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Date: 31st July 2000
Headline: Sporting gesture aids Woolatt's championship
At the weekend's final round of the British Top Fuel Bike Championship, an astounding display of unselfish behaviour rarely seen in the Garston area of Watford by the number one qualifier's, King Racing, helped the team in the last qualifying spot, Woollatt Racing, to the championship.
King Racing lent Woollatt Racing a vehicle to enable them to return to North London to collect an old USA manufactured Goodyear to replace the new Chile manufactured item they were sporting for the weekend.
This also enabled their Crew Chief, Chris (just call me `Foxy') Powell to relax in the local Michelin Starred restaurant whilst both teams toiled through the night.
Steve Woollatt quickly found why there is such a furore in the US at present over the quality of the products made in the new factory in Chile, when the tyre and his nervousness meant a straight launch was as rare as the sight of his wallet.
King Racing, who had their own problems whilst testing a new fuel system that resulted in a broken camshaft, drive and blower belt during qualification, suffered wheel spin and tyre shake at mid track in the final that saw Steve through to the Championship Crown.
King Racing would like to congratulate all at Woollatt Racing, in particular ex team manager Kevin Wilson, at their achievments in becoming Top Fuel Bike Champions again.
Date: 31st July 2000
Headline: European Records fall
As the Mantorp Park round was run over an eighth mile, new records were bound to fall. Both Stefan Juneryd (Super Twin) and Roger Petersson (Prostock Bike) reset both et and ts eighth mile records.
Both the updated records and points positions should be posted on our site by this evening.
Date: 31st July 2000
Headline: Other FIM Championship news
A surprise non qualifier at this weekend round in Sweden was Ton Pels in this, his 30th year in Dragracing. He qualified in 9th position, after suffering what would appear to be engine problems.
Stefan Juneryd went on to defeat a no showing Rob Van Geffen in the final (Rob appeared to hydraulic his supercharged nitro entry at start up).
In Prostock Bike, Roger Petersson seemed to put last months accident behind him when securing the weekends winner trophy.
Date: 31st July 2000
Headline: Cooper storms into the lead!
Ken Cooper sits happily at the top of the Competition Bike class in the European Championship today after a good show at the weekend's FIM / UEM round at Mantorp Park, Sweden.
Ken was confident of a result this weekend after learning of the decision to run the bikes over an eighth of a mile due to shutdown area length (or lack of!).
Ken qualified in 6th position and faced Roel Koedam (Holland) in round one. However Ken's luck was in when Roel failed to make the show after some problems. In round two, Ken met Oivind Dahl (brother of number one qualifier Sverre). A storming pass saw Ken through to the final and a meeting with Sverre.
Despite losing to the favourite, Ken assumed the lead in the points championship. With early season favourites Eric Teboul (France) and Roel Koedam (Holland) trailing in the points, Ken's plans to attend all remaining rounds augers well for a possible British Champion, the first for some years.
Hope Ken gets his hair cut in anticipation of the awards dinner.......
Date: 27th July 2000
Headline: Wanted!
Wanted, a copy of the book: -
`The High Speed Internal Combustion Engine' by Harry Ricardo.
Good price paid. Contact mebeau@hotmail.com or Submit reply to King Racing Gossip.
Date: 27th July 2000
Headline: Watford's richest Top Fuel Rider about to become richer!
We would like to remind all of your readers of the bet between Woollatt Racing and your very own Mr Nick Elusive Pepper. As this will be the end of the ACU Championship and the points will be totalled, it seems as the odds are somewhat stacked in our favour. Therefore we would like to invite all fellow racers to the bar to have a drink on us, and by the way Nick, make sure you bring your wallet with you, maybe a sub from Mr Tombleson for selling Steve's old bone should cover it. We have also recieved some further insider gossip, it seems as though King Racing have been having secret talks with Waddington's and Bratchvogel Enterprises devising a new board game. A rough idea is that the board is divided into 440 squares depicting a dragstrip, then the rules mirror the old favourite of `Pin the Tail on the Donkey'. You, as a player, can guess where Micky Beaumont will turn away or where Ian King will shut the throttle. Apparently, a further advanced game will be available later in the year where you can lay a bet on which square Ian stops. We understand that the odds will be worked out by none other than Mr Nick Pepper, a thoroughly proven betting man. We are also led to understand copies of this game will be RETAILED by none other than Mr Roger Forsyth.
Gossip comment: -
Nick Pepper, through his interpreter, would like it made known that after his drinks were spiked at the SPRC Dinner Dance by the (ex) Team Manager and brains behind Woollatt Racing, he has been suffering recurring flashbacks reminiscent of those suffered by Vietnam Vets. He therefore will be unable to attend this weekends celebrations and from his convalescent home in Menorca, asked that his whereabouts in the world be kept secret.
Date: 26th July 2000
Headline: Outlaw Prostreet
Tommy Miceli recently set a Rockingham track record on his Outlaw Pro Street bike wth an incredible 7.47 secs @ 190 mph pass - just remember without wheelie bars!
Date: 26th July 2000
Headline: Scrapdealers of the World unite!
Craig Mallabone of Team Trax has provided us with this report: -
Darren Cross, the other member of Team Trax (Streetfighters Challenge 9.90 leaders) is having a break from racing today to compete in Channel 4's Scrapheap Challenge programme. His team, The Meglomaniacs, won the series last year and have been invited back to compete against this years winners. If you've seen the programme before you'll know that each team are allocated a technical advisor relating to what they've been asked to build. They're currently building a dragster and have none other than the Imperial Wizard Brian Johnson advising them. The other finalists this year are being guided by a certain Andy Robinson! If you arrive for the Super Series early enough on Friday they'll be racing whatever it is they've built today! Watch this space and best of luck to Darren and his Meglomaniacs.
All we at Gossip would like to say is that we hope Brian's fee for advice was cheaper than the normal fee he demands from his dragracing colleagues.......
Date: 26th July 2000
Headline: Hydraulic Car Lift For Sale
Rob Guerain has asked us to post this bargain he has on offer. Although we don't normally feature car related items, we'll make an exception just this one time.......
HYDRAULIC LIFT COMPLETE, TO PUT YOUR RACECAR INSIDE YOUR TRUCK (HOLLANDIA-SYSTEM).
NOW VERY CHEAP PRICE: $ 1000
ROB GUERAIN RACING
E-Mail: guerain@worldonline.nl
Phone: 0031703451935
Fax: 0031703634496
Mobile: 0031653155359
Date: 25th July 2000
Headline: Supercharged Nitro Burning Rotary Valve Single?
I am building a Single Cylinder-Supercharged-Nitro burning motor. It will also have a Ceramic Rotary Valve Cylinder Head which will let the engine rev to 16000rpm and only use about 3 percent of the motors power.
I am interested in hearing from anyone who is building or thinking of building such an engine or just interested. I am trying to be the first person to reach the 200mph mark using a Single Cylinder Engine.
I have spent the last ten years in development and still, slowly building such an engine.
Regards, Gary Thompson, NZ
Date: 25th July 2000
Headline: Rain Out in Atlanta
Jim McClure qualified # 1 at the Atlanta Nitro Classic ADBA Nationals. But severe weather took away his chance to get even with the track that put him in the hospital for 23 days three years ago when his nitromethane powered engine exploded. McClure ran in the 6's each pass at the Atlanta Dragway, Commerce, Ga. qualifying #1 with a 6.863 and taking top qualifying speed with a 207.40 mph. He cut his ET to 6.75 in round one defeating Sam White, Columbia, SC. and maintained tremendous consistency running within a 1/10th of a second and over 203 on each pass with a top speed of 210.31 mph. In round 2, a 6.765 ET defeated Stan Verheijen of Holland. But when it was time for the finals against Canadian Warren Hill, ol' Mother Nature had other ideas. Several tornadoes touched down near the track and the event was cancelled prior to the finals.
Jim is supported on his national tour by Rivera Engineering, Primo Products, Red Line Synthetic Oil, ACCEL, Hampton Roads HD, Southside HD, F & S HD, S & S Cycle, Inc, Performance Machine, Axtell, Autolite & Vanson Leathers
Date: 24th July 2000
Headline: Jack's back!
A blast from the past, Jarod `Jack' Frost, is to compete in Superstreet at this weekends Super Series meeting at Avon Park on a 400 HP Turbo Hayabusa.
Jack, who gave up Dragracing some years ago to pursue a career in Stunt Bike riding, has recently been spotted circuit racing on a variety of machines including Aprilia (in the Aprilia Challenge) and GSXr600's in between managing his Speed and Tuning business, Holeshot Racing.
According to his bodyguard Cannon, Jack reckon's Dragracing's for w****rs, but as Cannon said it's better than being an also ran in roundy roundy racing.
Let's all give Jack the welcome back he so richly deserves....
Date: 24th July 2000
Headline: Funny rules
By the way, the last post (sic) suggesting scrapping Funnybike was submitted by Funnybike racer Shaun Branch.
Date: 24th July 2000
Headline: FFFFunny rules
What objections would Gossip readers have to scrapping Funnybike and all running in Comp Bike until there were enough C/B's to run a class of their own, just like we ran in the early 90's?
Wouldn't that make everybody happy including Martin Peck? I think losing C/B would be a big mistake.
Gossip comment.
This was a wish of 80/ 90s British Drag Race supremo Tony Huck who felt that the Sport was too small in the UK to support many classes, and wanted the same format as the FIM, with Comp Bike as the senior format.
Date: 23rd July 2000
Headline: Happy Flatties Chappie
Chris Tombleson, ex Prostock bike rider and the financial wizard behind the Straightline Racing Empire, has a newly serviced 80cc Yamaha Chappy for sale, either for the road or as an excellent pit / tow bike. Fast becoming a modern day collectible, only £250 or his weight in Turnips will relieve Chris of this lovely machine. Contact Chris on +44 1553 811855 daytime.
Date: 23rd July 2000
Headline: FFFunny rules
Dear Gossip
Having read in the column recently the continuing saga of the funny bike / comp bike / after-market case / who’s allowed to race where? debate, I thought “this looks a laugh, let’s see if we can stir it up a bit more!”. I have raced in almost every class going (appallingly in most!) - 10.90, 9.90, Super Street (1 race only), Comp Bike (3rd in ’98), and now Funny Bike. Without having the Comp Bike class to go from street tyre to slick and bars, I would probably still be running street classes and would not have made the jump straight to Funny Bike. Remember how dead Funny Bike was a few years ago and how Comp Bike flourished, with most of those riders now making the transition to Funny Bike.
Let’s not forget the main reason why we’re all here - to have fun! No-one’s getting rich (far from it!!). Also, let’s be realistic about how fast you need to go in this country to win races, there aren’t many bikes running in the sixes (barring fuel bikes) are there?
How about we scrap Comp Bike and Funny Bike and have one Drag Bike class open to anyone on bars and slicks (excluding fuel bikes)? This way we’d have bigger fields, better prize money, and a class that doesn’t exclude newcomers or innovation. Yes, the guy running nine seconds would probably lose to the seven second bike, but the seven second bike would have to go more rounds and then reliability would become a real issue, making it possible for slower (probably more reliable) bikes to get further!
Gary Jones (Jones & Friend Racing)
Date: 21st July 2000
Headline: FFunny rules......
I think Funnybike cases aside, getting traction has always been the limiting factor in the UK for most classes! Most riders in Funnybike know how to get a few more horses if needed and this rarely is a problem. Although stock cases can be a financial burden due to breakages, gearboxes are more so.
As for Competition Bike, this class has been the introduction of many of the Funnybike and Top fuel riders and is needed if nothing more than a heads up class for people to learn. Most riders are interested in going as fast as possible and this class caters for that with unlimited options of chassis and engine types. It provides a cheap entry to the sport and lets you run wheelie bars and slicks from the word go. Its a shame that there are so few entries at the moment, I remember the same problem with Funnybike a few years ago!
Regards,
Rich Fielding
Date: 21st July 2000
Headline: Just call me Mr Reasonable.............
Dear Gossip,
I have read with great interest the comments posted by my fellow Funnybike riders and whilst some are valid points, I would like to say that the aftermarket cases currently available for Suzuki's are not the cheapest (and as an engineer can see the time in making this product). However, as the owner of the fastest Suzuki Funnybike in the world, I can say the cases are not a limiting factor in the bikes reliability, more down to dialing in everything to work together. After learning with the bike myself and after long chats with the big stinker we believe the bike would be running in the 6.6 second bracket this season (with Tom Perry on board). As to the issue of which class Martin Peck should run in, why not let him run in Funnybike? Is not the issue to go racing and have fun? Maybe a weight break can be put on this type of bike, maybe a weight break should be put on full stop, say 800lbs for bike and rider. That would sort the men from the boys! (just joking boys, don't want you all soiling your underwear!).
But seriously, maybe relax the rules and if Martin becomes as quick as the Top Fuel Bikes then they could do the same and let him in. Competition bike should also be kept as a stepping stone, some of the present Funnybikers would do well to remember where they came from! Making Martin run in this class would also be pointless.
I will now get off my soapbox and get back on the pies as we don't want me gaining an unfair advantage!
Chris `Cannon' Hannam
Date: 21st July 2000
Headline: Chairman Ken speaks
Dear Gossip,
I do not agree that we should allow aftermarket cases in Funnybike yet. No one in Europe is going fast enough on stock cases yet for it to be a limiting factor.
I also believe that Competition Bike is dead and should be buried, amen!
To make the transition between 9.90 or Superstreet to another class and for people who wish to run slower Funny / Competition Bikes I think we should have a 8.90 0r 8.50 anything goes class, that means slicks, street tyres, wheelie bars, anything. This to me makes more sense and would make for closer racing.
Ken Cooper - Team Cooperized.
p.s. where does the slack go?
Gossip Comment: -
Kens letter raises an interesting point. As aftermarket cases have already been allowed in Funnybike for a few seasons, he obviously needs glasses so he can read his rule book properly.....
If no one is going fast enough for stock cases to be a limiting factor, will Martin Peck's machine not have any useable advantage then?
A 8.90 or 8.50 anything goes class will be the same as Competition Bike with an index. Is that what we all want, or would a Promod class be a better replacement, should Comp Bike be withdrawn?
The excess slack is used around the jaw area of the lads with the boom box equipped XR3i's at Heston Services on a Friday night....
Date: 20th July 2000
Headline: Squeal like a pig.......
Having taken advice from my Doctor today I can inform Gossip of the truth.
The facts of life are as follows:-
It is medically impossible for Dave to be my Brother and Father at the same time. I therefore condemn the use of the word Cajunesque as wholly inappropriate, untrue and a slur on our names.
I can assure Gossip and its readers that the preferences of the residents of Wheatley and the surrounding area are the same as the rest of the country, accept for an unexplainable urge for hot'N'spicy chicken wings.
Date: 20th July 2000
Headline: Gann, Cannon Jr. to ride Oakley Prostock
Promising Pro Stock Bike rookie Shawn Gann will soon be flying the colours of Oakley sunglasses after putting together a deal with Oakley-backed Funny Car driver Scotty Cannon and his son, Scotty Jr., to field a second bike, both backed by the sunglass manufacturer. Gann met the Cannons at the Winston Showdown and struck a deal to field a two-bike team at the next event in Brainerd with the younger Cannon riding the second bike.
Date: 20th July 2000
Headline: Nutty slack
Dear Gossip,
As you know, we do a lot of work and mods for Hayabusas. One of the most popular mods is to refit a 16 tooth drive sprocket. A customer the other day wanted to do this but we had run out of sprockets. He therefore picked one up on his way home. After fitting it he rang us to ask the following:
"Ya alright Brad, I got the sprocket and I've fitted it with the help of the next door neighbour. But I've got a question, when you fit it, it's possible to have more slack on the top of the chain but if I move it around one tooth most of the slack moves to the bottom where's the best position for the slack?"
After further questioning it became apparent to me that he was deadly serious. It's lucky I guess, that he's only in charge of 180mph bike now rather than a 190mph bike!!!!!!
Bradders - Dyno Speed Developments
Gossip Comment: -
Not a Hireabusa owner was it?
Date: 20th July 2000
Headline: Not very funny.......
Dear Gossip,
The major limiting factor in FB, over and above anything else, is the requirement for stock cases. This is good, because we all know what the limits are. This is also a bad, because anyone who finds out how to make horsepower can't use it anyway because the engine will explode.
Stock air-cooled Japanese cases are beginning to get somewhat rare. To accept "approved aftermarket cases" is only sensible given that situation. The economic realities of racing in the UK, however, means that we need to keep a level playing field for folks running "traditional" FBs and "top-fuel-style" FBs (TFSFBs). A minimum weight for TFSFBs would allow for some "levelling".
We should NOT follow Prostar rules verbatim without debating the potential effects on the sport in the UK, yet we must also find a way to allow some form of progression.
I back Martin's statement that building a new TFSFB from scratch is not an exhorbitantly expensive exercise. The overall cost of the two styles of bike will not vary greatly if you are building a "state of the art" traditional FB. The good thing about the traditional FB, though, is that you don't need to start from scratch. Any modern superstreet bike with a big tyre chassis and wheelie bars will be competitive in Funnybike almost straight away.
What happens if we change to TFSFBs and up the ante by, oh, another half a second?
Answer: we kill off most peoples desire to progress up the classes.
The apparent demise of Competition Bike has left one of the steps out of the ladder. Any change to FB rules cannot be made in isolation of this fact.
Chris Hall - Funnybike rider / owner
Gossip Comment: -
It is in no - one's interest to change the rules without debate amongst those most affected by any rule changes, be it rider, owner, crew chief, track operator, organising club or sanctioning body. Unfortunately, most of the `above' when given opportunity to contribute to debate have neglected to do so until rules have been changed. That is exactly why we are giving people an `easy' route to debate through these pages. We urge anyone with any contribution to make to rule changes, either with class definitions, safety regulations, competition structures etc. to do so through this page in order that valued discussion can take place before representations are made to the `rulemakers'.
Date: 20th July 2000
Headline: Traction in Drachten?
Dear "Gossip",
To prevent possible confusion about the traction at Drachten, I would like to contribute the following: -
In my opinion, the traction in Drachten is normally very good with it's new layer of asphalt that it received last year. A month ago, we had a "test & tune" weekend on a "low budget" prepared surface and Rob van Geffen managed to run a 4.5 sec pass. I think that shows the potential of the track. Bear in mind that Drachten is not a permanent race track!
It is only since this year that we have had the possibility to organise three events during the season. While the sun still stays away in the Northern part of Europe, the weather over the past weekend was....uh well...lots of rain showers! It was only on Saturday afternoon that the quicker / faster bikes were able to make their first pass. When I look at our own bike, we are very happy with the 4.8 pass (we still have the track record of 4.3) giving that it was our very first pass of the year. With only the new fuel system & clutch setup on the bike, it looks suprisingly good (I think it's a whole different bike already).
For Sunday the weather predictions for the Drachten area should have been better than Saturday. However it was worse than Saturday with light drizzle & rain showers during most of the day. Despite this, there was a quite good turnout of spectators. In the late afternoon "we" (Roel Koedam, Rob van Geffen, Ton Pels, Willem Been & Joey Bon) did a burn out on the track to give the spectators at least something. The crowd loved it.!
