Las Vegas Nationals pit notes III. 31st October: Many thanks to Eurodragster.com US Correspondent Ed O'Connell for sending a final set of pit notes from the NHRA Las Vegas Nationals. Top Alcohol Dragster runner-up and Eurodragster.com sponsor Mike Manners said that it had been a great feeling driving around his opponent John Finke at the top end during the first round of eliminations. After nearly identical reaction times, Finke shot out to a quick lead with an amazing sixty foot time. Mike said "There are only so many ways you can tune these things. If you favour the sixty foot bottom end you may end up paying on the top end". Team Shredder chooses to tune for the big mph at the top end rather than go for stellar sixty foot times as they don't want to risk blowing off the tires at the start. The strategy paid off for Mike as he was about twenty feet ahead at the finish line. Mike is pictured with one of two spare blocks he brought to the race, saying "It costs so much in travel cost to get here, it makes no sense not preparing for every contingency." I spoke with Patrick Grahn of Pro Mod racer Adam Flamholc's crew while he was doing some routine maintenance (Adam's motor above right) prior to sending the trailer back to Florida for two final races this season at Palm Beach and Bradenton, in November and December. They were happy with the car's performance; it went faster each run this meeting, as they are getting more familiar with tuning the car with the new blower they recently purchased from Mike Janis. Top Fuel Dragster team and Eurodragster.com photo kit sponsor Andersen Racing are now heading to Pomona for the last NHRA race of 2011. With Thomas Nataas driving, they plan to run the NHRA Western Swing races in Denver, Sonoma and Seattle in 2012, and possibly run at Indianapolis also. Karsten Andersen said that the team have no plans to compete in Europe. Flame and Thunder galleries. 31st October: Eurodragster.com spent the weekend at Santa Pod Raceway enjoying Saturday's Flame and Thunder Show and yesterday's Run What You Brung. You can check out our weekend photo galleries, presented in association with Alamo Rent-A-Car, by clicking here or by clicking on the Event Coverage link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page. Many thanks to our good buddy, photographer Julian Hunt who deputised trackside on Saturday and who also contributed pictures yesterday. Teboul blasts world best. 30th October: In a fitting tribute to his friend Sammy Miller on the ninth anniversary of his death, France's Eric Teboul smashed his own record for fastest drag bike on the planet with an astounding 281.47 mph blast on his Rocket Bike at Santa Pod Raceway yesterday. After a 5.571/230.15 opener into a stiff headwind, Eric stunned the Flame and Thunder Show crowd on his second pass with the new world record speed, also getting very close to a Personal Best ET. The timing ticket read as follows: 60 ft .9340 330 ft 2.3766 1/8 ET 3.4765 1/8 MPH 226.70 1000' ET 4.4078 1000' MPH 263.46 1/4 ET 5.2090 1/4 MPH 281.47 "That was very fast!", Eric told Eurodragster.com, "I only just stopped. It was very hard work with the brakes". Congratulations to Eric on another world record. Also at the Flame and Thunder Show yesterday Finland's Risto Poutiainen joined the élite Flame and Thunder Show Four Second Club with a 4.945/274.79 in the Rune Fjeld Motorsport Top Fuel Dragster whilst team-mate Laurie Bamford drove through shake and then shut off at the eighth for a 6.359/134.92. In difficult conditions recent Eurodragster.com interviewee Jason Phelps had his tyres go up in smoke on each launch in the Shockwave Fuel FC; Eurodragster.com sponsor Graham Ellis hit similar problems on his first run out in the Superbird since the twin-turbo motor was installed. You can check out yesterday's photo gallery, which is presented in association with Alamo Rent-A-Car, by clicking here or by clicking on the Event Coverage link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page. Thanks to photographer Julian Hunt who deputised trackside yesterday. Las Vegas Nationals pit notes II. 30th October: Many thanks to Eurodragster.com US Correspondent Ed O'Connell for sending more pit notes from the NHRA Las Vegas Nationals. The Andersen Racing Top Fuel Dragster team got an early start Saturday morning chasing an ignition problem that turned out to be a bad coil, and a fuel delivery problem which combined to disrupt their Friday evening run. These problems caused a cylinder to go out at one second and burned the head on that side of the motor. They were the first team to warm up the motor in the pits this morning and felt they had solved the problems. Per Andersen said that by observing the nine cars ahead of them, they should have a pretty good indication of what the track could hold and make adjustments accordingly in the pairing lanes. Tuning consultant Jim Brissette said that the failed effort of Q3 was just the result of overpowering the track and smoking the tyres. He said going into Q4 that it would be a difficult task with fifteen cars essentially trying for four qualifying spots. All the team could do would be set up the car to run a 3.89 or 3.90 and hope the warm track would hold it. Due to a seven-second ET on the aborted run in Q3, they would be one of the first teams out with little chance of making any adjustments in the paring lanes. Thomas Nataas' strong 3.918 was only good enough for nineteenth spot, just missing the tough sixteen-car field. Adam Flamholc admitted that the violent nature of last night's 6.24 run in Pro Modified Q2 was still in the back of his head causing him to short shift on his 6.11 run in Q3, slipping the clutch all the way down the track. He felt this may have cost him as much as a full tenth on that run. Fortunately the 6.11 got him into the sixteenth position of the tough field. He was out first and ran a strong 6.07 but number one qualifier Brad Personett managed to drive around him at the top end. Eurodragster.com sponsor Mike Manners (above right, talking with UK Pro ET racer Mike Lacey) was very pleased with the consistency of Friday's two qualifying runs in his Top Alcohol Dragster although he pointed out that he went the wrong way in attempting to adjust the car to improve from Q1's 5.32 to Q2's 5.35, as he has had problems in qualifying at previous National Events. Mike was pleased with his Q3 time of 5.32 and with his first round win driving around his friend John Finke. Mike stated earlier that one difficulty in competing in TAD was that as all the competitors were such good people, he was always competing against friends. You will be able to stay in touch with Mike's progress courtesy of our Drag Race Central colleagues at www.dragracecentral.com. Swift snippets. 30th October: Santa Pod Racers Club Assistant Race Director and Queen of Race Control Carole Ismal has asked us to say a big Thank You to all of the SPRC marshals for their efforts this year. "It has been a good season and everyone has worked very hard - thank you all", said Carole. Two-seater dragster driver Steve Warner asked us to thank John Hackney, Baron Sharpe, David Lloyd-Jones and everyone at Santa Pod Raceway for all their work and support throughout 2011, together with sponsors Steve Clark of Nimbus Motorsport, Kenny Coleman of EDA and Andy Frost of Penn Autos. UK Super Pro ET racer Rob Bartlett says a big Get Well Soon message to his Crew Chief Steve Fife who suffered a heart attack last week and is now at home recovering from surgery. "Without Steve I would have not been able to run at most meets, he been brill" says Ron. "For those who don't recognise his name, he's the one who after the burnout runs backwards faster than most can run forward!". Get Well Soon Steve. Lynne Coulsell of the UK's Limited Funz Wild Bunch team are very proud to announce the arrival of the newest member of the team, Ada Cassisi, born yesterday weighing in at 7 lb 1 oz. "Many congratulations to mum and dad Steve and Anna on your beautiful daughter from all of the team", says Lynne. "Well done Marra's! Does anyone know where you can get black and orange camouflage trousers for a newborn?" We would like to say a big Happy Birthday to UK Pro ET racer Sandie Gibb. Sandie kindly perpetuated the tradition of sending birthday cake up to the Eurodragster.com staff in Race Control here at Santa Pod, for which many thanks. Have a lovely day Sandie. Our Jeff Bull Race Engines Swap Meet is currently under attack by an automated process; as we are on duty at Santa Pod we have disabled posting on the Swap Meet until we can get back to base and do something about it. Las Vegas Nationals pit notes I. 29th October: Many thanks to Roger, Ed and Kathy who have sent pit notes and pictures from the NHRA Las Vegas Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas: Norway's Thomas Nataas driving Per and Karsten Andersen's dragster held number one qualifier in round one for about six pairs, a 1000 foot 3.939/308 ticket drew many cheers from the crowds and praise from the commentator. The time did not last long as after two qualifiers Brandon Bernstein ended up top of the pile with a cool evening air pass of 3.833/321. After two qualifiers and two more to come Nataas is as number eighteen and not in the field. Thomas Nataas said before Q1 that he was anxious to get back in the car, his first time since Hockenheim and he thought that a run in the 3.80s might be possible given the favorable weather and track conditions. After Q2 Karsten Anderson said that session's 3.97 run was with one cylinder out at the one-second mark. The head on that side was damaged. Karsten pointed out that with two sessions today, he was confident they would make the field. "That's why we are here doing this", he pointed out with a smile. Finland's Jarmo Markkanen the Senior Editor-in-Chief of V8 Magazine has a new ride for next year's Stock wars in the NDRS Series. Jarmo has purchased the '02 Firebird formally driven by renowned US driver Jim Waldo. Jarmo has been trying out the car in qualifying this weekend attaining a sixty-first qualifier in a field of one hundred and two entries but only after four runs in the new machine it was all over as Jarmo exited competition in round one courtesy of a red light. "I need a lot more practice in the car" said Jarmo, "I'm not too disappointed. I shall be running in a bracket race this Wednesday at the track then the Divisional event next weekend, so that will give me plenty more tries". Sweden's Adam Flamholc managed a crossed-up 28-second pass in qualifier one yesterday morning, he bettered it at dusk with a 6.241/196 that after just two sessions puts him in fifteenth position with two more qualifiers to go on Saturday. Adam was happy with his performance at last week's ADRL race in Dallas despite going out in the first round. After qualifying seventh, he left first but overpowered a very hot and tricky track. Whilst concerned about the altitude at Las Vegas being difficult for the blower cars, Adam was hoping for at least a 6.10 in the first qualifying round. Speaking with Adam after Q1 he said that he had taken a lot out of the motor, but still overestimated the track conditions going up in smoke immediately, but felt he gained some good data for the next session. After Q2's wild ride veering near the centre line and wall at the top end on a 6.24 pass, Adam said he wasn't sure what happened. He said that it was on a good run, but it was a violent ride. He was about to inspect the engine for clues. Eurodragster.com sponsor Mike Manners was second in Top Alcohol Dragster after the first qualifier with an identical ET to Chase Copeland, Chase taking top spot by virtue of a higher speed. After session two Mike was third. Mike was concerned about the morning's cool 55F temperature when he spoke to Ed, saying that 60F is the minimum for optimum performance of an injected nitro car. By the time he reached the line for Q1, the temperature had warmed up to the mid 60s and his excellent 5.322 pass was good for the #2 spot. Mike said he would still like to do some racing in Europe if he could arrange a ride. You will be able to stay in touch with our heroes' progress courtesy of our Drag Race Central colleagues at www.dragracecentral.com. Swift snippets. 29th October: UK Top Methanol Dragster racer Derek Flynn of Eurodragster.com sponsor Gold RV tells us that he has sold his 5.3-second injected-nitro Top Methanol Dragster to Malta's Christopher Polidano. "Chris will drive the car and is hoping to do the whole FIA Tour in 2012", says Derek. "The car is on its way to Malta for testing at Hal-Far Raceway next weekend. Chris has asked me to act as Crew Chief / tuner for next season". Stay tuned for more. We have two birthdays today (Saturday). First up, a very Happy Birthday to MSA British Drag Racing Championship PR and our good friend Robin Jackson who is tuned in to our Flame and Thunder Show coverage. We also have a birthday on the Eurodragster.com team in the person of our US Correspondent Ed O'Connell who is sending us notes from the NHRA Las Vegas Nationals. Have a great birthday Ed. UK Dinner Dance hotel update. 29th October: Carole Ismail of Santa Pod Racers Club has been in touch to let us know that there are no bedrooms left at the St John's Hotel, Solihull, the venue for the Avon Park International Racers Association/Santa Pod Racers Club Dinner Dance and Trophy Presentation on Saturday 11th February 2012. You can however book at the Holiday Inn in Solihull which is ten to fifteen minutes' walk from the St Johns. Rooms in the Holiday Inn are £79 for the evening of 11th February. The direct telephone number for the Holiday Inn is 0121 623 9900 and quote Santa Pod Racers Club function 11th February 2011.  For more details about the APIRA/SPRC Dinner Dance check out our news update of 13th October. Feature: California Hot Rod Reunion. 28th October: The latest in our occasional series of Features presented in association with Lucas Oil Products and Carter Motorsport is Roger's report from last weekend's California Hot Rod Reunion at Famoso Raceway in Bakersfield. Roger's report and pictures cover all classes contested at the event and can be checked out by clicking here or by clicking on the Features, Interviews, Tributes link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page. Many thanks to Roger who knocked himself out to get this Feature to us the day after the event. Roger's next report will be from the next stop on his and Andy Willsheer's Swannin' Around Tour, this weekend's NHRA Las Vegas National at The Strip at Las Vegas. Team Alamo at the Fan Fest. 28th October: Paige and Belle Wheeler of the UK's Alamo Rent-A-Car Junior Dragster team joined R2B2 team-mates Leah Pruett and Melanie Troxel at yesterday afternoon's Fan Fest at the Fremont Experience in Las Vegas. Paige and Belle met fans and signed hero cards alongside NHRA Pro racers to promote the NHRA Las Vegas Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas. "Antron Brown, Alexis DeJoria and Larry Dixon, came flying in on zip lines to open the ceremony", says Eurodragster.com US Correspondent Ed O'Connell. "The Wheeler girls were introduced by NHRA's Alan Reinhart as special guests from England. They came out with Leah Pruett as Melanie Troxel was a bit late due to traffic slowing her arrival from a display at the In and Out Burger down on Tropicana. "The turnout of NHRA was very impressive and the line of fans was so long that you had to wait in an eight mile long line across the street to get into the long serpentine line into the Fan Fest." Thomas Nataas in the Andersen Racing Top Fuel Dragster, Adam Flamholc in his Pro Mod, ex-pat UK Top Alcohol Dragster racer Mike Manners of Eurodragster.com sponsor Cosmo Residences, and Jarmo Markkanen in A/S will all be in action in Las Vegas today. You will be able to stay in touch with our heroes' progress courtesy of our Drag Race Central colleagues at www.dragracecentral.com and in addition Ed, Kathy and Roger plan to send us pit notes. Jemma's thanks. 27th October: UK 9.50 Bike and now 8.50 Bike racer Jemma Venables is very happy with her season. "I started off my third year on the Gixxer 1000 and have ended it with fourth in the National Championship, but at the last two meetings I have been on the new Busa",says Jemma. "It has been very different to what I am used to but I have gotten pretty comfortable on it with my PB now at 8.19/181. "I would really like to thank all of the 9.50 Bike racers for the three years in the class, and now a big thanks to the 8.50 Bike racers for welcoming me into their class. Mahoosive thanks to the track teams at both Santa Pod and Shakey, it would be impossible without you all. I would also love to give a big thank you to all the photographers for a lot of awesome shots, to name a few Ingrid and Martin Chesworth, Ivan Sansom, Mark Skinner, David Gardener and all the rest. Photographs keep the memories alive. "Thanks to all of the Ven Racing team for help and support. And last but not least I suppose... thank you Dad, it would be a little difficult without you, and cheers Mum for putting up with both of us. "It's going to be a hard six months not being at the track, but see you all at Easter." Swift snippets. 