Festival of Power
Santa Pod Raceway, 19th-21st April 2019

Pro Peak Performance Test and Tune Day



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17:30

Kev Slyfield followed Roger Goring in his Pro Modified. Fantastic run! 1.0105 to sixty, drove through shake as the car swayed left and right, 4.0097/181.91 at the eighth and 6.1580/223.38 at the stripe.

Second run of the day for Neil Midgley on Chris Hannam's Supertwin. Nice burnout then 1.0288 to sixty, solid black line from the tyre, shut off before the eighth 4.8721/101.65, through the top end 10.1243/76.97.

Wild Bunch slingshot pair followed, Philippa Turton and Pete Brown. Fishtailing 8.5396/159.17 for Pete, 13.7678/95.68 for Philippa. Dave Fulton followed in his Super Comp/Super Gas Camaro, Super Gas this time 9.9770/148.73. Will Clark and the 100E followed, Will in his Pro ET dragster. 0.0776 RT for Will, 9.9882/132.46 to the 100E's 10.0829/136.15.

Second run of the day for Kev Jenkins' Comp Eliminator Escort. Died a bit at the hit but picked up, off the gas before the stripe, 13.2724/76.93.

Adam Burns next to the line on his 9.50 Bike. Another wheelie, well caught and a brief feather, 9.7907/144.31.

Andy Bond followed in the Street Eliminator Chevy. Again no problems getting the power down, 8.0386/181.35 at the stripe and chutes for the Gantrycam. Another Super Comp run for Leah Kellett in the Drummin' Man dragster, 0.1256 RT and 9.3477/159.59 at the stripe.

Matthew Dowdy next in his Junior Dragster, today's quickest RT of 0.0032 and 8.1563/79.38 at the eighth.

SPRC Starter Dave Warren followed on Eurodragster.com sponsor Derek Flynn's Supertwin Top Gas Bike, a great 10.0725/131.04 for Accelerate for a Cause and a Cure.

The day closed with a Pro ET match between class sponsor Mike Lacey and Adrian Portelli. 0.0197 RT for Mi,ke, 0.3398 for Adrian, Mike there first with a 9.1073/148.60 taking the long way round, 10.9649/123.75 for Adrian.

That's all for today. Tune back later for today's gallery, and tune back in the morning for all the news from day one of the Festival of Power proper.

17:10

Second pass of the day for Leah Kellett in the Drummin' Man dragster now set for Super Comp. 0.2503 RT and 9.4177/157.35 at the stripe. Collin Morrice in the Super Comp Camaro asking for a Sportsman Tree, 0.0456 RT and 8.7575/153.64 at the quarter. The former SE Mustang and Andy Harrison's Super Gasser paired up next, Mustang took the stripe 9.1922/153.10 to Andy's 0.0607 Rt and 9.8543/146.69.

Jacqueline and Lara Bartlett again paired up in their Junior Dragsters, nice 0.0063 RT for Jacqueline and 9.0581/70.78 to Lara's 0.1062 8.0942/80.21.

Ian Marshall took another turn in Eurodragster.com sponsor Derek Flynn's Sportsman ET Audi, 0.2526 RT and 14.3876/96.48 at the stripe. Ian's fellow Starter Dave Warren will shortly take a turn on Derek's Supertwin Top Gas Bike.

Next up was Roger Goring in the Firestorm Jet FC. Nice flame and smoke show then an easy-looking 7.2820/215.94.

17:00

Caitlin Wilson and Lottie Bradford next to the line in their Junior Dragsters. 0.0563 for Caitlin, 0.1801 for Lottie and 8.4464/77.35 to Caitlin's 8.1501/82.52. Jacqueline Bartlett and Harley Coulsell next to the line, 0.0313 RT for Jacqueline and -0.0405 for Harley with a 9.9908/64.20 to Jacqueline's 9.1387/70.78. Lara Bartlett and Thomas Cook-Abbott next round the corner. -0.0473 red for Lara, 0.0483 for Thomas, Lara to the eighth in 8.1065/80.21 to Thomas' 8.2875/77.74.

Super Street Bike racer Mark Dainty shut off for a fluid leak.

William Clark was next up in his Pro ET dragster. 0.1054 RT, 10.0226/132.52 at the stripe. Debbie Taylor followed in her Sportsman ET Mustang. 0.9231 RT and 13.6964/101.20 at the top end.

Whatever ailed Amy Watkins' Pro ET Firebird fixed as she took to the line alongside Paul Brown's dragster. Amy away first 0.0267 and 9.6927/129.39, Paul with a 0.1000 Rt but got there first 8.9994/147.15. More to come from Amy as she feathered the throttle in the last few hundred feet.

