2006 Easter Thunderball
Sunday (qualifying)
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The latest updates are at the top of the page. Click on your Browser's Refresh key to be sure of seeing the latest news. Click here to go back to the event index 22:15 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. Eliminations start at or by 9:00 tomorrow morning, tune back then and we will bring you all the raceday news. 20:35 Super Modified qualifying final top five:
Andy Kirk improved but stayed in #3 spot, an improvement too from Steve Rawlings but he stayed #5. We will not be going into any eliminations this evening because of the amount of time we lost to the rain earlier, eliminations will start at 9:00 tomorrow morning. Sharkman is working on today's pictures and Simon has another tranche of pit notes for you so stay tuned. 20:30 Funny Bike qualifying final top five:
No changes to the top five in this session. Steve French did a great job of holding onto his bike after it tried to pitch him off, to cries of "Yee-ha! Ride 'im cowboy" from the other end of Race Control. Pro Stock Bike final qualifying:
20:20 Wild Bunch qualifying final top five:
No changes to the top five in this final session. Super Street qualifying final top five:
Leigh Morris took the #3 spot in this final session. Twelve of our thirteen qualifiers are in the 10.9s. For our Swedish readers Jonas Dantanus finished in eighth spot at 10.940. Super Comp qualifying final top five:
Chris Isaacs moved into #2 spot in this session. 20:05 Sportsman ET qualifying final top five:
Paul Webster moved into #3 spot in this final session. Junior Dragster qualifying final top five:
Joe Kellett moved into #3 spot in this final session. For our Swedish readers Jenny Gustavsson finished in fourteenth place. 19:55 Comp Bike final qualifying:
No changes to the top five in this final session. Super Gas qualifying final top five:
Olav Skiervoe moved into fifth in this session so that's our Norwegian visitors finished in #4 and #5. The top fourteen qualifiers finished in the 9.9s. 19:40 Roger Goring followed the NFAA session with a 6.341/252.82 in the Firestorm Jet FC. The afterburner really had the tower rocking in the Flame and Thunder Show! Super Street Bike qualifying final top five:
Jamie Sneddon blasted the ACU ET record with a tremendous pass, well done Jamie! Jamie has all of tomorrow to back up that ET. Nigel Barker joined the seven-second club and went into #2 spot, well done Nigel! 19:30 Nostalgia Fuel Altered Association session 4 (left lane first): Bob Glassup 9.319/127.15, Jim Usher 16.728/52.09 observed run (bye), Clayton Round 7.338/183.74, Frank Bennett 7.409/175.68, Dave Grabham 10.471/107.41 bye, Nick Davies 10.224/98.70 bye Nick was paired up with Bob but shut off just before staging, he spotted something as he was gesturing from the cockpit. Bob staged straddling his left tyre burnout mark and at the hit the inevitable happened, the Extreme Topolino turned hard left and headed for the Tree. Bob pedalled and pulled it straight, gently back into the middle of the lane, the engine still sounding to be misfiring but not as much as previously. A very good burnout from Jim before his scheduled half pass, 1.282 to sixty feet and a pedal as the car headed for the centre line. Tremendous paired burnouts from Clayton and Frank, Clayton got the jump 0.544 to 0.825, 1.059 to sixty feet for Clayton to Frank's 1.168, Frank looked to be gaining on Clayton from half track to 1000 feet, 0.352 between them at the stripe. A nice burnout by Dave, Freddy's Revenge now sporting a wheelie bar. A gentle launch, Dave doubtless getting a feel for the car, feathering the throttle towards the finish. Back came Nick, a great burnout again, the idle very high after the burnout but Nick blipped the throttle a couple of times and it settled down. A nice wheelie off the line, then the car started to move left and right after the front wheels down, the altered was getting out of the groove and Nick was off the throttle before half track. 