2006 Easter Thunderball
Saturday (qualifying)


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21:30

Today's pictures have now been posted, you can view them from the Event Index page. If you don't see the pictures when you load the page then click on your Browser's Refresh button.

FIA European Top Fuel Dragster Champion Lex Joon has given us another on-site update to his exclusive Racer Blog which you can view by clicking here or via the usual route on Eurodragster.com.

If you were tuned in earlier, or more accurately trying to, then you might have found that the server was down for a couple of hours. This was nothing to do with us or we would have sorted it out far more quickly. Our ISP Selfnet's entire operation in the USA went down, and they are six hours behind us so it was quite early in the morning there it probably took them a while to catch it. Apologies anyway.

Qualifying starts at 9:00 am tomorrow morning, tune back then and we'll bring you all the news.

19:50

Wild Bunch qualifying top five after session 6:

  1. Darren Law +0.028 11.228/126.41
  2. Helen Smythe +0.031 9.781/135.53
  3. Chris Hartnell +0.032 9.232/142.75
  4. Roy Wilding +0.078 11.578/112.51
  5. Phil Sweeney +0.085 12.385/108.51

Chris Hartnell moved into #3 spot in this session.

Super Modified top five qualifying after session 6:

  1. Graham Ellis 7.610/179.99
  2. Tim Garlick 7.703/175.83
  3. Andy Kirk 7.743/172.50
  4. Rob Smallworth 7.851/172.50
  5. Steve Rawlings 8.046/170.47

A great side-by-side match-up between Andy Kirk and Tim Garlick, 0.070 to 0.073 RTs and 0.012 at the stripe, an improvement in ET for Andy but he remains in third, another consistent 7.7 pass for Tim. An improvement too for Rob Smallworth, also remaining in place at #4. In the final run of the session Graham Ellis consolidated his #1 spot again with another improvement.

That's qualifying finished for today, Sharkman is working on today's pictures and Simon has some more pit notes for you so stay tuned.

19:45

Funny Bike qualifying after session 6:

  1. Neil Midgley 6.749/195.46
  2. Chris Hall 6.904/191.44
  3. Steve French 7.178/185.85
  4. Tim Blakemore 7.182/164.89
  5. Shaun Branch 7.416/174.68

No changes to the top five but Neil Midgley and Chris Hall were both into the sixes again in this session.

Pro Stock Bike qualifying after session 6:

  1. Dave Beck 7.359/180.78
  2. Len Paget 7.567/174.45
  3. Paul Watson 7.731/168.56
  4. Paul King 8.033/167.28
  5. Ray Debben 8.247/160.21

Dave Beck extends his lead, a big speed on that pass. Paul Watson up into third, bumping Ray Debben out of the four-bike field at present.

19:35

Junior Dragster qualifying top five after session 6:

  1. Zak Johnson +0.005
  2. Anna Stanley +0.006
  3. Jay Hauser +0.012
  4. Jayne Kay +0.012
  5. Arlo Reddick +0.019

No changes to the top five in this session.

Super Street qualifying top five after session 6:

  1. Mark Watkins 10.900/131.31
  2. John Grant 10.907/129.72
  3. Bob Lees 10.919/127.44
  4. Martyn Sanger 10.920/113.07
  5. Nick Griffin 10.922/102.98

Mark Watkins takes an unassailable lead in Super Street, bang on the numbers, well done Mark!

Super Comp qualifying top five after session 6:

  1. Andy Williams 8.904/157.36
  2. Belinda Bull 8.916/158.57
  3. Chris Johnson 8.917/145.61
  4. Chris Isaacs 8.952/148.56
  5. Jon Morton 8.967/148.42

Andy Williams took #1 spot and Jon Morton moved into fifth in this session.

19:15

Urs Erbacher shut off before staging on his Top Fuel observed run. The engine didn't sound as if it wanted to light to begin with, but all was well in the end and Urs pulled his burnout. When he got back to the line one of the crew noticed that the blower belt was shredding itself and signalled Urs to shut off. The engine having been reulctant to start then took an absolute age to lean out!

Next up was Micke Kågered on a test pass. 0.528 reaction, 0.852 to sixty feet and then the tyres were shaking hard enough to put the chute out and Micke was off the throttle by about 100 feet. There was a big bang from Micke's engine as he rolled down the track, we're guessing the blower burst panel.

Trackside conditions are 12.2 C, 62% humidity and 29.65 inches of air, track temperature is 15.2 C.

19:05

Comp Bike qualifying after session 6:

  1. Chris Hannam 7.359/180.97
  2. Kev Charman 8.002/163.67
  3. Phil Leamon 8.882/152.10
  4. Bob Brooks 9.049/164.20
  5. Andy Newcombe 9.054/156.34

An improvement for Andy Newcombe, no change to the top five though.

Super Gas qualifying top five after session 6:

  1. Frank Mason 9.900/139.02
  2. Jon Evans 9.916/145.12
  3. Stuart Morrice 9.917/145.13
  4. Olav Skiervoe 9.917/130.49
  5. Brendan Clancy 9.921/132.75

Olav Skiervoe improved his third place and Christer Uhlin moved into fourth, then Brendan Clancy bumped Christer down to fifth, then Jon Evans came in at #2 and bumped him down to sixth, but that's both of our Norwegian visitors in the top six at the moment.

