Malmgren takes a curve.
31st January: Swedish Pro Stock racer Michael Malmgren is set for 2018 after what he says was a pretty good 2017:

We were pleased considering the tough competition. We had a good shot at runner-up spot for a while but due to a tyre problem at Hockenheim we lost to a strong-running Stefan Ernryd in the first round and that ruined our chances. So then we focused on securing third place, Thomas Lindström was too far back to catch us. So #3 on the Black Devil is OK, much better than our achievment in 2016.

Our Bob Ingles engine performed very well and we had no issues whatsoever during 2017. This gave us a boost for 2018. The engine is back at Bob's shop in NY and he is working on more power and will give it a slightly different power curve which we believe will be better, so things ae looking good there.

All of this would be impossible without the support of our USA Performance parts manufactors Strange Engineering, Diamond Pistons, Trend Performance, Victory Valves, Dynotech Driveshafts, ARP Fasteners, MSD Ignition, Fel Pro, Speed Pro, Aeromotive Fuel System, VP Racing Fuels, Braswell Carburators, Richmond Gears, PAC Valve Springs and MBE Cylinder Heads.

I have a very good team who all take this very seriously and they will all be with me again in 2018: Bjarne Cox, Kent Jonson, Kent Eriksson, Tomas Jonsson, Michaela Malmgren and Monica Bengtsson.

We will do some pre-season testing at Malmö Raceway so that we are ready to dump the clutch at the new Santa Pod super track at the end of May.


Swift snippets.
31st January: Darren Orthodoxou writes that Robin Orthodoxou and his Comp Eliminator altered team are ready for 2018 but that this season may be their last. "We are on track to get the car finished on time", says Darren. "However after to a death in the family over 2017 European Finals weekend the house where our racing operation is based is to be sold. This means that we are without a racing headquarters, nowhere to store the car, equipment or van and we are not in a position financially to rent a space large enough. Unless we have some kind of miracle or someone can help us we are screwed and may have to sell up. It kills me because I haven't even managed to get into the hot seat."


Thanks to MSA British Championship PR Robin Jackson for forwarding us these shots of Pro Modified racer and Eurodragster.com sponsor Andy Robinson collecting his 2017 MSA British Drag Racing Championship trophy at the MSA's Trophy Evening at the Royal Automobile Club on Saturday. Above left Andy is presented with his trophy by FIA Deputy President (Sport) Graham Stoker.


All welcome to the Isle.
31st January: Ian Merryweather writes that the Manx Drag Racing Association and Straightliners invite all two- and four-wheeled racers to race at Jurby on the Isle of Man:

There are three two-day events to choose from:

7th-8th April: Season Opener
30th May-1st June: Tynwald Drags
1st-2nd September: Pokerstars Drag Fest


Jurby Raceway has undergone many changes over the years but none more so than in 2017 with a new track location and layout and new concrete start line. In July 2017 the Gasser Circus were first to lay down the rubber, followed by a bunch of Outlaws from the Supercharged and Anglia brigade at the September Pokerstars Drag Fest. The new start line instantly paid dividends with each racers' runs bettering their last. The track record of 9.4 seconds, set by Ben Rushforth in V12-powered Jag altered the previous year, was bettered by Sam Freeman at the Pokerstars Drag Fest on his first run down the quarter at 8.98/135 then he raised the bar on every run to finish the weekend with a record of 8.78/163.


There is also the opportunity to take in one of the UK's most beautiful destinations for a short holiday break. Visit www.visitisleofman.com and see that the Isle of Man could be what you are looking for. A package deal with the ferry company Isle of Man Steampacket Holidays offers racers discounts for these events but you must book using the E-Mail info@steampacketholidays.com or phone 01624 645777 and ask for the Straightliners Drag Racing event package for the weekend you wish to attend.

The main concern which racers have is the cost of the ferry, however if you plan to take in a long weekend break you will without doubt enjoy it. Although packages are available they are limited due to the increasing popularity of the motorsport events on the Island. The TT in June and Classic TT / MGP in August plus rallying, trials, cycling, hillclimbing and many other weekend events keep the Steampacket busy through the year so booking early is the way to go. The Tynwald Drags 30th May - 1st June offers the best availability as it does not clash with any other major island event.

Do your homework and take in all the Island has to offer. Oh and one other thing, for those who have street-legal cars there is no speed limit when you see the National Speed Limit sign! Expect twisty roads and please drive sensibly as we want you all to go home and spread the word with a huge smile on your face.


APIRA Perpetual Awards vote 3.
29th January: Avon Park International Racing Association and Eurodragster.com are again teaming up to give readers the chance of input to the APIRA Perpetual Awards, which will be presented at the joint Avon Park International Racing Association, Shakespeare County Raceway and National Association of Supertwins Trophy Night on Saturday 3rd March. The votes of Eurodragster.com readers will be taken into consideration when the APIRA selection panel decides upon its winners.

For six of the 2017 season awards, shortlists have been decided for which votes can be submitted by E-Mail. One shortlist will be posted per week; the remaining lists will be posted on Mondays starting next week.

The latest shortlist is the APIRA / Shakespeare County Raceway Sportswoman of the Year trophy which recognises the efforts of women in 2017 as racers, crew members or track officials.

The APIRA selection panel's shortlist, in alphabetical order, is as follows:

Jo Clarke (NAST / ET Bike Co-ordinator)
Vote for Jo Clarke

Nina Coombes (SCR Bracket Gamblers)
Vote for Nina Coombes

Kirsten van Croonenborgh (Supercharged Outlaws)
Vote for Kirsten van Croonenborgh

Heyley Fyfe (Wild Bunch)
Vote for Hayley Fyfe

Holly Sanders (VW Sportsman)
Vote for Holly Sanders

Philippa Turton (Wild Bunch)
Vote for Philippa Turton

To place your vote, either use the links above or go to the official APIRA Perpetual Awards voting page which you can view by clicking here or by clicking on the APIRA Perpetual Awards vote link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page. If the E-Mail is not automatically generated with your chosen name in the title then simply send an E-Mail to apiraawards2017@btinternet.com giving the category (Iris Page Memorial Trophy etc) as the subject of the E-Mail and the name of the person for whom you wish to vote in the body of the E-Mail.

For each of the Awards, one vote per E-Mail address per nominee will be accepted: multiple votes for the same nominee from the same E-Mail address will all be disqualified. And every year we say this, but every year someone tries it on: please note that blatant attempts at organising mass votes - for example asking workmates, forum members or Facebook friends to vote en masse - are easily identified and all such votes will be disallowed as they have been in previous years. Concerted attempts at vote-rigging will result in the nominee being removed from the shortlist whether or not that nominee knows what was going on. We know all the dodges so it's just not worth trying. If in any doubt about what constitutes canvassing then please drop us a line at editor@eurodragster.com.

Additionally, if anyone should have issues with the content of any of the shortlists then please have the courtesy to contact APIRA direct rather than contacting Eurodragster.com or posting cryptic comments or bullying candidates on Facebook. E-Mails to Eurodragster.com regarding the content of the shortlists will receive neither a reply nor any other acknowledgement.

The remaining categories will be posted as follow:

Friday 2nd February: APIRA Endeavour Award
Monday 5th February: Alan Wigmore Memorial Trophy
Friday 9th February: McDonald Racing Ireland Best Newcomer


SPRC Presentation gallery.
29th January: The official Trophy Presentation pictures from Saturday evening's SPRC Dinner Dance and Trophy Presentation are now available. The gallery, which is presented in association with Lucas Oil Products, can be checked out by clicking here or by clicking on the Features, Interviews, Tributes link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page.

Copies of any picture are free and can be obtained by E-Mailing tog@eurodragster.com with the image number.

Many thanks to photographer Julian for his hard work on Saturday night.


SPRC Perpetual Award winners.
28th January: The winners and runners-up in the 2017 UK National Championships, MSA British Drag Racing Championship, and Santa Pod Racers Club Championships were presented with their trophies at the SPRC Dinner Dance and Trophy Presentation in Daventry last night (Saturday). The winners of SPRC's Perpetual Awards, for whom Eurodragster.com readers had the chance to vote, were also presented with their trophies.

