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The second of two Trade and Press Days seemed to us not to be as busy as last year. This was not necessarily just down to the state of the economy but also the weather which was still foul during the morning travel period. However, we found plenty of interest to drag racing.

Valve suppliers Ferrera sponsor the Showtime Fuel Funny Car. John Verburg said "There are a lot of fuel cars for sale as the old NHRA cars were going to IHRA but IHRA have disbanded some nitro classes and are placing more emphasis on sportsman classes." Ferrera make hi-tech valves and springs for all types of car with a nickel based alloy called Nimonic used for nitro engines. Methanol cars use titanium valves. Ferrera has also made inroads into Sport Compact class However this has recently been overshadowed by the rise of the ADRL where Toyota engined cars, often using the 4.5 litre straight six from the Land Cruiser, can run against rapid muscle cars in the 10.5in class. As well as valves and springs, the company makes roller rockers for Japanese OHC engines. More details are at www.ferrea.com

Eurodragster.com sponsors Goodridge who make hoses and fittings have launched a competition to win a Suzuki B-King Bug bike. Gill Spry said "To enter you have to buy an aftermarket pre-assembled kit to replace standard brake lines - these are available off the shelf with fast delivery. Goodridge supply lines for road cars and bikes and have a custom application facility at Silverstone as well as nine manufacturing sites in seven countries in Europe and two in the US." The Benelux facility supports Ian King's racing operation with hoses. One feature of Goodridge's product is the quick disconnect couplings popular in motorsports as they can enable motors to be stripped without the need for bleeding the system. We also saw some pre-production compact oil coolers. More details are at www.goodridge.co.uk.

Another sponsor of Showtime is ARP who make fastner technology. David Rees said "All parts are made in Ventura, California facility. We have come here every year for the last twelve years and see this as the main European motor sport exhibition." ARP bolts are used in many areas and the company has a distribution netowrk. "At a guess drag racing is about 10-15% of our output based on car count, and that on any given weekend about 90% of cars at drag race meetings are using ARP products. For the quicker classes about a third of our products are custom built outside the catalogue." ARP uses high strength materials including MP35 multi-phase high strength steel. For more technical information see their web site at www.arp-bolts.com.

Pro Mod racer Andy Robinson's engine is on display at the stand of Brown & Miller Racing Solutions who product sponsor Andy with hoses and fittings. Barry Miller said "Andy also manufactures hoses and fittings on our behalf for his customers. Usually we sell direct to customers or through distributors for the general market but drag racing is an exception as the needs are so specialised. We also product-sponsor Andy Carter and Dave Wilson. Our hoses can be used for any fluid, water or oil and are also used for air. All of our output is for motorsport or Red Bull air races, who use our parts as there is a weight reduction benefit. In fact Brown & Miller originates from the aerospace industry where the company was formed ten years ago as a management buy-out. More information is at www.bmrs.net.

Eurodragster.com sponsors VP Racing Fuels are heavily involved in drag racing and have a wide variety of products for both fuel use and track prep. Jim Kelly said one new line is a option for pump gas classes which conforms to the MSA technical regulations for competition use. "Whilst this may be of use to some classes European Pro Stock are recommended using SV05 special fuel." Having originated in drag racing VP is involved in other disciplines as well. The key product for professional drag racing is nitromethane which is manufactured 100% in China and recent years'supply issues now having been resolved. Methanol is provided in M3 or M5 formulations. What of ethanol? Jim said "It's not the dream alternative fuel that many expect. Standard ethanol is harder on parts and can cause problems with starting especially when mixed with gasoline and in a high humidity environment where ethanol absorbs water and forms into clumps which block the fuel system. We are supplying Small Engine Fuel and have made good sales with fire and rescue services, marine applications and generators."

Also with VP is Steve Wood, who can usually be seen at Santa Pod and Shakespeare County manning the trackside service stand at UK drag racing events. "We can supply nitrous refills and fuel with tools and other products we distribute. VP Racing attends all championship events as well as lifestyle events such as Performance, Tuning & Modified Show, Jap Show, Bug Jam, VW Action, Mopar Euronats and Ultimate Street Championship." Indirect support to the sport comes from support of drag racers who have been involved in other disciplines, for instance Steve Venables, Len Paget and Chris Reed's excursions into motorcross. VP's worldwide site is at www.vpracingfuels.com and UK distributor Motorshack is at www.motorshack.com.

Eurodragster.com home and news sponsor Allegheny Technologies, also known as ATI, provide the material for manufacture of Titanium parts in motorsport. Nigel Hoskison said "With every order you get a free metallurgist!" The variety of parts made of titanium is wide and not confined to the clutch can, springs and flywheels. Nigel showed us an exhaust collector, a torsion bar and a seven point safety harness buckle all made out of the strong and super-lightweight metal. ATI are one of two dedicated leading suppliers of titanium. The product is manufactured in the US and delivered promptly as the company acknowledges that customers will need it immediately. ATI's customer base reads like a who's who of motor sport engineering firms. Bob Miles admitted "It's very difficult to predict demand as it is different each year." ATI is a sponsor of the Showtime funny car which Nigel is proud of. "It enables us to promote the business to customers and show what the material is capable of doing. When customers come to the track and see John launch they find it awesome." More information can be seen at www.alleghenytechnologies.com.

