FIA / FIM European Finals
Santa Pod Raceway, 7th-10th September 2017

Pro Peak Performance Test and Tune Day



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17:15

Steve Venables started the closing session on his SSB. 1.2961 to sixty, 4.8271/160.23 at the eighth and 7.3102/196.33 at the stripe, keeping his best for last.

Next up was Eurodragster.com sponsor Jon Webster in his Pro Mod. Another great 120-foot burnout then 1.2610 to sixty, car made a move left but Jon held onto it, 4.9735/143.89 at the eighth with quite some fishtail going on, backed out of it a touch early but still 7.6245/190.50.

Simon Gough followed with The Package Super Gasser, right-side 9.9508/152.64.

Next round the corner was Bruno Bader in his Pro Mod. Same result as before, 1.1340 to sixty with tyres shaking then smoking and motor screaming, car moved left, a pedal and back on the gas, 4.6255/171.03 at the eighth and 6.9132/201.53 at the stripe.

Eurodragster.com sponsor Chris Isaacs next upin the Isaacs and Tramm Pro Mod. 1.0201 to sixty then shake and off the gas past 330 feet, cruising through to a 9.3024/94.27.

Martin Bishop closed the day on his Pro Stock Bike. 1.165 to sixty, 4.7110/145.34 at the eighth and 7.4454/177.10 at the stripe.

Tune back in a couple of hours for today's gallery.

16:45

Latest run for David Withington's Super Street / Pro ET Manta 1n 11.0302/120.90.

Mark Hope followed on his SSB, 1.3318 to sixty, 5.2579/139.48 at the eighth, the bike drifting left all the way and crossing lanes after the 1000 foot mark.

Sara Unsworth next round the corner in the Super Street / Pro ET Mustang. Going for a Super Street time judging by the Tree request, maybe not though given a 10.7517/118.57.

16:40

7.5890/173.00 the latest run for Barry Giles in the Giles and Hartley Super Pro ET dragster.

Paul Hudson back in the Super Comp rail after being shut off for a fluid leak earlier. I think that this may have been Paul's first run in the car, took it gently to a 11.7438/99.66 feeding in more power down track so I am guessing a checkout to make sure that everything works OK and for Paul to get the feel for the different steering after his dorslammer.

Leah Kellett next up in the Super Comp rail and a flat-out pass, 8.1962/166.06.

On to two wheels and Graham Balchin's next pass on his SSB much improved. Very rapid 1.2311 to sixty, 4.8014/158.50 to the eighth and 7.3006/195.35 at the stripe. Graham Dance followed, motor didn't sound right to me during the burnout but crew unconcerned and they know a lot better than I do. 1.3621 to sixty, 7.6309/195.46. The SSBs kept coming with Daniel Donat Lencses next up, 1.2395 to sixty, 4.7311/159.61 at the eighth, 7.2069/194.53 at the stripe. Dave Thomas followed on his SSB, problems in the burnout and shut off.

Next up was Eurodragster.com sponsor Chris Isaacs in the Isaacs and Tramm Pro Mod. Tyres didn't lignt in the burnout, revs were low, Chris drove it on down the track and took the first exit.

16:20

Pro Tree request still on the back of Savid Withingon's Super Street Manta. Perfect ET last run, 10.9529/120.79 this time still none too shabby.

Steve Venables next to appear on his Super Street Bike. Some blackstriping off the line, 1.3894 at sixtym 7.5123/196.30 at the quarter. Staying with SSB, Erich Gruber next up. 1.3449 to sixty, nice-looking run for the first eighth but shut it off a touch early getting close to the centre line, 8.1064/150.60.

16:15

Carrying on with the SSB theme Mark Hope was next up. 1.3122 to sixty, very close to the finish line reflector but back into the sevens at 7.9895/175.74.

Jon Giles next in the Super Comp / Super Gas Willys. 0.0968 RT, 9.9267/150.63 at the stripe.

Neil Midgley followed on Chris Hannam's Supertwin. Nice run! 1.1010 to sixty, straight as you like, 4.3727/166.08 at the eighth, backed out of it at about 1000 feet but still 7.0652/155.85 at the stripe. That's got to be worth the extra 50p for tiger prawns in Al's cocktail tonight.

Simon Gough followed in The Package Super Gas Camaro. 0.0673 RT, 9.8800/153.14.

16:00

Solo run for Alan Medley in the Modurstang Pro ET Oldsmobile, 11.786/114.03. Leah Kellett next around the corner in the Drummin' Man Super Comp rail. 0.0416 RT, 8.8432/163.67.

