European Drag Racing News (2024)

These past two weeks we have been visiting Germany to attend two Championship Gala’s. Firstly in Frankfurt for the HARA, where Luke has become this year’s Jr Dragster Champion.

I also collected the 3rd place trophy in their Pro ET class as well.

Then last weekend we travelled to Suhl for the DMV Gala, where Luke also collected the MSJ Championship winning trophy and a Runner-Up in the DMSJ. Again I also collected the 3rd place trophy in Pro ET for the DMV championship.

Both the HARA & DMV collect points based on your best 5 attended races across Europe. Finishing strong in both these championships for Luke was possible thanks to his Event Win at the Summer Nationals, qualifying No.1 and reaching the Semis at the final race in Clastres, before winning the 37th Annual NitrOlympX in his first and only attempt in Hockenheim as he will be too old to enter next years event.

Along with finishing no worse than the Semi’s at every event that was completed this season to take both German titles.

The highlight for our mini European tour during the Summer break of the U.K. season was definitely experiencing 2 new tracks and getting to know the local racers. Seeing the other Juniors fist bumping Luke before he got in the car when he reached the later rounds showing their support despite the language barriers.

learning the two different tracks was also an interesting challenge, as Clastres required a different setup to get the max consistency throughout the day compared to Pod or Hockenheim where the evolution was more similar. In fact it wasn’t until round 1 in Clastres after 5 qualifiers before I had it figured out and then the dragster started printing tickets like it normally did.

While the other big highlight for both myself and Luke was the experience of towing our dragsters around the Hockenheim circuit as the return road. We were thrilled about hitting apex’s and taking racing lines making our way back to the Pits.

In Pro ET I even coasted to the end of the shut down just to hit the apex of the Hairpin only to understeer terribly on the exit. Turns out dragsters aren’t the best F1 cars !!

We can’t thank our good friend Andrea Morris Kloss enough for the help and support with joining both championships and the encouragement to start our Euro trip early in France.

Budget permitting in 2025 , Luke’s last season in Juniors, we hope to be able to compete the full French ATD Championship alongside the U.K. season.

Big thank you also to Nic Woods at Nic Woods Racing for our awesome Motor and Clutch package. Since bolting it on and tuning it to the conditions it’s been a huge factor in helping Luke get the most out of the car.

Thanks to Mick Taylor for the words about Frankie`s rookie season in the "Banshee" Topolino:

We finished Frankie’s new Topolino in time for Hot Rod Drags 2023, and a good chance for me to test it out and make sure all is good before letting Frankie off in it. We entered in Wild Brunch and all seemed fine after a few passes, apart from the gearing was miles too high 4:68’s as we’d gone smaller slicks. Flame n Thunder was a good event to get Frankie in the seat for the first time, apart from driving the car on to the stand at Silverstone few weeks earlier. first run up the track, i tried to make it with little to do, off in second gear, off on the pedal, and switch off at the end, like she was used to in the junior, just drive it up the track and get the feel of the car, it had been over two years since she finished in the juniors, she done well and run a 19 sec! Next run bit more off the line, spinning the wheels and she ran a 14sec.Sunday weather wasn’t to clever so we called it a day.

Over the off season we changed the gears to 4:11’s and fitted the air shifter off my van. 2024 season was all about her and us getting used to the new car! First event was Festival of Power, where she would do her licensing passes, I informed Ian Marshall, and i booked into the test day on the Thursday to make sure the changes worked, but it rained, so on to Friday and running on the back of Pro Et, she done a very short burn-out in the box, up to the line, off in second and on the pedal, she ran a 11 @127mph. Back in the pit we got called up to see Darren Prentice in the tower,"you know Frankie should be doing licencing passes?", "I did email Ian," i said? "well i can see she can handle the car,"was Darrens reply. N stage was to run a 1/2 pass and pull the chute, then a run with a full pass and dial in. Frankie did with flying colours got her license and even qualified for the event.

Next event for us was Main Event, first run we kept it the same, and she run a 11 sec pass. Time to use first gear and the air shifter on the next run, she ran 10.79, next run 9.99, next a 9.63 @ 139mph and our dial in way out! She’s getting used to the car alright! We missed the next event as couldn’t get the car there, but entered Dragstalgia, as Frankie couldn’t make it through work, but gave me a chance to check out the gearing, all seemed good apart from a lag/ flat spot between first and second, so i bought the air shift on the where the power comes in on the cam. Next we did three weekends in a row, all good seat time for Frankie, first the Euro’s where a nut came loose on the brake pedal linkage making the brake a bit spongy after a 9:6 pass.

Frankie panicking forgot to pull the chute and went off the end of the track about 10’ into the field, all was good though, she came round after blaming me and laughing!

Next was Hot Rod Drags, unfortunately first run around the 60ft she was sideways with one wheel up, but held it well and straighten up, heart attack time for me! Back in the pit we checked every nut n bolt, and then realised what it was, the change from first to second made the wheels spin with the power causing it to slide sideways, also being a RWYB track prep. We backed the air shift to a lower rpm and took 1/2 out of the slicks and worked a treat, Frankie being a bit worried it happen again, plus after the field trip got her confidence back after the next run. National Finals see Frankie doing some of her best racing, good lights too and finishing on a high! Cannot wait for 2025 season.

We had our motorhome stolen before the last three events with all our race gear in it, would like to thank all that helped us with lending stuff so Frankie could race, the race family are one of a kind, the best, specially Matt Wight who stepped crewing for a few events, also lending and trusting Frankie his helmet and hans.

Roll on 2025!

Simon Innes of the "Plum Crazy Racing Team", shares with us a breakdown of the 2024 season:

Easter Nationals 2024

Agood start qualifying 5th out of 33. This was the start we wanted for the 2024 race season.Festival of Power 2024, after qualifying was finished as a team we was slightly disappointed with qualifying 16th out of 32. This is really not what we wanted with a good start to qualifying at Easter. We went through round 1 and then the weather came and we were done.

Doorslammers 2024

Our favourite meeting of the year is Doorslammers – Unbelievable meeting – we managed to get to the final through a competitive Big bracket field – we sadly came 2^nd by a red light but took home a fantastic £2000 so wasn’t too bad.

Main Event 2024

WHAT A MEETING! Friday- Sportsman day - 4 runs on the Friday - OH MY, The car was on form for sure. Simon continued from where he left off at Doorslammers.3 runs out of the 4 we HIT our dial in,1. 0.004,2. 0.008,3. 0.006.The other run was only off the dial by 0.01. We was delighted with qualifying and we stayed 5th out 43 cars. In elimination we went through 2 rounds of racing and didn’t quite get in the 1/8 mile Q/F race but we certainly enjoyed the main event for sure.

Summer Nationals 2024

This was the nightmare meeting, we had a water leak from the Motor Plate and we couldn’t get it fixed on site. We was done for the meeting – Walked away with only 10 points and didn’t qualify. A very unhappy camp for sure and the mood was low but that’s racing, things happen but we all came together over dinner and said “We will get it fixed and will back for European finals”.

