he and brother Phil built (and about which we also wrote last Friday), and when we would be seeing Frank and Phil back on the track with their own bike. "I will be overseeing Jon and Cannon - mainly watching and giving advice", says Frank. "Phil and I are putting together a Top Fuel Bike similar to Jon's bike, it is to the 'off-the-shelf' design and so will make a good demonstrator. We will however be running a different engine to Jon. We'll have some of the latest parts from Larry McBride and we will have the latest design of Bentec transmission (by Supertwin Top Fuel Bike racer Per Bengtsson - Ed). We also have one of our old bikes which we may put together and run in 2003. It will run sixes quite easily although nowadays you have to run low sixes!"

Stay tuned for more details from the Brachtvogel pit.

Teamscreem take to the track.
28th December: A new 9.90 Bike and 10.90 Bike team will be fielding no less than five bikes in the UK in 2003. Three longtime racers and two rookies make up the Teamscreem outfit.
©Eurodragster.com
Teamscreem consists of 9.90 Bike racers Steve Ashby on his GSX 1260 with turbo and gas, Neil Curtis on a freshly-built 1246cc nitrous-equipped Bandit, and Richard Amos on the Turn On, Tune In, Breakout nitrous GSXR 1100M; new boys Peter Upton and 'Dave' will be racing what a team spokesman describes as "A GSXR 750 monstrosity and a Kawasaki GPZ 1170 respectively". We are promised further updates "As the Christmas hangovers pass".

Teamscreem have asked us to wish all the racers, officials and especially the spectators ("because we're all publicity liggers!") a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Less Growling in 2003.
28th December: UK Wild Bunch racer Mark Turton had a real time of it in 2002, with an early-season top end roll followed by a crash programme to field a replacement altered. Mark tells us that unfortunately it has all caught up with him and that we will be seeing a lot less of Growler in 2003.

"With the extent of damage back in April, and a quick turn around to get back to the strip with a second car, finances are now drained", says Mark. "With money and parts owing to people, my partner Philippa and I have regrettably decided that we will not be racing a full season in 2003. However we may possibly attend a couple of events.

"Like many others, we don't have any real substantial sponsors, only supporters who help where they can. Many of the Wild Bunch are budget racers and race from their own means. Those guys help to keep a growing sport improving all the time. Time out during 2003 will give us enough time to repay those owed and plan for 2004.
©Eurodragster.com
"This comes as a double hit for us. In 2003 we were looking to have a three and a half-car field from the Dog Squad Drag Racing Team which would of been the first of its kind. However this won't be stopping Scott, Zak and Nick competing and showing. I hear that Scott is intending to return in style attending as many races and shows as possible. We will still be at events during the year, however more on a relaxed level and of course helping the others as best we can.

"So all the best to the others for 2003, and we will see you back on the strip competitively in 2004 - in the rear view mirrors which we will be fitting!"

The Dog Squad web site at www.growlerracing.co.uk is currently undergoing a redesign but Mark tells us that it will be updated with news as it becomes available.

New Banana power.
28th December: The UK's Championship-winning Top Banana Pro ET and Super Street roadster is to be treated to a new engine for the 2003 season writes Brian Huxley, who shares driving duties with son Lee. The roadster's current two engines have put in twelve years' faithful service including a couple of rebuilds apiece.

"One of the engines dropped a valve at the Super Series Fallnationals", says Brian. "That engine did the same at Santa Pod in 1990 when it was in the Can Do Challenger Super Gasser - the only time we have ever put any oil down. The car will also have a new torque converter, the one we have is also getting old."
©Eurodragster.com
Brian says that he and Lee are looking at swapping classes in 2003, to see how it goes. "A Happy New Year from the Top Banana team", he adds.

You can find the Top Banana web site at www.topbanana.home-page.org.

Operation: Street Legal a success.
24th December: The efforts of Holland's Operation: Street Legal in 2002 paid off, says OSL President Don Leemker. Operation: Street Legal works along the same lines as the similarly-named NHRA series which aims to take racing off the street and onto the strip where it belongs.

"In 2003 we will have a nine-race calendar for the street cars in Holland", says Don."The races will be held at Drachten airstrip and at the TT circuit at Assen. The events around the races will be setup by VDB Car Events, who will also take care of the promotional side. The Dutch Hot Rod Association will be running the races from an operational point of view."
©Eurodragster.com
"With over four hundred racers in the Netherlands alone, we are confident that it will be a spectacular series to start racing with your street car."

Don also tells us that the 2003 Operation: Street Legal series is to covered in a new magazine called Auto-Maxx. You can find more details about OSL on the series' official web site at www.oslracing.com, and you can also read more at www.auto-maxx.nl. Details of a German Operation: Street Legal will be posted in January.

Web site updates.
24th December: The official web site of Swedish Top Methanol Funny Car racer Leif Andréasson has been updated with a printable 2003 calendar. "The calendar has photos from the 2002 season, and FIA Racing days and crew members' birthdays are included", says Anders Magnusson. You can get directly to the calendar at www.andreassonmotorsports.com/calendar_2003.htm.

Carl Wadkin-Snaith has posted another feature on his superb Fang web site. "The new page features two rotary-valve four-stroke engines, carved from solid, under construction in Australia", says Carl. "Click on the link from the home page, and scroll to the bottom of the Fours page to access the photos". You can find Carl's web site at www.thefang.co.uk.
©Eurodragster.com
Drag Racing Unplugged IV.
24th December: As has become traditional on our last pre-Christmas update, we have posted the season's best quotes from Eurodragster's event coverage to give you some reading material whilst we are on our Christmas break. Drag Racing Unplugged IV, the 2002 collection, is now available.

Click here to view Drag Racing Unplugged IV, or click on the Event Coverage link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster page. Enjoy!
©Eurodragster.com
A Christmas present from Sharkman.
24th December: Eurodragster staffer Sharkman has updated his personal web site Sharkman's Top End Tales with a Christmas present in the form of a screensaver featuring his photographs from the 2002 season. The self-installing screensaver comes in three flavours: full-fat (the entire collection), Cars and Bikes. You can download Sharkman's screensaver at www.topendtales.com.
©Eurodragster.com
Eurodragster's Christmas break.
24th December: We will now be taking our Christmas break, although we will only be gone until Saturday (28th December). Keep those news items coming in to news@eurodragster.com and we will post them on Saturday.

Some readers have asked what sort of things Sharkman and Tog put on their Christmas lists. We are happy to oblige:

Top of Sharkman's Christmas list: A '69 Cuda or Challenger with a 383 in it. Of course if it happened to have a 440 and six pack or a Hemi then I wouldn't say no!

Top of Tog's Christmas list: A Chrysler Grand Voyager to use as an office at races.

And for those who wonder about our New Year resolutions:

Sharkman: To stick to giving up smoking - I've managed six months so far. And to race at the Flame and Thunder Show (kind of dependent on Santa bringing me the Dodge, that one!).

Tog: To string up copyright thieves from the bottom of Race Control at Santa Pod Raceway.

See you on Saturday!
©Eurodragster.com
Andrews family in the Purple.
23rd December: The UK's Andrews family will be fielding four cars in 2003, all in the colours of new sponsor Purple Loans and associated charity Purple Dreams. A Top Fuel Dragster to be driven by newly-licenced Chris Andrews, a Fuel Funny Car driven by Smax Smith, the family's 1955 Ford Customline to be driven in Sportsman ET by Malcolm Forbes, and a Junior Dragster to be driven by Smax Smith's children Ronan and Aidan make up the team which will have its official unveiling at Autosport International at Birmingham's NEC in January.

As their name suggests Purple Loans, part of Midlands and General Finance, arrange finance including mortgages and personal loans. What sets this company apart is that a proportion of each loan deal is donated to the charity Purple Dreams, which aids terminally-ill children. "Purple Loans finance the entire administration of the charity, so every penny which Purple Dreams receives goes directly to the children and their families and helpers", says Chris' dad Vince Andrews. "All four cars will be in Purple Dreams colours - although the Top Fueller is not sponsored we will be carrying the charity colours anyway whilst we work on finance for that car". In addition the team will be donating half of the profits from their merchandising sales to Purple Dreams.
VERY ©Eurodragster.com...Happy Christmas :-)
Twenty-year-old Chris Andrews will be contesting the entire FIA European Top Fuel Championship Tour in 2003, as well as other races. "We will be running at every event possible", says Vince. "We will contest every race for Top Fuel and if people want us at other events then we will run there if we can. We also have a dream to race at NHRA events - we are aiming high from day one!"

Vince tells us that the Top Fuel Dragster, purchased by Knut Söderquist of Carbon By Design (as he revealed here on 30th November - Ed), is a very nice piece of work. "Knut has put together one hell of a car", he says. "It has the very latest specs and is ahead of everything. If anyone else has done as much work on a car in the off-season then they've got one hell of a hot rod!". Vince is also very pleased with the design of the cars. "Brilliant - the graphics are just great!", he says. We hope for a first look at the designs of the cars very shortly.

Vince is very grateful indeed to his family for their support. "My wife Cindy and daughter Finola have to put up with a lot of crap, but Chris and I couldn't do it without them" he says. "Chris also has his guardian angel, Bev at Shakespeare County Raceway."
©Eurodragster.com...We're watching you
The Top Fueller is to be unveiled at Autosport International on Saturday 11th January, but that may not be the only car of the Purple Loans team to attend the Show. "We may take the other cars if they are ready in time", says Vince, "even if there's no room for them indoors we will have them out in the car park or something". Stay tuned for more news of that and for a first look at the design of the cars.

Deuchar to sit out 2003.
23rd December: From the wilds of Yorkshire comes the unwelcome news that UK Top Methanol Dragster racer Lyndsay Deuchar has decided to sit out the 2003 season. The occasionally-mispronounced and entirely self-financed racer, who does not receive even product sponsorship, took several hits in 2002 and so will be taking next year to pursue funding efforts ready to burst back onto the scene in 2004. The car is currently being rebuilt for display at shows in 2003.

