Run What You Brung
Sunday 20th March
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21:00
Today's pictures are now posted, you can view them via the event index page.
That's the end of our pre-Easter Thunderball Test Weekend coverage, thanks very much for tuning in. Your reporter this weekend has been Tog of Eurodragster.com, all photographs by Sharkman of Eurodragster.com.
Thanks for their help this weekend to Steve Horn, Martin Wallis and John Hackney of Santa Pod Raceway's timing crew; Ian Marshall and Santa Pod Raceway's start line and safety crews; David Anniwell; Kjell Pettersson; Paula Marshall; and Carol Ismail.
Eurodragster.com's next Event Coverage will be from next weekend's Easter Thunderball at Santa Pod Raceway, see you then!
This weekend's Event Coverage has been brought to you in association with American Car Imports.
17:20
We're done for the day here at Santa Pod. The last couple of runs were by Phil Blundell, who is on Kev Taylor's Super Modified team, Phil ran 1 15.216/86.70 in his Capri, and then we had a match-up between the #1 and #2 in last year's Junior Dragster Championship, Nick Mugridge and Collin Morrice. Nick clocked 8.413/76.64 to Collin's 9.452/70.10.
As we did yesterday, we're going to post today's pictures when we get back to base so tune back in a couple of hours and the gallery will be available.
17:00
Ashley Bell (Super Pro ET) has made one pass today with his newly-acquired Cobra and it was a fine-looking 9.178/143.22.
On two wheels, Jamie Sneddon's fourth run of the day was a fine 8.265/174.44, a little bit of wheelspin but Jamie had it covered and the engine didn't hit the limiter once on this pass. John Floyd clocked 9.347.131.16 on his Supertwin Gas bike, whilst Ed Smiley recorded 10.506/133.18 and Steve Knapp 10.121/142.82. Ian Berry recorded 9.871/142.47 on his latest pass.
Back on four wheels, Mark Pointer's last run of the day was an 8.587/153.02, another nice wheelie this time but nice and straight.
16:20
Roland Chaplain has made his first run of the day on the Think Pink Racing Comp Bike, a very good-looking 9.141/151.05. Next up was Ian Berry on his 9.50 Bike, into the nines at 9.991/141.95. David Warren followed on the Krazy Kat SSB, another very straight pass, 9.058/159.45. Jamie Sneddon made his third pass of the day, the bike sounding as if it was hitting the rev limiter before each shift, 8.560/175.69.
Steve Knapp was next up on his 9.50 Bike, 9.942/146.23 followed by a Supertwin Fuel Bike whose rider's name we can't find, 13.819/103.71. Ian Berry followed up on his 9.50 Bike, 9.991/142.47.
Nick Mugridge and Harry Gibson then paired up in their JDs, a nice 8.377/76.94 for Nick and a new PB at that point of 15.775/38.06 for Harry. Harry was then round again quite quickly and clocked 15.711/38.35 on his latest pass.
15:50
Mark Pointer got a big cheer from the grandstand for his burnout before his latest pass, an 8.672/152.49. Next up was Tanya Partridge who went into the twelves again, 12.672/107.67. Tom Watts and Harry Gibson paired up in their JDs, Tom clocking 12.696/48.74 to Harry's 15.914/37.66.
Martin Hill's second run of the day in the Fireforce 2 Jet FC was a 6.193/252.46, again shut off at about 800 feet and with the 'chute out before the lights.
15:10
Steve French's second run of the day on his Funny Bike was an 8.864/142.98 bucking bronco ride. Prior to the pass, Steve told us it would "Flame or forward!".
Collin Morrice and Harry Gibson paired up, 9.380/69.89 for Collin's Junior Modified to Harry's 16.085/36.92 in the SPR Junior Dragster.
Jamie Sneddon came back for another pass, the bike sounds very unusual, unlike any other SSB I've heard. The bike went straight as you like, a little spin off the line but then really moved, 8.479/161.80.
