Frost's new title sponsor. 28th February: Andy Frost and the UK's Red Victor Racing Pro Modified team are pleased to welcome Lamude Racing Engines as Title Sponsor for the 2014 season. Andy Frost, team principal and driver of Red Victor 3, says "This is great news for the team. Obviously we have been involved with Marc Lamude for three years now as the builder of RV3's record-setting engine. Now he has stepped up his support for the team in the biggest way, and we thank him for that. We look forward to more records for 2014 with Marc's incredible engine building skills!" Marc Lamude, head honcho at Lamude Racing Engines, says "We've been proud to build and develop the world record setting engine in Red Victor 3 for the last three years, in which time the car has changed the game. We think that this is a great opportunity to show the world who is behind the engine, and to help the Red Victor team progress through the 2014 season. We thank Andy for giving us the opportunity to work even closer together to achieve both our goals!" The team are proud to be associated with Lamude Racing Engines, and we thank them for their support. Roll on the 2014 season! 8.50 and 9.50 Bike no longer pointless. 27th February: Further to discussion at Saturday's UK Riders' and Drivers' Meeting, Ian Marshall of Santa Pod Racers Club has been in talks with the ACU and is pleased to announce that European licence holders will be able to accrue points in the UK National 8.50 Bike and 9.50 Bike Championships. "In the past, foreign riders were unable to accrue points and thus were unable to win either Championship", said Ian. "This has now changed which will allow European riders to contest the National Championship and to race for the Championship title." Swift snippets. 27th February: 14:00 Many thanks to James Forster of Santa Pod Raceway for letting us know that Version 1 of the official Dragstalgia entry list is now available at www.santapod.co.uk/e_entrylist_dragstalgia14.php. For more details about Dragstalgia, or to enter the event, check out www.dragstalgia.co.uk. Lena Perés has been in touch to remind racers intending to take parts to the SFI Tour stop at Persåkers Speed Shop that they should register their intention to attend. To register click the SFI Reg button at www.meracing.com. Registration closes on 6th March. Click here for information på svenska. The latest spy picture to arrive at the offices of Eurodragster.com (below left) came with the words "Raw nitro!". If you know more, or if you would like to send your own spy picture, then drop us a line at [email protected]. Autosport journalist Marcus Pye got in touch with his decal equivalent of a barn find (above right). "Fifty years after the British Drag Racing Association's first Dragfests of 1964, it's a splendid little reminder of Sydney Allard's contribution to this incredible sport in the UK", says Marcus. "Hopefully there are many more old dragster decals out there… Nostalgia rules!" We've had an enquiry from Gary Begley who would be pleased to hear from anyone with footage, pictures or reports of Philippe Dahn's Citroen Visa Funny Car which ran in the 1980s. Not only would Philippe like to see any footage etc but Gary would like to use any material offered for an article for the Citroen Car Club. If you can help with footage, pictures or reports of the Citroen Visa FC then please drop us a line at [email protected] and we'll put you in touch. UK bike tail light update. 26th February: Ian Marshall of Santa Pod Racers Club has been in touch to clarify the requirement for bikes racing in the UK to carry a rear light: All bikes running at ACU (not FIM Europe) permitted events must now carry a red light visible from the rear of the machine whilst running on the track at night. The light is required to be live even in the event of the lanyard being removed from the bike. Riders have the option to make the rear light battery-operated or on a live switched circuit on the bike. The light must be securely mounted and of a steady state, i.e. no strobe or flashing lights permitted. Please note that this regulation supersedes the current wording for light requirements in the ACU book (for the taping of lights), lights must not be covered or taped. Existing stock rear lights may be used if preferred. The current wording in the ACU rule book will be updated for 2015. If you have any queries then you can contact Ian Marshall at SPRC on 01933 313625 (outside the UK +44 1933 313625). SFI European Tour update. 26th February: SFI Foundation President Arnie Kuhns has been in touch with a couple of updates to the previously-published arrangements for next week's SFI European Recertification Tour: The Sunday at Persåkers Speed Shop is for pick-up of finished parts only. We cannot take any parts for certification on that day. The only person in Europe who can recertify PSI Superchargers is Wolfgang Schöfer who can be reached by E-Mail at [email protected]. We do not have anyone who can recertify Whipple blowers. The SFI Tour dates are as follow: Thursday 6th March: DHRA office, Heemskerk, The Netherlands Friday 7th March: US-Parts Finn Am Oy, Holkkitie 10, Helsinki, Finland Saturday-Sunday 8th-9th March: Persåkers Speed Shop, Åkers Styckebruk, Sweden (parts pick-up only on Sunday) Monday 10th March: Seminar in Oslo, Norway NB not an inspection Tuesday 11th March: UK, Santa Pod Raceway Event entry update. 26th February: Official entry forms for May's Springspeed Nationals are now available from the Downloads page of the Shakespeare County Raceway web site at www.shakespearecountyraceway.com. SCR's Jerry Cookson tells us that forms will be available shortly for those 8.50 Bike, 9.50 Bike, NAST and ET Bike events which take place over Public Track Weekends. Straightliners add classes. 26th February: Tervor Duckworth has been in touch with news of this year's Straightliners Championship: We are introducing some new classes and some new features for our events at Santa Pod Raceway. The new classes are the Old Skool Legends classes. These are for any pre-1996 bikes which were a legend in their lifetime. The classes are open to any make of bike and any capacity, there will be no rules for the class just that the bike could be ridden on the road in the condition it is raced in for the Road Legends class. We will also have a class for the Old Skool Legends drag bikes which are sat in garages up and down the country with nowhere to race, again no class rules. Both classes will be subject to the usual safety checks for the tracks at which we run. We are going to run a bracket class at our events at Santa Pod on 30th March, 14th-15th June and 18th-19th October. The Krazee Eights this will be a full eight-second bracket open to any bike from any of the classes which are run. This will appeal to the guys currently running in the ACU 8.50 Bike class, the 9.50 Bike boys wanting to take a step up and the bottom end of the Super Street Bike class as well as the Straightliners lads and lasses currently running near that mark. The class will run from 8.00 up to 8.99. There will be no limit on the number of qualifying runs which riders can make up to the cut-off time before eliminations. Eliminations will be for the top eight in the class with a trophy on the day and a cash prize which is still subject to negotiation with would-be sponsors, but it will be a sum with an eight in it - at the moment it stands at £180. There are no class rules for bikes, but they must comply with the safety rules for the class in which they normally run. Straightliners will be running this format at other venues with the bracket adjusted to suit. We have three events at East Kirkby in Lincolnshire and we will be running The Krazee Nines at this venue. Swift snippets. 26th February: The European invasion is on at the NHRA Gatornationals at Gainesville in March. As well as Jimmy Ålund in Pro Stock the entry list also shows Fredrik Fredlund and Elvira Karlsson in Pro Stock Bike, Jonnie Lindberg and Ulf Leanders in Top Alcohol Funny Car, and Mike Manners of Eurodragster.com sponsor Cosmo Residences in Top Alcohol Dragster. You can stay up to date at www.nhra.com. We would like to say a very Happy Birthday for today (Wednesday) to our good friend and Honorary Eurodragster.com Staff Member Darren Prentice of Santa Pod Raceway. Have a great day Darren. Happy Birthday also to UK Fuel Funny Car racer Kevin Kent, you have a great day too Kevin, and to safety crew member Geoff Quaife. Have a great day Geoff. We have another birthday for you today: Eurodragster.com is sixteen years old. Thanks to all of the racers, clubs, officials, promoters, sponsors, fans, friends and to everyone else who helps to keep us going. BDRHoF alters structure. 26th February: The British Drag Racing Hall of Fame has announced a new operating structure to enhance its professionalism and organisational capabilities. This is in line with increased sponsorship and the need to become more involved in events and promotional activity. Since its launch in 2006, the BDRHoF has evolved around a panel of selectors and this was sufficient when its role was limited and its activities few. But it has become clear that more time, effort and expertise is now required in the area of general management, so a BDRHoF Management Group has been created to handle these functions. This group consists of: Stu Bradbury, Chair Bev Bradbury, Secretary and Treasurer Brian Taylor, Marketing and Commercial Robin Jackson, Press and Public Relations Phil Evans, Finance Phil Cottingham, Events and Social Media Brian Taylor has stepped down from the BDRHoF Board of Selectors to concentrate on BDRHoF Management Group activities. The Board continues as a separate body, solely responsible for choosing who deserves to be inducted into the BDRHoF and consists of: Stu Bradbury (Chairman) Keith Bartlett Graham Beckwith Jerry Cookson Phil Cottingham Phil Evans Robin Jackson Ian Marshall Ian Messenger Darren Prentice Andy Rogers (Tog) "It has become very difficult to cover the increased work load during the past two or three years and impossible to refer everyday management decisions back for approval by the Board of Selectors which only meets face-to-face once a year", says Stu Bradbury. "So after much thought and discussion we have decided to separate some functions to enable us to further develop the BDRHoF during the next few years. Board members will get involved with some management functions as and when they can, but the majority of this work will now be handled by the new Management Group which will drive things forward." If you think you can help the Management Group contact [email protected] or telephone Stu Bradbury on 01933 279102. The British Drag Racing Hall of Fame is sponsored by many businesses and associations without whose support it could not exist. They are: Beech Underwriting; US Automotive; Power Race Graphics; Santa Pod Racers Club; Pennine Drag Racing Club; Eurodragster.com; Avon Park International Racing Association, Shakespeare County Raceway; Santa Pod Raceway and York Raceway. Up for a challenge... 26th February: Eurodragster.com sponsor Wizards of NOS are pleased to welcome their latest European Pro Mod customer, The Netherlands' Johan Oomen, to their growing ranks of high-end race customers. Trevor Langfield writes: Johan has purchased the 811 ci motor from Mats Wicktor, along with the Revo system, and fitted it to his very nice Viper. Although the motor wasn't designed for nitrous and hasn't proved to be capable of handle large amounts in the past, since it's been improved by Mats Wicktor and now we are aware of its limitations and thanks to some further improvements which Johan has implemented we hope to help him to run quicker times than Mats ran. This is a very tall order as Johan intends to début the new combination at the first round of the European Championships at Santa Pod Raceway in May without any prior testing. Always up for a challenge, Wizards of NOS will be there to provide as much assistance as possible. Trevor adds that over the past two or three years a growing number of smart Americans have realised that Wizards of NOS technology, both pulsed and smoothly graduated, is vastly superior to the stone age staged kits to which they are limited by their local suppliers: Unfortunately it has taken these smart guys a couple of years to get their cars race ready and in a suitable state of tune to show what they can do, but this year looks like being the year when most if not all of them get the job done. Last weekend at South Georgia Motor Park the first of these smart guys, Kevin Neale, was racing despite having had no time for testing. During the first and second rounds of qualifying Kevin posted some very respectable times, mid to low 4.5s and in the 165 mph region, in the Outlaw Drag Radial class. Considering that Kevin only told me a few days ago not to expect him to run quick times at this race, due to it being a new combination and needing test time to dial it all in, it seems he surprised himself more than he surprised me. This is a great start for our Wizards of NOS American customers and we expect to see more and more of these smart guys racing over the coming months and posting similarly outstanding times, demonstrating that British is best, at least when it comes to nitrous technology.  The above pictures show the unique 'plateless' 1,000+ hp Spider/Killer Scorpion hybrid system which Kevin's car runs. FIM Championship registration. 