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31st March: Thanks to Santa Pod Racers Club Secretary Paula Marshall for letting us know that entry forms for all 2009 race events at Santa Pod Raceway are now available via the Entry Forms link on the SPRC web site at www.eurodragster.com/sprc. "This includes the two FIA events, HKS Drag Series events, everything", says Paula, "so no-one has any excuse not to get their entry forms in on time!". Thanks also to Paula Marshall for forwarding us Version 2 of the official entry list for Big Bang, which takes place at Santa Pod Raceway on 25th-26th April and which is a Championship round for VWDRC, Super Modified, Sportsman ET, Junior Dragster, 9.50 Bike, Street Eliminator and Outlaw Anglia, and a demonstration round for 8.50 Bike. You can view the entry list by clicking here. Entry closes this coming Friday, 3rd April, and you can download the official entry form from the SPRC web site as above. If you have any queries about Big Bang entry, or event entry in general at Santa Pod Raceway, then you can contact Paula Marshall at [email protected] or call 01933 313625 (outside the UK +44 1933 313625). ©Eurodragster.com Friday of next week, 10th April, is the official closing date for Springspeed Nationals, which takes place at Shakespeare County Raceway on 2nd-4th May and which is a Championship round in the UK National and ACU UK Drag Racing Championships as well as rounds for Street Eliminator, the Wild Bunch, Outlaw Anglia, Volkswagen Drag Racing Club, Outlaw Flat Four, National Association of Supertwins and Junior Drag Bike, and a demonstration round of 8.50 Bike. You can download the official entry form from the Downloads page of the Shakespeare County Raceway web site at www.shakespearecountyraceway.com. If you have any queries about Springspeed Nationals entry, or event entry in general at Shakespeare County Raceway, then please contact Julie Willcox at [email protected] or call 01789 720180 (outside the UK +44 1789 720180). Crazy Horses unleashed in April. 31st March: The time has at last arrived: Crazy Horses - the history of British drag racing, will be published in the UK on 30th April. As well as spending nearly three years in the research and writing process and hours choosing photographs, ensuring that the end product was the best quality book with good distribution has been a key part of author Brian Taylor's strategy - all of these important reasons for thanking Haynes for being the publisher. In the bookshops his aim was to effectively promote drag racing as a major spectacle as it sat alongside other forms of motor sport on the bookshelves. Having signed off the final layout and copy he is confident that it does this - and more. 
Brian carried out thirty seven face-to-face or telephone interviews with racers and organisers from the past, plus many more by E-Mail. He drew together information from four key motor sport archives, thirty four different magazine titles, twelve books on the sport and, of course, his own experience. Six different web sites were referenced, including Eurodragster.com, The Acceleration Archive, Time Travel DVDs, Trabyte's UK Drag Racing History, and UK Drag Racing Nostalgia. The 224 pages in Crazy Horses include more than 280 dramatic photographs, 239 of them in colour with many of the images being published for the first time. It is a tribute to the pioneers, a reference for all petrolheads and a darn good motorsport story for those just wanting to read about the people, the sport's internal wrangles and the machines. Crazy Horses is already listed on several key book sales web sites including Amazon, Blackwell, Borders, Duke Video, Haynes Publishing, Tesco, Waterstones, and WH Smith. 
It will also be available at Waterstones, WH Smiths, Borders and Blackwell shops plus many
independent book shops. And of course it will be sold by Santa Pod at the Pod Shop and via
the Pod Shop Online. If you haven't got one of these outlets near you, quote ISBN 978 1
84425 425 5 at your local shop to check if they have it available. There will soon be a Crazy Horses
link from several web sites which will route you to more details about the title so watch out for this. It's not
something Haynes do for all their titles but they are very excited about Crazy Horses and are putting more
promotion effort behind it than usual.
The main launch of the book will be on Sunday 24th May during the FIA Main Event at Santa Pod Raceway. It will be a very special day with many stars and personalities of the past there to sign copies, including Bob Keith who brought his Chevy Dos Palmos to the UK as part of the American team visiting in 1964. This car was left in the country and raced by a couple of teams (who can forget Bill Weichelt) before it returned to the USA in the early 1970s. Bob returned to captain the 1965 American team, this time with a Chrysler-engined dragster. There will be some signing opportunities on Monday 25th because a few celebrities can only attend that day. More news about those attending will appear on Eurodragster.com, plus the Santa Pod web site and Brian's blog on The Acceleration Archive. The book will be published in the USA in August of this year. Haynes North America Inc contracts Motorbooks International to distribute their motorsport titles and this well respected company will be handling Crazy Horses in the USA. The Library of Congress Control number for Crazy Horses (equivalent of our ISBN) is 2008943625. It already appears on one American web site, allbookstores.com, but the last time Brian looked the publication date was incorrect. 
There will be more details about the American promotional plans closer to publication day, but broad plans are in place to launch the book at the Don Garlits Museum in Florida, and Fred Babcock has volunteered to round up the 1964/65 American team stars. Brian will provide him with the contact details of the other American stars who visited us in later years. The hope is to put together a West Coast launch as well - maybe more than one. Richard Parks (Wally's son) is editor of the Society of Land Speed Racing Historians, and he is helping Brian to identify useful distribution channels for the book by including snippets in his bulletins. ©Eurodragster.com Swift snippets. 31st March: We have no less than three spy pictures for you today: 
None of these pictures came with any words although the centre and right pictures came in the same E-Mail (it may be pink but it's probably not Roadzombie 2 - Ed). If you know more, or if you would like to send your own spy picture, then drop us a line at [email protected]. ©Eurodragster.com Jo Harris of Santa Pod Raceway has been in touch to advise that advance booking for entry, grandstand seats and VIP/Hospitality for the Auto Trader Easter Thunderball closes at 5:00 pm this Friday (3rd April). "Get your orders in to ensure your place at the drag racing season opener!", says Jo. "Fancy a treat or want to treat somebody else? How about the ultimate thrill ride? We have some availability over the Easter Thunderball weekend for two-seater dragster rides, please contact us for more details and to book your ride!". You can book your Easter Thunderball tickets on-line at www.santapodshop.co.uk, or to book tickets or to enquire about two-seater dragster rides you can call Santa Pod on 01234 782828 (outside the UK +44 1234 782828). Sponsor a Springspeed trophy. 31st March: Shakespeare County Raceway are once again offering their popular trophy sponsorship incentive scheme for the forthcoming Springspeed Nationals, to be held at the Warwickshire drag strip on 2nd-4th May, writes SCR's Jerry Cookson: All classes from NFAA, UK National, and ACU UK Drag Bike to Club championships are included in the scheme. So far we have received support from Ian Jackson of Jacksons MOT and Peter Walters Race Design. If anyone else would like to become involved and gain a little extra publicity in a cost-effective manner then please drop us an E-Mail at [email protected]. A mere £30 per class will buy you two trophies with winner's and runner-up plaques engraved with your companies name, together with three days' worth of PA coverage when your chosen class appears on track. Everyone from corporate companies, race shops, media and web sites are welcome to participate. Banner placement may also be considered for the event at additional cost. We will also be running our "Best of" award scheme too. This will include Best Appearing Car and Bike, Best Appearing Team, and Best Engineered Car and Bike to be judged by the event commentators and scrutineers. To get involved, or for more details, call Jerry Cookson on 01789 720180 or E-Mail at [email protected]. ©Eurodragster.com Feature: Team Gridlock. 30th March: For the latest in our occasional series of Features presented in association with Stroud Safety and Andy Robinson Race Cars we spoke to Dexter Price of the UK's Team Gridlock Wild Bunch team, whose altered soon will be making its competitive début in the hands of Adam Price. ©Eurodragster.com We asked Dex about the altered's history, the changes made since the team acquired the car, testing and future plans, how Go Hard or Go Home got into the music business, and more. Click here to check out our Team Gridlock feature, or click on the Features, Interviews, Tributes link on the left hand side of any Eurodragster.com page. Racers: If you would like to be the subject of a Feature here on Eurodragster.com then please drop us a line at [email protected]. Big Bang entry list. 30th March: Many thanks to Santa Pod Racers Club Secretary Paula Marshall for forwarding Version 1 of the official entry list for Big Bang, which takes place at Santa Pod Raceway on 25th-26th April and which is a Championship round for VWDRC, Super Modified, Sportsman ET, Junior Dragster, 9.50 Bike, Street Eliminator and Outlaw Anglia, and a demonstration round for 8.50 Bike. ©Eurodragster.com You can view the entry list by clicking here. Entry closes this coming Friday, 3rd April, and you can download the official entry form from the Entry Forms page of the Santa Pod Racers Club web site at www.eurodragster.com/sprc. Erbacher OK after explosion. 30th March: Four-time FIA European Champion and Eurodragster.com News sponsor Urs Erbacher survived a massive engine explosion in the first round of Sunday's eliminations at Houston Raceway Park which destroyed his Century Asphalt Top Fuel dragster. Despite ample engine carnage, a shredded rear tire, and the destruction of at least a third of his rear wing, Erbacher was uninjured in the incident and managed to get his car to a safe stop beyond the finish line. "Thank you to Brad Hadman because he saved my life today", Erbacher said, referring to the respected chassis builder. "We started this year with a brand Hadman car and I hope it's not damaged too bad. At least we know the safety components all work. "We had a great race going and I didn't see Larry (Dixon, opponent). I was about to start celebrating when there was a big boom from the engine and then it all broke loose. I've never experienced something that bad. I was just concentrating so hard on staying in my lane because I did not want to interfere with Larry and to get the car stopped. Thankfully, no one was hurt. We can always repair the car." The explosion negated what would have been a very close finish. At the last timing cone prior to the finish line, Erbacher and Dixon were dead even. "Larry is a two-time world Champion on the NHRA circuit and he won the last race in Gainesville (Florida) so we had the car loaded for this race", Erbacher said. "It turns out that it broke a valve in the engine and that was the difference. It's not the best thing you want to happen at 300 mph. "I'm sorry to the fans and the other racers to have such a long clean-up time. The real work will begin now for the team because we want to race in Las Vegas in a few days so we have so much to do. We'll have the car stripped down and inspect it from end to end to make sure it's safe. If not, we have last year's car right here in Baytown at our American shop so we can switch to it if necessary." ©Eurodragster.com Obsession fired up and ready. 30th March: UK Super Modified racer Craig Gibbs says that the Obsession Camaro has been fired up twice in preparation for the 2009 season and the 489 Chevy prepared by Eurodragster.com Swap Meet sponsor Jeff Bull sounds awesome: We think we may have found a few things over the winter, which may have been holding the car back - literally! You may see a few new additions on the car at Easter - some obvious, some not so obvious, I won't say any more until we've got a couple of passes under our belts. You may already be aware that we have some new faces on the team this year, namely Adrian Spencer and Dave Clarkson, both of Pro Mod fame. What these guys don't know isn't worth knowing! I also owe big thanks to a few people for their help over the winter and this includes Jeff and Belinda Bull, Mick 'The Fish' Smith, Danny Cockerill, Bob Glassup, Rob Chiltern, Andy Chiltern, Andy Robinson, the guys at XSport Racing, Steve Clarke of Nimbus Motorsport, all the usual crew - Chris, Darren and Marie - and of course all the family, and everyone else I've not mentioned but who have contributed in one way or another. Thanks! All your help really is appreciated. ©Eurodragster.com The Obsession Racing web site at www.obsessionracing.mfbiz.com has been given a makeover and an update for the 2009 season, and Craig has also launched a new web site at www.obsessionmotorsports.mfbiz.com aimed at providing a web design service for motor racing, both for individuals and businesses. "This is purely a part time thing, and I don't profess to being a professional by any means, but if someone wants a web site built on a budget then the service is there", says Craig. "My contact number is on the web site." Venom set to strike. 
30th March: UK Fuel Altered racer Tony Betts has announced that
Venom Racing will be competing in the Nostalgia
Fuel Altered Association in 2009. Tony will be contesting as many rounds as possible starting with the Auto Trader Easter
Thunderball.
"Venom 2 was stripped of its artwork due to a company who promised to have it done in time for the Peak Performance Day but who have now decided not to answer their phones", says Tony. "I'm gutted. The only reason for not going with Custom Art, who did last year's artwork, was that Ian Plumb was ill. Being the good friend he is Ian, aka Tonka, has agreed to do the artwork and print it off if we fit it. ©Eurodragster.com "Along the way we have been helped by Sharon at Jag Trade Supplies (0800 599 9059), Andy at Signmakerswarehouse (01702 294400), Daniel at Teng Tools (01525 711500), Kenny at Superpower Unlimited for all your blower and engine needs (07967728175), Jimmy at J A Mackenzie Haulage (01722 325541) - they can move anything from a pallet to 16 ton statue - Timothy Howes at NGK Spark Plugs (01442 281000), and Gary Burgin at Burgin Enterprises for parts (+1 949 361 1551). "Finally thanks to all the crew who have worked their butts off to get this car out again for 2009. We have a new crew member, Ken, who has been an asset to Venom Racing getting sponsors for 2009. We are all excited about this year after an encouraging few shakedown meets last year. There will be some stiff oposition in 2009 with all teams stepping up from 2008 and in the current climate that just shows the dedication and commitment by one and all." Swift snippets. 
30th March: The Allard Chrysler Action Group have unveiled the design of their
fundraising T-Shirt. The shirt, designed by ACAG member Phil Brown, will be available in S, M, L and XL and
will shortly be available. For more details keep an eye on the official ACAG web site and Blog
both available via
www.theaccelerationarchive.co.uk.
©Eurodragster.com UK Pro ET racer Charlie Chivers has taken over as fundraiser for the class and is offering businesses the chance to sponsor the top qualifier at events for the modest price of £100 and a trophy. If you are interested in supporting Pro ET then you can contact Charlie at [email protected]. Testing times. 30th March: With the season-opening Auto Trader Easter Thunderball less than two weeks away, racers have two last chances to test this weekend with both Santa Pod Raceway and Shakespeare County offering test and tune events. Santa Pod Raceway are hosting a Peak Performance Day on Saturday (4th) and a Run What You Brung on Sunday. The Peak Performance Day is a limited-numbers test day for both cars and bikes with the track prepared to National Event standard and full track and safety cover. A maximum of one hundred entries is accepted so advance entry, at £60 including sign-on, is recommended and is available at www.santapodshop.co.uk or call 01234 782828 (outside the UK +44 1234 782828). Entry on the day is £12 to enter the track and £60 to sign on. A valid DVLC licence must be presented at Signing On. Spectators are welcome; entry to the track is £12 and under-16s go free. Santa Pod's Run What You Brung on Sunday is open to all. Entry to the track is £10 and a further £25 and a valid DVLC will get you as many runs as you can make. For more information about both the Peak Performance Day and the Run What You Brung check out the Run What You Brung web site at www.rwyb.com. Shakespeare County Raceway's Public Test and Tune weekend on Saturday and Sunday is open to all makes and models of two and four wheel motivation. All competing drivers and riders are automatically entered into the SCR Sunday Special Track Challenge to find the quickest four, six and eight cylinder category cars of the day (Challenge to be run on Sunday), and the day's quickest manufactured bike in the Trophy Bike Dash, so don't forget to bring your DVLC licence. ©Eurodragster.com The season gets under way too for the National Street Car Challenge with their RWYB series format featuring the NSCC's best in street and strip machinery, and the Kawasaki Triples Club. Staying with a bike theme the Test and Tune Weekend will be the first appearance of the National Sprint Association at the Long Marston venue since the 1970s. With bikes dating as far back to the vintage days through to sixties drag bikes and more modern machinery, the riders who take part in this series of timed runs against the clock are more used to old abandoned runways and stretches of tarmac rather than a prepped racing surface. Featured Clubs taking part include South West Scoobies and Warwickshire Modified. Advance weekend entry to the track is £20, or entry on the gate is £12 per day or £22 for the weekend. Sign on for unlimited runs is £20 per day or £35 for the weekend. Under-16s go free when accompanied by an adult. SCR also offers free overnight camping with two day tickets, catering and far facilities, free entry to grandstands and pits, and showers and toilets. For more information including Test Weekend rules check out Shakespeare County Raceway's web site at www.shakespearecountyraceway.com, E-Mail [email protected], or call 01789 720180 (outside the UK +44 1789 720180). Eurodragster.com will be covering both events in association with American Car Imports; we will bring you more information about that later in the week. Bahrain Championship round 4. 30th March: Many thanks to Bahrain Drag Racing Club President Fahad Taqi who has forwarded us the results of the fourth round of the Alba Bahrain National Drag Racing Championship, which was contested by more than one hundred cars and bikes: Street FWD 1. Moh'd Saleh (BRN) 11.220/188.73 (Team Al sham) 2. Fadhel Saleh (BRN) 11.244/193.88 (Team Al sham) 3. Adel Hassan (BRN) 11.666/186.50 (Team KFH) Street RWD 1. Jameel Ebrahim (BRN) 11.768/181.03 2. S.Nader Alalawi (BRN) 13.759/118.13 3. Jaffar Alqassab (BRN) 12.399/144.96 Street V8 1. Moh'd Suliyman (KWT) 8.928/243.56 2. Ahmed Al zaabi (KWT) Red Light (Team STS) 3. Ali Haji (BRN) 9.601/227.66 Super Street FWD 1. Bader Dashti (KWT) 9.729/243.37 2. A.rahman Mubark (BRN) 10.17/237.76 (Team Bin Hasher) 3. Ali Yousif (BRN) 11.770/211.69 Super Street RWD 1. Moh'd Ali (BRN) 8.900/263.42 (Team Get Boost) 2. Saad Al Morran (BRN) 8.525/276.12 (Team Top Speed) 3. Ebrahim Kanoo (BRN) 9.149/246.10 Super Street V8 1. Moh'd Qassem (KWT) 8.640/256.42 (Team Jegs) 2. Faraj Alajmi (KWT) 10.199/187.87 3. Moh'd Jassim (KWT) 9.980/217.88 ©Eurodragster.com Competition 7.5 seconds 1. Tariq Hadi (BRN) 7.612/281.17 (Tiger Racing Team) 2. Abdulla Al Shati (KWT) 7.983/245.49 (Prostang Team) 3. Ali Esmaail (KWT) 8.315/258.89 Outlaw FWD 1. Bader Janahi (BRN) 10.069/221.74 (Team KFH) 2. Ebrahim Mubark (BRN) 14.396/137.88 (Team Bin Hasher) 3. Moh'd A.redha (BRN) 11.871/197.18 Outlaw RWD 1. Moh'd Saeed (BRN) 9.328/231.72 (Team Al Koonazi) 2. Salman Mahmood (BRN) 10.761/157.71 Outlaw 10.5 1. Salah Salahuddin (BRN) 7.973/300.54 (Team QRT) 2. Sultan Alzaabi (UAE) 7.467/319.15 (Team Alanabi) 3. Hussain Naief (KWT) 26.565/49.48 Pro Mod 1. Ali Aryan (BRN) 6.240/385.13 (Bahrain 1 Racing) 2. Khalid Albalooshi (UAE) 8.565/180.93 (Team Alanabi) 3. Khalid Moh'd (BRN) 6.286/369.08 (Bahrain 1 Racing) Von Smith had a crash at 300 metres but he was fine. Street Bike 1. Khalid Al Dooseri (KSA) 8.698/263.67 2. Waleed Al Badeen (KSA) 9.077/250.84 3. Bader Bin Edan (KWT) 9.196/261.64 (Team STS) Super Street Bike 1. Hatan Alabadi (KSA) 7.868/300.60 2. Mushari Alturki (KSA) 8.149/257.55 3. Moh'd Aldarwish (QTR) 7.467/293.16 (Team Alanabi) Pro Bike 1. Mishal Alsaber (KWT) 6.928/307.34 (Team STS) 2. Moh'd Bu Rashid (KWT) 7.096/297.52 3. Khalid AL Foozan) KWT) 20.338/58.38 New Class Records Street FWD: Moh'd Saleh (BRN) 11.242/189.28 Street V8: Moh'd Suliyman (KWT) 8.832/243.30 Super Street FWD: Bader Dashti (KWT) 9.729/243.37 Super Street RWD: Moh'd Ali (BRN) 8.900/263.42 (Get Boost Team) Super Street V8: Mizher Altanak (KWT) 8.166/285.07 Outlaw 10.5: Sultan Alzaabi (UAE) 6.892/325.75 Street Bike: Khalid Aldooseri (KSA) 8.683/264.26 Super Street Bike: Mushari Alturki (KSA) 7.229/311.51 Pro Bike: Mishal Alsaber (KWT) 6.927/307.34 The fifth round of the Championship will take place on 6th-8th May and the final round on 27th-29th May. Wilson to start at the Peak. 
29th March: Dave Wilson and his Silverline
Racing team have announced their attendance at next Saturday's Peak Performance Day at Santa Pod Raceway as the opening
shot in their 2009 campaign to regain the FIA European Top Methanol Dragster Championship.