Congratulations to the SPRC Perpetual Award winners:

Most Promising Newcomer: Leah Kellett (Super Comp)
Best Appearing Car: Jon Webster (Pro Modified)
Best Appearing Bike: Neil Midgley (Supertwin, owned by Chris Hannam)
Most Professional Appearing Team: Voodoo Hemi Racing (Pro Modified)
James Edgar Memorial Trophy: Luke Robinson (Pro Modified)
Alex Brachtvogel Memorial Trophy: Simon Groves

John Ledster Memorial Trophy: Steve Horn
Obsession Motorsports Sportsman of the Year Trophy: Jeff Bull

A big Thank You to everyone who submitted votes for the SPRC Perpetual Awards.


Brute Force and ignorance.
27th January: 2017 Santa Pod Racers Club Champion Andy Harrison has been in touch to tell us how he got to that point:

The phone rings, "Hi ya Paul, how's tricks? What you found a Super Gas car? Next week, Chesterfield? Okay".

It started in 2010. I had been visiting Santa Pod as a spectator for a number of years, I recall the first pass I ever saw. Walking over the bank from the car park with my mate to see Eric Teboul on the starting line. Three, two, one, and with a roar a cloud of vapour and a cheer from the crowds, he launched and moved so fast down the track, my eyes could barely keep up with him. Well that was it, I only live in Bedford so why had it taken so long for me to visit. My brother had been occasionally crewing for Steve Pateman and Ray Comer in Street Eliminator, and was always banging on about how good it was there, and for someone like me with a healthy / obsessive passion for cars and mechanics, should go one weekend and check it out. So I did, and from then on, I would visit whenever possible. After my parents moved to Spain, I bought the family caravan and began staying for weekends with the family. I just loved the adrenalin that seemed to be constantly in the air, and walking around the pits talking to the crew and drivers of all classes. I was amazed how approachable everyone was and they always seemed to have time for everyone, chatting about their machines, and almost becoming mates after returning time and time again to show my support.

This is sort of how I met Paul Brown. He was racing in Super Comp with the at the time Dunster House-sponsored rail. I was walking around the pits as usual, when my daughter noticed a Michael R Peters sticker on the front of the car. "Look Daddy", she said, "that's where grandad works". I went over and got chatting, before long we were popping in on the way past for a cuppa, and over the next couple of years became good friends with Paul and his crew, namely his mum Lesley, dad Dave, and Lee. We had more in common than first appeared, as Lesley in years past had lived in the next street to me, and Dave was friends with one of my old work colleagues. Paul sold the rail to Conrad Stanley as he had purchased a new car from the States and spent the next year getting used to it. I would always pop past and occasionally offered my services when there were issues and he needed the extra hand. Before long I was an honorary member of the crew, which was made official the following year when Paul had decided to try and use his MSD Grid and its data logging potential so sort out an issue which had been plaguing them but wasn't too sure how to use it. I was a bit of a computer geek and was like a pig in crap plugging the laptop in after each run and analysing the data.

The next year Paul decided to bring another car over from the States to flip. A good deal came up and by March he owned two cars. We took it to the track and made a few passes to check her out. "You know what Paul", I said, "I would love to have a go down the track in that. He promised me that once things had calmed down and the season was underway, we would come down on a RWYB and I could have a go. Well the rest of the season went well for Paul, he was fighting for the Championship when disaster struck. I remember vividly standing at the start line watching his run. Usually once the time had come up on the boards, we would turn round and make our way back to the pits, however for some reason I had decided to turn back and check he had made it off the top end. To my horror, I just saw the outline of his car sideways across the track heading towards the wall, then disappeared in a cloud of smoke. Unfortunately that was it for the Shorty. Paul was absolutely fine other than a bit banged up, somehow didn't put me off wanting to have a go though. Plan B came into force and Paul finished the season in the new car which was still up for sale.

March 2016, one evening the phone rings, it is Paul. He asks, and quite abruptly, "Are you serious about wanting to race?". Slightly knocked back by this, I thought for a second and gingerly said "Yer, why?". "I've found you a car and we are going to see it next week, it's in Chesterfield and bring cash! Call this guy and let him know you're interested". I did so immediately and called Rick Johnson. I could barely understand him, but he seemed a nice guy and I spoke to him on and off over the next week asking about details of the car etc. A couple of weeks later, Paul and I were driving back to Bedford, trailer behind with what was now my race car. Right well I had better get a firesuit then. It took a while to get everything sorted, but by the end of the year we had everything together and decided to take her out for my maiden flight.


Not long after I bought her home we took her to a RWYB at Santa Pod with the intention of just firing her up and checking everything was OK. I will never forget the first time she roared into life. My eyes streaming with the alcohol fumes but I was addicted, and just wanted to go up the track now, but something wasn't quite right. Every time I tried to blip the throttle, she seemed to stutter. I concluded she was just too cold and wasn't too concerned, however after checking the lash again once I got home, found a broken valve spring, argh!

A few days later I received an E-Mail from Ian Marshall. Apparently the guy who originally commissioned and campaigned the car was trying to get hold of me. I gave my details to Ian, who kindly passed them on to Mike Bentley, followed by a phone call from another Northerner. After speaking to Rick for some time now, my ear was getting tuned into the accent so when Mike called I was pleasantly surprised that I could not only understand him, but chatted for hours about the car and learned he was the guy who originally commissioned the car with Zane Lewellyn and Timmy Heins and had been very successful in Super Street before upgrading the motor and running in Super Gas. We spent hours unsuccessfully trying to source the same springs, but after some assistance from Hauser Race Cars we managed to find something suitable, and they were promptly installed.

It was late in the season by now, but I was determined to take her down the track at least a few times before winter. We fired her up and drove down to the pairing lanes. I had rehearsed the routine for the burnout in my mind for months, but this was it. I was called forward, and Paul guided me into the bleach box. Deep breath, "Pump the brake pedal, and stamp on it like it was the head of the guy who had just done bad things to your sister"... I clearly remember Rick quoting this, So I did and pressed the line lock button and watched for Paul's instruction. He gave me the sign and very nervously I fed in the loud. Instantly the back lit up and as I stared at the tacho. The car just sat there, well behaved and surprisingly far less dramatic than I had anticipated. Paul indicated me to come forward and I rolled out. OK so that bit went well, now for stage two, the run. The plan was to ignore the lights, and when I felt ready, just come off the brake, and gently feed in the power to get a feel of things. Remember I had never driven anything on a track before. A good friend of mine has had some really fast road cars, Porsche, Bentley and a Ferrari to name a few, and have been lucky enough to drive them, however nothing can prep you for what was about to happen. I lifted the brake and she started to roll forward, I fed in the power and immediately the car which seemed to be a well behaved, placid lady turned into an angry gnarly beast and all hell broke loose. Heading slightly towards the wall I backed off and she came back into line. I had another go and same thing happened, but now considerably faster, it didn't feel stable at all. I made it through the top end and back to the pits. For the first time I started to doubt myself and wasn't sure if this was really for me, however Paul wasn't going to give up on me, and with his tutoring and endless encouragement we ran the car again a few more times until winter stopped play.


The week before Easter 2017, we had planned to licence as I had entered the Festival of Power, and by now I had managed to get the car under power for most the way down the track. Unfortunately Paul couldn't make the RWYB so Tom Margesson and my brother stepped in. We got to the track and I strolled off to sign in and find Ian Marshall to let him know I would like to licence. I found him by the Glue Bird and went for a chat, and present my intention. "OK", Ian said, "and what class are you licencing in?". "Super Gas" I proudly announced. "And you have never licenced in anything else before" he said, with what seemed like a little nervousness in his voice. "No" I answered. I recall the feeling of "What have I done" came over me. Ian took me through the routine and said that when I was ready I should come through the pairing lanes for a burnout and the first of the three passes.

Passes one and two were a doddle dragging the chute behind me for the first time, however Ian now wanted to see a full pass as close to 9.90 as I could. The tree dropped and I let off the transbrake, pedal planted to the floor. The weekend before we had tried a full run off the tranbrake, but the tyres just kept lighting up so we had dropped the launch RPM massively, but we forgot to change it back so I knew I would have to run without the stop and hope that the car would hook to have any chance of a decent time. I came off the line, tyres immediately smoked and the front made a beeline for the wall. Attempt number two went even worse. We had forgotten to turn the gas on and ended up burning out and running all the way down the track without full accelerator. Run three and this time I got off the line, speed picking up nicely, but at the gear change the horizon changed and the gantry was replaced with wall again. I managed to pedal it, but was way off the mark. I was beginning to understand Ian's concerns. Back at the pits we made an adjustment to the four link and rolled around for another go. 10.2, now that was more like it. Getting close now, and I was getting my confidence however the day was drawing in and all the RWYB guys were heading off home, but Ian was adamant he was going to licence me, and let me have one last go.

