Back On Track Practice Days
Santa Pod Raceway, 4th-5th July and 11th July 2020

Back On Track Race Day - Saturday



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21:30

We have posted today's gallery, there are 105 pictures in total with thanks to Julian and Kieran. We'll be back tomorrow from 9:30am.

17:30

Andy Harrison 9.832/141 v Mason Griffths, Mason first through at 9.526/134.96

Ben Newsome ran 9.424/142.43.

Grant Moore went 11.995/82.72 in his Corsa. Earlier he ran his first ten, 10.895/130.53 on only his fifth time down the track.

Colin Theobald in his fourth run in Bruce, ran a solo 11.248/119.18, his best pass of the day.

That's the end of our live coverage today. We'll post our photo gallery when we're back at base. You can tune in tomorrow from 9:30am for more coverage.

17:20

Ben Newsome v Darren Hussey 9.404/145.73 for Ben as he is getting to grips very nicely with his new car.

Guy King v Colin Theobald with Guy's 10.257/129.02 to Colin's 11.334/119.88.

William Clark 10.294/130.26 with loads of wheel hop between 60ft and 330ft.

Amy Watkins then wheelied her way to 9.659/137.34 to David Swift's 10.791/127.02 in the John Maher Beetle.

Nic Williams ran alongside Bruce Harvey's smoky Golf to a 11.202/117.91, Nic's best in this car.

Thomas Watkins against Steve Matthews with the Charger going 9.481/141.17 to Honky Tonkin's 10.593/129.15.

Callum Swinchatt getting close to the left wall and lifting to a 10.606/85.53

17:00

Rob Brown ran a single 9.254/150 when Paul Hudson's HANS device was found to be needing adjustment. Mason Griffiths then ran a 9.597/134.51 in his LS-1 engined dragster.

Ross Laird ran a 11.572/120.53, and Paul Hudson returned to run a 9.601/131.71.

Another tiny amount of precipitation brought action to a temporary halt.

16:45

First out on track after an extended break was Callum Swinchatt running a solo 9.149/137.70 with a 1.248 60ft time.

Chris Todd then ran a solo 9.541/144.89, by far his best time today and doing a wheelie in 2nd. We also think a new PB, well done Chris!

Andy Harrison v Thomas Barnes, with the Sierra of Andy going 10.070/139.83 to Thomas's 12.614/114.50.

David Swift then ran his first 10 of the day, 10.844/124.07, 1.49 60ft.

Junior Dragsters next with Luke Fulton, followed by Harley Coulsell and Lolabelle Kent.

Paul Morris ran a 9.170/153.64 on his Suzuki GSXR, his fifth run of the day and the best by a bunch.

Vic Parsons came up against a Nova titled Lawbreaker driven by Nick Curtis winning 10.33 to 14.05 but more to come from Lawbreaker we suspect. (Thanks to Peter Lane for driver ID).

16:05

It's just been announced that we will be back under way in about 10 minutes. The finish time this weekend is 6pm.

15:15

What started as a bit of rain grew into a full blown shower so cars have been sent back up the return road to the pits, and we will be on hold. Stay tuned.

15:00

Mason Griffiths in his rear engined dragster went 9.563/134.49.

We've a bit of rain in the air so there will be a momentary pause in the action. So far, we've had 154 'pairs' (solo or paired runs) today.

14:45

Amy Watkins on track for the first time against Jason Hollamby's Dalcon, Amy lifting the wheels and going 9.764/136.47 to a 13 for Jason.

Simon Crowley in his FWD Golf went 13.181/110 to go first against Gary Lake, followed by the seventh run of Michael Barnes' Demon to 10.34/130.

Dougie Gemmell in the FWD Honda Civic made a move to the right and went on to a 10.361/139, his best so far today being a 10.125/141.

Darren Dewhurst v Steve Matthews 10.603/133 to 10.171/130, Steve getting there first in the '57 Chevy.

14:00

We had a few sprinkles of rain at the end of the lunchbreak so start time was a couple of minutes ago.