Another approval of the traction at Drachten is that the Super Twin Top Gas rider Job Heezen managed to lay down a brilliant new record of 5.1 sec.!!
Luckily, we have one more event at Drachten in August, so let's hope that the weather gods are with us for once.
Marius van der Zijden / Koedam Racing Holland
Date: 19th July 2000
Headline: He ain't heavy, he's my dad?
Shaun Branch has asked us to correct the typo describing him as Dave Branch's brother and pointing out that he is, in fact, his Dad.
Gossip are happy to correct their mistake, but would like to add that they thought that in the part of the Cajunesque country where Wheatley resides, that it's probably one and the same thing......
Date: 19th July 2000
Headline: I hope you've paid your funny bill............
Yes, sorry I misread the comments in Gossip. In my opinion, the Funnybike rules should be left alone at present, the concept should be based around a stock engine. We need to encourage racers in to Competition and Funnybike, but if they see Puma cases etc., I think it will put a lot of people off for financial reasons and lack of knowledge. For instance if you want to run a stock transmission for a while before you can afford something better, under the current rules you can. There is no compromise like that with Puma cases. Martin is in an unfortunate position if the Competition class if not going to be run next year, so as Steve suggested, open up the Top Fuel bike rules to allow Martin to run with them. I know this is the view of Branch senior as well.
Shaun Branch
Date: 19th July 2000
Headline: I'm not touching your mate.........
My comment about 6 cylinder bikes was not meant to offend Barry, or anyone else. I was just trying to highlight another problem with the ACU rules if the Competition Bike class is deleted. In the year 2000 ACU rule book it states that Funny Bike is a class for 4 cylinder motorcycles and that nitro burning twins are also allowed in the class. Therefore, according to the rule book, bikes with 6 cylinders should not be allowed in the Funnybike class. As Barry has been allocated an FB number, and has raced this year at an ACU event, this quirk in the rules must have been overlooked.
All the best, Martin Peck.
Gossip comment:
Martin is correct in that the wording for the rules appears to exclude any bikes with neither two or four cylinders. However, this was an unseen mistake when lifting part of the wording from the Prostar rules. It is well known within the ACU that this is a mistake, and the wording is to be changed for 2001. The ACU issued special dispensation (supplementary rules) to allow machines with any number of cylinders to be included.
Date: 19th July 2000
Headline: Funny rules, Competition rules
I appreciate that Competition Bikes are few this year and not as fast as previous years. However, surely we need a class like this for beginners to come into the sport. My son is at present building a bike to race next year (750 Suzuki on carbs) and going straight into Funnybike is rather a large step! Not everyone can afford or wants to spend upwards of £20,000 on building a dragbike. At present my Comp Bike has only cost £4,000 and although it has only run a 9.9 sec. quarter, I have great fun racing it. Is that not what its all about??
Barry Holland
Date: 19th July 2000
Headline: Funny rules......
Shaun Branch, Funnybike rider and brother of Dave Branch, builder of the new machine that Martin Peck plans to debut this year wrote: -
"I agree with both Steve French and Martin Peck.
A traditional funnybike is out of many racers reach financially, so to suggest every one would rush out and build Top Fuel based funnybikes if the rules were changed is ludicrous.
How many racers regularly break cases and transmissions through horsepower? Not many, isn't one of the limiting factors traction anyway, so is there justification for stronger F/B bottom ends in the U.K.? There is plenty of room for progress without.
We are hoping to develop (this winter possibly) a heavy duty top case for Suzuki as this seems to be one of the weakest links at present. Why only Suzuki and why only the top case? Because we run Suzuki, nobody appears to have broken a Suzuki bottom case consistently), it more than halves the problems of designing a whole new engine and it will keep the cost down for those wanting to purchase. The other benefit is that they will fit in to stock engine mount positions so no mods and certainly a new frame would not be required. Then possibly in a few years if the market dictates the bottom case can be replaced as well, maybe a 1 piece crank can be incorporated too.
The possibilities are endless, but for now the cost and complexity of any H/D items have to be kept down both for the manufacturer to stand any chance of selling them and for the purchaser to stand any chance of affording them.
Remember its only a hobby! P.S. Martin....tell Annie I think £17,000 is a real bargain to build a new bike like yours!"
Gossip's comments in reference to this mail are:-
If there are no case breakages as stated, then why is Dave planning to make a replacement one?
We are unclear on your position in agreeing with both Steve and Martin as they are conflicting views?
The main thrust of Martins argument, and those from the US, are that anyone planning on building a NEW Funnybike, would find it cheaper to build a Puma and Bentec based one with low running maintainence than a `traditional' one with high parts attrition (OE boxes, cranks etc.).
Date: 18th July 2000
Headline: Drachten's traction
Gossip heard from Monique Pels that due to traction problems at Drachten, only one qualifier was run on Saturday for the Competition Bike and Nitro Twin classes, and demo's of long smokey burnouts for the crowds on Sunday. Only Topgas raced on Sunday, along with the Street classes (Topgas final was not run due to rain). We even understand that Ton resorted to burnouts in the rain (what a show off!).
Date: 17th July 2000
Headline: Want to race at the Prostar World Finals?
We are still trying to assemble a big enough group of riders to share the costs of a container to travel to the Prostar World Finals in November. So far we do not have enough participants to make sense of the trip, and if we do not get any more then the trip may be off. The plan is for the container will be loaded in the Heathrow area of West London on on the 14th of October (one week after the last ACU Round of the year). If there are eight riders then the cost will be £785 each with ALL cots included, including insurance, carnet costs etc. Anyone wishing to travel should notify us of their intent and arrange to pay their money by the 25th AUGUST LATEST. Should anyone wish to secure their place on the trip, then please contact Brian Johnson on + 44 (0) 1344 625182, mobile + 44 (0) 370 425441, or e mail him on brian.j@btinternet.com. Remember, first come first served!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: 17th July 2000
Headline: Leave my mate alone!
Fuel Bike pilot and protector of those less fortunate than us, Brian Johnson, has replied to a comment made by Martin Peck in an earlier post: -
"Who allowed you to announce that only 4 cylinders are the correct number for any bike? If I was running a CBX Funnybike as a friend (sic) of mine does, I'd be trying to make your proboscis leak!!!"
Date: 17th July 2000
Headline: Jim McClure runs personal best (6.492!)
Jim McClure, Williamsburg, Va. is getting it together. McClure ran his personal best at the Car Quest Empire Nationals IHRA Screamin' Eagle Nitro Harley competition in Leicester, NY.
McClure's first pass was nothing to write home about, but round 2 McClure ran a 6.588 and his last qualifying pass was good enough to take the #1 Qualifier money from Red Line Synthetic Oil with a personal best at 6.492 ET.
In round one of eliminations, McClure took out Jack Romine riding the Windy City Nitro entry from Chicago, Il. Despite running very consistently, McClure fell in the semi's to reigning point's leader, Jay Turner, Team Bulldog, Richmond, Va. in one of the closest passes of the day. Turner edged McClure on the lights with a .425 over McClure's .469.
McClure is supported on his national tour by Rivera Engineering, Primo Products, Red Line Synthetic Oil, ACCEL, Hampton Roads HD, Southside HD, F & S HD, S & S Cycle, Inc, Performance Machine, Axtell, Autolite & Vanson Leathers.
Date: 17th July 2000
Headline: Doug Vancil press release
Doug Vancil, Albuquerque, NM is back on track at Car Quest Empire National's IHRA Screamin' Eagle Nitro Harley Series. After "nothing went right" at Cordova, Il. Vancil qualified #7 at Leicester, NY with a 6.746 ET at 203.29 mph. Vancil took the win in round one over Steve Stordeur, hired gun for Mancuso Harley -Davidson, Houston, Tx. with a 0.495, 6.722 ET at 207.27 mph winning for the Vance & Hines/Drag Specialties bike.
Vancil advanced to the final by defeating Mike Romine, Chromatic Racing, Cleveland, Oh. Winning with a 0.552 6.626 ET at 203.34 mph, Vancil earned lane choice over Jay Turner for the final.
But read 'em and weep, Turner 0.434, 6.637 ET at 209.01 mph Vancil 0.497, 6.596 ET at 207.08, the final was the best side by side of the meet, Turner took the light and at the big end, Vancil was runner up this week. The Vancils are proudly supported by Vance & Hines, Drag Specialties, Performance Machine, K & N, PJ 1, B & J Transmission, & Axtell.
Date: 17th July 2000
Headline: Anyone got a B&J Sprag ?
Dutch Fuel Bike rider Henk Geeve (Big Red Puma) sends out an urgent plea: -
"I´m looking urgently for a sprag from a B&j 2 Speed gearbox, it broke at Drachten this weekend and we want to keep racing. If somebody has one spare please contact me : -
E-mail: hgtrad@globalxs.nl
Thanks, Henk.
Date: 16th July 2000
Headline: Angelle wins
Star Racing's Angelle Seeling won Prostock Bike at the 22nd annual Mopar Parts Mile-High Nationals in Denver yesterday, beating the redlighting hometown favourite Matt Hines in the process: -
(W) Angelle Seeling (Team Winston Suzuki GSXR), 0.441, 7.732 173.21
(L) Matt Hines (Eagle One Suzuki GSXR), 0.393(R), 7.652 173.61
Date: 16th July 2000
Headline: Pitea's the pits!
Unfortunately,it seems that Pitea has suffered `the English disease' with the Midnight Nationals being rained off.
Date: 16th July 2000
Headline: Dances Drachten!
We just heard that Graham Dance won the Superstreet class at the Drachten Nationals, Holland today, setting a new track record in the process. It seems that Len Pagets magic fingers have been at work again!
Date: 16th July 2000
Headline: Peck's debut
Following on from the debate over new Funnybike class rules, Martin Peck has confirmed that he is to debut his new Branch Puma machine at the annual Hells Angels event, the Bulldog Bash at Shakespeare Count Raceway on the 12th and 13th of August.
Date: 15th July 2000
Headline: Funny rules - reply # 2
Ex Funnybike racer, Martin Peck, has sent his comments regarding the debate on the possible new Funnybike rules: -
"My comments about possible changes to rules are as follows:-
1. Costs.
After nearly 3 years my new dragbike is now complete. As my job is a Finance Manager for a local Council in central London, I could not resist the temptation to keep accurate records of the costs of building the bike. The total cost of all the parts was less than £17,000. My wife tells me that this is a lot of money, but if you build a traditional ProMod / Funny bike from scratch you could quite easily exceed this figure. For example of costs, Puma cases / crank / studs / nuts & rods £2,872, slider clutch / prime drive complete £900, 3 speed Bentec / Branch gearbox £2,300.
2. Weight.
Puma cases, planetary gearbox, Harley type slider clutch, all weigh a fair bit more than normal engine parts. I have also gone for dry sump, which needs an oil tank, 3 oil pumps, external oil filter and approx 6lbs of Goodridge hoses. This all means that to have a "heavy duty" bottom end, the bike weighs in at approx. 50lbs heavier than using standard cases (it weighs 550lbs rather than the 500lbs that my last bike weighed). You therefore need to be able to step up horsepower by at least 30bhp to compensate (where is that 2mm nitrous jet drill?)
3.Chassis design.
I do not think that it would be very easy to convert a current Funnybike to use Puma cases etc, as all the parts are so big. It therefore really requires starting from scratch. I have built two dragbikes before, each one took less than 12 months to complete. My new bike has taken much longer because it is more complicated. You end up almost designing your own engine and building the chassis around it (many thanks go to Dave Branch for doing this for me). It is definitely not a case of waitng for the postman to arrive and then bolting your engine together. You end up having to make countless bits for yourself.
4.Why.
The reason why I built the bike is to hopefully reduce breakages and reduce maintenance. In my last two dragbikes I used an Orient Express 3 speed auto gearbox, this cost £1,500 (plus nat), but over the course of a few years I spent a further £2,000 + on repairs to it. The Bentec gearbox internals in my new bike will be more reliable, and if I ever need to, I can shut off without hurting the gearbox. If every British racer put their broken cranks and cases from the last few years together I am sure that we could build a very large pile! Of couse the Americans could build a much bigger one. My new bike has clutch plates supplied by Bill Furr. When I asked him how long would they would last, he laughed, and said that they will not need changing for years and years (they look like thay are made from concrete).
5. Rules / Classes.
If anyone else is contemplating building a bike similar to mine, I think it would be wise to wait and see if the class rules will be clarified. When I started building the bike there were lots of people competing regularly in Comp Bike. My new bike is only legal in this class, but this season the Comp Bike class appears to have gone, as all the riders have gone into Funnybike. The position that I am in now is that I have spent 3 years, and a lot of my spare money on a bike that I am not sure if I can race. There are quite a few more bikes already in existence that will not be raced again if the Comp Bike class is deleted, without the rules for other classes being ammended to allow them to race. My new bike looks more like a Funnybike than many currently racing in the class (it has a modified copy of Neil Midgley's bodywork, a headlamp, mudguard etc.). It even has the correct number of cylinders (not 6!).
Date: 15th July 2000
Headline: Schultz? - surely not!
Prostock Bike legend, Dave Schultz, has reportedly been caught with isoprene in his fuel during a recent NHRA fuel check. It seems that the NHRA have recently improved their test methods, and this substance may have been harder to detect in the pass. However, so far Dave has not commented, adding fuel to the `did he, didn't he debate'.
Date: 15th July 2000
Headline: Schultz caught red handed?
Date: 12th July 2000
Headline: Records
Due to the number of comments we have received over the last few weeks, it would appear that there is some confusion regarding to actually what constitutes a Championship Record, both British and European.
To clarify, all ACU / UK and FIM /UEM records are only established when the actual rider runs two passes at the same meeting on the same machine in the same class within 1% of each other. If they are not within 1%, but the slower time (or speed) still exceeds the existing record, then the faster time (or speed) will back up the slower, and a new record will be set.
Official European Records can only be set at an FIM / UEM European meeting, in any country, run under FIM / UEM rules and with people from those bodies officiating. British records can only be set at a round of the ACU / UK Championship run under ACU rules and with their accredited people officiating. Therefore, a National record, even if faster than an existing European record, will remain only a National record. Conversly, a European record will not replace the existing National record of that particular country.
Examples of this are that Dave Beck's PSB British record et is quicker than Roger Petersson's European one, and Roger's mph record, set in England, is just a European record and does not replace Dave Becks British record.
Similarly, Brian Johnson's new British TF record et that recently offset Peter Svensson's mark set a few years ago, does not replace his own European record.
We hope this clarifies the situation regarding record setting!
Date: 11th July 2000
Headline: Ken's plea
The UK's Great White Hope for the FIM Competition Bike crown, Ken Cooper, has let us know his plans to compete in both the Sweden and Norway FIM/UEM rounds. After the news that both Paul Willis and Richard Gipp will be unable to attend, it seems that Ken will be the only Brit flying the flag. He explains that he is to take a ferry from Harwich to Esberg (Denmark), and then driving to Mantorp (Sweden). However, the ferries are all fully booked for the return journey, and so it seems he will need to drive all the way from Sweden to catch a Calais - Dover ferry!
He has high hopes after a good showing at the first round at Santa Pod, and as his bike performs well over the eighth, Sweden looks good for him. It will also allow him to dial in the bike for Norway.
This is not a cheap trip, and the famous Cooper bottomless wallet is almost broken after building a spare engine. He appeals for anyone that can support him on his endeavors by way of diesel, the use of a diesel card, supply of race fuel (C16), ferry costs, maps, insurance, AA cover, route suggestions etc. it would be very gratefully appreciated.
Date: 10th July 2000
Headline: New Funnybike
Stuart Chamberlain (of Team Predator Racing) has unveiled his new Funnybike that he hopes will hit the strip later this year. It was one of the last chassis that UK frame legend John Clift ever made, and was originally commissioned by ex - Superstreet Bike racer Tony Kershaw who sold it unfinished to make way for the (also unfinished) Alan Jeffries conceived Top Fuel Bike. View the bike at:-
http://www.teampredatorracing.freeserve.co.uk/newfunny.jpg
Date: 10th July 2000
Headline: Funny rules ?
ProMod / Funnybike rider Steve French replies to the suggestion mooted by Prostar for new Funnybike rules:-
"Until we can field 16 plus bikes in the class for an entire season, and we start getting complaints that we need billet this and planetary that, we should leave the rules alone. As for being unable to increase the power or step up the nitrous unless we are able to use these after-market cases etc, it’s the restriction of stock cases that keep the sport in the UK affordable. If we took a poll of how many of the bikes have a sponsor with enough cash to up-rate the bike to billet, I think you would only need one hand to count them. I Understand that perhaps we should keep our rules in harmony with the US so that bikes built over there can race over here. However, our rules have been close enough for long enough to allow that. How many have ? As a note why don’t we remove the "nitro only" rule for Top Fuel as this would allow Martin (Peck) to race with them."
Date: 8th July 2000
Headline: Richard can't come out to play
Following on from the news that the UK hope for the European Prostock title, Paul Willis, will be unable to attend the FIM rounds in Sweden and Norway, Richard Gipp has just contacted us with the sad news that he too will be unable to fly the flag for Britain due to incompatible ferry times / work schedules.
Date: 8th July 2000
Headline: New Funnybike rules?
There has recently been a lot of discussion at Prostar regarding changing the rules for Funnybike. Since Funnybike was divided into the ProMod class and the residual, the Funnybikes have made very slow progress. The reasons for this could be many, but it still comes down to the fact that standard crankcases are a limiting factor to engine performance. In addition, the Top Fuel Twins have been divorced from the class in the US, and the Top Fuel Bikes proper have been struggling for competitors. The basic thrust of the proposed new FB rules is that aftermarket cases could be used, alongside planetary (e.g B&J) type gearboxes. This would allow people to step up power through higher boost, nitrous etc. It would be a cheaper format to run in the long term as breakage should be minimised, and the cost of a competitive package will be less than the conventional format (cheaper unburstable planetary than Orient 3 spd, £2500 - 3000 for a complete Puma case / billet crankshaft setup). It could also be a stepping stone to Top Fuel, and would make the Funnybikes more competitive with the Nitro Twins. What do you thin? send us your views and we will publish them (or let us know if you do not want them to be). We will also consider the proposals with a view to adopting them for the ACU / UK Championship. Interestingly, we already have a bike that meets the profile that has yet to meet the track. Martin Peck has built such a machine, with Puma cases, planetary box, large capacity, and huge amounts of nitrous.
Date: 6th July 2000
Headline: Streetfighter Steve......
The UK's most wealthy Top Fuel Bike rider Steve Woollatt is the subject of an excellent feature in the August edition of Streetfighters magazine. Running to a few pages and in full colour, the magazine goes into much more detail on dragracing than is normally reserved for the sport. Ex - Team Manager Kevin Wilson also features in the article (before getting his P45 from Steve due to artistic differences) and the article was penned by no other than Watford's Silver Fox and Crew Chief for Woollatt Racing, Chris Powell. Well done to the team for continuing to raise the profile of motorcycle dragracing in Europe.