25th February: Geoff Myers of Track Group Europe has been in touch to advise us that the TGE on-line Championship registration system is now live. Race teams wishing to register to compete in the FIM European Drag Bike Championships and the FIM European Super Street Bike Cup can register for 2014 at www.tgeurope.eu. Event entry update. 25th February: As promised in Saturday's Riders' and Drivers' Meeting report, official entry forms for all 2014 season events at Santa Pod Raceway are now available from the Entry Forms page at www.eurodragster.com/sprc. Take the long haul for charity. 25th February: UK Outlaw Anglia racer Colin Millar writes to invite racers to a Drag Racing Charity event to be held on the runway of Stornoway Airport on Saturday 31st May (map). "The Lewis Car Club hold two drag racing events every year", says Colin. "They have a full Portatree Timing System and are very well organised. Last year they raised a staggering £22,000 for the Macmillan Cancer Research Charity and are very hopeful of exceeding that amount this year. All of the Flyin' Fyfers are very proud to be involved and we try to help in raising funds in any way we can. "We have had some good interest so far and even a thumbs up from Andy Fadster and the Twister which will be fun. It's a fair journey even for me but it's one of the most beautiful places in the United Kingdom - and united we stay, or at least I hope so! "So if you want to race and have some fun, or maybe even make it a wee holiday then of course you are more than welcome. Ali Macleod is the secretary of the Lewis Car Club and organises the event; he can be contacted via the web site at www.lewiscarclub.com or on 07786 596739. If you can't make it then please contact with Lewis Car Club or I about making a donation to a great cause. Thanks very much and see you all very soon." Swift snippets. 25th February: James Forster has been in touch from Santa Pod Raceway to explain that the reason that the Nostalgia Fuel Altered Association and Nostalgia Funny Cars won't be racing each other at Dragstalgia is that both Methanol and Nitro Nostalgia Funny Cars are invited to take part in the Dragstalgia Cannonball. The event will comprise four runs made up of three qualifiers (two Saturday and one Sunday morning) and then the final pairings on Sunday afternoon will be decided upon the aggregate times from those three runs. For further information, or to enter, check out www.dragstalgia.co.uk. Dave Smith writes that the National Street Car Challenge is holding its AGM this Saturday (1st March) at the Manhattan Hotel on Blackpool's North Promenade. "The evening usually consists of a summary of the previous season, planning the new season's calendar and a rousing debate over the rules followed by the prizegiving", says Dave. "It should kick off around 7.30pm, and anyone is welcome whether an existing competitor, or whether you would like to join in this year, or whether you just fancy an evening of drinking and chatting with hot rodders, drag racers and grease-flingers. Some competitors elect to make a weekend of it, and you'll find them in the bar from Friday lunchtime". For NSCC information check out www.nscc.info and for more on the venue visit www.themanhattanhotel.co.uk. Outlaws reveal 2014 plans. 25th February: Dave McKenzie got in touch to let us know that the UK's Supercharged Outlaws set their 2014 calendar at their AGM in Ettington last weekend. In 2014 you will be able to enjoy the Supercharged Outlaws at the following events: 24th-26th May: Yanks Weekend, Shakespeare County Raceway 20th-22nd June: NSRA Nostalgia Nationals, Shakespeare County Raceway 11th-13th July: Dragstalgia, Santa Pod Raceway 7th-10th August: Bulldog Bash, Shakespeare County Raceway 29th-31st August: VW Action, Santa Pod Raceway 12th-14th September: NSRA Hot Rod Drags, Shakespeare County Raceway At the NSRA Nostalgia Nationals the Supercharged Outlaws' Guest of Honour will be none other than Rod Hynes. Rod is credited with keeping Fuel Altered racing alive in the USA and without him we would not have the wild fuel altereds we have today. Rod will be in the Supercharged Outlaw pits and on the start line with the Outlaws. He will also be the Grand Marshal of the event. More details of Rod's visit at a later date, it's just a pity he is not bringing a race car with him. We would like to thank Jim Maher of Good Vibrations Motorsports California for his continued support of the Supercdharged Outlaws. Good Vibrations will again sponsor the Quick Reaction Time at each of the Outlaw events with $100 to the racer with the quickest Reaction Time. Good Vibrations will also sponsor the Outlaws at the NSRA Nostalgia Nationals, Dragstalgia and the NSRA Hot Rod Drags with the Team of the Weekend. Team of the Weekend will be decided by the track announcers and start line crew, and the winner will receive $100. We are pleased to announce a new award, to be presented to a Supercharged Outlaw team every year. This is to replace the old Spirit of the Outlaws award last won in 2012 by Vic Hammond; after Vic passed away we allowed all of the trophies which Vic won in 2012 to be kept by his family. We wanted something special to replace the Spirit of the Outlaws trophy, so we commissioned Paul Whitehouse to paint a picture of Vic in the Speed Demon slingshot. Paul painted a superb picture - thank you, Paul - from a picture by Alan Currans - thank you, Alan - which we had framed and engraved. The award has been renamed the Vic Hammond Memorial Trophy in a fitting tribute to the big man. For 2013 we presented this excellent new award to Lee Gallimore. Lee was presented by Eddie Fryer who has helped Lee with his car for many years, although he is actually a member of Team Thing. Eddie was unfortunate enough to suffer two strokes at the beginning of the 2013 season. "It was worth the wait" said Lee at the AGM. He is very proud to be the first recipient of this new award. The Supercharged Outlaws have signed up quite a few new teams for 2014 and we will soon publish a full list of competitors. With some old faces coming back, some completely new teams, and the return of Dutch, German and French teams 2014 is shaping up to be an exciting year for the Supercharged Outlaws. Web site updates. 25th February: The last of our good buddy Steve Moxley's features on 2013 ACU UK Drag Bike Champions is now available on the ACU's web site and the centre of attention in this case is 2013 Pro Stock Bike Champion Mark Smith. You can check it out at www.acu.org.uk/News/Drag-Hill-Climb-Sprint. What has three holes and beats yours? 24th February: UK Super Pro ET racer Dave Catton spent 2013 engaged in a good-natured battle with friend and ACU UK Comp Bike Champion Lizz McCarthy, but he thinks that he may be able to apply the coup de grâce in 2014. "Every time I went to tell Lizz of my latest Personal Best, she had already beaten it!", says Dave. "This year I am upping my game with a new 598 cubic inch Scott Shafiroff-built Dart block topped off with a three-hole Enderle tunnel ram injection system which should put the four-link dragster in the 7.50 zone. "If that doesn't do the trick, then I'll have to lose weight and join Tog at the salad bar (Feel free to start without me - Ed)." As well as continued support from Lucas Oil Products, Dave is pleased to announce that his title sponsor for the coming season will be Windscreen Wizards, Britain's newest national windscreen repair company. For details of their services and franchise opportunities visit www.windscreenwizards.co.uk. Hall of Fame gala update. 24th February: British Drag Racing Hall of Fame Chair Stu Bradbury says that it was clear that the HoF Gala Awards Dinner, which takes place on 22nd November at the Savill Court Hotel in Windsor Great Park would be a huge success, but that he didn't realise just how much of a success. "We didn't expect that people would want to book their hotel rooms at the special event discount this far in advance", says Stu. "It has caught us out a bit. But a system is now in place so if you want to secure your room or rooms, or to book your event tickets, please get in touch and I will give you the details you require to access the special room discount." You can E-Mail Stu at [email protected] or call him on 01933 279102. For more details about the BDRHoF gala evening check out our news update of 18th February. Joe joins Lucas Oil. 23rd February: The Pro Street Busa UK team of Dave, Sam and Joe Holland-Villa added another car to the team yesterday with the acquisition of the Lucas Oil Junior Dragster previously campaigned by John Przybyl. After a successful 2013 in which Joe made the semi finals of the FIA Main Event, runner-up at NitrOlympX and the quarter finals of the FIA European Finals the team were looking to move Joe up to Junior Modified this season after he celebrated his thirteenth birthday last year. "I was at a work party gathering at Team HQ in Hurstpierpoint and I had become aware that the Przybyl family were moving up from Junior Dragster", says team member Spencer Tramm. "After a few phone calls, and with the assistance of Les Downey at Lucas Oil and Wayne Jackson - father of fellow Lucas Oil driver Brad Jackson - that an agreement was reached for us to take over the reins of the Lucas Oil car.  The team are now beginning to prepare for what will be an extended schedule usual beginning with Big Bang at Santa Pod Raceway in April." So what of Joe's car from last year? "Sam and Joe's younger sister Gabby has expressed an interest in driving", says Spencer, "so later this season she will be given a chance to licence in the blue car and we will see where this one leads to! "The team would like to thank Les Downey of Lucas Oil, Wayne Jackson and the Przybyl family for making this happen. It's exciting to be representing Lucas Oil in Lucas Oil Junior Dragster for this season and hopefully many more to come." Meanwhile, the Przym Paintworks team would like to thank Les Downey of Lucas Oil and Andy Carter for the use of the Junior Dragster over the past two and a half seasons. As John is now too old for Junior Dragster the team are moving up to Super Pro ET after purchasing Noah Stutz' dragster.  John's older brother Paul will be driving the car at MSA events during this year and John will be running at non-points events with a view to running in competition in 2015. Stutz under new management. 23rd February: 19 year old Swiss racer Noah Stutz will be working with a new manager in 2014. Europe's youngest licenced Top Fuel Dragster racer, who resides in Hersberg in the canton of Basel, will trust in the services of long-experienced motorsport manager Stefan Meier. Forty five year old Meier has been active in the motorsport scene for years, working with reigning GP2 Champion Fabio Leimer and GP3 racing driver Patric Niederhauser. "I'm really happy to be working with Stefan in the future", says Noah Stutz. "He will support me professionally off-track and take the pressure off me in various areas so that I can focus harder on the actual driving and its preparation. I'm looking forward to our future as a team." "I'm excited about the co-operation with Noah", says Stefan Meier. "I don't yet know all the details of the drag racing compared to the road racing scene. However, there are a lot of similarities. I'm convinced about Noah's potential and I'm happy to support him with my experience." AA/FAs v N/FCs: Bring it on. 23rd February: If you were tuned in to yesterday's UK Riders' and Drivers' Meeting report you will have read that The Nostalgia Fuel Altered Association and Nostalgia Funny Cars will race together in 2014 at the Festival of Power, SPRC Summernationals and UK National Finals at Santa Pod Raceway. Chaos Fuel Altered owner Lawrie Gatehouse writes to confirm: These events are open to cars which conform to the regulations established for the NFAA and the Classic American Funny Car classes. They will compete heads-up in a qualifying and elimination format, with a trophy for the winner of each event. This should provide spectacular racing with the mix of altered and full-bodied cars, with differing body styles and paint finishes. Simultaneously, the NFAA Championship will encompass these three events plus the ever-growing and popular Dragstalgia in July, where Rat Trap and Pure Hell will also be pounding the track. In this series of combined events, it is hoped that additional cars will join the NFAA and Nostalgia Funny Car classes in 2014. Wicktor sees the Wizard. 