Back to the Juniors, Luke Mugridge with a 0.0751 RT and 8.9590/72.51 at the eighth.

Andy Bond followed with his third run of the day in his Street Eliminator Chevy. Another easy-looking run, 8.3640/172.39 and chutes for the Gantrycam. Mark Coulsell followed in the Wild Bunch slingshot, took the long way round getting close to the centre line but staying with it, 8.2548/159.04. Next run for John Tebenham in his Super Pro ET Pop an early shut-off 10.0233/104.79 with chute.

Big wheelie for Adam Burns on his 9.50 Bike, briefly feathered the throttle but still a 9.7108/141.59.

Holley Marshall followed in her Junior Dragster, 0.0805 RT and 8.0848/79.10 at the eighth.

Chief Starter Ian Marshall followed with his promised run in the Accelerate for a Cause and a Cure Audi owned by Eurodragster.com sponsor Derek Flynn. -0.1523 RT and 14.3703/96.90 at the stripe.

Next up was Lee Dennick of Reign of Fire fame in the Fireforce 3 Jet FC. Half pass, 7.0622/131.37 with chute out in the second half.

16:30

Luke Mugridge and Thomas Cook-Abbott matched up in their Junior Dragsters, 0.0250 RT for Luke and 8.9811/72.49, -0.1407 RT for thomas and 8.3914/78.15. Matthew Dowdy followed in his Junior, -0.0123 Rt and 8.1001/79.51 at the eighth.

A pair of Funny Bikes next, Dave Batcheler and Dave Peters. 1.0947 to sixty for Dave B but then no more gears so shut it off. 1.1916 to sixty for Dave P, 4.7994/145.75 at the eighth and 7.5754/172.39 at the stripe. Jay Roe and Ian Chrichlow followed in an 8.50 Bike match-up, Crich away first 0.0677 to 0.1673 and first to the stripe 8.5693/164.28 to Jay's 8.5861/154.17. Apologies for the webcam sticking on the wrong camera in that pairing, simple mistake, doubtless some mad attention-seeker is already bleating on social media that Your multi-tasking Reporter's cock-up was in fact all a huge conspiracy.

Third licencing pass for Jordan Payne in the Comp Eliminator Corvette, great run it was too! 1.1333 to sixty, 5.0780/138.17 to the eighth and 7.8974/175.01. Well done Jordan!

Arndt Putzmann and Collin Morrice followed with a Super Comp match, Ardnt got it all together although skating with a 8.8861/169.16 to Collin's 8.7156/152.60. Pel Norman on his second pass in the Super Pro ET Nova. Gutsy drive as the tyres shook and the car tried to write the P of Pel's name on the track but he only pedalled briefly and had a good hold of it.

13.6229/102.089 for Debbie Taylor in the Sportsman ET Mustang, quickly followed round the corner by Simon Fulton in the Super Gas Falcon. 0.0268 RT and 9.9542/145.71 at the stripe.

Staying with Super Gas, next pass for Andy Dibley in the Magic Rat Camaro. Nice straight launch, 1.3237 to sixty, slight swaying and off the gas, 16.2392/46.71. Pete Clayton for Sportsman ET and James Oliver for Pro ET next up, another excellent wheelie for James, 9.6233/138.17. 14.7374/93.50 for Pete.

16:15

Next up after the clean-up was Julian Webb in the Fireforce 4 Jet Funny Car. Planned for a checkout as Julian has not been in the car before. On the gas to 330 feet, 5.1665/140.32 at the eighth and 8.0174/169.65 at the stripe.

First run of the day for Philippa Turton in the Bitch Craft Wild Bunch slingshot. Easy pass, 14.0031/94.10. John Tebenham followed in his Super Pro ET Ford Pop. On the gas to the eighth 6.4475/89.08 and idling through at 12.5364/65.35. JT is also due a big thumbs-up for sponsoring Nick and Luke Mugridge this weekend, nice one John.

First run of the day for Leah Kellett in the Drummin' Man dragster so Super Comp mode now, the red former SE Mustang in the other lane. 8.5348/164.86 for Leah to 9.0016/155.79 for the Mustang.

My first look at Kev Jenkins' Comp Eliminator Mk 1 Escort and what a fine piece of kit it is. Great burnout and then an easy 17.6103/54.15. Next up Clive Dandridge who judging by what he told me earlier is sponsored by Your Reporter and a lot of other people. 0.0857 RT and 13.4750/101.27 for the Sportsman ET Mustang. In the other lane problems after the burnout for Amy Watkins, pushed back from the bleach box.

Seconde run of the day for Elaine Hancock in the Pro ET altered. Nice run, a bit straight for an altered, 11.2016/114.03.