Sportsman ET qualifying top five after session 6:

  1. Nick Gay +0.036 13.356/97.63
  2. Sandie Gibb +0.082 12.102/112.59
  3. Mick Smith +0.067 12.077/111.95
  4. Martin Lewis +0.010 15.640/85.05
  5. Dave Nelson +0.101 17.301/78.54

Sandie Gibb moved up to #2 and Martin Lewis up to #4 in this session.

Next up are Urs Erbacher on a Top Fuel observed run and Micke Kågered on a test run.

18:45

Super Pro ET qualifying top five after session 6:

  1. Nick Spence +0.000 8.250/164.72
  2. Vince Gibbs +0.003 8.883/149.57
  3. Rich Gilbertson +0.009 8.309/161.80
  4. Rick Cooke +0.020 8.490/150.96
  5. Martin Curbishley +0.025 7.815/173.67

Vince Gibbs moved up to second at that point with a great pass, the usual huge wheelie but very controlled. Martin Curbishley moved into fifth. There was a big cloud of smoke from Eurodragster.com sponsor Derek Flynn's blown-alcohol dragster at about 1000 feet and pieces of metal were found on the track. Paul Davies put in his first observed run in his new Grim Reaper rail, a very nice-looking car even unpainted, 1.303 to sixty feet then off the throttle.

Super Street Bike qualifying top five after session 6:

  1. Jamie Sneddon 7.773/180.55
  2. Dave Smith 8.022/187.59
  3. Steve Venables 8.084/187.42
  4. Nigel Barker 8.118/179.28
  5. Graham Dance 8.127/177.98

A Personal Best for Nigel Barker into fourth place, well done Nigel! The bump spot is now Mark Watkins' 8.684. Another story from SSB is that Chris Reed, aka Bois, rodded his engine this morning riding back from scrutineering. Only Boisy. I am guessing a spare was available since Boisy has just put in a qualifying pass in the twelves. Dave Smith ran his third 8.0 this weekend in this session, an 8.081.

18:15

Street Eliminator qualifying top five after session 6:

  1. John Sleath 8.073/177.38
  2. Steve Nash 8.182/175.04
  3. Colin Lazenby 8.494/177.86
  4. Jerry Charles 8.633/169.04
  5. Ian Hook 8.937/149.94

John Sleath backed up yesterday's 8.073 in this session with an 8.076 at 181.37, well done John! A stormer too from Steve Nash, the car just hooked up and went, straight as you like. Splinter stays in second. A 10.818/133.15 for Ron Haslett in this session, into the tens with his wild Cortina, well done Ron! Ian Hook took a wild ride in the FB Racing '34 Ford, the car turned hard left by the Tree but Fatty hung onto it, meanwhile there was a cloud of smoke from Ray Tucker's Vette at half track but nothing was found on the track. Smoke also and some oil at the end of the track from Ray Comer, no word on what the problem was. Colin Lazenby pulled a wheelie off the line on his pass.

17:45

9.50 Bike qualifying top five after session 6:

  1. Steve Coombs 9.519/139.67
  2. Fred Furlong 9.522/143.17
  3. Andy Bird 9.539/121.64
  4. Richard Sawatzki 9.528/145.64
  5. Richard Hann 9.577/144.20

Richard Sawatzki in at #4 in this session.

Trackside conditions before Wild Bunch qualifying were 14.0 C, 51% humidity, and 29.65 inches of air. Track temperature on the start line was 16.8 C.

Wild Bunch qualifying top five after session 5:

  1. Darren Law +0.028 11.228/126.41
  2. Helen Smythe +0.031 9.781/135.53
  3. Roy Wilding +0.078 11.578/112.51
  4. Phil Sweeney +0.085 12.385/108.51
  5. Pete Yates +0.143 10.543/133.92

Pete Yates moved into #5 spot in this session.

17:30

Pro ET qualifying top five after session 6:

  1. Nick Good +0.001 9.341/141.11
  2. Liz Malcolm +0.003 11.703/116.44
  3. Paul Marston +0.003 9.413/142.47
  4. Wayne Hiscock +0.003 9.723/133.58
  5. Lee Huxley +0.003 10.543/126.09

Richie Webb pulled no less than four wheelies on the way to a 10.041 on a 10.40 dial-in! No change to the top five.

VW Pro qualifying top five after session 6:

  1. Martin Charles +0.006 11.586/114.84
  2. Nigel Green +0.009 11.249/111.12
  3. Glynn Morgan +0.032 12.852/100.01
  4. Ian Dale +0.277 12.827/100.67
  5. Brian Burrows +0.624 12.924/100.43

Martin Charles took over #1 spot in this session.

