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29th February: Norway's Siw Nystad will be going back to her roots and contesting
Pro ET at the Easter Thunderball at Santa Pod Raceway in March. Last seen in one of Rune Fjeld's Top
Fuel Dragsters, Siw will be driving Bossie, a 1971 Mach 1 Mustang owned by her father.
"Bossie was the car I started racing in", Siw told Eurodragster.com. "Five days after my eighteenth birthday I entered my first local Street Legal race and won! I first got into a Top Fueller when I turned twenty and I have been on Rune Fjeld's team since then. ©Eurodragster.com "Bossie has a new 834 hp engine and gearbox, which are not sorted out yet. My previous best in the car is 10.61 with a stroked Cleveland engine so I am hoping to get into the nines at Santa Pod. The Mustang is a lot of fun - she pulls wheelies and she has manual shifting. I have never raced her outside Norway so it's really exciting to be able to race at Santa Pod Raceway and I'm really looking forward to racing in front of such great spectators! My dad and boyfriend will be coming along as crew, and we'll be racing for fun and to set new Personal Bests." Although racing the Mustang at Easter, Siw working on finding sponsorship to run in the FIA European Top Fuel Dragster Championship. "Racing the Mustang and racing the Top Fueller is like two different worlds", she said. "But Top Fuel is what I want to race the most!" Swift snippets. 29th February: The rules for the 2008 FIM/UEM European Drag Bike Championships are now available on the King Racing web site at www.kingracing.com. A summary of the major changes is available on the Pit Lane Gossip page and the rules themselves either via the summary or via the FIM Championships link on the Home Page. Also on two wheels, UK ACU UK Super Street Bike Champion Steve Venables is trying out his 2008 Hayabusa SSB at this weekend's Bikeweek Nationals in Valdosta, Georgia. In the absence of a live results service you can stay in touch with Ven's progress via postings on the 200mph forum, and live Web TV from South Georgia Motorsports Park is available at a price on the Dragcast.net web site. 
UK blown-alcohol altered team Bennett Racing have launched a large new range of merchandise which is available on line and some of
which will be available at the track or at shows. "You can now get canvas prints, foam board prints (both up to A0), clocks, T-Shirts, key
rings, pens, fridge magnets, mugs and mouse mats", says Luke Bennett. "For a full list and order details see our web site at
www.bennettracing.co.uk. All sales go to support the team and to run
the Relentless altered."
©Eurodragster.com Nick Curtis of the UK's Team Lawbreakers has been in touch to wish his good friend and Crew Chief John Ricketts luck driving Nick's '57 Chevy in Pro ET. "The last time John drove in anger was in Street Eliminator in a little yellow Anglia and I was his Crew Chief", says Nick. "Have fun mate, try not to break it, and don't forget you're paying for the electricity in the pits." Julie Willcox sends best wishes to APIRA Chief Timekeeper and Membership Secretary Janet Schreier who is at home recovering from an operation on her foot. " All went well, but Jan will be housebound for the next two weeks", says Julie. "When I saw her tonight she was doing well, and will still be able to deal with all membership queries etc. so no problem on that score. Wayne is matron at the moment! Everyone at the track sends their love and best wishes for a speedy recovery". We second that, and we'll see you at the track very soon Janet. UK Top Fuel Dragster racer in waiting and Eurodragster.com sponsor Derek Flynn has asked us to congratulate his Crew Chief Ian Pellant and wife Emma on the birth of Isabel Maeve who was born at 11.13 am yesterday, weighing in at 7 lbs. Derek tells us that mother and baby are both well. Jason Yates of the UK's Orange Pop Outlaw Anglia team says that the Pop's engine is up for sale. If you are interested then you can get details from driver Simon Barlow on 07950 271044 or E-Mail Jay on fordpop@hotmail.com. Web site updates. 29th February: Eurodragster.com Photo Editor Roger Gorringe has updated his Nitro Exposure web site with pictures from the Carquest Auto Parts NHRA Winternationals at Pomona and the Checker Schuck's Kragen NHRA Nationals in Phoenix. You can check out Roger's pictures at www.nitroexposure.co.uk. ©Eurodragster.com Adam Charnley has launched a new web site about his Legend, which he regularly drives at Run What You Brung events, and his planned mini Funny Car. You can find the very nicely-designed Aquila Motorsport web site at www.aquilamotorsport.com. Feature: NHRA in Phoenix. 
20th February: The latest in our occasional series of Features presented in association
with John Woolfe Racing is Roger's report and pictures
from the weekend's Checker Schuck's Kragen NHRA Nationals in Phoenix. Roger's report covers both the
Pro and Sportsman classes.
©Eurodragster.com Click here to view Roger's Checker Schuck's Kragen NHRA Nationals report and pictures, or click on the Features, Interviews, Tributes link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page. Cue the sibling rivalry. 
28th February: Timo Habermann tells us that
Germany's fastest brothers are ready
for action in 2008. Werner Habermann Racing
are fielding two Top Methanol Dragsters this year as the team have purchased a new TMD to be driven by Timo,
whilst Dennis will step into the dragster previously driven by his brother:
The Werner Habermann Racing Team were very pleased with the performance of the Top Methanol Dragster driven by Timo in the 2007 Season. It was Timo's first season with a pedal clutch and it was successful, setting new Personal Bests of 5.69/396 kmh although the dragster was 125 lbs overweight. For the 2008 season we went and bought one of the fastest Top Methanol Dragsters in the world – the ex-Duane Shields Dragster which ran 5.27 in the USA (left, click on picture for large version). It is a Brad Hadman 280" cable car. The new dragster will still be powered by a Miner Brothers Racing (Arias/Fontana) engine with a similar set-up to last year's. We hope to save a lot weight in the new car in order to go quicker than in 2007. The dragster arrived at our shop in December and work is progressing to get both cars ready for the 2008 season. Timo's younger brother Dennis is stepping up to Top Methanol Dragster in 2008 with Timo's old car, which is also powered by a brand new 433 ci MBR engine. Dennis made some very fast passes with the old 302 ci blown Small Block Comp Eliminator dragster, but we were at the limit with that combination. The best run was 7.0/306 kmh. The plan for Dennis in 2008 is to compete in some races in Top Methanol Dragster and some in Comp Eliminator, where we plan to run quickly, and we will try to push the European record in AB/Dragster. ©Eurodragster.com Our first race will be the Auto Trader Easter Thunderball at Santa Pod. We will be more or less testing because it will be the first time driving their new cars for Timo and Dennis and so they will be getting used to them. Our team will be identical to last year, but there will be some additional crew to work on both cars. Some quick facts:
Swift snippets. 28th February: Darren Prentice of Santa Pod Raceway has been in touch to inform racers that they will again be able to hire their own portable toilets for the Auto Trader Easter Thunderball. The rental fee is £100 plus VAT. To book your Tardis, drop Darren a line at darren@santapod.com. Swedish Top Methanol FC racer Leif Andréasson and most of his team have now arrived in California ready to start work on the Stratus in preparation for their three-date NHRA mini-tour. Leif will be writing a Blog which you can find on his web site at www.andreassonmotorsports.com. ©Eurodragster.com This year's UK Pro ET Sponsorship Scheme will be supported by Toxico Clothing, Real Steel, Black Bear Harley Davidson, Hauser Race Cars, Penn Autos, Motorshack, WASP, A1 Motor Stores, Inkwell Pinting and Alleyjax. #1 qualifiers at Santa Pod Raceway will receive £100, vouchers from WASP and Hauser Race Cars, and a trophy. #1 qualifiers at Shakespeare County Raceway will recieve a trophy. Co-ordinator Carl Burton tells us that the class T-Shirts are now in print. For more details about the Pro ET Sponsorship Scheme check out www.pro-et.co.uk. Dave McKenzie has been in touch to remind anyone interested in running with the Supercharged Outlaws that a meeting is to be held at 12 noon this Saturday (1st March) at Ettington Village Hall, on the Banbury Road not far from Shakespeare County Raceway. "All are welcome", says Fuzzie. "Tea and coffee will be available at the meeting and some of us are having a drink in Stratford afterwards." If you cannot make the meeting but would like more information on the Supercharged Outlaws then please E-Mail Fuzzie at fuzzie134@ntlworld.com. Luke Bennett has asked us to thank everyone who has been in touch since his cancer was diagnosed. "It has been very nice to read every E-Mail, and nice to know that there are people like this in drag racing", says Luke. "It's a top sport as we all know, and a brilliant community, thanks again. I had my first dose of chemo last week and as expected it wasn't the best, but there you go it's gotta be done! Again thanks to everyone for taking time to write." Thanks to those of our sponsors who have already responded and/or paid for 2008-9. If you are not planning to renew, then can you please get in touch and let us know as soon as possible - remember that this Saturday is renewal day and unless you tell us otherwise we will assume that you are renewing and send you a reminder. If you did not receive your renewal notice and invoice (they were all E-Mailed two Sundays ago) then please drop us a line at tog@eurodragster.com and we'll send you a replacement. From our man in Dubai... 
28th February: Ex-pat Brit Bruce Moult writes from the United Arab Emirates to tell us that the
season there is coming to a close:
The season, which started in November, saw the banning of the Land Cruiser class - thank goodness. They are very popular vehicles over here, good for going over sand but as aerodynamic as a brick and prone to hitting the barrier soon after launch. But Pro Mod, the highest class here, has seen some fantastic racing with Khaled Al Balooshi posting a 6.187 at 375 kmh in qualifying, only 0.077 seconds off Mikael Lindahl's record set at Santa Pod in September last year. ©Eurodragster.com It also saw the recruitment of our youngest marshal yet, fifteen-year-old Sam from Nottingham, who apart from enjoying some time on the beach during half term became a valuable helper too. due to funding problems, the Motorplex were unable to fund a return visit of Andy Carter and Harlan Thompson this season but interest is now being shown by some of the major companies in the region so we are looking forward optimistically to the 2008/9 season. It's bizarre that we don't race here in summer, but with temperatures exceeding 40 C it's a bit too hot for spectators but at least even in winter when it's a milder 25 C it still doesn't rain (much). Two more races before the season is over and it gets too hot and then we're back to old Blighty for a sniff of nitro! ...and meanwhile, in Carolina... 28th February: Nigel Taylor has been in touch with the latest news from the garages of Carolina Classics: ©Eurodragster.com We are now official distributors of American Auto Wire, supplying all wiring looms for hot rods, Chevys etc. The looms are excellent and come with fuse boards and switches. We have also added to our many exhaust supplies including Billy Boat, Aero and Magnaflow and have all pipework on site. To add to all of this, we now supply Haynes Manuals direct and Pertronix. The Carolina Classics parts hotline number is 0845 602 5490 and there is a 20% discount on all stocked parts for Eurodragster.com readers. Visitors to the Carolina Classics Workshops in Andover will now be able to view a nice selection of die cast hot rod and American models. For all vehicle enquires for MOT work, welding, paint and body shop, service and repairs and nearly everything else contact Cliff Hepton or myself on 01264 321170, or check out the newly updated web site at www.carolinaclassics.co.uk. 2008 FIA and UEM registration. 27th February: Power Racing Promotions Ltd, the administrators of the UEM Drag Bike Championship and the FIA European Drag Racing Championship, are happy to announce a new feature on the European Drag Racing Championship web site at www.powerracing.eu. ©Eurodragster.com On-line registrations are now open for drivers in the 2008 FIA European Drag Racing Championship and riders in the 2008 UEM Drag Bike Championship. By registering on-line there is a two per cent saving on the credit card surcharge. Salvador Bengtsson. 
27th February: Stefan Boman tells us that Per Bengtsson's two-time European Championship-holding
Supertwin is to be part of an art exhibition in Sweden on 1st-24th March (click on picture for large version):
The exhibition is called Motorcycles as Art. Besides Per's drag bike some choppers and custom motorcycles will be displayed along with photography from bike events. The location is the art gallery next to the City Library in the town of Klippan, where Per lives, and the opening hours will be 10:00-19:00 Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, 10:00-16:00 Wednesday and Friday, 10:00-13:00 Saturday, and 13:00-15:00 Sunday. There is no admission charge. Even more interesting to see is that Per himself now looks at himself as an "artist" with a completely new meaning. Rumour has it that he is trying to grow a Salvador Dali-style moustache in time for the grand opening, most likely wear a basque-hat and sip red wine while speaking with a fake French accent. This alone would be worth the trip to Klippan. ©Eurodragster.com Page in "Bottling it" shock. 27th February: You'd think that any Fuel Funny Car pilot would have to be a pretty fearless kind of guy, but the UK's Gary Page has admitted to bottling it at the joint APIRA/SPRC Dinner Dance and Trophy Presentation where he made a speech of acceptance for the Page family's British Drag Racing Hall of Fame trophy. "I meant to thank more people in my speech but I crapped myself", Gary told Eurodragster.com. "If I'd had my firesuit and crash helmet on I'd still be standing up there talking now! I really want to thank Terry Giles for being around. Also the track crews, marshals, organisers, the fire crews - we couldn't do it without them. It takes everyone from the bottom to the top to run a drag race. Everyone is equally important. You might think that the Fuel classes get preferential treatment but we're told when we run the same as everyone else. I'd also like to thank all the staff of Eurodragster.com (Thanks - Ed). It gives us all a fantastic insight into the sport and it must have way outgrown what you thought when you started it." Whilst speaking to Gary we took the chance to ask him the latest on Kenneth Lorentzon's Mongoose Performance Exhausts- and Pennzoil-sponsored Fuel Funny Car, which Gary will be driving this season. "It's nice to be back in the Funny Car and it's nice to know what I am going to be doing for a change!", he said. "The chassis is back from its updates, the body is being painted - and it is going to look stunning on the track, hopefully not fifty feet above it! Kenneth got more parts at the Winternationals. We are putting in a moulded seat and a seven-point harness and I need to fit my HANS device around that. "Kenneth has been really good so we just need to get the driver in gear now and we'll be fine. I will also be looking out for my nephew Dan and niece Heide who will be racing this year. I'm looking forward to seeing another Page on the track." Swift snippets. 