Paul Brown back in his dragster which was in Super Comp mode earlier, up against the nine-second 100E. 0.0871 Rt for Paul and 9.7040/146.22 to the 100E's 0.1532 and 9.7749/137.68. Andy Harrison followed in his Super Gasser, 0.0257 Rt and 9.8732/145.83 at the stripe.

Next up Michael Gooding and Adam Burns in a Supertwin Top Gas and 9.50 Bike match, 9.4740/138.26 for Adam whilst Michael's motor cut out at the hit. Tree recycled Michael clocked 9.7211/142.08.

I believe that was Eurodragster.com sponsor Pete Walters in fellow Eurodragster.com sponsor Derek Flynns' Sportsman ET Audi, 14.3030/98.52. The Audi is in Accelerate for a Cause and a Cure livery to promote Derek's campaign to encourage the racing community to donate blood or stem cells. Chief Starter Ian Marshall will be driving the car later today.

Next around the corner the returning Fireforce 2 Jet Funny Car with Martin Hill at the helm. Again a check-out pass, Martin tells us that there are lots of new bits on the car and that the afterburner will be swapped out this evening. Sixty feet or so on the burner and then on unassisted jet, 9.7557/155.22.

15:50

First after Kev Slyfield's Pro Mod was Matthew Dowdy in his Junior Dragster. 0.0594 RT and 8.1366/79.23 at the eighth.

8.50 Bike v 9.50 Bike match next, Ian Chrichlow v Craig Wright. Nice 8.5500/162.48 for Crich did the job against Craig's 9.6479/142.11. Comp Bike v 8.50 Bike next, Margot Schmidt v Jay Roe. .01101 to 0.2347 holeshot for Jay but Margot pulled it back by 0.0876 at 8.2887/168.54 to Jay's perfect 8.5009/155.79, nice one Jay!

Brett Cordelle and Paul Adams next with a 9.50 Bike v ET Bike match, Paul there first at 8.9378/142.11 to 9.6526/142.48 for Brett. VW Pro and Pro ET followed, James Gould v James Oliver. Another fine wheelie by James O, 9.6381/138.16 to James G's 11.5811/122.38.

Another great burnout by Callum Swinchatt in the Wild Bunch Topolino. Great wheelie too then sounded to turn the tyres as the motor note went up, still 9.4049/144.36. Simon Fulton followed in his Super Gas Falcon. 0.0521 RT, couple of pedals about 300 feet out, 10.0351/145.25.

Pete Clayton and Sara Unsworth matched up in a Sportsman ET v Pro ET pairing. 0.0814 RT for Pete, .02187 for Sara who then pulled rapidly away, 10.0341/134.93 to Pete's 14.7337/93.49. Sportsman ET pair followed, Cliff Houghton and Debbie Taylor, Cliff there first 13.5109/103.59 to debbie's 14.2436/98.35. Pro ET pair followed, Ronnie Mercer and Ben Newsome, Ronnie there first 10.6391/124.75 to Ben's 11.7525/118.35.

Second run of the day for Andy Bond in his Street Eliminator Chevy, another easy-looking pass, 8.6586/170.48.

Junior Dragster next, Frankie Taylor, 7.9790/79.24.

Hold for clean-up at the end of the shutdown area.

15:30

Ben Newsome and Clive Dandridge followed the Pro Mod with a Pro ET v Sportsman Et match. 0.0525 RT for Clive, 13.3305/103.70, 0.1257 for Ben and 11.4968/119.46.

First run of the day for Elaine Hancock in the Pro ET altered. Ona nd off the throttle then shut it off at half track, 14.2915/55.68.

Cliff Houghton and Alan Medley followed with a Sportsman ET v Pro Et match. 0.1105 RT for Cliff, 0.4374 for Alan, Alan there first 10.9466/124.50 to Cliff's 13.3185/105.01.

Good to see Ian Brown in the other Thatadoo Camaro, this one the Super Pro ET version. Great burnout then 1.1270 to sixty, 5.0800/130.98 at the eight and shut off and chute out, still 8.5814/111.92.

Debbie Taylor and Sara unswoorth next, Sportsman ET v Pro ET, Sarah with a -0.0175 red and turning the tyres to 10.7467/134.48, 0.3087 for debbie and 13.8066/103.80.

Second run of the day for David Smith in the Comp Eliminator Firebird. Nice run, 1.1687 to sixty, 5.1207/138.63 at the eighth and shut it off before the stripe but still 7.9860/158.47. Arndt Putzmann and Paul Walklate followed with a Super Cmop v VW Sportsman match. Again hesitation from Arndt's motor at the hit but still 9./7180/162.47 to Paul's 14.9809/92.89. A 9.0361/151.58 from dave Fulton's Super Gas/Super Comp Camaro followed, then Collin Morrice in Super Comp mode put in an 8.6695/153.61 in his Camaro.