23rd February: Sweden's Mats Wicktor blazed a trail last season as the only Pro Modified racer on the planet to use the Revo system produced by Eurodragster.com sponsor Wizards of NOS. Mats got in touch to tell us about his experiences: I started official drag racing in Sweden in the Hot Rod class, driving an A Series Ford with a 454 motor. Running this car with a NOS Fogger kit on just 225 hp, I burned up a lot of pistons before I learned that I needed to flow match the jets to correct distribution problems. During testing I found variations of up to 68% between cylinders but despite this problems and the cost they caused, I was still hooked on using nitrous. My next car was T23 Bucket with a 540 Chevy motor and again I used a NOS kit to boost the performance. With this car I posted the quickest time for the class in Europe at the Power Street Finals at 7.93 seconds. I then made my next step up in performance when I bought a Pro Stock Mercedes 500 sec (again using a NOS Fogger kit) and raced in the Nordic Pro Street Cup, which I won in 1996 and recorded a PB of 7.21 seconds. After some major modifications to the car I raced it in Comp Eliminator and finished third and runner-up in consecutive years. My next car was a Pontiac Grand Prix, which was fitted with a Chevy motor which I reduced to just 498 ci and again which used a NOS Fogger kit. In 2006 I won the final round at the Vedec Festival from a field of forty eight cars, with a perfect 0.0000 holeshot reaction time and a new PB of 7.09. I've always been a big fan of Nitrous Oxide but I've also become very aware of the problems that most nitrous kits suffer from. For example I measured the difference in time that it takes the nitrous and fuel to flow from the slenoids to the nozzles and then I multiplied it by three stages (four stages would be even worse), and I was shocked to realise that the nitrous/fuel mixture would be too lean for the majority of a Pro Mod run. It then became obvious to me that I needed to increase the fuel speed and to do that I knew I had to increase the pressure, so I invented and created a unique device, which even the Wizard of NOS himself hadn't invented, which allowed me to achieve the pressure I needed. I also realised that having just one stage would be better than lots of stages, because at worst the mixture would only be too lean while that one stage stabilised the nitrous and fuel flow, so I invented and created a variable flow control valve to do that job. But it had lots of problems and I was never able to make it work right, so I gave up on that idea. In 2010 I bought my current car which started life as a Top Sportsman Corvette and which was fitted with a 811 ci motor with just a five inch bore space. It was never intended to run on nitrous, so I went searching for assistance to achieve my goal and that's when I found out about Trevor Langfield's Wizards of NOS pulsoids. After talking with him on the phone it was obvious to me that the guy really knew what he was doing with nitrous, so I decided to pay him a visit, to see if I could get one stage to do what three or four are needed for. While talking with Trevor I mentioned that I had tried to make a single variable control valve and to my great amazement he handed me a Revo and told me that he had already perfected a variable nitrous control, so I had to buy it. From the first time the Revo kit was used on my car it has worked absolutely perfectly, without even the slightest problem but it soon became obvious that the motor wasn't really suited to my intentions, of adding large amounts of nitrous. After the first season racing I discovered a number of problems and did what I could to improve them for the 2013 season. When I thought I had sorted all problems I decided to go to Santa Pod, so that Trevor could help me tune the whole car. From the first run the logs showed something was obviously already wrong with the motor, but as we'd come from Sweden and forgotten some tools, we could not check to see the cause. We decided that as we had come so long and spent so much we would do what we could rather than end it then and just hope it would survive. Sadly it only managed one more pass before it wouldn't run again but at least it ran a PB, so all was not lost. When we removed the heads it was obvious that the exhaust valves had been sticking in the guides and had been slowly burning away the head of the valves and the seat. It seems some people who think they are nitrous experts blamed Trevor Langfield for not getting the tune-up right but the truth is that without his help we would not have made it down track at all, and would be home with no PB. How anyone would know who or what to blame I can't imagine as nobody came to speak to me about it, so I guess they assumed the fault was Trevor's. In Sweden we know that assumption is stupid, as it makes mistakes. Since I returned home I also found that the head gaskets were leaking and had eaten way at the head, so I had them welded up and grooves and rings fitted but it still don't stop the gaskets leaking when I tried a big shot of nitrous. I feel my car let Trevor down as many other parts failed many times preventing me from making enough runs to find the right tune and run quick times and it is now obvious that further mods were needed, which I later carried out, if it was to take more than a modest amount of nitrous. The motor was not designed for nitrous and it doesn't able to cope with a big shot, so I have now bought a correct nitrous motor from Reher Morrison so that I can use more of the Revo power which the old motor can't handle. For two years now I have used the Wizard of NOS Revo system and it has never let me down, which I can't say for many other parts of the car. Every time I race the car it always amazes me how smooth the power delivery is and I can't believe what I see when other nitrous cars run, as it's so obvious that each hit makes the car unstable but the Revo never moves the car except forwards and smoother than a turbo. Anyone who thinks Trevor Langfield does not understand nitrous better than everyone else is fooling themselves and anyone who doesn't use a Revo system, is missing out on quicker ETs. I have no doubt that the WON Revo system will still do its great job, and if the other parts of my car work good this year I hope to show what the REVO can do, as I know it is the future for nitrous. I have just spent $75,000 on the new motor which included a four stage Switzer nitrous kit, plus much more on all the ancillaries. If either Trevor Langfield or his products had been responsible for any damage to my last motor, the last thing I would do is replace the Switzer kits with a single stage Revo system, as I wouldn't want him anywhere near this new motor. However, as I know the real causes of my problems last year had nothing to do with Trevor or his products, I have just bought another Revo system (Johan insisted on buying my original REVO system when he bought my old motor) with Trevor's latest designs which he and his team have just fitted for me. Now that I have one of the best nitrous specific motors in the world, I hope to repay Trevor for all his great work by running some quick times over the coming months. If all goes to plan, I will be back at Santa Pod for the Main Event with Trevor's assistance again. I would like to thank Trevor Langfield not only for his great Revo system and help with many aspects of my car, but also for his help with my English especially when typing out some of this report. UK Riders' and Drivers' Meeting report. 22nd February: The 2014 UK Riders' and Drivers' meeting took place this afternoon (Saturday) at the Hilton Hotel in Northampton. The official minutes of the meeting will be published in due course but these are the main points: The dates of this year's UK Championship rounds are listed below. Entry forms for events at Santa Pod Raceway will shortly be available on the Santa Pod Racers Club web site at www.eurodragster.com/sprc and forms for events at Shakespeare County Raceway will shortly be available on the Shakespeare County Raceway web site at www.shakespearecountyraceway.com. Closing dates are listed on the entry forms and reminders will of course be posted here on Eurodragster.com. All non-UK racers intending to compete in the MSA British Drag Racing Championship (for Pro Modified) must hold the correct licence including the EU flag. All teams intending to field more than one driver or rider for the same vehicle must send a list of the season's drivers to Yvonne Tramm at SPRC by 4th April. Junior Dragster has been reinstated as a points round at the FIA/FIM European Championship Finals. To avoid a disadvantage for those unable to take their children out of school, Junior Dragster racers who contest all rounds will drop their worst SPRC (not APIRA) round from the Championship. Cars Top Methanol Pro Modified Comp Eliminator Super Pro ET Pro ET Sportsman ET Super Comp Super Gas Super Street Street Eliminator Junior Dragster Big Bang Santa Pod Raceway 12th-13th April           ✔         ✔ Festival of Power Santa Pod Raceway 18th-20th April ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Springspeed Nationals Shakespeare County Raceway 3rd-5th May       ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ FIA/FIM European Championships R1 Santa Pod Raceway 23rd-26th May ✔ FIA ✔ FIA & MSA ✔ ✔ ✔   ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ SPRC Summernationals Santa Pod Raceway 28th-29th June   ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Bug Jam Santa Pod Raceway 19th-20th July           ✔       ✔ ✔ non-points Mopar Euronationals Santa Pod Raceway 25th-27th July   ✔                   Open Sport Nationals Shakespeare County Raceway 23rd-25th August       ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ FIA/FIM European Championship Finals Santa Pod Raceway 4th-7th September ✔ FIA ✔ FIA & MSA ✔ ✔ ✔   ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ UK National Finals Santa Pod Raceway 20th-21st September ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Two Super Street Bike Championships will be run at the Festival of Power at Santa Pod Raceway at Easter. The ACU Championship will be run as normal, however there will also be a round of the FIM European Super Street Bike Cup at the same event. Super Street Bike racers will have the option either to race ACU Championship only, to race FIM European Cup only, or to race both Championhips. To enter the ACU Championship round only, racers will need to complete the form as normal at the £140 fee plus electricity supply, and must hold a normal National licence. Racers will be eligible for the National prize fund and will accrue points as normal. Non-UK riders must have their own National type licence, plus the usual start permission and insurance. To enter the FIM European Cup round only, racers will need to complete the same form but must tick the FIM E option and pay the £235 fee plus electricity. UK riders may use their National licence and will accrue points only for the FIM European Cup, they will also be eligible for the FIM European prize fund (not the ACU/National prize fund). Non UK riders must have the FIM Europe Promo Sport licence with the relevant start permission and insurance. To enter both ACU Championship and FIM European Cup rounds racers will need to complete the same form but tick the option to race in both classes. Racers will need to pay both entry fees, £140 + £235 but only one electricity fee, i.e. a total of £430 including electricity. Racers will be eligible for both ACU and FIM Europe prize funds, and will receive the correct amount of tickets for an FIM Europe entry, which is ten. To those racers entering both Championships, the Race Director and the track will give as much turnaround time as possible to allow them to run all qualifying and elimination rounds for both Championships; however this may only be an hour of time in the pits as riders could have up to six rounds of qualifying on one day, three ACU and three FIM Europe, and a similar number of rounds on race day. Santa Pod Racers Club will be running four rounds of ACU Supertwin Top Gas at Santa Pod Raceway: the Festival of Power, SPRC Summernationals, UK National Finals and the Extreme Performance Bike Weekend. All racers are welcome so long as they are members of an ACU-affiliated Club; foreign competitors need Permission to Start from their own sanctioning body. Bikes Top Fuel Bike Pro Stock Bike Funny Bike Super Street Bike Comp Bike 8.50 Bike 9.50 Bike ET Bike Junior Drag Bike ACU Supertwin Top Gas Big Bang Santa Pod Raceway 12th-13th April           ✔ ✔       Festival of Power Santa Pod Raceway 18th-20th April ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ FIM & ACU (see above) ✔ ✔ ✔   ✔ ✔ Springspeed Nationals Shakespeare County Raceway 3rd-5th May   ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔   FIA/FIM European Championships R1 Santa Pod Raceway 23rd-26th May ✔ FIM ✔ FIM   ✔ FIM             Yanks Weekend Shakespeare County Raceway 24th-26th May           ✔ ✔ ✔     Public Track Weekend Shakespeare County Raceway 7th-8th June           ✔ ✔       SPRC Summernationals Santa Pod Raceway 28th-29th June   ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔   ✔ ✔ For Ladies That Launch Shakespeare County Raceway 19th-20th July           ✔ ✔ ✔     Open Sport Nationals Shakespeare County Raceway 23rd-25th August   ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔   FIA/FIM European Championship Finals Santa Pod Raceway 4th-7th September ✔ FIM ✔ FIM   ✔ FIM             UK National Finals Santa Pod Raceway 20th-21st September ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔   ✔ ✔ Public Track Weekend Shakespeare County Raceway 27th-28th July               ✔     Extreme Performance Bike Weekend Santa Pod Raceway 18th-19th October   ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔   ✔ ✔ Entry Fees have been frozen for this year, and remain as below. Prize money has been increased by 2% this season. 