Juniors started the afternoon, Lolabelle Kent, Purdey Hadfield, Thomas Cooke Abbott, and Caitlin Wilson running. If you want to get their times, you can see them at etslips.co.uk which supplies a lot of timing data. More on this anon.

Steve Cassisi's daughter Ada then ran her first run in her JD entry, another newcomer to the class.

Congrats to Lee Gilmore who on his Nostalgia PS Bike for going 9.564/133.62, his first run in the nines!

Thomas Barnes came up against Adam Kruczynski in a neat Chevy C10 12.82 going through first to 12.63.

Jake Clayton went 8.508/149.11 for his quickest today (1.24 60ft, bounce at 330ft), well done Jake!

Joe Bristow went 9.824/148.15 for a new PB against Andy Park, well done Joe and the Golvo!

Lee Huxley against Gary Lake, Gary red lit and went 14.585/92 to Lee's 9.992/112.19 with a 0.105 RT.

Andy Harrison v Ben Newsome, Andy got a big jump and went 10.140/140 to Ben's 9.312/145.30.

Chris Todd then soloed to a 10.207/122.55 with Kev Jenkins in attendance on the start line.

Grant Moore in his silver Corsa v Nick Hale 10.895/130 to 11.054/120.59, well done newcomer Grant on a PB!

Chris Goodale v Joel Kerr's Stiff Shifter. 7.801/179.22 for quickest time of the day so far, well done Joel!

Thomas Watkins out for his first run of the day but pushed back as Billy Gane went 8.583/159, his quickest of the day so far.

Vic Parsons against Nigel Hale. Vic going through first 10.448/126 to 11.442/118.65

Paul Hudson v Rob Brown, a rear engined v slingshot battle. Paul away first, 9.668/138 to 8.713/153 so Rob went through, his car having been down in the eights in 2019.

Thomas Watkins against Eurodragster.com sponsor Nic Williams in the '55 Chevy, Nic red lighting and Thomas going 9.593/140 to Nic's 11.315/115.62.

13:05

Mason Griffiths 9.594/134 v William Clark 10.226/129.52

We are now on our lunch break. Quickest times of the day so far are:

  1. Joel Kerr 8.0444/170.49
  2. Billy Gane 8.6406/157.94
  3. Jake Clayton 9.0015/116.86
  4. Ross Morrison 9.1822/135.64
  5. Paul Hudson 9.2254/147.60
  6. Callum Swinchatt 9.2445/134.55

12:30

Darren Dewhurst 11.444/121.19 against Gary Lake.

Michael Barnes v Andy Park next, 10.474/129.80 to 10.369/129.90, the red Dodge going quicker on each run.

Dougie Gemmell 10.125/141 in his Civic followed by Stacey Fenton in the 4WD Audi S3 who stopped on track with breakage.

Vic Parsons went 10.471/127.66 on a solo run in the right lane, misfiring at the top.

Bruce Harvey and Martyn Dainty both ran 16s in the next race, Martyn having clutch issues.

Mike Whittaker 11.277/135 was followed by Nigel Hale and Chris Goodale, 11.537/109 to 15.021/93

Then Bruce came up to the line against Gary Lake, 11.598/115 to Gary's 14.569/92 in Colin's first run with a new engine in Bruce.

Jake Clayton then came out in the Firecracker 23T with grandad Bill Sherratt in attendance 9.001/116.86 being the first time for the car with an early lift.

Jason Weir was pushed back after a persistent misfire whilst the Dodge Demon of Michael Barnes went 10.594/130.16.

A 14.09/102 from the Alfie Wratten Kadett was followed by another checkout pass from Jason Weir, the car should be very rapid when sorted.

Billy Gane then came out with a 8.640/157.94, followed by Callum Swinchatt in his Topolino running 9.244/134.55.

Grant Moore 12.376/126.90 v Darren Hussey's Falcon 13.172/99.20, a new PB for Grant, well done!

Ross Laird 11.220/122 was also new PB, well done Ross!

Michael Barnes 10.59/129 as Bob Main's Superbird was pushed back.