Andy Dibley followed in the Magic rat Super Gas Camaro. Wheels-up launch, 1.2024 to sixty then shut it off and idled through, clock timed out.

Next up was Kev Slyfield in his Pro Mod. Last-photograoher burnout, photog in question being our good friend Callum Pudge about 200 feet out. 1.0045 to sixty with shake which Kev drove through, shut off before the eighth 4.4976/123.44, idled through to 8.6601/96.47.

15:10

Nice flame and smoke show by Roger Goring in the Firestorm Jet FC, rolled the beams before hitting the gas which will have lost him some ET. 4.9625/163.68 at the eighth and off it before the stripe 7.3176/198.04.

The no-name 100E Anglia followed. Nice run, 9.7555/138.62.

Joe Kellett next round the corner in the Drummin' Man Super Pro ET rail. -0.0006 RT, 7.8883/169.78 at the stripe. Will Clark followed in his Pro ET rail, 0.0462 Rt and 10.0049/130.22 at the stripe.

Dave Batcheler next up on Phil Crossley's Funny Bike. Very nice run but no time on the console - certainly didn't look as if Dave had not ridden the bike before. Graham Balchin and Mark Dainty followed on their Super Street Bikes. 1.3396 to sixty for Mark, 7.5867/192.94. Graham screeched the tyre then backed out of it, 13.0602/67.02. Michael Gooding briefly held whilst Graham walked his bike off the shutdown area but then took a nice 9.7023/141.56 bye on his Supertwin Top Gas Bike.

Next up Luke Mugridge in his Junior Dragster. 0.1176 RT, slight hesitation off the line, 9.0474/72.49.

Second run of the day for Adam Burns on his 9.50 Bike a close 9.4963/145.77.

Andy Harrison followed in his Super Gasser, 9.9989/145.78. Next up a Sportsman ET and Pro ET match-up for Pete Clayton and Adrian Portelli, 14.7521/93.31 for Dave and 11.1233/123.18 for Adrian.

Pete Brown and Mark Coulsell paired up in their Wild Bunch slingshots. Great burnouts by both. Great match! 8.5322/159.05 for Pete and 8.2166/159.65 for Mark. A pair of PBs I believe, well done both!

Marck Harteveld makes a very wel;come return to Pro Mod after last year's unfortunate incident. Announced his return with a great burnout. 1.0709 to sixty with shake and heading left, shut it off before getting to the centre line, shut it off and rolled through 13.1269/62.11.

14:45

Super Pro ET racer Pel Norman now in a Nova after his Capri hit the guardrail in Malta. Big wheelie at the hit even by Pel's standards, pedalled and then went through the gears, 11.1501/125.13. Quick clean-up in Pel's lane after the run.

Next up John Tebenham in his Super Pro ET Pop, JT will of course be running in Pro Modified in May. Sixty in 1.5464 and then idled through, 17.4807/41.02.

Lara and Jacqueline Bartlett followed in their Junior Dragsters. Side by side reds again then 8.0547/80.22 for Lara and 8.8311/72.76 for Jacqueline. Holley Marshall and Lottie Bradford matched up in their Juniors, big 0.1436 red for Holley, 8.6317/72.28, 0.0727 RT for Lottie and 8.1368/79.09. Next pair of Juniors Thomas Cook-Abbott and Harley Coulsell, -0.0276 red for Thomas and 9.4431/77.87 with hesitation off the line. 0.0461 RT and 9.9716/64.29 for Harley. Frankie Taylor and Caitlin Wilson next, 0.2260 RT for Frankie and 8.0175/79.37, 0.1502 for Caitlin and 8.3201/78.96. Daniel Weir rounded off for the Juniors with a -0.2206 red and 9.4221/68.17.

next up Roger Goring in the Firestorm Jet FC.

14:20

Collin Morrice next up in the Super Comp/Super Gas Camaro. 0.0390 RT, nice wheels-up launch, 9.9526/148.11.

Second licencing pass for Jordan Payne in the Sticky Situation Cmop Elmiinator Corvette. This should be half pass and chute. Certainly half pass, nicely-handled too, 8.5782/113.22.

Alan Medley followed in the Pro ET Oldsmobile against Paul Walklate's VW Sportsman T5. 11.8222/122.75 for Alan and 15.2231/94.61 for Paul's with a big belch of black smoke at the hit.

Power supply problems for the timing equpiment so on hold.