Daniel Donat Lencses followed on his SSB. 1.2274 to sixty but then problems selecting gear and shut off, 13.1738/53.40. Dave Thomas next on his SSB, 1.6214 to sixty then he too sounded to have problems with gears but stayed with it, 9.0617/161.92.

15:45

Graham Balchin next round the corner on his SSB. Somewhat unusually his faithful crew guy watched the run from behind the bike rather than his usual station to the right side of the start line. 1.3443 to sixty, no spin, 7.5494/185.86 at the stripe. Fellow SSB racer Graham Dance next up, motor cut at the hit. Restarted without incident. Motor hesitated off the line, 1.4422 to sixty, 7.7571/192.95 at the stripe.

0.0355 RT for Leah Kellett in the Super Comp rail, 8.8775/164.27.

Alex Hope followed on his Pro Stock Bike. Again the buzzing noises from the motor but Alex stayed with it, 1.1668 to sixty and 7.5246/172.42 at the stripe.

Next round the corner Eurodragster.com sponsor Chris Isaacs in the Isaacs and Tramm Pro Mod. Lost fire coming off the burnout and spots on the track. Pushed back.

Erich Gruber followed on his SSB. 1.3554 to sixty, 5,1546/148.14 at the eighth, 7.8523/179.23 at the stripe.

Dave Smith and Alan Medley followed with a Modurstang Pro ET match-up. David away first 0.1038 to 0.1776 and first to the stripe 9.8939/135.24 to Alan's 11.8266/113.89.

15:30

Next run for Yannick Richard's 8.50 Bike an 8.8660/157.39. Dave Thomas followed on his SSB, 1.4064 to sixty, close to the wall in the second half, feathered then off the gas, 9.2103/130.90.

Simon Gough next round the corner in the Super Gas Camaro. Getting close, 9.8957/154.21.

Mr Green certaily getting his money's worth on his Kawasaki, 9.7416/139.84.

Steve Venables next up on his SSB. Tyre smoked a few feet out, 1.4286 to sixty, feathered but stayed with it, 7.5413/198.89.

Barry Giles next out in the Giles and Hartley Super Pro ET dragster. 7.5017/175.00. Sara Unsworth and Dave Withington next, the question was would they want a Pro or Sportsman Tree? Both cars with "Pro Tree please" on the back made that one easy. Sara away first 0.1704 to 0.3740, Perfect ET for Davis 10.9002/122.56 to Sara's 10.7248/124.76.

15:10

All the way through for Barry Giles this time, 7.4570/177.71 for the Giles and Hartley Super Pro ET dragster.

Mark Hope next up on his Super Street Bike, 1.3586 to sixty, 8.1974/175.02. Fellow SSB racer Daniel Donat Lencses followed. 1.2505 to sixty, 4.7217/161.34 at the eighth, 7.1929/197.17 at the stripe.

Second run of the day for Martin Bishop on his Pro Stock Bike. 1.1353 to sixty riding through shake, 4.7431/147.63 at the eighth, 7.4399/179.93. Mr Green followed on his Kawasaki, 9.6963/139.41.

Leah Kellett followed in the Drummin' Man Super Comp dragster. 0.0376 RT, 8.9278/163.09.

Hot-laps for Mr Green, 9.7219/139.83 with a small wheelie off the line then 9.6300/140.27.

15:00

Second run of the day for Neil Midgley on Chris Hannam's Supertwin. Rode through shake, 1.0794 to sixty, going great guns then the tyre started to turn about 200 feet out. Engine note rose, bike made a move and off the gas, 13.176/59.36.

Second run of the day also for Bruno Bader in his Pro Mod. 150-foot burnout. 1.2323 to sixty with bad shake and motor screaming, tried to drive through it then a left move and a pedal, off the gas past the eighth and chutes out at 100 feet. 7.1052/181.32 at the stripe.

9.6512/138.59 for Mr Green.

14:45

Next run for David Fulton in the Super Gas, or is it Super Comp Camaro a 10.6356/10.18 backed off at half track. Next round the corner Sara Unsworth in the Super Stree Mustang, 10.9366/121.44.

Simon Gough next up in the Super Gas Package, if I recall correctly this is his fourth run with the throttle stop on the car (previously Super Pro ET), 9.8446/153.18. Davis Withington followed in the Super Street Manta, or Modurstang Pro ET this time as he got a Sportsman Tree, 11.0273/121.40.

