STP UK National Finals
Santa Pod Raceway, 26th-27th September 2020

Performance Run What Ya Brung



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16:40

Dave Rudd's Banzai Cobra went 10.819/92.13, he will be in Pro ET tomorrow. James Gould with 11.8722/126.85 in the Mulisha Golf. James Oliver lifted the wheels to a 9.7074/134.01 as his opposition, the Team Legacy Subaru, halted at 100ft in the right lane with suspected driveline failure, pause to push him back. Elaine Hancock was next in Lethal Zephyr, lifted at 900ft to 10.5197/103.46. Dave Shelley's last run of the day was 10.5811/126.16. He was followed by Will Clark v The Loaner. Directional problems for Will as The Loaner went 10.9544/132.16. Jay Roe's final run of the day was 8.4836/138.65, Alam Morrison's 8.6406/156.86. Andy Head (803) went 10.7800/134.52. Roger Moore next out on the Yellow Metal Funny Bike, pushed into pre-stage by daughter Lucy, went right and off the throttle after 60ft, 1.1672 to that point. Martin Hallett's final run of the day was 9.5672/135.78. Then Neill Watkins ran 11.4224/113.46 followed by daughter Amy who ran 9.5036/139.81. Yellow Challenger Demon v Jim CHandler resulted in Jim going 10.0731/130.29 and the new Challenger sat on track at 600ft without drive. Pause for retrieval. That's the end of our live report for today, we'll post the gallery of Julian's photos in a couple of hours.

16:15

Gary Lake to Jack Bishop was 14.6211/77.99 and 9.8693/130.64 to Jack, Pete Christmas to OS75 was 11.8483/109.90 to 10.0896/138.18. Nick Good's second run was idle off the start line, looked like a throttle linkage problem. Bob Molden ran an easy 10.389/93.65. Leah Kellett was back in Dolly Daydream and was off the throttle to 10.3627/91.42 when directional problems re-occured. Dave Robey's second run in the Thug dragster, 1.4053 to 60ft and lifted; he's entered into Pro ET for this event. Michael Gooding's bike lifted the front wheel but he continued to 9.2201/146.68. Ian Chrichlow ran 8.5010/155.26, awesome consistency from the 8.50 bikes today, especially with a noticeable sidewind. Nigel Downs (CB51) 11.2896/136.16 on his fourth run, Martin Hallett 9.5354/139.90 on his seventh run (9.4646 best today), Leo Lester with chain refitted, 8.7424/157.42, Harrison Brown (ET Bike) 9.5162/138.18, great consistency for him. Dan Williams v Neil Francis 11.166/117.93 to 12.6900/109.74, both with RTs less than 0.1s. Joe Coleclough in his Sportsman Et Trans Am went 16.2581/80.21 on his second run.

15:55

Ashley Symons again against The Loaner which ran 11.1261/129.51. Then Michael Mooney in his VW Pro Beetle against Neil Francis, 16.2825/86.18 to 12.7618/109.47. Followed by Yellow Demon v Jim Chandler, 10.0002/133.25 against 10.2979/130.22 for Jim. Alan Morrison on his 8.50 Bike ran 8.6128/158.54, Martin Hallett on a 9.50 Bike 9.4664/142.11 then Roger Moore on the Yellow Metal FB, on the throttle for 150 ft to 1.1444 60ft then off it and coasted through to a 12. Mark Dainty on his SSB next, problem found and Mark off the bike which was pushed back by his crew. 8.50 Bike racer Jay Roe 8.4969/136.04 showing he has dialled it in almost to perfection. Mark Dainty came back to the line, problem solved, and suffered gear selection issues shutting off to a 9.5601/91.60. Then Junior Dragsters, Purdie Hadfield v Chevrolet Checkett Purdie 9.5196/44.45 to Chevrolet's 9.1105/57.01, the car looking a bit squirelly. Thomas Cook-Abbott v Harley Coulsell went to Harley, 8.0442/79.79 to 8.2057/77.46 with Harley going red 0.0524 to 0.0134 to Thomas.