14:15

First after the clean-up Matthew Dowdy in his Junior Dragster. 0.0108 RT and 8.3630/79.38 at the eighth.

Another new Sportsman ET name, Pete Clayton, matched up with James Gould's VW Pro MkIII. 14.8517/93.31 for Pete to 12.4019/111.91 for James.

Super Comp and Outlaw Anglia match next, Arndt Putzmann and Ronnie Mercer. Big pop from Arndt's motor, 10.5911/125.96 for Ronnie, Arndt lost a lot of time and clocked 12.9015 at a big 150.56.

First run of the day for Pro ET racer James Oliver, Wheelie of the Season right there and a great 9.7563/137.34 to open his account.

Super Gas v Super Gas, Fulton v Fulton, Dave v Simon followed. 0.0964 RT for Dave, 0.0504 for Simon, 9.9091/146.81 for Simon to dave's 9.9517/145.72.

Paul Adams next on his ET Bike. Nice run, 8.8347/141.57.

Staying with two wheels, next up was Neil Midgley on Chris Hannam's Fuel Supertwin. 1.1258 to sixty and off the gas, tyre looked to be turning for the first ten feet or so. Idled through 14.7418/63.68.

Robin Orthodoxou's Comp ELiminator altered towed back to the pits whilst Neil was running.

Margot Schmidt next up on her Comp Bike, Steve Venmbles on his Super Street Bike in the other lane. Great new paint for Margot's bike and a nice 8.0745/174.40 to Steve's even nicer 7.1570/207.96. Jay Roe and Ian Crichlow followed on their 8.50 Bikes. 8.5367/149.08 for Jay, no time for Critch.

Dave Peters followed on his Funny Bike. 7.8992/171.74 with a feather of the throttle so plenty more to come there. Next run of the day for Brett Cordelle's 9.50 Bike a 9.5781/143.87.

13:50

Plenty in the lanes awaiting the restart. First up Callum Swinchatt in the Wild Bunch altered. Another great burnout, then 9.0847/145.75 and a chute for the Gantrycam.

Andy Bond followed in the Street Eliminator Chevy. Brief burnout then clean launch and early shut off 8.9751/131.83. Looked easy, that pass.

First run of the day for Adam Burns on his 9.50 Bike, hesitation off the line then missed a shift, still 10.7877/134.17 and that was with a 0.0807 RT.

Will Clark and Nick Mugridge matched up for a Pro ET v Super Pro ET pair. Nick lost fire after the burnout so Will took the bye, nice run, 10.1036/130.52. Nick re-fired and pulled another burnout, again the motor stopped as he came off it. Pushed back and towed back to the pits as clean-up ensued.

13:00

First outing for David Smith in the Powerflow Exhausts Comp Eliminator Firebird, I believe that formerly campaigned by Neil Hunter, Eurodragster.com Perfect Light Award sponsor Cath Napier having heard something about the acquisition of this car some time ago. Nice burnout, wheels-up launch, a pedal and back on it then eased off the throttle, 14.5547/67.01.

We are now on lunch until 13:30.

12:55

Second run of the day for Collin Morrice in the Super Gas Camaro... or will it be Super Comp. Super Gas it is, 9.9282/148.58.

First run of the day for Will Clark in his Pro ET dragster. 0.0843 RT, 10.9077/112.89 at the stripe, motor sounded to run out of revs towards the end.

Andy Harrison back for another turn in his Super Gasser. 0.0300 RT, 9.9733/145.79 at the stripe.

Next around the corner Sara Unsworth in the Pro ET Mustang and James Gould in the VW Pro MkIII. Big holeshot for James 0.0318 to 0.3847 but Sara there first 10.5682/133.65 to James' 11.7608/120.54. Sara back very quickly for another go, left before the third amber but 10.1062/134.81.

Next run for Mark Dainty's Super Street Bike a nice 7.8224/189.80. John Mclean followed on his Comp Bike, change of lanes from his previous passes. Made that weird jumping out of gear noise in the second half again but a nice 8.9368/142.93. Also on two wheels, latest run for Michael Gooding on his Supertwin Top Gas Bike was a 10.0756/132.53.

Clive dandridge also getting his money's worth with another run in the Sportsman ET Mustang, 0.2188 Rt and 13.3032/104.18 at the stripe. Also for Sportsman ET Debbie Taylor clocked a 13.1424/105.15 on her latest pass then returned for a 13.8964/102.09 with a missed gear shift.

First run of the day for Dave Fulton's Super Gas Camaro a 9.1631/144.37.

12:40

Next run for James Gould in his VW Pro MkIII a 12.2612/115.50.