Starting as TMD 5 this year after the debut of the A/Fuel combination last year, the Silverline team hope to move on from the slow start in 2008 and to be able to hit the ground running this season. "We are really pleased to announce that we will once again be supported by our friends and sponsors at Silverline Tools and PlayStation", said Dave Wilson (right, during yesterday's form-fit seat fitting). "After many years of support from both companies and considerable success in the past we hope to get back to winning again soon. Silverline Tools like winners for their Winning Team and PlayStation gamers compete to win which makes our association with both companies so appropriate. ©Eurodragster.com "We are delighted to continue our long standing partnership with Dave and the team" said Darrell Morris, Director of Silverline Tools. "2009 looks set to provide an exciting year of racing, the car looks great and with the new fuel formula we are confident that Dave will return the Silverline Racing team back to the winner's podium where they belong". PlayStation 3 is the world's most powerful games console, but the most important aspect is the games themselves and the experience delivered. "It's the same way, with drag racing: it's not just the power but how you connect it to the track", said Ray Maguire of PlayStation. "Dave's proved a winning formula with methanol, now let's see what he can do in A/Fuel. It's going to be great to see the progress this year and I'm sure we'll be writing new records very soon". Dave is now so committed to the A/Fuel combination that all the previously used alcohol parts which the team have left are for sale. "This year we won't have to carry the alcohol conversion kit around Europe in case of a problem with the A/Fuel motor necessitating an overnight rebuild back", said Dave. Dave and the team are looking for two new team members, as some of the current team members are unavailable due to changes in circumstance. If you're interested then check out the Crew required ads on Eurodragster.com's Jeff Bull Race Engines and Performance Parts Swap Meet. Swift snippets. 29th March: Any lingering doubts you have about Swedish Pro Mod racer Freddy Fagerström may well be dispelled by a video of his 6.2-second pickup running at the 2009 Speed Weekend at Funasdälen yesterday. Check it out at www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDBDACU_CvQ Eurodragster.com News sponsor Urs Erbacher and ex-pat Brit Top Alcohol Dragster racer Michael Manners are in competition at the final day of the O'Reilly NHRA Spring Nationals in Houston. By far the best source of real-time results is the peerless Drag Race Central web site at www.dragracecentral.com. Updates will be posted from from Urs' pit at www.erbacher.biz/Racing-Diary.217.0.html?&L=1. ©Eurodragster.com UK Super Pro ET racer Martyn Jones fired up his immaculate new Small Fortune blown-alcohol rail for the first time yesterday. After painstaking preparation the motor fired first time and subsequent fire-ups went well all under the supervision of Dave and David Wilson (below left). Whilst here we would like to say a very Happy Birthday to Dave Crunkhorn, aka Crunch, legendary Crew Chief of the Small Fortune team. Have a great day Crunch. 
The latest spy picture to arrive at the offices of Eurodragster.com came with no words at all (above right). If you know more, or if you would like to send your own spy picture, then drop us a line at [email protected]. Many thanks to Santa Pod Racers Club Secretary Paula Marshall for forwarding us the final version of the official entry list for the Auto Trader Easter Thunderball, which you can view by clicking here. Easter Thunderball entry closed. 27th March: Santa Pod Racers Club Secretary Paula Marshall has been in touch to let racers know that Auto Trader Easter Thunderball entry is now closed, unless you have already been in touch with Paula. ©Eurodragster.com If you have any queries about Easter Thunderball entry then please contact Paula Marshall at [email protected] or call 01933 313625 (outside the UK +44 1933 313625). You can view Version 10 of the Auto Trader Easter Thunderball entry list by clicking here. SCR do Safety. 27th March: Event and race marshals from Shakespeare County Raceway and Avon Park International Racing Association recently completed two rigorous days of safety training exercises and fire procedures at the Warwickshire drag strip, writes SCR's Jerry Cookson. ©Eurodragster.com Held in near perfect conditions, the first day's training commenced with Incident Procedures with much of the morning dedicated to refresher exercises in marshals' first aid under the supervision of Ian and Dorothy Connop and their staff from C&C Medical Services. The Raceway's fire crew were also set tasks to perform by WM Training Officer Chris Salter. This included basic drills, fire response and the use of cutting and firefighting equipment through to actual procedures in dealing with on-track incidents. Later in the day examples were given in the applications of oil downs and how to apply materials when the unfortunate happens on a busy track day. 
Sunday was taken up with refresher courses and training in the uses of fire extinguishers to a full-blown on-track real-time training exercise dealing with three incidents at one time including Yours Truly involved with a potentially dangerous engine accident. However, I was later pronounced "HP positive" by paramedics in attendance! Further training exercises are planned as the track enters into yet another busy season of events and Public Track Days. PBs all round at The Fast Show. 
27th March: Santa Pod Raceway's season of events got off to a very promising start with a sunny and
extremely popular Marangoni Fast Show, writes Rick Cuthbert:
Attracting not only the usual hot-hatch crowd but a classic, performance and drag racing crowd made for an interesting and varied collection of cars to kick-start the season. From a drag fan's point of view, the highlights were Martyn Sanger's Ford Mustang topping the "Non road legal" RWYB class, a cool '55 Chevy tearing up the strip, Chris Impey running his first eight-second run in his HKS Drag Series RX7, and the Euro Sports Compact demo race, where Andy Waite beat Andy Nicholls (right) in their ten-second hot hatches. The site was also packed with exotics such as Ferarris, Lamborghinis, Audi R8s and Porsches, and we were particularly impressed by the totally standard Nissan R35 GTR which was running mid-elevens on the strip! 
Ian Blackett adds congratulations to Steve Warner who ran a Personal Best in Santa Pod Raceway's two-seater dragster, and to Chris Impey whose Andy Robinson Race Cars-prepared RX7 set a new European record for Mazdas. "We were trading from our new Portakabin and had a great weekend capturing all the action", says Ian. You can check out the latest shots from Blackett Photography at www.blackettphotography.com, and for the full official Marangoni Fast Show report and gallery check out www.thefastshow.com. Swift snippets. 27th March: From our Like Father, Like Son department we would like to wish a very Happy Birthday to David Wilson of the UK's Silverline Tools Top Methanol Dragster team. Have a great day David. ©Eurodragster.com Editor's note: With particular regard to yesterday's note from the UK Tech Committee, can we please draw readers' attention to News Item FAQ #16. Erbacher looks to make history. 27th March: One year ago, four-time FIA Champion and Eurodragster.com News sponsor Urs Erbacher of Switzerland became the first European drag racer in thirty years to win an elimination round in NHRA's premier category - Top Fuel - during the annual running of the O'Reilly NHRA Spring Nationals at Houston Raceway Park. Now Europe's answer to custom motorcycle builders Jesse James and the Teutul family of Orange County Choppers fame is back to make some more history on this side of the pond in his 8,000-horsepower Century Asphalt dragster. "It was great excitement to win a few rounds last year and earn some credit for European racers but what we really want more than anything is to be the first to take a Wally trophy back home," said Erbacher, a huge reality TV star all across Europe, the Middle East, and Northern Africa. "So far, in fifty eight years of NHRA competition, no European racer has won a Top Fuel trophy in NHRA, the top level of the sport. "We want to change that. It's the reason we came here in the first place. At first, it was a big adjustment just to be here and race these guys. But now we have enough NHRA experience to feel completely comfortable. We know we can hold our own against the teams here and we have a chance to win a race or two, for sure." To that end, Erbacher's efforts, both on the FIA and NHRA tours, have been led by American Crew Chief Wayne Dupuy for the last two seasons. This past off-season the crew put a brand-new custom-made chassis into service, lightening their load and improving their performance across the board. For this weekend's race they have newly designed David Nickens-built cylinder heads and a completely revamped fuel delivery system. "We're going for it," Erbacher said. "We will race this weekend in Texas and next weekend in Las Vegas and then we decide whether to stay in the States or head back to run the FIA tour again. It all depends on our success over the next ten days and if we manage to close a deal with an American sponsor. "The first thing we need to worry about is qualifying for this race. I hope the weather agrees with us and we get all four qualifying passes here in Houston because we'd like to add that data to our books. With no testing allowed, every pass is valuable." Erbacher will have a bit of a hometown advantage this weekend as he enjoys primary sponsorship from Century Asphalt, which is headed by track owners Greg and Gary Angel, as well as associate support from Johnny Bang's Bang and Bump Shop in Tomball. Bang serves on Erbacher's crew and paints his race cars. ©Eurodragster.com Sweden's Leif Andréasson and ex-pat Brit Michael Manners also give us someone to cheer at Houston. By far the best source of real-time results will be the peerless Drag Race Central web site at www.dragracecentral.com. Updates will be posted from from Urs' pit at www.erbacher.biz/Racing-Diary.217.0.html?&L=1. The round dozen for SE. 27th March: With the entry list for the Auto Trader Easter Thunderball closed it's great to see that Street Eliminator is fielding twelve cars, says SE Racers' Association Chair Colin Lazenby: We had a last minute entry from Lenny Henry's stunt double Jerry Charles, who just managed to sneak in under the cover of darkness on Friday. Notable absences thus far are Hook, Nash, Haslett, Stacey, Weir and Pat*man - all of whom appear to be suffering with one last minute problem or another. It's fair to say as far as the Easter Thunderball is concerned these guys will be missed, both by fellow racers and spectators alike. For the new boys, staunch supporters of the SE can now look forward to finally witnessing shakedown runs by Davie Murdoch in his "Lighter than a Rizla paper" supercharged '33 Willy's, and Mark Todd - Mark is running a John Sleath Race Cars twin turbo thingamajig in his '69 Firebird. Both cars are more than capable of running nines and both will undoubtedly be looking to run eights before the season's over. Returning former heroes are Jon 'Moose' Hollingworth - Moose also runs a John Sleath inspired twin turbo motor, having switched from Pro-charger power last year. Moose found, or tuned, for some great performances with each subsequent run bringing him a new Personal Best at the season close in 2008. Also returning is Alex McIntosh, Alex was likewise out 'testing' his new Pro-charger motor at the UK National Finals having surprised himself by getting his car ready earlier than anticipated (that's a first for most racers). And what about the Tucker boys, they're back in 2009 with lots more power, I've seen the figures from the early dyno pulls and I just guessed the rest, anyhow, watch out for this team as the boys attempt to rotate the earth on their early shakedown runs. Welcome back too to Bill MacDermid - Bill was the first ever eight-second runner in the old SE Pro class ten years ago with his 8.99 and he'll be looking forward to re-living his eight-second performance with his now Pro-chargered ride, best of luck for this year Bill. And what about lovable (soon to be a dad) Martin and Julie Taylor with their insanely overpowered single turbo '52 Beetle. Take a look at this thing in the pits, the quality of engineering around the whole car is truly outstanding and he's just moved up to an even bigger turbo for 2009. He's nuts, but you've just got to love him for it. I do envy Julie - I wish I was having Martin's baby. Takes deep breath...we're also about to see the return of the self-professed World's Fastest Street Car driver Andy Frost, Andy having taken a sabbatical year out racing in other classes and once he was out in the wilderness it must have seemed like rather a lonely place (when comparing it to the class camaraderie of the SE). I for one look forward to kicking his ass at the very first opportunity I get - I'm only kidding... What? I am kidding, no, really I am. We've yet to see the Webster Race Engineering-prepped ex-Rat Fink Camaro now in the hands of the very capable Danny Cockerill - as I understand it from Danny Pro Mod just lost its fun factor, that coupled with a great deal of bad luck over the last couple of years whereas in SE he hopes to find more of a challenge, and to put a little fun back into the sport. With Danny's new built to the hilt Pro-charger motor he'll be looking to bag himself a couple of trophies and ruffle a few feathers - one thing's for sure, Danny can certainly drive a race car. I myself am looking forward to seeing Paul Houston's '67 Firebird, another John Sleath inspired Race Car. Paul's twin turbo upgrade was work in progress when I called in to John's shop a few weeks ago, it has already run 9.1s and its oh so close to being finished - maybe we'll see Paul out at event number two, Big Bang, fingers crossed eh Paul? Ditto Alan Simms, and Alan Curtis with his pretty little F*rd Squire... ©Eurodragster.com Another target for Bennett Racing. 
27th March: UK blown-alcohol altered team and Eurodragster.com Bloggers Bennett Racing
are aiming to raise £2,500 for Macmillan Cancer Support. Luke Bennett tells us that so far the team has managed to raise an
excellent £1,695.22:
On 20th September at the Plough and Tractor pub in Laindon, Essex we held a car show with the altered and eight hot rods. With a raffle and our buckets we managed to raise quite a bit. And when we started the Relentless fuel altered it could apparently be heard a mile or two away! We then continued our fundraising at Santa Pod Raceway at the UK National Finals, in the pits with the car and walking everywhere wearing the Macmillan T-Shirts. All in all it was a great weekend and over the two weekends we managed to raise over £400 for Macmillan Cancer Support. ©Eurodragster.com Our fellow altered racer Dave Grabham had his beard shaved to benefit the charity and has also been fundraising at work, thanks very much Dave! Our next fundraising event is the Easter Thunderball at Santa Pod Raceway on 10th-13th April. We will be looking to get nearer to our total at this event, so will be holding a few raffles. See the Bennett Racing web site at www.bennettracing.co.uk for further information on our future events and how to donate, or if you would like to donate direct then you can visit www.justgiving.com/bennett_racing. Thank you to everyone who has supported us so far. Pressemeldung NitrolympX 2009. 27th March: Der Countdown zum Mega-Event für alle High-Speed-Fans läuft: Vom 14.-16. August 2009 trifft sich die europäische Elite des schnellsten Automobilsports der Welt bei den NitrOlympX auf dem Hockenheimring, um auch dieses Jahr die Quartermile der badischen Traditionsrennstrecke wieder in den ultimativen Leistungsprüfstand zu verwandeln. In den ersten Jahren noch als absoluter Geheimtipp in der Motorsport-Szene gehandelt, sind die NitrOlympX auf dem Hockenheimring inzwischen zum traditionsreichsten Event und zum Aushängeschild des deutschen Drag Racing auf der internationalen Bühne geworden. Jahr für Jahr strömen rund 50.000 Besucher ins legendäre Motodrom, um den spektakulären Punktekampf der schnellsten Boliden der Welt live mitzuerleben. Das sportliche Highlight 2009 dürfte die 4. Runde der FIA Drag Racing Europameisterschaft sein. Neben den über 6.000 PS starken Top Fuel Dragstern, die auf der exakt 402,33 Meter langen Strecke auf über 500 Stundenkilometer beschleunigen, sind dieses Jahr sicher die - nach längerer Abwesenheit zurückgekehrten - Cars der Klasse Pro Stock zu erwähnen: Ein Leckerbissen für alle Freunde des klassischen Motoren-Tunings, denn hier muss auf alle leistungssteigernden Hilfsmittel wie Turbolader oder Kompressor verzichtet werden, und es darf ausschließlich serienmäßiges, bleifreies Benzin verwendet werden. Mit diesem Set-Up werden so beachtliche Resultate von mehr als 320 km/h in ca. 6,8 Sekunden erzielt. Selbstverständlich sind auch die anderen Rennklassen, egal ob Bikes oder Cars mit ca. 200 verschiedenen Teams und ca. 1000 Rennläufen bei den Nitrolympx vertreten. Neben der Race-Action auf der Strecke ist die legendäre Night-Show mit Top Fuel Runs, Bike-Stunts, Jet-Show und der unvergleichlichen Atmosphäre des Motodroms bei Nacht, das Event-Highlight am Samstagabend. Beim Pit-Walk im Fahrerlager und in den Boxen kann der Race-Fan den Teams so nahe wie sonst nirgends über die Schulter schauen. Die Zuschauer erwartet also auch dieses Jahr wieder die perfekte Mischung aus Action, Spannung und Speed im Minutentakt. Mehr Informationen zu den NitrolympX 2009 finden Sie unter www.nitrolympx.de. Tickets sind über die Ticket-Hotline des Hockenheimrings, Tel.: 06205 - 950 222 erhältlich, oder online unter www.hockenheimring.de. ©Eurodragster.com Note from the UK Tech Committee. 26th March: Phil Evans, Chair of the UK Tech Committee, has asked us to highlight two subjects discussed at last night's Committee meeting: The Tech Committee discussed sanctions against vehicles going quicker than their chassis tag allows. This will commence at the Auto Trader Easter Thunderball and details will be included in the Supplementary Regulations for that event. ©Eurodragster.com The next step in the investigation of noise reduction will be sound measurement tests at the Auto Trader Easter Thunderball and Springspeed Nationals. "We hope for co-operation from racers", said Phil Evans. "Bear in mind that the sport is being allowed to set our own levels and that the alternative is to have them set for us". More details will be posted soon. Event entry update. 26th March: Many thanks to Santa Pod Racers Club Secretary Paula Marshall for forwarding us Version 10 of the official entry list for the Auto Trader Easter Thunderball, which you can view by clicking here. Although the official entry date has passed, you can still enter the event if you don't mind being whacked for a 100% late entry fee. You can download the official entry form from the Entry Forms page of the Santa Pod Racers Club web site at www.eurodragster.com/sprc. If you have any queries about Easter Thunderball entry then please contact Paula Marshall at [email protected] or call 01933 313625 (outside the UK +44 1933 313625). ©Eurodragster.com There is one week to go before the closing date for Big Bang, which takes place at Santa Pod Raceway on 25th-26th April and which is a Championship round for VWDRC, Super Modified, Sportsman ET, Junior Dragster, 9.50 Bike, Street Eliminator and Outlaw Anglia and a demonstration round for 8.50 Bike. Entry closes next Friday, 3rd April, and again you can download the official entry form from the Entry Forms page of the Santa Pod Racers Club web site at www.eurodragster.com/sprc. There are two weeks to go before the closing date for Springspeed Nationals, which takes place at Shakespeare County Raceway on 2nd-4th May and which is a Championship round in the UK National and ACU UK Drag Racing Championships as well as rounds for Street Eliminator, the Wild Bunch, Outlaw Anglia, Volkswagen Drag Racing Club, Outlaw Flat Four, National Association of Supertwins and Junior Drag Bike, and a demonstration round of 8.50 Bike. Entry closes on Friday 10th April and you can download the official entry form from the Downloads page of the Shakespeare County Raceway web site at www.shakespearecountyraceway.com. If you have any queries about Springspeed Nationals entry then please contact Julie Willcox at [email protected] or call 01789 720180 (outside the UK +44 1789 720180). Swift snippets. 26th March: Eurodragster.com News sponsor Urs Erbacher and Leif Andréasson are again representing Europe in NHRA competition at this weekend's NHRA O'Reilly Springnationals in Houston, Texas, which starts tomorrow (Friday). Ex-pat Brit Michael Manners gives us someone to cheer in Top Alcohol Dragster too. By far the best source of real-time results will be the peerless Drag Race Central web site at www.dragracecentral.com. Updates will be posted from from Urs' pit at www.erbacher.biz/Racing-Diary.217.0.html?&L=1. ©Eurodragster.com The Vegters' new Habit. 
25th March: Jos Vegter has been in touch from The Netherlands to bring us up-to-date with the progress
of the Vegter brothers' new Force of Habit Pro Mod currently under construction at Eurodragster.com
sponsor Andy Robinson Race Cars.
"A lot of work has been done on the car, but anyone in the sport knows that the last ten per cent of the work takes ninety per cent of the time", says Jos. "We will pick the car up in the next couple of weeks and bring it home for the final engineering to be completed. "In the meantime, we've had some changes in the team. We are happy to announce that Dick Koster has joined our team, and I'm sure that his vast experience in drag racing over the years will help us move forward in the racing field. He previously worked with Marc Meihuizen and the K&H Racing team. Marc and his team have been good friends for many years as we went though our paces and we will remain friends for many years to come. This goes to prove how close-knit the entire world of drag racing is. Also new in our team is Rolf Kramer, who is a longtime friend of the team. We welcome him to the party. "As a sneak preview, here is a picture of our almost finished car (click for largerversion). Andy Robinson is doing a great job! I guess this brings to mind the phrase somewhere to be found on Eurodragster.com: "How much can you see? Who cares when you have your eyes closed?" "Let's hope that this year we have less snow during races. And three brand new Dutch Pro Mods in the field!" Allard Dragster painting complete. 
25th March: The painting of the Allard Chrysler dragster, which is to be auctioned
for restoration funds, has now been completed by professional artist Tommy Vågen of Bergen,
Norway. It is currently being left to dry and harden before being transported to the UK.
The painting has already been extensively featured on Norwegian TV (NRK) and radio and a video and other information can be found at nrk.no/programme/tv/sveip/1.6498695 and radios.no/nyheter.php?newsID=4772&katID=1. NRK TV want to continue the story in the UK covering the auction of the painting, the Allard Chrysler project and Nick Mason's involvement. Tommy Vågen doesn't have a set style. He has several and believes each painting he does has its own style - visit www.tommyvaagen.com and you will see what we mean. "I was particularly keen that we produced something special for our project - a work of art featuring the car rather than a simple painting", says ACAG Chairman Brian Taylor. "I think we have achieved that. Although it was a visit to Santa Pod in the 1970s which started him on the road to a full-time career as a professional artist, this is Tommy's first painting of a dragster. So he has come at it with an artist's eye and I think the result shows how closely hot-rodding and art are related. Rather than reproducing in paint something which already exists as a photograph, he has developed it, creating something quite different and certainly more powerful in aesthetic and emotional terms." Tommy has been painting the picture in the open air as he feels the Norwegian winter light gives him a better feel for the colours used. He must have been cold! The finished work is 70 cm x 60 cm and is on thick cotton Dutch canvas. Un-diluted, high quality, Rembrant acrylic is the main paint used - with filings from an old blower taken from the Allard Chrysler dragster mixed in to give the painting structure, texture and a uniqueness in keeping with the project. As well as a brush, a pallet knife and a pencil have been used to apply the paint mixture. It has been completed with several layers of H Schmincke & Co acrylic aerosol glanz finish. Larger pieces from the blower have been glued on the painting and to the back of the canvas. Tommy has drilled through part of it with the result that you still get the smell of the original car when you view it close up. It must be the only painting which smells like the subject! Apart from the Norwegian broadcasters' and publishers' internet sites, the photo here on Eurodragster.com is the first time the painting has been seen outside Norway. Tommy has strong feelings about what makes something a work of art. "A painting isn't art until it provokes an emotional reaction in the person viewing it", he says. Unless it does that it is just paint on canvas. That's what I believe anyway. I have not tried to create an accurate picture of the car although I think it does stack up fairly well in that respect. I want my picture to provoke a nostalgic experience - almost dreamlike - so that those viewing it feel a kinship with those involved with the project to bring the car back to life, even though they are not directly involved with it. So you can say that my painting represents the dream, and hopefully, with the addition of Nick Mason and Alan Allard signing it, useful funds will be raised that will help the dream become reality." Once the painting is in the UK, the Allard Chrysler Action Group will take shots for the one hundred consecutive numbered prints to be produced and get them and the painting signed by Nick and Alan. The prints will be available for sale at a price yet to be set. We then need advice on the best way to auction the painting to get the maximum funds for the restoration, after the production and transportation costs have first been covered. We may have to ration the prints as well. Any ideas about auctioning? Anyone who wants to be included in the bidding for this very special painting please let me know at [email protected]. ©Eurodragster.com Don't forget that you can stay up to date with the Allard Chrysler Dragster project on its official web site at www.theaccelerationarchive.co.uk/acag/acag.html. Gingerman into 2009. 25th March: UK Junior Dragster racer Matthew Seamarks tells us that he will be competing in 2009 although his very rapid dragster remains for sale. "If the right offer comes along the car will be sold there and then and we will sit out the remainder of the season", says Matthew. "We will not just sit doing nothing though, we still have our crewing duties with Double Trouble Racing and there is the possibilty of crewing on an HKS Series car later in the year whilst trying to raise enough funds for a new ride for 2010-2011. ©Eurodragster.com "So far this year we have made four runs, at the Saturday Night Special at Santa Pod Raceway, and did what we wanted to do with the car, i.e. check it to make sure that both car and driver and car are ready for Easter. We managed two 7.9-second passes and an 8.0-second pass. The last pass was on a cooling track and was idled from 330 feet after abit of a move around the track. "Goals for the year have to be the Championship after finally winning at the UK National Finals last year, and also trying for quicker and faster passes. We have already been 91 mph and 7.4 seconds but still think that there is more left that we have not found! "Our next outing will be the Peak Performance Day on 4th April, along with Dave Day who will be testing the Super Comp/Gas roadster." Swift snippets. 25th March: Eurodragster.com News sponsor Urs Erbacher and Leif Andréasson are again representing Europe in NHRA competition at this weekend's NHRA O'Reilly Springnationals in Houston, Texas, which starts on Friday. By far the best source of real-time results will be the peerless Drag Race Central web site at www.dragracecentral.com. Updates will be posted from from Urs' pit at www.erbacher.biz/Racing-Diary.217.0.html?&L=1. We would like to say a big Happy Birthday to UK Top Methanol Dragster racer Dave Wilson. Have a great day Grumpy. Marcin Gwozdz has been in touch with...not exactly a spy picture but a candid shot from the weekend's Fast Show at Santa Pod Raceway of "Our friendly monster truck driver focussing on driving his second 'monster truck' which, in his own words, is the more scary one!" (below left). You can see more of Marcin's photographs at marcingfx.co.uk. 
