Swift snippets.
31st January: We have two spy pictures for you today. The first (below left) came with the words "Almost there after over a year!"...


...whilst the second (above right) came with the words "Street car returning to the track in 2013 Super class action". If you know more, or if you want to send your own spy picture, then drop us a line at [email protected].

Further to our news item of 22nd January, Ray White and Danny Cockerill will have their chopper and new Super Street Bike on display at the Carol Nash / MCN Bike Show at London's Excel Centre on 15th-17th February. Ray and Danny will be at the Show to promote their new company The Hot Rod House. "We hope to see you there", they say.

Thumbs up to photographer Matt Woods who was published in the UK's Daily Mirror on Tuesday with a set of shots of John Everitt's fire burnout at Dragstalgia at Santa Pod Raceway in July (below left). As good a photographer as he is a nice guy, Matt has a web site which is well worth checking out at www.mattwoodsphotography.com.


Eurodragster.com sponsor Hauser Race Cars are stocking aluminium motorplates which Geof Hauser tells us make engine mounting a simple task (above right). "The plates are water jet cut for accuracy", says Geof. "We have different styles for doorslammers and dragsters and can make custom plates if required. Normally plates are made from 6082 T6 Aluminium but midplates are also available in 3 mm steel. For the current range please visit www.hauserracing.com/pages/motor-plates.aspx.

Eurodragster.com Swap Meet sponsor Jeff Bull asked us to say a big Happy Birthday for yesterday (Wednesday) to his wife, 2012 UK National Super Modified Champion Belinda Bull. Jeff sent the message on the right day but during a period when we had no server access, for which apologies. Hope you had a lovely day Belinda.

Time flies when you're having fun and Trevor Langfield of Eurodragster.com sponsor Wizards of NOS says that since first experimenting with nitrous oxide he has been hooked on maximising the potential it holds and every minute of his involvement in that activity has been totally enthralling. "That's probably the reason why it's hard to believe that I reach my 60th birthday in March of this year and clock up thirty five years, since I first experienced the wonder of nitrous oxide", says Trevor. "In recognition of both these achievements the WON team are organising a party and inviting everyone who has ever used a WON nitrous system to join the celebrations. If you'd like further details of the time and place and would like to join us, please contact us on 01302 834343."

Santa Pod Raceway's Early Bird Discount scheme, which offers 20% off tickets bought early, closes tomorrow (Friday). The discount applies to all events organised by Santa Pod. You can find out more and book your tickets via www.santapod.com.

Thanks to everyone who has so far submitted votes for the APIRA, SPRC and Obsession Motorsports Perpetual Awards. Voting closes at 23:59 UK tomorrow (00:59 European Saturday). If you wish to check out this year's shortlists and place your votes then click here or click on the Perpetual Awards vote link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page.

Web site updates.
31st January: Gasser fans could do a lot worse than to check out the web site of the USA's Gasser Models which does exactly what it says on the tin with some superb 1/18 scale Gassers on offer as well as a line of hard-to-find nostalgic decals and acrylic display cases. Take a look at www.gassermodels.com.

If you like your doorslammers and you like your nostalgia then you will love the latest update on our good buddy Alan Currans' excellent Acceleration Archive, a page of fifty of Alan's door car shots from the 1970s and 1980s. You can check out Alan's shots via the What's New? link at www.theaccelerationarchive.co.uk.

Stutz to Top Fuel.
 30th January: 2011 FIA European Top Fuel Dragster Champion and Eurodragster.com sponsor Urs Erbacher has named eighteen-year-old former Super Comp racer Noah Stutz as driver of the second Erbacher Top Fuel Dragster. Urs himself will continue to race as long as his doctor allows it and so will be fielding a two-car team.

The team plan to carry out Noah's Top Fuel licencing Santa Pod Raceway this spring under the guidance of experienced crew chief Robin Grice. "We will build up the two Top Fuel cars and make them legal for the 2013 FIA regulations", says Noah. "The cars will then be shown to the press and the public at an official team presentation before season starts. There is still a lot of work to do to make the operation a success. We have to train the new crew members and we have to set up and tune the second car for my licencing runs."

"Noah showed me several times that he has what it takes to be a race car driver", says Urs Erbacher. "He accepted the challenge to drive our second Top Fuel car and to compete in the highest league of drag racing. To bring two cars to the races is a challenge for all of the team."

"If things work out, maybe I will race Urs in Germany in August", says Noah with a wink. "I hope I can qualify for the field and meet Urs in the staging lanes or, best case, in the final!"

"This year, Noah and the new crew members have to gain experience and they have to learn a lot from the established team", says Urs. "After Noah has successfully licenced we plan to run with both cars at Hockenheim and maybe the FIA European Finals, depending on the sponsors we can attract to our operation. The Erbacher Racing Team, now competing with two Top Fuel Dragsters, can offer miscellaneous attractive marketing opportunities to all kind of potential sponsors. We are confident that the money can be raised and we will campaign the entire European FIA Championship with two Top Fuel cars in 2014."

The Netherlands SFI stop details.
29th January: Thanks to Kees van der Meij of the Dutch Hot Rod Association for forwarding us the location of the SFI Tour's stop in The Netherlands, which takes place on Thursday 7th March.

SFI inspections will take place at the DHRA offices at Het Aambeeld 11, 1969 NC Heemskerk, about twenty five kilometres from Amsterdam. This is also the location of Pro Street USA Cars.

This year's SFI Tour now looks as follows:

Thursday 7th March: DHRA offices, Heemskerk, The Netherlands
Friday 8th March: Helsinki, Finland, venue TBC
Saturday 9th March: Persåkers Speed Shop, Åkers Styckebruk, Sweden
Monday 11th March: Santa Pod Raceway, England

We will bring you more details as we receive them.

SPRC reintroduce Comp Eliminator.
29th January: Ian Marshall of Santa Pod Racers Club has been in touch to confirm that, after an absence of a few years, Comp Eliminator will be running at Championship events at Santa Pod Raceway this season. The class will run to European Comp indexes (all European Comp racers welcome - Ed) with an extra category to accommodate the UK's Super Modifieds:

For some the class is known as Complicated Eliminator, so to help alleviate some of the fears and questions and to remove the black art of Comp, the SPRC web site at www.eurodragster.com/sprc has been updated with a host of information to help racers to understand the regulations and class indexes. On the site you will find a drop-down box system which will allow you to enter your vehicle details in order to find a class suitable for your current vehicle. However not every car will immediately comply with the regulations or indexes: this may be for several reasons, but if you find that even after you have entered all of your details there is no class listed for you then it may be that your car is either slightly under- or overweight for a class. It is worth spending a little more time looking at the specific weights for your type of vehicle. This is all explained on the web site.

To help kick start the class for 2013, all Super Modified cars will be adopted into Comp Eliminator, running under their current regulations and against an 8.00 index for the quarter mile. The class prefix will also remain SM.

On the SPRC web site you will also find links to the current European Comp Indexes (please note, these are different to American indexes), the current Super Modified technical regulations, and a link to a Dragzine publication explaining Comp Eliminator in greater detail.

Comp Eliminator will run at the following events:

30th March-1st April: Festival of Power
24th-27th May: FIA Main Event
22nd-23rd June: SPRC Summernationals
5th-8th September: FIA European Finals
21st-22nd September: UK National Finals

If you have further questions then, of course, please contact me at the SPRC office on 01933 313625 or at [email protected]. If I can't answer a question then I will endeavour to get back to you with the answer.

Marshalls' thanks II.
29th January: Ian and Holley Marshall and families have asked us to thank everyone who has donated to Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research in memory of our beloved Paula Marshall.

"Thank you to everyone who made a donation at Paula's funeral", they say. "£1100 was collected and duly sent off to the office in London (right).

"Further donations have also been sent directly to the research centre; at present I don't have a total, but once I have these details I will let everybody know through Eurodragster.com.

"From Holley and I, and all of our family, thank you for your kind donations."

Swift snippets.
29th January: One of our good friends in the US, Dawn Mazi, has been in touch to ask if any Eurodragster.com reader has footage of the US Nationals between 1975 and 1978. This is to assist the forthcoming Snake and Mongoose film. If you can help then please drop us a line at [email protected] and we'll put you in touch.

Thanks to everyone who has submitted votes for the APIRA, SPRC and Obsession Motorsports Perpetual Awards. Voting closes at 23:59 UK on Friday of this week, 1st February (00:59 European Saturday 2nd). If you wish to check out this year's shortlists and place your votes then click here or click on the Perpetual Awards vote link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page. We have had very few attempts at vote-rigging so far although needless to say we caught them all (TS - Ed). We must pay tribute to the several nominees who have very sportingly voted for others on their own shortlist.

Allard Chrysler Dragster seeks crew.
29th January: Now that the restoration of Europe's first dragster, Sydney Allard's 1961 Allard Chrysler, is nearing completion the Allard Chrysler Action Group is looking to extend its pool of people available to operate the car at public appearances and carry out general maintenance procedures. ACAG Chair Brian Taylor writes:

The plan is to have at least three stand-alone National Motor Museum, Beaulieu drag racing support crews available at any given time.

In the short- to medium-term you would need to be available to work on the final assembly. This would also enable you to familiarise yourself with the rather antique systems and get to know the rest of the team, some of whom are also antique and rather quaint. This work is normally carried out on a Sunday at Andy Robinson Race Cars near Basingstoke. Sound mechanical knowledge is required – preferably in a motorsport environment but not necessarily drag racing.

We plan around five appearances this year but other opportunities may crop up. So the commitment is considerable although nothing like that required to be part of a touring race team, particularly once we establish three teams. And we do have loads of fun. In 2014 we hope to take the dragster to the USA on a cackle tour as part of the fifty year anniversary celebrations of the first International Drag Racing Festival held in the UK. This featured a touring American team consisting of some of the greatest names in drag racing. Allard Chrysler team members will have the chance to meet some of them and their families.

Uniform provided for public appearances and food available from our Extreme Chef Syd McDonald. A sense of humour and enthusiasm for the project are clearly prerequisites. If you would like to join us then please contact me at [email protected] and tell me why, or if you prefer please phone me on 01395 579733.

Web site updates.
29th January: There has been a range of updates on the UKDrag.net Blog this week including features on American Superstock racer Ethan Lisle's racing story so far, build updates on American Superstock racer Simon Parker's Camaro, News on the PDRC awards night in February, and bike RWYB racer Lydon Webster's Suzuki Bandit 1200. You can check out all the news at and around York Raceway at www.ukdrag.net.

Obsession, APIRA, SPRC Awards vote 13.
28th January: Obsession Motorsports, Avon Park International Racing Association, Santa Pod Racers Club and Eurodragster.com are teaming up to give Eurodragster.com readers the chance of input to the Obsession Motorsports Sportsman of the Year trophy and the APIRA and SPRC Perpetual Awards, which will be presented at the joint APIRA / SPRC Dinner Dance and Trophy presentation on Saturday 9th February 2013.

For several of the 2012 season awards, a shortlist has been decided upon for which votes can be submitted by E-Mail. Nominations are now also being accepted for the Alex Brachtvogel Memorial Trophy. The votes of Eurodragster.com readers will be taken into consideration when Obsession Motorsports and the SPRC and APIRA Committees decide upon their winners.

The final voting category is the Obsession Motorsports Sportsman of the Year trophy. The Sportsman of the Year trophy is presented by Obsession Motorsports in memory of the late Terry Gibbs, a fervent supporter of Sportsman racing who himself raced before becoming a race and show promoter. The trophy is awarded to an individual who typifies the spirit of Sportsman drag racing either as a racer themselves or as someone who works to support Sportsman racing. The shortlist for Sportsman of the Year, in alphabetical order, is as follows:

Carole Ismail, Santa Pod Racers Club
Vote for Carole Ismail

Carla Pittau and Rick McCann, Pro ET
Vote for Carla Pittau and Rick McCann

Ian Powell, Super Pro ET
Vote for Ian Powell

Kathy Taylor, Santa Pod Racers Club
Vote for Kathy Taylor

To place your vote, either use the links above or go to the official Perpetual Awards voting page which you can view by clicking here or by clicking on the 2012 Perpetual Awards vote link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page.
©Eurodragster.com
The Alex Brachtvogel Memorial Trophy, for which nominations are also now being taken, was first awarded to Santa Pod Racers Club'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. There is no shortlist for the Alex Brachtvogel award. Nominations are invited from Eurodragster.com readers for racers, race officials, track and safety crews, club officials, media, or anyone else who has contributed to the sport. Last year the trophy was awarded to Paula Marshall. Again see the official page for more details or E-Mail your nomination to [email protected] specifying SPRC Alex Brachtvogel Memorial Trophy nomination as the subject and your nomination in the body of the E-Mail.

Voting will close at 23:59 UK on Friday of this week, 1st February (00:59 European Saturday 2nd).

For each of the Awards, one vote per E-Mail address per nominee will be accepted: multiple votes for the same nominee from the same E-Mail address will all be disqualified. And every year we say this, but every year someone tries it on: please note that blatant attempts at organising mass votes - for example asking workmates, forum members or Facebook friends to vote en masse - are easily identified and all such votes will be disallowed as they have been in previous years. Concerted attempts at vote-rigging will result in the nominee being removed from the shortlist whether or not that nominee knows what was going on. We know all the dodges so it's just not worth trying.

Swift snippets.
26th January: Drakie's Americans owner and Editor Martin Drake is auctioning a tribute to Kasey Dixon Grainger consisting of a framed KC T-Shirt and two pictures from the Hot Rods and Thrills event in 2010 (below left). "The auction will be silent with all proceeds donated to the KC Rookie of the Year award fund which is presented by Tanya and Paul Dixon Grainger at the Hot Rod Drags", says Martin. "The auction will run for one month. If you would like to place a bid then E-Mail me at [email protected] with your name, contact number and your bid. The auction will close 12:00 midday on 25th February and the winning bidder will be contacted and their identity announced if they wish."


Allard Chrysler Action Group Chair Brian Taylor has kindly given us a first look at how the Allard Chrysler dragster will look in its full restored glory (above right). "The snow last weekend kept the crew down to Andy Robinson, Martin Dunks and Paul Stubbings but look what they achieved", says Brian. "Great job guys. A bigger crew this weekend and we hope to install the engine."