VW Sportsman qualifying top five after session 6:

  1. Chris Bray +0.003 21.503/61.88
  2. Graham Fairhead +0.019 15.419/85.00
  3. Martin Ayton +0.082 14.982/90.37
  4. Abi Tether +0.099 16.699/82.40
  5. Laura White +0.115 18.315/70.65

Chris Bray took over #1 spot and Laura White improved her fifth place.

VW Alternate Engine qualifying after session 6:

  1. Matt Attwood +0.114 11.864/110.55
  2. Matt Finney +0.116 15.716/86.72
  3. Andy Raw +0.337 14.167/96.50

Matt Attwood took over the lead, Matt Finney now second although improved.

17:00

A very nice pass from Roger Goring in the Firestorm Jet FC. The flame show is back and oh boy did we get nicely sunburned in Race Control! 0.240 reaction, 4.304/189.00 at half track and 6.294/251.76 at the stripe, the car made a move to the right just at the finish line but Roger had hold of it.

Next up is qualifying cycle 6.

16:55

Nostalgia Fuel Altered Association session 2 (left lane first): Nick Davies 7.630/165.51 bye, Jim Usher 16.665/44.19 observed run (bye), Frank Bennett 7.545/156.25, Wendy Baker 16.577/57.76, Clayton Round 7.610/181.29 bye, Bob Glassup shut off

A nice burnout by Nick Davies, a little pedal off the start line and then it sounded like Nick was feathering the throttle most of the way, the car made a few moves left and right but Nick was well on top of it. Another competent showing by Jim Usher, I noticed The Mob is carrying a "Baby on board" sign! A nice burnout and then a great launch to about 100 feet, 1.264 to sixty feet and 16.665/44.19 at the stripe. Great burnouts by both Frank and Wendy, on the green both cars pulled wheelies, Wendy pedalled as the car came down and then got off the throttle, Frank went straight and true. Clayton pulled a 250-foot burnout before his match-up with Bob, Bob's car sounded as if it was misfiring in his burnout and then he shut off after returning to the start line. A great run for Clayton, a brief pedal as the car headed for the centre line and the a couple of feathers of the pedal as the car weaved a little.

Next up is Roger Goring in the Firestorm Jet FC.

16:40

Pro Modified qualifying session 2 (left lane first): Robert Joosten 12.670/75.50 observed run (bye), Andy Robinson 6.370/219.60, Mats Eriksson 6.348/227.23, Bert Englefield 8.820/105.88 bye

Robert's first outing in the ex-Oddy 'Vette, a very nice looking car indeed. A competent burnout and then 1.207 to sixty feet, the car was edging left towards the guardrail but Robert was already off the throttle. One hundred-foot burnouts from Andy and Mats, on the green Andy pulled a huge holeshot on Mats (not that it matters in qualifying) and he stayed with it through some pretty bad shake, a big cloud of smoke from the Stude at the finish line had us all worried but nothing untoward was found on the track. Mats went straight as you like, no shake marks in his lane, and into #1 spot. Mats' speed is above the European record but this isn't a European event so it can't go into the books. A great launch from Bert Englefield, 1.009 to sixty feet, a feather of the throttle and then the car started to fishtail, Bert stayed with it until things started to look dramatic then got off the throttle and put the chutes out.

Qualifying standings after this session:

  1. Mats Eriksson 6.348/227.23
  2. Andy Robinson 6.370/219.60
  3. Danny Cockerill 6.604/207.40
  4. Bert Englefield 8.820/105.88

Trackside conditions after Pro Mod were 13.4 C, 54% humidity, 29.65 inches of air. Track temperature at the start line was 17.1 C.

16:30

ACU Top Fuel Bike qualifying session 2 (left lane first): Lorenz Stauble 20.438/29.85, Steve Woollatt 6.582/211.23, Ian Turburville shut off, Roel Koedam 6.491/211.19

Lorenz Stauble had already done his burnout and come back before Steve Woollatt made the bleach box, Steve pulled a short burnout and was back in no time at all so as not to keep Lorenz waiting, good job Steve and crew. On the green Steve was gone, a picture-perfect straight pass. 1.109 to sixty feet, 4.308/173.64 to half-track. Lorenz hit shake, feathered the throttle and then there was a pop as he got back on the throttle and he rolled through. Turbo shut off before staging, Roel then rode through shake which vibrated Race Control, 1.173 to sixty feet, 4.325/183.66 at half track, and into the #1 spot.

Qualifying standings after this session:

  1. Roel Koedam 6.491/211.19
  2. Steve Woollatt 6.582/211.23
  3. Lorenz Stauble 6.823/177.82

16:25

MSA Top Methanol qualifying session 2 (left lane first): Steph Milam 6.828/213.28 bye, Rob Turner 5.679/250.24 bye

A great run for Steph, 1.151 to sixty feet, 4.513/166.83 at half track, 'chute out just before the line, so there is more to come from the She Devil FC. The car sounded very strong indeed. A stormer from Rob Turner, clutch dusk and everything off the start line, 0.979 to sixty feet, 3.723/201.06 at half track. The standings remain as-was but Rob and Steph both improved their ETs.