Hot on the heels of yesterdays' new offering, Eurodragster.com News sponsor Tireshake.com have issued another excellent drag racing T-Shirt (above right). The short comes in sizes S to XXXL and more information and ordering details can be found under New at www.tireshake.com. Andover-based NT Autos are looking for an MoT tester/mechanic to help with their busy schedule. "If you are an MoT tester/mechanic with time on your hands and if some extra work may come in handy, then please call me on 01264 359361 or 07915 315281 or E-Mail [email protected] to register your interest", says Nigel Taylor. "You must have an up to date smart card and have a good background where the MoT scheme is concerned." PMR's sponsors renew. 25th March: Eurodragster.com News sponsor Paul Marston Racing are pleased to announce that all their principal business partners and associates have renewed for the 2009 season: PiranaZ - clothing with attitude - were both pleased with the coverage and exposure that they received on and off the race track in 2008. They were both excited and impressed with the 2008 Super Comp National Championship which Paul Marston Racing achieved with their PiranaZ-backed Dragster, driven by PMR Drag Race School graduate Dave Catton. Consequently they are signed up for the 2009 season. All the current UK range of PiranaZ apparel is available from the C&P Hot Rod Tees stall, just behind the main grandstand at Santa Pod. US based Geddex Products have also extended their backing of PMR into its fourth year. Their Dial-In, Wheelz-Up, Slick Air and Burnout Gard products are all available from the Paul Marston Racing pits at National events. CTM Performance & Machine (020 8592 1180) remain as associate sponsors, taking care of all performance and machining work for Paul Marston Racing's fleet of race cars. CTM have massive experience in cylinder head technology for the performance industry and are always worth a call on 020 8592 1180; ask for Charlie. ACL Bearings remain as preferred suppliers of engine bearings for all of the Paul Marston Racing entries. ACL stock an extensive range of performance and standard engine bearings including Japanese Imports and hard to find makes, all from stock. Call them on 01708 890494. London Road Tyres, your one stop tyre shop, new and used, experts in removing and fitting slicks and large street/strip tyres without marking of damaging your lovely rims! Open Monday to Saturday, situated in Romford, call Gary or Bill on 01708 735355. Black Box London Limited have more than twenty five years' experience in event management, full production facilities, club and bar installation, full studio recording facilities and in-house production and digital mastering. Concerts and live events, all of that and more. For all you event needs sound and lighting wise, give them a call 020 8597 4575. Bo Laws Performance, based in Florida, manufacturers of the very finest carburettors in the world, period! Specialising in drag racing carburettors, gasoline and alcohol, Holley 4150 and Holley Dominator as big as you need. Call for specialist advice from the professionals +1 407 422 0394. Paul Marston Racing would like to thank all of their sponsors for their support and faith in us for the 2009 season. ©Eurodragster.com Web site updates. 25th March: Thanks to webmaster Nigel Holland for letting us know that the offical web site of the UK's Showtime Fuel Funny Car team has been updated with the first 2009 season update covering Autosport International and a few words of preview for the Auto Trader Easter Thunderball. Check it out at www.showtimeracinguk.com. ©Eurodragster.com With one eye on an SSB... 
24th March: The young lady at right looking as if she has done this all her life
is sixteen-year-old Jemma Venables, daughter of ACU UK Super Street Bike Champion and record holder Steve
Venables, who will be making her 9.50 Bike début at the Auto Trader Easter Thunderball at Santa Pod
Raceway. Jemma made her first test passes at the recent Straightliners weekend at Santa Pod Raceway and,
having never ridden a bike on a drag strip before, got down to an impressive best of 10.931/139.52.
"Jemma has ridden quad bikes and field bikes before", Ven told Eurodragster.com, "and then last year she decided that she would like to go drag racing. So I got her a Honda CRF230 and I tried to train her for all sorts of situations, except that she was that good that she wouldn't fall off!". Jemma's 9.50 Bike is a 2007 Suzuki GSXR1000 K7 which Ven has rebuilt to suit her. "As soon as I got the bike I pulled it apart", said Ven. "Barry Henson of Velocity Racing sponsored the swinging arm. The front fork was shortened and we've put on a billet oil pan to keep the bike low to the ground, and the exhaust is a Brock Sidewinder. The MTC two-stage lock-up clutch is set for a soft launch and I changed the gearing to suit. Crescent Suzuki in Verwood, Dorset, gave us dyno time to set the motor up. I am happy that the bike won't misbehave and it won't wheelie!" Ven said that he was a bit nervous in the week before the Straightliners event, and not just him. "I was thinking what have I let myself in for?", he said. "At the start of that week Jemma was excited, but then she started to say "I am not sure I'm ready". I wasn't going to push her. But then in the middle of the week she said "Yes, I'm ready". So then I had to get the bike ready! 
"When we got to Santa Pod I took Jemma to the bottom end and got her used to pulling away.
Then we went to the start line and the start line crew were really good. We explained that
Jemma was new and asked if we could run byes and they told us to take our time every time,
which was good of them.
©Eurodragster.com "Jemma got in ten passes. Her first was 15.7 at 91 miles per hour, and by the end of the day she had run 10.9/139. I wish I could knock five seconds off in a day! We couldn't get her off the track, we were still there when everyone was leaving and I think Jemma was the last to run." Jemma herself described her thoughts going into the Easter Thunderball as "A bit nerve-wracking but it should be OK". Ven added that mum Jo is "A bit nervous and now she has two nutters to look out for!". Ven himself had a test outing at last week's Webster Race Engineering Test Day at Santa Pod, taking along both of his Super Street Bikes. "I had a new clutch in each bike but they were different set-ups so the bikes were very different", he said. "To be honest it was too much work running them both. My current bike went 7.42 but the boost on the new bike wasn't arming. I sorted that out and then it was leaving OK but blowing through the clutch and I ran a 7.7. But the new bike feels nice and I think we'll get there. And Jemma is already eyeing up one of the Super Street Bikes!" Straightliners snippets. 24th March: Further to Jemma Venables' outing at the recent Straightliners event at Santa Pod Raceway, photo-journalist Steve Moxley has kindly dropped us some notes about some other racers who took the chance for some pre-Easter Thunderball testing: Comp bike rider Stuart Crane rebuilt his bike over the winter break and ran in the Comp Bike class and recorded a Personal Best of 7.67 en route to winning the event. Dave Buttery set the quickest time of the day at 7.57. Another ACU rider who won was Thomas Granica from Germany. He beat fellow Super Street Bike rider Ian Cotton in the final of Top Bike. Both riders were testing for the Easter Thunderball. Scott Baldwin, also of Super Street Bike, attended but hurt his motor after running a 7.70-second pass. Phil Wood set an ET record of 7.630 at 191.93 mph in Top Bike. ©Eurodragster.com Super Street Bike rider Richard Stubbins rode Alan Young's Outlaw Bike and ran a best of 8.90. Richard helped Alan with his clutch set-up. Pro Stock Bike newcomer Mark Smith made a couple of passes with Paul Watson overseeing things. Mark's best time was 9.10. NAST Supertwin ET Champion Joe Elliott ran a Personal Best of 10.15 and reached the final of the 10.10 bracket in the Straightliners Series. Joe is awaiting some parts and hopes that they will get him into the nines. Fellow bracket racer Bob Cornforth has fitted an air shifter for 2009 and ran a Personal Best of 12.05. Swift snippets. 24th March: Many thanks to Santa Pod Racers Club Secretary Paula Marshall for forwarding us Version 8 of the official entry list for the Auto Trader Easter Thunderball, which you can view by clicking here. Although the official entry date has passed, you can still enter the event if you don't mind being whacked for a 100% late entry fee. You can download the official entry form from the Entry Forms page of the Santa Pod Racers Club web site at www.eurodragster.com/sprc. If you have any queries about Easter Thunderball entry then please contact Paula Marshall at [email protected] or call 01933 313625 (outside the UK +44 1933 313625). Many thanks to Gary Kay for sending us the latest rendering of Jayne Kay's Pink Lady Super Pro ET Funny Car, designed by Eurodragster.com News sponsor Peter Walters Race Design (below left, click for large version). Gary tells us that the Pink Lady team are still heading for a début later this season and that they are looking for sponsorship. ©Eurodragster.com 
The latest offering from Eurodragster.com News sponsor Tireshake.com is a T-Shirt with a Top Fuel theme for all you lovers of nitromethane (click for large version). The shirt currently comes in sizes M to XXL and you can order yours at www.tireshake.com or click on the logo at left. Ramps up for a return. 23rd March: With the rework complete after the destruction of his engine in 2005, and a trip to Andy Robinson Race Cars for chassis baseline and general pep talk, Electromec Racing were ready for last week's Webster Race Engineering test day at Santa Pod prior to Mark Ramplee's return to Super Comp at the Auto Trader Easter Thunderball: On the day we were to meet up with Clive Bond of Ultimate Race Cars to start the next stage of our new engine's development. Conditions on the day were good, with the sun shining down on the track; it looked like it would be a good day if the car could live up to expectations. With fresh faces amongst the crew on the day standing in for our tyre and mechanical specialist Richie '4x4' Green there was a mixture of confidence, nervousness and excitement. The day started off slowly with all the usual checks and Mark trying to get into his new race suit. Clive Bond arrived to help Curtis with the final checks before the car was fired up. With a strategy agreed for the day, Mark was strapped in for the off! The first run was uneventful, just a short squirt up the track. This was purely to get Mark settled in. The next run however was a little more eventful. Just off the line, the transmission oil cooler decided it was time to leave this world and to go on eBay as memorabilia. This resulted in Ian Marshall's awesome left lane being nicely oiled for the entire length, sorry Santa Pod crew! Having taken stock of the situation and with the advice of the aforementioned Chief Starter we ran without the oil cooler, sacrificing the advantage of the transbrake for the sake of keeping things cool. ©Eurodragster.com As Mark went into stage on the third run none of us could have dreamt what he was about to experience. With the car in subdued trim, Mark left the line on the throttle. The car decided it would be appropriate to wheelstand much to the amazement of all assembled, particularly the driver. At which point Mark decided that it would be a good idea not to carry with the run as not even John Force has seen Jesus at sixty feet! With that behind us and Mark agreeing that the wheelie bars were a fantastic idea, we commenced with run four. A beautiful burnout then a good run culminating in an 8.75/156. If we could have wished to finish the day without hurting anything and running an eight then we would have been overjoyed. Utopia was achieved! Many thanks to Clive Bond of Ultimate Race Cars, Andy Robinson of ARRC, Paul Summerville of WOFTAM Racing, Webster Race Engineering for organising the day, Sam Ramplee on his return to the crew, James Hope for the camera duties , Claire 'Ramplee' for keeping everybody fed, watered and happy all day, and last but not least all the Santa Pod staff for making it all happen. See you at Easter! Swift snippets. 
23rd March: UK Super Pro ET racer Martyn Jones' very tidy new blown-alcohol rail
is on course for a competitive début at the Auto Trader Easter Thunderball with its first fire-up due
this weekend. You can check out the latest shots of the dragster at
www.flickr.com/photos/martyn_a_jones.
©Eurodragster.com Mark Hollander has been in touch to say Thank You to everyone who has helped with information about Drag-waye. "A lot of information has been shared and has been greatly appreciated", says Mark. "Restoration is going ahead. I should point out that I am helping with the restoration of this machine; the man doing the actual work is an engineer named Mark Pattman (who owns and races his own drag bikes) and the bike actually belongs to the grandson of the builder Clive Waye. Sadly I cannot take credit for the restoration or owning it. There are plans for airstrip testing later this year." Wolfgang Schöfer of FIA European Top Methanol Dragster Champions Peter Schöfer Racing had a fiftieth birthday to remember as he was presented with an 02 Series BMW and a model of the team's truck and trailer. "Wolfi has been dreaming of restoring an 02 Series for as long as I have known him", says our good friend Gittli Koller. "The model truck was built by a friend and is the same as our full-sized rig. It took 150 hours to build. When we gave Wolfi the BMW he had to go through the TÜV because he's an old timer, but he got his own licence plate". You can see pictures of all of this jollity at www.p-s-r.com/wolfiparty.htm. We have two birthdays today. First up is a very Happy Birthday to Dutch Top Fuel Dragster driver, joint Eurodragster.com webcam sponsor and Eurodragster.com Blogger Lex Joon. Hope you're having a good day Lex. Tog would like to wish a very Happy Birthday to his friend Karen Bradbury, who is somewhere in France. Have a great day, Karen, we're thinking of you. 
The Brits invade Gainesville.23rd March: If you were listening to NHRA.com's online broadcast of the first Pro qualifying session at the Gatornationals and thought you detected an occasional background murmur of British voices, you heard right. Three lucky guests of Eurodragster.com News sponsor Grandstand Motor Sports' Gainesville excursion spent an hour in the commentary booth at the invitation of NHRA's Chief Announcer Bob Frey, watching and listening over Bob's and colleague Leo Taugher's shoulders as they described the opening action in Pro Stock Motorcycle and Car, Funny Car and Top Fuel. Among other callers to the booth, three-time Pro Stock Bike champion Angelle Sampey stopped to talk with the guests about the childhood period she spent living in Suffolk. The visit followed hard on the heels of a tour around Don Schumacher Racing's pitside encampment, where guests were shown inside some of the team's giant transporters and met working crew members and drivers Ron Capps (left), Matt Hagan, Jack Beckman and Tony Schumacher. Two of the prize draw winners who spent Saturday enjoying DSR's hospitality, Richard and Gary Parkes, arrived for the occasion dressed in special-issue T-shirts commemorating Don Schumacher's historic 1973 visit to Santa Pod. The Shoe was duly impressed when he met them (right). ©Eurodragster.com 
Following Sunday's final eliminations, another guest hurried back to the steps of Gainesville's famous Ale House in time to glimpse the Space
Shuttle light up Florida's balmy evening sky lifting off from Cape Canaveral. Before long, the Ale House was brimming with the cream of
NHRA Drag Racing, especially Bob Tasca's family and crew celebrating his inaugural Funny Car victory. Guests strolling back to their
nearby Courtyard By Marriott Hotel found John Force Racing's gleaming fleet of huge transporters - no fewer than nine in a row - overnighting
in the adjacent car park, a memorable sight to end a great drag race weekend.
Grandstand Motor Sports, the UK leader in motorsport travel and the only travel company serving the drag racing community, offers Drag Racing Europe summer trips to July's Veidec Festival at Mantorp Park, Sweden, and August's NitrolympX at Hockenheim, and October/November Drag Racing USA trips to Las Vegas and Pomona. For details, please telephone 0845 375 0300 (outside the UK +44 116 231 1222), visit www.grandstandmotorsports.co.uk, or simply click the Grandstand logo at right. Look out for a special Drag Racing Europe announcement soon. Under new management. 
22nd March: The Mongoose
Performance Exhausts/Pennzoil Fuel Funny Car has a new owner. In a deal done in a matter of hours
in the last few days Sue Collins of Collins Performance Engineering Ltd, who was primary sponsor of
the FC through the Mongoose Performance Exhausts brand, purchased the car from Sweden's Kenneth Lorentzon.
"Kenneth wanted to sell the car for personal reasons", driver Gary Page told Eurodragster.com. "Sue has always wanted her own Funny Car and this was a good opportunity. She got a good deal and has bought everything from the car and spares to the trailer." ©Eurodragster.com Kenneth will still tune the car, and the Swedish and English crew remain on board as does Gary. "Until last week I didn't really know what I would be doing this year", said Gary. "I was at Gainesville and I got an E-Mail asking me to get in touch with Sue. Sue told me that the deal was done in a couple of days and that she still wanted me to drive the car. Paul and Lawrie, who were in Gainesville with me, said that they had never seen me at a loss for words!" Mongoose Performance Exhausts and Pennzoil are staying on board as sponsors of the Funny Car which will make its first outing of 2009 at the FIA Main Event at Santa Pod Raceway in May. "The car hasn't been touched since the end of last season so we just haven't got time to get it ready in time for Easter", said Gary. "At Easter I will be helping Thomas Nataas and I will be doing some work with Nitro FM. "I would like to say a big Thank You to Sue for asking me to continue to drive the car - this is my fortieth year going racing so this is a good way to mark it. I can't wait for the Main Event." Tre Kronor's amazing coincidence. 
22nd March: Johnny Nilsson and son had a busy two weeks in California running the replica Tre Kronor
Nostalgia Funny Car at the March Meet at Bakersfield, which was its first outing.
"We arrived the week before the race to put everything together", says Johnny. "I had lots of help from Victory Race Car - I borrowed his big truck and trailer and all of his crew were around during the race. Driver James Day also brought Adam and Justin, two good guys, with him. Thank you to James for that. ©Eurodragster.com "On Friday we tried to make our first run but we had a small oil leak after the burnout so we shut off. We tried again on Saturday, we were second pair out and everything worked out well for us with a 6.43/215 which was shut off early. We qualified seventeenth of thirty cars so we didn't run on Sunday. "Later on Saturday we got some amazing information about Knut Söderqvist and Harlan Thompson. When those two guys tested the car at Maple Grove Drag Strip for the first time thirty years ago they also ran 6.43! "The car is now on the way back to Sweden for some exhibition runs - I will send you some more news about that - then we will ship it back to the USA for the October race in Bakersfield." Swift snippets. 20th March: Entry forms are now available for the National Association of Supertwins and Junior Drag Bike Championship rounds at Shakespeare County Raceway on 16th-17th May. The forms can be downloaded from the Downloads page of the SCR web site at www.shakespearecountyraceway.com. Karsten and Per Andersen's FIA European Championship-holding Top Fuel Dragster has had its 2009 updates applied by Mats Eriksson and is headed back to their shop in Denmark. FIA European Champion Andy Carter will be heading to Karsten and Per's shop next weekend for this season's fitting. You can check out some pictures of the dragster at ME Racing Services at dragx.carulf.se/#6.0. ©Eurodragster.com 
Colin Stevens has been in touch to show us the latest T-Shirt design available from C&P UK Nitro.
The T-Shirt comes in ash, light blue, white and cream (black to come soon) in sizes S to XXL priced at £15 plus £2.50 p+p.
To order your shirt E-Mail [email protected] or call 07903
313384. Colin tells us that this is C&P's fifteenth season trading at Santa Pod and Shakespeare County Raceways and adds that his
Oblivion FC project is currently on hold.
Eclipsephotos are running a photo shoot in a garage in the Bristol area next Sunday (29th) and Stephen Wexler tells us that there are a number of places for cars or bikes at a nominal fee of £30 cover expenses. If you are interested in having your vehicle photographed then please give Stephen a ring on 0789 455 0032 or E-Mail [email protected]. Bahrain1 sets new mark. 
22nd March: Bahrain's Ali Aryan set a new Middle East Pro Mod record of 5.825 seconds during Friday's final
day of round two of the Qatar Drag Racing Championship in Doha. Aryan was driving his doorslammer car for the Bahrain1 team owned by
Southern Governor Shaikh Abdulla bin Hamad Al Khalifa.
Ali beat the old Middle East mark of 5.84, which was set earlier this year in the same series by American racer Robert Von Smith of Qatar's Al Anabi team. Ali set the new mark en route to winning his semi-final race. In the final, however, a technical snag cost him victory and he was eventually forced to shut off midway down the strip and settle for the runner-up slot. Smith was the winner in the final against Aryan, completing the quarter-mile in 5.86. "I was leading the race before the problem hit", said Aryan. "I wanted to take the win to complement my new record but I was unlucky, although I am still happy with the new mark". Ali was travelling at a top speed of 397 kmh when he set the record. The region's new quickest time is also the second quickest in the world: the current record of 5.738 is held by legendary American drag racer and former International Hot Rod Association Pro Mod World Champion Scott Cannon Jr, who set it in the USA in 2008. Shaikh Abdulla congratulated Ali on his new achievement and expressed his pride in the capabilities of Bahrain's sportsmen. Shaikh Abdulla also lauded the Bahrain1 team for preparing the car well for the races. Ali and his Bahrain1 teammates will now be preparing for the fourth round of the Alba Bahrain National Drag Racing Championship which will take place at the Bahrain International Circuit from Wednesday to Friday, organised by the Bahrain Drag Racing Club. ©Eurodragster.com ARRC, MSD and Racepak. 