Good luck and stay safe to Sweden's Adam Flamholc who is contesting Outlaw Pro Mod at the 9th Annual US Street Nationals at Bradenton Motorsports Park in Florida. You can tune in to a webcast at www.motormaniatv.com and updates are available on the Flamholc / MMR Racing Facebook page.

Marshalls' thanks.
25th January: Ian Marshall has been in touch on behalf of himself, daughter Holley and both families to thank the drag racing community for the help and support since Paula Marshall fell ill and then passed away:

Following Paula's diagnosis of leukaemia on 19th September 2011, something very special happened and continues to happen. It's a much greater thing than the sum of its parts and has been completely overwhelming on more than one occasion.

The drag racing family came to Paula's assistance and filled her hospital room with cards, gifts and cuddly toys, race cars and bikes all had get well soon messages, but most importantly with offers of support, well-wishes and love... you can't buy that stuff, or at least not at the shops I know of.

Paula's journey was a long and sometimes very difficult one, even for someone as tough as she was, but she knew that she had the support of all of her family no matter where they were in the world. Paula took strength from this and it made the tough days a little easier to handle.

Paula passed away on 6th January 2013 and the funeral was arranged; Stockton was perhaps not the obvious choice to some however, to explain, most of both of our families live in the North East of England, and rather than our families having to travel 200 miles to pay respects at some point down the road the decision was taken to have the funeral in Middlesbrough so that they could pay respects at the Garden of Remembrance. However Paula's ashes will be scattered at Santa Pod at some point in the future, I'm not sure when, but perhaps on one morning of the Festival of Power, and please note that all of our family will be welcome to come along.

To all of the people who sent cards, E-Mails, presents and text messages every single day, to the well-wishers and the people who have helped Holley and I and our families on so many occasions with personal things and with sorting out work and logistical problems. Thank you will never be enough.

Paula will remain in our hearts and minds forever as will the support given to Holley and I.

But thank you, thank you for everything you have done and continue to do. I hope one day to be able to repay the debt.

2013 UK Riders' and Drivers' meeting.
25th January: Many thanks to Ian Marshall for confirming that the 2013 UK Riders' and Drivers' Meeting will be held on Sunday 24th February at the Hilton Hotel, Northampton, on the eastbound A45 just off Junction 15 of the M1 (postcode is NN4 0XW, map). The meeting will commence at 12:00 midday and will go on until approximately 2:00 pm. Refreshments will be available.

Items to be discussed include the 2013 UK National Championships (ratification of dates as well as Championship matters), event entry fees and pitside electrical supply, and prize funds, as well as Any Other Business.

Racers are invited to submit items for the agenda but please note that an item will only be discussed if its proposer actually attends the meeting.

If you have any items for the agenda of the 2013 Riders' and Drivers' Meeting then please send them either to Santa Pod Racers Club at [email protected] or to Shakespeare County Raceway at [email protected] by close of office hours on Friday 8th February.

Hanssen set for Pomona début.
25th January: Former FIA European Top Methanol Dragster Champion Fred Hanssen's dream of competing in the USA is getting closer to reality as his Norwegians Racing team is set to make their NHRA debut at the upcoming O'Reilly Winternationals at Auto Club Raceway in Pomona on 14th-17th February. After winning the 2011 FIA European Top Methanol Dragster Championship, the team took a year off to ship the car and equipment to the US in preparation to compete in 2013 and possibly beyond.

Hanssen, who operates his commercial fishing business in Afjord, Norway, is excited to be close to realizing his dream. "To race in the US and against some of the best in the world has always been the dream", said Hanssen. "Hopefully this year we can learn how to compete on the US tracks and against the big guys.  We plan on racing at select events this season, but our goal is to run a full schedule in 2014."

While Hanssen has yet to compete at an NHRA event, his Crew Chief Will Hanna and his car have many races under their belt.  Hanna, of Deer Park, Texas, tuned the car prior to Hanssen's purchase from owner Howard Main and driver Darvin Martinets in 2007-2008. Hanna was hired on to stay with the team as the car moved to European competition in 2009. 

"It's been a while since this car has run at a NHRA track", stated Hanna. "We have made some changes to the car since then and the track prep at a National event has really advanced. We are going to test in Vegas the week before Pomona, so hopefully that will get us prepared.  We have our work cut out for us; there are going to be some really good teams in Pomona."

Hanssen and Hanna have enjoyed quite a bit of success together in Europe.  In his first official run in competition, Hanssen reset the European speed record with a run over 266 mph.  Hanssen broke through to score two wins and a runner-up to win the 2011 European Championship.  He has been as quick as 5.30 at 269 mph in his blown-alcohol dragster. "We have been 5.30 twice in Europe", commented Hanssen. "We definitely want to find the 5.20s, but that's not so easy.  That is what it will take to win in the US."

Much of Hanssen's European crew will make the trip to Pomona as well.  Per Skjoelberg, Ingvald Fredasvik and Arne Petter Rabben will be joined by Americans JB Hudson (Assistant Crew Chief) and Chad Baker. 

"When we were going for the Championship in Europe it was fun, but there was a lot of pressure", Hanssen explained. "There will be pressure in Pomona, but we are going to have a lot of fun doing it. This is going to be a dream come true for us."

APIRA, SPRC, Obsession Awards vote 12.
25th January: Avon Park International Racing Association, Santa Pod Racers Club, Obsession Motorsports and Eurodragster.com are teaming up to give Eurodragster.com readers the chance of input to the APIRA and SPRC Perpetual Awards and Obsession Motorsports Sportsman of the Year, which will be presented at the joint APIRA / SPRC Dinner Dance and Trophy presentation on Saturday 9th February 2013.

For several of the 2012 season awards, a shortlist has been decided upon for which votes can be submitted by E-Mail. Nominations are now also being accepted for the Alex Brachtvogel Memorial Trophy. The votes of Eurodragster.com readers will be taken into consideration when the SPRC and APIRA Committees and Obsession Motorsports decide upon their winners.

The latest voting category is the McDonald Racing Ireland Best Newcomer trophy. This trophy, for the most promising newcomer to contest events at Shakespeare County Raceway, was presented for the first time in 2012 and is posted by Graham, Edel and Gabrielle McDonald. The first recipient was Sportsman ET racer Nicole Parker, whose entry fee to the Springspeed Nationals and Open Sport Nationals were paid by McDonald Racing in addition to the trophy. The shortlist for the McDonald Racing Ireland Best Newcomer trophy, in alphabetical order, is as follows:

Jo Brookes, Supertwin Gas
Vote for Jo Brookes

Steve Cherrett, Sportsman ET
Vote for Steve Cherrett

Nick, Nigel and Ricky Hale, Sportsman ET
Vote for Nick, Nigel and Ricky Hale

Michelle Mockford, Outlaw Anglia
Vote for Michelle Mockford

Carey Wadey, Supertwin ET
Vote for Carey Wadey

Craig Wright, Sportsman ET
Vote for Craig Wright

To place your vote, either use the links above or go to the official Perpetual Awards voting page which you can view by clicking here or by clicking on the 2012 Perpetual Awards vote link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page.
©Eurodragster.com
The Alex Brachtvogel Memorial Trophy, for which nominations are also now being taken, was first awarded to Santa Pod Racers Club'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. There is no shortlist for the Alex Brachtvogel award. Nominations are invited from Eurodragster.com readers for racers, race officials, track and safety crews, club officials, media, or anyone else who has contributed to the sport. Last year the trophy was awarded to Paula Marshall. Again see the official page for more details or E-Mail your nomination to [email protected] specifying SPRC Alex Brachtvogel Memorial Trophy nomination as the subject and your nomination in the body of the E-Mail.

The final category, which will be posted on Monday (28th), will be the Obsession Motorsports Sportsman of the Year Award. Voting will close at 23:59 UK on Friday of next week, 1st February (00:59 European Saturday 2nd).

For each of the Awards, one vote per E-Mail address per nominee will be accepted: multiple votes for the same nominee from the same E-Mail address will all be disqualified. And every year we say this, but every year someone tries it on: please note that blatant attempts at organising mass votes - for example asking workmates, forum members or Facebook friends to vote en masse - are easily identified and all such votes will be disallowed as they have been in previous years. Concerted attempts at vote-rigging will result in the nominee being removed from the shortlist whether or not that nominee knows what was going on. We know all the dodges so it's just not worth trying.

Swift snippets.
25th January: If you have some spare change left over from Christmas then amongst the huge number of bargains on our Jeff Bull Race Engines Swap Meet is Noah Stutz' state-of-the-art top end-charging Super Comp dragster and an almost-complete, never-been-raced 1957 Thunderbird Pro Mod or Top Doorslammer currently awaiting adoption at race car builder and Eurodragster.com sponsor Andy Robinson Race Cars. Click here for more details, or click on the Jeff Bull Swap Meet link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page.

Steve Dudley has been in touch with a reminder that the next slot drags at MrD Raceway will take place at 8:00 pm this evening (Friday) at The Cathedral Primary School, Victoria Road, Chelmsford, Essex CM1 1PA. "There is a small car park in the school grounds which should be able to accommodate us all", says Steve. Entry and racing are free, all we ask is that you make a donation of a couple of pounds to help toward the hire of the hall, although it's not obligatory".

PMR working towards Easter.
25th January: There may have been snow on the ground, but time waits for no-one and Paul Marston Racing are well aware that you need to hit the ground running. Easter, which comes early this year in March, hosts the opening round of the UK National Drag Racing Championships. This means that there is even less time, and combined with the inclement weather this will make it real tough for some Sportsman teams to bring their A-Game. Paul Marston writes:

It looks like it's going to be an incredibly competitive season particularly in the bigger classes competition-wise. Teams are getting better and better, learning more and investing in newer more refined equipment. It is getting harder and harder to find improvements and gain an advantage, any rounds you win are going to be well earnt for sure. There are brand new state of the art race cars being constructed, and once their teams and drivers have got those cars figured out they will be tough to beat. Being new race cars, the reliability which comes from all new parts will help them win a greater percentage of rounds, plus being new means they will have all the latest stuff. Putting it simply, every new car makes it that little bit harder for everyone else to win. Combine that with their drivers' increased desire to win, that extra confidence of having a brand new car is definitely worth something.

Here at Paul Marston Racing we are only too aware that you have to get with the programme, you can never afford to stand still. If you do, you go backwards real fast. Over the winter I personally have kept my fitness levels up real well, working a lot on sports which help to improve good hand / eye coordination skills. My last trip to the States, about which you can read on Eurodragster.com Features, was in some ways was a real eye opener. I put a lot of time into researching any ways to improve competitiveness and made some startling discoveries. Some of these skills I put into practice with my bracket racing which I entered whilst there, culminating in a runner up in No Box at Stingray Dragstrip, Florida.

Our 100% Pure Whoopass Chevy Monza and Grumpy's Dodge are both scheduled to receive some parts rotation, good housekeeping, some improvements and refinements prior to Easter. We intend to make sure that our drivers have the very best chance of being as competitive as and possible.

Last year was just not our year. We had two very rare mechanical failures that led to early exits and with only seven rounds you simply cannot recover enough points back from that kind of situation. To win a Championship, you have to have some luck and breaks go your way without doubt, but then you have to make sure you capitalise and make as few mistakes as possible.

PMR are once again set to enjoy yet another year without losing any of the fantastic pit crew during the off season. The crew line-up remains the same and that continuity really enables you to build even more on that solid foundation of great teamwork and team spirit. The PMR crew really make going racing so much fun, they are simply a great bunch of people whom I have the honour and privilege of calling my friends.

We are looking forward to announcing our full driver line-up real soon. There will also be a more diverse race schedule to those of recent years. Stay tuned to Eurodragster.com for more details including our returning and new associate and marketing partners for 2013 as well as details of works in progress on the PT Bruiser and our new Top Sportsman car.

Micallef the Lion in SPR return.
24th January: Malta Drag Racing Association Secretary Jason Camilleri tells us that Duncan Micallef will be back behind the wheel of one of Rune Fjeld's Top Fuel Dragsters at the Festival of Power at Santa Pod Raceway over Easter weekend, 30th March-1st April:

After the results achieved last year, especially with his personal best of 4.13 seconds on his home track of Hal-Far, Duncan will return to the smell of nitromethane in March. This was possible due to arrangements made with car owner Rune Fjeld; after breaking the track record in Malta the relationship between these two gentlemen has grown even more friendly. Duncan, still under Telephone Box sponsorship, will be trying hard for a 3.9 second run after several fours and he is sure that the team can set the car up for his expectations!

If anyone wishes to help with sponsorship then they can reach us on Facebook at Duncan TF Micallef. Duncan has more plans for 2013, so we just have to what and see what Malta's Top Fuel Lion comes up with.

All welcome at VWDRC Test Day.
24th January: Volkswagen Drag Racing Club Chair Luke Stevenson tells us that all racers are welcome to the VWDRC's pre-season Test Day which takes place at Santa Pod Raceway on Friday 15th March.

"This is the perfect opportunity for you to shake down the car, try out your winter upgrades or just dust off your reaction time", says Luke. "For the small cost of £60 you will get a race-prepared surface without the rush or queues of a Run What You Brung as there will be a maximum of seventy five racers. Entry is open to VWDRC members and non-members, VWs and non-VWs, and places are going quickly."

You can download the entry form (PDF format) at www.vwdrc.com/files/2013season/testday.pdf. If you have any queries then please contact Luke at [email protected].

Swift snippets.
24th January: Good to see on the Top Alcohol Dragster entry list for the O'Reilly NHRA Winternationals at Pomona Raceway on 14th-17th February is 2011 FIA European Top Methanol Dragster Champion Fred Hanssen making the first of this season's competitive outings in the NHRA Lucas Oil Series with tuner Will Hanna. You can find out more about the race at www.nhra.com, and stay tuned for more from the team.

Barry Holland has been in touch with an update on Nick Holland's new Supertwin which is being built by Nick with input from Dave Branch. The bike will be powered by an Aprilia RSV Mille 1000, supercharged and running on methanol, with heads ported by Nick's dad, barrels O-ringed and slider clutch by Dave Branch and Nick, and exhaust system made by Nick's company. Barry says that the team hope to get the bike on to Tim Blakemore's dyno around April and to be out mid-season.


