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 20:45 Today's pictures have now been posted, you will be able to access them from the event index. That's the end of today's coverage, be sure to join us in the morning for eliminations. 19:05 A couple of brief notes and an apology for the lack of pit notes this weekend. First, Jerry Collier says a big hello to Sharon and Skye Collier who couldn't come to the event, because the brakes on Jerry's camper chose this weekend to be locked on and there was only space for Jerry and son Scott in the car. Commiserations to Team S&K and Mo Blackburn as the dragster chassis suffered damage to several uprights on his 8.0s pass earlier, and, we believe, have had to withdraw as a consequence. That's the end of qualifying, on one of the hottest days of the year. We're working on the photo galleries which should be ready by about 9pm, so stay tuned until then. 18:30 Junior Dragster qualifying top five after session 3: Sportsman ET qualifying top five after session 3: ACU Competition Bike qualifying after session 3: ACU Funny Bike qualifying top five after session 3: ACU Pro Stock Bike qualifying top five after session 3: Super Modified qualifying top five after session 2: Martin Hill then sent the fans away happy with a 6.969/244.35 from Fireforce 3. 18:10 Pro Modified Testing session 2 (left lane first): John O'Sullivan 8.796/157.38 Bye John had smoke from what looked like the front tyres rubbing. He got close to the wall at the top end, improving yet again. Gordon again went the long way round, but kept amazingly consistent on the time and speed. Ray White did a trememdous burnout with smoke coming forward under the car. Andy didn't strike the tyres and then both went into stage. Andy ran much better but Ray had left by 0.7 seconds, and Andy had to chase him down. Both cars ran straight. 17:10 Track conditions 26.9 degrees celsius, 20% humidity, 30.06 inches - the weather is throwing a lot of people a curved ball for car setup and track conditions. MSA Top Methanol session 2 (left lane first): John Parkinson has damaged a main bearing and is out - commiserations to him. Rob had a lot of tyre shake but kept in it until it became really loose after the eighth, coming off it after 1000'. Nostalgia Fuel Altereds Session 2 Clayton Round 7.536/180.02, Frank Bennett 7.411/182.13 Tremendous burnout for Clayton, a great race between him and Frank. A large explosion for Wendy on her burnout and then she activated the fire bottles. The car was leaking fluid and front wheels wobbled violently with the explosion, the car drifting into the opposite lane and coming to a halt as Bob was reversing; he was shut off after that. We were then on hold for liquid on track. Bob had a 1.051 60' on his run, but the car stayed in low gear and he clicked it at half track. Nick Davies was headed towards Roger Gorringe on the burnout, but he stood his ground. Straight and level launch for Nick, a great run and a NPB, well done Nick! Dennis up next on a familarisatin run, nice burnout and then a Maltese 60' - wheels up launch, then pedaling it instantly, car wandering a little but drove it right through - great run. Tony Betts is running a rich nitro combo, and was up for a full pass. A softish launch (1.145 to 60') and smoke through the top end, but a lovely straight pass to a NPB and best for the NFAA to date - well done Tony! The smoke doesn't appear too serious and there was no major cleanup, but we'll find out later. Lovely burnout for Joe, and a 1.661 60', then idling down the track on a checkout pass. We hear that Derek Annable, who drove Doug Bond's dragster has published a book which can be obtained from Amazon and good booksellers. John Wright's earlier problems were with the clutch and appear to have resurfaced as the car fell silent after only a few seconds. He later refired after the Pro Mods, the car sounding crisp launching with a 1.323 60' and running a half pass coming off the throttle as he headed towards the wall. 16:30 Real Steel Street Eliminator qualifying top five after session 3: Super Street Bike qualifying top five after session 3: 9.50 Bike qualifying top five after session 3: Super Comp qualifying top five after session 3: Super Street qualifying top five after session 3: Wild Bunch qualifying top five after session 3: Supertwin Street qualifying after session 3: Supertwin Gas qualifying top five after session 3: Supertwin Top Fuel qualifying after session 3: 15:15 Pro ET qualifying top five after session 3: Followed by Martin Hill with a 6.745/244.37 in Fireforce 3, some enterprising gentleman in the barn holding out a rubber chicken on a stick and length of string in an attempt to get it barbecued! VW Sportsman qualifying top five after session 3: Track temperature has soared to 52 degrees celsius! Next we had Gordon Smith with Shockwave Fuel Funny Car. A strong burnout and then up in smoke on the hit once more to 15.996/58.52. VW Pro qualifying top five after session 3: VW Alternate Engine qualifying after session 3: Super Gas qualifying top five after session 3: Congratulations to Mark White in the Chevrolet Vega who has picked up the Eurodragster.com/LA Racing Parts Perfect ET award at only his second competitive meeting! Super Pro ET qualifying top five after session 3: 14:55 Junior Dragster qualifying top five after session 2: Sportsman ET qualifying top five after session 2: ACU Competition Bike qualifying top five after session 2: ACU Funny Bike qualifying top five after session 2: ACU Pro Stock Bike qualifying top five after session 2: Super Modified qualifying top five after session 2: 13:45 MSA Top Methanol