2013 Santa Pod Racers Club Champions will again receive free entry to rounds at Santa Pod Raceway in 2014. At FIA and FIM events SPRC will cover the equivalent of the National Championship entry fee for Pro Modified, Pro Stock Bike and Super Street Bike. In the case of teams with more than one driver, one team driver per event will receive the free entry. Pitside power must still be paid for. The free entry must be used during 2014. Class Two-day event Three-day event Four-day event MSA British Pro Modified; Top Fuel Dragster; Fuel Funny Car; Top Methanol; Nostalgia Fuel Altered Association; Nostalgia Funny Car £155 £160 n/a NB FIA classes pay FIA fees for FIA European Championship events ET classes; Super classes; Junior Dragster; Comp Eliminator; Topspeed Automotive Street Eliminator; VW classes; Outlaw Flat Four; Wild Bunch; Outlaw Anglia; other Sportsman car classes £125 SPR: £135 SCR: £130 £160 ACU Top Fuel Bike £160 £160 n/a NB FIM classes pay FIM fees for FIM European Championship events ACU Funny Bike; ACU Pro Stock Bike; ACU Comp Bike; ACU Super Street Bike; 9.50 Bike; 8.50 Bike; ACU Supertwin Gas; NAST Supertwin Comp; NAST Supertwin ET; ET Bike; Junior Drag Bike £130 SPR: £140 SCR: £135 SCR JDB: £105 n/a Jet Car £150 £160 TBC Exhibition £160 £160 TBC Fees for pitside power supply at Santa Pod Raceway have again been frozen this season. It was stressed that the power fee is for one hook-up for the racer and that crew or others who are found to be using hook-ups will be asked to leave. Event duration Single phase Three phase 2 days £45 £145 3 days £55 £155 4 days £65 £170 Santa Pod Raceway's curfews have changed in 2014. Absolutely no race vehicle engines are to be started at Santa Pod before 09:00 or after 20:00. The curfew will be 21:00 for the two FIA events but the 09:00 engine start ban covers all events. These new curfews are extremely strict and anybody found flouting the rules can expect severe penalties as the local council and residents are monitoring very closely to see that the curfews are maintained. Cars and bikes will continue to be tested for noise. This will of course mean that the start of racing will have to be pushed back to 09:30 at all events providing racers can warm their vehicles and be in the staging lanes in time. This is something with which we will have to work in order to both maximise track time but at the same time be fair to the racers. Thankfully the use of sweepers and jet dryers does not form part of the curfew so the track crew will still be able to work to get the strip ready for the new start times. Effective this season one parent or guardian of all Junior Dragster / Junior FC drivers, or racers in other classes aged under 18, must hold an MSA Parental Licence. This is to allow action to be taken against any parent acting in an abusive or otherwise unreasonable manner without affecting the Junior racer themselves. The person who holds the licence must normally attend the event with the driver; if in extreme circumstances the parental licence holder cannot make the event they must appoint a guardian to sign on with the driver and provide confirmation in writing. However the parental licence holder, even though not present, is still responsible for the actions of their appointed guardian and the whole race team. The full MSA Blue Book wording on the subject of Parental Licences (PDF format) can be viewed by clicking here. The cost of the parental licence is £18. All parents or guardians must have a parental licence even if they hold a current MSA Competition Licence. To apply for the licence download the form (PDF format) by clicking here and then print, fill in and send to the MSA. Your credit card-style licence will be returned in a couple of weeks. All bikes must have a working red rear light. This is to enable race officials to keep sight of bikes during night racing, but the light is mandatory whether or not you intend to race at night. The light may not flash nor strobe and must be fully visible from the rear of the machine. Nostalgia Fuel Altered Association and Nostalgia Funny Cars will run together this season although not for a formal Championship. In response to a request from the floor, SPRC and APIRA will investigate allowing foreign 8.50 Bike and 9.50 Bike racers to record UK National Championship points. The amalgamation of Supertwin ET and ET Bike is to be investigated. The allocation of pit passes this season will remain at two per entry at all events this season. Open trailers should not be left in the pits at Santa Pod Raceway but should be left in the dedicated holding area. There should be a maximum of one caravan per team in each pit area at Santa Pod Raceway. A Commuter in Pall Mall. 21st February: 3rd October 2013 marked the forthy third anniversary of British Drag Racing Hall of Fame member Tony Densham's successful attempt to break the official Wheel Driven British Land Speed Record - outright regardless of class - at Elvington Airfield near York, on 3rd October 1970. Tony was driving the Densham / Billinton / Phelps Commuter dragster which was specially adapted for this attempt. This record had stood for forty three years and was previously held by Sir Malcolm Campbell driving the Napier-Campbell Blue Bird II on Pendine sands in 1927. Today Tony's record of 207.6 mph, the average speed measured over a kilometre, remains unbroken. To achieve this the terminal speed at the end of each of the two required runs would have been well in excess of this figure, calculated to be something in the region of 285 mph. To become an official record the two runs were required to be made in opposite directions within one hour.    An interesting point worth a mention is that on the day of the records runs the wind was really starting to get up and as if that was bad enough it was starting to drizzle. Tony Densham was a true pioneer and displayed much courage entering into a world at the time that was uncharted.    To celebrate Tony's achievement the Royal Automobile Club invited the Commuter to be displayed at the RAC headquarters in Pall Mall, London (below). The RAC have also restored the original base to the Sir Malcolm Campbell Memorial trophy presented to Tony in 1970 to mark this milestone.   Those familiar with the car and have seen it displayed on several occasions in its 1968 quarter-mile guise will notice some changes in its appearance. Owner Antony Billinton has been hard at work and has spent many hours - you'll have to ask his wife Lisa and their four children how many! - recreating parts which were thrown away a long time ago to make the car aesthetically as perfect as possible to reflect how it looked on those famous record runs. Some of the noticeable changes were put there on the day for function and not looks and aren't that pretty, such as the water header tank mounted behind the blower to feed the extensive on board cooling system, and the sprung-mounted mechanical analogue rev counter set upside down to help Tony to see where the needle was pointing - at that speed in a car like that the ride was not a smooth one! Another obvious change is the screen on the cockpit which was designed to deflect any debris up and over the driver... yes, visibility was poor. All of the current numbering and lettering were removed from the rear of the car and signwritten back on as accurately as possible. Shortly after the car returns home from Pall Mall it will be heading out again down to the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu where it is to spend the next thirteen months on display in a record breakers-themed event named For Britain And For The Hell Of It. This will be well worth a visit for anyone who is interested. The official opening is Easter 2014 and the display runs for the whole year. Swift snippets. 20th February: A reminder that the 2014 UK Riders' and Drivers' meeting will be held this Saturday (22nd) 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. Refreshments will be available free of charge on arrival. Good luck and stay safe to multiple FIA European Pro Stock Champion Jimmy Ålund whose next outing in Greg Anderson's Summit Racing Equipment / KB Racing Pro Stock is at this weekend's Carquest Auto Parts NHRA Nationals in Phoenix. Qualifying commences tomorrow (Friday) and you will be able to stay in touch with Jimmy's progress courtesy of our Drag Race Central colleagues at www.dragracecentral.com. Former 9.50 Bike, 9.90 Bike and 10.90 Bike racer Lee Baxter will be running the Virgin London Marathon in April in aid of St John Ambulance. If you would like to sponsor Lee for this very good cause then you can do so at www.justgiving.com/owner-email/pleasesponsor/Lee-Baxter6. We have a couple of birthdays for you today. First up is a big Happy Birthday to former Super Modified racer Steve Rawlings, and close behind a big Happy Birthday to Topspeed Automotive Street Eliminator racer Ron Haslett. Have a great day guys. Eurodragster.com sponsors please note that sponsorship renewals have now been sent out. If your renewal has not arrived and is not in your Spam folder then please get in touch with Tog at [email protected]. If you are interested in sponsoring Eurodragster.com then please get in touch with Tog at the same address. Web site updates. 20th February: The latest update to our good buddy Alan Currans' excellent Acceleration Archive is a ninth page of pictures by Roger Phillips. The seventy one-picture update features a wealth of shots of both UK and US nitro and methanol burning altereds from back in the day. As ever you can go directly to the latest update via the What's New link at www.theaccelerationarchive.co.uk. Attention FIA Pro Mod / Pro Stock. 19th February: FIA European Pro Modified Champion and Speedgroup CEO Micke Gullqvist has been in touch with an important notice for racers in FIA Pro Modified and FIA Pro Stock: The 2014 FIA rule book states that the use of a shut-off device is mandatory in all Championship classes. The system consist of two major components: an RF (radio) receiver on the car and two RF transmitters on the track. The track's radio transmitters are installed one at 1720 feet after the start line on one side of the track and another one at 2170 feet on the other side. The function of the system is to shut off the ignition and fuel and to release the parachutes automatically. The intention of the shut-off device system is not to automate the normal driving routine, the intention is to add safety as a last resort when a car is out of control. In the event that a car has problems early in a run, the driver can turn off the 12V power in the car and disable the system, which will allow the car to coast off the track. The intention here is not to have a by-pass switch for the safety box, the intention is to shut all power off in the car to avoid deployment of the chutes at low speed. Top Fuel Dragster and the Top Methanol classes have already had this rule for a couple of years, so the tracks have had the system in use at the FIA events. One question which has been raised with the new rules is the confusing wording in the Pro Modified section which states Note: Only the RF shutoff function of the Electrimotion Shutoff Controller is mandatory at this time. This text is the same as was originally in the NHRA rules, but NHRA has since deleted that sentence. The recommendation is to install the complete system, because the text will change in future updates. You can get the shut-off device from the US based manufacturer Electrimotion or ask your favorite race parts dealer if they can assist. Different models are available depending on, for example, whether or not your car has an electric fuel pump. Hall of Fame's gala evening. 18th February: The Savill Court, an amazing Jacobean styled Manor near Windsor in Surrey and currently one of Southern England's finest hotels with 140 rooms, beautiful grounds and full leisure club facilities, is the chosen venue for the British Drag Racing Hall of Fame's first Gala Awards Dinner in association with Beech Underwriting. The event marks fifty years since Sydney Allard organised the first British International Drag Racing Festival. It is without doubt a fantastic venue for such a historic celebration. The first tangible evidence of the house which preceded the Manor goes back to 1815. It has developed over the years but the most dramatic change took place when German Banker Baron Schroder bought it in 1910. He extended the house and included an inner courtyard. It was sold in 1980 and work was soon started on conversion to today's magnificent event venue which is part of the Macdonalds Hotels and Resorts Group. The courtyard was used as the base for a fabulous domed feature which is now the Great Hall used for many prestigious private and industry functions. It is this Great Hall which is to be be used for the 2014 British Drag Racing Hall of Fame Gala Awards Dinner. November 22nd is the date for this Black Tie awards event, an occasion to which all existing Hall of Fame inductees will be invited along with the new 2014 inductees, members of the press, sponsors and celebrities from the world of motorsport. Limited tickets will be available to fans at £60 per person with corporate tables for ten an option at £580. This includes a welcome drink, table wine and the full meal. Special room prices have been negotiated for those wishing to stay, discounted by up to sixty per cent. Private cocktail bars can also be organised for teams or corporate hospitality. BDRHoF Chair Stu Bradbury said "2014 marks a very important event in the history of European drag racing. Fifty years ago Sydney Allard organised the first British International Drag Racing Festival which featured the cream of American racers. It launched the sport into Europe and provided an exciting inspiration for those that went on to lay down the foundations for drag racing to grow - first in the UK and Sweden and then throughout other countries on the European continent and Scandinavia. "Thanks to the generous