Date: 6th July 2000
Headline: Records tumble at Cannonball
Now the times are in and have been checked, we can confirm new records for both Graham Dance in Superstreet and Brian Johnson in Top Fuel. Graham ran a stunning backed up 8.161 secs, whilst Brian broke his own mph record by running a backed up 217.09 mph, and although he ran a 6.240, he failed to back it up within 1 % and so the slower time of 6.308 secs was backed up by the quicker. Congratulations to both riders on their sublime performances.
Date: 5th July 2000
Headline: McClure Runner Up at Columbus with Top MPH
Jim McClure, Williamsburg, Va. didn't want the ADBA Columbus, Oh. race to end the way it did, but he did go home with the Top MPH award at 211.0 mph and runner up. This was a great way to prepare for next weekend's, IHRA Screamin' Eagle Nitro Harley competition in Leicester, NY. Unfortunately, McClure had problem in staging and could not make the call for the final round against Bill Furr, Orangeburg, SC. However, the runner up position was good enough to move McClure substantially up in the ADBA Top Fuel points challenge.
McClure is supported on his national tour by Rivera Engineering, Primo Products, Red Line Synthetic Oil, ACCEL, Hampton Roads HD, Southside HD, F & S HD, S & S Cycle, Inc, Performance Machine, Axtell, Autolite & Vanson Leathers.
www.jimmcclureracing.com
Date: 5th July 2000
Headline: Second European Superstreet bike in the sevens?
Kai Selkamaa from Finland contacted us to report that he ran a personal best of 8.085 secs @ 293,91 KMH at the FIA/FIM Round in Finland. He plans to be the second person in Europe to run a seven second pass on a Superstreet bike after Robert Karlsson who ran a stunning 7,97 secs @ 297 KMH in 1995.
Gossip are unsure if the Finnish Superstreet bikes run to the same class regulations as the British bikes, and are seeking further clarification.
Date: 4th July 2000
Headline: Dance does it again
Once again, UK Super Street Bike racer Graham Dance was in devastating form over the Cannonball weekend setting a new ACU/UK record of 8.161 to reset his earlier mark of 8.210.
Graham plans to race in the European Superstreet Bike Series class at Drachten, Holland, the weekend after next.
Rumours abounded in the pits that the new record was heavily influenced by the expert hand of Prostock rider Len Paget and his tuning expertise.
Date: 4th July 2000
Headline: Chris Hampson
At last weekends Cannonball meeting at Santa Pod, a whopping £3350 was raised to go to Chris' longtime partner Jan.
Graham Whitehead spent most of the weekend raffling a large framed photograph of Chris on Phil Baimbridges bike in full flight.
In addition, Carole Ismail and Natalie Grief spent their time walking the crowds with a collection bucket, whilst Steve Johnson, Mike Ismail, Yvonne, Spnecer and Kerry Tramm had their hands full counting and putting the money collected into bags.
The fantastic response to the collection and raffle by the racers and general public, coupled with the remarkable efforts of all those mentioned (in particular Graham Whitehead) is very much appreciated by all his family and friends and just goes to show that the dragracing community is so much more than just an average group of people with similar interests.
Date: 4th July 2000
Headline: Larry McBride press release
Larry McBride, Newport News, Va. took the winning light at Chicago, Il. Though the numbers weren't there this time for McBride's 1,000 horsepower Kawasaki/Puma Top Fueler, the win at the AMA/Prostar Trim-Tex Street Fighter Nationals was just as sweet. McBride said, " I wish we could have run a little stronger but today just wasn't the day. Trim Tex is a major supporter of our racing effort. It feels great to win for them at their Trim-Tex Street Fighter Nationals. " McBride in a classic "import vs. Nitro Harley" match up for the final at Route 66 paired up against Trevor "The Snake" Lent, Mt. Olive, NC. Though Lent left the light well, McBride powered around the V Twin with a 6.892 ET for the win.
McBride will be appearing in the near future at:-
August 11-13 AMA/Prostar Indy Raceway Park, Indianapolis, In.
August 30-Sep 4 NHRA Indy Raceway Park, Indianapolis, In.
Sept. 28-Oct 1 NHRA Heartland Park, Topeka, Ks.
Larry McBride proudly represents Pingel Enterprise, Red Line Synthetic Oil Corp., Trim-Tex, Drag Specialties, Muzzy's Performance, Kibblewhite Precision Machine, HPC, Kawasaki USA and Web-Cam on his Tour 2000.
Product sponsors assisting Larry McBride Racing include Vanson Leathers, Performance Machine, Belt Drives, Ltd., Street & Competition, Dayco Belts, Trac Dynamics, Simpson Race Products, Nitrous Express, APE, Arias, R & D Springs, Autolite, EK Chain, MSD, Clevite Engine Parts, Protect All, Whipple Industries, Cometic Gaskets, TSP, Carolina Cycle.
Date: 3rd July 2000
Headline: King Racing Team Report
The King Racing Top Fuel Bike Team had a poor showing at the Santa Pod Cannonball meeting, with a succession of gremlins that ended in a failure to make their semi final appointment with Steve Woollatt. A mysterious fuel related problem was exacerbated by the poor air conditions during qualifying. Further experiments with clutch settings (as a new 3 plate system is being trialled) failed to translate into good performances, the tyre shaking pass in the second qualifier being testament to that. On the third qualifier (scheduled for the morning of eliminations), King chose to make another pass immediately after the observation of a minute's silence in memory of Chris Hampson. Despite an excellent launch, with a 60 foot to equal it's best ever, the Active Eight Networks Puma broke a primary drive and subsequently a blower belt, inflicting some bodywork damage. Lack of a spare blower belt meant early baths for the King Racing Team. Their next outing is the Super Series 3 meeting at Avon Park on July 29th and 30th where they hope to build on the progress made by Crew Chief Michael Beaumont on the machine's performance.
Date: 3rd July 2000
Headline: Bo knows.........dragracing?
Sweden's Bo Thorselius is the winner of our latest `Mystery Man' picture competition: -
http://www.dragbikes.ndirect.co.uk/images/contest/mysteryman.jpg
Despite a bumper inbox of entries, only he correctly identified the man and machine:
"Good to see a 2-stroke bike! The mystery man is Paul Gast on his first "real" drag bike, a Kawasaki H1 500 triple, on which he had a very bad crash. It does not look safe by today's standards.
Best regards Bo ( Kaw H2 nitrous Pro Stock bike )."
Date: 3rd July 2000
Headline: Prostar Chicago
The UK’s Dave Beck progressed to the quarter finals of ProMod bike at the Prostar meet this weekend, before losing out to Tom Miceli. Despite cutting a better light, Miceli rode around him to move into the semis : -
W: Tom Miceli, Brooklyn, NY, Suzuki, .476, 6.932, 191.81
L: Dave Beck, Clearwater, FL, Suzuki, .459, 7.043, 187.18
The Top Fuel class sported some Nitro Harleys for the first time in a while, with both Bob Spina and Trevor Lent taking the field. The Top Fuelers were well off record pace, with Larry "Spiderman" McBride going 6.832 to beat Trevor Lent on the Copperhead Racing Harley-Davidson. Lent used consistency to get to the final, but didn’t have enough steam for the McBride brothers. It was a classic Harley/Import battle.
Information courtesy of Marty Kane
Date: 2nd July 2000
Headline: Smith wins Atlanta in Chicago!
Although not a Chicago elimination, Tommy Smith won the rain-delayed Atlanta Top Fuel final. It was bound to be a first time win for either finalist, as Smith and Norbert Kutzera were the surprise contenders for the title. Chris Hand and Larry “Spiderman” McBride both boiled their tires in the opening round, opening the door to the final for the “little guys.” Like Atlanta, Hand qualified #1 in Chicago. His 6.443 bested Dan Butters’ 6.756. McBride suffered a number of problems, including popping off a blower, and could only manage an 8.090 at 200.26 mph.
Courtesy Tim Hailey, Dragbike.com
Date: 29th June 2000
Headline: A minutes silence......
Santa Pod Racers Club have asked us to pass on this message to all those who will be in attendance at the Cannonball meeting at Santa Pod, England, this Sunday: -
"Please note that on Sunday 2nd July 2000, at exactly 12.00 noon, there will one minute silence in rememberance of the Top Fuel Bike Rider, Chris Hampson.
As a mark of respect, under NO circumstances must there be ANY engines running during this time. We would appreciate your co - operation and would like to invite any rider, driver or crew members to join us on the startline at 12 o'clock.
Thank you."
Date: 29th June 2000
Headline: Price Coils with Cobras and Prepares for Canadian Road Trip
Ray Price, Raleigh, NC is pleased to announce a marketing alliance with the Carolina Cobras, Raleigh's arena football team. Price will carry the Carolina Cobra logo on his Nitro Harley Drag bike for the remainder of the 2000 race season. Additionally, part of the Ray Price Racing / Cobra agreement includes the usage of four 2,000 model Harley Davidson's used in the pre game activities at all local Cobra arena football games. As Price and the Cobra's join forces, Ray Price Racing is preparing for another joint venture, promoting North Carolina the largest "out of the Country" 4th of July celebration. The Honorable Gordon D. Giffin, U. S. Ambassador to Canada, has invited North Carolina to be the host state for the 4th of July party at the U. S. Ambassador's Residence, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, this year. Governor James Hunt and Price will be hobnobbing with embassy officials in Ottawa. The Honorable James B. Hunt, Jr., Governor, will be there for the event and also in Canada during the same week as part of a business, tourism, education, technology and cultural exchange. Diplomats and embassy key staff from over 110 counties are invited to this event as well as members of the Canadian Parliament and business leaders throughout Canada. However, one of the highlights of that week's activities will be Ray Price Racing. Price will entertain the guests by firing up his 600 horsepower nitro Harley Davidson at the lawn party actually held on July 4th at the Ambassador's residence, a 13-acre estate about 12 minutes from downtown Ottawa. Over 4,500 guests are expected to attend the event. Ray Price Racing is supported by Ray Price Harley Davidson, Raleigh HOG, S & S Cycle, Power Arc Ignition Co., Ultra Pro Machining, JIMS, Royal Purple Synthetic Motor Oil, Shumaker Racing, Performance Machine, Barnett Tool & Engineering, Vanson's, Carolina Cobras, and Wilder's Inc
Date: 28th June 2000
Headline: Mantorp gets chopped!
Well not completely, but we have just been informed that the forthcoming FIM Round in Sweden will be run over an eighth of a mile following concerns for the bikes with it's somewhat short runoff.
Date: 28th June 2000
Headline: Dyno Speed Developments new toy.......
DSD are pleased to announce that they have now finished the installation a new Dynojet 250 upgrade to their dyno. This allows fuel injected bikes to be set up to perfection. Using the brake facility the FI bikes can now be adjusted from 0 to 100% throttle settings at 500rpm intervals when using the Power commander modules. Alternatively a new map can be 'built' from scratch with bespoke fuel injection units. All of these concepts were previously not possible using the inertia dyno of old.
Date: 27th June 2000
Headline: Juha Hillman News
Gossip just received this news from Finland's Juha Hillman : -
"We've had some plans (wishes?) for the future to race in Top Fuel Bike. As somebody may remember Juha Hillman won the European Championship in 1990 with his ex-Terry Kizer Suzuki Funny Bike. After the heartbreaking very sad news regarding our good friend, Chris Hampson, we made a change in our plans. Two weeks ago we wiped the dust from the Funny Bike, drove around Finland to get the old (and some new) parts from our garage, made or bought some new ones, and worked 10 days to get it all in shape and race ready. On the 24th and 25th of June at the Drag & Rock Festival in Motopark (where Chris also had been racing in the early 90's) we started the old Suzuki's turbo / NOS - engine and raced for the memory of Chris. The Finnish Championship race was raced in the combined Super Twin TF, FB & Top Fuel Bike -class. We didn't win, but we finished runner up after Jaska Salakari (7.27 secs @ 197 mph) and got the Funny Bike flying as we had planned. The change to our plans, which I earlier mentioned, was to have "Old Betsy" ( the Suzuki Funny Bike which has been beaten by Chris and sometimes also beating him) again at the track before selling it. The change was not stopping our plans (or wishes?) regarding Top Fuel Bike.
Asko Maatta, Crew Chief - Hillman Racing FINLAND
P.S. We are sure Chris can't be in hell, 'cause he experienced "the hell" here in Finland at Juha's summer cottage. He bathed with Juha in the Finnish Sauna and that must have been one of his most remarkable memories from Finland, mainly because only few of our fellow countrymen can stand a sauna with Juha (temperatures over 120 degrees Celsius and 100 % humidity).
P.P.S. Juha's Suzuki is for sale (either immediately or a little bit less money later in the season at Santa Pod in September). The bike has been and is capable going low sevens / high sixes: the best performance is: 1/4 mile 6,98 secs / 317,48 kph (197 mph) and 1/8 mile 4,48 secs / 285,07 kph (177 mph)."
Date: 27th June 2000
Headline: Mystery Man
Following on with the success of our past mystery photo competitions, we've got another to tax your brains, courtesy of BJ
http://www.dragbikes.ndirect.co.uk/images/contest/mysteryman.jpg
Check out the cool shades!
Date: 24th June 2000
Headline: Latest ACU Points
We've now posted the latest points standings in our ACU Championship section.
Date: 24th June 2000
Headline: Beck off to Chicago
UK Prostock rider Dave Beck leaves for Chicago next week for his last ride on the current MRE Promod bike before Dave Holland takes delivery of it. It's possible that the MRE Team may temporarily run in Funnybike on their next bike whilst shaking down, giving them more track time before resuming in Promod (the bump spot is currently generally lower in Prostar Funnybike). Gossip would like to wish Dave well for Chicago after his recent run of bad luck.
Date: 24th June 2000
Headline: Beck off to Chicago
UK Prostock rider Dave Beck leaves for Chicago next week for his last ride on the current MRE Promod bike before Dave Holland takes delivery of it. It's possible that the MRE Team may temporarily run in Funnybike on their next bike whilst shaking down, giving them more track time before resuming in Promod (the bump spot is currently generally lower in Prostar Funnybike). Gossip would like to wish Dave well for Chicago after his recent run of bad luck.
Date: 23rd June 2000
Headline: Koedam Racing Holland News
Marius van der Zijden, Crew Chief for Koedam Racing Top Fuel, Holland, sends us an update on his team: -
"It has been a while since we made some noise. At the beginning of this season we planned to bring the bike out only when all the changes would be ready. During the first months it looked like all was going according to plan. However as the months passes by the process seems to slow down more and more. Though most of the (many) new parts are only an inch away from being ready, we now seem to suffer setback after setback. Some of them consider severe delivery delays of small parts like an oil filter or special cylinder head nuts. Also a major setback happened when one of our team members and main CNC machinist was out of the running for a few weeks suffering from a double pneumonia. Luckily he is OK again and just back to work. All in all despite everybody’s endless efforts, things are not going as we had in mind. Only a couple of days ago when the (“one off”) cams were delivered, we had to discover that the intake cam was made wrong due to some misunderstanding. This means another setback of at least a few weeks. It is at this point that we had to make a difficult decision. We decided to mount back the “old” cylinder head and supercharger on the bike again for the time being and see from there on. We think that we owe this to our supporters and sponsors. In the meantime the work on the new parts will continue. At the same time it will already give us the opportunity to test the new clutch set-up and the new timer system for the clutch- and fuel system.
The European Championship has only seen two rounds so far. At the first round in England our main opponent (Eric Teboul, France) didn’t score any points when he destroyed his engine in the first burnout. For the second round in Finland, none of our opponents showed up. It means that we will pick up the season from here on and also that we have a good chance to gather some points for the championship (with or without the new billet head).
So our first showing of this year will be at our National event in Drachten / Holland. From there on we plan to attend Mantorp Park / Sweden, Gardermoen / Norway, Hockenheim / Germany and finally Santa Pod / England to finish of the season. When the circumstances requires testing of new parts, we might squeeze in a test & tune session.
We will keep you updated on our progress!"
Date: 22nd June 2000
Headline: I really love you I do........
Mark Watkins and the gang at DSD Racing would like to say "well done to Graham Dance for posting the quickest Superstreet time of 8.20 @ 173 m.p.h He rode well all weekend and was so unlucky not to show for the final (due to engine damage) We're sure if Graham had shown for the final I would have had a riding job on my hands (I'm sure I will next time!)"
Date: 20th June 2000
Headline: Oversexed and over here........
Celebrity Chef and part time race shop owner Jay Regan of MRE has confirmed that he will be arriving in London in late July to oversee his Promod bike that is to pass into the posession of `Dutch' Dave. The machine itself will arrive early next month and will be prepped for Dave Beck to race at Super Series 3 prior to hand over. It is hoped that Jay will bring supplies of chewing gum (for Daves young `friends') and nylons (for the dragracing cross dressers) as is custom.
However, rumours that the bike has in fact been in Daves possession since the beginning of the season and that he has been passing it off as a Prostock bike are believed to be unfounded......
Date: 19th June 2000
Headline: BIKE WEEKEND 2000, Sweden
Results for the KVALLISTA SUPER TWIN TOP FUEL Competition at the Bike Weekend as follows: -
Qualifying
1 ANDERS KARLING 4.334 @ 276
2 STEFAN JUNERUD 4.488 @ 254
3 LARS WAHLBERG 4.570 @ 259
4 ULF NYHLÉN 4.866 @ 233
5 PER JERN 4.926 @ 235
6 HÅKAN TALLBERG 5.131 @ 220
7 GREGER JOHANSSON 5.356 @ 198
8 TORBJÖRN SVENSSON 6.717 @ 121
9 KLAS JANSSON 15.138 @ 37
ROUND # 1
ANDERS KARLING 4.484 @ 268 beat TORBJÖRN SVENSSON 6.161 @ 121
ULF NYHLÉN (No show) PER JERN 19.908 @ 23 (Winner)
STEFAN JUNERUD 4.540 @ 236 beat GREGER JOHANSSON (No show)
LARS WAHLBERG 4.560 @ 259 beat HÅKAN TALLBERG (No show)
ROUND # 2
ANDERS KARLING 4.454 @ 276 beat PER JERN (No show)
STEFAN JUNERUD 4.543 @ 240 beat LARS WAHLBERG 4.602 @ 256
FINAL
ANDERS KARLING 4.717 @ 229 (Runner Up) STEFAN JUNERUD 4.708 @ 254 Winner
Best ET: 4.33 secs. - Karling Best TS: 276 kmh -Karling
Date: 19th June 2000
Headline: Price Qualifies at Cordova / Announces Exhibition in Ottawa
Ray Price, Raleigh, NC, made the IHRA Amalie Oil Summer Nationals Screamin Eagle Nitro Harley field on his last qualifying pass at Cordova, Il. with a quick 6.700 ET at 201.70 mph. Price's 6.700 was good enough for 5th spot in the intensely competitive IHRA Nitro Harley field. Unfortunately in round one, Price red lighted against Orangeburg, SC competitor, Bill Furr. But Price won't let a red light slow down his summer program and is pleased to announce confirmation of an exhibition "burn out" at the largest 4th of July Party "outside" the USA. Price has been invited by the NC Restaurant Association to represent North Carolina motorsports at the United States U.S. Ambassador's Residence, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
Date: 19th June 2000
Headline: New Swedish record for Top Fuel SuperTwin
We just heard from Ann - Britt that Anders "Charley" Karling ran 4.33 secs @ 279km during the Bike Weekend in Västerås, Sweden, this weekend. He was also runner up to winner Stefan Juneryd in the final.