You can find more details on the LA Racing web site at www.laracing.co.uk.
©Eurodragster.com
SPRC Perpetual Awards week 3.
23rd December: The Committee of Santa Pod Racers Club have asked us to pass on their thanks to everyone who has so far sent in votes for the SPRC Perpetual Awards. Voting is still open for Best-Looking Car, Best-Looking Bike, and the Alex Brachtvogel Memorial Trophy.

This week we are pleased to reveal the SPRC Committee's shortlist for Most Professional-Appearing Team.

The Most Professional-Appearing Team trophy rewards not just the presentation of a race vehicle but the team's overall approach to racing. As well as a well-turned-out car or bike, the Committee have considered such aspects as the appearance and attitude of team personnel, the organisation and appearance of their pit area and support equipment, and their readiness when their class is called.

The Committee's shortlist for Most Professional-Appearing Team is as follows (in alphabetical order):

Dave Cherrett and team, Dark Revenger Super Street Ford Model A Van

Ricky Emms and team, Cool Green Racing Junior Dragster

Steve Johnson and team, Motor Mouse Super Pro ET dragster

Neil Midgley and team, Funny Bike

Malcolm Motler and team, Spellbound Pro ET Morris Minor pick-up

We have set up a special page for the SPRC Perpetual Awards, which will be updated every week as each category is announced. This week we have added the above list, with voting links, added to the Best-Looking Car and Best-Looking Bike shortlists. You can view the SPRC Awards page and submit your vote by clicking here, or by clicking on the SPRC Perpetual Awards Vote link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster page.
©Eurodragster.com
Alternately, if you already know for whom you would like to vote then you can send an E-Mail to sprcawards@eurodragster.com, specifying SPRC Most Professional-Appearing Team as the subject, and the team for which you are voting in the body of the mail.

One vote per E-Mail address will be accepted for each award, so if you have already voted for Best-Looking Car and/or Bike then you can still vote for a team.

The Alex Brachtvogel Memorial Trophy was first awarded to Santa Pod Raceway's late Chief Marshal, Alex Brachtvogel, in 2001 to mark his outstanding contribution to Santa Pod Raceway and the sport as a whole. After Alex's death the trophy was named in his memory and continues to be awarded for contribution to drag racing. The staff of Eurodragster.com were privileged to be presented with this award in 2002.

There is no shortlist for the Alex Brachtvogel trophy. Readers are invited to submit nominations which can be for racers, race officials, track and safety crews, club officials, media, or anyone else who has contributed to the sport. To make a nomination, send an E-Mail to sprcawards@eurodragster.com, specifying SPRC Alex Brachtvogel Trophy as the subject, and your nomination in the body of the mail. All nominations will be considered by the SPRC Committee.

The next shortlist will be published next Monday (30th December).

'Twas the update before Christmas...
23rd December: There will be one more news update on Eurodragster, tomorrow (Tuesday 24th), before we take our traditional Christmas break. If you have any news or a seasonal greeting which you would like posted before Christmas, then please E-Mail news@eurodragster.com or christmas@eurodragster.com respectively before 22:00 UK time tonight.
©Eurodragster.com
Brogan back Berry return.
21st December: UK 9.90 Bike racer Ian Berry is to return to the track in 2003 with sponsorship from Brogan Scaffolding. Ian has taken some time away from the strip but is eager to start again.
©Eurodragster.com
"I hope to compete the full season in 2003", says Ian. "I would like to thank James Brogan for the support all last year testing the bike ready for 2003. I would also like to thank my long-time friend Grumpy (Paul Watson - Ed) for all his help in setting the bike up."

SPRC to present UK Champions.
21st December: The 2002 UK National Drag Racing Champions are to be presented with their trophies at the Santa Pod Racers Club Dinner Dance on Saturday 8th February. The UK Championship presentations usually alternate between the SPRC and Avon Park International Racers Association, but the Super Series Presentation Night, which would have feted this season's UK Champions, is now not taking place due to circumstances beyond the control of organisers Obsession Motorsports.

Representatives of Avon Park International Racers Association will attend the SPRC Dinner Dance to take part in the presentation of National Championship trophies to racers.
©Eurodragster.com
It is not too late to book tickets for the SPRC Dinner Dance, which takes place at the Bedford Moat House Hotel on 8th February. Tickets are £25 for the meal and £30 per person for a room in the hotel. You can find more details on the booking form which is available on the Entry Forms page of the SPRC web site at www.eurodragster.com/sprc. SPRC Club Secretary Paula Marshall tells us that given the time of year she is perfectly happy to accept post-dated cheques with booking forms.

Obsession Motorsports tell us that they had spent quite some time sourcing a venue and making other arrangements for a Presentation Night incorporating APIRA and UK National Championship awards, but that they had not been made aware by APIRA of the change of plan for the UK trophy presentation, which made the Super Series event unviable (more on the Pit Lane Gossip page of the King Racing web site at www.kingracing.com). "We deeply apologise to all racers, marshals and APIRA members for any inconvenience this may have caused for arrangements to collect their well-deserved trophies", says Terry Gibbs. "We are currently looking at ways to present the Super Series Champions with their awards". Stay tuned for details.

UK Riders' and Drivers' important info.
21st December: Further to Sunday's news about the UK Riders' and Drivers' Meeting, which takes place on Sunday 23rd February, Santa Pod Racers Club Secretary Paula Marshall has been in touch to with an important piece of information concerning the agenda. Paula tells us that it has been agreed between APIRA and SPRC that should a racer submitting an item for the agenda not attend the Riders' and Drivers' Meeting, then that item will not be discussed. Check out the news item of 15th December for more details of the Meeting.
©Eurodragster.com
Obsession venue search goes on...
21st December: Obsession Motorsports are continuing their search for a new UK venue for drag racing. Terry and Tina Gibbs, who organised Super Series events at Shakespeare County Raceway until the end of the 2002 season, are now offering an incentive for help in identifying a new track.

"We want to make it clear that Obsession Motorsports have not turned their backs on the sport", says Terry Gibbs. "We are still trying to pursue tracks to the extent that anyone who gets in touch to suggest a venue will receive a financial reward from us when the first event takes place."

Obsession Motorsports are also offering sponsorship to racers, tracks or clubs for the 2003 season. "We had a large amount of money put by to invest in Shakespeare County Raceway next year", says Terry. "Now that we are no longer organising events there, we would like to put that money back into the sport in some other way. We will be helping Andy Carter with his Top Fuel Dragster but if any racer, track or club would like to approach us with a genuine, sensible sponsorship proposal then we will give it every consideration."
©Eurodragster.com
Terry added that Obsession Motorsports do have plans to be involved in at least one event in 2003, and promised more details as soon as they are available.

If you would like to suggest a venue, or if you would like to approach Obsession Motorsports with a sponsorship proposal, then you can contact Obsession on 01483 236262 or by E-Mail at superseries@eurodragster.com.

...whilst Obsession prepares for return.
21st December: Whilst talking with Terry we asked about the Obsession Camaro, which he and son Craig drove in Super Gas. Terry said that provisional plans for 2003 are to run in a couple of rounds of Super Modified at Santa Pod Raceway; the main focus will be to race at European tracks, although in which class is not as yet decided. "If all goes well in 2003 then we may step up to Pro Mod", said Terry. "The car will need a few more updates but it won't be far off being Pro Mod spec in 2003. The car is currently at Jon Hogarth's Specialist in Design workshops being totally revamped, and will hopefully be ready around April or May. Jeff Bull is working with us on the engine and drive train side. We are not going to sit on the shelf!"
©Eurodragster.com
Web site updates.
21st December: Ulf Stadig of NDRS Bilsport Pro Modified Champions Veidec Racing/Nilsson Motorsports tells us that he has updated the team's web site at www.nilssonmotorsports.com. "We have been out of shape since we came back home from the USA, but right now it feels that we are on our way again", says Ulf. "We have just posted a race report and two photo galleries on our web site. Since our Veidec Camaro was delayed, we had time to do things which we are not normally able to do when we are over there. Those pictures can be seen in the Travel gallery, whilst the Race gallery is just pure racing with pictures from various places dedicated to drag racing."
©Eurodragster.com
Webster sets up race shop.
20th December: After a seven-year association with Hauser Race Cars, Jon Webster has resigned his position as Workshop Manager to start up his own business.

Webster Race Engineering will open the doors of their four thousand square foot facility, located directly off the A45 in Rushden and just a few miles from Santa Pod, in early January. Jon will be serving the industry to the best of his ability using the latest high tech equipment, offering full design and construction of any configuration of vehicle, from mild street custom to all classes of motor sport, including drag racing and circuit racing. Construction has already started on jigs for Top Fuel Bike chassis which will be exported to the USA.

As anyone who has been around the sport for a while will know, Jon has been responsible for the design and construction of some of the highest-profile cars in the sport, as well as numerous Championship-winning combinations in many classes. Along with his staff - including John McIntyre, another name familiar to race fans - Jon will continue to do the same, but with new ideas and equipment he hopes to be able to take it to the next level. WRE will offer a turn-key option for every aspect of vehicle construction, with the engine-building and paintwork being sub-contracted out to reputable specialists to ensure easy co-ordination and realistic delivery dates.
©Eurodragster.com
As well as building cars from the ground up, WRE will offer all the services associated with race preparation including:

Chassis modification and update
Custom exhaust manifolds and systems in a range of materials
Aluminium fabrications, welding and forming
Axle narrowing and bracing
Gear advice and set up
Suspension design and spring rate application
Baseline drawing and set-up
Turbocharger design and installation

Jon also intends to offer his set-up knowledge to racers on a short-term basis, giving them the opportunity to utilise laser alignment, measuring and scale equipment on their way to the track before a test day or a race event. "This way they can get almost immediate feedback and see results whilst everything is fresh" says Jon.