European Finals 2024

Sportsman Qualifying day - 3rd run of that day - 2nd time we hit the dial - 10.62 dial and ran 10.6222 ... Pretty awesome to have 3 runs in the same day and hit it twice. 0.001 AND 0.002 – Plum Crazy Racing Team had a handle on the race car for sure. Pro ET scheme were doing number 1 off the trailer and we wanted that money so we took some cash home. We qualified 5^th out of 51 race cars – Super happy with that! We went through round 1 and then went into our first night race and I wasn’t happy that I left early but so different when racing at night and I certainly learnt my lesson and shall take that forward to 2025.

Nationals Finals 2024

Was one meeting at the end of the year that everyone would like to forget. I have never ever seen weather like that at Santa pod in my lifetime. Hail stones, thunder and lightning and flooding, ruthless winds that were howling across site, taking race team’s awnings off the ground. We managed to get 2 qualifying rounds in and we ended up 12^th out of 30 race cars. We went out in round 1 and ended the season all wet and miserable and headed home early. Racing was called on Sunday which we all knew as the whole of England was a wash out. Not the way we wanted 2024 to finished but Mother Nature had played its part.

2025 Season I have already completed an oil change with new oil filter, new plugs. We are planning on refreshing the rear axle and aiming to get a new pair of rear slicks. This up and coming season the Plum Crazy Racing Team will be ready to compete for the 2025 season and go for the championship.

See you all at Santa Pod in 2025

Simon Innes

• VW PRO CHAMPION – James Hodson in his VW Golf
• VW PRO Runner Up – Chris Waterhouse in his Audi S3
• VW SPORTSMAN Runner up – Paul Robinson in his Audi TT
• Howard Dalton Memorial - Driver of the Year – Jordan Clark
• Car of the Year Shield – Percy the Passat, Driven by Rob Carter
• Sir Brian Burrows Shield - Rookie of the Year - George Miller
• Dennis Cox Memorial Shield – Highest Qualifier - Nigel Gregg
• Roxanne Red Light Award – George Miller
• Mechanical Sympathy Award – Rob Carter
• VW SPORTSMAN CHAMPION – Jordan Clark in his VW Beetle
• Jolly Sailor Team Award – Team Lucky, Luke Stevenson and Crew
• Best Appearing – Blackcurrent Team, Ollie and Sam Young
• Laurence Clark Memorial Pro Vs Sportman Shootout - Winner VW Pro, Joe Hall
• Becky Sutton Memorial for Services to the VWDRC – Ian Marshall

Rob Carter also received a special award for a new club Street, ET and MPH Record. 7.5442@ 185mph *photo courtesy of Alice Fairhead AFPhotography

The ET and MPH Record had been held since 2003 by Paul ‘Jacko’ Jackson. Who does retain the VW Powered Record of 7.975@158mph

The VWDRC held a raffle during the evening raising £550 for the St Elizabeth Hospice and Junior fund to promote youngsters in motorsport, in Memory of VW Sportsman Racer Jack Gooding.

The VWDRC extend heartfelt thanks to sponsors below and everyone involved in the organisation for making this seasonunforgettable.

DH Automotive, Darkside Developments, Hanger 30, Pro Race Engineering, Coated Race Bearings, CG Motorsport Performance Clutches, R-Tech Performance, RTMG Performance.

WRP, ASD Fueltech, 32 Racing wheels, Renegade Race Fuels, GP Turbos, BJ Bates Electrical, Havey Property Developments. Volksworkshop.

Dave and Stevecouldn’t have asked for anything more from the Team and the cars performance this year. 2024 Euro Finals saw the Undertakers Replacement car out of the workshop for the first time, which was only made possible from everyone in the team and outside of the team. A big Thank you to all involved.

We qualified 3rd, which resulted with the win for the event and some good numbers from the car with more to come.

Over this coming winter there’s some further upgrades, Dave and Steve are planning hopefully to bring a quicker car to what will be a very competitive 2025Funny Car Cup.

Stock has now been updated and this will be the last of the T-Shirts and Hoodies until the new year, so very limited in sizes left therefore grab them whilst you can. As always if your planning on buying anything off the website for Christmas, please don’t leave it last minute ! Get the orders in.

As always Thank you to all our fans, supporters and sponsors and the team that make this all possible.

Thank you to Santa Pod Raceway CEOKeith Bartlettand his team that work tirelessly to keep us racing and thank you to theFire, Ambulance, Doctors, SecurityandTrack Crewfor keeping us safe when things don’t go to plan, you guys are always there checking up on us or making us better again.

This moves onto something that’s close to one of our crew guys that unfortunately at BugJam 2024 had a random seizure and unfortunately hit the floor hard and broke two teeth and fractured a few bones, also some soft tissue damage and concussion! Basically, the full works. I want to say a big thank you to the Team for being there for me especiallySteve, Marie and Ant.

Thank you toBayleeandShannonfor making the Security aware, who requested an Ambulance which came to my help quickly. Couple of weeks later I had a call from theBritish Drag Racing Hall of Famewho was made aware of what happened to me and gave me some news that they were going to support me via a donation.

I’m very thankful to theBritish Drag Racing Hall of Famewhich is a small charity that is here to help drag racers in the UK. Let’s help them out where we can, so with that let’s raise awareness of the charity and please donate as much as you can. It’s a great charity which is here to look out for us nut cases when the unforeseeable happens.

Donate here -https://britishdragracinghof.co.uk/

Thank you again for everyone that follows, supports and sponsors us.RotaRod,Flexiwaste Environmental Services Ltd,South East Sweepers Ltd

Don’t forget to get your orders in and take a read of our new blog pages over atwww.undertaker-racing.com

Books

Thanks to Keith Lee, Keith says Don't forget to order your copy of John Hobbs and the Age of the Twins, while stocks last.

This limited edition hardback book, written by Keith Lee, will make a great Christmas present for yourself, or for a friend, who is into motorcycle drag racing. The book is packed with pictures of the top riders, and takes a comprehensive look at the early development of drag bike racing - and the career of one of its star racers - John Hobbs.

Last order date for Christmas delivery is Wednesday, December 18.

The book is available for UK delivery via Royal Mail first class tracked service.

Order online from the author at: keithleeimages.co.uk

Calendars

Chris Eyreof DBF Photography says "I have 5 fantastic calendars for sale this year; Nitro Army, Classic Santa Pod, Pro Mod, Sportsman Spectacular, and Euro Finals. All featuring action from Santa Pod Raceway, new and old. Please visit this linkto see all 5 and to place your orders. International shipping is available to selected countries.

See below for photos of Chris's calendars.

POWERED is a Peter Walters Race Design company.

Thanks to Eurodragster sponsor Peter Walters of Peter Walters Race Design and POWERED Co. for this update on their products, Peter says: Looking for the perfect Christmas gift? POWERED Co. has you covered with our latest collection of t-shirts, jumpers, and hoodies!

Shop these must haves

• Christmas Trees Are For Life jumpers – festive and fun!
• Ho, Ho, Holeshot range – rev up your holiday spirit
• Future Champion kids' gear – perfect for the little ones aiming big
• Nitro: No Known Cure – fuel your passion
• Pro Mod Vice – bold design for the fearless
• And so much more!

Order now at www.powered.shop to secure delivery in time for Christmas - just place your order by 10th December

Goodale American Speedshop

Thanks to sponsorChris Goodale of Goodale American Speedshop, theyhave Lucas Slick Mist vehicle detailing packs which would be an ideal gift for any racer or car enthusiast.