19:15 Pro Modified qualifying session 4 (left lane first): Mats Eriksson 7.189/198.22 bye, Robert Joosten 8.697/98.61 observed run (bye), John O'Sullivan 12.694/86.54 observed run (bye) Mats' tyres started to shake as he passed the Tree, 0.119 to sixty feet then the revs started to rise, Mats pedalled at about 200 feet and then stayed on the throttle all the way. A great burnout from Robert, Lex Joon again keepign an eye and helping Robert's crew to line him up on the way back from the burnout. 0.394 reaction, 1.108 to sixty feet, a small amount of shake and then at about 300 feet the car started to make a move to the left and right and Robert got off the throttle before helf track as was planned. John O'Sullivan's Pop initially went straight but then made a move to the right. John pedalled and the car moved to the right again, he got off the pedal at that point. Qualifying standings after this session:
Trackside conditions at the end of Pro Mod qualifying were 13.1 C, 47% humidity and 29.88 inches of air. Track temperature was 12.8 C. 19:05 Martin Hill's latest pass in the Fireforce 1 Jet FC was a 7.280/220.54 preceded by a protracted and very enjoyable flame and thunder show! MSA Top Methanol qualifying session 4 (left lane first): Rob Turner 5.687/247.45 bye We won't be seeing Steph Milam again as the engine of the She Devil TMFC is badly damaged, the crank let go and it all went downhill from there. Grumpy I am guessing was happy with his qualifying place, so only Rob turned out for this session. A nice pass for Rob, 0.952 to sixty feet, driving through clearly visible shake, 3.720/200.82 at half track and another consistent pass. Qualifying standings after this session:
ACU Top Fuel Bike qualifying session 4 (left lane first): Ian Turburville 12.740/92.43, Lorenz Stauble 23.539/21.70, Roel Koedam no time, Steve Woollatt 6.562/214.27 Ian Turburville got onto the board, Mister Spokehead made a move to the left off the start line and Turbo got off the throttle and took it gently down the left-hand side of his lane. Lo's exhaust put out raw fuel at the hit and he got off the throttle immediately, I am guessing a drive belt broke. Roel's rear slick went up in smoke at the hit and then his crew were picking bits of belt off the track, meanwhile Steve Woollatt was on another stormer, straight as you like and very consistent. Qualifying standings after this session:
18:40 Next up was Urs Erbacher on his latest Top Fuel observed run, this one scheduled for a half pass. A brief burnout then 0.650 reaction, 0.976 to sixty feet, 2.458 at 330 feet and off the throttle and the chute out just before half track 3.756/163.59 at the eighth, rolling through to 7.819/81.10. Eric Teboul was next on his Rocket Bike. Lots of steam on this pass, fuel issues I guess. 5.866 at a huge 215.60 at half track and 8.008/195.76 at the stripe. Next up we have Top Methanol, Pro Mod, Top Fuel Bike, NFAA and the Fireforce 1 Jet FC, stay tuned. 18:00 Pro Fuel Shootout qualifying session 2 (left lane first): Tommy Mölller did not start (bye), Leif Helander 7.984/105.82, Micke Kågered 7.869/115.40, Gordon Smith 10.929/135.97, Andy Carter 9.088/90.57, John Spuffard 7.449/207.46, Lex Joon 5.593/174.47 The session was due to start with Tommy Möller, his engine fired and immediately died, after a couple more attempts to start it the Pennzoil team called it quits and towed back to the pits. No such problems for Leif and Micke, although there was a lot of smoke from Leif's headers after starting up and reversing from the burnout. 0.35 seconds between the two on the Tree, 0.351 reaction for Leif and 0.204 for Micke. Micke's sixty foot was the better at 0.962 to 0.991, Micke hit shake at the Tree and pedalled once, then got off the throttle, Leif's shake started at about 100 feet, and he got off the throttle at about 300 feet. Nice burnouts by Gordon and Andy, as with Leif's car a lot of smoke from Andy's exhuasts during idle, on the greens the RTs were in Andy's favour 0.083 to 0.231, 0.858 to sixty feet for Andy, Gordon's tyres went up in smoke at the hit and the Salon Interactive-sponsored FC turned hard rright and Gordon pedalled and tried again, then feathered the throttle up the track. Andy started to hit shake by sixty feet and the