The CannonballSaturday (qualifying)
The Cannonball
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20:35
Today's pictures are now available, you can get to them from the raceday update index page.
We're off for a pizza and a walk round the pits now. We'll be back in the morning with all the overnight developments and all the action from the Cannonball. Thanks for your company today, have a good evening and we'll see you tomorrow.
20:00
We're now finished qualifying here at Santa Pod.
The current standings in the Cannonball are as follow: 1. John Spuffard 5.491, 2. Micke Kågered 5.969, 3. Urs Erbacher 6.022, 4. Lex Joon 6.041, 5. Gordon Smith 6.299, 6. Urs Embacher 6.646, 7. Smax Smith 12.078, 8. Tony Betts 17.078
Top Methanol qualifying ended as follows: 1. John Ellul 5.875/232.23 , 2. Dave Wilson 6.050/210.61, 3. Rob Turner 6.557/155.51, 4. Doug Bond 7.965/113.65, 5. Rob Guerain 8.628/108.13.
Pro Mod ended as follows: 1. Peter Wacker 7.481/177.08, 2. John Ellis 7.593/183.64, 3. Nick Davies 8.854/124.75
Top Fuel Bike qualifying ended as follows: 1. Brian Johnson 6.308/217.09, 2. Steve Woollatt 6.783/197.85, 3. Ian King 7.486/184.64
Pro Stock Bike ended as follows: 1. Paul Willis 7.577/174.48, 2. Chris Hope 7.771/172.77, 3. Richard Gipp 7.949/167.05, 4. Len Paget 8.012/163.44, 5. Ian Burns 8.411/151.03, 6. Ray Debben 8.458/153.98, 7. Paul King 8.569/161.02
Junior Dragster ended as follows (Reaction Time qualifying): 1. Phill Cook 0.515, 2. Tom Watts 0.528, 3. Paul Lindley-Allen 0.542, 4. Jonathan Bond 0.577, 5. Scott Hauser 0.695
Here are the top two qualifiers in all other classes.
Super Comp (8.90): 1. Phil Bennett 8.944/134.90, 2. Steve Harrington 8.961/147.70
Super Gas (9.90): 1. Brendan Clancy 9.908/134.35, 2. Ritchi Smith 9.910/133.12
Super Street (10.90): 1. Stuart Peck 10.908/111.02, 2. Bob Doignie 11.000/120.26
Super Pro ET (own dial-in): 1. Jon Webster +0.040 (7.640/169.53), 2. Steve Green (+0.054) 8.804/154.74
Pro ET (own dial-in): 1. Terry Wareham +0.004 (11.834/112.66), 2. Dave Ward +0.009 (10.399/126.37)
Sportsman ET (own dial-in): 1. Paul Webster +0.034 (13.804/103.50), 2. Paul Hudson +0.047 (13.047/102.27
Custom Car Street Eliminator: 1. Jeff Meads 9.601/146.28, 2. John Sleath 9.886/149.54
VW Pro (own dial-in): 1. Duane Brown +0.077 (12.877/101.89), 2. Jim Smith +0.087 (11.337/117.25)
VW Sportsman (own dial-in): 1. Stephen Lee +0.006 (16.206/80.00), 2. Catherine Bishop +0.025 (18.325/70.08)
Funny Bike: 1. Chris Hall 7.283/178.17, 2. Peter Bossert 7.325/188.69
Super Street Bike: 1. Graham Dance 8.161/172.82, 2. Tony Clark 8.371/171.84
9.90 Bike: 1. David Emsley 9.913/141.75, 2. Geoff Connor 9.976/131.69
10.90 Bike: 1. Paul Hambridge 10.914/108.37, 2. Mark Pointer 10.944/97.93
19:05
We've had the third round of Top Methanol qualifying and the runs went as follow. Rob Guerain put in another familiarisation pass in his TMFC, running 8.62/108.13. John Ellul went next, snatching back the #1 qualifying place with a pass of 5.875/232.23, but oiling the track and shutdown area. Steph Milam was shut off on the line, and Rob Turner put in another planned short pass, recording 6.557/155.51. So Top Methanol qualifying now stands as follows: 1. John Ellul 5.875/232.23 , 2. Dave Wilson 6.050/210.61, 3. Rob Turner 6.557/155.51, 4. Doug Bond 7.965/113.65, 5. Rob Guerain 8.628/108.13.