22nd March: Eurodragster.com Home, News and joint Features sponsor
Andy Robinson Race Cars have always believed
in using what they sell and selling what they use, so it is very appropriate that they have now become direct dealers for MSD and Racepak products.
Andy has used MSD ignition systems from the first car he raced thirty years ago and the Studebaker is no different. The use of a Racepak datalogger
is more recent but it is an integral part of the set-up process for the Studebaker as tuning would be a real hit or miss process without its displays.
MSD have been building ignition systems since 1970 and offer a huge range covering street and competition, traditional US and Sport Compact, drag and circuit racing, even single cylinder applications for ATVs. ARRC will be able to supply all these products but will focus their attention on competition applications offering advice and supply of suitable products. ©Eurodragster.com Racepak also offer a wide range of products and ARRC will be able to leverage their experience of the V300 system and Datalink software to offer support to their customers in the use of data logging and analysis. Coincidentally Racepak have just announced a new product aimed at the Sportsman racer. The basic package will log engine rpm, driveshaft rpm and output from a two-axis G meter; other sensors can be added as required at additional cost. Data is stored on a standard SD card as used in digital cameras and processed on a PC by Racepak's standard Datalink software. There is a special introductory price of £625 + VAT for the basic package which will require one or two Vnet cables to connect the sensors to the logger, their price varies according to length up to £65 + VAT. ARRC will offer a further 5% discount to the first two customers who order the Sportsman Data Recorder so that they can quickly gain some experience of what is likely to be a very popular product. Click on the picture at right for a better look at what comes in the box. You can get in touch with Andy Robinson Race Cars via their web site at www.robinson-race-cars.co.uk or click on the logo at right, or call 01256 880589 (outside the UK +44 1256 880589). Thunderball Thrill Ride offer. 
22nd March: Santa Pod Raceway
are offering the chance to join them as a VIP guest at
The Motorsport Extravaganza Easter Thunderball on 10th-13th April and to take the passenger ride of your life
in the UK's only two-seater dragster:
Prepare to experience the awesome acceleration produced in drag racing with this particular dragster capable of completing the quarter mile drag strip in eight seconds at 170 mph! Then kick back and enjoy the rest of the day's racing from one of our start line VIP Suites. Our hospitality team will be on hand to look after you throughout your visit and make it a day to remember! This package is available for 11th, 12th and 13th April and includes Twin Seater Thrill Ride, admission for two people to the event and access to the VIP startline balcony with privilege seating in the Live Action Arena, refreshments throughout the day, buffet lunch, VIP toilets, privilege parking and complimentary programme and souvenir. All this for just £400+VAT. For more information, or to book, contact Kelly Dormer at Santa Pod on 01234 782828 (outside the UK +44 1234 782828). ©Eurodragster.com Web site updates. 22nd March: In the latest entry in his exclusive Racer Blog, Top Methanol Dragster racer and Eurodragster.com sponsor Derek Flynn tells of an indoor fire-up on nitro and of no less than three anniversaries. As ever you can check out the latest Blog updates by clicking here or by clicking on the Racer Blogs link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page. ©Eurodragster.com SFI notice on Impact products. 20th March: We have received the following notice which although referring to NHRA will doubtless have an effect here in Europe: NHRA have received notice from SFI, Inc. that a Notice of Decertification was issued to Impact Racing Products, Inc. regarding certain products (listed below), and that Impact will issue a Notice of Recall of such products. Therefore, effective immediately, the products listed below will no longer be accepted for use in NHRA racing. We understand that Impact will issue a recall notice March 20, 2009; please consult www.impactraceproducts.com for that information or contact Impact directly. The products are:
©Eurodragster.com Swift snippets. 20th March: Many thanks to Santa Pod Racers Club Secretary Paula Marshall for forwarding us Version 7 of the official entry list for the Auto Trader Easter Thunderball, which you can view by clicking here. Entry closes today (Friday); you can download the official entry form from the Entry Forms page of the Santa Pod Racers Club web site at www.eurodragster.com/sprc. If you have any queries about Easter Thunderball entry then please contact Paula Marshall at [email protected] or call 01933 313625 (outside the UK +44 1933 313625). We have no less than three spy pictures for you today: 
The picture above left came with the words "First test!" and the picture above right with the words "The project is coming along nicely it seems". ©Eurodragster.com 
The picture at right came with no words at all save "Spy picture". Of today's three pictures we think we have the
first and last nailed but if you know more, or if you would like to send your own spy picture, then drop
us a line at [email protected].
Jami Kamanen tells us that the Tami Brander Racing Pro Mod team are working hard to prepare Tami's '67 Camaro for its first show, the American Car Show in Helsinki at Easter. You can check out a very entertaining video of what is going on at the Brander Race Car workshop at www.visualsports.tv/pages/11?mediaid=54&category=2. Web site updates. 20th March: Eurodragster.com US Correspondent Ed O'Connell has posted a gallery of shots from last weekend's NHRA Gatornationals at Gainesville on his Picasa site at picasaweb.google.com/surfphoto1/Gainesville2009. ©Eurodragster.com Editor's note: We have a small backlog of news which we will post on the next update. Tune back then for Johnny Nilsson's account of the first outing of his Tre Kronor Nostalgia Fuel FC, a great new T-Shirt from C&P UK Nitro, dealer news from Eurodragster.com sponsor Andy Robinson Race Cars and more, and please keep the news items coming to [email protected]. Racers please bear in mind that it's not too early for Easter Thunderball or 2009 season previews. Welcome to the new boy. 
19th March: New UK Pro Stock Bike racer Mark Smith has been in touch to
introduce himself:
I am the workshop manager for Draper Tools in Chandlers Ford, Hampshire. I have been with the company for about thirteen years and they are kindly sponsoring me for the 2009 season as are Windwhistlewebsites, Greens Plumbing, Tree Me and MDH Body Repair Centre. I recently bought Paul Watson's Pro Stock Bike. The engine is a Suzuki 1640, two-valve Vance and Hines motor. It has also had a change of appearance, as I have had it wrapped in a real flame effect carried out by Raccoon Effective Vehicle Branding. Apart from that it is the same great bike which won the biggest ever field in European Pro Stock Bike history! I have always dreamed of riding Pro Stock since I first saw them at Santa Pod way back. I have since considered it the élite of the élite and finally now my dream has come true. I have been drag racing for eighteen years on a variety of different machines ranging from my GSXR 1100 to my Katana 1500 turbo. My most recent drag bike was my GSXR 1340 which I have been racing for the last two years in the Straightliners 9.30 class. My fastest time was last year at Santa Pod when I achieved a nine dead. I have raced in many different classes but they were never quite fast enough! I will be participating in as many rounds as I can in the forthcoming season and I am very excited about it. I hope to run high sevens and to compete in Europe in 2010. I have a small crew consisting of Jim Allwood and my girlfriend Kerry Newell (wife-to-be if she will have me). Paul Watson will also be mentoring me until he is happy with both the bike and rider. Ray Debben has been working on my bike, for which I must say a big thank you! Thanks to Ray and Steve for the hard work and time you have put in to the bike. With Paul's ongoing help, advice and support I hope to gain experience and knowledge of Pro Stock and be up there with the best. Our team is called Stunt Monkey Racing, for more information and pictures please check out my web site at www.stuntmonkeys.co.uk. ©Eurodragster.com Mark may not be the only new boy in UK Pro Stock Bike this year as we understand that a PSB is on its way from the USA and will be entering the fray later in the season. As soon as we hear more, you'll hear more. Swift snippets. 19th March: Many thanks to Santa Pod Racers Club Secretary Paula Marshall for forwarding us Version 5 of the official entry list for the Auto Trader Easter Thunderball, which you can view by clicking here. Entry closes tomorrow (Friday); you can download the official entry form from the Entry Forms page of the Santa Pod Racers Club web site at www.eurodragster.com/sprc. If you have any queries about Easter Thunderball entry then please contact Paula Marshall at [email protected] or call 01933 313625 (outside the UK +44 1933 313625). On the subject of race entry, there are two weeks to go before the closing date for Big Bang, which takes place at Santa Pod Raceway on 25th-26th April and which is a Championship round for VWDRC, Super Modified, Sportsman ET, Junior Dragster, 9.50 Bike, Street Eliminator and Outlaw Anglia. Entry closes on Friday 3rd April and again you can download the official entry form from the Entry Forms page of the Santa Pod Racers Club web site at www.eurodragster.com/sprc. 2008 NDRS Super Gas Champion Christer Uhlin has been in touch to confirm that he will be taking part in the Auto Trader Easter Thunderball and that the very welcome Norwegian contingent also features Trond Wanvik (Super Comp), Olav Sjkervo (Super Gas) and Grete Ingdal (Junior Dragster). ©Eurodragster.com Swedish Fuel FC racer Patrik Pers has put his Funny Car up for sale to finance the purchase of a Top Fuel Dragster. The 2004 Plueger chassis came from John Force Racing and has twenty runs maximum. The car comes as a roller with two Mustang bodies, Chrisman rear end, two drive shafts and clutch can. If you are interested then please contact Mark Bodimeade (aka Animal) at [email protected]. Paul Watson of DynoSpeed Developments is offering a free dyno run to all 9.50 Bike and 8.50 Bike racers competing at the Easter Thunderball. "This is to ensure that your bike is the same as or better than last year", says Grumpy. "I'm sure this will be useful to many. I will be there at Easter giving help and guidance to both racers who bought the DSD race bikes (see above for one - Ed). I wish you all a great season. To book your free dyno run call Paul on 0208 500 5770. UK Junior Drag Bike racer Scott Collier has announced a sponsor for the 2009 season. The deal with Skillnet Automotive Academy goes towards new parts, spares, and the alteration of his leathers. "This is the first time Scott or Jerry has had any financial help and we are delighted", says Sharron Collier. "A huge thanks to Company Director Sam Smith for her interest in Scott's racing, I am sure he will do them proud. " Derek and Fiona Flynn of Eurodragster.com sponsor Gold RV and everyone at Gold RV Racing have asked us to say a big Happy 13th Birthay for yesterday (Wednesday) to Dutch Junior Dragster racer and still our all-time favourite Crew Chief Lisa Selles. Our pleasure guys, hope you had a great birthday Lisa. Congratulations to Martin Wallis of Santa Pod Raceway's timing crew and his partner on the arrival of Keria Louise Wallis who was born at 3:41 am on Monday and who weighed in at 8lb 3oz. Mother and baby are fine, but hospital electricians are working overtime to replace all the fuses which blew when Martin walked into the building. Wedding bells for Read. 19th March: Congratulations are also in order to Tim Read and his "Very patient" partner Fabienne who are getting married in Oxford this morning (Thursday), sixteen years to the day after they first met. Fabienne's gain is however our loss, at least for a couple of years. ©Eurodragster.com "We are moving to Brooklyn in New York for two years from July", says Tim. "Fabienne has been offered the opportunity to train staff at her company's new office there. This would have been my forty second year of racing in Europe and I would like to thank all of those people who have made it so enjoyable. All the teams, past and present, in Top Methanol Dragster who have been good friends and competitors; all those who participate in the European tour with whom I have enjoyed travelling and socialising, you know who you are; my friends on the Tech Crew who kept me busy when not crewing. To Thomas, Lars, Dave, Glen and Bill, my fellow crew members and especially to Krister Johansson for giving me the opportunity to participate in his team. Don't think about retiring yet Krister, I will be back! And lastly to all those racers, organisers and track teams throughout Europe who make our sport so special." We would like to wish Tim and Fabienne a long and happy life together and if you would like to add your own good wishes then you can E-Mail the happy couple at [email protected]. Turbo's latest racer offers. 19th March: Ian Turburville has been in touch with the latest news of items on offer: I'm clearing lots of stocks of Simpson helmets, gloves, shoes, etc. They can all be found on my Race Parts page at www.turboville.co.uk/turbo-7/classifieds.htm. All at below last year's prices! If you need kit for this season, get in quick because the devalued pound is going to hike the price of all further imports! ©Eurodragster.com Turboville.com have just been made European distributor for the fantastic new Dynatek DARC-TF high-energy ignition system from Shaker Products, California. This is the state-of-the-art nitro version of the DARC-2 and is not available from Dynatek direct. It is the cheapest,smallest, lightest, most powerful CDI system on the market for Top Fuel Bikes. We can supply the whole system including programmable, timed advance/retard modules, or just individual parts if you are already running the DYNA 4000 Super Pro. Details at www.turboville.co.uk/turbo-7/classifieds.htm. IOPD on historic vehicles. 19th March: Steve Murty, Legal and Technical Director of the International Organisation of Professional Drivers, has been in touch with some information for owners of hitoric drag racing vehicles: The IOPD has become aware that the system of tagging and inspecting modern newly constructed drag racing vehicle, using a system that is following USA thinking, is by inference suggesting that well constructed British historic drag racing vehicles are no longer "fit for purpose". In other forms of Motor Sport, Historic classes are often now becoming the premier classes. Yet many compete without the high degree of driver protection that British drag racing required from day one. The IOPD is conscious that if left unchecked this may become an insurance liability issue in the future. This in turn may result in many of our historic vehicle ending up being scrapped or there not being any lawful events for them to attend. The IOPD currently authorises six UK drag and Sprint Venues where historic drag racing classes are welcome and are deemed "fit for purpose" following precedents set by the IOPD. And so it has been agreed that the IOPD will issue, under its statuary powers under the 1992 Off Road Event regulations, a certificate stating that a vehicles is an Historic Drag Racing Vehicle if it:
The vehicle will be accredited by a "Three wise men" system using adjudicators from IOPD's approved list of scrutineers. An IOPD authorised certificate will not in any way warrant the safety of the vehicle and no representation is made that the certificate will in any way protect the driver or spectator from any injury or death. It is merely a casual inspection of the blatantly obvious and must be used only in conjunction with the IOPD's Operational Codes of Practice for Auto Leisure Events. If you have any queries then you can contact Steve Murty at [email protected]. ©Eurodragster.com Web site updates. 19th March: In the latest instalment in his exclusive Racer Blog, Dutch Top Fuel Dragster racer and joint Eurodragster.com webcam sponsor Lex Joon explains his absence from the Easter Thunderball, remembers the Cannonball, and describes his plan to race in the USA at the end of 2009. As ever you can check out the latest Blog updates by clicking here or by clicking on the Racer Blogs link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page. ©Eurodragster.com Editor's note: We weren't planning alternate-day updates this week, it just turned out that way because of pressure of work on your News Editor's day job. The storm has passed now, though, so we should be back on our normal schedule; please keep the news items coming to [email protected] and racers please bear in mind that it's not too early for Easter Thunderball or 2009 season previews. Easter Thunderball entry reminder. 17th March: Many thanks to Santa Pod Racers Club Secretary Paula Marshall for forwarding us Version 4 of the official entry list for the Auto Trader Easter Thunderball which takes place at Santa Pod Raceway on 10th-13th April. You can check out the latest Easter Thunderball entry list by clicking here or by clicking on the Event Coverage link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page and selecting the Auto Trader Easter Thunderball. ©Eurodragster.com Racers please note that this Friday, 20th March, is the closing date for Easter Thunderball entry at the normal fee. Late entry after Friday, if accepted, will be subject to a 100% penalty fee. You can download the official entry form from the Entry Forms page of the Santa Pod Racers Club web site at www.eurodragster.com/sprc. If you have any queries about Easter Thunderball entry then please contact Paula Marshall at [email protected] or call 01933 313625 (outside the UK +44 1933 313625). German Super Pro ET update. 
17th March: Our good buddy Markus Münch has been in touch with the latest news about this
year's German Super Pro ET Championship:
We have set our race dates for this season: 24th-26th April: Test and Tune, Luckau 19th-21st June: Drachten, The Netherlands 3rd-5th July: Grand Nationals, Luckau 25th-27th September: German Finals, Luckau The German Finals is a new date in the German calendar organised by the newly-founded Supro ET Club. There will be more news about that event in some weeks' time but this race could be interesting for southern Scandinavian drivers willing to burn some fuel, gas and tyres at season's end because the track is located 100 km south of Berlin and is easy to reach. "How do I take part in this racing series?". Very simple, you just have to become a member of the Supro ET Club (for a fee of €75 a year), carry the stickers of our contingency sponsors and that's it. All racers are welcome. At the moment our entry list is almost completely German. We have only one foreign competitor in the field: Swiss Rene Ehrisman (right) is out to defend his 2008 title. Anyone who is interested in participating should get in contact at [email protected]. We would like to thank our sponsors for their support. This year there is about €5000 prize money to be awarded at the end of the season. Thank you to our sponsors and supporters KW Suspensions, Schöninger Glas, Hubraumbrothers Speedshop, the Bavarian Dragracing Club, Carsten Grob Websolutions, Team A5, Brad Penn Oil, Reilstyle, Schneider Holz, Magic Types, Dany's Garage, Hair and Flair, Black 7 Wear, Axxaspalt GMBH, and The Lonesome Dragstrippers. Our web site at www.suproet.com is mainly German-language but more and more English content is added - most news items are bilingual already. At Teilnehmer you can find out which teams and cars have already entered competition. There some former British cars in the line up. The Belle is back. 
17th March: A few readers guessed Tuesday's spy picture and to be honest it wasn't
rocket science as the mention of entry to the Stoneleigh Show was a bit of a giveaway on the part of the UK's Team Twisted Wild Bunch team.
"We were very pleased to show the re-vamped Hell's Belle in all her glory", say Helen and Dean Smythe. "After two and a half years away from racing, the Belle is returning having had a total strip down and rebuild and now sporting Hilborn stack injection and fabulous new purple and silver metalflake paint. ©Eurodragster.com "As usual with this type of project there are always many people to thank for their help and support and we would like to pick out a couple of the key players. Big thanks go to our crewman Stevie Grayston who has spent the last year lending a helping hand in the garage and who also added the new pinstriping, Crazy Chris Hartnell for making the new ally fuel tank, new nose and other welding jobs, and last but not least to Lee Wright, for the fantastic paint. Lee has painted a number of road and race cars around our area and also recently painted Crazy Chris' new canopy for Backdraft. To say we're pleased with our new flames is a total understatement! So, it only goes to say a big thank to all of you and we're looking forward to returning to the track with Helen back in the hot seat." Gainesville notebook III. 17th March: Simon and Ed have been in touch from Gainesville with one last update from the pits at the weekend's ACDelco Gatornationals. "We were not happy with the outcome of the race with Brandon Bernstein", said Eurodragster.com News sponsor Urs Erbacher. "I did everything right and was out of the gate sooner than him with a good light (below left). We did not have enough power though. We qualified but want to do better and we will see what the next race brings. Thanks to all my fans in Europe who follow me by watching the ESPN coverage". ©Eurodragster.com Urs and the team plan a short break in Miami before making the 1,200 mile trip to Houston for the next round of the series which takes place on 27th-29th March. 
Mike Manners (above right) made it to the semis in Top Alcohol and ran low ET of the event, 5.260 at 273.33, only to lose on a holeshot to eventual runner-up Bill Reichert. Swift snippets. 17th March: The track staff at Shakespeare County Raceway are currently on the lookout for used drag slicks for use on their track preparation sled. If you have any used slicks which you would like to donate to help SCR prepare for the season then please leave a message with the track office on 01789 720180 or E-Mail [email protected]. Chris Hartnell's Backdraft nostalgia slingshot is to be the subject of a feature in the forthcoming issue of Practical Performance Car magazine which is to be published on Thursday of next week (26th). The April issue of Practical Performance Car will be available in WH Smith, Tesco, Co-op and all high street newsagents. ©Eurodragster.com Because we didn't have a news update yesterday we missed a couple of birthdays, so a slightly belated Happy Birthday to UK blown-alcohol altered racer Frank Bennett. A Happy Birthday for yesterday also to UK 9.50 Bike racer, Santa Pod timing crew member and Eurodragster.com Honorary Staff Member John Hackney. Hope you had a great day guys. On the subject of Honorary Staff Members, we are very pleased to welcome Colin Roaf and Grace Roaf as Honorary Staff Members of Eurodragster.com. Honorary Staff Membership is awarded to individuals who have given us particularly solid support and/or practical assistance which is certainly the case with Colin and Grace who have cheered us on through long hours in Race Control and recently carried out the workshop visit to Eurodragster.com sponsor Andy Robinson Race Cars. Danish duo grateful for trophy. 17th March: Per Andersen and Karsten Andersen need little introduction to anyone who follows European Drag Racing. The Danish duo have tuned Top Fuel Dragsters to an incredible five FIA European Championship titles and numerous European records. This year Per and Karsten were awarded the James Edgar Memorial Trophy for outstanding performance by a crew member. Voted for by the readers of Eurodragster.com and selected by the Santa Pod Racers Club Committee, the Award has been presented since 1995. Per and Karsten such famous names as Jeff Bull, Alan Jackson, Rune Fjeld and many more as winners of the trophy. "I'm honoured to receive such a award", said Per, "and we will do everything to take the performance even further!". "I would like to express our deepest appreciation to all the readers of Eurodragster.com who voted for us", added Karsten. "Thank you so much - it means a lot to us that the work we do is noticed by the many people who love the sport just as much as us. It is also very important for me to stress, that we see this trophy as an award to all crew members on the Lucas Oil team, as no team is better or stronger than the weakest member. So thank you and we will do our very best to be worthy of yet another trophy next year. See you out there on the track." The Lucas Oil team during the 2008 Championship-winning season was Per, Karsten, Henrik, Markus, Jes, Martin, Peter, Richard, Dan, Sarah, Phil, Gary, Ian, Dave and Stu...and of course Andy Carter. The Lucas Oil team, with Per and Karsten calling the shots, will start their title defence at this year's FIA Main Event at Santa Pod on the late May Bank Holiday weekend. ©Eurodragster.com NAST Charity Auction for NABD. 17th March: Eurodragster.com is very pleased to pair up with the UK's National Association of Supertwins who are offering a day's Motocross trial riding to the highest bidder in an auction in aid of the National Association for Bikers with a Disability. The day's trial riding will take place on a Motocross track "In the middle of nowhere" in Powys. Included in the package, which is worth £130, is bike hire and full protective gear. ©Eurodragster.com The way we are going to run this is to solicit bids by E-Mail and then post regular updates of the high bid here on Eurodragster.com. Bidding closes at 23:59 UK on Sunday 5th April and the high bidder will be presented at the Auto Trader Easter Thunderball at Santa Pod Raceway. This is in a very good cause folks, so if you would like to try for the day's Motocross then please send your bid to [email protected]. Even if you don't fancy it yourself, maybe you can think of a family member or friend who would like the surprise? Good luck and get those bids in - the NAST and the NABD, as well as the Eurodragster.com team, will be very grateful. Web site updates. 17th March: The UK's Rampage Super Pro ET team have launched a web site at www.rampagefunnycar.co.uk. The very well-designed site features news, driver and team biographies, an excellent interactive car detail page, race calendar and more. Driver Dave Ward asked us to thank his son Jon for doing such a great job on the site. ©Eurodragster.com Gainesville notebook II. 15th March: Simon and Ed have again been in touch from Gainesville with the word from the pits at this weekend's ACDelco Gatornationals. "It was a disappointing pair of runs after going 4.0 yesterday", said Eurodragster.com News sponsor Urs Erbacher (below left). "On the first run the car got loose", he said. "We had taken power out but probably not enough. In the second run the final qualifying session we were in the lane that better suited fuel cars and the track had cooled due to cloud cover - however we smoked the tyres still. "We meet Brandon Bernstein in the first round and know we have to go quick against him to win. But we beat him at Pomona at the NHRA Finals and know we can do it here too. "The next events for us are Houston and Vegas. After these dates we will take stock. We will run further NHRA events and the Main Event in the UK if we can get funding. At Houston the Century Asphalt Company will be sponsoring us; the Angel family - three brothers, one of whom ran in Pro Stock - is the owner of Houston Raceway Park. It's also in many ways a home as Baytown Houston is where we store the car and parts. I'd also like to thank Bob Mungo, owner of the facility and seller of fire trucks who is a friend of my crew chief Wayne Dupuy and gives us storage. Fans of ESPN Radio will be aware that in Sam and Bob's Race Show, Bob Mungo is Bob on that programme and they support us." 
