Sportsman ET racer Tethys is in a street V6 Capri but has a V8-engined version at home that he is planning to bring out later in the season. He said "We have had to sort the rear axle and now that is done I need to finish it and bring it to run in Sportsman ET or Pro ET."
Many Happy Returns to Super Pro ET and Pro ET racer Paul Marston who is celebrating his 50th Birthday. The SPR Marshals clubbed together to present Paul with this specially customised zimmer frame on the startline. The offer to stage with the zimmer frame was politely declined by Paul.
Pro Mod racer Steve Hall has taken a big step up in power with the use of engines and blower from Graham Ellis. He said "It was quite last minute being the first run of the season - it was not fuelled, we didn't take the jumper off the mag, the shift button fell off on the burnout and there was not enough clutch. But we haven't hurt any parts. The new engine fitted ok except we had to cut out and make a new steering unit and there are also new headers and a modified firewall. The new engines are nice equipment and we want to creep up on it. It is so different it is like starting again."
Pro Mod racer Kev Slyfield is returning after taking a year off following engine block damage at the end of 2010. "We have been working hard on our trailer which eventually we want to use for Europe. We ran at the test weekend and whilst there were a few issues we are happy with the car. It lit the tyres up on the launch but that was because it didn't run straight in the burnout and we couldn't heat the tyres properly. The new block is good, the old one wasn't repairable and depending on finances we may do the Hockenheim round."
Pro Mod racer Jean Dulamon is happy after the 1400km trip from the South of France. "It took us two days but we are happy the car is running fine. We have a new 738cu in motor which cost us €10,000 as we did all the machining and we also repaired the heads and installed titanium valve seats after damage to valve, piston, cylinder sleeves and heads last year. Thanks to my team Bernard, Thierry and Nico who may be small in number but have worked really hard."
Pro Mod racer Andy Wright and co-owner Bert Englefield have put a barcode link to their Facebook page on the rear wing endplates - try scanning it from this image if your phone has a reader. Andy said "We expected the car to smoke the tyres off the line so it was no surprise when it did. We have got a new carbon fibre injector hat, new headers and a new Mark Williams rear axle. The car also has carbon brakes - they aren't mandatory in Europe but you need them if the chute doesn't come out."
Pro Mod racer and Eurodragster.com sponsor Graham Ellis was pleased with a 6.72 for no.1 in the adverse conditions. He said "We have a tune-up that will work when traction is marginal. We have run four back-to-back sixes now in varying conditions which helps. That run today was a banker and we will try to step it up from that. It was well turned down. Maintenance on a turbo car like ours is easier but if it goes wrong repairs are more difficult. Fortunately we have Nick and Rob from I.C.E. on site. We want to get our performance to the level that when overseas competitors come to the UK, we are the ones they are scared of."
Super Pro ET racer Pat Talbot, pictured with husband Stephen, and crewmen Matt and John Talbot, have been at the track four times in the last two years but never put a run in due to niggly problems. Stephen said "We were glad to get down the track with an 8.3 on 7.9 dial-in and it slowed due to a blocked fuel filter that halted the flow to the engine. We have rebuilt the engine four times and now that we're running again we just want to get down the track and take the car home in one piece. The computer readings identified the problem with the fuel flow and so we will be getting good data. We won't run nitrous this time as we want the weather warmer before we use it. But we are here for a decent season of racing."
Super Pro ET racer Bernard Saz has raced his Citroen for seven years. "We have always had a blown engine and we have run a best of 7.9/155mph on alcohol. This is the first race with a new and largely carbon fibre body and better engine. We worked on the car all winter and had to finish it here. We will race at Hockenheim and Drachten as well as Santa Pod." Bernard is joined by crew sons Jessy and Jeremy, Thierry Brabant, Willy Marrale, Hervé L'Huillier and Pierre Walterspieler.
9.50 Bike racer Shaun Spiers has been trying a lock-up clutch from Big CC Racing. He said "I was wheelying with the old clutch and a lock-up clutch gives more opportiunity to adjust to avoid it. The slave cylinder on the old clutch had broken as well as a pushrod had pushed the casing out. The only problem with the lock-up unit is that a screw was being pushed out of one of the arms." With a wife and young child, Shaun is planning a reduced season of racing this year.
8.50 Bike racer Mick Winyard said "On the first run I spun the tyre off the line and on the second pedaled it at 60ft and ran a 8.66/171. I have a new bike with an aluminium body and three inches out of the seat so that I am placed lower on it." In the meantime, Mick has a duplicate Suzuki in his trailer. The 2011 champion is clearly well prepared.