sponsorship of Geoff Stillwell of Beech Underwriting, along with the constant support of US Automotive and Santa Pod Racers Club, we are able to celebrate this anniversary with the most ambitious awards celebration ever held in British drag racing. A gala awards dinner which will rival anything organised for other forms of motorsport. As well as being an ideal evening to entertain sponsors and team members it will be a fitting tribute to those who built the sport. "We will be releasing more information during the next few months but I would advise those wishing to attend to let us know as soon as possible. We have already received our first bookings for corporate tables." The awards to be presented are: British Drag Racing Hall of Fame membership sponsored by Santa Pod Racers Club (this year's inductees to be announced on Eurodragster.com in July 2014) Sydney Allard Trophy for best drag racing photographer of the year, in association with Octane magazine Sydney Allard Trophy for best drag racing writer of the year, in association with the Guild of Motoring Writers. The evening will be kept in order by Master of Ceremonies Paul Wright. A professionally-trained Master of Ceremonies and Toastmaster, Paul has travelled the world for over twenty two years as a former Warrant Officer of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. He caught the drag racing bug in 1976 at Santa Pod, the first race he saw being between Don Garlits and Pete Crane, not a bad introduction. These days he works on Santa Pod Raceway's radio station Nitro FM 96.2 as the host of the Breakfast Show and the Downtime Extravaganza. He also assists his long-time friend Barry Bohannon to commentate at Shakespeare County Raceway. For advance booking of tickets contact [email protected] or telephone Stu Bradbury on 01933 279102. No deposits will be required until the summer but if other plans come together this will be an early sell-out event. The British Drag Racing Hall of Fame is sponsored by many businesses and associations without whose support it could not exist. They are Beech Underwriting; US Automotive; Power Race Graphics; Santa Pod Racers Club; Pennine Drag Racing Club; Eurodragster.com; Avon Park International Racing Association, Shakespeare County Raceway; Santa Pod Raceway; and York Raceway. Mr Whippy returns in 2014. 17th February: Andre Bugeja has been in touch from Malta with the very welcome news that Joe Carabott's Mister Whippy Racing Team will be returning to the FIA European Top Methanol Dragster Championship tour in 2014 with the ever-popular Monty Bugeja at the wheel. "The team managed to win the 2012 FIA European Championship with a record of 5.292 seconds for a blower engine", says Andre. "Joe Carabott and the team are very excited for this year as they have made some secret investments in their dragster and further studied the engine and dragster believing that they can lower their Personal Best time. "We are also happy to announce that we have launched a new web site at www.mrwhippyracingteam.com where we will be posting the latest news about the dragster as well as pictures and video of the incredible season which the team had in 2012." Loaring's Nostalgia Funny Car Blog. 17th February: We are very pleased to launch another exclusive Blog brought to you in association with Alamo Rent-A-Car. The UK's Rob Loaring has long been associated with drag racing as crew member, engine builder and tuner. For many years he has worked together with business partner Nick Davies at engine supplier ICE Automotive. As well as supplying engines and cars for a large number of racers Nick and Rob campaigned their own clasically-styled Havoc altered and recently acquired a Pro Modified rolling chassis which is projected to appear on track in 2015. Rob and Nick's most famous recent association is with Tim Garlick and Perry Antoniou's Apache Nostalgia Funny car which made its first test runs in 2013 and which was elected SPRC Best Appearing Car for last season. Rob's new Blog promises to give you the inside track on the operation of a Nostalgia Funny Car team. In the first instalment Rob attempts to quantify the unit cost of a run in a Nostalgia Nitro Funny Car. You can check out Rob's Nostalgia Funny Car Blog by clicking here or by clicking on the Alamo Blogs link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page. Swift snippets. 17th February: Not exactly a spy picture, more one for the local coroner which was snapped when Dutch Supertwin racer Job Heezen took Per and Bodil Andersen on a thrilling ride to a local restaurant. "This time not a Top Fuel Dragster or Top Fuel Supertwin but my wife's Citroen 2CV", says Job. "That's Per Anderson in the right front seat, in the back are Top Fuel Bike ace Roel Koedam and Per's wife Bodil who took the picture. Look closely at Per's face: riding this 625 cc air-cooled Big Twin can be great fun too." Eurodragster.com sponsors please note that sponsorship renewals will be sent out during the next forty eight hours. If your renewal does not arrive by this Wednesday morning (19th) and it is not in your Spam folder then please get in touch with Tog at [email protected]. If you are interested in sponsoring Eurodragster.com then please get in touch with Tog at the same address. Ellis trio and teams waiting. 17th February: With the 2014 race season only a couple of months away, everyone at the UK's Ellis Motorsport is itching to get back on the track: Youngest member of the team Katie Ellis has revamped her Junior Dragster and is ready to take on all comers this year. 2013 was Katie's first full year behind the wheel and not only did she prove that she has what it takes to get the job done, but she also proved that the will to win and desire to improve and get more competitive on every pass has certainly been passed on through the genes. Obviously everyone who knows anything about British drag racing is aware of the horrendous crash which Graham Ellis experienced last year and most will know that the new car is quickly becoming a reality in the workshops of Andy Robinson Race Cars. Graham himself is still suffering from the effects of the crash and still has to undergo some medical procedures. However no one who knows Graham will be surprised to hear that plans still move on apace to ensure that the minute Graham is physically able, the car will be ready to hit the track. The car itself looks like being one of the finest, most advanced Pro Mod cars to come out of England to date. "A work of art" is an understatement. Finally that leaves us with Gareth Ellis. In 2013 Gareth hit the track with his first Top Alcohol Funny Car and what an excellent start it was. Taking to the driving chores like a natural, learning some good lessons early on and ending up winning SPRC's Most Promising Newcomer could not have made for a better start. So where to go from here? "We had great start to our Funny Car career and the experience only whetted our appetite for more" explains Gareth. "We realised that the opposition in this class is extremely tough and if we were to get where we want to be, at the sharp end of the ladder, then we needed to upgrade our equipment and team. Fortunately for us we were able to put together a deal with Adam Flamholc to purchase his ex-Frank Manzo funny car. The car has everything we need to put us in the mix, and to say we are excited about the coming season is a massive understatement. We then needed to organise a new trailer and upgrade our tools and equipment. "In addition to the lessons we learned last year we also noticed how well the top teams worked in the pits, and sitting down at the end of the season to make our plans for the future we knew that we had to bring in some new personnel to try to match those teams. It didn't take us long to get in touch with Andy Kirk to see if he wanted to come on board for the new effort. A couple of phone calls and a meeting at a services on the A1 later we had put a deal together. Andy is now the Crew Chief for my Funny Car team and he is bringing a number of his own crew with him. We have worked together well over the years and of course he and his son Lee were long-time stalwarts of my dad's Pro Mod team. I'm sure that we will have some great times together and I know we are all singing from the same hymn sheet as far as effort and work ethic is concerned, so I am sure that we will be a force to be reckoned with in the future." "I worked for Ellis Motorsport for many years on a number of their Pro Mod rides and enjoyed myself immensely", adds Andy Kirk. "It was a privilege to work on some of sport's most iconic cars and I was happy that I could add something to the party. Once the turbo programme started in earnest both myself and son and right hand man Lee decided that it was time for a move. We both respect the turbo cars, as they are really fast and the technology is awesome. If the truth be known they probably are the future of Pro Mod, but we are blower guys and you should always be where your heart is. This meant that we had a couple of years with Wayne Nicholson and his ''63 Vette. What great people the Nicholsons are - Northern, you see! - and we had a blast. Hopefully we had a positive impact on the team and leave them in a better place than when we joined. Thanks for the opportunity guys; we hope you keep getting quicker and faster. "However in life you always need to be looking for the next challenge and following the call from Gareth it took us all of five minutes to decide that the opportunity to be in on the ground floor of a new team, which just happened to have one of Frank Manzo's personal cars, was too good to pass up. We know the Ellis family and how they approach their racing and, in addition, watching the brilliant start which Gareth made last year we know that with some hard work we can make sure that the other teams around Europe certainly know that we are here. In addition to Gareth, myself and Lee there will be a bunch of great guys with us. Lee Parker, Miles Howarth and Luke Wynn Higgins will be travelling down from Nottinghamshire to join Carl Bleach, who is the only crew member retained from last year. In addition we have 'Pro Mod' Dave Read joining us on loan from the Pro Mod side of the garage until the Mustang is ready, and of course there will be input from Graham as well as some back-up advice from Adam Flamholc. "The car should be in the new workshop inside a week and the new tools and equipment are on order. To be honest, I can't wait. All three cars will get the same colours and livery (watch this space) and we are hopeful that the fans will like the new look and get behind all of the teams. We will certainly be doing our best to fly the flag." Carey: Time to move on. 16th February: Our last on-track view of UK Top Fuel Bike racer Steve Carey came to an abrupt end as he suffered a high-speed crash at Dragstalgia at Santa Pod last season. We were very pleased to hear from Steve that his shoulder is mended with full movement but sad to read that he has decided to move on: Although the frame of the Purple Princess 2 took a beating in the spectacular acrobatic display following massive tyre shake the engine, gearbox, supercharger, fuel system, primary drive and rear wheel survived well. There was damage to some of the frame tubes, but the frame was still in line and I wanted to get the bike back to looking as far as possible to a naked fuel bike. A couple of weeks ago the bike was fired up in the workshop on petrol, sounding just like it did before the run last July. So, the bike now has the forks back in and is mobile again with all the fuel system and running gear in place. It will need repairs to the frame, or a new updated frame and bodywork to race again, but it will give somebody a good basis to build on in the world of Top Fuel bike. The Phil Baimbridge Racing Puma motor / blower / fuel system / drive system is  a proven 6.5 / 208+ mph / 1.04 sixty foot combination, We have learned a lot during the ten years we have run the bike, and we have transformed it from when I first rode it in 2003, but now is the time to move on. I bought the bike when Roald Dogge was unfortunately going through a divorce, so as a credit all the work he had put into it I kept the name with which he built it, the Purple Princess 2. After twelve years of personal nursing care I will be getting married to Annette in August 2014. My plans are to sell the Purple Princess 2, and then move into the world of  Nostalgia Drag Bikes and Vintage Sprinting. Once the bike is sold I can start looking for something based around a JAP 500 or a vintage Triumph although, as always, you start looking in one direction then something comes along from another one, so let's just wait and see whats out there. Top Fuel Bike racing has opened up a lot of opportunities, and I am very grateful to all the support given to me and to the team over the last ten years. We have been able to support the IMI at Northbrook College with evening lectures and displays of firing up drag racing machines, so amongst others, thanks to Dave and Steph Milam with the She Devil Crew, Garry Jones, and the Allard dragster team for the last event we attended prior to Dragstalgia last year. 2006 was my ACU British Championship year, and I was runner-up two years before and after. My day jobnow consumes a lot of time but hopefully moving to the world of Nostalgia Drags / Vintage Sprinting will work well with the time available, It will be a big chnage from Top Fuel Bike, but because it is so dfifferent it will be just as challenging and interesting. The list of people to thank for support is long, and if I tried to list everybody I expect I'd miss somebody, so a big Thank You to all the other racers and everybody else who has helped and supported me over the last ten years. Special thanks to Tog and the Eurodragster.com team (Thanks, you're welcome - Ed), the medical team at Santa Pod Raceway following my little spill last July, the medical team at the Conquest Hospital for putting my arm back where it should be, and making it work again! The track teams at Santa Pod and Shakespere County Raceways, Annette, Bob, Ken, Jeb, Paul, Colin and Teresa, Nick, Maurice, Sue, Robin Read, Phil Bainbridge, Pete Davis, Frank Brachtvogel, Ian Turboville, Roald Dogge, Steve Wollat, Ian King.and Marius, Antony Billinton of G-Max, Steph and Dave Milam, Perry and Malcolm at Rossetts Commercials, Tim Howes and NGK Spark Plugs UK, Adam and Liam at Earls Performance, and Fred at Furlong Tyres. If you are interested in Steve's outfit then you can find full details under Bikes For Sale in our Jeff Bull Race Engines-sponsored Swap Meet. Precision Turbo renew with RV3. 