"Unfortunately, he couldn´t back the ET up, but he has the new Swedish record for the 1/8th mile now, 4.42 secs @ 276km (172 mph)! So, watch out for Charley at the FIM European Championship round at Mantorp Park at the end of July, I think we´re gonna have a lot of new records over the 1/8th mile (the race will be held over 1/8th mile for safety reasons as far as I know)"
Thanks Ann - Britt, and congratulations to both Charley on his new record and Stefan on the event title.
Date: 19th June 2000
Headline: IHRA, Cordova
After qualifying at number one with an impressive 6.415 @ 214.48, Johnny Mancuso was defeated by his own team member Steve Stordeur in the final of Top Fuel Harley at the 21st Amalie Oil Summer Nationals at Cordova Dragway Park. Mauncuso experienced problems at half track and shut the bike off giving Stordeur the easy win. Mancuso left the weekend with the new speed record at 216.00 mph. Jay Turner holds onto the points lead with 414, Mancuso remains second with 339 points and Stordeur moved into third with 336 points.
Date: 19th June 2000
Headline: Eric Teboul's big amps...........
Although Eric Teboul (France) failed to qualify his Top Fuel bike for the European Championship round at Santa Pod a few weeks ago after suffering some engine carnage in qualifying, he was sporting some all new features including a home brew fuel timer system and a pair of massive 44 amp MSD magnetos (the very same types as used by many Top Fuel cars)!
Date: 19th June 2000
Headline: Richard Gipp suffers from wind
Flatland Prostock rider Richard Gipp suffered from a bout of the wind at Avon Park yesterday when he was blown onto the grass in the shutdown area before taking a tumble. Despite the relatively high speed incident, Richard was unhurt save for some cuts and bruises. We believe his bike to be OK and look forward to seeing him out at the next Championship meeting, the Cannonball at Santa Pod on the 1st and 2nd of July.
Date: 19th June 2000
Headline: Shocking performance......
At the AHDRA event at Bandimere Speedway, Denver Colorado, an electric powered dragbike called the Killocycle backed up a claimed new world record with a 9.74 secs. @ 151mph with Carrie Hogan on board.
Date: 18th June 2000
Headline: Super Series Two final results
Top Fuel Bike: Steve Woollat 6.73/200 def. Ian King 8.21/128
Pro Stock Bike: Paul Willis 7.65/175 def. Chris Hope 7.69/171
Funny Bike: Chris Hannam 7.57/123 def. Paul Knapp 7.84/178
Comp Bike: Barry Holland 9.96/141 was unopposed
Super Street Bike: Mark Watkins 8.53/168 def. Graham Dance did not show
9.90 Bike: Jamie Sneddon 9.93/137 def. Paul Ellingham 9.86/127
10.90 Bike: Mark Pointer 11.02/93 def. Paul Hambridge 10.81/115
Super Twin Fuel: John Williamson 9.03/151 def. Ian Carruthers 9.49/145
Super Twin Gas: Ric Davis 10.59/125 def. Andrew Smith 10.66/123
Super Twin Modified: Lyn Mason-Roe 11.17/127 def. John Combe 11.50/129
Super Twin Street: Steven Piper 10.46/124 def. Quinton Macmorland 11.47/116
Date: 16th June 2000
Headline: Pettersson's new record
Roger Pettersson (Sweden) set a new European Prostock record at the Finland round in Alastaro last weekend with a 7,511 sec et on his Suzuki.
Date: 15th June 2000
Headline: FIM / UEM Championship
The latest points positions are now posted in the FIM Championship section of our site.
Date: 15th June 2000
Headline: Still want to race in the USA in November?
We have now received further details regarding the plans for those people wishing to race in the Prostar World Finals at Gainesville in August.
The container will be loaded in the Heathrow area of West London on on the 14th of October (one week after the last ACU Round of the year). Those wishing to guarantee places are urged to pay the costs of £785 as soon as possible. Those unable to, can gamble by waiting until the cutoff date for monies to be paid. Anyone wishing to travel should arrange to pay their money by the 25th AUGUST LATEST. Only those who pay by then will travel. Those that pay first will get their place on the trip. Should you wish to secure your place in the Team, please contact Brian on + 44 (0) 1344 625182, mobile + 44 (0) 370 425441, or e mail him on brian.j@btinternet.com. Remember, first come first served!
Date: 14th June 2000
Headline: The worst kept secret......
Despite being sworn to secrecy by the rider concerned, Gossip has been told by so many people now that we are sure it is in the public domain, so........ have you heard that ex British Superstreet Bike Champion has seen the error of his ways in not running a slick and wheelie bars to date. In order that he may correct his mistake, he is to move to a Promod bike. Not any old Promod bike either, just the `old nail' that Dave Beck has been campaigning on behalf of Team MRE! We understand that Dutch Dave takes delivery of it at the end of the Prostar season (i.e. after the World Finals in Gainesville. We can't wait to see it turn a wheel in anger over here in the UK Funnybike class (not yet enough Promods to make a class, but quickly getting there).
Date: 13th June 2000
Headline: Doug Vancil press release
Doug Vancil, Albuquerque, NM has received official confirmation of the new IHRA Screamin' Eagle Nitro Harley MPH National record. Vancil set the new record at the IHRA Mopar Parts Canadian Nationals, Grand Bend Motorplex, Grand Bend, Ontario, Canada. Vancil increased the mph record previously secured by Jay Turner, Whistlett, NC. The new IHRA Vance & Hines/Drag Specialties standard is 215.46 mph. And on June 7 while match racing Bob Spina at the Englishtown, NJ's Night of Thrills Show, Vancil ran a 6.59 ET at 206 mph for the new Top Fuel Harley track record.
Date: 13th June 2000
Headline: FIM / UEM Supertwin
Moinque Pels http://home.wxs.nl/~monique_pels has kindly pointed out that the information supplied to us by Svensk Dragracing was incorrect. She has also supplied us with the correct information: -
Qualifying Results
1 Charley Karling Sweden 6.68 305
2 Per Bengtsson Sweden 6.79 325
3 Stefan Juneryd Sweden 6.94 319
4 Ton Pels Netherlands 6.99 290
5 R. V Geffen Netherlands 7.16 281
6 Willem Been Netherlands 7.23 305
7 Lars Wahlberg Sweden 7.37 237
8 Svein Gottenberg Norway 8.54 261
9 Jaska Salakari Finland 10.03 223
10 Svein Olav Rolfstad Norway (no time) -
Eliminations
Round 1
Charley Karling Sweden 6.95 WIN / Jaska Salakari Finland 7.37
Ton Pels Netherlands 7.48 WIN / Rob van Geffen Netherlands 8.94
Per Bengtsson Sweden 6.92 WIN / bye)
Stefan Juneryd Sweden 7.50 WIN / Willem Been Netherlands (broke)
Semi Finals
Charley Karling Sweden 6.92 WIN / Ton Pels Netherlands 7.89
Per Bengtsson Sweden 9.90 / Stefan Juneryd Sweden 6.88 WIN
Final
Charley Karling Sweden 8.83 / Stefan Juneryd Sweden 7.66 WIN
Date: 12th June 2000
Headline: As one door closes........
Amidst the sadness of the events of the 29th May, a bright ray of happiness arrived in the shape of Louis Paul Beaumont, the first child of Theresa and Michael Beaumont, crew chief of the King Racing Top Fuel Bike team. Mother Theresa and baby are both at home doing well, whilst Michael has kept up his hectic lifesyle, fitting in his roles as Crew Chief, general builder, real ale taster, and ne'er do well with his new paternal responsibilities. I'm sure all will join us in wishing the Beaumonts well in their new venture, and look forward to seeing the whole team out at the races in the very near future.
Date: 11th June 2000
Headline: Memorial Page for Chris Hampson
Dwight Drum and Gary Larsen of Stripbike.com have now finalised their permanent tribute to Chris Hampson. It will be retained on their site for all to view whenever they wish. I'd like to thank them for their support in keeping Chris' memory alive, and for their apt words. It can be found at: - http://www.stripbike.com/tribute.html
Date: 11th June 2000
Headline: Finland FIM / UEM Final results
Supertwin Round One
W Karling 6,958 @ 303 / BYE W Pels 7,484 @ 278 / L Van Geffen 8,947 @ 165
W Bengtsson 6,921 @ 313 / Wahlberg -
W Juneryd 7,502 @ 237 / L Been - Broke
Round Two
W Karling 6,928 @ 314 / L Pels 7,895 @ 204
W Juneryd 6,885 @ 327 / L Bengtsson 9,905 @ 106
Final
W Juneryd 7,661 @ 215 / L Karling 8,834 @ 161
Prostock Bike
Round One
W Pettersson 7,588 @ 282 / L Larsson 8,093 @ 271 (redlight)
W Strömberg 7,686 @ 279 / L Mejerwall 10,798 @ 141 (redlight)
Final
W Pettersson 7,511 @ 285 / L Strömberg 7,742 @ 279
Date: 11th June 2000
Headline: Isle of Man Sprint news
We have just been sent this report of the weeks sprint events held at the Isle Of Man TT Races. Thanks to Wayne Bradley for the details (if you hadn't sussed it out......): -
Sunday’s sprint was a run what you brung, all classes run. Slick and wheelie bars, Supestreet and Street legal. Best time 6.35 @ 121 mph was set by a local Manx man on a 750 Yamaha with slick, wheelie bars and NOS. Second was Wayne Bradley (Japcrap Racing) on a Superstreet Suzuki 1200 Bandit with air shifter and 50 h/p of NOS with a time of 6.45 @ 118 mph on a street legal tyre. Third position was also taken by Wayne Bradley on a Yamaha R1 with 50 H/P OF NOS, air shifter and 2 inch extensions on the swinging arm with a time of 6.68 @ 117 mph.
Tuesday’s sprint was divided into Competition and Street Legal all air shifters. Any NOS and modified swinging arms went into CB. First again was that local Manx man with a time of 6.33 @ 121 MPH. Second position again was Wayne Bradley, but on his Yamaha R1 with a 6.60 @ 119 MPH. Third again that man Wayne Bradley on his Bandit 1200 with a 6.63 @ 118 mph. Best woman (!) was Helen Curran (Team Cooperised) with a 6.80 @ 114 mph despite an injured hand. Well done Helen from Japcrap Racing.
Date: 10th June 2000
Headline: Karling stuns with a 6.689!
It would appear that there are either no or not enough Competition bike entries in Finland this weekend, so only Prostock and Super Twin are competiting. It looks hot in the Twins, with a stunning 6.689 from Charley Karling (Sweden) on his blown machine: -
Super Twin
1 Anders Karling 6,689 305
2 Per Bengtsson 6,792 325
3 Stefan Juneryd 6,947 319
4 Ton Pels 6,993 290
5 Rob Van Geffen 7,161 281
6 Willem Been 7,234 305
7 Lars Wahlberg 7,370 237
8 Svein Gottenberg 8,543 261
Pro Stock Bike
1 Roger Pettersson 7,513 280
2 Kenneth Strömberg 7,570 278
3 Stefan Mejerwall 7,711 280
4 Anders Larsson 7,777 276
Date: 10th June 2000
Headline: Finland FIM / UEM Qualifying
Latest qualifying from Alastaro
Super Twin Qualifying
1 Anders Karling 6,689 305
2 Per Bengtsson 6,792 325
3 Ton Pels 6,993 290
4 Stefan Juneryd 6,997 320
5 Rob Van Geffen 7,161 281
6 Willem Been 7,234 305
7 Lars Wahlberg 7,370 237
8 S. Gottenberg 8,543 261
Comp Bike Qualifying
No results yet
Pro Stock Bike Qualifying
1 R. Pettersson 7,5136 280
2 K. Strömberg 7,634 275
3 S. Mejerwall 7,76 264
4 A.Larsson 7,928 275
Date: 9th June 2000
Headline: Chris Hampson RIP
Nearly two hundred people packed into Stafford Crematorium, England this afternoon to pay their last respects to Top Fuel Bike rider Chris Hampson, tragically taken away from us on the 29th May. Dragracers, representatives from all organising clubs, Santa Pod, Shakespeare County and Pennine Raceways alike all joined Jan and Jane and their families to mourn his passing. In a moving ceremony, his life and achievements were celebrated, ably assisted by a touching sharing of reminiscences by his long time friend and mentor, ex Funnybike rider Pip Higham. Floral tributes were many, from far and wide, marking how he touched so many people. Memorial collections are to be set up, to help with the unfortunate costs these tragic events bring, at Super Series 2 (Avon Park), The Cannonball (Santa Pod) and by Terry Babor with the help of Dwight Drum in the US. Our thanks go to all these people, Carole Ismail and Penny, and all those I have forgot to mention, for your hard work in making Jan’s life at this time less worrying for her than it otherwise would be.
Date: 8th June 2000
Headline: Championship Points update
The latest points positions after Round one of the FIM / UEM Championships, and the latest British Championship Superstreet tables can be found on our Championship pages now.
Date: 8th June 2000
Headline: Tributes # 7
I AM TRULY SORRY SADDENED BY THE LOSS OF A FRIEND AND A FELLOW RACER – CHRIS HAMPSON. CHRIS & I GO BACK MANY YEARS, 10 OR 15, IT SEEMS I'VE KNOWN HIM FOREVER. WE HAVE SPENT COUNTLESS HOURS TALKING ON THE PHONE, OR IN MY SHOP IN CLEARWATER, FLORIDA OR RACING TOGETHER IN THE STATES. HE WAS ALWAYS A GENTLEMAN AND A TRUE PROFESSIONAL IN THE ARENA. MORE THAN THAT ALONG WITH MY WIFE AND CHILDREN I GOT TO KNOW CHRIS AND JAN AWAY FROM "RACING." JUST AS FRIENDS PEOPLE AND FRIENDS, THEY'RE GREAT AND I'LL MISS THAT. I FEEL BLESSED TO HAVE KNOWN HIM AND VERY PROUD TO BE CALLED HIS FRIEND. MY HEART AND PRAYERS GO OUT ESPECIALLY TO JAN, CHRIS' SOUL MATE FOR LIFE, THEIR FAMILY, AND ALL THE FRIENDS AND PEOPLE HE TOUCHED ALONG HIS JOURNEY. I WILL MISS HIM ALWAYS. I WILL FORGET HIM NEVER! MEMORIES OF OUR TIMES TOGETHER ARE ETCHED IN MY MIND. AND I'LL THINK OF CHRIS OFTEN.
"GODSPEED CHRIS"
GEORGE BABOR, BPM RACING ENGINES, USA
UNABLE TO PUT ANYTHING DOWN ON PAPER UNTIL NOW, FIRST I WOULD LIKE JAN, CHRIS & JAN'S FAMILY, HIS FRIENDS, RACE TEAM, AND ALL HIS FANS TO KNOW MY HEART GOES OUT TO YOU. WE HAVE DEFINITELY LOST A GREAT FRIEND, A MAN, IN WHICH I HAVE FOUND FROM MANY A VISIT WITH HERE IN FLORIDA TO HAVE EQUALLY AS MUCH LOVE FOR RACING IN HIS BLOOD THAN MY OWN HUSBAND. I WILL MISS THOSE VISITS - CHRIS & GEORGE'S ENDLESS CONVERSATIONS THAT WERE ALL SO FULL OF EXCITEMENT. I WILL MISS THE LAUGHTER THAT THEY SHARED - THE LAUGHTER WE ALL SHARED TOGETHER. MOST OF ALL I WILL MISS THE SMILE THAT SEEMED TO ALWAYS BE UPON CHRIS' FACE. IT SEEMS THAT THE ONLY COMFORT I HAVE IS KNOWING THAT HE HAS JOINED THE MANY OTHER RACERS I HAVE HAD THE PLEASURE OF MEETING. MARTY BLADES, JOHN DESILE, JOHN MYERS, AND ELMER TRETT. KNOWING THERE IS A GOD - I DO BELIEVE CHRIS & ELMER HAVE A LOT OF FUN AHEAD OF THEM. AFTER READING THE MANY TRIBUTES WRITTEN BEFORE ME THERE IS NO DOUBT "THERE WILL BE THUNDER IN THE SKY!" ...AND WHEN THE SKY FINALLY OPENS UP HERE IN FLORIDA - I WILL GO OUTSIDE, STAND IN THE RAIN AND LISTEN TO THE THUNDER. I WILL SAY A PRAYER, SAY HELLO AND THAN SMILE. JAN...YOU ALREADY KNOW HOW I FEEL. KNOWING I WILL NEVER GET THAT "HOLIDAY" IN ENGLAND WE ALWAYS TALKED ABOUT, WITH THE BOTH OF YOU, SADDENS ME GREATLY. YOU ARE ALWAYS WELCOMED IN MY HOME AND YOU WILL REMAIN IN MY THOUGHTS AND IN OUR HEARTS ALWAYS. MY NEXT STATEMENT MAY OR MAY NOT BE APPROPRIATE AT THIS TIME FOR SOME BUT A TRUE RACER - WHICH IS DEFINITELY WHAT CHRIS WAS - WOULD SIMPLY PUT IT, "IF I MUST GO, PLEASE, LET ME GO DOING WHAT I LOVE BEST - RACING." {GEORGE BABOR}
HERE IS A LITTLE POEM I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE:
This shell is empty
of the LIFE it held...
and yet,
how exquisite
are its hollows?
And in the end,
are we not ALL
such hollows
... shaped
by the LOVES
that once
filled us?
by, JOAN WALSH ANGLUND
A FOREVER FRIEND, TERRY BABOR, USA
Sorry to hear about the Death of Chris. I’ve talked to him for hours on the phone when he used to write the articles for Drag Racing for MCN, what a nice chap. My sincere respect and deepest sympathy to Jan and his family.
Andy Folberth
Please pass on our condolences to Chris Hampson's family.
Deepest sympathy from the Pennine Drag Racing Club.
We were very shocked by the news that Chris Hampson has died after his tragic accident. We will all miss Chris as a person and as a competitor. Our sincere respect and deepest sympathy to his family and friends.
Top fuel bike rider Sverre Dahl and team, Norway
I have only just learnt of the tragic loss of Chris Hampson. Please extend my condolences to Jan and her family. I can add nothing new to what has already been offered on these pages, it says it all. God Bless.
Paul King, Family & Crew
We are saddened to hear of Chris Hampson’s death on Monday 29th May. As I was at Santa Pod that fatal day with friends and children...I came to this site to see how Chris was and am greatly upset to hear of his death.........