caterpillar marks on the track are very clear from there two about 200 feet where Andy's tyres went up in smoke and the car drifted left, then Andy got off the throttle. In the final match-up it was a 0.194 to 0.291 reaction time in Spuff's favour but the Showtime FC's tyres went up in smoke and his sixty foot was 1.291 to Lex's 0.881. Spuff pedalled and got the car straight and then got back on the throttle, Lex had a much straighter and less shaky run but towards half track there was a flash of green flame and a brief green fire and Lex was off the throttle. Meanwhile there was fire under the body of the Showtime FC at the finish line, Spuff is A-OK but there is oil in his lane. Pro Fuel Shootout standings after this session:
17:35 We're off! This currentl qualifying cycle is now the last. We're going to run Super Pro ET and then go into the second Pro Fuel Shootout qualifier. Trackside conditions are 14.3 C, 50% humidity, 29.88 inches of air. Track temperature on the start line is 15.0 C. Super Pro ET qualifying final top five:
No changes to the top five in this ssession. Ashley Bell took a wild ride in his Cobra, the car suddenly veering right at about 500 feet. Ashley did a great job of holding on to it. It all looked a bit hopeless for Derek Flynn last night after he did the torque converter and the blower, but an overnight thrash put him back in competition - Simon is typing that up right now so stay tuned to the Pit Notes page to find out how Derek got it all back together. Next up is the Pro Fuel Shootout. 13:10 9.50 Bike qualifying final top five:
Dave Hall moved into #3 spot in this session. Street Eliminator qualifying final top five:
Ian Hook moved up to #4 spot in this session, a very hard launch, 1.294 to sixty feet. He told us that he had done some work with the roll bar, looks like it did the trick! Jon Webster clocked 9.769 in his MG, looks like they're getting the mapping sorted. 13:00 A brief stop for a sprinkle of rain and then we were off again with Roger Goring in the Firestorm Jet FC. Roger switched to the left lane for this run, his first time in that lane so this was a checkout pass, 4.399/186.71 to half-track and then off the throttle and the 'chute out before the line, 6.969/160.78. Pro ET qualifying final top five:
No changes to the top five in this session. Jerry Smith ran a 9.602 in the Grim Beeper Roadrunner, judging by the crew's reaction that was a PB for Jerry. Trackside conditions after Pro ET were 15.1 C, 43% humidity, and 29.85 inches of air. VW Pro qualifying final top five:
No changes to the top five in this session. VW Sportsman qualifying final top five:
Mark Malone took #3 spot in this session. VW Alternate Engine final qualifying:
Matt Finney took back the lead in this session. 12:00 Pro Modified qualifying session 3 (left lane first): Robert Joosten 10.118/84.60 observed run (bye), Mats Eriksson 6.659/199.11, Bert Englefield 6.795/204.30, John O'Sullivan 13.801/73.90 observed run (bye) Robert made his observed run under the gaze of Lex Joon. 1.077 to sixty feet, 2.962 to 330 feet, the tyres were shaking a little and Robert was off the hard pedal before half track. Bert left Mats for dead on the line, 1.014 to sixty feet to Mats' 1.014. Mats hit shake and the car went for the left guardrail, Mats pedalled and the Green Goblin hooked up, Bert meanwhile went straight and true and into the sixes. John's Pop left relatively gently, off the throttle at abut 300 feet straight and controlled. Qualifying standings after this session:
Nostalgia Fuel Altered Association session 3 (left lane first): Clayton Round 7.183/186.02, Bob Glassup 10.221/118.80, Nick Davies 15.378/48.37 bye, Jim Usher 18.559/49.13 observed run (bye), Wendy Baker 19.828/39.22 bye Great burnouts by both Clayton and Bob, Bob's engine sounding a lot better this morning although on the run the engine sounded hesitant whilst Clayton put down a stormer, 1.038 to sixty feet, 4.569/152.03 at half track, we think a PB, well done Clayton! Nick really boiled the hides in Havoc, burning out to sixty feet. On the green the altered launched flat, no wheelie, and then there were ominous rumbling noises and