15th February: Andy Frost and the Red Victor Racing Pro Modified team are proud to announce that Precision Turbo and Engine are supporting the team again in 2014. Andy Frost, Team Principal, driver and owner of the team says "The team are very happy that Precision Turbo want to be involved with us for the second year running. Their GEN2 Pro Mod 91 mm turbos are without doubt one of the key things which helped the team to reset the world record four times in 2013. It's very satisfying to know we have the world's greatest turbo company on our side, and we look forward to working with them to set more records in 2014." Precision Turbo and Engine say "We are looking forward to working with Andy Frost and the Red Victor team in 2014. It's an honour to have our turbos on board the world's quickest and fastest street-legal car, and are expecting to see even quicker ETs and faster MPH this year." The team thank Precision Turbo for their support, and we can't wait to see what the 2014 season will bring for Precision and ourselves! Swift snippets. 15th February: Multiple FIA European Pro Stock Champion Jimmy Ålund's substitution for NHRA Pro Stock racer Greg Anderson could reap an unexpected benefit as he is eligible to race in the K&N Horsepower Challenge in Las Vegas at the end of March. Some of the field has been set but one place is open to the racer who polls the most votes from fans. You can find out more, and place your vote, at www.nhra.com/knhpchallenge.aspx. The latest spy picture to arrive at the offices of Eurodragster.com (right) came with the words "Feature car on the move". If you know more, or if you would like to send your own spy picture, then drop us a line at [email protected]. A reminder that the 2014 UK Riders' and Drivers' meeting will be held next Saturday (22nd) 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. Refreshments will be available free of charge on arrival. Steven Dudley has been in touch with a reminder about a session of slot drags at 2:00 pm tomorrow (Sunday) at the new location of Higham Memorial Hall, School Lane, Higham, Kent ME3 7JL. The next evening of slot drags at the Cathedral Primary School, Victoria Road, Chelmsford, Essex CM1 1PA takes place at 8:00 pm next Friday (21st). If you want a taster of what the Mr D Slot Drags are all about then check out our January 2012 Feature by clicking here. Web site updates. 15th February: Photographer Dick Parnham has updated his Flickr gallery with pictures from the 2005 season at Santa Pod Raceway. You can check out Dick's pictures at www.flickr.com/photos/dickparnhamdragracing. The B17 returns to Podington. 13th February: In a fitting tribute to all those who lost their lives during wartime years, and seventy years after B17s were flown out of Podington Airfield on a regular basis, B17 Sally B will be performing a flypast on the Sunday of Dragstalgia at Santa Pod Raceway. Podington Airfield was built in 1940 and soon after became a base for the RAF. In April 1942 the USAAF took over and after a number of units came and left the base, the 92nd (Heavy) Bombardment group, also known as Fame's Favoured Few, took residence and seemingly settled down in September 1943. The primary plane of choice was the B17. The 92nd is the oldest serving group in the American Air Force, and during World War II flew 308 missions over enemy territory, sadly with the loss of many young lives and a total of 154 aircraft missing in action. At its peak, the base flew out a staggering 800 aircraft in a single month flying twenty five missions. There were a number of noteworthy events and incidents including the dispatch of the first Disney rocket, an appearance and performance from the legendary Glenn Miller, the first flight across the Atlantic - which was in completed in a B17 - and even the first trial flight of a YB40 B17. After the 92nd Bombardment group left in June 1945, the base was returned to the air ministry and was operated under loose military control throughout the 1950s alongside a Polish resettlement camp. The airfield was still used into the early 1960s when light aircraft and gliders were flown. This was before a group of drag racing enthusiasts got hold of the land and turned it into the home of European drag racing. The control tower for the runway still stands today and a number of memorials can be seen in the local area and at the track itself. A few of the Group came back at different times, but on 18th May 1985 many returned for the dedication of a memorial which can still be seen to this very day on the approach to Santa Pod. The group paid for the restoration of the Church organ, the cost being in excess of £7,000. An inscription is on the side of the organ, above the propeller blade from one the B17s from the base. The group came back again when the American flag was dedicated in the Church, and which is sited next to the organ. The village has made many friends among the 92nd veterans, who consider Podington a place which they can visit and always be welcomed, and who hold the village and villagers very dear to their hearts. Based at Duxford airfield and operated by B17 Preservation, Sally B is the last remaining Flying Fortress in Europe and her appearance at Santa Pod on Sunday 13th July is set to be a historic, once in a lifetime moment. Don't miss it! ACAG's thanks for Iris honour. 13th February: Allard Chrysler Action Group Chair Brian Taylor writes that the Group was honoured be nominated for the APIRA Iris Page Memorial Trophy and even more honoured to win the award, which is presented to a racer, team or individual who has contributed to the sport over the last twelve months or achieved their own personal goals against all the odds. Brian says that it is satisfying that people in the sport see ACAG in this category: For those who don't know, Iris was a leading supporter of the National Drag Racing Club as were her three sons Gary, Dave and Clive. Gary is still very much involved in the sport of course. I knew Iris quite well. She was a straight talker but I think she would have approved of us winning. I hope so anyway, but she might have had a go at us for taking so long. The trophy was presented at the APIRA / SPRC Dinner Dance last Saturday and one of the founder ACAG team members, Stu Bradbury, was there to pick up the trophy from Jerry Cookson. Apologies for not being there myself but we were working on the car at Beaulieu getting it ready for its 2014 appearances. Anyway, as it is awarded to the team it is good that another ACAG member can take the applause. Thanks to those who nominated us and to everyone who voted for us. SFI Tour update. 12th February: SFI Foundation President Arnie Kuhns has been in touch with an update on the forthcoming SFI European Recertification Tour. We will be able to inspect and certify the following items: SFI spec(s) 1.1 through 1.5 clutch assemblies SFI spec 4.1 rigid auto trans shield SFI spec(s) 6.1 through 6.3 bellhousings SFI spec 14.4 rigid valve cover shield SFI spec(s) 15.1 through 15.4 drag race wheels SFI spec(s) 29.1 through 29.2 flexplates SFI spec 30.1 flexplate shield We will not be able to certify items such as seatbelts and driver suits. The SFI European Certification Tour dates are as follow: Thursday 6th March: DHRA office, Heemskerk, The Netherlands Friday 7th March: US-Parts Finn Am Oy, Holkkitie 10, Helsinki, Finland Saturday-Sunday 8th-9th March: Persåkers Speed Shop, Åkers Styckebruk, Sweden Monday 10th March: Seminar in Oslo, Norway NB not an inspection Tuesday 11th March: UK, Santa Pod Raceway Swift snippets. 12th February: US Fuel Altered pilot Ron Hope tells Eurodragster.com that he is looking forward to the appearance of Rat Trap and Pure Hell at Dragstalgia at Santa Pod Raceway in July. "We have appeared in the UK before, at Goodwood, and that's a fantastic event but it's not the same as racing", says Ron. "We are very keen to come to Santa Pod to make a few laps. We really appreciate the support of USAutomotive and we will give them their money's worth". Stay tuned to Eurodragster.com for more from Ron very shortly. John Ledster Memorial Award winner Geoff Martin of the UK's Tech Crew asked us to thank everyone involved in his nomination and election. "This is a prestigious award", said Geoff. "As I said on Saturday, when your peers salute the work which you have done, it is the ultimate accolade. It was an honour to receive the award. Thank you." Direct Plastics Top Sportsman II. 12th February: UK Top Sportsman are very pleased to announce that Paul Woodhead's company, Eurodragster.com sponsor Direct Plastics have signed as an event sponsor for the new round at VW Action at Santa Pod Raceway on 29th-31st August. Paul Marston writes: Paul Woodhead has roots in the VW scene so it is really great to have his company Direct Plastics back on board. In fact Paul may well be able to début his latest VW project at the Show, or thats the tentative plan work permitting! UK Top Sportsman has grown and grown over the past three years and Direct Plastics have enjoyed the exposure at the track, in the media and on the Motors TV shows. As far as they are concerned the association has been very beneficial for both parties. With two rounds of UK Top Sportsman this year, the first being the Mopar Euronationals at Santa Pod Raceway on 25th-27th July, the class is going from strength. Top Sportsman is a doorslammer-only event, where there are no rules other than safety. The format is two races over three days, the first a heads-up fast bracket race, the second is a one-shot-qualified sixteen-spot field. Both races run on a 0.400 Pro tree. It is simply the fastest-growing, televised, biggest cash payout, most widely talked-about, heads-up sportsman doorslammer event, period! Anyone can enter, everyone is welcome. For more details please check the web site at www.topsportsman.co.uk or E-Mail me at [email protected]. Stay tuned to Eurodragster.com for more news. Web site updates. 12th February: The latest update to our good friend Alan Currans' excellent Acceleration Archive is a sixth page of pictures by Peter Quinn. The new gallery has something for everyone and you can check it out via the What's New? link at www.theaccelerationarchive.co.uk. The Mad Welshman has been out and about a lot recently and the latest update to his Flickr site features Santa Pod Raceway's Run What You Brung of 2nd February, the Classic Motor Show, the monthly Butty Run car meet, and the recent Paul Walker Tribute Day, all of which contain a drag racing element. You can take a look at Mad's pictures at www.flickr.com/photos/the_madwelshman/sets. Dinner Dance notes. 10th February: Saturday's APIRA, SPRC and UK National Championship trophy presentation photographs are now available in a gallery presented in association with Lucas Oil Products and can be checked out by clicking here or by clicking on the Features, Interviews, Tributes link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page. Copies of presentation photographs are free to the racers concerned; details of how can be found on the gallery pages. SPRC Best Appearing Car winner Perry Antoniou says that the award was a proud moment for Tim Garlick and himself. "Thanks to those who voted for our car", says Perry. "The Apache Team is a collective effort and Tim and I have to thank all those involved. Rob Loaring for the guidance and education, Nick Davies for the inspiration, without doubt the whole pit team of young Scott Barnes (who has a way of making us feel as young as he actually is), Paul and Ricky Dawson doing the dirty stuff, Jason for keeping the electronics side of it going and newcomer Ryan who is going to learn the ropes this coming year.  A big thank you to Neil Melliard for the design and paint.  We gave him a white piece of A4 paper with nothing on it as we had no idea what we wanted and he gave us back the most amazing paint scheme we have ever seen. From the outset we have won an award without even a full season behind us.  The best is yet to come, so for those who are watching, enjoy." Alex Hope has been in touch to ask if anyone accidentally picked up his jacket at the Dinner Dance on Saturday evening. "It's a grey Jasper Conran jacket", says Alex, "only bought on the way down there so was brand new. It was taken off the back of my chair at some point. I checked at Reception but nothing had been handed in". If you got home and found yourself with an extra jacket then drop us a line at [email protected] and we'll put you in touch. Swift snippets. 