Qualifying standings after this session:

  1. Dave Wilson 5.597/251.31
  2. Rob Turner 5.679/250.24
  3. Steph Milam 6.828/213.28

16:20

The Fortieth Anniversary celebration started with a flag start of two Wild Bunch altereds, Helen Smythe and Roy Wilding, and two WB slingshots, Chris Hartnell and Phil Sweeney, by Stu Bradbury.

This year's remaining Hall of Fame inductees were announced and presented; the British Drag Racing Hall of Fame members for 2006 are:

  • Allan Herridge
  • The Phelps family
  • Dennis Stone
  • Dennis Priddle
  • Phil Evans
  • John Ledster
  • Peter Billinton
  • Tony Densham
  • Roz Prior
  • Clive Skilton

Roz Prior accepted her trophy on the start line Dave Stone accepted Dennis Stone's trophy, and Dave Riswick accepted Clive Skilton's trophy.

15:50

Super Modified top five qualifying after session 5:

  1. Graham Ellis 7.641/177.68
  2. Tim Garlick 7.703/175.83
  3. Andy Kirk 7.803/175.66
  4. Rob Smallworth 7.903/172.53
  5. Steve Rawlings 8.046/170.47

Steve Rawlings moved into the top five in this session. Paul Mander having completed his observed runs joined in qualifying and clocked 10.181/135.97.

That's qualifying cycle five finished. Next up is the Fortieth Anniversary celebration including flag starts by Stu Bradbury.

15:45

Funny Bike qualifying after session 5:

  1. Neil Midgley 6.749/195.46
  2. Chris Hall 6.904/191.44
  3. Steve French 7.178/185.85
  4. Tim Blakemore 7.182/164.89
  5. Shaun Branch 7.416/174.68

A hairy moment for Chris Hall as his throttle stuck open after the burnout, Chris was at about half track before he got the engine stopped. A great run from Steve French put him into #3 spot after some problems in previous sessions, well done Steve! Shaun Branch went into fifth on the next run, straight as you like, a great pass for the blown bike.

Pro Stock Bike qualifying after session 5:

  1. Dave Beck 7.449/172.56
  2. Len Paget 7.567/174.45
  3. Paul King 8.033/167.28
  4. Ray Debben 8.247/160.21
  5. Paul Watson 9.025/101.30

Another little nibble on the set-up for Len Paget, he stays in second.

15:35

Junior Dragster qualifying top five after session 5:

  1. Zak Johnson +0.005
  2. Anna Stanley +0.006
  3. Jay Hauser +0.012
  4. Jayne Kay +0.012
  5. Arlo Reddick +0.019

Zak Johnson took over #1 spot in this session and Arlo Reddick moved back into the top five.

Super Street qualifying top five after session 5:

  1. John Grant 10.907/129.72
  2. Bob Lees 10.919/127.44
  3. Martyn Sanger 10.920/113.07
  4. Nick Griffin 10.922/102.98
  5. Dave Cherrett 10.929/100.66

No changes to the top five in this session, notable was Mick Howling's 0.000 reaction in Grumpy's Dodge. The first eleven of thirteen are in the 10.9s.

Super Comp qualifying top five after session 5:

  1. Belinda Bull 8.916/158.57
  2. Chris Johnson 8.917/145.61
  3. Chris Isaacs 8.952/148.56
  4. Tim Adam 8.970/146.50
  5. Mark Fairhurst 8.976/153.95

An improvement for Mark Fairhurst but he stayed in place, no change to the top five.

14:45

Pro Fuel Shootout qualifying session 1 (left lane first): Andy Carter 8.974/92.57, Leif Helander 8.436/99.52, Micke Kågered 8.809/75.13, John Spuffard 6.673/212.21, Lex Joon 5.453/215.25, Gordon Smith 13.533/74.63

The cars running against an index this weekend, 5.00 for Top Fuel and 5.35 for Fuel FC, and it's the performance against index which is counted. If you don't turn out for a run you get the equivalent against index of the slowest ET of the round plus five seconds. If a TF and FC run together then the FC gets a 0.35 head start.

First pairing was Andy v Leif. Andy's car is carrying Terry Gibbs' name above his own beside the cockpit. Nice burnouts from both racers, from here it looked as if Andy's Crew Chief Ben had to persuade the car to go into reverse but no harm done. The question was would Andy remember that he had to hang on the extra 0.35 seconds? Not only did Andy wait the extra 0.35 but he strapped a 0.086 reaction to Leif's 0.218. 0.859 to sixty feet for Andy, 0.991 for Leif. Andy hit shake at about sixty feet, pedalled then hit shake again, and was off the throttle by about 300 feet. Leif hit shake right by the Tree, pedalled once, and also went to about 300 feet before getting off it.

Micke v Spuff next, a hesitant-sounding burnout from Micke. On the greens Micke got the better reaction, 0.340 to 0.406 for Spuff. 0.955 to sixty feet for Spuff, 0.892 for Micke. Spuff's rear tyres went up in smoke and he pedalled, more shake up to about three hundred feet then the Showtime FC really picked up, 193.95 mph at the eighth. Micke's tyres went up in smoke at about 200 feet, he pedalled and hit shake again and his 'chute deployed. Micke stayed on the throttle for a moment then likely realised that something was dragging his motor down and got off it.