12:15

Dark Horse Mustang v Williams Bros '55 Chevy, 9.644/136 to 11.314/115, both red lighting.

A couple of pairs later, Guy King v Jason Dodd 10.301/128.28 to 12.939/101.

Mike Whittaker 10.788/137.26 in the VW Caddy v Paul Walklate. The Caddy is fast...

William Clark then ran a solo 10.116/129.60, the dragster going a little sideways in the first half.

Nick Hale then ran 11.186/121.08 v Darren Hussey in the Falcon who had startline issues.

Chris Goodale on another cautious pass to 15.076/93.

There will be a 30 minute break at 1pm, action restarting at 1:30pm.

Luke Fulton next, a 8.117/79.08 to the eighth in his JMA.

Paul Morris v Martin Hallett on their bikes, 10.044/142 to 9.587/137, 1.49 60ft to Martin.

12:00

Back to juniors with Caitlin Wilson and Purdie Hadfield, 8.197/79 to 8.384/76.

Lolabelle Kent, daughter of Shelley and Kevin Kent, then ran 15.350/41.12 in her second pass, Kevin overseeing her from the startline with Andy Fensome.

Then Harrison Brown went 11.672/133 on his 9.50 bike now in bright yellow on his second pass.

A quick note that we are running the Bad Habit Racing Perfect Light Award but will have to review the data post-event due to the speed of runs going through.

Jason Hollamby next with his Falcon 13.992/93.87 against Martyn Dainty's Nova 12.181/93.71.

Daniel Hillary 11.612/116.19 next against Gary Lake.

Nathan Freke's MR2 against the Golvo of Joe Bristow, 9.953/130 v 9.891/147, Nathan running a new turbo.

Paul Walklate v Steve Matthews in the '57 Chevy, 15.462/991 to 10.090/128.74.

Chris Todd 12.614 (1.42 60ft carrying the front wheels) v Grant Moore no time

11:45

The VW Caddy and Thomas Barnes next with a speed in excess of 130mph for the Caddy.

Ross Laird 11.185/122 against Paul Walklate, tuned by Darkside Developments, 14.98 for the T5 Van with 400hp.

The Dodge Demon is Michael Barnes and on his third pass he went 10.385/130, his best yet, great for a street car, 1.55 60ft against Terence Newton's Escort Van.

A bit of track grooming now, then back shortly.

Callum Swinchatt next out, solo run to 11.261/98, drifting left and nicely corrected before lifting.

Andy Harrison followed up his 10.09 with a 9.934/142.47, nice run in the SG car.

Joel Kerr then brought out the Stiff Shifter Pontiac and went dtraight to a 8.044/170, great first pass (1.20 60ft)!

Then Paul Hudson in his dragster in another solo left lane pass to a 9.225/147.

Jason Weir's SE Suburban has had a new matt paint job, dark brown with beige roof and the first run had misfiring and exhaust flames down the track to 14.517/80, much more to come from the Procharger assisted car.

Darren Hussey (Falcon) v John Leadley (Escort) with plenty of wheelspin in the Escort which we suspect is mid-engined.

11:30

A couple of pairs later Dave Crowhurst v Grant Moore, Dave going 11.749 and Grant 12.06 for his second ever run in the Corsa.

Vic Parsons v Billy Gane. 10.314 v 8.993/118 early shut off for Billy (1.29 60ft).

Stacey Fenton with his 4WD Audi S3 against Andy Park's Type Y, 15.05/113 check-out to 10.438/129 for Andy.

Chris Todd with his Subaru engined Mk1 Fiesta 12.119/77 lifting the wheels on the launch and then off the throttle.

Then into nostalgia with the Brown WB slingshot, a wayward run after 60ft and then off the throttle to 12.123/87.53

Ben Newsome came to the line with his new ex-Andy Thetford Camaro and 12.131/83.93 first pass for him against the Dark Horse Mustang.

Next was the blown AMC Pacer of Steve Wright. An impressive noise but then the engine cut out and was pushed back, a distinctive look.

11:15

Luke Fulton, another Junior Dragster on the eighth 8.712/74.53.

