22nd March:
Thanks to Jerry Cookson for sending in a report on last Saturday's meeting at Dakota Raceway, Smeatharpe and to Carol Jenkinson for photos which we have posted at this link with the support of John Woolfe Racing .
The National Sprint Association began their 2023 championship campaign in mixed conditions for this time of month down Devon way at Dakota Raceway’s Smeatharpe Airfield last Saturday. Although the day began early with heavy downpours in the early hours the surface quickly dried out for the NSA sprint, and the drifting to begin, writes NSA commentator Jerry Cookson.
A mixed entry of some 60 riders populated the streamlined classes for 2023 and with no less than 7 tracks records being reset or established, the performances gained from winter rebuilds were quite something given the days conditions.
With all the runs counting towards the overall class results FTD went to Unlimited Racing class champion Mark Taylor (pictured above) with a rapid 9.147s to the Suzuki’s credit. Also in with a shot but eventually ended up second quickest was Steve Everett’s Road Legal Hayabusa at 9.923s while looking to close the margin slightly was Paul Hayman’s 1000cc GSXR Suzuki with a rapid 10.096s for third although on a couple of occasions Paul had to fight to keep the front end from rearing up a 100 ft out from the start line.
500cc Racing class champion Peter McGuinness carried on from where he left off by resetting the class record previously held at Neill Curtis. As the day wore on Pete’s Kawasaki H1 got progressively quicker to block out Neill’s previous 11.086s and replace it with a 11.058s. However, it wasn’t all plain sailing for fellow Kawasaki racer Kerry Phillips who’s brightly painted green and orange H1 ended up in the adjacent field after its 12.894/110.66 mph tank slapper at the top end. Although battered and bruised, and now needing a new set of leathers, Kerry was up and alert much to the relief of wife Samantha. It will take more than a roll of green and orange gaffer tape to fix it this time but says he will be back!
The Vintage guys were also in record form as Richard Morgan established a new Vintage up to 350cc class record of 16.768s on a 1929 Rudge while in the Unlimited Vintage class John Young rode his 1936 500cc Tri/Jap to a 12.810s although couldn’t quite get to the 106 mph track speed record for the class. Maybe next time John!
The remaining four records were established in the relined Junior classes going to Jorja Cleall who was taking part in her first ever sprint with her Peugeot 125 while being shadowed on every run by dad Paul’s Kawasaki ZX9 (34.590s), Max Curtis on a 125/250 4 stroke single (21.630) while elder sister Libby ran in the 18s to a best of 18.035s. This left last year’s 125cc Junior champion Chloe Hayman to set a new class record for 125 GP/350 4 stroke single at 20.484s.
Top Scooter racer of the day was ‘Mr Greenlight’ Adie Horrocks over Chisel Speed’s Mike Pacey. With winter cylinder head mods carried out by Dave Bristow on Adie’s 149 FRT/BFA Vespa had worked out well with best being a 13.648s against Mike Pacey’s Lambretta mounted 14.205s. Others running in the class were the newly built Lambretta’s belonging to Shaun Nickells and Paul Gurney, and Nigel Howard with the Greenlight renta 144cc Quattrini.
From the 25 cars registered for RWYB the quickest and fastest car of the day was a 3.8 ltr McLaren 570s driven by Matthew Wilson and from the 17 or so runs made the McLaren supercar finally managed a best of 10.565 at 139.66. Almost matching the 570s’ pace was a RS6 Audi driven by Lukas Debrowski with a 10.802/130.91 mph to its credit followed by Nick Martin’s 4 litre AMG E63s Mercedes with an 11.097/128.14 mph ticket.
The next Drag ‘N’ Drift event at Dakota Raceway takes place on Saturday 22nd April for another round of the National Sprint Association championship and open RWYB. For information and bookings, go to straightliners.events.
Video of NSA action at Smeatharpe is also available from Nick Pettitt at this link.
Swift snippets.
22nd March:
Happy Birthday for today to former Junior Dragster racer Matthew Dowdy, Frite racer Mark Bull, German Super Pro ET racer Harry Scherschinski and Swedish former Top Methanol Dragster racer Marcus Wålm. We hope you all have a great day.
UK SFI Inspection day.
21st March:
The SFI Inspection of parts took place today at Santa Pod Raceway's VIP building and it was good to see SFI President Jennifer Faye as well as the team of inspectors Andy Robinson, Luke Robinson and Lars Goran Eriksson (pictured from right to left). Jennifer said "I'm very happy to be back in Europe after three years off. The number of racers bringing parts for testing is back to the same levels as 2019 and it's pleasing to see such a good turnout." The team are back from the tour of European stops incorporating Amsterdam (Hotel Ibis Schipol), Klaukkala, near Helsinki (the new FHRA office) and Borlänge (ME Racing's shop).
