Dave "Crunch" Crunkhorn is crewing for the Alien team of John Everitt and Simon Barlow's Orange Pop team this weekend. He told us he was going to enter the Bulldog Bash as well but we somehow thought he wasn't being serious.

Topspeed Street Eliminator racer Steve Pateman said "We have cured the misfire that affected us for the last two meetings. We now want to sort out the settings to get the car down the track - the launch needs to calm down a bit. We are running for the championship and the Fat Boys are ahead by 400 points but we have been in a worse position before and won."

Topspeed Street Eliminator racer Ron Haslett is out of competition. "I increased the power but the Powerglide transmission blew the planetary gears and hidram clutch when I shifted and hit the gas at the same time. We used all our spares at Easter and this is a real shame as we ran our best of 9.2. The trans shouldn't have been a weak link and we are looking to buy another 'Glide either from the UK or imported. We were saving up for a block but I think the money will now go on a new trans." The car's immaculate paint scheme is buy VRC, a company near to Ron in Havant.

Topspeed Street Eliminator racer Ian Hook was happier with his run today after a number of wild launches. "It launched like it should do although it was still spinning the tyres before the ashphalt. We slowed the nitrous input and that helped keep it straight; a 1.30 60ft time is really good. We changed a lot for today, softening the front shocks and putting more fuel in the tank." War veteran from the Falklands, Kosovo and Gulf War campaigns Richard Popple who, as reported in the news, is doing fifty things for Help For Heroes and Breast Cancer charities went for a pass in Ian's car in this morning's session. Afterwards he was reported as saying "It's the most scary thing I've ever done."

Outlaw Anglia racer Simon Barlow is running low nines after fitting a new Dedenbear Powerglide transmission from Andy Frost and a two step launch control system. "The two step holds the revs on the line and all the power comes in at once. You have to change how you drive the car. It is a button launch and I am still getting used to it so our best time is still from a manual launch. The track crew have worked really hard here." Simon mentioned he is concentrating on Outlaw Anglia this year for economic reasons.

Pro ET racer Tim Stanbury has managed to do five runs but an oil leak became apparent after yesterday. "We changed the inlet manifold gaskets this morning but that didn't work. We are suspicious of the vacuum pump now." In spite of the teething troubles the car is running quicker and quicker with a best of 9.63 (on a 9.70 dial-in, sadly). "I'm not using full throttle or the transbrake yet and the biggest issue is lack of track time."

Pro ET racer Bob Molden suffered a broken steering arm at the end of a 10.6/128mph pass. "It was all over the place. Thanks to Chris Newsome of our team who went back to Leeds to get the parts. We are fitting them now and need to get the car re-scrutineered to get into eliminations tomorrow. Realistically we are now setting up for the Main Event."

Super Gas racers Jon Morton and step-son Dan Page are no.1 and 2 respectively in the qualifying standings. Dan said "We are happy with the Nova. It is behaving itself and needed little preparation. We just need to work on fine-tuning the settings now." Jon said "After the engine damage at the Euro Finals we got a new one from Jeff Bull and are working on settings."

Sportsman ET racers Ian Jackson and his step-son Jake Handy are having a good meeting under the banner of Eurodragster.com sponsor Jackson's MOT. Pictured with wife Carol and son George, Ian said "We did well at Big Bang qualifying no.1 and winning the event. I am having a great time with the new car." The orange '79 Camaro has been in Ian's hands for 18 months and is powered by a 454cu in big block Chevy. Jake has taken over the driving seat of the more recent Camaro and has qualified well at both events so far and went one round at Big Bang.

Sportsman ET racers Nigel Holland and Sara and Steve Unsworth were pitted beside each other's Mustangs. Nigel, who with physical disability, has a greater challenge than most to just get to the track, let alone race, is grateful to Sara and Steve for their help. "Sara drove my car here and fed and watered me. She and Steve went out of their way to help." Nigel is planning a new nitrous controller and shocks for the Summernationals. Steve and Sara's Mustang is stripped out and has an induction system. Steve won the Sportsman ET Cock of the event at Big Bang for not putting in fuel resulting in the car failing to start in the pairing lanes.