Nick got off the throttle. Sharkman is in the shutdown area and Nick told him that the engine had no grunt so he shut off. We got our first look at the Chaos Topolino in the collection area, the engine started but then leaned out again and was towed back to the pits. Jim Usher's latest observed run was scheduled for a half pass, the car hopped up on its back wheels at the hit but Jim obviously sensed something amiss as he was straight off the throttle and idled through. Tony Betts then made his first appearance in the Venom AA/FA, a very nice-looking car. A nice burnout but then the engine popped and cut out as Tony was reversing from the burnout. Paul Stubbings told us last night that it's high-gear launches for Wendy from now on. Wendy pulled a nice burnout, the car going nicely out of shape, just what we like to see. Chirpies up to the start line, on the green Wendy got as far as the Tree then the tyres started to smoke and the altered turned hard right and went up on one wheel, Wendy got off the throttle and put the car down and idled through. 11:30 ACU Top Fuel Bike qualifying session 3 (left lane first): Steve Woollatt 6.613/212.23 bye, Roel Koedam 6.208/219.70 bye, Lorenz Stauble no time A nice straight pass for Steve Woollatt although unusually with a red light, I don't think I have ever seen Steve pull a red as long as I have known him. 1.120 to sixty feet, 4.324/172.36 to half track. Roel's burnout shook Race Control then a stunning pass, 1.095 to sixty feet, 4.083/188.17 at half track and the first half of both ACU ET and Speed records, well done Roel! The bike got very close to the centre line and just crossed lanes after the finish. Lorenz Stauble clocked 1.111 to sixty feet and then crossed lanes just after the 330 feet reflector. Qualifying standings after this session:
11:10 MSA Top Methanol qualifying session 3 (left lane first): Dave Wilson 5.560/253.08, Rob Turner 5.696/236.72, Steph Milam 6.287/204.78 Grumpy pulled a 200-foot burnout before his match-up with Rob. On the green Rob just got the jump 0.224 to 0.250, Rob drove through shake to about 250 feet, staying with it as the car drifted towards the centreline whilst the Nemesis dragster went straight down the middle of its lane. 0.943 to sixty feet for Grumpy to 0.954 for Rob, 3.651/207.25 at half track to Rob's 3.677/198.98 and Grumpy first to the stripe by 0.109. A great pass for Steph, from the hit the car drifted towards the centreline but Steph drove through shake and pulled it straight, a new Personal Best ET, well done Steph! There was a haze from the She Devil FC right on the finish line and fluid was found in Steph's lane. Qualifying standings after this session:
10:55 Funny Bike qualifying after session 7:
No changes to the top five in this session. Steve French had a moment on his qualifying pass, the bike heading for the left guardrail, Steve had to lean it over so far that his exhaust grounded in a shower of sparks. Pro Stock Bike qualifying after session 7:
No changes to the top five in this session. Super Modified qualifying top five after session 7:
A personal best ET for Tim Garlick, well done Tim! Steve Rawlings improved but stayed in fifth spot. Next up are Top Methanol, Top Fuel Bike, Pro Mod and NFAA. They are scheduled for 11:00 so stay tuned. 10:35 Junior Dragster qualifying top five after session 7:
No changes to the top five in this session. Wild Bunch qualifying top five after session 7:
A nice pass for Pete Yates puts him into fourth. Super Street qualifying top five after session 7:
Bob Lees improved but stayed in third. For our buddies tuned in from Sweden, Jonas Dantanus is eighth at 10.967/128.94. Super Comp qualifying top five after session 7:
Mark Fairhurst moved up to #2 spot. 10:15 Comp Bike qualifying after session 7:
A great pass and a PB for Kev Charman, straight as you like, nice one Kev and not forgetting Ken Cooper who is helping Kev this weekend. Super Gas qualifying top five after session 7:
Christer Uhlin moved into #2 spot, then Wayne Hiscock went second and bumped him down to third, then Brendan Clancy went third and bumped him into fourth. A great session of Super Gas qualifying! Sportsman ET qualifying top five after session 7:
Brian Huxley might be "Taking it easy" this year but he sure hasn't lost it, taking over #1 spot in this session. Mick Smith moved up to fourth. 10:00 Super Pro ET qualifying top five after session 7:
Rick Cooke moved up to second one thousandth over, then Martin Curbishley also went a thousandth over and moved into third. Rich Gilbertson improved but ended up in fifth! What a session! Pat Talbot clocked a PB speed of 190.01 mph, Stephen told us that they were fed up with running "189-point-something"! Well done Pat. Nigel Turner had a bit of a night of it after his dragster got airborne and the chassis cracked when the car landed, Nigel had to do some welding last night but he turned out for qualifying this morning and all looked well. Matt Wright is getting a handle on his pick-up, and he's happy now that he is able to burn out over the start line - Matt burned out to the Tree this morning probably "because he could". Super Street Bike qualifying top five after session 7:
Jamie Sneddon improved to consolidate his #1 spot, getting very close to that ET record. An improvement for Graham Dance moved him up to fourth. Trackside conditions are 14.7 C, 46% humidity, and 29.83 inches of air. 9:40 9.50 Bike qualifying top five after session 7:
Andy Bird took over the lead in this session. Street Eliminator qualifying top five after session 7:
The first seven-second pass goes to John Sleath, well done John! His passes so far don't quite back this one up but John has the best part of two days to do the job. An improvement for Colin Lazenby but he stays in place. 9:25 Pro ET qualifying top five after session 7:
No changes to the top five in this session. VW Pro qualifying top five after session 7:
Ian Dale moved up to #2 in this session, Brian Burrows improved but stayed in fifth. VW Sportsman qualifying top five after session 7:
No changes to the top five in this session. VW Alternate Engine qualifying after session 7:
No changes to the top five in this session. 8:30 Good morning and welcome from Santa Pod. It's the third 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. It's a nice day here, high cloud and I can see blue sky around us. It's going to be a great day. We have some Hellos this Easter morning. First up, a big Hi to our friends on the Continent: Gittli Koller, Ulf Stadig, Christer Abrahamson, Erik Zettervall and Christina Bodén who are all tuned in. Sorry about the Centigrade on the weather reports Ulf, we'll be in Sweden in July and it will be Fahrenheit then I promise! Good morning also to Peter Blake, Sid Slattery, Ian Caseley, Fay and Grace, and Sean Bowe who have all been in touch to say they're enjoying the coverage - thanks guys! A big Hi to the folks at Shakespeare County Raceway who are beavering away, having an event of their own this weekend. A big Thank You also to Pete Smith who got his Crew Chef (that's not a typo) Mark to cook your reporter a very nice steak last night - this is the steak we were meant to enjoy at the Power Nationals but circumstances cruelly robbed us of the chance. Pete and Mark are working with Street Eliminator racer Ray Tucker this weekend so the beanfest took place in Ray's pit, big thanks also to Ray. Thanks also to Pooky and Penny for the Easter eggs, very much appreciated guys, and thank your mum and dad for us. A couple of Happy Birthdays today, too: Birthday greetings to Street Eliminator racer John Walden, and to Jim Broome. On the subject of the weather reports, the weather station sensor has just gone outside so we'll bring you the conditions very shortly. Qualifying starts at 9:00. We're scheduled for three more complete cycles of qualifying today and then we have Super Pro ET, Pro ET, Super Gas, Junior Dragster and 9.50 Bike eliminations later on this afternoon. The first Pro session is at 11:00, today's Pro Fuel qualifier is at 14:00, and then we have another Pro session at 16:00. Stay tuned and we'll be back as soon as the track opens. Simon is already working on the first batch of pit notes so stay tuned to the Pit Notes page for those. Reports and pictures ©Eurodragster.com |