Great burnouts from both Lex and Gordon, the Shockwave FC looking very good in its new Salon Interactive branding. Lex pulled the second red light in the history of the Pro Fuel Shootout, leaving as Gordon left. 0.895 to sixty feet for Lex, 0.992 for Gordon. The Shockwave FC's tyres went in up smoke almost at the hit and Gordon got off the throttle, Lex was on a great pass, 3.486/216.41 to half track. Lex's tyres started to haze and at about a thousand feet there was a flash - we're figuring the blower burst plate popped - and the blower belt flew through the air.

Tommy Möller did not show so his penalty was the index equivalent of the slowest ET of the round plus five seconds.

Pro Fuel Shootout standings after this session:

  1. Lex Joon +0.453
  2. John Spuffard +1.323
  3. Leif Helander +3.086
  4. Micke Kågered +3.809
  5. Andy Carter +4.974
  6. Gordon Smith +8.183
  7. Tommy Möller +13.533(no show)

Eric Teboul followed the Pro Fuel Shootout session with a great 6.044/200.05 on his Rocket Bike. Next exhibition car was Martin Hill in the Fireforce 1 Jet FC, a great flame and thunder show from Martin and then 7.659/211.25.

Trackside conditions are 13.3 C, 55% humidity, and 29.71 inches of air.

14:15

Super Gas qualifying top five after session 5:

  1. Frank Mason 9.900/139.02
  2. Stuart Morrice 9.917/145.13
  3. Olav Skiervoe 9.925/127.51
  4. Pete Creswell 9.933/136.35
  5. Jon Morton 9.941/144.65

Olav Skiervoe moved up to #2 spot at that point, then one the last-but-one pairing of the session Stuart Morrice went into second and bumped him down to third. For our Norwegian viewers, Christer Uhlin is now tenth at 9.979. The top ten are in the 9.9s.

Sportsman ET qualifying top five after session 5:

  1. Nick Gay +0.036 13.356/97.63
  2. Mick Smith +0.067 12.077/111.95
  3. Dave Nelson +0.101 17.301/78.54
  4. Jon Turner +0.109 13.509/99.12
  5. Martin Lewis +0.127 15.627/84.93

Mick Smith moved into #2 in this session.

Next up is the first qualfying session of the Pro Fuel Shootout.

13:50

Street Eliminator qualifying top five after session 5:

  1. John Sleath 8.073/177.38
  2. Steve Nash 8.252/173.15
  3. Colin Lazenby 8.494/177.86
  4. Jerry Charles 8.633/169.04
  5. Ian Hook 8.937/149.94

A big improvement for Splinter but he stayed in #2 at that point. An improvement too for Colin Lazenby, again with a pedal, and staying in #3. Same story for Jerry Charles, improving but staying in place. Ray Tucker improved his PB still further to 9.517, well done Ray!

Super Pro ET qualifying top five after session 5:

  1. Nick Spence +0.000 8.250/164.72
  2. Rich Gilbertson +0.009 8.309/161.80
  3. Vince Gibbs +0.009 8.889/149.44
  4. Rick Cooke +0.020 8.490/150.96
  5. Martyn Jones +0.026 7.696/170.50

Vince Gibbs moved up to number three, two racers now on +0.009.

Super Street Bike qualifying top five after session 5:

  1. Jamie Sneddon 7.773/180.55
  2. Dave Smith 8.022/187.59
  3. Steve Venables 8.084/187.42
  4. Graham Dance 8.127/177.98
  5. Gary Drury 8.168/177.80

No changes to the top five in this session.

Comp Bike qualifying after session 5:

  1. Chris Hannam 7.359/180.97
  2. Kev Charman 8.002/163.67
  3. Phil Leamon 8.882/152.10
  4. Bob Brooks 9.049/164.20
  5. Andy Newcombe 10.185/132.38

A cracking pass from Cannon to run away with #1 spot, getting close to the ACU speed record too. Bob Brooks got a time on the board after a false start earlier on.

13:15

Pro ET qualifying top five after session 5:

  1. Nick Good +0.001 9.341/141.11
  2. Liz Malcolm +0.003 11.703/116.44
  3. Paul Marston +0.003 9.413/142.47
  4. Wayne Hiscock +0.003 9.723/133.58
  5. Lee Huxley +0.003 10.543/126.09

Lee Huxley joined the +0.003 Club and moved into fifth.

VW Pro qualifying top five after session 5:

  1. Nigel Green +0.009 11.249/111.12
  2. Glynn Morgan +0.032 12.852/100.01
  3. Martin Charles +0.108 11.608/114.26
  4. Ian Dale +0.277 12.827/100.67
  5. Brian Burrows +0.624 12.924/100.43

Glynn Morgan took the lead, then Nigel Green took it back from him! Martin Charles improved but stayed in #3.

VW Alternate Engine qualifying after session 5:

  1. Matt Finney +0.476 15.976/81.06
  2. Matt Attwood +0.615 15.615/94.70
  3. Andy Raw +1.325 13.825/91.28

Matt Finney took over the lead in this session.