Includes a bottle of spray wax , tire shine , interior detailer along with a tire shine applicator & a microfibre towel, special price for Eurodragster readers @ £25 inc. delivery with two free Goodale American Speedshop decals thrown in as well!

We also have gift vouchers available in £25, £50, £75 & £100+.To order please emailthis linkor message / call07951 121389.Goodale American Speedshop would like to thank all the custom from Eurodragster readers over the last year – it’s much appreciated.

We have big news / changes coming for 2025 – please keep an eye out on Eurodragster for details soon.

Santa Pod shop

Santa Pod Racewayhas a wide range of gift cards, gifts and branded championship apparel which you can buy online from theSanta Pod shop.

Dougie Hill, Slingshot Driver and Santa Pod Marshal writes:

Well that's a wrap on my first full season driving "Motormouse!" It has been a steep learning curve for us running our first race car as a family but we have had a fantastic first full year. We never set out any goals or targets we simply went to the track with mindset of making sure I was safe and comfortable in the car and that's all that really matters. That being said we achieved more than we could have ever dreamed this year.

We ran our first 7 second pass at the Nostalgia Nationals back in may, despite the fact that I lifted at half track. This gave us great confidence going into Dragstalgia. After many conversations and some persuasion from others we entered into the Cannonball, very much aware of the fact it was everyone in the teams first time playing with the 'Big Boys'. Of all the cars I could have match raced in the first round of the cannonball I never imagined that it would be Tim Garlick in Apache. Not only my first competitive pass but also my first pass against a nitro car. On that run we reset our PB with a 7.06 at 175mph, and what a privilege it was to race Tim!

After the highs of Dragstalgia we re-grouped and decided to enter into the Mopar Nationals so I could get some more seat time. On the Saturday we had a difficult start and struggled to get the car to settle. During the first two runs we had Roy Wilding in the other lane and it was a massive privilege to witness both Roy's first 200mph pass and his first 6 second pass from the other lane. Finally at the end of the day it was our turn and despite the tuning difficulties we had earlier in the day we managed to run our first 6 second pass. The car ran 6.96 at 197mph! Lets just say we celebrated that night!

Finally, our last even of the season was the Hot Rod Drags. Again the car fought us and we struggled all weekend to find the right tune up to keep the car from spinning and shaking the tyres. Despite this we still managed to reset our speed PB twice running a 198mph and 199mph over the weekend.

Even though it was the end of the season for us the cars work still wasn't done. I was approached by Mathew Stanley to see if we wanted to display the car at the Classic Motor Show at the NEC. We had a great weekend on the NSRA stand talking about the car and promoting drag racing and the hot rod scene in the UK. And yes nearly everyone I spoke to couldn't believe that I was driving the car at age 20.

The 2024 season was dedicated to my Pops, Bois. He's put so much time and money into that beast that I wanted him to have his big come back moment, which I really think he did!! So that meant I was doing my own data logger analysis and playing with different settings, with the mechanical help from crew chief Glen (because I'm just a girl...) this meant that Pops could concentrate on his own bike. It was a really good year of racing and I was having fun learning more about my bike, but I was really just living through Bois's successes.

After Pop's crash, I was then the only rider so I got a bit more help from Bois in order to try and run my first 7! It didn't happen... But that's the plan for next year! I'm not sure if Bois knows that yet but after reading this, he might go and have a once over of my bike down the unit! Hahah This year has reminded me how truly amazing my racing family is, and that's not even a big enough compliment! Thank you all, see you soon!

Hayden Mechaell joins us for a catch-up after his rookie season:

After all the years waiting and watching at Santa Pod Raceway and Shakespeare County Raceway it was finally my turn to send myself down the quarter mile. I turned 16 years old at the end of May 2024 which meant it was time to make a start on building my GSXR 1000 K8 drag bike. We started the build at the start of June and had it finished three weeks later ready for my first RWYB where I would be riding my bike for the first time. The same week I finished my exams at school and was at the track testing my bike. It was the 22nd of June, me and my dad (Jake Mechaell) turned up to the track ready for testing where my dad did the first two passes to make sure everything was working as it should. Which it was.

After nervously watching him whilst knowing it was my turn next, I put my leathers on and headed down to the pairing lanes. I sat in the pairing lanes waiting for my turn, the nerves had started to build considering I had only ridden a Honda Grom 125cc before. So I rode around to the burnout box and it all began…. My childhood dream was becoming a reality thanks to the surrounding support, my first pass was a full 1/4 mile pass where I ran a 9.65 @142mph. Riding back to pits with the biggest smile on my face. We cooled the bike down and were ready to go again. I had two more passes and ended the day with a 9.54 @146mph, which I couldn’t have been more proud of. Knowing I had a lot of pressure off my back and a very well-built bike ready for Summer Nationals,

I couldn’t wait to get back out. Summer Nationals 2024, what a weekend, one I will never forget! My first ever competition pass I had everyone on the start line who had watched me grow up at the track and I think it’s safe to say I proved that racing is in my blood by running a perfect ET on my first ever competition pass, which is quite possibly a first in Europe. I was the most amazing feeling riding back through the pits having everybody clapping and cheering for me. The 16 years of waiting to race finally all worth it and a weekend I will cherish for the rest of my life. Summer Nationals was done and dusted before you knew it and I qualified 1st but got knocked out in eliminations by my good friend Josh McLean.

My second event (green light nationals) was coming up, and I had managed to pick up my first sponsor which was Turbosmart, truly grateful for the support and social media advice they’ve given me. I did the test day to get some more seat time and now feeling comfortable on the bike we decided to turn it up to try and get a personal best. I rode the best I could and managed to achieved 9.12 @ 150mph by the end of the day. Saturday I headed down for qualifying and ran a 9.52 which got me into 2nd position. Going into eliminations, I had Dave Hall in round 1. Dave has watched me grow up at the track into the racer I am today. With a 48- year age gap in between Dave and I, I knew he has the most experience in the class, so I had to make sure my riding was at the best of my ability.

I took Dave out in round 1 running a 9.504 which gave me lane choice in the final against Rob Stanley. In the final, I knew I had to react as well as possible on the tree because that is one of Rob’s strong points on the track. Rob still got me on the tree, but my 9.53 at the top end against Rob’s 9.63 got me the event win, which meant so much as my dad took the event win in Super Street Bike. The next event on my calendar was one which didn’t last long as it got rained off and there were no eliminations, but I took the top spot in qualifying with another 9.53. It was that time of year, flame and thunder!

One last time to see how quick we could go, and it was also my first ever time vlogging as I have now started a YouTube channel. I was up against my dad who had a crazy run and I ran a 9.21 with a bit of wheel spin at the end of first gear with my Dad wheeling past me just before the eighth mile in spectacular fashion! Once again, that was the end of that due to the weather.

So after such a successful half a season as a 16-year-old rookie we’ll be giving everything a little freshen up and a couple of upgrades ready to compete in my first full National Championship in 2025 where I’ll continue to push my abilities as a rider and make more memories with all the JKE team and racing family!

Thank you for taking your time to read my rookie journey and I’ll see you all at the track on 2025!

Happy belated Birthday to Gasser Circus racer TomMargessonand Pro ET and NSS racer and class supporter James Oliver, we hope you had a fab day.