Once fully operational, Jon plans to set up a Tech Line (to operate at specific times) and of course will be available at the track most weekends. "I am looking forward to the future, albeit with an element of nerves, but you need that to keep you on your toes", he says. "Thanks for the support I have received so far; I will be doing all I can to make this work". We will bring you phone, fax and E-Mail details for WRE as soon as they are finalised, but for now you can contact Jon on 07944 881094.

Jon is keen to stress that he has parted from Hauser Race Cars on amicable terms. Both parties intend to assist one another as much as possible, inter-trading to mutual benefit for themselves and their customers. "I would like to express my gratitude to Geoff for the last seven years" says Jon. "It's been a really enjoyable time and I know that I will miss being part of the team there."

It was impossible for us to talk to Jon without enquiring after his Custom Car Street Eliminator Mustang and, without wishing to give too much away, the new business does not mean that we will not be seeing the car next year. Work is well-advanced and although it may not look any different on the outside, it will sound different as there are plenty of changes going on under the bonnet. As is traditional at Christmas, it seems there may be a diet afoot - although not on Jon's part!

Cannon, Morton join forces.
20th December: UK Comp Bike racer and Funny Bike Crew Chief Chris 'Cannon' Hannam has announced that he has bought fifty per cent of Jon Morton's new Top Fuel Bike, which has had two outings so far in the hands of Phil Brachtvogel.

"We will be running as a team", says Cannon. "I will be riding the bike next year with tuning from the legendary Frank Brachtvogel, with an engine and blower configuration the same as ex-Top Fuel Bike Champion Tony Lang, and chassis design by Mr Puma Man himself. I am sure that we can be a force to be reckoned with - both Jon and myself are looking forward to the prospect."

Cannon will be taking on maintenance of the bike as soon as Frank Brachtvogel considers him ready, and there will be some new team members. Ex-Straightliners Champion Wayne Little will be helping me with the motor, and computer wizard Paul Beaumont will be dealing with data download and the PR side. Cannon also hopes that his onetime Funny Bike crew Andy Richards will also assist. "This is an exciting challenge for the BIG team and I am sure that we will rise to the occasion", says Cannon.

The team will be funded by Cannon and Jon Morton, with backing from MRE and International CNC Machines Limited. "We will be looking at our options as we progress", says Cannon.

Cannon will still have time to support ACU UK Funny Bike Champion Neil Midgley, whom he tuned to a six-second pass at the UK National Finals. "We are returning to Gainesville in Febuary to try to put a good tune up into the bike before returning to the UK to defend the #1 plate and to try to lower the 6.94 record", he says. Cannon promises to keep us informed, and has asked us to pass on to everyone his best wishes for Christmas.
©Eurodragster.com
Hartnell stars on TV tonight.
20th December: UK Wild Bunch racer 'Crazy' Chris Hartnell and his historic Backdraft slinghshot are to feature on UK satellite channel Men and Motors tonight (Friday).

"The programme has gone out twice already, but there is one more showing at 10:20 tonight", says Chris Hartnell. "The programme is one of a series called Motor Maniacs. Backdraft is featured in the first half of the programme: I was interviewed at the Classic American Nationals at Shakespeare County Raceway back in May. The second half of the programme also features P Jennings' HRG Anglia van at the same event, and there is footage of some other cars in the background. It's a brill programme, so hope you can watch it if you can get the channel!"

You can check for last-minute schedule changes at the Men and Motors web site at www.menandmotors.co.uk.
©Eurodragster.com
Bellenie asks Santa for crew.
20th December: UK Super Street Bike racer Pete Bellenie has CC'd Eurodragster in on his Christmas list for Santa.

"Dear Santa, please bring me a pit crew for 2003", writes Pete. "If you are kind you might bring me two people - a couple or just mates, I don't mind. Their job will be to tow me to the start line and back from the finish line, just after I have of course run that elusive seven-second pass, and then to celebrate with a fine selection of Fosters and a meal consisting of burnt flesh from the barbie. Oh please send me someone, Santa."
©Eurodragster.com
If Santa or any prospective little helpers are reading, then they can get in touch with Pete by E-Mail at peterbellenie@aol.com.

PMR scheme promises surprises.
20th December: Some surprising faces will be seen behind the wheel for Paul Marston Racing's Driving Experience courses, says Paul. "Bookings have come from people who have 'retired' but would like to race again", he says, "without the hassle of forming a team and tying up a whole bunch of money in a race car, as well as those looking to get some experience backed by good solid advice to give them a foundation on which to build when they hit the track with their own race car."

Paul adds that the Passenger Ride Experience is also proving very popular. "It shows graphically just how interested people are in drag racing as a sport, with every indication that we will see some sustained growth in both new competitors and spectators alike over the next few years. It clearly demonstrates a real demand for this kind of service - both for the extreme motorsport fan and for potential new competitors."
©Eurodragster.com
Paul is very grateful to Santa Pod Raceway for their help and co-operation. "Without Santa Pod's ability to share our vision of the future, none of this would be possible", he says. "It demonstrates their commitment towards long-term projects, encouraging more and more people to become involved in drag racing at all levels, and is to their credit. All of us at Paul Marston Racing are looking forward to working with Santa Pod Raceway to help develop this exciting new programme."

It's not too late to book your place either in the driving or passenger seat of one of Paul Marston Racing's vehicles in 2003. You can find out more at www.paulmarstonracing.com, or by calling the PMR office on 0208 597 4575 or Paul's mobile on 07831 650230.

A look into the Carter pit.
20th December: UK Top Fuel Dragster racer Andy Carter took time out from preparing the First National Telecom Top Fuel Dragster for its unveiling at Autosport International to send Christmas greetings, which you can find on our Christmas Messages page. Whilst Andy was at it, he sent a few pitside photographs from Hockenheim and Santa Pod which he thought fans might be interested in seeing. Click on the links below to view the pictures.
©Eurodragster.com
Hockenheim warm-up 1
Hockenheim warm-up 2
Hockenheim warm-up 3
Hockenheim warm-up 4
Knackered crew
Santa Pod warm-up

Web site updates.
20th December: The Swedish Prostreet News web site has been updated with the latest gossip from the Scandinavian scene, including some speculation on Fast Freddy Fagerström's plans for 2003. Check it out at www.spn-photo.com.

The official web site of Andy Kirk's Rat Fink UK Super Modified team has been updated with the latest news on the Camaro together with an explanation of the car's absence from the track in 2002. You can find the Rat Fink web site at www.kirkmotorsport.com.

UK Custom Car Street Eliminator racer Andy Frost has posted the last update of 2002 on the Red Victor Racing web site. Check it out at www.redvictor1racing.co.uk.

The latest update on Carl Wadkin-Snaith's excellent Fang web site includes a feature on Europe's only supercharged Funny Bike Special Branch. "If you have ever wondered what that maze of pipes does, or why the bike has a nitrous solenoid, check out the feature", says Carl. "For soul music fans we have Truth, a six-litre monster from the 1960's. Can anyone help with the history of this bike?". You can find Carl's site at www.thefang.co.uk.

Alan Currans has continued his hard work on his Acceleration Archive nostalgia pictorial. "I have just uploaded page five of the Dragsters page which features, amongst other things, Roz Prior's first dragster, a twin-engined rail, a V12 Jaguar-powered car, some golden British-engined oldies, and a mystery slingshot", says Alan. Check out www.theaccelerationarchive.co.uk.
©Eurodragster.com
2003 NDRS visits Santa Pod.
19th December: From our good friends at Svensk Dragracing comes the news that the Nordic Drag Racing Series is to expand in 2003 with that expansion including three dates at Santa Pod Raceway. The UK NDRS dates - the Easter Thunderball on 19th-21st April, the FIA Main Event on 24th-26th May, and the SPRC Summernationals on 28th-29th June - are not mandatory for NDRS points, and are to run on a trial basis with the intention being to encourage Scandinavian-based Sportsman racers to race in the UK and vice-versa. It also brings forward the start of the NDRS season allowing racers extra track time.

"This is a trial for a couple of seasons to see how it all works out", says Olle Elfqvist of Svensk Dragracing. "There has been good co-operation with Santa Pod Racers Club for many years and they are very familiar with the NDRS". The most recent appearance of NDRS racers at Santa Pod was the final round of the NDRS Bilsport Pro Mod Series, which came to the UK with the Champion undecided, at this year's FIA European Finals.

"Zane Llewellyn was one of the first british Sportsman racers to come to Scandinavia", says Christer Abrahamson of Svensk Dragracing. "More and more racers have followed and that certainly creates a good atmosphere at a race! Herds of Scandinavians have been to Santa Pod over the years, but not that many Sportsman racers. Let's hope that this will change that!"

Other changes to the NDRS in 2003 include the Danish Nationals being the only NDRS round on that particular weekend, and the traditional Test and Tune at Norway's Gardermoen Raceway becoming a fully-fledged NDRS round.

You can find full details including the provisional 2003 calendar on the Svensk Dragracing web site at www.dragracing.se.
©Eurodragster.com
New shoes for ACI Racing.
18th December: The American Car Imports Racing Top Methanol Dragster team have announced a sponsorship deal with Fleet-based North Hants Tyres, who will be supplying the team with all of their rubber for the 2003 Championship quest.

"This is a very important deal for us and will help us to achieve maximum performance during the upcoming season" explains ACI Racing Crew Chief Andy Bissett. "Top Methanol Dragster rear slicks only tend to stay at their optimum performance level for around ten to twelve runs, although they will last for many more. Thanks to the support of North Hants Tyres, our slicks will always be in as good a condition as they can possibly be, which will help us to continue breaking records in 2003."
©Eurodragster.com
North Hants Tyres specialise purely in the American and old car markets and carry a wide range of tyres, wheels, accessories and service parts, aiming to guarantee next-day delivery. From their recently opened premises in Fleet they also offer the widest range of Radial Wide Whitewall, Redline and Goldline tyres available anywhere in the world. You can contact them on 01252 613261, or find out more at their web site www.northhantstyres.com, which features an on-line tyre search facility as well as sections for Frequently Asked Questions.

