At 11:00 the F&A Racing Top Fuel Dragster was unveiled in Lucas Oil colours by driver Chris Andrews, his sister Finola, and Les Downey of Lucas Oil UK. Chris told us that after Andy Carter's retirement he didn't want Lucas Oils' involvement in Top Fuel to end, and that there was a logical link since the car was originally campaigned by the Lucas family. The team actually started to acquire the car three years ago when the search was on for a dragster which was a good fit for Chris. "We got in touch with Forrest Lucas and he asked for an idea of what we could offer", said Chris. "We went to visit them at the Finals at Pomona and told them how we could help with brand awareness."

Chris said that this would be a development year fo the F&A Racing team as it has been a few years since he has raced Top Fuel. "I have to re-acclimatise myself and the car has systems I've not used before", he said. "We're not going to expect to go out there and win the Championship immediately. We plan to contest the full FIA calendar and we will be testing before the FIA Main Event. We hope to be invited to the Easter Thunderball."

Ben Allum is lined up to tune the car and Chris said that there will be more news about a tuner soon.

Another car making its début at Autosport International, having been delivered by builder Webster Race Engineering the day before, was Mark Todd's 1965 Pontiac GTO which will be contesting Topspeed Automotive Street Eliminator. Mark said that using a 1965 GTO was a gamble whch paid off. The début of the car was a satisfying conclusion not just to between two and three years of build time but to fifteen years of work since he started his two businesses, one of which produces industrial doors and the other powder coating.

"I have put everything into drag racing because I love it", said Mark. "The stance and finish of this car are just right, I am thrilled. I hadn't actually seen it built until two days ago when Jon Webster sent a picture. Jon gave me some good advice and turned my dream into reality. I also have to thank Kenny Coleman at EDA who built the motor and Andy Przybyl who did the paint. I just have to make it go now!"

The motor is a "circa 9.51-litre" Donovan aluminium BBC with twin 88mm turbos which but for some tuning tweaks is ready to fire up. Testing, including outings on the street for familiartisation, is planned before the Easter Thunderball although Mark's wife is due to give birth in March. "I will do my best to get to as many events as I can", he said.

Mark's Firebird is now in the hands of Eric Humphrey who plans to run it later this year. "I went for the lazy option, something already done!", said Eric.

Semi-naked on the Santa Pod Raceway stand was the new Showtime Fuel Funny Car which driver John Spuffard said is scheduled to make its on-track deébut at Easter. "The chassis is from John Force's 2010 car", said Spuff. "The body is a state-of-the-art Mustang which is brand new - never raced or rallied! The only change to the motor is a setback blower."

John said that it was frustrating sitting out 2011. "Bob Jarrett and I are certainly looking forward to getting back out there", he said. "We need to get the Funny Car series going. Gordon Smith and Dave Bryant are doing well as is Leif Helander, and it will be good to get back out there with them."

John asked us to thank sponsors ARP, Torco, Ferrea, King Bearings, Arrow Precision, Willans, Webster Race Engineering and RCS Cables and also to thank John Force Racing for help and support. "Without our sponsors we wouldn't have got this far", he said.

Matthew Wright of Eurodragster.com sponsor WG4 Facilities and Services has come up with a novel way of raising funds to help take the WG Racing Outlaw Rolls Royce to Drag Week. For £5 fans can sign their name on the bonnet of the car, and that bonnet is to be raffled at next year's APIRA/SPRC Dinner Dance with proceeds going to the Leukaemia Trust.

The Rolls Royce has had a motor transplant since we last saw it. "It's now running a Donovan 500 ally block with Big Chief eighteen-degree heads", said Matt. "It has a new sheet metal intake, AFT triple-plate clutch, Trick Titanium clutch can and a new 2.64 first gear. There are twenty eight new bars in the roll cage for a 28.2 tag. We plan to have the car MoT'd and taxed by the end of March. We also have a trailer to tow tools and spares supplied by Ifor Williams Trailers."