Happy birthday for today to BDRHoF Adviser & Selector Philip Evans, have a great day Phil! Also a Happy Birthday to Mad Welshman contributing photographer Paul Evans and to our Swedish friends former SvenskDragracingwebmaster ErikZettervalland former Pro Modified racer Lars-Inge Johansson, we hope you all have a great day!

I have been working on this project, with my team for around six months now. I am finally at a point where I can go public. Before I go any further, unlike last time, let me state categorically. I have kept Santa Pod Raceways upper management fully aware and been fully transparent regarding this project. I would like to personally thank Santa Pod CEO Keith Bartlett for his wisdom, advise and offer of support regarding Manston. The sport of Drag Racing needs to move forward together.

Drag Racing needs grass roots facilities, to enable teams to learn their skills and gravitate to National Event Competition.

2025 will see the birth of Manston Raceway Park at Manston Airport, Kent. There is great potential here, we intend to run 1/8^th mile No Prep and potentially ¼ mile if there is demand for it.

We are currently working on a tentative schedule, which will be published as soon as we have things finalised. We are attempting to run our schedule around other peoples, so as to avoid date clashes as much as possible.

To make this become a reality, we need help from our great drag racing community. The part of Manston Airport we intend to use, has no infrastructure whatsoever. Just like in the old days before we had permanent dragstrips like Santa Pod. We need to bring everything, just like North Weald used to be.

This is an opportunity for us all to have a dragstrip in the South, Manston, located on the Kent coast near Broadstairs, is an ex WW2 base is so close to the sea, the air quality will be outstanding. The main runway is 1.75 miles long, it has been well maintained and offers a wonderful opportunity.

We need help to make this happen, we need to provide a lot of infrastructure. We need Power, Lighting, Fencing, Barriers, Radio system for onsite communication, Cones, Signage, Banners, Security, Crew Uniforms, Portable Building, Telemaster, Tractor, Flatbed Truck, water storage, rubbish disposal, even Toilet Facilities. We need partners to help us out, to make this a reality, people who are willing to help us out with supply of equipment or preferential rates.

In exchange we can provide signage to recognise your contribution and promote your companies. Or just straightforward sponsorship money to enable us to spend money on the infrastructure we need. Nowadays these kind of venues are expensive to run, we want to invest in equipment, no just rent what we need, to build a solid foundation.

Next we will need volunteers to help run the facility, we will need Track Staff, marshals, Timing Crew, stewards. Very importantly we will need a Fire Crew and Medical Crew, Fire and Medical Equipment, the list is pretty long.

We need everything to keep people safe and the venue run as professionally and safely as we possibly can. Will mistakes happen? Will lessons need to be learnt? Of course they will, but we will always be trying our best, in the end, it’s up to everyone who becomes involved and attends to shape this into a great, friendly and enjoyable place to spend time at. I will also state right from the get-go, we do not know how long we will be able to host events at Manston Airport. We do know that 2025 is secure, from there it will be a year-to-year deal, so let’s get as much racing in as we can, while we can.

Our small team simply cannot do this without a lot of help, there is too much to do.

So ANYONE OR ANY COMPANY who thinks that they might be able to help, with equipment, sponsorship or time, please contact me via email by clicking hereor call Paul on 07831 650230 or on my Facebook page at this link.

We have had some great people help us out in the past, so hopefully this will happen again.

We have formed an organising club which is called NPRC No Prep Racers Club, it currently has a small number of members, people can support us by joining the club, details of membership will be published very soon.

The Facebook page is Manston Raceway Park, please like and share the page.

Congratulations to the official winners of the final round of the 2024Malta National Drag Racing Championship, which was organised at the Hal Far track by the Malta Drag Racing Association from weekend.

Bracket Results QTM November 2024 - Round 5

• Best Reaction Time:Chris Mercieca
• Bracket 12.00-12.49:Keith Pace def.Chris Muscat
• Bracket 11.00-11.49:Owen Cremona def.Michael Caruana
• Bracket 10.50-10.99:Joe Ashton def.Matthew Attard
• Bracket 10.00-10.49:Clinton Degiorgio
• Bracket 9.50-9.99:Johann Camilleri def.Marius Muscat
• Bracket 9.00-9.49:Harvey Bhogal def.Jamie Felice

M/C Results QTM November 2024 - Round 5

• M/Cycle Index 8.5:Mark Magro def.Jayent Bawari
• M/Cycle All Motor Class:Daniel Degaetano def.Travis Merite
• M/C SS1 Class:Luke Farrugia
• M/Cycle Open Class:Shawn Buttigieg

November 2024 - QTM November 2024 - Round 5

• Open Class 1:Paul Fenech def.Stephen Xuereb
• Extreme 2 Class:Dinev Konstantin def.Nathan Bartolo
• CA6 Class:David Swift
• FWD Open Class:Fotis Chondropoulos def.Joachim Schumacher
• DTF Class:Duncan Micallef
• SM5 Class: (1st)Luca Mangion, (2nd)Aiden Bianco, (3rd)Zeldon Fenech, (4th)Keithian Camilleri, (5th)Trizianne Vella
• Diesel Open Class: (1st)Jose Realista, (2nd)Francesco Gallo, (3rd)Riccardo Malheiro
• Wild Street Class:Ryan Borg
• D 4 Class: (1st)Tyson Debono, (2nd)Roderick Fenech, (3rd)Reuben Scicluna
• D 5 Class:Cliton Abdilla
• Promod Class:Andres Anover def.Riivo Sinijarv
• FWD Open 9.0 Class:Yurgen Cassar def.Jurgen Caruana
• FWD Open 10.0 Class: (1st)Chris Mercieca, (2nd)Joseph Zammit, (3rd)Luke Spiteri
• Diesel Truck Class:Tommy Agius
• Escort Class 2: (1st)Mariano Ciantar, (2nd)Martin Scerri, (3rd)Paul Fenech
• Escort Class 3:Rosello Cassar
• Open 6 Class:Matthew Carabott

Lixxu Racing’s Cosworth YB Mk1 Escort just ran a 6.909 at a huge 200 MPH to reclaim the record for the Worlds Quickest Mk1 Escort! Congratulations.

Andres Arnover becomes the first ever door car to run a 5 second pass in Malta!Congratulations

Kieranwill be contributing galleries from the the MDRA National Finals at Hal Far Raceway last weekend. we will publish them once received and loaded to the events page, supported byJohn Woolfe Racing. We also link to Kieran's superb video of Escort Mk1 action by clicking here.

The above pictures takem from MK1Kieran Facebook. More media can be seen at the following links:

• Konrad D'Anastasi- Youtube videos.
• Alex Buttigieg- Facebook album.
• Samuels's Photography- Facebook post by Samuel Mifsud.
• DLP automotive- Facebook post by Dylan Darmanin.
• Pudgey's Pictures- Facebook post by Callum Pudge.

Thanks to RemcoScheelings fromautosport.nlfor this article on his visit to Malta last weekend for theThe Haltech National Finals, Hal Far Raceway:

The Haltech National Finals presented by Race Winning Brands is the biggest and most important drag race of the year on Malta. Drag racing on Malta? Yes, with Hal-Far Raceway the island, which is only twice as big as Texel, has a real drag strip and the sport is also extremely popular there. High time to visit the beautiful and hospitable island and these National Finals

You can read on this article by clicking here.