John Pettifor at North Hants Tyres says "Don’t worry if it is not listed in our price list or web site - give us a call. We may be able to locate your special requirement to order from our many suppliers in the USA."

The American Car Imports Racing dragster will be on display at Autosport International in January; we will bring you more news about American Car Imports' stand very soon. In the meantime you can check out the latest from the ACI Racing pit on the team's official web site at www.americancarimportsracing.com.

Gipp flies Straightline banner.
18th December: UK Pro Stock Bike racer Richard Gipp looks likely to be the only rider flying the Straightline Racing banner in 2003, as well as the colours of new sponsor Sinwear.
©Eurodragster.com
Richard and his team, including new Crew Chief Chris Tombleson, hope to compete in all FIM/UEM European Championship rounds and most ACU UK Championship rounds, as well as the Speedfreaks Ball and the Bulldog Bash. "With two 1570 cc engines and the possibility of a 1640 making selected appearences, money is going to be tight", says Chris Tombleson, so we are looking for a reputable paint shop to provide an eyeball-catching work of art on Richard's new GSXR1000 body to parade on TV, at shows, and all over Europe". If you can help then you can contact Chris Tombleson at Straightline Racing on 01553 811855.

LA Racing Parts 2003 catalogue.
18th December: UK performance supplier LA Racing Parts have published their 2003 catalogue. "The catalogue features everything for cars and bikes, from the front wheels to the back including parachutes!", says Lee Child of LA Racing Parts. "The 2003 catalogue has new products, new product lines and new manfacturers - we can now supply products from over two hundred suppliers such as Autometer, BDS, Borla, TSR Racing Products, Simpson, Comp Cams, Eagle, Goodyear, Jesel, MSD, Mickey Thompson, and Hooker Headers."
©Eurodragster.com
The LA Racing Parts catalogue has 369 full-colour pages and is available, whilst stocks last, for £9.99 including UK postage. You can order a copy by calling 01803 554308 or E-Mailing la.racing@virgin.net.

Pictures from Hal Far.
18th December: Michael Buhagiar, who sent us a report of the weekend's race at Malta's Hal Far Raceeway on Monday, has now sent us a number of photographs from the event. You can view Michael's pictures by clicking here. You can find Michael's Maltese Drag Racing web site at www.dragraceway.cjb.net.
©Eurodragster.com
Robert Galea has also posted a large number of pictures from Hal Far on his newly-launched web site at www.halfar-dec.cjb.net. "There is a lot of action, and other stuff too!"; says Robert. We've had a look at Robert's site and found a great mixture of on-track and pitside pictures - well worth a look.

2002 Christmas messages.
18th December: As promised on Monday we have posted a page for Christmas messages. You can view the page by clicking here, or by clicking on the Christmas Messages link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster page.

If you would like to send a seasonal greeting then E-Mail us at christmas@eurodragster.com and we'll do the rest.
©Eurodragster.com
Web site updates.
18th December: Our good buddies at Svensk Dragracing have updated their web site with a number of very artistic photo-montages especially composed for them by artist John Eyre. "I have seen some of John's work before, and I asked him if he could do something for us", says Christer Abrahamson. "They're outstanding!". We agree, and you can see for yourselves at www.dragracing.se.
©Eurodragster.com
Sheavills back together.
16th December: UK Top Fuel Dragster racer Barry Sheavills is "Pretty much back together" after his 277 mph crash in qualifying at the FIA European Finals in September.

"I'm almost totally recovered", says the Carlube-backed racer. "I still have a bad hand, but I am exercising hard to get fit for next year - there are medicals to pass and so on, and it's going to be a hard season on the Tour!"
©Eurodragster.com
A replacement car is on its way from the USA in the same container as Knut Söderquist's new Top Fuel chassis, but Barry won't get a chance to check it for size before it goes to Rune Fjeld's workshop in Norway, since he is about to go off for a break in the sun. "I'm going to relax, take some exercise, and work on deals for next year", he says. "Nothing is signed yet - it's never been easy to get sponsorship but it's a lot more difficult these days."

"I'd like to wish my sponsors old and new, fans and fellow racers a very Happy Christmas and a Happy New Year", adds Barry. "I'll see you all next year!"

Editor's note: If you'd like to send a seasonal greeting then E-Mail us at christmas@eurodragster.com; we will post a Christmas Messages page very shortly.

Hal Far done for 2002.
16th December: Our good friend Michael Buhagiar writes with news from this weekend's final race of the season at Hal Far Raceway on Malta.

This was the sixth and last event for 2003, organised by the Malta Drag Racing Association. The race was on a three-day basis, starting on Friday - a public holiday for us in Malta - yesterday, and the eliminations today. All the racers did a great job getting what they could from their vehicles.

In the truck class section we had five competitors. Bonnici Bros' Ford Cargo which only competed on Friday, Gary Curmi's Leyland, Jacob's Racing Ford Cargo driven by Arnold Farrugia, Mario Attard with his fourteen-litre Scania V8, and Tommy Agius's Volvo, which unfortunatley had some problems on Saturday and did not compete today, although we saw him doing 12.0 and 11.8-second runs.

On the car side we had various classes, with the most notable being the Dragster class with times of seven and eight seconds. There was the Peel'n'Go methanol dragster, driven by David Bonavia, which unfortunatley had some trouble during a run on Saturday, Joe Borg's T-Bucket dragster, the Pitbull dragster of Charles Abela, Emmanuel Mangion id-Dilja driving his Escort Cosworth registering times of 8.2 sec, the Small Block V8 Sierra driven by Alan Camilleri, and a Ford Cortina Cosworth with Nitrous, driven by Emmanual Muscat, making great runs in its third event. Job well done, man!
©Eurodragster.com
But that's not all. We had some Italian motorcycles doing tests from Mr Davide's hard-racing team. They had two Pro Stock Bikes and Super Street Bikes recording between 9.0 and 9.5 seconds.

Other noteworthy runs were in the Open 1 class where Massimo Barbara registered 9.5, 9.6 and with a Cosworth turbo engine. Well done Massimo. Also in the same class was Jason running Martin making ten-second runs with a 2100 cc engine with Nitrous. Manty Bugeja dressed up in his FIA uniform and helmet to drive Vince's Carabott V8 chassis in testing on Saturday. I met Joe Carabott (Mr Whippy Top Methanol Dragster team owner - Ed) who confirmed that he sold his former dragster chasis to another Maltese racer, who will run it with a V8 small block engine, and that he has bought another dragster from America and will try to be with us next year. He said that maybe he will race at Santa Pod in September.

That's all for today. I would like to wish all Maltese racers and the Eurodragster.com staff and readers a Happy Christmas and a great 2003, both in Drag Racing and in their personal lives (Thanks Michael! - Ed).

Michael has an excellent fan site at www.dragraceway.cjb.net, and you can find the official web site of the Malta Drag Racing Association at www.maltadragracing.com.

SPRC Perpetual Awards week 2.
16th December: Votes have been coming in thick and fast for the first of the Santa Pod Racers Club's Perpetual Awards, Best-Looking Car and the Alex Brachtvogel Memorial Trophy, which we posted last week. Voting is still open for both of these awards.

This week we are pleased to reveal the SPRC Committee's shortlist for Best-Looking Bike, again in alphabetical order (click on any picture to see a larger version):

Bob Brooks
Competition Bike

Nick Daniels
Supertwin Gas

Dave Holland
Funny Bike

Chris Hope
Pro Stock Bike

Jon Morton
Top Fuel Bike

Picture of Bob Brooks ©Turboville.com

We have set up a special page for the SPRC Perpetual Awards, which will be updated every week as each category is announced. This week the page has had pictures of the five Best-Looking Bike nominees, plus voting links, added to last week's Best-Looking Car shortlist. You can view the SPRC Awards page and submit your vote by clicking here, or by clicking on the SPRC Perpetual Awards Vote link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster page.
©Eurodragster.com
Alternately, if you already know for whom you would like to vote then you can send an E-Mail to sprcawards@eurodragster.com, specifying SPRC Best-Looking Bike as the subject, and the bike for which you are voting in the body of the mail.

One vote per E-Mail address will be accepted for each award, so if you have already voted for a car then you can still vote for a bike.

The Alex Brachtvogel Memorial Trophy was first awarded to Santa Pod Raceway's late Chief Marshal, Alex Brachtvogel, in 2001 to mark his outstanding contribution to Santa Pod Raceway and the sport as a whole. After Alex's death the trophy was named in his memory and continues to be awarded for contribution to drag racing. The staff of Eurodragster.com were privileged to be presented with this award in 2002.

There is no shortlist for the Alex Brachtvogel trophy. Readers are invited to submit nominations which can be for racers, race officials, track and safety crews, club officials, media, or anyone else who has contributed to the sport. To make a nomination, send an E-Mail to sprcawards@eurodragster.com, specifying SPRC Alex Brachtvogel Trophy as the subject, and your nomination in the body of the mail. All nominations will be considered by the SPRC Committee.

The next shortlist will be published next Monday (23rd December).

2003 Drachten dates.
15th December: Jaap Selles of Holland's Explosion drag racing club has been in touch with the Club's race dates at Drachten in 2003:

June 14th-15th: Drachten Fast and Furious
July 11th-14th: Drachten Internationals
August 30th-31st: Drachten Dutch Finals

You can find the Explosion web site at www.explosion.nl.
©Eurodragster.com
CCSE return to Autosport.
15th December: The UK's Custom Car Street Eliminator will again be represented at Autosport International in January. The 2002 show saw a large display from the street-legal racers including the début of Jon Webster's Mustang, and CCSE Championship co-ordinator Lee Child tells us that the field is building for 2003.
©Eurodragster.com
"Richard Homewood's new '41 Willys, Steve Neimantas' Aston Martin, and Andy Frost's Vauxhall will be appearing", says Lee. "We should also have Andy Robinson's Pro Mod Studebaker."

