Super Pro ET racer and Eurodragster.com sponsor Peter Walters had a traumatic Thunderball, the gearbox out of the car no less than five times. "We had no second gear - the same problem as last year, which we thought we had cured. Eventually we found a part had been put in the wrong way round, but then I red-lit in round one of eliminations." The team is still running a spare engine after a rod exited during last year. "Our best engine was rebuilt but wouldn't start when we tried it two weeks before Easter and found no compression. We are looking at the welding - it has been done a few times."

Nostalgia Fuel Altered Association racer Gary Page gave car owner Lawrie Gatehouse his "best ever racing weekend" after running consistent low 6s. Jason Phelps of FGR Motorsport said that the engine had been rewelded and the team well prepared. Another crash was the last thing the team wanted. The car crossed the track under power, made contact with the left barrier and slid down the second half of the track on its side and on fire. Gary is fortunately a-ok thanks to the quick response of the track crew and safe construction of the car. Gary said "A fire bottle broke during tyre shake and then it was like being on ice. We couldn't believe the body is almost unharmed. It's like a cockroach - it could probably survive a nuclear holocaust."

Nostalgia Fuel Altered Association Racer Joe Bond had also been pleased with the performance of 'Nuthin' Fancy' at Easter. "We ran three good sixes and have put a new crank in it after some problems with bearings. We are going to take it cautiously to begin with." Father Doug Bond said "You need to give new parts time to make friends or they will come back to haunt you." Joe ran a 6.485/198.19 personal best and said afterwards "I was expecting a 6.7 - my Dad had told me to short shift to avoid stressing the new parts but even with that it ran so well."

Wild Bunch racer Terry Clifford is running the restored historic Ratcatcher slingshot with a 390 cu in FE big block Ford on C12 gasoline. "We don't push the parts too hard but would like to run a nine." Terry is based in Southampton and at nearby Beaulieu on 18th June there will be a Victory Wheelers show with 400 hot rods in attendance and drag racing machinery including Terry, Wendy Baker and Chris Hartnell will be holding a cacklefest.

Wild Bunch racer Scottie Durrant (pictured with wife and co-driver Gina and son Beau) runs the Tiki-Monkey Austin Ruby bodied car. The car was featured in Custom Car's February issue with its Ford Pinto engine , Weber carburretors and Vulcan head built by Mark Hartnell. Scottie said "It took a year to build - Ed Yates built the chassis and the body was prepped by NC Engineering. The total cost was around �2000."

Super Mod racer Rob Smallworth ran a PB of 7.61. "It hasn't run that well in seven or eight years. I then put a one gram washer in the clutch and got instant tyre shake. So we have taken it out and will see what it does. The engines in Super Mod make a limited amount of horsepower so putting a good clutch setting in is critical in getting good times."

Pro Mod racer Nick Davies is here to test the Superbird of Eurodragster.com sponsor Graham Ellis. "We will do just a couple of launches", he said. "We have done a lot more systems checks and installed more sensors on the engine. All our workshop testing is done, we want to get down the track and start by launching a bit more soft." Nick and I.C.E. Automotive partner Rob Loaring have installed a three stage launch control with two-step in pre-stage to build boost and three-step that takes ignition out and spools the turbo up - at that point the engine will be putting out up to 3,000 hp. The power output has its issues as the dyno will only take 1200hp and dyno testing is therefore not possible. The team has also changed to a Bigstuff engine management system that can drive 16 injectors and control the 44amp magnetos. Nick said "Being able to vary the boost adds a layer of complexity to tuning which we have to manage."

outlaw Anglia racer Gary Bird ran his first event with the car last weekend and corrected a couple of scutineering issues. "I ran for 15 years in run what ya brung and the National Street Car Challenge. I then crewed for Dave Sidaway who is now here crewing for me. The outlaw Anglia guys are a great bunch." The car has a 350cu in small block Chevy engine with TH350 gearbox and 8" Mustang rear axle.