15:40

Ashley Symons against a Subaru WRX, 14.1199/107.80 for Ashley and 11.4571/131.01 for the Scooby. Track announcer Colin Theobald next, and his second run into the tens, 10.9722/123.18. Then Tyler Ashdown's Thug dragster driven by Dave 'Dean' Robey with Paul Marston guiding into stage, licensing pass. Elaine Hancock ran a textbook 8.6739/153.66 in Lethal Zephyr, followed by Simon Fulton with 9.9975/144.88 with throttle stop in operation. Debbie Taylor and Paul Smail next, 13.1766/103.12 to 13.5699/100.27 for Paul. Anna Sasaik on her Turbo Busa (CB198) ran her best time for today 10.2665/148.17, all runs in the 10s. Harrison Brown's first run on Thatabee bike to 9.5456/136.54. Then the Giles & Hartley dragster, Barry driving today and Daniel at the event, went towards left hand side of the AutoGlym lane, 7.4674 for fourth quickest of the day.

15:20

Neill Watkins back in the Lil Purple Express, for today at least, 11.4494/112.63 followed by Amy Watkins' Firebird 9.5052/140.73 then Dave Rudd's Banzai Cobra, an easy 12.2694/96.44 for Dave. James Gould in his Mulisha Racing Golf to 11.8252/126.26, Michael Gooding on his STTG bike 9.2052/147.14, Teddy Sullivan's JS dragster 13.6105/45.97 followed. Harry v Damion Redshaw 8.8989/72.84 first to 12.5555/51.85

14:35

Ashley Symons' Sportsman ET white Nissan Skyline v Red Challenger Demon, 13.7583/110.68 to 10.4913/116.22. Then CB946 to Alan Morrison, Alan going 8.6183/159.10. Martin Hallett in the next pair, 9.5397/141.25. Then Steve Venables, missed 1st to 2nd shift but still ran 7.6277/192.90. Leo Lester v Ian Chrichlow, Ian off to a 8.3643/139.48 as Leo's chain broke, better today rather than in eliminations. JMA matchup, Harley Coulsell with -0.002 RT and 8.3232/78.13 v George Oliver 8.3818/76.95, Purdie Hadfield 9.1754/47.44 to Chevrolet Checkett 8.9445/70.16. Leah Kellett, throttle stop on, serious, probably sidewind induced, wiggle at 1200ft but wrestled it under control, 8.6951/163.08. Pete Christmas 11.8473/110.16 to Bob Main's 14s run. Luke Stephenson drove The Loaner to an easy 16.4642/72.38.

14:35

Junior Stock dragster #33 went 12.0244, followed by Daniel Weir's 9.5281/69.52 in his JM. Jack Bishop's NSS ran 9.8747/130.30, then Bob Main v Jim Chandler, 14.37/96.30 to 10.178/129.14. Dan Williams in the Impala, twisting launch to 11.227/117.69, 0.09 RT to boot. Gino Bernadine's first run against Simon Fulton's first, red lights but Gino's Escort on song again to 9.0788/147.59 (1.31 60ft) to 10.0856/145.31 for Simon. James Gould in the Team Mulisha which we read is a Turbo V6 went 12.2333/124.44, more to come we suspect. More NSS action with Paul Smail v Neil Francis, 13.6015/99.70 to 12.7942/110.01 for Neil in his Plymouth Duster. Nick Good in the carbureted four link dragster rather than the usual blown engine, Dave Catton guiding him in, 7.6523/173.67, second best time of the day. Next Yellow Challenger Demon to James Oliver (not on entry list) 9.9955/132.86 for Yellow to James's 9.6926/132.94.