27th February: Luke Bennett tells us that Forge Motorsport have
supplied a fuel tank for Bennett Racing's Relentless blown-alcohol altered (right). "It is a lovely piece and a testament to their skill", says
Luke. "It has nine gallons' capacity, plenty for our car and a little to spare, and there are four returns for fuel - they can make as many as
required - and a larger bottom opening. The workmanship is superb so if you would like any size or shape tank for your car or bike
then visit www.forgemotorsport.co.uk or call
01452 380999
©Eurodragster.com UK Pro ET racer Vic Amato tells us that his new engine went from the USA to Germany and then back to the USA after Customs smelt petrol upon opening the crate. "They deemed it hazardous cargo so flew it back to Cinncinati!", says Vic. "Someone now has to inspect and certify the engine and put a sticker on the crate. Everthing was drained, petrol, oil, water, but they forgot to squirt the power valves empty! So they had maybe two or three thimblefuls of petrol in them". A salutary tale if you are having an engine imported... UK Supertwin racer Ian Turburville has been in touch to explain that the apparent earth tremor in the UK just before 1:00 this morning was a fire-up of his bike Mr Spokehead, because he could not wait as long as Easter. "It sounded good!", says Turbo. We received a number of Tenth Birthday messages yesterday, for which we are very grateful. In association with John Woolfe Racing we have put together a Feature page with the messages which came in. You can check out the Tenth Birthday Card by clicking here or by clicking on the Features, Interviews, Tributes page on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page. ARRC continue sponsorship. 27th February: Eurodragster.com Home and News sponsor Andy Robinson Race Cars are pleased to announce 2008 contingency sponsorship schemes for both ARRC and Stroud Safety. These will follow previous years' form with vouchers for winners and runners-up in various classes as described on the ARRC web site at www.robinson-race-cars.co.uk. The exceptions are Super Street and Sportsman ET which will follow 2007 with a joint Stroud/ARRC promotion that offers a prize at the end of the season for the Champion and runner up. This year the top prize is a single 'pilot chute' parachute suitable for the car in question together with a release kit; the runner-up prize is an SFI certified five-point harness; once again all details are available on the ARRC site. As usual drivers must display Stroud and ARRC decals on both sides of the car to be eligible; these decals will be available from the ARRC pit at Easter. 2007 Champions and runners-up in Super Street and Sportsman ET will be presented with their suits and other gear during the Easter weekend. ©Eurodragster.com Situations vacant. 27th February: Due to recent expansion, Hauser Race Cars has a vacancy for a race car welder/fabricator. This vacancy would suit someone who is into drag racing or circuit racing and who has worked on or built this type of car. Ideal candidates will have good welding and fabricating skills, be able to work with a variety of materials, have a good understanding of race cars, and be able to use tube bending equipment etc. Good mechanical skills in an automotive environment would be beneficial. If you think you would be suitable please contact Geof Hauser or Ray Eldred on 01933 682500 or e-mail your CV to sales@hauserracing.com. ©Eurodragster.com Tony Froome is seeking crew for his Sundance blown-alcohol Funny Car. Tony tells us that at the moment his crew consists of himself, brother Terry and a go-fer and that he would be pleased to hear from anyone with knowledge of Keith Black engines. The FC is a Chevy Beretta with a 525 ci KB, pedal clutch and three-speed. If you would be interested in working with Tony then you can call him on 07754 783123. Web site updates. 27th February: Our good friend Alan Currans has updated his excellent Acceleration Archive with a seventh page of the Lawrie Gatehouse Collection. "Lawrie made several trips to the USA during the 1970s and this page is devoted exclusively to his Funny Car pictures", says Alan. "Most of the major US drivers of the period are featured including Don 'The Snake' Prudhomme, Ed 'The Ace' McCulloch, Tom 'The Mongoo$e' McEwen, Gene Snow, Tom Hoover and more. There is even an illustrated article on Pat Foster's Chicago Patrol flopper which, amazingly, was sponsored by the local Old Bill". If you remember, or want to know, when Funny Cars looked like cars then check out the update at www.theaccelerationarchive.co.uk. ©Eurodragster.com Editor's note: Due to pressure of work in your News Editor's day job, which we mentioned yesterday, we have a small backlog of news. We are effectively a day behind but we will catch up tonight, so tune in to tomorrow's update for the latest from the Werner Habermann Racing pit, some ex-pat Brits in Dubai and more, and keep those news items coming to news@eurodragster.com. Swift snippets. 26th February: Many thanks to Santa Pod Racers Club Secretary Paula Marshall for forwarding us Version 5 of the official Auto Trader Easter Thunderball entry list, which you can view by clicking here or by clicking on the Event Coverage link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page and selecting the Auto Trader Easter Thunderball. If you think you should be on the list, or if you have any queries, then please get in touch with Paula on 01933 313625 (outside the UK +44 1933 313625) or E-Mail paula.marshall@btconnect.com. UK bike racers with any concerns about the 2008 ACU licencing procedure for new or returning racers ("returning" means more than three years away) should check out the Pit Lane Gossip page of the King Racing web site at www.kingracing.com where ACU UK Drag Bike Championship Co-ordinator Ian King has posted a clarification plus contact details for any specific queries. ©Eurodragster.com Nicola, Owen and Mason Prentice have been in touch to ask us to wish a very Happy Birthday to Santa Pod Racers Club International Race Director Darren Prentice. We are very pleased to do so, you have the happiest of birthdays D. Eurodragster.com into the Tens. 26th February: Also celebrating an anniversary is Eurodragster.com which reaches its tenth birthday today. We must say that none of us ever thought that Eurodragster.com would grow and take over our lives in the way it has, but it certainly doesn't feel as if we have been doing this for ten years. And we would be willing to bet that UK Top Fuel Dragster racer Andy Carter didn't know what he was starting when he sent us our first news item on February 26th 1998. ©Eurodragster.com If you are reading this page then you have played some part in the success of Eurodragster.com whether you are a racer, promoter, race, club or track official, Championship or Class Co-ordinator, track owner or employee, safety crew, sponsor, fellow journalist or photographer, fan, friend or family. We would like to thank you all from the bottom of our hearts for your support. We couldn't do this without you, and we must not forget either Tony B or Sharkman who may not be working with us any more but who both played a huge part in our success. Ålund joins PS Team Europe. 
25th February: Very few days have gone by recently without our reporting upon a European
racer competing in the USA before the 2008 European season starts, and 2007 FIA European Pro Stock Champion
Jimmy Ålund is the latest to let us know of his plans. Jimmy's Klintberg and Way-sponsored GTO is already
in Miami where Kent Trenneman of Trenne Export and Shipping is looking after it.
"We decided to ship the race car overseas again because it looks like a very short FIA race calendar this year", Jimmy told Eurodragster.com. "The whole team is going and we will wrrive in Miami next Monday. Our plan is to go to the Eastern Spring Test Nationals in Valdosta, Georgia where Jerry Haas is going to meet us. Jerry has kindly offered us the use of his race trailer during our visit. ©Eurodragster.com "We plan to stay at the track in Valdosta from Thursday 6th March to Wednesday 12th March and to make as many runs as possible. Bob Ingles is building a new engine - Maggan II - which we plan to use during both races. Also joining us at the track will be Dale Cubic from CFM Carburettors. If everything goes according to plan Bob Ingles is going to be there also. Since we shipped the car race-ready we are going to see how quickly it can run with last year power under the hood before we change engines. Our goal is to improve on the 6.77 which we ran in Valdosta last year and to see where we stand compared to Adam Flamholc and Richard Sundblom who will also be testing there. After what we hope will be a fun time in Valdosta we are going to Gainesville for the NHRA Gatornationals on 14th-16th March. With some more Bob Ingles horsepower, Jerry Haas' on-track experience, CFM carburettors and our team's season of experience with this car, we hope to improve on last year's qualifying spot, dead last at 6.74 (But pretty impressive nevertheless - Ed). "This trip would of course be impossible without the help of all of our sponsors and Kent Trenneman. Big thanks to all of you. From what we have heard there are going to be a lot of people from Europe in both Valdosta and Gainesville, which makes this trip even more fun. See you all in the States." Motoshine on cloud Nine. 
25th February: Congratulations to Ash and Claire of Motoshine Polishing who finally got their
nine-second pass at Santa Pod after full season of Run What You Brungs in 2007 and many additions to the bike:
All of our good faith in the engine has finally paid off and at the Saturday Night Special on 16th February the Motoshine GSXR 750-engined bike ran its first nine with a 9.97 at 136 mph. We think there is still more to come out of the bike: in sixth gear at three-quarter track it is running out of gearing so we're hopeful of a mid or even low nine second run once we've done a bit more work. ©Eurodragster.com The engine is from a 1991 750 GSXR Slingshot in a John Clift Comp Bike chassis (Click on picture for large version), and managed the 9.97 with some help from a little bit of nitrous. It has been built up at home from scratch on very limited funds, but we never miss a RWYB if we can help it. Thanks to Mark Fisher at Greenhill Racing for all of his help and advice. If anyone knows of another 750 in the UK which has run quicker than this please let us know at motoshine@tiscali.co.uk so that we know time what we need to aim for! Claire would also like to thank the guys at Surrey Muscle for their advice last weekend. Her car is now running OK again - more about that another day! - so I'll be in the chair next time you're up at Santa Pod! Swift snippets. 25th February: We're sure that we don't know where the time has gone, but tomorrow (Tuesday 26th) is Eurodragster.com's tenth birthday. If you have any favourite Eurodragster.com stories or memories from those ten years then please drop us a line at eurodragster.com@btinternet.com and we'll publish them here. ©Eurodragster.com Also on the subject of birthdays, a very Happy 9th Birthday from The Big Misters and The Big Miss to our good friend Carl Zettervall. We hope that you have a great day Carl, and Tog in particular is looking forward to his piece of cake. Markus Münch tells us that his band The Lonesome Dragstrippers have finished recording their new album Top Fuel Thunder and that it will be released in a few weeks' time. You can get a preview of some of the songs on MySpace at www.myspace.com/lonesomedragstrippers. "I hope you are well entertained and that it reduces the wait to the Easter Thunderball", says Markus. Without whom... 25th February: UK Pro ET racer Vic Amato seems to have had some bad experiences with suppliers recently but luckily some of his sponsors and supporters came to the rescue and he will be racing his pretty Mustang this season complete with new engine: To Thames Labs and John Richards MD, who are my main sponsor, thank you for your ongoing support and without it racing this year would probably not be happening. Thames Labs are Health and Safety consultancy, so if you need that sort of help at your work place then visit www.thameslabs.co.uk or call 0800 0852348. They also specialise in the survey and removal of asbestos. To Jack Spivey, what can I say. Jack is the design master of my beast of an engine, specs to follow soon. He chased all those suppliers, god knows how many miles and phone calls he has had to make, to people who were so laid back that words could not express. All this he does just to help a friend he has never met, it speaks volumes about good old fashioned human kindness. Both Jack and his wife Bev have demonstrated to me that there is hope for us all in this troubled world, if only more people were like them. Without Jack Spivey we would not be writing this news item, we would have nothing to say. I know Bev chewed some ears off on the phone when Jack was out and calls came from some parts people. So thanks to Jack and Bev. ©Eurodragster.com Thank you to Eric at Performance Engineering in Ohio, phone +1 513 738 5001. Eric did all the machine work, final assembly and chasing of final parts etc,. He also did lots of other things without being chased or asked. Basically if you want an engine builder and dyno tester in the USA and you want someone who'll go that extra mile then these are the guys to see. You can trust them to do a first class job! Thank you also to Dave Emerson at Seko Synergy (01753 588600), freight forwarding and logistics to the world. Without Dave's help and that of his partner Sandy Graff in Cincinnati the engine would still be at the docks, instead its on a Lufthansa flight and arriving this Thursday. Dave has another great Company, Personal Shipper who arrange next day delivery any where in the UK, up to 10 kg for £7.99 next day including VAT, USA service £55 up to 10 kg soon to be launched so watch this space. If you buy from Jegs or Summit who do free surface mail delivery in the USA, Dave will give them a central address to ship to, then it will only cost you about £45. Haven't I gone on, but it is important to me to let all the above people know what an outstanding contribution they have all made in their own special ways. They have all played there part in my jigsaw puzzle. The final pieces should come together next week when we fit the engine and this is what it has been about! Glen from CLC (07708 292153), mobile mechanic supremo, will be the main man when we fit the engine next Saturday. Jack tells me that from the dyno he did with Performance Engineering we will get, with my race headers and the blower effect from going down the track, about 945 bhp and 850 ft/lbs torque at 4500 rpm, they got that torque figure on the dyno test! Eric was very impressed with Jack's porting work on the heads and intake, and he commented that the motor's fuel to air ratio was fantastic, and that the motor just loves air. Jack had done some trick welding of the ports on the aluminium Super CJ Cobra Jet heads. I know Jack spent a lot of time talking to the Ford SVO people who were very helpful with all the latest flow tricks. I hope I haven't bored you with all the above. More details of the spec of the engine will be available soon, and as soon as I get all the paperwork from Jack I will post it on the Car page of my web site at www.vicamatoracing.co.uk. Remember: "Fast is fun and you can't have too much fun". Sweeney far from Idle. 
24th February: UK Wild Bunch racer Phil Sweeney was over the moon with the performance
of his Bone Idle altered, which made its début in his hands in the middle of last season,
and says that there is more to come.
"Rob and Nick at ICE Automotive did us a great deal on a 468 ci Chevy and it has lived up to Rob's initial predictions going deep into the eights with an 8.6 at over 150 mph at Shakespeare County Raceway", says Phil. "We've only run it conservatively so far, with low RPM launches, so there is definitely more in it. As well as the Wild Bunch we dipped in to Super Pro ET at the FIA European Finals, pitted next to another moonlighting 'Buncher, Roy Wilding. We were made very welcome in the Super Pro pits and the initial performances were promising with consecutive breakouts of 0.0001 and 0.0002, but the big cherry I pulled against Steve Green put us on the trailer. ©Eurodragster.com "Looking ahead into 2008, we're knee deep in an overhaul with upgrades to the transmission, brakes and carb set-up. We're entered into the Easter Thunderball in a bumper field of eight Wild Bunch cars. We intend to run most Wild Bunch rounds and to run in Super Pro ET for the Main Event and European Finals. "It's tough running a race car and holding down a full time job and I can't stress too much the amount of support I get. I would like to thank my long time girlfriend, now wife-to-be, Abby Huggins for putting up with the not so fun bits which go with racing and for still agreeing to marry me! Thanks to my pal and Best Man to be Tony Roberts for sticking with the racing, even when the fun occasionally runs out, and last but not least thanks to Ian Jones, who was new to our team last year but already proved his worth at the track and in the off-season. Good luck to all competing at the Thunderball, it'll be a blast!" Warren heads for SSB. 24th February: The UK's Manor Racing have announced that David Warren is to move up to Super Street Bike in 2008 on board a Big CC-tuned Turbo Kawasaki ZX12R. "We bought the Kawasaki from Andy Head, who competed successfully in the Straightliners Series doing mainly flying mile runs at Elvington where he ran a best of 241 mph", says David. "His best time so far at Santa Pod has been an 8.3/180. There is still a lot more to come from the bike, which has a potential of mid to high seven-second runs at least. We are grateful for Andy's help in the forthcoming season. "We are approaching this season as a learning year while we get used to the Kawasaki and feel our way around the different systems and settings before we try to win races. We have already received help from Webster Race Engineering: Jon Webster and I have worked closely together to develop the chassis and the overall package of the bike. With the experience and knowledge that Jon has throughout the various drag racing classes we are very excited to see what we can achieve with this bike. ©Eurodragster.com "We had our first test session of the year at last weekend's Saturday Night Special at Santa Pod, which turned out to be more interesting than first expected. We managed to get in five runs. The first three runs were wheelie-tastic due to a problem with one of the waste gates and also in the fuel mapping system but Jon soon found that. We went out again to run a more sedate eleven with a lot of wheelspin off the line, I calmed things down by 330 feet and went through the finish line at 154 mph. We decided to try and go for one more pass but with the night drawing in and the temperature dropping we were not expecting anything much. With a fairly good launch for the conditions but still very poor for Super Street, the bike was spinning through second and getting a lot worse in third, then to cap it off the bike went into a violent tankslapper so I decided to get out of it and coast through for a 10.04. "We learned a lot from the day. We didn't set the world on fire but we are going to try and get out testing again to acquire some base settings before the Easter Thunderball where we hope to run a lot stronger. "I would like to thank all of the Super Street Bike racers who have already helped out so far especially Graham Dance, Steve Venables and Graham Balchin who have said they will assist me in keeping the bike in one piece as the team is running on a very tight budget. We are also pleased to announce our team sponsors for the 2008 season: Rock Oil for product sponsorship which is great news, Webster Race Engineering for help and support with the development of the bike, and Motorshack who have supported me with fuel for the last few years so thank you to 'Uncle Steve' Wood. Swift snippets. 24th February: Santa Pod Raceway are looking for racers to make demonstration passes at its first major event of 2008, the Marangoni Fast Show, on Sunday 9th March. "The Marangoni Fast Show has quickly become an important feature on the calendar", says Rick Cuthbert, "and we are inviting drag racers keen for a bit of early season track time to volunteer for demos. The event only has space for about six racers, so these spaces will be prioritised for the drivers of the biggest, fastest cars! If you are interested in free track time and a fun weekend at Santa Pod, please E-Mail your application to me at rick@santapod.com." ©Eurodragster.com Also looking for help from a racer is Marc Owen who wonders whether any racer with a street-legal car would be interested in driving himself and his bride around on their wedding day at the start of July. Two passenger seats seems to be the sticking point, but if you can help Marc then give him a call on 01582 507987. Charnley gets a bird. 
24th February: The UK's Adam Charnley, who campaigns a converted legend at Run What
You Brung events, tells us that he has changed his team name from Cougar Racing to Aquila Motorsport. If you
didn't do Latin at school and you don't get the reference, then the picture at right is a clue. Adam explains:
There are several reasons for the change of name. Firstly I have become heavily involved in falconry over the past year, hence the car's name Talon, and secondly we have a sponsor soon to be announced in the falconry world, so Aquila seemed more apropriate than a big cat! Talking of sponsors I want to send a huge Thank You to Ian Turburville who has become a sponsor of Aquila Motorsport supplying us with crew shirts. I don't think I need to tell everyone how much of a credit Turbo is to the sport and how helpful he is. I've had ties with Turbo since I was involved in the F1 in Cchools competition back when I was seventeen and it's been a pleasure knowing him all this time. I went down to Santa Pod last weekend for testing on the Saturday and Sunday but I thought I'd just pop down to watch the Stunt Night as I'd never been before. I have to say I was extremely impressed. After I had unloaded the car I was told that there were still places available to run demos so I put my name forward...it's free testing and I'm only too glad to help out when I can (I thought the track announcer extemporised brilliantly - Ed). ©Eurodragster.com The first run went OK. I was sideways off the start line, as usual, and I went on to run a 13.6 which is pretty good considering it was the first time I had driven the car since September. On the second run I got out of shape off the start, missed second gear and then got out of shape at one thousand feet, which was one hell of an eye-opener in the dark and one hell of an adrenaline rush! I have so much respect for the other guys doing demos that night, the conditions were icy and those guys had far more power and were running quicker than me. Saturday started off well with a 13.4 then a 13.2, which I was really pleased about, but on the next few runs I kept missing second gear and hitting neutral - in the Legend, neutral is between first and second gear so if you miss second you hit neutral - I just thought it was lack of talent on my part as I'm sure did most people. On the last run I got second gear but then it wouldn't shift to third. I took the car back to the pits and took everything apart. It turned out that we'd bent a selecter arm in the gearbox, no wonder I kept missing gears! The car is now back in the garage and we'll have the gearbox sorted and the engine freshened up whilst we're at it. We have a new car in the pipeline, one of the Mini Pro Funny Cars from the USA. We will buy a rolling chassis, bolt in a ZX14 engine and either supercharge or turbocharge it. The current UK record is held by Dave Ellis with an 8.97 from Mr Exile, so that's our target! It will be a couple of years yet because we want to plan the build to the last detail, plus as with all things we need the funds too. In the meantime big thanks go to the Santa Pod crew as usual, they always do a great job, and to Dave Warren's crew who helped us diagnose our gearbox problems and gave us some good advice. Web site updates. 