Simon Fulton next around the corner in the Super Gas Falcon. Great 0.0049 RT then shut off at half track 11.5657/85.22.

14:30

A quick groom of the track then Yannick Richard back on the 8.50 Bike. Motor stopped during the first attempt at a burnout but quickly recovered. Run of 8.7165/156.85.

Jemma Venables next on her Super Street Bike. 1.2792 to sixty, motor sounded to hesitate briefly, 7.7075/185.06.

Big burnout by Jon Giles in the Super Gas / Super Comp Willys. 0.0271 RT, 9.8469/151.11 at the stripe.

14:20

Barry Giles' second run of the day in the Giles and Hartley Gearhead Garage UK Super Pro ET dragster. 1.0647 to sixty feet then off the gas for a couple of seconds, another stab, then off altogether. 10.3084/95.00 at the stripe.

David Smith and Alan Medley then had a Modurstang Pro ET match-up, 10.0315/133.61 for David and 11.9167/113.58 for Alan.

Latest run for Erich Gruber's SSB much improved, 1.3565 to sixty and 7.9309/172.40 at the stripe.

Steve or Sara Unsworth - can't see either of them not in the car if you see what I mean - next up in the Super Street Mustang, 11.9587/122.76. Ah but there is Steve crewing with David Withington in the Super Street Manta, 10.9883/121.72.

David Fulton round for his final Super Gas observed run... OK make that Super Comp, 8.9540/150.59.

Alan Medley very quickly back for another go, 11.8712/112.92.

14:05

Martyn Jones back with his Super Pro ET dragster, earlier planned burnout and launch went well. 0.9748 to sixty, drove through very visible shake, 4.2467/162.44 at the eighth and pedalled before shutting off 6.6451/185.78.

Eurodragster.com sponsor Chris Isaacs followed in the Isaacs and Tramm Pro Mod. Just before Chris burned out a message on the track radio "Do not let him burn out" and Dave Warren sprinted across the track to pick up a small part laying on the surface, a good spot. Item very quickly retrieved. Nice burnout for Chris, started to go up on the revs in pre-stage then down again, shut off and pushed back.

14:00

Second run of the day for Steve Venables on his SSB. 1.3710 to sixty, 7.4972/195.46, again a bang at each shift.

first run of the day for Paul Hudson in his Super Comp dragster. Shut off for a fluid leak and pushed back.

Graham Balchin next up on his SSB. A couple of goes at the burnout. On the launch rode out a couple of wheelies, 1.2796 to sixty and 8.3323/142.55 at the stripe. Yannick Richard followed on his 8.50 Bike, 8.8755/155.21.

First outing of the day for Graham Dance on his SSB. Motor sounded to mix it up at the hit but cleared up, 7.6255/193.78. Fellow SSB racer Erich Gruber next up. Tyre spun at the hit, off and on the gas then gave it up, 14.4502/66.33.

First run of the day for Pro Stock Bike racer Alex Hope. 1.1631 to sixty then motor started to make buzzing and groaning sounds and Alex shut it off, 8.7875/102.59. Mark Hope followed on his SSB, 1.3435 to sixty and 8.1251/168.57 at the quarter.

13:45

First to run after the lunch break was Daniel Donat Lencses with his second pass of the day on his Super Street Bike. 1.2646 to sixty, sounded to have issues shifting, 4.8777/147.72 at the eighth and 7.5633/178.51 at the stripe.

David Fulton next with his second observed run in his Super Gasser. 5.7340/116.85 at the eighth, off it and idled through to 10.2015/88.19. Newly-licenced Simon Fulton up against newly-Super Gassed Simon Gough. 0.0603 RT for Simon F played 0.0501 for Simon G, 10.0258/141.15 for Simon F and 9.8684/152.15 for Simon G.

13:05

First outing of the day for Neil Midgley on Chris Hannam's Supertwin. 1.0903 to sixty, then the tyre started to spin, off the gas, idled through to 17.9472/40.12.

Eurodragster.com sponsor Jon Webster followed in his Mustang Pro Mod. The usual 100-foot burnout to fog us out. Whilst Jon was backling up the Isaacs and Tramm Pro Mod towed back to the pits. 1.1510 to sixty, started to make a move levt at 330 feetthen got close to the centre line and pedalled by the eighth 4.9569/120.27, back on the gas ionce straightened out, 8.1468/162.49 at the stripe. Smoke in the shutdown area and a call on the track radio to check the car. Word came back all OK.

Now on lunch break.