Clare
Date: 7th June 2000
Headline: Clark eases into lead
After last weeks ACU Superstreet round, Tony Clark moved into the points lead after previous leader Mark Watkins suffered first round woes. Unfortunately for Tony, curtailment of the late running meeting after the earlier tragic event meant that he was unable to extend his lead further by a win over his opponent in the final, Graham Dance.
Date: 6th June 2000
Headline: Tributes # 6
I have known Chris Hampson as a work colleague for 18 years, as well as being a rookie fan of his at the drag strip. Chris was just such a nice guy. A couple of weekends before, Chris & Jan were with us in Wales watching white water rafting, and I saw a gleam come into Jan's eye, here was something "dangerous" that she fancied having a go at. Chris (for once) found himself being encouraged into something very cold and remote from Top Fuel Bikes. To his credit, he rang me mid week to expect a party of at least two raft teams, one full of lads with Chris, and one full of girls with Jan........
Will Turner
Please pass on our condolences to the family, friends and team of Chris Hampson.
Peter Beck, Regula and Team, Top Fuel Team Switzerland
Having just received the terrible news about Chris I would like to offer my deepest sympathy to Jan, Chris's family and many friends. I first met Chris nearly 20 years ago, when he rode streetbikes and he never changed, even with all of the success he had. Chris was a quiet , unassuming, always helpful gentleman and was also the most entertaining rider I have had the pleasure to see in action. God speed Chris.
Mel Nolan, Cork, Ireland.
I had planned to attend Chris' funeral, I even went out and got the black tie. Unfortunately, like Keith, I will be in Alastaro, but I will join with him at 3:30 in thinking of Chris, and all of you who are there, wishing for the first time in my life that I was not at a drag strip, but somewhere else.
Dave Alexander
Date: 6th June 2000
Headline: Larry McBride press release
Larry McBride, Newport News, Va. continues to amaze the NHRA fans. McBride riding and maintaining the world's quickest and fastest motorcycle dashed the Chicago based Rt. 66 quarter mile track record for motorcycles. Over 80,000 spectators browsed the pit area and frequented the Larry Spiderman McBride's trailer for autographs. McBride made 4 exhibition passes on his 1,000 horsepower Kawasaki/Puma, running a low of 6.84 with mechanical problems and a quick 6.16, 6.18 and finally a 6.00 at 234 mph. McBride currently maintains the points lead in the AMA/Prostar Top Fuel Series.
Date: 6th June 2000
Headline: Chris' funeral arrangements
We have now received final details of the arrangements:-
Fot those wishing to send flowers: -
JP Keats
Funeral Directors
Bank Street
Cheadle
Near Stoke on Trent
Staffs. ST10 1NR
ENGLAND
You should arrange for them to arrive on Friday 9th before 13.00.
For those wishing to arrange donations for costs, Carole Ismail of Drag Racing Action Group (DRAG) is administering this. She can be contacted at: -
CaroleM@arb.org.uk
For those travelling to the funeral, you should take junction 14 off the M6, take the A518 (direction Uttoxeter) and look for the signs for Stafford crematorium.
Date: 5th June 2000
Headline: Floral tributes for Chris
For those wishing to send floral tributes, or who do not wish to bring them with you, the telephone number for the funeral directors to whom the flowers should be sent for Chris' funeral is : -
from England 01538 752164
from the US 011 44 1538 752164
from anywhere else + 44 1538 752164
They are currently closed for the evening, and so we cannot source their address until tomorrow.
Date: 5th June 2000
Headline: A letter from Jane
We just recieved a letter from Jane Clark, Chris Hampsons sister. In it she mentions how the words of the tributes posted by so many of you from around the World have been of comfort to both her and Jan. I'm sure she will not mind us sharing her words with you at this time: -
"Dear Ian,
I have been reading the articles that you have written about Chris and have received tremendous comfort from the knowledge of events that you have provided. I, like many others, am absolutely devastated by the events of last Monday, but somehow what you had to say about Chris and the extra information about that fateful day, have helped me to understand what happened.
The tributes and words from so many people all over the world have been a tremendous comfort to both Jan and myself and I would like to thank you for the trouble you have gone to to make this possible. We all know Chris just loved to race and it is thanks to Jan’s love and support that Chris could pursue his dreams.
Love Jane"
Date: 5th June 2000
Headline: Tributes # 5
I am sorry to have to inform you that I will be unable to attend the funeral of Chris this Friday the 9th June, as I will be in Finland for round 2 of the FIA / FIM European Championships. I delayed my flight out by one day until Friday morning hoping that Chris's funeral would be held by Thursday the 8th. Please offer all my sincere condolences to all Chris Hampsons loved ones, family, friends and especially to all those from the drag racing world. I will be there in spirit at 3.30pm on Friday and will say my own bit to Chris at that time from the track at Alastaro, FInland.
Everyone at Santa Pod Raceway was affected by Chris Hampsons death and I know they all wish Chris was still with us. But I also know Chris will want every single one of us involved in the sport to carry on as normal. I will try to do that at Round 2 of the Championship in Finland this weekend.
Keith Bartlett, CEO TrackBak Racing / Santa Pod Raceway
I've just logged on to your site after reading about the death of Chris Hampson. I saw the photo of him at the Eurodragster site and he was pretty much part of that Top Fuel bike. In the eighties I worked at Dragster Australia magazine and had a lot of English racers contact me about racing down under in the off season. Only two ever did - Steve Read and Chris Hampson. Chris was different to most people I met in drag racing. After he figured out that he would race from the left coast to the right he filled in the dots by lining up appearances at the Ozzy distributors of his UK sponsors plus a few locals who backed him along the way. His sickle was a funny bike and even though we didn't have a class for them he fitted right in with his bike's performances doing the talking. Just before he left to go back to the "old blighty" he dropped in for lunch and to say thanks - that was way back when but the Xmas cards kept coming thick and fast. He even took a Holden one tonner back with him to have something to remind him of Australia. I never forget one card which came in saying he had been hit on the scone by a brick while entering a newsagent's - though he'd never had a problem at the track. To Jan and his family he isn't just missed in his own backyard - he is missed right around the world (I originally heard from the USA) but his great performances and lasting friendship will live on.
Jon Van Daal, Australia
I cannot explain all the sadness that I have inside of me. I have always had a good friend in Chris and I was just talking to him on Monday morning. In some ways it does feel so very strange. I hope that we all can take this and just remember Chris as the good friend that he was.
Lars Andersson, FIM / UEM Steward, Sweden
Chris was someone who was always around Dragracing for as many years as I can remember. I never really spoke to him, much the odd hello here and there, but he was always doing what he and we all love doing – racing stupidly fast cars and bikes. He will be missed in the sport and my heart goes out to all his family and friends.
Gary Page
On behalf of the European Super Twin Top Gas Bike class I would like to send out our deepest sympathies and condolences to the family of Chris. It was a big shock to hear about the accident and the loss of a big guy.
Top Gas Mom Angela, Germany.
Visited the site to read tributes to Chris. I was at Santa Pod when the accident happened. Everyone's words are a fine tribute to a fine man.
Denise Somerville
Having spent a year or so on the "circuit" and having come into contact with Chris, I want to extend my grief in the loss of his life. My thoughts and feelings go out to his family as well as the knowledge that he is still alive in our hearts and minds.
Helen and Adam
Date: 5th June 2000
Headline: Vancil Smashes Personal Bests
Vancil Smashes Personal Bests-219.03 MPH and 6.453 ET !
Doug Vancil, Albuquerque, NM, took the Vance & Hines/Drag Specialties Nitro Harley to the IHRA Mopar Parts Canadian Nationals prepared for big numbers. But when the Grand Bend Motorplex numbers came in, they even surprised Vancil. On his first qualifying pass, Vancil smoked the existing mph record by 5 mph with a sizzling 219.03 with a 6.613 ET. Although he was unable to back it up for an official record his 2nd pass at 6.492 ET and 215.46 mph proved Vancil was on a roll. Vancil defeated veteran Harley-Davidson dealer, Ray Price, Raleigh, NC in the first round. After a lazy light, Vancil poured on the Vance & Hines throttle, earning the win and another personal best at 6.453 ET. However in the semi's, reigning IHRA Screamin' Eagle Nitro Harley Champion, Jay Turner took the win over Vancil after Doug smoked the tire on the line, still running a very respectable 6.909 at 198.06 mph. The Vancil's are proudly supported by Vance & Hines, Drag Specialties, Performance Machine, K & N, PJ 1, B & J Transmission, & Axtell.
Date: 5th June 2000
Headline: Price Qualifies at IHRA Mopar Parts Canadian Nationals
Ray Price, Raleigh, NC qualified #7 at the IHRA Mopar Parts Canadian Nationals hosted by the Grand Bend Motoplex in Ontario, Canada.
Price qualified #7th with a 6.790 ET at 177.93 mph on his 3rd qualifying pass. His first qualifying pass was a 6.834 ET at 199.42 mph. Price was defeated in the first round despite scorching Doug Vancil on the line with a .490 light over Vancil's .654 reaction time. But Vancil was able to pull around Price at the big end, putting Price's new machine in the trailer early. Price is supported in his national campaign by Ray Price Harley Davidson, Raleigh HOG, S & S Cycle, Power Arc Ignition Co., Ultra Pro Machining, JIMS, Royal Purple Synthetic Motor Oil, Shumaker Racing, Performance Machine, Barnett Tool & Engineering, and Wilder's Inc Price- 919-832-2261.
Date: 4th June 2000
Headline: RIP Mettje
In what is becoming one of the saddest periods in European Motorcycle Dragracing, we just heard that Mettje, the girlfriend of Hermann Jolink, the Dutch top-gas racer with the amazing blown Ducati, has just passed away. She died of double pneumonia this morning after 19 days in intensive care. They were both at Avon Park last July when Hermann ran a new personal best whilst beating most of his more expensively mounted rivals. Sincerest condolences and sympathies go to Hermann and Mettje's families from Ian, Jane all of UK SUPERTWINS, and all of us at King Racing.
Date: 4th June 2000
Headline: Funeral arrangements
We have now been informed of Chris Hampsons funeral arrangements.
They are : -
Date: 09 June 2000
Time: 3.30 pm
Place: Stafford Crematorium
If anyone needs supplementary information, please contact admin@kingracing.com.
Date: 3rd June 2000
Headline: Tributes # 4
It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that I read about the passing of Chris Hampson. Having known the emptiness that a loss of this nature brings I can only hope that all of his loved ones and friends can be consolled in the fact that Chris was a racer and passed as a racer. Years ago when I published Newsline, Chris and I had numerous conversations by phone and shared race results and photographs to keep our readers appraised as to what was happening across the Pond. Though we were never lucky enough to meet in person we knew that we are all a part of the racing family. As his career took off as a racer and mine wound down for a period as a journalist I was able to find a few words here and there on how well Chris was doing. With his entrance into the Top Fuel arena (my well-known soft spot) I was able to read more and more about his accomplishments. It was apparent from the outset that he was born to race Top Fuel and he was most happy when he was able to race one. Chris joined a fraternity of men the world over who through talent, desire and courage share a bond that cannot be shared by anyone who has not pulled the throttle on a machine that moves the earth. And now he has joined another fraternity of these courageous men who have been taken from us too early and for no apparent reason. Logically there is no way to explain it and rationally we know that the possibility exists. But when it happens it is still a great tragedy. My love and sorrow goes out to his family, his race team, his fans and all the world of motorcycle drag racing. For when one of us falls, all of us grieve, because in the end we are family. Godspeed Chris...
Greg Guarinello, USA
I´m very shocked by the news that Chris Hampson has died after his tragic accident. My sincere respects and deepest sympathy to Jan, Jane and Phil. We all truly miss Chris.
Henk Geeve “Red Puma”, Holland
There are a few drag race memories that will live with me for ever, BJ's 6.38 at the 1993 Bulldog Bash, Phil Baimbridge's first trip in to the 6's also in 1993, and of course the unbelievably consistent Chris Hampson who like the true professional he was made all of his passes look easy. I'm sure he will look down on us at every meeting laughing at our mishaps and applauding our achievements. I hope he spends many summer weekends whereever he is kicking Elmers butt on the dragstrip! My message is simply 'Thanks Chris'.
Shaun (Branch)
We didn’t know Chris as a friend, only as another fuel racer. As this is only our second season of racing a fuel bike, it brought home to me and my kids who are my crew that although we enjoy the fun and comradeship of the sport, there is the very real danger that we subject ourselves to at every race meeting. As a crew and family I would like to send our deepest sorrow to Chris' family and close friends.
Steve Clutterbuck and family.
What can we say after that ? This is the baddest news possible. With his front wheel in the sky, this incredible racer gave us the "funny bike feeling", ... ten years ago ! A lot of courage to his family and friends...
Florence & Jean Yves Vetsch, Tony Bizjak & Phil Leplat, France
We lost a great racer, a good friend, an excellent human being, and an ambassador for the the sport in the death of Chris Hampson. Our deepest sympathy and thoughts go out to his family and friends.
Ken Cooper and Team Cooperized.
Like some others I did not know Chris personally, but the drag racing community is one big family, and the tributes paid to Chris prove that to be true! I would just like to add my name to long list of people saddened by this tragic accident. Please pass on my condolences to all family and friends of Chris.
Kelvin Fagan
Deepest sympathies to Jan, Phil, Teresa, Duncan and all at Phil Baimbridge Racing.
Neal Bates.
Please pass our condolences to the familiy and friends of Chris Hampson. We hope you are o.k.
Peter Schöfer and his team , Top Methanol-Dragster, Germany
I am writing to express my deep sadness at the death of Chris. I knew him over a space of 15 years, and I lost count of the number of times I photographed him, talked to him, and he patiently answered my (usually stupid) questions about bike racing and technology. Always friendly, helpful, a wicked sense of humour and with time for everyone. He was my friend, and I miss him.
Dave Alexander
Ian, we are all very sorry to hear about Chris, could you please pass on our deepest sympathy to all his friends and family. He will be greatly missed within the drag racing circle.
With regards from Bruno, all the F.A.S.T team and all members and marshalls at Avon Park Raceway.
Dear Ian, Please can you pass on our condolence to Chris Hampson's family. It was with great shock that we learnt about the passing of a great drag racing friend. Chris has always been a great champion for the sport, with his regular column's in the MCN. Chris was always willing to help all others involved in the sport, and his passing will be felt by all.
Gordon and Neil Diggens, Dave Brown
Date: 1st June 2000
Headline: Tributes # 3
Memories of Chris have been with us all week; his friendship and tireless work promoting motorcycle drag racing through his journalism and many achievements on the track throughout the world. We will miss him, and our thoughts are with Jan and family.
Nick & Sandra Pepper and family.
Sorry to hear about Chris please send our condolences to all his friends and family. With sadness, Paul and Julie (Team Money Hungry)
So sorry to hear of the death of Chris. He was a great inspiration to both my son and myself. I’m sure that when it now thunders, it will be Chris clicking of a low six in that great drag strip in the sky. We will all miss him, all the best to both families, our thoughts are with you.
Chris Emms
I Wish to pass on my condolences to your family.
Steve Jarnet
This is my first visit to your site, unfortunately drawn here to view the tributes to the late Chris Hampson. My brother and I were at the Santa Pod meeting last weekend. We are from County Antrim in Northern Ireland and attend the meetings regularly. We were very sorry to hear of the death of Mr Hampson and would like to pass on our condolences to his partner and all his family circle.
Raymond & Brian Gardner, Northern Ireland
I haven’t been round the strip for a while, but I was shaken and shocked to hear the news from my parents about Chris, I just wanted to say that it is a great loss to drag racing, he was one of the best, and send my deepest condolences to Jan and her family. Chris always had time for everyone and he was a true gentleman, he will be desperately missed by many, but none more than his family who he now loves from afar.
Susan Evans (formerly Midgley)
Very Sad News... Jolink, USA
We mourn the loss of a very great friend, racer and inspiration. A man who was held in high esteem by all. We will miss you greatly Chris.
Steve and Fiona Moor and the girls.
Ian, I know I speak for the whole of our crew when I say that we were all shocked and saddened to hear of Chris' death. Having just read all the fine tributes from other racers and fans on your page I felt the need to add our condolences. I can't offer anything that hasn't already been said by people that knew Chris, but our thoughts are with his family and friends, yourself and Phil. Chris Dossett, The Showtime Team
Although we did not know Chris personally, our hearts go out to those who were close to him.
Richard & Sharon Amos (9.90 bike)
I didn't know Chris personally but have followed his career over the years. y prayers go out to his family and friends..God Speed..
The next time you hear thunder in the sky, it just might be Chris and Elmer going at it...I hope so...!!
James DiTullio (Puppet), USA
We were very shocked by the news that Chris Hampson has died after his tragic accident. Our sincere respect and deepest sympathy to Jan and family. We all truly miss Chris.
John Ivarsson Team,Sweden
I would like to use your website to add a few words about the tragic loss of Chris Hampson. While our own bike was not ready yet, I visited Santa Pod this weekend as a spectator. It is virtually impossible to add anything to the words that both you and Phil Baimbridge already said about Chris. I'm sure that everyone who knew Chris will remember him in the same way as I do, as a very friendly and always optimistic person. My thoughts go out to Jan and all his close friends in particular to Phil Baimbridge. Thank you for what you have done Chris!
Marius van der Zijden / Koedam Racing Holland
Monday was a sad day for all. We raced the same track, different fields but for the same goal. I greatly admired Chris for doing it on two wheels, I will stick to four. Myself and all of the Showtime team send our heartfelt condolences to Jan and her family at this sad and difficult time.
John Spuffard and the Showtime Team
Everyone has summed up what a talent to drag racing we had in Chris Hampson. Words cannot describe this huge loss we have suffered in losing such a gentleman from our sport. He was a great ambassador wherever he raced. It is only left to say that our heartfelt loss goes out to all his family, friends and team.
From all his friends at Santa Pod Racers Club.
Sorry to hear of the death of Chris Hampson. My son and I have been dragracing fans for years and always respect the riders and the riders and drivers respect shown to spectators during racing. Chris always had time for us when we spoke to him, one of the good guys of the sport. Every time it now thunders, we will think of Chris ripping of a low six on that drag strip in the sky. All are best to both yourself and Chris’ family, our thoughts are with you.
Chris Emms
My sincerest condolences to Chris Hampson's family, friends and team. Not everyone has access to the internet and I would like to ask your permission to publish some of the tributes to Chris in the Sportsman Racer's Association newsletter - I know Sportsman car racers are at the opposite end of the spectrum but we are all part of the drag racing community and it hurts when we lose someone, even if we didn't know them personally. Best wishes
Anne Peck (Super Street Car)
I am not a close friend of Chris', but I have known him to nod to and say "hi" to since the early 80s. He seems to have always been a prominent figure in the sport - who doesn't know his name? My deepest sympathies go to his partner and family, also to Phil and everyone else concerned. Monday was a bad day for dragracing.
Andy Faithfull.
Please pass on our condolences to all family and friends of Chris. He will be sadly missed within the Sport.
Dave May – ACU Scrutineer, Avon Park Raceway
I would just like to send my deepest sympathy to the family, friends and the team on the sad loss of Chris. Although I did not know him personally I'm sure he will be sadly missed.