Deaclan Butt, runner up in the championship in Junior Drag Bike joins us and writes:

My name is Declan Butt, and i compete in the Eurodragster.Com Junior Drag Bike series here in the United Kingdom. I had a hard but productive 2024 season finishing 2nd in the championship. Over the winter we are planning to stripe the bike, from frame and engine to wheels, tyres and the fuel system. We are also planning on new body work and paint. Next season we hope to do the FIM rounds as well as the SPRC rounds. We also looking for sponsors for next season to help us get out in the FIM rounds and maybe Germany.

In the 2024 season, we had multiple problems with the bike. In round 1 blowing up the battery which led to us being lent a bike. Then having our own bike back for the Festival of Power, but not running correctly, we were struggling. Luckily we were lent a bike for the next 2 rounds which got us running and getting a win. The last two events of the year, we had a new bike, a Honda CBR 400rr which was aquired and transformed into a drag bike in only 6 nights, with lots of help for great people. This got us to lead the championship after round 4, but left us with an open mind for the rest of the year. After getting used to the bike we went to the last event 2nd with some catching up two do. We qualified 7th which left us fair for eliminations. We managed to get all the way to the the semi finals, but the event was called because of weather and we finished 2nd in the championship.

Not to shabby for my first full season in Junior Drag Bike, I think you will agree.

Marc Huxley gives us the updates from last season and the idea of what might happen next:

Hey all… So a few little changes happening with the car and just some small upgrades. First of all the Corolla engine has gone to ASD engines to Steve and Trevor to me refreshed and ready for another full season and we also plan to do some port matching to gain a little more out the motor to try and gain a new PB (9.69) Other thing is I’m making my own bead lock rear wheels to tidy them up and getting rear wheels anodised to match my fronts .. Other than that no more serious work Dad has recently bought his Mercury comet back and we are doing some small upgrades to maybe do a full season in Nostalgia Super Stock as well as tidying up the car. Hoping to get it to run low 14s maybe 13s.

Time will tell.

Ellie Brown joins the group with her feelings for the 2024 season:

The 2024 season was not what we planned for in all honesty. We expected to start the season in Super Pro, but as the start of the season arrived we came to the conclusion that the car was no where near read. With that in mind we decided to do the first event still in my Junior Dragster. We managed to get the car sorted in time for Summer Nationals, but as I was just getting my license I was just tagging along. We then realised because of my age I was only allowed to go 150mph, so we decided to join super comp.

As the next event was right round the corner we had to clean the new trailer, it was a lot harder than the old one we had. The size of the new one is double than our last one. We set everything up for The Euro Finals not expecting anything spectacular, but ended up loving the class that we picked and I don’t think we’ll be leaving anytime soon. We were excited for National finals, but we only got 1 qualifier then the event was rained off, what a way to end the year. We are so grateful to everyone in Super Comp, the way they welcomed us, they have been nothing but nice and helpful as we’re still learning how to slow the car down.

Let’s bring on 2025!!

Happy belated Birthday for to Pro Modified racer Annie Wallace, and Maltese Escort Mk1 racer Paul Fenech. hope you had a great day Annie and Paul.

Happy Birthday today to Santa Pod Raceway startline marshal Bob Day, to Pro ET racers Geoff Cowley and Tim Stanbury, to Gasser Circus racer and Junior Dragster grandad Tony Pearson, and to FWD racers Simon Crowley and Haider Jalal. We hope you had a fantastic day.

Simon Campbell, Crew Chief for the "Storm" Funny Bike writes:

So with the season over it's time to strip storm down and make a few adjustments ready for the 2025 season. First of all we have removed the plenum and fuel rail so we can fit the new fueltech 320 injectors into it and closer to the inlet and also allowing the fuel rail to be lower on the engine making it easier to remove at the track instead of having to remove the centre bar of the bike...

Luckily mike hand is an engineering master and has been happily working away in his workshop making the new inserts all ready for welding in.

There are many more things we need to complete before the season starts and I will keep you all updated including some updates on the new engine we're building for 2026..

Bob Hawkins shares his thoughts after the 2024 season:

When the fans have all gone home. Bob Hawkins, a workshop insight…..

Drag racing is often defined by the few exhilarating seconds where raw power and precision come together in a heart-pounding spectacle of noise, smells and sheer sensory overload!
However, as many fans and racers well know there are many countless hours spent in workshops up and down the country, where teams work relentlessly in order to push to the very limits of their machines, sometimes beyond.Here’s a brief look into my own workshop as we prepare Time Traveller II for the 2025 season:

So, it’s last things first!

We always strip and check every component on the chassis which always starts at the very rear of the car and then we work our way forward in an orderly fashion from there. Once the chutes and lines have been thoroughly inspected along with the safety cage and all its many components such as the wheelie bars etc, it’s then time to move on to the rear axle, a Strange 9” ,bolt though unit with a ‘spool’ and 40 splined, gun drilled axles. That process is currently being carried out as I write.

This year I cheated a little and removed the transmission beforehand as I was extremely keen to see how the clutches had stood up to a tough season of tyre shake, .9sec 60’s, a new WB et record (6.43) and several other forms of abuse we though at it. Our transmission is a two speed Powerglide with top gear being a direct drive. The unit has been modified to withstand Promod levels of torque and horsepower. I think this is a fairly unique setup for a nitro burning FED but then we do love to be different in breaking the mould sometimes.Anyhow, I’m delighted to report that everything in the case looks like new which was very much to my surprise but excellent news! The unit has now been fully rebuilt with new 10pack clutches and bushings etc, it’s all ready to refit once the rear end inspection is complete.

The next extremely important job is of cause the engine, while I’ve made a start on this, there is a massive amount of work still to be done here. Firstly our ‘cobbled together’ 496ci ( A Chevy Big Block with an OEM iron truck block) is to be removed and then the 427ci block is to be rebuilt with a new spec, that spec is a secret for now! This is the engine to be fitted in the chassis for the start of next year. This then leaves a lovely fresh 454ci iron block on the stand, I bought this last year as a replacement spare. I’ll build this up into a short block along with rebuilding our good old faithful 496 yet again, so everything’s ready for some fresh action. It may seem a lot of engines for just the one car but remember these are nitro builds running anywhere up to 75%. Engine parts take time to arrive from the USA so in order not to miss any rounds next year, all the engines may well get used at some point during the course of the season!I could go on but for now that’s a small insight into what we do along with one or two other projects during and between seasons.I do post workshop updates on my FB page fairly regularly if anyone is interested in following our progress over the winter and into next year.

So remember:

“If anyone ever thought the thrill of drag racing ends when the engine shuts off, think again, see you at the track!…..Bob

Thomas Cook-Abbott joins us too in the drivers diaries, with an insight to the coming season(and past one):

So the bike thing - pretty sudden wasn’t it. I’d like to say it’d been planned for months that I was going get a bike, it wasn’t. Start of the season I didn’t want a bike. In fact I’ve never wanted a bike. Then I started crewing for Brad Head in 8.50 bike and I saw a new side to racing, got introduced to new people. I learnt a lot about the bikes. Thats the first time I was open-minded to bikes, seeing how the logistics of it all works, and how it would all work out better for me. I then continued crewing for Brad and building my car, with the cost of everything going up and up and still not having a car to race; I thought I’ll start looking around for bikes, but if I’m going to get one it’ll be a V-Twin with a slick and bars.

