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Garlits races into next millennium.
31st December: APIRA Press Officer, Jerry Cookson has had a busy Christmas updating the APIRA web site's news page. Top story must be Don Garlits' return to the cockpit of a dragster. There's also news of helmet and firesuit changes, ratification of the British Land Speed Records set by Colin Fallows and Mark Newby and lots, lots more. http://eurodragster.com/apira/ is the place to be.

Win a Svensk Dragracing T-Shirt.
28th December: Our friends at Svensk Dragracing have posted on their web site a great contest, with a T-Shirt up for grabs. Check it out at http://www.dragracing.se.

Meanwhile don't forget the other contest which is underway, about which we posted details on December 25th.

LA Racing update (again).
28th December: Apologies to all our readers for the mistake in the URL when this news item was posted yesterday. Your News Editor puts it down to the 'flu which he is currently suffering. Sympathy, whisky etc. to our snail-mail address!

The official web site of UK Top Methanol Dragster team LA Racing has been updated with a new page giving a run-down on the car, and a whizzy new downloadable Screen Saver which you can find at the bottom of the What's New page.

You can find the LA Racing site at http://www.laracing.co.uk.

Provisional NDRS calendar.
26th December: The Svensk Dragracing web site has been updated with a provisional calendar for the 2000 Nordic Drag Race Series. Notable is the first-time inclusion in the NDRS of the Midnight Sun Internationals at Piteå in the north of Sweden, which is also a Top Fuel Tour date.

Svensk Dragracing point out that at least one date will have to be changed, due to a clash of dates on the first weekend in September.

T-shirt and cap to be won!
25th December: It's the season of goodwill to all and a UK drag racing team have participated in the Christmas fun by asking us to run a competition for them. A T-shirt and baseball cap are up for grabs, with all entrants also going into a prize draw for a mystery prize at the Easter Thunderball at Santa Pod Raceway. To have a chance at winning the shirt and cap, all you have to do is answer the following question:

Which UK Drag Racing team is currently lending Santa a helping hand?

Obviously we can't tell you to e-mail the team since that would give away the answer! Just as obviously, entry is open to those outside the UK as well as in! To enter the contest, e-mail your answer to contest@togsdragracing.com specifying Santa Contest as the subject of the mail. Closing date is January 15th: the winner will be notified by the team and we will publish the result.

Al Jackson on NHRA Fuel changes.
23rd December: The National Hot Rod Association recently announced changes to the rules for Fuel cars in the USA. A ceiling of ninety per cent nitromethane has been set, the between-rounds turnaround has been reduced from ninety minutes to seventy five, and teams will now be fined and docked points if their cars oil the track.

We thought that European fans would be interested to hear what the experts over here thought about these new rules. Alan Jackson, driver of one of Knut Soderquist's Carbon By Design Top Fuellers, gave us his thoughts.

"I think the NHRA has to do something to slow the nitro cars down, I know the tyres are a big worry for them", said Al. "The oildown rule will certainly make people more careful with the preparation of the motor, but I don't think that will be a factor in slowing the cars down. It's not like racers are trying to oil the track now, but when it does happen not only are you faced with a parts bill, you get fined.

"The ninety per cent nitro rule will no doubt be coming over here in 2001, but I personally would have no objection to it being implemented in 2000: it makes what we are doing in Europe seem more valid if the percentage is the same as the USA".

Dave Beck to run Prostar Tour.
22nd December: UK Pro Stock Bike racer Dave Beck is to run a Pro Mod Bike on the Prostar Tour in the USA next season. Ian King writes:

"Dave Beck has just announced that he has reached agreement with Jay Reagan of MRE to campaign a full season of Prostar Pro Mod bike during 2000. Despite a good showing in his first season at selected meetings in the US this year, the outlook for the ex-European and British Pro Stock Bike champion was not good due to lack of funds. However, last minute support from Gary at CPE (the engine builder) and the ever philanthropic nature of Jay Reagan, meant that next season could be the one for Dave.

Dave would like to thank Jay, Gary at CPE, the usual suspects at MRE and Top Fuel racer Ian King for their fantastic support in making next year possible."