Lee himself, Custom Car magazine editor Kev Elliott, and the CCSE racers will also be in attendance. "I'll be working on the stand for three days", says Lee. "I'll be meeting and greeting fans, so come by and say hello."

Autosport International 2003 takes place at the NEC, Birmingham, from 9th-12th January. You can get full details including ticket prices on the Show's official web site at www.autosportinternational.co.uk. If you can't make it then don't fret since Eurodragster will be reporting live from the Show.

UK Riders' and Drivers' Meeting.
15th December: Many thanks to Avon Park International Racing Association Press Officer Jerry Cookson for passing on the news from APIRA Club Secretary Wendy Talbot that the 2003 UK Riders' and Drivers' Meeting will take place on Sunday 23rd February in the Kimberley Suite of the Rushden and Diamonds Centre, Irthlingborough, Northampton, at 12:30 pm for 1:00 pm. There will be a break for refreshments (for which a small fee will be payable) at 3:00 pm.

Racers with items for the agenda should contact their Club secretaries in writing by Saturday 15th February:

Wendy Talbot
APIRA
121 High Road
Wortwell
Harleston
Norfolk
IP20 0EN

Paula Marshall
Santa Pod Racers Club
PO Box 12
Rushden
Northamptonshire
NN10 0ZU
©Eurodragster.com
APIRA AGM, New Year Party.
15th December: Jerry also confirmed the date of the 2003 APIRA Annual General Meeting, which takes place on Sunday 2nd February in the Stanford Suite of the Holiday Inn, Crick, Northamptonshire. The meeting is scheduled to start at 1:00 pm and will close at 5.00 pm prompt. There will be a break for refreshments (for which a small fee will be payable) at 3:00 pm. Items for the agenda should be E-Mailed to Club Secretary Wendy Talbot wendy@shakespearecountyraceway.fsnet.co.uk no later than Sunday 5th January.

By the kind permission of Anthony Hodges, APIRA's traditional New Year celebrations will take place at the AV Club (situated opposite the microlight hangers) on Long Marston Airfield/Shakespeare County Raceway from 7.30pm on Tuesday 31st December.

"All the usual arrangements apply", says organiser Mandy May. "Bring your own bed/caravan, booze and a plate of food for the buffet table. New Year fireworks have been arranged by the track's marshals, but there will be a small contribution towards the hire of the virtual all night disco". Mandy would also like to remind anyone who has access to logs/coal to bring such items with them "So that we don't freeze to death!".

If you would like to welcome in the New Year with APIRA, you can get more information and directions by calling Mandy on 01386 593563 or 07740 677389.
©Eurodragster.com
Krivan wows Bologna.

15th December: Swiss Top Methanol Funny Car racer Dezsoe Krivan yet again showed the circuit guys what it's all about as he wowed the 100,000-plus crowd with burnout displays at the Bologna Motor Show in Italy. Dezsoe was there as part of the Italian Drag Racing Association exhibit, as adopted crew member and one-time UK racer Steve Wilson writes.

On Monday, the weather was wet and only 7°. The car was prepared on the IDRA stand, giving the visitors a chance to see the "skeleton" of the car with the body removed. Once the car was ready we had to move it to the outdoor oval circuit, which was at the opposite end of the exhibition complex. As we wound our way through the complex, Dezsoe became the pied piper as crowds of youths followed us to the racing circuit! Once at the circuit we were directed into a warehouse-type building, which was the home for most of the racing teams taking part, and parked next to the Minardi F1 team. We needed to warm the engine up and wanted to take the car outdoors. "No! You cannot take the car outside, warm it up in here", they said. "But is it a bit noisy!", we cried. "No, no - indoors", they said. So at this point Minardi fired up a couple of cars, which was like opening a jar with two angry bees inside! OK then, we will warm it up here. By this time a crowd including a TV crew from RAI had gathered to view this strange racing machine (well, strange to the roundy roundy types!). With knowing looks between our crew and Dezsoe in the seat, 2,800 horses were unleashed.

Within two minutes, a very shocked man came running over shouting. We could not hear him because of the engine, so we shut down, and he was shouting "Shut the engine down" in Italian. We replied "No need to shout mate".
©Eurodragster.com
The time had come to enter the arena, and to an enthusiastic welcome from at least 50,000 people the avenging gladiators positioned themselves at the end of the track. The engine was fired up, the car staged, and Dezsoe was off snaking down a very wet track, slowing the car down to negotiate the corners and blasting back up the other side of the oval track, performing a very nice burn-out. Dezsoe brought the car to a stop and got out through the escape hatch. The crowd were going crazy! We then towed the car back to the exhibition hall, where we did post run maintenance and set the car back on display.

On Tuesday the weather was dry - sunny and 11°. Once again we did pre-run maintenance on the IDRA stand. There was massive interest from the crowd and a multitude of questions came our way, to be met with the standard reply from the team: "Er...do you speak English/German". However, with the use of hand waving and finger pointing we managed to answer many questions. I am sure that there were a few Italians explaining to their friends that night that there was a car at Bologna which ran on cappuccino. The car was towed around the complex to the circuit, but this time it was decided to warm the car up outside (what a surprise). So we turned this into part of the display, warmed the motor up, shut down and put the body back on. Time to burn out.

The arena was full again, Dezsoe lined the car up and burned rubber! He slowed down and went round the corners, which looks really strange when a Funny Car does it, and roared back up the other straight to the delight of the Italian fans. We then towed the car back to the display hall, where we did post run maintenance and set the car back on display.

Thanks to the Krivan Drag-Racing Crew, the Italian Drag Racing Association, the Bologna MotorShow organization, Energy Release, Kendall Motor Oil, Valvoline-Racing Italy , VP Racing Fuels, Michele, the Nitro Drag Racing stand beauty (Parental Advisory on this one - Ed), and the lady at the Cappuccino Shop.

Web site updates.
15th December: UK Pro ET racer Terri Lee's web site has been updated with more photographs of her popular Blown It Escort Van, links, and a Guest Book. Check it out at www.terrileeracing.co.uk.

Bike photo-journalist Ian Turburville is still taking Christmas orders for the drag racing fan in your life. As well as the photographs, posters, clothing and other items, Turbo tells us that he has large stocks of the 2002 FIM/UEM European Championship, Speedfreaks Ball, Prostar, IHRA 2001 and ADBA videos. You can find more details on Turbo's web site at www.turboville.com.

Eurodragster staffer Sharkman has updated his personal web site Sharkman's Top End Tales with a video clip of Fuel FC racer Gordon Smith putting in a guardrail-proximate 5.660 pass at the 2002 FIA Main Event. Sharkman is now beavering away on his web site's traditional Christmas update. You can find Sharkman's latest video at www.topendtales.com.
©Eurodragster.com
NDRG sanction Junior Drag Bike.
13th December: National rules have been agreed for Norway, and those rules include the introduction of Junior Drag Bike in 2003, writes Ove Rønning of Norsk Dragracing Gardermoen.
©Eurodragster.com
After the successful introduction of Junior Dragster by Svensk Dragracing in 1994, former Funny Car pilot Steinar Stolen, the American Car Club of Norway and I think that Junior Drag Bike can be just as big as Junior Dragster" says Ove. "In the whole of Scandinavia we can count around one hundred Junior Dragsters, if not more. But now we have to work on Junior Drag Bike - we have some work to do recruiting in to the sport we love so much."

Junior Drag Bike is popular in the USA and trials have been seen at events in the UK. Stay tuned for more news of their introduction in Norway.

Tech inspector's gift idea.
13th December: UK National chassis inspector Geoff Martin has been in touch with tidings of comfort and joy for racers in the UK.
©Eurodragster.com
"If you are at a loss for a stocking filler, then don't forget that halon fire extinguishers are prohibited by the MSA for use after 31st December 2002", says Geoff. "I know, Happy New Year to you too!"

Another upside-down rider?
13th December: Ex-pat UK Supertwin Fuel racer Ben Beneke has been in touch with surprising news from Australia. "News has leaked of there possibly being four Pommie bike racers entered for the 2003 Australian Nationals on 17th-19th January!", says Ben. "Three ex-pats and one on walk-about! More news of classes, and pictures, as they come in.
©Eurodragster.com
"In the meantime check out the info at www.willowbank-raceway.com.au, or the direct link for the race at www.willowbank-raceway.com.au/nationalsinfo.htm."

Silver Dollar for Cool Green.
13th December: UK National Junior Dragster Champion Ricky Emms has returned from his trip to Silver Dollar Raceway in the USA where theCool Green team attended the Junior Dragster-oriented Peach State Nationals. Team patriarch Chris Emms got in touch to let us know how things went.

The team were delighted to be invited to attend a Thanksgiving Day supper at the track on Thursday 28th November, organised by the events promoter Ronan Woods. Things got serious on the Friday as thoughts turned to racing with Ricky driving a car with the team's new 7.90 powerplant, and also being approached to drive another team's car in the 330 foot class (where the cars run heads up to 330 feet). Ricky DNQ'd in the 330 foot class as a lot of the teams have special cars purely for that class which are very light and pack very highly tuned engines. Back in 7.90 with the new engine the team were immediately battling to slow the car down to 7.90's, getting it right for the first round of eliminations where a 7.94 at 82 mph was enough to advance to round two. In round two Ricky recorded 7.98, again at 82 mph, but he lost to a holeshot by 0.006 seconds.
©Eurodragster.com
Saturday saw Ricky put in one qualifier in the 330 foot class, but a 4.86 was not going to be enough when the front runners were running 4.11's so the team decided to concentrate their efforts on the other classes for the day: the 13-14 year old class, which ran on a 7.90 index, and also in the main 7.90 index class.

In the 13-14 year old class, Ricky lost in the first round with a 7.88 breakout, a tailwind helping push the car to an 83mph speed despite the addition of weight to try to slow the car down. With the new engine running in and producing more power on each pass, the team were constantly trying to slow the car down, and this was reflected in the first round of the 7.90 class whee Ricky went 7.76 and still took the win as his opponent broke out by even more. For the second round the car had no less than 52lbs of ballast added but Ricky still broke out with a 7.81 at 79mph!