Simon Fulton followed with his second run of the day in the Super Gas Falcon. 0.0201 RT, 9.8910/146.26 at the stripe, nice run.

Harley Coulsell next up in his Junior Dragster. 0.1018 RT, 9.8944/65.16 at the eighth.

Quick turn-round for CLive Dandridge in the Sportsman ET Mustang, 0.3156 RT which we won't mention and 14.1710/99.19 at the stripe.

Next round the corner the Slick Chicks sisters, Jacqueline and Lara Bartlett, JM and JMA respectively. Big red for Lara -0.1108 took Jacqueline with her -0.0243, Jacqueline to the eighth in 8.6815/75.64 and Lara 8.0852/80.35. Frankie Taylor followed for Junior Dragster, 0.1667 RT and 8.0350/79.23 at the eighth.

First run of the day for Dave Batcheler on Phil Crossley's Funny Bike. Burnout brief but good. That was a nice run, slight wobbles off the line but not a problem for Dave, audibly not full throttle but still 8.2932/153.68.

James Gould tying with Meggie Talbot for today's Money's Worth Award. 0.3421 RT, 12.2513/116.54 for the VW Pro MkIII.

First outing for the day for Mark Coulsell in the Ballbreaker Wild Bunch slingshot. 100-foot or so burnout. Nice run, drifting right int he first hundred feet or so but pulling it back with just the tiniest feather of the throttle and staying on it all the way, 8.4650/156.84.

Messrs Chrichlow and Roe on their 8.50 Bikes matched up again, 8.6018/162.48 for Ian and 8.4705/143.05 for Jay.

Cliff Houghton and Ben Newsome followed for Sportsman ET and Pro ET, Ben with an 11.6905/119.26 to Cliff's 13.3148/104.06.

Joe Kellett next in the Drummin' Man Super Pro ET dragster, Eurodragster.com sponsor and engine builder Jeff Bull in attendance. -0.0264 RT, 7.8829/171.08 at the stripe.

12:20

Much better run for Andy Dibley in the Super Gasser. One slight pedal about 100 feet out then back on it to what I guess was a planned half-track shut-off, 11.0039/76.43.

Second run of the day for Brett Cordelle on the 9.50 Bike 9.5854/144.38. It is as if these guys haven't been away isn't it.

Pro ET v Sportsman ET next, Ben Newsome v Cliff Houghton. Ben away first 0.1117 to Cliff's 0.5548, 11.6467/118.21 at the stripe to Cliff's 13.3127/104.19.

First run of the day for Daniel Weir in his Junior Dragster. Nice 0.0126 RT, 9.4814/67.44 at the eighth. Lottie Bradford and Caitlin Wilson followed in their Junior Dragsters, Champion v a former Champion. Caitlin away first 0.0314 to 0.1033 and to the eighth first 8.4033/78.27 to Lottie's 8.3960/77.19.

Bradley Head next up on his 8.50 Bike, motor cut at the hit. Restarted and pushed back for another go, same happened again. Third time lucky, low rev launch and then ramped it up, 10.0027/152.65.

Former Street Eliminator Mustang v Clive Dandridge in his Sportsman ET Mustang, big red for the SE Mustang on a Sportsman Tree took Clive Dandridge with him, 16,6785/61.19 to Clive's 14.1409/96.83. Cliff Houghton followed for Sportsman ET, great 0.0070 RT and 13.5105/104.08 at the stripe. The red Mustang quickly returned for a 10.2814/137.01.

12:10

Second run of the day for Craig Wright on the 9.50 Bike, 9.6050/142.57. Michael Gooding followed in his Supertwin Top Gas Bike, motor cut at the hit. Stopped twenty or so feet out and pushed back.

Run four for Meggie Talbot on the Junior Drag Bike. 0.2711 RT, 9.7423/66.72, another nice-looking run.

Super Street Bike next, Graham Balchin on his first run of the day. 0.3217 RT, slight screech of the tyre. 5.3056/148.63 at the eighth and 7.9081/190.51 at the top end.

ET Bike next, Paul Adams' first apss of the day. 0.1047 RT and 8.9379/142.45 at the top end with the motor stuttering.

First run of the day too for Callum Swinchatt in his classically-styled Wild Bunch altered now sporting longer wheelie bars. Very strong-sounding burnout. Nice wheelie, a pedal, 9.3796/144.37 and the Gantrycam's first chute of the day.

Alan Medley and Ronnie Mercer followed with a Pro ET match. Ronnie away first 0.1335 to 0.3813 and there first 10.6088/126.93 to Alan's 11.0138/122.71.

