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17:10

Joe Coleclough 12.6049/110 after Kiwi had starting difficulties, Dutton vs Duncan Watts match with Dutton lifting the front wheels to a 9.096/147.60 to Duncan's 10.778/123.54. Then Steve Garlant 14.248/96.52 vs Neil Francis 13.7782/81.24 (9th run of the day), then Jake Cawthorne 11.7012/112.09.

Andy Park's next run was 9.904/135 despite a minor pedal at the tree. Matt Wright 12.196/106 to Ben Kennedy's 12.221/108. Dean Maudsley 15.360/92.37 v Nervous Nick 12.870/108.70, Dean looking for a 13 to join the Circus. Gary Cork 12.479/109 vs Donald Harvey 14.212/64, Donald with issues in the Beetle engine dept. Steve Wright in the Pacer, engine started missing at 330ft and he eased it through with 12.252/76.46. The final run was Matt Hollins with the Cheap Thrills slingshot, 10.4933/130.64 and nicely controlled through a minor bounce.

We've posted galleries thanks to Diana and Julian and will add more to those shortly. See you tomorrow for qualifying!

16:50

On the restart at 16:35, Gary Carr 9.533/145.23 vs Dominic Sharpe 12.5203/96.86, Des Taylor 9.332/152.07 long way round vs David McCallan 9.0399/147.68 in the rebuilt pickup. Neil Francis on his eighth run of the day, 12.8699/108.56.

Colin Theobald lined up Bruce against Bev Tyrell, Colin getting there first after a hard launch to 11.1011/122.05 to Bev's 14.27/95, Colin can run a ten in Bruce it is rumoured.

Jake Cawthorne in Flag Jumper 11.656/112.90 against Nervous Nick 13.5112/107.42, followed by Don Scott 10.2080/125.24. Lee Pike 10.1135/114.91 vs Jason Hollamby 12.1667/109.22, Ted Booth 10.3776/128.29 vs Gary Cork 12.5582/107.39. In the next pair Marc Taylor became stranded after the finish line and was retrieved.

15:25

Spencer Tidswell vs Billy Jones 10.5783/125.47 to 14.1486/67.16. Neil Francis's seventh run 12.745, in the zone once again. Donald Harvey on his second pass, 13.1648/96.72, he will need to go 12.99 or quicker to qualify for VW Heads Up. A few spots of rain in the air, so now on hold.

15:15

Steve Mitchell 9.620/136..87 vs Tom Herbert 12.184/109.77. Joe Coleclough's Trans Am ran 12.510/108.85. Luke Hoskins came out for his first run, straight run and 11.123/118.23. Then Jake Cawthorne vs Jason Dodd, Jason getting there first 9.615/137.80 to 11.624 for Jake, well done Jason and team on a new PB! Next battle of the 100e's with Stuart Flitton and Scott Collin, Stuart first 10.974/124.76 to 10.8152/124.24 for Scott.

Russ's V8 Dutton went 9.408/144.77. Claire Johnson's second pass was 10.1001/137.70 only two hundredths off her first. Neil Francis went 12.651/108.98, six runs, all between 12.60 and 12.83. Ben Kennedy's fifth pass 11.356/103, his best today 11.217.

15:00

Steve Matthews with a high wheelie to 9.862/133.60 to Ted Booth's 9.500/138.59 first. Billy Jones 10.8324/118 as Jose Leite broke off the line and was pushed back, some residue being cleaned from the start line. Stuart Flitton's 100e ME007 went 10.848/126.19 to Rod Atkinson's Nova OS75 9.8281/135.71, then Tom Herbert went 11.9401/110.07 to improve again on his PB, well done Tom! Short break for track prep.

14:45

Simon Barlow came to the line guided by Karl Harrison, 1.117 to 60ft then off the throttle as the Fordson went right a little just after that point. Busy weekend for car as he is working on Andy Raw's Nitro Bug as well as Orange Pop. Duncan Watts vs Glynn Boardman, both shut off for a timing system glitch and then restarted a few seconds later. Duncan first with a wheels up 10.613/124 to 12.523/106.64 for Glynn.

A 14 for Chris Cockburn and then 11.948/122 for Phil Moules in his WW007 Willys Coupe. Scott Collin 10.941/123.86 in his 100e with a substantial winter rebuild to 11.112/134 for Jose Leite. Gary Parke came back after his earlier seven to go 7.874/170.45 and back it up, nice straight run. Simon Rickwood's Nova ran a wheels-up 9.872/128.41. Then Steve Mitchell vs Garry Hill, Garry first with 9.683/139.96 to 9.647/136 for the white '57 Chevy.