Eurodragster.com home and news sponsor Nimbus Motorsport is a distributor that represents ten US companies in Europe. Nimbus first displayed at the 1991 show and have only missed a couple since. Proprietor Steve Clark whose history in the sport dates back to the Frontline Top Fuel Dragster is now involved in the team of double Super Mod champion Nigel Payne. Its principal products are heat management materials and Torco Oils. "We supply all forms of motor sport. Exhaust heat wrap is a popular choice with vehicles that make a lot of power and, hence, heat." Torco is a well known brand in drag racing for every class and can be used from street applications to full race; a new related product is an octane booster. Nimbus supplies Torco products to Europe through a network of dealers as well as selling direct from their web site. Another popular product is the mechanics gloves made by Ringers. Nimbus's web site is at www.nimbusmotorsport.com.

Nigel Payne said that following magor engine destruction at the Euro Finals he has imported new parts from Florida and will be looking forward to returning to the championship wars - in 2011. "The last two years were a real thrash and almost became a full time job so it's time to take a year out but I hope to be at the Euro Finals to run some quick times again."

Nitrous Oxide Supplies' Simon Barker said he was very happy with the interest expressed in his product. Development of nitrous technology is illustrated by a VW VW Scirocco TDI on the stand which produces 270hp from the nitrous and turbo assisted two litre engine, which can also return 50 mpg - with the nitrous turned off. "We wanted to show nitrous can be reliable if properly fitted. Trevor Langfield fitted the kit and remapped the engine; the car has done 12,500 miles using a main dealer only for servicing and the engine is very reliable and the car can do 14s quarter miles with no changes. Nitrous Oxide Supplies have a network of refillers around the country but can also courier refills if needed. Refillers are sold a set of scales (used for weighing the product), pumps amd compressors. They also have to use UK legal bottles (NOS bottles cannot be used for road use if refilled), which are manufactured by Luxfer. Simon said Nitrous Oxide Supplies also resells some kits for Trevor Langfield and have come up with an innovative bracket which uses a strap, to avoid damaging the bottle, rather than a ring and for racing applications also has a lockwire. Suppliers of nitrous have to beware of individuals wishing to buy it for inhaling and questions are asked to confirm that purchasers are buying for automotive purposes. This approach has resulted in the company supplying nitrous for about 70% of drag racing use. The web site is at www.nitrousoxidesupplies.co.uk.

UK Top Methanol Dragster racer Dave Wilson said that he spent the first part of the off-season ensuring that funding was in place for 2010. "This is now the case", said Grumpy. "It's always a work in progress but Silverline Tools ars continuing on board along with Playstation, Crane Cams, Brown and Miller Racing Solutions, IronCAD, First Line Motorcycles and Euro American. Right now we are stocking up for the coming season. We have a number of detail changes to make on the car, firstly to try to improve consistency. We need to improve upon our ability to get down the track."

2009 FIA European Top Fuel Dragster Champion Andy Carter has not one but two books to promote when the Lucas Oil display Top Fueller is on Santa Pod Raceway's stand tomorrow and Sunday. Andy's own book King of Europe is now available in paperback with a new cover and a brief update on the 2009 season. Andy will also be promoting what sounds like a must-read, RED by Micky Bryant. "It's the story of Don Garlits' first rear-engined car", Andy told Eurodragster.com. "It starts in March 1970 with the clutch explosion in Don's last slingshot and ends in March 1971 with the first event win with Don's rear-engined car. There is a lot of detail with input from a lot of stars of the sport and those closely involved with the car, and there are tons of pictures". RED is on sale at £25.

Andy also told us that he is very excited about his forthcoming trio of races on the NHRA Powerade Tour, driving Terry Haddocks's Top Fuel Dragster with sponsorship from Roger Burgess' ProCareRx, Don Garlits' Drag Racing Museum, Lucas Oil, and K&N Filters. "I had a thirty-minute meeting with Roger at the PRI Show and the deal was done in that meeting", said Andy. "We will be making a single test run in the car on the weekend before the race, probably about three hundred feet so that we can make sure that everything is OK. On the Monday we will take the car to Gatorwraps to be vinylled, and then we will spend Tuesday to Thursday going through the car. The crew will be Terry Haddock, Eddie Corr, Ben Allum, Steve Porter, Richard Bruton and Neil Collins. After the Winternationals we will service the car on the Monday, take Tuesday off, then on the Wednesday drive to Phoenix. Thanks to Big Daddy Don Garlits, Roger Burgess and ProCareRx, Lucas Oil, and K&N Filters."