outlaw Anglia racer Matt Cooper and brother Adam are new to the class, having previously run a blown Rover 'The Yob' to times of 12sec. Matt said "We bought the car as an unfinished project rolling chassis two years ago. We completed welding on the chassis to get it tagged to 8.50 and will upgrade it to 7.50 over the winter. We had to fabricate the fuel tank, wheelie bars and front suspension. The engine is a SBC on methanol with a 6-71 supercharger overdriven by 10% and Powerglide trans." The team has run 11s so far but when the car is dialled in, it is hoped to run a nine or high eight.

outlaw Anglia racer Simon Barlow had a difficult event last weekend with ignition problems on Saturday. "We made some changes and hope to get back into the eights this weekend. We are looking forward to a good season with new entrants to the class and many of the class running quick. I think the class attracts racers who are barmy enough to drive these short and powerful cars." During the winter the team installed a port injected nitrous system which should be less harmful to the engine compared with feed into a plate under the carb."

outlaw Anglia racer Richard Colby took 2010 out in order to create a new fibreglass body that has saved 300lb. "The body was moulded off the original by Dale Edwards - I still have the moulds. The new body feels good, not at all flexy and I have retained the splitter and rear wing from the old body." The car's other change is to the supercharger. The previous one was a Weiand Street which took us to a best of 8.1 but the new one is a BDS three blade item run at 20% over with two Holley Double Pumper 750cfm carbs and two stage nitrous system. This has already taken the car to a best of 8.3 already and a seven is aimed for.

outlaw Anglia racer Cliff Griffin is closing in on the sevens. He said "I hope to run one this season although it may take some time. I have been taking fuel out of it; the car is spot on and the track here is good for sevens."

Super Pro ET racer Ron Bartlett is back after a three year paternity break. "I have a new engine of 582cu in from Wheeler Race engines in the US. The carb is a single Dominator with no nitrous and there is a Powerglide from Al O'Connor. The chassis is currently tagged to 8.50 but I will need it upgraded to 7.50 as the car will run quicker when it is sorted. It can be done quickly."

9.50 Bike racer Augy Harrison has dropped down a class following issues with his 8.50 Suzuki. "The bike was built for Super Street, 8.50 and 9.50. Dave Branch built the frame and there is a very low seat height. In order to get the engine further forward for weight distribution I have put the turbo behind the engine which means that with a standard swing arm and extra bit of frame, I am within the 68" wheelbase limit." Augy admits he is still using the same Rayjay F40 turbo and carb from his Funny Bike days but will be updating to modern parts and sorting out the stage boost system which had problems in the first two championship rounds.

8.50 Bike racer Mark Slade was first out this year at last weekend's Big Bang. "We have taken more out of the cluctch as the bike was bogging off the start line and we want to get it behaving itself better." The bike has a GT28 turbo, small in comparison to some and the engine was rebuilt from its 9.50 spec by John Warrington. Times so far are 9.0s and an eight is hoped for this weekend. Mark's wife's business Jennifer Slade Photography administers the 8.50 Bike Facebook page.

8.50 Bike racer Steve Moor is looking after a two bike team. He said "My bike is one my wife Fiona raced in Super Street Bike. It has a turbo and we may add nitrous. This is my first season for 28 years - I crewed for Chris Hampson's Funny Bike team for four years. The clutch let go on my first run, I thought the chain had come off and I don't know if it's repairable." Steve is also looking after daughter Giselle's Super Twin ET bike which is her class debut. Giselle rides a Suzuki GS500 with a stock engine. Steve said "She's got her eye on the 8.50 bike and said if I break it I'm in serious trouble."

8.50 Bike racer Martin Walker has a new turbo setup with a Big CC Modular GT35. "I have run in the eights but am struggling with consistency. I thought it was the bike but Boisie (Chris Reed) ran an 8.6 at a rwyb and I thought there's only one excuse." The bike is a reincarnation of last year's 9.50 machine with new internals following a holed piston and a new Hayabusa body.

Super Street Bike racer Graham Dance made changes for the UEM race in Hungary which are still on the bike. "We lifted the front and changed the rear suspension. Len Paget (Pro Stock Bike) and I are lining each other up - at least he is quicker than me at this event." At Easter, Graham knocked three tenths off his personal best to run 7.2 and win the event. "We want to get down the track and put on a good show for everyone", he said. Graham is being helped by Sam Birch, Comp Bike champion Ivan's son.