24th February: Launching a web site this week are Mike Cresswell and the fReQracing
Wild Bunch team, who campaign the Living the Dream slingshot and whose mission is to enable young
people to participate and become actively involved in legal motorsport activities. Good for you, Mike
and the guys. The web site is in an early state of development but you can check it out at
www.freqracing.co.uk.
©Eurodragster.com Swedish Pro Modified team MSS Motorsport have also launched a web site at www.mssmotorsport.se. The site, by our good buddy Patrik Jacobsson, features news, team listing, media galleries, sponsor page and more. One Lucky Pro Mod. 22nd February: Eagle-eyed readers will have noticed the name of former Super Pro ET racer Wayne Nicholson in Pro Modified in the entry list for the Auto Trader Easter Thunderball. Kirstie had a word with Wayne to get the lowdown on the latest move for his beautiful blown-alcohol 'Vette. "I am really excited about running in Pro Mod", says Wayne. "It's the class I still run to the fence to watch, but I can't do that anymore can I! It is the class as far as I am concerned, the class I have aspired to since I started racing in 1989. Every single car is so different and individual, where else do you see such a variety of cars with a ridiculously huge amount of power on board? Every car should have a name in my opinion, where else can you see the Green Goblin racing Dr Evil? You only have to listen to John Price and Graham Beckwith when the pairing lanes start filling up with these awesome machines to realise the enthusiasm. It's electric and a Hot Rodder's dream...thousands of horsepower in a doorslammer!" Wayne started racing in a home-built Ford Pop, named Born to Run, in the Rover V8 class. "My first run was a seventeen!", he says. "It eventually ran mid-elevens with wheels-up launches. The car would regularly get into semi-finals, but never saw a final. I sold the car in 1996. During this time Belinda and I got married and we had our two sons Gareth and Joe. I then started building the BMW, which was the ex-Kenny Coleman Rover 800 "Police Car". I re-bodied it as the BMW and ran a Small Block for a year or two at test and tune events and a few rounds of Pro ET. I then put a Big Block in it to run eights in Super Pro ET, where we didn't do too badly. Hard launching, no wheelie bars, rolling burnouts! A couple of memorable events were qualifying number two at the Doorslammers at Shakespeare County Raceway in 2002 and coming runner-up to Brian Pateman. We came away happy with a few hundred quid after beating quite a few well-known cars. The following year we had a win in Super Pro against Nick Stephenson at Shakespeare County Raceway." Wayne's next race car, the 'Vette, was christened Lucky Devil after an unfortunate event a few years ago. "The name Lucky Devil comes from the motorway accident in 2003 in which the BMW was destroyed", he says. "I consider myself extremely lucky after that accident. I was cut out of the wreckage and airlifted to hospital where they operated on me that night. I was on the possible fatality list for a couple of days, so I think luck does come into it. My youngest son Joe and my good friend Dave Billadeau were also in the accident, but they had cuts and bruises, so we were all very, very lucky that day. It certainly makes you look at life differently. One life, live it a quarter of a mile at a time! We had the race number 777, no reason really - it just happened. Seven is a lucky number and 666 is the number of the devil, so 777 must be Lucky Devil. "The car was built by Jon Webster to be Pro Mod-legal, so to race Pro Mod this year I have just had to update the fire system and add a little bit of weight to the car. The engine is 510 ci and based on a Chevrolet.. Almost everyone uses a Hemi in Pro Mod. Over the winter we have changed the fuel system with a bigger fuel pump and a different injector hat. We were only just starting to make progress at the National Finals last year." ©Eurodragster.com So what times does Wayne predict for the Lucky Devil? "I am not going to predict any particular times for this year", he says. "We are still learning. All I will say is it needs to start with a six and we need to be reliable. Then we will go from there". Wayne's Personal Best was set in Super Pro ET, 7.26/189.96 with a 1.041 sixty foot time, so not far off that all important magic number. Is Wayne thinking about a larger engine or something more drastic for the future? "I would like to see how competitive we can be in Pro Mod", he says. "Maybe a Hemi at some time? I hope Belinda isn't reading this! If I was offered a drive in a Fuel car or a Funny Car, I wouldn't have to think about it for too long. I couldn't afford it myself , and I really like cars with doors! Boy am I in trouble when Belinda reads this!" Wayne has a list of thanks as long as your arm. "I would like to thank my sponsor from last year, Quarry Motors BMW salvage specialists who are returning this year, and a new co-sponsor for this year, Kerry Tate of Originals Hot Rod Supplies (01757 618907). I would also like to thank Jon Webster for building the car I asked for and more, Kenny Coleman for being Kenny, my super crew Carl "Dennis" Watten, Luke Smith and Bryan Whitfield, anyone who has ever helped with cars past and present including Nigel Carter (ring me!), Ricky Johnson, Dave Billadeau, Ian Tubb, people like the late great Dave Grady and Steve Green for inspiration. So many people to thank. The biggest thanks has to go to Belinda, she has never known me without a race car or a hot rod! My two boys Gareth and Joe...Gareth you have to wait a few years yet before you get in "the seat". "If you would like to be associated with what really is a spectacular motorsport, please get in touch with us, however large or small your offer. And look out for our web site soon." Swift snippets. 22nd February: Our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of tractor puller Chris George who died earlier this week. A very friendly and knowledgeable chap, Chris became involved in drag racing when he assisted Ian Caseley with his Roadzombie 2 Jet Dragster, and he liked what he saw: had Chris not become ill then we would not have been at all surprised to have seen him field his own jet-powered race car. 
Dan Welberry of Eurodragster.com News sponsor 3t Creative has sent us the latest example of his company's
work, this year's hero card for UK Top Fuel Dragster racer Andy Carter. Click on the picture at right
for large version of the front side, and click here to see the
back side which includes news of the book to be released by Carter Motorsport in 2009. For more details
about the services which 3t Creative can offer then check out their web site at
www.3tcreative.com.
Updated 17:20 Many thanks to Santa Pod Racers Club Secretary Paula Marshall for forwarding us Version 4 of the official Auto Trader Easter Thunderball entry list, which you can view by clicking here or by clicking on the Event Coverage link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page and selecting the Auto Trader Easter Thunderball. If you think you should already be on the list, or if you have any queries, then please get in touch with Paula on 01933 313625 (outside the UK +44 1933 313625) or E-Mail paula.marshall@btconnect.com, and don't forget that today is the official closing date for entry, unless you are feeling particularly rich. ©Eurodragster.com One of the additions to Version 4 of the Auto Trader Easter Thunderball entry list is Norwegian Top Fuel Dragster racer Siw Nystad, running her family's Bossie Ford Mustang in Pro ET. We'll have some words from Siw soon. UK Supertwin Gas racer Les Harris tells us that a last-minute slot has become available for a race bike and rider at a photo-shoot in Tamworth, Staffordshire this Sunday, 24th February. Pictures will be promotional type (some including models) which will be good for hero cards, press releases, pictures for sponsors etc. If you are interested then have a word with the photographer, Neil Stedman, on 07974 441845. The UK's Volkswagen Drag Racing Club have announced their class sponsors for 2008. VW Sportsman will be sponsored by Birmingham's Bears Motorsport Transmissions, suppliers of road and race gearboxes for all types of VW. VW Pro will be sponsored by Volkszone.com, the UK's biggest VW-based internet site. VW Alternate Engine class will be co-sponsored by the Intergalactic Custom Shop and TSR Engine Conversions. A big thumbs-up to UK Pro ET racers Carla Pittau and Rick McCann who are the first racers to sign up to take their race car to the Lefthookers American Auto Club Charity Show, about which we wrote on Tuesday. The organisers still have room for more cars so if you are interested in joining Heaven & Hell and helping the Miles Of Smiles kids' hospice then check out Tuesday's news item. UK Fuel Funny Car team Nobby Hills Racing are pleased to announce a deal with Spreadshirt which means that they can offer a whole range of t-shirts, polo shirts, jackets, bags and even umbrellas (not that you will need one when going to a race track in Europe), all of which bear the name of Nobby Hills Racing. For more details check out the Merchandise section at www.nhracing.com. Web site updates. 22nd February: Santa Pod Raceway's Stunt Night web site has been updated with a photo gallery of last Friday's events. which you can find at www.stuntnight.co.uk. There is also a photo gallery from the weekend's Saturday Night Special on Santa Pod's Run What You Brung web site at www.rwyb.co.uk. ©Eurodragster.com If you like your Santa Pod Raceway event entry lists illustrated then the Auto Trader Easter Thunderball entry list can be found at www.santapod.co.uk/e_entrylist_easter08.php. "After the photo entry lists proved very popular with both fans and racers last year, the aim for 2008 will be to keep all photos up to date as racers change vehicles and paint schemes", says webmaster DJ. "If new racers would like their photos added to the Photo Entry List they can send them to photo@santapod.com. Otherwise the missing photos will be taken at Easter." Micke Wickman. 
21st February: We were very sorry to learn of the death of Micke Wickman in Stockholm
yesterday. Micke died at the age of forty three after battling cancer very bravely and with good humour.
We had the good fortune to meet Micke when he worked with Patrik Pers' Top Fuel Dragster and Funny Car teams. A very friendly guy who was more often than not to be found with a video camera in his hand, Micke was an expert videographer and was into drag racing, extreme sports, cars and bikes. You can find out more (Swedish language) on Micke's web site at www.motoxsports.se. Our very deepest sympathy to Micke's daughter Rebecca, to Maj-Britt and Ingvar, and to all of his family and friends. Swift snippets. 21st February: Our good friend Gittli Koller has been in touch to confirm that the German SFI Day will take place at the Sachs-Haus at Hockenheim between 10:00 and approximately 15:00. "The team will check chassis, clutches, and bellhousings as well as 4.1 Auto Trans Shield, 29.1 Flexplates, 30.1 Flexplate Shields, and 15.1, 15.2 and 15.3 drag racing wheels", says Gittli. You can find the full run-down of the 2008 SFI Tour on our news update of 30th January. Many thanks to Santa Pod Racers Club Secretary Paula Marshall for forwarding us Version 2 of the official Auto Trader Easter Thunderball entry list, which you can view by clicking here or by clicking on the Event Coverage link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page and selecting the Auto Trader Easter Thunderball. If you think you should already be on the list, or if you have any queries, then please get in touch with Paula on 01933 313625 (outside the UK +44 1933 313625) or E-Mail paula.marshall@btconnect.com, and don't forget that this Friday (22nd) is the official closing date. ©Eurodragster.com UK Pro ET racers Carla Pittau and Rick McCann thought that they were getting far too laid-back and soft, with not enough to do and not enough engines to swap between rounds. So they decided to double the fun with another Camaro, named Heaven & Hell As Well as they say that the only thing better than racing a car in Pro ET is to race two cars in Pro ET. Latest details have been posted on the team's web site at www.heavenhellracing.com: trials, tribulations and everything, but Carla says that hopefully they will get there in time for the Easter Bunny to smile on them while they build snowmen at the Easter Thunderball (Not funny - Ed). Feature: NHRA Winternationals. 
20th February: The latest in our occasional series of Features presented in association
with John Woolfe Racing is Roger's report and pictures
from the recent Carquest Auto Parts NHRA Winternationals at Pomona Raceway. Roger's report covers both the
Pro and Sportsman classes.
©Eurodragster.com Click here to view Roger's Carquest Auto Parts NHRA Winternationals report and pictures, or click on the Features, Interviews, Tributes link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page. Europe's shortest retirement? 
20th February: Dutch European Top Gas racer Job Heezen has set yet another European record,
this time for the shortest retirement from drag racing. A chance meeting with Supertwin racer Roel Koedam led to
the acquisition of Ton Pels' Zodiac Racing Supertwin. Job started by
telling us about his racing career so far.
"In the last fifteen years I have campaigned three different bikes in three different classes", Job told Eurodragster.com. "I started on a Harley Davidson XR1000 in Supertwin Street in the early 1990s where we had to struggle against a truck-load of Yamaha V-Maxes, most of them with one and a half times the horsepower of my Harley. But this Sportster was very efficient and we were very rarely beaten by one of the Yamahas. "At that time the new series of European Top Gas started to crystallize, organised in the beginning by Peter Janssen. It was a rapidly growing and interesting class, so I decided to build an HD Sportster based Top Gas bike, very similar to the AHDRA Pro Stock series with 114 ci engine with stock HD Sportster cases and a Zippers four-speed. It was then that I came to the conclusion that the stock cases were not designed for this kind of job. It was also this time that Harley refused to sell engine cases on order so more than once Johnny Vickers had to come to rescue us after another incident. Although it was a handicap race, we managed to bring home a few European Championships. "Some time during this process a new challenge came up: trying to make something work that had not been done much before: a combination of an air-cooled big twin, running on gas, fueled by electronic injection and pumped up with a huge blower. That became the blue Supertwin Top Gas bike that you saw more than once at Santa Pod and Avon Park. This bike gave us a lot of pleasure but also a lot of headaches. It was more like a mission impossible project which kept us very busy for a while. "We took this bike to some races in the USA and on one of these occasions Bill Furr came along, inspected the bike, made some compliments on the construction but then said "You will never get this thing working". Later on we found out that he had tried the same thing but never succeeded. Well, we got it working pretty much, ran more than a few European records, grabbed some Top Gas Championships, and had good times with it on the race track! ©Eurodragster.com "After all these years I made up my mind to sell the bike and enjoy the free time you get after quitting racing. You know: free weekends, go to the cinema, go on holiday etc." Anyone who has been drag racing long enough knows that the sport pulls you back in eventually and it happened very quickly for Job. "One day, at a bike show in Rosmalen, I sat down with Roel Koedam", he said. "Over coffee we started talking about their new project, a blown Top Fuel Harley. Roel told me that they planned to campaign two bikes, the old one and the new one. Knowing how much work one bike means, Roel told me that he preferred to stay with one bike, the new one. Having someone else racing the old bike seemed a much better option and for some reason he thought that I should be that guy. Roel advised me to talk to Ton Pels to see if this would have his approval and if he was prepared to sell me his bike. "In short this is the story of a guy who stopped racing, thought he was going on a long holiday, put away his helmet and leathers and started to read a book, but who has now signed on for the Easter Thunderball to ride a Top Fuel Harley for the first time. "I can't tell you what I am expecting from the Supertwin. I have been so busy getting it all done that I have hardly had time to think about it. I'll just take it to the Pod, go to the start line and twist the throttle. When that has been done I'll get back to you and tell you what it felt like. "I want to thank Ton and Roel. Without them I might have been on holiday in the Caribbean at Easter. But, to be honest, I prefer Santa Pod after all..." Andréasson heads West, then East. 
20th February: Swedish Top Methanol Funny Car racer
Leif Andréasson has shipped his Dodge
Stratus FC to the USA where he will contest NHRA National events in Gainesville, Houston and Las Vegas before
rushing the car back to Europe for the FIA European Championship tour. The car is due to touch down in Los Angeles
next week and Leif and the team have a heavy schedule even before the FC turns a wheel.