10th February: Janne Storrank writes from Finland that Marko Lantto's Reckless Racing are building a new car for 2015 with hopes to complete chassis testing late this summer. "The 1980 Chevy Corvette which we used to run has been retrired from heavy duties", says Janne. "The new car is a 1970 Cuda (finally a Mopar!) with a McAmis chassis and a Strange modular rear. The driveline is from the Corvette, blown Hemi and Lenco, no change there (ever). We wish you all a good racing season." Bob Roberts writes that Eurodragster.com sponsor Andy Robinson Race Cars can now offer Stroud Safety Athena firesuits in lady-fit styles. "These are custom made in a rich variety of colours to meet SFI 32A-5 up to 32A-20 standards", says Bob. "Lead time is reasonable so an order by the end of February should be delivered in time for the Festival of Power at Easter. A new measurement chart (PDF format) is available by clicking here. To discuss, or to place an order, call 01256 880589 or E-Mail [email protected]." If you fancy some pre-season testing then the Volkswagen Drag Racing Club have booked Santa Pod Raceway for the day on Friday 11th April and all racers, in any class VW or not, are invited. "The track will be open between 12:00 midday and 7:00 pm", says Luke Stevenson. Entry is £35 and the event runs under RWYB conditions. No deposit required but if you are interested then please let us know so we have an idea who's coming". If interested then please get in touch with Luke at [email protected]. We would like to say a big Happy Birthday to Andrew Willcox. Have a great day Andrew. Web site updates. 10th February: UK Super Pro ET racer Billy Gane has launched a web site at www.billyganeracing.com. The very professional web site is well worth a look and includes news, gallery, team history and more. UK Champions, Perpetual winners honoured. 9th February: The winners and runners-up in the 2013 UK National Championships, MSA British Drag Racing Championship, and APIRA and Santa Pod Racers Club Championships were presented with their trophies at the joint APIRA / SPRC Dinner Dance and Trophy Presentation in Solihull last night (Saturday). The winners of APIRA's Perpetual Awards and SPRC's Perpetual Awards, for whom Eurodragster.com readers had the chance to vote, were also presented with their trophies. Congratulations to the Perpetual Award winners: APIRA Iris Page Memorial Trophy: The Allard Chrysler Action Group APIRA Alan Wigmore Memorial Trophy: Tony Smith (race official) APIRA Endeavour Award: Helen Todd and David Coleman (Zeon TV) SCR Award for Outstanding Achievement: Lizz McCarthy (Comp Bike) SCR Sportswoman of the Year Trophy: Lizz McCarthy (Comp Bike) Anya Yates Memorial Trophy: Barry Bohannon (Track Announcer) McDonald Racing Ireland Best Newcomer Trophy: Stephen Cherrett (Sportsman ET) SPRC Most Promising Newcomer: Gareth Ellis (Top Methanol FC) SPRC Best Appearing Car: Tim Garlick and Perry Antoniou (Apache Nostalgia FC) SPRC Best Appearing Bike: Jasmine Cordelle (Junior Drag Bike) SPRC Most Professional Appearing Team: Flyin' Fifer (Colin Millar, Outlaw Anglia) SPRC James Edgar Memorial Trophy: Stan Atkin (Super Pro ET) SPRC Alex Brachtvogel Memorial Trophy: David Anniwell (SPRC timing crew) John Ledster Memorial Trophy: Geoff Martin (UK Tech Crew) Obsession Motorsports Sportsman of the Year Trophy: Paula Marshall Thanks to everyone who submitted votes for the Perpetual Awards. £5,000 on offer to FWD Outlaws. 9th February: This year's fourth Annual Outlaw FWD Shootout takes place at Shakespeare County Raceway on 7th-8th June, featuring two classes and offering a parge payout. The Injector Dynamic Outlaw Shootout and the Driveshaft Shop True Street Shootout offer over £5000 in prize money, the largest payout of its kind. Previous years have been won by the underdogs, and everyone can pick up a cash prize so if you have a fast Front Wheel Drive car you need enter this event. More details can be found at www.outlawshootout.co.uk. Cutting remarks from ARRC. 9th February: Bob Roberts tells us that Eurodragster.com sponsor Andy Robinson Race Cars has a new toy valuable new aid to workshop productivity: It's a CNC controlled plasma cutter which makes light work of cutting out a four inch by one inch bracket out of eighth-inch chrome moly plate. We've used it to make four-link plates as well as smaller brackets and it will handle anything up to four feet by two feet in most useful thicknesses. We're happy to make things for others as well as ourselves, so if you need to make some brackets or other sheet metal items and don't fancy spending hours with a hacksaw and file then call us on 01256 880589 or E-Mail [email protected]. It's easiest if you've got a CAD drawing but we can work from paper drawings or sketches. Of course it works best if you want a hundred of the same thing but we can look at single items as well.  You can see ARRC's plasma cutter in action on YouTube at www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2WRblm_u3Y. The Brains Trust grows. 7th February: The UK's Isaacs and Tramm Pro Modified team are proud to announce an addition to their line-up as they make their first steps into the MSA British Drag Racing Championship in 2014. The team's new member is noted tuner Mark Gillam of Abbey Motorsport, best known to drag racing fans as the tuner of John Bradshaw's record-setting Nissan 350Z. Mark joins the existing 'Brains Trust' of Eurodragster.com sponsor Chris Isaacs and the US' Mike Moran. "To be joined by someone with the proven knowledge and expertise which Mark possesses will greatly improve our development programme", said Chris Isaacs. Spencer Tramm added "Having seen him get 6.6s out of a 3.5-litre engine, I am excited by the prospect of what Mark can achieve with us". Swift snippets. 7th February: Good luck and stay safe to Jimmy Ålund (Pro Stock), Jonnie Lindberg (Top Alcohol FC) and Ulf Leanders (Top Alcohol FC) who are contesting this weekend's Circle K NHRA Winternationals at Pomona. Qualifying commences today (Friday) and you will be able to stay in touch with our heroes' progress courtesy of our Drag Race Central friends at www.dragracecentral.com. If you are going to tomorrow's joint APIRA / SPRC Dinner Dance and Trophy Presentation then please note that presentations start at 6:00 pm, so please be in your seats for that time. If you are late and miss your presentation then the MCs will not be going back. This year the Clubs have again arranged for loudspeakers at the back of the function room, as a lack of audio at the back of the room has been one of the excuses offered for the appallingly rude chatter during previous presentations. However APIRA and SPRC would still appreciate it if the noise could be kept down during the presentations; it is only common courtesy both to the trophy winners and to MCs Barry Bohannon and Colin Theobald. If you wish to hold conversations then please remain in the bar. We would like to say a big Happy Birthday to Nostalgia Funny Car racer-in-waiting Rob Elsom. Have a great day Rob. Swift snippets. 6th February: The latest spy picture to arrive at the offices of Eurodragster.com came with the words "With some wizardry from Merlin these will propel us to new heights". If you know more, or if you would like to send your own spy picture, then drop us a line at [email protected]. Paul Marston Racing are honoured to have been chosen to star on the Racer of the Week feature on JB's Racing and Rockin with Draglist.com Racers Reunion radio show. "This came out of the blue", says Paul Marston. "I was aware of the show, as I have been listening to internet radio at the shop for years, but I never dreamed that we would be featured. It really goes to show the power of the internet and proves that the drag racing world is one family. It really is flattering to be associated with the featured racers who form a Who's Who of Sportsman and Professional category drag racers from around the world". You can tune in at drag.racersreunion.com at 01:00 UK / 02:00 European next Tuesday (11th) or download the podcast. Steve Dudley writes that he has organised a trial run of slot drags at 2:00 pm on Sunday week (16th) at the new location of Higham Memorial Hall, School Lane, Higham, Kent ME3 7JL. The racing itself is free but a couple of pounds in the pot would be appreciated to help to pay for the hire of the hall. Bennetts join the New Century. 6th February: UK blown-alcohol altered team and Eurodragster.com Bloggers Bennett Racing are proud to announce their latest R&D partner New Century Performance. Luke Bennett writes: New Century join us after discussions were struck up midway through 2013. We are delighted to say we will be using a New Century Big Block Chevy block, featuring reinforced lower end skirting, Billet Main Bearing Caps, 9/16" main studs and double cross-bolting. We will also use their Stage II Pro-Gear Drive, spring oiler valve covers and wet sump oil pan. New Century produce the strongest cast aluminum Chevrolet platform block which is an excellent foundation for supercharged, turbocharged, nitrous assisted, or high-horsepower normally-aspirated engines. This begins from production as all New Century Performance blocks are poured from vacuum-melted virgin A356 aluminum alloy, heat treated to T6 specifications, and fully CNC machined. New Century blocks also feature head studs which pull from deep in the block to eliminate deck surface distortion.  This also reduces distortion in the critical top portion of the cylinder bore.  These factors contribute to a better sealing and more powerful aluminum block-based engine. We have retained the 4.84" bore spacing but have taken advantage of the fact we can use larger diameter lifters in this block (options available are .904", .937" and 1.058"). Other options from New Century are 54 mm, 55mm, 60mm and oversize cam tunnel. All New Century blocks feature the following: Standard Chevrolet 4.84” bore center spacing Reinforced lower end skirting, with 9/16" main studs and double cross-bolting. Cross-bolted front main cap Replaceable ductile iron cylinder sleeves in any semi-finished bore size up to 4.625" Head studs pull from deep in the block to eliminate deck surface and upper cylinder bore distortion Priority main oiling system Cam is raised .250" for increased stroke clearance Pan rails are spread for increased stroke clearance Will accept strokes up to 5.3" with aluminum rods 7075 T6 Billet aluminum main caps Billet rear caps include provisions for internal oil pump use Accepts Chevrolet, BOP or Chrysler-patterned bellhousings Accepts standard small cross-section aftermarket starters (right side mount) Six available deck heights: 9.800", 10.200", 10.400", 10.700", 11.200", or 11.700" Blocks are available both solid and water jacketed in multiple deck heights so will literally suit any application. For more information and pricing check out New Century Performance's web site at www.newcenturyperformance.com. Tell them we sent you and speak to Lowell, a very knowledgeable and helpful guy. You can also find New Century Performance on Facebook. Ålund's top speed test. 5th February: Many thanks to Kent Trenneman for passing on news of Jimmy Ålund's testing in Greg Anderson's Summit Racing Equipment / KB Racing Pro Stock: To get a feel for the car. Parachute out very early. Longer pass but still just to feel the car. 6.60/211.16 6.58/211.76 6.58/211.87 Weather is OK but nothing special. Jimmy had the best speed of all teams testing today. Jimmy's first competitive outing for Summit / KB on the NHRA tour is this weekend's Circle K NHRA Winternationals at Pomona, at which Jonnie Lindberg and Ulf Leanders are also racing, in Top Alcohol FC. Qualifying commences tomorrow (Thursday) and you will be able to stay in touch with our heroes' progress courtesy of our Drag Race Central friends at www.dragracecentral.com. Dutch SFI stop details. 5th February: Thanks to Kees van der Meij of the Dutch Hot Rod Association for sending us details of the arrangements for the Dutch stop on this year's SFI recertification tour. Inspections will take place between 08:00 and 12:00 on Thursday 6th March at the DHRA office in Heemskerk, also the location of Pro Street USA Cars: St. DHRA Het Aambeeld 11 1969 NC Heemskerk Tel. +31 251 255339 The SFI Tour calendar is now as follows: Thursday 6th March: DHRA office, Heemskerk, The Netherlands Friday 7th March: US-Parts Finn Am Oy, Holkkitie 10, Helsinki, Finland Saturday-Sunday 8th-9th March: Persåkers Speed Shop, Åkers Styckebruk, Sweden Monday 10th March: Seminar in Oslo, Norway NB not an inspection Tuesday 11th March: UK, Santa Pod Raceway US Fuel Altereds hit Dragstalgia. 