27th October: UK Pro Modified racer and Eurodragster.com Blogger Andy Frost is seeking information about a customer's motor (below left) which was in his van which was stolen from outside his workshop. The Ford Transit van's registration is GY52 MZL; if you have any information then you can Shop A Scumbag via Andy's web site at www.redvictor1racing.co.uk. The latest spy picture (above right) to arrive at the offices of Eurodragster.com came with what at first view appeared to be an attempt at Haiku: "To be Frank, it's all new to me. We are desperate to do well. Mark my words, she will go OK". If you know more, or if you would like to send your own spy picture, then drop us a line at [email protected]. European fans have plenty to cheer for starting today as NHRA's Las Vegas Nationals commences at The Strip at Las Vegas. Our involvement commences today with Jarmo Markkanen in A/S and ex-pat UK Top Alcohol Dragster racer Mike Manners of Eurodragster.com sponsor Cosmo Residences, joined tomorrow and for the rest of the weekend by Thomas Nataas in the Andersen Racing Top Fuel Dragster and Adam Flamholc in his Pro Mod (see below). You will be able to stay in touch with our heroes' progress courtesy of our Drag Race Central colleagues at www.dragracecentral.com and in addition Eurodragster.com US Correspondents Ed O'Connell and Kathy Hileman plan to send us pit notes together with Eurodragster.com Photo Editor Roger. Swedish Pro Mod racer Adam Flamholc dropped us a quick update on his US Tour. "We tested in Dallas before the ADRL World Finals", he says. "We had a new blower on the motor so it took some runs to figure it out. Then in Ennis we did really well! We qualified number seven, and it felt like we had more in the car. In the first round of eliminations I was up against pro racer Kenny Lang. I left the line first and was ahead of him, unfortunately we lost traction and went up in smoke. Now we are in Las Vegas preparing everything for one of the toughest NHRA Pro Mod events of the year. Our first goal is to qualify. Once we are in the field everything can happen!" Sterven Dudley says that he has hired the hall at The Cathedral Primary School, Victoria Road, Chelmsford, Essex CM1 1PA, for some slot drag racing action next Friday evening (4th November). "The entrance to the school is just opposite rhe Royal Mail sorting office on Victoria Road, near Riverside Ice and Leisure", says Steven. "There is a small car park in the school grounds which should be able to accommodate us all. Racing will start at 7.30 pm till about 10'ish". For more information or to register your attendance please drop Steven a line at [email protected]. Further to yesterday's piece about the ACAG Auction, British Drag Racing Hall of Fame Chair Stu Bradbury writes to stress that the Lucas Oil Carter Motorsport team shirt on offer is new and wrapped and has never adorned either his frame or anyone else's. "These shirts were only ever worn by team members and are a must-have souvenir of Andy Carter's last ever appearance at Santa Pod Raceway", says Stu. "These exclusive shirts cost over £90 new. So come on guys and gals, this must be an ideal one-off never-to-be-offered-again Christmas present for any avid drag racing fan. To place your bid go to the ACAG site at www.allardchrysler.org." Gambling with Halloween. 27th October: The 2011 event season draws to a close this weekend at Shakespeare County Raceway with a back to basics, good old grass roots Run What You Brung Bonfire Burn Up and Halloween party. Saturday is open for RWYB from 10:00 am but Sunday will host the final shootout for the five-round Pro Street Drag Series where any one of four drivers can win the overall Opie Oils-sponsored trophy together with a set of pistons from series supporters Roland Alsop Engineering. Tied for first place on 28 points are the modified Nissan 200SX of Mustfa Zahir and the Skyline R33 GTS-T of Paul Reaves. But waiting at the door of opportunity in case either driver makes a mistake, breaks or fails to show is Simon Paul and his twelve-second Toyota Supra along with the Mitsubishi FTO GPX of FTOwner Don Griffiths, both seasoned campaigners from the very beginnings of the PSDS. Bracket racer Ian Brockbank has an outside chance. Sunday also features the final Bracket Gamblers Race of the year, the Halloween Winter Warmer. Two weeks ago the Super Street Gambler was more akin to a Sportsman racers' end-of-term benefit but in the end it was rookie Rich Adcock at the wheel of a daily-driven Audi A5 who took the big bucks cash prize over the hard-charging Mustang of Lee Huxley. It promises to be a bumper turnout on Sunday. Dare you miss out! £10 is the gamble! Further details can be on the SCR web site at www.shakespearecountyraceway.co.uk/bracketgambler.asp or the SCR Bracket Gamblers Facebook page. Early on Saturday evening are the usual Halloween frolics round the bonfire, fireworks, fire burnouts, trailer decorating and the traditional Halloween Ball with entertainment and Fancy Dress Competitions in Kenny's Bar and ghoulish music and spooky goings on beyond the witching hour of midnight. Track opens for RWYB at 10:00 am each day subject to the usual track and weather conditions. Admission is £12 per person on both Saturday and Sunday or £22 for the weekend. RWYB Track Fee is £20 per day or £35 for the weekend. Please remember your driving licence and crash helmet. Further information can be found on the track's web site at www.shakespearecountyraceway.com, on SCR's Facebook page, or by calling 01789 720180. See you at the strip! Web site updates. 27th October: Thanks to Åsa Kinnemar for letting us know that a new issue of the Speedgroup Club Europe newsletter is now showing at club.speedgroup.eu/newsletters/2011/edition16_2011/edition16_start.htm. Andersens Vegas-bound. 26th October: Eurodragster.com photo kit sponsor Karsten Andersen says that the Andersen Racing Top Fuel Dragster team are on their way to The Strip at Las Vegas and all set for this weekend's NHRA Las Vegas Nationals where Thomas Nataas will be driving the record-holding dragster. Karsten spoke to us whist enjoying a burger on the road from Orange to Las Vegas. "Per and I arrived on Sunday of last week", said Per. "The container with the car was delivered to the Worshams' shop on Tuesday. We prepared the car including some new parts and then loaded up. We're now on our way and Thomas and the rest of the team are flying direct to Vegas and arrive tonight. Jimmy Biscuit (i.e. Jim Brissette - Ed) is with us and he is more than ready. We were to be joined by the Lindbergs but they arrived late so we have left them a map to the Sawlty Dawg!" Friday's and Saturday's qualifying sessions have been brought forward from the usual evening to the afternoon but Karsten said that the weather is meant to be a little cooler this weekend. "The set-up won't be much different from the last time we were here and it's very similar to our Santa Pod set-up", he said. "Track temperature and air temperature will come into play here. We'll set it up quite soft for the first qualifying round but then we'll give it whatever the track can hold." Karsten was pleased to announce that Lucas Oil have their name back on the car, and that Eurodragster.com sponsor Alamo Rent-A-Car are helping out with hire cars courtesy of Andy Wheeler. Sponsorship also comes from Landmeco, Else Marie, Biltema, Persåkers Speed Shop, Dol Sensors, HAC Art Paint, ABC Skilte, Pack Plast, Teslak Transport and Anchersens Turistbusser together with some of the team's own money. "You can see that the biggest names on the car are Andersen and Nataas (right) but we would happily give that space away to someone else!", said Karsten. Karsten confirmed that the team will also be contesting the NHRA Finals at Pomona in November. You will be able to stay in touch with the team's progress in Las Vegas, as well as that of Pro Mod racer Adam Flamholc and Top Alcohol Dragster racer, Eurodragster.com sponsor Mike Manners and Jarmo Markkanen in A/S courtesy of our Drag Race Central colleagues at www.dragracecentral.com and in addition Eurodragster.com US Correspondents Ed O'Connell and Kathy Hileman plan to send us pit notes together with Eurodragster.com Photo Editor Roger. ATD French Champions. 26th October: Thanks to Pascal Thébault for sending us the list of winners and runners-up in the 2011 ATD French Championships. In the picture (click for large version) are: Standing Didier Billault, Dodge Challenger, #2 Pro ET Elodie Dubois, #2 Junior Dragster Christophe Dubois, Ford Probe, #3 Super Pro ET Sébastien Lajoux, dragster, #1 Super Pro ET Gino Scamarozzino, Corvette C6, #2 Street Run B Eric Angeloni, dragster, #2 Super Pro ET Gérard Megazzini, Pontiac TransAm, #1 Street Run C Hervé Demaison, Pontiac Firebird, #3 Street Run C Béranger Pudil, Opel Speedster, #1 Street Run B Bruno Chamagne, Ford Mustang, #2 Street Run C Gabriel Vermeille, Chevrolet Camaro, #3 Street Run A Sophie Zaninetti, Plymouth Belvedere, #2 Street run A Kneeling Lisa Billault, #3 Junior Dragster Fabien Dubois, #1 Junior Dragster Marie-Jeanne Dubois, Chevrolet Nova, #1 Pro ET Jean-Luc Arnaud, Ford Mustang, #1 Street Run A Jenny Lacasa, VW type 3, #3 Street Run B Ludovic Duranton, Chevrolet Camaro, #3 Pro ET Congratulations to all. Swift snippets. 26th October: James Forster of Santa Pod Raceway tells us that the fire burnouts at this Saturday's Flame and Thunder Show are to be performed by Nick Davies in the Havoc altered and Adam Gleadow in the Motor Psycho altered. The fire burnouts are scheduled for 17:55 and will take place in the burnout box in the left lane. We have two birthdays today. First up, Bill Macdermid and the gang at Eurodragster.com sponsor Topspeed Automotive have asked us to say a big Happy Birthday to Vin. We were given Vin's age but suffice to say that he is younger than all of the Eurodragster.com staff with the exception of Kirstie. Alan McSweeney asked us to say a big Happy Birthday to UK Super Modified racer Peter Thompson. Have a great day Vin and Pete. ACAG auction latest. 26th October: Allard Chrysler Action Group Chair Brian Taylor says that there are some sizeable bids in for the ACAG auction which closes on Monday (31st): We have a bid of £500 bid from Nick Davies for the Stuart Taylor painting of the Allard Chrysler at Kemble and a £500 bid from F&A Racing for the Pocket Motorbike. Both bidders are great supporters of the Allard Chrysler restoration and we thank them sincerely. There are still other items from Lucas Oil awaiting bids including Stu Bradbury's Andy Carter Team shirt, Lucas Oil jackets and hoodie fleeces and there is no official reserve for these although we reserve the right to refuse silly offers. And although not in the auction, the print of the Paul Whitehouse painting showing Andy Carter putting down that record 4.572/320.19 in September 2010 is selling well. Only twenty nine prints have been produced and each one is signed by Andy. Full details of the auction offers plus new ACAG items can be found via the Latest News tab at www.allardchrysler.org. I'll be announcing full details of some new donations to our restoration fund and the monies generated by the auction at the beginning of November. Keep bidding! Web site updates. 26th October: Photographer Julian Hunt has updated his web site with pictures from the Fourth European Bug In which took place at the Chimay circuit in Belgium. "Chimay is a street circuit that dates back to 1929", says Julian. "It hosted the Grand Prix des Frontières until 1972 when it was discontinued for safety reasons, and since the 1980s it has been used for Classic motorcycle racing on a reduced track. The European Bug In hosts the best of VW nostalgia drag racing in Europe and attracts racers and visitors from all over the world. 1960s and 1970s ex-USA race cars are the highlight, some original and some very accurate replicas; this year the original Empi Dragster was even shipped over for the event from the Flat4 collection in Japan". You can check out Julian's pictures at www.julianhunt.net. Our good buddy Jon Spoard has been in touch to let us know that his UK Drag Racing Nostalgia web site is back on-line at www.ukdrn.co.uk. If you are into nostalgia then UKDRN is a must-see featuring libraries of old photographs, video clips, entry lists, results, an immaculately-behaved and well-run discussion forum, and more. Also on the Nostalgia theme, Alan Currans tells us that a fifteenth page of his own drag bike pictures is now showing on his excellent Acceleration Archive at www.theaccelerationarchive.co.uk. The quickest way to the latest updates is via the What's New? link. Getting Nostalgic Blog. 25th October: We are pleased to announce the launch of another exclusive Blog presented in association with Alamo Rent-A-Car. Our new Blog, which will be based on Nostalgia matters, is written by author and Allard Chrysler Action Group Chair Brian Taylor. Brian's first instalment describes his long and varied involvement in the sport including his writing career and ACAG, and gives us an idea of subjects to be covered in future instalments. You can check out the Getting Nostalgic Blog by clicking here or by clicking on the Alamo Blogs link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page. Salt beckons ex-President Olson. 25th October: Years have passed since Carl Olson floored a pedal in earnest, writes Robin Jackson. The Californian Top Fuel star of the 1960s and 1970s has served distinguished terms as NHRA vice-president, inaugural President of the FIA Drag Racing Commission, and now SFI Foundation's Motorsports Manager whilst becoming, with racing partner Mike Kuhl and one of their restored slingshot cars, a popular player on the nostalgia Cacklefest scene. In the 1990s, Carl satisfied his need for speed driving a series of Land Speed Record cars, achieving membership of the exclusive Bonneville 200 MPH Club in 1994. Now the bug has bitten anew and the K&O Fast Guys aim to go faster still. 300 mph is the target and Bonneville Salt Flats once more the location. After a year's intensive labour, the Kuhl-Olson-Bowman A/Blown Fuel Rear Engine Modified Roadster is ready to go. "Our car was built by a gentleman named Harry Hoffman Sr. who owned a metal fabrication business in the San Francisco Bay Area and raced a variety of vehicles at Bonneville for fifty years", explains Carl. "Retired now, he's an expert craftsman whose mastery is reflected in the construction of the car. With a supercharged small-block Chevrolet V8 engine on alcohol, this car holds the land speed record in the B class with a two-way average of 268.240 mph. "We've installed a supercharged, 496 ci Keith Black aluminium Chrysler hemi engine which we plan to run on alcohol and nitromethane. It will run in the A class, which currently has an open record. Our goal is 300-plus miles per hour." The third team member, Don Bowman, is a Californian industrialist and lifelong car / boat / aircraft enthusiast whom Carl met during his US Coast Guard service, first as a drag strip opponent, then as a partner on a Top Fuel Dragster. "That partnership ended when I crashed and destroyed the car", reveals Carl, "and immediately started my partnership with Mike Kuhl. When Don learned of our intention to run a car at Bonneville, he asked to be a partner and have a drive. Mike and I were only too happy to have him come aboard." Plans to shake down the Model T-bodied Roadster at this month's SCTA-BNI World Finals were thwarted by rain. Now the car will undergo airfield testing before venturing back on to the salt at next August's Bonneville Speed Week. Eurodragster.com will continue to report the team's progress. Swift snippets. 25th October: If you're headed for Las Vegas this week then Andy Wheeler of Eurodragster.com sponsor Alamo Rent-A-Car tells us that UK Junior Dragster racers Paige and Belle Wheeler will be appearing at the Big O Tires NHRA Nationals driver autograph session at the Fremont Street Experience between 5:00 pm and 7:00 pm this Thursday (27th). Further to yesterday's news item, tickets for next year's two European Championship events at Tierp Arena, which take place on 14th-17th June and 23rd-26th August, are released next Tuesday, 1st November. The perfect gift for the avid race fans, tickets booked on the Tierp Arena web site before Christmas can be purchased at a 20% discount. You can find Tierp's web site at www.tierparena.com. We have no less than five birthdays today (Tuesday). First up, a very Happy Birthday and lots of hugs to our good friend Gittli Koller. Kirsty Gibb is also celebrating her birthday today as is multiple 2011 Junior Dragster Champion Joe Kellett and our good friend Deborah Marrs. Finally, Happy Birthday to FIA European Top Fuel Dragster Champion and Eurodragster.com sponsor Urs Erbacher. We hope that all of you have a great day. Eurodragster.com's Webster Race Engineering/Nimbus Motorsport webcam will be broadcasting live from this Saturday's Flame and Thunder Show and Sunday's Run What You Brung at Santa Pod Raceway. Audio will be commentary / Nitro FM stream on Saturday and trackside audio on Sunday. Thanks to Doyousee.me for the provision of streaming services. We will also be posting a gallery at the end of each day in association with Alamo Rent-A-Car. NDRS Banquet bookings. 25th October: Åsa Kinnemar and Lena Perés tell us that booking is still open for the NDRS and SDL Banquet and Prizegiving which takes place at the Scandic Star Hotell in Stockholm on Saturday 26th November. You can find out more and download the booking form (PDF format) by clicking here. If you have any queries then please contact Lena at [email protected]. An racers' meeting about the 2012 NDRS Series will be held in the afternoon at the same venue - stay tuned for time and agenda to be published soon. Contact for this meeeting is Jan Sjöberg whom you can contact at [email protected]. We hope to see you there! Tierp double FIA date confirmed. 24th October: Sweden's Tierp Arena will host two FIA European Championship dates in 2012. The provisional 2012 FIA calendar listed a date in June and another in August but, Mantorp Park having declared an intention to apply for an FIA round in 2012 and any one country limited to two FIA events per year, the location of Sweden's second Championship event had been uncertain. Lars Pettersson (right), Chair of the Drag Racing Committee of the Swedish Automobile Sport Federation (SBF) and FIA Drag Racing Commission member, tells Eurodragster.com that the second date has also been allocated to Tierp. "The SBF decided to apply to the FIA for a second FIA European Drag Racing Championship event in Sweden in 2012" explains Lars. "We have been supporting and working with the FIA Championship from the start together with teams, federations and organisers in Europe, and we we now feel that we can add an event in Sweden. Interest in drag racing in Sweden has grown in many areas: for example, we have new tracks and a fan base which visits both local events and Championship events. In addition more teams from different countries, including outside Europe, are entering the UEM and the FIA European Drag Racing Championships. "For 2012 the SBF has selected Tierp Arena and the NDRS MC to host two events at the new facility in Tierp.  The dates for the FIA events at Tierp Arena are 14th-17th June and 23rd-26th August." Leif Andréasson of Tierp Arena is very happy that the SBF is adding a second event in Sweden. "We will do our best to create two fantastic events at Tierp Arena in 2012", he says. he says. Lars adds that SBF will host a meeting of the FIA Drag Racing Commission meeting at Tierp Arena during the June event. We understand that Sweden's second UEM Championship round of 2012 will also take place at Tierp in August but we will of course bring you official confirmation when we receive it. Interview: Jason Phelps. 