Pistons are about six weeks from delivery then testing is scheduled to commence at Santa Pod in March. "In August the car goes in a container to be shipped to Miami", said Matt. "Marketing opportunities are available from five pounds!"

Fifteen-year-old John Przybyl plans to contest all UK National Championship and SCR Junior Dragster League rounds in 2012. The Lucas Oil and dad-sponsored car was put back together especially for the Show but will be taken apart again afterwards as a new rear axle is ready to be installed as well as other parts which dad Andy of Pryzm Paintworks found needed replacing. Andy said that the team will be fielding two cars this season.

"Roy Wilding built a replica of this chassis and that car will be running in the colours of Przym Paintworks and driven by Callum Swinchatt", said Andy. "We would like to thank Les Downey of Lucas Oil for his continued support."

Jet Funny Car pilot Martin Hill said that the Fireforce 4 Jet Funny Car is under repair after its crash in testing last year. "The body is done, and the chassis is currently in the shop", he said. "We have identified and cured the cause of the crash". After some irresponsible actions on Facebook immediately after his crash, Martin said that in future he would be testing in private.

Martin is currently working at the site of the London Olympics with Darren Prentice of Santa Pod Raceway; you can read more about that below in our chat with David Lloyd-Jones.

Dad Andy Wheeler of Eurodragster.com sponsor Alamo Rent-A-Car said that Junior Dragster racers Paige and Belle Wheeler have been invited to run at two events in the USA this year, the Mike Bos Chassiscraft Nationals and the NHRA Eastern Conference Finals. Half Scale will be providing cars for the ten days of racing which start in mid-July.

Paige is planning a full season including possible a possible European tour taking in Tierp Arena, Hockenheim and Alastaro. Belle's schedule has yet to be firmed up. Another major sponsor is in the works but Alamo, Oakley and Lucas Oil have all renewed for 2012.

Belle's dragster is up for sale for £pound;6000 including a motor for Junior Modified. If funding allows the team would like to add a Junior Funny Car.

Former Junior Dragster racer Nick Mugridge plans to return to the track in dad Tim's Camaro in 2012. Tim will run in Super Modified at UK National Championship rounds and Nick will start the licencing process and plans to run in Super Pro ET at the FIA Main Event and the FIA European Finals.

Nick said that he understands that it's a big learning curve. He plans to take it steady and see how he feels. He said that he would like to be the first former Junior Dragster racer to run a seven-second pass in a doorslammer.

Geof Hauser of Eurodragster.com sponsor Hauser Race Cars said that son Scott will be contesting the Santa Pod Racers Club Super Pro ET Championship this season.

Geof himself drove the car on its first outing, which was his first dragster drive since Clive Skilton's Revolution III in 1973. Geof said that he was a little apprehensive but that the dragster drove so smoothly that it was like a Cadillac.

The dragster's motor is for sale and the plan is to install a 598 ci motor, staying on pump gas for low maintenance.

Junior Dragster racer Brad Jackson's car is being modified at the workshops of Eurodragster.com sponsor Hauser Race Cars as Brad has put on a foot in height over the off-season. The Lucas Oil-sponsored team are planning to contest the UK National Championship and the EDRS Series, taking in rounds at Drachten and Hockenheim.

Andy Fensome (left, above) said that son and Junior Dragster racer Aaron has a new motor and is stepping up to Junior Modified Advanced this year. The JR Race Cars Titan 350 cc motor in the K&N Filters-sponsored car in time for the Easter Thunderball. Saskia Jell will be racing in all UK National Championship rounds this season in a car lent by Bruce Kopasz. Saskia's Crew Chief will be Trevor Large (right, above).

VW Sportsman racer James London (right, above) has a new car which is being kept secret but which will make its début at the Easter Thunderball. James will start in VW Sportsman and plans to go to VW Pro in 2013. This will be his twelfth season for fellow VW Sportsman racer Martin Ayton (left, above). He has been second in the VWDRC Championship twice and is hoping to go one better this season. There is no ECU on Martin's car so he was at the show looking for a new distributor set-up to make the car more consistent.