Thats the only bike I’ll own. All this was at the further most rear part of my brain, I haven’t even told anyone yet! Then I started crewing for Scotty Crookston on his bike. And that’s when I got a bit more open-minded to the bikes, accidentally asking Jake Mechaell how much a 9.50 bike would cost to build, and hanging out with Hayden who had just started riding his 9.50. Fast forward to the season end and I continue buying bits for the car with Charlotte (gearbox etc), when I get something sent to me by Scotty and tagged in something by Jake - it’s a bike for sale, not too expensive nice looking, and it’s raced before. Issue’s being I can’t store it anywhere, and I can’t get it to the racetrack.

All pretty big issues when owning a race vehicle. Then Scotty messaged saying, ‘I can help you store it, and I’ll bring it to the track for you’. Well problem solved, just the small issue of getting the blessing from my family. So I ring my mum, she says go for it. Not the answer I wanted so I call my dad, ‘he says I think you’re an idiot, but it’s your money’. Damn it. Third time lucky, I’ll call Charlotte and say I’m going to buy it, she’ll obviously say no as it’ll mean pausing the dragster build. She says ‘yeah good idea, do it’.

So next thing I’m on the phone and putting a deposit down on the bike. Issue now is it’s in Yeovil and I’m in Tamworth, and the bike needs to get to Scotland. So I message Brad Head and ask if he can lend a hand. He said no. So I asked him again but really nicely, and he said, ok but there is a straightliners event at Pod next weekend I’ll take it to that! Ok cool, so it goes to Pod. I’m still thinking if I don’t like it I’ll just sell it. Easy peasy. Well if you don’t know how I felt about it, watch the vlog! I loved it! Fingers crossed I’ll be out next year doing a full season in 9.50 or Et Bike. Haven’t decided yet! So from not wanting a bike, to wanting a slick and bars twin, to getting a street-tired GSXR.

All within a year!

Bring on 2025!

Thank you to everyone who forced me to do this, and thank you to all the kind words from everyone after the reveal!

Thank you to Martin Hallett for the lovely bike! Byee

In my 50th year of racing, I wanted to run these numbers to give me the chance to be in the mix of the best in the world, who would have thought a humble mechanic from Preston, England could even try.

After my last issues with throttle pedal, the team and I decided to bite the bullet and get our own poured seat in Gary Leverich's car, we made the trip to Michigan and did just that. While I'm sat in the seat letting it cure, I realised if my foot slipped down it could alter the angle, so we decided to put a custom carbon heel for a belt and braces, now the problem of me coming off throttle is finally sorted.

Gary added adjustable skid plates to help maintain more consistent launches and then it was time to head to Maple Grove in Pennsylvania for the 1st NHRA meets. All the heavy hitters there and 19 entries. Aidan, Jacob, Claudio, Dan and I manged to get super cheap flights, while Gary and his brother Dan did the long haul driving to the track. Once arrived we set up and got ready for qualifying!

Qualifying came and we did the warm-up for round one, but we only started on one mag? We switched the harness, but same thing happened it went to straight into mag and then both fired, we then knew it was ok to switch the coils wires and point the boxes the same. Now we investigated the MSD grid and managed to get one of Todd Paton's guy over from PDS, who added his spare grid on, and it started on that mag. He left and we thought it was fixed, so we put everything back together. Annoyingly it did the same thing again!

After further investigations we realised it was defaulted to only one mag, we checked the command module to discover the voltage was set high at 19 volts. The team and I decided to contact Leahy who said that’s normal, we decided to miss qualifying session one to get the batteries fully charged. After charging we tried it again and it worked!! How bizarre that letting the batteries get low it causes one of mags not start.

Qualifying 2 came and we were up against Scott Farley who failed to fire up, so I nailedthe tree with a 0.045 light,but then dropped a cylinder and the crew shut me off beforehand, good job as the fuel pump clamp shook loose, we dodged a bullet to what could have been a disaster.

So, it was decided that we couldn't afford to do elimination round 1 flat out and we watched rest of the qualifying session. Sat on the bump at 3.89 expecting not to qualify, but Shaun Reed only ran 4.11 and Scott Farley and Rit Pustari ran even slower making us to move up and qualify for the elimination rounds.

Only problem now was the money due the burnt blower strips, and the boost was down, but having no more funds for fresh blower it was decided and the risk of dropping a cylinder. We super prepared the car for first round against Justin Ashley the super kid who is currently leading the points, we worked more on that cursed throttle pedal. After driver introduction for the fans, we finally got ready for the run.

Perfect burnout, staged the car and launched .088 light, but the blower was off, and we dropped a cylinder and pitched the belt, Justin was long gone on a 3.75. At least my foot didn't move.

What a great weekend and six personal best, incremental in my 50th year, so enough to keep me fired up for next season. Watch this space.

Mantorp Park have release today on Facebook ajam-packed calendar for 2025! Mark the dates and gear up for a fast-paced year of great events for everyone!26th-27th April.

• 23rd-24th May
• 28th May
• 6th-8th June
• 12th-15th June
• 24th-27th July
• 1st-2nd August
• 22nd-23rd August
• 5th-7th September
• 19th-20th September

See you at Mantorp Park 2025 - Sweden's National Arena for Motorsport!

Thanks to Paul "No Prep" Marston for contacting Eurodragster.com with this update, Paul writes:

Everything happens for a reason, or so they say. Sometimes the timing isn't as you wantit to be, but if it happens, that's all that matters.

I have an exciting new development that will in a small way change Drag Racing in the UK for the better. However, I am still currently in the States on a fact-finding vacation. So, the timing is off. I was hoping to be in a position to be able to announce this before I departed, but it is what it is.

Have plans for the winter?

Feel the need to share?

Looking for that extra sponsor for next year, perhaps share you winter plans with friends?

We are planning to get something together for our Winter Series called "Drivers Diaries".

We want your plans, from past, present and future. What was the 2024 season for you, the highs and the lows. Build plans, new cars, old cars, stories, ideas and whatever you feel like sharing.

Drop Graham an email atdrivers diaries email with some words and we will include in our weekly updates on Eurodragster.com.

Keep posting your updates to keep all in the Drivers Diaries loop.

The Final European Race of the season is back!
Haltech National Finals presented by Race Winning Brands

The stage is set, Champions will be crowned, Records will be broken, the place will be packed. The last weekend of Drag Racing in Europe.

Top Fuel, the quickest and fastest Imports in Europe, 6 Second bikes, all gathered at the same venue, along with more to be confirmed.

Buy your spectator tickets online, Secure your spot by clicking here

A live stream will be available until Sunday on the Motors MT Facebook page, and you can also read about individual performances from the Facebook pages ofMalta Drag Racing,Mk1Kieran, andEuropean FWD.

The bike couldn't run at Santa Pod Flame and Thunder due to delays because of the British weather but Graham Sykes and the team needed to know what the latest changes to the Rocket nozzles were going to make in improved times and speeds so they hired Elvington along with Straightliners and UK&ITA official timekeepers to run the bike against the clocks.