Next up a Junior Dragster match between Matthew Dowdy and Luke Mugridge. Matthew away first 0.0606 to 0.0885 and first to the eighth 8.3531/79.65 to Luke's 9.0216/72.28. Holley Marshall followed in her Junior Dragster, 0.0914 RT and to the eighth in 8.2307/77.61.

Run five of the day for Meggie Talbot on the Junior Drag Bike. 0.2815 RT and the eighth in 9.7912/66.77. Michael Gooding followed on his Supertwin Top Gas Bike, 10.3876/136.90 with more to come since the motor hesitated about 300 feet out.

Back to the Wild Bunch and Pete Brown in the Rebel slingshot, early contender for SPRC Best Appearing Car I think. Great run! 8.8946/157.40, PB into next week, well done guys! More to come there as the motor note went down not far off the line, maybe foot pushed back off the throttle.

Third run of the day for John mclean on the Comp Bike an 8.9956/143.94, jumped in and out of gear towards the end.

11:40

Second run of the day for Sportsman ET racer Debbie Taylor, 0.2597 RT and 13.2474/103.71.

Jay Roe and Ian Chrichlow next on their 8.50 Bikes. Jay away first 0.1121 to 0.2547 but motor note shot up and he shut it off, 18.5652/54.15, Ian long gone 8.6615/161.93.

First run of the day for Collin Morrice, Camaro in Super Comp or Super Gas... Super Gas it is. 0.0870 RT and 9.8845/149.07 at the quarter. Andy Dibley followed in the Magic Rat Super Gas Camaro. Had a lively run last time out a couple of weeks back. Strong launch, 1.2927 to sixty, car drifting right, a pedal and back on it then the car headed right again and he shut it off, 16.4387/45.30.

Third run of the day and left lane this time for Meggie Talbot on the Junior Drag Bike. 0.3937 Rt and 9.7065/67.61 at the eighth.

Bradley Head followed on his 8.50 Bike, great new paintjob. Hesitation off the line lost him a second but then a strong enough pass, 9.7586/154.74.

VW Pro racer James Gould first to make four runs today. 0.3443 RT, 12.4643/112.46.

First run of the day for 9.50 Bike racer Brett Cordelle. 9.3872/146.24.

Simon Fulton next up in the Blitzkrieg Super Gas Falcon. 0.0183 RT, 9.8759/145.77.

Paul Brown v Andy Harrison in a Super Comp v Super Gas match. Andy away first 0.0465 to Paul's 0.0540, Paul to the stripe in 8.9370/149.08 to Andy's 9.8845/142.11. Safety crews went to the top end, field excursion for one of the pair but no harm done by the sound of things.

11:30

Sportsman ET and Pro ET pair of Clive Dandridge and Alan Medley first after the Juniors. Visible 0.0436 to 0.5166 holeshot for Clive, Alan there first 11.1036/122.15 to 14.2305/97.11.

Ben Newsome next, second run for the Pro ET Mustang. 0.1798 RT and 11.6004/119.35 at the quarter. Cliff Houghton and another new name Debbie Taylor next out for Sportsman ET. Cliff away first 0.3104 to 0.4973, Debbie there first 12.7953/106.39 to Cliff's 13.3362/104.31.

Quick turn-round for Meggie Talbot on the Junior Drag Bike. 0.3217 RT looked quicker, 9.6204/67.77 at the eighth, nice-looking run.

Second run of the day for John Mclean on the Comp Bike. Much less ado around the burnout this time, sounded very crisp too. That was a nice run, smooth gear changes save the last when the motor zinged momentarily, 9.1927/143.95.

Third run of the day for VW Pr racer James Gould. Staged slightly skewiff. 0.1110 RT, 12.2214/115.92 at the stripe.

Jordan Payne next up with a licencing pass in the Sticky Situation Corvette destined for Comp Eliminator. It is a measure of the team's professionalism that even on a Test Day they are all well-turned-out in their team clothing. This run scheduled for a launch. Well-controlled burnout then 0.2255 RT, 1.1132 to sixty then off it about 250 feet out, 11.8500/67.75 at the stripe.

11:20

First run of the day for reigning FIM Europe Junior Drag Bike Champion Meggie Talbot. Back-up bike with new colours, looks the part. Slight wobble off the line but easily covered, 10.1541/66.19.

Mark Dainty next on his Super Street Bike, first run of the day. Tyre scheech and a wheelie off the line, some of the shifts sounded a bit hesitant, shut it off in the second half, 9.4616/110.43.