Bill (UK Drag Racing website)
Date: 31st May 2000
Headline: A thought for the evening
Carole Ismail saw this poem that she would like to send to Chris's family and all racers: -
The pain you feel intensely
From the heart with which you grieve
Will prove a heavy burden
But so long as you believe
a better place has beckoned
Then at least you'll understand
You will be re-united
By God's ever loving hand.
So shed your tears and feel no shame
your loss is very real
You aren't alone in feeling pain
That only time can heal.
Deepest Sympathy
Carole & Mike Ismail
Date: 31st May 2000
Headline: Tributes # 2
Hello from the Shell TMD and JS team. We were deeply disheartened at Chris’ passing away, especially as Doug and I were in the fire up road at the time. We’d like to send a donation – please pass on an address.
Shell Racing
Ian, My heart goes across the ocean for Chris Hampson, his family, and the family of motorcycle drag racers all over the world. Your sorrow is especially felt because you were so close to this tragic event. I remember seeing Chris often in Gainesville, and now my biggest regret is not having a few interview moments with him. If you and your fellows wish to put together a few memories, I'd be proud to write a fitting tribute, and share it with all on our site. My prayers and a moment of silence are with all...
Dwight Drum – Stripbike.com, USA
We were shocked to hear the terrible news this morning. Although it's been a while since we last talked to Chris, we will always remember him as the friendly, helpful man he was for everyone. As other people mentioned before, Chris always found the time to talk to you and give you his best advice. This is a terrible loss for his family, his friends, and dragracers all over the world.
Erik Schieveen & Pascaline Gaget, Holland
Dear Ian, I just received this very sad, sad story from Santa Pod. My deepest sympathy goes out to Chris' family, and my thoughts to Phil Baimbridge, his team, and you.
Thomas Joswig, Germany
I have read your homage regarding Chris and the thoughts others have already sent and felt compelled to contact you myself. I most remember Chris when I was Race Secretary from 83-85 and at the earlier part of this period Chris was writing articles for Drag Racing News. He would at every meeting ASK me for copies of elimination ladders and THANK me for sending copies of the previous meeting’s ladders. This was done with COURTESY, something which came naturally to Chris. (It is a shame that other journalists invariably demanded things and expected race officials to meet these demands.) I also remember that Chris always wrote very well, never being rude to anybody and always thinking before he said anything or submitted anything for publication. Despite Chris' leaning towards the biking element, I also recall an excellent article he had published in a car orientated magazine (Custom Car?) with regard to using bodies more readily available to the European market in a hope to get car manufacturers interested in our sport. Not only were his arguments well considered but he had also did some graphic artistry which showed that not only could he write well, he could bloody well draw/design good too!
Jim Broome
Dear Ian, I was deeply shocked and saddened to hear of Chris` tragic accident. I first met Chris when we studied together in Coventry in the mid 70s. We both soon developed common interests and over the next few years never missed an event at Santa Pod. We shared a love of hot rodding and drag racing and never missed an opportunity to take our old V8 Rover Coupes (yes we took two cars) to Santa Pod and camp there for the duration of the event. We would watch in awe as Henk Vink produced amazing rolling burn outs only to be beaten by Brian Chapman’s Vincent. This is when the seeds were sown and it was a combination of this style and mechanical efficiency that would lead to his future success. We would discuss and analyse the days racing in the pub afterwards. His enthusiasm and depth of understanding however, was much greater than merely spectating. His natural progression to becoming a competitor immediately produced results, only perfection counted and this attention to detail made him one of the best racers on the scene. I moved to Germany but still kept in contact and on one occasion was able to pit crew for him on a tour of Hockenheim and in Austria at the Österreichring where he raced his JCB Suzuki Funny Bike. It is a sad loss for us all and my heart goes out especially to Jan.
Tony Hatter, Germany
Ian, We are very shocked by the news that Chris Hampson has died after his tragic accident on Monday. Although we didn't know him personally, it hurts in the hearts of all drag race lovers. It is a sad reminder of the downside of our sport. Our deepest sympathy goes out to his family, friends and team. Thank you for the tribute on your web site. We'll be in contact.
Ton Bijlaart Bijlaart Drag Racing, Holland
The news about Mr. Hampson really took away the joy we had over the weekend whilst following the race on the internet. We would like to send our deepest condolence to the Jan and Chris Hampson family and to all the dragracing community and fans.
Peter Axeldal Little Big Racing, Sweden
Dear Ian, I was so shocked and saddened by the news on Monday. I first met Chris in 1987 whilst spectating at Santa Pod and shortly after began crewing for him. In the ensuing years he taught me so much, gave me some terrific opportunities and shared so many good times. There isn't another individual other than my partner who has had such an influence in shaping my life, I'm so grateful for all that he gave me. His performances on track were always a great inspiration to myself and his fellow competitors, setting the benchmark by which we would judge ourselves. I will treasure the memories of the times we enjoyed together and the many spectacular performances with which he entertained us. The sport of drag racing has lost one of its brightest stars and it's hard to imagine life without him. My thoughts go out to Jan, his sister Jane, Phil and crew.
Augy Harrison
Chris was my mate. We shared a common sense of humour, a common approach to our racing and even shared a similar timeline in our racing careers. I first ran against him back in the early eighties in Ultimate StreetBike. When he moved up the classes I seemed to end up following him. I remember him laughing as I beat him - the reigning Funnybike champion – by two-hundredths of a second in my rookie Funnybike race. I remember us both laughing whenever we raced each other. When we had nothing to say to each other we exchanged silly grins. We got drunk together every now and then too. He egged me on when I was going fast, and helped me when I was struggling. We discussed and debated the niceties of our sport. Chris was one of the reasons I went racing - for the company of kindred spirits. His absence will leave a big hole, that I don't want filling, because nobody else will fit...
Chris Hall
To all at Phill Baimbridge Racing with deepest regrets. From all at Manor Racing.
Ian Warren, Angie, David and Stephen.
The staff of dragsterracing.de is very sad to hear about the tragic death of Chris. I am sorry, but I do not have the right English words to use at the moment. We've seen him at Santa Pod, so we know what dragracing is losing. The very best wishes for his team and his family,
Peter Calwer and all German bikeracers, Germany
Please pass on my condolences to the friends and family of Chris. He will be sadly missed at the Pod.
Dave Nelson
Please pass my deepest regrets to the family of Chris Hampson. Hope you are o.k.
Klaus Sarembe, Superstreet Bike, Germany
Receiving the news of the loss of Chris has, as with many people, upset us greatly. Having had many good years racing in the Funnybike Class with Chris I find it hard to accept I will no longer see him around. The comfort I get is that he died participating in a sport that he felt passionate about. Our sincere respect and deepest sympathy to Jan and family.
Barry Eastman
Date: 31st May 2000
Headline: Phil Baimbridge
Phil Baimbridge, who ran the team for whom Chris Hampson was the rider, has asked us to post the following tribute to Chris: -
Chris Hampson.
Chris and I have known each other for years, as adversaries in the British, Euro-Series and FIM events in the late eighties to the mid nineties and through his positions as ACU/UK drag racing co ordinator and drag racing correspondent for MCN.
On the racetrack the honours were roughly equal – Chris was the only UK Funny Bike racer who could really hold his own with the fuelers and I got to know Chris as a talented and fair racer.
During the 1996 season we both won our respective ACU Championships. At the presentation dinner Chris, Jan, Teresa and I shared a table – Chris had sold his Funny Bike, I was looking for someone to ride the fueler. My knowledge of Chris as a talented, fair and honest racer prompted me to “pop the question”.
Chris and I entered into our racing partnership from the beginning of 1998. Being follically challenged he fitted in from the start.
From the outset Chris proved himself to be a capable Top Fuel Bike pilot – running sixes at his first race meeting. From that point our relationship blossomed – in both racing and friendship. Chris’s love of drag racing rekindled my own enthusiasm for the sport, and his Funny Bike experience proved invaluable in chassis tuning. His love of the sport is demonstrated by the fact that he had raced at every recognised dragstrip in Europe (and more than a few unrecognised!), in Australia and the USA. His unassuming, honest and endlessly optimistic character cemented our friendship.
Chris’s enthusiasm and commitment to our racing partnership saw him spending his entire time at Gainesville last year crewing for Top Fuel Bike racer Chris Hand, and providing a financial contribution far beyond our agreed arrangement.
The high point of our racing partnership was winning the 1998 FIM European Finals at Santa Pod. We had plans for many more wins in the future.
I feel Chris not being with us any more as an enormous personal loss, as do the rest of the team (Wilf Hathaway, Ade Hemmings and Duncan Hamilton) and also for the sport of motorcycle drag racing in general.
My heartfelt condolences go to his partner Jan and her family, and Chris’s sister.
It is a small consolation to know that Chris died taking part in the sport he loved, having just won his last dragrace. I try to think of Chris racing at that big dragstrip in the sky, where the weather's always sunny and the traction is perfect.
We all truly miss Chris.
Phil Baimbridge.
Date: 30th May 2000
Headline: Tributes
We continue to receive tributes to Chris Hampson from all over the world, illustrating the impact he made on those who knew him. We think it is fitting to post some of them to share with you: -
Dear Ian, I hope you're doing OK considering the circumstances of everything that happened yesterday. I just finished reading your tribute to Chris on your Web Site and it says it all...
Monique Pels, HOLLAND
We are wery sad to read about what has happened to Chris Hampson. Our team's driver Juha Hillman is a friend and fellow competitor of Chris from the early 90's, when they both raced with Funny Bikes. We would like to extend our deepest sympathy to Chris' family, friends and team.
Juha Hillman and his team, FINLAND
Ian, I have just read of the loss of my old friend Chris Hampson. I have not been in touch with Chris in recent years, but have fond memories of racing with him in the past. Could you please let me know if there is anything I can do to help. Is there any sort of collection to assist with funeral costs or family assistance?. It is very sad to hear of this loss and I hope you and the rest of the guys have a safe remainder of the season.
Jay Upton, Australia
Our sympathies go to Jan and family, and Phil of course. See you around mate.
Ian Turbuville
Ian, The news is tragic.
Gary Larsen and Dwight Drum, USA
Please pass on our deep regrets to the family of Chris Hampson, all thoughts are with them.
From race fans everywhere.
Very sorry to hear about Chris. Hope you are ok.
Lorcan Parnell
Please could you supply us with an address for his Team and family so that we are able to send our deepest sympathy. Thank you very much.
Mrs Kirsty Mitchell
It is with great sadness that I have just learned of the death of Chris. I only met Chris once whilst spectating at Santa Pod, but his enthusiasm was catching and he persuaded me to build myself a bike and have a go. He took time to listen to a complete beginner and answered what must have been a multitude of stupid questions with good grace. He will be greatly missed I’m sure. My condolences go to all his family and friends. Regards
Martin Saint
Ian, I am deeply mourning the loss of someone I am sure was a good friend of yours. Please accept my heartfelt apologies for the loss of Chris Hampson you and the rest of the European Motorcycle Dragracing contingent have just gone through. I am sure the Top Fuel racers in Europe think of your competitors the same way we do in the States, as that of family. Although I personally didn't know Chris, other than his trip to the states of several years ago, his presence at the track and dragbike site to always offer a helping hand or bit of knowledge will be missed. If there is anything I can do for you or anyone else Ian, please let me know. I will be glad to offer assistance in any manner you may deem appropriate.
Tommy Smith, USA
Probably the worst meeting I've ever attended. Myself and my fellow Superstreet competitors are shocked and saddened at the loss of life of a fine racer and a man who listened - Chris Hampson. Our sympathy goes out to Chris' family, and our thoughts to Phil Baimbridge and Ian King.
Mark Watkins
Date: 30th May 2000
Headline: Requests
As expected, we have received many requests for an address for messages of condolence to be sent. We suggest you send your messages to Chris' long time partner Jan at their home where she is currently being comforted by her parents: -
Jan Hampson 19 Wallfield Close Upper Tean Stoke on Trent ST10 4JR.
Date: 30th May 2000
Headline: Chris Hampson
It is with deep sadness that we report UK Top Fuel Bike rider, Chris Hampson, suffered fatal injuries whilst competing at the first round of the European Dragracing Championship at Santa Pod, England, yesterday. Chris had just completed a winning run against fellow UK rider Ian King when his bike drifted to the left of the shutdown area before making contact with the guard rail and falling from his machine. Despite the efforts of the Paramedics both at the track and in the ambulance on the way to the hospital, Chris lost his fight for life. Chris who had celebrated his 43rd birthday in May, began his dragracing career in the early 1980's on a Suzuki GSX1100, before progressing to turbocharging and a natural evolution into turbocharged and nitrous assisted Funnybikes. The highlights of his career were many, but most striking were his British and European titles against the more powerful Top Fuel Bikes, and his performance in the US where he competed to the final of Top Fuel Bike (at that time, incorporating Funnybikes) at the Prostar World Finals in Bradenton. He narrowly missed out on that title to Top Fuel Bike legend, Elmer Trett, in a gripping evening race, but his skills at racing and preparing his Funnybike (learnt during his long friendship with ex Funnybike racer and tuner, Pip Higham) were there for all to see. He recently arrived at the top level of Dragbike racing when forming an association with UK Top Fuel Bike rider / tuner Phil Baimbridge to ride his PBR Puma machine. Chris took to the task like the natural he was, quickly running in the six second zone at over 200 mph. The success of the association with Phil was not just in terms of the track performances, but also the fact that both of them had a similar easy going nature, always willing and able to help others where possible. Chris was excited at the plans they had for the future in developing the bike, and recently made a trip to the Prostar World Finals in Gainesville, Florida, to take a place on the crew for US Top Fuel Bike rider, Chris Hand, increasing his knowledge further. In fact, Chris made many friends wherever he travelled, including George Babor and his family with whom he raced a few years ago, and Sam Wills, who provided the chassis for one of the most successful Funnybikes in European history, Chris' JCB sponsored Suzuki. His talents were not restricted to the racetrack either. Many people benefitted from his journalistic skills whilst he wrote a regular dragracing column for the world's largest selling motorcycle magazine, Motor Cycle News, and also during his time as ACU/UK Dragracing series co - ordinator. He also served on many committees and forums, helping evolve the UK Dragbike rules to what we have today. However, most people will remember him for how he was with others - an easy going sort of bloke, ever willing to help others or mediate where necessary, with an infectious enthusiasm for all he was involved with.
Our hearts go out to Jan with whom he shared his life, his sister, and Phil Baimbridge.
Ian King
Date: 23rd May 2000
Headline: FIM European Championship Round One
It's looking good for the first round of this years European Championship with 11 Competition bikes, 8 Supertwins and 9 Prostockers entered. There is a also a round of British Championship Superstreet bike with a bumper field of 21 bikes entered.
Date: 22nd May 2000
Headline: Seven second Streetbike!
US Suzuki Hayabusa Streetbike rider, Brock Davidson, ran the Shootout classes first ever seven second pass at the Prostar event at Rockingham last weekend. In a history making day, Davidson ran a string of 7.9 second passes, silencing his critics and fellow competitors who have been claiming he would not be the one to make the grade first. The factory Suzuki supported rider has had to fight back from the shame of being disqualified last year for the use of illegal parts on his last machine.
Date: 21st May 2000
Headline: AHDRA Maple Grove cancelled
This weekends AHDRA meeting at Maple Grove PA has now been cancelled due to bad weather.
Date: 21st May 2000
Headline: Prostar Rockingham Qualifying
Number one qualifiers for this weekends event at Rockingham, NC are : -
Funnybike - Bryan Bennet 6.905 @ 205.10
Promod - Bill Vose 6.975 @ 189.92
Prostock - Fred Collis 7.282 @ 184.88
The UK's Dave Beck lies qualified at number 11 with a 7.360 @ 188.54 in Promod.
Date: 21st May 2000
Headline: Do you still wanna race in the US?
We now have cost information for those interested in this earlier press release : -
As you may all know, it is traditional for a contingent of European Dragbike racers to travel to the AMA Prostar World Finals at Gainesville in November every year. This is the highlight of the year in terms of motorcycle dragracing, and attracts over 800 bikes of all classes to one of the best tracks in the world. In the past, Ton Pels from Holland has arranged a 40 foot container, that has held anything up to eight bikes and associated tools, pit bikes etc, that is delivered to pits at the track. But, due to other commitments, Ton will not be able to arrange a container for this year. However, Top Fuel Bike rider Brian Johnson is planning to arrange a container to run from England and to be delivered to the track in the usual way. It now look that the costs will be £785 each, based on eight bikes. This price includes all insurances and carnet costs, so there should be no `extra' costs. There has been a good response to our earlier release, so it seems we will have more than enough racers wanting to join the European Team.
We are also currently looking for sponsorship for the Team that may reduce costs further. If anyone knows of any companies who may be interested in supporting the Team please contact sponsorship@kingracing.com. We anticipate naming the Team after the sponsor, and giving it a high media profile leading up to, and during the event.
We have to set a cutoff date for monies to be paid. Anyone wishing to travel should arrange to pay their money by the 25th AUGUST LATEST. Only those who pay by then will travel. Those that pay first will get their place on the trip. Should you wish to secure your place in the Team, please contact Brian on + 44 (0) 1344 625182, mobile + 44 (0) 370 425441, or e mail him on brian.j@btinternet.com. Remember, first come first served!
Date: 21st May 2000
Headline: Prostock engine for sale
Prostock rider and proprieter of Straightline Racing, Chris Tombleson, has the following bargain sale on offer: -
STAR RACING 1500CC 2 VALVE PRO STOCK ENGINE FOR SALE. WOULD MAKE AN EXCELLENT SUPERSTREET MOTOR. COMPLETE WITH 44 MM POWER JET LECTRONS, BEST OF EVERYTHING, WILL STRIP AND BUILD FOR INSPECTION. ONLY £3500 FOR THE LOT. FOR FULL SPEC CONTACT CHRIS ON +44 (0) 1553 811855.
Date: 21st May 2000
Headline: The ASDA price
Alex and Mark Hope, son's of Prostock rider Chris, would like to pass on the following message to their Dad: -
`We would like to say thanks to ASDA for the discount our dad received during last season when he decided to travel to them for the weekly shopping on every single pass !!!!!! This year he has finally taken off the top box and seems to be riding well. Best of luck this year Dad.'
Date: 19th May 2000
Headline: McClure press release
We just received the following press release for Jim McClure from Mary Lou Brewton:-
`Jim McClure, Williamsburg, Va., currently leads the ADBA Top Fuel points challenge and is 3rd in the AHDRA national points chase and 6th in the intense Screamin' Eagle Nitro Harley series with IHRA. AND if this isn't enough, McClure is in the process of changing out all his road equipment, moving it in to new mobile Gold Rush trailer. "Although, it's the same brand, it has a high ceiling and more cabinet space, but it's still a lot of work moving everything" says McClure. AND the McClure's are anxiously awaiting delivery of their new transporter, a custom built T-2000 Kenworth with a 30 foot cube. Jim & Phyllis have previewed the construction and expect delivery within the next 2 weeks. AND there's more. The McClure's have a new official website. All sponsors will be linked to http://www.jimmcclureracing.com The new website will be maintained through http://www.Stripbike.com and is active now. This site will include all current updates, a fresh new format and McClure Wear, tee shirts, hats and koozies. Rivera Engineering, Primo Products, Red Line Synthetic Oil, ACCEL, Hampton Roads HD, Southside HD, F & S HD, S & S Cycle, Inc, Performance Machine, Axtell, Autolite & Vanson Leathers support McClure Racing.
