2008 FIA Main Event
Run What You Brung, Sunday 18th May


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20:10

We have now posted today's pictures, which you can access via the Event Index page. As a bonus, Kirstie has posted a gallery of shots from her travels around the pits today. Again you can access those pictures from the Event Index; if you don't see the link then click on your Browser's Refresh button and it will appear.

That's all for this weekend, then, but we will be back up at Santa Pod during the week and we will have the webcam running and also post some pictures from around the facility.

17:25

Marc Meihuizen rounded off the day in his Pro Mod, a lot of consternation from Chris Russo about how straight the car was staged, 1.0029 to sixty feet then the Coupe started to move left and the tyres shook, Marc got off the throttle at about 100 feet and idled through to a 12.0316/62.75.

On two wheels Wayne Saunders finished his day with a 9.5991/149.55 on his 9.50 Bike and son Josh clocked 8.8607/72.95 and 8.9371/72.26 in his Junior Dragster.

We are now going to work on today's pictures, stay tuned for those.

17:10

A good start for Micke Kågered on his latest pass in the Bahco Tools Top Fueller, 0.8778 to sixty feet then the tyres started to shake about seventy feet out; at about a hundred feet the tyres started to smoke and Micke was off the throttle instantly, idling through to an 8.7793/94.69.

Super Street Bike racer Garry Bowe is certainly consistent today, his latest run a 7.7602/181.30.

We're expecting another Pro Mod in about ten minutes, we think Marc Meihuizen, stay tuned.

16:50

A nice pass from Urban Johansson in his Pro Mod, 0.9939 to sixty feet, 2.8067 at 330 feet and the Vette started to take the long way round at that point, weaving right and left, 4.2236/175.09 at half track and 6.4140/227.50 at the stripe. Then it all started to get a bit hairy as Urban's chutes were very late in appearing and a big cloud of dust told the tale of our second field trip of the weekend. The Vette only went about three car lengths into the field and Urban is quite OK.

Henri Joosten pedalled off the line on his latest pass but still clocked 1.0919 to sixty feet, then getting out of shape and backing off, 10.1536/72.09. Laurie Bamford, now rear windowless, clocked a nice 9.6809/139.06 in his Nova. Also on four wheels, Fred Hansen was a bit too conservative with the throttle on his last but one run, 9.3980/101.51 for the Islanders Super Comp dragster, followed by an 8.8611/132.70 just as we went to post this update. Islanders team mate Maja Udtian clocked 13.3681/47.82 in her Junior Stock Dragster. Fellow JD racer Josh Saunders managed two runs in quick succession, 8.8887/73.26 and 8.8626/73.32.

On two wheels Joe Elliott paired up with Phil Pratt, 11.5770/119.62 for the Supertwin ET racer to the 9.50 Bike racers's 9.1493/149.60. Super Street Bike racer Garry Bowe's latest pass was 7.7271/183.90 blackstriping all the way. Wayne Saunders paired up with Bob Wood, 9.50 Bike v Comp Bike, and they were pretty much side-by-side all the way, Wayne just getting there first 9.8273/147.44 to 9.9419/137.36. Ken Cooper followed on with his Funny Bike, having crossed lanes last time out this run was a lot better, 7.6013/156.79, from here it looked and sounded as if Ken shut off a touch early. Sandra Chaplain was next up for the bikes, 8.5016/150.75 for the Think Pink Comp Bike.

15:50

We have another happy team here, Marc Meihuizen's guys were very pleased with his latest pass. After Marc's Coupe pulled left on his last run the team made some changes to the chassis and US consultant Chris Russo told them that if the burnout went well then everything was OK. The burnout was indeed straight and the launch was sweet as you like, 1.0073 to sixty feet, then shake about 200 feet, Marc stayed with it through 330 feet (2.7130) to about 400 feet and then the Coupe made a hard right turn and Marc was off the throttle but still clocked 4.1463/159.74 at half track, 7.2099/134.44 at the stripe.

Brum's latest pass on his Supertwin was a very nice-looking 8.7524/126.76.

Trackside conditions are 15.4 C, 39% humidity and 1003 mb of air, track temperature on the start line is 28.8 C.

