Top Methanol Dragster racer and Eurodragster.com sponsor Derek Flynn was relieved when a huge sheet of flame from the left bank of cylinders turned out to be unburnt fuel coming through the exhaust header gasket and igniting on the header. "The car had a very conservative tune-up but I went up in smoke on the hit and got back on it, not realising the flame had occured. A valve broke as a result of high rpm, but I am relieved it was nothing more." Derek is joined by new crewman Colin Chapman who has learned the starting procedure. Derek will probably not run in the second session due to maintenance work being carried out.

Top Methanol Dragster racer Timo Habermann was pleased to be the only member of the class to run a six in the first session. "The car felt good but in conditions like this you have to drive with your head. I used a lot less throttle and felt the tyres getting loose so I pedalled twice. We had a 4.2 to half track which was decent." The team are looking to acquire a spare block for their two Fontana engines before the Main Event.

Brother Dennis Habermann has a new ride which ran 5.26 in the US, the second quickest blown alcohol car. "We bought the rolling chassis and installed the Fontana engine and B&J gearbox from my old car. The car feels different, you need to steer it more and the clutch feels different. The car is 290" wheelbase which is a little longer. For this run I used less throttle and left with only 3500rpm on the start line, much lower than usual. We planned to make a half pass and the car did a wheelie and had tyre shake, so we will probably put some weight at the front." The old car is in the Habermann workshop awaiting a buyer.

Top Fuel Dragster driver Anita Mäkelä said "The last time I drove a Top Fueler was in 2003. You need a few runs to get used to it but I am sure I will get the feeling for the car back. It felt good though. We were going to make a half pass but I had huge tyre shake after one second so I had to lift. There are a lot of things to sort out in the driving technique, for instance I started the burnout too slow and the throttle stop was set at too high revs so the car was not straight. But I am sure I will get them right in the next run later.

NFAA pilot Joe Bond had a scary ride, swapping lanes on a bye and hitting reflectors in the process. "It felt fine off the line but as it went into high gear it swung like a pendulum. The next thing I knew I was across the track. I thought I could get it back but it was going too quick to make the correction work. I didn't realise the car had taken the blocks out as they were below my line of vision. I got off the throttle as soon as I went over." The car has a new 44 amp magneto to increase the ignition and burn more fuel. "The cold temperatures make it difficult for these cars to stick to the track, " said Joe.

Terry Wratten, crew chief for the Wratten Brothers' NFAA entry said "We have a new supercharger, injector and fiel pump. Last weekend we ran our best ever 60ft time of 0.94. The track was cold and we had tyre shake today. As we were on a bye run we were not too concerned when the car changed lanes and knew it was better to stay in the other lane and see what it would do at the top end under load. Apart from not getting a time we were pretty pleased." Pictured is driver Dennis Wratten.

NFAA pilot Dave Grabham is without his trademark (for 2008) beard. "I went for 49 years without one and now everyone says they don't recognise me without it after having it for one year." The shave proved profitable though as Dave raised £1089 for MacMillan Cancer Support. The qualifying session was frustrating for Dave. "We got shut off for a fire extinguisher issue at first and then for a drop of oil. We freshened the car up over the winter and there is more to come so we are aiming for 6.9 or 7.0 this season at 190mph as the car is not geared for 200mph." Dave said the car really needs a three speed Lenco rather than the existing two speed to go quicker still and for that, a sponsor will be required.

Top Fuel Bike racer Rene van den Berg ran an easy 10.4 followed by a stronger 7.32. Crewman John Hunt said "On the first run we had a new tyre and clutch and we ran just to bed those in. The bike has new heads and we are looking for mid sixes in better conditions but on the first run Rene lifted with the cold track and it dug in again.

This is the new entry from the Top Banana team of Brian and Lee Huxley. Brian said "The car was originally built by Tim Hinds who also built Mike Bentley's Super Gas car. We have put the drive train from the '32 roadster in this including the axle. The car rides lower than the roadster too. We will be sharing the driving and I will drive it after Lee has tried it out."

Super Gas racer Paul Foote has owned this immaculate Ford F100 for eight years. He said "I first took it to car shows where it won trophies but in the last two years I have developed it as a race car. It started off when the old small block engine blew and I replaced it with a 540cu in big block rated at 850hp from Bill Mitchell Products and TH400 transmission. Hauser Race Cars fitted a new rear axle and a lot of metalwork. It weighs 3800lb so needs a lot of power to shift it. I am in Super Gas without a throttle stop so my driving will be tested." The Salt Lakes Racers is a tribute to the South California Timing Association which also influences the retro colour scheme.

2008 Super Gas Champion Conrad Stanley's Firebird has had a new paint scheme. Team manager Trevor Graves said "Thanks to Martin Curbishley for designing and applying the new paint. We made no otherchanges so we were delighted to run a 9.92 off the trailer. Sponsors Teng Tools and Lucas Oils have both renewed for a third year with the team.