9.50 Bike qualifying top five after session 5:

  1. Steve Coombs 9.519/139.67
  2. Fred Furlong 9.522/143.17
  3. Andy Bird 9.539/121.64
  4. Richard Hann 9.577/144.20
  5. Phil Pratt 9.590/158.36

Phil Pratt moved into fourth, then Richard Hann came in and moved him down to fifth.

Trackside conditions after 9.5 Bike were 12.7 C, 58% humidity and 29.71 inches of air. Track temperature on the start line was 17.9 C.

VW Sportsman qualifying top five after session 4:

  1. Graham Fairhead +0.019 15.419/85.00
  2. Martin Ayton +0.082 14.982/90.37
  3. Abi Tether +0.099 16.699/82.40
  4. Chris Bray +0.189 21.489/61.63
  5. Laura White +0.195 18.395/69.89

Martin Ayton moved into second place in this session.

12:45

Super Modified top five qualifying after session 4:

  1. Graham Ellis 7.641/177.68
  2. Tim Garlick 7.703/175.83
  3. Andy Kirk 7.803/175.66
  4. Rob Smallworth 7.903/172.53
  5. Craig Gibbs 8.103/164.90

Tim Garlick moved up to second in this session.

That's the end of cycle 4, now we're straight on to cycle 5.

12:40

Funny Bike qualifying after session 4:

  1. Neil Midgley 6.749/195.46
  2. Chris Hall 6.904/191.44
  3. Tim Blakemore 7.182/164.89
  4. Stu Chamberlain 7.740/165.89
  5. Richard Gipp 7.765/170.51

Chris Hall into the sixes again, a Personal Best, well done Chris! Congratulations also to Neil Midgley who backed up yesterday's 195.66 and consolidated #1 spot with a stormer in this session. Steve French got on the board after some problems yesterday. The first full pass for Richard Gipp on Scary and Dave's bike and into fifth place, nice one Richard!

Pro Stock Bike qualifying after session 4:

  1. Dave Beck 7.449/172.56
  2. Len Paget 7.609/171.17
  3. Paul King 8.033/167.28
  4. Ray Debben 8.247/160.21
  5. Paul Watson 9.025/101.30

Dave Beck took #1 spot on his first run of the weekend, Len Paget improved and is now second. An improvement for Ray Debben.

12:30

Super Street qualifying top five after session 4:

  1. John Grant 10.907/129.72
  2. Bob Lees 10.919/127.44
  3. Martyn Sanger 10.920/113.07
  4. Nick Griffin 10.922/102.98
  5. Dave Cherrett 10.929/100.66

Nick Griffin moved into fourth in this session and Leigh Morris then moved up to fifth to bump Jonas Dantanus down a spot. Dave Cherrett then took fifth in the last but one pairing.

Super Comp qualifying top five after session 4:

  1. Belinda Bull 8.916/158.57
  2. Chris Johnson 8.917/145.61
  3. Chris Isaacs 8.952/148.56
  4. Tim Adam 8.970/146.50
  5. Mark Fairhurst 9.004/151.55

No changes to the top five in this session.

12:20

Roger Goring's first run of the weekend in the Firestorm Jet FC was a 6.423/249.57. The car was moving gently towards the guardrail but Roger pulled it straigth and stayed with it. And we're all smoked like kippers up here in Race Control!

Sportsman ET qualifying top five after session 4:

  1. Nick Gay +0.036 13.356/97.63
  2. Dave Nelson +0.101 17.301/78.54
  3. Jon Turner +0.109 13.509/99.12
  4. Martin Lewis +0.127 15.627/84.93
  5. Nicola Lagrue +0.160 15.860/89.23

Jon Turner moved into #3 spot in this session. An improvement from Dave Nelson but he stayed in place.

Trackside conditions at the start of Sportsman ET qualifying were 13.4 C, 51% humidity and 29.74 inches of air. Track temperature on the start line was 20.6 C.

Junior Dragster qualifying top five after session 4:

  1. Anna Stanley +0.006
  2. Zak Johnson +0.008
  3. Jay Hauser +0.012
  4. Jayne Kay +0.012
  5. Scott Hauser +0.024

Wild Bunch qualifying top five after session 4:

  1. Darren Law +0.028 11.228/126.41
  2. Helen Smythe +0.031 9.781/135.53
  3. Roy Wilding +0.078 11.578/112.51
  4. Phil Sweeney +0.085 12.385/108.51
  5. Chris Hartnell +0.222 9.122/146.09

Helen Smythe moved up into second in this session.