14:35

On the restart 9.50 Bikes Martin Hallett went 9.5610/139.41 to Alan Morrison Jnr's 18s time. Followed by a NSS pairing, Pete Christmas's first run against Paul Smail was a 11.8689/111.22 to 14.7664/79.51. Dave Shelley vs Red Challenger Demon was 10.8731/124.42 to 10.0846/136.13 in favour of the red Demon. In the next pair the yellow SRT Demon went 9.9942/132.88, raising our anticipation for Red v Yellow even further. Leo Lester's 8.50 bike went all out to 8.3150/170.49. Roger Moore back on Yellow Metal Funny Bike, much straighter run until 1000ft and kept it in his lane, 8.6364/99.84 with 1.15 60ft and 4.7861/142.10 half track. Mark Dainty took quickest time of the day so far with a 7.3909/197.96 on his Super Street Bike.

14:20

First after the lunch break Chevrolet Checkett and Purdie Hadfield, 9.5459/70.78 to 8.2610/77.21, both with RTs of less than 0.1s. Then Thomas Cook Abbott v Harley Coulsell, 8.1710/78.81 to 8.3130/78.82 and great RTs, 0.009 for Thomas and 0.005 for Harley to Dad Mark's delight. Harry Redshaw v Damion Redshaw was 9.3914/71.12 JMA to 12.7734/51.04 JS with Damion's RT less than 0.1.

Ian Chrichlow 8.5276/154.69 to Jay Roe 8.3789/158.51 with Jay's RT 0.002! Followed by OS75 to 10.0816/137.37. Drama in the next pair as Danny Pike's VW Type 3 Notchback got sideways and impacted the right wall twice, Danny making a valiant effort to attempt to bring the car under control but hit the wall side-on, the car crossing the track behind Will Clark and then skidding back in his own lane to hit the wall backwards. Danny was out of the car and fortunately perfectly ok, but the car seems to be too damaged to compete this weekend.

13:10

Gary Lake v Jack Bishop, 15.745/73.67 to 9.8971/129.86. Steve Venables to a 8.0189/185.83 on his blue DME bike, quickest time of the day so far. Followed by Mark Dainty, spun wheel on launch and then idled down. Leo Lester went 8.3178/169.15, 8.50 Bike looking to be very competitive from the off.

12:45

Chevrolet Checkett's first run was 9.4346/71.97. Followed by a high riding Anglia Estate (AEL331B), smokey engine against the Challenger Hellcat Demon, 9.9828/136.46 to 15.5732/67.16. Yellow Challenger to 10.1201/132.84, think we'll see Red v Yellow before the day is out. Followed by Lee Cordery v VW Pro 515. Colin Theobald brought Bruce out alongside a green FWD Golf Mk1, Colin ran his long hoped for first ten, 10.9430/123.39 well done Colin, however drama just behind Colin as the Golf made a sharp move to the right at half track and the correction was enough to send the Golf across track and nudging into the left wall at slowing speed. Driver ok but taken to medical centre for checking, ambulances returned to station, on hold for retrieval.

12:20

CB51 ran 10.7032/135.37. Followed by Harley Coulsell running 8.1622/79.65, good enough for Dad Mark to punch the air, so well done Harley! Then Daniel Weir, JM car for sale, 10.1579/67.44 and Harry Redshaw again 9.2540/70.41 amd Thomas Cook Abbott 8.2274/77.73 to Damion Redshaw's JS under-index 12.8638/50.58. Dave Rudd's 347ci Banzai Cobra, completely rebuilt and very clean looking had an easy 11.0769/128.47, he's entered in Pro ET. A couple of NSS cars Jack Bishop and Bob Main, with Jack going sideways at 60ft and idling down to Bob's 14s pass at 94mph. Pro ET points leader Bob Molden's first pass was a 9.615/137.75. He was followed by Paul Riley's Morgan and Gary Lake's Gen 3 Trans Am, 13.1417/113.47 to 15.3287/68.97, both drivers off the throttle during the runs. Ross Morrison the next 8.50 Bike to run, 8.3847/160.79. Ian Chrichlow's next run was 9.0774/111.39, the run quicker than earlier so creeping up on the ET.