Date: 19th May 2000
Headline: Hope springs eternal........
Chris Hope send us the following: -
Did you know that Chris `Teletubby' Tombleson has sold up. The new owner of the Fast By Gast bike is our very own Nick Pepper. The bike will now be renamed Nearly Quick By Nick. Sorry to hear about Chris, his genuine and light hearted attitude will be missed by all.'
Date: 17th May 2000
Headline: Wanna race in the US?
As you may all know, it is traditional for a contingent of European Dragbike racers to travel to the AMA Prostar World Finals at Gainesville in November every year. This is the highlight of the year in terms of motorcycle dragracing, and attracts over 800 bikes of all classes to one of the best tracks in the world. In the past, Ton Pels from Holland has arranged a 40 foot container, that has held anything up to eight bikes and associated tools, pit bikes etc, that is delivered to pits at the track. But, due to other commitments, Ton will not be able to arrange a container for this year. However, Top Fuel Bike rider Brian Johnson is planning to arrange a container to run from England and to be delivered to the track in the usual way. The viability of the trip depends on the amount of riders willing to share the costs. He is currently calculating the costs for the trip, and this information should be ready in time for the Main Event. In the meantime, should you wish to discuss the trip details further, please contact Brian on + 44 (0) 1344 625182, mobile + 44 (0) 370 425441, or e mail him on brian.j@btinternet.com. Remember, first come first served!
Date: 17th May 2000
Headline: Roels rolling along
Gossip had the benefit of viewing Roel Koedam's Top Fuel bike over the weekend, prior to it's planned first meeting at the Cannonball at Santa Pod. As mentioned earlier in this column, his John Clift chassied, Puma engined XS1100 Yamaha based machine has undergone extensive modifications over the Winter period. A new three valve head has it's dual plugs sparked by an additional Supermag to join the MSD added at the end of last season. All new gearbox internals have been crafted to minimise power loss, and handle the extra power provided by the new combination, that also includes a larger Enderle pump. Fuel and injector handling is controlled by a new multistage fuel injection system, developed by the Koedam Racing team and their contacts. Clearly, Roel, Marius, Bauke, Peter et al have been putting in a tremendous amount of work to move to the next level of performance. We eagerly await it's first appearance, but know that the rest of the Top Fuel bike field had better look out!
Date: 16th May 2000
Headline: Vinks Rocket
Lorcan Parnell, son of the 70's dragbike rider Keith replied to Kelvin Fagans reqquest for information on the late Henk Vink's Rocket bike: -
`I saw it go in 1984 when I went to Avon Park to see Elmer Trett. It had a single motor with two outlets, and went around 6.5 @ 230 shutting off at about 1000' from memory.
Lorcan
PS, I think Barry Eastman didn't turn up at the pod on Sunday cos he was scared he would get his a**e kicked by my 750! hehe...'
We understand that Lorcan ran a very respectable mid 8 on his Turbocharged 750cc Kawasaki on what was a very slippery track surface at the NSA Sprint staged at Santa Pod.
Date: 16th May 2000
Headline: Percy answers
Tog, of http://www.togsdragracing.com , ventured the answer to our mystery picture competition. Buoyed by the success of answering the easiest part (BJ) he speculatively offered the following: -
`One of the guys crouching looks like Baldrick of 'Blackadder' fame. I therefore suggest that the bung you mention was a large turnip.'
I'm sure the guy in question will let you know at the Main Event Tog.......
Date: 16th May 2000
Headline: Posh and Becks on tour..........
Our colonial reporter in the daughterland has sent us this report in a `Postcard from America' : -
`Chris `Cannon' Hannam aka `The Big Stinker' or `His Royal Stinkship' (as he's known in the US) has apparently been cooking his brain with frantic calls to the US on his mobile every time he's been out on the ex - MRE Funnybike, phoning after every pass to speak to `Puppy' (Rhodney Dobson, the previous bike owner's crew chief) for all sorts of tuning, operating and maintenance instructions. It seems some of it is sinking in, as he's actually run pretty well, all things (erm....size) considered. Mystic Meg says His Royal Stinkship (Posh Spice rather than Old Spice) will be running 7.30's at the next major meeting. 7.20's are NOT that far away either!!!. Cannon is going over to the US this weekend to attend the Prostar Rockingham event with the sole purpose of taking in as much information (and Hooters chicken wings) as possible. He's flying in to Tampa Wednesday night and they will all be off to Hooters immediately after, followed by a trip to the infamous Mons Venus for some viewing (and touching) pleasure. His Royalness is then off to the beach to check in for one night (the guy who took the reservation actually remembered Cannon from last November - we wonder why!?!?!?!?). After waking Thursday morning he'll be off to MRE to jump in the rig for the 12 hour drive to Rockingham. After the event Posh & Becks are flying out of Charlotte Monday evening, but not until they visit the race shops in Mooresville of Earnhardt, Gibbs, and Hendrick first.'
What a life, eh?
Date: 16th May 2000
Headline: Rockets?
Kelvin Fagan posed us the following question: -
`I can never recall ever seeing anything written about, or indeed any other photos published featuring Henk Vink's Peroxide Rocket bike. What is known about this machine? Do any Gossip readers have any information on it?'
For those of you who have never seen the bike in question, view it at: -
http://www.mg.maestro.dial.pipex.com/dragracing/VinkRocket.jpg
Date: 15th may 2000
Headline: Testing at the NSA Sprint at Santa Pod
As we reported before, some Dragrace competitors took advantage of the NSA Sprint at Santa Pod yesterday. Although the tests planned by Barry Eastman failed to materialise due to the previous night's birthday celebrations (!), other high profilr racers, namely Hollands Top Fuel Twin rider Ton Pels and UK Prostock rider Paul Willis were present. We understand that Ton was reasonably happy despite suffering tyre shake and over revving his motor resulting in both a bent pushrod and conrod. Paul Willis continues to seek extra horsepower whilst enjoying the exceptional handling characteristics afforded by his all new Robinson Race Cars chassis.
Date: 14th May 2000
Headline: Orient 3 Speeds R Us
Chris `Cannon' Hannon has nearly finished his own manufactured 3 speed automatic transmissions, and consequently has a new Orient Express version complete with bearings and selector drum, totally unused. It is for sale at the bargain price of £1800.
Cannon can be contacted on: -
WORK + 44 (0) 1274 855886
MOBILE + 44 (0) 7775 501371
Date: 14th May 2000
Headline: More blasts from the pasts......
Despite our claims that there will be no more photo competitions, we lied...... So, look at the link to the photo below, and let us know: -
1) The names of the two Kawasaki Prostock riders (not too tricky if you can read!)
2) The connection between them
3) The identity of the two strange geezers crouching in the far lane....
4) The size of the bung the rider in the near lane gave the other to get the holeshot!
No prizes, except maybe a mention for contributing the best answers to 3) and 4).
Thanks to Chris Hampson for the piccie and the challenge.
http://www.dragbikes.ndirect.co.uk/images/contest/guesswho.jpg
Date: 13th May 2000
Headline: Wanna go fast?
Dave Beck, UK Prostock and Promod rider has a full Prostock motor for sale. This engine run 7.60 secs @ 176 mph. He will split top end if necessary along with the 48 mm Lectrons. If you are serious about going fast then call Dave on + 44 (0) 1948 871264, or e mail him at: -
beck.racing@virgin.net
Date: 12th May 2000
Headline: Pels joins the NSA?
We have heard from Ton Pels that he is to turn Sprinter for this weekend when he travels to Santa Pod to make test passes on his all new top end on the Zodiac Top Fuel Harley. Despite the threat of a hangover after celebrating his 50th birthday the night before, we also understand that Funnybiker Barry Eastman plans to attend to make shakedown passes on his Honda CBX in anticipation of the first round of the FIM European Championship in a couple of weeks time.
Date: 9th May 2000
Headline: Anyone use a Dyna logger?
Funnybike rider Shaun Branch is is need of some advice. No, not what you're thinking, he needs advice on downloading from a Dyna Datalogger. If anyone can help him, please e mail him at: -
shaun@branchdragracing.demon.co.uk
Date: 9th May 2000
Headline: Half century for Funnybiker
Veteran Funnybiker Barry Eastman is not a man to do things by halves (6 cylinders, extended families) apart from when it comes to centuries, as he has reached that half mark as he celebrates his 50th birthday. The popular west London automotive business owner is often mistaken for a man half his age, but puts his youthful appearance down to the quality time he spends with his young family, especially Paul Rose.
All of us at Gossip would like to wish him many happy returns, and remind him to put a headlamp and tank on his Funnybike before the next ACU meeting......
Date: 9th May 2000
Headline: MIR Superbike Showdown
The biggest Superbike Showdown took place at Maryland International Raceway last weekend with over 2500 spectators and 300 competitors enjoying the sunshine. The MIR series is a four race programme catering for all manner of streetbike based machines. The new headlining class is Outlaw Pro Street, a heads up 75 inch wheelbase class with no wheelie bars.
A 10 bike qualifying field was headed by Guy Thacker with a 7.868 pass at 167.24 mph, closely followed by Prostar Pro Mod competitor Tom Miceli with a 7.971 @ 171.42 blast.
However, the day belonged to Miceli, with a string of consistent mid seven second passes (7.58 secs @ 182.62 mph in the semis's) and culminating with a 7.603 @ 182.16 final win over Guy Thacker's 8.370 @ 132.27 click off.
Date: 9th May 2000
Headline: Bikes n Babe results
We had a good response to our last photo competition for: -
http://www.mg.maestro.dial.pipex.com/dragracing/who-is-she.jpg
The bike was reasonably easy, Big Spender emblazoned on the side gave it away as an early Henk Vink machine. Identifying the young girl, however, was more challenging. Only three people got this right. The results were awarded by chronological order of reply:-
1) Brian Johnson
2) Jim Broome
3) Ian Turbuville
They all correctly identified the young lovely as the daughter of Zodiac Racing Top Fuel Harley rider Ton Pels, Monique. It is such a long time ago, Monique can't even remember how old she was in the picture!
Date: 9th May 2000
Headline: Emmerdale news
We have just received a report from our covert reporter regarding Dave Beck's recent race in the US: -
"Rumour has it that Dave's lowly qualifying position at the Atlanta event was not helped by him shutting down at 5.9 seconds into the 1st qualifying pass, which if he had held the whole way through, should have netted about a 6.98 - 7.01 sec pass. When grilled about the miscue, Beck claimed to have spied a lovely blonde on the fence at the 1000' mark and felt it best to lift so as to get over to her ASAP! They don't call him the Cheshire Cat for nothing!"
All we at Gossip would like to add is that we didn't know they did Fresians in Blonde....
Date: 8th May 2000
Headline: ACU Points the way!
At long last, and after much complaints from our readership, we at last got to post the latest ACU British Championship Points to date on our website, in the ACU Championship, points section. We will endeavour, in future, to post the points standings during the week following the rounds in future.
We are indebted to Tog - http://www.togsdragracing.com for his assistance.
Date: 8th May 2000
Headline: McClure press release
We've just received a press release from Mary Lou Brewton with reference to Jim McClure's win at the ADBA Carolina Nationals: -
Jim McClure, Williamsburg, Va. qualified #2 with a 6.807 at 203.98 mph at the Carolina Nationals at Darlington International Dragway, Darlington, SC. McClure made it to the final round defeating Joe Coursey in round one and Canadian Warren Hill in the semi final. For the final pass, McClure faced Mark Revels, riding the Arkansas based MoFasta, owned by Denny Tune. Both riders did excellent burnouts and launched, but Revels' belt broke, and McClure went on to run 6.887 ET at 209.54.
May 27-28 ADBA Baytown, Tx.
June 2-4 IHRA Grand Bend, Ont.
June 10-11 ADBA Memphis, Tn.
June 15-17 IHRA Cordova, Il.
McClure proudly supports Rivera Engineering, Primo Products, Red Line Synthetic Oil, ACCEL, Hampton Roads HD, Southside HD, F & S HD, S & S Cycle, Inc., Performance Machine, Axtell, & Vanson Leathers.
McClure- 1-757-566-0544
mrspokehead@aol.com
Date: 8th May 2000
Headline: Koedam's KO'ed
Unfortunately for fans of Top Fuel bikes, and Old Dutch Master in particular, Roel Koedam, he will not be racing at the first round of the FIM European Championship at Santa Pod at the end of May. His bike, which has undergone radical changes over the winter break (3 valve billet head, new fuel sytem and fuel timers, new gearbox etc)is not quite ready to turn a wheel in anger. On the bright side, they hope to attend the Cannonball meeting at Santa Pod on the 1st / 2nd July where they will premiere their new package.
Date: 8th May 2000
Headline: Seeling's a Peach
Angelle Seeling, of New Orleans, won her second straight Pro Stock Motorcycle final round when her opponent Dave Schultz left the line early and redlit. It was Seeling's second straight win, taking place in the so called `Peach State' of Commerce in Georgia, and it moved her into the NHRA points lead. Seeling defeated Blaine Hale, Fred Collis, Matt Hines and Dave Schultz en route to the title. Her 12th career victory puts her six behind Shirley Muldowney as the female with the most wins in NHRA history.
Date: 8th May 2000
Headline: Jim Judged the winner
Marty Kane reports that Jim McClure cruised to the Top Fuel win at the ADBA meet last weekend Darlington when Mark Revels broke a belt against him in the final. McClure ran a 6.887 second lap at 209.54 mph.
Date: 7th May 2000
Headline: Bikes in Custom Car?
In this month's (May) issue of Custom Car,there is an interview with Terry Gibbs of Obsession Motorsports, the Super Series promoter. The topic is, of course, drag racing at Shakespeare County Raceway and how he see's it developing in the future. Dragbikes also get a mention: -
Custom Car; "Racers are generally self-focused and don't care about what goes into putting on an event. How do you deal with that and come to terms with it?"
Terry Gibbs; "Dealing with racers is probably the hardest part of drag racing. You can't satisfy every one of them. I have been accused of being over-sensitive and taking things personally, but the day I stop feeling like that is the day I walk away from drag racing. You have to take notice of everything they say. I've been accused of not liking the bikers, but because of my close involvement with them I've found them tremendous. They put on such a good show. The quality and standards have improved. I wasn't going to run bikes this year as they give me more grief than anyone. They are very weak in their representation but they're really starting to come together. What they don't appreciate is the hard work put in to organise an event. However, we recently had a meeting to see how we could work together, which was succesful"
Date: 7th May 2000
Headline: And Tigger too......
Following on (again!) from Chris Tomblesons last submission, we recieved this one from Winnie the Pooh: -
"I JUST READ TELETUBBYSONS EMAIL AND I WOULD LIKE IT STATED THAT I'M TOO BUSY EATING HONEY TO GO ON AN ELECTRICIANS COURSE AND IF HE HAD BEEN THERE (Avon Park) THEN IT WOULD HAVE BEEN OK WOULDN'T IT! (NOT!). OH, AND CAN I RIDE YOUR NEW BIKE AS YOUR LAST ONE SEEMS TO GO QUICKER NOW YOU'RE NOT ON IT! P.S. NICE LINE MR HOPE!"
All we can say is that Prostock seems to be as competitive off the track as on!
Date: 7th May 2000
Headline: Supertwins at Super Series 1
Ian Turbeville has sent us his overview of the Supertwins at Super Series 1 last weekend: -
"Floydy done good but rodded his motor, lots of two stokes died trying that weekend but it shows they are all out there on the edge (of the lawn) doing it, so fair play to them. Barry Gregory had the best weekend of his (racing) life and came runner up to Bartz's nitrous Bonnie on his tiny two stroke, which is no mean feat! NAST chairman Rush also had a seriously good time despite trashing his race trans immediately. My crew chief Shaun raced back to Nottingham and brought him a bog stock XS650 gear cluster. Rush had the Clarke family as crew for the weekend and together they coaxed that little Yamaha down to 9.99 on a fairly soft run, good show all round by NAST in the first round of Super Series I think! I hear Mr Pepper is thinking of joining!"
Date: 6th May 2000
Headline: Dawson Engine cases
Funnybike racer Steve Dawson has been developing his own set of aftermarket cases for some time now, after finding both the limits in terms of strength, and reducing availability of standard items. He has now launched these on the market. Stripbike are running an article on these at : -
http://www.stripbike.com/Pro1.html
Date: 5th May 2000
Headline: Welcome back Nick......
Chris Hope would like to welcome Nick Pepper back to Prostock next year with the following comment: -
"Nick Pepper's return to Pro Stock racing can only be good for the sport. Not many people have the chance to race against someone who retired from the sport during the last century !!!"
Date: 5th May 2000
Headline: Itsoktoshootagypsylaand news
Chris Tombleson tells us that his local paper, the Itsoktoshootagypsylaand Gazette, broke the following news today: -
`Richard Gipp has gained new sponsorship from his local watering hole. They have held a raffle on his behalf, he not only received a healthy sum of money but has also been presented with a life size stuffed rupert the bear which will ride a RG Racing Prostock entry @ selected meetings in the UK. The bear has also just returned from an intensive electricians course so Richard should not waste any more first rounds.......'
Date: 5th May 2000
Headline: Bikes n Babes
Such has been the popularity of our mystery picture competitions, we've decided to run another one. With the help of Mr Paul Gadd, we've acquired another picture for your delectation. Whose bike, and who is the model sitting on it? Put your pointer over: -
http://www.mg.maestro.dial.pipex.com/dragracing/who-is-she.jpg
and click away!
Date: 5th May 2000
Headline: Salt with that Sir?
Nick Pepper, ex Prostock racer (and ex King Racing team member....) Has strong words in reply to the messages posted by members of his family: -
"As we all know, my flatland cousins regulaly go quicker than I ever did, however as it always occurs whilst they are tightly tucked up under their duvets I have never perceived it as a threat. Every dragracer deserves their dreams though....tractor drivers beware however!"
Date: 4th May 2000
Headline: Who spilt the beans?
We've just received a submission regarding the worst kept secret in Itsoktoshootagypsyland: -
`Rumour has it that ageing flatlander Nick Pepper is to come out of retirement later this or early next year. His new machine will be named after Alan Nash's old Proststocker `Grandad's Piece Two. His reasons for returning are not as yet fully known but maybe he doesn't want any other cousins from the flatlands going quicker than he has!'
A spokesman for King Racing, the team who currently are availed of his services were quoted as saying today: -
"just pick up your tools and b****r off now - we don't want any non committed freeloaders on our team. It's not Butlins you know..."
Date: 4th May 2000
Headline: Diggens damages car........