This was it. If I wanted to play with the boys the following week, it was now or never. She hooked, quite softly as I was still running the low RPM, but importantly she didn't spin the tyres. It felt good so far, past the eighth and through the gear change without any drama. The gantry came up way faster than I expected and through to the turn-off at the end. Back at the pits my brother strolled up with a Cheshire Cat grin on his face. "You only did a bloody 9.6!"

Festival of Power 2017 and my very first proper event in the Al's Gasser Super Gas Shootout. I had been to many events by now, but the pomp and circumstance seemed greatly amplified as I was actually a part of the show. My first competitive run ever was against Mark White. Really nice chap who I had been chatting to in the pits, and like everyone else in Super Gas he had welcomed me and given me all the encouragement I needed. I was reasonably comfortable in the car by now, and ran a 9.95 against Mark's 9.99 which until the end of the session had me #1 then Jon Morton knocked me down to #2. I was ecstatic and now completely hooked. I ran Paul Marston in Q2, then Tim Moore in Q3 and Q4. I was astonished that my numbers were right up there with them and ended up qualifying #6 of ten convinced that it was he car, not me. E1 and paired up with Jon Morton. Good light by both of us and as we came close to the stripe, Jon came hurtling past. "Damn", I thought to myself, "I must have put too much stop in". Just as fast as Jon flew by, he stood on the brakes and disappeared from view. We both broke out, but Jon's being the less he got the win. Respect due, my first lesson in finish line racing.


Main Event and things were going great. The car was running consistently and my lights were getting better. Made it through round one, due to what was quickly becoming my race partner Mark White failing to show, so on to round two and paired with someone I had never heard of, Tony Morris. Ex-pat Tony was being hosted by Paul Marston. Paul Brown started to fill me in with the details, and rather than being disappointed that I was inevitably going to be ass-whipped by the Whoopass Monza and this American NHRA legend, I think that for the first time my racing instinct hit and I actually became excited to race this guy knowing that there was always a chance. Unfortunately not this time, but wow what a race. I was now totally at home in the car, driving it was second nature, and I spent most of my runs looking sideways out the window at my opponent. I could see Tony running me down, and with the finesse of a well-rehearsed play, took the stripe with an exceptionally judged 9.91 versus my 9.83 breakout, and amazingly only eleven inches in it. Well done Tony and thanks for the opportunity.


The rest of the year seemed to fly by, and by now I was getting to know many of the Super Gas racers and lot of the guys and girls from Santa Pod and Shakey. European Finals and normal business resumes. First outing and I was well off the pace. The weather was rubbish and everyone was struggling, however what was to happen next changed everything for me. We had made a few calcs back in the pit and eventually decided upon the stop number. Got ourselves ready and made our way down to the pairing lanes. Earlier on in the season Paul had suggested to moving my transbrake button from its current location and putting it on the steering wheel, convinced it would give better reactions. What a difference it made. I was beginning to get far more consistent, 0.03 and 0.04 lights, and this run was no exception with a 0.0266. I rapidly learned that you can feel a good run, and by no means was this one shabby. I was running against Ronald Huis in the House Bros Chevy. As he runs Comp as well as Gas his stop was on for far longer so I only caught sight of him way after 1000 foot mark. We went through the stripe with Ronald quite a bit ahead of me, and thought I had put way too much stop in her. As I turned off at the top end, I always give the marshals a thumbs up, as they do to me, just to acknowledge that the car is OK and I'm not pouring oil or worse, however this time they were all clapping. "Strange", I thought. As I came down through the pits, random people were giving me the thumbs up, and as I turned into my pit, Paul and Lesley were on their hands and knees bowing down. OMFG! I had only gone Perfect ET.


I ran again the next round just to back it up, and sat out Q4 and Q5, instead watching from the grandstand. I was ecstatic, my first year and I was about to get a trophy! There was just one more car to run. Brian Pateman rolled up to the tree on a bye. Staged, and left with his usual great light, but without another car in the other lane, it was quite hard to estimate how he was doing. I looked in shock as the board lit up 9.900, waiting nervously for Colin to confirm his forth digit. I sat there for what seemed like an eternity, then Colin announced his time as 9.9009, only one ten thousandth off my run. Well with the Bloodwise Perfect ET sticker adorning my car and prize money in hand, I was then awarded the trophy and prize money by Jon Giles and Simon Gough, generously sponsored by Cadman Plant. Unfortunately rain then spoilt proceedings, and that was it for the weekend.

The UK National Finals and theoretically I could come second in the National Championships if I was well behaved. Again, another thing I have learned through life, and strengthened by racing, don't count your chickens! Paired up for my first run of the weekend, fired up and rolled to the box. Just as I started my burnout, the window net fell down as I hadn't managed to clip it in correctly. Rolled out of the burnout, and the throttle seemed to be stuck slightly open, enough to pull on the converter and I was really struggling to hold the car on the brake. Flustered, my crew sorted the net and I came up to the beam, staged, then as usual hit the transbrake button - so I thought, but it was the line lock - foot off the brake and shot off down the track foul-staging. That was the tune of things for the rest of the weekend for me. Paired up with Jon Giles in E1, I knew he was going to be good on the light but rushed staging, going in a little deeper than normal. Jon hit a brilliant 0.03 and we were off on the charge. Somehow I hadn't noticed that I had red-lit, and I saw Jon way ahead assuming a break-out which he did. If only I had kept my cool.


That was it for the year. I eventually finished fourth in the Nationals, top qualifier at the European Finals, and APIRA Super Gas Champion.

So what can I take from all of this? Take opportunity as it comes as you may never get another (as I have so sadly experienced especially over the last few years), believe in yourself and those around you, but mostly, have fun. Thank you Santa Pod Raceway, Shakespeare County Raceway and Eurodragster.com staff (Thanks, you're welcome - Ed), marshals, safety crew and everyone involved no matter how small (I already said thanks - Ed), Jon, Simon and all who have worked tirelessly raising sponsorship and getting Super Gas back to what it once was, and all my fellow Super Gas racers who have been nothing but amazing. Thank you to all racers in all classes who make this sport the amazing show it is. Finally to sponsors Prem's Jewellery and LCM Engineering, and my team Paul, Zoe, Lesley, Dave, Lee, Tom, Katie my brother Phil and all my family without whose dedication and trust I wouldn't be racing at all especially to my little girl as if she had not noticed the Michel R Peters logo on Pauls car I would never have met such wonderful people and have so much fun.

Happy New Year everyone, keep safe and have a successful 2018. The Terry Gibbs Super Gas Shootout is going to be amazing, I can't wait for Round 1.

Some pictures courtesy and ©Blackett Photography


Lucas Oil renew Undertaker backing.
26th January: Steve Ashdown and the UK's Undertaker Fuel Funny Car team are pleased to announce the continued support of
Lucas Oil Products in 2018:

Lucas Oil will be supplying us with all of the oils and lubricants needed to run the Funny Car for a full season. Huge thanks to Les Downey, Dan Morgan and the whole of the Lucas Oil team for all their support once again.

See you all at Easter!


Tophaven build on Mechaell success.
26th January: After a successful 2017 UK National 8.50 Bike Champion Jake Mechaell is pleased to announce new sponsor Tophaven Sustainable Construction who will be offering their outstanding support alongside existing sponsors Webster Race Engineering, EPS Motorsport and Bedford and Sons Motorcycles.

Tophaven specialise in using new and innovative products in the construction, extension and renovation of properties. From its formation in 2002 Tophaven have been using the latest green technologies and combination of products to build properties to a higher standard for energy efficiency, sound reduction, lower CO2 emissions for both onward occupation and during construction, whilst maintaining traditional craftmanship and quality. The company takes its responsibilities very seriously with regard to safety, the environment and the general perception of the industry. Based in Northamptonshire the company works both locally and nationally supplying and fitting building systems and undertaking all aspects of building and construction work. Tophaven has built up a reputation for constructing high-quality, low-maintenance energy-efficient buildings, and is always searching for new products and methods to build to even higher, greener and more sustainable standards.