15:30

A very happy Micke Kågered came up to visit us to tell us that the Bahco Tools Top Fueller's new set-up is working very well. The last run was a planned squirt, about 200 feet, with a sixty foot time of 0.9069. "The track is a bit tricky and it's good for the guys to see that they could sort the car out for that track", said Micke. "It felt really, really good. The new clutch feels like a Funny Car clutch, I love it!". Micke added that he plans one more run today, a half pass.

Michael Malmgren hit bad shake at the hit on his latest run, 1.3658 sixty foot time and already off the throttle at that point, bell well rung and rolling through to a 27.7374/24.16.

Super Comp racer Fred Hansen pulled a 0.0954 RT on his latest run, 8.8809/124.30.

Trackside conditions are 14.1 C, 43% humidity and 1003 mb of air.

Just as I went to post this update the DC-3 Dakota of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight made a pass over the track, low and I mean low - only a few hundred feet. The BBMF will be here a couple of days next weekend, I believe Sunday and Monday.

15:05

Roger Goring is getting closer and closer to the fives, wiping out his Personal Best again with a 6.0758/261.17 in the Firestorm Jet FC, well done Roger! Interesting factoid from this run was that Roger's eighth-mile speed of 194.80 was identical to that of his run this morning.

Garry Bowe and Mick Templeman's latest runs on their Super Street Bikes were a 7.8082/181.30 and 8.4687/171.43 respectively. Next up were Phil Pratt and Andy Haley on their 9.50 Bikes, 9.8543/145.63 for Phil to Andy's 9.3974/144.41. Also on two wheels, Bob Wood and Sandra Chaplain paired up on their Comp Bikes, 12.0018/124.03 for Bob to Sandra's 9.6373/140.45.

Josh Saunders and Billy Everitt then paired up in their Junior Modified and Stock dragsters, Josh clocking 8.9912/72.51 to Billy's 12.3231/49.70.

Just as I went to finish this update Laurie Bamford made his first run of the day in his Pro ET Nova, 9.8094/137.57 but a small problem at the finish line as the rear window blew out. Laurie is quite OK.

Trackside conditions are 14.6 C, 41% humidity and 1003 mb of air.

14:45

A bit more success this time for Micke Gullquist in the Nordlan Pro Mod, 1.0393 to sixty feet, driving through what looked like pretty minor shake, certainly not big caterpillar tracks, 2.7934 to 330 feet and off the throttle as the car drifted left, 8.9352/100.51 at the stripe.

Next up was Micke Kågered in the Bahco Tools Top Fueller. Team member Gary Page told us that tuner Alan Jackson was happy with the earlier pass even though the tyres went up in smoke a little way out because it proved that the new set-up was making the power. The team will have been very happy with this one, an absolutely clean launch with no sign of shake, 0.9029 to sixty feet and off the throttle at about 200 feet, 2.6873 to 330 feet and 10.1325/87.26 at the finish line.

Next up were John Hackney and Joe Elliott, again John dialled in 9.90 and Joe 11.50, John clocking 10.0568/137.53 to Joe's redlit 11.4758/119.93.

13:55

Augy Harrison's latest run on his 9.50 Bike was a 9.2276/151.41. In the other lane Andy Haley clocked 9.4920/145.25. Joe Elliott and John Hackney paired up again for a handicapped start, John got there first with a 10.2526/132.78 on a 9.90 dial-in whilst Joe clocked 11.9411/114.71 on an 11.50 dial-in.

Next up was Sandra Chaplain on the Think Pink Comp Bike, 8.8050/152.54 followed by Bob Wood with a 12.5815/120.70.

We just had a visit from Dutch Pro Mod racer Marc Meihuizen who introduced us to his American visitor, US Pro Mod racer Chris Russo. We will publish full details on the pit notes page but Chris and Marc run identical combinations and so have been sharing data. Chris' combination, which is in Marc's car, has run 6.06 seconds at 238 mph and Chris thinks that Marc's last run would have been a high 6.1 had it not been a planned half pass. The oil from Marc's last run was just due to an oil line coming loose, no damage at all and Marc will be running again later after making some chassis adjustments.

On that subject one of the RWYBers has put a lot of oil on the track and that is currently being cleaned up. Stay tuned.