Leif Andréasson (above right) was defeated in the first round of Top Alcohol Funny Car, not scoring a time when the Dodge Stratus rolled the beams. "I have fitted a new Leanders clutch for this event and set it up, but the car wouldn't stay on the line", he said. "I am confident that the run is one of the best ever for the car. Micke Gullqvist is helping at the race and Dave Wilson is doing some work so the team I have is good". After the Gatornationals, Leif is ready to run run Houston, Las Vegas and then the Las Vegas Divisional event. ©Eurodragster.com We also caught up with Tony Morris (below left) at the end of the day after winning his third round Super Comp race in a car built by Vic Fera. "I am based near Orlando and this is not strictly my home town track although the national events here are superb", said Tony. In the first round Tony beat Vic Fera himself. "I have known Vic for seventeen years and has done a lot of engine work for me", he said. This is Tony's twelfth Gatornationals and he always sees Brits here. "Also even though he's not here I keep in touch with Paul Marston daily". Tony is planning to come to Europe in the Summer for the NitrolympX at Hockenheim where his sister Andrea Kloss is a race official, and to see the 50th Anniversary celebrations of the Mini, which his mother used to rally. 
We also spoke to Michael Manners (above right) of Texas, who had a Union Jack on his car and is a Brit. "I have lived in the USA for twenty seven years but have retained British Citizenship", he said. "I saw racing in the UK on a few occasions including the '76 Easter Meet. I was always interested in the sport. In 1982 the home building company I worked for transferred me to the US where I got married and lived and worked in Houston. My former brother-in-law, who is now my Crew Chief, drove a Top Alcohol Dragster and that was my first drive four years ago. The bug bit and I started competing in Top Dragster and Top Sportsman at Divisional NHRA races. Then last August I bought the A/Fuel Car as I wanted to go quicker and heads up. "I have had help from Tom and Shane Conway, who I believe are the best tuners of A/Fuel cars. I quickly became competitive in the class. At Las Vegas last Autumn I ran a 5.26 to be #1 in the quickest ever Top Alcohol field, but followed this by being twenty first out of twenty one at Pomona where we had lots of problems in qualifying. "We qualified fourth here with a 5.321/269.51 and I ran a 5.327/265.85 to win the first round. We are getting a handle on running 94% nitro but the problem is avoiding the alcohol in the mix evaporating and exceeding the percentage by the top end of the track. So we have to run slightly less than 94% and put a thermal blanket over the fuel tank in the staging lanes to prevent it warming". Mike is supported by Aquygen, an alternative energy company. Racing continues today, and by far the best source of real-time results is the peerless Drag Race Central web site at www.dragracecentral.com. Team member Oliver Moser is posting updates from Urs' pit at www.erbacher.biz/Racing-Diary.217.0.html?&L=1. Welcome MIH Peformance. 14th March: We are very pleased to welcome MIH Performance as the latest sponsor of Eurodragster.com News. MIH Performance is a design and manufacturing company which offers a unique range of billet oil control products. All come supplied with fittings and in a user friendly pack. MIH Performance's range includes sandwich plates, take off adaptors, remote oil filter housing and a dismountable oil filter as well as a range of unique hose ends, braided hose, oil coolers and associated fittings. "One of our kits is an oil take-off adaptor for the LS Chevy V8 and I believe we are the only company in Europe making and supplying these from stock", says Ian Caseley. "We do not do retail, everything we do is handled by a growing network of retailers in the UK and Europe. We also welcome enquiries from companies which are interested in our products and which have an established presence in the marketplace. ©Eurodragster.com "Eurodragster.con readers will receive 12% discount to the end of April 2009 when you order any MIH Performance products from Speedflow, our UK retailer." For more information about MIH Peformance and its products, check out www.mihperformance.com or click on the logo at right. We would like to thank Ian Caseley for his support of Eurodragster.com and we are sure that our readers will repay that support by considering MIH Performance for oil control products. Gainesville notebook I. 14th March: Simon and Ed have been in touch from Gainesville where Eurodragster.com News sponsor Urs Erbacher and Leif Andréasson are again representing Europe in NHRA competition at this weekend's ACDelco Gatornationals. 
Urs' first qualifying run was against Terry Haddock in the same car which Andy Carter drove at the Winternationals - you can clearly see the replacement body panels to those which blew off. Urs drove through engine problems to get a 4.0 time which was good for number one for a few pairings. The picture shows Terry Haddock (right lane) suffering rather larger engine issues. Urs said "I wasn't pleased with the first run because the engine lost a cylinder after 0.6 seconds as there was not enough blower. The air is bad as it is too warm and humid. Next time we will put more blower and less fuel into it". The result was tyre smoke early into the run. ©Eurodragster.com 
Urs has as a visitor Siw Nystad who is working on sponsorship to race in the USA. "I will be driving Urs'
second dragster and the crew will be mainly from Urs's team and contacts of Wayne Dupuy", said Siw. "Urs
has taught me a lot about how his car works. I had a seat fitting in Norway last year but the event was
rained off so I didn't get a run in. The plan is now to licence when time allows."
Two other Europeans are actively involved. Leif Andréasson is eight weeks into a twelve-week trip involving both Divisional and National events. As well as wife Åsa and members of his usual crew Micke Gullqvist is helping Leif with his US campaign. Leif had a troubled day and we will be talking to him today about running here at Gainesville. For more details on Leif's tour see his web site at www.andreassonmotorsports.com. Ex-pat UK Super Comp racer Tony Morris is racing here in Super Comp and made it through yesterday's first round. Pictures courtesy and ©Ed O'Connell Swift snippets. 
14th March: It's not often we get sequel spy pictures but further to the
picture published on 3rd March we have now received a couple
of shots which came with the words "I told you it was in for painting" (click on picture for another
angle). If you know more, or if you would like to send your own spy picture, then drop us a line at
[email protected].
©Eurodragster.com UK Super Street Bike racer Mark Watkins has put his rapid and very good-looking Terminator GSXR100 up for sale. Mark has built a new GSXR1000 which Paul Watson of DynoSpeed Developments is preparing for duty in 9.50 Bike and possibly 8.50 Bike. If you are interested in Mark's Super Street Bike then check out the advertisement under Bikes For Sale in our Jeff Bull Race Engines Swap Meet. Hot news on Bishop sponsor. 14th March: UK Super Pro ET racer Mark Bishop has announced that Chilli Jobs will be sponsoring the Vegas Hustler's début season in the class, joining existing sponsor Dave Eady's American Auto Parts Centre. Chilli Jobs run a Northamptonshire-based recruitment web site at www.chilli-jobs.com onto which candidates can upload their CVs and view current vacancies offering recruiters the chance to find the red hot candidates they are looking for. "We are more than a recruitment web site and can offer the candidate a lot more than just the latest vacancies", says Managing Director Ryan Bayes. "Chilli Jobs also advertise new career opportunities through the Franchise For Sale page, and offer tips and hints and a Lifestyle section offering advertising to buisnesses which feel Chilli Jobs will help boost their profile. ©Eurodragster.com "We are excited to sponsor Vegas Hustler Racing for the 2009 season. We at Chilli Jobs feel that the Vegas Hustler team are well turned out and professional and will give us a solid advertising board. I would like to wish Mark and the team all the success in the upcoming season and all racers and spectators good weather and fast times." "We would like to thank Chilli Jobs for their support and also Dave Eady for continuing his backing", says Mark Bishop. Smax and the confused line-up. 14th March: Ex-pat UK Top Fuel Dragster racer Smax Smith has been in touch with a report of his appearance at last week's IHRA Mardi Gras Nationals in Baton Rouge driving the Leverich family's Top Fueller: After driving through Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee and finally Mississippi we grabbed a motel at 3:00 am cream crackered after twenty two hours' driving. We laughed at going through the country music capital Nashville and blues capital Memphis with progressive trance blasting out of window. We looked at huge American flags and felt maybe the American dream was cracking around the edges with the recession hitting but by the time we had left cold Canada and arrived in 84 degree sunshine and finally drag racing all this seemed a long way behind us. The place was packed and straight away we beavered on the car as the rest of team arrived on Friday morning for the first evening session. Top Fuel guru Eddie Corr had helped me with clutch settings as we have finally put clutch management on the car to chase down that elusive four-second run for the Leverich family. Aidee and I ripped out the clutch, reset all the fingers and put clutch timers on etc. We finally fired up just in time for first qualifier but we realised the brakes needed a bleed. With a half pass scheduled we decided to risk it as pumping brakes seemed fine. The first race was against Fuel Funny Car Champion Terry Haddock who has just gone into a dragster. I did a huge burnout, brakes worked fine, backed up, brakes worked fine, went into pre-stage but the brakes faded and I rolled into stage. I waited for what seemed an eternity on the low side for Terry but the clutch was starting to drag so I did a quick pump of the brakes and put the top bulb out for deep stage. Still no Terry so I knew I had to go. I didn't think I could get into reverse so I high sided but the brakes faded and the car rolled away. I thought about killing the motor but with Terry waiting wasn't sure if I needed to be out of the car so I kept on going. I was going to hit the throttle to blast out of the way but I thought that the brakes may have failed completely or the clutch was dragging so I decided not to risk crashing and idled down meaning that Terry had to shut off then cool and refuel. Terry came out at the end of the session and ran 4.76 for number two so I guess he wasn't that pissed off at me. I went over later to apologise. ©Eurodragster.com Things seemed much better and upbeat the next day. I was selected to do a television interview for local station which they said went really well. I then did newspaper interview. The car was prepped perfectly for the second session. I went to line feeling excited and confident with the car. The burnout and stage went aces. I launched with a conservative set-up, only a 1.03 sixty foot and made 212 mph at eighth mile in 3.9 seconds, then the blower belt broke and slowed to a 6.20. We dropped two cylinders at the hit but number one came back in two seconds but that didn't help. We hadn't restripped the blower so we figured our boost was down hence dropped cylinders but with limited time before the final session we decided just to turn the car round and spin the blower faster. There was a huge crowd so unfortunately IHRA wanted everyone out early so we were going to miss the call. In fact only three of the twelve teams were ready! Aidee was a star, he did all the clutch himself in record time and was helping the lads with their jobs. Chris Karamesines was in the first pair but missed the call, and I was third pair and just missed the call. We thrashed until third pair ran then they had an oildown. I then saw Chris towing down so I asked officials if they had decided not to follow running order. They didn't seem to know so Aidee and the team got the car to the lanes while I talked to IHRA. They admitted they screwed up by letting Chris run but refused to make a second mistake letting Fred Farndon run - he wasn't ready to race Bruce Litton before the oildown happened - or a third by letting me run. I argued that it should be fair for everyone but the upshot of it all is that everyone got to run, except us! We had some liquid refreshment to cool down and all the Top Fuel teams were treated to trays of delicious crayfish. We partied with the Jet Bike team and some of the Top Fuel teams, then the next day we came back to watch the first round action. Then we took off to New Orleans to catch the back end of Mardi Gras, ace fun in the 84 degree sunshine, the place was electric. We then headed back through Alabama and drove non stop to Cincinatti for brekky, finally gettin home at 7:00 pm that night. Phew! It was over 2000 kilometres each way. On the positive side we are in one piece and heading for Rockingham in six weeks. We will freshen the blower and work on our tune up - four seconds isn't far away. The boys are also thrashing to get the '35 Chevy Altered finished, and to put the finishing touches to Ronans Big Block '69 Chevelle. You can see video of Smax's second qualifying run at Baton Rouge on YouTube at www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWk9fuom5zw and check out pictures at www.flickr.com/photos/wleverich. Smax was also the subject of an article on the IHRA web site at www.ihra.com/article/3960.html. Weather puts Upton behind. 
14th March: The weather hasn't been kind to ex-pat UK Top Fuel Bike racer Jay Upon and his team
in recent weeks with firstly the Sydney Summer Nationals and then a test day prior to the Westernationals totally lost due to bad weather.
"Losing the test day in Perth really put us behind the eight ball", said Jay. "We had installed a new version of the Honda engine and really needed the track time to get a handle on it prior to the race. We didn't get any test time so had to draw on the team's experience to get through the event." The team qualified third and progressed to the semi final before losing to former Champion Ian Ashleford. "Under the circumstances I feel we did pretty well", said Jay. "We maintained our second place in the National Championship and the new engines proved very reliable" The Gates Belts and Honda MPE supported Team will test again in Perth at an upcoming regional event to continue development. The first half performances of the new Honda combination are way ahead of the opposition. Once the team get the second half sorted they should prove every bit as dominant as they have in the past. Jay and the team will be out to win at the next round, the Nitro Champs held over two nights at Western Sydney International Dragway on 1st-2nd May. ©Eurodragster.com Web site updates. 14th March: The official web site of the UK's Chaos Fuel Altered has been updated with more pictures of the ongoing repair work to Lawrie Gatehouse's six-second Topolino. You can access the Crash Repairs gallery by selecting Latest News at www.chaos-fuel-altered.com. ©Eurodragster.com Ari Sorvali. 13th March: Jami Kananen writes to report the untimely death of Ari 'Renttu' Sorvali, who passed away yesterday, his 52nd birthday, after a short illness. "Ari was a long-serving mechanic on the TMFC team of Jarmo 'Japa' Kuutniemi, and had been involved in Funny Cars since the 1980s", says Jami. "He was a popular member of the team and will be very much missed. Our deepest condolences go to his family and friends." We would like to add our own sympathies to Renttu's family and friends. NAST Charity Auction for NABD. 12th March: Eurodragster.com is very pleased to pair up with the UK's National Association of Supertwins who are offering a day's Motocross trial riding to the highest bidder in an auction in aid of the National Association for Bikers with a Disability. The day's trial riding will take place on a Motocross track "In the middle of nowhere" in Powys. Included in the package, which is worth £130, is bike hire and full protective gear. ©Eurodragster.com The way we are going to run this is to solicit bids by E-Mail and then post regular updates of the high bid here on Eurodragster.com. Bidding closes at 23:59 UK on Sunday 5th April and the high bidder will be presented at the Auto Trader Easter Thunderball at Santa Pod Raceway. This is in a very good cause folks, so if you would like to try for the day's Motocross then please send your bid to [email protected]. Even if you don't fancy it yourself, maybe you can think of a family member or friend who would like the surprise? Good luck and get those bids in - the NAST and the NABD, as well as the Eurodragster.com team, will be very grateful. Easter Thunderball entry. 12th March: Many thanks to Santa Pod Racers Club Secretary Paula Marshall for forwarding us Version 2 of the official entry list for the Auto Trader Easter Thunderball which takes place at Santa Pod Raceway on 10th-13th April. You can check out the Easter Thunderball entry list by clicking here or by clicking on the Event Coverage link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page and selecting the Auto Trader Easter Thunderball. ©Eurodragster.com Racers please note that Friday of next week, 20th March, is the closing date for Easter Thunderball entry at the normal fee. Late entry after 20th March, if accepted, will be subject to a 100% penalty fee. You can download the official entry form from the Entry Forms page of the Santa Pod Racers Club web site at www.eurodragster.com/sprc. If you have any queries about Easter Thunderball entry then please contact Paula Marshall at [email protected] or call 01933 313625 (outside the UK +44 1933 313625). UK Tech Committee meeting. 12th March: The next meeting of the UK Tech Committee takes place at 8:00 pm on Wednesday 25th March in the Danziger Suite of the Holiday Inn, Barnet-By-Pass, Borehamwood (map). All are welcome to attend. ©Eurodragster.com If you would like to submit items for the agenda then please send them to Paula Marshall at [email protected] no later than Friday 20th March. Swift snippets. 
12th March: The latest spy picture to arrive at the offices of
Eurodragster.com shows what can only be described as a jet jockey although it came with no
words at all. If you know more, or if you would like to send your own spy picture, then drop us a line at
[email protected].
HKS Drag Series racers are invited to make demonstration passes at The Fast Show which takes place at Santa Pod Raceway on Sunday week, 22nd March. A pair of tickets and free sign-on are on offer although entry is limited so you will need to volunteer quickly. If you are interested, and if you have not already been in touch, then drop Rick Cuthbert an E-Mail at [email protected]. ©Eurodragster.com The Taz Racing team have been in touch to challenge any similar-minded clubs or groups with at least six cars to run against them at any of the Run What You Brung events which they attend. "We already have a yearly match with the guys from Surrey Muscle at the Mopar Nats, which is going to be really tight this year" says Kev Preston. If you are interested then you can find out more on the newly-refettled Taz Racing web site at www.tazracing.co.uk. Further to recent snippets about event programme notes for April's Auto Trader Easter Thunderball, Matthew Seamarks is writing the Junior Dragster notes and would be pleased to receive updates from Junior Dragster racers at [email protected]. SCR, NSA team up at Race Retro. 12th March: In addition to the nostalgia drag racing display at this weekend's Race Retro Show, courtesy of the four dedicated teams from the Wild Bunch, Shakespeare County Raceway has teamed up with the National Sprint Association to publicise this year's three motorcycle sprint events to be held at the Warwickshire drag strip in April, May and October. Shakespeare County and the NSA will have all the latest flyers and information for the forthcoming season. The joint display is particularly apt because, as history has it, legendary sprinter George Brown ran several of his record-breaking Nero bikes in the early sixties at NSA-organised events along the main runway at Long Marston Airfield. The SCR/NSA stand will feature Super Street Bike racer Phil Steele's classic nostalgia drag bike Rouge et Noir, one of the 1970s' leading drag bikes ridden by Keith Parnell. Race Retro opens tomorrow (Friday) and is being held at Stoneleigh, near Coventry. Adult ticket prices are £20 for Friday and £15 for Saturday or Sunday when booking in advance, and parking is free. Children's tickets are £5 tomorrow but free all weekend. The Show runs from 9.30 am to 5.30 pm Friday and Saturday, and from 9:30 am to 4.30pm Sunday. For tickets and the latest updates, visit www.raceretro.com. ©Eurodragster.com Web site updates. 12th March: The recent spy picture and revelation of the new canopy on Chris Hartnell's Backdraft nostalgia slingshot stirred some memories for our good buddy Anders Envall, and having been through his scrapbooks Bostic remembered why it rang a bell. You can check out what Anders found on the 11th March news update at www.blackout.nu. ©Eurodragster.com Feature: Dragpalooza V. 11th March: The latest in our occasional series of Features presented in association with Stroud Safety and Andy Robinson Race Cars is Stephen Moon's report and pictures from the weekend's ADRL Dragpalooza V at Houston Raceway Park. Stephen was at the race to pick up tuning tips for his Outlaw Bike and kindly offered to produce us a report whilst there. ©Eurodragster.com You can check out Stephen's report and pictures by clicking here or by clicking on the Features, Interviews, Tributes link on the left hand side of any Eurodragster.com page. A second licence for Fredlund. 
11th March: At the back end of January, reigning UEM European Pro Stock Bike
Champion Fredrik Fredlund left for the USA with Par Willen as tour guide and diarist:
The goal for Fredde was not only to attend the Frank Hawley Drag Racing School at Gainesville International Raceway but to do well enough to get a licence to compete in NHRA Pro Stock Bike. School was in for two days and the teachers were Pro Stock Bike legend George Bryce and Frank Hawley. George has been at it for the better part of thirty years with six NHRA championships himself and many more as Team Owner. Frank has an extraordinary experience of racing nitro cars at the absolute highest level including NHRA Championships and Pro wins in both Top Fuel Dragster and Fuel Funny Car. Apart from the technical aspects of driving a Pro Stock Bike, classroom time included video critique of every run and items like the intricate details of the complete chain of events from the lighting of the tree to the forearm muscles letting go the clutch. A very interesting part of the course covered mental preparation and attitude, both for the rider but very much applicable to the team effort as well. George was very satisfied with Fredde's professional handling of the bike but the NHRA are very adamant about the ET numbers needed for any Pro licence. I've seen a lot of serious drag bike racing but was I just as nervous as when we were racing for the UEM Pro Stock Bike #1 plate last year. The school bikes are stout but for obvious reasons they are not running 100% Pro engine and transmission tuning so ET-wise it was tight for Fredrik who was the biggest guy in the class. Fredde did his job and when the smoke cleared he had attained his goal of gaining an NHRA Pro Stock Bike licence. Yes, we were very happy about that. As for using that NHRA licence? There were discussions back in the Fall which prompted Fredde to attend the Frank Hawley Drag Racing School but the downturn in the world economy obviously made for a completely changed environment regarding US racing opportunities this season. The Fredde Fredlund Dalton Brothers Pro Stock Bike Racing Team will contest all the UEM events this year and our goal is obviously nothing less than to defend the 2008 Championship title. The picture shows Fredde getting the blessing of George Bryce for his NHRA Pro Stock Bike licence. ©Eurodragster.com Swift snippets. 11th March: Eurodragster.com sponsor Jon Webster is to make a return to Top Fuel Dragster in the Pro Fuel Shootout at the Autotrader Easter Thunderball at Santa Pod Raceway in April. Jon, whose Personal Best is 4.979 seconds, will be driving with the McDonald Brothers team who have rented a dragster from Rune Fjeld. You can find out more about the Easter Thunderball at www.santapod.com. 