Super Pro racer Norbert Schneider from Germany was present at the European Finals but didn't run after the rains washed out most of the event. "I drove a '62 Nova in Super Comp in Germany and a '62 Nova in Super Gas last year. It was no fun for me though and I searched Racing Junk for a new build from 2000 to 2005. I then saw Spencer's Corrado advertised on the German drag racing board and liked it. I bought it as a rolling chassis as I wanted to use a Thomas Engelage 620 cu in big block engine which runs on 100% E85 bio ethanol. Our first full pass was 8.52 which I am happy with."

Super Pro ET racer Pat Talbot making her return after a year off has a black paint scheme which makes the dragster appear longer and more aggresive. "It's the same setup as before but we shook the tyres a lot off the start line on our first pass", she said.

Super Pro ET racer Mark Bishop in the pairing lanes before his moonshot which is in the gallery. He said "The performance is a lot more than we expected. After doing a 8.77 last year we made changes to the gears, back axle, headers, manifolds and carburretor (the car running a Dominator). The engine is now 521cu in. On the first run it went left on the launch and I straightened it up to run a break-out 8.52." On the second run the car told Mark in no uncertain terms it needs a wheelie bar. He said "I thought it was going over backwards it was so high. As it was, my chest and back are hurting from the impact. The front axle is badly damaged but I hope we will be back by the Main Event."

Super Pro ET racer Nick Good in his six second dragster. The car is sponsored by Leatt Brace neck protection, Motor Matt (the helmet for your neck), Morris Armitage Spin Werkes racing wheels and primary sponsor Beovax. Nick lifted on his runs as the car was breaking loose.

Danny Cockerill first discovered bike racing after attending a Saturday Night Special last October with a road bike. "That was lots of fun so I bought this Suzuki GSX1300R Hayabusa which is basically stock except for a longer swing arm and airshifted gears." Danny is qualified a highly creditible fifth with a 9.53. Danny's other project, rebuilding his ex-Andy Kirk '67 Camaro for Street Eliminator is a couple of months from its debut. "Jon Webster has done the chassis, tin work and wiring and I am waiting on wheels coming from the US. The engine will be a 396cu in small block with a procharger."

Super Street rider Garry Bowe said "I overpowered the track with wheelspin and was surprised to see a seven come up as it didn't feel such a good run." The bike is a turbo Hayabusa with a new MTC Spider clutch. "Brad O'Connor at BTC did a lot of reconfiguration work on the ECU mapping the turbo to each cylinder and the timing of the boost. At the test day I ran two personal bests without breakage."

Shaun Spiers is the only 9.50 rider from Team Breakout as Geoff Conner has sold his bike to Steve Whiting and Chris Jones is concentrating on 8.50 bike. Shaun's bike has an eye-catching pearlescent white paint scheme from Airy Arts in Ferndown near Ringwood. Shaun and new bride Judit will celebrate becoming parents later this year and so a hiatus in Shaun's racing career could occur next season.

German Super Street Bike racer Thomas Granica has an orange pit area. "I was quite nervous after the rain delay and didn't know what the track would take so I was pleased with an 8.0 which is close to my pb of 7.89. I will load it up for the next pass." Thomas's bike is a Hayabusa with self installed Big CC turbo kit. The bike has a slider clutch, Motech engine management and AMS boost controller. Thomas is hoping to attend all ACU rounds being held at SPR.

Swiss Super Street Bike racer Stefan Schnawiler has bought Paul Watson's 8.50 bike from 2008. "Paul delivered it to the track on Thursday so my first run was a familiarisation one at 9.3. I raced Harley V-Rod and Super Street in Germany and qualified first in both events I ran in an came runner up once and won at the Nitrolympx."

Top Methanol Funny Car racer Steph Milam said "We rebuilt the engine over the winter following damage at the National Finals and have got current rods and pistons in our Keith Black engine. We also had to make some new tin for the body and a panel under the diaper to come up to the top rail to comply with the update to safety rules. The car was fired up on Friday and we're ready to go racing. We will be running four events, including both FIA rounds here and the National Finals." Steph and Dave's She-Devil team are sponsored by Solar UK Advanced Solar Water Heating Systems and SPR Tuning.

Pro Mod racer Robert Joosten said he is now working with a Rotterdam-based ship-building company that imports half completed inland container barges from China and fits them out for use in Europe. "Last season we were having problems with the rear axle which caused us not to qualify at the Main Event and Hockenheim. We shook the tyres so hard the axle tubes went oval. Gerard Willemse of Puma Engineering came up with an emergency fix involving baking tray aluminium. Over the winter we have replaced the axle and taken the car apart and refreshed it. I am proud that we came second in the championship in spite of not qualifying at two events." Robert is also proud that major sponsors of over ten years DJPS have re-signed with the team for a further period. "Pro Mod will be very competitive this year and I will take the championship if I have the opportunity but it will be tough."