13:05

Michael Malmgren's next run of the day in the Lahega Pro Stock was a 7.5539/111.21. Quite a long burnout and then 1.0322 to sixty feet, 2.9004 to 330 feet, 4.4546/156.68 at half track and then off the throttle and the chutes out by 1000 feet, 7.5539/111.21 at the stripe.

Fred Hanssen followed up with an 8.8667/127.40 in his Super Comp dragster.

Trackside conditions are 14.0 C, 43% humidity and 1003 mb of air, track temperature on the start line is 31.0 C in the left lane and 32.1 C in the right lane.

12:45

First after the clean-up was Henri Joosten's Pro Mod. A nice burnout this time and then the right side door came off its mounting on the way back, a quick bit of work there and then 1.0857 to sixty feet, 2.8879 to 330 feet and off the throttle. The car headed left off the line and got very close to the 330 foot reflector but Henri pulled it back just in time, 8.7128/96.13 at the stripe.

Hans Olav Olstad followed on his Supertwin, a brief burnout and then 1.2471 to sixty feet and the bike started to head for the right hand guardrail, 3.2108 at 330 feet and off the throttle, 8.3733/155.81.

12:20

Next up was a trio of Pro Mods. Urban Johansson went first, some protracted work on his wheelie bars before he pulled in to stage and then 0.4572 RT and appalling shake at the hit, bad enough to make stuff vibrate up here in Race Control shake, off the throttle immediately and 14.1161/75.26 at the stripe.

Henri Joosten followed, a short burnout and it sounded as if the engine was struggling a little and wanted to shut down. Back into the water box and another go at a burnout and this time the tyres didn't strike at all. A third attempt at a burnout, suddenly two of Henri's crew had a hurried conversation and went running to the car and Henri shut off. As I type the Bel Air is sitting in front of the garage behind the start line.

Next around the corner was Marc Meihuizen. Marc has an American consultant with him this weekend although we don't kow who as when we popped in to visit yesterday the team were very busy so we left them to it. A great 200-foot burnout and then 1.0027 to sixty feet, 2.7814 to 330 feet and 4.1387/172.74 at half track. The car went left off the start line and ran almost along the centre line to half track where Marc shut off and put the chutes out. Then the engine started to smoke, through the top end at 7.2210/118.51 and word came back on the track radio that there was oil in Marc's lane.

11:35

Paul Ingar Udtian's first run of the day in the Q8 Oils-sponsored Top Methanol Dragster was a real stormer. A 200-foot burnout and then 0.0853 reaction, 0.9590 to sixty feet, driving through shake as if it wasn't there, 3.7427/197.71 at half track and 5.7226/243.89 with the chute out in the traps. Nice one Paul!

Next up was Micke Gullquist in his Pro Mod. He hit shake at the hit, as the 1.6691 sixty foot indicates, pedalled and then hit shake again and the car made a move to the left and Micke got off the throttle, 11.6391/105.93 at the line.

11:30

A good start to the day for Jet Funny Car pilot Roger Goring as he clocked Personal Best ET and speed on his first run today, 6.1063/259.96, well done Roger!

Well done also to Mark Flavell whose first full pass in the Steel River Hot Rod Super Pro ET FC netted him an excellent 7.8131/172.87.

Amost completely two-wheeled action for this update as Garry Bowe clocked 7.8003/181.96 on his Super Street Bike. Next up was 9.50 Bike racer Phil Pratt with a 9.1232/151.41. Supertwin ET racers Joe Elliott and John Hackney paired up, Joe clocking 11.9562/117.64 and John 10.0130/139.14. A brace of 9.50 Bikes next, Augy Harrison running 9.2162/153.63 and Andy Haley 9.5998/144.37, in the next pairing Wayne Saunders clocked 9.7157/146.48.

We then got our first look at Ian Turburville's former Crew Chief Brum on his Supertwin Fuel bike, feathering the throttle towards the top end but still a fine 8.8677/143.13.

A couple of Junior Dragsters were next, Billy Everitt making his first run of the day in his Junior Stock Dragster, 12.6687/48.77 and Josh Saunders pulling a 0.0961 RT and a nicely-judged 8.9105/72.74.

Finally for this update, Fred Hanssen ran a fine 8.9190/125.48 in the Islanders Super Comp dragster.