Norway's Christer Uhlin will be sponsoring the Nordic
Drag Racing Series Super Street class in 2009 through his company CU Autoglass. The winner
will receive 8000 SEK and the runner-up 2000 SEK, which will be presented at the NDRS Banquet.
©Eurodragster.com We have two birthdays today. First up is a Happy 50th Birthday to Wolfgang Schöfer; partner Gittli Koller and brothers Peter and Rudi asked us to wish Wolfi the best of days and we're very pleased to second that. Next up: Chris, Mark, Jade, Lee, Sarah, Liam and TJ Bump have asked us to say a big Happy Birthday to Wild Bunch Co-ordinator Claire Meaddows. No sooner said than done guys, have! a! very! Happy! Birthday! Claire! 
The latest spy picture to arrive at the offices of Eurodragster.com shows a twin turbo
Big Block which we understand is currently in a well-known Conisburgh workshop and which is
destined for Street and Strip use. "Would anyone like to guess what 560 ci and twin turbos
will make on the dyno?" asks our cervine mole. If you know more, or if you would like to send
your own spy picture, then drop us a line at
[email protected].
Drag Bike racers in all classes and bike riders in general are welcome to Sunday's (15th) Straightliners at Santa Pod Raceway which as well as the first Straightliners round of 2009 includes Run What You Brung. Entry is £10 and sign-on is £30 for unlimited runs - don't forget your DVLC licence. More details at www.santapod.co.uk/e_straightliners.php. Saturday's Run What You Brung is open to cars and bikes; usual entry and sign-on fees and conditions apply and a special deal is available for those staying for the weekend. More RWYB details at www.rwyb.com. Further to recent snippets about event programme notes for April's Auto Trader Easter Thunderball, Dave Alexander is writing the Top Methanol notes and would be pleased to receive updates from Top Methanol racers at [email protected]. Erbacher's second first race. 11th March: While it's true that four-time FIA European drag racing Champion and Eurodragster.com News sponsor Urs Erbacher and his Swiss-based Fatattack.ch Top Fuel team raced in the season-opening Winternationals last month in Pomona, California, he's considering this weekend's 40th annual ACDelco NHRA Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway as a "Second first race" of the year. "The rain in Pomona didn't allow us to do very much", Erbacher said from his world-renowned custom motorcycle shop in the Swiss Alps. "We qualified very well with 3.91 at 305 mph, especially with just one round to try, but then we have problems in Round 1 of eliminations because the lane was leaking water from underneath and the race was over for us. "We have a brand new car, built just for me, and my Crew Chief Wayne Dupuy and the boys are very excited about the potential of this dragster. We just haven't had the chance to do anything with it yet. I pray for sunshine in Florida so we can have some fun. I've been saying that Gainesville is our second first race of the year because that's what it feels like for me." Erbacher has good reason to be excited. Aside from qualifying a lofty sixth in Pomona, Dupuy led him to a strong semi-final finish at the NHRA Finals last November in a car considerably heavier than the one he has now. "Our performance is much improved", Erbacher said. "It's time to really make some noise over there and maybe win a race or two. We're trying very hard to raise enough funding to remain in the United States this year and I know from experience that success on the race track helps the sponsor hunt quite a bit." Last year, Erbacher became the first European racer to win an elimination round on the NHRA tour in more than thirty years. He's hoping to become the first to win a national event outright. Erbacher's success on US soil prompted current FIA Top Fuel champion Andy Carter of England to fly over and race in Pomona. Later this year, Dutchman Lex Joon also plans to make his NHRA début. "We started 2008 in the USA and did pretty good," Erbacher said. "When we went home for the FIA season the other drivers were very happy to see that we represented European drag racing so well. Now some of the others are coming over to try NHRA. It's very good for our series, I think. "I feel more confidence in being able to race against the very best drivers in the world now. We had to learn how to race here but I think we've made the transition at this point. But I still want to prove it on the race track. That's where it matters the most." ©Eurodragster.com Web site updates. 11th March: We don't usually do circuit racing web sites unless it's a circuit which has seen the light and included a drag strip, but we'll make an exception for Cadet Kart racer Albert Carter, son of FIA European Top Fuel Dragster Champion Andy Carter, who now has his own web site at www.albertcarter.com. Albert's site, designed by Eurodragster.com News sponsor 3t Creative, includes biography, news, video and more. ©Eurodragster.com Feature: Bennett Racing. 10th March: For the latest in our occasional series of Features presented in association with Stroud Safety and Andy Robinson Race Cars we spoke to UK blown-alcohol altered team and Eurodragster.com Bloggers Bennett Racing. ©Eurodragster.com We asked Crew Chief Luke Bennett about the history of the team and of their 511 ci Chevy-powered Topolino, how to tune a blown-alcohol motor, the injector hat which the Bennetts are developing in-house, what Luke would do given an unlimited budget, and more. You can check out our Bennett Racing Feature by clicking here or by clicking on the Features, Interviews, Tributes link on the left hand side of any Eurodragster.com page. Racers: If you would like to be the subject of a Feature here on Eurodragster.com then drop us a line at [email protected]. UK SFI Day notes. 
10th March: Eurodragster.com Photo Editor Roger Gorringe attended yesterday's
SFI Day at a breezy and cold Santa Pod Raceway, finding that the transition into the warm and busy Media Centre
was hampered by so much steam from the coffee machine and huge boiling tea urn that wearers of glasses were
immediately struck blind and cameras were rendered inoperable until they had acclimatised.
The Media Centre, which hosted the SFI Day, was packed with racers lugging in clutches, clutch cans and wheels all to be inspected and certified by the SFI team of the US' Arnie Kuhns, Murf McKinney, Tim Hyatt and the UK's Eurodragster.com Home, News and Features sponsor Andy Robinson as well as the UK Tech Crew of Geoff Martin, Mark Norton and Graham Motler. The SFI team have been all around Europe over the last five days having covered Finland, Holland and Sweden before ending their tour at Santa Pod. Arnie Kuhns told that in 1997 when they officially started to certify race equipment they inspected 43 units in the UK and 116 in 2008. In 1997 a total of 126 units were accounted for throughout Europe but in 2008 the amount was 327. For the 2009 season counting had not been finalised but was thought to be very slightly down on last year. The US members of the hard-working team are flying home soon. ©Eurodragster.com 
Many will remember the Super Gas Cobra pictured but in different colours back in the 1980s and 1990s and best remembered
in the hands of Ian Merryweather under the name of Banzai. The car is now coming back to the track in the hands of Billy
Gane to be run in the Pro ET class with a 461 BB Chevy. Gane's usual ride, the Victor, is having a full box chassis made and will
be back out in 2010.
John Wright, driver of the Chaos Fuel Altered said that the Topo will be back on track at Easter. The body will have been repaired and reworked as will the chassis after last years rollover. It has been front halved by Jon Webster, a new and raised rollcage has been fitted to give better forward vision, and the car will feature longer wheelie bars. The bodywork will have Funny Car technology incorporated with the roof wing removed and now a rear deck and spill plates to give more stability at speed as the car runs low sixes. A new paint scheme will début soon as the car awaits the spray gun. Ollie Burn told of a new chassis being built for The Mob Fuel Altered which will get on track next year. The Jim Usher-driven car will carry on this year with the 'old' chassis and a changed fuel system. "I'd like to drive a few more times before I retire", said Ollie. "The new chassis will have a dual role: it will still run in the NFAA class with Jim at the wheel but I want to put a Vega body on it to run in Nostalgia Funny Car on occasions. I might even paint it like my old car (Pro Comp Funny Car) the Komodo Dragon and have a Donovan motor on board. Tony Betts will be back out with a repainted Venom Fuel Altered this year although he is still hoping to climb into a Knut Söderquist-owned Funny Car at some point, possibly as early as the FIA Main Event. A new fuel system is on board Venom with two rebuilt and race ready motors in the truck. It is hoped to test at the Peak Performance Day before the Easter weekend. Luke Bennett is eager to come out again in the Relentless BB/FA which has a custom-made new hat and updated parts for more power. The slight problems suffered last year with a new blower have now been sorted he said. Wayne Allman's split-screen VW pick-up wrapped around a Top Methanol Dragster chassis and motor is still awaiting parts from the US. "It's very frustrating, some of the parts were ordered early last year", he said. Wayne hopes to gauge performance and handling then decide in which class to enter the bizarre but beautiful looking creation. "My workshop is still very busy" he said, and after rebuilding Lee Darby's Super Pro ET Chevy pick-up said "I'll crew for Lee until he runs a seven, then it's all over to him". Wayne told of a Fordson van being built for Outlaw Anglia as well as being street legal! Then of course there is the Morris Minor with a Dodge Viper motor which will be the next project for a client. Turner Racing Top Methanol Dragster Crew Chief Steve Turner told Eurodragster.com that he will leave all the driving chores to brother Rob this year. The team will contest the whole FIA Tour in Top Methanol Dragster. "We were well pleased with the performance last year", said Steve, "it just needs a little more tuning from the three quarter mark to the finish". Lucas Oil will be primary sponsor. John Spuffard said that he and co-owner Bob Jarrett's Showtime Fuel Funny Car will be out at Easter in the Pro Fuel Shootout. The team have an ex-John Force Racing Robert Hight Mustang body to cloak the car and it will have new paint. Dave Bryant said that his and Gordon Smith's Shockwave Funny Car will be out in new paint at the Easter Thunderball and that "As long as they (SFI) pass the clutch we'll be there." The return of Ray White in the Pro Mod Zephyr will be welcomed. The team have taken off the all steel original body which weighed 220 lbs and replaced it with a composite body which tips the scales at a meagre 40 lbs. There is a new fuel system on the blown motor and it is hoped to run the complete MSA tour in the UK with a possible excursion to Hockenheim. "If it doesn't run a decent six, I'll pour petrol on it and burn it", smiled Ray. New plans for Nitro FM. 10th March: Santa Pod Raceway's radio station Nitro FM has been busy in the closed season making plans for 2009. After a successful 2008 and some extremely busy days Nigel Fitzmaurice and Julian Parsons are in the process of putting in place new technology, and features to create brighter and more upbeat programming. Jules has been busy getting things updated on the technical front and Nigel has been creating new features for the morning and evening shows as well as contingency plans should bad weather comes along strike. "Introducing new features needs backing and with huge support from a few people we have in place a number of associate sponsors and features", says Nigel. "As featured yesterday Nitro FM's music is now supported by Lucas Oils following huge help from reigning FIA Top Fuel Champion Andy Carter and Carter Motorsport. So additions to our extensive music database are now a lot more comfortable, and this allows us to introduce a request-style format for both morning and evening shows. This is a great partnership with a huge company and Carter Motorsport. "All our weather updates and will be supported by the National Association of Supertwins. It is great news to have two wheels supporting us and I know that NAST support us really well. Thanks to Les Harris for his work and support in making this happen, a great new partnership. "A voice and organisation which will support the morning and evening shows is none other than Paul Marston Racing who are big fans of Nitro FM. They are now a bigger part in what we do sponsoring our title shows and supporting us with appearances and help. "Another friend and associate sponsor is Mapei and Shockwave Racing who will be supporting us with the spot competitions with prizes and giveaways. "Finally Quartermile High will be sponsoring all of the evening shows as well as Paul Venners' Pro Mod and Street Eliminator updates. ©Eurodragster.com "You can expect the following features to appear on the morning and evening shows with these distinguished participants:
"I would like to thank everyone for their huge support so far which means that we have stepped up to make everything we do informative and interesting with spirit and fun. If there are any other classes and teams who would like to get involved then please get in at [email protected] or see us at the track. "Thanks to everyone. We hope that you enjoy our new output and don't forget to put in those requests for your favourite music...you say it we play it." 
Swift snippets.10th March: Four representatives of the UK's Wild Bunch will attend this weekend's International Historic Motorsports Show at Stoneleigh Park, Near Coventry. Dexter Price tells us that appearing are Chris Hartnell's Backdraft, Scottie Durrant's Tikki Monkey, Team Twisted's Hell's Belle and new for 2009 Team Gridlock's Go Hard or Go Home. "The show is being held in four halls", says Dex. "There is a massive auto jumble, live action arena, and historic motorsports celebrities will be signing autographs. If anyone is coming along then pop by and say Hi, we would love to see you there". Not unconnected with Dex's news is the spy picture at left which came with the words "If you want to see more of this car then go to Stoneleigh at the weekend, or coming to a race track near you". ©Eurodragster.com 
Photographer and designer Dirk Behlau has released a pictorial featuring the culture of the European hot rodding
scene. Hotrod Empire Inc's 128 pages are packed with colour and black and white pictures showing not just
the hot rods themselves but the surrounding lifestyle because, as Dirk adroitly puts it, the old school hot rod scene
consists of more than just driving an old jalopy around. You can find out more and find ordering links on the book's
official web site at www.hotrodempire.de.Another hero surfaces. 10th March: UK Super Pro ET racer Sam Freeman tells us that Trevor Young, UK Pro Fuel racer of the 1970s and 1980s, is alive and well enjoying his retirement and riding motorcycles. Sam used to crew on Trevor's Northern Star Fueller, which is still fondly remembered as one of the UK's best-looking dragsters. "Ever since I started out with my altered I have had many enquiries as to Trevor's whereabouts", says Sam. "People have also said how good it would be to meet up with Trevor and see how he was doing. After several postings on the UK Drag Racing Nostalgia forum, including one from Trevor himself, addresses were exchanged and a long telephone call followed. This all culminated in Trevor coming over to my workshop in Hemel Hempstead on Saturday. Several hours of chat and tea drinking followed. ©Eurodragster.com "Trevor was greeted on his arrival not only by myself but also long time friend Vic Hammond, closely followed by Chris Bishop and Paul Shaw all of whom crewed for Trevor back in the day. During his extended visit Trevor had the chance to take a good look round Vic's blown alky Speed Demon front-engined dragster and also my altered. We may just see him out at a race meeting or two, which would be his first for a good twenty five years or so, to see how things have progressed over time. "It was great to catch up with Trevor after all these years, although to be honest sometimes seems like yesterday. Later in the year I expect several of the older racers may well have the same chance to do a bit of catching up. If anyone would like to get a message to Trevor then they can contact me at [email protected] and I'll pass them on." Into the eights for Mr King. 
10th March: The weekend's Test and Tune at the Bahrain International Circuit saw the participation of local hero
Salah M Salahuddin - better known as Mr King - and everyone was very excited to find out how his new project, a Street V8 Mustang,
fared. Salah did not disappoint as he clocked 8.85 in his furst ever test of the car, writes Bahrain Drag Racing Club President Fahad Taqi:
Salah's 8.85 is an unofficial new class record and also sends a huge warning to all of the drivers in his class. "Team Crew Chief Ahmed Qahrman and I thought of undertaking this project a year ago", said Salah, "but due to team obligations the project was delayed. But the end result was worth it. This accomplishment is due to the hard work and determination of the QRT team and others. I would like to dedicate this achievement to all my fans and I promise them more to come." ©Eurodragster.com The Test and Tune event was organised by the Bahrain Drag Racing Club and more than sixty cars and bikes took with participants from Bahrain, Saudi and Kuwait. Round 4 of the ALBA Bahrain National Drag Racing Championship will take place at the BIC on 25th-27th March 2009. You can check out the Bahrain International Circuit track records by clicking here. More Nitro for Lucas Oil. 9th March: Eurodragster.com News sponsor Lucas Oil are delighted to announce sponsorship of the music to be played Santa Pod Raceway's radio station Nitro FM in 2009. There can be no denying that Nitro FM has become a major part of a trip to Santa Pod, where Nigel Fitzmaurice and Julian Parsons work tirelessly to entertain over the airwaves from 7:00 am to 10:00 pm on race weekends. ©Eurodragster.com The deal was put together by FIA European Top Fuel Dragster Champion Andy Carter who was delighted to find another opportunity for primary sponsor Lucas Oil to be promoted through drag racing. "When Lucas Oil first came on board with me, the brief was simple: spread the name to as many people as possible!", says Andy. "We've worked really hard over the past two seasons to do this through our full FIA Top Fuel programme, our huge show schedule, and of course my recent trip to Pomona. Sponsoring the music on Nitro FM is another great way to put the brand in front of a wide audience and I'm pleased to have been able to help make this happen for both parties." With chat, interviews and great music, now brought to you by Lucas Oil, be sure to tune in to Nitro FM on 96.2. Visit www.santapod.co.uk/g_nitro.php for a full list of events at which the station will be on air. Stay tuned as we have some more news from Nitro FM on the next news update. Swift snippets. 9th March: UK Super Comp racer Brian Pateman is offering Eurodragster.com readers a special offer of 40% discount off the list price on all Witter towbars for the month of March, whilst stocks last. "Witter towbars are recognised as the leading brand and are now powder coated for a longer-lasting finish", says Brian. For more details or to place an order contact Brian on 07802 250683 (outside the UK +44 7802 250683). ©Eurodragster.com Congratulations to Leena Nyyssönen of Jämsänkoski, Finland who is the winner of our contest for the autographed copy of Andy Carter and Dan Welberry's book King of Europe. As did everyone who entered, Leena correctly answered that Andy Carter won his first FIA Top Fuel Championship in 2001, that Lucas Oil sponsor both Andy and Eurodragster.com, and that Eurodragster.com Photo Editor Roger Gorringe took the front cover photograph. Thanks and well done to everyone who entered. PSDS announces sponsors. 
8th March: The organisers of Shakespeare
County Raceway's Pro Street Drag Series are pleased to announce sponsorship arrangements for the five-round series of time trial events taking
place on the Warwickshire quarter mile, writes SCR's Jerry Cookson.
First up is Opie Oils. Simon, Guy and the rest of the Opie Oils team from Cornwall have given the series tremendous support last year particularly with their sponsorship associations with PSDS drivers with discounted products. Opie Oils markets a full range of lubricants and workshop products for cars and motorcycles including synthetic race oils for tuned competition cars to mineral mono-grades for classic cars. Adrenaline Race and Performance very kindly kitted out last year's overall PSDS winner Richard Batty with a new custom fit roll cage for his Mitsubishi FTO at their Rushden-based workshop. With continued support from Danny Bates, at season's end Adrenaline will be awarding another roll cage to the next lucky PSDS title holder. Specialists in all aspects of body shell preparation including 4WD and RWD conversions, Adrenaline fabricate roll cages to all motorsport (FIA) specifications up to complete chassis design and build. Chris Rees and the rest of the editorial team from Japanese Performance magazine are all set to continue with its coverage of the series along with renewed support from the Total Magazine Group of Impreza, Nissan and Evolution titles. The PSDS Support Team are hopeful of announcing additional sponsors to the series before the first round in April at Shakespeare County. If you know of a company which would like to get involved or you want to learn a bit more about the series then why not stop by the Pro Street Drag Series forum and join in with the other hundred or so registered drivers at www.prostreetdragseries.co.uk. Round 1 takes place at Shakespeare County Raceway on Sunday 19th April with practice day scheduled for Saturday 18th. ©Eurodragster.com PTM Show upgrades for 2009. 
8th March: The Performance Tuning and
Modified Show at Santa Pod Raceway has always been the grown-up all-action
show for those into modifying cars. If you're the sort of person who would rather listen to the song of your
engine than a bangin' stereo, or someone who chooses alloys based on which are the lightest rather than
the ones that look the best, then the PTM Show is for you. It's no-nonsense, wall-to-wall performance, and
unlike at many car shows, Santa Pod Raceway gives monster-powered cars somewhere to unleash the beast.