24th October: In the latest in our occasional series of Features presented in association with Lucas Oil Products and Carter Motorsport we interview Jason Phelps, who will be driving the Shockwave Funny Car in a headline match race against one of Rune Fjeld's Top Fuel Dragsters at Saturday's Flame and Thunder Show at Santa Pod Raceway. British Drag Racing Hall of Fame members the Phelps family have a long association with UK and European drag racing having been involved with and run Santa Pod Raceway from its opening in 1966 until 1990 as well as running Fibreglass Repairs, a company which built and maintained many of the sport's most legendary race cars. Having re-started FGR Jason became involved with the Shockwave team and has made a number of runs in the FC, culminating in a final licencing pass of 5.567/221.43 at this year's Bug Jam. You can check out our interview with Jason by clicking here or by clicking on the Features, Interviews, Tributes link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page. Mission accomplished. 24th October: At the start of every year UK Topspeed Automotive Street Eliminator racer Alex McIntosh set himself goals for his season. Alex writes that to say that his goals were achieved in 2011 is a major understatement: With Webster Race Engineering and Power Pour fuel additive offering me support for the season my racing program improved in leaps and bounds. My ET and speed goals were smashed in pre-season testing. After I collected the car from WRE where Jon and his team had carried out some winter upgrades, we went testing at one his company's Test Days. The day's testing ended with me going from a Personal Best of 8.4 to an 8.1. Time to set some new goals! For the last two seasons I've finished forth in the Championship against some tough opposition, with the added help this season I improved to a close-fought third. A few people asked if I was disappointed to not get second, but how could I be? Out of seven Championship rounds the team made three finals and won the big one, the European Finals. The main thing was that it was great fun, being with like-minded people all doing what we enjoy. Roll on 2012, let's break some more goals! Many thanks to Jon, Jeanette and Shelby Webster, all the Webster Race Engineering staff, Power Pour, James Jarvis, and everyone else who has helped. Big jugs, lube and fuel from VP. 24th October: Eurodragster.com sponsor LA Racing Parts, UK and Ireland Distributor for fellow Eurodragster.com sponsor VP Racing Fuels, has receuved another consignment of the ever-popular VP Racing Fuels jugs. "These fuel jugs are a great product", says Lee Child. "They look very professional and are great to have in the pit area of any team. Refuelling is made easier and safer with VP Racing Fuels jugs". The VP Racing Fuels 20-litre jugs have two options, square and round, to suit your race team logistics. Both square and round jugs are available in red, blue and white, with round jugs additionally available in orange, green, black, purple, silver and yellow. The jugs can be purchased with or without the deluxe filler hose to suit your refuelling needs. Jugs £38 including VAT and postage, or jug plus deluxe filler hose delivered to your door on the UK mainland for £45. With the season nearly at a close, LA Racing Parts also stock VP Racing Fuels Engine Assembly Lube for that winter motor freshen or new engine build. For methanol users, VP Racing Fuels M2 Upper Lube is in stock, scented and no-scented. "We also have some monster deals on VP Racing Fuels for Q16, C12, C16 and MS109", says Lee. "This offer ends on Halloween, 31st October. Reduce your racing budget for 2012 and purchase now for great savings." For information and orders contact LA Racing Parts on 01803 391740 or E-Mail [email protected]. Web site updates. 24th October: UK street-legal Pro Mod racer and Eurodragster.com Blogger Andy Frost has proven the street credentials of his Red Victor 3 Pro Mod by taking it out for a spin on the street. Courtesy of our good friends at Zeon TV you can check out Frosty's cruise at www.youtube.com/watch?v=iI9ptwMxunI. UK blown-alcohol altered racer Neil Townson has launched an official web site for his seven-second Northern Spirit team at www.northernspiritracing.co.uk. The site features details about the car, pictures, video, racing history and more. Feature: NHRA Arizona Nationals. 23rd October: The latest in our occasional series of Features presented in association with Lucas Oil Products and Carter Motorsport is Roger's report from last weekend's NHRA Arizona Nationals at Firebird Raceway in Phoenix. Roger's report covers the Pro classes, plus pictures of all class winners, and can be checked out by clicking here or by clicking on the Features, Interviews, Tributes link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page. Roger's next report will be from the latest stop on his and Andy Willsheer's Swannin' Around Tour, this weekend's California Hot Rod Reunion in Bakersfield. Swift snippets. 23rd October: Congratulations to Pete Rivers who is the winner of our Flame and Thunder Show Contest. As did everyone who entered, Pete correctly answered that Andy Carter was the Top Fuel Dragster racer who recently announced his retirement here on Eurodragster.com. Pete wins a family ticket to Saturday's Flame and Thunder Show at Santa Pod Raceway. Thanks to everyone who entered and to Santa Pod Raceway for posting the prize. 2010 APIRA and SPRC Perpetual Award winners please note that trophies should be be returned to SPRC or APIRA as soon as possible. To make arrangements for trophy return please contact Julie Willcox of APIRA on 07792 919508 or E-Mail [email protected], call Shakespeare County Raceway on 01789 720180, or contact Ian Marshall at Webster Race Engineering. CHRR webcast. 23rd October: Our good buddies at Bangshift.com are broadcasting live on the web from this weekend's California Hot Rod Reunion in Bakersfield. The broadcast commences at 18:00 UK / 19:00 European each day and can be checked out by clicking here. CHRR results can be found courtesy of our Drag Race Central colleagues at www.dragracecentral.com. You can tell it's warm at Famoso Raceway: this brave soul fired up the Yeakel Plymouth Special nostalgia slingshot dragster in the pits wearing a fireproof breather mask and jacket but continued to wear his shorts and a beany hat. This is the twentieth year of the fabulously popular nostalgia drag racing event which has attracted fans and some entrants from all over the world to witness and take part in three full days of qualifying and eliminations. Eurodragster.com's Photo Editor Roger Gorringe aims to send in a report and photos soon after the race. ADRL World Finals webcast. 23rd October: Also available live on-line this weekend is thet ADRL World Finals at the Texas Motorplex, in which Swedish Pro Modified racer Adam Flamholc is competing. The broadcast commences at 19:00 UK / 20:00 European each day and can be checked out by clicking here. You will also be able to stay in touch with Adam's progress on the ADRL web site at www.adrl.us or courtesy of our Drag Race Central colleagues at www.dragracecentral.com. Super Pro ET Challenge review. 20th October: Our good buddy Markus Münch of the excellent der Beschleuniger web site has been in touch with a review of the 2011 German Super Pro ET Challenge: Nineteen drivers and teams from Germany, Switzerland and The Netherlands raced for points in this open Championship with about €4000 in contingency and season end money up for grabs. Thanks to the sponsors who participated in our Sponsorship Scheme: Der Beschleuniger.de, CG Webdesign, Bavarian Drag Racing Club, Schöninger Glas, K&M Carburettors, Autokarroseriebetrieb Bruckmüller, Ove Kröger Automobile, Schneider Holzbearbeitung, Garage Ehrismann, Greymarkets Mustang Parts, Eisenhauer Kfz – Hughes Performance, and Pletke Parts and Service. As there is nothing like a National Championship in German drag racing we set up this Challenge four years ago. Not all of the drivers in each individual event participated in the Challange, so there was a race within the races for Championship points. For the overall points each driver took their best four of five results; races which counted towards the Championship were the three races at Drachten, the Grand Nationals Dragrace at Bechyne, and the NitrOlympX. As we all know Drachten had a bad season weather-wise, so there were only qualifying points to gain there. Bechyne in the Czech Republic was the only race which could be completed, and we had a full sixteen-car field. We had doorslammers, dragsters, Funny Cars and a Nostalgia Funny Car. It was great to watch and the competition was very stiff. The two finalists did a great job and Norbert Schneider was the eventual winner. Runner-up was Andre Müller from the Dragrace Team Potsdam. The NitrOlympX had a full thirty two-car field and was also a tight contest. German, Swiss, French, and British drivers fought for the win. Due to a rain delay on race day, combined with a strict 18:00 curfew, we were not able to run the semis or the final but the final four drivers were all competing in the Challenge. Norbert Schneider and Thomas Haas, who also competed at the European Finals at Santa Pod, Jürgen Schubert (also known at Santa Pod and several Scandinavian tracks) and our rookie, fifteen-year-old Carlo Heym, were the semi-finalists. The overall winner after the five races - or at least one and a half races - was Norbert Schneider of the Silver Bullet Racing Team. Runner up is young gun (There you go Spencer, the mantle has been passed on - Ed) Carlo Heym of the Mopar Rebellion Team. Thomas Haas, Bert Gorselitz, Andre Müller and Marc Henney were in the following places. I would thank all the drivers and teams in Super Pro ET, not just the Challenge participants. We hope to see you all, and even more teams, back on the track in 2012. All racers and intrested parties are invited to our ceremony at Erlensee/Hanau near Frankfurt/Main on 26th November. We start at about 16:00 with a drivers' meeting, then dinner and trophy presentation in the evening. Please contact us through the web site at www.suproet.de. Pitrat's first ride. 20th October: Luke Felstead, aka Pitrat, tells us that dad Bill Felstead finally finished Luke's Junior Dragster on Saturday so he was able to licence and take part in the Junior Dragster League at Shakespeare County Raceway on Sunday. "I would like to thank some people", says Luke. "A big thank you to Daren Brett for all his help including an engine, seat belts, and tickets to get in, Geof Hauser for the spark box, Jon Dewey for smuggling the front wheels in his suitcase from the USA (Busted - Ed), Jon 'Mental' Hall for the Dzus fasteners, Kev 'Closet' Mortimer for the £20, Ashley Troope for a sheet of alli, Tim Long for the photos including this one, Matt and Danielle Wright for taking me and for their support, and and all the Romford mob in Crow Lane for telling me I can do it. "Oh and thanks to my dad. He might know about fuel engines and just lately twin-turbo Rollers but when it comes to lawnmower engines he's crap... we ran nineteens at 28 mph. Anyway on to next year, we are getting wheel pants, a big wing, big screen and a methanol engine. Thanks again to everyone who helped." Swift snippets. 20th October: Not really a spy picture but thanks to Eurodragster.com photographic kit sponsor Karsten Andersen for taking time out from the many-fold attractions of the Sawlty Dawg to send us this workshop picture of the Andersen Racing Top Fuel Dragster being readied for next week's NHRA National Event at Las Vegas where Thomas Nataas will be at the wheel. Staying with European racers in the USA, Swedish Pro Modified racer Adam Flamholc will be contesting this weekend's ADRL World Finals at the Texas Motorplex. The action starts tomorrow (Friday) and you will be able to stay in touch with Adam's progress on the ADRL web site at www.adrl.us or courtesy of our Drag Race Central colleagues at www.dragracecentral.com. Our good buddies at Bangshift.com have confirmed that they will be broadcasting live on the web from this weekend's California Hot Rod Reunion. The broadcast commences at 18:00 UK / 19:00 tomorrow and continues on Saturday and Sunday. Santa Pod Raceway's Flame and Thunder Show, which takes place on 29th October, is well-known as one of the most-action packed ways to spend your bonfire night and James Forster says that with a whole host of entertainment there really is something for all the family. "You can expect to see drag racing demos including Top Fuel Dragster v Funny Car Shootout, the World's Fastest Rolls Royce, Jet Cars, Monster Trucks, Air Shows, Fireworks, Bonfire, Stunts, Flaming Burnouts, Katy Perry tribute, and even life-sized cartoon characters in the form of Peppa Pig and The Simpsons plus loads more! Advance tickets available up to 5.30 pm tomorrow so be sure to get yours before then for the cheaper rate. For more information, a full list of attractions and to buy tickets please visit the Flame and Thunder page on the Santa Pod web site at www.santapod.com. Outlaw Street racer Monkey Boy tells us that the series is one third of the way towards its target to raise funds for a new sweeper for Shakespeare County Raceway. "Thank you to all who have already donated", he says. "The collection closes on 26th November so there is still time to donate. If you'd like to make a donation via PayPal the address is [email protected], or if you'd like to contact us to send a cheque or postal order then please E-Mail [email protected]. Please dig deep and help us raise as much as possible; it's over to fellow racers to get behind us and support this collection." Web site updates. 20th October: The Mad Welshman has updated his Flickr gallery with shots from last Saturday's Public Track Day at Shakespeare County Raceway. You can check out Mad's pictures at www.flickr.com/photos/the_madwelshman. Flynn's A/Fueller for sale. 19th October: UK Top Methanol Dragster racer Derek Flynn of Eurodragster.com sponsor Gold RV has put his 270+ mph injected-nitro dragster up for sale. "I will not say I am retiring as a driver just yet", Derek told Eurodragster.com. "If it is not sold then we shall compete as and when we can. However the costs and time required to really compete for the FIA Championship, especially as other rounds are being added, means that it is no longer viable for the Gold RV team and I to compete at this level. "I would especially like to thank Gary Jenkins and all my team members for all the help, support and commitment I have had from them to date. People may not realise the time and effort the crew all put in, using up all their holiday allowances to help us compete at all the rounds; I know they will appreciate some time off for good behaviour especially as some now have young children or other interests they would like to pursue apart from just racing. "I am happy to discuss various packages for the race car turn-key or for the complete operation. The Gold RV-sponsored A/Fueller is still the only A/Fuel car to win an FIA event (two actually) and it currently holds the European speed record. This race car and its set-up are just too good to be put on the sidelines and the car deserves better, so if you have the budget and desire to run with the best in Top Methanol Dragster then I would love to assist you and your team to achieve this. Please see our advert on the Swap Meet. "Thanks also to all our fans, our fellow competitors and Eurodragster.com (You're welcome, thank you - Ed). We have really appreciated everyone's support and we have really enjoyed our time in TMD. Winning the UK Championship, setting records and winning events has just been awesome. Thanks also to all the track crews, promoters and support staff who have helped us and this great sport to be what they are." Swift snippets. 19th October: Many thanks to Yvonne Tramm and our own Simon for forwarding us the final standings in the 2011 UK National Drag Racing and Santa Pod Racers Club Championships. You can check out the UK and SPRC points on our on our Speedflow-sponsored Points Standings page by clicking here or by clicking on the Speedflow Points Standings link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page. The owners of Shakespeare County Raceway, Long Marston Airfield Sports and Leisure, are exhibiting at this week's Showman's Show at Newbury Showground. The Showman's Show is the largest outdoor show of its kind in the UK attracting over 5,000 visitors and has in excess of 300 exhibitors who show the most sophisticated structures, equipment and entertainment demanded by the event industry at large as well as promoting shows and festivals, venue and facility hire, catering, attractions and so on. If you might be making tracks to the show then stop by Stand 13 for a chat with Jerry and Emily. The show is open today and tomorrow Newbury Showground just off junction 12 of the M4/A34. Registration is via the Showman's Show web site at www.showmans-directory.co.uk. Our good buddies at Bangshift.com have confirmed that they will be broadcasting live on the web from this weekend's California Hot Rod Reunion. The broadcast commences at 18:00 UK / 19:00 European this Friday (21st) and continues on Saturday and Sunday. Thanks to all those who have entered our Flame and Thunder Show Contest. So far every single entry received has the correct answer. Entry is open until midnight UK on Saturday; for your chance to win a family ticket to Santa Pod Raceway's end-of-season speactacular check out Monday's news update. On the subject of the Flame and Thunder Show, Nicola Hart of Santa Pod Raceway tells us that although the Private Balcony VIP Suites are sold out there are still some places available in the VIP Quarter Mile Club. Quarter Mile Hospitality packages include admission to the event, start line viewing, refreshments throughout the day, hot buffet lunch, VIP toilets, privilege parking, souvenir of the day and complimentary ear plugs and programme. At £79 + VAT per person (half price child packages) you can treat your family and friends, clients, or just yourself! To book your tickets call Santa Pod Raceway on 01234 782828. Back to webcasts and we have added one more date to the schedule for Eurodragster.com's Webster Race Engineering/Nimbus Motorsport webcam. We will be staying at Santa Pod Raceway after the Flame and Thunder Show and will broadcast the Run What You Brung on Sunday 30th October. As things stand this RWYB will be our final webcast of 2011. Coyote or Terminator? 19th October: In the late 1980s, Coyote was the name of a flat and furious gang from Dijon in France. Dan Wurster was part of it and Coyote became his racing nickname. Pascal Thébault writes: Coyote runs a near stock-looking, street-legal 1300 beetle in ATD Street Run A, a category with a 12.00 index which he often breaks. Engine capacity is 2054 cc with 74 mm crankshaft, G03 standard heads, Webcam 218 and 650 Speed Demon carb. Blower comes from Ford Mustang SVO T3 trim turbine. Lastly, the author is in love with the vintage ally Edelbrock air filter. Not content with being a notorious tuner and drag racer in French VW world, Coyote is also a talented video director, with a lot of humour (and self derision). Check out www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSxASexffqo. The question is: Coyote or Terminator? Lucas Oil support ACAG aution. 