The Straightliners team set the track up on surveyed points that are used for world speed record verification. The points used at Elvington on runway 26 were set at the following increments: 60.0 ft, 330.0 ft (1/16th mile), 660.0 ft (1/8th mile) and 1320.0 ft (1/4 mile). Tag Heuer timing equipment was used for timing each distance with an individual clock used for each increment. Timing beams once set up, were tested and confirmed as working correctly.

The Force of Nature team planned to run twice during the day, with the aim of testing and collating data on the performance of the new nozzle configuration. To ensure this could be achieved during the daylight hours available, it meant starting the heating process early, at 5.00 am to run at 10.30 am. All went to plan, and the sun was soon up turning the early morning gloom into a beautiful day with not a cloud in the sky and no wind. - Perfect conditions.

With Phil Wood riding as Graham had damaged his shoulder previously, the bike was taken up to the start line and removed from the mother ship transportation trolley. With Phil on the bike and the front wheel positioned up against the timing jig, Graham armed the bike and removed the safety pins. Phil gave Graham a nod followed by a short count down from 5 to 1. The button was pressed!

The bike left the line and seconds later history was made, with the clocks stopping at: 60 ft 0.723 seconds 330 ft 1.968 seconds 660 ft 3.284 seconds and 1320 ft 6.165 seconds.

The speeds were taken from their data logging and were: 60 ft 98 mph, 330 ft 173 mph, 660 ft 164 mph and 1320 ft 149 mph

The bike powered for 1.902 seconds and coasted the rest of the 1/4 track.

As far as we are aware, these are the fastest ever incremental times to the 1/8th mile by a 2 wheeler.

With the bike back in the awning, at 11.00 am everyone observed the minutes silence for the fallen, then work started to get a second run in before dark. A change of nozzle inserts to test, and the super pure deionised water filled into the bike and the burner was set off again to start the heating process for its second run of the day.

By 4.15 pm the bike was taken up to the start line and as the sun was setting, the bike again launched hard off the line to another fantastic run. Although not as fast as the first run, Phil still managed a 0.759 60 ft 1.981 seconds 330 ft 3.313 second 660 ft and a 6.243 1320 ft

A great end to an amazing day.

We have been told that the design and building of a new larger pressure vessel and valve assembly has started, which will increase the duration by around 1 second.

Lets wish Graham and the team well for 2025.

Pictures taken from Straightliners website and credited to David Taylor

Drag and drift spectators no need to pre book for this event Saturday 16th November just turn up on the day.

Online bookings are open with space left for the next drag and drift.

Drag strip driver/rider you can enter by clicking here. Drift driver link you can enter by clicking this link.

Camping can be booked online here.Spectate or take part at Spitfire Raceway. Spectators £10 per person under 16s go free.

Drag race from £15 after admission. Crash helmet and full driving licence required.

Show & shine no charge after admission

All vehicles are welcome at spitfire raceway Cornwall

• Gates open at 8am
• Track action 11am to 3pm

Don’t forget to you can camp on site. Enjoy the events and the local area.

All vehicles have a safety check for drag racing and drifting.

Drag strip riders and drivers meeting at race control 10.45am *Please respect the surrounding areas and speed limits when travelling to and from this event,

Jerry Cookson wrote: Sam Connell started his racing career in October 1974 with a stock 327ci Camaro, the engine compartment of which fairly gleamed every time the bonnet was raised. Best time was a 15.4s, very respectable in view of the restrictions placed on competitors racing in the NDRC (National Drag Racing Club) Production classes. However, further up the class listing was a guy called Bob Byrne who was dominating the class with a 396ci Camaro, running high 13s. Bob decided to retire the car in early 1976, so Sam sold his 327 Camaro and purchased Bob’s 396 version. Instant performance. For the rest of 1976, Sam was more than happy with its results and the way the car was performing. It was also about this time that sponsors Red Devil Incorporated of New Jersey came along.

During the 1977 season, Sam became more and more competitive, eventually lowering the class B Production record to 13.35/105. However, low thirteen’s came at a price when he kept breaking the Muncie four-speed transmission. Not once, but twice. This eventually sidelined Sam for the rest of the season with the dilemma of how to pay for it.

Red Devil Inc were approached again. They said yes, and a new B&M Turbo 400 was purchased from the states. They also paid for a brand new Holley 3310 carburettor, TRW low compression pistons and cam and valve gears from Crane Cams.

The result was a step up the ladder into Modified where he not only won a few races, but also claimed the C/Modified class records for the quarter (12.45/109) and an 8.52/90 over the eighth at Long Marston. Not bad for a car that was daily driven to the races. Then came the offer he couldn’t refuse. With help, again from Red Devil Inc, Sam purchased Wiffy Smith’s former ‘Insurance In Motion’ Pro Stock Chevy Nova, later running a Gen 2 Camaro.

The '69 Camaro was later sold to Phil Turk who raced it as Rampage then after being sold, Peter Taylor ran it on the street, with the twin Dominator carbs replaced by a single Holley on the 468cu in engine. Sadly it was rolled in 2002, but the body was restored.

We atEurodragster.comsend our deepest condolences to Sam's family and friends.

Sweden’s man in black, Rikard Gustafsson eased to the 2024 FIM-E Top Fuel championship winning three events and runner-up in the remaining two and posting some quick and consistent numbers along the way. While the Falkenberg based RG Engineering team plans for 2025 are slightly up in the air, Gustafsson welcomes a new sponsor on board for the forthcoming season.

You can read the full article by visitingthis link.

For Jonny Lagg the 2024 season started as a nightmare with seven ‘up in smokes’ and no decent ET on the scoreboards. The first turning point was the semifinal at the SpeedEvents Internationals where the Swede suddenly stormed to a winning 5.31 seconds. With the problems solved, Lagg ran a string of 5.3-second runs to claim wins at the Summit Racing Equipment Internationals and Hockenheim, and the 2024 FIA European Top Methanol title as the final result.

You can read the full article by visitingthis link.

Happy belated Birthday to Top Alcohol Funny car crew chiefJörgen Leanders, we hope you had a fantastic day Jörgen!

For those interested in the detailed results, including winners' circle photos, of theHaltech World Cup Finals Import vs Domesticrace you can see the final official results atimportvsdomestic.com.

Happy Birthday to former Eurodragster.com Editor Tog, have a great day on your annual birthday trip from us all at Eurodragster.com. Ain't No Saint builder and racer Lee Johnstone, Super Pro ET racer Robert Doyle and VW Pro Racer Dave Crowhurst. We hope you all have an enjoyable day.

Also a BIG Happy 50th Birthday to Victoria Smith,we all hope you have a great day Victoria.

Happy belated Birthday for yesterday to Walters Motorsport crew and team mumJulie Walters, Top Methanol Dragster racerPetteri Liimatainenand slo-mo videographerSteve Kelly. Hope you all had a wonderful day to all.

This story takes a look at a selection of witness accounts from the 1st British International Drag Festival in 1964. Some are taken from our previous ‘Pioneer Stories’ and all feature people who, blown away by the American drag racers, became hooked and got involved with the growing UK drag racing scene. Some were inspired to build their own machines and race, becoming top drag racers themselves..

Story produced byNick Pettittand published by editor of Eurodragster.com Chris Winn.

You can view this story byclicking here.