Tomorrow (Friday) is the deadline for ticket bookings for the joint APIRA / SPRC Dinner Dance and Trophy Presentation which takes place at the St John's Hotel in Solihull on Saturday 9th February. For full information about the Dinner Dance please check out our news item of 8th October 2012.

Shaun Saunders, who used to race Super Gas in the UK, tells us that he went to Bonhams in Scottsdale for last week's auction of the Megalomania altered. "Sadly the sale of Megalomania did not meet its owners' expectations as the $35K reserve was not met", says Shaun. "I did get a chance to have a good look around it though. Well-restored, looking very period-correct. It needs to be purchased and sent back to its rightful birthplace to thunder down the Pod's famous quarter mile again."

Voting for the APIRA, SPRC and Obsession Motorsports Perpetual Awards will close at 23:59 UK on Friday of next week, 1st February (00:59 European Saturday 2nd). There are two shortlists left to unveil, the McDonald Racing Ireland Best Newcomer trophy and the Obsession Motorsports Sportsman of the Year trophy, which will be posted here tomorrow (Friday) and next Monday respectively. To see the shortlists so far and to place your votes, go to the official Perpetual Awards voting page which you can view by clicking here or by clicking on the 2012 Perpetual Awards vote link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page.

Web site updates.
24th January: Our good buddy Alan Currans has updated his excellent Acceleration Archive with the twenty ninth Readers' Gallery which contains pictures of such legends of the sport as 'Big Daddy' Don Garlits, Shirley 'Cha Cha' Muldowney and our very own Dennis Priddle. Also featured are pictures submitted by veteran US drag racer Bob Keith together with his recollections about his three trips to the UK including, of course, the famous 1964 Dragfest which started it all. As ever you can check out Alan's latest updates via the What's New? link at www.theaccelerationarchive.co.uk.

Provisional SFI Tour calendar.
23rd January: Thanks to SFI Foundation President Arnie Kuhns for passing us the provisional dates for this year's European SFI Recertification Tour. Some venues are TBC but these are the dates to pencil in to your diary:

Thursday 7th March: Amsterdam, The Netherlands, venue TBC
Friday 8th March: Helsinki, Finland, venue TBC
Saturday 9th March: Persåkers Speed Shop, Åkers Styckebruk, Sweden
Monday 11th March: Santa Pod Raceway, England

We will bring you more details as we receive them.

Moran backs Isaacs and Tramm.
23rd January: The UK's Isaacs and Tramm Pro Modified team have announced a sponsorship deal with the US' Moran Motorsports. Turbo, EFI and engine management specialist Mike Moran will be supporting the team's foray into the MSA British Pro Modified Championship in 2013.

"When Spencer and I began planning for our Pro Mod project one of the most important decisions we had to make was who to partner with for our turbo, EFI and management requirements", says Eurodragster.com sponsor Chris Isaacs. "Having done a deal of research it became clear to us that Mike Moran and Moran Motorsports were the obvious choice for all these areas.  Mike Moran has unparalleled experience as one of the pioneers of turbos in drag racing, developed his own billet atomizer injectors which are now used on many of the world's fastest doorslammers, and was a keystone in the development of the Bigstuff3 engine management systems which are utilized by most of the NHRA and ADRL turbo Pro Mods.  He also has a proven ability to tune cars remotely as can be attested to by successful racers from all over the world, and has a great understanding of all aspects of turbo EFI engine component requirements, which makes for a valuable resource for us and proved very useful when we were planning our engine combination.

"Having developed a good working relationship with Mike and the team at Moran Motorsports, we were delighted when they agreed to come on board and sponsor our team's entry into the MSA British Drag Racing Championship with our 1970 Plymouth Duster Pro Mod.  Their input into the team will drastically speed up our learning curve, and shorten our journey towards competitiveness in this  hard-fought series.  We truly believe that the turbo setup is the best one for British Pro Mod racing, and we could not have better support for this combination than Moran Motorsports."

"We were very excited when Chris and Spencer approached us to build the billet intake manifold for their Pro Mod Duster project", says Mike Moran. "We were aware that Chris has been an outstanding chassis builder since 1989 and felt that his chassis experience along with our expertise of fuel injected turbo cars would produce a truly amazing combination. Moran Motorsports has been the key to success for many top motorsports professionals for years and our MRE Billet Atomizer Injectors can be found in the most successful Pro-Mod and Outlaw cars out there.

"I pride myself on being a hands-on kind of guy who is always willing to help a fellow racer, and what a racer Spencer Tramm is. He and his family together with Rachel, Steve, Adele and Ady have racked up some impressive wins including the 2007 National Super Pro ET Championship, the 2007 SPRC Comp Eliminator Championship and the 2008 SPRC Super Pro ET Championship. The combination of Chris Isaacs, Mike Moran, and Spencer Tramm is going to be a force to be reckoned with in their 1970 Pro Mod Duster collaboration. It will certainly be fun to watch the wins rack up!"

You can find out more about Moran Motorsports by visiting www.moranmotorsports.com and more about the Isaacs and Tramm Pro Mod build at www.chris-isaacs.com. The team hope to be making more announcements soon; if you would like to get involved in sponsoring the Isaacs and Tramm team then please get in touch via the Chris Isaacs Race Cars web site or Facebook page.

Moore's big night out.
22nd January: UK Pro Mod star Roger Moore was officially awarded his 2012 MSA British Drag Racing Championship trophy at the Motor Sports Association's Night of Champions ceremony at the Royal Automobile Club in London on Saturday night. Robin Jackson writes:

MSA Chairman Alan Gow presented Roger with his award in front of an audience of distinguished guests, including his fellow British motorsport champions from 2012. Colin Hilton, MSA Chief Executive, said "It was terrific to see Roger receive his trophy at the Night of Champions, which represents the Motor Sports Association's opportunity to honour all those who excelled in their chosen motor sport disciplines last year to be crowned as MSA British Champions."

As the luminaries arrived for the occasion, they were met in the RAC's grand rotunda by Roger's title-winning Dodge Viper, which had stood on display there for a fortnight, the first drag racing vehicle to be so honoured (see Pall Mall Pro Mod, 8th January). Once the formal presentations were completed, Roger and his wife Jane joined his fellow Champions to celebrate long into the night in the palatial surroundings.


Roger let several drivers from other disciplines try out the driving seat in the Andy Robinson Race Cars-built Viper. "The biggest impression was the construction quality of the car", he reports. "I explained that all drag cars are like this."

The partying finished in the small hours of Sunday morning but Roger's weekend was by no means over. Little more than twenty four hours later, he returned with his crew to the RAC to haul the Viper out of the building and take it home to Chelmsford. Two weeks previously, 5:00 am on a Monday morning had been comfortably mild and more or less dry when the team installed the car for its residency. Now, thick snow and freezing temperatures made it a very different experience. Following the ordeal, Roger was especially keen to express his gratitude to those whose help had proved invaluable.

"In particular", he said, "I want to thank Martin Tilley, from my crew, and Steve Ashdown and Matthew Wright for braving the winter conditions to retrieve the car. The last mile to my garage was all on untreated roads and not recommended for the faint-hearted."

Now Roger and his team face a busy two months fitting the nitrous Viper with a new engine and an electronic fuel-injection system. Round one of 2013's MSA British Drag Racing Championship takes place during Santa Pod's Festival of Power over the Easter weekend, 30th March to 1st April. Before that, discussions are under way for an upcoming television appearance - more news as it happens.

Announcing the Hotrod House.
22nd January: The UK's Ray White and Danny Cockerill have gone into business together at the Hotrod House in Wickford in Essex, offering fabrication and other services for cars and bikes.

"We both have a good back ground in fabrication and know what's required to give a top quaility and safe job having both piloted six-second Pro Mods and now Dan on a seven-second Super Street Bike", says Ray White.

"We can provide a complete fabrication service for drag, hot rods, classics, Americans old and new, and of course bikes. We have both car and bike chassis jigs and full tig welding facilities and we can offer very competivley priced chassis and sheet metal work, ground-up builds, restoration work, full vehicle servicing, engine swaps, body mods, a custom exhaust service, and all your general customising requirements including a full vehicle wiring service. We are not trying to compete with the big chassis shops, but to offer somewhere to go for a good quality service for your Hotrod or American. No job is too small.

"We can bend roll cages for the DIYer to install and we also offer an on-site tig welding service. We have negotiated container space with a local freight company for monthly deliveries from the States, and we can also offer a collection and delivery service. We should be fully up and running in a couple of weeks; we have already started hard-tailing a chopper and have a Pro Mod booked in for some wiring and a bit of fab work, so as you can see we are trying to cover a broad spectrum of vehicles.

"If you would like to discuss your requirements then please us a call on 07850 200260 or 07971 568266."

Attention APIRA trophy winners.
21st January: Julie Willcox of APIRA has been in touch with an important message regarding APIRA Ultimate Power trophy presentations at the APIRA / SPRC Dinner Dance and Trophy presentation on Saturday 9th February 2013:

We are aware that as things stand some trophy recipients will not be attending the Dinner Dance. If you wish another person to collect your trophy on the night then please contact Shakespeare County Raceway on 01789 720180 or E-Mail [email protected] by this Friday (25th) so that we can compile announcers' sheets.

For the trophies which will not be collected on the night either by the racer or by a representative then names will be announced and a round of applause given. Trophies will be available for collection at the track this season or can be sent through the post if requested.

Please remember that this Friday is also the deadline for ticket bookings for the Dinner Dance. For full information about the Dinner Dance please check out our news item of 8th October 2012.

APIRA, SPRC, Obsession Awards vote 11.
21st January: Avon Park International Racing Association, Santa Pod Racers Club, Obsession Motorsports and Eurodragster.com are teaming up to give Eurodragster.com readers the chance of input to the APIRA and SPRC Perpetual Awards and Obsession Motorsports Sportsman of the Year, which will be presented at the joint APIRA / SPRC Dinner Dance and Trophy presentation on Saturday 9th February 2013.

For several of the 2012 season awards, a shortlist has been decided upon for which votes can be submitted by E-Mail. Nominations are now also being accepted for the Alex Brachtvogel Memorial Trophy. The votes of Eurodragster.com readers will be taken into consideration when the SPRC and APIRA Committees and Obsession Motorsports decide upon their winners.

The latest voting category is the APIRA Endeavour Award. The APIRA Endeavour Award is presented to a racer, team, supporter or member of the media in recognition for services rendered over the last twelve months, as well as their overall support of Avon Park International Racing Association and Shakespeare County Raceway. The APIRA Committee's shortlist, in alphabetical order, is as follows:

Ed, Dan, Dave and Holly Baldwin, APIRA and SCR marshals, VW Sportsman and Gamblers Bracket
Vote for the Baldwin family

Simon Barlow, Team Orange Pop (Outlaw Anglia)
Vote for Simon Barlow

Scottie and Gina Durant, the Wild Bunch
Vote for Scottie and Gina Durant

Brian and Lee Huxley, Team Dark Horse (Pro ET and Gamblers Bracket)
Vote for Brian and Lee Huxley

Jeni Long, photographer
Vote for Jeni Long

The National Association of Supertwins
Vote for the National Association of Supertwins

To place your vote, either use the links above or go to the official Perpetual Awards voting page which you can view by clicking here or by clicking on the 2012 Perpetual Awards vote link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page.
©Eurodragster.com
The Alex Brachtvogel Memorial Trophy, for which nominations are also now being taken, was first awarded to Santa Pod Racers Club'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. There is no shortlist for the Alex Brachtvogel award. Nominations are invited from Eurodragster.com readers for racers, race officials, track and safety crews, club officials, media, or anyone else who has contributed to the sport. Last year the trophy was awarded to Paula Marshall. Again see the official page for more details or E-Mail your nomination to [email protected] specifying SPRC Alex Brachtvogel Memorial Trophy nomination as the subject and your nomination in the body of the E-Mail.

The penultimate category, which will be posted this Friday (25th), will be the McDonald Racing Ireland Best Newcomer Trophy.

For each of the Awards, one vote per E-Mail address per nominee will be accepted: multiple votes for the same nominee from the same E-Mail address will all be disqualified. And every year we say this, but every year someone tries it on: please note that blatant attempts at organising mass votes - for example asking workmates, forum members or Facebook friends to vote en masse - are easily identified and all such votes will be disallowed as they have been in previous years. Concerted attempts at vote-rigging will result in the nominee being removed from the shortlist whether or not that nominee knows what was going on. We know all the dodges so it's just not worth trying.

2013 Swedish Championships.
21st January: Many thanks to Lars Pettersson of the Swedish Automobile Sports Federation for bringing us up to date with this year's Swedish Championships:

The big news this year is that Sundsvall Raceway will run all of the Federation Drag Racing Championship classes during the NHK Festival on 19th-21st July. We are very pleased that SHRA Sundsvall have made a big investment in a new surface which they laid after last season. The popular and fan-friendly Pro Modified class will have a new round at Sundsvall Raceway.

We have also been able to add some new tracks and races in the Junior Drag Racing Championship, which this year will consist of nine events including three new organisers and tracks: Malmö Raceway, Hultsfred Airport and Tibro Airport. The final of the Junior Dragster Championship will be in Lindesberg where SHRA Lindesberg have a jubilee event to celebrate thirty years of drag racing in the town.

Foreign drivers are allowed to compete at the events in the classes but they are not allowed to collect points in the Swedish Drag Racing Championship.

The Junior Dragster Championship consists of nine events, of which points from the best seven events count.

Date Organiser Event Track
11th-12th May NDRS Motor Club EDRS Nationals Tierp Arena
17th-19th May SRIF Cramo Nationals Malmö Raceway
13th-16th June NDRS Motor Club Sweden Internationals Tierp Arena
28th-30th June Hultsfreds Motorklubb Hultsfred EDRS Hultsfred Airport
12th-14th July Skellefteå Motorklubb Goldtown Summer Dragrace Fällfors Raceway
19th-21st July SHRA Sundsvall NHK Festivals Sundsvall Raceway
20th-21st July SHRA Lindesberg Tibro Speed Weekend Tibro Airport
26th-28th July NDRS Motor Club Tierp Summer Nationals Tierp Arena
17th-18th August SHRA Lindesberg 30th Linde Open Linde Raceway

Stock/Super Stock and Competition consist of six events, all of which count.