Super Street Bike racer Dave Holland's two eldest sons Sam and Joe are sharing a Junior dragster painted in team colours. Spencer Tramm and Wayne Saunders are helping with crewing the junior. Dave said "The bike has a new dashboard and data collection but the performance is well back from where it should be. The conditions are probably beyond our ability to adjust for - when you take too much power out you might go over the knife edge and end up falling flat on your face." Dave approved of the Super Street Bike Euro series with more prize money which he said is a step in the right direction.
Super Street Bike racer Steve Wood has changed a lot of parts in an effort to join his class colleagues in the sevens. "I have a new swing arm, the forks have been cut, the new clutch is Hays and I have refreshed and rebuilt the engine. It cost a lot but we are all struggling with the conditions. I want to try to do the whole ACU championship. I love Super Street Bike and the support from the other competitors is 100% and why we carry on in the class.
8.50 Bike racer Jake Mechaell is new to the class and is acclimiatising himself. He said "We had it on the dyno on Wednesday with a map for 250hp and changed the oil on Thursday. We are running low boost of 7psi and want to just co-ordinate the shifting, the boost and then the clutch settings. We will then feed in more power. I have tried to keep the bike looking stock although the Garrett GT35 turbo is a sign. Thanks to Jon Webster - I couldn't have built the bike without his help and facilities. Thanks also to EPS Motorsport for their help with the tuning of my Motec ignition system. I have had support from several local businesses after I told them about the technical side of the sport. I have also started to use Powerpour which produces good results up to 350-400hp." To support the class Eurodragster.com webcam sponsor Jon Webster has put up £50 for the best reaction time in 8.50 Bike if they use Powerpour and carry the sticker.
Wild Bunch racer Ian Turburville is racing his slingshot dragster for the first time since a rod bolt broke on a shakedown run last summer, destroying the engine. The replacement engine is from Rod Harrison and has the same fuel injection fitted as before. Ian said "The car has never run through both gears so choosing a dial-in time is tricky." Daughter and student photographer Laura is likely to be driving the car later in the season.
Super Gas racer Guido Uhlir, who was no.1 in the first session, is in his beautiful Opel Monza rather than his Comp Eliminator. He said "It's a couple of years since I have driven the Manta, but I have raced it in Sweden Germany and Holland. I have a throttle stop and weather station which helped me run a 9.92." Guido is planning on running Comp Eliminator in Hockenheim and Tierp and thanks Jon Webster for help with preparing the car.
Super Gas racer Rick Johnson bought Mike Bentley's multi-championship winning Sierra turnkey. Rick said "He showed us a box of trophies and I said that is a pretty good selling point." Rick used to race a Mark II Escort until son Zak started in Junior Dragsters seven years ago. "We are planning for me to run in Super Gas and Zak in Super Street later in the season." The car's updates have been minor and include a new harness and window netting.
Super Gas racer Richie Webb's VW may look identical to the one he ran up until 2008 when he took it to the US. But this is a totally different car with a full tube chassis with ladder bar and front strut suspension and a powerful 2.3 litre aftermarket engine. He said "I enjoyed the US and did a few VW meetings and the March meet." The old can ran 9.23/153 making it no.1 on an internet list of quickest street VWs. The new one, with engine parts by Pauter, Garrett and Motec, has been tested in the 9.3s. Richie is pictured right with crewman Matt Sanchez.
Pro ET and Super Comp racer Paul Brown brought his dragster to the Saturday Night Special and suffered a broken fuel pump and problems with first and second gears. On the following day the gearbox nearly destroyed itself, so it went to John Sleath for a rebuild. The car which had dyno work and new jets over the winter, ran 8.91 in the first Pro ET session and 8.92 in Super Comp. Then in the second session after taking out 5 degrees of timing, he ran 9.004 to go no.1.
Super Street racer Conrad Stanley is competing as a team with daughter Anna who will be racing the Vega after completing her A levels. He said "We will be in Pro Stock at the Main Event, once our new pistons, rods and valves have arrived and been fitted." Conrad who may also do a FIA round at Tierp or Hockenheim says that he will have help from Tommy Leindahl who has parked his entry for the year due to business commitments.