Les Downey of Andy Carter's primary sponsor and Eurodragster.com News sponsor Lucas Oil UK said that Andy had delivered again in 2009. "Andy is the best of the best", said Les. "He is good to work with, very professional, and his relationship with America is very strong. We're involved with Andy's son Albert too as we sponsor his kart.

"Lucas Oil had a lot more going on in 2009. We have done some work with the Turners, they are nice guys. We're also doing quite a lot with Bob Glassup, we are sponsoring Bob and maybe doing a bit more. Lucas are heavily committed to the whole racing scene whether car, bike or cart. Lucas is a major player in the USA and we aim to have the same presence over here. The only thing we don't have is a sponsored drag bike!". There is a sequel to Les' last comment; stay tuned for details.

Les added that the tie-up between Lucas Oil and Rock Star Energy Drink in the USA is to be repeated on this side of the Pond. "It started in the off-road scene but is now getting into drag racing", said Les. "We want to do it in Europe and hopefully we can promote it quite heavily at certain tracks.

"We have quite a lot of new products including a new gear oil from the USA which Andy is raving over. The more we sell in the racing area then the more we can do sponsorship-wise. Luckily Lucas is now being viewed as one of the best oils for motor racing."

Eurodragster.com Home, News and joint Features sponsor Andy Robinson told us that the premises of Andy Robinson Race Cars have been extended. "We've had an increase in work so we need to be able to get things turned round", said Gus. "There is lots of machinery in the Shop and we were tripping over one another. It was an interesting exercise working over Christmas given the weather but we did it all ourselves and now we can take on more work.

"We are currently working on a '57 Chevy for a Swiss customer and a '55 Chevy for a British customer. Graham Ellis' Pro Mod is in for updates and of course our car is there although the motor is not in as it is here at the NEC. Marc Meihuizen's and David Vegter's cars are due in soon to be fixed up.

"As far as our Pro Mod is concerned we want to carry on where we left off before the crank broke. We are getting good speed out of the car and we gathered a lot of good information in 2009 so hopefully we will sort it out and get it into the fives."

A new name in Junior Dragster in the UK this year will be thirteen-year-old Brad Jackson who will start his competitive career at the Easter Thunderball in the Junior Modified Advanced dragster formerly driven to the UK National Championship by Scott Hauser. As Brad was of course at school today dad Wayne Jackson effected introductions. "Brad has ridden motocross and BMX at National level, had driven karts and even a car on private land", said Wayne. "BMX racing starts with lights so hopefully Brad will have good reaction times from the start! Brad has been going racing for two years and loves it. His sister Jessica runs a '74 Camaro in Run What You Brung at York; when we started to look for a car for Brad we got it down to a car in America, a car in Germany, and Scott's car. What decided it was that Geof Hauser will be giving us tech support and advice for the season and there is no substitute for that sort of experience. It has certainly been an interesting few months for us getting to know the car!". Brad was due to make licencing passes at Santa Pod this coming Sunday but this has been postponed until next week due to the weather; Brad's first outing in his own car is then scheduled to be in early February.

AMS Oil is a supplier to cars and bikes in the UK drag scene. Co-owner Chas Stafford imports product from the US and there is a huge variety available for gasoline and methanol applications. "We do a 60SAE engine oil now and differential oil can be 190 or even 250 SAE. We sold transmission oil to Ray Tucker who said it aids quick shifts. Neil Midgley is one of our long time customers and Ray Debben visited us here yesterday."

The Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates has a drag strip at the facility which is, as you might expect, built to the highest of standards. Promotions manager Lisa Crampton said "We will not just be having demonstration events but introducing the sport to a wide range of local racers. There will be run what ya brungs, tuition and an opportunity to ride in a three seater car, which has side-by-side seats. Drag racing is very big in the region and the local fans love it." The first big meeting to show the track off is on 19-20 March where four Funny Cars and four Top Fuel Dragsters driven by top US racers such as Tony Schumacher will be headlining.

For something different we checked out the mock-up of the Bloodhound SSC Land Speed Record car. The project was borne of the idea that more people in the UK need to take up engineering skills. Lord Drayson set the ball rolling when he called Richard Noble and Andy Green to encourage people to be involved in the project. The entire project is 'open source' with a wide variety of contributors including numerous educatonal opportunities. Power comes from a Eurofighter EJ200 jet engine as used in a Typhoon fighter. Above 300 mph this will be supplemented by a Falcon hybrid 18 inch rocket. This has been fired in the Mohave desert (clips available on Youtube). The aerodynamics on the vehicle are all computer simulated, the wind tunnel being a thing of the past for the extreme forces prevailing at super sonic speeds, with 300 foot shockwaves. The time frame is for early testing in late 2011 and a full test or record attempt in 2012. Much more information is at www.bloodhoundssc.com.