You can find out more on Tophaven's web site at www.tophaven.co.uk.


Swift snippets.
26th January: UK Super Pro ET racer Mark Flavell is seeking an altered body. "Preferably a Ford Roadster or a Bantam but WHY", says Flav. "It's going to be the basis of something very different which will allow us to shed the Firebird FC body for the Nostalgia events". If you can help then you can get in touch with Flav at mark@flavellwelding.co.uk or call 07785 226782.

APIRA Perpetual Awards vote 2.
26th January: Avon Park International Racing Association and Eurodragster.com are again teaming up to give readers the chance of input to the APIRA Perpetual Awards, which will be presented at the joint Avon Park International Racing Association, Shakespeare County Raceway and National Association of Supertwins Trophy Night on Saturday 3rd March. The votes of Eurodragster.com readers will be taken into consideration when the APIRA selection panel decides upon its winners.

For six of the 2017 season awards, shortlists have been decided for which votes can be submitted by E-Mail. One shortlist will be posted per week; the remaining lists will be posted on Mondays starting next week.

The latest shortlist is the Shakespeare County Raceway Award for Outstanding Achievement which is awarded to a racer who achieved outstanding performance at Shakespeare County Raceway during the season.

The APIRA selection panel's shortlist, in alphabetical order, is as follows:

Dave Batcheler (Comp Bike)
Vote for Dave Batcheler

Scott Collier (Comp Bike)
Vote for Scott Collier

Allan Davies (Funny Bike)
Vote for Allan Davies

Bill Murfin (Super Pro ET)
Vote for Bill Murfin

Outlaw Anglia (as a class)
Vote for Outlaw Anglia

Rob Slater (Tri-Chevy Shootout)
Vote for Rob Slater

To place your vote, either use the links above or go to the official APIRA Perpetual Awards voting page which you can view by clicking here or by clicking on the APIRA Perpetual Awards vote link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page. If the E-Mail is not automatically generated with your chosen name in the title then simply send an E-Mail to apiraawards2017@btinternet.com giving the category (Iris Page Memorial Trophy etc) as the subject of the E-Mail and the name of the person for whom you wish to vote in the body of the E-Mail.

For each of the Awards, one vote per E-Mail address per nominee will be accepted: multiple votes for the same nominee from the same E-Mail address will all be disqualified. And every year we say this, but every year someone tries it on: please note that blatant attempts at organising mass votes - for example asking workmates, forum members or Facebook friends to vote en masse - are easily identified and all such votes will be disallowed as they have been in previous years. Concerted attempts at vote-rigging will result in the nominee being removed from the shortlist whether or not that nominee knows what was going on. We know all the dodges so it's just not worth trying. If in any doubt about what constitutes canvassing then please drop us a line at editor@eurodragster.com.

Additionally, if anyone should have issues with the content of any of the shortlists then please have the courtesy to contact APIRA direct rather than contacting Eurodragster.com or posting cryptic comments or bullying candidates on Facebook. E-Mails to Eurodragster.com regarding the content of the shortlists will receive neither a reply nor any other acknowledgement.

The remaining categories will be posted as follow:

Monday 29th January: APIRA / Shakespeare County Raceway Sportswoman of the Year
Friday 2nd February: APIRA Endeavour Award
Monday 5th February: Alan Wigmore Memorial Trophy
Friday 9th February: McDonald Racing Ireland Best Newcomer


VP launch new fuel container.
26th January: Further to our John Woolfe Racing-sponsored Autosport International coverage, Eurodragster.com sponsor VP Racing Fuels has launched its new 3 Gallon Motorsportsman container which is available immediately through the VP distribution network and at VPRacingFuels.com.

VP's3 GallonMotorsportsmanContainers are made with only the highest quality virgin high-density polyethylene, including 30% more material than standard containers to withstand the roughest treatment. The containers are subjected to a fifteen-point quality test and carry a three-year limited warranty against cracks, leaks or splitting. They feature an ergonomically contoured handle, bottom grip for easy pouring and a non-breakable multipurpose cap with rubber gaskets. Hose not included.

You can find out more at www.vpracingfuels.com/product/3-gallon-motorsportsmans-container.


SPRC seeking beadlock wheels.
24th January:
Santa Pod Racers Club Secretary Ian Marshall writes that the Club are seeking a pair of SFI 15.3 16" rear double beadlock wheels (older Top Fuel wheels):

Second-hand would be preferable. The condition needs to be OK, but they are not going to be used on a car. These are the older Top Fuel wheel, not the later square drive type. We are not looking for a freebie but we are not seeking expensive new wheels either, please let me know what you have and how much.

If you can help then please get in touch with Ian at ir.marshall@btconnect.com or call 01933 313625 (outside the UK +44 1933 313625).


Web site updates.
24th January: Our good buddy photo-journalist Steve Moxley has had a report and pictures from the Manufacturers Cup World Finals at Valdosta posted on the Eat My Ink web site at www.eatmyink.com. Stay tuned as we also have our own Feature from Steve from that event which will be posted very soon.

APIRA Perpetual Awards vote 1.
22nd January: Avon Park International Racing Association and Eurodragster.com are again teaming up to give readers the chance of input to the APIRA Perpetual Awards, which will be presented at the joint Avon Park International Racing Association, Shakespeare County Raceway and National Association of Supertwins Trophy Night on Saturday 3rd March. The votes of Eurodragster.com readers will be taken into consideration when the APIRA selection panel decides upon its winners.

For six of the 2017 season awards, shortlists have been decided for which votes can be submitted by E-Mail. One shortlist will be posted per week; the remaining lists will be posted on Mondays starting next week.

The first shortlist is the Iris Page Memorial Trophy. The Iris Page Memorial Trophy is awarded to a racer, team, official, marshal or other individual who has either contributed to the sport over the last twelve months, or who has achieved their own personal goals against all the odds.

The APIRA selection panel's shortlist, in alphabetical order, is as follows:

Bert and Ernie Racing (SCR Bracket Gamblers)
Vote for Bert and Ernie Racing

Mike Lacey (Pro ET)
Vote for Mike Lacey

Dave Nicol (Super Pro ET and Jap Drag Racer Series)
Vote for Dave Nicol

Dave (Sag) Southworth (Wild Bunch)
Vote for Dave Southworth

Dave Thomas (Super Street Bike)
Vote for Dave Thomas

To place your vote, either use the links above or go to the official APIRA Perpetual Awards voting page which you can view by clicking here or by clicking on the APIRA Perpetual Awards vote link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page. If the E-Mail is not automatically generated with your chosen name in the title then simply send an E-Mail to apiraawards2017@btinternet.com giving the category (Iris Page Memorial Trophy etc) as the subject of the E-Mail and the name of the person for whom you wish to vote in the body of the E-Mail.

For each of the Awards, one vote per E-Mail address per nominee will be accepted: multiple votes for the same nominee from the same E-Mail address will all be disqualified. And every year we say this, but every year someone tries it on: please note that blatant attempts at organising mass votes - for example asking workmates, forum members or Facebook friends to vote en masse - are easily identified and all such votes will be disallowed as they have been in previous years. Concerted attempts at vote-rigging will result in the nominee being removed from the shortlist whether or not that nominee knows what was going on. We know all the dodges so it's just not worth trying. If in any doubt about what constitutes canvassing then please drop us a line at editor@eurodragster.com.

Additionally, if anyone should have issues with the content of any of the shortlists then please have the courtesy to contact APIRA direct rather than contacting Eurodragster.com or posting cryptic comments or bullying candidates on Facebook. E-Mails to Eurodragster.com regarding the content of the shortlists will receive neither a reply nor any other acknowledgement.