"We are taking the car to Eagle One where Brett Williamson will do the chassis upgrades including a new cage", says Leif. "Then we are going to Brad Anderson's place to build new engines. We also have to install a new computer, and the body has to be repainted (click on picture for large version). We like the new Swedish Armed Services desert camouflage! "Then we have the long drive to Gainesville, then we are to race in Houston and Las Vegas. We investigated running at some NHRA Divisional events but I don't think we will have the time. But we are looking forward to racing in the USA again. If the car runs as it should then we should easily qualify. "After the race in Las Vegas we have to get the car back as quickly as we can. It is a lot of work getting these trips together - I am having to think about booking a container for the return trip already. Then of course we will be racing the whole European Tour and we are looking forward to taking our car to the next level. We would really like to see the Championship grow." Team member Henrik Lindström had a head start in the USA as he has been working with MSD and Racepak learning about ignition and dataloggers to be able to provide a trackside servicing facility in Europe this year. Andréasson Motorsports are very pleased to announce the return of Kamasa Tools as a sponsor after a break last season. Kamasa have supported Leif for the best part of ten years. Leif tells us that he will have some more sponsors to announce very shortly. Swift snippets. 20th February: Many thanks to our good buddy Patrik Jacobsson for translating for us that Freddy Fagerström is to return to Pro Mod this season with his wild 6.2-second blown-alcohol pick-up which has had some aerodynamic modifications. Patrik quotes Bilsport magazine as saying that Freddy's fans, team and sponsors want him back in the truck (His TMFC is for sale on our Swap Meet - Ed) and we're certainly not going to argue with that. ©Eurodragster.com Racers sought for Kent Charity show. 20th February: Clive Kirkham has been in touch to ask if any racer would be interested in displaying their car at a Charity show in Kent on Sunday April 13th. My club, the Lefthookers American Auto Club, has around eighty members", says Clive. "We do charity work and we have started to raise money for a kids' hospice near Canterbury. The hospice charity is called Miles Of Smiles catering from ages three to eighteen, and the home has constant money worries. We are having a car and bike show on 13th April with live bands, side shows etc aimed at families and of course petrolheads. I'm looking to get the local TV first plugging, then filming this event. We want to fill the show with as many interesting aspects as possible and we would like to invite anyone who would like to display their race car. "I think that this would bring people in and add something interesting to the initial press release and to the show. Maybe the car could be fired up now and again to give people an idea of how these motors sound! I know it is a lot to ask, and we cannot pay anyone (apart from the odd one or three beers!) as so far everything has been pledged to allow us to give all proceeds to the Hospice. Our target is to raise £5000, which is a tall order, but the Club is going to try. What we do gives American car owners a good name in Kent and to see the kids' faces is priceless." You know what to do, folks. If you would like to take your race car along to support this very worthwhile cause then please call Clive Kirkham on 07977 820923 or E-Mail clive.kirkham@ntlworld.com. Clive tells us that any race cars to attend will be included in the pre-event publicity so he would appreciate a picture or two. Keeping Saturday Special, again. 20th February: Saturday 16th February was the season opener for the Saturday Night Specials at Santa Pod Raceway and there was some fantastic action on the famous quarter mile strip, says Jo Harris: Despite the -3 Arctic conditions the track was open right through until 9:00 pm at night, giving plenty of track time for every RWYBer who turned out for the event. With the evening entertainment kicking off when the track closed, things heated up nicely with free pole dancing and music in Fueler's Bar rounding off a great day of racing and making sure those cobwebs were fully blown away! With the next Saturday Night Special on 5th April we're guaranteed warmer weather and the opportunity for even more track time, so there shouldn't be any reason for you to miss out on all the action. ©Eurodragster.com Gates open at 8:00 am. General admission is £10 for a one day ticket and £20 for a weekend ticket (£15 in advance). Free camping with a weekend ticket! Sign-on is £30 for unlimited runs from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm and £ for unlimited runs from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. It's just £10 for unlimited runs from 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Don't forget your DVLC licence. For more information visit www.rwyb.com. Web site updates. 
20th February: If you enjoyed Peter's selection of pictures from the weekend's Saturday
Night Special Stunt Night at Santa Pod Raceway then you can now check out his full set of pictures of the event
on his Fotopic gallery at peterdonaldson5305.fotopic.net.
©Eurodragster.com Sweden's Tricky Thörnäs Dragracing Team has launched a web site at www.corvette63.com featuring a very clean twin-turbo Small Block Chevy-powered 'Vette which runs in Top Doorslammer and Comp Eliminator. The site by our good buddy Patrik Jacobsson features news, car details, gallery, race dates, team run-down, history and more. Auto Trader Easter Thunderball entry. 19th February: Racers running in the 2008 UK National Drag Racing, ACU UK Drag Bike and other UK Championships are reminded that the closing date for entry to the Auto Trader Easter Thunderball is this Friday, 22nd February. Entry after this date, if accepted, is subject to a 100% late entry penalty. All Santa Pod Raceway event entry forms are available for download on the Santa Pod Racers Club web site at www.eurodragster.com/sprc. ©Eurodragster.com Santa Pod Racers Club Secretary Paula Marshall has forwarded us Version 1 of the Auto Trader Easter Thunderball entry list, which contains all entries received up to close of play yesterday (Monday). You can check out the Auto Trader Easter Thunderball entry list by clicking here. If you think you should already be on the list, or if you have any queries, then please get in touch with Paula on 01933 313625 (outside the UK +44 1933 313625) or E-Mail paula.marshall@btconnect.com. Erbacher sets NHRA dates. 
19th February: 2007 FIA European Top Fuel Dragster Champion and Eurodragster.com News
sponsor Urs Erbacher has decided to continue his
US tour and will be racing at the NHRA events in Gainesville, Houston and Las Vegas before bringing the
rebuilt car back to Europe to defend his title.
"The car is now in near Houston and Wayne Dupuy, Winni and Mike are working on it", says Urs. "We are updating the chassis to the new specs so that the car will legal for the rest of the US races in 2008 and Europe in 2009. The chassis specs are a safety thing too, so I decided to do that now because we have the time for do it because we can't run in Phoenix. The biggest Custom Bike show takes place in Zurich that weekend and I need to be there." Urs says that he has a great race at Pomona where he became the quickest European Top Fuel driver despite a scare in the last qualifying session. "We ran in the 4.5s without testing our combination", he says. "The new qualifying rules gave us a little work to do because after Friday night only the first twelve cars were qualified. After the first qualifying run on Saturday I was too slow and we were number seventeen. So we only had one more chance to get in the field. After the burnout I shifted into reverse and went to start to back the car up. After I released the clutch nothing happened and the car stayed where it was. So Andy Blitz started to push the car backwards and I put a little pressure on the gas pedal. After the start line crew and everyone in the start area saw what was happening everyone including the NHRA crew started to push the car back. ©Eurodragster.com "When I got back I tried to move forward to pre-stage. The clutch pedal still didn't work. I gave it a little more stall speed and then the car started to move so fast that I went directly into stage. So Blitz and some other crew members still stayed around the car, but I knew I had a single run and could wait. After Blitz was out of my way I hit the gas pedal and I was happy because the car moved forward. We ran 5.8 and we qualified. So we were happy and thank you to all the NHRA guys who helped me to back up the car. "In Sunday's first round against Antron Brown I knew I had to pull a fast Reaction Time. I gave it my best and ran 0.085 light, Antron was slow and had a 0.115 light. I didn't see him for the whole run, and at the finish line I was sure I had won. But I lost by three thousandths of a second. Stuff happens but we were happy. We ran with the same engine the whole weekend, the US and Swiss crew worked perfectly together and we were in the field." Urs went home to Switzerland the day after the Winternationals. "On Tuesday night I enjoyed carnival in my town and on Wednesday morning I went to Zermatt in the Swiss Alps. My family and I spent a couple of days skiing at 3800 metres. "We are looking really forward to Gainesville with the new back half on the chassis and the other changes." Swift snippets. 19th February: We understand that Swedish Pro Mod racer and race car builder Mats Eriksson celebrated a very special birthday at the weekend. If that's true, then we hope that you had a great day Mats. ©Eurodragster.com New sponsor for BDRC. 
19th February: The Bahrain Drag Racing Club goes into 2008 with a new sponsor,
says BDRC President Fahad Taqi.
"Our National Championship for this season kicked off in January with and this season the main sponsor for the Championship is the Bahrain International Circuit and its total cash prize in 100,000 Bahrain Dinars which is about £130,000 for the six races. ©Eurodragster.com "At the start of the season five new Pro Mods were bought from the States. The first blower Mustang to hit the Middle East is owned by last year's Champion, United Arab Emirates driver Bader Alahli. Khalid Al Balooshi has a Pro Mod Cavalier with an 870 ci nitrous beast and he clocked a time of 6.1 seconds. "The great news is that Al Seem Performance Group (SPG) have approached the club to talk about SPG being the official sponsor of the Bahrain Drag Racing Club. Team founder and owner of SPG Juma AL Kaabi, better known as Bu Saif in the UAE, is no stranger to the sport of drag racing or any motorsport. "The second Championship round will take place at the Bahrain International Circuit on 12th-14th March." Web site updates. 
19th February: If you enjoyed Peter's selection of pictures from Stunt Night at Santa Pod Raceway
then you can now check out his full set of pictures of the event on his Fotopic gallery at
peterdonaldson5305.fotopic.net.Feature: Nuthin' Fancy Racing. 
18th February: For the latest in our occasional series of Features in association with
John Woolfe Racing Kirstie headed over to Cheltenham
to talk to UK blown-alcohol altered racer Joe Bond about his Nuthin' Fancy altered which he campaigns
in the Nostalgia Fuel Altered Association.
Joe told Kirstie about the altered, his plans for 2008, his heroes, running in the NFAA, and his ultimate aim. ©Eurodragster.com You can check out the Feature by clicking here or by clicking on the Features, Interviews, Tributes link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page. Editor's note: If you would like to be the subject of a Feature then please drop a line to eurodragster.com@btinternet.com and we'll be back in touch. Pro ET picks up a new entry. 
18th February: At Santa Pod Raceway to test at the weekend's Saturday Night Special was
Paul Foote with his beautifully-prepared Ford F100 pickup which is headed for Pro ET (click on picture for large version).
Signwriter Paul told Peter that he started racing in 1979 with a 1965 Mustang. The F100 was acquired in 2001 and Paul has steadily modified the Ford until an engine blow-up in 2007 forced a decision. The outcome? A Bill Mitchell Merlin 540 ci Chevy motor and a plan to enter highly popular Pro ET class. The body is all steel save the hood, which explains the 3,600 lb weight of the Motorshack-sponsored '56. A Turbo 400 transmits the 800+ bhp to a strengthened rear axle prepared by Geof Hauser. The high quality of workmanship displayed in the car is testament to Paul's skills and will doubtless be admired by his fellow racers. ©Eurodragster.com New-engine gremlins prevented any runs on Saturday, but when ironed out this pickup will add to the already high standards of Pro ET. Paul would like to thank his crew of David, James, Steve and Tim for their support. Picture courtesy and ©Peter Donaldson Glassup's double Six shot. 18th February: Bob Glassup of the UK's Xtreme Wheels Racing has decided the J&W Automotive crew are not busy enough, writes Derek Flynn of Eurodragster.com News sponsor Gold RV. "Lee is helping us with the Top Fuel Dragster and Richard is helping son Pete Walters with his début season in Super Pro with his new car", says Derek, "but Bob has decided to give himself a double shot at getting his six, as he has purchased the whole Gold RV Top Methanol Dragster set-up. "Initially I was not going to sell the car, but after a bit of badgering and contemplation I have now sold the whole set up to team-mate Bob. The plan is to swap the motors between his cars, which would mean the 2,500+ hp BAE Hemi is going in the Altered and his 509 ci blown Big Block Chevrolet is going in the dragster. We both figured that the Hemi will make the altered a right animal, and capable of mid-sixes if Bob can keep it straight enough. Bob promised me a go in it which clinched the deal. Likewise his Chevy engine in our dragster, which was the same as our last blown car set-up, should also be capable of mid sixes, and will make one of the nicest rails in Super Pro ET. ©Eurodragster.com "I know that both Bob's son and daughter Matty and Holly are itching to have a go in the dragster, and whilst Bob is not really a dragster man he has always liked our new chassis - after all, what is there not to like about it! - and he says he may have a go in it himself before it all goes up for sale. The car, trailer, awning and pickup will all be available soon so any interested parties should contact Bob direct or keep an eye on the Eurodragster.com Swap Meet." Swift snippets. 
18th February: Mark Gredzinski has been in touch with another example of his painting,
this time a work in progress of Wild Willy Borsch's early hemi (click on picture for large version).
"This is far from finished but it gives an idea of the detail on the powerplant", says Mark.
Congratulations to UK Sportsman ET racer Sandie Gibb who clocked a Personal Best of 11.18 seconds in the Li'l Ole '38 Opel at the Saturday Night Special at Santa Pod Raceway at the weekend. Or should that be UK Pro ET racer? Well done Sandie. ©Eurodragster.com During the FIA European Finals the Carter Motorsport / Andersen Racing team gave classic car and motorsport journalist Paul Bussey a behind the scenes look at Top Fuel drag racing with the Lucas Oil team. This month's issue of American Car World magazine carries Paul's four-page report on his time with the team. In the fully illustrated feature Paul gives a detailed insight into the work done by the crew in between rounds and Andy Carter gives an interesting insight into life as a Top Fuel driver. "Paul has done a great job capturing a day in the life of the Lucas Oil Top Fuel team", says Andy Carter. "It's only a month until our first race at the Easter Thunderball and we can't wait. Paul sums it up very well in his article when he says- "Winning is everything - nothing less will do"!". The March 2008 issue of American Car World is out now and available in all good newsagents. A big Happy Birthday for yesterday (Sunday) to former Junior Drag Bike racer Andy Irvine. Dad Don tells us that Andy is looking to move into the big league when he can afford it. "Happy birthday from mum, dad and Richard", adds Don. Hope you had a great day Andy. Flamholc returns to the USA. 
18th February: Swedish Pro Stock racer
Adam Flamholc and his team are headed across the
Pond to participate at the test session in Valdosta, then to Bradenton, and finally to the NHRA Gatornationals in Gainesville.
"This is our second US Tour", says Adam. "Last year we competed at the NHRA event in Richmond, as well as at a couple of test sessions. We ran a Personal Best of 6.752/205 in Maryland. After the Gatornationals we will ship the car to Europe and participate in the FIA European Pro Stock tour. Hopefully we will be well-prepared after this winter's adventures when we have made some updates to the car and the motor. ©Eurodragster.com "Big thanks to Kevin and Chester Houghtaling at Progressive Performance who help us with everything, Steve Schmidt who is providing the power and who made the uppdates on the motor with which we all are satisfied, Hurst Boiling and Welding Company who are our US sponsor, Amalie Oil who are our main European sponsor, Justin Humphreys and his crew who give us advice and help with parts, and of course my loyal team Fredrik Akesson, Robert Broden, Michael Carlsson, Johan Pripp, Peter Flamholc, Petri Nagy, Kevin and Chester Houghtaling." Web site updates. 18th February: Peter has produced us a couple of galleries of pictures from the weekend's events at Santa Pod Raceway. First up is Friday's Stunt Night; putting on drag racing demos and laying down some good runs in freezing conditions were Martin Hill Sam Freeman, Sandie Gibb, John Hackney, Matthew Seamarks, Zak Johnson and Annalieze Gibb and you can check out Peter's pictures, which are presented in association with American Car Imports, by clicking here or by clicking on the Event Coverage link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page. ©Eurodragster.com Peter's second gallery is from the Saturday Night Special. This event took place in bright but chilly weather and was attended by a few more racers including Super Gas and Pro ET racers-in-waiting John Giles and Paul Foote. You can view Saturday's pictures, again presented in association with American Car Imports, by clicking here or by clicking on the Event Coverage link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page. Another word for our sponsors. 18th February: We have now E-Mailed 2008 renewal notices and invoices to all of our sponsors. If you have not received your E-Mail and it is not in your Spam mailbox then please get in touch with us at eurodragster.com@btinternet.com and we'll make alternative arrangements to get the paperwork to you. ©Eurodragster.com Jan Van Broekhoven, please check out your E-Mail and get in touch with us as soon as possible at the above address. Headed for the Super Gas wars. 
17th February: The UK's newest Super Gas racer Jon Giles made his first outing at
Santa Pod Raceway's Saturday Night Special yesterday (Saturday). Kirstie caught up with Jon at Santa
Pod on Friday evening and got the lowdown on the ex-Kev Moore Willys which is instantly recognisable
due to its tall rear wing.
Jon bought the Willys, now named Roar Willys, from Paul King about four months ago. His previous racing experience was as crew for Tim Adam in Super Gas and Super Comp but this is the first time he has been behind the wheel. ©Eurodragster.com The Willys is powered by a 496 ci Big Block Chevy and Jon has bought aluminium heads from Eurodragster.com sponsor ICE Automotive Racing Engines. Jon is unsure about the wing and having spoken to Eurodragster.com sponsor Andy Robinson plans either to lower or remove it, although it will be left in place during testing since the car runs perfectly straight in its current configuration. The paint was applied by Paul King and the signwriting is by Neil Melliard of Prosign. Given successful testing yesterday Jon plans to test again the weekend before the Easter Thunderball and then to make his first competitive outing at Easter. Power on Tour. 
17th February: Tony Oksien, Jim Wilson, Tim Holmes and Richard Berry, the team who every
year bring the Mopar EuroNationals to Santa Pod Raceway and the Northern Lights to York Raceway, are delighted
to announce the UK Muscle Car Power Tour writes Jerry Cookson.