3rd February: Santa Pod Raceway are pleased to announce a new partnership with USAutomotive for July's Dragstalgia which has paid off big time for Nostalgia fans. James Forster writes: The new partnership is a collaboration of one of the most prolific American Auto Parts suppliers in the UK and what is quickly becoming the nostalgia event in Europe, a natural combination. The real winners from this new partnership is you, the fans, as between us, we're bringing you something pretty special, fittingly from the USA. We have teamed up to bring not one, but two of the baddest Fuel Altereds of all time to Dragstalgia on 11th-13th July 2014. Many of us are only lucky enough to see American Nostalgia racing on the internet, so we're bringing a taste of American Nostalgia racing to you right here at Santa Pod Raceway. It's been a dream of Ron Hope's and Rich Guasco's to come and race in anger here in the UK, but little do they know that by fulfilling those dreams they'll be making the dreams of thousands of UK drag racing fans come true at the same time. That's right, Rat Trap and Pure Hell are coming to race at Dragstalgia. This may be the only time you'll ever see the cars here at Santa Pod so this really is an opportunity not to be missed. So get the dates in your diary now, 11th-13th July 2014, it truly will be a weekend to remember. You can also expect racing from all major Nostalgia classes in the UK including the crowd pleasing Nostalgia Funny Cars. There will be a huge Show and Shine paddock, club displays, live music, a beer festival, jet car, cacklefest, fire burnouts and loads more. For further information please see the event web site at www.dragstalgia.co.uk. USAutomotive are the UK's leading weekly importers of parts for American vehicles and have stock in excess of 20,000 products at their Bedford warehouse and have access to thousands more items in stock from the USA. They are also able to offer a host of custom imported products too so if it's available, they can supply it! Please see www.usautomotive.co.uk for a full product list or to find out more or call 01234 273155. Wicktor's new arrival. 3rd February: Trevor Langfield of Eurodragster.com sponsor Wizards of NOS writes that the world's quickest nitrous Pro Mod motor, from Bob Rahaim's 2013 ADRL Championship-winning car and which has run 3.7-second eighth miles, is currently on a ship bound for Sweden where it will be installed in Mats Wicktor's Corvette: Mats was so disappointed by his results last year - which were caused by his motor not being adequately built for nitrous specific use - that he decided to buy the best nitrous motor he could lay his hands on for this year. Bob Rahaim had the 2012 Reher Morrison-built motor refreshed and sat ready as a spare but has now replaced it with a new and improved 2014 spec motor which will be fitted with Switzer fuel injection, so it should be quicker than the old motor. The 2012 engine was run on carbs and Mats intends to keep it that way, but he's removing the four-stage Switzer nitrous kit - which is for sale should anyone want it - and replacing it with an all-new state-of-the-art, 'single' stage 1,500 HP Revo-controlled graduated Wizards of NOS Pro race system. Contrary to what the haters will have to say, this will give Mats a huge advantage over all his rivals. Obviously Mats doesn't have all the high-spec set-up and millions of dollars which Rahaim has, he won't have the same amount of testing and track time, plus he will be running an auto box, but as he managed to run a 4.2 eighth with a motor which wasn't a patch on the new one, we're still confident he'll sbe able to run into the threes this year. We look forward to working with our good friend and outstanding customer Mats Wicktor and hope that he'll be able to race the new combination at the Pod this year for at least one event, if not more.       The Wizards of NOS are also proud to announce that the long-established and highly-reputable cooling system company Serck is now a full WON agent and will be carrying and representing our full product range in their region. They did a great job of showing the WON range at the recent Autosport International show which gave boost of interest to this new venture, and we look forward to a mutually-beneficial future business relationship with them. Racers invited to charity show. 3rd February: Graham Ilott has been in touch to let us know that racers are again invited to take their cars or bikes for display at a charity show near Bristol in mid-May. The benefiting charity is Children's Hospice South West which cares for over a thousand seriously ill and disabled children in the South West. "It is a relaxed, private show named Caring with Cars, with an ethos of variety and friendliness", says Graham. "There's no admission fee and the event is likely, judging by previous years, to attract over 1,000 petrolheads who register on our web site. It's a relaxed and respectful atmosphere. Vehicles shown in the past included McLaren F1 GTR, Bugatti Type 57 Atalante and Type 35, Duesenberg Model J, Mosler MT900, Metro 6R4 and Ferrari 599 GTO, original 1965 racing Cobra, modern supercars and everything in between. We have even put a vintage tractor on the lawn with the other exotica. "In 2011 we raised over £5400 for the Children's Hospice South West, and in 2012 raised over £8,000. "This year's event will take place on Sunday 18th May at the private Downs School near Bristol, just off the M5. We are sponsored by Mercedes of Weston Super Mare, Bath Audi and Fine and Classic of Thornbury, each of whom who will be attending with various top-level models. We also have support from PistonHeads. At present there will be: Top vehicles presented on the front lawn; Live music; Expert speakers in the theatre A large raffle of prestigious prizes; Dave Grabham with Freddy's Revenge Quality food on site and proper loos. "I'm looking for drag racing teams, cars or bikes, to kindly attend to show off their machines, preferably those which fit onto trailers as artic access is limited. "We are also very keen to hear from anyone who might help us raise money by donating a raffle prize: our raffle is our main fund-raising effort. Perhaps a day spent with your team, or some tickets to a drag race. Or anything else, really! We hope to auction off the very best prizes to raise even more for this worthy charity." For more details and images from last year's event, check out the Caring with Cars web site at www.caringwithcars.com. To volunteer to appear or for more information, E-Mail Graham through the Registration page or call him on 07765 718116. You know what to do folks. Take the Kunmadaras Challenge. 3rd February: Following on from Paul Fischer's calendar of events in the west of Hungary, Promoter József Hadnagy has been in touch to invite racers to the European Drag Challenge which takes place over two events at the Hungarian Drag Arena at Kunmadaras: We have been organising drag bike events for seventeen years and thanks to the track prep we were able to organise the European Drag Bike Championships and the European Super Street Bike Cup over the last six years. The base of the track is concrete, seventy metres wide and 2500 metres long. We have built the Hungarian Drag Arena and have been preparing the track for five years, and because of the concrete barriers which run along on both sides of the track for 600 metres, safety is also ensured. We offer: A professionally-prepared track International racing Hungarian hospitality Professional event organisation Low entry fee of €150 Our events take place on 30th April-1st May and 19th-20th August. Classes contested are Competition, Super Street, ModiTwin and Retro Drag all over the quarter mile. Racers must produce a National licence from their home country or an international licence. Entry form and fee must be sent two weeks before the start of each event. Prizes in each category, dependent upon at least six entries in the class, are a trophy, certificate, €700 for the winner and €300 for runner-up. You can download the entry form for both events (PDF format) by clicking here or for more information check out the Kunmadaras Motorsport web site at www.kunmadarasmotorsport.hu, E-Mail [email protected] or call +36 309 654435. Superstockers' Dragstalgia date. 3rd February: Pete Walton writes that 2014 is upon us and that means that the clock is ticking down towards Dragstalgia and another American Superstock Shootout: This will be our third year at the event and after last year's fantastic weather and racing you can only hope that this year it will be as good... or even better! Our two sponsors Andy Robinson Race Cars and Wisbech American Speed and Performance have kindly agreed to put up some prizes again this year. Quickest ET and overall winner of the class will go home with the spoils. The rules are simple: pre-'74 yank-bodied cars only, no power adders, slicks allowed, engine size as big as your wallet will allow, stock rear suspension and bolt-on ugrades to suspension allowed, some ladder bar cars will be allowed if they are in the spirit of the class. The class will be run as a bracket. If you fancy having a go then please contact me on 07970 206827 or E-Mail [email protected], or send a picture of your car to James Forster at Santa Pod Raceway to enter your car and get the racers' package. On a personal note, my old car has moved on to a new home and with all the best will in the world my new car will not be ready in time. Hopefully the new owner will be there. As a Mopar man it hurts a bit to see the previous winners both running Chevys, so let's see if we can change that this year... and where are all the Fords these days? So hopefully I will see all the old faces and some new ones this year. Thanks to Santa Pod and to James for letting us race our cars at this fantastic event. Swift snippets. 3rd February: Callum Pudge writes that there was a great turnout of racers and crews for the Outlaw Anglia Trophy Presentation. "This year, the Debbie Hancox Memorial Trophy was awarded to a very deserving Jedd Guy", says Callum. "After a really close season of racing, Cliff Griffin just managed to hang on to the points lead and trophy narrowly beating Colin Millar at the end of a season which could easily have gone either way. As a class, Outlaw Anglia is both entertaining and exciting and although Cliff and Colin were the top two racers last year, there was extremely close racing throughout the rest of the field and many Personal Bests were attained. There should be several new teams joining the class this year to boost the numbers and hopefully they will bring a bit of decent weather with them!". You can check out the full photo gallery from the evening on Callum's Flickr gallery. If you are going to the joint APIRA / SPRC Dinner Dance and Trophy Presentation this Saturday then please note that presentations start at 6:00 pm, so please be in your seats for that time. If you are late and miss your presentation then the MCs will not be going back. This year the Clubs have again arranged for loudspeakers at the back of the function room, as a lack of audio at the back of the room has been one of the excuses offered for the appallingly rude chatter during previous presentations. However APIRA and SPRC would still appreciate it if the noise could be kept down during the presentations; it is only common courtesy both to the trophy winners and to MCs Barry Bohannon and Colin Theobald. If you wish to hold conversations then please remain in the bar. We would like to say a big Happy Birthday to Daniel Giles. Have a great day Daniel. We have started to post this season's schedule for our Alamo Rent A Car-sponsored Event Coverage. This schedule is provisional, who does what regarding webcasts has yet to be finalised, and there is nothing sinister in the fact that the schedule currently stops at the end of May so don't be calling the Samaritans. You can check out our first tranche of planned coverage by clicking here or by clicking on the Event Coverage link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page. Steve Dudley tells us that last Friday's postponed slot drags at the the Cathedral Primary School in Chelmsford has been rescheduled for 8:00 pm this Friday (7th). Web site updates. 3rd February: Our good buddy Alan Currans has been in touch with news of another update to his excellent Acceleration Archive, a sixth page of pictures taken by Alan Holland-Avery in the early 1970s. "There are some superb action shots as you would expect from a photographer of Alan's ability together with a few pictures of the opening of John Woolfe Racing's shop at Staples Corner on the North Circular Road back in 1972", says Alan. As ever you can check out the latest updates via the What's New link at www.theaccelerationarchive.co.uk. Longtime readers know that here at Eurodragster.com we have very little time for the Top Fuel Only types but even we know a good video clip when we see it and we're even willing to make an exception since the clip in question is not from Europe. John Novatscou tells us that this collaborative piece between Australian band XES and Perth Motorplex, named Top Fueler (sic), has gone down so well with the management at Perth Motorplex that they use it on their Jumbotrons. We've taken a look and it is a great piece of work; check it out at www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wf6owAWpjo. Andy Barrack. 2nd February: Alan Currans writes that it is with great sadness that he must report the untimely death of drag racing historian Andy Barrack, from cancer on 10th January: Andy was well-known to many people within the drag racing community, and his pleasant nature and encyclopaedic knowledge will be much missed. On a personal note he was the first person to write to me with a message of encouragement when I started the Acceleration Archive and he was a staunch supporter of the site throughout. The standard of his writing and research on the Roger Phillips Collection is of the highest order and reflects his enormous knowledge and attention to detail. Our deepest sympathies to Andy's wife Janet, to his family and to his many friends. Earlier news