Junior Dragster racer Laura Turburville achieved no.1 qualifier in only her second meeting. Father and Super Twin racer Ian said "the car is from an NHRA racer who ran it in Germany with Carlo Heim driving it and I bought it from Eurodragster.com's swap meet - it has all the right parts and I did the paint, screen and checked the cage." Laura came into the sport by renting Santa Pod's dragster which she enjoyed enough to commit to the series this year. Ian said "I am building a Pro ET car for her using Martyn Jones' old dragster chassis and a Harley Overkill Motor with nitrous on methanol which should be good for 500hp.

Junior Dragster racer Paige Wheeler's dad Andy from Eurodragster.com sponsor Alamo rent-a-car explained that the design of the front wheels on Paige's race car resulted in a red light as the beams met through the gaps in the wheel. The short term solution was this cardboard disc which has also given the opportunity to display the race car number in a different place. A more permanent solution is to be installed when wheel rings arrive. Racers can get a discount from Alamo by going to www.alamo.co.uk/dragster.

NFAA racer Neil Townson plans to make half passes to get the feel of the motor after making changes to the fuel injection system. Yesterday there was a problem after a strong burnout when the engine started idling at 5000rpm. He said "We backed up but had to abort the run. We discovered the strap of the blower bag had been sucked into the injector hat. We didn't make the next round but will try a couple of burnouts and paunches today." Neil who runs mainly at SCR is also appearing at SPR at the Truck Show where a round of the NFAA championship will be held in June. "We run four meetings a year and race modestly; we won't necessarily be number one but we want to make some noise and have some fun without spending too much of my money. We try to run 7.6s as our ET goal at an event."

NFAA racer Tony Betts had repairs carried out swiftly after the Easter Thunderball with refurbished bodywork by FGR and a new fire bottle bracket at the front of the chassis. Tony said "Thanks go to my sponsors Signarama for helping with the colour scheme on the body and to Teng Tools for new tool boxes - it is my tenth year with support from Teng Tools." Tony's problem yesterday was a lack of grip in difficult conditions but the launch with new wheelie bar setup was successful in all other respects. The team are raising money for Help The Heroes charity for injured British servicemen. "We had four guests at the Finals last year who fought in Afghanistan and we are looking to have more come to the Main Event where we will be running."

Super Comp racer Martin Curbishley has stepped into Paul Marston's four link dragster for this event. "We are developing my Corvette for Super Mod but that needs chassis and engine work. Jon Webster will be helping the development and I also have a lot of work on so it's good to be able to turn up and drive another car in the meantime." Martin previously raced the dragster that is now in the hands of Rod Harrison and had solid rear suspension. "The difference between the hard tail car and the four link is huge - the four link is so smooth, you don't feel any bumps and it is like a road car. I was on the numbers straight away." Martin's paint and body shop is busy on World Rally Championship and track bike preparation as well as the usual insurance claim work.

Super Twin Gas racer Dave Smart runs this Suzuki SV10g00 which he has had from new in 2004. He said "Last year I ran the bike in Super Twin ET and won the class championship with a high compression engine. I blew the head gasket at the end of the season and JHS Racing who are repairing the engine and setting it up for a supercharger have lent me an engine with the blower fitted. I am hoping for 200hp with the rebuilt engine. The spare engine has powered the bike here to low 9.6s after a best of 9.48 at SPR. At the last meet I entered for 9.50 Bike but the selector broke on 1st gear; I am using an air shifter this year for the first time.

Super Street Bike racer Wayne Saunders has a bike constructed by Sebastian Domingo of NLR in Alabama. "I raced the bike in the US before I imported it and have run 7.6s best. But here it is hard to get the bike to run straight. It's a combination of applying the power with the clutch. I am happy with alignment but tyres are a potential issue. I have changed from Michelin to Mickey Thompson and we have spare M/Ts so a change of tyres may help." This is Wayne's first season in Super Street after a couple of years in 9.50 Bike and in previous years having competed in a wide variety of car and bike classes.