Date Organiser Event Track
11th-12th May NDRS Motor Club EDRS Nationals Tierp Arena
13th-16th June NDRS Motor Club Sweden Internationals Tierp Arena
12th-14th July Skellefteå Motorklubb Goldtown Summer Dragrace Fällfors Raceway
19th-21st July SHRA Sundsvall NHK Festivals Sundsvall Raceway
26th-28th July NDRS Motor Club Tierp Summer Nationals Tierp Arena
22nd-25th August NDRS Motor Club Scandinavian Internationals Tierp Arena

Pro Modified consists of five events, all of which count.

Date Organiser Event Track
11th-12th May NDRS Motor Club EDRS Nationals Tierp Arena
13th-16th June NDRS Motor Club Sweden Internationals Tierp Arena
19th-21st July SHRA Sundsvall NHK Festivals Sundsvall Raceway
26th-28th July NDRS Motor Club Tierp Summer Nationals Tierp Arena
22nd-25th August NDRS Motor Club Scandinavian Internationals Tierp Arena

Information about classes, organisers and results for the Swedish Championships can be found at www.dragracing-sm.se.

2013 MDRA calendar.
21st January: Many thanks to Malta Drag Racing Association Secretary Jason Camilleri for passing us the 2013 calendar of events at Hal-Far Raceway.

16th February: Run What You Brung
23rd March: Run What You Brung
24th March: MDRA for Charity Car Show
5th-7th April: National Event (closing date 30th March)
11th May: Run What You Brung
24th-26th May: National Event (closing date 19th May)
19th July: Run What You Brung (night event)
1st-3rd August: National Event (night event, closing date 25th July)
14th September: Run What You Brung
27th-29th September: National Event (closing date 22nd September)
9th November: Run What You Brung
22nd-24th November: National Event (closing date 17th November)

Daytime events commence at 1:00 pm Friday, 10:00 am Saturday, and 9:00 am Sunday. Night events commence at 5:00 pm on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The Executive Committee of MDRA reserve the right to cancel an event if there are not enough entries; of an event is cancelled then a refund will be given to those racers already signed up. All competitors must observe the start time of events.

Congratulations to Joe Carabott, Manty Bugeja and the Mister Whippy team who won Team of the Year for their FIA European Championship exploits, and to 2012 FIA European Top Methanol Dragster Champion Manty Bugeja who won the prestigious SportMalta Award. You can read more on the Times of Malta web site.

Swift snippets.
21st January: Darren Galloway and Ron Haslett's fund in memory of the late Paula Marshall is now able to accept donations by Paypal. If you would like to make a donation then the Paypal recipient is [email protected]. Alternately to pay in to the account the bank is Halifax, the sort code is 11-08-21 and the account number is 10662062. For overseas contributions the IBAN is gb04 bofs 1108 2110 6620 62 and the BIC code is bofsgb2s. The fund will be closed on Friday 8th February. If you have any queries then you can contact Darren on 07738 070337.

Callum Pudge writes that the first of the two spy pictures published here on Eurodragster.com News on 6th January featured Ian Norman's new Outlaw Anglia which is currently under construction (below left). Callum tells us that Ian hopes to be out on track soon.


Thanks to Owen Wilson for sending us a scan of a magazine article about the discovery and restoration of the Megalomania MBG Gasser which set records at Santa Pod Raceway in the late 1960s. You can check it out (PDF format) by clicking here or by clicking on the picture above right.

We would like to say a big Happy Birthday for yesterday (Sunday) to Super Street Bike racer Thorsten Appel. Hope you had a great day Skorpion.

Congratulations to Jemma and Scott Downey on the birth of their daughter Tillie-Jay, who stopped by on Saturday evening and weighed in at 6 lb 12 oz, Mum and baby are doing well.

Web site updates.
21st January: George Kinghorn has set up a site featuring racers and stories around the UK's York Raceway. You can check it out at www.ukdrag.net.

An Autosport success.
21st January: Brian Ridout writes that Morethrottle.com's first exhibition, at Autosport International, was a success:

We found that although fiercely competitive on the track, the motor racing community is full of helpful people giving their time and support to promote an exciting genre of sport. The MoreThrottle.com stand was busy throughout the four days and signed up over two hundred new members each day.

Although our network is already established we took the opportunity to officially launch at Autosport International with a champagne soirie. Team MoreThrottle.com's Colum Chadwick and Rob Blackshaw race at Santa Pod and they, together with Bobby Thompson, the eighteen-year-old UK Karting Champion started the ignition.

Discussions with the Universities in attendance created a substantial interest from up coming engineers and later in 2013 we expect to feature an on-line video stream from at least one group who are building an electric race car during the next twelve months.

We spoke with many individual exhibiting and visiting businesses and Clubs and are pleased to have created a buzz with motor racing fans as can be seen reflected in the online MoreThrottle.com blogs and forums. The British Radio Controlled Association was opposite us with a terrific stand display and a competition track for models in Hall 6 for the weekend.

CRS came to our rescue with the loan of a helmet and AWS with a racing suit for the Torque photographs. We met John and David Nelson who race at Santa Pod in Dorris Dormouse, Jeremy Cookson from Shakespeare County Raceway enlightened us on what to expect trackside, and Andy from Burton Power brought his young soldier mechanic along to discuss links through Help the Heroes to promote employing skilled soldiers on return from their tours of duty.

Thanks also to Tiff Needell for visiting the stand, Paige Wheeler the thirteen-year-old Junior Dragster racer, Steve Tandy, Mike Greenway and Pete Hampson for their entertaining stories, race driver Frank Wrathall and Tom Tunstall, British Superbike Team for their signed posters

Meeting and talking to everyone is inspiring. Get a flavour of the experience online at www.morethrottle.com and see where it takes you.

Swift snippets.
 19th January: Eurodragster.com reader James Dandridge got in touch to show us that not everyone in the UK is frantically buying tomato soup right now. James and Mike put together this snow rod in their garden; great job, guys.

HTP Racing's WON duet.
19th January: Eurodragster.com sponsor Wizards of NOS are proud to announce that Cecil Towner of the US' HTP Racing will not only be running WON's system on their existing Pro Modified / Pro Extreme bike this year, but that he has built a replica which will be ridden by Jeremy Teasely. Trevor Langfield writes that HTP Racing and Wizards of NOS will have double the opportunity to produce outstanding results at the highest levels of nitrous assisted racing:

HTP will also continue to campaign their all-conquering WON-assisted Pro Street bike which destroyed the fouurteen-year stranglehold which the turbo bikes held over the class. Since posting the 6.90 world record run, they've never needed to run as quick again, as none of the competition is capable of even getting close. Cecil reported that the 6.9 was only using half the full capability of the WON system and yet the closest turbo bike on the day was only capable of low sevens, and the closest nitrous bike which wasn't using a WON system was only capable of 7.4s, so there's been no need to turn the WON power up to full.

Danny Cox will be taking over the ride from Ryan Schnitz and aims to improve on his own WON assisted results in the class on his own bike, of 7.1s achieved last year.

Although it's impossible for the other nitrous bikes to improve their results due to using outdated nitrous technology, we're all hoping the turbo guys will up their game, so Cecil can demonstrate the full WON capability this season.

Bartlett on 2013 FIM Championships.
18th January: We have received the following statement from Trakbak Racing CEO Keith Bartlett about the 2013 FIM European Drag Bike Championships:

As you may already be aware there have been some changes to the former UEM European Championship.

The first being a name change, the UEM name has been dropped as the sanctioning body is now known as FIM Europe and will apply to all former UEM Championships and Cup races.

The second change is that Speedgroup are no longer the administrator for the FIM Europe European Championships. The decision was taken by Keith Bartlett the owner of the FIM Europe commercial rights. Despite what you may have read or heard recently I would like to reassure all teams of the following:
  • The Championship will run as published on the FIM Calendar
  • There will be a full TV package to support the Championship
From a team perspective, the only real change will be who deals with your registration. Further information relating to how to register for the FIM European Championship can be obtained from Geoff Myers at [email protected].

Lloydy leaves SPR.
18th January: After fifteen years with the company, David Lloyd Jones is leaving Trakbak Racing and Santa Pod Raceway to pursue other projects and interests.

Keith Bartlett, CEO of Trakbak Racing, is making major changes to the structure and the way in which Santa Pod Raceway is run and operated and both Keith and David felt that under this new management structure it would be everyone's best interests if they parted company to allow the new management structure to proceed.

This is not a knee-jerk reaction from either party but the result of over twelve months' assessment and planning of the management structure and changes which Keith Bartlett, in his capacity of CEO of Santa Pod Raceway, has been putting in place. By late Autumn 2012 the time had arrived for Santa Pod Raceway to fully implement those changes. David may continue with some consultancy work from time to time, both in event organisation advice and site planning etc.

Keith Bartlett would like to thank David for all his work over the past fifteen years and feels that many of Santa Pod's lifestyle events have been successfully developed under his watch. Keith wishes David well in any new ventures that he may undertake.

Editor's note: We would like to add our own thanks and best wishes to David who was a very staunch moral and practical supporter of Eurodragster.com during his tenure at SPR. He always had time for us and nothing was too much trouble. Many, many thanks to you Lloydy and best wishes for the future.

Aasen to ride Godfather VII.
18th January: Norway's Ronny Aasen and The Netherlands; Ton and Vincent Pels, owners of T&V racing, have come to an agreement that Ronny will ride the blown Zodiac Godfather VIISupertwin in 2013:

It only took Ronny a very short time to think about Zodiac's proposal to race the completely changed Zodiac Supertwin in 2013. The bike has undergone a complete change during the winter. The transmission has been taken out and a new driveshaft manufactured, the three-stage clutch has become nine-stage, and the frame has been altered to suit all the changes. A new body is under construction to fit the new high-gear Zodiac Harley.

Ronny Aasen is 43 years old, self-employed, and has raced Top Fuel Harleys. He runs a Harley custom shop and is a longtime Zodiac dealer. He is married to Venja and has two children, a daughter and a son. Ronny is a very likeable person (Hear, hear - Ed) and it is his Harley racing experience which made him Ton and Vincent's choice.

Ton, Vincent and Ronny are looking forward to a successful racing season in 2013.

Zodiac Racing's 2013 race calendar:

24th-27th May: FIA Main Event, Santa Pod Raceway, UK (Invitational Shoot-out)
13th-16th June: Sweden Internationals, Tierp Arena, Sweden (FIM European Championship)
4th-7th July: FHRA Nitro Nationals, Alastaro, Finland (FIM European Championship)
9th-11th August: NitrOlympX, Hockenheim, Germany (FIM European Championship)
5th-8th September: FIA European Finals, Santa Pod Raceway, UK (FIM European Championship)

The Zodiac SuperTwin Top Fuel drag racing team is proudly sponsored by Zodiac International BV
, Supertrapp Exhaust Systems, Spectro Oils of America, Accel Motorcycle Products and Kibblewhite Precision Machining.

The Zodiac SuperTwin Top Fuel drag racing team is proud to use products from Zodiac International BV
, Supertrapp Exhaust Systems, Spectro Oils of America, Accel Motorcycle Products, Kibblewhite Precision Machining, National Cycle Windshields, Goodridge Fluid Transfer Systems and Flexion/Gates Belt Drive Systems.

SPRC, APIRA, Obsession Awards vote 10.
18th January: Santa Pod Racers Club, Avon Park International Racing Association, Obsession Motorsports and Eurodragster.com are teaming up to give Eurodragster.com readers the chance of input to the SPRC and APIRA Perpetual Awards and Obsession Motorsports Sportsman of the Year, which will be presented at the joint APIRA / SPRC Dinner Dance and Trophy presentation on Saturday 9th February 2013.

For several of the 2012 season awards, a shortlist has been decided upon for which votes can be submitted by E-Mail. Nominations are now also being accepted for the Alex Brachtvogel Memorial Trophy. The votes of Eurodragster.com readers will be taken into consideration when the SPRC and APIRA Committees and Obsession Motorsports decide upon their winners.

The latest voting category is the SPRC James Edgar Memorial Trophy. The James Edgar Memorial Trophy is awarded for outstanding performance by a Crew Chief, tuner or crew member. The SPRC Committee's shortlist, in alphabetical order, is as follows:

Alan Cook, for Richard Billings (Topspeed Automotive Street Eliminator)
Vote for Alan Cook

Geof Hauser, for Scott Hauser (Super Pro ET)
Vote for Geof Hauser

Dave Moore, for Roger Moore (Pro Modified)
Vote for Dave Moore

Brad O'Connor, for various bike racers
Vote for Brad O'Connor

Steve Venables (Super Street Bike)
Vote for Steve Venables

Andy Wheeler, for Paige and Belle Wheeler (Lucas Oil Junior Dragster)
Vote for Andy Wheeler

Paul Wright, for Brian Payne (Topspeed Automotive Street Eliminator)
Vote for Paul Wright

To place your vote, either use the links above or go to the official Perpetual Awards voting page which you can view by clicking here or by clicking on the 2012 Perpetual Awards vote link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page.
©Eurodragster.com
The Alex Brachtvogel Memorial Trophy, for which nominations are also now being taken, was first awarded to Santa Pod Racers Club'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. There is no shortlist for the Alex Brachtvogel award. Nominations are invited from Eurodragster.com readers for racers, race officials, track and safety crews, club officials, media, or anyone else who has contributed to the sport. Last year the trophy was awarded to Paula Marshall. Again see the official page for more details or E-Mail your nomination to [email protected] specifying SPRC Alex Brachtvogel Memorial Trophy nomination as the subject and your nomination in the body of the E-Mail.

The next category, which will be posted on Monday (21st), will be the APIRA Endeavour Award.