19th October: Allard Chrysler Action Group Chair Brian Taylor reports that Les Downey of Eurodragster.com sponsor Lucas Oil has donated several items for auction with the proceeds going towards the restoration costs: These include an Andy Carter team shirt (from Stu Bradbury) plus the new Lucas Oil design hoodie fleeces, zip up jackets and caps. But the star item has to be the last available 50 cc Pocket Bike in the Lucas Oil stars and stripes colours. Although not to be used on public roads or pavements, this would make a super pit bike or a gift for a special boy or girl with a big garden. The auction closes at the end of October so make your bid as soon as possible to [email protected]. Guide price is circa £200. The official ACAG merchandise range available at www.allardchrysler.org features an expanding number of items. If you wish to be added to the ACAG newsletter distribution list then please contact Brian at the ACAG E-Mail address above. Stop press: Brian reports that the limited edition Paul Whitehouse / Andy Carter print featured here on Eurodragster.com last Wednesday is selling quickly: half were sold before the last newsletter went out. Only twenty nine prints - representing the number of years Andy was involved in the sport - have been produced and they are all signed by Andy. More details at www.allardchrysler.org. A message from Paula. 17th October: We have received the following message from Santa Pod Racers Club Secretary Paula Marshall who is in hospital being treated for an illness: I would just like to say a massive thanks to everyone for all of their kind words and cards and gifts.  I have been inundated with lovely cards, so much so that I did mention to the nurses that I need an extension on my room to fit them all in!  I don't know if people realise but words of support is a real boost and definitely helps when you may not be feeling at your best. Also a special thanks to Graham Ellis who kindly donated his winner's trophy to me after the National Finals event.  I know how hard everyone works to achieve trophies and I can say I have a trophy from the best class on the planet without even owning a Pro Mod car - how cool is that??!  I'm doing OK at the moment and hope to carry on improving day to day.  Once again thank you all so much for your support via cards, texts etc - they really do help.  I have been totally overwhelmed and can't thank you all enough, with lots of love to you all xxxxx Swift snippets. 17th October: We would like to say a big Happy Birthday to SPRC Race Director Robin Shone. Have a great day Robin. Flame and Thunder Show contest. 17th October: Eurodragster.com has teamed up with Santa Pod Raceway to offer one lucky reader a family ticket to the Flame and Thunder Show which takes place on Saturday 29th October. The family ticket admits two adults and up to six under-sixteens. The Flame and Thunder Show features a Top Fuel Dragster v Fuel Funny Car match race; fire burnouts; demonstration passes by National Championship racers; Martin Hill in the Fireforce 3 Jet Funny Car and Julian Webb in the Split Second Jet Dragster; Eric Teboul's Rocket Bike; Ronnie Picardo's Jet Truck and Jet Beetle; Steve Murty's wheelie truck; stunt and aerobatic displays; drifting demos; jet karts; monster trucks; Black Knights parachute team; ice rink; live bands; Fun Fair; the traditional bonfire and firework displays; and much more family entertainment. Santa Pod Raceway's own radio station Nitro FM will also be making their last broadcast of the season. You can find out more about the Flame and Thunder Show on Santa Pod Raceway's web site at www.santapod.com. For your chance to win the Flame and Thunder Show family ticket, simply answer the question below and get your answer to us before 23:59 UK time this Saturday (22nd). The answer can be found on Eurodragster.com. The winner will be chosen at random from all correct entries received. Good luck! ©Eurodragster.com Question: Which Top Fuel Dragster racer recently announced their retirement here on Eurodragster.com? Andy Carter Anita Mäkelä Kenni Neergaard How to enter Simply send an E-Mail to [email protected] giving: Your answer to the above question Your name Your E-Mail address A daytime or mobile phone number One entry per E-Mail address. Any entry without the details listed above will be disqualified. Entry closes at 23:59 UK time this Saturday (22nd October), and the winner will be notified by Eurodragster.com over the weekend. Please note that the winner will be responsible for their own transport to and from Santa Pod Raceway. Many thanks to Jo Harris of Santa Pod Raceway for arranging the prize for this Contest. Checking in from Phoenix. 16th October: Eurodragster.com Photo Editor Roger Gorringe has checked in from Phoenix where this weekend's NHRA Arizona Nationals is in full swing: This weekend's NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series round threw a few surprises into the Professional ranks as everyone battled with the tortuous 100 F  temperatures, a record for this time of year. In Top Fuel, point leader Spencer Massey failed to qualify leaving Larry Dixon in the Al-Anabi car to record a 3.919/303 top qualifier. Funny Car saw Cruz Pedregon on top in his Snap On Solara with a 4.215/296 ahead of leader Matt Hagan. Mike Edwards ran a 6.617/210 in Pro Stock to head the pack just ahead of Jason Line who led the points. In Pro Stock Motorcycle it was young Hector Arana III who rode to a 6.889/195.31 both being track records to hold pole place just in front of leader Eddie Krawiec. Friday ended with a slick jet show by the five Jet Dragster teams putting on a huge fiery display in the balmy 90 degree evening heat, as if any more warmth was needed! Swift snippets. 16th October: We would like to say a big Happy Birthday to SPRC race official Barry Halliwell. Have a great day Barry. Our annual contest for a family ticket to the Flame and Thunder Show will be launched here on Eurodragster.com News tomorrow (Monday) so tune back then for your chance to win. Web site updates. 16th October: In the latest instalment in his exclusive Racer Blog presented in association with Alamo Rent-A-Car, Luke Bennett brings us up to date with what the Bennett Racing blown-alcohol altered team have been up to recently. As ever you can stay in touch with the latest Blog updates by clicking here or by clicking on the Alamo Blogs link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page. Sarah Payne of the UK's Sticky Situation Super Modified team, tells us that Chris Dossett's latest highly-entertaining race reports, this time from the FIA European Finals, are available on the Super Modified web site at www.supermodified.org and on the Sticky Situation site at www.stickysituationracing.co.uk. Outlaw Street Round 8. 15th October: The penultimate round of the 2011 Outlaw Street series was without doubt the shocker of the season, not just for the racing but also for the weather. What had been anticipated to be a traditionally cold and blustery October race was blessed with the hottest October weather in history with everyone frantically searching for shade and sun cream! Mark Wallington writes: Members were out in force to try and squeeze in as much track time as possible before the end of the season, frantically chasing that elusive PB or their dream of getting their hands on one of the season's trophies. The commitment was clearly paying off for some with John Latham in his PT Cruiser managing fifteen runs on the Saturday alone and securing himself a new PB, and Andrew Murton in his Camaro setting a new PB without nitrous of 9.83. Unfortunately it wasn't the weekend for PBs for both Steve Adams in his 1999 Ford Mustang and Roy Collins in his supercharged Camaro who had to retire due to transmission problems. The American Car World magazine free subscription was won by Steve Moisey in his Ford Mustang scoring 218 points for the weekend. This is the first win for Steve and I anticipate not the last. The Joe & Co-sponsored RT Trophy was being chased all weekend by those desperate to own one of the last two 2011 trophies, amazingly only 0.071 of a second separated first and second places with the win going to Ian Jackson in his Team Jackson's MoT Camaro with a jaw-dropping 0.003 RT. This is Ian's first Joe & Co RT Trophy, and not only did he secure the round trophy but also set the quickest RT of the season. Ian now sits in first place to win the 2011 Fastest RT Trophy, with 0.003 RT being the number to beat at Round 9. Can it be done? The top six Reaction Times were: Ian Jackson, LT1 Camaro 0.003 Vic Fisher, supercharged V6 Mustang 0.074 Steve Moisey, Cervini Mustang 0.122 Steve Adams, '99 Mustang 0.281 Derren Brown, Chevy-powered Escort 0.314 Roy Collins, Big Block '70s Camaro 0.315 2011 Outlaw Street points after Round 8 Steve Adams, 1999 Mustang 1497 Vic Fisher, Supercharged Mustang 1488 Andrew Murton, 1968 Camaro 1344 Stephen Moisey, Cervini Mustang 1100 Phil Davey, Fox body Mustang 1097 Nigel Jenkins, Supercharged Mustang 1075 There are only 422 points separating the top six as we go into the final round of the season. With 220+ points available, a couple of broken cars, and remembering that only seven of the nine rounds count in the final points, everything is still to be won. The final round of the Outlaw Street 2011 series will be held over the Flame and Thunder Show weekend at Santa Pod Raceway on 29th-30th October. Swift snippets. 15th October: Hungary's Szabolcs Borsay tells us that he aims to contest the 2012 UEM European Pro Stock Bike Championship with his new bike which features Trak T4 chassis, Suzuki GSX-R 1000 bodywork and, he hopes, a Vance & Hines 1755 cc motor. You can check out a promotional video of Szabolcs' 2011 season on YouTube at www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ruY9rDvtXw. We would like to wish a very Happy Birthday to Santa Pod Racers Club Assistant Race Director, Her Majesty the Queen of Race Control Carole Ismail. Have a lovely day Carole and allow us to tug our forelocks in your general direction. Organising a Piston in a Brewery. 14th October: Following the successful visit to Prescott Hill Climb's October Classic, the post-season tour for UK Topspeed Automotive Street Eliminator team FB Racing continued last weekend with a visit to the Brewery Centre in Cheltenham. Ian Hook writes: The '34 was there as the representative of the drag racing section of Cheltenham Motor Club for the Club's annual display. The change of location - previous events had been held in the town's Promenade - caused a change of name: previously known as Pistons in the Prom it's now Pistons in the Brewery. And, yes, the new name opened a lot of innuendo doors! The event was a great success and following on from the previous weekend at Prescott allowed me to spread the word about drag racing in general and Street Eliminator in particular. It was great to be able to chat to members of the public and remind them that there is a drag strip just twenty five miles up the road! With Cheltenham's only cinema being part of the complex we had a lot of public walking through, and every time I fired the car up I managed to draw a sizeable crowd! That's the last of our outings for this year and, after a short break - we all need a holiday at some point! - the car will be stripped and freshened ready for 2012 (What's a holiday? - Ed). Hopefully we'll also be adding some upgrades as next year's competition looks like being even tougher, but then I guess that's always the case with SE! Swift snippets. 14th October: Congratulations to ex-pat UK Top Alcohol Dragster racer Michael Manners of Eurodragster.com sponsor Cosmo Residences who won the rescheduled Lucas Oil Drag Racing Divisional event at Thunder Valley Raceway Park yesterday (Thursday). Mike took the win from #4 qualifying spot and defeated Brandon Pierce in the final. More details courtesy of our Drag Race Central colleagues at www.dragracecentral.com. UK Super Modified racer Peter Thompson asked us to say a big Happy 16th Birthday for today (Friday) to his daughter Miki Thompson (right, at the Easter Thunderball). "Miki has been part of the crew since the days of the Super Street Capri days and all her efforts are greatly appreciated", says Pete. Further to yesterday's Swift Snippet, Callum Pudge tells us that his Flickr gallery is now ready to check out at www.flickr.com/photos/c_p_racing_photos. SCR Junior League standings. 14th October: The inaugural Shakespeare County Raceway / Roy Wilding Junior Dragster League Finals had it all: amazing weather together with an excellent turnout of racers. The League couldn't have asked for anything better, writes Daren Brett: By Saturday morning all of the JDL pilots were keen to take advantage of the maximum track time available as well as nailing that Perfect ET for Sunday's finals. The League also had two new addition: Saskia Jell taking a turn at the wheel of the Kopasz Team pool and the first sighting at a UK track of the Lucas Oils Junior Outlaw 330 dragster in the hands of Big John Przybyl, son of former Outlaw Anglia racer Andy. In fact it was a Who's Who of willing crew hands with FIA Pro Stock racer Conrad Stanley acting as John's Crew Chief for the weekend as well as working on the Outlaw car to bring it in line for future events with Junior Modified Advanced and Junior Dragster League ET and speed rules. As the day progressed it was a mixed bag of performances and Personal Bests including the '34 Ford Tot Rod of Callum Swinchatt. Although this is his final year with the Juniors Callum's Tot Rod just keeps on getting quicker and quicker with its detuned stock cam motor and higher engaging torque converter springs. Also on PBs with consistent numbers until the petrol ran out was Russell Victory, while at the other end of the scale Joy Brett's Mr Magoo Stock Dragster was losing time. It wasn't until after Sunday morning's test run that the problem of contaminated fuel was diagnosed. With fresh fuel in the tank and a repositioned needle valve sorted by League sponsor Simon Cardwell of Claron Graphics, the car was back on form putting in consistent runs. The JDL opened Sunday with final test runs before dial-ins had to be submitted to round timing officer Tracey Victory. We had two additional round participants, John Przybyl and George Andrew, the latest recruit at the controls of the SCR Junior Dragster taking full advantage of the track's October Special of £99 with tuition or &poun;79 crew youself. If you're interested then this Sunday (16th) is the last available day for bookings so don't delay, book today. The track was absolutely packed, so we had tight turnarounds to get all our rounds in. The results are as follows: Sunday round positions and differences after four rounds Jacob Kopasz 0.095 Declan Webb 0.119 Alex Brett 0.153 Tyler Webb 0.570 Russell Victory 0.588 Callum Swinchatt 1.118 Joy Brett 3.682 Paige Wheeler N/S Junior Dragster League Final standings Declan Webb (Roy Wilding Shield, Trophy and £750) Alex Brett (Trophy and £350) Jacob Kopasz (Trophy and £50) Tyler Webb Joy Brett                              Russell Victory Callum Swinchatt Paige Wheeler Best Reaction Time Declan Webb (£150) GV Motorsport Reaction Award Positions Alex Brett 28 pts Declan Webb 25 pts Joy Brett 23 pts Tyler Webb 18 pts Russell Victory 16 pts Jacob Kopasz 13 pts Callum Swinchatt 9 pts Paige Wheeler 1 pt The Junior Dragster League officials would like to thank all the Supercharged Outlaws who made it to the track on Sunday for the League Finals, as well as Simon Cardwell and Sandra Lamberth of Claron Graphics for sponsoring the Finals and awarding some beautiful trophies, and Tim Long from Nitroburners for taking some great shots throughout the day. Huge must go thanks to Bryony Wadkin-Snaith for preparing an amazing Junior Dragster League cake. Not only did its attention to detail look amazing, it also tasted amazing. So much so that within five minutes of the cake being cut there was none left! Can we have another one for Party Night? Plenty on at PMR. 14th October: Although there has not been much on Eurodragster.com recently regarding what's been happening at Paul Marston Racing, it is not because PMR have been quiet. In fact they have been particularly busy, but work pressures have meant that keeping people posted has been on the back burner. Paul Marston explains: The long-planned and long-awaited return of the PT Bruiser to competition has now sadly been put back to 2012. There were plans to run her at the Mopar Nationals but work commitments put paid to that one, which in turn meant that the PT Bruiser could not realistically appear at the European Finals. Meanwhile, PMR kept themselves busy organising Top Sportsman at Dragstalgia with Jeff and Belinda Bull. Top Sportsman was very successful at its début event and there will be more news to follow very soon; right now I will say that Top Sportsman will happen again in 2012 and that we are looking at when. There is also the possibility that we could expand the programme and include Top Dragster next year, but we need to know how many teams would be interested in running this exciting new class. If you are interested please E-Mail [email protected] to register your interest. Staying with Top Sportsman, although PMR did not have an official entry we did enter into a joint project with Gary Springford at Drag Race Engineering who ran a PMR-supplied 632 ci motor in his Hulk Shogun with the addition of a much needed wing. Despite a high speed chaffing with the Santa Pod wall in testing two weeks prior, the Shogun made the event where it made a very respectable showing and performed faultlessly. Our Whoopass Monza and the PiranaZ backed Ugly Stick dragster fared well in competition, highlights including a win for the dragster in Super Comp at the SPRC Summernationals and a semi-final finish more than once with the Monza. It has been a good season. On the minus side losing the motor in the dragster at Easter really hurt our chances of defending our title in Super Comp plus not attending the Springspeed Nationals, again due to not having enough time to fix it. Topping that off with the crash at Santa Pod during the National Finals just about ended our chances of successfully defending any of our titles and our SC 1 plate in 2011. To win a Championship you have to have a lot of things in good proportion: good driver, good car, good crew and good luck! Brian Pateman had all of these in 2011 and is a worthy successor. He earned it, we made sure of that! Pro ET in 2011 was loads of fun. It truly is the toughest UK Sportsman racing class in which to be successful, with so many good teams nowadays you need to be real good or real lucky for five rounds to win. That is some achievement. You never know when someone is going to strap a 0.014 or 0.018 package on you. Mike Lacey did that to me twice in 2011 and Dan Williams got one in at the Summernationals, I think his was 0.012! That is world-class bracket racing, you can win anywhere on the planet with those numbers. Yes I know that I along with the big hitters in Pro have put those kind of packages together on other racers as well, but with more and more racers able to execute those numbers it just shows by example how competitive the UK sportsman racers are becoming and how tough Pro ET is as a class to compete in. Make no mistake, 2012 will be tougher. Considering how few races we actually contest, this is Sportsman drag racing at its best. Web site updates. 