Good luck and stay safe to Nitro Revival sponsorGeoff Stilwellas he flies to Los Angeles tomorrow (Tuesday) with crew members Nick Davies, Rob Loaring and Scott Barnes following closely behind with an important new addition to the 7707's mechanical setup.

Geoff said "We will be racing at El Mirage next weekend 9th-10th November, and all are welcome to come to see us. We're sad the dates make attendance at Nitro Revival impossible for us, but spectators may be able to do both events as Nitro Revival is on 8th-9th November.

"The part that Nick and Rob will be fitting at Mick's Paint workshop in Pomona is a new oil pan. The oil gets so cold at night in El Mirage that conventional oil heaters are not enough to get the oil flowing properly and the block heated. The temperature gets down close to zero celsius compared to 24-28 degrees during the day. In fact, it took so much energy to turn over the engine with its 14:71 blower that some teeth broke off the blower drive.

"The new oil pan will enable heaters to blow hot air into the the area of the pan. Nick, Rob and Scott will fit it on Wednesday, and we will load on Thursday and drive out early Friday."

"After the event, Rob will be staying to remove the rear axle, trans and clutch for them and the trans blanket to be recertified over the winter. In the US you have to be early in the queue for recertification or you could face a long wait. Fortunately B&J who certify trans parts, and Brad Anderson Engineering who will service the cylinder heads provide excellent help to us.

"If you're lucky enough to come and join us you will be able to see us and a couple of legends, Arley Langlo who has run 300mph at El Mirage, and Danny Thompson who will be taking the wheel of the Ferguson Streamliner with its Ardun-Flathead combination which has been at 241mph."

If you can't make it to El Mirage, watch the live stream on Youtube at the Gearhead Garage channel.

The BDRHoF Benevolent fund was established as a Registered Charity to provide benefit to people involved with drag racing who are in need of financial support through injury, accident or financial circumstances, including organisations which operate in drag racing but also for the public benefit. Money raised by donations and fund raising goes back into the sport.

Throughout the year fundraising for the charity has gathered momentum with the sale of BDRHoF Benevolent Fund stickers and involvement at Speed Weekend 2024, as well as continued support from BDRHoF Ltd., at Dragstalgia. Tickets for the raffle, purely for the benefit of the BDRHoF Benevolent fund, will be on sale during Saturday at the Gala Dinner at £5 a ticket with 5 tickets for £20.

We are very appreciative of the donations of prizes received from Santa Pod Raceway, AMP Audio Solutions, Oatlands Park Hotel, Santa Pod Racers Club, Undertaker Racing & Ashdown Bulk Haulage, Andy Thetford & 1^stAirport Taxis, Leah Kellett & Team Dolly Daydream, Team Twister, Three Brothers Brewing and a special prize donation from Pete Dodd. We would like to thank all of them for their continued support

Prizes include a Fender Stratocaster Snap On electric guitar worth over £200, one nights bed and breakfast for two at theOatlands Park Hotel, 2 weekend tickets to Dragstalgia at Santa Pod Raceway, brewery tour for 4 at Three Brothers Brewing, wine hamper worth over £100, The Ivy Group restaurant voucher worth £100, a luxury food hamper and luxury handmade chocolate hamper - all perfect with Christmas fast approaching!

If you would like to become involved with fundraising for the BDRHoF Benevolent Fund, our trustee Nicola Marshall, will be happy to chat with you and can be contacted at this link.Also if you would like to discuss the possibility of a grant for you or someone you know who is in need, please again contact Nicola with details so this can be discussed further.

From the drag racing community. For the drag racing community.

Pat started in the early 1970s with his fibreglass skills initially predominant. In 1970 The Hillbillies ran a steel Topolino with injected 283 then they took it along to Pat Cuss who made the first of many glass Topolino bodies from it. They came out in '71 with the glass body fitted along with an injected 454 Rat. Pat's business name was Fibreglass Applications, but as well as crewing on cars initially, he got into painting other cars, such as Ray Hoare's Saxon dragster and car construction.

He got involved with a Jag engined 100e called 'Old Smokey'. Pat then made a fibreglass front end and boot lid and did a lot of modifications to the body and chassis to put a Pontiac motor in it but before he finished it he sold it in 1974 to to Little Big Horn / Fire Injun driver Jason Smith and Steve Short, Roy Fursman joining the team shortly afterwards.

In 1975 Pat joined the ranks of Top Dragster, and Pro Comp which was growing fast as a class. His first dragster, powered by a 354cu in nitro injected Chrysler Hemi engine, was the short wheelbase slingshot Ratcatcher, with an abbreviated Topolino body. The car, updated for current regs and minus the Topolino body, is still campaigned after almost 50 years by Terry Clifford. Pat broke into the eights at 170+ in Ratcatcher. During this period Pat raced at Santa Pod, Long Marston and Aintree in the Pro Comp Championship, but was outclassed in performance by the blown alcohol cars.

Pat debuted a rear engined car in 1977 with the blown hemi combination that had become dominant in the Pro Comp. Pat constructed the car with team partner Bob Ashley from the then-latest US thoughts on dragster construction and included aluminium body panels painted by Pat. The open cockpit was supplanted by the streamliner for 1978, his Bel Ray Streamliner described by many as one of the most beautiful dragsters constructed.

After 1978, Pat decided to quit racing and the Bel Ray Streamliner minus the streamliner panels went to John Dowse who raced it in Pro Comp in 1988 for a couple of years. The whereabouts of it since are a mystery.

He produced many altered and funny car bodies over the years as well as constructing his cars and cars for others (the 1978 Datsun West End car which came back out 10 years later as Mo Blackburn's Jigsaw II car).

In later years he became a stalwart of the model flying fraternity. Pat's funeral was held on 28th October. We send our deepest condolences to his family and friends.

Photos courtesy Andy Brough, Dave Gibbons and Keith Lee

Following up on the race report from Melbourne round 8, which was published on 9th October It was reported that the "Force of Nature" Steam Rocket bike ran a 0.78 second 60 ft time and stated that only 1 vehicle had gone quicker by 1/1000th of a second, a 0.779 second 60 ft from Sammy Miller in "Vanishing Point".

We have been informed that Sammy Millers time stated is not his quickest, and it has been pointed out that he ran a 0.408 second 60 ft on 08.07.1984. We have been advised that this time was extrapolated from the 0-100 mph time of 0.36 seconds as there were no 60 ft beams.

Straightliners retract our comparison and apologise for any confusion this may have caused.

Motor Sports Announcer - Writer Bob Beckannounced on thisFacebook page earlier this week with this official statement from Steve Gibbs:

As announced by Track Operator Tim Huddleston earlier this morning, Irwindale Speedway will cease operations at the end of 2024. Although it was an announcement we've been expecting for some time, the reality of losing another racing facility will have a major impact on motorsports...and in particular, Nitro Revival.

While it obviously means that our upcoming event will be our final production at Irwindale, Cindy and I have every intention of producing future Nitro Revival events. Talks are now in progress regarding alternative sites and plans for 2025, and we expect to make a detailed announcement very soon.

We are absolutely dedicated and committed to continue our efforts in presenting events that celebrate the unforgettable cars and unique individuals from the golden ages of hot rodding and drag racing.

Nitro Revival is not going away.

We invite our loyal participants and fans to join us on November 8th and 9th for our farewell to Irwindale. With your continued support, we look forward to future Nitro Revival events for years to come.