For each of the Awards, one vote per E-Mail address per nominee will be accepted: multiple votes for the same nominee from the same E-Mail address will all be disqualified. And every year we say this, but every year someone tries it on: please note that blatant attempts at organising mass votes - for example asking workmates, forum members or Facebook friends to vote en masse - are easily identified and all such votes will be disallowed as they have been in previous years. Concerted attempts at vote-rigging will result in the nominee being removed from the shortlist whether or not that nominee knows what was going on. We know all the dodges so it's just not worth trying.

UK Top Sportsman set to double up.
18th January: The airing on Motors TV of the Direct Plastics UK Top Sportsman race which took place at the Mopar Euronationals in the summer of 2012 seems to have been well-received, attracting quite a few comments from people outside of the sport who have never considered drag racing as a spectator sport and who are now making plans to attend events in 2013. Organisers and Eurodragster.com sponsors Jeff Bull and Paul Marston consider all the hard work which went into the production of the TV show to have been very worthwhile and there have also been favourable comments from sponsors who said that they really enjoyed the exposure provided by the show and consider it excellent value for money.

So what of UK Top Sportsman in 2013? Paul Marston explains:

Well the great news is that UK Top Sportsman has been invited back to Santa Pod Raceway by the organisers of the 2013 Mopar Euronats. At this stage the format will remain the same; stay tuned for any announcements regarding updates. This in itself is great news, the organisers of the Mopars are great people and were a real pleasure to work with. In addition, the sun always shines at the Mopars!

The second great piece of news, which Jeff and I are announcing exclusively on Eurodragster is that UK Top Sportsman is hoping to expand to a second event in 2013. No only that but the second date will hopefully be at Shakespeare County Raceway, again during the summer break. It has taken some time and a lot of effort on both sides to try to put this in place but we are now very pleased to be in a position to go public on this exciting new development.

If it goes ahead, the plan is also to televise this event and to run to the same structure as UK Top Sportsman at the Mopar Euronats. The only difference will be that the event at Shakespeare will be held over two days, Saturday and Sunday, not three. Entry and prize fund will be the same as at Santa Pod Raceway including a 100% payback.

It's fair to say that this class was a great success in its current format. Day One Bracket Race on a 0.400 Pro Tree, random pairings and first round buybacks at a mere £30, then second day, second race with one-shot qualifier for a sixteen-spot field, again Pro Tree then heads-up eliminations 'til its done. It has something for everyone, plus it's two races in two days. At the Mopars, the racing was some of the most exciting doorslammer action ever seen in this country. UK Top Sportsman really did live up to the pre-event hype: records were set, a lot of race teams ran personal bests, it really was a no-holds-barred old-school drag race event, the likes of which will be seen again in 2013.

There was a lot of interest post-event in 2012 with messages of thanks from sponsors, racers who really enjoyed being part of it, all of which the organisers were humbled to hear. Interestingly we were contacted by quite a few UK Doorslammer teams who did not compete in 2012 but wanted us to know that they would be coming in 2013.

So you have been warned! If you want to witness, compete or become a marketing partner in what surely will be the roughest, toughest, most talked-about no-holds-barred doorslammer series of 2013, make a note in you diary. If you only make it to one make it this one, you will not be disappointed but thrilled. If you want to see the very best doorslammer racing this country has to offer, see teams push their cars into unknown performance territory, then this is the one, the only one. For any information or questions please E-Mail me at [email protected] or call me on 07831 650230, or see Jeff or I at the track.

Meanwhile stay tuned to Eurodragster.com for news.

SPR ticket update.
18th January: Santa Pod Raceway are offering exclusive VIP suites for parties of up to twelve people at the Festival Power over Easter weekend, 30th March - 1st April. Tickets cost £99 + VAT per person and include weekend admission and a VIP day featuring refreshments throughout the day, hot buffet lunch, VIP toilets, privilege parking and a souvenir of the day. For more information, or to book, contact Santa Pod Raceway on 01234 782828.

Santa Pod Raceway's Early Bird Discount scheme, which offers 20% off tickets bought early, closes on 31st January. The discount applies to all events organised by Santa Pod. You can find out more and book your tickets via www.santapod.com.

A £6 discount is also available for a limited period for tickets for the Classic Ford Show, which takes place at Santa Pod Raceway on Sunday 2nd June. Click here to book your Classic Ford Show tickets.

PRG offer proposal discount.
18th January: Darren West of Eurodragster.com sponsor Power Race Graphics tells us that it's not too late for a last push to find some backing for the coming season and that for a limited time PRG are offering discounted sponsorship proposal rendering packages:

We all want to see new business enter the sport and with a PRG rendering you can present with confidence. Display your dedication to professionalism and the quality of your race operation with a visual statement which promotes the excitement of a motorsport like no other!

Time and again PRG customers have that putting a visual down in a meeting works - you cannot rely on the imagination of the interested party. When potential backers see a rendition of the vehicle in their company branding it really helps to energise proceedings.

We have a number of digital templates ready to go, if your race machine isn't one of them - no problem we can draw any vehicle in the sport!

For a very limited period we are offeing a one-off proposal (digital rendering) for car or bike plus either matching team shirt or transporter design for £150. Contact us at [email protected] for discounted prices for two or more proposal renderings and content options.

Wishing all racers a safe and rapid season - let's go racing!

SPRC cancel RWYB.
16th January: Bekki Hitcham of Santa Pod Raceway tells us that this Sunday's planned Run What You Brung has been cancelled due to the current wintry conditions.

Bekki says that the track surface already has iced over and that the forecast suggests no let-up in the sub-zero temperatures with possibly more snow forecast on Friday.

Santa Pod Raceway's next RWYB is scheduled for Sunday week, 27th.

Swift snippets.
16th January: Eurodragster.com sponsor Andy Robinson Race Cars are now offering harnesses with 2013 FIA labels. "Harnesses are available in a choice of colours and in bolt-in, clip-in and wrap-around configurations", says Kate Robinson. "Please call us to discuss your requirements. We will be offering a 10% discount on all harnesses ordered before the end of January".

Eurodragster.com US Correspondent Ed O'Connell writes that Sweden's Leif Andréasson is entered in Top Alcohol Funny Car at the O'Reilly NHRA Winternationals at Pomona Raceway on 14th-17th February. You can find out more about the race at www.nhra.com.

If you would like to know what goes on during a year in the life of a Puma Top Fuel Bike motor then Marius van der Zijden of the Gulf Oil Dragracing TFB team has written a very interesting piece giving a real insight into the work involved as well as blowing a myth or two. Ian King has kindly shared the article with us and you can check it out (PDF format) by clicking here.

UK Dinner Dance reminder.
15th January: Carole Ismail of Santa Pod Racers Club has been in touch with a reminder about the joint APIRA / SPRC Dinner Dance and Trophy presentation which takes place at the St John's Hotel in Solihull on Saturday 9th February.

Bookings close on Friday week, 25th January. Tickets are £30 per adult and £15 for under-twelves which includes three-course meal plus coffee and mints. Please make it clear on the form if booking tickets for under-twelves and specify a child's meal. To reserve tickets please E-Mail Yvonne Tramm at [email protected], then download your application form from the Entry Forms page of the SPRC web site at www.eurodragster.com/sprc and send meal choices, your preferred seating companions, and payment (cheque or credit / debit card) to Yvonne at:

Yvonne Tramm
5 Bennell Court
West Street
Comberton
Cambridge
CB23 7EN

There are still a few hotel rooms left at the St John's. The Clubs have negotiated a preferential rate for these rooms at £75 per room across the board, including breakfast on Sunday morning. To book your room, please call Principal Hayley Reservations on 0844 824 6171 quoting the hotel (St John's Solihull) and Santa Pod 9th February.

For full information about the Dinner Dance please check out our news item of 8th October 2012.

Perfect or red?
15th January: Andy Marrs of TSI Timers Europe has been in touch with a couple of sets of stats from the 2012 season at Santa Pod Raceway, from the 7289 runs which were made in Championship qualifying or eliminations.

Thirteen Perfect Lights were pulled at Santa Pod Raceway in 2012, two by Eurodragster.com sponsor Peter Walters:
  • Gino Bernadine (Pro ET) 0.0001
  • Peter Walters (Super Pro ET) 0.0002
  • Spencer Tramm (VW Sportsman) 0.0002
  • Charlotte Bradford (Junior Dragster) 0.0003
  • Billy Everitt (Junior Dragster) 0.0004
  • Peter Walters (Super Pro ET) 0.0005
  • Dave Cherrett (Pro ET) 0.0005
  • Noah Stutz (Super Comp) 0.0005
  • Terry Robins (Pro ET) 0.0006
  • Sarah Howells (Pro ET) 0.0006
  • Joe Kellett (Junior Dragster) 0.0007
  • Marius Blackburn (Pro ET) 0.0007
  • Thaliah Gibb (Junior Dragster) 0.0008
Junior Dragster racer Jacob Kopasz pulled last year's only competitive Perfect Light at Shakespeare County Raceway with a 0.0001 at the Springspeed Nationals.

There were 230 red lights in competition at Santa Pod Raceway in 2012 and the following racers went into double figures - but remember that no red lights means that you are not trying hard enough:
  • Mike Lacey (Pro ET) 15
  • Dave Cherrett (Pro ET) 13
  • Jacob Kopasz (Junior Dragster) 13
  • Paul Marston (Super Pro ET) 13
  • Joe Kellett (Junior Dragster) 12
  • Ivana van den Berg (Junior Funny Car) 11
  • John Przybyl (Junior Dragster) 10
  • Martin Curbishley (Super Gas) 10
  • Thomas Cook-Abbott (Junior Dragster) 10
USAutomotive support Yanks Weekend.
15th January: Shakespeare County Raceway is proud to announce that Bedfordshire-based American parts supplier and track supporter USAutomotive will be sponsoring this year's Yanks Weekend trophies. The event is held in conjunction with the National Association of Street Clubs 35th anniversary of Gary's Picnic, held over the weekend of May 25th-27th.

USAutomotive has a strong product line in excess of 20,000 parts suited to all makes and models of American cars from the magical Fifties to present-day models, and the company logo has appeared on numerous American vehicles including an SCCA series American Stock Car and, more recently, the British Drag Racing Hall of Fame whose association has just been renewed for the third consecutive year. The association with SCR started in October 2011, when USAutomotive agreed to supply many of the parts required to rebuild the drag strip's promotional street / strip vehicle, a 1989 Chevrolet Camaro IROC Z Company Technical Director Steve Trice is always looking for something new to compliment US Automotive's film and TV work, having supplied parts for vehicles appearing in blockbuster movies such as Batman and James Bond. Steve says, "US Automotive are now the only UK based company to have live parts ordering. Not only can you buy your American car parts on-line but can also check stock levels and get information about the products". The Bedfordshire-based concern also offers a free VIN decoding service to allow customers to select the appropriate parts for their vehicle. Steve also writes the regular Doctor's Drive Thru page in Classic American magazine, offering advice to those in need.

SCR Promotions Manager Jeremy Cookson says "It is great news to have US Automotive on board for this year's event, especially being a milestone year for the track celebrating forty years of competitive drag racing at the Long Marston Airfield site. 2013 should prove to be our best yet, with more exciting associations and support to be announced soon."

So if you're in need of a part then why not check out US Automotive's web site at www.usautomotive.co.uk, punch in a few numbers, and see what they can do for you, or give them a call on 01234 273155. Don't forget to get yourself along to Shakespeare County Raceway for one of their exciting fortieth anniversary events this year. For further details about any event taking place at Shakespeare County Raceway this year please visit www.shakespearecountyraceway.co.uk or the Raceway and event pages on Facebook. Alternately E-Mail [email protected] or call 01789 720180.

Drag racing at Autosport.
14th January: As we were unable to attend ourselves, we are indebted to Bob Roberts of Eurodragster.com sponsor Andy Robinson Race Cars for volunteering to send us a report of the drag racing involvement at the weekend's Autosport International Show:

It must be said that the Autosport show in 2013 was smaller than in previous years with rather less people around however most stand holders seem to have done good business, at least by Friday.

The specialist Engineering show had several large open spaces which was all to the good because it gave some room for display vehicles and drag racing was well represented. As an aside our sport now seems much better accepted by the industry, only a couple of years ago we were seen as being a low rent fringe activity but now most suppliers have a much more positive view.

In pole position was the dragster of Scott and Geof Hauser who were pleased with some great results and a Championship in their first season. They would like more of the same in 2013 although they recognise that Super Pro is a highly competitive and very popular class.


Next but one in the line up was the electric Beetle of Sam Young. It seemed that in the show situation its cool good looks did not attract the attention that the innovative nature of the car deserves. Although I did see a few surprised people looking in the back and wondering why there was a nine inch rather than a flat four.

And then there was Nigel Payne's Corvette which always had people around it, perhaps a car that people could more obviously relate to, There was a timely reminder on the side window of the sad events of the week and the feelings of the whole drag racing community.


Elsewhere in Engineering Mats Eriksson was present in spirit if not in person with his visual endorsement of  SSAB Docol tubing product.


Santa Pod had a large stand in the main hall of the show, perhaps not as large as the display in previous years but one of the biggest stands nevertheless. Once again plenty of people on the stand and good public interest. I must thank Robin Jackson for pointing me in the direction of another drag racing exhibit in the hall which I would otherwise have missed - a twin turbo bike on the Owen Products stand. Since I am completely ignorant of all things on two wheels (It's the Eastman and Hand The Storm which is ridden by Lorcan Parnell - Ed) I won't comment further than to say that the turbo set-up caused a lot of comment while I was taking pictures.


Finally a blatant plug for John McCrory at Aurora Bearing who has been a great supporter of the Allard Chrysler project and had the car on his stand in 2011. This year he had one of the wackier race cars of recent years, the Deltawing. To my eyes it looks rather like some of the attempts at streamlining Top Fuel cars back in the day. In the background of the picture you can see a veteran of British drag racing who seems to have found renewed interest since a run out at Dragstalgia.

APIRA, SPRC, Obsession Awards vote 9.
14th January: Avon Park International Racing Association, Santa Pod Racers Club, Obsession Motorsports and Eurodragster.com are teaming up to give Eurodragster.com readers the chance of input to the APIRA and SPRC Perpetual Awards and Obsession Motorsports Sportsman of the Year, which will be presented at the joint APIRA / SPRC Dinner Dance and Trophy presentation on Saturday 9th February 2013.