The remaining categories will be posted as follow:

Friday 26th January: APIRA / Shakespeare County Raceway Award for Outstanding Achievement
Monday 29th January: APIRA / Shakespeare County Raceway Sportswoman of the Year
Friday 2nd February: APIRA Endeavour Award
Monday 5th February: Alan Wigmore Memorial Trophy
Friday 9th February: McDonald Racing Ireland Best Newcomer


See nitro for more PBs.
22nd January: After a very successful 2017 UK six-second, 200 mph Wild Bunch slingshot racer Bob Hawkins and the Time Traveller team are of course agreed that they want to try to keep the PBs coming in 2018, down through the mid-sixes to the low sixes if possible. To do so the team have made the big decision to tip a different can:

It's a big, no huge target with an old iron block Chevy on alky and limited budget. How are we going to achieve it? Well, if we're going to that extreme then we thought why not go the whole hog and go blown nitro racing on the same budget! So that's now our plan.

We've changed the engine and blower combination to accommodate a decent percentage so our new challenge has now begun. We still intend to run with the Wild Bunch as much, as it's such a brilliant club. We've made so many friends over the years and it would be fantastic for a Wild Bunch slingshot to be one of the fastest outside the USA. We are hoping also to compete in the Slingshot Showdown at Dragstalgia and of course hope to defend last year's title. I'm really looking forward to racing on the Pod's brand new track and can't wait for Easter!

I'd like to wish all racers, track and safety crews, officials, Tog and everyone else a fabulous and safe 2018 (Thanks! - Ed). See you at the track!

You can check out a video of the year's first fire-up by clicking here or by clicking on the image at right.


Swift snippets.
22nd January: No news update yesterday so we were unable to say a big Happy Birthday for yesterday (Sunday) to SPRC Starter and top bloke David Warren. Hope you had a great day David.

Many thanks to everyone who submitted votes and nominations for the SPRC Perpetual Awards. No thanks to those responsible for the three attempts at vote-rigging. The winners will be announced at the SPRC Dinner Dance and Trophy Presentation this coming Saturday (27th) and will be posted here on Eurodragster.com News immediately after the presentation.


2018 European SFI Tour dates.
20th January: Many thanks to
SFI Foundation Vice President Jennifer Faye for forwarding us the dates of this year's European SFI Recertification Tour. Full venue details and operating hours will be confirmed in due course.

The inspection team will be Jennifer, Andy Robinson, Luke Robinson and L-G Eriksson.

Thursday 8th March: Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Friday 9th March: Helsinki, Finland NB tentative
Saturday 10th March: Persåkers Speed Shop, Åkers Styckebruk, Sweden
Monday 12th March: Santa Pod Raceway, UK

A list of items which can be inspected, now including SFI 61.1 turbochargers (Precision brand only), can be checked out by clicking here (PDF format).


SPRC Dinner Dance drink orders.
20th January: Yvonne Tramm has been in touch to let us know that drinks can be pre-ordered for your table at next Saturday's (27th) Santa Pod Racers Club Dinner Dance and Trophy Presentation at the De Vere Staverton Park Hotel.

The hotel have supplied a list of available drinks which you can check out by clicking here (PDF format). Please E-Mail your name and drinks selection to Yvonne at ytramm@africonnect.com by close next Thursday, 25th January. Payment will be taken on the night.


Pro ET Challenge expands.
20th January: Jonny Niesner writes that Drag Race Union's popular Pro ET Challenge is extending its reach in 2018 and that all are welcome to participate:

We are expecting participants from all over Central Europe to collect Challenge points at ten races. For the first time rounds will be held at Santa Pod, England and Malmö, Sweden. We are again fully motivated for the coming season and will give of our best. This is not only an additional challenge for us, but also to promote the community and its image. More information is available on our web site at www.dragraceunion.eu or on our Facebook page.

If you are interested in joining the Pro ET Challenge, you can get all the information you need at www.dragraceunion.eu/proet-challenge.


SPRC Perpetual Awards closing.
20th January: Voting and nominations for the SPRC Perpetual Awards close at 23:59 UK tonight (Saturday).

To place your votes for Most Promising Newcomer, Best-Appearing Car, Best-Appearing Bike, Most Professional-Appearing Team and the James Edgar Memorial Trophy, or to submit a nomination for the Alex Brachtvogel Memorial Trophy, click here or click on the SPRC Perpetual Awards vote link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page.


Important UK rule book change.
18th January:
Santa Pod Racers Club Secretary Ian Marshall has been in touch with news of an important update to the 2018 UK rule book:

Following on from last year's rule book update GSR 1.2.2 Diapers, the regulation mandating diapers for all cars 7.50 and slower has been removed from the 2018 rule book.

This is pending further investigation from the Tech Committee during 2018; there have been some issues which require research for stock-type vehicles which are running in various classes.

If you have any queries then please contact the UK Tech Crew (details in the rule book), call Ian on 01933 313625 or E-Mail ir.marshall@btconnect.com.


Slicks sought for SPR prep.
18th January: Ian Marshall also writes that SPRC's track crew are seeking used slicks or ET Street Radials for use in prepping the new track surface.

If you have any used slicks or ET Street Radials then please call Ian on 01933 313625 or E-Mail ir.marshall@btconnect.com. The Club will be glad to arrange collection of tyres.


Straightliners take to the Isles.
18th January: Trevor Duckworth writes that as well as the usual schedule of events on the mainland, the UK's Straightliners will also be holding four events on neighbouring islands in 2018:

We have three events at the new Jurby Track on the Isle of Man, and we are also back in Northern Ireland at St Anglos Airfield, Enniskillen. These venues are basically no-prep tracks and great fun for a long weekend away drag racing:

14th-15th April: Jurby, Isle of Man
30th June-1st July: Jurby, Isle of Man
5th August: St Anglos Airfield, Enniskillen, Northern Island
1st-2nd September: Jurby, Isle of Man

These events are open to all, and we have travel and accommodation packages available. Details for all events will be posted shortly at www.straightlinersevents.co.uk.


Memorabilia seeking a good home.
18th January: Martin Wilson has been in touch to let us know that due to downsized accommodation he is having to sell his collection of drag racing memorabilia.


On offer are about thirty die-cast models in various scales, some bought in the USA so would probably not have been available in this country and some are signed by the drivers, signed Paul Whitehouse prints The Famous Five, Allard Chrysler and Mooneyes and Andy Carter History Is Made, and books including Petersen's History of Drag Racing, A Complete Guide to Motorcycle Drag Racing by Mike Griffin, John Force The Straight Story, Hot Rods and Dragsters by Melvyn Record, Crazy Horses by Brian Taylor, Drive It - The Complete Book of Drag Racing by David Hardcastle and Peter Jones. "I would very much like them to go to a good home and would not want a lot of money for them, only what someone would wish to pay for it all", says Martin. If you are interested then you can contact Martin at glomriff@gmail.com.


Santa Pod announce Bike double-header.
16th January: James Forster of Santa Pod Raceway has been in touch with news of a new event in August providing a double-header Championship round for UK drag bike racers:

By popular demand, Santa Pod Raceway are pleased to announce a new event in the form of the Redline Rumble on Saturday 18th-Sunday 19th August.

The event will host not one but two rounds of the ACU and UK National Drag Bike Championships with qualifying and eliminations taking place each day. One entry form will cover both days; no single-day entry will available. This means that there will be two lots of points, trophies and prize funds on offer.

The event will include Funny Bike, Comp Bike, 8.50 Bike, 9.50 Bike, Junior Drag Bike, ET Bike and Supertwin Top Gas. Super Street Bike are not scheduled for the event as many riders are expected to be competing at the NitrOlympX at Hockenheim which falls on the same weekend.

Those bike classes will not be enough to fill that weekend alone and therefore a handful of car classes will be invited along too. There will be no MSA permit so the classes invited will be those which can operate outside of that. Classes will be announced as they're confirmed.

Unfortunately this new event comes at the expense of the scheduled Saturday Night Special and RWYB weekend. It is far from an ideal scenario but due to the way the calendar has worked out for certain race classes it's something which we must do for the sake of Sportsman drag racing in the UK. We must apologise to those RWYBers who were planning on attending that weekend.

For further information please see
www.santapod.com.

SPRC Perpetual Awards vote 5.
15th January: Santa Pod Racers Club and Eurodragster.com are again teaming up to give Eurodragster.com readers the chance of input to the
SPRC Perpetual Awards, which will be presented at the SPRC Dinner Dance and Trophy presentation on Saturday 27th January.