The UK Muscle Car Power Tour is open to all American-built cars from any year. The basic rule is very simple: the car must be shod with a maximum tyre width of 10.5 inches, stamped on the tyre itself. There will be four events. Each event winner will be the driver with the lowest average Elapsed Time over two runs. A time penalty will apply for a missed run. The series winner will have the lowest average ET over the eight runs, with a time penalty for missed runs, so consistency is the key. ©Eurodragster.com Dates for the 2008 UK Muscle Car Power Tour are: Races 1/2: Sunday 4th May, York Raceway Races 2/3/4: Saturday 31st May-Sunday 1st June, Yanks Weekend, Shakespeare County Raceway Races 5/6: Saturday evening 26th July, MoparEuroNats, Santa Pod Raceway Races 7/8: Saturday 25th-Sunday 26th October, Halloween Bonfire Burnup hosted by the MoparEuroNats, Shakespeare County Raceway The dates are but times may alter due to weather conditions. The UK Muscle Car Power Tour has also signed up its first sponsor, Wisbech American Street and Performance. This is the first time in years that all three UK race tracks have been involved in bringing together a nationwide series. The MoparEuroNats committee are proud to instigate this initiative and we look forward to some close heads-up racing in what will be a very exciting series. Please support the Power Tour! Meet the Outlaws. 17th February: Interest is steadily growing in the UK Supercharged Outlaws with more teams already registered to run than in 2007 and others showing interest, says Dave McKenzie. "The attraction of running with the Outlaws is the emphasis on enjoyment", says Fuzzie. "The teams are not under any pressure and want to race their cars to their own budgets. We want to put on a good show for the promoters with a variety of different cars from fuel slingshots down to petrol doorslammers: so long as it has a supercharger you are welcome to join the Outlaws. ©Eurodragster.com "We are having a meeting to finalise this year's format and calendar. The meeting is to be held at 12 noon on Saturday 1st March at Ettington Village Hall on the Banbury Road not far from Shakespeare County Raceway. We hope to have Jerry Cookson there to give Shakespeare COunty Raceway's perspective on the series. If you are interested in joining the Supercharged Outlaws then come along for a friendly chat - all are welcome. If you cannot make the meeting but would like more information then please E-Mail me at fuzzie134@ntlworld.com. "I will soon be posting features on teams and their race cars. Let's all look forward to a fast and safe season." Shockwave returns. 15th February: The UK's Shockwave Fuel Funny Car will be back on track in 2008 after the team sat out 2007 due to a lack of funds and sponsrship. Driver Gordon Smith says that the team has a new sponsor and that if you are interested in crewing on a Fuel Funny Car then there is a place for you in the Shockwave pit. "We will be entering the Pro Fuel Shootout at the Easter Thunderball and look forward to seeing all our old friends there", says Gordon. "Other races will be announced in the near future. ©Eurodragster.com "Dave Bryant and I are pleased to announce a sponsorship deal with Mapei UK Ltd, who are one of the world's largest manufacturers of sealants and adhesives for the building industry. Although we are starting with a relatively small deal we are confident that we can work with Mapei to increase their involvement in drag racing in the future Mapei are well known all over the world for their involvement in many sports and we are very happy to be bringing them to drag racing. Check them out at www.mapei.co.uk. "We are still looking for new crew members. Candidates should have some mechanical knowledge and should be able to learn all aspects of crewing on a nitro Funny Car. You will need to be available to travel to Europe three or four times a year and to work on the car between events if required. It would also be an advantage, but not essential, to have an HGV 1 licence. Shockwave is a very friendly team (We can attest to that - Ed) and we have a lot of fun as well as working hard. This is an opportunity for someone to learn a lot with a top nitro team." If you are interested in crewing on the Shockwave team then you can drop Gordon a line at nitrofc7@aol.com. Have Fun in Europe. 
15th February: Germany's European Fun Race 2008 series will be taking place
over three weekends starting at the end of May. The final EFR Quarter Mile Challenge of 2007, which took place
in Höxter/Holzminden, set the scene for 2008 with 1800 cars and more than 4500 spectators.
The venue for the European Fun Race is Europe's biggest film set for motorway sequences in Cologne-Aldenhoven, which is well-known as the film location for the hit German television series Alarm für Cobra 11. ©Eurodragster.com The EFR events are a mixture of Run What You Brung and the EFR Series proper which is open to a maximum of twenty five cars. For more information including race dates, or to register for the event, check out the German-language European Fun Race web site at www.efr-germany.de. Swift snippets. 15th February: Racers please note that next Friday, 22nd February, is the official closing date for entry to the Easter Thunderball at Santa Pod Raceway. Entry after next Friday, if accepted, will incur a 100% penalty fee. Easter Thunderball entry forms are available on the Santa Pod Racers Club web site at www.eurodragster.com/sprc. ©Eurodragster.com UK Supertwin Fuel racer Ian Carruthers will be riding Dave Newbery's Top Fuel Bike in 2008. Dave himself will initially be concentrating on tuning and getting to know the Puma-powered machine. The bike's first test outing is planned for early March at Santa Pod with the first competitive appearance set for the Easter Thunderball. You can read more about Dave's Top Fuel Bike in a Feature which we posted in late 2006: click here to view the Feature or click on the Features, Interviews, Tributes link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page. Although the UK rules regarding decimal places on ETs changed late last season, we have decided that this year's Eurodragster.com Perfect Light and Perfect ET Awards will both still run to three decimal places. We will however pay a small bonus if the fourth decimal place is also zero. Stay tuned for more news about this year's Perfect Awards Scheme. You could own that picture... 15th February: After publishing the latest of Mark Gredzinski's excellent paintings yesterday, it occurred to us to ask him whether his pictures are for sale. So we put the question to Mark and here's what he had to say: Everything art-related is for sale. I have done the initial set of paintings with the intention of increasing my portfolio. For many years, I've wanted to do these paintings as homage to the beauty of these classic cars. Ultimately, I want to get commissions and I've got a couple of racers interested in the States. I want to get a few more trickling into people's consciousness meanwhile so they can associate me with this sort of art. There are a few people doing graphics on computer now and that is not an area I want to compete in. The originals will not be cheap since there are simply too many man-hours involved and I don't work in a quick sketchy style. As you'll appreciate, it's not like knocking out a quick landscape where is lots of leeway on the shape of the trees etc. I'm as fussy as hell and do my research. So my '73 Vega will look exactly like that. And in the case of the Matsubara car, it will be a Kirby/Buttera body and not a Pellegrini or a J&E Fiberglass. Did you know that there were at least two bodies and three paint jobs on the car? I slowly found out in my research. Also there was a Lakewood decal that was badly applied on the rear quarters which I was reluctant to paint on. Further research unearthed a shot with it missing so I was made up with that discovery! I'm sick for this stuff and a bit sad obviously (Research and accuracy are not my idea of "sad" - Ed). ©Eurodragster.com I want to sell to America initially as the subjects I want to get off my chest emanate from there and also they have more dough generally and I have no choice but to be mercenary as I have no other income except from the stuff I do with the drags. I'm doing an early Willie Borsch AA/FA which I'm halfway through, and the Radici and Wise '73 Vega - all in gouache. Then in oil on canvas are the Pabst Blue Ribbon Charger, Prudhomme's Army Vega, Wonder Wagon Vega, Ray Alley's Engine Masters Charger, Jake Johnson's Snowman Charger and Pulde's Revelleader. Since oil takes at least a week to dry, the sessions have to be every so often. In pencil awaiting paint are Willie Borsch's Charger, the Hawaiian Charger and Tommy Ivo's Dart. Then there is my what-if of a Blue Max Torino from 1973 and the Pure Hell sixties AA/FA which will be in acrylic on canvas. I haven't painted in this medium since I did a street Mustang and the Neon Star Pinto for Graham Barrs many years ago. Of the British stuff I would like to do Stripteaser, Gladiator, Steve Green's original JWR Cortina and a few other iconic cars. Plus bikes too. Luckily, my photo file is extensive and where possible I like to use a hard-to-get view. As an example, the Pabst Charger view is from a body-up shot in black and white. It's taken with a wide angle lens and I've converted it into a mid track burnout shot (adding front wheels!) which would be almost impossible to get – say from a viewpoint ten feet or so past the Tree. And of course, I've had to research the colours. If you are interested in purchasing one of Mark's originals then you can contact him at gredzinski@tiscali.co.uk. In our opinion, this guy is as good as Youngblood and his paintings are bound to appreciate in value so get in before a bank raid and Sotheby's becomes your only option... Best wishes to Bev. 14th February: Beth Satchell writes to send best wishes to APIRA marshal Bev Batsford, who heads up the pairing lanes at Shakespeare County Raceway. Bev has been in hospital for a hip replacement after suffering for several years. "Bev is making a great recovery so far but she will not be back to her normal race position until later in the season", says Beth. "Bev wants everyone to know that she will be back at the front of the fire up road as soon as she is able. It just remains for me to say heaven help us all because once Bev is fit she is going to be able to catch all those who play her up...you know who you are, so I suggest you get in sprint training now! "I know we all wish Bev a speedy recovery (Hear, hear - Ed). Providing her recovery remains consistent Bev should be home this weekend so if anyone would like to contact her please send an E-Mail to beverley994@btinternet.com. Bev is going to be housebound and bored for the next few months so she would love to hear from you." You know what to do, folks. Our very best wishes to Bev for a rapid recovery and we look forward to having our butts kicked at SCR some time soon. Swift snippets. 
14th February: The latest spy picture to arrive at the offices of Eurodragster.com
shows, we are told, a new ride for a UK Nostalgia Fuel Altered Association racer (click on picture for
large version). As ever, if you know any more, or if you would like to send any spy pictures of your own,
then drop us a line at
eurodragster.com@btinternet.com.
UK Pro ET racer Mark Bishop is aiming to install a 521 ci stroked Big Block Ford in his Vegas Hustler altered in time for the Easter Thunderball at Santa Pod Raceway. "We hope this will again lower out Personal Best which is 10.41", says Mark. "Many thanks to my crew, everyone in Pro ET, Webster Race Engineering, my sponsor Dave Eadys American Parts Center and most improtantly my Dad for all their help last year. Also many thanks to SPRC for the two Perpetual Award nominations, not bad after one season's racing". You can check out Mark's new web site at www.vegashustleracing.co.uk. Fiona Flynn has been in touch to ask us to say a big Congratulations to UK Top Fuel Dragster racer in waiting Derek Flynn of Eurodragster.com News sponsor Gold RV on gaining his HGV1 licence. "Derek will now be able to drive the rig when needed", says Fiona. ©Eurodragster.com 
UK photojournalist and graphic designer Mark Gredzinski has been kind enough to send us
a shot of his latest work which depicts one of his favourite Funny Cars, the Pisano and Matsubara Vega of 1973 with
Sush Matsubara at the helm (click on picture for large version). "I finished the picture in the last week and it's one of a series of classic
race machines I'm doing", says Mark. "This one is 20" x 10" and rendered in gouache (opaque water colour). All of my work is brush-painted
in the traditional way and future paintings will be done either using this medium or oil paint on canvas. I also do acrylic on canvas and pencil renderings,
depending on what takes my fancy. I'll also be doing some European stuff soon but I have to get the 1970s Funny Cars out of my system first.
Unfortunately, this will take some time and in reality, probably never!"A word for our sponsors... 14th February: We will be sending out 2008-9 renewal notices and invoices to all of our existing sponsors over this coming weekend. You will be pleased to hear that our rates are not increasing this year. However, if you have already decided not to renew for 2008-9 then please drop us a line at tog@eurodragster.com and that will save us cluttering your mailbox with an invoice you don't need. ©Eurodragster.com If you do not currently sponsor Eurodragster.com but would be interested in doing so then similarly please drop a line to tog@eurodragster.com. You can find out more about sponsoring Eurodragster.com on our new FAQ page which you can view by by clicking here or by clicking on the Eurodragster.com FAQ link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page. Web site updates. 14th February: Andy Kitson has been in touch to let us know that video and still pictures from the very earliest days of Santa Pod Raceway are available on the British Pathé web site. "In the 1966 coverage they refer to it as drag racing at Wollaston, and there is some colour footage from 1967", says Andy. "Type in drag racing or Santa Pod in the search box at www.britishpathe.com." ©Eurodragster.com Funny goings-on in Sweden. 13th February: Knut Söderquist has been in touch from Bangkok, where he is arranging a deal to run a Fuel Funny Car exhibition, to let us know that Sweden's Sundsvall Raceway and Pite Dragway have signed up to run Fuel Funny Car this season, with more tracks to follow. Knut tells us that he has also signed up a new driver for his Fuel FC. "I am excited that the Funny Cars are back in Sweden as it has been years since race fans have seen them running side by side", says Knut. "I hope that this move will benefit the tracks because people always want to see something new. To make the deal possible we have cut the number of cars to four this year. We were hoping for six as there are so many cars in Europe right now, but it is one thing to have a car but I want to see them all getting the parts to do it right. ©Eurodragster.com "Patrik Pers has bought a complete roller with two Ford Mustangs. I understand that he wants to run his own car so I will have Håkan Fällström driving my car this year. Håkan will come to my workshop for a fitting as soon as I get home from Thailand. I already know that I will have to change the roll cage and make some adjustments to the steering and pedals. I am excited to have Håkan driving for me. In fact I tried to get him to drive for me some years ago. "I have decided not to race my Funny Cars at Santa Pod this year. There are several reasons but the cost to get there, and to get a driver, and to hire a car, and to pay for air tickets for the crew is four and a half thousand pounds - and that is before you put the starter motor on the car. "I am putting one hundred per cent into this deal and I am not finished yet. I am working on finding more tracks. Gardermoen will hopefully sign up when I get home next week and I hope to have some exciting news soon." 2008 Junior Drag Bike Championship. 13th February: Jerry and Sharron Collier of Jade Racing are pleased to announce that the 2008 Junior Drag Bike Championship in the UK will again be contested over five rounds and will be run exclusively at Shakespeare County Raceway. The Championship will once again be sponsored by Dave and Charlotte at Dave Beck Racing. "As all other classes move to Santa Pod for three of their rounds we have managed to arrange permits to run the Championship at three of the Warwickshire venue's Test and Tune weekends, thanks to the team at Shakespeare County Raceway", says Sharron. "This now means that for the Junior Bikers, these specific weekends will be run under race conditions: you have to be pre-entered, and there will be qualifying and eliminations rounds for trophies, prizes and points towards the Championship. The rounds are: Round 1: 19th-20th April Round 2: 3rd-5th May, Springspeed Nationals Round 3: 12th-13th July Round 4: 23rd-25th August, Open Sport Nationals Round 5: 11th-12th October ©Eurodragster.com "Entry fees remain at £90 for the Springspeed Nationals and Open Sport Nationals, and £60 for the other rounds. Fees have not been increased this year as Junior Drag Bike only runs at Shakespeare County. Furthermore, riders will be able to test and tune at no extra charge at all three additional permit rounds when they are not qualifying or racing. "We would like to congratulate the 2007 winner and runner up, eleven year old Scott Collier who retained his JB1 plate and fourteen year old Tyler Clutterbuck. We must also mention and congratulate ten year old 2007 Rookie of the Year Jordon Bissell for winning the Shakespeare County Raceway Award for Outstanding Achievement. Well done lads! "With interest building in the class, it is expected that there will be a couple of new additions this year, so a big welcome to anyone building a bike for this season. It would be appreciated if any new members could contact Jerry or Sharron with information about their bikes. Also, if there are any ex-Junior Bikers reading this can they also please get in contact to let us know what you are doing now. Is your machine or any equipment or clothing up for sale? We are often asked if we know of anyone selling leathers or complete bikes. For these and any other enquiries about Junior Drag Bike racing please contact either Jerry or myself on 01246 570304." Web site updates. 13th February: We have posted our new Frequently Asked Questions page, which replaces the About Eurodragster.com page. At present the FAQ covers Eurodragster.com staff and domestic matters, the News service, our Event Coverage, and sponsorship. A section about links will follow shortly. You can check out the Eurodragster.com FAQ by clicking here or by clicking on the Eurodragster.com FAQ link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page. If you have any questions of your own which are not covered by the FAQ then please send them to faq@eurodragster.com. ©Eurodragster.com SFI recertification reminder. 12th February: Geoff Martin of the UK Tech Crew has been in touch to remind UK racers that the following parts have a life and can be recertified at the SFI Day at Santa Pod Raceway on Monday 10th March:
©Eurodragster.com If you have any queries then you can contact Geoff at chassis1@onetel.com. You can find full details of this year's SFI Tour on our news update of 30th January. ACU Championship rules updated. 12th February: ACU UK Drag Bike Championship Co-ordinator Ian King has been in touch to let us know that the 2008 ACU rulebook is now on-line on the ACU Championship section of his web site. You can go directly to the rulebook (PDF format) at www.kingracing.com/pdf/ACU%202008%20rules.pdf where you will find this year's rule changes in green. Julie Willcox of Shakespeare County Raceway has asked us to draw bike racers' attention to a newly-introduced rule which can be found at Drag Racing: Protective Clothing: Page 238: Sub Section 7.04: ©Eurodragster.com "While practising and racing, riders and passengers are required to wear an identification disc around the neck, attached by a material approved by the technical officer. Thin chains should be avoided. The disc must be permanently marked with the wearer's full name and date of birth. Identification discs shall be of a durable material circular in shape, between 20 mm and 25 mm in diameter and having edges with no sharp or rugged projections." Julie tells us that this new rule brings drag racing into line with other ACU disciplines and that it will of course will be implemented at Shakespeare County Raceway (and Santa Pod Raceway - Ed). Junior Drag Bike is included. Racers may like to consider adding their blood group to the id tag although this is not mandatory. If you have any queries then you can contact Ian King through Kingracing.com, or Julie Willcox has also offered to field queries at julesw@tesco.net. Swift snippets. 12th February: Lawrie Gatehouse tells us that Fuel Altered legend Dave 'Nasty' Benjamin is again making the trip across the Pond to work with the Chaos AA/Fuel Altered team at the Autotrader Easter Thunderball at Santa Pod. Lawrie adds that, working on the principle that you need two of everything, the six-second altered - now recognised as the fastest Donovan-powered nostalgia altered on the planet - has a spare motor and that the aim is to make more passes this year. ©Eurodragster.com The Gleadow family would like to congratulate Martin and Tanya on the arrival of their first child, Fredrik Lars Vaughn Gleadow yesterday weighing in at 9 lbs 6 oz. "Mother and baby are fine and Freddy is looking forward to his first visit to Santa Pod already", says Adam Gleadow. Web site updates. 12th February: Nick Pettitt, one of the authorities on the history of drag racing in the UK, has produced another of his excellent Time Travel DVDs. "Time Travel DVD #52 is made up from cine film taken at Santa Pod in 1971 featuring all the machines of the time including Metronome, Asmodeus, Shutdown, Good Vibrations, Stagecoach, Drag-n-Fly, Itzaviva, Stripduster, Age Machine, Wild Honey etc, as well as some seven-second smokey AA/Fuel matchups between Skilton and Priddle in their slingshots", says Nick. "I've added my own narration and there are also some audio recordings from 1971 featuring Brian Taylor's commentary. All for just £10 with no charge for postage in the UK. You can order via my web site at www.timetraveldvds.co.uk which now also includes movie clips as well as the ever-growing photo galleries which now contain nearly five thousand images." ©Eurodragster.com Keeping up the nostalgia theme, David Kipling has been in touch from Canada to let us know that he has a web page of photographs from Santa Pod Raceway in the 1960s and 1970s. We've checked this page out and it's just great with a lot of excellent pictures and reams of information. You can find David's pictures at www.oldstox.com. RWYB On Sea. 