14th October: Our good buddy Alan Currans has updated his excellent Acceleration Archive with another instalment in Pat Neal's restoration of Ken Veney's last Pro Comp Funny Car. You can check it out via the What's New link at www.theaccelerationarchive.co.uk. Drag Week, via Essen. 13th October: The WG Racing Outlaw Rolls Royce campaigned by Matthew Wright of Eurodragster.com sponsor WG4 Facilities and Services will be appearing at the famous Essen Motor Show having accepted an invitation from UK photo-journalist Andy Willsheer to whom Matt and the team are most grateful. The appearance at Essen makes an ideal springboard for Matt's big plans for 2012: Not only are we going to show of Bill Felstead's hard work, but the Essen Show will be the starting point for our campaign as a contender for 2012 UK Drag Week. For those who don't know about Drag Week it is, basically, the ultimate challenge to find the fastest street car in America. Five tracks in five days, with the lowest ET of each day going towards a week's average... oh, and did I mention that you have to drive between each track in your race car towing a small trailer with all your spares and every thing you will need for the week? That's over a thousand miles in total. The intention is to use next season as the test and preparation leg of our Drag Week challenge. The team here at WG Racing are totally committed to this project and we will be publishing a blow-by-blow account of the trials and tribulations of how we intend to move forward with this exciting project. The first instalment can be found on the Drag Week page of our web site at www.wgracing.co.uk. Swift snippets. 13th October: The UK's Team Gridlock Wild Bunch team are pleased to announce that Eurodragster.com and Team Gridlock sponsor and V8 engine builder Paul's Place of Southampton are continuing the sponsorship of their Wild Bunch Championship-winning competition altered throughout 2012. Artel Motorsports have also renewed their sponsorship for 2012 with their range of coloured silicon hoses.  "We are very pleased that Pauls Place and Artel are going to be with us again", says Dexter Price. "In such hard economic times its great that these companies are supporting us and drag racing. A massive Thanks to them both; we are proud to have their names on the car and we look forward to seeing them trackside next season." Keen photographer and Eurodragster.com reader, fourteen-year-old Callum Pudge is in the process of setting himself up a Flickr site and whilst sorting through his Dragstalgia shots came across this example of bad forward planning in the Wild Bunch pits. We'll bring you the address of Callum's site when it's ready to go. It came too late for yesterday's news update but a very Happy 60th Birthday for yesterday (Wednesday) to Top Methanol Dragster and British Drag Racing Hall of Fame member, the currently ex-pat Tim Read. Hope you had a great day Tim and thanks for the longtime support. Two chances left to gamble... 13th October: It's the penultimate Public Track Weekend of the season at Shakespeare County Raceway this weekend featuring the popular SCR Super Street Bracket Gambler's race on Sunday, finals for the National Sprint Association Southern series, Honda Street Stock Series and the end of term Autumn Fall National Junior Dragster League Shootout. Bracket Gamblers registration opens at Signing On early Sunday morning in time for two (or more) qualifying sessions, with eliminations and a crack at winning some prize money, trophies and goodies from race supporters Piston Apparel, Motorshack and American Car Magazine. Clubs looking for some track action will be the twisty sprint racers from the Cotswold Branch of the National Caterham Club, and retro-style '60s Vauxhalls from the Viva Outlaws. All other Clubs are welcome to attend. Gates open at 6:00 pm Friday evening and the track opens 10:00 am each day subject to track and weather conditions. Admission is £12 per person on Saturday and Sunday, or £22 for a weekend pass. Please remember your driving licence and crash helmet. Further information can be found on the track's web site at www.shakespearecountyraceway.com, on the SCR Facebook page, or by calling 01789 720180. See you at the strip! UK Championships Dinner Dance. 13th October: Bookings are now being taken for the seventh joint Avon Park International Racers Association/Santa Pod Racers Club Dinner Dance and Trophy Evening, which takes place at the St John's Hotel, Solihull, Birmingham at 6:00 pm on Saturday 11th February 2012. You can find the hotel's web site at www.principal-hayley.com/venues-and-hotels/the-st-johns-hotel. The arrangements are as follow: Pre-dinner drinks will be available in the bar from 5:30 pm. Proceedings will start prompt at 6:00 pm with the trophy presentations to the 2011 Santa Pod Racers Club and APIRA Champions and runners-up. For this reason it is important that everyone is in their seats in the function room at 6:00 pm as the presentation will not be held up for latecomers. If you miss your presentation then we will not be going back! Dinner will be served at 7:00 pm. ©Eurodragster.com After dinner, the 2011 UK National Champions and runners-up will be presented with their trophies, then the top three in the MSA Championship, followed by the 2011 APIRA and SPRC Perpetual Award winners and the 2012 British Drag Racing Hall of Fame inductees. Tickets to the Dinner Dance are £30 per adult and £15 for under-twelves which includes three-course meal plus coffee and mints. Please make it clear on the form if booking tickets for under-twelves and specify a child's meal. An additional £1 per ticket should be added if paying by credit card. Verbal bookings will not be accepted: bookings will not be confirmed until a completed form is received by SPRC. Bookings close on 8th January 2012 or when the Function Room is full, whichever is the sooner. The Clubs have negotiated a preferential rate for hotel rooms in the St John's Hotel. These are priced at £75 per room across the board, including breakfast on Sunday morning. To book your room, please call the St John's Hotel on 0121 711 3000 (for Reservations press button 3 then button 1) and mention SPRC Dinner Dance. If you are quoted £79 by the booking service then do not fret as you will only be charged £75 on the day. You can download the booking form (Word format) from the Entry Forms page of the Santa Pod Racers Club web site at www.eurodragster.com/sprc. Please note that booking forms should be sent to Yvonne Tramm at the address specified on the form and not to the SPRC address. If you have any queries then please contact Robin Shone of SPRC on 07585 918577 or E-Mail [email protected], Julie Willcox of APIRA on 07792 919508 or E-Mail [email protected], or call Shakespeare County Raceway on 01789 720180. 2010 Perpetual Award winners please note that trophies should be be returned to SPRC or APIRA as soon as possible. To make arrangements for trophy return please contact Robin, Julie or SCR as appropriate. Dad gets his turn. 12th October: Having crewed for son Zak in Junior Dragster, Rick Johnson will be making a return to the track in 2012 in a Super Gas Sierra formerly campaigned by Mike Bentley. "We sold Zak's Junior to Stacey and Bois Reed", says Rick. "Good luck for next year and you looked right at home in there Boisy! A lot of people think this is for Zak for next year, but as Zak is still only fourteen - not many believe that! - he is going to be crew for me for a year in Super Gas and then hopefully we will be doing double duty, Super Gas for me and Super Street for Zak. Although we are looking forward to it, I am not sure I understand any of these electronic gizmos we'll be running with! "I have waited a long time for this. I used to run a Small Block-powered MK2 Escort up at York and only parked it up to give Zak a year in the Juniors. And, well, seven years later here we are. We wouldn't change a minute of it and have really enjoyed our time with the Juniors. We wish everyone in the class all the best for next year. "Can I take this opportunity to thank those who have helped over the past seven years, Ken Coleman at EDA, Chris and Clayton Round from Rebel T, Bryan Whitfield for the excellent paintwork, Jon and Donna Giles. Thanks also to Roy Wilding and Al Yates for the help right at the beginning of Zak's Junior career, and of course to all the tracks and to Eurodragster.com for the excellent coverage you have given Zak over the years (Thanks, you're welcome - Ed)." A star is born. 12th October: Judging by his 7.92/84 début at the Shakespeare County Raceway Junior Dragster League final, the UK has another natural in the ranks of Junior Modified Advanced Dragster in the person of John Przybyl. John's drive came about with the help of former Top Fuel Dragster racer Andy Carter and Pro Stock racer Conrad Stanley, who John's dad Andy Przybyl has known for over twenty years from their days racing in Outlaw Anglia. "John and I would like to thank Carter Motorsport and Les Downey for the use of the Lucas Oil-sponsored former Outlaw 330 Junior Dragster following a visit to Andy Carter's pit at the NitrOlympX at Hockenheim", says Andy. "After a gear change and the addition of weight, the car is now set up for Junior Modified Advanced. "After a chat with Conrad Stanley for advice on how to best set the car up, Conrad offered to come and crew at the car's first meeting which was a great help considering Conrad's great wealth of knowledge from street cars to Pro Stock and of course Anna Stanley's success in Junior Dragster. Conrad's quiet and professional approach really helped John to feel comfortable and at ease as he hadn't driven a Junior Dragster since renting a Junior Stock at Santa Pod two years ago. With Conrad's coaching and knowledge we were able to get the car dialled-in and have a great first weekend with the car. "This was especially remarkable since Conrad had double-booked himself and drove from Bristol to Shakespeare County Raceway on the Saturday morning, went home, got changed and drove to Taunton for a wedding reception, then was back at the track with Lynda the next morning to carry on helping out. Plus he remembered to bring some more weight! "We'd like to thank everyone involved and hope for good times to come." Racing in Class of the Year. 12th October: Another year has come and gone and developing a new combination has had its highs and lows for UK Supertwin racer Chris Hannam: We started the year full of hope that the winter upgrades would net good results. The Easter Thunderball and FIA Main Event were both good events but both showed we needed more testing time if we were going to make to long haul to Hockenheim. So off we went to the Jap Show to do just that; however it would be a short-lived test as we blackened a crank due to unfortunate unforeseen circumstances. This however made my mind up that Hockenheim was a non-starter until we could get a grip on what was going on. We had a full tear down and rebuild with some more updates and we were ready to test once again. The next event was Bug Jam, and thanks to Darren Prentice and Santa Pod for allowing us to get some valuable test time. This was the first time we had made four passes in one day and the oil updates were working superbly. I thought we had actually cracked our issues. Although we didn't have any fast times we were consistent and damage-free and as we all know to tune a bike it first has to live. Neil and the boys had the fuelling somewhere near, the crank was good, and the drive belts were staying on. We actually thought we were going forward which was pushing good for the European Finals as due to work commitments this was going to be the next event. And boy did it come round fast. Watching the racing this year showed that although we were upping our game the rest of the field was really upping their game too. We arrived at the European Finals with an uphill task just to qualify, and with some new and returning faces in the field it was going to be hard but fun. Once again we made the Test Day and all the qualifying passes lowering our European best by two tenths but we were spectators on race day due to the magnificent bump spot of 6.77. Supertwin really was the class of the year for me with the most exciting close racing, and we are proud to be a team campaigning against the best bunch of guys and teams. We left the track happy that the bike was running great but we needed to find out why things just weren't reacting as they should. Well this is where the rider has to hold up his hand and say that we were having problems keeping the throttle pinned to the stop when moving around on the bike to keep it straight. Back in the workshop again we machined a new quick action throttle for the National Finals. We arrived early to great weather to get the bike ready for testing and spent all day Friday getting everything perfect for Saturday as we would have three rounds of qualifying. Saturday dawned and Top Fuel Bike was called to the lanes and boy were we ready. 7.09/191 out of the van and a PB for this bike. What's more it only needed fuel and oil and was ready to go. Next round and the new throttle was doing its job, again we ran well with a 7.13 but my creeping throttle was accruing again as moving on the bike made a bigger percentage closure with the quicker-acting throttle. It only got worse in Q3 with a 7.28. We ended up in the number three spot which we were happy to take against the four-cylinder bikes. Sunday morning dawned and in the first round we were against our good friend Steve Carey who had been on fire this year running in the 6.5s but was having some issues at this event. It was time to race which is something I'd not done for some time. I cut a great light and went straight down the track to a first round win with Steve having some issues - but a win is a win. We then had to face Ian King on his fantastic new bike. Ian and I go back years to street bike and believe me I was up for this as Ian was nearly eight tenths quicker and he would have got some stick had he lost. I really enjoy racing and this fantastic race was like a final for me; we staged and I convincingly beat Ian on the Tree showing I did my job but that's where it stopped as Ian raced down the track with a fine low six-second pass so he was making sure that there was no winter of mickey-taking to come. Back in the pits I reflected on the year and the event, and the fact that we qualified three rounds and raced two eliminations and all we did was between-round maintenance was very pleasing. Once again the development has moved forward, the bike has no damage, we have ended the year with a new Personal Best time, so all in all a good year. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Lucas Oil for their fantastic product and support in keeping the hardest-working Top Fuel Twin on track, also my great hard-working super team who keep the whole deal running, Santa Pod for the track time, all the photographers and race fans, and Eurodragster.com, Kingracing.com, Dragbike.com and Stripbike.com for reporting on us (Thanks, you're welcome - Ed). We look forward to next year, bring it on! 127 mph on your butt. 12th October: 2011 ACU UK Top Fuel Bike Champion Kev Charman contested Comp Bike on Rene van den Berg's Top Fuel Bike at the Extreme Performance Bike Weekend as the team wanted to test a few things which time had prevented during the season. It turned out to be an eventful weekend for the Nitrous Junkie team: The weather was not really with us, the track was cold and fairly loose at the top end. On the first run the bike launched well, 1.10 sixty foot and a 6.9 on the quarter at a slowing 150 mph.  Around the 1000 foot mark the front end of the bike felt like it was trying to wash away. My feet came off the foot pegs but I managed to keep my balance and control to to the finish line. Took the bike back, checked it over and got ready to go out for the second one. I set off for a bye run in the left hand lane. Again the bike launched very well, this time a 1.08 sixty foot and 169 mph through the eighth. Again at the same point as in the other lane the front wheel touched down, and again it washed out.  This time I was unable to control it: the bike slid violently to the left hand wall and had me off.  I chased the bike across the line on my bum and it went through at 7.2/127. I thought about getting up and then thought better of it, and laid there until the paramedics came to get me. I got away very light, scuffs and bruises, and the bike has got away pretty much unscathed. Bent wheelie bars, handle bars, foot pegs and pulleys, nothing irreparable. Huge thanks to the paramedics for the speed with which they got to me, their sense of humour, and to the track crew who too were excellent. Massive respect to you all. Lizzy and I would also like to thank all those at the other end of the track who looked after her so well.  That is not something I would like to put her through again, sorry. In no particular order: Dave Warren and Ingrid Chesworth, plus a huge thanks to Carole Ismail who took Lizz to the Medical Centre once she got a very quick response that I was OK, Darren Prentice for escorting Lizz, and Bryony and Joe for ferrying clothes and generally looking after the pair of us. Also every one for the texts, calls and E-Mails, it has been overwhelming, and I really am OK. I will return! Big sorry to Rene, and to all of our crew, but also well done to Lizz who was "Only going to do a burnout" after freaking out a tad after my crash, and went through and got in to the semi-finals in Straightliners, brave lady (Hear, hear - Ed)! Swift snippets. 