14:30

11.086/128.81 for Matt Hollins on the restart, next Honky Tonkin' II (Lee Pike) vs Honky Tonkin' (Steve Matthews), 9.349/147 to 9.810/133.72, great race. Then Pete Christmas against an immaculate yellow 32 coupe, Pete 11.672/110 had it covered. Nina Coombes' Lexus against Don Scott, Don getting the best of the match with 10.038/127, we suspect he wants a nine with his new engine parts.

Paul Dale's 105E Acute Angle against Claire Johnson, 8.800/120 and 10.0871/137.8, well done Paul and team, the car wandering in the last 300ft or so. Then Spencer Tidswell (OA) and Gary Carr (NSS), Gary first with 9.088/145 to 10.782/124. Stuart Thompson and Marc Taylor, Kiwi going 9.912/137.71 to 11.85/129.56.

Adrian Portelli 10.647/125 vs David McCallan 8.933/148, Dave Billadeau 10.1315/133.61 vs Chris Goodale 10.426/127.69. Then a WB altered match, Steve Garlant 14.993/87 to Kev Whiting 10.750/120. Then Jake Cawthorne 11.665/113.34 in Flag Jumper. Eurodragster.com sponsor Andy 'Fadster' Hadfield's first run went a few feet off the line when the engine cut out and came to a sudden halt, must have been an odd feeling, car pushed back with a broken propshaft hopefully to return later.

14:15

Rob Brown's second pass on transbrake 8.6728/154.21, fantastic run Rob, Pete and team! Next was Rat Rod Graham vs Steve Mitchell, Steve first with 9.731/136.96 to 10.538/126. Rob Tyrell vs Russ's rapid yellow Dutton from OS, the Dutton first 9.490/144.77 to Rob's 10.329/130.28. Andy Park 10.006/134.82 to Bob Main's smoky 12.398/97.49. Marc Taylor 11.107/131.05. Rat Rod Graham vs Owen Forrest (both OSs), 10.618/123 to 12.287/108 for the Nova.

Wild Bunch racer Matt Hollins in the Cheap Thrills slingshot was pushed back for a track check. On hold for a couple of minutes...

14:00

Chris Cockburn (WW31) 13.1900 103.13/Garry Hill 9.6989/137.80 to start the afternoon, followed by Jake Cawthorne's 11.8251/111.26 in his Flag Jumper '63 Dart.

Colin Millar with nitrous purge in the Flyin' Fyfer, straight run 7.211/189.11, 1.1524 and 4.64/155, throwing down the gauntlet for the first Outlaw Anglia UK six, John Willard who has gone 6.7 in Australia is tuned in so g'day to him. Graham Barton and Billy Jones next in their gassers, Billy first 10.87/120 to 10.946/120 for Graham.

Owen Forrest's Nova with its blue and black vinyl top, 12.0175/107.70 for OS Owen. Mick Checkett with 7.609/183.6, great run! Tom Herbert against Paul Dodd's Buick Skylark, 11.988/110.62PB for Tom, well done, 11.482/115 for Paul. Jason Dodd 10.65/125 and 10.889/122 for Alan Medley. Adrian Solly vs XJ sleeper, Adrian 11.304/122 to XJ's 11.796/119.32 best of day for him. Matt Wright's turbo escort 11.743/106, Michael Mooney 13.232/105.

13:00

Steve Wright with the AMC Pacer testing with new parts to 11.666/100, with much more to come. Dominic Sharpe and Lee Chiles, 9.9331/133.73 for Lee to 11.3340/126.90 for Dominic. Rob Brown in the Rebel WB dragster, 8.933/151, great run, first in the 8s and well done Rob, Pete and team, followed by Lee Pike in the Honky Tonkin' II Nova, 9.177/146.76. Rob Tyrell's next run was 10.383/129. Followed by Claire Johnson 10.646/134 and Neil Francis 12.775/109. Now on for a 30 minute lunch break, we'll be back later.

12:45

Stuart 'Kiwi' Thompson's first run to a 9.929/137.26 (PB 9.78) in the Arlen Vanke tribute Duster, followed by Ben Kennedy's OA 11.217/110. Then Ted Booth's GC Anglia and Duncan Watt's Rod Shop Dodge, Duncan drifting to the right at 60' and Ted going first 9.692/138 (PB 9.48 we think) to 10.621/124. Glynn Boardman (NSS4888) 12.113/111 to Joe Coleclough 13.351/86. Next, Neil Francis vs Michael Mooney's Beetle, 12.628/108 for Neil, high 13 for Michael.