The 2009 show has some great new additions to make it even more interesting for speed freaks, and real racing will be a prominent feature of this year's event. With the HKS Drag Series running four classes at the PTM Show, expect to see the fastest Japanese cars in Europe going even faster than last year, and the Euro Sports Compact class will be packed with modified European hatches running times on the drag strip that would humiliate a supercar. A major new edition for the 2009 show is the King of Europe Competition, which will attract mega-quick street legal cars from around Europe to go head to head on track, with qualifying on Saturday and eliminations on Sunday. With so much real racing taking place, Run What You Brung slots are restricted at this year's event, so check out the official web site for details. Alongside the dragstrip will be a large drift track and Show & Go competition and of course, the pit areas will be packed with fire-breathing modified cars you can get up close and personal with. The PTM Show takes place on 9th-10th May at Santa Pod Raceway. Full event info and tickets are available on-line at www.ptmshow.co.uk or by calling 01234 782828 (outside the UK +44 1234 782828). Club display and camping pitches are available. ©Eurodragster.com Swift snippets. 8th March: Further to yesterday's snippet about Super Pro ET event programme notes for April's Easter Thunderball, Eurodragster.com Home and News sponsor Chris Isaacs has been in touch to let us know that he is writing the programme notes for Super Comp and that he would be pleased to receive updates from his fellow Super Comp racers at [email protected]. ©Eurodragster.com 
UK Pro Stock Bike racer Jerry Collier's family have been in touch to wish him a Happy 40th
Birthday. "I'm very proud of Jerry, his lovely family and his racing achievements - both of which are his life", says mum Sue. "It's
not surprising that he took to bikes seeing that they have always been around. Jerry comes from a family of bikers from his great grandpa,
grandpa and uncles down to Jerry and now Scott and Skye. I'm sure the next generations will carry on the family tradition. Happy Birthday
Jerry with all my love". Uncle Sean adds "I send all my love to my champion of champions, family man ,racer and all round
top man. I have had my best times with you, Shaz, Scott and Skye, even when wet it's always been bright days and
great fun". Have a great day Jerry.Mind that Banana in the street. 7th March: Road users are warned that Lee and Brian Huxley's Top Banana 1932 Ford Roadster has gone to new owner who plans to put it back on the street. "Lee built the car twenty years ago and ran it on the street for about five years", says Brian Huxley. "Then Lee got married the car was left in the garage until dad I talked Lee into putting it into race trim. The car was for many years campaigned in Super Street, Pro ET and even Super Gas winning races and championships. The car has been very good to us, it gave us no trouble and was one of the easiest cars to work on." ©Eurodragster.com The Roadster has been replaced with Tim Hines and Phil Toppin's two-door Ford Sierra which Tim built and raced in Pro Mod in the 1990s. "The Sierra will have Top Banana's Big Block Ford 460 and C6 autobox and will be raced in Pro ET", says Brian. "Lee was very sad to see the roadster go, but as he said it's time to move onto a new challenge. We are looking forward to racing the new car in 2009. "Thanks to our sponsors Spider's Disco, Bradford's Building Supplied and Sneddon Roofers of Worcester." Swift snippets. 7th March: Many thanks to our good friend Remco Scheelings for sending us some pictures from the first day of the 2009 SFI Tour which took place at the KartCentrum Silverstone in Zwanenburg, The Netherlands: 
Since these shots were taken Arnie Kuhns, Tim Hyatt, Murf McKinney and Eurodragster.com sponsor Andy Robinson have visited Finland, and are currently in Sweden before coming to the UK on Monday. Pictures courtesy and ©Remco Scheelings UK Super Pro ET racer Chris Orthodoxou is in very early talks with the organisers of August's NitrolympX at Hockenheim about fielding a doorslammer class and would be pleased to hear from interested parties. "Initially I'm looking for doorslammers which can run 8.50 or quicker", says Chris. "They may lay on a dial-in or ET class for us, as currently only Super Comp, Super Gas and Comp Eliminator will be running at the race". This is not a done deal as Chris has to gauge interest so if you would would be interested then please E-Mail Chris at [email protected]. ©Eurodragster.com 
Pink Floyd's Nick Mason got up close to the Allard Chrysler dragster at the National Motor Museum, Beaulieu, during a
Museum Trustees' meeting and in his role as Patron of the Allard
Chrysler Action Group posed for publicity shots which Eurodragster.com is privileged to be the first to publish.
Chair Brian Taylor also tells us that Norway's Tommy Vågen is progressing with a painting
of the car and that the project has been extensively featured in Norwegian media. "This painting is a bit special because Tommy has mixed
into the paint filings taken from one of the dragster's original blowers", says Brian. "When complete, 100 poster prints will be on sale with all proceeds
going to the restoration fund. Nick Mason and Alan Allard will sign both the painting and prints. The painting will be auctioned to boost funds.
A special ACAG Supporters' T-shirt is currently in the design stage - another way for drag racing fans to show their support."
Ex-pat UK Top Fuel Dragster racer Smax Smith is racing at this weekend's IHRA Mardi Gras Nationals in Baton Rouge. You will be able to stay in touch with Smax's progress on the Drag Race Central web site at www.dragracecentral.com. Eurodragster.com Pit Reporter Kirstie is writing the Super Pro ET event programme notes for April's Easter Thunderball at Santa Pod and would be grateful to hear from Super Pro racers with news, car changes, motor changes, team changes or any other interesting details. "You don't need to write us an essay", says Kirstie. "A couple or three sentences will be just fine thank you." You can send your Super Pro notes to [email protected]. Kirstie, Yvonne and Steve Tramm have asked us to say a big Happy Birthday to UK Super Pro ET racer, honorary Eurodragster.com staff member, Pro Modified marshal, rent-a-crew, and all-round good egg Spencer Tramm. Have a great day Spencer. The deadline is approaching for entry to our contest to win an autographed copy of Andy Carter and Dan Welberry's book King of Europe. Every entry received thus far has been correct which is a first for a Eurodragster.com contest. Entry closes at 23:59 tomorrow (Sunday); for your chance to win, check out the contest on Monday's news update by clicking here. UK race entry update. 6th March: Many thanks to Julie Willcox for letting us know that official entry forms are now available for the Springspeed Nationals, the second or third round of the 2009 UK National Drag Racing Championships depending upon your class, which takes place at Shakespeare County Raceway on Saturday-Monday 2nd-4th May. You can download your Springspeed Nationals entry forms from the Downloads page of SCR's official web site at www.shakespearecountyraceway.com. The Downloads page also offers 2009 SCR Media Accreditation forms, Run What You Brung rules, APIRA membership application, SCR trader pack and more. If you have any queries about entering events or Shakespeare County Raceway generally then please drop Julie Willcox an E-Mail at [email protected] or call 01789 720180 (outside the UK +44 1789 720180). ©Eurodragster.com Racers are reminded that there are two weeks left to enter the Easter Thunderball which takes place at Santa Pod Raceway on Friday-Monday 10th-13th April. The official closing date for the Easter Thunderball is Friday 20th March and entry forms are available on the Entry forms page of the Santa Pod Racers Club web site at www.eurodragster.com/sprc together with entry forms for late April's Big Bang which is a VWDRC round as well as the second round of the UK National Drag Racing Championships for some classes. If you have any queries about entering the Easter Thunderball or Big Bang then please contact Paula Marshall at [email protected] or call 01933 313625 (outside the UK +44 1933 313625). Editor's note: Only a brief news update today because your News Editor's day job is getting in the way. Tune back tomorrow for news of the new ride of the UK's Team Top Banana, pictures from the first day of the SFI Tour and more, and please keep the news coming to [email protected]. Backdraft under cover. 
5th March: If you were tuned in on Sunday
you will have seen a spy picture featuring what was either a canopy or, as UK Tech Crew
member Graham Motler observed, a very weirdly-shaped crash helmet. This one didn't have the experts on the
UK Drag Racing Nostalgia forum fooled
for very long but Claire Meaddows of the UK's Backdraft Wild Bunch team got in touch to let
the rest of us know what it was about.
"The canopy was created as a cockpit cover for Crazy Chris Hartnell's Backdraft slingshot to celebrate the fortieth anniversary of the début of the original Malibu Express slingshot in 1969", says Claire. "The uninitiated may wonder about the colour difference between the canopy and the current red metalflake of Backdraft. This is because the rail, in its original guise (right, picture courtesy and ©Roger Sinclair), was painted purple metalflake - or more accurately Indigo Blue - so the team decided to go for the nostalgia feel. ©Eurodragster.com There are differences in the shape, as well-noticed by Alan Currans, but this is due to the original car having a three-point cage, whereas Backdraft has an updated SFI spec six-point cage. Also, the original swoopy tail from Malibu Express was not handed down over the years, so Chris had one fabricated back in 1995, when the car re-emerged as Backdraft, and this also made for a slightly different fit. No rear windows either! 
"Chris did all the welding on the aluminium canopy whilst his friend Spud did the fabricating and wheeling. To create the snug fit over the cage, Chris and Spud
went for a rounded back on the new canopy. Chris would like to say Thanks You Spud for his great workmanship and all his trips back and forth for fitting
sessions, and thanks also to Skippy for the excellent paint job. They are looking forward to seeing the sun catching the flake.
"The canopy will make its pit début on the car at this season's Easter Thunderball at Santa Pod Raceway, where the team will also be celebrating the start of our fifteenth season with Backdraft. As usual, we can't wait!" Shockwave bounces back. 5th March: Driver and co-owner Gordon Smith tells us that the UK's Shockwave Fuel Funny Car will return to the track at April's Easter Thunderball at Santa Pod Raceway. "Since our altercation with the wall at the European Finals last year, the front half of the car has been completely rebuilt", says Gordon. "This has given us the opportunity to upgrade the car and to make some necessary changes. The body has had to be rebuilt as well and we hope that we will carry a new paint job for Easter. "The car is being put together as we speak and all the necessary new parts and spares are being collected. If all goes well we will be looking to be more aggressive with the tune-up for 2009 as we have been in a learning curve in the last few seasons trying to get to grips with some of the new technology needed to run these cars to the performance expected these days. We are confident that we can be more than competitive in the class otherwise it is not worth competing, ©Eurodragster.com "We have re-signed our 2008 sponsors including Mapei Building Products who were a great help last year. There will also be two new sponsors who for 2009 and there will be more about these at a later date "A new web site is being built and will be ready by the end of March. If you go onto the site right now there is an E-Mail address [email protected]. We will be more than happy to answer any questions regarding the forthcoming season, or about the car and team, so get on the laptop and talk to us or come and see us at the Easter meeting." Swift snippets. 5th March: We have another two spy pictures for you today: 
What caught our attention in the picture on the left is what appears to be a Nostalgia Fuel Altered Association sticker on the bottom sill. We'll be showing more of the picture on the right unless we hear from Mr B. If you know more, or if you would like to send your own spy picture, then please drop us a line at [email protected]. Jonny Nilsson's replica Tre Kronor Nostalgia Funny Car will be contesting this weekend's March Meet at Bakersfield in the hands of James Day. You will be able to stay in touch with results on the Drag Race Central web site at www.dragracecentral.com. Darren Prentice tells us that participants in this Sunday's (8th) Run What You Brung at Santa Pod Raceway may be caught out. "We recently had four tons of rubber removed from the track in preparation for the oncoming season", says Darren. "Having spent countless hours working on the track along with Ben, Ian, Bob and Karen from Santa Pod's track crew the surface really seems to be coming in nicely. On Wednesday Jon Webster drove the Two Seater Dragster at the Gadget Show and put in two great runs with the car as consistent as ever, straight into the sevens again. So come check out the track and put in those all-important test runs. Gates open at 8:00 am, entry is £10 and signing on for unlimited runs is £25. Don't forget your DVLC licence". More information at www.rwyb.com. Attention race teams seeking crew. 5th March: In the last few months we have published a few invitations to join race teams and with the season fast approaching we thought it might be a good idea to publish a single news item with details of all teams seeking crew. If you are seeking crew for this season then please send an E-Mail to [email protected] with the salient points such as who you are, in which class you race, what the job entails, whether you are looking for prior experience, and what if anything are offering (event entry, food etc). If you have already given us a news item about this then please just refer us to it - the approximate date of the original news item would be helpful. ©Eurodragster.com If you are outside the UK and looking for team members in your own country then please feel free to send the news item in your own language. Assuming we get enough response then we shall run the news item within the next few days so please get in touch as soon as you can. Web site updates. 5th March: In the latest entry in his exclusive Racer Blog, Luke Bennett of the Bennett Racing blown-alcohol altered team brings us up to date on events in the workshop and is still on the hunt for crew. As ever you can check out the latest Blog updates by clicking here or by clicking on the Racer Blogs link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page. ©Eurodragster.com Per mixes it. 
4th March: It's time we came clean about the spy picture of the slingshot dragster which
we published on last Wednesday's
news update. The picture didn't show a slingshot dragster at all, but a margarita mixer constructed by
FIA European Top Fuel Dragster Championship-holding Crew Chief Per Andersen (click on picture for large
version).
"Team member Henrik, my friend Anders and I built the mixer last year, just before New Year's Eve", Per told Eurodragster.com. "The building time was twenty six hours. "The engine is a 350 ci 1985 two-bolt bought with transmission for £50 at an auction. The heads were donated by my friend Jørgen Goske and have 2.02" - 1.60" stainless valves, 1.60:1 roller rockers, and the cam is an Erson solid. The Mooneyham 6.71 blower from my '64 Skylark has a Blower Shop intake. The pump is a Racepump 450 psi and the mechanical injection has a Lund injector and barrel valve made by Henrik and Co as were the 2" Lund headers. The 90 degree 2:1 gears were donated by motovaria from bits and pieces laying around. ©Eurodragster.com "The front axle comes from an English altered, Malibu Express, kindly donated by Richard Bruton, and the roll cage came off Tony Bryntesson's Top Fuel Dragster. "It runs on 100% nitro and sounds very good! The mixer can't drive for safety reasons but it can certainly blend!". Per kindly agreed to try the mixer with strawberry milkshake for your enforced-teetotal News Editor and we'll report back on that. Per sent us a video clip of the mixer in action (WMV format) which you can view by clicking here. Main picture courtesy and ©Morten Nørgaard, others courtesy and ©Per Andersen 2009 European Top Gas calendar. 
4th March: Many thanks to Herman
Jolink for forwarding us the 2009 European Top Gas calendar which was agreed at the class' meeting in
Eldagsen, Germany, last weekend. The best six of seven events count towards the Championship.
©Eurodragster.com 15th-17th May: Meca Raceway, Malmö, Sweden 13th-14th June: Hoskovice, Czech Republic 19th-21st June: Drachten, The Netherlands 3rd-5th July: Luckau, Germany 10th-12th July: Drachten, The Netherlands 14th-16th August: The Hockenheimring, Germany 21st-23rd August: Drachten, The Netherlands You can find out all about the European Top Gas Series on their official web site at www.topgas.com. Picture courtesy and ©Piet Mom Swift snippets. 4th March: The UK's Ian Caseley has sold his Roadzombie 2 Jet Dragster. The new owner is keen to freshen up the dragster and to get some driving experience and Ian will be providing support and driver training. "The new owner is not only having the car but also the trailer, full spares inventory and reference manuals as well as any items which should remain with the car", says Ian. "I was lucky to be able to find some hard-to-come-by items and it is only right they remain part of the overall package. The new owner is not interested in my pink firesuit and it is safe to assume that the car will have a new paint scheme. I intend to return to the track in the future." ©Eurodragster.com 
The latest item from Eurodragster.com News sponsor Tireshake.com is embroidered underwear. Five designs are available
and you can find out more at www.tireshake.com.
Carla Pittau asked us to wish her husband, team- and life mate of so many years, Pro ET racer Rick McCann, a happy, happy 29th birthday (Rick being eight years older than Carla). "I hope that 2009 brings you a lot of fun racing with Heaven & Hell and everything else you may desire (within reason!)", says Carla. "Have a great day, my dear." The day at DSR goes to... 4th March: Among the special attractions of the Drag Racing USA holidays presented by Eurodragster.com News sponsor Grandstand Motor Sports are the prize draws for guests to win a day at the races with Don Schumacher Racing. The prize is an invitation to sample the VIP pitside hospitality programme of one of DSR's nitro teams on the Saturday at NHRA's forthcoming Gainesville and season-ending Las Vegas and Pomona events. Don Schumacher Racing is the largest professional squad in NHRA drag racing, currently fielding the Top Fuel teams of Tony Schumacher and Cory McClenathan, the Funny Cars of Ron Capps, Jack Beckman and Matt Hagan and a Pro Stock Motorcycle for Matt Smith. The lucky recipients for NHRA's ACDelco Gatornationals at Gainesville, Florida, next week are Bill Martland and father-and-son duo Arthur and Gary Parkes. ©Eurodragster.com The Gatornationals prize may have gone but guests booking for Grandstand's October/November tours to Las Vegas and Pomona will be entered in a fresh draw for those races. Grandstand Motor Sports is the UK leader in motorsport travel and the only travel company serving the drag racing community. Grandstand also offers Drag Racing Europe summer trips to July's Veidec Festival at Mantorp Park, Sweden, and August's NitrolympX at Hockenheim, Germany. For more information on Grandstand's Drag Racing USA and Europe programmes and to obtain a free 2009 brochure, please telephone 0845 375 0300 (outside the UK +44 116 231 1222), visit www.grandstandmotorsports.co.uk, or simply click the Grandstand Motor Sports logo at right. Paul Rose's funeral. 3rd March: Many thanks to Ian King for passing on more details of Paul Rose's funeral. Paul's funeral will take place at 2:15 pm on Wednesday of next week, 11th March, at: West Suffolk Crematorium Risby Bury St Edmunds Suffolk IP28 6RR Map Paul's family have requested family flowers only, but if you would like to make a donation to the St Nicholas Hospice in Paul's memory then please send it, along with a note of your name and that it is in memory of Paul, to the Funeral Director: Southgate of Newmarket 25 Duchess Drive Newmarket Suffolk CB8 8AG Alternately you will be able to make your donation at Paul's funeral. For more information about Paul's funeral, and to read the latest tributes, check out the King Racing web site at www.kingracing.com. Feature: ARRC workshop visit. 3rd March: The latest in our occasional series of Features, and the first presented in association with new Features sponsors Stroud Safety and Andy Robinson Race Cars is, not inappropriately, a visit to Andy Robinson's workshop. ©Eurodragster.com Our good friends Colin and Grace Roaf visited Andy Robinson Race Cars on behalf of Eurodragster.com to find out what Andy and the ARRC team have had in the shop recently, how ARRC go about building a race car from scratch, what Andy has planned for his own Studebaker Pro Mod this season, and more. Click here to check out the report, or click on the Features, Tributes, Interviews link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page. 2009 NAST calendar. 3rd March: Many thanks to Scott of Les Harris Racing for forwarding us this year's race calendar for the UK's National Association of Supertwins. There are seven rounds of which the six best will be counted. ©Eurodragster.com 2nd-4th May: Springspeed Nationals, Shakespeare County Raceway 16th-17th May: Public Track Days, Shakespeare County Raceway 13th-14th June: SPRC Summernationals, Santa Pod Raceway 27th-28th June: UK Truck Show, Santa Pod Raceway 21st-23rd August: Open Sport Nationals, Shakespeare County Raceway 26th-27th September: UK National Finals, Santa Pod Raceway 10th-11th October: Extreme Performance Bike Weekend, Santa Pod Raceway You can find out more about the National Association of Supertwins on their official web site at www.supertwins.co.uk. Swift snippets. 3rd March: We have two more spy pictures for you today: 
The picture on the left came with the words "Chassis in paint this weekend", and the picture at right came with the suggestion that "You might like to tease our readers". If you know any more, or if you would like to send your own spy picture, then please drop us a line at [email protected]. On the subject of spy pictures stay tuned as we have an i.d. on the slingshot picture on last Wednesday's news update and we will bring you the denouement tomorrow. 
The UK's Paranoia Wild Bunch team has a new toy this season, says driver and rider Martin Holgate.
"As many racers know I started drag racing on bikes and have always had a keen interest in competition bikes, especially the
Harleys", says Martin. "When this bike came up for sale twelve months ago I missed it but had another chance recently and
made sure it didn't get away again. It's a Bonnie Truett framed Top Gas Ironhead Sportster built in 1989 and raced by Bill
Marchetti. As far as I know the bike has never run in the UK. It fired up first time and will help to keep my versatile crew busy."
©Eurodragster.com Eurodragster.com will have regular slots on Santa Pod Raceway's radio station Nitro FM at race events this season. On-line with Eurodragster.com will feature chat with members of the Eurodragster.com staff and the plan is for a live slot each morning and evening of a race event. We will bring you more about this as the season approaches, and stay tuned because there is more news to come about Nitro FM. 
The UK's Wildchild Super Comp Racing team would like to wish a belated happy birthday to driver Andy Williams
who celebrated his fiftieth birthday last Friday. "We wanted to wait until after the birthday in order to share Paul's new set of wheels
with the rest of the world", says team member Sandy Rose. Hope you had a great day Paul.
Thanks to all those who have already entered our contest to win an autographed copy of Andy Carter and Dan Welberry's book King of Europe. At time of writing we are cleaning and oiling our randomiser because every single entry received thus far has been correct. For your chance to win, check out the contest on yesterday's news update by clicking here. Hall of Fame duo honoured. 3rd March: The British Drag Racing Hall of Fame in association with Eurodragster.com News sponsor US Automotive dispatched BDRHoF Chairman Stu Bradbury to the weekend's Pennine Drag Racing Club dinner and trophy night to present two British Drag Racing Hall of Fame trophies. ©Eurodragster.com The BDRHoF honoured Dave Grady, who unfortunately is no longer with us, and the Murty family. "Both of these stalwarts of our sport have had a massive impact especially in the northern part of our country", says Stu. "Their induction into the BDRHoF will ensure that their achievements are recognised for future exponents of our sport to fully appreciate. Their dedication and contribution and refusal to give up, in sometimes difficult and demanding situations, is well-known. Drag racing now honours these people." Review: King of Europe. 
2nd March: One of the most anticipated events of the 2008-2009 off season was the release of
Andy Carter and Eurodragster.com sponsor Dan
Welberry's book King of Europe, which charts the career of the three-time FIA European Top Fuel Dragster Champion. Although we did not
have to wait too long for King of Europe, that wait was worth it.
