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15:00

Whilst wandering around the 9.50 Bike pits I spied a familiar face in Super Street racer Bob Lees who was helping fellow Bristolian and former crew member Mike Powell. The pair have been trying to cure gear selection problems all weekend and hope to sort them ready for the Spring Speed Festival next weekend.

Another familiar face in the bike pits was DSD chieftain paul Watson who was co-ordinating a myriad of 9.50 bikes. Phil Melvyn Pratt is not only celebrating his 30th birthday this weekend but is having a headache in stopping the bike �breaking out� of the 9.50 index now Paul Watson has �made the bike run properly�

Andy Haley was pleased after running three 9.50 passes in a row which he attributed to the set-up of Paul Watson. The main area of improvement is in the clutch area and the use of a weather station. Paul commented that he is �bringing is Super Gas knowledge� to 9.50 bike.

Rob Smallworth was quick to thank Steve Rawlings for the lend of Lenco parts after he broke the reverser yesterday. He also used the carburetors of Ian Marshall on the qualifying pass and was switching to some from Mick Coombs for round one.

"Rookie" Simon Bailey was over the moon with how the dragster runs have been going after his 9.12 run in RWYB yesterday successfully got his licensed signed ready for racing tomorrow. He rated it as 11/10 and has one final goal to run an 8. Brother Jacob was �all over the place� with his dial-ins but was hoping to progress deep into eliminations.

11:45

First thing this morning I caught up with Anne-Marie Lazenby who informs me that Ray Comer, Ian Jackson and Mark Perkins didn't go on the Real Steel Street Eliminator cruise last night but all those who attempted it made it back safely.

I caught up with Splinter who said of his run yesterday that Crew Chief and car partner Mick was on the phone as soon as he returned to the pit with the car after tuning into the Eurodragster.com event coverage informing him of his time and speed before he could collect the ticket or before the crew returned! The team have had quite a bit to do since Easter after noticing a nipped exhaust valve and having ICE Automotive work on the heads including new exhaust seats and new valves, they have also added thicker head gaskets. All went well on the cruise where Splinter was joined by car builder Chris Isaacs who seem to enjoy his first experience of the mandatory cruise.

Jonny Mac the crew chief of Street Eliminator racer Alex MacIntosh spoke about them entering the Main Event in Super Pro ET and although their best ET was a 9.03 they felt sure they could run in the 8's on a good track, which they then proved as they ran 8.98 the next qualifying session.

Whilst walking though the pits I was passed by Pro VW points leader Neil Ellis being towed back by the GT Tidy of Rhodri Price. When I caught up with the Dude's Beetle team the second gear was diagnosed as the offender, however Neil wasn't too disheartened after running a new personal best of 11.82.

Ian Dale was another racer buoyed by running a personal best, Ian's Pro-VW Beetle carded a 12.13/108mph pass. After missing the Easter Thunderball due to unforeseen circumstances Ian hopes to complete the rest of the series here at Santa Pod but cannot attend Shakespeare County Raceway due to a conflict of dates with the Dorset Steam Fair.

Martin Ayton is in attendance today a little bit bleary eyed after only 3 hours sleep to go to his brother-in-law's sixtieth birthday. Not only is Martin lacking sleep but his is also lacking his trusty Scirocco as he is having issues with the camshafts. This weekend he is running an Audi 80 with single port injection which pushes out 106bhp. The car is currently running in the 19 second bracket but Martin is hopeful that the Scirocco should be back in action for the Spring Speed Festival next weekend.