11:50

Nostalgia Fuel Altered Association session 1 (left lane first): Nick Davies 8.991/134.82 bye, Bob Glassup 11.110/101.12 bye, Frank Bennett shut off, Clayton Round 8.578/171.16 bye, Jim Usher 26.120/25.73 observed run (bye)

Co-ordinator Lawrie Gatehouse told us yesterday that this is not a points round for the NFAA because the majority of the NFAA are on observed runs or want to test. Nick gets points for banging the Havoc Altered right up on the wheelie bars and then hitting bad tyre shake - I am guessing that the rear tyres might actually have lifted off the deck, whether that was cause or effect is the question! Frank pulled a long, long burnout and rolled to about nine hundred feet, Bob was already back from his burnout at that point but he waited patiently for Frank. Chief Starter Ian Marshall decided enough was enough and put Bob into stage, Frank was then shut off. Clayton pulled a great burnout and then headed for the centreline on the launch, pedalling and pulling it straight and getting back on the throttle. Jim Usher took it nice and gently for his first-ever run in The Mob, a competent burnout and then 0.508 reaction, 1.393 to sixty feet, well done Jim!

11:35

Pro Modified qualifying session 1 (left lane first): Andy Robinson shut off, Danny Cockerill 6.604/207.40 bye, Mats Eriksson 11.203/77.71, Bert Englefield 16.451/45.60, John O'Sullivan observed 15.297/55.26 run (bye).

Andy stopped by the Tree on the way back from his burnout, Luke gave the car a shove and then Andy carried on under his own steam but then shut off on the line, the engine leaking oil. Danny drove through shake, some haze from the car towards the top end. I saw Danny deploy his chutes but they didn't open, Danny got the car stopped with no problem. Looks to us as if Mats' Green Goblin has had some new paint, the green looks brighter than last year. Mats hit shake off the line and the car veered towards the guardrail, Mats pedalled once but the car wasn't having any of it. Same story for Bert judging by the tyre tracks, shake at about twenty feet and Bert got off the throttle.

John O'Sullivan clocked 1.584 to sixty feet and was off the throttle by about 300 feet.

Qualifying standings after this session:

  1. Danny Cockerill 6.604/207.40
  2. Mats Eriksson 11.203/77.71
  3. Bert Englefield 16.451/45.60

11:25

MSA Top Methanol qualifying session 1 (left lane first): Steph Milam 7.555/192.36 bye, Dave Wilson 5.597/251.31, Rob Turner 5.697/230.80

Steph Milam's FC made a hard move to the right at about eighty feet, Steph pedalled and got it straight, then another pedal at half track and back on the throttle. A great qualifying match-up between Grumpy and Rob, Grumpy got a huge jump off the line 0.268 to 0.590, the incrementals in favour of the Nemesis car all the way down and 0.421 at the stripe. Grumpy's dragster made a move towards the centre line at the end, I wonder whether Rob's relatively "slow" terminal speed betrays an early shut-off.

Qualifying standings after this session:

  1. Dave Wilson 5.597/251.31
  2. Rob Turner 5.697/230.80
  3. Steph Milam 7.555/192.36

Trackside conditions are 11.4 C, 65% humidity and 29.77 inches of air. Track tempertature at 300 feet is 16.1 C.

11:20

ACU Top Fuel Bike qualifying session 1 (left lane first): Lorenz Stauble 6.823/177.82 bye, Roel Koedam 6.806/162.54 bye, Steve Woollatt 6.928/160.20 bye

A great run from Lorenz Stauble, the bike trying to make a move to the right but Lo hung on to it, off the throttle at about 1100 feet so there is more to come there. A great run from Roel Koedam to open his 2006 account, the bike looked to leave a touch gently but that may have been deceptive. 4.290/180.54 at half track and off the throttle at about 1000 feet. Same story for Steve Woollatt, the bike was really moving, 4.340/171.04 at half track and then off the throttle at about 1000 feet. Ian Turburville's starter motor broke and the team were thrashing to get it fixed but didn't make this session.

Qualifying standings after this session:

  1. Lorenz Stauble 6.823/177.82
  2. Roel Koedam 6.806/162.54
  3. Steve Woollatt 6.928/160.20

11:00

Håkan Fällström's latest Top Fuel observed run was a real stormer. Again the tyres didn't light on the burnout but as we have seen before it really didn't seem to affect things. On the green Håkan was out of there: 0.893 to sixty feet, 3.322/240.60 at half track, off the throttle at about a thousand feet, 5.081/249.87 at the stripe. The car really seemed to leap forward at about 300 feet, I'm guessing that would have been a clutch stage coming in. Well done to Håkan, and to Kenneth and Tommy and the crew.

10:55

Comp Bike qualifying after session 4:

  1. Chris Hannam 7.827/170.32
  2. Kev Charman 8.002/163.67
  3. Phil Leamon 8.882/152.10
  4. Andy Newcombe 10.185/132.38

The first outing today for Andy Newcombe, trouble selecting gears by the sound of it but he has a time on the board. Phil Leamon back into the eights, that was with a feather of the throttle as the bike headed for the guardrail.

Super Gas qualifying top five after session 4:

  1. Frank Mason 9.900/139.02
  2. Pete Creswell 9.933/136.35
  3. Olav Skiervoe 9.940/125.69
  4. Jon Morton 9.941/144.65
  5. Tethys 9.941/135.52

Jon Evans moved into #5 spot, then a couple of pairings later Brendan Clancy moved him down a spot. On the very next pairing Tet went into fifth bumping Brendan down a spot. Christer Uhlin's car is being pushed down the old fire-up road as I type, no word on what the problem was.

