2007 Springspeed Festival
Saturday (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 20:20 Today's pictures have now been posted, you can view them from the Event Index page. Tune back tomorrow and we'll bring you all the news from day two of qualifying. 18:35 Outlaw Anglia qualifying top five after one pairing of session 3:
Mark Pointer took over the lead by a huge margin with his first run of the day. Ian Norman's car disappeared into a huge cloud of smoke on the finish line, and oil has been found on the track. So because of the curfew that is that for today - we will pick up at this point tomorrow morning. We're now going to work on today's pictures so stay tuned for those. 18:30 NAST Supertwin ET qualifying after session 3:
Pete Harrison took over the lead and Dave Jones moved into #2 spot, I'd say that they're getting the idea of this dial-in stuff! Comp Bike qualifying after session 3:
Nick Holland improved and moved up to #3, only to be bumped down a place by Phil Leamon's improvement. 18:25 Volkswagen Sportsman qualifying top five after session 3:
Steve Parfitt took back the lead whilst Mark Malone moved up into #2, usual VW Alternate Engine runner Matt Attwood moved into #4. Super Street qualifying top five after session 3:
Mark Watkins back into the top five at #5. 18:15 Real Steel Street Eliminator qualifying top five after session 3:
Al Simms back into the eights which was good for #3 spot at that point. Wilf Stacey improved but stayed in #5 spot at that point. Andy Frost had to shut off after his burnout after a brake disc failed leaving large pieces of metal on the track. In the last run of the session Colin Lazenby improved still further to consolidate his #1 spot. 18:00 Super Pro ET qualifying top five after session 3:
Ian Tubb and Nick Spence improved but stayed in place, and Nigel Turner moved back into the top five. Dave Ward broke out with what we think is a PB of 8.788, well done Dave! 17:50 Super Gas qualifying top five after session 3:
Steve Dunn took over the lead in this session and Mike Bentley moved up to #3 spot. 17:50 Funny Bike qualifying after session 3:
An improvement for Paul Knapp moved him up to #2 in the first pairing of the session. Tim Blakemore also improved despite effectively pulling an eighth-mile burnout on his run. 17:45 Pro Stock Bike qualifying after session 3:
Paul King improved again but stayed in place. In the next run Len Paget took over #1 spot and there's more to come from Len's bike as it hesitated momentarily off the line. Dave Beck then took the last bye of the session and took over #1 spot. 17:40 Super Street Bike qualifying top five after session 3:
Gary Bowe up into #3 in the second pairing, we think a Personal Best of 8.082/171.68, well done Gary! Two pairings later Graham Balchin moved into #3 and bumped him down one place. Steve Venables and Dave Smith then paired up and both improved, staying in #1 and #2 spots. Next pairing and Nigel Barker went back into the sevens to take #4 spot and in the last pairing Jamie Sneddon moved into the sevens and into the top five with his first run of the day. 17:35 Sportsman ET qualifying top five after session 3:
17:30 Junior Dragster qualifying top five after session 3:
Zak Johnson into the top five at #2 in the first pairing of the session. 17:20 Top Fuel Bike qualifying after session 2:
Steve Woollatt clocked a big 214.90 mph in this session but in 6.439 so no changes to the standings. A higher speed for Steve Carey too but a slightly slower ET, 6.893/195.50. Turbo's first pass of the day was an easy-looking 7.882/186.61, the bike visibly accelerating hard in the second half. 17:15 Derek Flynn's second observed run in the Gold RV Racing Top Methanol Dragster was a 7.471/174.60, a nice burnout and wheels up momentarily on launch, again the car looked to be skating a little and the set-up sounded quite soft. 9.50 Bike qualifying top five after session 3:
