Fuel Funny Car racer Kevin Kent (pictured left with wife Shelley) hired John Smith to aid the team. John ssaid 'The team have a new setback blower and clutch this year and it's good to be able to help them. On the last run it kicked a rod out and we want to see what the cause of that is before we run it again. It could be a rod failure, piston problem or pin so we need to examine those to see what cause the problem. I am looking forward to helping the team run at the Main Event. I am also helping both FC teams source parts.' John is still busy in the U.S., having licenses for Top Fuel Dragster, Funny Car and Nostalgia FC. 'I help my Dad's racing operation and on Roger Hennen and Kebin Kinsley's Gas Monkey Garage Dragster.

ET Bike racer Craig Boulton is running a historic bike built by Tim Clark as The Terminator in 1979 and subsequently run as Nitro Nourish by David Witt, Ian 'Rush' Carruthers and also by Duncan Hocking. The engine is a supercharged 880cc Triumph running on nitro and the bike ran in NAST Supertwin Fuel for several years. Best ET for Craig this weekend was 9.66 (on a 9.50 dial).

VW Pro racer Alex Knott, whose car title Highly Medicated has a Ghostbusters theme. The VW engine has a turbo and Alex is running in support of the National Autistic Society. Best ET this weekend was 13.42.

VW Pro racer Jason Anslow is running as Quick Release Racing and had his car on the dyno before the event producing in excess of 200hp at the wheels.

Pro ET racer Rhiannon Bellenie had a first round win over Geoff Cowley when Geoff's Nova came to a halt off the start line and Rhiannon then had to overcome handling difficulties and a stiff cross wind.

Super Pro ET racer John Przybyl is driving the Przym Paintworks car as a team with brother Paul Przybyl also driving. John took out 2015 championship runner-up Brad Jackson in the opening round.

Super Street Bike racer Steve Venables is leading the field once again and ran 7.18 and 7.36 quickest times in both qualifying sessions. A 7.21 was also quickest in the first round of eliminations this morning.

Super Street Bike racer Mark 'Woggie' Wells ran a PB of 7.527/194 after installing a spare engine at the Extreme Bike Weekend last October showed promising results. Mark said 'I hope to run all the ACU championship this year and will also be supporting Becci Ellis. I helped her husband Michael rebuild her turbo Hayabusa and she will be going for a record at Elvington to become fastest woman in the world over the flying mile'.

9.50 Bike racer Stacey Reed has moved up from the Junior Drag Bike ranks this year. She said 'The 9.50 Bike feels much quicker than the junior but racing the JDB does give you confidence to race a bike. I started with my GSXR1000 at last weekend's RWYB and ran 11.25. My second qualifying pass was 9.86/140.4 so I'm pleased with progress. My old junior bike is now for sale.'

Super Street Bike racer Nigel Barker did a complete rebuild of his Hayabusa engine over the winter. He said 'I rebuilt both the top and bottom end and installed a new intercooler and turbo after problems over the last three years and an engine blow-up. I'm now doing my own engine building supported by Steve Wood who teaches mechanics at Chichester College.

Pro Mod racer Jean Dulamon had some work to do after the car impacted the wall at last September's Euro Final. 'We had to fit a new door and also baseline the chassis. We are here to test for the Main Event but will also compete in all UK MSA rounds and the NitrOlympX'.

Pro Mod racer Bert Englefield ran 6.78 in session one, their only qualifying attempt as they shut off in session two. He said 'We have a new Brad Anderson engine with replacement internals. Our pass was a planned 1000foot and were happy with the car's performance'. The car also performed well in round one of eliminations with a 6.69/194.

Top Fuel Dragster licensee Steve Ashdown first thought of taking a drive in one of these machines three months ago with his fiftieth birthday impending. 'I originally thought I would try to get a Funny Car licence as it was the quickest I could afford, but I then spoke to Rune and Liam Jones and ended up shaking hands on a deal to license and run the Main Event and Euro Finals. I am aiming to do a 330ft pass today and am really learning to do what I need to in a way that I can repeat as a routine'. Steve is supported by Robery Scaffolding, Aerial Scaffolding and his own company Steve Ashdown Management Services.

Fuel Funny Car racer Kevin Kent has had John Smith visiting this weekend to advise on tuning and be part of the crew. The conditions are far from ideal for fuel cars but Kevin and his competition Gordon Smith have persevered, Kevin running 5.93, 8.90 and 6.14 to 1000ft.