Looked like a Junior Dragster qualifying session next. First up Thomas Cook-Abbott and Lara Bartlett, -0.0235 for Thomas whilst Lara held on to 0.1524, 8.4089/78.54 for Thomas and 8.1924/79.81 for Lara. Luke Mugridge next on a bye. 0.0788 RT, 8.6806/76.18 at the eighth. Caitlin Wilson and Lottie Bradford paired up next, clear 0.0961 to 0.2504 holeshot for Caitlin and there first 8.4079/78.40 to Lottie's quicker 8.3943/76.96. Holley Marshall and Jacqueline Bartlett next round the corner. 0.0950 to 0.5116 holeshot for Holley and there fist 8.1655/79.23 to 9.0942/58.79.

10:50

Frankie Taylor next up for Junior Dragster. 0.2416 RT and 8.2545/79.65 at the eighth.

First 9.50 Bike outing for former Sportsman ET and Super Comp racer Craig Wright, 9.5362/142.93, that'll do nicely.

Ronnie Mercer next up in the Outlaw Anglia, Pro ET this weekend. 0.1368 RT and 10.6130/125.47 at the stripe.

Second run of the day for James Gould 12.2940/111.22. In the other lane a former Street Eliminator Mustang with no race number, changed owners I believe, 10.3671/139.02. 100E Anglia followed, no race number, squealed the tyres off the line but still an impressive 10.2987/137.28. Pro ET class sponsor Mike Lacey next round the corner in his Camaro. Nice wheelie at the hit, 9.0628/148.08. Staying with Pro ET Ben Newsome next up in his Mustang, 11.5977/119.46.

Second run of the day for Paul Brown in his dragster. Left lane this time. 0.0643 Rt and 8.8832/149.54 at the quarter.

New name in Sportsman ET, Cliff Houghton. 0.2484 RT and 13.2929/104.77 at the stripe. Next up looked like a Jap racer, new car to me at least, squirrelly off the line and shut it off. Clean-up called.

10:40

A pair to open the day, Sportsman ET racer Clive Dandridge and VW Pro racer James Gould. Clive visibly moved first 0.022 to 0.3093, James quickly pulling out a lead despite one hesitant geat shift, there first 12.3885/110.27 to Clive's 14.3350/96.69.

Reigning Junior Dragster Champion Caitlin Wilson next round the corner. Double step on launch, 0.3137 RT, 8.4606/78.14.

Reigning Pro ET Champion Paul Brown followed, but car in Super Comp mode, 0.0858 RT and 8.9218/148.12 at the stripe. Great opener.

Onto two wheels, John Mclean Jr on his Comp Bike. Motor cut out at the first burnout attempt but quickly re-lit. Hesitant-sounding burnout then hesitant launch but then on it, 9.0024/149.15. 8.50 Bike racers Ian Chrichlow and Jay Roe followed. Chrich away first 0.1175 to 0.2318, there first 8.5573/161.36 to 8.4739/156.86.

10:20

Track spraying is underway, a quick bit of sledding will follow and then we'll be on our way.

When we start we will likely get cars and bikes of all different classes so to avoid repetition and tangled fingers under pressure we will name our class sponsors now. Thanks to:

Comp Eliminator: Secret Worx
Super Pro ET: Bloodwise/Another Small f
Pro ET: Modurstang
Sportsman ET: Hutchinson & Dibley
Super Comp: Phoenix Personnel
Super Gas: Jon Morton Shoot-out
Junior Dragster: Lucas Oil Products
Street Eliminator: Topspeed Automotive
Top Fuel Bike: Banks Nightclub
Super Street Bike: Taylor's Trophy
8.50 Bike: NMCN
ET Bike: Accelerate for a Cause and Cure
Supertwin Top Gas: ET Bike: Accelerate for a Cause and Cure
Junior Drag Bike: In Posterum

08:00

Good morning from a foggy Santa Pod Raceway for our coverage of the Pro Peak Performance Test and Tune Day brought to you in association with John Woolfe Racing. This stuff will burn off as soon as the sun rises a bit more so we're all set for the traditional curtain-raiser to the Championship season.

Today's plan is for a real-time report throughout the day and then a gallery at the end of the day. The Webster Race Engineering/Nimbus Motorsport webcam will go on-line shortly before the track opens and will then remain live until the track closes this afternoon.

A big Good Morning to the Eurodragsterholics, especially Kai Plathan and the faithful Otto in Vehkataipale, Finland, and Ivar Kolberg who is tuned in from Norway. A big thumbs-up to those of you who are tuned in from your day jobs today, we will do our best for you but please don't get yourselves fired. Good morning also to Jeanette Webster and Boss who are tuned in just up the road, and to Dick Koster who unfortunately won't be able to attend this weekend.

The track will open at or after 09:30 so tune back then and keep an eye on the webcam and as soon as testing starts we'll bring you the news.


Reports and pictures ©Eurodragster.com