Jason Macan took over the lead in the second pairing of the session. But then...congratulations to Andy Burfitt who took #1 spot and won the Eurodragster.com/LA Racing Parts Perfect ET Award. Chris Jones improved for #4 spot and Carl Atkinson moved into #5 spot. The standings from qualifying sessions 1 and 2 may be cancelled as the timing crew were having trouble reading race numbers on bikes and are concerned that they may have got some numbers wrong, whatever happens Andy, Jason, chrid and Carl's times stand from this session. 17:00 Nostalgia Fuel Altered Association qualifying session 2 (left lane first): Jim Usher 12.556/68.86, Joe Bond 13.812/49.70, Tony Betts shut off, Bob Glassup 14.313/35.53 bye, Clayton Round 7.088/193.47 bye Drama in the first pairing as Joe Bond's altered made a hard move to the left and crossed lanes, ending up feet from Jim who pulled The Mob left and stayed out of trouble whilst Joe sorted himself out, avoided the timing reflectors and got back into his own lane. Bob Glassup back from his earlier travails pulled burnout of the round and then wheelie of the round, carrying the wheels to about 200 feet and very nicely controlled before getting off the throttle at about 300 feet. Tony Betts was shut off after it appeared that his crew could not remove one of the parachute pins. Also back from his earlier problems was Clayton Round, a great 250 foot burnout and then a superb straight pass. Next up is Derek Flynn with his next TMD observed run. 16:45 Pro ET qualifying top five after session 3:
More changes to the top five as Mike Lacey took over the lead a thousandth from relieving us of £50. Paul Baynton's earlier pass now good for second place and Chris Hodgkins' for third whilst Liz Malcolm and Dan Page moved into the top five at #4 and #5 respectively. Trackside conditions are 62.8 F, 49% humidity and 29.97 inches of air, track temperature is 84.9 F. 16:35 Junior Drag Bike qualifying after session 3:
No changes to the standings in this session. 16:30 Super Modified qualifying after session 2:
Your reporter's first round error corrected as Tim ran 7.674 last round, not 7.614...that's what I get for reading a scoreboard in bright sunlight rather than looking at the printout. Apologies to Andy Kirk who was #1 all along. Paul Mander took it gently off the line and it stayed that way all the way down the track, no word on why that was. Andy Hone was going great guns on his first pass of the day until a huge cloud of smoke appeared from the Scorpio, the safety crews chased Andy down but he is A-OK. The SM session is finished and we're just on a hold for track check before we go into qualifying cycle 3. 16:22 NAST Supertwin Gas qualifying after session 2:
Chris Mott into #3 spot with his first run of the day after a "rider error" earlier. Improvement but no change in standing for Don Irvine. NAST Supertwin Fuel qualifying after session 2:
Duncan Hocking now has a time on the board after shutting off in session 1. 16:17 Super Comp qualifying top five after session 2:
No changes to the top five in this session. 16:15 Wild Bunch qualifying top five after session 2:
Eurodragster.com News sponsor Pete Yates into #1 and Sarah Howells leapfrogging husband Darryl into #2 spot, an improvement for Chris Hartnell moved him into #4 whilst Roy Wilding's earlier pass is now good for #5. 16:10 Outlaw Anglia qualifying top five after session 2:
Richard Colby improved and moved up to #2 spot. In the next pair Steve Wells had a good go at taking his place back, didn't quite manage it but ran what we think is a PB, well done Steve! Dave Sidaway improved but stayed in #5 spot. 15:55 Outlaw Flat Four qualifying top five after session 2:
Not a good session for Jason Rew whose Bug blew a big cloud of smoke at the hit, and as the car rolled forward there was a large piece of metal and some fluid on the track. Bernie Newbury took over the lead and Richie Webb moved into #2 spot, no improvement for James Wootton whilst Chris Emmens and Phil West both improved but stayed in place. Trackside conditions are 61.7 F, 50% humidity and 30.00 inches of air, track temperature is 90.2 F. 15:35 Comp Bike qualifying after session 2:
Paul Wing improved slightly but stayed in place. In the next pairing Nick Holland also improved but stayed in #3. In the last run of the session Kev Charman took over the lead. 15:25 NAST Supertwin ET qualifying after session 2:
Dave Jones went the right side of dial-in and into #2 spot. Steve Partridge improved but stayed in #4. 15:20 Super Street qualifying top five after session 2:
Simon Cooper improved and held on to #1 spot, only for Martyn Sanger to take #1 away in the next pairing. In the next pairing Neil Grant improved but stayed in #3 spot whilst in the other lane the returning Ian Brown took over #4 spot. Chris Kenny moved into the top five at #5 in the next pairing. 15:20 Volkswagen Sportsman qualifying top five after session 2:
Graham Fairhead took over #1 spot whilst Martin Ayton and Abi Tether took over #3 and #4 respectively, Phil Norman's earlier pass now only good for #5. 15:10 Real Steel Street Eliminator qualifying top five after session 2:
Colin Lazenby straight into #1 spot with his first run of the day whilst Splinter improved big time alongside him. Alex McIntosh improved but stayed in place and Wilf Stacey slotted into the top five at #4. The returning Bill Macdermid laid down a 9.919 with a pedal so there's more to come from the pretty Camaro yet. 15:00 Super Pro ET qualifying top five after session 2:
Joe Stevens took over the lead whilst Rick Cooke improved to move up to #2 spot and Ian Tubb came into the top five at #3 14:50 Super Gas qualifying top five after session 2:
Conrad Stanley into #2 spot with the first run of the session. Steve Dunn improved but stayed in place at that point. Trackside conditions are 60.4 F, 51% humidity and 30.00 inches of air, track temperature is 88.3 F. 14:45 Pro Stock Bike qualifying after session 2:
Ray Debben back into the sevens, staying in position at that point. Next up was Richard Gipp who took over #1 spot. Paul King put down a time to get into the field and Dave Beck into #2 with his first run of the day - the run looked and sounded quicker. Funny Bike qualifying after session 2:
14:37 Super Street Bike qualifying top five after session 2:
Pete Bellenie into #3 in this session and the motor sounded as if it were misfiring so there is more left there. In the next pairing Nigel Barker moved up into #2 spot. Mark Fisher in at #4 in the next pairing and then Steve Venables stamped his authority on the field taking over #1 spot and kicking the track ET record into next week. In the next pairing Dave Smith turned the wick up with another seven but still only good for #2 spot. 14:30 Sportsman ET qualifying top five after session 2:
Lee Huxley is now racing in the family's day van after the Mustang broke. The top five almost beyond recognition, Ian Jackson improved to hold on to #1 whilst Anna Metcalfe moved up to #2 and Ian Petrie and Nick Gay into #3 and #4 respectively. Jon Turner's earlier pass now only good for #5 spot. 14:25 Junior Dragster qualifying top five after session 2:
No changes to the top three but Jayne Kay and Nick Mugridge into the top five at #4 and #5 respectively. Junior Drag Bike qualifying after session 2:
Scott Collier improved to consolidate his #1 spot and Jake Carruthers came in at #2. 14:15 9.50 Bike qualifying top five after session 2:
A change to the top two as Dave Burfitt went in at #1 and Chris Jones at #2. Paul Coombs came into the top five at #4. 14:00 Pro ET qualifying top five after session 2:
Paul Baynton took over the lead in this session, the Eurodragster.com/LA Racing Parts cheque book starting to feel the approaching menace. Steve Bolton up into #3 and Mike Lacey into the top five at #5. Trackside conditions are 60.3 F, 50% humidity and 30.03 inches of air, track temperature is 88.1 F. 13:50 Super Comp qualifying top five after session 1:
A very Happy 50th Birthday for yesterday to Maggie Williams. Husband Andy tried hard to give her #1 spot as a present but had to settle for #3 so far. That's qualifying cycle 1 finished, we're straight into cycle 2. 13:45 NAST Supertwin Gas qualifying after session 1:
Les Harris' first outing with the outsize front fairing on Tilly 3, pictures later. NAST Supertwin Fuel qualifying after session 1:
13:38 Super Modified qualifying after session 1:
A big Hello to Lee Kirk who is tuned on from Bahrain to check out on dad Andy's progress. 13:35 Wild Bunch qualifying top five after session 1:
13:30 Outlaw Anglia qualifying top five after session 1:
13:20 Outlaw Flat Four qualifying top five after session 1:
13:15 NAST Supertwin ET qualifying after session 1:
First time out for the new NAST ET class. 13:10 A nice pass for Derek Flynn in the Gold RV Top Methanol Dragster, the set-up was pretty gentle and the car was skating a little all the way down the lane, 1.009 to sixty feet, 4.608 at half track and 7.324/177.55 at the stripe. Super Street qualifying top five after session 1:
Comp Bike qualifying after session 1:
Trackside conditions are 59.7 F, 52% humidity and 30.03 inches of air, track temperature is 75.4 F. 12:50 Nostalgia Fuel Altered Association qualifying session 1 (left lane first): Bob Glassup 18.083/49.92, Clayton Round 9.200/114.25, Jim Usher 8.780/103.02 bye Huge burnouts for Bob and Clayton, it was like a game of double dare over who got off the throttle first. On the green the Xtreme altered stood up on its back wheels and then carried on up, all four wheels off the track then into a serious bounce when it came down and the chutes deployed. A hard launch for Clayton, then hard shake and and close to the guardrail, backing off in the second half of the track. Oil was found in Clayton's lane starting, I quote, "With a few drips which gradually fanned out to the width of the lane". Jim took the bye after the clean-up having told the track announcers that the plan was to "Go quick". It was certainly a good-looking run to begin with, the usual gentle launch but the car was visibly picking up and accelerating hard then Jim shut off at 330 feet with the tyres blackstriping. Next up is Eurodragster.com News sponsor Derek Flynn with a Top Methanol Dragster licencing pass. 12:40 Simon has just posted today's first set of pit notes, which you can view from the Event Index page. The clean-up is almost done so stay tuned and we'll ba back into NFAA very shortly. 11:35 Top Fuel Bike qualifying after session 1:
A tremendous pass for Steve Woollatt, straight as you like, from here it sounded as if the clutch was set a little soft to get over the first 100 feet or so. Steve Carey's bike also sounded a little gentle for the first 100 feet or so and then as it picked up the bike started fishtailing but Steve stayed with it, into the sixes again. Trackside conditions are 55.2 F, 57% humidity and 30.03 inches of air. Track temperature is 62.8 F. 11:25 Volkswagen Sportsman qualifying top five after session 1:
11:15 Real Steel Street Eliminator qualifying top five after session 1:
Bill Macdermid made his first outing in his beautiful Camaro, a nice burnout and 10.039/147.95. 11:05 Super Pro ET qualifying top five after session 1:
Great to see Ashley Bell back in action after his crash at the Easter Thunderball. The Cobra wandered about its lane some with one hard move and Ashley backed off early. Chris Orthodoxou was the latest racer to have a tilt at the Perfect Light money with a 0.003. Raised eyebrows up here in Race Control as track announcer Barry Bohannon revealed to the spectators that he is "an altered man", is there something you're not telling us Ali? 10:50 Super Gas qualifying top five after session 1:
10:45 Pro Stock Bike qualifying after session 1:
Funny Bike qualifying after session 1:
Tim Blakemore shut off before the burnout in his match-up with Steve French. Same story for Paul Knapp only he shut off before staging in his match-up with Chris Hall. 10:35 Super Street Bike qualifying top five after session 1:
Ivan Birch and his bike disappeared into a huge cloud of smoke at about 1100 feet. Nothing was found on the track so hopefully everything OK for Ivan. Something departed Dave Smith's bike at 1000 feet, at this distance it looked like a filter or something similar. We think a Personal Best or close to it for Ade Lockley, well done Ade! Scott Baldwin into the top five at his second event. Trackside conditions are 52.0 F, 62% humidity and 30.03 inches of air, track temperature is 58.5 F. 10:25 Sportsman ET qualifying top five after session 1:
10:05 Junior Drag Bike qualifying after session 1:
Junior Dragster qualifying top five after session 1:
10:05 9.50 Bike qualifying top five after session 1:
9:55 Pro ET qualifying top five after session 1:
Dan Page pulled a 0.002 Reaction Time in this session, the Eurodragster.com/Speedflow joint wallet had a little flutter at that point. 8:55 Good morning and welcome from Shakespeare County Raceway for our coverage of the Springspeed Festival brought to you in association with American Car Imports. The Webster Race Engineering/MPM Oil webcam is on-line and broadcasting a picture every sixty seconds, and will stay on-line throughout the weekend until the track closes on Monday evening. You can access the webcam via the Event Index page. It's a bit chilly here right now, overcast but the cloud is due to burn off later on. Right now the conditions outside are 50.4 F, 62% humidity and 29.97 inches of air. Track temperature on the start line is 55.3 F. We're scheduled to start at 9:30 with Pro ET qualifying. The timing software here at SCR has been upgraded over the off-season and this is its first run out at a competitive event. Simon Day of the Tech Crew tells us that the system is now set to print qualifying standings at the end of each session so it's then down to how fast your reporter can type. Stay tuned and as soon as things start moving we'll bring you all the news, and keep an eye on the Pit Notes page for the fruits of Simon's first trip out. Reports and pictures ©Eurodragster.com |