For several of the 2017 season awards, a shortlist has been decided upon for which votes can be submitted by E-Mail. Nominations are now also being accepted for the Alex Brachtvogel Memorial Trophy. The votes of Eurodragster.com readers will be taken into consideration when the SPRC Committee decides upon their winners.

The final category is the James Edgar Memorial Trophy. The James Edgar Memorial Trophy is awarded for outstanding performance by a Crew Chief, tuner, racer / tuner, or crew member.

The SPRC Committee's shortlist, in alphabetical order, is as follows:

Jack Brewster (Super Pro ET)
Vote for Jack Brewster

Chris Hannam, for Neil Midgley (Supertwin)
Vote for Chris Hannam

Andy Hone (Comp Eliminator)
Vote for Andy Hone

Luke Robinson, for Andy Robinson (Pro Modified)
Vote for Luke Robinson

Rick Stubbins (Super Street Bike)
Vote for Rick Stubbins

Glenn Tooke, for Warpspeed Racing (Funny Bike)
Vote for Glenn Tooke

To place your vote, either use the links above or go to the official Perpetual Awards voting page which you can view by clicking here or by clicking on the SPRC Perpetual Awards vote link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page.
©Eurodragster.com
The Alex Brachtvogel Memorial Trophy, for which nominations are also now being taken, was first awarded to Santa Pod Racers Club's late Chief Marshal, Alex Brachtvogel, in 2001 to mark his outstanding contribution to Santa Pod Raceway and the sport as a whole. After Alex's death the trophy was named in his memory and continues to be awarded for contribution to drag racing. There is no shortlist for the Alex Brachtvogel award. Nominations are invited from Eurodragster.com readers for racers, race officials, track and safety crews, club officials, media, or anyone else who has contributed to the sport. Last year the trophy was awarded to Andy Marrs of SPRC's timing crew. Again see the official page for more details or E-Mail your nomination to sprcawards2017@btinternet.com specifying SPRC Alex Brachtvogel Memorial Trophy nomination as the subject and your nomination in the body of the E-Mail.

For each of the Awards, one vote per E-Mail address per nominee will be accepted: multiple votes for the same nominee from the same E-Mail address will all be disqualified. And every year we say this, but every year someone tries it on: please note that blatant attempts at organising mass votes - for example asking workmates, forum members or Facebook friends to vote en masse - are easily identified and all such votes will be disallowed as they have been in previous years. Concerted attempts at vote-rigging will result in the nominee being removed from the shortlist whether or not that nominee knows what was going on. We know all the dodges so it's just not worth trying. If in any doubt about what constitutes canvassing then please drop us a line at editor@eurodragster.com.

Additionally, if anyone should have issues with the content of any of the shortlists then please have the courtesy to contact SPRC direct rather than contacting Eurodragster.com or posting cryptic comments or bullying candidates on Facebook. E-Mails to Eurodragster.com regarding the content of the shortlists will receive neither a reply nor any other acknowledgement.

Voting and nominations close at 23:59 UK this Saturday (20th).


2018 Kunmadaras calendar.
15th January: Many thanks to József Hadnagy and Alexandra Tóth for forwarding us this year's calendar of events at Kunmadaras in Hungary. The facility is being prepared and all car and bike racers are welcome:

14th April: Drag Picnic
29th April-1st May: FIM Europe Super Street Bike Championship, International Hungarian Drag Challenge (open), International Drag Bike race (open)
2nd June: Drag and Drag Bike race
25th-26th August: Extreme Festival (drag racing and stunts)

You can read more at www.kunmadarasmotorsport.hu.


PDRC Nite of Champions now booking.
15th January: Alan Perkins writes that the Pennine Drag Racing Club AGM and Nite of Champions presentation both take place on Saturday 3rd March:

The date is a week later than usual due to the hotel hosting a large wedding! The AGM will take place at 14:00 and the Presentation at 19:00 at the Campanile Hotel, 6 Roydsdale Way, Euroway Estate, Bradford BD4 6SA (map).

All are welcome, it would be great to see new faces as well as old. Tickets for the Presentation are £26 which includes a three-course meal. For a booking form either see our Facebook page or E-Mail pdrc@btinternet.com.

Hotel rooms can be bookeddirect with the Campanile on 01274 68368. You will receive a discount if you mention the Pennine Drag Racing Club.

Book early as places are going fast.


Web site updates.
15th January: The British Drag Racing Hall of Famehas published thefifth issue of its on-line magazineHOFtalk, which is designed to facilitate communications with members and supporters of the BDRHoF and which is edited by Simon Groves, member of the board of BDRHoF Ltd and Eurodragster.com's own Pit Reporter. "In this issue you can see pictures of the Gala which took place at the Oatlands Park Hotel, Weybridge, and the personalities who attended", says Simon. "We also look at the second half of the 2017 season and some of the treats in store for nostalgia drag racing enthusiasts in 2018. Look out for an announcement soon about the 2018 BDRHoF Gala!". HOFtalkV is available as a downloadable PDF file by clicking here, or by clicking on the Features, Interviews, Tributes link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page.

Autosport International report.
13th January: In association with John Woolfe Racing we have posted illustrated notes and additional pictures from yesterday's second day of the Autosport International Show at Santa Pod Raceway.

As well as Eurodragster.com sponsor companies we encountered a few racers including usual Autosport suspects, and found out more than a few interesting things including a couple of new products of interest to Junior Dragster racers.

You can check out our report by clicking here or by clicking on the John Woolfe Racing Event Coverage link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page.


Swift snippets.
13th January: We would like to say a big Happy Birthday to Podington Pea Andrew Shakeshaft. Have a great day Andrew.

2018 UK Riders' and Drivers' meeting.
12th January: Many thanks to Ian Marshall for confirming that the 2018 UK Riders' and Drivers' Meeting will be held on Sunday 11th February at the Hilton Hotel, Northampton, on the eastbound A45 just off Junction 15 of the M1 (postcode is NN4 0XW,
map). The meeting will commence at 12:30. Refreshments will be available free of charge on arrival.

Items to be discussed include the 2018 UK National Championships (ratification of dates as well as Championship matters), event entry fees and pitside electrical supply, and prize funds, as well as Any Other Business.

Racers are invited to submit items for the agenda but please note that an item will only be discussed if its proposer actually attends the meeting.

If you have any items for the agenda of the 2018 Riders' and Drivers' Meeting then please send them either to Santa Pod Racers Club at ir.marshall@btconnect.com or to Shakespeare County Raceway at shakespearecountyraceway@gmail.com by close of office hours on Friday 2nd February.

Immediately after the Riders' and Drivers' Meeting will be the Annual General Meeting for Santa Pod Racers Club, which will discuss the SPRC accounts. Please note that this will not be a continuation of the Riders' and Drivers' meeting and that access to the AGM will require current SPRC membership.


APIRA Trophy Night update.
11th January: Jerry Cookson of
Shakespeare County Raceway has been in touch with a reminder that Saturday 17th February is the deadline for bookings for the Avon Park International Racing Association, Shakespeare County Raceway and the National Association of Supertwins Trophy Presentation Evening which takes place at 18:00 on Saturday 3rd March in the Avon Room of the Hilton Warwick, Stratford Road, Warwick CV34 6RE (on Junction 15 of the M40).

APIRA have negotiated a preferential rate for rooms in the hotel at £90 for a double or £80 for a single. All rates are inclusive of breakfast, car parking and VAT. To book your room please call the reservations team on 08008 568000 or visit the web site atwww.hilton.com/warwickquoting reference code ASRAS. Cut off for bedroom bookings at the special rate is twenty eight days prior to arrival.

Jerry asks that any 2017 APIRA Champions or runners-up who know that they will not be able to make the Trophy Evening E-Mail him at shakespearecountyraceway@gmail.com.

You can download your booking form (PDF format) from the Downloads page of the Shakespeare County Raceway web site at www.shakespearecountyraceway.co.uk.Payments can be made by BACS; account details can also be found on the booking form. Please note that all booking forms should be returned to the address on the form by 17th February.

If you have any queries then please call 01789 720180, or E-Mail shakespearecountyraceway@gmail.com.


Swift snippets.
11th January: Also on the subject of the APIRA Trophy Evening, the vote for the APIRA Perpetual Awards for the 2017 season will commence here on Eurodragster.com very shortly.