For several of the 2012 season awards, a shortlist has been decided upon for which votes can be submitted by E-Mail. Nominations are now also being accepted for the Alex Brachtvogel Memorial Trophy. The votes of Eurodragster.com readers will be taken into consideration when the SPRC and APIRA Committees and Obsession Motorsports decide upon their winners.

The latest voting category is the Shakespeare County Raceway Sportswoman of the Year Trophy. The Shakespeare County Raceway Sportswoman of the Year trophy recognises the efforts of women in 2012 as racers, crew members or track officials.

The APIRA Committee's shortlist, in alphabetical order, is as follows:

Sarah Howells, Wild Bunch
Vote for Sarah Howells

Deborah Laugher, Super Pro ET
Vote for Deborah Laugher

Lizz McCarthy, Comp Bike
Vote for Lizz McCarthy

Claire Meaddows, Wild Bunch Co-ordinator
Vote for Claire Meaddows

Giselle Moor, Supertwin ET
Vote for Giselle Moor

To place your vote, either use the links above or go to the official Perpetual Awards voting page which you can view by clicking here or by clicking on the 2012 Perpetual Awards vote link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page.
©Eurodragster.com
The Alex Brachtvogel Memorial Trophy, for which nominations are also now being taken, was first awarded to Santa Pod Racers Club'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. There is no shortlist for the Alex Brachtvogel award. Nominations are invited from Eurodragster.com readers for racers, race officials, track and safety crews, club officials, media, or anyone else who has contributed to the sport. Last year the trophy was awarded to Paula Marshall. Again see the official page for more details or E-Mail your nomination to [email protected] specifying SPRC Alex Brachtvogel Memorial Trophy nomination as the subject and your nomination in the body of the E-Mail.

The next category, which will be posted this Friday (18th), will be the SPRC James Edgar Memorial Trophy.

For each of the Awards, one vote per E-Mail address per nominee will be accepted: multiple votes for the same nominee from the same E-Mail address will all be disqualified. And every year we say this, but every year someone tries it on: please note that blatant attempts at organising mass votes - for example asking workmates, forum members or Facebook friends to vote en masse - are easily identified and all such votes will be disallowed as they have been in previous years. Concerted attempts at vote-rigging will result in the nominee being removed from the shortlist whether or not that nominee knows what was going on. We know all the dodges so it's just not worth trying.

Swift snippets.
14th January: Wild Bunch Secretary Dean Smythe has asked that the winner of the Santa Pod Raceway tickets in the raffe at November's Wild Bunch Dinner Dance and Presentation get in touch. "The tickets which the winner has are not valid and need to be swapped with new tickets which I have", says Dean. "Please do not try you use them as you will be refused entry. I am very sorry for the inconvenience. If anyone knows who won these tickets then please contact me". If this is you, or if you know who is is, then please contact us at [email protected] and we'll put you in touch.

Yet again sponsor Slick Attire have come up with the goods for blown-alcohol racers and Eurodragster.com Bloggers Bennett Racing. "This time they have come up with two designs for the Bennett Racing 2013 T-Shirt, and to make things interesting we're leaving this one to the fans to decide", says Luke Bennett. "Simply pick your favourite design and that's the one which will be produced and sold! To vote simply visit the Slick Attire Facebook page or of course the Bennett Racing Facebook page."

Thank you for the continued tributes to Paula Marshall, whose tribute page you can check out by clicking here or by clicking on the Features, Interviews, Tributes link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page. If you would like to send a tribute then please E-Mail [email protected].

We would like to say a big Happy Birthday for today (Monday) to Malta Drag Racing Association Secretary Jason Camilleri. Have a great day Jason.

Web site updates.
14th January: Our good buddy Alan Currans has updated his excellent Acceleration Archive with the latest instalment in the Veney's Vega restoration blog, featuring several pictures of the car's first test session. You can check it out via the What's New? link at www.theaccelerationarchive.co.uk.

SPRC, APIRA, Obsession Awards vote 8.
11th January: Santa Pod Racers Club, Avon Park International Racing Association, Obsession Motorsports and Eurodragster.com are teaming up to give Eurodragster.com readers the chance of input to the SPRC and APIRA Perpetual Awards and Obsession Motorsports Sportsman of the Year, which will be presented at the joint APIRA / SPRC Dinner Dance and Trophy presentation on Saturday 9th February 2013.

For several of the 2012 season awards, a shortlist has been decided upon for which votes can be submitted by E-Mail. Nominations are now also being accepted for the Alex Brachtvogel Memorial Trophy. The votes of Eurodragster.com readers will be taken into consideration when the SPRC and APIRA Committees and Obsession Motorsports decide upon their winners.

The latest voting category is the SPRC Paul Giddings Memorial Trophy. The Paul Giddings Memorial Trophy is a bike fraternity-only award named for late racer Paul Giddings, and is presented for overcoming adversity. Nominees have typically had to endure personal problems, severe or prolonged mechanical trouble, an accident or other such woes, but have faced those problems head-on and come out on top.

The SPRC Committee's shortlist, in alphabetical order, is as follows:

Nick Daniels, Funny Bike
Vote for Nick Daniels

Dave Holland, Super Street Bike
Vote for Dave Holland

Lizz McCarthy, Comp Bike
Vote for Lizz McCarthy

Leigh Russon, 9.50 Bike
Vote for Leigh Russon

Mark Smith, Pro Stock Bike
Vote for Mark Smith

To place your vote, either use the links above or go to the official Perpetual Awards voting page which you can view by clicking here or by clicking on the 2012 Perpetual Awards vote link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page.
©Eurodragster.com
The Alex Brachtvogel Memorial Trophy, for which nominations are also now being taken, was first awarded to Santa Pod Racers Club'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. There is no shortlist for the Alex Brachtvogel award. Nominations are invited from Eurodragster.com readers for racers, race officials, track and safety crews, club officials, media, or anyone else who has contributed to the sport. Last year the trophy was awarded to Paula Marshall. Again see the official page for more details or E-Mail your nomination to [email protected] specifying SPRC Alex Brachtvogel Memorial Trophy nomination as the subject and your nomination in the body of the E-Mail.

The next category, which will be posted on Monday (14th), will be the Shakespeare County Raceway Sportswoman of the Year Award.

For each of the Awards, one vote per E-Mail address per nominee will be accepted: multiple votes for the same nominee from the same E-Mail address will all be disqualified. And every year we say this, but every year someone tries it on: please note that blatant attempts at organising mass votes - for example asking workmates, forum members or Facebook friends to vote en masse - are easily identified and all such votes will be disallowed as they have been in previous years. Concerted attempts at vote-rigging will result in the nominee being removed from the shortlist whether or not that nominee knows what was going on. We know all the dodges so it's just not worth trying.

BDRHoF changes arrangements.
11th January: The British Drag Racing Hall of Fame in association with US Automotive has changed its arrangements for the announcement and presentation of inductees.

In the past, inductees have been revealed on Eurodragster.com on 1st February and the presentation held at the joint APIRA/SPRC Dinner Dance and Trophy Presentation. In the future, inductees will be announced on Eurodragster.com in the summer - the current provisional plan is over Dragstalgia Weekend - and the Hall of Fame will hold its own presentation ceremony on the Saturday evening of the FIA European Finals, in Santa Pod Raceway's VIP marquee. Details have yet to be finalised with Santa Pod Raceway management but the format and schedule will be announced as soon as possible to enable you to mark the occasion in your diary.

"May I take this opportunity to thank APIRA and SPRC for allowing the British Drag Racing Hall of Fame to tag our awards on to the end of their trophy presentation evening", says BDRHoF Chair Stu Bradbury. "This caused lots of extra work for our Paula and the rest of the backroom girls. None of this would have functioned so well nor progressed to the level it has without their invaluable help."

Swift snippets.
11th January: Thank you for the continued tributes to Paula Marshall, whose tribute page you can check out by clicking here or by clicking on the Features, Interviews, Tributes link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page. If you would like to send a tribute then please E-Mail [email protected].

We have two birthdays today (Friday). First up is a Happy Birthday to Sam (She's Lovely) Stretton of SPRC's timing crew. Have a lovely day Sam. Next up, Cath Napier asked us to say a big Happy 50th Birthday to her husband, UK Pro ET racer Tig Napier. We're very happy to do so, have a great day Tig.

Turbosmart USA on board with Frost.
11th January: One of the most recognised teams on the European drag racing scene, the Red Victor Racing team with owner and driver Andy Frost hold numerous titles including the fastest and quickest street-legal quarter mile with an ET of just 6.59 seconsa at 220 mph. The car itself has been featured in many magazine and online articles as well as on the UK's Fifth Gear programme. Currently in its third incarnation, Red Victor 3 competes in the MSA and FIA European Pro Mod Championships and Andy has tentative plans to head over to USA and compete there in 2014.

Red Victor 3 is a 1972 Vauxhall VX4/90 FD VXR Spec powered by a 539ci (8.8L) Chevrolet V8 engine producing in excess of 3000 hp. The Precision twin turbo system will be helped by Turbosmart USA's Power-Gate 60 external wastegates and a Race Port atmospheric bov.

"We're really excited about this partnership", said Turbosmart USA General Manager Marty Staggs. "The Red Victor Racing team are all about aiming high and then going for it. These principles are very much in line with Turbosmart's philosophy."

"We've got some exciting times ahead of us", said Red Victor Racing's Andy Frost, "and we're really happy to have Turbosmart backing us in our endeavours. We look forward to working with them in 2013 and beyond."

For more information visit www.turbosmartusa.com or E-Mail [email protected].

Paige and Belle join GK Motorsports.
11th January: UK Junior Dragster drivers Paige Wheeler and Belle Wheeler have joined the GK Motorsports family for the 2013 drag racing season.

  "We are thrilled to have Paige and Belle as part of our program", said GK Motorsports principal Gaston Kearby. "They come from a terrific family, and we're happy they are now a part of ours. We will do all we can to support Paige and Belle as they move up the ranks of drag racing, not only in the United Kingdom, but also in the United States."

  Paige, who has been racing since 2007, scored a victory in her Junior Dragster at the FIA European Finals in 2010. The rain-plagued 2012 season was successful, too, as she raced to the finals in the Open Sport Nationals and to the semi-finals of the FIA European Finals. Paige ended up third in the UK National Championship last year.

Belle got her licence a day after she turned eight years old in 2011, and she started her first race a day after that. Last year, Belle raced to the quarter-finals of the SPRC Summernationals.

Paige and Belle join NHRA Pro Stock drivers Erica Enders and Dave Connolly and AMA Pro Road Racing rider Kyle Wyman as part of GK Motorsports, an integrated, multi-platform racing enterprise consisting of high-performance vehicles across multiple forms of motorsports. 

For more information, log on to www.paigewheeler.co.uk and www.bellewheeler.co.uk.

Web site updates.
11th January: Our good buddy Alan Currans has updated his excellent Acceleration Archive with his usual end-year round-up photo page, slightly delayed due to 'flu (Hope you are OK now Alan - Ed). You can check out Alan's shots via the What's New link at www.theaccelerationarchive.co.uk.

Eurodragster.com News Editor Tog has updated his SmugMug site with a small gallery of pictures of the Moore Brothers' Pro Mod on display at the Royal Automobile Club in London. You can check out the Pro Mod shots at eurodragster.smugmug.com or www.togsdragracing.com.

Paula Marshall's funeral.
9th January: Thanks to Ian Marshall for passing on additional details of Paula Marshall's funeral. The extra details are those of the Funeral Director if you wish to send flowers, but we have decided to re-post Paula's funeral details in their entirety so that you can find everything in one posting.

Paula's funeral takes place at 10:00 am this Saturday, 12th January, at:

Teeside Crematorium
Acklam Road
Acklam
Middlesborough
TS5 7HD

Click here for a map.

The wake takes place afterwards at:

The Parkmore Hotel
636 Yarm Road
Eaglescliffe
Stockton-on-Tees
Cleveland
TS16 0DH

Click here for a map.

Paula's husband Ian Marshall has confirmed that those attending Paula's funeral on Saturday are welcome to wear team shirts or other colours. "Please wear what you like within reason", said Ian.

If you wish to send flowers then you can send them to the Funeral Director:

Yarm Funeral Services
3 Beechwood Road
Eaglescliffe
Stockton-on-Tees
TS16 0AE

If you wish to make a donation to Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research in lieu of flowers then that would be greatly appreciated.

Paula's sister Gillian has asked if anyone has photographs of Paula which they would be willing to send. If you have any pictures of Paula then please send them to us at [email protected] and we will pass them on to Gillian.

Thank you for the continued tributes to Paula, whose tribute page you can check out by clicking here or by clicking on the Features, Interviews, Tributes link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page. If you would like to send a tribute then please E-Mail [email protected].

Darren Galloway and Ron Haslett have set up a bank account for donations in memory of Paula. The bank is Halifax, the sort code is 11-08-21 and the account number is 10662062. For overseas contributions the IBAN is gb04 bofs 1108 2110 6620 62 and the BIC code is bofsgb2s. If you have any queries then you can contact Darren on 07738 070337.

Flamholc comes home.
9th January: Swedish Pro Modified and Top Methanol Funny Car racer Adam Flamholc has a plan for 2013.

"The Funny Car will be shipped to Sweden in February, he says. "Once it arrives, Custom Graphics will paint it in the team colours of silver and black. After the NHRA event in Gainesville, we will also ship the Pro Mod car back to Europe! I feel that we need to work on the car between the races to be able keep it up to date. Last year we pretty much flew in one day before each race in the USA, and used the track as our shop. There are a lot of things that we need to look at, and repair."

Adam has also announced that will drive both cars in the FIA European Championship. "I'm really excited to be able to come back and race in Europe again!", he says. "It's gonna be great to meet all our fellow racers as well as the fans and organisers here in Europe! I have high hopes and we are aiming high.

"Per-Erik Lindgren will drive his Comp Eliminator car in the Swedish Championship, and the Funny Car at Malmö Raceway, Tierp Arena, Sundsvall Raceway and maybe Gardermoen. Per-Erik will be backed by Amalie Oil on his Comp car this year.