Dave Billadeau next 10.0010/134.87, we think a nine might be imminent...Bob Main vs Joe Coleclough, smoke out of the back for Bob to 12.773/104.04 and 11.998/109.75 for the unidentified Joe Coleclough.

12:30

Gary Carr's Chevelle first run of the day against Dominic Sharpe, Gary with a wheelie to 9.1291/145.27 to 10.341/131.78 for Dominic. Tom Herbert and Jose Leite's diesel, 13.837/97.56 to 10.998/133 for Jose, Tom having made a lot of mods and still in test mode we suspect. Next Des Taylor's first run, the blown BBC 'hunting' in reverse from the burnout. 10.684/119 for Des but he lost a wheelie bar wheel at the start and the car drifted into the finish line reflectors, Des regaining control in the shutdown area. A few minutes' pause to replace the reflectors.

On the restart, sleeper XJ vs Marc Taylor's Leon, 11.942/119 and first to Marc's 11.678/120. Bev Tyrell against Tom Herbert, 13.663/99 for Tom using three gears from what we heard, to Bev's 13.9147/99.25. New GC entrant Billy Jones's immaculate Willys Coupe 10.826/120.43 and OA35 11.4089/124.56.

12:15

Chris Goodale 10.5497/126.85 followed by Dave Mahoney 10.701/103. Then Gary Parkes' Purple Daze SO for his first run. Gary is looking for his first seven having run several 8.0s last year. Achieved right away, 7.838/173.72, 1.168 to 60ft, well done Gary and team!

Next was Bev Tyrell in a white Duster and Garry Hill's OA. Garry first with 11.261/119.03 to 15.201/73 for Bev. Dave McCallan against the rat rod, Dave lifting at half track on a test pass, side by side tens. Tom Herbert and Jose Leit on checkouts in their VWs, then Jason Dodd and Marc Taylor, 11.234/114 for Jason and 12.179/116 for Marc.

Tom Margesson 11.320/121, best time yet for Tinseltown Hustler, followed by Jason Hollamby vs Dominic Sharpe in a OS Pontiac, 10.828/138 for Dominic with tyre-rubbing smoke against a twelve for Jason. Alan Medley vs Rad Rod Graham, 10.909/122 and 10.756/123.57 Rat Rod Graham first.

12:00

On the restart 11.536/112 for Lee Chiles to 15.054/75 for Steve Garlant. Followed by Don Scott's first run of the event,against Neil Francis, Don getting there first 10.243/124 to 12.836/106. Adrian Portelli's Charger NSS against Adrian Solly , Adrian P getting close to the centre line 10.932/116 to Adrian S's 11.377/135. Tom Margesson's next run a 12.378/105.92 followed by Steve Matthew's 9.765/133.80. Gary Cork against sleeper XJ - and the Jag first with 12.048/117 to 12.398/109, we suspect a rematch might be on.

We've posted a first gallery of Pit Pics showing Simon Barlow is here - for one day only, with that six in mind.

11:25

Paul Dale's first pass of 2021, with a Union Jack on his roof, drifting rowards the left wall, pedaling but a 9.803/130.91, definitely headed to the eights with a lot of mods from last year. Next Paul Dodd's Buick Skylark vs Joe Coleclough (NS101) 11.66/115 to 15.74/82. Then Alan Medley 10.926/123 vs Jason Dodd (NSS debut) 10.644/126.59, great start Jason. Brian Watson's WB dragster 13.503/87 vs Dave Billadeau 10.086/132. Chris Goodale 10.475/127 as Carl Goldsmith pushed back.

Pete Christmas (NSS Demon) 11.676/112 vs Ray Turner (GC 55 Chevy) 11.131/118.65 first. Lee Chiles with new paint and Chiles Play lettering (NSS) against Steve Garlant, both pushed back after oil found in shut down area. On hold for a few minutes...

11:15

The OS-26 red Corvette C3 of George Ralph went 16.631/80, this is George's spare car as his usual ride at the track is a Triumph GT6. Roy Wilding on the line with Mick Checkett making the first Supercharged Outlaw run of the day in his 350ci slingshot, 8.4454/179.22 after a move to the right and pedal at 60ft, great driving by Mick. Andy Park's screw blown Model Y next, first run of 2021 a 9.8936/136.54, slight drift to the left and expertly corrected while still at full throttle.