The team didn't come away empty handed, though, as they were delighted to receive the award for the team which had travelled the furthest distance to attend. "The new motor is now in the UK and installed in our regular car ready to go, although we still have some work to do adding weight and changing the rear end gearing to make sure that the car remains legal", says Chris Emms. "I would also like to say a huge thank you to Randy and Judy Ditzel at Half Scale Dragsters for all their help with the trip, and to everyone at Silver Dollar Raceway for the welcome we were given."

See Bull for Transmission Specialties.
13th December: Jeff Bull Race Engines, who sponsor Eurodragster's Swap Meet classified advertisement service, have become the European outlet for Transmission Specialties converters, transmissions, and associated parts.

"I will be stocking rebuild kits for the common performance trans used in drag racing", says Jeff Bull. "Terry Gibbs and I have been involved with Transmission Specialties products for over ten years, and we have found that all of their transmissions and converters have worked really well, and won many races for UK drag racers.
©Eurodragster.com
"The price of all units will be more than competitive with any similar product available in Europe. You can view all available products at www.transmission-specialties.com."

To discuss requirements and pricing, call Jeff on 01787 227789 (from outside the UK +44 1787 227789), or E-Mail him at jeffbull.raceengines@virgin.net.

Web site updates.
13th December: Adam Gleadow has updated his fan site dedicated to UK Supercharged Altereds with car and driver information. "Anyone whose details are not included can E-Mail me at nitro_junkie_2002@hotmail.com", says Adam. You can find Adam's web site at www.uksuperchargedaltereds.itgo.com.
©Eurodragster.com
Bailey's plans suit Trophy charge.
11th December: The announcement of Eurodragster staffer Sharkman's Seven Second Trophy for UK Super Street Bike has been very well-received, not least by SSB racer Dave Bailey for whom acquisition of the trophy fits in with his plans anyway. Dave does however realise that he has several rivals.

"Last year I was working towards the seven-second barrier as opposed to working at the Championship", says Dave. "Hence all the 'interesting' runs as opposed to the usual 8.7 and 8.8 runs. My focus for next year had been more along the lines of - 'play at Super Street but try to keep the bike together and save my money for the new project'. Now I'm all keen again and the plan for next year has returned to, 'Seven seconds or bust!'. So can I do it? No problem! As long as the repaired gearbox lets me change gear, the planned nitrous settings do what the graph says they will, the new nitrous safety gadget stops the valves melting, etc.etc.
©Eurodragster.com
So who is in the running for the Trophy? Well, theoretically...Tony Clark is there, Graham Dance is as good as there, Karl Larcombe and Steve Venables are in the 8.2s, Mark Fisher and I are in the low 8.4s, Matt Nixon is in the high 8.4s and when Pete Bellenie gets a handle on his new Paul Wing slider clutch he should be in the 8.2s (taking the best times I have from his old and new bikes). Then there's Grumps (Paul Watson - Ed), he'll surely be a contender after a meeting or two.

But that's all just theory, when it comes down to it anything can happen! For example - just to prove a point and worry everyone - if you take the gains my bike has made over quarter-track over the last year, and project them onto a good run for the rest of the track, which is currently my problem, I'm already there! So, off to battle - spare crank, spare cases, spare head and all secret weapons at the ready. Shame it's only December."

2003 Santa Pod calendar.
11th December: Many thanks to Kelly Ingall of Santa Pod Raceway for sending us Santa Pod's full calendar for 2003:

Sunday 26th Jan: Run What You Brung
Sunday 2nd Feb: Run What You Brung
Sunday 16th Feb: Run What You Brung
Sunday 23rd February: Run What You Brung
Sunday 2nd March: Run What You Brung
Sunday 16th March: Run What You Brung
Sunday 30th March: Run What You Brung
Sunday 6th April: Run What You Brung
Sunday 13rd April: The Central RS Owners Club Day
April 19-21st: EASTER THUNDERBALL
Sunday 27th April: Run What You Brung
May 3-5th: BIG BANG (VW Festival)
May 10-11th SPEEDFREAKS BALL (Motorbike event)
Sunday 18th May: Run What You Brung
May 24-26th: FIA MAIN EVENT
Saturday 31st May: Run What You Brung
Saturday 1st June: REDLINE RUMBLE (Hot Hatch - open to public)
Sunday 8th June: GTI Festival (for watercooled VWs)
Sunday 23rd June: PERFORMANCE VAUXHALL SHOW (Vauxhall-only RWYB)
June 21-22nd: MOTORWORLD KROOZIN LIVE
June 28-29th: SPRC SUMMER NATIONALS (National Championships)
Sunday 13rd July: Run What You Brung
July 18-20th: BUG JAM (VW Festival)
July 26-27th: 10th MOPAR EURO NATIONALS (Mopar Muscle Car Event)
Saturday 2nd August: SANTA POD SCOOTER HIJACK (Scooter-only - open to public)
Sunday 3rd August: Run What You Brung
August 8-10th: ULTIMATE STREET CAR
Sunday 31st August: Run What You Brung
September 5-7th: FIA EUROPEAN FINALS
Sunday 14th September: Run What You Brung
Sunday 21st September: NATIONAL SPRINT ASSOCIATION Motorcycle Sprint
September 27-28th: THE NATIONAL FINALS (National Drag Racing)
Sunday 5th October: Run What You Brung
Sunday 12nd October: Run What You Brung
Sunday 19th October: Run What You Brung
Sunday 26th October: Run What You Brung
November 1st: FLAME AND THUNDER SHOW
Sunday 2nd November: Run What You Brung

You can find Santa Pod Raceway's web site at www.santapod.com.
©Eurodragster.com
Web site updates.
11th December: Alan Currans hasn't stopped with the updates to his excellent Acceleration Archive web site of historical UK drag racing pictures. The latest update is to the Competition Altereds section and features the first eight-second small block in Europe, a collection of Rick Fielding's Imagination cars, some Swedish visitors and the aftermath of a nasty shunt at North Weald. Check it out at www.theaccelerationarchive.co.uk.
©Eurodragster.com
2002 SPRC Perpetual Awards vote.
9th December: Once again Santa Pod Racers Club and Eurodragster.com are teaming up to give readers the chance of input to the SPRC Perpetual Awards, which will be presented at the SPRC Dinner Dance on Saturday 8th February 2003.

The SPRC Committee has this year produced a shortlist for six of the seven awards. We will be publishing one shortlist per week for the next six weeks, and readers will be able to submit their votes via E-Mail. Nominations are also being accepted now and for the next six weeks for the seventh award, the Alex Brachtvogel Memorial Trophy (see below).

The first category is Best-Looking Car and the SPRC Committee's shortlist is as follows, in alphabetical order (click on a picture to see a larger version):

Martin Curbishley
Super Comp/Super Gas roadster

John Hales
Custom Car Street Eliminator '56 Chevy

Nick Mugridge
Rolling Thunder Junior Dragster

Andy Robinson
Pro Modified '53 Studebaker

Rob Smallworth
Super Modified '55 Chevy

We have set up a special page for the SPRC Perpetual Awards, which will be updated every week as each category is announced. This week the page has been updated with pictures of the five nominees plus voting links. You can view the SPRC Awards page and submit your vote by clicking here, or by clicking on the SPRC Perpetual Awards Vote link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster page.
©Eurodragster.com
Alternately, if you already know for whom you would like to vote then you can send an E-Mail to sprcawards@eurodragster.com, specifying SPRC Best-Looking Car as the subject, and the car for which you are voting in the body of the mail. One vote per E-Mail address will be accepted for each award.

The Alex Brachtvogel Memorial Trophy was first awarded to Santa Pod Raceway's late Chief Marshal, Alex Brachtvogel, in 2001 to mark his outstanding contribution to Santa Pod Raceway and the sport as a whole. After Alex's death the trophy was named in his memory and continues to be awarded for contribution to drag racing. The staff of Eurodragster.com were privileged to be presented with this award in 2002.

There is no shortlist for the Alex Brachtvogel trophy. Readers are invited to submit nominations which can be for racers, race officials, track and safety crews, club officials, media, or anyone else who has contributed to the sport. To make a nomination, send an E-Mail to sprcawards@eurodragster.com, specifying SPRC Alex Brachtvogel Trophy as the subject, and your nomination in the body of the mail. All nominations will be considered by the SPRC Committee.

The next shortlist will be published next Monday (16th December).

Johnny and the guys get more Mental!

9th December: UK Supercharged Outlaw racer Johnny 'Mental' Hall and "A bunch of guys from Grimsby" have formally formed a team to field his wild slingshot in 2003. They all became friends in the 2001 season when Mark Windridge, Dave McKenzie, Eddie, Sam and Barnsey started to crew on the blown Rover to gain experience on supercharged alcohol engines before campaigning their own car.
©Eurodragster.com
"We started the season by nearly taking out the Christmas Tree and the armco at Shakespeare County Raceway at the Super Series Springnationals and the guys were hooked on blown alky for life, because of the adrenalin kick", says Johnny. "We continued the season running with the Outlaws and got beaten only once all season, running a best of 8.69/152. Boy, did we all gel together or what? The car gradually became more reliable and faster, and as the guys tweaked the car I became more confident and wanted to perform to pay them back for the continued unconditional hard work they put into the car.

"The guys debuted their own rear-engined car at York Dragway in August, but unfortunately their con rods went to that great scrap heap in the sky at Donny In The Park a few weeks later and that was the end of that. The guys knew that I was making plans to move up to the 7.50 or Unlimited class of Outlaw racing, and also knew that the money involved to build a winning combination would be huge.

"You know what it's like when you are all thinking the same thing but won't say it, in case you make yourself look a weenie. But after a few beers at the Wild Bunch/Supercharged Outlaw presentation we all blurted it out that we all thought the same thing - that a new team should be formed, simply because it worked so well.