12:50

Another bang from Leah Kellett's motor on start-up but no harm done, round the corner she came in the Super Comp Dragster. 0.1403 RT, 8.8623/164.29 at the stripe.

Another Super Gasser on observed runs, another Fulton, this time David Fulton in a Camaro. I can see our Pit Reporter Simon making a note even as I speak. 1.2694 to sixty then off it and idled through, 19.0283/53.09. I am guessing final observed run for Simon Fulton in the Falcon Super Gasser. -0.0053 squeaker RT but 9.9131/143.03 at the stripe.

12:45

Couple of sixty footers planned for David Smith in the Modurstang Pro ET Challenger. 1.3958 first time then hard on the brakes and back to the line. 1.3903 second time, off the gas, idled through to a 17.4222/50.63.

David Withington drove back to the pits at that point.

12:40

First outing of the day for Martin Bishop on his Pro Stock Bike. rode through shake, 1.1180 to sixty. 7.4721/178.47 at the stripe.

Yannick Richard followed on his 8.50 Bike, motor died twice during the burnout but stayed lit at the third time of asking. 8.8722/154.74.

First run of the day for David Withington who is entered in Modurstang Pro ET and Super Street this weekend. Shut off for a fluid leak, pushed back.

First run of the day also for Steve Venables on his Super Street Bike. 1.4168 to sixty with tyre screeching, a bang from the motor at each shift, shut off early 8.0442/138.61.

Mr Green followed on his Kawasaki, 9.9343/135.66.

12:30

8.8739/163.09 for Leah Kellett in the Super Comp dragster.

Next up his first run of the day for Graham Balchin on his Super Street Bike. Tyre spun at the hit, 1.4177 to sixty, shut off early 8.3775/119.60. Erich Gruber on his SSB v Mr Green on his Kawasaki next. 9.2982/126.54 for Erich, shut off after half track, the front wheel was just barely touching up to that point. 9.6865/138.63 for Mr Green.

Jon Giles followed with his Super Comp / Super Gas Willys. 0.0185 RT, audibily less stop this time, 9.9162/150.15 at the stripe.

12:20

Erich Gruber on and off the throttle on his SSB, off it way before half track, 16.1182/43.47 at the quarter.

First run of the day for Daniel Donat Lencses on his Super Street Bike. Great burnout. 1.2471 to sixty, wheelie and a featherjust before the eighth 4.9171/148.65, 7.5600/182.33 at the stripe.

Mr Green next up on the Kawasaki, 9.7547/137.74.

Jemma Venables followed on her Super Street Bike. Nice run! 1.2885 to sixty, visibly hooked up and went, 4.9788/150.62 at the eighth, 7.5950/186.57.

12:10

Rain gone, Leah Kellett back for another go in the Super Comp dragster but not before there was a large bang from her motor on restarting. All OK evidently. 0.0224 RT, 8.8612/163.69 at the stripe.

Barry Giles next up with his first run of the day in the Giles and Hartley Gearhead Garage UK Super Pro ET dragster. Squeaker -0.0042 RT, 1.0797 to sixty, 7.4887/177.05 at the stripe.

Dave Thomas next on his SSB. Tyre spin at the hit, then motor sounded to misfire. Idled along the track, 25.1979/22.21. Mark Hope followed on his SSB, tyre didn't spin at the first burnout attempt but quickly remedied. 1.4642 to sixty, 5.5253/137.78 at the eighth, sounded like two goes at a gear selection just before the eighth, 8.3985/170.46. Next run for Yanick Richard 8.8240/152.60.

11:45

Yannick Richard and Franklyn Borg next up on their 8.50 and Super Street Bikes. Great run off the trailer for Franklyn on the SSB. 1.2119 to sixty, 4.6620/163.61 at the eighth and 7.1183/194.60 at the stripe. 8.9180/152.07 for Yannick.

First run of the day for Leah Kellett in the Super Comp Dragster. Briefly held before staging, spots in the air. Restarted then shut off again.

11:35

First run of the day for Bruno Bader in his Pro Mod. Bruno had a solitary crew member doing everything on Sunday but appears to have co-opted crew from other teams today. 0.0682 RT, 1.0493 to sixty then shake and a pedal. 4.2191/169.06 at the eighth then off the gas. Chutes out at 1000 feet the left of which caught both top end reflectors but the 7.2803/121.56 is valid as the car was of course ahead of the chutes... if it wasn't then that would of course been an entirely different kind of problem. Mop-and-Billys clean-up on the start line.