Tony Baker just wowed the crowd with a pass of 7.14/192.89 in the Fireforce Jet FC, when the light went green he completely smoked out the start line area, all we saw was his afterburner flame disappearing into the distance before the smoke cleared.
We're near the end of the day now, stay tuned for the top two qualifying placings in all classes, and today's photographs.
17:15
In the next round of Top Fuel Bike qualifying, Steve Woollatt went first with a run of 6.80/197.43. BJ then put in a fantastic pass of 6.30/217.09, straight as you like and accelerating hard until getting off the throttle at 1000 feet. Finally Ian King clocked a troubled 7.48/184.64. So TFB qualifying now stands as follows: 1. Brian Johnson 6.308/217.09, 2. Steve Woollatt 6.783/197.85, 3. Ian King 7.486/184.64.
In Pro Mod, Peter Wacker set a new distance record as he put in the most out-of-shape Pro Mod pass I think I've ever seen, drifting towards the guardrail then away, and back towards it again, then getting seriously out of shape at the top end - it probably wasn't only me who thought he was going to lose it. And still he recorded 7.60/179.42! John Ellis shut off in the burnout box but then came back with a massive burnout followed by a twitchy and ultimately shut off 8.27/169.79. Nick Davies didn't show but has been seen crewing with Super Comp and Gas racer Tim Adam, and Nick's Crew Chief Rob Loaring is also helping out Pro ET racer Tim Garlick.
Paul Willis has consolidated his hold on Pro Stock Bike qualifying by running a great 7.57/174.48.
Phill Cook has taken over the lead in Junior Dragster with a reaction time of 0.515, although the pass was very troubled, a ten where Phill usually runs eights.
Qualifying is continuing apace with Sportsman classes, watch this space and we'll be back later with more from the Cannonball at Santa Pod.
16:50
We've now had today's round of the Cannonball and what great entertainment it was. The first pairing was John Spuffard v Gordon Smith, as one would expect two huge burnouts, and on the green Spuff was gone, one of the hardest-accelerating passes I think I've seen the car make, getting off it early to clock 5.491/216.35. Meanwhile Gordon had recorded 6.299/210.34. Next up was an all-methanol pairing between Micke Kågered and Urs Embacher. Micke was away first and went into the fives again, 5.969/235.09 whilst Urs Embacher recorded 6.646/207.38.
The third Cannonball pairing was also all-methanol, Urs Erbacher up against Lex Joon. Two long burnouts and then the cars more or less together all the way down the track, Urs running 6.022/235.62 to Lex's 6.041 at a tremendous 236.69. Last up was the Fuel FC pairing of Smax Smith and Tony Betts. Tony Betts didn't show, Smax gave us all a show though as he left the line with cylinders out then tyre shake deploying a parachute. Smax went through in 12.078 at 52.58. Tony Betts' no-show penalty was to be awarded the slowest ET of the round plus five seconds, so he has gone onto the scorecard with a 17.078. So after round one of the Cannonball, the standings are as follow:
1. John Spuffard 5.491
2. Micke Kågered 5.969
3. Urs Erbacher 6.022
4. Lex Joon 6.041
5. Gordon Smith 6.299
6. Urs Embacher 6.646
7. Smax Smith 12.078
8. Tony Betts 17.078
We'll be back shortly with news of Top Fuel Bike and Pro Mod.
16:35
When we left you, we were about to experience the joys of tower riding whilst a jet car ran below. Martin Hill put on a great show and recorded 6.51/207.81 in the Fireforce 2.
Graham Dance has backed up his Super Street Bike record with a run of 8.19/171.64, congratulations to him although we're sure he's not finished yet.
In the second round of Top Methanol qualifying, Dave Wilson went first with a pass of 6.05/210.61. The burst panel blew right at the top end followed by a cloud of smoke and a long - in both distance and time - oildown. In the other lane, Doug Bond shut off at half track to clock 7.96/113.65. Steph Milam soloed to a 10.87/141.77, on and off the throttle all the way down the track. Finally Rob Turner put in what we suspect was a planned squirt, off the throttle before the 330-foot marker and recording 8.63/97.58. Steve Turner told us this morning that there are some new parts on the engine and we guess that these were being checked out.
So Top Methanol qualifying stands as follows after two rounds: 1. Dave Wilson 6.050/210.61, 2. John Ellul 6.549/151.84, 3. Doug Bond 7.965/113.65, 4. Rob Turner 8.631/97.58, 5. Rob Guerain 10.158/80.06, 6. Steph Milam 10.873/141.77.