We would like to say a big Happy Birthday for today (Thursday) to UK Pro ET racer and Eurodragster.com / Bad Habit Racing Perfect Light Award sponsor Tig Napier. Have a great day Tig. Also celebrating a birthday today is Mikey Durbridge, have a Happy Birthday Mikey.


SPR/DFDS ferry discount continues.
10th January: Many thanks to Caroline Holden for letting us know that the deal between Santa Pod Raceway and DFDS for reduced-rate ferry crossings across the English Channel is to continue into 2018.

This year's rates have increased by £10 or €10 but the concessionary rates still offer a considerable discount when compared to DFDS' standard freight tariff.

You can download the booking form by
clicking here for PDF version or clicking here for Word version.

For more information about DFDS check out their web site at www.dfdsseaways.co.uk but to benefit from the Santa Pod Raceway discount please be sure to use the form, not the web site, to make bookings.


Swift snippets.
10th January: Eurodragster.com streaming services provider Doyousee.me have created a movie of René van den Bergs Personal Best run of 6.09 in Top Fuel Bike qualifying at last year's UK National Finals at Santa Pod Raceway. Maikel Gloudemans writes: we had already posted raw footage of the run using our 360° camera, but now we have been able to combine it with footage from Eurodragster.com's Webster Race Engineering / Nimbus Motorsport and and Nitro FM's audio feed; many thanks to Tog and to Julian Parsons for providing these (You're welcome - Ed). We have tried to capture the massive acceleration of a Top Fuel Bike combined with the team spirit needed to achieve Personal Bests. We would very much like to thank Shark Attack Drag Racing for allowing us to mount a camera on several of their machines, and their sponsor Eurol. The video can be found on YouTube; be sure to check out all the other videos on our channel and subscribe, because there's more where this came from.

SPRC Perpetual Awards vote 4.
8th January: Santa Pod Racers Club and Eurodragster.com are again teaming up to give Eurodragster.com readers the chance of input to the
SPRC Perpetual Awards, which will be presented at the SPRC Dinner Dance and Trophy presentation on Saturday 27th January 2018.

For several of the 2017 season awards, a shortlist has been decided upon for which votes can be submitted by E-Mail. Nominations are now also being accepted for the Alex Brachtvogel Memorial Trophy. The votes of Eurodragster.com readers will be taken into consideration when the SPRC Committee decides upon their winners.

This week's category is Most Professional-Appearing Team. The SPRC Most Professional-Appearing Team trophy recognises not just the presentation of a race vehicle but the team's overall approach to racing. As well as a well-turned-out car or bike, the Committee have considered such aspects as the appearance and attitude of team personnel, the organisation and appearance of their pit area and support equipment, and their readiness when their class is called.

The SPRC Committee's shortlist, in alphabetical order of team / vehicle (not racer) name, is as follows:

Drummin' Man (Joe Kellett, Super Pro ET and Leah Kellett, Super Comp)
Vote for Drummin' Man

Protek Racing (Rick Stubbins, Super Street Bike and Josh Stubbins, 8.50 Bike)
Vote for Protek Racing

Sticky Situation Racing (Jordan Payne, Lucas Oil Junior Dragster)
Vote for Sticky Situation Racing

Venom (Tony Betts, Nostalgia Funny Car)
Vote for Venom

Voodoo Hemi Racing (Marck Harteveld, Pro Modified)
Vote for Voodoo Hemi Racing

White Noise (Bob Molden, Pro ET)
Vote for White Noise

To place your vote, either use the links above or go to the official Perpetual Awards voting page which you can view by clicking here or by clicking on the SPRC Perpetual Awards vote link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page.
©Eurodragster.com
The Alex Brachtvogel Memorial Trophy, for which nominations are also now being taken, was first awarded to Santa Pod Racers Club's late Chief Marshal, Alex Brachtvogel, in 2001 to mark his outstanding contribution to Santa Pod Raceway and the sport as a whole. After Alex's death the trophy was named in his memory and continues to be awarded for contribution to drag racing. There is no shortlist for the Alex Brachtvogel award. Nominations are invited from Eurodragster.com readers for racers, race officials, track and safety crews, club officials, media, or anyone else who has contributed to the sport. Last year the trophy was awarded to Andy Marrs of SPRC's timing crew. Again see the official page for more details or E-Mail your nomination to sprcawards2017@btinternet.com specifying SPRC Alex Brachtvogel Memorial Trophy nomination as the subject and your nomination in the body of the E-Mail.

For each of the Awards, one vote per E-Mail address per nominee will be accepted: multiple votes for the same nominee from the same E-Mail address will all be disqualified. And every year we say this, but every year someone tries it on: please note that blatant attempts at organising mass votes - for example asking workmates, forum members or Facebook friends to vote en masse - are easily identified and all such votes will be disallowed as they have been in previous years. Concerted attempts at vote-rigging will result in the nominee being removed from the shortlist whether or not that nominee knows what was going on. We know all the dodges so it's just not worth trying. If in any doubt about what constitutes canvassing then please drop us a line at editor@eurodragster.com.

Additionally, if anyone should have issues with the content of any of the shortlists then please have the courtesy to contact SPRC direct rather than contacting Eurodragster.com or posting cryptic comments or bullying candidates on Facebook. E-Mails to Eurodragster.com regarding the content of the shortlists will receive neither a reply nor any other acknowledgement.

The final category, which will be posted next Monday (15th), will be the James Edgar Memorial Trophy. Voting will close at 23:59 UK on Saturday 20th.


Swift snippets.
8th January: The UK's Lee Cohen tells us that his blown-alcohol Zephyr will be again be displayed on the NGK Spark Plugs (UK) stand at this weekend's Autosport International at the NEC in Birmingham. Stand 2850 can be found in Hall 20 on both the Trade / Press Days (Thursday and Friday) and the public days (Saturday and Sunday).

Swift snippets.
7th January: The latest spy picture to arrive at the offices of Eurodragster.com (right) came with the words "Strange things are coming". If you know more, or if you would like to send your own spy picture, then drop us a line at
eurodragster.com@btinternet.com.

Thanks for all of the votes for the SPRC Perpetual Awards and the nominations for the Alex Brachtvogel Memorial Trophy; please keep both coming. The penultimate category will be Most Professional-Appearing Team whose shortlist will be posted on tomorrow's (Monday's) update.


Lucas Oil launches at Autosport.
7th January: Track action, engine performance and driver satisfaction are the main themes for Eurodragster.com sponsor Lucas Oil Products at this week's Autosport International at the NEC in Birmingham. The US oil and additives manufacturer shares stand 7460 with Santa Pod Raceway, in Hall 7.

The Lucas Oil Brad Jackson Racing livery for the new drag racing season will be revealed, LOP Super Lube engine oil will make its show début, new Point of Sales Product Display Units will be launched, and the latest engine treatments designed to reduce emissions and improve vehicle performance will be introduced.

Runner-up in last season's UK National Super Pro ET Championship last season, twenty one-year-old Brad Jackson aims to go one place better this season in his American-built Worthy Dragster. The car is 235 inches long and races from 0-60 mph in 0.87 seconds and 0-175 mph in 7.62 seconds.

LOP Super Lube is the first Lucas Oil engine oil to be targeted and the budget end of the market. Blended and packaged in the UK, It is also the first Lucas Oil engine oil to be manufactured under licence outside the US.

Lucas Oil is extending its problem solving solutions range for cars and light commercials with the introduction of a solvent-based fast actionDiesel EGR and Turbo Cleanerspray. It is the latest in a range of instant and reliable toolbox-ready answers available for a relatively small investment.

Visitors to the stand will also be able to take the role of one of the many Lucas Oil-sponsored drivers by experiencing a high speed track ride for themselves in a virtual race simulator.


Habermanns are Go for 2018.
6th January: After discussions and consideration after last season, German two-car Top Methanol Dragster team
Werner Habermann Racing have announced that they will contest the entire FIA European Championship tour this season. FIA European Top Methanol Champion Timo Habermann writes:

We are looking forward to it.

As in 2017 our main sponsor will be Mitsuboshi with their Star Racer blower belts, and we'll carry a large selection of their belts to the track. Nevertheless it's better to pre-order them from us.