11th February: RAF Portreath, north of Redruth in the west of Cornwall, is to host the inaugural
Summer Drag Wars over the weekend of 26th-27th July. The event is open to both race and street cars but Lee Child,
spokesman for Summer Drag Wars organiser DSRP, says that this is not the first time that the venue has hosted
quarter-mile drag racing. Click on any picture or link for a large shot.
"A number of bike sprints have taken place at RAF Portreath over the years but interest started to decline because of the home-made timing system", says Lee. "A new Commanding Officer at the base decided that a change was needed to bring the bike sprints round and so hired the services of Wayne, Janet and Christopher Schreier and myself plus our timing equipment from Dakota Drag Strip to improve the event, which was a major success. With a very happy Commanding Officer, talks began about a car-only event which has now got the go ahead. ©Eurodragster.com 
"I am really pleased to have the opportunity to run an event at Portreath. The track is all tarmac, smooth and can be
run as a quarter mile with a good shutdown area . All race and street cars can run because we do not have to work to noise
level limits to work with. The event will be covered by an IOPD permit with a Test and Tune, grudge racing format.
There are four runways on site which means that as well as the drag strip all pit areas, the return road, Show and Shine
area, club stands, handling and drift circuit, traders' area and public car park are all hard standing. As the
venue is an active RAF base no overnight camping is allowed on site.
"The site is very secure and race car parking in a hangar is available on a first come first served basis. This can be booked by E-Mailing me at lee@streetnights.com. Given Portreath's location it is never hard to find a camp site, holiday park, Bed and Breakfast or hotel. The track is only a mile from the beach, so don't forget to bring your surfboards! "An official web site containing all details for the event will be launched on 1st March. "Any event like this takes a lot of work. I would like to say a big Thank You to the RAF, Steve Murty of IOPD, and David Lloyd Jones, Darren Prentice and DJ of Santa Pod Raceway for their continued support. I must not forget to thank former Outlaw Anglia racer Keith Doell who first invited me down to Portreath back in the 1990s." Pops wow Hal-Far. 
11th February: Further to Thursday's news item,
Holger Camilleri writes from Malta to let us know that UK racers Mark Pointer and Pete Ashworth have arrived safely
at Hal-Far Raceway:
Mark and Pete arrived safely in Malta on Saturday after very bad weather and sea conditions, but it will be more than worth it for the coming event at Hal-Far Raceway. I took this picture at the track yesterday morning (right, click on picture for large version). Mark and Pete are very enthusiastic about their adventure here and looked excited about racing here. As soon as the Hooligan lorry entered the pits, all the guys who were sitting having a coffee ran to see who the new arrival was. ©Eurodragster.com Mark was more than surprised by the interest in his Pop van from the racers and drag racing fanatics here in Malta. It's very rare to see an Anglia here and even more rare to see it as a van. And hey what a van! It runs quite fast! People gathered around to see Mark and his van, together with Pete and his shocking but elegant Pop. What a Sunday morning! We were also delighted to see them both on the track doing some show runs. Mark promised us a long burnout, and he did it: almost an eighth mile of burning rubber! Thanks Mark, please do that again! We hope that hope we will see Mark and Pete running great times at the first event of 2008. Good luck Pete, and good luck Mark! Picture courtesy and ©Holger Camilleri Walters and Walters ready to go. 
11th February: Peter Walters tells us that the Peter Walters Race Design Super Pro ET
dragster is all but finished, with only the paint and graphics and blower restraints left to complete.
The car should be making its début at the pre-Easter Thunderball Peak Performance Day at Santa Pod Raceway where Peter's dad Richard
will make some test passes in the car before Pete gets in the hotseat at Easter.
"The engine has changed guise since the last report", says Pete. "It is now a 320 ci ally Donovan SBC, with a Danekas 6/71 blower and Air Flow Research heads. We would like to thank Chris Round for the engine; we hope it goes as fast as it looks! We are hoping to run high sevens to low eights with this engine and we will be very happy if we achieve that. "We fired the car up for the first time on Saturday and there were no problems apart from a small fuel leak from one of the fittings. It sounded great and the blower whine was awesome. A video is available at media.putfile.com/PWRD-Fire-up. ©Eurodragster.com "I would like to thank my sponsors, PWRD, Gold RV, J&W, Xtreme Racing, MHG Precision and MG Finishing for all the help they have given us. Finally, I would like to thank everyone who made this possible. Firstly and most importantly my dad Richard Walters who built the car from scratch. I wouldn't be writing this if it wasn't for him. Secondly I would like to thank my mum who has put up with dad and being out in the workshop every night; Derek Flynn and the whole Gold RV team for all the help; Lee Johnstone, Bob Glassup and the whole Xtreme Racing team; Tom Watts, Adam Gleadow, Joe Bond and Jon Best for all the help and the kind words about the car; Good Vibrations and Jegs for all the parts; Chris Round for the engine. And anyone else we have missed!" Swift snippets. 
11th February: The latest spy picture to arrive at the offices of Eurodragster.com
came accompanied by the words "Destined for Comp Bike in the hands of a Super Street rider". As ever, if you
know any more, or if you would like to send any spy pictures of your own, then drop us a line at
eurodragster.com@btinternet.com.
©Eurodragster.com Nobby Hills Racing's Houndog Funny Car has passed another milestone on its way to the track as the chassis has been SFI-certified. Other parts which require SFI testing such as the clutch and bellhousing will be checked out at the SFI Day at Santa Pod Raceway in March. You can find out the latest from the Nobby Hills Racing workshops on the team's official web site at www.nhracing.com. Editor's note: We are currently working on a Eurodragster.com FAQ. This is intended to replace the About Eurodragster.com page including our Editorial Policy which is growing like Topsy. If you have any questions about Eurodragster.com, the team, how we treat news items, our Editorial Policy, our Event Coverage, our links policy or indeed anything to do with the site then please drop an E-Mail to faq@eurodragster.com and we will ensure that it is covered in the FAQ. UK Championship closing dates. 11th February: Racers running in the 2008 UK National Drag Racing, ACU UK Drag Bike and other UK Championships are reminded that the closing date for entry to the Autotrader Easter Thunderball is Friday week, 22nd February. Entry after this date, if accepted, is subject to a 100% late entry penalty. The official closing dates for entry to all of this year's UK Championship rounds are as follow: Easter Thunderball, Santa Pod Raceway: 22nd February Big Bang, Santa Pod Raceway: 4th April Spring Speed Festival, Shakespeare County Raceway: 11th April FIA Main Event, Santa Pod Raceway: 25th April SPRC Summernationals, Santa Pod Raceway: 23rd May Bug Jam, Santa Pod Raceway: 27th June Open Sport Nationals, Shakespeare County Raceway: 1st August FIA European Finals, Santa Pod Raceway: 8th August Extreme Performance Bike Weekend, Santa Pod Raceway: 22nd August UK National Finals, Santa Pod Raceway: 5th September ©Eurodragster.com As not every class runs at every UK Championship round please check out our 2008 Riders' and Drivers' meeting report of 19th January for an event-by-event list including entry and power fees. All Santa Pod Raceway event entry forms are available for download on the Santa Pod Racers Club web site at www.eurodragster.com/sprc, and Springspeed Festival entry forms are available for download on the Shakespeare County Raceway web site at www.shakespearecountyraceway.com. Web site updates. 
11th February: Colin Donisthorpe spent what turned out to be a beautiful spring-like day
at the Run What You Brung at Santa Pod Raceway yesterday (Sunday) and you can check out his photographs on
his Fotopic gallery at colindonisthorpe.fotopic.net.
©Eurodragster.com Our good buddy Anders Envall is keeping up the regular updates on one of the most entertaining drag racing web sites on the planet, the Blackout Fullsize Racing site which not only tracks the progress of his nine-second street-driven Impala and some of his buddies' cars but also his life generally including the reconstruction of his garage, building work at The Best Damn Garage In Town, a visit to China to make videos for IKEA, son Axel's birthday, and the incredible planespotting dog. Click on the News link and prepare to be amused at www.blackout.nu. Bird prepares to fly. 
10th February: UK MSA Pro Modified racer-in-waiting Graham Ellis says that preparation of his Plymouth Superbird (click on picture for large version from another angle) is generally proceeding well thanks in large part to Eurodragster.com sponsor Andy Robinson Race Cars. The car, which now is officially being badged as a 1970 Plymouth Superbird and is due some detail changes, is in the last stage of fabrication. Everything is mounted and the rear wing is the last major piece to be finished. There are some small parts to be finalised, and when the carbon tubs and other interior panels appear in the next week or so, the car will be torn apart again and everything will be sent for painting or plating. I would expect that within four weeks the car will be reassembled and ready for action at Easter. The Easter war paint will be satin black as it's all we will have time for. It's common knowledge now that I have acquired one of the new M5 prototype superchargers from DMPE. This by all accounts is the next generation of pro mod superchargers and it has already run well in IHRA competition. The only fly in the ointment could be that DMPE are extremely busy trying to get these superchargers out to the customers and, as I joined the queue quite late, I may not get it in time for Easter, which is a pain as I had already sold the one I had. There is a contingency plan as I have been offered enough parts to get out at Easter to get licensed by Andy Robinson who has offered the use of his spare blower, and Steve Rawlings who has offered me his pump, hat or" whatever I need from" his engine. Thanks a lot guys! My crew, Kev Perkins, Rob Millward, Dave 'Hollywood' Clarkson and Gareth Ellis are all up for this challenge and we hope stay focused and get some way down the road with the learning curve pretty quickly. As a team, we are used to doing well and the new car and new technology does not frighten us at all. We are racers not used to just making up the numbers, although that's inevitable for a while until we find our feet, but when we do, we will be right there with the rest of the fast guys. ARRC has done me proud with this car and they've proved their place as Europe's premier chassis builder Right now I feel I have one of, if not the best race car in Europe. However, as they don't stand still, their next will be even better. ARRC are top quality and fast....So here's one in the eye to all those who said it wouldn't be out till 2009. Also big thank the guys in his shop for putting up with me poking around and getting under their feet. We are excited to be out in a class that has always been a temptation. We've been close a few times, but now with the MSA seal of approval and the good things generally happening with the class we felt that now was the time to make the jump as have a few more teams this year. Hopefully some other like-minded teams will also reach the conclusion we have. 16 car UK Pro Mod fields - now there's a thought. OK enough dreaming, see you all at Easter. Bugs beware. 
10th February: The contributor of the latest spy picture to arrive in our mailbox says the driver of this vehicle will be seeing less of the track this season if this picture is anything to go by - not that he saw much of it in 2007, just the barrier. Web site updates. 10th February: In the latest entry in his exclusive Racer Blog, Dutch Top Fuel Dragster racer Lex Joon comments about Urs Erbacher's success in getting into eliminations at the NHRA WInternationals at Pomona. You can read Lex's Blog by clicking here or by clicking on the Racer Blog link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page. ©Eurodragster.com 
Luke Bennett has gone freelance and relaunched his design web site, now called escape design. The site has a new design and should be easier to navigate. Luke says "I am in an ideal situation to buld web sites fast so if anyone needs one, give me a call, you won't get one better. Web sites I have already designed and built include our Bennett Racing site and also Malmgren Racing's website. Prices are very competitive and I tend to 'help' racers out that little bit more". Further enquiries to escape@escapedesign.info. Kågered brings in Larsen. 
8th February: Swedish Top Fuel Dragster racer
Micke Kågered has announced an
agreement with US-based Top Fuel tuner Lance Larsen to help with his set-up in 2008.
"I met Lance the first time in 2006, when I went to the US potentially to buy a Top Fuel Dragster from the team he worked with" says Micke. "For different reasons I later decided it was worthwhile buying the dragster which I already rented, so that was it for the time being. My co-Crew chief Göran Edman has been monitoring Lance's work for years and been impressed with what Lance's team, mainly with Clay Millican as the pilot, have achieved in IHRA, running very consistently at tracks seemingly similar to those in Europe. "With the poor results we produced during the 2007 season, amongst the first things we decided on when the last race was over in September was to contact Lance to seek his advice and assistance. I want to make it perfectly clear that this is not a step towards replacing Alan Jackson in any way. Lance will be working alongside Alan and Göran and hopefully it will contribute to changing our performance for the better this season. We are not naive enough to think we can buy success in any way: the competition is way too hard for that. There may still be a long way to go and it will certainly be filled with hard work by every single crew member. However Lance can definitely improve our odds of running better than we have. "We have also invested a lot in the parts necessary for the improvement plan to work. Meeting suppliers is my main reason for the trip to the US, where I am currently watching the NHRA Top Fuel teams battle at Pomona." Lance Larsen has a long history of tuning in both NHRA and IHRA Top Fuel racing and is currently working with Johnnie West for Clay Millican's Top Fuel team which also includes new TF pilot Jessie Harris. ©Eurodragster.com Swift snippets. 8th February: Europe's newest Top Methanol Funny Car racer Mikael Larsson is aiming to complete his licence and contest a couple of FIA Championship events in 2008 with his ex-Team Kågered FC. "I have been a drag racing fan for almost thirty years", he says. "I took my first steps to a licence in 2007 at Sundsvall Raceway with a lot of help from Team Kågered, other teams and of course my own team. It is a real challenge as I have no previous racing experience but I really enjoy it, and I appreciate the warm welcome I have had from the drag racing family. I would like to thank my family, sponsors, Team Kågered, other FC teams, Niclas Andersson and my own team for support, help and work so far." Sandra Good tells us that Tuesday's spy picture shows a bike being built by her partner Ian Jackson. "It's a labour of love which has going on for just over a year", says Sandra. "It's a Kawasaki Z1000 engine running a turbo methanol system on a chassis built by Andy Newcombe. Ian crewed for Tim Whetton some years ago and more recently for Andy Newcombe. He's always wanted to have a go since he was blown away by drag racing at age twenty, now he's almost there and he is hoping to get the bike on track at a Run What You Brung later this year." UK Pro ET racer Marius Blackburn tells us that he will be writing the Pro ET programme notes for the Easter Thunderball event programme but that he still needs input from his fellow Pro ET racers. "If you've got news, information or maybe even a new sponsor you'd like the world to know about, let me know and I'll do what I can for you", says Marius. "There is no time to waste so drop me a line at mariusb@fsmail.net." 
A link to Pro ET on this news item also as former Junior Dragster racer Ricky Emms has had his first tattoo applied by
UK Pro ET Sponsorship Co-ordinator Carl Burton of English Rose Tattoo. The tattoo (right, click on picture for large
version) depicts Turner Motorsports' Straight Shooter Fuel Altered and Chris Emms says that Carl's
excellent work is just as he remembers the altered. "All we need to do now is buy the life-sized car and we can start racing", says Chris.
"If you are thinking of a tattoo you will not be disappointed by Carl's work."