session 1 (left lane first): Qualifying positions: Pro Modified Testing session 1 (left lane first): Andy Robinson DNS, Gordon Appleton 6.386/220.54 330 ft burnouts for both cars, Andy shut off on the line and pushed back, Gordon running a snaking but excellent pass, keeping on it all the way 1.045 60 ft. Bye, Danny Cockerill 9.861/91.23 Danny clicked it after the revs went high after the 1.111 60ft launch. John O'Sullivan 9.620/153.94, Bye A comparatively well-behaved pass from John, who pedalled after the launch and ran it through, getting a little close to the wall at the top end. Ray White DNS, Bye Ray ran without the right-hand door, Tog sending out an appeal for its recovery. On the burnout the motor leaned out, and he was pushed back. Andy Robinson 7.065/156.81, Bye Andy launched straight, 1.149 60ft, and clicked it at half-track. Nostalgia Fuel Altereds session 1 (left lane first): Bye, Dave Grabham 9.939/141.01 The NFAAs fired up to their theme music, Wagner's Ride of the Valkyries! Dave with a an easy launch and run through. Clayton went right but kept on it, Bob ran straight running slightly less hard, 1.071 to 1.084 on the 60ft times. John Wright fired up but wasn't happy with something mechanical and shut it off. Tony Betts was next on a scheduled half pass for his debut run in Venom. He launched fairly soft with a 1.234 to 60' and sounded strong, shutting it off at half track as planned. Dennis Wratten out next, another debut run, only one wheel lighting up on the initial burnout and then doing a second one for good measure and then leaning out the motor before going into pre-stage. They'll be back... Jim Usher's motor sounded very strong, likely on a high nitro load, and blew off Ollie Burn's motor in the burnout! Jim did some dry hops and launched with a 1.181 and clutch dust, hooking up and Jim lifting by 330 ft. Next out after a clear-up of oil, was Joe Bond on his debut observed pass. Joe got into the hang of the staging process, holding it in deep stage and launching it gently. A happy birthday to crew chief Martyn Hannis, hope you are having a great day Martyn. Great burnout from Nick, and then on the launch the chassis unloaded and the front wheels got into a bit of a wobble, Nick keeping it off the wall and then clicking it. Nice straight pass for Frank, 1.098 60'. 13:00 Super Comp qualifying top five after session 2: Super Street qualifying top five after session 2: Supertwin Street qualifying after session 2: Supertwin Gas qualifying top five after session 2: Supertwin Top Fuel qualifying after session 2: ACU Top Fuel Bike qualifying session 1: We had two singles, Ian Turburville having to lean to the left a little and keeping it nicely in the groove, running straight to a check-out time of 8.634. Track temperature is up to 42.7 degrees celsius, or 108 fahrenheit! After a break to clean up oil in the other lane... Steve Carey drove the Purple Princess to a nicely controlled 7.533/173.96. 12:15 Super Gas qualifying top five after session 2: Super Pro ET qualifying top five after session 2: Rick into no.1 on the last pass of the session. Real Steel Street Eliminator qualifying top five after session 2: Super Street Bike qualifying top five after session 2: No change to Super Street Bike positions here. 9.50 Bike qualifying top five after session 2: 11:40 Track Temp 41.6 degrees celsius. Pro ET qualifying top five after session 2: VW Sportsman qualifying top five after session 2: VW Pro qualifying top five after session 2: VW Alternate Engine qualifying after session 2: 11:00 Supertwin Top Fuel qualifying after session 1: Junior Dragster qualifying top five after session 1: Sportsman ET qualifying top five after session 1: ACU Competition Bike qualifying after session 1: ACU Funny Bike qualifying top five after session 1: ACU Pro Stock Bike qualifying top five after session 1: Super Modified qualifying top five after session 1: 10:00 Super Gas qualifying top five after session 1: Super Pro ET qualifying top five after session 1: NPBs for Derek Flynn (6.653/202) and Mo Blackburn (8.048/162.43), well done guys! Real Steel Street Eliminator qualifying top five after session 1: Super Street Bike qualifying top five after session 1: 9.50 Bike qualifying top five after session 1: Super Comp qualifying top five after session 1: Super Street qualifying top five after session 1: Wild Bunch qualifying top five after session 1: Supertwin Street qualifying after session 1: Supertwin Gas qualifying top five after session 1: 09:15 VW Sportsman qualifying top five after session 1: VW Pro qualifying after session 1: VW Alternate Engine qualifying after session 1: 09:00 Good morning and welcome from Santa Pod Raceway. It�s qualifying day at the SPRC Summernationals and 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 throughout the weekend and is broadcasting a picture every two minutes. First a few good mornings and best wishes. Fred Furlong says: "This will be the first time in five years we have had to miss a round of 9.50 bike but we will be glued to Eurodragster live coverage. If Tog is with you please give him our regards and also to all the 9.50 bikers - have a good meeting and we hope to be back riding again soon. All the best from Sandra and Fast Freddie Furlong". We miss you Fred, and see you back at the track soon. Good morning to all our friends around Europe and the rest of the world. A heartfelt thanks to all for your messages of best wishes about Tog. He is feeling better now and doing race commentary on the PA this weekend, which he reckons will be easier than the race reports.
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