15:00
Ed Smiley's latest run of the day was an 11.137/132.69 on his 9.50 Bike. Next up was Jamie Sneddon on the Blackbird SSB, Kent Stoltz in attendance this time alongside Eurodragster.com sponsor Paul Watson of Dynospeed Developments. Jamie was is stage and the revs were climbing when Paul ran over and signalled him to shut the bike off. Right now the bike is at the side of the track and there is an in-depth conversation going on.
Steve Knapp and Peter Bellenie paired up next, Pete clocking 9.259/164.28 on his SSB to Steve's 10.281/143.73 on his 9.50 Bike. Ian Berry was next up, 10.066/141.02.
14:00
Neil Midgley has been up to see us and says he thinks that he had a gearbox failure which pulled the back corner of the crank cases out. "That's the end of that set of cases and gearbox", said Midgo. "I'm going to build as much as I can for next weekend. I had enough to do this week already!". Midgo added that he should be able to build one complete engine and three quarters of another.
Also in the wars on-track is SSB racer Richard Beck who pulled a wheelie at about 300 feet and when he came back down the contents of the sump came out and under the rear wheel. Richard slid around some but did a great job of staying upright and getting stopped. We're now on a hold for clean-up.
Just before Richard Beck ran, Phil Pratt clocked 9.989/136.40 on his 9.50 Bike.
Stay tuned.
13:50
We re-started with Martin Hill in the Fireforce 2 Jet FC. I don't know what Martin has done to the afterburner on that car but the throttle slams are vicious! Martin was off the throttle at about 800 feet and had the chute out before the finish line, 6.162/246.05.
Super Pro ET racer Nigel Turner will not be running today after the water pump seized this morning, a bit of a disappointment after gaining his licence with a mid-eight yesterday but he said that he would be back in time for next week's Easter Thunderball. "I had an awesome day", said Nigel. "Words can't describe what the eight felt like! I couldn't have done it without Derek Flynn's help so thanks to him."
Over the lunch break we had another mystery solved. Not long before lunch one of the top end crew picked up off the track what looked like a piece of block only with a very small bore. It transpires that this was a piece of the engine of Charlotte Watts' Junior Dragster, which is now in a very sorry state after rodding itself. Lottie was heard to blame her dad since "You did the bolts up". Lottie's dad told us that one way or another she will be racing here next weekend.
13:05
Dave Warren has made his first-ever pass on the Krazy Kay Super Street Bike, after telling us that he was "Having one of those be careful what you wish for, it might come true moments". A nice burnout and an arrow-straight 9.228/152.11. Nice one Dave!
Paul Lisle put in a 10.134/144.37 in his Street Eliminator Comet. That was after a nitrous burp at the first time of asking but he was back at the line very quickly.
Just before lunch we had some more Junior Dragster action, Lottie Watts clocking 13.865/43.99, Collin Morrice 9.370/70.40, and Nick Mugridge 8.261/76.78 Jay and Scott Hauser then paired up, Jay clocking 7.984/82.55 to Scott's 8.138/83.02. Harry Gibson, son of SPR employee Charlie, is driving the Santa Pod Raceway Junior Dragster today and has clocked 16.888/31.96 and 16.207/37.18.
We're now on a lunch break, the track opens again at 13:30.
12:20
Jamie Sneddon's first pass with his ex-Kent Stotz Honda Blackbird was a 9.220 at a big 170.34.
For our friends on 200mph here is a picture of his first burnout!
Also on two wheels Richard Beck clocked 10.352/152.91 on his SSB, Ed Smiley 10.487/133.18, Phil Pratt 9.762/138.47, Ian Berry 10.280/141.90, Pete Bellenie (SSB) 10.383/133.56, Steve French 9.686/140.69, and Neil Midgley (Funny Bike) looked to be on a good pass but then there was a bang and he stopped at 1000 feet. We are currently on hold whilst Neil is rescued from the track.