Pro ET racers Dan and Nic Williams are racing cars in identical gold courtesy of Nic's OCS Paint business. Dan went no.1 in the first session and his car has been rebuilt to A/SA specs with a 396cu in BBC bought from Per Fagerström, new TH350 trans and full interior restoration. Dan said "We plan to run the EDRS first round in Sweden and the June Sweden International, bringing the car back to the UK between events. The car feels the same off the line and picks the wheels up but does not have the legs at the top end. We are looking forward to running below the A/SA index."
Super Pro ET racer Dave Nelson has a refreshed block after discovering cracks at the end of 2011. He said "We also had the crank reground and the car has a new ignition system. We are looking to run consistent mid-eights." Dave's dad John heads up the crew and the mascot is still present on the car although it is a bit singed following the car's fire burnouts.
Pro ET racer Bobby Wallace, who is 18 today, ran his Pop on the road when he was crewing with Dave Townsend but he felt the urge to have his own race car and this is the superb result. "I took it to Andy Robinson who strengthened the original chassis which holds the roll cage and added box frame in the middle. The car is tagged to 8.50." The 355cu in small block Chevy is from Peter Knight and has a four barrel carb; the two speed 'Glide was built by Andy Robinson. Paint is by Dave Townsend and the car's best numbers so far are 10.56/125.
Pro ET racer and new Perfect Light award sponsor Mike Lacey suffered a broken trans in testing last weekend but thanks to a rebuild by John Sleath his Camaro has come back stronger. "We ran a 9.24 on a 9.20 dial in the first session which is close to my PB of 9.23. The 9.24 was with the wheels spinning through second gear and the car moving around at the top end. Thanks to Johhn Sleath for a great job." Mike runs the Pro ET sponsorship scheme paying out money to the no.1 qualifier who has the appropriate stickers on. The prize fund has grown this year thanks to the addition of NGK, Marshall Amplifiers, Unipart and OCS Paint.
Pro ET racer Gordon Northway's Vauxhall Cavalier went 9.50 in testing and ran a 9.59 on a 9.51 dial-in for 16th. The car is parked in the new extension to the pits, beyond the scrutineering bays.
Pro ET racer Liz Malcolm had an early finish when a transmission leak from the gear change oil seal proved impossible to repair here. Husband Iain said "We have the kit in the workshop but it would be problematic to dismantle it in the open air." Congratulations to Liz and Iain's son Stuart and fiancé Cara who are getting married next weekend.
Sportsman ET racer Tethys is in a street V6 Capri but has a V8-engined version at home that he is planning to bring out later in the season. He said "We have had to sort the rear axle and now that is done I need to finish it and bring it to run in Sportsman ET or Pro ET." 
Many Happy Returns to Super Pro ET and Pro ET racer Paul Marston who is celebrating his 50th Birthday. The SPR Marshals clubbed together to present Paul with this specially customised zimmer frame on the startline. The offer to stage with the zimmer frame was politely declined by Paul.
Pro Mod racer Steve Hall has taken a big step up in power with the use of engines and blower from Graham Ellis. He said "It was quite last minute being the first run of the season - it was not fuelled, we didn't take the jumper off the mag, the shift button fell off on the burnout and there was not enough clutch. But we haven't hurt any parts. The new engine fitted ok except we had to cut out and make a new steering unit and there are also new headers and a modified firewall. The new engines are nice equipment and we want to creep up on it. It is so different it is like starting again."
Pro Mod racer Kev Slyfield is returning after taking a year off following engine block damage at the end of 2010. "We have been working hard on our trailer which eventually we want to use for Europe. We ran at the test weekend and whilst there were a few issues we are happy with the car. It lit the tyres up on the launch but that was because it didn't run straight in the burnout and we couldn't heat the tyres properly. The new block is good, the old one wasn't repairable and depending on finances we may do the Hockenheim round."
Pro Mod racer Jean Dulamon is happy after the 1400km trip from the South of France. "It took us two days but we are happy the car is running fine. We have a new 738cu in motor which cost us €10,000 as we did all the machining and we also repaired the heads and installed titanium valve seats after damage to valve, piston, cylinder sleeves and heads last year. Thanks to my team Bernard, Thierry and Nico who may be small in number but have worked really hard."
Pro Mod racer Andy Wright and co-owner Bert Englefield have put a barcode link to their Facebook page on the rear wing endplates - try scanning it from this image if your phone has a reader. Andy said "We expected the car to smoke the tyres off the line so it was no surprise when it did. We have got a new carbon fibre injector hat, new headers and a new Mark Williams rear axle. The car also has carbon brakes - they aren't mandatory in Europe but you need them if the chute doesn't come out."