12th October: Many thanks to FIA European Drag Racing Championship Co-ordinator Kjell Pettersson for forwarding us the final standings in the 2011 FIA European Top Fuel Dragster Championship taking into account the sanction imposed on Tommy Johnson Jr by the FIA. You can check out the FIA points on our on our Speedflow-sponsored Points Standings page by clicking here or by clicking on the Speedflow Points Standings link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page. Thanks also to Andy Marrs of TSI Timers Europe for forwarding us the official Timing Data from the Extreme Performance Bike Weekend. You can check out the Bike Weekend timing data by clicking here or by clicking on the Timing Data link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page. UK Super Modified racer Peter Thompson says that his Chevelle is back in one piece after its crash at the start of the season and is ready for 2012. "We attended the National Finals but the final rush was just a bit too much", says Pete. "The car was legal to race with its new tech but we found a small crack in the water pump which put an end to the weekend. Congratulations to Nigel Payne and Fred Hone for winner and runner up, it's been a good battle all year and the decider was down the last race. My thanks to all the friends and racers who have helped me to get the car back together, I couldn't have done it without you all." UK blown-alcohol altered racer Adam Gleadow would be pleased to hear from anyone who can help him to source a Lenco CS2 intermediate shaft, 32 spline on output and input sides. "This is needed urgently", says Adam. "If you can help then please call me on 07887 840 497 or E-Mail [email protected]. Newly-crowned and repeat ACU UK Funny Bike Champion Steve French sent us this picture celebrating his title. "Red sky, red bike and another red light", says Steve. SFI Foundation President Arnie Kuhns has been on touch with a heads-up that his first granddaughter, Audrey, will be in the running for Junior Miss Santa Pod. "This picture shows Audrey in her Santa Pod gear as she gets ready for the competition", says Arnie. "I trust that non-UK contestants will be allowed." We would like to say a big Happy Birthday with added hugs to our good friend, and one half of Eurodragster.com Team USA, Kathy Hileman. Have a lovely day Kathy and go make it up with that woodpecker. Beaulieu's Hot Rod and Custom Show, which takes place on 16th-17th June 2012, will also include a Custom Bike Show. You can find out more at www.beaulieuhotrodandcustom.co.uk. More ACAG merchandise. 12th October: Allard Chrysler Action Group Chair Brian Taylor writes that thanks to former Top Fuel Dragster racer Andy Carter and artist Paul Whitehouse ACAG has a limited edition of twenty-nine prints of a painting Paul prepared for Andy to celebrate his record-breaking 4.572/320.19 run of 11th September 2010: Just twenty nine numbered prints have been produced to mark Andy's number of years in drag racing and his recent retirement. Each print is individually signed by Andy in the bottom right hand corner. They are printed on textured rag paper with a one-inch border around the artwork. The size of the print including the border is 24" x 17" inches and we have decided to supply them in the roll to keep the price of £20 reasonable. Postage and packing will be extra; £4.50 for the UK. Overseas postage and packing costs on request. As we have our own beer we also thought we should get some beer mats produced. These are printed both sides with the Allard Celebration Ale bottle label on one side and the Hogs Back Brewery Hop Ale bottle label on the reverse. Not that we expect anyone to spill the ale but they make great souvenir, light to post anywhere in the world and very useful with the winter party season on the way. You can purchase ten mats for just £5 plus £2 postage and packing for the UK. Overseas postage rate on request. More details via the Merchandise link at www.allardchryler.org. 2011 UK Champions II. 10th October: The final 2011 UK Championships were decided at the Extreme Performance Bike Weekend at Santa Pod Raceway this weekend. Subject to final confirmation by their Championship Co-ordinators congratulations to the 2011 UK Champions on two wheels: ACU UK Top Fuel Bike: Kev Charman ACU UK Pro Stock Bike: Len Paget ACU UK Funny Bike: Steve French ACU UK Comp Bike: Stu Crane ACU UK Super Street Bike: Steve Venables UK National 8.50 Bike: Mick Winyard UK National 9.50 Bike: Jake Mechaell NAST Supertwin Fuel: Shawn Rodman NAST Supertwin Gas: Dave Smart NAST Supertwin ET: Martin Brookes Junior Drag Bike: Scott Collier Congratulations to Steve French, Jake Mechaell and Shawn Rodman on their repeat Championships. Bike Weekend results. 10th October: Congratulations to the winners of the Extreme Performance Bike Weekend at Santa Pod Raceway: Pro Stock Bike: Len Paget 7.6725/169.15 def. Mark Smith 9.2490/117.30 red Funny Bike: Dave Peters 7.7933/154.68 def. Steve French 8.0979/112.22 red Comp Bike: Phil Leamon 8.4550/152.13 def. Stu Crane 16.2350/65.33 Super Street Bike: Steve Venables 7.3664/192.17 def. Graham Balchin 8.2071/161.89 8.50 Bike: Augy Harrison 9.0799/151.57 def. Sam Sykes 8.9404/162.51 red 9.50 Bike: Jake Mechaell 9.5136/137.28 def. Richard Sawatzki 9.5337/141.70 Supertwin Gas: Dave Smart 9.5686/136.96 def. Chris Mott 9.6835/132.49 Supertwin ET: Pete Harrison (11.75) 11.8315/110.82 def. David Shorthose (10.70) 10.7324/123.09 You can check out our Alamo Rent A Car-sponsored Extreme Performance Bike Weekend reports, pit notes and pictures, plus Straightliners qualifying and final results courtesy of Martyn Greathead, by clicking here or by clicking on the Event Coverage link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page. Many thanks to Julian Hunt for standing in to photograph this event. Feature: NHRA at Maple Grove. 9th October: The latest in our occasional series of Features presented in association with Lucas Oil Products and Carter Motorsport is a report by Eurodragster.com reader David Knight of last weekend's Auto Plus NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove. You can check out David'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. Swift snippets. 9th October: The latest spy picture to arrive at the offices of Eurodragster.com 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]. Dutch Top Fuel Dragster racer and Eurodragster.com Blogger Lex Joon is soliciting questions for his next Video Blog. If you would like to send a question or comment then you can get in touch with Lex via the Lex Joon Racing web site at www.lexjoonracing.nl or via the LJR Facebook page. Swift snippets. 8th October: We have two birthdays today. First up is a Happy Birthday to Alison Hackney; Alison is celebrating a special number but we don't go bandying that kind of thing around. Have a lovely day Alison. Paula and Ian Marshall asked us to send special 10th birthday wishes to their daughter Holley Marshall. Our very best wishes Holley. Could have been five... 7th October: If you have been tuned in to Eurodragster.com News in the last couple of weeks you will have read that not only did UK Junior Dragster racer Joe Kellett do the UK treble of National, APIRA and SPRC Championships but also took the NDRS Series Junior Dragster title. Joe's dad Pete tells us that but for a rainout at Kubbe these four Championships could have been five: We were just five points from winning the Swedish Dragracing League, so were runner-up in that Championship. Joe had it all to do to win the UK and SPRC Championships at the National Finals. To win the SPRC Championship we had to go all the way and win the final, which put a lot of pressure on Joe. I still can't believe his reaction times, especially in the final pulling a 0.014 light against Josh Saunders who also pulled a great reaction. It was great to meet Josh in the final as it was his last race, and we wish him every success in whichever class he goes into now. At the start of this year we bought our engine from Gabby McDonald and I met her mother at the ferry port; she came through Arrivals with the engine in a suitcase, it was so funny to see as bits were sticking out of the side. Graham McDonald then flew over to help us set up the car and gave us tips and information which proved priceless. We will always be indebted to the entire McDonald family for all of their help and hope to see them again soon. We would also like to thank Conrad, Lynda and Anna Stanley for their help and wish Conrad success in Pro Stock in 2012. We would also like to wish good luck to Zak Johnson who came good to win two events toward the end of the season. He has also ended his Junior Dragster days as has Laura Turburville who has had a great time in the class and is moving to Pro ET next year. We have quite a few new drivers coming into the class next year which is a good thing for the sport, as is the continued support and sponsorship of Alamo Rent-A-Car and Andy Wheeler who has raised the awareness of our class to new heights. We will contest all of the Championships in 2012 including the NDRS Series and we await the new calendar to plan trips abroad in our shiny motorhome! We are also looking forward to meeting all our Swedish friends at the NDRS Banquet in Stockholm in November, hope to see you there Tog (D'oh - Ed). Our best wishes to Paula Marshall, get well soon Paula. A Rolls Royce possessed. 7th October: Matthew Wright of Eurodragster.com sponsor WG4 Facilities and Services and the WG Racing team achieved the first goal for Matt's Outlaw Rolls Royce, a seven-second pass, at the Saturday Night Special at Santa Pod Raceway last weekend. Team PR Danielle Wright writes: We went with every intension of running in the sevens. After an off the truck 8.1/171 we went back to the pits and made some minor adjustments to the AMS1000 boost controller. Crew Chief Bill Felstead felt that the car needed more power off the line. After some head-scratching, Matthew and Steve (Scheeky) Strong managed to make some small adjustments without compromising the tune-up which John Sleath had installed. Down to the line for another attempt to get into the sevens! Our second run netted a 8.28/135. The car lost all power unexpectedly at 800 feet. We were all baffled. On inspection back in the pits, Bill found that the distributor clamp had worked loose causing the distributor to fully retard, hence the motor shutdown. After reinstalling the distributor and changing the plugs, we went out for our third attempt for the day to run that elusive seven which we all desired. Massive launch hitting the wheelie bar hard, and Matthew's foot slipped of the loud pedal unsettling the car. Once back on it, the car veered left and had a small amount of tyre shake. Matt backed off aborting that run. Looking back at the video footage taken by Steve at the start line it was obviously driver error, and not the track. After unfortunate delays it was now 8:00 pm and our last chance to achieve our goal. After a strong burnout, chute pin pulled, Bill brought Matt to the line as Steve armed the datalogger... we were set. Matt spooled the turbos, let the transbrake button go and the car launched like a Roll Royce possessed! Screeched the tyres through the full quarter with the car moving around a lot at the 800 foot mark but the timing lights said it all, 7.94/175. We had done it! Now we can really get started and eke away slowly at the sevens. We have a very mild tune in the motor, there is loads more to come as this was only our seventh full pass. Matthew and I would like to say a huge thank you to Synionic Prolong who have been our oil and lubricant sponsor this season. Their products are in our opinion the best on the market. The full range of prolong products can be found on our on-line shop at www.wgmotorsport.com Thank you to Crew Chief Bill Felstead of Fester Race Cars who has built us an amazing and very safe race car which Matthew has great faith in driving, and for his total dedication in helping Matthew reach his goals. Also a massive thanks to Steve (Schneeky) Strong for his help this season trackside, Neil Warwick for all his IT assistance with the project, Andy Hone for his help along the way, and to our engine tuner and sponsor John Sleath of John Sleath Race Cars. Thank you to our other sponsors, D3 Creative, Carpets for Less and Samco Hoses. We will be back out for the final time this year at the Flame and Thunder Show at Santa Pod Raceway on Saturday 29th October, so come along and say hello. Thanks to Santa Pod Raceway for all of there assistance this year, they have been great to us. Matthew is also very grateful to Andy Willsheer for arranging the car's European début at the Essen Motor Show in Germany in November. Stay tuned for some exciting news on our goals for 2012. Outlaw racing, it's the future! A season's worth of anecdotes. 7th October: UK Topspeed Automotive Street Eliminator racer Gerry Treit says that he has had an awesome first year in the class: It was a brave challenge considering that not one of us had done anything drag racing previously, bar years of spectating - the blind leading the blind you could say. The learning curve is a steep climb, but we are getting there... or at least somewhere. Trying to make sense of the datalogger's squiggly lines was a particular joy! After nearly a full season of just trying to dial the car in our last event was the FIA European Finals, our very last run was also a Personal Best and it was only our second ever run on the gas. A 9.56/143 with only a small sniff and it certainly woke up the beastie. We were delighted, and it's now looking promising for much more to come.    I would just like to say a huge thanks to my Tartan Drag'in Racing Team in what was a very rookie season for us all, with the ups and downs of trials and tribulations, but all in good jest while doing so. You learn pretty quickly that it's not really about hauling yourself down the 1320 in that lump of metal, plastic and rubber, it's all about the people who rally round you to help make it happen, the gems of people you meet, and all together enjoying the common goal. What better place could you gather such fond memories, funny stories and genuine camaraderie. How could I ever forget the sight of Steve Wilson rugby-tackling the detached trailer wheel as it careered down the M6 hard shoulder on its own. The same dear fellow whose dad sadly died whilst we were on the way down to the European Finals, albeit not unexpectedly, but Steve continued his support regardlessly. What about a huffing and puffing Mark The Spark Diamond doing the 100-metre sprint back to pit camp from the pairing lanes to get my race jacket, and narrowly avoiding a cardiac arrest. Or the legend that is Gus, panic stricken and crashing through pit camp, fire extinguisher in hand, to tackle a firey carb burp while I sat in the car looking on. Hayfever laden Steve2 (Swinton) crying buckets all the way through the Summernationals, but struggling on regardless. Retired drag racer (now farmer) Ken Bowe, a gem of a man, coming to our rescue with a barrel of water on a country road on the SE cruise, when I forgot to switch on the water pump and it over-heated. Stories to name but a few, and it's only the first season. I would also like to say a big thanks to the fellow SE racers and crew, and Splinter, for their care, support and welcome into the class. Of course another big thanks to our sponsors Ingenico, Randolph Tyres and Exhausts and I only hope it will continue into next year. To other names along the way I offer thanks for their knowledge, help and support: Colin Lazenby (truly, size doesn't matter), Colin Millar (long time good friend and raging lunatic), Andy Park (small things go fast too), Barry A. Lee (Canadian Mopar legend), Andy Dean (PC whizz kid). Last but not least my wife Dina for her continual support over the years with her tolerance of me constantly in the garage, and now still supporting me even in the agony of the 400 mile long journeys down the road to the Pod, along with her favourite part... the camping! Without you all I could never have fulfilled the dream. As for now - the beastie returns to the cave. 'Til next year... FBs in restaurant heaven. 7th October: Although the season is now over it is still all go for UK Topspeed Automotive Street Eliminator team FB Racing. Having stunned the hillclimbers at Prescott last week, Ian Hook's street-legal '34 Ford will again be on show tomorrow (Saturday). For the past few years Cheltenham Motor Club have put on a display of motorsport and classic vehicles in Cheltenham's Promenade, the event appropriately named Pistons in the Prom. This year sees a new title of Pistons in The Brewery as the exhibition moves to the town's Brewery Centre, a prestigious dining, entertainment and shopping complex. With some seven different eating establishments it's no wonder FB Racing were extra keen to support the CMC exhibition this time! The cars will be on display between 10:00 am and 5:00 pm. In addition to the objective of raising the profile of the Motor Club and that of motorsport in all its various forms this year the exhibition will also be raising money for the Make-a-Wish foundation, an organisation which grants wishes for young people with life-threatening illnesses. Although not an official arm of Cheltenham Motor Club there is a drag racers' group, which includes SE racers Ian Hook and Mats Andersson, which meets every Tuesday evening for drinks and a chat - or "Beer and boasts" when the FBs have had a good result! If anyone in the area would like to come and join the group they would be made most welcome. It certainly helps keep the interest going during the long, dark and cold winter! Just drop in on any Tuesday or feel free to get in touch with Ian at [email protected]. Did it again! 