During the morning, we gathered a number of pitnotes from the racers attending and are grateful to all of them for giving their time. We present racers' comments in order of when we noted them:
Pro Modified racer Mick Payne (below left) is looking forward to bringing his supercharged Duster out on track as soon as possible this season. He said "Although I'm retired from the paper mill I worked at, I seem more busy than ever getting the car ready. The change from the previous turbo installation was not easy to undertake, but now my complete combination of supercharged Hemi, transmission and clutch are in place. Thanks to Andy and Luke for baselining the new combination and car".
Competition eliminator racer Robin Orthodoxou, pictured with son Darren (above right), have been working on new steering and A arms at the front of Robin's A/Altered, as well as fitting a new aluminium Brodix engine block that the team have bought from Steve Schmidt. Other parts are awaited "We ordered some on 21st September and are still waiting for them" - a common explanation by racers such as Robin for not being able to attend the forthcoming Festival of Power.
"The long block we bought from Steve Schmidt is 53kg lighter than our previous iron block and whilst we were previously close to the minimum weight the new one will enable us put weight where we want to. The engine location is tight, before we were putting ballast in the front and using an engine plate made of steel, however the new setup gives us more options. Steve Schmidt built the long block with a Sonny Bryant crank, GRP rods, Bill Miller Engineering pistons and ProFiler cylinder heads. We will add our Dambest carburettors from John Satterfield which have served us well over the years, and MSD ignition and Power Grid controller.
Eurodragster.com sponsor and Pro Modfied/Outlaw Anglia racer Jon Webster (below left, with SPRC secretary Ian Marshall) is looking to bring his Pro Mod Mustang out at the Doorslammers due to parts ordered in October not having arrived. He said "The lack of parts is not down to one type of item, in my case it is pins for the pistons and exhaust valves. I had two sets of heads repaired in the States by Alan Johnson Performance Engines and they are back. I may well be back racing in the Anglia at Nostalgia events as it is still up for sale, and will look forward to John Willard being in the UK to race at three events too.
Outlaw Anglia racer and 2022 Motorsport UK OA champion Rob Stone is ready to defend his title as he has entered for the Festival of Power from which a number of quick cars are missing. "I've freshened up everything", he remarked, "and am planning to do all rounds, MSUK and lifestyle. I've been in the class for 30 years, starting in 1993, its first year and having my first full season in 1994." Back it in the day Rob was organiser of the class as well although that has fallen to others since, now with Colin Millar co-ordinating the ever increasing numbers.
Hawk Racing Funny Car racer and British Drag Racing Hall of Fame member Jason Phelps (pictured right) had some pithy words on the current parts situation. "There is a supply risk currently, industry wide it is the same story, and for new parts there is a perceived preference for US teams who are located closer to the factories. Our team ordered and paid for parts in November, the manufacturers have been sitting on the money since then. Frankly, it's a threat to professional classes' racing in Europe and Australia. We are so far down the chain and, as we've given Americans a second hand parts market for 50 years, it feels unfair. Only Kevin Kent and Steve Ashdown are on the list for Easter. I reckon our chances of making it are 50:50 at best, we are reluctant to change our parts rotation pattern as that would risk a repeat of our 2020 explosion."
Nostalgia Funny Car racer Andy Raw (above left) said "Unfortunately we’re not going to be able to make the Easter meeting, as we are still awaiting parts for the engine from America, which seems to be a issue with a lot of the parts that we need for this season." However Andy and team, including crew chief and tuner Karl Harrison, have managed to source one part needed from a UK company, Westwood Cylinder Liners. As things stand, Andy will be the only Outlaw spec NFC in this year's championship. He said "The main differences on my car are the 29 gallons per minute fuel pump and MSD 44 mag. We have the full safety equipment including electromotion shut-off system and rocker cover restraints."
Doorslammer driver Darren Peart (below left) had a long drive from his home near Whitby, North Yorkshire. His main focus this year is the 7.60 Heads Up competition sponsored by Jeff and Belinda Bull. "We are reassembling the car and Mark (Norton) is re-tagging the chassis to 7.5s. We may do some rounds of Super Pro starting at Springspeed Nataionals and then Doorslammers, which is a favourite of mine. Following the accident at Melbourne last year we installed a new front end and new doors, and have now acquired a replacement roof which will go on during winter of 2023-24. The engine which is a 486ci big block Chevy is the same as before. It has two Dominator carbs and a single nitrous stage with Express controller, and Lenco transmission.