Supertwins on Database.
22nd December: The European Drag Racing Database has been updated with data from the European Supertwin Top Fuel class. Webmaster Tommy Nilsson writes:

"One of the most requested features in the Database since the initial launch in April 1999 has been bike data. Numerous users have asked when bikes, and especially Super Twin Harleys, would be part of the Database. Such a request cannot be ignored, so we're proud to say that Super Twin Top Fuel Harleys now have their rightful place in the Database. The list of drivers and their personal bests has been compiled by Monique Pels and Ann-Britt Karling (very familiar surnames in Super Twin circles), and they have also agreed to make sure that the list is updated during the season."

You can find the European Drag Racing Database at http://www.eurodrag.com.

See the THUNDER!
21st December: We've been plugging Ian Turburville's drag bike photo CDs for a while now and when TonyB took a look at one he was so impressed, he wrote a review. Take a look in our REVIEWS section

Freddy fans' early present.
21st December: Those of us who put Swede Freddy Fagerstrom's mid six-second blown-alcohol pickup on our Christmas lists are likely to be disappointed on Saturday, but Eurodragster staffer Sharkman has come to our rescue by posting on his personal web site a video clip of Freddy in action at this year's FIA European Finals at Santa Pod Raceway. Sharkman originally planned to post the movie on Christmas Eve but entreaties from fans who only have Net access in the office softened his resolve (but shouldn't you guys be working? - Ed).

Sharkman's video is taken from the Top End and shows Freddy's unforgettable run against Martyn Jones in the first round of Super Pro ET, where he broke out by a considerable margin but plainly wasn't worried about it (he later went on to slaughter TMFC racer Ove Gottnersson in a match race). You can reach it, and several other movies of drag racing action in various classes, by clicking on the Sharkman's Movies link on Sharkman's Top End Tales. Sharkman will be adding more movies over the Winter break.

Joon's USA Tour.
19th December: Dutch Top Methanol Funny Car racer Lex Joon is to undertake a short US tour at the start of the 2000 season. He will be taking the opportunity to test his ex-Bucky Austin FC at the pre-season warm-up at Tucson, Arizona, before travelling to the Winternationals at Pomona Raceway, California, to attempt to become the first Dutchman ever to qualify for an NHRA national event.

More details, including information about discounted air fares if you want to go and watch, are available on the News page of the Lex Joon Racing web site.

New Web Sites.
19th December: The web site of the Super-Twin Dragbike Association can be found at http://www.super-twin.com. This great-looking site features information from the European Supertwin Top Fuel and Top Gas scene, including racer biographies, a race calendar and a results archive.

Car Clubs and car-hopping enthusiasts will be interested in the Fuzzyjuice site at http://www.fuzzyjuice.co.uk. The site features pictures and information of cars on British roads, hopping and moving about using hydraulics. "For next year we have built the only fully dancing VW van outside the USA", says Nick of Fuzzyjuice. "The VW will hop all 4 wheels of the ground by 4.5 feet in just 4 hops, and it will be available for show bookings. We are also offering Car Clubs extra discount on all our product range: Wolf Alarms, electric windows, central locking kits, and if your Club wants decals or club stickers we are the place to come".

Award for Svensk Dragracing.
17th December: Congratulations to our friends at the Swedish Drag Racing Association on the award of the Per Gästrin Memorial Trophy for 1999. This is a special trophy awarded annually by the Finnish Hot Rod Association for contribution to Finnish Drag Racing, and was awarded to Svensk Dragracing in recognition of their work in bringing the FHRA into the 1999 Nordic Drag Race Series.

You can read full details on the Svensk Dragracing web site.

Quick Times.
16th December: The season review edition of Quick Times, the APIRA newsletter, dropped through the letterbox of Eurodragster Corporate HQ the other day. In addition to the fascinating review of the season at Avon Park, it's packed full of news, views, ads and letters, plus my nomination for quote of the season - from Aidan Kenny, on his crash at Super Series 4: "...it's almost impossible to steer a car with no wheels on the ground." Unfortunately, you won't find Quick Times at your local newsagent - the only way to get it is to join APIRA. To find out how, click over to the APIRA web site.

