Brentwood International Racing Car Show
8th-9th January 2005

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Drag racing put on its annual display at the 2005 Brentwood International Racing Car Show, with classes from Fuel Funny Car to Junior Dragster represented in an exhibition organised by Paul Marston. Eurodragster.com went along to Brentwood in association with American Car Imports to check out the drag racing contingent.

Drag racing was represented by Paul Watson's Pro Stock Bike, Santa Pod Raceway's display Fuel Funny Car and Junior Dragster, Bob Glassup's Xtreme Racing blown-alcohol altered, Andrew and Sandie Gibb's Witchcraft slingshot, and Gary Springford's Super Gas/Pro ET Mitsubishi Shogun. The Wratten Brothers' Top Methanol FC was not able to attend due to a blown turbo on their tow vehicle, and Mick Payne's Super Pro ET Dodge Coronet also didn't make it. Paul Wratten was however in attendance with a stand advertising the Wrattens' new company Flow Tech, and there were also stands representing Webster Race Engineering, Dynospeed Developments and Airstream, and the Xtreme Wheels show as well as a stand supplying flyers and calendars for Santa Pod Raceway and Shakespeare County Raceway and a large screen showing the season review DVDs.

Bob Glassup told us that he is planning to run with the newly-formed Nostalgia Fuel Altered Association this season, and to run in Super Pro ET at other events. "I haven't had to change anything on the engine, we are very happy with that", he said. "Because of the huge wheels-up launches we'll be changing the gearing and making some alterations to the chassis for better handling. The only other change I have made is to paint the grille on the nose of the car. JNW Autos will be crewing for us again this year."

Bob's daughter Holley is still awaiting her chance to licence for competition after the weather put paid to her plans at the Flame and Thunder Show. The plan is still for Holley to make her licencing passes in Derek Flynn's Super Pro ET rail, and Bob told us that talks are underway to hire the car from Derek for a few events this season. "Derek has been very supportive and we are very grateful to him for his help", said Bob. Holley added that she will be launching a modified VW, which she has put together with the help of her brother Matthew, at the Xtreme Wheels show in February.

Andrew and Sandie Gibb's Witchcraft slingshot was sold at the Show, with Andrew showing its new owners around whilst Sandie spoke to the public at the same time as looking after her delightful toddler. "Running two cars when you have a family is expensive", said Sandie. "I wouldn't want to get in the slingshot so we are keeping the '38 Opel which we bought from the Drapers. I will be driving the Opel in Sportsman ET this year to get the hang of the car and then we will move to Pro ET. I might let Andrew drive it once or twice!". The Opel is currently being repainted in opalescent white with blue flames with rainbow flake. Sandie said that the team are planning to race at Drachten again this season. "We had a great time in Holland last year", said Sandie. "Lex Joon and Gerda Dijkstra were very helpful and we will be going to visit them soon."

Gary Springford's Mitsubishi Shogun, although as-yet incomplete, was turning heads. The Shogun body is resting on the chassis of what was the Up In Smoke Capri campaigned by Paul Hudson amongst others. With the cab and short pick-up bed the Shogun looks very short although Paul Marston told us that the wheelbase is over a hundred inches. "There is a lot of work to do on the car yet", said Paul, "for example we have to put a new cage in it. But when it is complete Gary is planning to run in both Super Gas and Pro ET".

The Webster Race Engineering stand was manned by company owner and Eurodragster.com sponsor Jon Webster together with Parts Department manager Ian Marshall. "We are concentrating on pushing our Powerpour fuel additive", said Jon. "It has a proven record in drag racing but a competitor also set a new record for Historic 250 cc bikes on the Isle of Man using Powerpour. There are a lot of altitude changes in the Isle of Man course and the guy had been hurting parts, but he used Powerpour and broke nothing and set a new record!". Jon said that WRE have been very busy throughout the off-season with some ten cars in the workshop and others booked in as far ahead as March. "Steve Kellett's Street Eliminator car is leaving today", said Jon, "we are working on a split-screen VW which is also headed for Street Eliminator, Brendan Clancy's Super Gasser is having some work done and we have had one Top Fuel Dragster in for modifications with another due in. I've also got to find time to go to Louisiana where I will be helping Andy Frost at the World Street Race in March."