Steve Mitchell's second run with Snow White a 9.777/138.25 towards the left side of his lane, nice run. Then Donald Harvey's Beetle, revs high then off the throttle with gear selection issue from what we heard. Peter Butler's second OA pass a straight 11.260/117. Next a Jaguar XJ with number plate RIP FD alongside Ben Kennedy's maroon OA. Ben first 11.9033/99 to a fast closing 11.759/118 for the sleeper XJ.

10:50

Next race car was Rob Tyrell's Coronet 500 'Robster's Revenge' with 10.457/128.65 on a transbrake launch. A couple of RWYBs next, OS-28 rat rod driven by Graham of Outlaw Street and Steve Mitchell in the Snow White Chevy, 9.950/134 for the Chevy to 10.93/122 for Graham's rat rod.

Jason Hollamby's GC Falcon and Neil Francis NSS next, 12.492/101 to 12.609/110, Neil first. Then David Mahoney's Camaro in gold and black 10.762/117 first time out against a new, black, NSS car. Peter Butler's gold OA ran a 12.119/115.06 test pass. Steve Matthews' Honky Tonkin' Chevy Gasser went on a gentle launch, after restart, to 10.284/133.

10:35

Next was newcomer Dean Maudsley's striking '37 Chevy gasser 435 YUV reg (lockdown build with twin carb 350 SBC), 15.58/91 for its initial pass, black with red tinted windows, surely headed for the Circus eventually? Marc Taylor's second pass was 11.074/129. He was followed by Kev Whiting in Tip Top Topolino, good launch to 10.828/120.60 close to his 10.72 PB.

Tom Margesson's second pass was 13.761/96.50, test mode. Marc Taylor next in the Seat Leon with 11.0062/129.92. Ben Kennedy (OA) next, gentle launch to 11.916/103.86, nice maroon paint. Bob Main (NSS Superbird), some smoke from half track onwards, to 13.061/105.

10:10

First out was Steve Garlant whose crew chief Vinnie Killington kindly sent us details of the Sonic Attack Ford T altered for yesterday's news. A gentle checkout pass. Then followed by Tom Margesson in the Tinseltown Hustler, resplendent in the green paint job, a 14.18/69 test pass in the new car.

Third was newcomer Gary Cork in his Dodge Coronet. Gary had told us that his engine is a 500ci stroker, and the car is set up as a Super Bee clone with rallye dash and rear stripe. Good first pass to 12.88/107. Dave Billadeau 10.0636/132.08 and Chris Goodale 10.3823/128.00, great looking cars guys.

Carl Goldsmith ran a 11.705/117 in his Golf, to improve on his times from last weekend. Gary Cork's second run was 12.898/108, very consistent for first time out!

09:05

Good morning, and welcome to our coverage of VW Breakout from Santa Pod Raceway.

What a difference a few days can make to the weather. Whereas we were in danger of suffering exposure last weekend, there is barely a cloud in the sky today, the temperature is already at 13C forecast to rise to 18C and the wind is barely noticeable.

Action today will be Run What Ya Brung meaning that cars will come individually to the pairing lanes and there won't be classes running as such. We'll keep you abreast of the cars that we can identify, and their times. For tomorrow and Sunday you'll be able to see a list of what's here on the Event Index.

Yesterday was the funeral of marshal and former Wild Bunch racer Dave Rowlands. Around 70 attended the Nene Valley Crematorium in Wellingborough to pay their condolences and support partner Angie Woods and son Warren. The wake took place in the SPR VIP block where Dave's family, friends and racing colleagues shared memories. You will be sorely missed Dave.

We noted that today is World Blood Cancer day, a terrible disease that took Santa Pod Racers Club Secretary Paula Marshall eight years ago, and that former Top Methanol Dragster racer and Eurodragster.com sponsor Derek Flynn has suffered from, with treatment that keeps him alive. So those of you in a charitable mood, today would be a good time to send a donation to Blood Cancer UK who Derek and the Santa Pod racing family have done so much to support.

A big Hello to all Eurodragsterholics tuned in, particularly to photographers Kirstie and Kieran and former editor Tog all of whom will be at their day job. Keep an eye on the screens and we'll bring you the news after racing starts at 09:30. The live stream will commence when racing starts.