Alcohol at Autosport?
16th December: Latest rumour about Autosport International is that Doug Bond will be there with his Shell Top Alcohol Dragster (we checked with our lawyers and apparently it's OK to say 'Top Alcohol' as long as we don't mention the FIA in the same sentence) and there's a possibilty that Bob Glassup will take the Bubble Gum Topolino along, too. Kids, don't forget to take mom and dad along to see the Junior Dragsters - and remember the magic words: "Dad, can I have a dragster?" You can find out more about the show at http://www.autosport-show.com/

How to build a drag bike.
16th December: Find out (in 14 easy steps) at Ric Naylor's Team R'N'R Supertwin Top Gas site. (The pics take a little while to download, but it's well worth the wait).

FIA Season Review video.
16th December: The review of the 1999 FIA European Drag Racing Championship is now available from Santa Pod Raceway. "The videos are here in the office", says SPR's Kelly, "if you get your order in quickly we'll be able to get it to you in time for Christmas!".

The video is just over three hours long and features the action from all five FIA rounds as well as interviews with drivers and special guests. The video costs £15.99 plus £2.00 postage and packing, and is available from SPR on 01234 782828 or at:

Santa Pod Raceway
Unit 5
Airfield Road
Podington
Wellingborough
Northamptonshire
NN29 7XA

From outside the UK, the telephone number is +44 1234 782828 (although bear in mind that the video is formatted in the UK's PAL TV system).

Don't forget to mention that you saw this news item on Eurodragster when ordering your copy.

Maltese far from cross with Knut.
15th December: Carbon By Design Top Fuel Dragster team owner Knut Soderquist has returned from a trip to the island of Malta, where he was on a mission to wrench a car to the island's first ever five-second run.

Knut, accompanied by Top Fuel pilot Alan Jackson, dropped one of his Top Fuel engines into the Hi Timber-sponsored Top Fueller owned by Paul Camasouli and driven by John Casal, and the car ran on a surface far from ideal for today's Fuellers. "It's a three hundred-inch car which I sold Paul about four years ago", said Knut, "in the first year we ran it on alcohol and won four out of five events because of our consistency. It's a beautiful car, a replica of the car which Harlan Thompson took over from Darrell Gwynn".

The Hi Timber car made it to the final of the race in a class where alcohol and fuel cars ran together, and emerged victorious despite fighting for traction. "The first and best run was 6.102 on a super-soft set-up", said Knut. "On the next run we gave it more clutch but the car ran slower. It was difficult to set the car up on the data from two runs, and the start line was very loose, with gravel everywhere. When John hit the throttle the car stood still and the engine revs went up. But what can I say? We won the race!".

It wasn't quite mission accomplished but Knut was happy with the outcome. "We wanted a five this time, but now we know what to do. We set low ET and top speed, and now we think that we could run 5.8s but that's the maximum on that track. The surface is concrete to the eighth-mile and was only sprayed to that distance, but next year they will prep the whole quarter mile. This year it was as if everything was against us - the weather the week before the race was the worst they'd had for fifty years!"

There is a lot of interest in drag racing on Malta. There are five events each year including night racing, and crowds of up to seven thousand are not uncommon. "They just love to race! There are a number alcohol cars there", said Knut, "the best has run in the 6.1s. They have all the best stuff you can buy: Whipples, you name it. There were about sixty to seventy cars at this event, some really nice machines and they ran well - they would be tough if they ran over here".

CBD in USA testing.
15th December: Knut and Carbon By Design partner Carlo Gandolfi have also been busy working on a new injector which is shortly to undergo testing in the USA. "It's a new design: only two butterflies and the two inlets stay separate all the way down to the blower", said Knut. "Joe Amato, Kenny Bernstein, Tony Schumacher, Larry Dixon and Cory McClenathan will all be using it in pre-season testing".

And on this side of the Atlantic, Knut is looking for two new crew members for the CBD Top Fuel Dragster team for the 2000 season. "No experience is necessary", said Knut. "The new crew will preferably live in or near Wellingborough and will preferably be non-smokers!".