Next up we have Top Methanol Dragster and Pro Mod, stay tuned.

10:45

Henri Joosten has made his first run in his newly-acquired Pro Mod. A nice burnout and launch, 1.1879 to sixty feet and off the throttle there, idling through to 17.5492/40.29.

Micke Kågered was next up in the Bahco Tools Top Fuel Dragster. The car has a subtle change to its colour scheme, the logo of new sponsor Peugeot now in the front spoiler. 0.3853 reaction, the tyres went up in smoke about thirty feet out, 0.9806 to sixty feet although Micke was off the throttle by then, idling through to 12.4478/79.36.

John Hackney's second run of the day was a 9.9291/142.00, followed by Comp Bike racer Al Young with an early shut off 9.7823/117.49. 9.50 Bike racer Bob Wood then put in a checkout pass on what is for us at least a new Funny Bike, 16.6712/84.38. 9.50 Bike racers Andy Haley and Wayne Saunders paired up, Andy had spin at the hit and clocked 10.8764/143.95 whilst Wayne clocked 9.8047/147.01.

Enjoying a birthday treat was Jessie Harvey, stepdaughter of Super Pro ET racer John Everitt who was strapped into Grumpy's Dodge and taken for a passenger ride by Mick Howling, 9.8304/135.58.

Finally for this update, Dave Day made his second run of the day in the Double Trouble SC/SG roadster, 9.3577/141.55.

10:10

Supertwin ET racer, SPR timing crew member and Eurodragster.com honorary staff member John Hackney was next up from the racing contingent, a very nice 9.8678/140.98 from the TL. Augy Harrison followed on his 9.50 Bike, 9.3156/154.37.

A couple of Junior Dragsters were next, Josh Saunders was first with a 0.0297 reaction and 8.8959/73.04 followed by Maja Udtian in her Junior Stock, 13.4882/47.35.

Michael Malmgren then returned for his second pass of the day, another big burnout and then 1.0279 to sixty feet, 2.8830 to 330 feet and then off the throttle at the top of third gear, 8.6581/100.92 at the stripe.

Dave Day followed on with the Super Comp/Gas roadster, looked to be taking it easy, 9.6164/149.85. Fred Hanssen was next up in the Islanders Super Comp rail, 8.8473/132.70 even feathering the throttle in the second half.

Making his first appearance of the weekend was Hans Olav Olstad, a brief but strong burnout and the bike sounded just great. 1.3944 to sixty feet, 4.9770/163.75 at half track and 7.4029/185.26 at the stripe. Very straight run, looked and sounded like a checkout pass.

Trackside conditions are 15.7 C, 48% humidity and 1003 mb of air, track temperature in the left lane is 24.0 C and in the right lane 24.1 C.

9:45

First out again today was Mark Flavell in his Super Pro ET Funny Car. The car sounded a little lazy off the start line although that may have been deceptive, started heading for the centre line towards half track, Flav shut off at about 1000 feet but still clocked 8.1829/125.91.

Next up was Michael Malmgren in the Lahega Pro Stock, a long, long burnout to scrub a new pair of tyres and then a launch, 1.0331 to sixty feet, then stopped at about 300 feet. Into reverse and a stamp on the throttle and rolled back to the start line. The car is now sitting out in the catering area, I am guessing to allow everything to cool down before another launch.

9:00

Good morning and welcome from Santa Pod Raceway for our coverage of the second day of testing for the FIA Main Event in association with American Car Imports.

The Webster Race Engineering/MPM Oil webcam is on-line and will post a picture every sixty seconds until the track closes tomorrow.

A change to our original coverage plan for today, which was for lunchtime and end-day reports. Given yesterday's disruptions, and given the number of racers likely to run today, we have switched to a live report.

A big Hello to Gittli Koller and Andy Carter who are tuned in this morning, and also to our US correspondents Ed O'Connell and Kathy Hileman who are tuned in from Rye, NH.

I think the sky must have died overnight because this morning it has gone blue. A very nice day, some cloud cover so the track doesn't overheat, currently 14.6 C, 61% humidity and 1002 mb of air, and the track temperature on the start line is 20.3 C.

The safety crews are going on station so we'll be starting soon. Stay tuned.


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