Team-mate Rhonda Callaway has bought Martin's Golf and will be contesting a full season of VW Sportsman.

Nick and Nicky Frost will be contesting the SPRC Super Comp Championship in 2012. Nick and Nicky said that this is the first time that they have ever done nothing to the Camaro over the off season - apart from polishing.

Lee Child of Eurodragster.com sponsor LA Racing Parts wears several hats including distributor for VP Racing Fuels, track prep consultant, and organiser of Run What You Brung events at Dakota Drag Strip in Devon which has now been extended from an eighth mile to a quarter mile.

"We have three dates at Dakota Drag Strip this year", said Lee, "26th March, 28th July and 13th October. "The change to the quarter mile was well-received. We are currently considering offers from companies who wish to resurface the start line.

"We have plenty of stock of VP Racing Fuels and the new products will arrive in mod- to late-March. Despite increases in excise duty there are no price increases on the horizon. We really appreciate the custom of all of those who use VP Racing Fuels and those who have changed to it.

"I am booked to prep the track for three events at Malmö Raceway including the Test and Tune with Top Doorslammer, Pro Mod and Pro Stock. The racers have been very enthusiastic about the prep at Malmö. It has also been a genuine pleasure to work with the Malta Drag Racing Association at Hal-Far Raceway, and the racers on Malta are just fantastic. I would like to say a big Thank You to Jason Camilleri for the opportunity to prep Hal-Far and to the Mr Whippy team for their fantastic hospitality."

Santa Pod Raceway's General Manager David Lloyd-Jones brought up up to date with developments at SPR. We started by asking David about the start line had which proven tricky after being relaid just before the FIA European Finals.

"We are investigating various options", said David. "The bitumen was exactly the same type from the same quarry as when the track was last resurfaced but it just wouldn't take. It was very disappointing. By hook or by crook something will be done. Ultimately our desire is to put in 330 feet of concrete."

David took us through the other improvements which have taken place. "We have installed lights in the shutdown area and I must thank Santa Pod Racers Club for their financial help. In light of a recommendation from the MSA we have put in a new and longer catch fence. Fencing from the end of the grandstand to 330 feet is now seven feet tall and the fencing has been replaced between 330 feet and scrutineering. There will be a new toilet block in the Family Camping area, just behind scrutineering, in time for the Easter Thunderball. We have also extended the Pod Shop with an area especially for racers' needs such as VP fuels, Lucas Oils, Ringers gloves etc. We plan to put in a new Race Control in 2012.

"Although there is an extra day of Public Holiday on the Tuesday this year, the FIA Main Event will still take place on the Friday to Monday of the holiday weekend although the Tuesday will be used as a rain date if eliminations cannot be completed on the Monday. Whether or not the rain date is used racers and fans are welcome to stay at the track on the Monday evening and we will keep the bar open and put on a band. The offer of 20% off advance tickets for all 2012 events at Santa Pod is open until the end of January.

"Now that the rules allow Junior Funny Cars to run in Junior Modified we are having a Junior Funny Car built for hire. Although the Funny Cars can now run in Modified we will start a Junior Funny Car League if there is enough interest. All of the leading chassis builders are quoting ten thousand pounds for a Junior Funny Car plus about £1750 for the body. So either get one built, build your own, or talk to Santa Pod and if there would be enough of us can get together to place orders then maybe we could get a volume discount. If you are interested in Junior Funny Car then please contact Darren Prentice at Santa Pod.

"One of our jet dryers is currently working at the site of the Olympic Park in London. It us being used to bed in tarmac on the roads and other infrastructure such as anti-skid surfaces on footpaths and decorative finishing. Darren Prentice, Steve Horn and Martin Hill have been there for five weeks so far and will probably be there for another five weeks or so. We have set up a web site at www.surfacedrying.com with information about our services.

"Finally I would like to say a big Thank You to the Santa Pod Raceway staff, the Santa Pod Racers Club race officials and marshals, the racers, the fans, Eurodragster.com and the media, and everyone who puts in time and effort. Without your efforts and time, drag racing would not exist."