Håkan Fällström is in the pairing lanes ready for this next Top Fuel observed run.

10:45

Super Street Bike qualifying top five after session 4:

  1. Jamie Sneddon 7.773/180.55
  2. Dave Smith 8.022/187.59
  3. Steve Venables 8.084/187.42
  4. Graham Dance 8.127/177.98
  5. Gary Drury 8.168/177.80

A new PB for Gary Drury, nice one Gary! Improvements from Dave Smith and Steve Venables both knocking on the door of the sevens. Ade Lockley pulled a near-vertical wheelie at about 70 feet but he did a great job of putting the front end down and continued, as calm as you like. The bump spot is now 8.880.

Trackside conditions are 11.7 C, 62% humidity and 29.77 inches of air. Track temperature is 14.7 C.

10:35

Super Pro ET qualifying top five after session 4:

  1. Nick Spence +0.000 8.250/164.72
  2. Rich Gilbertson +0.009 8.309/161.80
  3. Rick Cooke +0.020 8.490/150.96
  4. Vince Gibbs +0.024 8.894/148.95
  5. Martyn Jones +0.026 7.696/170.50

Rick Cooke moved into #3 spot in this session.

10:25

9.50 Bike qualifying top five after session 4:

  1. Steve Coombs 9.519/139.67
  2. Fred Furlong 9.522/143.17
  3. Andy Bird 9.539/121.64
  4. Paul Wing 9.593/133.89
  5. Dave Hall 9.631/150.56

Fred Furlong moved up a place to #2.

Street Eliminator qualifying top five after session 4:

  1. John Sleath 8.073/17.38
  2. Steve Nash 8.485/167.27
  3. Colin Lazenby 8.676/176.40
  4. Jerry Charles 8.748/169.23
  5. Ian Hook 8.937/149.94

John Sleath's diff broke at the hit, word is that there was a break where the diff joins the prop and that if the prop is not bent then it's reparable. Colin Lazenby improved and moved up to third, that was with a pedal at about 300 feet, plenty more left in the Pinnacle Chevy. A great pass from Ray Tucker in this session, his 'Vette clocking 9.749/159.03 and that'll be a PB, well done Ray!

Word from Simon in the pits is that Håkan Fällström will be out to make another Top Fuel observed run this morning. Urs Erbacher will be out this afternoon, the team has a thrash last night to change the engine, transmission and reverser - more when Simon gets back to update his pit notes.

10:05

Pro ET qualifying top five after session 4:

  1. Nick Good +0.001 9.341/141.11
  2. Liz Malcolm +0.003 11.703/116.44
  3. Paul Marston +0.003 9.413/142.47
  4. Wayne Hiscock +0.003 9.723/133.58
  5. Joe Stevens +0.006 9.356/141.94

No changes to the top five in this session. Moose Hollingworth has run a Personal Best on every pass so far this weekend, a 9.766 the latest on a 9.79 dial-in, well done Moose!

Trackside conditions at the start of Pro ET qualifying were 8.8 C, 87% humidity and 29.77 inches of air. Track temperature was 9.9 C.

VW Pro qualifying top five after session 4:

  1. Nigel Green +0.166 11.406/111.11
  2. Glynn Morgan +0.130 12.950/100.49
  3. Martin Charles +0.248 11.748/112.19
  4. Ian Dale +0.277 12.827/100.67
  5. Brian Burrows +0.624 12.924/100.43

Martin Charles into third place, improvements from Glynn Morgan, Ian Dale and Brian Burrows.

VW Alternate Engine qualifying after session 4:

  1. Matt Attwood +0.615 15.615/94.70
  2. Matt Finney +1.020 16.320/81.37
  3. Andy Raw +1.325 13.825/91.28

Matts Attwood and Finney into the standings, Matt A taking over the lead and Matt F #2.

VW Sportsman qualifying top five after session 3:

  1. Graham Fairhead +0.019 15.419/85.00
  2. Abi Tether +0.099 16.699/82.40
  3. Martin Ayton +0.128 15.078/89.63
  4. Chris Bray +0.189 21.489/61.63
  5. Laura White +0.195 18.395/69.89

No changes to the top five in this session.

9:00

Good morning and welcome from Santa Pod. It's the second day of Easter Thunderball qualifying we're here to bring you all the news in association with American Car Imports.

The Webster Race Engineering/MPM Oil webcam is on-line and broadcasting a picture every two minutes.

As you can probably see from the webcam, a fog came in overnight and is still with us. However the track is bone dry so as soon as the fog lifts we will be able to get going. Trackside conditions right now are 8.1 C, 94% humidity, and 29.77 inches of air.

Your reporter would like to say a big Thank You to Nev and Libby Mottershead for a delicious dinner and much moral support last night.

Stay tuned and as soon as the fog lifts and we get going we will let you know. Don't forget that Simon will be posting pit notes again today so stay tuned to the Pit notes pages for those.


Reports and pictures ©Eurodragster.com