Pro Stock Bike racer Paul Watson told us that his PSB is still for sale. "I've had some interest from Malta and Scandinavia", he said. Paul said that his company Dynospeed Developments will be sponsoring Ian Berry, as well as Jamie Sneddon as reported on Eurodragster News on 6th January, and he added that he will make a few trips down the track himself. "I will do a few events on my 'Busa in 9.90 Bike or whatever replaces that class", he said. "Jamie will also be trying to run both Super Street Bike and 9.90 Bike on his 'Busa, and Ian Berry's 'Busa is currently in my shop and he will be running 9.90 with backing from DSD". Sharing the stand with Paul was Matt of Airstream, who was responsible for the beautiful paintjob on Paul's Pro Stock Bike. Matt spent the day displaying his considerable airbrush skills to visitors.

Matt was also responsible for the superb paintwork on the Wratten Brothers' Top Methanol FC, which unfortunately wasn't at the Show due to the aforementioned tow vehicle problem. The car looks just great and will be catching the attention of trackside photographers and fans alike in 2005. Paul Wratten took time out from his duties on the Flow Tech stand to tell us about the Wrattens' plans for this season.

"We're retagging everything", said Paul. "The intention is to do as much of the British Championship as possible. There is a 6.2 in the car although unlike Paul Marston in your news item about our being at the show I am making no predictions!". Paul said that the team's JP1 block has been sold and that although there is a TFX waiting to go in the car, its installation depends upon the sale of the Keith Black which is currently in the FC. "The engine has new rods, liners and pistons", said Paul, "and we have a hi-helix blower, the TFX is waiting to go in but unless we can sell the KB we will be running with that".

Paul said that the team are expecting to put all of their problems behind them this season. "We know why the car was popping", he said. "The boys also have a handle on the clutch so we are pretty sure that things will go well."

Paul and Terry are chasing more sponsorship to add to the backing which the TMFC receives from Customville, Hyside Motorcycles, South Park Signs, Car Body Repairs, Arboreal Print and their own company Flow Tech Exhausts. Flow Tech Exhausts has been going for nearly two years and specialises in American, classic and custom-made exhausts. "We are doing a lot of work for hot hatches", said Paul, showing off some very good-looking chromed exhausts. Flow Tech also perform welding work. "More and more welding work is coming in", said Paul, "and in fact I did a lot of work on the Funny Car myself".

2004 FIA European Top Fuel Dragster Champion Andy Carter paid a visit to the Show with wife Sarah and son Albert, maybe getting in training for next weekend when he will be attending Autosport International with his Top Fuel Dragster. "After Autosport the car will be at Xtreme Wheels, where the team will be working on it", said Andy, and in March we will be attending a show at Brands Hatch. Of course there is the Pro Fuel Shootout at Easter and I must win that because I will be the first person to win it three times - at the moment Spuff and I are on two wins each. Then it's on to the serious business at the FIA Main Event. It's going to be a good year and I am going to give it everything". Andy mentioned that he was in negotiation with a main sponsor, with a meeting due this week.

Paul Marston, whose second year this is organising the drag racing contingent at the Brentwood Show, didn't stop throughout our visit. Paul spent time checking that the exhibitors were happy as well as co-ordinating with Show promoter Vince Connor, handing out flyers for the Paul Marston Drag Race Driving School and Passenger Ride Experience as well as for Santa Pod Raceway and Shakespeare County Raceway, and finding time to be interviewed on the PA promoting drag racing still further. As if that were not enough, Paul was also responsible for the Show's PA system.

We took a number of other photographs at Brentwood today, which you can view by clicking here.

For their help and hospitality at Brentwood we must thank Paul Marston, Vince Connor, Bob Glassup and all of the racers and exhibitors who took time out to talk to us.

This coverage has been brought to you in association with American Car Imports.