Pro Mod racer and Eurodragster.com sponsor Graham Ellis was pleased with a 6.72 for no.1 in the adverse conditions. He said "We have a tune-up that will work when traction is marginal. We have run four back-to-back sixes now in varying conditions which helps. That run today was a banker and we will try to step it up from that. It was well turned down. Maintenance on a turbo car like ours is easier but if it goes wrong repairs are more difficult. Fortunately we have Nick and Rob from I.C.E. on site. We want to get our performance to the level that when overseas competitors come to the UK, we are the ones they are scared of."
Super Pro ET racer Pat Talbot, pictured with husband Stephen, and crewmen Matt and John Talbot, have been at the track four times in the last two years but never put a run in due to niggly problems. Stephen said "We were glad to get down the track with an 8.3 on 7.9 dial-in and it slowed due to a blocked fuel filter that halted the flow to the engine. We have rebuilt the engine four times and now that we're running again we just want to get down the track and take the car home in one piece. The computer readings identified the problem with the fuel flow and so we will be getting good data. We won't run nitrous this time as we want the weather warmer before we use it. But we are here for a decent season of racing."
Super Pro ET racer Bernard Saz has raced his Citroen for seven years. "We have always had a blown engine and we have run a best of 7.9/155mph on alcohol. This is the first race with a new and largely carbon fibre body and better engine. We worked on the car all winter and had to finish it here. We will race at Hockenheim and Drachten as well as Santa Pod." Bernard is joined by crew sons Jessy and Jeremy, Thierry Brabant, Willy Marrale, Hervé L'Huillier and Pierre Walterspieler.
9.50 Bike racer Shaun Spiers has been trying a lock-up clutch from Big CC Racing. He said "I was wheelying with the old clutch and a lock-up clutch gives more opportiunity to adjust to avoid it. The slave cylinder on the old clutch had broken as well as a pushrod had pushed the casing out. The only problem with the lock-up unit is that a screw was being pushed out of one of the arms." With a wife and young child, Shaun is planning a reduced season of racing this year.
8.50 Bike racer Mick Winyard said "On the first run I spun the tyre off the line and on the second pedaled it at 60ft and ran a 8.66/171. I have a new bike with an aluminium body and three inches out of the seat so that I am placed lower on it." In the meantime, Mick has a duplicate Suzuki in his trailer. The 2011 champion is clearly well prepared.
Super Street Bike racer Dave Holland's two eldest sons Sam and Joe are sharing a Junior dragster painted in team colours. Spencer Tramm and Wayne Saunders are helping with crewing the junior. Dave said "The bike has a new dashboard and data collection but the performance is well back from where it should be. The conditions are probably beyond our ability to adjust for - when you take too much power out you might go over the knife edge and end up falling flat on your face." Dave approved of the Super Street Bike Euro series with more prize money which he said is a step in the right direction.
Super Street Bike racer Steve Wood has changed a lot of parts in an effort to join his class colleagues in the sevens. "I have a new swing arm, the forks have been cut, the new clutch is Hays and I have refreshed and rebuilt the engine. It cost a lot but we are all struggling with the conditions. I want to try to do the whole ACU championship. I love Super Street Bike and the support from the other competitors is 100% and why we carry on in the class.
8.50 Bike racer Jake Mechaell is new to the class and is acclimiatising himself. He said "We had it on the dyno on Wednesday with a map for 250hp and changed the oil on Thursday. We are running low boost of 7psi and want to just co-ordinate the shifting, the boost and then the clutch settings. We will then feed in more power. I have tried to keep the bike looking stock although the Garrett GT35 turbo is a sign. Thanks to Jon Webster - I couldn't have built the bike without his help and facilities. Thanks also to EPS Motorsport for their help with the tuning of my Motec ignition system. I have had support from several local businesses after I told them about the technical side of the sport. I have also started to use Powerpour which produces good results up to 350-400hp." To support the class Eurodragster.com webcam sponsor Jon Webster has put up £50 for the best reaction time in 8.50 Bike if they use Powerpour and carry the sticker.
Wild Bunch racer Ian Turburville is racing his slingshot dragster for the first time since a rod bolt broke on a shakedown run last summer, destroying the engine. The replacement engine is from Rod Harrison and has the same fuel injection fitted as before. Ian said "The car has never run through both gears so choosing a dial-in time is tricky." Daughter and student photographer Laura is likely to be driving the car later in the season.