"After the FIA European Championship, the Pro Mod car is going back overseas again, and we will race another three or four events in USA in the Autumn and Winter.

"As always I'm very grateful that I'm able to do this! Please support our sponsors Amalie Oil, Hurst Boiler, Autoshop, Cleanpipe, Performance Plus, MMR, JA IT-Hjälp, Custom Graphics, Doyousee.me and Leanders Clutches. Please don't forget to get some of our T-Shirts, hats and sweatshirts!"

Adam's 2013 schedule currently looks as follows:

25-27 January: US Street Nationals, Bradenton Motorsports Park, USA
8-10 March: Dragpalooza IX, Rockingham Dragway, USA (ADRL)
14-17 March: Gatornationals, Gainesville, USA (NHRA)
28-29 April: Test'n'Tune, Malmö, Sweden
11-12 May: Swedish Championship, Tierp Arena
24-27 May: FIA Main Event, Santa Pod, England (FIA)
31 May-2 June: Sundsvall Nats, Sundsvall Raceway, Sweden
13-16 June: Sweden Internationals, Tierp Arena, Sweden (FIA)
22-24 June: Midsummer Festival, Orsa/Färnäs, Sweden
4-7 July: FHRA Nitro Nationals, Alastaro, Finland (FIA)
19-20 July: Malmö Raceway, Sweden
26-28 July: Swedish Championship, Tierp Arena, Sweden
9-11 August: NitrOlympX, Hockenheim, Germany (FIA)
22-25 August: Scandinavian Internationals, Tierp Arena, Sweden (FIA)
5-8 September: FIA European Finals, Santa Pod Raceway, England (FIA)

Another three or four events in the USA are yet to be confirmed.

Swift snippets.
9th January: Geof Hauser of Eurodragster.com sponsor Hauser Race Cars tells us that Scott Hauser's Super Pro ET dragster will be on display in Hall 9 at Autosport International at Birmingham's NEC between Thursday and Sunday.

Web site updates.
9th January: The latest update to one of drag racing's most entertaining web sites, Anders Envall's Blackout Fullsize Racing, includes 'Bad Santas' on mopeds, a trip to India, and more. You can check out Bostics latest work at www.blackout.nu.

Eurodragster.com News Editor Tog has updated his SmugMug site with a second gallery of his favourite shots, this time from the years 1996 to 2001, back in the days of film (kids, "film" is something us old guys used to use, don't worry about it - Ed). You can check out Tog's Film Era Favourites at eurodragster.smugmug.com or www.togsdragracing.com.

Pall Mall Pro Mod.
 8th January: When the great and good of British motorsport arrive at London's Royal Automobile Club on 19th January for the MSA's Night of Champions, they will enounter a rare, exotic beast of a kind many may never have seen in the flesh – a Pro Mod car waiting in the lobby to greet them. MSA British Drag Racing Championship PR Robin Jackson writes:

The nitrous Dodge Viper belongs to 2012's MSA British Drag Racing Champion, Roger Moore. While Roger is the latest Champion drag racer to be honoured at the MSA's annual gala, it is the first time in the fifty years since drag racing first settled in Britain that one of its racing machines has been admitted beyond the portals of UK motoring's most opulent address.

And this is no ordinary exhibit. The RAC's elegant, century-old rotunda began accommodating cars in the 1960s with James Bond's Aston Martin DB5. More recent invitees have ranged from Sir Henry Segrave's 1924 Sunbeam via Sebastian Vettel's Red Bull F1 to the Mars Rover planet explorer.

The Night Of Champions will mark the culmination of the Viper's two-week residency in the RAC rotunda.

The initiative to present drag racing in such prestigious surroundings was launched by Neale Saunders, Santa Pod Raceway's Deputy General Manager, with encouragement from past MSA Champion Andy Robinson. It quickly became a combined operation. MSA Communications Officer Tim Swietochowski negotiated the connections vital to secure the precious invitation. Eurodragster.com sponsor WG4 Facilities & Services organised round-trip transport for the Viper, courtesy of Matthew "200mph Rolls-Royce" Wright, while Steve “Corvette” Ashdown provided a trailer to fit the car.

Assisting Roger at the car's installation were his crew colleagues Martin Tilley ("been polishing the bodywork since Christmas"), Gary Butters and Chris Black, who had travelled down from York for the occasion.

Transporting a race car to the RAC's clubhouse in the heart of London's West End – just a short walk from Buckingham Palace – is no simple task. Delivery was a dead-of-night job. Early risers in the Pall Mall vicinity might have spotted the orange Viper being decanted from its trailer in the darkness and winched into the building at 5.30 am.

Installation is a complicated process rendered down to a fine art by RAC's Tony Worsfold and his resident team. It involves, among other things, laying a heavy-duty metal ramp on which to haul the car nine feet up from the street and removing the palatial building's entire revolving-door assembly to gain access.

Once in place, the Viper created a striking picture, framed between columns at the head of the grand entrance staircase, with spotlights beamed down from the atrium-style rotunda's balcony level picking out shimmering new colours in the candy-coated paintwork rarely so apparent in daylight.

For Roger, the Night of Champions weekend will be especially busy. Having attended the black-tie gala with his wife, Jane, on the Saturday night, the Chelmsford racer returns with his crew in the early hours of Monday morning to take the Viper home again to prepare it for the coming season.

Roger would like to thank his team sponsors Shakespeare Engineering, Challenger Solutions and Generator Power Systems for the continuing support that has helped shape this signal moment in British motorsport history.

Roger asked us to add thanks to Neale Saunders, Robin Jackson, Matthew Wright for arranging the transportation, and crew Martin Tilly and Chris Black, driving all the way from Yorkshire to help. Our own thanks to Neale for the photograph - Ed.

APIRA, SPRC, Obsession Awards vote 7.
8th January: Avon Park International Racing Association, Santa Pod Racers Club, Obsession Motorsports and Eurodragster.com are teaming up to give Eurodragster.com readers the chance of input to the APIRA and SPRC Perpetual Awards and Obsession Motorsports Sportsman of the Year, which will be presented at the joint APIRA / SPRC Dinner Dance and Trophy presentation on Saturday 9th February 2013.

For several of the 2012 season awards, a shortlist has been decided upon for which votes can be submitted by E-Mail. Nominations are now also being accepted for the Alex Brachtvogel Memorial Trophy. The votes of Eurodragster.com readers will be taken into consideration when the SPRC and APIRA Committees and Obsession Motorsports decide upon their winners.

The latest voting category is the Shakespeare County Raceway Award for Outstanding Achievement. The Shakespeare County Raceway Award for Outstanding Achievement will be awarded to a racer who has achieved outstanding performance at Shakespeare County Raceway during the 2012 season.

The APIRA Committee's shortlist, in alphabetical order, is as follows:

Alan and Louis Davies, Comp Bike and Junior Drag Bike
Vote for Alan and Louis Davies

Vince Gibbs, Super Pro ET
Vote for Vince Gibbs

Cliff Griffin, Outlaw Anglia
Vote for Cliff Griffin

Colin Millar, Outlaw Anglia
Vote for Colin Millar

Dave Peters, Funny Bike
Vote for Dave Peters

Mike Rust, Honda Drag Series
Vote for Mike Rust

To place your vote, either use the links above or go to the official Perpetual Awards voting page which you can view by clicking here or by clicking on the 2012 Perpetual Awards vote link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page.
©Eurodragster.com
The Alex Brachtvogel Memorial Trophy, for which nominations are also now being taken, was first awarded to Santa Pod Racers Club'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. There is no shortlist for the Alex Brachtvogel award. Nominations are invited from Eurodragster.com readers for racers, race officials, track and safety crews, club officials, media, or anyone else who has contributed to the sport. Last year the trophy was awarded to Paula Marshall. Again see the official page for more details or E-Mail your nomination to [email protected] specifying SPRC Alex Brachtvogel Memorial Trophy nomination as the subject and your nomination in the body of the E-Mail.

The next category, which will be posted this Friday (11th), will be the SPRC Paul Giddings Memorial Trophy.

For each of the Awards, one vote per E-Mail address per nominee will be accepted: multiple votes for the same nominee from the same E-Mail address will all be disqualified. And every year we say this, but every year someone tries it on: please note that blatant attempts at organising mass votes - for example asking workmates, forum members or Facebook friends to vote en masse - are easily identified and all such votes will be disallowed as they have been in previous years. Concerted attempts at vote-rigging will result in the nominee being removed from the shortlist whether or not that nominee knows what was going on. We know all the dodges so it's just not worth trying.

Swift snippets.
8th January: We would like to say a big Happy Birthday for today (Tuesday) to Annalieze Gibb. Have a lovely day Annalieze.

Nimbus Autosport.
8th January: Eurodragster.com sponsor Nimbus Motorsport will be exhibiting at the Autosport show at Birmingham's NEC between this Thursday and Sunday (10th-13th). As ever Nimbus can be found in Hall 8, stand number 8250. Steve Clark writes:

Included in our show deals this year will be our best offer ever on a selected range of Ringers Gloves. Ringers Quick Fit gloves in blue and Ringers Authentic gloves in yellow will available at an almost unbelievably low price.

The latest product to be added to the Nimbus range is AeroCatch, the panel fastener for the 21st century, this will be on display and also available to purchase.

As well as exhibiting our extensive range of heat management products, including semi-rigid and rigid heat shielding, we will have on display Hyperco springs, System 1 oil filters, Micro Temp digital infrared thermometers, Hybrid Ceramic Bearings from Worldwide Bearings and Varley Red Top batteries.

In addition to the full range of Torco lubricants and fuel additives that Nimbus Motorsport distributes, we also stock VP Race Fuels. I will be available during the show to discuss the Torco range of lubricants and fuel additives and how they continue to benefit many winning drag racing teams.

As ever the Nimbus sales team look forward to meeting all drag racers and will be available to answer any questions relating to the Nimbus product range, a range that will enhance the performance of any race car or bike.

Nigel Payne will also be representing Nimbus during the show and his multiple championship winning Super Mod Corvette will be on display on the Goodridge stand in the Engineering Hall on Thursday and Friday.

All products can be viewed at www.nimbusmotorsport.com.

Dragracing marknad.
8th January: Johan Samuelsson writes that this year's Drag Racing Swap Meet takes place on 16th February at the Norrköpings Mässhallar, close to the E4 motorway about sixty kilometres north of Mantorp Park (map).

"This event is arranged by Åby Motorklubb and is the major winter drag racing event in Scandinavia", says Johan. "All categories of race parts can be found from new to used, from Pro classes to street racing.

"The main entrance opens at 09:00 and gates close at approximately 15:00. During the day there will also be meetings with some of the Swedish drag racing class associations etc.

For sales pitch reservations, admission fee or road directions etc please contact Åby Motorklubb via www.abymotorklubb.se or call +46-11-69833."

Paula Marshall.
7th January: We are very sorry to have to announce that Santa Pod Racers Club Secretary Paula Marshall has passed away after a long illness. Paula was a tough character who famously took no nonsense and she took the same approach when she fell ill, putting up a fight as long as she could. Paula's husband, SPRC Chief Starter Ian Marshall, told us that at the end Paula was not suffering and passed away peacefully last evening (Sunday).

As Club Secretary there was none better than Paula and likely never will be. Paula's knowledge was encyclopaedic - there wasn't anything she didn't know about organising a race event, about the rules and requirements both for events and any class you could care to name. She was available for enquiries and advice at all hours. Her vast contribution to the sport was recognised in February last year when she was awarded the Alex Brachtvogel and John Ledster Memorial Trophies.

Longtime fans will also recall that Paula raced the Highlander Camaro in Super Gas and Super Modified and had an event win to her name in Super Gas.

Paula was a supporter of Eurodragster.com since its inception and over the years we developed a strong working relationship and friendship. Some features of Eurodragster.com which are nowadays taken for granted were instigated by Paula such as event entry lists and pre-event notices to racers, and she was always on the end of the phone for advice, practical help, and cheerful chat.

UK and European drag racing have suffered an irreplaceable loss, and we have lost a dear friend, wife and mother, daughter and sister. Our deepest sympathies to Ian, to Paula and Ian's daughter Holley, to Paula's parents John and Margaret, to her sister Gillian, and to all of Paula's family and friends.

We have set up a tribute page to Paula which you can read by clicking here or by clicking on the Features, Interviews, Tributes link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page. If you would like to send a tribute then please E-Mail [email protected].

Swift snippets.
6th January: We have two spy pictures for you today. The first (below left) came with the words "A 'popular' car soon to return"...


...whilst the second (above right) came with the words "Work being carried out in a workshop somewhere in southern England". If you know more, or if you would like to send your own spy picture, then drop us a line at [email protected].

Speed Dreams, a two-part documentary on bikes at Bonneville Speed Week in which UK Funny Bike racer Steve French appears, is to be screened on UK network BBC2 at 10:00 pm tonight (Sunday 6th) and next Sunday.

UK Super Comp racer Paul Woodhead of Eurodragster.com sponsor Direct Plastics has put his Camaro up for sale. Paul tells us that he is not quitting and that he has plans for both 2013 and longer-term. You can find Paul's Camaro under Cars For Sale in our Jeff Bull Race Engines Swap Meet.

The Allard Chrysler Action Group have a new Hot Heads Chrysler 130 tooth steel flywheel for sale. "We are not allowed to run the dragster in anger so there is now no need to fit a Lakewood safety bellhousing updated 130 tooth steel flywheel and starter", says Stu Bradbury. "We decided to use the old Allard bellhousing and adapter to keep the engine looking as near to the original as possible. We now have a spare and we need to get our money back and recycle it into something we do need". You can find out more under Parts For Sale in our Jeff Bull Race Engines Swap Meet.

Elvira takes a tumble.
4th January: Sweden's seventeen-year-old Pro Stock Bike racer Elvira Karlsson is in hospital after a fall just after midnight on New Year's Eve. Elvira was attending a firework show with friends when the accident happened. She landed on her back and was taken by ambulance to Uppsala University Hospital, where she underwent surgery yesterday for a broken vertebra (coccyx). Yesterday Elvira suffered internal bleeding but the situation is now stable and under control. Her family is by her side and are very grateful for the help and support they have received from the hospital.