Stay tuned as we are about to type up the first round of the Cannonball.
14:45
Almost there with the track now, some more qualifying news, Junior Dragster currently stands as follows (reckoned on Reaction Time): 1. Tom Watts 0.528, 2. Paul Lindley-Allen 0.542, 3. Phill Cook 0.553, 4. Jonathan Bond 0.577, Scott Hauser 0.696.
First up after the track is ready is the 'Fireforce 2' Jet FC, if the tower is there afterwards then we'll be back with the latest.
14:30
A shock in Pro Mod qualifying as Nick Davies stuttered off the start line and then cruised down the track to an 8.854/124.75. As Nick towed back down the return road, he called over to me "No nitrous" and shrugged his shoulders. Pro Mod is currently led by Switzerland's Peter Wacker with a 7.481/177.08, after telling us earlier that he was looking for a 7.99 he must be very happy. John Ellis is in second place at 7.593/183.64, a clean-looking pass after the usual huge burnout.
A quick look around some of the other classes and Jon Webster leads Super Pro ET in the Talbot Racing dragster with a 7.640 on a 7.60 dial-in. John is having to get used to what he describes as "blinky-blinky" lights since in his usual Super Comp and Super Gas classes a Pro Tree is utilised - however John mistakenly received a Pro Tree on his qualifying pass, which must have made him feel right at home.
Top Fuel Bike is led by Brian Johnson with an early shut off 6.494/178.91, sounding very strong when he was on the throttle. Pro Stock Bike is led by Paul Willis at 7.661/172.35, and Funny Bike by Peter Bossert at 7.456/165.00.
We are currently on a hold after some drizzle, the track is drying very quickly though. Stay tuned and we'll bring you the latest when qualifying resumes.
14:00
Hi there and thanks for coming back. Apologies for the delay since the last update; your reporter has, quite selfishly in my opinion, been down to the shutdown area to take parachute shots and at his age it takes a while to get back from there.
The first headline of the day is an astounding run in Super Street Bike, Graham Dance running 8.161, congratulations to him. He has the rest of today and all of tomorrow to back it up, Andy Marrs of SPR's timing crew tells me that he needs to run 8.242 for backup. The record is currently 8.214, frankly we can't see Graham not beating this. SSB colleague Tony Clark is in second with an 8.371 which in itself is no slouch of a run.
The Top Methanol qualifier was punctuated by an oildown during which we had a sprinkling of rain, which let's face it is better than one after the other. John Ellul leads TM with an early shut-off pass of 6.549/157.84 - it was a planned early shut-off, but that's not all the story. John hoiked the front wheels for a very long way indeed and then hit terrible tyre shake. Even with all of that he clocked 172 mph at the eighth. Rob Guerain put in a tentative-looking familiarisation pass of 10.158/80.06, rolling through stage at the first attempt, but taking it very sensibly with what to him is still a new car. Dave Wilson put in a great burnout in the Nemesis TMD, but then was shut off in pre-stage for a fluid leak.
After Top Methanol qualifying we had a test and tune for Cannonball entrants, Urs Erbacher firing a warning to his competitors with a great run of 5.981/239.13. In the other lane, Urs Embacher put in a checkout pass of 7.141/202.77 in his TMFC. Micke Kågered then put in a checkout pass of 6.232/189.50, a storming run until he got off it at about 1100 feet, but he will doubtless be pleased with the pass.
Stay tuned as we are about to post Pro Mod and other qualifying.
10:30
Good morning from Santa Pod Raceway on the first day of the nineteenth running of the Cannonball, the race at which the plastic-fantastic, fender-flopping...sorry, got a bit carried away there...at which the Funny Cars come to the fore. It's cloudy but surprisingly warm here, the track is almost dry after a drop of rain overnight and action will be starting quite soon.
A special good morning to Pat Talbot who is hopefully tuned in at home. Tog is borrowing your jacket this weekend, Pat, I hope you don't mind getting it back smelling of Sure for Men. Everyone here sends you their love and best wishes.
Another message for everyone who is planning to come here to Santa Pod today or tomorrow. Have at least one fiver ready since drag racing photographer Graham Whitehead is holding a raffle for a framed photograph of the late Chris Hampson in action at the Thunderball. Tickets are five pounds each and the entire proceeds go to Chris' family. A marvellous gesture and one which we have no doubt everyone is supporting. Graham tells us that he has already sold eight hundred pounds' worth of tickets, let's keep that total climbing.