Super Gas racer Guido Uhlir, who was no.1 in the first session, is in his beautiful Opel Monza rather than his Comp Eliminator. He said "It's a couple of years since I have driven the Manta, but I have raced it in Sweden Germany and Holland. I have a throttle stop and weather station which helped me run a 9.92." Guido is planning on running Comp Eliminator in Hockenheim and Tierp and thanks Jon Webster for help with preparing the car.
Super Gas racer Rick Johnson bought Mike Bentley's multi-championship winning Sierra turnkey. Rick said "He showed us a box of trophies and I said that is a pretty good selling point." Rick used to race a Mark II Escort until son Zak started in Junior Dragsters seven years ago. "We are planning for me to run in Super Gas and Zak in Super Street later in the season." The car's updates have been minor and include a new harness and window netting.
Super Gas racer Richie Webb's VW may look identical to the one he ran up until 2008 when he took it to the US. But this is a totally different car with a full tube chassis with ladder bar and front strut suspension and a powerful 2.3 litre aftermarket engine. He said "I enjoyed the US and did a few VW meetings and the March meet." The old can ran 9.23/153 making it no.1 on an internet list of quickest street VWs. The new one, with engine parts by Pauter, Garrett and Motec, has been tested in the 9.3s. Richie is pictured right with crewman Matt Sanchez.
Pro ET and Super Comp racer Paul Brown brought his dragster to the Saturday Night Special and suffered a broken fuel pump and problems with first and second gears. On the following day the gearbox nearly destroyed itself, so it went to John Sleath for a rebuild. The car which had dyno work and new jets over the winter, ran 8.91 in the first Pro ET session and 8.92 in Super Comp. Then in the second session after taking out 5 degrees of timing, he ran 9.004 to go no.1. 
Super Street racer Conrad Stanley is competing as a team with daughter Anna who will be racing the Vega after completing her A levels. He said "We will be in Pro Stock at the Main Event, once our new pistons, rods and valves have arrived and been fitted." Conrad who may also do a FIA round at Tierp or Hockenheim says that he will have help from Tommy Leindahl who has parked his entry for the year due to business commitments.
Pro ET racers Dan and Nic Williams are racing cars in identical gold courtesy of Nic's OCS Paint business. Dan went no.1 in the first session and his car has been rebuilt to A/SA specs with a 396cu in BBC bought from Per Fagerström, new TH350 trans and full interior restoration. Dan said "We plan to run the EDRS first round in Sweden and the June Sweden International, bringing the car back to the UK between events. The car feels the same off the line and picks the wheels up but does not have the legs at the top end. We are looking forward to running below the A/SA index." 
Super Pro ET racer Dave Nelson has a refreshed block after discovering cracks at the end of 2011. He said "We also had the crank reground and the car has a new ignition system. We are looking to run consistent mid-eights." Dave's dad John heads up the crew and the mascot is still present on the car although it is a bit singed following the car's fire burnouts.
Pro ET racer Bobby Wallace, who is 18 today, ran his Pop on the road when he was crewing with Dave Townsend but he felt the urge to have his own race car and this is the superb result. "I took it to Andy Robinson who strengthened the original chassis which holds the roll cage and added box frame in the middle. The car is tagged to 8.50." The 355cu in small block Chevy is from Peter Knight and has a four barrel carb; the two speed 'Glide was built by Andy Robinson. Paint is by Dave Townsend and the car's best numbers so far are 10.56/125.
Pro ET racer and new Perfect Light award sponsor Mike Lacey suffered a broken trans in testing last weekend but thanks to a rebuild by John Sleath his Camaro has come back stronger. "We ran a 9.24 on a 9.20 dial in the first session which is close to my PB of 9.23. The 9.24 was with the wheels spinning through second gear and the car moving around at the top end. Thanks to Johhn Sleath for a great job." Mike runs the Pro ET sponsorship scheme paying out money to the no.1 qualifier who has the appropriate stickers on. The prize fund has grown this year thanks to the addition of NGK, Marshall Amplifiers, Unipart and OCS Paint.
Pro ET racer Gordon Northway's Vauxhall Cavalier went 9.50 in testing and ran a 9.59 on a 9.51 dial-in for 16th. The car is parked in the new extension to the pits, beyond the scrutineering bays.
Pro ET racer Liz Malcolm had an early finish when a transmission leak from the gear change oil seal proved impossible to repair here. Husband Iain said "We have the kit in the workshop but it would be problematic to dismantle it in the open air." Congratulations to Liz and Iain's son Stuart and fiancé Cara who are getting married next weekend.