7th October: Nichts ist so schwierig wie einen Titel zu verteidigen. Jeder Champion kann davon ein Lied singen. Gejagter und nicht mehr Jäger zu sein, ist eine Herausforderung an der schon viele gescheitert sind. Urs Erbacher und sein Top Fuel Team lassen sich nicht von einem Ziel abbringen, egal wie die Umstände sind. Zum Beispiel dem Regen am ersten Rennen in England. Nach diversen technischen Problemen in der Qualifikation und einer sehr kurzen Nacht für das Team, fiel das Rennen am Sonntag buchstäblich ins Wasser. So musste das erste Kräftemessen mit der Konkurrenz auf das nächste Rennen in Schweden verschoben werden. In Schweden wartete eine brandneue Rennstrecke auf die europäischen Rennteams. Die neue Drag Racing Strecke in Tierp steht den Anlagen in den USA in Nichts nach und ist zweifellos ein Highlight im Drag Racing Kalender in Europa. Auch Urs Erbacher fühlte sich auf der Strecke sofort wohl, musste sich aber im Halbfinal gegen den Amerikaner Tommy Johnson geschlagen geben. Jetzt war die Saison so richtig lanciert. Für die Rennen in Finnland und Hockenheim bedarf es nicht vieler Worte. Das Team Erbacher schied in Finnland im Viertelfinal aus und in Hockenheim beendet der Regen das Rennen frühzeitig. Die Operation Titelverteidigung schien schon fast verloren. Mit einer rechnerischen Chance traf das Schweizer Top Fuel Team zum letzten Rennen in England an. Für Urs Erbacher eine sehr bekannte Ausgangslage. Schon mehr als einmal hat er sich den Titel im letzten Rennen, im letzten Lauf gesichert. Doch wie oft, lässt sich so ein Hitchcock-Finale erfolgreich wiederholen. Anscheinend beliebig oft. Das Rennen verlief nach Plan. Qualifiziert auf dem ersten Platz, hat sich Urs Erbacher die beste Ausgangslage für das Rennen geschaffen und dieses Mal hatten seine Gegner mit der Strecke und der Technik zu kämpfen. Der Sieger des Finales wird neuer Europameister. Alles passte perfekt zusammen und Urs Erbacher und sein Team behielten die Nerven. Am Ende einer schwierigen Saison stand Urs Erbacher wieder zuoberst auf dem Siegerpodest und liess sich als neuer FIA Top Fuel Drag Racing Champion feiern. There is nothing more difficult than a title defence. Every Champion knows that. Chasing or being chased makes a huge difference and many out there have struggled to do so. Eurodragster.com sponsor Urs Erbacher and his Top Fuel Dragster team keep focused, regardless of the circumstances and problems they face. For example rain at the first race in England. After some technical problems during qualifying and a very short night for the team, the race was rained out on Sunday. So the battle for the first trophy had to be postponed to the next race in Sweden. A brand new race track was awaiting European teams: the new drag strip at Tierp is comparable the facilities in the USA and a new highlight in the European drag racing calendar. Urs felt immediately at ease. But in the semi-final the American Tommy Johnson sent him home. But now Operation Title Defence was underway. About the races in Finland and Hockenheim there is no need for many words. Team Erbacher lost in the quarter finals in Finland and at Hockenheim the race was rained out again. Was Operation Title Defence already lost? With a chance still existing to win the title the Swiss Top Fuel team arrived in England for the last race of the season. For Urs it was a familiar situation: more than once he has won the Championship at the last race, in the last round. But how many times can you stretch your luck? Quite often, it seems. The race went according to plan. Qualified number one, Urs had the best starting point for the race and this time his competitors had their problems on the track and technical issues. The winner of the final would be the new European Champion. Everything fit together perfectly and Urs and his team kept their nerve. At the end of a difficult season Urs stood on top of the podium and celebrated another FIA Top Fuel Dragster Championship. Top Three finish for Gulf Oil. 7th October: Despite heading the chase going into the final round of the 2011 European Top Fuel Bike Championship Ian King and the Gulf Oil – Grand Prix Originals Top Fuel Bike team knew that their slender lead was probably not enough to ensure their sixth title. That proved indeed to be the case when the teams were presented with a tricky track surface following hasty track repairs on the start area at the UK's Santa Pod Raceway just prior to the event. The cream of European drag racing failing to get to grips with the freshly re-laid startline over the course of the weekend at what traditionally is the quickest track in Europe resulted in a heartfelt apology from UEM Commercial Rights holder Keith Bartlett at the post-race prize awards suggesting a fix will be a very high priority over the winter break. Despite the problematic track surface the team showed well in qualifying with an early shut off 6.25/223.39, enough to secure second place behind class veteran Peter Svensson and set up a potential Championship-deciding final between two leading Top Fuel Bike teams in Europe. However, the track proved to be the Gulf Oil team's nemesis when the bike overpowered the new track surface in the quarter final against Norway's Sverre Dahl despite a very lazy clutch set-up, handing the title to the standout Svensson team. Despite the disappointment of losing the chance for the title the team were happy with their great season showing to finish in third place on an all new bike. They exceeded all expectations and look forward to building on their great achievements in 2012. The team is extremely proud to have been supported by many leaders in their chosen markets in their European Championship in 2011, and would like to give heartfelt thanks to all who contributed to the team achievements this year: APE - The world's most innovative manufacturer of aftermarket parts for drag bikes Cometic Gaskets - The premier manufacturer of racing gaskets Bell Helmets - The ultimate iconic helmet brand Gates - The world's most trusted name in drive belts, hoses and hydraulics Goedhals - The name in recision specialist gear cutting and engineering Goodridge - The original and the best in fluid transfer systems Grand Prix Originals - The brand for drive and lifestyle, past and present Gulf Oil International - The world's most iconic brand in automotive fuels and lubricants Hyperpro - The leading producer of progressive suspension products for motor bikes JE Pistons - The world's premier manufacturer of high performance forged pistons Kent Cams - Specialists in motor sport camshaft manufacture, short runs and one-offs Kibblewhite Precision Machining, Inc -The highest quality valve train components on the market King Racing - The most successful Top Fuel Bike team in European drag racing history Mickey Thompson Tyres - Simply the best drag race tyres in the world MRE - Leaders in trackside support for drag race components and air shifting systems MTC ENGINEERING - Manufacturer of clutches for the fastest motorcycles in the world NitroShutter - Europe's leading drag racing photo-journalists NCT Engineering - Manufacturer of the world's leading non contact torque sensors for motorsport Portable Shade - The best custom branded collapsible canopies available Pro Alloy Motorsport - UK's leader in fabrication of alloy racing tanks, intercoolers and radiators PsycleWorkz - The UK's best custom and race fabricators and innovators Puma Engineering - Manufacturers of the world's most powerful motorcycle engines RSG Customize - The UK's most creative website designers and vinyl artists Vanson Leathers - The most iconic brand in motorsport leather goods Worldwide Bearings - The world's leading supplier of ceramic bearings for racing Zodiac - Europe's largest supplier of performance and aftermarket HD parts For more information please visit www.kingracing.com. Swift snippets. 7th October: European fans have someone to cheer on in the USA this weekend as ex-pat UK Top Alcohol Dragster racer Michael Manners of Eurodragster.com sponsor Cosmo Residences is contesting the NHRA Lucas Oil Series divisional race in Noble, Olkahoma. The event starts today (Friday) and you will be able to stay in touch with Mike's progress courtesy of our Drag Race Central colleagues at www.dragracecentral.com. We would like to wish a very Happy BIrthday to SPRC marshal and Two Seat Dragster driver Steve Warner. Have a great day Steve. Steve Dudley writes that the first of this season's slot drag races at Mr C Raceway in Hoo take place on Sunday 16th October, Sunday 13th November and Sunday 11th December with more dates to be advised. For more information contact Steve at [email protected]. Web site updates. 7th October: The final standings in the 2011 MSA British Pro Modified Championship are now showing on the Championship's official web site at www.msadragracing.co.uk. Staying with the MSA British Pro Modified Championship, UK Pro Modified racer Wayne Nicholson has updated the Lucky Devil Drag Racing web site at www.luckydevil777dragracing.com with an end-of-season report and pictures from the VP Racing Fuels National Finals. "I would like to take this opportunity to thank my crew again: Dennis, Adam and Tony", says Wayne, "and our sponsors Lucas Oil, Originals Hot Rod Supply Co, Allyfab and EDA. Thank you also to my youngest son Joe and my wife Belinda. Gareth our eldest is away at university so doesn't get the same opportunity to come with us. He is usually watching the webcam though (Good boy - Ed). Is Easter that far away?" In a year that has seen even the UK's Team Fang's meagre budget cut to the barest minimum, one might not have expected too much in the way of improved performance. However, Carl Wadkin-Snaith tells us that not only has the contrary been the case so far, but that in a hectic couple of days during last weekend's heatwave both riders put in great performances  on tracks at opposite ends of the straight line spectrum. You can read all about it at www.thefang.co.uk/news2011.html. Paul Lister has updated his Drag Car Anon web site with shots from the VP Racing Fuels National Finals. You can take a look at Paul's shots at www.dragcaranon.co.uk. Performance Direct offer ACAG deal. 7th October: Performance Direct has been a great supporter of the Allard Chrysler dragster restoration project and Allard Chrysler Action Group Chair Brian Taylor writes that they have now invited the ACAG to join them in a new venture: The new venture offers discounts of 15% to ACAG supporters on a range of insurance products and, furthermore, every ACAG supporter taking advantage of the scheme will generate a donation of £15 from Performance Direct to the restoration fund. As well as the discount and sponsorship advantages, the arrangement give ACAG supporters access to over 100 insurance schemes, instant cover available seven days a week, priority telephone number to Car Club team and multi-vehicle, business and home insurance. On the automotive side the products cover car, motorcycle, vans and breakdown, classic cars, modified cars, sports cars and prestige cars. So if you need insurance and you want to help restore Europe's first dragster then be sure to check out Performance Direct first. You will find them at www.performancedirect.co.uk. To ensure that any purchases generate donations to the Allard Chrysler restoration fund you will need to use a dedicated phone line and quote a Unique Reference Number (URN). The URN number is vital because this is the sponsorship generator. Both are available from me at [email protected] and will soon be available as a download from the Insurance menu tab at www.allardchrysler.org. Bennetts offer titanium parts. 7th October: Eurodragster.com Blogger Luke Bennett tells us that BRE Titanium starter jaws are now available for both Roots and PSI superchargers. "For the Roots we sell two versions, a standard which is 45% lighter than its steel equivalent and also a super lightened version", says Luke. "For the PSI supercharger there is one version, again 45% lighter than the steel equivalent. The benefits of using titanium are huge. It's much easier on your blower belts during a gear shift, especially when using a PSI supercharger and with our titanium starter jaw there is a lot less rotational weight. "Also our new web site at www.bretitanium.com is now live and we are taking an orders for anything you need made. If there is something you need made for your race car in titanium or aluminium then give us a call; we can make pretty much anything you can think of. All work is CNC machined and very accurate. We only use Ti-6Al-4V (Grade 5) titanium and a wide range of high strength/high grade aluminium including 6061, 6068, 6082, 7022, 7050 and 7075. Our products range from one off parts to large quantities. We can supply the titanium starter jaws for both PSI and Roots superchargers, billet aluminium crank supports for Chevy, Hemi and Ford engines, titanium drive shaft coupler clamp, billet aluminium drive shaft couple clamp, supercharger spacers, any size billet aluminium bottle clamps, wheel spacers, carburettor adapter/nitrous plates, blower spacer plates, bottle mounts, pullies, burst plate fitting, custom spacers, bushes, brackets, aluminium wing struts and motor plates. "More details on the web site." Bike Weekend racer update II. 5th October: Many thanks to Ian Marshall who has been in touch with initial information about running orders at this weekend's Extreme Performance Bike Weekend at Santa Pod Raceway. Saturday's first ACU, UK National and NAST qualifying session is planned for 9:30 and takes the following order: Supertwin ET 9.50 Bike 8.50 Bike Supertwin Gas Comp Bike Funny Bike Pro Stock Bike Super Street Bike The number and timing of Saturday's other qualifying sessions will be advised by marshals on the day as it is contingent upon the number of entries in Straightliners classes. Ian adds that he is working on Sunday's running order. The official entry list has been updated to Version 9 and can be checked out our Extreme Performance Bike Weekend event index by clicking here or by clicking on the Event Coverage link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page. 2011 SPRC Champions I. 5th October: Many thanks to Yvonne Tramm for forwarding us the final car class standings in the 2011 Santa Pod Racers Club Championships. Congratulations to the 2011 SPRC Champions: Pro Modified: Graham Ellis Super Modified: Andy Hone Super Pro ET: John Atkinson Pro ET: Mike Lacey Sportsman ET: Craig Wright Super Comp: Brian Pateman Super Gas: Stuart Morrice Super Street: Leigh Morris Lucas Oil Junior Dragster: Joe Kellett Topspeed Automotive Street Eliminator: Brian Payne Additional congratulations to Joe Kellett on doing the treble of UK National, APIRA and SPRC Junior Dragster Championships. This is the second year running in which the Junior Dragster treble was achieved: Gabby McDonald took the honours in 2010. Well done also to UK National Super Comp and Super Gas Champion Brian Pateman who took four of the six available National and Club titles. You can check out the SPRC points on our Speedflow-sponsored Points Standings page by clicking here or by clicking on the Speedflow Points Standings link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page. The SPRC Championships for bike classes conclude at this weekend's Extreme Performance Bike Weekend at Santa Pod Raceway. Swift snippets. 5th October: The FIA have finally made public the sanction to be applied to Top Fuel Dragster racer Tommy Johnson Jr after the anti-doping incident at Alastaro. As already promulgated TJ Jr is suspended from competition until July 2012 but in addition he has lost the FIA European Top Fuel Dragster Championship points which he earned racing the Andersen Racing Top Fueller at the FHRA Nitro Nationals. You can find out more under Sport / Anti Doping at www.fia.com. UK Championship outcomes II. 4th October: This weekend's Extreme Performance Bike Weekend at Santa Pod Raceway is the final round of the 2011 ACU UK Drag Bike, UK National 8.50 Bike and 9.50 Bike, and National Association of Supertwins Championships. Simon summarises the possible Championship outcomes: The ACU Top Fuel Bike Championship was decided at the VP Racing Fuels National Finals and congratulations to Kev Charman on winning the Championship in his first year in the class. In ACU Pro Stock Bike Len Paget has a commanding lead of 440 points and can be content to be Champion-elect, as his total can only be overtaken if others break records. Steve French is of thirteen racers scoring points in ACU Funny Bike but is the only rider to attend all events in a year with a reduced number of rounds but which had a welcome upturn in entries at the VP Racing Fuels National Finals thanks to a prize fund organised by Tim Blakemore Racing. Steve is 300 points ahead of National Finals winner Dave Peters. With 520 points available, Dave will need to win the event and have Steve go out in the first round to keep him from winning his second Championship. ACU Super Street Bike has again been the best-contested Championship. Steve Venables started the season with a loss in round two as the competition was intense at the Autotrader Easter Thunderball. But since the SPRC Summernationals he has been unbeatable and he has always been on top performance-wise. Steve's main competition has been Graham Dance who has used a new Len Paget-designed clutch to great effect and is now 485 points behind Steve. With 700 points available, Steve only has to qualify well and win one round of racing to take his fourth championship to equal G. ACU Comp Bike is the closest Championship of all with Stuart Crane only 20 points, or two qualifying positions, ahead of Harold Wolfenden. Stuart has won three events and Harold two and this Championship will most likely go to the wire. Neither has been Champion in the past. This is the first year of 8.50 Bike as a UK National Championship class and very successful it has been with no less than thirty riders scoring points during the year. Peter Austin, whilst on top in the published standings, will not receive the bonus of 200 points for all rounds, leaving Mick Winyard with a slight advantage of 110 points. Dave Batcheler is a further 330 points behind taking the bonus into account. With thirteen bikes entered at time of writing there are 770 points available so we can confidently predict that the Championship will still be alive during eliminations. 9.50 Bike has been a tale of youth versus experience. 2010 Champion Jake Mechaell currently has a lead of 270 points over Eurodragster.com sponsor Fred Furlong who has won two Championships plus titles in the class' predecessor 9.90 Bike. There are eleven bikes entered and 750 points available and again the Championship will be decided on the final day of the season. NAST Supertwin Fuel has no entries at this event and so Shawn Rodman has won the 2011 title by dint of his appearance at the Springspeed Nationals. NAST Supertwin Gas is led by Dave Smart with a narrow lead of 30 points. But racers in the Supertwin classes have to drop their worst score during the year and this improves Dave's lead by some 100 points currently. There are 520 points available and this could go down to the last round of racing. NAST Supertwin ET is between Martin Brookes, Simon Clamp (140 points behind) and Dave Shorthose (a further 75 points behind) and with the points this close, elimination round wins will matter. Scott Collier is the Junior Drag Bike Champion and congratulations to him on winning his third Championship. Acknowledgements to Ian King and the National Association of Supertwins for ACU and NAST points standings respectively. Brown's double season. 