11:45
Supertwin Gas racer John Floyd has just clocked an astounding 9.277/138.91 on his bike, that's got to be the quickest STG run ever. Nice one Floydy! Also on two wheels, Ian Berry looked to be on a good run on his 9.50 Bike but then got off the throttle and sat up at half track, 15.446/52.43. Phil Pratt got wheelspin off the line, 10.780/138.03, whilst fellow 9.50 Bike racer and a new name to us, Ed Smiley, clocked 10.892/131.90.
Back to four wheels and Mike Lacey's second pass of the day was an 11.992/110.21. Mark Pointer's first run of the day was 8.645/152.49 with a spectacular wheelie off the start line which followed the yellow line around the central reservation and then he ran more or less down the centre line. Sportsman ET racer Tanya Partridge clocked 12.411/107.67 on her first run of today, which she tells us is a personal best, nice one Tanya.
Nick Mugridge and Collin Morrice paired up in their Junior Dragsters, Nick clocking 8.283/75.38 to Collin's 9.417/70.19. Scott Hauser was on the right side of the JMA index today at 7.985/83.02, Jay Hauser was next up at 7.878/83.33.
Danny Cockerill is working on the brakes of his Pro Mod - hardly surprising after having no chutes at 206 mph yesterday - and has just departed for Webster Race Engineering for spares. Leo Knight has just towed in with the ex-Jonas Staflund Super Comp Funny Car, that clears up the mystery about who bought that car!
10:55
We're on our way here at Santa Pod. It is quite chilly but the track is holding up very well.
Pro ET racer Mike Lacey has put in his first pass of the day in his Metamorphosis Camaro, 12.796/106.63, sounded like a checkout pass and Mike will be back for more soon.
Former 10.90 Bike racer Phil Pratt has moved up to 9.50 Bike for this season on what was Richard Beck's very yellow "Only Fuel and Horses" machine. "Richard has bought Rachel Pattison's Super Street Bandit, and he gave me a very good deal on this bike", said Phil. Phil's first pass of the day was a 10.287, followed by a 9.892/138.80. Richard Beck is here with the Bandit and clocked 9.971/153.17 on his first pass. 9.50 Bike racer Steve Knapp's first pass of the day was a 10.597/136.41, and Ian Berry 10.042/142.47.
In the pits and planning to run today we have Danny Cockerill (Pro Mod), Neil Midgley (Funny Bike), Mister Seven Steve Venables (Super Street Bike), Jamie Sneddon (Super Street Bike), Mark Pointer (Super Pro ET), Steve French (Funny Bike), Nick Mugridge (Junior Dragster), Collin Morrice (Junior Dragster), and Scott and Jay Hauser (Junior Dragster). Neil Midgley, whose six-second Funny Bike is for sale, said that he would be setting the bike soft today as he just wanted to test changes to his gearbox. Midgo has also freshened the engine.
Stay tuned and we will be back soon with another update.
9:30
Good morning and welcome again from Santa Pod Raceway for the second of this weekend's pre-Easter Thunderball test days. It's a Run What You Bring today and we're here to bring you all the action in association with American Car Imports.
The Webster Race Engineering/MPM Oil webcam is already on-line and broadcasting a picture every two minutes. You can view the webcam via the event index page.
Don't forget that our good buddy Gareth Evans will be reporting from the APIRA Test and Tune at Shakespeare County Raceway this weekend; Gareth is planning to post end-day reports and pictures which you can also access via the event index page.
A couple of Good Mornings, firstly the traditional Sunday greeting to our US correspondents Ed O'Connell and Kathy Hileman who are tuned in from New Hampshire, hello also to Gittli Koller of Peter Schöfer Racing who is looking in from Bavaria, and hi to James Hands who we know is also tuned in.
We're due to start at 10:00. However it's looking very gloomy outside at the moment, as you can probably see from the webcam it is murky and the air is quite damp. Stay tuned, though, and as soon as the action starts we will let you know.