Super Street Bike racer Rich Stubbins is coping with track conditions by making chassis adjustments and achieved no.2 spot with a 7.80/165. "My new Hayes clutch is awesome", he said. "My best 60ft time is 1.27 at SPR and we have achieved a 1.31 here with a bit of wheelspin. At the top end in 5th and 6th gear the tyre is breaking loose." Thanks go to Steve Mead and Tim Hayes for supplying the clutch and advising on setup. Rich also remarked on the tyre issue and that changing between makes, even between elimination rounds, was seen as a realistic option.

8.50 Bike racer Mark Winder was last seen at Santa Pod at Easter 2009 flipping over backwards on a startline wheelie, resulting in Mark having a broken tailbone and a severely shortened season. This year with wheelie bars acquired from Stuart Crane and a slick, he is back and able to put the power of the bike down. "I was pleased with the announcement of 8.50 bike which enables bikes that are quick but no longer competitive in the ACU classes to compete on equal terms." Mark's bike is a 1366cc GSXR 1100H from 1986 with a small Garratt turbo and fuel injection. Best time to date is 8.64.

8.50 Bike racer Andy Fawcett is teamed with Mark Winder and has a very similar bike with another means of keeping the front wheel on the ground: a long swing arm rather than wheelie bars. "I have had the bike for ten years and have run Streetfighters in the past. I did well reaching fourth in Top Bike. I have gone for a 75 inch outlaw swing arm which I actually made in my shed as well as welding my header pipes and exhaust." Andy's bike is a 1986 GSXR 1100J with a turbo and fuel injection. Best times are 8.62/174.

8.50 Bike racer Rob Lee said "My bike was built for Super Street but I cannot afford the development time to get it to run competitively so have opted to race in 8.50 Bike." The self-built bike is based on a standard Hayabusa frame with a turbo engine, DTA 560 engine management system and Hayes clutch from Steve Mead. Best time to date is 8.8. Rob said "I need more dyno time but most development is at the track."

8.50 Bike racer Michael Winyard is another Straightliners racer attracted by the new class. "I was with Straightliners for three years and wanted to step up. My family owns a machine shop which has done a lot of work on my bikes." Michael's bike is immaculate and has been on display at a bike show at the NEC recently. The restored 25 year old GSXR 1100 is powered by a Garratt Turo engine with swing arm, plenum and exhaust made by the family company. "I have another bike at home with exactly the same spec but in red with a slightly different spec turbo," he said.

Super Twin Gas racer Les Harris is pleased with his new race motor in his TL1000. "This revs quicker and goes from 8000 to 10000 rom in an instant, you have to be really quick to shift. I will have to change the gearing as I am not using all of 6th gear. I am also bedding in a new chain and clutch." Les's new engine was re-worked by Sam, who is Mr TL in Britain. Its seventh run (after six hours on the dyno) was a 9.71 with a 1.35 60ft time. Les wanted us to send get well greetings to Super Twin ET racers Steve Partridge who is unwell and Nigel Batsford who is recovering from an operation.

Outlaw Flat Four racer Jim Smith who runs Cotsweld which fabricates race cars for VW classes, had a problem with his clutch that necessitated taking the engine out of the car. "Last year was the first year with a new engine but the off-the-shelf clutch has proved a weak link although it was not cheap. I will try going back to the old clutch set-up and test with a torque wrench to see when it slips; if it slips all the time, we will be done for the weekend, but we are happy with running 10.7 with the engine under power down the track for the first time."

Super Street racer Bob Lees is sponsored by Bristol Transmissions. Bob, who now has an electronic throttle stop on the car, was getting used to its setup and ran a couple of 11.0s before hitting the 10.9 second zone and qualifying third with a 10.977/130. Bob is planning a trip to the Nitrolympx in August with two other Super Street cars.

Eurodragster.com sponsor Jeff Bull was polishing the rocker covers on the immaculate engine for wife Belinda's Chevrolet truck. "Traction on the start line is our main problem and while we have run a 7.62/178 we need to run better than a 7.45 to get into no.1 spot."