The Star Racer blower belts are stronger and last longer then other supercharger belts. We made more than twenty runs with the same belt before we took it off and kapr it for use as a spare. They helped us to win a couple of European Championship titles and have been welcomed by other teams. We are not saying this because we are sponsored by them, no, it's because we are very happy with the product.

For the coming season the team is getting huge support from our existing sponsors: Mitsuboshi / Star Racer, Höfler Fenster, TommyWerbung, Swagelok, Fuchs Oil, Exide Batteries, Autokrandienst Habermann, and we are proud to announce that we have a new partner: Bergheimer Stahlhallen.


SPRC Dinner Dance update.
4th January: Yvonne Tramm has been in touch with an update about Santa Pod Racers Club's Dinner Dance and Trophy Evening which takes place at 6:00 pm on Saturday 27th January at the De Vere Staverton Park Hotel, Daventry Road, Staverton, Daventry, NN11 6JT (
map) and at which trophies will be presented to Champions and runners-up in the 2017 UK National Drag Racing Championship, MSA British Drag Racing Championship, Santa Pod Racers Club Championship and SPRC Perpetual Awards.

The deal for preferential rates on hotel rooms has now expired. You can still book a room, albeit at full rate, by calling the hotel on 01327 302002.

Bookings for the Dinner Dance close on Friday 19th January. Tickets are £35 per adult and £20 for under-12s, which includes a three-course meal plus tea / coffee and mints. An additional £1 per ticket should be added if paying by credit card, although please note that American Express cannot be accepted. If you wish to pay direct to the SPRC bank account then the details can be found on any event entry form or contact Yvonne (see below) and she will forward details.

The main meal for children will be chicken nuggets and chips followed by ice cream; please choose a starter for your child and also specify on the booking form that it is for a child.

If you have any special dietary requirements then please inform Yvonne at ytramm@africonnect.com and she will include them on the menu selection list for the hotel. Please do not approach the hotel yourself regarding special dietary requirements.

You can download the Dinner Dance booking form (PDF format) by clicking here. Please note that booking forms should be sent to Yvonne at the address specified on the form and not to the SPRC office.

If you have any queries about the Dinner Dance then please contact Yvonne, not the SPRC office, at ytramm@africonnect.com.


Swift snippets.
4th January: Land Speed racer Geoff Stilwell of British Drag Racing Hall of Fame sponsor Beech Underwriting has been in touch with best wishes to US legend Linda Vaughn who is recovering from heart surgery. "I am sure that Linda's name is known by anyone involved in drag racing as the wonderful Miss Hurst", says Geoff. "On behalf of all drag racers here in the UK I would like to wish my good friend Linda a very speedy recovery. Get Well very soon Linda."

The latest spy picture to arrive at the offices of Eurodragster.com (below left) came with no words. If you know more, or if you would like to send your own spy picture, then drop us a line at eurodragster.com@btinternet.com.


Our good friend Bob Roberts, who works on the Pro Modified team of Eurodragster.com sponsor Andy Robinson, has posted the Anger Management team's New Year Resolution in video form. Featuring in-car footage and views from Eurodragster.com's Webster Race Engineering / Nimbus Motorsport webcam, the enviably well-edited video (above right) shows the final round of Pro Modified at the UK National Finals.

No news update yesterday (Wednesday) so we were unable to say a big Happy Birthday to UK Junior Dragster racer Jordan Payne. Hope you had a great day Jordan.

Eurodragster.com will be attending the Friday of next week's Autosport International at the NEC in Birmingham and as ever we will post an illustrated report in association with John Woolfe Racing. If you plan to be at Autosport next Friday and would be amenable to an interview then drop us a line at tog@eurodragster.com and we'll fix a date.


SPRC Perpetual Awards vote 3.
2nd January: Santa Pod Racers Club and Eurodragster.com are again teaming up to give Eurodragster.com readers the chance of input to the
SPRC Perpetual Awards, which will be presented at the SPRC Dinner Dance and Trophy presentation on Saturday 27th January 2018.

For several of the 2017 season awards, a shortlist has been decided upon for which votes can be submitted by E-Mail. Nominations are now also being accepted for the Alex Brachtvogel Memorial Trophy. The votes of Eurodragster.com readers will be taken into consideration when the SPRC Committee decides upon their winners.

This week's category is Best-Appearing Bike. The SPRC Committee's shortlist, in alphabetical order, is as follows. You can see larger pictures on the official Perpetual Awards page which you can view by clicking here or by clicking on the SPRC Perpetual Awards vote link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page.

Ian Chrichlow
8.50 Bike

Jasmine Cordelle
ET Bike

Mark Dainty
8.50 Bike

Bobby Frazier
8.50 Bike

Neil Midgley
Supertwin (owner Chris Hannam)

Steve Venables
Super Street Bike

To place your vote, either use the links above or go to the official Perpetual Awards voting page which you can view by clicking here or by clicking on the SPRC Perpetual Awards vote link on the left-hand side of any Eurodragster.com page.
©Eurodragster.com
The Alex Brachtvogel Memorial Trophy, for which nominations are also now being taken, was first awarded to Santa Pod Racers Club's late Chief Marshal, Alex Brachtvogel, in 2001 to mark his outstanding contribution to Santa Pod Raceway and the sport as a whole. After Alex's death the trophy was named in his memory and continues to be awarded for contribution to drag racing. There is no shortlist for the Alex Brachtvogel award. Nominations are invited from Eurodragster.com readers for racers, race officials, track and safety crews, club officials, media, or anyone else who has contributed to the sport. Last year the trophy was awarded to Andy Marrs of SPRC's timing crew. Again see the official page for more details or E-Mail your nomination to sprcawards2017@btinternet.com specifying SPRC Alex Brachtvogel Memorial Trophy nomination as the subject and your nomination in the body of the E-Mail.

For each of the Awards, one vote per E-Mail address per nominee will be accepted: multiple votes for the same nominee from the same E-Mail address will all be disqualified. And every year we say this, but every year someone tries it on: please note that blatant attempts at organising mass votes - for example asking workmates, forum members or Facebook friends to vote en masse - are easily identified and all such votes will be disallowed as they have been in previous years. Concerted attempts at vote-rigging will result in the nominee being removed from the shortlist whether or not that nominee knows what was going on. We know all the dodges so it's just not worth trying. If in any doubt about what constitutes canvassing then please drop us a line at editor@eurodragster.com.

Additionally, if anyone should have issues with the content of any of the shortlists then please have the courtesy to contact SPRC direct rather than contacting Eurodragster.com or posting cryptic comments or bullying candidates on Facebook. E-Mails to Eurodragster.com regarding the content of the shortlists will receive neither a reply nor any other acknowledgement.

The remaining categories are as follow:

Monday 8th January: Most Professional-Appearing Team
Monday 15th January: James Edgar Memorial Trophy


Gullqvist's record season.
1st January: As if more Championships and records were not enough, FIA European Pro Modified Champion Micke Gullqvist set a new mark as the first FIA racer to exceed six hundred points in a season, and his tally of 610 was the most ever for an FIA racer contesting a single class. Micke writes:

We had a great season in 2017, winning three out of four concluded FIA events and undefeated in the two events which were rained out, with one just lacking the final. Our record win-lose ratio was 19-1, we reset the European record twice and set Low ET at five events. The quality of the tracks was very good overall, and we lowered the track record at three of the four tracks.

We had a couple of very exciting races against the Old 51 team who put up great resistance with Jimmy Ålund behind the wheel. Things like that really motivate us to get after it, and I'm pumped up about racing them again in 2018.

We had great help from fine companies including Lucas Oil, Kjelland Transport, Stavdal, Pampas Marina, Carolines Kitchen, Blenco, LenMech and Aeromotive.


Swift snippets.
1st January: Many thanks to Job Heezen of the FIM Europe Drag Racing commission for the following message, to which the Eurodragster.com staff add our own wishes for a very Happy New Year to all of our readers:


Thanks for all of the votes for the SPRC Perpetual Awards and the nominations for the Alex Brachtvogel Memorial Trophy; please keep both coming. The next category will be Best-Appearing Bike whose shortlist will be posted on tomorrow's (Tuesday's) update. For the record, the attempt at an organised vote at 19:45 on Christmas Day did not, of course, go unnoticed and the votes involved have been DQ'd.



Earlier news