More details on this, a Top Fuel chassis for sale, and a Pro Stock engine for sale are available in our Swap-Meet section.

'99 FIA Review on TV.
14th December: European satellite and cable channel Eurosport will be showing a one-hour review of the 1999 FIA European Championship season as part of its Start Your Engines this week.

The programme is scheduled to be shown tomorrow, Wednesday 15th December, at 19:00 CET (18:00 UK time) and at 00:00 CET on Thursday 16th (23:00 Wednesday 15th UK time). Satellite channels are, however, notorious for short-notice schedule changes so keep an eye on Eurosport Text or Eurosport's web site for news of any changes.

Viewers in Holland will have the significant advantage of colour commentary from TMFC racer Lex Joon. We hope you guys realise how lucky you are!

SFI and FIA.
14th December: Our good friend Christer Abrahamson of Svensk Dragracing writes that he is in receipt of the December 1999 FIA Technical Bulletin which contains a number of amendments to the drag racing rules - for example the new Top Methanol weight breaks - but which, significantly, does not mention the new SFI specs. As far as we can see, the weight breaks and other amendments have not yet found their way into the Drag Racing rules on the FIA web site but we would expect an update soon.

Eurodragster is on the case with the relevant authorities in the UK about the likelihood of the introduction of the new SFI specs for the 2000 season and we will post any news as soon as we receive it. In the meantime you can find the SFI web site at http://www.sfifoundation.com.

Letter from America.
14th December: The official web site of UK Top Methanol Dragster team Turner Racing has been updated with a report and pictures of the first outings of the team's new car, which recently took place in the USA. You can find the report on the Latest News page of the Turner Racing site at http://turnerracing.millennium-computer.co.uk.

Shockwave latest.
14th December: Turner Racing's webmaster Stuart has also been busy on the other site for which he is responsible, that of the Shockwave Fuel Funny Car team. The News page of the Shockwave site at http://www.millennium-computer.co.uk/shockwave now has a brief update on what the team are doing over the closed season.

SFI Rule Changes Latest.
13th December: UK Top Methanol Dragster team LA Racing have updated their whats new pages with further information on the latest SFI rule changes, including the reasoning behind why these changes have been implemented, supplied by Bob Meyer. Eurodragster is still investigating whether these changes will be implemented in Europe, but having read the reasoning behind the changes we hope that teams will follow LA Racings example and voluntarily follow the new rules.

Juniors on the Web.
12th December: Successful Swedish Junior Drag Racer Jenny Bjorkman has now got her own web site featuring Sponsor information, a photo gallery and a guestbook so you can say hello. The site can be found at http://home.bip.net/jenny.bjorkman/.

Further Additions.
12th December:It looks like many racers are taking the opportunity of the closed season to launch their own web sites as in addition to Jenny Bjorkman this week we have also seen new websites from Gerd Habermann's Racing team (http://www.gerd-habermann-racing.de/index2.html) and also from UK Pro Stock Bike rider Ray Debben, whose site also features performance parts for your bike from Debben Performance Products. Ray's site can be found at http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/DEBBEN_PERFORMANCE/.

And Finally.
12th December: In an effort to stay off the streets and out of trouble, two of Eurodragster's staffers have also been busy updating their own sites. Tog has taken the opportunity of more server space to re-instate picture sets from the Thunderball and Super Series 1 and he has also found the time to induct a new member into the "Lets Get Tog" Club". All this can be found on Tog's Drag Racing Page at http://www.togsdragracing.com.

Meanwhile Sharkman has added another couple of video clips to his site, which can be found at http://www.btinternet.com/~sharkman.

Svensk back with Banquet and FHRA report.
9th December: The Svensk Dragracing web site has returned from a brief period of downtime - caused by problems at their service provider's end - with a report and photographs from the recent Nordic Drag Race Series Banquet and Prizegiving in Stockholm, and news of the new chairman of the Finnish Hot Rod Association.

Congratulations to all NDRS trophy winners, and a special well done to Svensk Dragracing's Christer Abrahamson who won a trophy as the racers' favourite official. Eurodragster worked closely with Christer and his colleague Erik Zettervall to bring you reports from the European Finals, and so we were very pleased to see a friend honoured.