4th October: UK Pro ET racer Paul Brown and Team Dunster House Racing would like to say a special thank you to sponsor Dunster House for their support throughout an exciting and busy season: Paul's second season in Pro-ET was full of excitement and drama right up to round three of the National Finals when having spent the whole season breathing down Rick McCann's neck the chase was over and the National Championship was retained by Rick with Paul taking runner-up spot. Congratulations Rick! Paul also raced in Super Comp this year and was given a warm welcome by everyone in the class. He was delighted to reach two finals but still has much to learn! Well done Brian Pateman, 2011 UK National Super Comp Champion. Team Dunster House would also like to say a big thank you to all the staff at Santa Pod and Shakespeare County Raceways for all their hard work; Darryl, Colin and Nigel for keeping us entertained, and of course to the people at Eurodragster.com for their superb coverage of all the events (Thanks, you're welcome - Ed). Roll on Easter! Steve the Mad Scientist. 4th October: Last Friday's spy picture turns out to be the new old ride of Steven French - not to be confused with UK Funny Bike racer Steve French. Steve got in touch to tell us more about the car: The picture showed my first car, which I bought as an eighteen-year-old in Cape Town in 1983. I raced the car at our local track between 1984 and 1994 with a 1500 GT Ford engine, eventually getting into the mid fourteens. When I moved back to the UK in 1999 the car was left behind while I tried to get sorted house and job wise etc. I finally managed to get the car shipped over last year. I won't bore you with the terrible state it arrived in, but needless to say the three month target to get down to the track was unrealistic. I get accused of being a bit of a mad scientist so no surprises with the unusual combination of running gear combining Toyota Hilux 8¾ diff with Strange shafts, Supra turbo five-speed box, and Mitsubishi Evo turbo engine. The plan is to run a couple of Run What You Brungs to get my reactions working and to get the car sorted. If money, sponsorship etc work out I would love to do a round of Street Eliminator one day but time will tell how quick we can afford to run. I am informed by people in the know that the car should be capable of getting solidly into the tens. It's a huge step up in power for me but can't wait for next year now! Marston bounces back. 4th October: UK Super Comp and Pro ET racer Paul Marston says that Paul Marston Racing's weekend at the VP Racing Fuels National Finals was one which they would rather never repeat, featuring as it did one of the scarier dragster crashes seen at SPR in recent times: The Ugly Stick dragster, driven by Paul in Super Comp, was on a first round bye run in the right lane and just after it went through the finish line (8.91/150 the dragster made a left turn from which Paul was unable to recover. Paul walked unaided to the ambulance, was examined, and after a period of observation was released to continue in competition. Paul then went four rounds in Pro ET to finish in the semi-finals, which did his title hopes for the Santa Pod Racers Club Pro ET title no harm at all. "Firstly I would like to express my deep appreciation to all the people who took care of me", says Paul. "When you are involved in an incident like this, it is a humbling experience. My crew at Paul Marston Racing, for whom I have the utmost respect and admiration, did a superb job all weekend, I can only apologise for putting them through the emotional rollercoaster which comes with an accident of this magnitude. Santa Pod's safety crew were there as soon as the dragster came to rest. I knew I was in safe hands; you guys are the very best. "No driver wants to see the inside of the Medical Centre, ever! Simply because you are in there if bad things have happened; it's not usually a bee sting! That said, what a professionally-run outfit. They took good care of me, even before I was allowed to exit my dragster on the track I was thoroughly examined to ensure that I would not cause myself more damage by moving. The facilities and staff at Santa Pod are first class; I knew that they would only release me when they were totally happy to allow me to continue competing. I did not even have a scratch on me; other than some minor bruising I was untouched. A very clear example of how well all the safety equipment did its job and kept me out of harm's way. I got back in the Monza in Pro ET and went another three rounds, but those who know me would not have expected any less. I don't quit, I never have! "Special gratitude once again to my crew at PMR, the Crew Chief, Funsize, Mad Mick Howling, Sefton Whitlock, Lisa Farmer, Keith Bick and Ian Tink Hart who continued to function as a unit and allowed me to achieve the results that we got before Mike Lacey strapped a 0.018 package on me in the semis, outstanding job Mike. "Lastly I must publicly thank everyone who supported the PMR crew before they heard that I was uninjured. Everyone who helped us out, all the well wishers and of course all our friends, fellow racers, staff at Santa Pod, Tech Crew, etc. It's times like this when you find out that the great extended family of drag racing cares very much for all its sons and daughters, I thank you all. Special mention to my great mate Tog at Eurodragster.com, it was good to see you again in the Tower and the next curry is on me (Oh, ok then, thanks - Ed). Thank you to everyone who has contacted me over the past week to make sure that I was okay, it is humbling to know so many people care." Web site updates. 4th October: In the latest instalment in his exclusive Blog presented in association with Alamo Rent-A-Car, Santa Pod Raceway Track Announcer Colin Theobald spreads the word about drag racing. As ever you can stay in touch with the latest Blog updates by clicking here or by clicking on the Alamo Blogs link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page. Our good buddy Patrik Jacobsson has updated the Racebilder web site with a large number of pictures from the Racestar Night of Fire at Sweden's Tierp Arena. You can check out Patrik's pictures at www.racebilder.nu. UK Tech Meetings. 3rd October: Phil Evans, who heads up the UK's Technical Committee, tells us that he has decided to hold separate bike and car meetings in order to give enough time to discuss any changes to the regulations. The Bike Tech meeting will take place this Wednesday (5th October) and the Car Tech meeting next Wednesday (12th). Both meetings will be convened at 8:00 pm at the Elstree Holiday Inn, Barnet Bypass, London, WD6 5PU. The hotel is situated on the A1 just off Junction 23 of the M25. All are welcome to attend, and items for inclusion on the agenda should be sent to Phil at [email protected]. Bike Weekend racer update. 3rd October: Thanks to Ian Marshall for passing on details of the arrangements for this weekend's Extreme Performance Bike Weekend at Santa Pod Raceway. All racer, crew etc tickets will be on the gate; they will not be sent in the mail. Santa Pod Raceway's gates open at 5:00 pm on Friday. Signing-on is open between 5:00 pm and 8:00 pm on Friday and then from 7:00 am on Saturday. Scrutineering takes place between 6:00 pm and 8:00 pm on Friday and then from 7:00 am on Saturday. The official entry list has been updated to Version 6 and can be checked out by clicking here or by clicking on the Event Coverage link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page. Bike Weekend Perfect Awards. 3rd October: This week's Extreme Performance Bike Weekend at Santa Pod Raceway is the final event in the 2011 Eurodragster.com Perfect Awards Scheme. £100 is on offer for perfect performance. The Eurodragster.com/Cotsweld Race Cars Perfect Light Award has been reset to £50 after it was won by Super Street racer Mark Watkins at the VP Racing Fuels National Finals. The money will be awarded to the first racer this weekend to record a Reaction Time of 0.000 seconds. The Perfect Light Award is available all to racers in all classes, including Straightliners but not Run What You Brung, during qualifying and eliminations, but will only be awarded for the first Perfect Light of the event.The Perfect Light Award is presented in association with race car builder Cotsweld Race Cars whose web site you can find at www.cotsweld.co.uk. The Eurodragster.com/Gold RV Perfect ET Award has been reset to £50 after it was won by Pro ET racer Gino Bernadine at the VP Racing Fuels National Finals. The money will be awarded to the first racer this weekend to run to the thousandth on their dial-in or index during qualifying or eliminations. The Perfect ET Award is available this weekend in 8.50 Bike, 9.50 Bike, Supertwin ET and those Straightliners classes which run to an index, but not Run What You Brung. 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. To be eligible to collect the Perfect ET Award, racers are required to carry Eurodragster.com/Gold RV Perfect ET decals, one on each side of the vehicle. If you pull this weekend's first Perfect ET but are not carrying decals then there will be no discussion; we will not pay out and the next person to pull a Perfect ET will get the money assuming that they are carrying decals. As with all contingency schemes racers are responsible for collecting decals; Eurodragster.com/Gold RV Perfect ET Award decals are available in the Signing On office. An address for Paula. 2nd October: Many thanks to Ian Marshall for sending us an address for cards for Santa Pod Racers Club Secretary Paula Marshall, who is in hospital undergoing treatment for an illness: Paula Marshall Lilford Ward Kettering General Hospital Rothwell Road Kettering Northants NN16 8UZ Unfortunately flowers cannot be sent to this particular ward. You know what to do folks. Fatty surprises the gentlemen! 2nd October: UK Topspeed Automotive Street Eliminator racer Ian Hooka, aka Fatty, and the illustrious '34 Coupe made an appearance at Prescott Hill Climb yesterday as part of the Americana theme to their season close, "The Autumn Classic". Richard Warburton writes: Surrounded by Austin-Healeys, Porsches, single-seaters and the like a small area of the paddock - please note paddock and not pits! - was set aside for a collection of hot rods, Harleys, 50s and 60s Yanks, Wall of Death and a Rock and Roll duo. The '34 was the star attraction and after watching the racers gently chirruping their tyres on the way to the start line Fatty promptly showed them how to really put some heat into the tyres! The reaction was superb as nobody believed what they were seeing as a beautiful rolling burnout was performed across the start line and a pair of black lines appeared through the smoke. The crowd reacted with a massive roar as Fatty made his way up the hill, pausing halfway to do a second rolling burnout for the crowd. Fatty had a passenger with him as well who was a lucky competition winner from the local paper, The Gloucestershire Echo, with another winner due to get the same treatment today (Sunday). It is also believed that it was the most powerful car to have graced this historic motorsport venue, beating the previous best by about 300bhp! Not just cannon fodder... 2nd October: After his first visit to Santa Pod in 1989 at the age of four, when his dad started to work there, UK Sportsman ET racer Craig Wright always knew that he wanted to race there. After twenty two years at the track including crewing with Ian and Paula Marshall on the Highlander Camaro, Matthew Seamarks offered Craig a proper chance of racing in the SPRC Championship in his Camaro: Of course I jumped at it after having a hard year racing on the ovals! First things first, Matthew's 100E had to be finished, so I helped where i could to get the Anglia ready! But Easter soon came round and after dusting the Camaro off I ended up qualifying fiffth and making it to the semis. I was shocked to think I was even going rounds. Our main aim was to go a round or two here and there, and finish in the top ten in the points. I made it to the quarters at the Big Bang, but then there was the mishap at the SPRC Summernationals, which was quite possibly the highlight of the 2011 Sportsman ET season: putting diesel in the race car. Say no more. But I also made it to the quarters there, winning my first award: the cock. Then came Bug Jam with the Super Street boys entering to mix things up in our largest field of the season, and I ended up winning the event and taking out the number one qualifier on the way! This is when I realised I was more than just cannon fodder, and I took the lead in the SPRC points. So coming into last week's National Finals with a 120 point lead in the SPRC Championship and the possibility of finishing sixth in the National Championship it was real close with alot of pressure, but after going out in round one with a red I thought it was over. Then I foudn out that the top three went out as well. We knew we had a slim chance; I needed Kev Long to make it to the final, but then get beaten by whomever he was up against. Kev did make it to the final and faced Jake Handy in the Jackson's MoT Camaro. We'd hung about all day nervously waiting for the outcome of this race, and as they came to the line I was a mess; I could barely watch from the side of the start line, then to see Kev pull a red was an immense feeling! Hard luck Kev but that's racing eh? What a first year! I'd like to take this opportunity to thank Matt Seamarks and his family at Gingerman Racing for even considering giving me a chance to drive this year, also Ant Etheridge at AES Rescue in Earl's Barton, Northampton, for transporting the car on his trucks to and from each meeting, finally my crewman Hardy (Pamela at Bug Jam) and the rest of the Sportsman ET pits for a welcoming and friendly first season! Next year I'll be running a little 1600 cc Honda Civic in Sportsman ET, and we will be doing the full National Championship. One last thing: that one was for you Paula! Get well soon. Swift snippets. 2nd October: UK Super Pro ET racer Andy Raw tells us that he is doing well after his accident in August which left him with fourteen fractures in his hand. "The surgeon has explained that I'm doing well", says Andy. "I am OK and a big thanks to Lee and Chunky for picking up my Funny Car and camper van from the M25 and for all the help when I was in the hospital, and to all the people who visited me, and for all the E-Mails I received - I didn't know I was so popular!" Congratulations are due to Pro Modified / Top Doorslammer racers Urban Johansson and Martin Lundkvist on a 5.85-second pass and a speed of 403.3 kmh / 250.6 mph respectively at the Racestar Night of Fire at Sweden's Tierp Arena yesterday. Full results are available on the Nitroz web site at www.nitroz.se. Thanks to Ian Marshall for forwarding us Version 5 of the official entry list for the Extreme Performance Bike Weekend which takes place at Santa Pod Raceway next Saturday and Sunday, 8th-9th October. You can check out the Bike Weekend entry list by clicking here or by clicking on the Event Coverage link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page. German Funny Bike racer Thomas Joswig says that he and his team were overwhelmed by the warm welcome from everybody on his return to Santa Pod Raceway at the VP Racing Fuels National Finals. "When I took the lights on the first qualifying run I felt that the place was worth every kilometre of the journey to race there!", says Thomas. "A very special Thank You goes to Dave Branch and Tim Blakemore for their advice and generosity. See you all in 2012." Alamo doubles up in 2012. 2nd October: Leading worldwide leisure rental specialist, Eurodragster.com sponsor Alamo Rent A Car, is continuing its support of the high-octane motorsport of drag racing with its sponsorship of eight-year-old Belle Wheeler. Alamo has supported Belle's sister Paige for the last two years and is now keen to give the newest member of the Wheeler family to take up the sport as much assistance as possible. Both sisters will be sponsored by Alamo in 2012. Belle passed her test to drive a dragster on Thursday 22nd September and two days later took to her local track, Santa Pod Raceway in Northamptonshire, to compete in the VP Racing Fuels National Finals.  She drove the fifteen-foot US-made dragster, which was previously driven by Paige, which is capable of reaching nearly 50 mph in twelve seconds. Both sisters are set for an exciting year of competition in 2012 with the support of Alamo. They plan to attend the full programme of UK events, with both cars emblazoned with the Alamo brand as well as their safety gear. Alamo has also committed to track-side branding at the Santa Pod Raceway as well as on the Eurodragster.com web site. "We're very excited to be supporting both Paige and Belle in 2012" said Carmen Gomariz, Marketing Manager, Alamo Rent A Car, EMEA. "Paige has already proved that she has the determination and courage to make her name in the dragster sport. And Belle's enthusiasm is also fantastic to see. Sponsoring both sisters provides the Alamo brand with enormous exposure to a regularly travelling audience." To further reinforce its support of drag racing, Alamo Rent A Car is offering up to 15% discount on online rentals for all drag racing fans at www.alamo.co.uk/dragster helping even more people to experience the thrill and exhilaration of drag racing.  With a global network providing access to over 2,500 rental locations in over 100 countries worldwide, and over 1,680 European locations, including at every major airport, Alamo offers a wide range of vehicles and optional extras for leisure travellers, making it the ideal partner for drag racing fans. Web site updates. 2nd October: Our good buddy Alan Currans has updated his Acceleration Archive with a fourteenth page of pictures of historic drag bikes. You can check out Alan's large gallery of excellent shots via the What's New link at www.theaccelerationarchive.co.uk. The Mad Welshman has updated his Flickr site with pictures of Saturday's action at the VP Racing Fuels National Finals. You can take a look at Mad's pictures at www.flickr.com/photos/the_madwelshman. "I would just like to say a big thank you for the fantastic coverage you have provided all year, keep up the good work", he says (Thanks - Ed). "A big well done to all the teams, marshals and track crews also for a fantastic season of racing. I'm already looking forward to next year!" Earlier news