11:25

Bruno Bader signing on and suiting up, meanwhile Jon Giles around the corner in his Willys Super Comp / Super Gasser. Jon is the organiser of the Al's Gasser Super Gas Shootout which is offering a large sum to win the class this weekend. 0.0434 RT, 1.4982 to sixty and on the throttle stop seemingly forever, 10.0137/149.12.

11:20

Yannick Richard with a wheelie and hesitation off the line, 1.4415 to sixty and back on the gas, 6.1295/120.91 at the eighth and 9.4225/147.25 at the stripe. Mr Green followed on his Kawasaki. 1.6053 to sixty, missed a gear, 10.0103/138.15.

Simon Fulton next in the Blitzkrieg Super Gasser, another observed run. Perfect 0.0004 RT, well done Simon! 1.3008 to sixty, 5.8206/117.74 at the eighth and 9.2278/141.67 at the stripe.

Mr Green getting his money's worth on his Kawasaki. 1.5995 to sixty, 9.7188/10.39 at the top end.

Mark Hope followed with his first run of the day on hia Super Street Bike. 1.3917 to sixty, sounded like hesitation from the motor just before the eighth 5.4050/136.94, 8.3051/167.94 at the stripe.

11:10

Mystery Kawasaki biker - "Mr Green" on the back of his leathers - hot-lapping. This time 1.5800 to sixty, 9.7810/137.78.

Syd then round the corner for his burnout and launch. Left lane, unusually for a Test Day. Nice burnout. 0.9997 to sixty, wth wheels up, off the gas, 13.6561/52.95 idling through.

Mr Green, as we'll call him, straight round for another go. Wheelie and hesitation, back on it, 10.4389/136.86. Dave Thomas and Erich Gruber next on their Super Street Bikes. Much better run for Erich, 1.3518 to sixty, 7.9233/172.40 but had the finish line reflector. 1.8670 to sixty for Dave and quickly off the gas. Yannick Richard beow us shut off whilst the quarter reflector was replaced.

10:55

Syd signing on and strapping in, so next up was Erich Gruber on his Suepr Street Bike. Motor sounded to be misfiring in the burnout and then at the hit the tyre spun up, a left turn, then motor hesitated big time, 4.4312 to sixty shows you just how much. Hesitant motor all the way, 20.4213/65.99 at the quarter.

Next up a racer with numbers 407 and 550 on a Kawasaki bike, no i.d. on this one. Not a bike we have seen before. 1.7312 to sixty, 9.9721/136.08 at the quarter.

10:50

Simon Fulton next up with an observed run in the Blitzkreig Super Gas Falcon. Scheduled for a half pass. 0.0686 RT, 6.0202/190.81 shut off bang on the eighth, 10.7216/84.90 idling through. Next up looks to be Martyn Jones in his Super Pro ET dragster, Martyn told us yesterday that he is planning a burnout and launch as he has a new crank in the motor.

10:40

First on track - finally! - was Yannick Richard on his 8.50 Bike. 0.6358 RT, clean launch with no tyre spin, 8.8053/153.63 at the stripe.

08:25

Good morning and welcome from Santa Pod Raceway for our coverage of the Pro Peak Performance Test and Tune Day brought to you in association with John Woolfe Racing.

The plan for today is for frequent updates to this page and then a photo gallery at the end of the day. The Webster Race Engineering / Nimbus Motorsport webcam will be on-line broadcasting live video and trackside audio so long as the track is open. Thanks to Doyousee.me for the provision of streaming services.

After some rain overnight we have a clear sky this morning. The racing surface is dry and sledding is underway on a patch scraped before it rained yesterday afternoon. One of the jet dryers is on finishing-touch duties in the shutdown area. The track is due to open at 09:30 but longtime readers will know that this particular Test Day tends to start slowly with no-one wanting to be first out. Today's entry list includes vehicles from FIM Europe Super Street Bike, Gearhead Garage UK Super Pro ET, Modurstang Pro ET and Super Comp amongst others although again longtime readers will know that this particular Test Day has a high incidence of on-the-day entry.

A big Good Morning to all of the Eurodragsterholics, particularly Kai Plathan and his faithful hound Otto who are tuned in from Finland, and Ivar Kolberg tuned in from Norway, but to all of you a big Thank You for your support. To all of the 'holics who are tuned in from the day job: please don't get yourself fired.

Stay tuned and when the racers start to run we will be back with all the news.


Reports and pictures ©Eurodragster.com