Sam flies the flag.
9th December: Not a lot of people know this but Super Series 10.90 Bike Champion Sandra (Sam) Chaplain and hubby Roland put in a huge amount of hard work publicising and promoting the sport of drag racing. In the next couple of months alone, Sam will be featuring in
Biker Magazine (3 pages)
Streetfighters
Autoexpress
Top Car Magazine (No, that's NOT a misprint)
She's also to be featured in a new DoT initiative whereby ALL riders and drivers (Over 300,000 PER YEAR) taking their driving test will receive a magazine called EXCEL (I think) whilst they are waiting to take their theory test.

And finally she's been asked to front the Cambridgeshire drink-driving and fireworks safety campaign which will be featured repeatedly on all Anglia region TV and newspapers up to the Millenium.

Keeping drag racing in the public eye or what?

More Drag Mag News.
9th December: More magazine info today comes via that man Jerry Cookson. First the January 2000 edition of 'Street Machine' magazine:

Although coverage of Super Series '99 has been somewhat lacking in content for the past six months, this issue has more than made up with an excellent 6 page retrospective penned and photographed by unsung scribe, Mark Gredzinski. The mag also features Paula & Stan Atkins 902bhp Ford Rapid-fit 100E Super Comp doorslammer (from MG once again), a report from the Euro Finals, a trick looking '60 Chevy Impala strip and street machine, and an unusual article entitled 'The Rail Thing'! when editor Rich Nichols drove Dave Armstrong's Twin Jinx nostalgia/Wild Bunch slingshot dragster at Avon Park's Hot Rod Drags, an occassion Rich really enjoyed. Well that's what he said to me with a quivering hand.....Further details on Street Machine can be found on their own website at http://www.chpltd.com/

And.....

The new owner of Mike Ismail's Citroen Dyane Mod ET altered is Nick Haydon - this month's centre page subject in Street Machine magazine for his minty '60 Chevy Impala. According the the article Nick's plans are to drop a 466ci Ford engine and a C6 box into the homemade tube chassis. Although the car hasn't been seen since the 1996 Docklands Show, Mike's best quarter mile performance stood at 10.83 without nitrous and a 10.00 flat with.

Thanks, Jerry.

European Database features results.
8th December: The European Drag Racing Database has been updated with results from this year's races around Europe. Web master Tommy Nilsson writes:

"Fifteen races from 1999 are in the database so far, with a lot more to be added during the winter. The paper version of the database goes back to 1986, and the ultimate goal is all results from all events in Europe, ever. This is probably not too realistic, but let's see how far we can get. Anyone with race results prior to 1986 is more than welcome to mail me. The search engine has been updated and now covers race results as well."

You can find the European Drag Racing Database at http://www.eurodrag.com.

New web site.
8th December: Racer and fan Dave Hughes (not the Super Gas racer - Ed) has started a web site featuring his and collegue Phil Shaw's photographs of racing at Santa Pod Raceway. The site has separate sections for cars, bikes and pitside pictures. There are already some very good shots in place with more to be added over the winter. Check it out at http://www.route56.co.uk/dhughes.

Pro Stock Uncovered.
8th December: Jerry Cookson sent us this little gem:
Pro Stock fans had better check out the December edition of 'RaceCar Engineering' Magazine. In a 13 page colour article, American author Rick Voegelin explores the science of NHRA Pro Stock drag racing, the history, and the technical side of how and why a factory hot rod flies down the quarter mile in six seconds at over 200 miles per hour. The mag, published by Link House, also features Nascar, Indy Car, and the new Mopar LeManns engine. Priced at 3.70, RaceCar Engineering can be found at all good newsagents. And by the way, you won't miss the mag because there's a nice photo of Warren Johnson's Goodwrench Firebird on the cover in full burnout routine.