An interesting change in the pitting arrangements here as the Cannonball participants are lined up parallel to the track rather than at right angles. It works really well as the fans are able to get a good close look at the cars and also to be closer in during warm-ups, which is important! Looking along the pit from the control tower, I can see the FCs of Micke Kågered, Urs Embacher, Urs Erbacher, Lex Joon, Tony Betts, Gordon Smith, Smax Smith and John Spuffard, this weekend's Cannonball participants. Also making a welcome appearance is Rob Guerain in the Firebird Top Methanol FC which Lex Joon drove in the USA over the closed season. The car has been repainted in black, white and gold and looks very nice indeed. Rob will be running in the MSA Top Methanol class (this season the FC participants had the choice of running in either the Cannonball or Top Methanol).
If the Cannonball concept is new to you, allow us to explain. The Cannonball is a race for Funny Cars both Fuel and Top Methanol. The race is run over a mile - not all at once! Each car makes three runs over the weekend and then their ETs are aggregated. The two cars with the quickest aggregate ETs then run heads-up in the final. It's not unusual for a TMFC and a Fuel FC to meet in the final - the methanol cars tend to be more consistent than the Fuel cars, and they get away from the line quicker, so the races between the two types of FC are closer than you might think. There are time penalties for non-appearance and fouls which we will explain as the weekend goes on. The first round of the Cannonball is due this afternoon.
Out in the pits, Fuel FC pilot Gordon Smith and his crew are having a busy morning putting some new rods and a freshened blower on the engine. The rods were delayed in customs and only just made it to the track last night. The team almost put a new blower on the car but decided to restrip the blower with which they ran in the 5.7s at Super Series 1 and put it back on the car. "It would have been too big a change to put another blower on", said Gordon, "this weekend above all you have to run consistently". The Shockwave FC recently signed up a new sponsor, Raceglaze Car Care Products; welcome to drag racing and thanks, guys.
TMFC pilot Lex Joon is looking for track time as he is still working on a combination for this year's new screw blower set-up. "When everything comes together it will be OK", said Lex.
Sportsman ET racer David Dony had an eventful trip from his native Belgium. He blew a tyre on the M1 motorway and had to be towed, with trailer, off the motorway and then source two new tyres. Only the other day he was quoted on Eurodragster News as saying that he needed to move closer to Santa Pod, maybe this time he's not joking.
The Nemesis Top Methanol Dragster team have made some changes to the fuel system. "It's nothing trick", said driver Dave Wilson, "it's just some changes which I've wanted to make which I have finally got round to". The new rear wing is back on the car after it lifted the front end at the last FIA round at Alastaro. "It could be an interesting first run!" said Dave. The Nemesis team had an eventful weekend in Finland. "The only time something didn't fall off, we lost" said Dave. The car ended up in the sand trap at the end of the track after one run, Crew Chief Barry Redstone arrived in the tow vehicle to find the track crew attaching a tow rope to the new wing frame, and even with absolutely no command of the Finnish language he was able to make it quite clear that this was not particularly desirable.
Next door in the TM pits is Malta's John Ellul. John's team had a question for me - it doesn't usually work that way guys - wanting to know what "Banzai" means. Apparently they found a description of John as "banzai" somewhere in a race report. I explained that it probably came about due to John's habit of staying on the throttle whatever. John gave me his take on this. "Well, when I'm on the throttle, my leg is straight and my knee is locked. When the parachutes open, I get pulled back, my foot comes off the throttle. No problem".
Swiss Pro Mod racer Peter Wacker is back with his popular Chevy. He is very pleased with the way things are going but is cursing himself for playing with the suspension at the Main Event since it sent the car in all directions. "The engine's perfect, the nitrous system is good, it's all working. We hope the car goes straight this time". Peter has an interesting crew set-up this weekend; himself, his crew chief and three young ladies. "They don't all have boyfriends but don't tell anyone because our pit will get crowded", said Peter. Your secret's safe with us, mate. Peter is off to Gardermoen in Norway after this race, and then he is looking to get a new car. "I want it to be a state-of-the-art car next time", he says. Race car builder Andy Robinson will be on hand this weekend taking particulars for the new machine.
Qualifying is well underway now, we've had Junior Dragster and the VW classes, and Custom Car Street Eliminator is in progress. We'll be back later with the latest news.