Andy's sponsor Pioneer Print have done a very good job on the production of the book. In a word, it screams "quality". The weighty hardback is A4 sized and runs to nearly two hundred pages, all in full colour. The book opens with seven forewords, including two contributed by Eurodragster.com staff members Roger and Tog. A common theme of the forewords is Andy's strength of character and determination, setting the scene for the chapters to come. Andy and Dan's dedications follow and then a very well-presented introduction to Top Fuel drag racing. The context having been set, we then move on to Andy's story in eleven chapters. For your reviewer and probably for many readers the most informative chapter will be the second, The Early Years, which covers Andy's first steps in Outlaw Anglia and then his early days in Top Fuel Dragster in the Herforder Pils and Dashmaster cars - the former carrying a decal reading "My other car's a Lada" whilst his sponsor-supplied Lada carried a similar sticker only the other way round. Unfortunately Andy didn't have room to relate the "Your other car may be a Top Fuel Dragster, but you park like..." story; ask Andy to tell you that one next time you're passing his pit. Andy's first attempt to race in the USA is passed over in a few paragraphs but the salient points are there and that was likely genuinely all there was to be said about it. Chapter 2 is also of particular interest since it features a lot of previously-unseen photographs from Andy's early Top Fuel career. Throughout the book Dan has done a very good job indeed of relating Andy's career in an interesting fashion. It would be very easy to fall into a plain recitative of how each race went with the ETs and speeds and then on to the next race, but Dan has included a lot of the kitchen detail and background which all fans love to read. Not just Dan, either. "Spin doctor" is not a pair of words you will ever see sharing a sentence with Andy's name, so his contributions are presented pretty much as unedited Carter Original: so much so that in places you can hear Andy talking as you read it. Like just about every racer we know, Andy never forgets any race he loses but again it is the off-track stories which are of particular interest...don't miss Andy's account of the legendary portable toilet Incident. ©Eurodragster.com When we first heard about King of Europe the book was to be a pictorial. At the start of the project Andy and Dan approached many of Europe's leading drag racing photographers and must have ended up pretty much spoilt for choice. From the front cover - the main shot provided by Eurodragster.com Photo Editor Roger Gorringe - to the back cover the book is packed with photographs, several to a page and all in full colour. The photo coverage is remarkably wide, featuring not just the standard burnout and launch shots but pictures from all angles, on- and off-track. We have quite often said on Eurodragster.com that the first person to turn their back on the racing and take people shots will coin it, and an added bonus in this book is the number of candid shots of Andy and his crew some of which give a real insight into an obviously close-knit team. King of Europe was put together in a relatively short space of time but the book shows very little sign of being rushed. The page design is very easy on the eye and the primary font is very easy to read. A few typos have got through but this is inevitable given the amount of text: however, given photo-journalist and honorary Eurodragster.com staff member Andy Willsheer's particularly fine sense of humour we would not be surprised if he should file a report this year about a Top Fuel racer named Andy Crater. King of Europe will suit anyone who is into drag racing. If you have any interest at all in what it takes to go Top Fuel drag racing and to win Championships then King of Europe is the ideal read. If you just like to look at drag racing pictures then King of Europe is similarly the book for you. King of Europe costs £20 and is available at any of Andy's race dates or personal appearances, and it can also be bought for £20 plus £4.99 p+p from Andy's web site at www.andycarter.net. Contest: win a copy of King of Europe. 2nd March: In the latest contest on Eurodragster.com we are pleased to offer a copy of King of Europe autographed by authors Andy Carter and Dan Welberry. To win the autographed copy of King of Europe, all you have to do is to answer the following three questions: ©Eurodragster.com Question A: In which year did Andy Carter win his first FIA European Championship?
Good luck! Swift snippets. 2nd March: Paul Rose's funeral is to take place at Bury St Edmunds Crematorium at 2:15 pm on Wednesday 11th March. More details will be available soon; for updates and tributes visit the King Racing web site at www.kingracing.com. We have had a request for help from Mark Hollander who is restoring Clive Waye's record-breaking Drag Waye (Mk II) bike from the 1960s. Mark would appreciate any information about the bike or its supercharged VW motor as well as pictures, as he says that information and pictures are difficult to come by. Mark adds that the hope is to run the bike at Santa Pod next year. If you can help with any information or pictures then please drop Mark a line at [email protected]. ©Eurodragster.com We would like to say a big Happy Birthday and send hugs to our good friend Yvonne Tramm. Have a lovely day Yvonne and you know what to do if you need help with the birthday cake. 2009 Eurodragster.com Perfect Awards. 2nd March: We are pleased to announce that the Eurodragster.com Perfect Awards Scheme will again run in 2009. Speedflow remain as sponsor of the Perfect Light Award, and Gold RV remain the sponsor of the Perfect ET Award. Both Awards will continue to work to the third decimal place. 
The Perfect Light Award is presented in association with performance hose and fitting manufacturer Speedflow,
whose web site you can find at www.speedflow.co.uk.
The Award will be presented to the first racer at an event to record a 0.000 Reaction Time. The Award will
start at £50 and if not claimed will be increased by £25 at each subsequent event until won. If
the Award is won then it will be reset to £50 at the next event. The Perfect Light Award is available
to all racers in all classes but will only be awarded to the first racer at an event to record a 0.000
Reaction Time.
Decals are not formally required for the Perfect Light Award but of course we appreciate it: you can get Eurodragster.com decals at the track from any Eurodragster.com staff member. ©Eurodragster.com 
The Perfect ET Award is presented in association with RV sales and service specialists Gold RV, whose
web site you can find at www.goldrv.co.uk.
The Award will be presented to the first racer at an event to run to the thousandth on their index or dial-in.
The Award will start at £50 and if not claimed will be increased by £25 at each subsequent event until
won. If the Award is won then it will be reset to £50 at the next event. The Perfect ET Award is available
to racers in all index and dial-in classes, but will only be awarded to the first racer at an event to run to dial-in
or Index.
To be eligible to collect the Perfect ET Award, racers will be required to carry decals, one on each side of the vehicle whether car or bike. The decals (right) will firstly be available at signing-on at Santa Pod Raceway for the Autotrader Easter Thunderball and Big Bang and then at the Springspeed Nationals at Shakespeare County Raceway, and at subsequent events at both tracks. Please note that, as is usual with contingency schemes, racers are responsible for requesting or picking up decals when signing on. A list of required decals per class is always on display in signing-on. In addition to the Gold RV money, former Santa Pod Raceway Race Director Syd McDonald has again put up £25 for the first Perfect ET at each of the FIA Main Event and the FIA European Finals. Many thanks to Syd for his continued generosity. The provisional calendar of events for the 2009 Eurodragster.com Perfect Awards is as follows: 10th-13th April: Easter Thunderball, Santa Pod Raceway 25th-26th April: Big Bang, Santa Pod Raceway 2nd-4th May: Springspeed Nationals, Shakespeare County Raceway 22nd-25th May: FIA Main Event, Santa Pod Raceway 13th-14th June: SPRC Summernationals, Santa Pod Raceway 27th-28th June: UK Truck Show, Santa Pod Raceway 18th-19th July: Bug Jam, Santa Pod Raceway 23rd-26th July: Veidec Festival, Mantorp Park 14th-16th August: NitrolympX, The Hockenheimring 21st-23rd August: Open Sport Nationals, Shakespeare County Raceway 10th-13th September: FIA European Finals, Santa Pod Raceway 26th-27th September: UK National Finals, Santa Pod Raceway 10th-11th October: Extreme Performance Bike Weekend, Santa Pod Raceway* *Straightliners classes provisionally included in the Awards scheme Many thanks to Fay Fischer of Speedflow and Derek Flynn of Gold RV for their continued support both of drag racing and of Eurodragster.com. Web site updates. 2nd March: In the latest entry in his exclusive Racer Blog, Dutch Top Fuel Dragster racer Lex Joon talks some more about his decision to stay in Europe and to race a limited schedule in 2009. As ever you can check out the latest Blog updates by clicking here or by clicking on the Racer Blogs link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page. ©Eurodragster.com Eurodragster.com sponsorship 2009. 1st March: We approached the 2009 sponsorship round with some trepidation, but we needn't have worried because as ever Eurodragster.com's sponsors have stepped up to the plate with the vast majority staying with us for another year. 
The major change in 2009 involves the two longest-standing supporters of Eurodragster.com.
Speedflow return as a Main Sponsor after ICE Automotive stepped down. Fay Fischer of Speedflow
has supported Eurodragster.com since its inception and has been involved as a sponsor since mid-1998.
Speedflow have manufactured and supplied innovative and quality aerospace style hoses and fittings to the motorsport and street market in Europe, Australia and the world for more than twenty years and are the supplier of choice for many high-performance and race-related organisations as well as many thousands of personal customers. Speedflow's web site at www.speedflow.co.uk features their extensive range of hoses, fittings, adapters, valves, coolers, regulators and other products, all available via their web shop. Alternately for ordering or advice you can call Speedflow's order hotline on 0870 225 0097 (outside the UK +44 870 225 0097). The web site also features a Technical Library with reference and fitting guides. Speedflow's Main sponsorship is in addition to their existing sponsorship of our Points Standings page and the Eurodragster.com/Speedflow Perfect Light Award which will also be continuing in 2009 and about which we will write more soon. We would like to say a big Thank You to Fay Fischer for her continued support. We would also like to say a huge Thank You to Nick Davies and Rob Loaring of ICE Automotive, who had sponsored Eurodragster.com since 2001. As well as their financial support, Nick and Rob have given us no end of moral support, practical help and friendship. As one of our longest-standing sponsors ICE Automotive had a huge role in making Eurodragster.com the leading European drag racing web site for which we are very grateful. Two existing News sponsors have upgraded to support the Home and News pages: 
Chris Isaacs Race Cars was founded in 1995 as a high-quality race car fabrication company. CIRC-built
race cars include Spencer Tramm's Quantum Leap Corrado and Steve Nash's Wild Cat Cougar,
Matt Eley's Risky Trip Pop, John Atkinson's Jumpin' Black Flash Mustang and David James
'68 Super Pro ET Chevelle, and not forgetting Chris' own Concours-quality Standard Vanguard.
Chris has been an SPRC Executive Committee member since 1994, and a member of the UK Drag Racing Technical
Committee since its inception in 1997. For information about the services and products on offer by Chris Isaacs
Race Cars, check out the company's web site at
www.chris-isaacs.com, or call 01268 571077.
Nitrous Oxide Supplies is the UK's only one-stop shop for the supply of
Nitrous Oxide gas and associated products. Their diverse range of top flight
products includes everything from the gas itself to cylinders, kits, spray bars,
controllers and refill equipment. Nitrous Oxide Supplies is also one of the few
companies in the country to offer refills by courier.
Nitrous Oxide Supplies' services and products offer quality and suitability for every
need, and new for 2007 the company lists kits from Wizards of NOS, Dynotune, Cold
Fusion, Dei/Cryo2 and NOS. The company also instituted a UK-wide refiller network
in 2008. You can check out full details of the products and services on offer on Nitrous Oxide
Supplies' web site at
www.nitrousoxidesupplies.co.uk
or call 01652 680555.
We are very pleased to welcome on board the following new sponsors: 
Power Pour (Home and News): Power Pour, which has been around for a few years now, was
initially developed to serve the Street Eliminator application where the racers are limited to forecourt
petrol. It vastly reduces the limits imposed by unleaded fuel, allowing the use of nitrous and forced induction
on engines producing up to and above 2000 hp.
Recently Webster Race Engineering have put on their commercial heads with regards to Power Pour, which has resulted in export dealers being established in Ireland and Israel with the possibility of a further dealer in Scandinavia. "With the positive feedback we have always enjoyed from Eurodragster.com webcam exposure, we know the benefit of the space available and the longevity it provides to brand awareness", says Jon Webster. "We are very optimistic and look forward to extending our relationship with Eurodragster.com." For more information, check out the Powerpour web page at www.powerpour.com or call Webster Race Engineering on 01933 315236. 
Stroud Safety and Andy Robinson Race Cars (Features and Interviews):
More than twenty years ago, Bob Stroud took his knowledge of parachutes and safety equipment to the racing industry and created
Stroud Safety. Since that time, Stroud Safety has been the technology leader in the safety industry, introducing and acquiring patents
on many new items. These efforts by Stroud have made racing much safer for the driver, car, track and spectator.
Stroud Safety started with one product, drag chutes, and now manufacturers more than 150 products. New products are introduced annually from Stroud. Almost every type of racing uses Stroud Safety products, all over the world. ©Eurodragster.com Already a Eurodragster.com sponsor, Andy Robinson Race Cars have been sole UK agents for Stroud Safety for ten years since their products were used on the big bad Rover. The full range of products from 'chutes to suits has been supplied to many satisfied customers and via a sponsorship arrangement to the safety crew at Santa Pod. ARRC are able to re-certify many Stroud products without need for them to be shipped back to the US. You can find out more about Andy Robinson Race Cars and Stroud Safety at www.robinson-race-cars.co.uk
Speedshopuk (News): Speedshopuk, based in Chelmsford, Essex, was set up three years ago to provide
local racers a hose and fittings service and now also has its own buy-online web site at
www.speedshopuk.co.uk.
The Speedshopuk team have been involved in drag racing for over thirty years and are currently running the S&K Racing dragster in Super Pro ET. Everyone involved with Speedshopuk has a connection with motorsport or hot rods and custom cars in some form or another, so have accumulated lots of experience over the years. You can contact Speedshopuk via their web site, call 01245 290808 or E-Mail [email protected]. 
Custom Cruisers UK (News): Based in Derbyshire, England, Custom Cruisers are one of Europe's fastest growing
distributors of motorcycle parts for all major makes of Japanese, US and European bikes. As well as stocking bike parts, Custom Cruisers
sell clothing, leathers including used three layer and above Nomex firesuits, race-spec helmets, motorcycle superchargers and turbos,
new and used bike luggage and bike accessories. The workshop section is for the discerning biker who demands only the best in tools
for working on their bikes. One speciality is the range of bike lifts for custom bikes, cruisers and which do not have a mainstand; these
lifts make life easier.
Custom Cruisers UK recently acquired the prestigious Simpson Race Products range of helmets and firesuits etc. new and used, carrying over one hundred SA2005 helmets in stock plus shields and tear-offs neck braces etc. See www.simpson-helmets.eu. Amongst the companies distributed are Simpson Race Products, National Cycle, Renegade Styling of Belgium, HAC, Ztechnik USA, and Jardine Performance, whose range of exhausts are featured on the Custom Cruisers UK web site at www.customcruisers.co.uk which has full shopping cart facilities and which is a mine of information and pictures. Other specialist products include a wide range of Kuryakyn Hyperchargers. Custom Cruisers also distribute tools and a wide range of parts for the Honda Gold Wing. Proprietors Mike and Tina Chadwick advise customers to ensure that correct specification parts are ordered and delivered at competitive rates including shipping. Mike Chadwick said "Custom Cruisers are proud to be associated with the quickest motorsport on the planet and look forward to seeing drag racing folk at our shop". Custom Cruisers UK Ltd is based at Unit 5B, Monk Road Industrial Estate, Alfreton, Derbyshire DE55 7RL and can be reached by phone on 01773 835666, by fax on 01773 835665 and by E-Mail at [email protected].
USAutomotive (News): US Automotive is the #1 warehouse distributor of replacement American auto parts for cars and
light trucks in the UK and Europe. Their aim is to provide our customers with an extensive range of parts, full technical information and after-sales
service. The company operates from as 8,000 square foot warehouse conveniently located in central England close to the southern Bedford bypass.
USAutomotive are currently stocking in excess of 20,000 product lines which cover the most popular applications from the classics of the 1950s up to current models and are updated regularly to follow market trends. They supply parts from the most respected American manufacturers, for example Crane Cams, Rol and Fel-Pro Gaskets, Clevite Engine Bearings, Sealed Power and Federal Mogul engine components and provide full technical support not only for our product range but also for American vehicles in general. USAutomotive also has an in-house exhaust bending machine which, together with more than 7000 patterns, pre-bent pipes and a wide range of mufflers, allows them to manufacture exhaust systems for the majority of American vehicles. They are are able to 'pattern-bend' pipes for unsupported or custom applications. Using the resources of one of the longest established warehouses in the USA, USAutomotice pride themselves in their ability to obtain almost any item quickly and efficiently on a special order basis. You may not know that for some time now USAutomotive have been one of the main suppliers to the Film and TV industry. Films such as Batman, Harry Potter and James Bond movies to name just a few. Also many well-known celebrities from the entertainment industry use the service and expertise of USAutomotive to keep their wheels turning. If you have any special needs, USAutomotive always abide to their statement "If it's available, we can supply it!". The USAutomotive web site can be found at www.usautomotive.co.uk, call 01234 273155, or E-Mail [email protected]. We would like to welcome all of Eurodragster.com's new sponsors and we thank them very much for their support. We are very proud that Eurodragster.com's roster of sponsors can provide anything a racer or race fan could need whether a complete race car or bike, a tail light bulb, or anything in between. We are sure that all of our readers will help to repay that support by considering Eurodragster.com's sponsors when shopping for products or services. As well as ICE Automotive we have also had to say goodbye and Thank You to Dansk Auto HiFi, John Woolfe Racing, Supercharged Images, B&B Motors and Ryan Matthew. We are very grateful indeed to these companies for their support of Eurodragster.com, over a number of years in some cases: their backing and loyalty were very much appreciated and helped in the success of Eurodragster.com. European SFI Tour reminder. 1st March: Racers are reminded that the SFI Recertification Tour is coming to a town near you starting later this week: Thursday 5th March: Certifications between 08:45 and 11:30 at: KartCentrum Silverstone Weerenweg 21-23 1161 AE Zwanenburg The Netherlands Friday 6th March Certifications between 08:00 and 13:00 at: Finnish Hot Rod Association Tiilenvalajantie 6 02330 Espoo Finland Phone: 09 - 2515 250 ©Eurodragster.com Saturday 7th-Sunday 8th March Certifications between 13:00 and 16:00 on Saturday, and certifications between 11:00 and 12:00 on Sunday, at: Persåkers Speed Shop Solbergavägen 28 640 60 Åkers Styckebruk Sweden Phone: 0159 - 133 70 Rapport på svenska hos www.dragracing.se. Monday 9th March Certifications between 09:00 and 15:00 at: Santa Pod Raceway Airfield Road Podington Northamptonshire NN29 7XA England Phone: 01234 782828 The following items will be certified:
Swift snippets. 
1st March: The latest spy picture to arrive at the offices of Eurodragster.com
came with very little information other than "Anyone who knows their history should be able to guess!".
If you know any more, or if you would like to send your
own spy picture, then please drop us a line at
[email protected].
©Eurodragster.com Call me "President". 1st March: It has been a while since we heard from Carbon By Design Team Owner Knut Söderquist, but he has not been sitting around doing nothing. Knut got in touch with Eurodragster.com during the week from his new home in the Far East to bring us right up to date with what he is up to and to give his personal opinion on things in the world of drag racing: I have been travelling around the Middle East and have been in contact with several organisers. I have some tracks interested and I am now working closely with race teams in the USA. I don't think anything will happen this year but I am certain that there are plans for next year. The new rules limiting testing will however stop some teams from running abroad. It would be difficult to do after the season has ended because the teams only have one and a half months to be ready. I have sold almost all of my injector moulds to a company in the States who will soon start to manufacture them. I am happy with what I achieved with Carbon Be Design. I was the first in the world to sell a carbon fibre injector and I was the one who was crazy enough to tell the Americans that mine was a better product that they could buy in the USA. I don't want to brag but I made plenty of money and can live well for the rest of my life. The problem I've had in the last year is that there are many people making injectors and the dollar went down so it cost more to make than you could sell them for. I have one idea; after a trip to Hong Kong a couple of weeks ago when I met some moulding and injection casting people I am planning to go back with a new style of injector and two older styles and hopefully have them made in China. If this project goes well then I think I can sell injectors for around half price, or buy one get one free. I have sold my two remaining Top Fuel cars. I did a trade and money deal with my long time friend Jonny Nilsson in Sweden. Jonny has already updated one of the cars at Mats Eriksson's shop which means a perfect job and if I understand it right the second car will get the same treatment as I know there are plans to run that car at Mantorp Park if the funding is available. Jonny is in Los Angeles preparing the new Tre Kronor which he had built by Victory which guarantees a super car as Victory have built cars for John Force and have also done the tinwork for Force's cars for many years. I still have my nitro Funny Car sitting race ready with loads of spares. As you know I did have five complete cars and now I am down to one Funny Car with five complete motors with injectors and three of them have the MSD 44 mags mounted. I was planning to run this car at Easter with my longtime friend Tony Betts as driver but when I saw the payments it was easy to decide that there was no way I could run a nitro Funny Car, you have to add at least fifteen per cent more running costs compared to a Top Fuel and with the increased costs of the ferry to the UK, air tickets and nitro I didn't see any great future in it. ©Eurodragster.com Regarding the FIA Top Fuel Championship the biggest concern to me is that we don't race for the Championship when it has rained. It can't go on like this. Why aren't we looking at how they do it in the States, rain doesn't stop racing and especially not the final of a Championship. It can very well happen again as the chance of rain in September is very big. There must be a back up. I have been talking with a lot of people in the States and they cannot believe the way the 2008 Championship was decided by rain. I am not taking anything away from Little Boy Andy Carter: he has the skill, the luck and a great crew but it feels better to do it on the track and I am sure that it would have been one hell of a race as Andy had to run against Lex and you will not find a tougher guy out there when it comes to racing. It's fantastic in Europe, we have safer tracks and but as we all know NHRA decided quickly after Scott Kalitta's accident that they had to do something drastic and they did it right away by shortening the races to 1000 feet. The cars are going too fast nowadays even in Europe, and most of the tracks in the USA were designed forty years ago and many things have happened since then. What are we waiting for in Europe, does something have to happen before we go to 1000 feet. It's safer for the race teams, easier for the safety crews to get to you in time, but it also makes it cheaper to run the big cars. The crowd will see great times om the board which will compare to the times they are running in the USA right now. I am very surprised that we haven't followed NHRA as some people here in Europe seem to think they are gods. If I understand it right this season they are not tagging older Top Fuel rear wings, which more or less everyone in Europe has. They are mostly Magiera wings and a couple which we made years ago. I never was interested in speccing my wings as I didn't see any sales in it. For racers in Europe I can tell you that it is not easy to get a wing in the USA. The wait is very long, up to six or seven months. You may be promised a new wing in two months but the bigger race teams in the States tell me that it doesn't work like that. I don't know what to do but the easiest way to get round this is to get someone with knowledge of carbon fibre to check the wings for cracks which means that the wings have to be stripped of paint. There are people in England and Sweden who can do this. The big problem with wings is the mounting ears which are made of aluminium which has to be checked. Not CBD wings as they all have titanium mountings - I never liked the aluminium mountings. Another problem is that if there is a crack in the carbon it can break loose on a run and then the damage can be serious. If there are no cracks and the ears are good then there is no problem with the rear wings as the main structure is good. Finally what can you say about my longtime friend Rune Fjeld. He deserves to be in any Hall of Fame. He has done more for drag racing in Europe than anyone thinks. He has kept Top Fuel racing alive for years and he was great when he started in Funny Cars and is still going. I have a lot of respect for Rune and for what he has done for racing. By the way I don't call myself King Knut any more, there are too many kings. You can call me President Knut. Earlier news |
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