Pro Mod racer Graham Ellis remarked that with two days' rain-out the team were "The cleanest and most perfectly prepared in the pits. We have warmed the motor three or four times with no problems." The car has a new engine, a BAE from Danny Cockerill's old '57 Chevy prepared by Carl Speiring's ERD company. "The engine has a new ERD PSI supercharger which Marc Meihuizen also runs and improved his performance dramatically." The blower fits tight against the windshield. Also in the ERD package are Carl's personal cylinder heads with some secret mods. "We were pleased with the outcome of last year but frustrated by a lack of data and problems with our supercharger. There are a lot of teams with the equipment to run a 6.0 but only one will be the first to do it." Graham has a lot of expertise on the team including Kev Perkins, Rob Milward, Andy Kirk, Lee Kirk, Gareth Ellis, Graham Wait and Dave Read. "This is what happens when you have the best car in the pits, everyone congregates around it. I don't do humble..."

Fuel Funny Car racer Gordon Smith (pictured with co-owner Dave Bryant) said "We had to make a complete front end of the chassis and body and Jason Phelps of FGR Motorsport did a great job for us. We gave the drivetrain with TFX block and BAE heads the usual service and are fully updated for this year. We are planning to run all UK dates for Fuel Funny car and hope there will be five or six races for us." Shockwave is sponsored by West 10 International Transport, Lilley Tile Distributors and Mapei worldwide building adhesive and sealants.

B&H Autotive/LA Racing Parts Street Eliminator racer Colin Lazenby said "Preparation started six weeks ago. We took the car to Ultimate Race Cars for a tidy up following our new engine at the finals, with the wiring, nitrous lines and transmission being upgraded. Clive Bond was on crutches after falling off the wing of a bi-plane, about a ten foot drop, but he got through the work nevertheless. We then went to see the Fat Boys (Ian Hook - ed). They are waiting on parts following the loss of a block in transit." We will be displaying the car at Knockhill in May. Pictured alongside Colin are crew Brian Lazenby and Garry Coull.

Atop Chris Impey's HKS Pro Mazda RX7 is the new team mascot constructed during the rain delay. "This is our first MSA event. We have been in the sport for two years after running the RX7 on the road and at shows. The car has a Bridgeport Rotary Engine with Eliminator fuel system, HKS T51 Turbo and PWR Charge Cooler with fairly stock internals. The gearbox is Lenco five speed air-shifted and power goes through a custom made nine inch rear end. Chris is helped by tuner Tim White. "We can turn the car round in an hour without a huge teardown, which helps when conditions allow several rounds of qualifying. The power output is estimated at 750hp at the wheels which translates to best times of 8.8/153.

Top Fuel Bike racer Steve Woolatt is running the bike in almost the same configuration as last year. However underneath the rocker cover are some special valve train components. "G&S have a development programme that we are involved with and they have supplied the valvetrain components to us to use this weekend."

Super Pro ET Vince Gibbs is hoping to have the quickest sportsman doorslammer in Europe following a 7.07 pass at the National Finals last year. "We have completely rebuilt the motor with a new Crane cam and MSD-10 plus ignition. The estimated horsepower is 1600. "We are looking to run a six", said Vince. Long term ambitions may include running in Pro Mod which would involve getting a clutch transmission (currently Vince has a Powerglide) and reducing the engine capacity (Vince has 572cu in compared to 526cu in for a blown Pro Mod engine).

Team Stardust run by former UK tractor pulling champion Rod Harrison has expanded to a two car Super Pro ET team. The dragster will be raced by Rod throughout the season as daughter Kerry who raced last year is pregnant, and has been joined by a funny car with son Karl driving. "We used to run two tractor pullers and Karl decided last year he wanted to try drag racing so we bought a Murf McKinney chassis from Knut Soderquist and a body from Charlie Draper and the Wratten Brothers that had previously been on Rune Fjeld's Motorola Funny Car raced by Gary Page. We then placed our Keith Black Hemi engine in the funny car and installed a gear box and clutch.

Karl Harrison's first two licensing passes were good but on the final run the clutch failed, meaning the final run will be during today's qualifying (which was successful). As well as racing, Karl has been busy in the pits. Rod said "Karl has been involved with Jeff Bull racing engines and has gained a reputation on blown methanol motors. Steve Taylor was running one of our old engines and had a problem after firing it up so Karl took it back to our workshop in Manea and ground the crank and rebuilt the engine overnight, finishing at 5am." The Tesco logo on the front of Karl's funny car is not a sponsorship (yet).

Three time FIA Top Fuel Champion Andy Carter (right, pictured with team member Gary Cottingham) will be in attendance at the Lucas Oil stand in the Santa Pod pits today and you can buy a ticket for £10 for a prize draw to be drawn on the last day of the European Finals. The prize will be two flights to the US and entry to an NHRA event. Also available at the store are Lucas Oil products and copies of Andy's new book. Funds are being raised for Andy to compete in an NHRA event or two at the end of 2009 and also available are sponsorship opportunities and fan support deals.

Those of you at the track may have noticed a mast behind race control. This is a remote controlled TV camera looking down the track and supplied by www.highlevel.tv. Parts of the event are being filmed for broadcast and DVD and we will let you know about how you will be able to see the results as soon as we hear.