(Snail)Mail us.
8th December: After being "of no fixed abode" for two years, Eurodragster has finally acquired a snail mail address, so if you feel compelled to send us photos, magazine cuttings, Christmas cards, 10 notes or undergarments (not you, Erik), send them to

Eurodragster.com
PO Box 334
Bedford
MK42 0ZL
England

Obviously we couldn't give out our home addresses as we don't want hundreds of adoring female fans knocking on our doors at all hours of the night. (Hey, speak for yourself - Tog)

LA Racing flag SFI changes.
7th December: The web site of UK Top Methanol Dragster team LA Racing is currently showing details of the latest SFI spec changes to be posted in the USA. These changes cover a number of classes. Neither LA Racing's driver Lindsay Deuchar nor we at Eurodragster have been informed whether these changes are to be introduced in Europe for the 2000 season, but we are working on finding out for you, and forewarned is of course forearmed.

You can find details on the What's New page of the LA Racing site.

Lex Joon Racing on show.
7th December: Lex Joon's Ford Probe Top Methanol Funny Car will be on display this week at the Speed and Design Show at Utrecht in Holland. The show starts tomorrow (Wednesday 8th December) and continues to this Sunday, 12th December. The car will be exhibited on the stand of Lex's sponsor Splitfire spark plugs.

You can find more details on the News page of the Lex Joon Racing web site.

Junior Dragsters at Autosport International.
7th December: As I predicted when we launched the APIRA web site, Press Officer Jerry Cookson has been busy uploading news (careful, Jerry, we've only got 170Meg of space, you know). The latest news is that the Junior Dragsters are to feature in the Motoring News Live show at Autosport International at the NEC in Birmingham, January 15th - 16th next millennium. There's also talk of them featuring in the popular children's TV magazine show, Blue Peter. Check it out at http://eurodragster.com/apira.

Be a Marshal (Colt 45 not required).
7th December: Spectators, have you ever wondered what it's like on the other side of the armco? Here's your chance to find out, by becoming a marshal at Shakespeare County Raceway at Avon Park. No experience is necessary and the only limitation is that you must be over 16 years of age. Full details and an enquiry form on the APIRA web site. (I told you Jerry had been busy!)

Good news & bad news at APIRA AGM.
5th December: First the bad news... Retiring treasurer John Menetrier announced that due to increased costs in medical cover and insurance, entry fees would almost certainly have to be raised to 55 or 60 next season. The concensus was that safety should be paramount and a modest increase in entry fees was a small price to pay for the continued high standard of medical cover.

And the good news... The club voted to make a donation towards the cost of the new return road to help ensure that it would be in place next season. The possibility of pit lighting was discussed and seems likely to go ahead thanks to another donation from the club. A new, larger timing cabin should be in place for next season curtesy of track owner Anthony Hodges and crews will be pleased to hear that they will only have to sign in on the first day of each meeting in future, except for changes of crew members. Other potential improvements discussed include an on-site fuel store and drivers' win lights.

A number of problems of safety and discipline in the pits (mostly raised by members, not the committee) were discussed at some length. Some members felt that the club should deal more harshly with offenders, while the committee expressed a desire that the pit area should be 'self policing.' It was suggested that each class should have a representative to liaise with the track officials on matters of safety and discipline.

The club committee for 2000 is Anthony Hodges, Wendy Talbot, Richard Warburton, Bruno Sanderson-Brown, Marie Herbert-White, Tina Gibbs and Maureen McCrae-McIntyre and the club treasurer is Annette Douglas. Look for a fuller report on the news page of the APIRA web site in the next few days.

Super Street Biker seeks crew.
5th December: UK Super Street Bike racer, number five in this year's ACU Championship, Peter Bellinie is seeking two new crew members for the 2000 season. If you fancy helping Peter to change that five to a one, then drop him a line at oni@supanet.com.

If you are a racer seeking crew, or if you fancy offering your services to a race team, then why not avail yourself of a free classified advertisement in our Swap Meet section. It could change your life!

APIRA AGM.
3rd December: Don't forget the APIRA AGM this Sunday at the Posthouse Hotel, Crick (nr Rugby). The meeting starts at 11:00am and full details including directions can be found in the NEWS section of the APIRA web site. (There's also an interesting update on Wayne Saunder's progress stateside.)

Say hello to Leif.
3rd December: Leif Andreasson's web site now sports a shiny new guestbook, so if you want to say hello to Leif and the crew, cruise on over there now.


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