©Eurodragster.com Santa Pod Raceway are searching for racers to make demonstration passes at the Performance Tuning and Modified Show on 11th May. "The PTM Show is being developed as Santa Pod's premier performance Street Car event", says Rick Cuthbert. "We are putting out this invitation early so that those who are interested will have plenty of time for planning. We are primarily seeking cars and drivers from Street Eliminator, as this will be the class most relevant to the event. Drivers wishing to volunteer should drop an E-Mail to rick@santapod.com. For more information about the event, see www.ptmshow.co.uk." Santa Pod are opening their season of events with the Stunt Night next Friday, 15th February, featuring an assortment of track and arena action including drag racing demonstrations, stunts from Terry Grant, Monster Truck displays, freestyle motocross, drifting, live music, fireworks and much more. Gates open at 4:00 pm with the main attractions taking place from 6:00 pm until 9:00 pm. For more information visit www.santapod.com. Eurodragster.com Home and News sponsor Andy Robinson Race Cars are currently offering HANS devices, which are mandatory in FIA Pro classes this season. "Andy has been using the device for a couple of years so he's got experience of how make their use as comfortable and convenient as possible", says Bob Roberts. "Following on from that we also have stock of the NitroX driver's gloves which are a lightweight alternative to the oven mitts that have previously been in use in the Pro classes. Easy to put on and allowing good dexterity these SFI 20 rated gloves are £155 plus £5 postage. If you don't need anything as heavy duty as this there are the lower rated DriverX gloves as well. To order call ARRC on 01256 880589 or visit www.robinson-race-cars.co.uk. Many thanks to Belinda Bull and others who have been in touch to let us know that UK Satellite and Cable channel Five US will again be broadcasting highlights of the NHRA Powerade season in 2008. Coverage of the new season NHRA season commences at 7:00 pm on 21st February with a repeat at 3:00 pm the next day. One roof, three shows. 8th February: The scene is set for a three day show with adrenaline and action as, after many years without any Custom Bike Shows in Denmark, Streetfire Promotion have taken action and are giving builders of custom bikes an opportunity to show their stunning handiwork to a varied and enthusiastic audience at the Scandinavian Custom Bike Show 08, which takes place between 30th October and 2nd November at the Bella Center in Copenhagen. Hans Jørgen Hitz writes: Some of Scandinavia's most spectacular bikes will be assembled under one roof: from the craziest Choppers, Café racers and Streetfighters to Cruisers and Old Schools. All have one thing in common: they are the coolest of custom bikes! From 30th October until 2nd November the doors are open at the Bella Center in Copenhagen where private custom builders as well as dealers, clubs and workshops have the opportunity to book a stand in the nine thousand square metre arena. They all have the chance to make an exciting and eye catching stand, in the same individual style as their custom bikes. At the show there will be a large stage with special lighting and sound equipment where chosen bikes will be presented and awarded with prizes in different categories. Throughout the weekend a panel of qualified people will evaluate and single out the bikes that deserve to be shown on this stage. On top of that the stage will also play host to a lot of other entertainment during the weekend with live bands, Bitches from Hell, Miss Wet T-shirt, a housewife striptease and much more. The Scandinavian Custom Bike Show 08 weekend doesn't stop there though. In the Bella Center's East Hall we are holding the Fast & Furious Car Show and Nordic Car Award 08, which is a show for car stylists from Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland. This showcase is a chance for the previously chosen élite from all four countries to show off their most pimped out, stunning and hottest cars. Outside the exhibition halls races will be held on a purpose built track, where there will be drifting, stunt shows and drag racing. In addition the audience will also have the opportunity to experience "driving with the madmen" in a drifting car. For only 100 DKK the public get access to all of the shows – one price for one huge show that everybody can enjoy. For more information about the event and stand bookings please contact Hans-Jørgen Hitz at hitz@streetfire.nu or call +45 23729703, or Holger Dueholm at holger@streetfire.nu or call +45 23228018. You can find more information about Streetfire Promotion at www.streetfire.dk. ©Eurodragster.com A Hooligan on the loose. 
7th February: Graham Dance writes with news of the progress of UK Super Pro ET racer
Mark Pointer, who is taking his wild seven-second van to Malta to make demonstration passes at Hal-Far Raceway
together with crew man Duncan and Outlaw Anglia racer Pete Ashworth's Dayglo Twister. It sounds like a
memorable trip so far:
To start with they had a door catch break on a French motorway and a large portable air conditioning unit fell out onto the fast lane of the motorway at 70 mph! After dodging cars they managed to clear that up without causing a major pile-up! They decided to travel over the Alps - even at this time of the year! - and got snowed in at a petrol station in Italy for twenty four hours, finally arriving in Southern Italy yesterday evening for the two-day day ferry trip to Malta only to find it had been delayed by a day and a half due to bad weather. When I spoke to the Hooligan they were parked on a roundabout, as it was the only place they could find to park, with only alcohol for company! ©Eurodragster.com They should arrive in Malta some time over the weekend, making it a seven-day trip just to get there. Mark is planning some big burnouts at Hal-Far on Sunday to check the car out! Given that it's Pointer we're talking about, we're sure that this is not the last "event" we'll hear about on this trip so stay tuned for more tales. Again with the Bel Air. 
7th February: Dutch Pro Mod racer Henri Joosten will be contesting the 2008 season
with a new car. Henri acquired the 1955 Bel Air (right, click on picture for large version)
from ADRL Pro Nitrous racer Charles Carpenter who came close
to last year's Championship.
"The car looks great and more importantly it runs very consistent times, is very easy to handle and its weight is close to the weight-limit for nitrous cars", says Henri. "Furthermore, it's another '55 Chevrolet Bel Air, which made it a little easier for us to buy." ©Eurodragster.com Henri bought his previous '55 Chevy from Tim Cook in 1996. "It was time to do something about the excess weight of the car", he says. "We were working on changing the polyester body for a carbon body to reduce weight. Then, when we looked Charles Carpenter's car, the decision was rather quickly made. The car looks like brand new and has the latest high-tech equipment, so now we are up-to-date to race." If you are interested in Henri's previous car, or for more information and pictures of his new car, check out his web site at www.joostenracing.nl. Swift snippets. 7th February: As racers will know, this year's rules for Funny Cars mandate a roll cage shield. Swedish Top Methanol FC team Andréasson Motorsports have done a deal with Team Eagle Racing in the USA to supply SFI-approved carbon fibre shields to European racers for $800. You can find out more on the team's web site at www.andreassonmotorsports.com. ©Eurodragster.com 
This rather bad piece of parking can be excused as it is the new
ride of UK Pro ET racer Phil Toppin, which arrived from Florida on Tuesday (click on picture
for large version from another angle). "Ten minutes off the trailer and she was already stripped",
says Phil.
We would like to wish a very Happy Birthday to Fiona Flynn of Eurodragster.com News sponsor Gold RV. Have a great day, Fiona. Urs Erbacher starts his 2008 Top Fuel Dragster campaign at the NHRA Winternationals at Pomona today (Thursday). You will be able to stay in touch with Urs' progress on the Drag Race Central web site at www.dragracecentral.com and on the NHRA web site at www.nhra.com. We read these sites ourselves so please don't worry about writing and telling us Urs' results. Web site updates. 7th February: Further to yesterday's Swift Snippet, Swedish Pro Stock racer has started a Swedish-language Blog at flamholcdragracing.blogg.se. Adam tells us that the Blog will be about himself, drag racing, and the Glueharbor team. ©Eurodragster.com Alan Currans tells us that, courtesy of Ian Turburville, he has added even more pictures of Top Fuel Bike racer and new British Hall of Fame member Brian Johnson to his special feature at www.theaccelerationarchive.co.uk/features/imperial/wizard_06.html. Turbo's pictures are towards the bottom of the page. John Hutchinson has updated his webshots gallery with pictures from Felton Drag Strip in 1972 and 1974, National Drag Racing Club decals, and shots from Santa Pod Raceway in 1972 and 1973. Check it out at community.webshots.com/user/nitromaniac. Swift snippets. 6th February: Swedish Pro Stock racer Adam Flamholc is headed for Indianapolis on Thursday to meet his American crew Kevin and Chester Houghtaling and then to visit Steve Schmidt for motor updates. "Steve has been working hard all winter with his Pro Stock program, and is very satisfied with the results", says Adam. "I'm returning to Sweden on Monday to prepare the team for our next US tour. We are all leaving Sweden on 4th March to participate in a test sessions at Valdosta (5th-9th March) and Bradenton (10th-11th March) and then compete at the Gatornationals. We also hope to go to Houston on the last weekend in March, but that is not yet decided." ©Eurodragster.com 
UK Super Pro ET racer Chris Orthodoxou has picked up the paint
sprayer and given his seven-second Dodge Viper a new look for 2008 (click on picture for large version).
"I've discovered first-hand that achieving a good paint job is not the mystic black art that everyone seems to think!", says Chrissy O. "It's all down to
meticulous preparation and cleanliness."See MotoSpeed for Vance & Hines. 6th February: Sweden's MotoSpeed are very proud to announce an exclusive distribution deal with Vance & Hines Motorsports. "Motospeed will keep lots of the product range in stock, and we will have orders coming every week to keep a high service level", says Roger Lyrén of MotoSpeed. Motospeed will also carry some race parts at all UEM Championship races, and also some of the other Nordic races. "With a big parts stock and a good UPS service we can suppy most customers in about forty eight hours if needed. We have full workshop facilities and can supply customers in Sweden with all type of engine work. "Right now we have all the Indy Series exhausts in stock, new Pro Stock Bike pipe, V-Rod, Softail, Busa, ZX14, R1, new sixteen-inch PSB wheels and lots more." For more information contact Roger Lyrén at roger@motospeed.se, info@motospeed.se, call +46 21 351925 or fax +46 21 355203. ©Eurodragster.com More support for the Outlaws. 6th February: Stephen Moon tells us that further sponsors have added their support to the Outlaw Pro Street Bike exhibition event to be staged in the UK later this year: MTC are to contribute $250 to the winner, with the amount doubling to $500 if the winning competitor is using MTC products. In addition, T-Wiz are to donate ten custom T-shirts to the winner of the event - see www.t-wiz.co.uk to see their current range. ©Eurodragster.com The total prize fund now exceeds £600 for the winner, with a further £400 of contingencies on offer. Many thanks to Fast by Gast, Schnitz Racing, MRE, MTC, Velocity Racing and Racepak of the US, and Roger Upperton, Dave Beck Racing, Big CC Racing, Straightliners, Streetfighters Magazine and T-Wiz from the UK. The demonstration will take place at Extreme Bike Weekend at Santa Pod Raceway on 13th-14th September and a strong turnout is expected, given the number of bikes currently under construction. Shakespeare County Raceway are also to stage an exhibition whose date is to be advised shortly. Web site updates. 6th February: The official web site of the UK's National Association of Supertwins has been updated with Les Harris' account of the joint APIRA/SPRC Dinner Dance and Trophy Presentation, which you can read by clicking on Rolling News at www.supertwins.co.uk. ©Eurodragster.com Dave Grabham has updated the Freddy's Revenge web site with an account of the blown-alcohol altered team's season. Check it out at www.freddysrevenge.co.uk. Editor's note: Thanks to Andy Marrs for uploading today's news update. First of five for Erbacher? 5th February: 2007 FIA European Top Fuel Dragster Champion and Eurodragster.com News sponsor Urs Erbacher is making his first outing of the year at this weekend's NHRA Winternationals at Pomona. Team member Andrea Wucher tells us that Urs, tuner Wayne Dupuy and the crew will decide upon their pre-FIA Main Event plans after seeing how they get on this weekend: When we got back from the USA in November we had about a month to make up our minds whether to start the season in the US or whether to take the rig and dragster back just to run the European Championship. It is not only a matter of money and time. As we all have day jobs as well as the racing hobby we had to find a solution for the USA races as we can only send over five or six Swiss crew members for each race. After some meetings with the crew everyone set up their 2008 race schedules so that at the end of December we knew who would be joining Urs for the first races in the USA. We worked out that it would be possible to do the first five races in the USA and then come over to Europe to be ready for the FIA Main Event and probably even some testing the weekend before. In the meantime Wayne Dupuy and Wini have organised all the updates and technical adjustments on the the dragster, spare parts etc ready for the Winternationals. Wayne hired the second part of the crew so we are now a Swiss-American drag racing team. Wayne and five mechanics will strengthen the Erbacher Top Fuel Racing Team in the USA. I am sure that our guys will learn a lot in the USA, and I am sure that Wayne will learn a lot in Europe. The rig and the dragster got to Pomona yesterday and Urs and the Swiss part of the team will join them today. Tomorrow we have crew training scheduled as everybody has to get into it again after the winter break, and the roles and duties have to be defined and set up. ©Eurodragster.com Depending on the outcome of the Pomona race and the team set-up we will decide whether we go for all five USA races or whether we need more time between races. We hope the Winternationals will be better than the NHRA Finals, and are looking forward to getting some consistency on US soil. In the USA we will race with TF111 on the wing, but in Europe it will be TF1 no question. Our goals for the year are to impress some potential sponsors in the USA, become consistent, qualify and win some rounds in the USA, defend the European Championship title, and still have a lot of fun doing it all. Lo and his Supertwin team will start to defend their European Championship in May as well. The team has not changed; Dario will be with the dragster team just for the US races. In Europe the three musketeers Lo, Cinzia and Dario will be at the start line again to fight for victory. Lo is working on the development of his bike. Speed, better handling and more power are the targets. You will be able to keep in touch with Urs' progress at Pomona on the Drag Race Central web site at www.dragracecentral.com and on the NHRA web site at www.nhra.com. Swift snippets. 
5th February: The latest spy picture to arrive at the offices of Eurodragster.com
came with no words at all save the title Spy pic but shows a very tidy bike (click on picture for
large version). As ever, if you know any more, or if you would like to send any spy pictures of your own,
then drop us a line at
eurodragster.com@btinternet.com.
Santa Pod Raceway have a few places left for racers who would like to make demonstration passes at Stunt Night on Friday of next week (15th February). This is a good opportunity for some exposure as the place was packed in 2007, and as an added bonus you get the chance to be commentated upon by your News Editor. If you would like to run at Stunt Night then please call Darren Prentice on 01234 782828 or E-Mail darren@santapod.com. The UK's Rod and Karl Harrison, who run the Stardust dragster in Super Pro ET, spent this weekend at Knut Söderquist's workshop and have purchased his Murf McKinney Fuel FC chassis. The Harrison family hope to have the car on the track later this year, running in Super Pro ET with their virtually new Stage 6 blown Hemi, but would like to go up to Top Methanol in the future. Karl will be main driver but his sister Kerry will also be behind the wheel on occasion, and Rod might be allowed the odd drive too! Rod and Karl would like to thank to Knut for his help and hospitality over the weekend. The team are looking for two new crew members with experience around cars and dedication to drag racing. If that's you, then please drop them a line at rhguns@freenetname.co.uk. ©Eurodragster.com UK Street Eliminator racer Ron Haslett has picked up all of the parts for his new 545 ci stroker motor from ICE Automotive plus a new MSD 7 digital programmer. "I've done a trial fit and I have no clearance issues, e.g. crank to block or crank to pick-up pipe", says Ron. "I'm hoping to start the build later this week. I have the nitrous system back from Trev from Wizard of Nos along with a pumping station so we are going to be pumping our own gas at the track. We've also made a new bonnet and front end out of fibre glass, they have been fitted and should be painted in the next couple of weeks. I would like to welcome back Alan and his team at Express Gearboxes for who are supporting us again this year." UK Pro ET Sponsorship Co-ordinator Carl Burton has been in touch with some Thank Yous after he won the Obsession Motorsports Sportsman of the Year Trophy. "Firstly to say a big thank you to everyone who voted for me, and for all the messages and calls I've had, and to Carla Pittau for picking up the trophy on my behalf", says Carl. "In any new venture you risk failure and a red face, so a big thank you to all the sponsors who have seen the potental in Pro ET who have supported the Sponsorhip Scheme into its fifth year together with Eurodragster, the commentators, and everyone in Pro ET who has helped, supported and encouraged. Without them it wouldn't have happened or been successful. I'm very proud to be part of Pro ET and drag racing." 
It must be the week for drag racing birthday cakes as, following on from Clayton Round's cake on
Sunday, UK Pro ET racer Trevor Kitney has been in touch with a picture of his cake, in the
shape of his Kiss My RS Escort. We hope you've saved us a piece, Trevor?