Elvira competed in UEM Pro Stock Bike in 2012, finishing fifth, and has big amitions for 2013. Elvira's father Robert and PR Annica promise further information about the coming season as soon as possible.

Our best wishes to Elvira for a rapid recovery and a quick return to the track.

17-åriga Prostock Bikeföraren Elvira Karlsson råkade under nyårsnatten ut för en fallolycka på 9 meter, strax efter tolvslaget, utanför Uppsala slott (Gunillaklockan), efter att hon beskådat fyrverkerierna tillsammans med sina vänner. Elvira landar på svanskota och rygg. Elvira fördes med ambulans till Uppsala Universitetssjukhus där hon under gårdagen opererades för en krossad ryggkota. Under gårdagen fick Elvira även inre blödningar men läget är nu stabilt och under kontroll. Hennes familj finns vid hennes sida och är mycket tacksamma för den hjälp och det stöd de har fått från sjukhuspersonalen.

Elvira Karlsson tävlade under 2012 i Europaserien i Prostock Bike och slutade 5:a i Europamästerskapet. Hennes ambitioner var givetvis stora inför kommande säsong och Elvira behöver allt stöd hon kan få i sin konvalecent.Vi hoppas därför att Elvira ska få ett bra och snabbt tillfrisknande och återkommer längre fram med hur strukturen för teamet kommer att se ut inför 2013.

UK Dinner Dance reminder.
4th January: Yvonne Tramm of Santa Pod Racers Club has been in touch with a reminder that Friday 25th January is the deadline for booking and paying for tickets for the joint APIRA / SPRC Dinner Dance and Trophy presentation which takes place in Solihull on Saturday 9th February.

To reserve your tickets please E-Mail Yvonne at [email protected], then download your application form from the SPRC web site at www.eurodragster.com/sprc and send meal choices, your preferred seating companions, and payment (cheque or credit / debit card) to me at:

Yvonne Tramm
5 Bennell Court
West Street
Comberton
Cambridge
CB23 7EN

For full information about the Dinner Dance please check out our news item of 8th October 2012.

SPRC, APIRA, Obsession Awards vote 6.
4th January: Santa Pod Racers Club, Avon Park International Racing Association, Obsession Motorsports and Eurodragster.com are teaming up to give Eurodragster.com readers the chance of input to the SPRC and APIRA Perpetual Awards and Obsession Motorsports Sportsman of the Year, which will be presented at the joint APIRA / SPRC Dinner Dance and Trophy presentation on Saturday 9th February 2013.

For several of the 2012 season awards, a shortlist has been decided upon for which votes can be submitted by E-Mail. Nominations are now also being accepted for the Alex Brachtvogel Memorial Trophy. The votes of Eurodragster.com readers will be taken into consideration when the SPRC and APIRA Committees and Obsession Motorsports decide upon their winners.

The latest voting category is SPRC Most Professional Appearing Team. The SPRC Most Professional-Appearing Team trophy recognises 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 SPRC Committee's shortlist, in alphabetical order of team name, is as follows:

Paige and Belle Wheeler and the Alamo / R2B2 team, Junior Dragster
Vote for Team Alamo / R2B2

Joe Kellett and the Drummin' Man team, Junior Dragster
Vote for the Drummin' Man team

Adz Price and Team Gridlock, Wild Bunch
Vote for Team Gridlock

Simon Gough and the Toomey Chevrolet team, Super Pro ET
Vote for the Toomey Chevrolet team

To place your vote, either use the links above or go to the official Perpetual Awards voting page which you can view by clicking here or by clicking on the 2012 Perpetual Awards vote link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page.
©Eurodragster.com
The Alex Brachtvogel Memorial Trophy, for which nominations are also now being taken, was first awarded to Santa Pod Racers Club'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. There is no shortlist for the Alex Brachtvogel award. Nominations are invited from Eurodragster.com readers for racers, race officials, track and safety crews, club officials, media, or anyone else who has contributed to the sport. Last year the trophy was awarded to Paula Marshall. Again see the official page for more details or E-Mail your nomination to [email protected] specifying SPRC Alex Brachtvogel Memorial Trophy nomination as the subject and your nomination in the body of the E-Mail.

The next category, which will be posted next Monday (7th), will be the Shakespeare County Raceway Outstanding Achievement Award.

For each of the Awards, one vote per E-Mail address per nominee will be accepted: multiple votes for the same nominee from the same E-Mail address will all be disqualified. And every year we say this, but every year someone tries it on: please note that blatant attempts at organising mass votes - for example asking workmates, forum members or Facebook friends to vote en masse - are easily identified and all such votes will be disallowed as they have been in previous years. Concerted attempts at vote-rigging will result in the nominee being removed from the shortlist whether or not that nominee knows what was going on. We know all the dodges so it's just not worth trying.

World's quickest Impreza?
4th January: Why take things easy when you can do it the hard way? Instead of the American V8 usually used in drag racing, the Netherlands' Jan Frank de Wagt has chosen a Subaru Impreza to cover the quarter mile. Our good friend Remco Scheelings writes:

Jan Frank never lost faith in his Japanese four wheel drive car, and because ambitions can never be too high he now is at work on a project to build the world's fastest drag racing Impreza. In leading drag racing countries as England and America they have many of these fast cars whistl Australian Tony Rigoli is the world record holder with a stunning 7.6 seconds.

With a Webster Race Engineering chassis and an Andy Forrest-tuned 1,450 bhp 3.3-litre six-cylinder Subaru engine the 900 kg car - that includes the driver - the Impreza should be able to break the world record over the quarter mile. "The car has to be street-legal too", says Jan Frank. "It's great that the Impreza body from my original street and race car will still be part of this new project."

You can read more at www.autosport.nl.

Mental and Musclebound.
4th January: Steve Ashdown, the proud owner of two of the UK's more famous Corvettes, has been in touch to bring us up to date on the work done on both cars:


What was Pete Smith's Just Mental Street Eliminator Corvette is undergoing a major revamp (above). I sold the blown Small Block and gearbox to make way for a 540 ci twin turbo Big Block! Unfortunately the chassis was not compatible with the Big Block so out came the angle grinder and we cut the front off, something I can honestly say made me feel sick. But it had to be done.


Steve and Pete of my sponsor Dart Corvettes have fully rebuilt my other Corvette, Jon Claydon's Mr Muscle '68 (above), and done a brilliant job.

I have met a lot of good people along the way and they have all helped and are helping me with my new venture so I would like to say a big thank you to them all. Bill Felstead of Fester Race Cars for all the hard work on the chassis, for the advice, and for cutting my car in half. Matt Wright of WG4 Security for guiding me on my journey, for all the advice, the Chevy parts, and for running the car around when needed. Also for sponsoring my son Tyler (left) in Junior Modified Dragster this year. Thanks to Matt for welcoming my family into his family, you couldn't meet a nicer bloke.

To my sponsors Dart Corvettes, without them I wouldn't be able to race at all. Steve and Pete have been amazing, always on end of phone when things have got tough and I've lost it. To Demon Ink Operation tattoo studio for helping me to get back on track with the Big Block when I needed it most, Barry is a lifelong friend and Stuart will be a friend for life, thanks for all your help gents.

Also a big thank you to Ray Tucker for all the advice and the endless time down the garage trying to reassure me that I did the right thing cutting the front of my car off , and for the truck and trailer making my racing outfit complete. To Charlie and Jim Draper, these two blokes have been brilliant and I can't thank them enough. Thanks for the offer of a ride this year if my car does not get done in time (they know what I mean) and for the crank, the endless cups of coffee, and the good chats keeping me sane. A big thank you to their mum for always laying on the food when I'm down the workshop, and special thanks to Charlie for nearly getting me arrested in Sweden! Thanks mate.

Pete Smith, what can I say about Pete and his lovely wife Barbara who sold me both cars? I suppose I could say "Thanks, I am now skint"! On a serious note Pete is a lifelong friend who basically gave me Just Mental and said "Pay me when you got it". Friends like that don't come along often and Pete has done me proud, without him I would not be where I am today - skint with half a car. Thanks for everything Pete, without you none of this would be happening.

Last but by no means least my family Tracy, Tyler and Baylee, thanks for putting up with all the running around, no money and no holidays just to try to complete the car. I will make it up to you I promise, thank you once again without my family my dream would not be happening at all. All these people and their families have become true friends, thanks everyone.

Precision partner with Frost.
4th January: Precision Turbo and Engine will be partnering with UK Pro Modified racer and Eurodragster.com Blogger Andy Frost and the VXR team for the 2013 European racing season.

Acting as a turbocharger source and supplier, Precision's partnership with Frost is an official continuation of the previous collaboration between the two entities.

Driving his iconic red Vauxhall Victor, known as Red Victor 3, Frost's previous successes include claiming the title of the world's quickest and fastest street-legal car in the quarter mile, having gone 6.59 at 220 mph. For the 2013 season, Frost aims at bettering both of those numbers and will also compete in the FIA European Pro Modified class.

Precision is proud to be working with Frost and the VXR team and is looking forward to a great year.

From the workshops...
4th January: UK Pro Mod racer-in-waiting and Honorary Eurodragster.com Staff Member Spencer Tramm dropped us this picture of the intake manifold of the Isaacs and Tramm Pro Mod (below left). The very pretty intake is freshly-arrived from Moran Motorsports in the USA. You can check out more shots on the Facebook page of Eurodragster.com sponsor Chris Isaacs Race Cars.


Fresh out of the workshops of Roy Wilding Race Cars is this pretty altered belonging to Dave Jones (above right). The car totes a 454 ci Big Block, two-speed 'Glide, 9" Ford axle, 32x15s and 22x4.5s all on a chassis tagged for 7.50. The body came from Paul Bland and the paint is by Barry Woodford. Click on the picture to see another angle.

Racers / constructors: Send your workshop shots or spy pictures to [email protected] and we'll publish them here..

Web site updates.
4th January: Further to Wednesday's web site update, UK Super Pro ET racer Martyn Jones has updated his Flickr gallery with pictures from the NZDRA Summer Nationals in New Zealand. You can check out Syd's shots at www.flickr.com/photos/martyn_a_jones.

Lucas launch new range.
4th January: Eurodragster.com sponsor Lucas Oil Products will launch its new High Performance Racing Only Oils range at next week's Autosport International Show at Birmingham's NEC.

The full Lucas Oil Racing Only range now includes nine different categories of lubricants from High Performance Plus oils for Top Fuel and  Top Alcohol engines to break-in oils, automatic transmission fluids, racing greases and racing gear oils. Three different versions of the popular Racing Only 20W-50 are available - fully synthetic, semi synthetic and conventional - making the Lucas Oil range a first choice for racing teams across the track, road and off-road racing spectrum.

The Nine categories are:
  • Fully Synthetic High Performance Motor Oil (SAE 0W-5, 0W-10, 0W-20, 0-W30, 10W30 and 20W-50)
  • Top Fuel and Top Alcohol (SAE 50 Plus, 70 Plus)
  • Break-In Oils (SAE 20, 30, 20W-50)
  • Automatic Transmission Fluid (Semi-synthetic - multi-vehicle and sure shift)
  • Racing Gear Oils (L9,L10, L11, SAE140, 250)
  • Racing Greases (Valve train and G3 Racing grease)
  • Sprocket and Chain Lube
  • Junior Dragster and Go Kart Racing Oil for Outlaw 330 alcohol engines (SAE 5W-20)
  • Racing Shock Oils (S1 and S2)
The Lucas Oil Racing Only range is used by top motorsport teams around the world in a host of categories including FIA Top Fuel Dragster, Monster Truck, Drift Car, BTCC and TVKC Junior Karts. Successful users include four-time FIA European Top Fuel Dragster Champion Andy Carter and George Poteet, driver of the Poteet and Main Speed Demon car, current holder of the World Land Speed Record for turbocharged cars.

Lucas Oil will be found on stand 6505 at Autosport International next Thursday to Sunday (public days Saturday and Sunday).

Swift snippets.
 2nd January: Swedish Supertwin racer Per Bengtsson, the Beast team, and Bentec Engineering have asked us to wish their customers, fellow competitors and race fans all over the world a Happy New Year and a prosperous 2013. "Looking forward to meeting you all next season!", says Per. You can check out a great on-board video of Per's runs at Valdosta on YouTube at www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGoptGR15qo.

The Netherlands' eXplosion Dragracing is inviting everyone with a serious interest in drag racing, and particularly drag racing at Drachten, to a meeting to discuss ideas and plans for the future of Drachten Raceway as well as to have a drink for the New Year. This meeting is open for everyone with a heart for drag racing, not just members of the eXplosion Dragracing Club. The meeting will be held at 13:00 this Sunday, 6th January, at Hotel Waalwijk, burg . vd Klokkenlaan 55, Waalwijk, Noord Brabant. Maikel Gloudemans of our streaming service supplier Doyousee.me tells us that as this is his home town he will try to put up some signs with directions, as well as posting directions on the eXplosion bulletin board at www.explosion.nl just before the meeting. If you have any queries then please E-Mail [email protected].

Team Gridlock Principal Dex Price tells us that driver Adam Price's wife Lorraine gave birth to little Rosie at just twenty weeks' term on New Year's Eve. Adz and Lorraine would like to thank fellow racers and friends for all their messages of condolence which have been greatly appreciated at this terrible time.

Web site updates.
2nd January: To help in counteracting winter weather, UK Top Methanol Dragster racer in all but transmission Super Pro ET racer Martyn Jones has posted a set of pictures from the recent Nostalgia Nationals in Taupo, New Zealand, on Flickr at www.flickr.com/photos/martyn_a_jones. If you like your Nostalgia then Martyn's pictures are well worth a look.

Maikel Gloudemans of our streaming service supplier Doyousee.me tells us that, as he has a lot of material and limited time for editing, the replays of our 2012 Webster Race Engineering / Nimbus Motorsport webcasts will continue for the whole of January and maybe longer. Right now at www.didyousee.me/dragrace you can watch replays of the Mopar Euronats, Dragstalgia, and the FIA European Finals.


Earlier news