Chris Goodale whose Chevelle is now red 15.202/92.71 in the right lane against a Pontiac Firebird.

Darren Dewhurst for the second time 12.563 against Dougie Gammell 11.250/138.25, weaving left and right down the track.

Thomas Barnes went 13.002/104.54 in his black Mini, 1.81 60ft

Nick Hale a couple of pairs later, the Street Eliminator Merc going 11.226/120.47 on a bye.

Brother Nigel Hale up next, the procharged truck on and off the throttle to 12.554/102.66.

Just a note that not all vehicles are identified on the system, and are going through quick succession, so only notable runs will be recorded.

Nic Williams of OCS Paint for the first run in the beautiful '55 was a full on 11.467/114.94, great first run!

Alfie Wratten (related to Wratten Bros of NFAA fame) in a Opel Kadett coupe made his first pass, a great looking classic.

Then William Clark in his dragster to 11.968/65, 1.53 60ft time.

Guy King in the repainted Chevelle against the Dodge Demon, Guy getting a huge lead to 10.259/128.70 (1.415 60ft wheel lifting launch)

Joe Bristow's Golvo v Gary Lake 10.10 for Joe, 14.63/93 for Gary.

Clive Dandridge v David Swift in the red VW a couple later, 13.386 to 12.31/92

11:00

Next pair and solo run for Jason Hollamby's beautiful Falcon gasser. Straight and true to 15.009/78.43. Then a pair of Fords, Ross Laird in the right lane hanging nack to 11.946/121.50.

Then we had Daniel Hillary's Supra against newcomer Grant Moore's Nova with a Saab engine. Daniel went 11.591/115.54 against the Nova's 12.76/126.30.

A couple of pairs later and the Golvo of Joe Bristow came to the line. 10.657/144.36 for the Golvo against a Dodge Demon 11.58.

Next Gary Lake in his smart Trans Am against a Mk3 Escort, 14.583/91 for Gary.

A couple of pairs later and Nathan Freke v Paul Walklate, Nathan's colourful MR2 11.241/120.47 against 15.119/92.71.

Andy Harrison v Andy Park next, the SG Sierra going 10.09/139 against 10.385/129.89 for the Model Y.

Carl Goldsmith 12.706/130.95 v Vic Parsons 10.299/127.38 Vic winning out in the matchup.

Next a couple of bikes NPS 6 10.490/128 and Craig Wright 9.531 141.25, great run for the 9.50 Bike machine and Craig.

Paul Morris on his Suzuki GSXR went next, 10.226/139.40.

Then a couple of Juniors, Purdie Hadfield 8.474/76.16 v Thomas Cook-Abbbott.

Caitlin Wilson 8.190/79.40, solo run.

10:50

First car and Thomas Barnes breaks in the Mini. Darren Dewhurst and Craig Evans followed in their white Corsas, 11.69 for Craig to 11.79 for Darren's Shed. Craig's car leaked what looked like some coolant on its run which is being swept as we type.

10:40

Track has been sprayed and we've just had a five minute announcement.

10:05

We've just had word the track will be open in 20 minutes' time. Stay tuned.

09:10

Good morning and welcome to our coverage of the Back On Track Racer Day. It's good to be back at Santa Pod Raceway, albeit operating under the 'new normal' with loads of regulations governing what everybody does. The weather outside has been drizzly but has now stopped and there is a stiff breeze which is helping to dry the track and the shutdown area, so we should be up and running before too long.

Greetings to our Eurodragsterholics everywhere including Kai Plathan who is tuned in from Finland as usual with his faithful hound Otto. Happy 4th July to our readers from the USA. Hello to Bob Roberts who has been one of our main contributors during the lockdown with a series of awesome photo galleries from our sponsor Robinson Race Cars. A big hello to Kirstie and Diana who would have been here had the Covid-19 restrictions not been in place. We also send greetings to our former News Editor and Race Reporter Tog who is tuned in from Purfleet.

The jet dryer is now in operation and we'll let you know as soon as we get an estimated time of starting.


Reports and pictures ©Eurodragster.com