"The team is now called Windridge Hall McKenzie and shall be running The Happening blown Rover this season with every intention of winning the 8.50 class Supercharged Outlaws. While we are racing, the guys will be building a radical altered rolling chassis in readiness for some guardrail to guardrail racing in 2004. At the end of next season, or sooner if someone is serious about buying, my car will be freshened up and sold as a complete racing package, and the money will go towards an engine for the new car. We shall be sharing the driving chores, but the guys are happy for me to have most of the seat time, for Championship racing , because they have a funny feeling that I am going to be Even More Mental!"

Terri meets Murphy's law.
9th December: UK Pro ET racer Terri Lee had a baptism of fire in her rookie season. Her eye-catching Blown It Escort Van hit just about every problem going, but there were some high points, as Terri writes.

Before we started the season I never realised how much could go wrong. I thought that our main problem would be my getting used to everything, and not the van. Although we had been around drag racing for a number of years it was quite unnerving how little we knew. The first hurdle was to tow a trailer, which Ian (husband and Crew Chief - Ed) had never done. He hated every minute of it, and that's one thing which never changed through the year as he still detests towing!

Then you have the process of elimination you go through to solve a problem. We had a misfire, changing one thing at a time seemed to take an age and just when we thought we had cured it, it reared its ugly head again - and also along the line you can make a further problem appear without realising it. This year has been frustrating, annoying and a test on whether we could ever afford to carry on for a further season. Before we started the year we had set to one side all the money we thought we might need, including a little extra - not realising we would do our entire life savings in five months!

We have encountered problems from a three-step not wanting to play ball so I was launching from idle, to a rocker stud coming loose and breaking a few push rods, to blowing the engine up and destroying every single part inside. We missed a couple of events this year (both at Shakespeare County Raceway, nothing personal) but it was not for the want of trying - it was just an impossibility to get things done. We were chasing our tail from one event to the next, as we would always have something to repair or replace between rounds. The 'Blown It' pit was never a quiet one, the crew would be working to whatever hour if they thought there was a glimmer of hope we would make the race the following day. The words of comfort and "Yes we've been there too" were frequent from others but offered only slight reprieve from the feeling of total despair and failure.

Finally in August at Shakey it seemed things were finally on the turn. The van had its new heads on and that seemed to cure a few problems we had been having and she started to fly...see ya twelve second passes, hello low elevens! After each qualifying pass I drove back to the pits to be greeted with smiling faces, hugs and jubilation, we were on a high. We knew we still had a problem, as watching the playback we could tell that the torque converter was not the right one for the job. But we had another at home and planned to change it for the Finals to see what we could do then. We sat there working out the travel arrangements to get everyone to the Pod when we were called for our first round of eliminations.

I was up against Jim Smith's purple Beetle. I thought well, I'm just going to enjoy it. A reaction time of 0.538 and at half track I thought hang on where is he? I just kept my foot in as we had discussed in the pits and crossed the line at 11.457/112.22. Then the engine sounded like a bag of bolts, I hit the kill switch and knew something had gone horribly wrong!
©Eurodragster.com
I pulled off the track to be met by the fire crew who checked round the engine. "Nah, its OK, a bit of oil on the headers, that's all". I waited for the crew, I had already radioed them saying "There's something wrong, get the tow car!". Back at the pits we had the bonnet off and had a look round for the problem - it only took a few seconds before the hole in the sump was noticed and I knew that was it. On later inspection every part of the engine have been damaged beyond repair.

Well that's the story about up to date really. The van is in its bed and has been for nearly four months, and we are busy saving for the new engine. I have asked Santa for a new one but I think Rudolph might have something to say about lugging it about. We will see you all next year and I hope with all my heart that it will be for the first round, but we will just have to wait and see. I will keep you all updated as the season draws closer and you can always check out the latest on my new web site at www.terrileeracing.co.uk.

I would like to thank everyone for their help and support and kind words in 2002 - it was all appreciated. A Big Thank You to the people who put their hands in their pockets at Shakey, cheers! I went through a lot of emotions in 2002, not all of them bad, so here's to 2003 and hopes of a better year. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to everyone.

SPR offer Christmas gifts.
9th December: David Lloyd-Jones of Santa Pod Raceway has been in touch with a number of Christmas gift ideas for the race fan in your life. "All of Santa Pod's merchandise is in stock", says David. "We have jackets with cars and bikes on the backs, baseball jackets, motorsport jackets, woolly hats, baseball caps, scarves and gloves, pencils, pens and a lot more". On the video front there are separate tapes for this year's FIA and FIM/UEM European Championships.
©Eurodragster.com
You can check out and order all of Santa Pod's merchandise on their official web site at www.santapod.com, or by phone on 08700 782828.

Web site updates.
9th December: Our good friends at Svensk Dragracing have updated their web site with some fascinating facts about the NDRS Super Gas class. If you want to know what is the most popular model of Super Gasser or indeed any number of other snippets about NDRS SG then check out www.dragracing.se.

UK Custom Car Street Eliminator racer Andy Frost has updated his web site with the latest news from the Red Victor pit. Andy is continuing to prepare his eight-second Vauxhall for Autosport International where his will be a number of CCSE cars promoting the street-legal class. You can find Andy's web site at www.redvictor1racing.co.uk

Eurodragster staffer Sharkman has updated his personal web site Sharkman's Top End Tales with eighteen spectacular Windows wallpaper files from July's Sko Uno Drag Festival at Mantorp Park in Sweden. If you fancy a new look on your screen then check out www.topendtales.com.
©Eurodragster.com
Shockwave gets plastic surgery.

7th December: The UK's Shockwave Fuel Funny Car is getting some plastic surgery this winter as an ex-Jim Dunn Firebird body (right) tops the team's Christmas list. "We have purchased the ex-Mooneyes body with help from Knut Söderquist", says driver and co-owner Gordon Smith. "Knut has funded half the cost of the body and has given us a lot of other help both in getting parts and with contact in the USA, so the car will be carrying the Carbon By Design name next year."

The new body was a necessity as the previous Firebird piece was aging and could not stand up to high speed. "The old body was collapsing at a thousand feet", says Gordon. "It wasn't nice seeing the windscreen coming in at you at 250 miles per hour! This new body is a lot stronger and has one of the big rear wings which will be a help."
©Eurodragster.com
The Shockwave FC will also be sporting the latest Brad Anderson heads, TFX block, carbon fibre injector hat and dry sump system in 2003. "The BAE heads are the same as Force uses", says Gordon, "so they are as up-to-date as you can get. We've changed to TFX blocks from Keith Blacks, and the dry sump system is for safety. The 2003 tune-up is NHRA standard so we have no excuses - the car should be capable of 5.0s. That is, if the tracks can take it and I can take it - I'm not getting any younger!"

Thus equipped, the Shockwave team are intent on taking the British Nitro FC Championship next season. "I'm absolutely determined to take the title", says Gordon. "We are big friends with the Showtime team - John Spuffard is helping me to fit the new body to the chassis for example - but a Championship is a Championship. I think that Dave (Bryant - co-owner and Crew Chief - Ed) is one of the best tuners around: we still don't have a computer so he has to make all the calls himself. He goes to the USA a lot to talk to the people there and he never stops working. I'll give you an example of how highly-thought-of Dave is - last year we had a long chat with Tom Hoover and he was impressed with the way we run the car and constantly make changes to make it go faster."

Gordon, Dave and the team want to hit the ground running when the flag drops. "We will probably test before the season starts", says Gordon. "We will go to a Test and Tune and put in three-hundred foot squirts, stuff like that. That way when we get to Easter we will be up and ready for it. I'm really looking forward to getting out there. This is the worst winter I've ever had, I can't wait to get going!"

Gordon says that he has some ideas for paint for the new body, but that he would be interested to receive designs from fans. "If anyone has any ideas for the body then please let me know", he says. "The only rule is that it should be something simple and easily reparable! We will organise some event tickets for the best designs". If you have any design ideas then please send them to us at webmaster@eurodragster.com and we will put you in touch with Gordon.

Veidec PSB team still on tour.
7th December: Although the FIM/UEM season is over, Championship runner-up Roger Pettersson and the Veidec Pro Stock Bike team are far from finished with 2002, writes Crew Chief Roger Lyrén.

"We have just been to Serres in Greece to help two Pro Stock Bike racers with tuning", says Roger. "Unfortunately it rained on race day, but the two riders finished first and second in the Greek Championship so they were satisfied! Hopefully we will see some of these riders racing in the European Championship in 2003.

"Next weekend we are going to Malta to race with the Italian PSB Riders. The bike was sent over to Malta three weeks ago. This is a very good chance to meet new racing people and to see what is going on in south Europe.
©Eurodragster.com
"Back in Sweden we have just re-signed the contract with Veidec for 2003. We are very excited about their increased involvement in racing. Veidec is the main sponsor for the Drag Festival at Mantorp Park, which will help us both a lot. We will probably run a two-bike team next year, but we will have more information about that when the deal is done."

First National Telecom TF unveiling.
7th December: Following on from last Friday's announcement of a new associate sponsor in Wynn Oil UK, Carter Motorsports have revealed details of the official unveiling of the First National Telecom Top Fuel Dragster which takes place at Autosport International at Birmingham's NEC in January.

"The unveiling takes place on the Santa Pod stand, M30, at 1:30 pm on Saturday 11th January", says Carter Motorsports PR Dan Welberry. "It will be presented by our special guest, The Voice Of Drag Racing, John Price. The schedule is as follows:

1.30 pm: The fun kicks off with a count-down to the unveiling of the new car. The unveiling will be carried out by First National guests Albert MacKey, Miles Barry and Dan Welberry from Carter Motorsport. There will then be a photo call.
1.35 pm: John Price interviews First National CEO Albert MacKey and MD Gary McDonald.
1.40 pm: John Price introduces driver Andy Carter and Crew Chief Eddie Corr for crew shirt presentation. There will then be another photo call.
1.45 pm: John Price interviews Andy Carter and Eddie Corr.
1.50 pm: General photos, informal chat with Carter Motorsport Super Crew and First National guests, drinks for guests, hand-outs for the public and autograph signing session.