Editor's note: There was no news update yesterday simply because we were all shagged out from the Dinner Dance. Almost all of our readers worked it out but those individuals who felt the need to be unpleasant in their enquiries may wish to generate some news themselves and/or offer to fill in this time next year. Bennett ready to win again. 5th February: Luke Bennett of UK Nostalgia Fuel Altered Association team Bennett Racing tells us that The Big C has picked on the wrong person this time: I was diagnosed with cancer before Christmas. I had to have emegency surgery on Christmas Eve as the tumour, the size of a fist, had ruptured. As you can imagine the pain was not good, but once I was under and the surgery was done I felt a lot better. I've now got to have a minimum of six months' chemotherapy. But we will be out with the car this year, and I will still be at the track. I might just be moodier (than normal) and asleep more. This year the most notable addition to the car is the new Kobelco 14-71 hi helix retro supercharger. There are a few other changes and my aim is to run down into the 6.5s at around 212-215 mph. Yes, I want to beat those nitro altereds with our alky-burning Chevy lump. ©Eurodragster.com My recovery is down to how I take it and at the moment all I can say is that I'll beat it - piece of cake. Finally, thank you to Tony Betts and Elaine for popping round, it was good to see you, and thanks for everyone's good wishes. Much appreciated, believe me. We're sure that everyone will join us in wishing Luke all the best, and we're also sure that with an attitude like that he will kick his cancer's butt into next week. Generations: Three of three. 5th February: Just as we expected, we had a few responses to last week's news item about third-generation drag racers, after Wayne Saunders asked if his Junior Dragster racing son Josh was the first. First to respond was Benni Voss who told us that Diana Habermann ran in Junior Dragster in 1993, making demonstration passes and then two seasons of racing in a car imported by her father Gerd Habermann who started racing in 1979. Gerd's father Heini raced from 1979 to 1984. Heini's grandsons Timo and Dennis Habermann are also, of course, third generation racers: their dad Werner Habermann raced from the 1970s to the late 1990s and they currently race in Top Methanol Dragster and Comp Eliminator respectively. Next to write was Tim Blakemore who reminds us that that UK Junior Drag Bike racer Tyler Clutterbuck is also a third-generation racer of long standing. Grandad Steve Clutterbuck and mum Wendy Clutterbuck have both raced in Supertwin Fuel. ©Eurodragster.com Dick Talbot's E-Mail arrived next, containing a veritable family tree including his granddaughters, UK Junior Dragster racers Hazel and Holly Mitchell. Dick himself raced Triumphs and Kawasaki for over twenty years whilst his wife and the girls' grandmother Wendy spent three years racing a blown-Rover 27T altered in the Wild Bunch. Uncle Scott Talbot raced Junior bikes with the NSA from the age of twelve, and was the first person under the age of sixteen to run at a drag strip on an NSA Junior Race License. Scott still holds the 50 cc Junior record at North Weald Airfield. When Scott turned sixteen he raced Dick's bike for two years. The girls' mum Annette Talbot raced a Honda with the NSA between the ages of fourteen and sixteen. Hazel raced Junior Stock from 2000 until 2002, then Dick bought a Junior Modified Dragster (which by the way is for sale) which she raced for a further two years. Holly started racing at the tender age of ten sharing the JS Dragster with Hazel. After two years not going fast enough she also joined the Modified ranks again sharing with Hazel. One of the girls would compete at Santa Pod while the other competed at Shakespeare County Raceway, sharing the cars at RWYBs. Hazel retired from racing at sixteen leaving Holly to compete at National rounds at both tracks. Holly then retired in 2006 going out on a high by finishing runner-up at the FIA European Finals. Holly now crews for the Erbacher team's Junior Dragster run by Noah Stutz from Switzerland. Web site updates. 5th February: Nicely timed after the weekend's British Drag Racing Hall of Fame presentations, but completely coincidentally, our good friend Alan Currans has updated his excellent Acceleration Archive with a detailed feature about the career of UK Top Fuel Bike racer Brian Johnson. The lavishly-illustrated six-page feature can be viewed via the What's New link at www.theaccelerationarchive.co.uk together with the latest Blog entry by Brian Taylor documenting the work on his forthcoming history of UK drag racing. ©Eurodragster.com Eurodragster.com Photo Editor Roger Gorringe has updated his Nitro Exposure web site with a couple of vintage pictures and the latest news from our photo department. Check it out at www.nitroexposure.co.uk. The latest edition of Drag, Rod and Classic Review magazine at www.drcreview.com features a report from the recent Grand National Roadster Show in Pomona, a preview of the forthcoming 50th March Meet at Bakersfield, plus a major revision to the Classifieds section of the web site with hundreds of race cars, hot rods and classic muscle cars to browse through. Dick Bodily has updated his Fotopic gallery with a set of pitside pictures from Santa Pod in 2007 together with some additional pictures for some races including the FIA European Finals. You can find Dick's great pictures at dicksphotos.fotopic.net. UK Champions, Perpetual winners honoured. 
3rd February: The winners and runners-up in the 2007 UK National Championships,
MSA British Drag Racing Championship, APIRA and Santa Pod Racers Club Championships, and British Drag
Racing Hall of Fame inductees (right, click on picture for large version) were presented with
their trophies at the joint APIRA/SPRC Dinner Dance
and Trophy Presentation in Northampton last night. The winners of APIRA's Perpetual Awards and SPRC's
Perpetual Awards and Obsession Motorsports Sportsman of the Year trophy, for whom Eurodragster.com
readers had the chance to vote, were also presented with their trophies.
Congratulations to the Perpetual Award winners: APIRA Iris Page Memorial Trophy: Tony Smith APIRA Alan Wigmore Memorial Trophy: Jerry Cookson SCR Award for Outstanding Achievement: Jorden Bissell Anya Yates Memorial Trophy: Holly Mitchell SCR Ladies' Trophy: Gina Rumble APIRA Marshal Award: Ed Baldwin and Annette Mitchell ©Eurodragster.com SPRC Best-Appearing Car: Jason Weir, Street Eliminator SPRC Best-Appearing Bike: Steve Woollatt, The Dealer Top Fuel Bike SPRC Most Professional-Appearing Team: Nigel Payne (Super Modified) SPRC Most Promising Newcomer: Nick Holland (Comp Bike) SPRC Paul Giddings Memorial Trophy: Zodiac Racing (Ton Pels and Roel Koedam) SPRC James Edgar Memorial Trophy: Mick Franklin (Steve Nash, Street Eliminator) SPRC Alex Brachtvogel Memorial Trophy: Ian Marshall Obsession Motorsports Sportsman of the Year: Carl Burton SMRA Crew Chief of the Year: Lee Kirk Red Light Trophy: Spencer Tramm British Drag Racing Hall of Fame Brian Johnson The Page family The Read family Alan Wigmore (accepted by Stu Bradbury) Sammy Miller (accepted by Tog) Many thanks to all of the Eurodragster.com readers who submitted votes for the SPRC Perpetual Awards and the Obsession Motorsports Sportsman of the Year trophy. Swift snippets. 
3rd February: 2007 Nostalgia Fuel Altered Association Champion Clayton Round
recently had a birthday, writes Lawrie Gatehouse. "The Fuel Altered driver works out of facilities in the Czech
Republic most weeks and his staff know how fanatical he is about the racing, even though most of them have never
been to a strip", says Lawrie. "One of the girls there decided that to endorse his three Championship wins and to
celebrate his birthday, she ought to bake him a cake. Clayton swears that he didn't scoff the lot, as he is aware
that the competition is going to be stiffer than ever this year and if he puts too many pounds on it could hand
an advantage to the competition."
©Eurodragster.com Congratulations to Norwegian Supertwin racer Hans Olav Olstad and the Olstad Racing Team on being elected Team of the Year by Norsk Drag Racing Gardermoen. NDRG honoured Hans Olav and the team for their fourth place in the FIM/UEM Championship, Norwegian Championship in Class 1 MC and third place in the 2007 Nordic Cup for Supertwin Top Fuel, setting new PBs for ET and speed, working many nights, showing everyone they never give up, and seeing their hard work pay off. The British Drag Racing Hall of Fame has been recognised by the Don Garlits International Drag Racing Hall of Fame, as well as the by the Don Gartlits Museum and Motorsports Hall of Fame of America. "This is yet more conformation that the British Drag Racing Hall of Fame is being seen as one of the important organisations honouring those who have contributed to drag racing worldwide, and spreading the word truly internationally rather than just honouring contributors in the USA", says Stu Bradbury. "The British Drag Racing Hall of Fame is only in its third year of existence, but in that short time has become one of the most welcomed and prestigious awards given by drag racing both here and abroad." 2008 British Hall of Fame members. 
1st February: The British Drag
Racing Hall Of Fame continues into its third successful year with five new members. Nominees are eligible by
dint of having driven/ridden owned, designed, built, maintained, prepared, promoted, officiated, supported or
taken part in British drag racing in any capacity, having been involved for at least twenty years or having made
a significant and recognisable contribution to the sport.
The 2008 members of the British Drag Racing Hall of Fame are: Brian Johnson: Brian Johnson started racing in the mid 1970s winning three Championships in Pro Stock Bike before moving to Top Fuel Bike. He took his first fuel bike to the USA in 1984 and won the Championship there. His next Imperial Wizard machine was the quickest machine outside the USA months after having been completed in 1990. A year later Brian took the world record with a 6.61. His talented engineering mind was displayed to the public in the TV programme Scrapheap Challenge. Brian retired from racing at the end of 2001 but is still an enthusiastic follower of the sport. With personal bests of 6.101 seconds and 234.11 mph he still stands as the eighth quickest and fastest Top Fuel Bike racer on the planet. The Page family: The Page brothers Clive, David and Gary began their drag racing career as crew members on Wild Bill Weichelt's Dos Palmos/Asmodeus dragster in the late 1960s. After running the ex-Mark Stratton Hustler BSA pick-up at the start of the 1970s they raced a series of Competition Altereds, all called Panic, driving in turn and supported by other members of their family. Mother Iris helped in the administration of the National Drag Racing Club and sisters Janice and Christine played an active part. Gary became the regular driver when the team switched to a nitro Funny Car in 1982. Dave was tragically killed in a road accident in 1986 at the age of 34, but Gary has carried on the family tradition for the last twenty years in a variety of nitro-burning vehicles, driving and crewing. He has been joined on the track by his niece Heide and nephew Dan, who in 2007 had a successful début year in Pro ET. The Read family: Jim Read, the father figure and patron of his family's racing activities, raced dragsters in the 1970s and early 1980s, mainly in the methanol-fuelled Pro Comp category following a period in which he and eldest son Glen raced home-built slingshots. The family raced regularly in Europe and Jim became a key figure in the organisation of the British Drag Racing Association of which he was Chairman of both the Executive and Competition Committees and their International Liaison Officer. Sadly Jim died in 1989, but by then sons Steve, Robin and Tim had taken on the family racing tradition. Robin raced a Daimler-powered dragster which amazingly for the size of its engine ran in the six second bracket. Steve won the UK Top Alcohol Championship six times and the European Championship five times before emigrating to Australia and winning both the Top Alcohol and Top Fuel Championships twice. Tim currently serves on the UK Tech Crew. Alan Wigmore: Alan Wigmore was the Founding Chairman of the National Drag Racing Club when it first broke away from its parent the British Drag Racing and Hot Rod Association in 1970. The RAC, the UK's motorsports governing body, then deemed that a National club had to be just that. Alan's boundless enthusiasm became channelled into running events at many venues around the UK such as Snetterton, Silverstone and Blackbushe, which was a major factor in its meteoric growth in popularity in the 1970s. He then spearheaded the campaign to make Long Marston a permanent venue for drag racing. His promotional acumen led to the sport's involvement with brands such as Castrol, Duckhams and Gauloises. If it was not for Alan's untimely death in 1998 he would still undoubtedly be offering his vast knowledge of the sport as a commentator and journalist. Sammy Miller (2008 overseas member): Arguably the sport's greatest showman, Sammy Miller achieved his major achievements in rocket cars after starting in Fuel cars, and internationally rather than solely in his native USA where rocket-powered vehicles were banned after 1984. Sammy remains the quickest person ever to have traversed a quarter mile drag strip with an Elapsed Time of 3.58 seconds. He still holds quarter mile records in five countries and eighth mile records in six countries. Behind these facts was a man of superlative bravery, friendliness towards an adoring and devoted fan base and a wonderful sense of humour including waving at nervous NHRA officials at over 300 mph on a licensing pass, running a rocket-assisted car on the street, and a scarily accurate Donald Duck voice. When Sammy died in an industrial accident in 2002 the sport was robbed of one of its great personalities. ©Eurodragster.com 
Members of the Hall of Fame receive a 'Bootsie', a trophy encapsulating an image of the late Allan 'Bootsie'
Herridge, a man who put so much into British drag racing, together with an exclusive commemorative pin. They
join the élite list of inductees from previous years and are included on a dedicated web page with fuller
biographies which you can view by
clicking here or by clicking on the British
Hall of Fame link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page. It is also planned that the Hall of Fame
will have its own section in a racing museum. The Hall of Fame trophies will be presented at the joint APIRA/SPRC
Dinner Dance this Saturday.
The British Drag Racing Hall of Fame is sponsored by USAutomotive, KJ Partnership, Santa Pod Raceway, Shakespeare County Raceway, Avon Park International Racers Association, Santa Pod Racers Club, Power Race Graphics, Eurodragster.com and Drag, Rod and Classic Review. Biographies by Simon who would like to acknowledge the use of Trakbytes UK Drag Racing History as a referent. Trophy picture courtesy and ©Ian Messenger Flynn reveals his true colours. 1st February: The UK's newest Top Fuel Dragster racer, Derek Flynn of Eurodragster.com News sponsor Gold RV, has revealed the provisional colour scheme for the Top Fuel Dragster which he will be campaigning this season. 
"This colour scheme is subject to change should we secure another major sponsor - we have a few companies interested", says Derek.
"With such a long car we have deliberately left space for our associate sponsors so if anyone out there is looking for some excellent exposure, at
reasonable rates, with one of the newest teams in Top Fuel Dragster then please get in touch as this space is going fast!
©Eurodragster.com "We would like to thank Pete of Peter Walters Race Designs for coming up with our new scheme. As you can see it has some resemblance to our first blown car which we campaigned in Super Pro ET, but with a bit of a twist. We are hoping that the success we had with that car rubs off. Peter has also done several very professional renderings for our sponsorship proposals and I cannot thank him enough. Racers who would like a professional job at reasonable rates please look no further than Peter; he has done excellent graphics for our cars, trailers as well as T-Shirt designs. We have yet to use Peter for web site designs, but from the sites he has produced and is producing I think he has great talent as well as being a nice guy, and he is a mad keen racer himself so he knows what it is all about. Again thanks and well done Peter and all the best with your Super Pro début this year. Having had a sneak preview of Pete's proposed paintwork on his own car, the boys at J&W Automotive will have their work cut out, but I am sure everyone will be very impressed with the finished article as usual. "Finally, thanks to all our many customers out there in drag race land. We trust you are all still enjoying your RVs but don't forget that they too need some TLC before the season starts and you go putting those race car trailers behind them. If you are looking to upgrade, or for that much wanted part or service, give us a call or take a look at our web site at www.goldrv.co.uk - we are only to pleased to help. Easter is fast approaching and we hope you are all fast at Easter!" 2008 Wild Bunch calendar. 1st February: The UK's Wild Bunch have announced the race calendar for their thirteenth season and and confirmed that there will be no less than four race series for members to contest. "The Wild Bunch, Real Steel, Roy Wilding Nostalgia Race Cars and Shakespeare County Raceway Series are sure to see some hot competition again this year starting at the Easter Thunderball at Santa Pod Raceway in March", says Co-ordinator Claire Meaddows. "We're absolutely delighted to be racing at this event for the third year in succession and as a quick reminder to everyone, entry closes on 22nd February so keep the midnight oil burning to make sure you're ready, and get your entries in. It's an event not to be missed. "The Wild Bunch is very proud to be sponsored by Real Steel and we would like to thank them for their continued and valued support. For all your performance automotive parts Real Steel can be contacted through their web site at www.realsteel.co.uk or on 01895 440505. The full calendar for 2008 Wild Bunch events is below. Further details including information from the class' recent AGM are available at www.the-wild-bunch.co.uk. ©Eurodragster.com 22nd-24th March: Easter Thunderball, Santa Pod Raceway (MSA) RS1 19th-20th April: Spring Test and Tune, Shakespeare County Raceway WB1, RS2 3rd-5th May: Spring Speed Festival, Shakespeare County Raceway (MSA) RS3, SCR1 31st May-1st June: Yanks American Weekend, Shakespeare County Raceway WB2, RS4 14th-15th June: SPRC Summernationals, Santa Pod Raceway RS5, RWNRC 1 28th-29th June: NSRA Nostalgia Nationals, Shakespeare County Raceway WB3, RS6, RWNRC 2 12th-13th July: Mini Showdown, Shakespeare County Raceway WB4, RS7 2nd-3rd August: UK Northern Nationals, York Raceway WB5, RS8 23rd-25th August: Open Sport Nationals, Shakespeare County Raceway (MSA) RS9, RWNRC 3, SCR 2 27th-28th September: UK National Finals (MSA) WB6, RS10 Enter the Euro Compacts. 
1st February: Drag racing has always been associated with American cars and engines, and more recently with
Japanese machinery. Rick Cuthbert tells us that 2008 sees the dawn of the first-ever Euro Compact race, at the Performance Tuning and Modified Show
at Santa Pod Raceway on 11th May.
"Only European-bodied cars with six or less cylinder engines are allowed to compete", says Rick. "The entry list already consists of eight of the fastest cars of their type in the UK. A varied line up includes an MG ZR, a whole host of VWs, a Lancia Delta and a new Mini will create interesting turbo-charged ten-second racing, but there is still room for more! ©Eurodragster.com "If you know someone with a sub-twelve second car which ticks the following boxes, please tell them to drop us a line:
Swift snippets. 1st February: Wayne Saunders asks whether his son Josh Saunders, who will be competing in Junior Dragster this year after licencing at Santa Pod last weekend, is Europe's first third-generation drag racer. So far as we know, Josh is indeed the first but if you know different then drop us a line at eurodragster.com@btinternet.com. Josh's Junior Dragster is on order and Wayne himself will be returning to racing on a 2008 Hayabusa which he will be campaigning in 9.50 Bike. ©Eurodragster.com We have now as promised opened a page for messages of condolence to Doug and Sonnie Herbert on the on the deaths of their sons Jon and James Herbert. You can view the condolence page by clicking here or by clicking on the Features, Interviews, Tributes link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page; if you would like to send your own message of condolence then please drop an E-Mail to eurodragster.com@btinternet.com. Earlier news |
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