12:10

Jason Dodd (DGF534S) 10.5740/126.29, see his and Dad Paul's story in Street Muscle Magazine. The Morgan of Paul Riley, which ran at the NSRA Hot Rod Drags last weekend, ran an easy looking 11.9655/100.58. Red Challenger D68MON (H5) came back for a 9.9290/136.07. The Bruce Camaro of Colin Theobald ran 11.0582/122.73, so close to the tens! Leo Lester ran 8.4784/164.32, great tune-up run for him. Michael Gooding, the sole Super Twin Top Gas entrant, went 9.2788/146.20.

11:35

The action started with a red modern Dodge Challenger SRT Demon, very stock looking, going 9.8600/136.87. There are quite a few 'sports compact' type cars. One such which is entered for the event is the Team Mulisha Golf which ran an easy checkout pass in the hands of James Gould. Clive Fulcher then took his Subaru WRX up the track after some attention by the startline team for smoke in the engine compartment (lingering from the burnout) - 14s run. Followed by a stock looking Firebird Gen2 10.7149/125.11.

NSS43 is Don Scott but in a yellow '71 Roadrunner this time, nice looking car, easy run. Followed by a pair of bikes, CB946 to a 12.1 and CB198 to 10.4206/146.25. Then another modern day Dodge Challenger T/A in yellow which, after a couple of words from chief starter Ian Marshall ran an easy pass. Much more to come. Dave Shelley (MM65) went 10.6408/126.16 as competition OS75 idled down after a problem. Danny Pike came to the line but was pushed back.

Bob Main in his gold 65 Coronet went against Golf 7VXR which showed him the way 9.572/156.93, astonishing for a stock looking Golf. Then Jim Chandler went 10.8456/129.04.

Lorcan Parnell suffered an engine cut-out after a rather sedate test launch and was pushed back from 60ft to the right of his lane, let's hope it's easiy fixable. Followed by Jay Roe, 8.2530/159.10, slightly naughty, then Ian Chrichlow with a half throttle checkout to 9.3138/115.67. Ex-Pro Mod racer Roger Moore on his new Yellow Metal Funny Bike ran with Steve Venables keeping a watchful eye - missed change from 1st to 2nd and bike wandering over to centre line, but impressive 1.1617 launch. Second attempt for Danny Pike in his blue type 3 Notchback, got well out of shape at 330ft but well corrected and off the throttle (1.4694 launch).

Frankie Taylor the first of several Junior Dragster racers, 8.3383/77.34 to the eighth. Harry Redshaw was next 9.8708/68.78, followed by Teddy Sullivan in a JM, 9.7539/72.04 and Damion Redshaw (12.4479/52.40), the Redshaw Team now operating under the banner of Odyssey Battery Racing.

Paul Smail in an El Camino, NSS competitor, 13.6212/99.68 against Debbie Taylor's Ford Mustang 13.1256/103.03.

11:00

After a lot of work drying and cleaning the track we are around 20 minutes away from starting. Stay tuned.

09:30

Good morning and welcome to our John Woolfe Racing-sponsored coverage of the Performance Run What Ya Brung which is the test day for the STP UK National Finals taking place this weekend, 26th-27th September. After rain showers earlier the sky is clear with just a few wispy clouds. The temperature is a chilly 8C (46F) rising to 13C (55F) with wind a brisk 22mph. The wind is helping to dry the track as are the two jet dryers going up and down the racing surface. There is a field of RWYBers of many descriptions in the pits and we'll report the times as they start running.

A big Hello to Eurodragsterholics around the world, hope you are keeping well. There will be a video stream at the weekend but not of today's action which is more in the nature of a test so there will be gaps in the action. Hello to our Eurodragster.com colleagues Kirstie and Kieran, hope you are having a good day guys.

There'll be action during the day up to 17:00 and we'll be back to report on it.


Reports and pictures ©Eurodragster.com