"Please come along and show your support. We really look forward to seeing you all."

You can get full details of Autosport International, including ticket prices, on the Show's official web site at www.autosportinternational.co.uk, and you can stay in touch with all the latest from the First National Telecom/Carter Motorsports pit on the team's official web site at www.andycarter.net.
©Eurodragster.com
St Joseph's gain sponsors.
7th December: If you were tuned in on Sunday you will have read about this year's F1 In Schools contest and that St Joseph's College in Staffordshire were looking for sponsors to help them to attend this year's final round in London having won the Midlands final. We were very pleased to hear from Adam Charnley that as a result of our news item the guys from St Joseph's have already found some sponsors.

"Ian Turburville is producing team shirts for us", says Adam. "Also thanks to Turbo we have gained sponsorship from Santa Pod Raceway and Barry Sheavills Motorsport, as well as Eurodragster's logos on the shirts of course. We have also gained sponsorship through Michelin. Thanks a lot for helping us!"
©Eurodragster.com
We would like to add our own thanks to Turbo, Santa Pod and Barry Sheavills. If any company or individual would like to sponsor the St Joseph's College team then it's not too late to contact Adam at chara003@sgfl.org.uk, and for more details on the F1 In Schools competition check out the official web site at www.f1inschools.co.uk.

Marston loves Super Mod.
7th December: UK Super Comp racer Paul Marston is still working on his plans for 2003 and he tells us that a move to Super Modified was under consideration. Although this didn't work out, Paul has become a devotee of the popular doorslammer class.

"The Super Modified rules for the 2003 season have been finalised, and although we made representations to allow Pro Stock motors to compete the Tech Committee, after careful consideration, decided it was too soon to consider allowing the introduction of these motors into the class", says Paul. "Although we are disappointed as a team, I still believe that next year's Super Modified rules are the best since the class began. In a nutshell, any Super-class Doorslammer can now bolt on a nitrous system and go heads-up racing - and be competitive. The ideal engine size with the 2003 rules is 454ci - 500ci. This means that nearly all Super-class doorslammers fit that criteria, as the Big Block Chevy is the most favoured engine choice amongst most racers. As the stock 454 is an almost ideal choice from a weight break point of view, to be competitive in Super Modified there are no exotic Pro Mod-style motor combinations to be put together.

"An excellent example of this is Andy Hone's ex-Packman Granada Scorpio, which is at least fifteen years old. Andy runs a 468 ci Big Block Chevy, tunnel ram, stock port design aftermarket heads, nitrous plate system (not even a fogger), with a two-speed powerglide. The car weighs around 2500 pounds which puts Andy thereabouts as the Granada needs to weigh 2480lb minimum. Easy! With the 2003 rule changes in place, Andy will probably be the man to beat - no trick parts in that combination, just a very good team and a well-sorted racecar.
©Eurodragster.com
"In effect Super Modified will have the most level playing field, just what new teams need to start with. There is a golden opportunity here, a truly budget orientated heads-up doorslammer class. Upon a quick look around there are surprisingly more teams already signed up for 2003 than you would imagine. The reason is simple - with the 2003 rules it is easy to see in plain English that the rules are right for the British Drag Racing and European Drag Racing community. To see for yourself check out the rules on the Super Modified web site at www.eurodragster.com/supermod.

"Going back to the PT Bruiser, we are currently making progress with a couple of engine specialists and we expect to have some propositions to look at over the next couple of weeks. We are investigating the possibilities of building a Mopar nitrous motor which would seem the way to go at present, although we are also not entirely ruling out natural aspiration. This is an important issue for us, and we will take the time to weigh up all options before a decision is taken. As far as the rest of the PT Bruiser is concerned, the winter rebuild will wait until a decision is taken. There is no telling what guise the PT Bruiser may emerge in for the 2003 season, stay tuned!"

Carter Wynns another sponsor.
6th December: UK Top Fuel Dragster racer Andy Carter has announced an associate sponsor on the First National Telecom Top Fueller. "Wynn Oil UK will be supplying the team with gear oil treatments, cleaners, lubes, greases, degreasers and more", says Carter Motorsports PR Dan Welberry. "We are delighted to be have Wynn's as a sponsor", adds Andy Carter. "They have a long and successful association with drag racing and we intend to carry on that success in 2003. Look out for details of Wynn's huge range of products in the First National Telecom pit during the season."
©Eurodragster.com
"Since 1939 Wynn's has led the market in speciality chemicals for the automotive industry", says a spokesman for Wynn Oil UK. "Wynn's research centres have continued to search for solutions to improve the performance and life of engines, which has resulted in an extensive range of products designed to make cars work more efficiently and economically and last longer. Wynn's manufactures oil and transmission, fuel and cooling system treatments, as well as general maintenance products. Each is designed to be easy to use, with clearly marked colour coded cans and bottles to make application straight forward and simple.

"Wynn's products can be obtained from Halfords and all good accessory shops, or ask your garage about Wynn's Professional Range of products. Wynn's helps to keep Andy Carter's Top Fuel Dragster on the straight and narrow, so, like Andy insist on Wynn's products for your car. When it's Wynn's it works!"

For more details you can find the Wynn's web site at www.wynns.be, or you can contact them by E-Mail at helpline@wynns.uk.com or on the phone at 0118 950 4090. You can stay in touch with all the news from the Carter Motorsports pit at www.andycarter.net.

Two calls for help.
6th December: We've had a couple of requests for readers' help. First up is Andrew Grant who is trying to track down a video copy of the Shirley Muldowney biopic Heart Like A Wheel. "I lent my copy to a friend several years ago and it was lost", says Andrew. "I am desperate to get hold of another copy. If anyone has one in good condition then please E-Mail me at andygswigger@btinternet.com."

Adam Gleadow, who has launched a fan site dedicated to UK Supercharged Altereds at www.uksuperchargedaltereds.itgo.com, would like to hear from the owners of Supercharged Altereds with information on their vehicles. Adam would be interested to hear vehicle name, chassis, body, engine, transmission, tyres, best ET and best speed. You can contact Adam by E-Mail at nitro_junkie_2002@hotmail.com.
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Trophy posted for SSB seven.
5th December: Regular readers of Eurodragster staffer Sharkman's personal web site Sharkman's Top End Tales will know that he is particularly fond of Super Street Bike. After many years' delight in the class, he has decided to return the favour by posting a special prize in 2003.

"Since I first saw Super Street Bike, there has been something about it which captured my imagination", says Sharkman. "For me, it has everything which makes a class exciting to watch: heads-up racing, proper qualifying, and rules which are simple and don't get in the way.

"I first started reporting on Super Street Bike in 1999, and I have watched the class grow in every way. Super Street Bike often has the largest entry of any bike class at an event, the standard and professionalism of the teams has improved, and of course elapsed times have been dropping.

"2002 was another great year for the Super Street Bikes with sixteen-bike fields, plenty of great action, both in terms of times and speeds, and some excellent displays of riding ability on these unpredictable machines. By the final event of the year an 8.66 was only good enough for eighth qualifying spot!

"All the while the class has been creeping up on a big achievement, the seven-second pass. With the front runners just a tenth or two away, and the pack closing in behind them, there is a strong possibility that the first seven will be run in 2003. In addition I have been lucky enough to get to know most of the racers, and I am always made welcome in the Super Street Bike pits. I therefore feel that it is time for me to put something back into the class which has given me so much enjoyment. To that end I am proud to announce the Seven Second Trophy.
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"The first rider to run a seven-second pass in SSB-legal trim will receive a trophy to mark the achievement. The twelve-inch, jade crystal trophy will be engraved with the rider's name, the date, and the elapsed time of the pass, along with a seven second logo.

"In keeping with the class, the rules are simple. Run a seven first, and you get the trophy. The time doesn't have to be backed up, but the incremental numbers must be consistent with the overall time - no trying to claim it on a piece of litter tripping the lights!

"Naturally if the class returns to the FIA Main Event and/or the FIA European Finals in 2003 - and speaking as a fan I hope it does - then the trophy can be won at these events."

Andréasson buys British.
5th December: Swedish Top Methanol Funny Car racer Leif Andréasson has been shopping on the south side of the North Sea for the latest parts for his 5.7-second Camaro.

"Our latest parts supplier is English F1 exhaust system manufacturer Good Fabrications, who manufacture exhaust systems and headers for F1, CART and IRL teams", says team member Anders Magnusson. "This high-tech English company have produced a state-of-the-art set of headers for Andréasson Motorsports. They are made of a special stainless steel material and are twelve pounds lighter than the ordinary headers."
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"We are very pleased with the system which has been built to a conservative design in stainless steel, but still giving us a weight saving", says Warren Briggs of Good Fabrications Ltd.

You can stay in touch with the news from Andréasson Motorsports on their official web site at www.andreassonmotorsports.com.

SPRC seek Press Officer.
5th December: Santa Pod Racers Club are seeking a Press Officer for the 2003 season. The main duties of the post will be to compose reports about each race at Santa Pod and to compile nine SPRC Newsletters per year, as well as keeping the SPRC web site up-to-date in liaison with Eurodragster. Attendance may also be required at SPRC Committee Meetings.
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"The successful candidate will need to be computer-literate", says SPRC Secretary Paula Marshall. "A pass will be provided permitting access to all areas of the Raceway. Please apply to me at Santa Pod Racers Club, PO Box 12, Rushden, Northamptonshire NN10 0AY or E-Mail Darren Prentice at darren@sprcrd.fsnet.co.uk."

Stay tuned as we will have some more big news from SPRC in the next few days.

Marston expands.
5th December: Going for the record of entries in consecutive Eurodragster news updates (there's another in Saturday's update, too - Ed) are Paul Marston Racing, who tell us that they are undertaking an expansion of their workshop. The expansion, long-planned and budgeted-for, has had to be brought forward due to the success of the Passenger Ri