Our roving reporters have espied Funnybike rider Neil Diggens at casualty in his local hospital. Apparently Neil had his leg broken when out riding his bike after coming into contact with a car. We understand the car is not too badly damaged.......
Gossip would like to send our best wishes the Neil for a speedy recovery.
Date: 4th May 2000
Headline: Henk Vink reminiscences cont.
Marius van der Zijden, Crew Chief for Koedam Racing Holland Top Fuel Bike Team, adds further to the Henk Vink topic: -
"Regarding the continuing story about Henk Vink, and how one thing leads to another, the stories about Henk are endless. Some liked him, some didn't. He was sure able to leave a big impression and leave many stories. The fact is that over here in Holland almost everybody remembers him, even people never involved in any kind of motorsports. In my opinion he introduced modern day Top Fuel bike racing in Europe. Regarding the famous double or the `Orange Crush'; to the best of my knowledge it is still in the posession of Danny "Ding Dong". Both Jan Smit and Kenny Annesley put in some efforts to get it back, but the answer was always "jamais" (French for "never") when somebody asked her if it was for sale. Especially Kenny "A" keeps telling me each time I meet him that he would like to have it back very badly. Unfortunately, it seems that we will never have the opportunity to see(and hear)the bike in its original condition as in my opinion both Smit and Annesley are the only ones in the world who know the correct set up for this bike.
However Henk also had another double. (at some point he even owned three!!!). This was the blown one. This particular bike is in the posession of Henk's wife and is on diplay at the Sinsheim museum in Germany (20 minutes south of Hockenheim)."
Date: 4th May 2000
Headline: Full Force Racing Top Fuel Harley.
Ben Beneke writes to us with an explanantion of his teams non - appearance on his TF Harley at Avon Park last weekend: -
`After a very disappointing start where we had to cancel our entry due to Hauser's delivering our new bigger rear slick 2 weeks late (on the Friday we were leaving), we discovered that although it did fit the wheel and chassis it wouldn't fit under the rear guard. We couldn't fix this safely in only a few hours, so team mission for friday was to get totally s**t faced (mission accomplished!). Then late on Saturday I talked a mate into lending me his Aprillia RSV 1000 street bike (bloody quick!). He agreed, and I was in again! In the Supertwins Fuel Class I ended up qualifying 3rd (In front of a rather well known Harley tuning shops Comp bike) and finishing the meeting in 3rd position. What a laugh though I'm not too sure about this no wheelie bar nonsense!!!!'
You can visit Ben's website at: -
http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/1103/
Date: 4th May 2000
Headline: Kenny Annesley picture.
For those of you who can't quite remember Kenny Annesley, as referred to by Chris Hampson in his submission, you can a picture taken by Kelvin Fagan at: -
http://www.mg.maestro.dial.pipex.com/dragracing/Annesley1.jpg
Date: 4th May 2000
Headline: Imposter unmasked!
We put dragracings answer to Hercule Poirot on the case of the Gipp imposter. We should not be surprised - it was one of his relatives, fellow Prostock rider Chris Tombleson. Tumbledsome only gave up the truth after a severe beating from the Gipp heavies - let that be a warning........
Date: 4th May 2000
Headline: Imposter!
It seems that we have an imposter in the flatlands! Prostock rider Richard Gipp has pointed out that the person who gave us the report of his woes at the Super Series 1 meet and who claimed to be him was, in fact not him! He goes on to say: -
`Just let it be known that I didn't put that report in. Us beer swilling flatlanders carry shotguns so don't step on the grass in another mans field, or in other words, get orrf moi laaand!'
Imposters should take note of upsetting the guys from Grunty Fen. Just look what happened to the unfortunate gypsy (!) who tried to enter one of their cousins farms a few weeks ago!
Date: 3rd May 2000
Headline: More Vink memories
Chris Hampson, pilot of the PBR Top Fuel Bike, reminisces after reading the ongoing chat about the legendary Henk Vink and his machines: -
`Further to the history snippets about the ex-Henk Vink Nico Bakker-chassised Fuel bike, I'm reminded of another even more infamous ex-Vink machine, the ex-MCU double Kawasaki. But back to the Nico Bakker blown bike - after Bobby Feeler's Fuel bike riding came to an end, this bike was sold to the Dieudonne team in France, and as far as I know is still their current race bike. It is this bike that replaced their ex-MCU, ex-Vink double Kawasaki, commonly known as the Orange Crush. This bike - one of the most famous in the history of TFB - was, I believe, eventually sold back to either Henk's widow or Jan Smit, possibly with a view to a full restoration and display somewhere? If any of our Dutch (or French) readers can confirm this, I'd love to know the current situation with the 'Crush, if only 'cos it still brings back great memories from it's first appearance in Europe at the Pod in (I think) '79, with rider 'Fireman' Kenny Annesley, and owner Big Carl Ahlfeldt. It broke the starting rollers if I remember rightly! If anyone's still awake at this point, I've got colour trannies of the bike in action in both MCU/Annesley and Big Spender/Vink guises, along with tons of other '70s and '80s trannies. I just haven't got a way of scanning them in sussed yet....'
Date: 2nd May 2000
Headline: Sabotage! (or tales from Royston Vasey)
For Prostock rider Richard Gipp, having to retire during the burnout in the first round of competition at Avon Park this past weekend was a bitter pill to swallow. Having investigated the problem further, Richard discovered that his machine had in fact been sabotaged, the Dyna 4000 rev limiter having been reset to only 2000 rpm! The safety lanyard has to be in place to reset this setting and although Richard does consume an awful lot of malt whisky he cannot remember doing this. However, it is known that he normally struggles to remember what day it is, so anything is possible........
Date: 2nd May 2000
Headline: Cannon fires one off again!
According to Chris `Cannon' Hannam, he has his coleagues in the Funnybike class running scared. After a weekend plagued with niggling problems that resulted in only one `clean' pass, he fired a warning across the bows of the competition with a 7.47 sec pass with the softest of settings. This seemed to rattle the others to the extent that an elimination ladder that would have seen him with a favourable route to the final was protested, and then changed suiting the other big guns in the class. Clearly peeved at the protestors, Cannon said he can't wait for the next opportunity to `stick it up 'em'......
Date: 2nd May 2000
Headline: Just keep taking the medication BJ.....
Brian Johnson has submitted an item for Gossip that finally proves that Alzheimers has indeed set in as originally feared....: -
`Firstly I must ask who writes your race reports? Is it someone in Disneyworld?? Secondly I have had exclusive information that due to the unusually rich soil in Cambs(Cambrideshire to our US friends) the Government are to send in a crack team to find the source of this rich vein of nutrients. Owing to the fact that Ian King pit's very close to me, I am able to tell them without doubt this seam stems from his garage, and runs all the way to every race track Ian has ever been to (look hard and you will find traces of previous deposits). The reason I am so sure is that being close to Mr. King in the pits, I see it, I smell it, I hear it, I damn near taste it it's that thick (Annes cooking isn't that bad surely? - Ed). There are some very common names for this deposit but I will leave you to either ask Ian what I'm talking about, or look up BOVINE DROPPINGS in your dictionary.'
We'd like to thank Anne Johnson for letting BJ use his computer, and would like to finish by mentioning that rumours of open mining of Coprolite in BJ's vicinity are thought to have some truth about them....
Date: 2nd May 2000
Headline: Vinks chassis
Brian Johnson contacted us to add further information relating to the debate on the Mystery picture of Henk Vink, and if the chassis was an MCU or Bakker item. BJ confirmed earlier that it was a Bakker item, and has added that the chassis in question was subsequently sold to Bobby Feeler in France (he of the French Pop World, Rocket and Jet Cars and Methanol Funny car fame).
Date: 1st May 2000
Headline: Watkins wins it!
Mark Watkins was awarded the win in the Super Street Bike final at todays Super Series 1 at Avon Park after Tony Clark was adjudged to have hit the timing gear. The confusion arose because Mark Watkins was drifting towards the centre all the way down the track, and Tony Clark veered across the track at the top end. Thanks to Tog for the news.
Date: 1st May 2000
Headline: Super Series 1 Results
Pro Stock Bike:
Chris Hope 7.700/169.81 def. Len Paget 8.083/160.71
Funny Bike:
Chris Hall 7.421/179.28 def. Steve French 7.570/169.17
Comp Bike:
Barry Holland 11.923/108.43 def. Dave Wells 14.801/92.40
Super Street Bike:
Mark Watkins v Tony Clark, result TBC (one bike hit timing gear, adjudication to follow)
9.90 Bike:
Jamie Sneddon 9.931/135.14 def. Pete Cameron 10.049/142.41
10.90 Bike:
Paul Hambridge 10.902/123.63 def. Sandra Chaplain 10.846/120.64
Super Twin Fuel:
Steve Clutterbuck 9.702/130.43 def. Ian Carruthers 9.999/131.20
Super Twin Gas:
Andy Freer 10.124/126.76 was unopposed
Super Twin Modified:
Dave Bartz 11.802/113.07 def. Barrie Gregory 12.176/109.22
Super Twin Street:
Steve Piper 10.892/121.62 def. Nigel Mason 11.307/118.13
Date: 1st May 2000
Headline: PBR unveils new look
Phil Baimbridge Racing, and rider Chris Hampson unveiled a stunning new paintjob on their PBR Puma Top Fuel Bike at last weekends Sant Pod meet. Fans used to their usual reserved livery were stunned at the artwork applied by paint company Born To Be Wild. View the impressive new look at : -
Date: 1st May 2000
Headline: Prostar Columbus Final results.
Winners at yesterdays eliminations at the Prostar meeting in Columbus were: -
Funnybike: - Gary Clark
Promod: - Bill Vose
Prostock: - Fred Collis
The UK's Dave Beck made it to the quarter finals where he lost out to Bruce Van Sant when he suffered a mechanical failure.
Date: 30th April 2000
Headline: Avon Park Super Series 1 Top Qualifiers
Pro Stock Bike:
1. Chris Hope: 7.678/176.47 2. Richard Gipp 7.866/170.45
Funny Bike:
1. Chris Hall 7.386/180.00 2. Chris Hannam 7.470/180.72
Super Street Bike:
1. Mark Watkins 8.683/169.17 2. Tony Clark 8.711/170.45
Comp Bike:
1. Dave Wells 10.835/125.00 2. Barry Holland 12.308/123.29
9.90 Bike:
1. Geoff Connor 9.909/146.10 2. Wayne Bradley 9.939/141.51
10.90 Bike:
1. Paul Hambridge 10.927/106.64 2. Sandra Chaplain 10.977/115.98
Super Twin Fuel:
1. S. Clutterbuck 10.035/119.05 2. Ian Carruthers 11.438/110.57
Super Twin Modified:
1. Dave Bartz 10.841/126.76 2. Barrie Gregory 11.685/111.39
Super Twin Gas:
1. John Floyd 9.527/136.78 2. Jerry Collier 9.978/126.76
Super Twin Street:
1. Steven Piper 10.755/121.95 2. Nigel Mason 11.509/118.73
Date: 30th April 2000
Headline: Testing, testing 1,2,3......
James Ditullio, frame guru and the person who has a lot to answer for in fabricating Brian Johnsons difficult to beat current bike, dropped by to say:-
I don't have any gossip to report, I'm just testing this thing out..
Thanks Pup, we feel tested now.
Date: 30th April 2000
Headline: BJ wins (again!)
Not only is Brian Johnson content at whipping us on the track, he's pretty good at our mystery rider competitions. He was the first to identify Terry Revill at Blackbushe (early 80's again) and that he fell off just after the picture was taken.
What happened was at the end of the 1/4 Terry applied brakes and the front of bike folded under him. He was doing about 130mph. It was the bikes first competition 1/4 and never saw action again. A weld in the framed failed. Terry broke a collar bone in the accident.
BJ also confirmed that the frame that Vink was using in our first mystery picture was a Nico Bakker, not an MCU one.
Date: 30th April 2000
Headline: Final mystery rider competition
As the last two mystery pictures have proved too easy for many of you, Kelvin and Gossip have decided to post one last mystery rider for you to identify. This may be a bit more tricky: -
http://www.mg.maestro.dial.pipex.com/dragracing/mystery2.jpg
Who is it? Where? When? And what happens next?
Date: 30th April 2000
Headline: The PBR Perspective!
Reply to Chris Powell of Woollatt Racing....
Hi Chris, have you seen Ian's report on the Dragbike.com website. This one is even better - apparently Steve ran a 6.95 second pass in the final. His best of the meeting!
Are Kingracing Active"8"ly trying to upset the rest of the top fuel bike ranks - the psychological aspect of the 2000 Kingracing campaign?
Not even a mention for Frank Brachtvogel - the bike probably wouldn't have got down the track without his help.
Phil Baimbridge.
Date: 30th April 2000
Headline: Prostar Columbus
The finals of the rained out Atlanta meeting took place yesterday. Winners were: -
Funnybike - Gary Clark
Promod - Tom Miceli
Prostock - Joe Koenig
Dave Beck was eliminated in his semi final pass against Bill Vose. Daave Beck has qualified in 14th place with a 7.335 pass for todays eliminations, the Columbus race proper.
Date: 30th April 2000
Headline: Mystery rider
Jim Broome wins the latest competition for the mystery rider by correctly identifying Steve Woollatt (circa 1981) when he was sponsored by Daytona Kawasaki of Ruislip Manor. Apparently, Jim used to work in the offices opposite the shop.
Date: 29th April 2000
Headline: Exxon Valdez news.
This weekend's first day at the Prostar meet in Columbus saw the carried over eliminations from the rain off in Atlanta a couple of weeks ago. After oiling the track once in the first run, the UK's Dave Beck came back out with his M.R.E. prepared Suzuki, and squared off with class veteran Steve Drake. Drake had something fail on the starting line with Beck receiving a solo win, running a 7.43 @ 180 MPH pass. However, Dave once again oiled down the track and ended up being the first recipient of oil down penalties in the 2000 season. AMA/Prostar recently introduced oil down penalties which result in a fine for the second and subsequent oil downs by a rider at one event, or if a rider has more then six oil downs in one season, for every one which follows.
Date: 29th April 2000
Headline: Peppers a Star!
Nick Pepper, team member of the King Racing Top Fuel Bike team, and ex British Prostock Bike Champion, has been seconded to crew for George and Jackie Bryce in their Star Racing team at the Chicago Prostar meeting and maybe in Tennessee at the NHRA Winston Showdown. It is hoped that the experience he has gained whilst working in the King Racing team will prove invaluable to Star and give Angelle and Fred the edge in their quest for Prostock bike honours this season.....
Date: 28th April 2000
Headline: Mystery rider
Kelvin Fagan and us at gossip have decided that the last competition was far too easy (the URL was a bit of a giveaway). So, dust off your memeory and let us know who this is then : - http://www.mg.maestro.dial.pipex.com/dragracing/mystery.jpg
Date: Henk Vink Competition Protest
Headline: 28th April 2000
Since announcing the winning answer for the guess the pic/time/place competition featuring Henk Vink, we've received an official protest over Ivan's description of the bike. Gossip have ruled in favour of Ivan as we did not ask for as much detail as he gave us, but for interest, the eagle eyed protester suggested that the chassis may not be an MCU one, but could in fact be the Nico Bakker one as the frame tubes appear thicker and so reminiscent of the Dutch built one. Over to the nostalgia buffs! Have a look yourself at: - http://www.mg.maestro.dial.pipex.com/dragracing/HenkVink1.jpg
Date: 28th April 2000
Headline: Honour amongst thieves?
Gossip was rife around the pits at last weekends Thunderball over a bet placed by MRE Funnybike rookie Chris `Cannon' Hannam with Dave Beck and his crew over their mutual performances. In his normal modest way, Cannon bet Daves crew chief Ian Dales £20 ($30) at odds of 20 - 1 that he would run a faster et on his Funnybike than Dave would on his Stocker. Unfortunately for Cannon, he broke early in the meet, and with Dave on his record setting performances, it was not to be. Time to cough up! However, according to Dave, Cannon welshed on the bet claiming that it was not over the meeting, but over a season. We await clarification of the terms of the bet......
Date: 27th April 2000
Headline: Ivan wanted to be a millionaire!
Further to our guess who / where / when, Ivan Sansom wins as the first to reply with the following submission: -
1981 (pretty sure it is, the late and great Henk Vink (the title of the jpeg is a little bit of a giveaway!) on one of his many ex- Motorcycles Unlimited Big Spenders, 1st Transatlantic Drag Bike Meet at Long Marston - Bo' O'Brochta et al... those were the days...
Tog of http://www.eurodragster.com and http://www.togsdragracing.com wins second prize with an almost complete answer, although many people cannot seem to decide if it was 1980 or 1981.
For you Dragbike nostalgia buffs see Bo go: - http://www.mg.maestro.dial.pipex.com/dragracing/bo1.jpg
Date: 27th April 2000
Headline: BJ's retort.....
Following on from both reports of King Racings performances over the weekend, Brian Johnson would like it to be known that Ian King did not holeshot him, but that Brian let him go first.
Date: 26th April 2000
Headline: Beck resets records
President of MRE Europe, Prostock rider Dave Beck, reset both the et and mph records for ACU UK Prostock Bike class at last weekends Thunderball meeting at Santa Pod. He reset the numbers from the previous 7.54 secs and 177 mph set by Paul Willis at Avon Park in 1999, to a storming 7.464 secs and 178.13 mph. Although Dave also ran a higher mph at the meeting (180.07) the next fastest speed he ran was not within the 1% backup needed, so the faster speed backed up the lower.
Date: 26th April 2000
Headline: Who wants to be a millionaire?
An apt title for the subject of the poser set by Kelvin Fagan of the photo on this link: -
http://www.mg.maestro.dial.pipex.com/dragracing/HenkVink1.jpg
What year? Who? Which track? Answers to Gossip for a mystery prize!
Date: 25th April 2000
Headline: Alternative King Racing report...........
Pensioner Chris Powell, lucky mascot for the Woollatt Racing Top Fuel bike team (since the sheep was sacrificed at a team barbecue) submitted what he claims to be the true report for King Racing at this weekends Thunderball meet at Santa Pod: -
"After reading the report on Santa Pod from King Racing maybe you would like to read the real version: -
After a flying pass by Ian in the semi final against Brian Johnson we could see Nick Pepper visibly sweating from forty paces or more. After his alcohol induced betting session at the SPRC dinner dance, the question we are all asking ourselves in the Woollatt camp is how deep are your pockets Nick? After being kept waiting for far too long and calculating and recalculating the track conditions, we thought you were hoping for a rain off as we were ready to go. Throughout the weekend we have been consistent with our times, and with a little step up, the writing was already on the wall. Never mind Ian, too greedy in the clutch department, see you at the next meet!"
At King Racing we can only assume that Steve Woollatts panicky request for the final to be run earlier than scheduled on the basis that he `only had a tinted visor' was connected with the fact that King Racing were not ready to race and so Steves confidence in the result was not as strong before the final as it now is....
However, we'd like to thank Chris Powells daughter for writing the report for him as the Old Peoples home he resides in no longer allows their inmates to have pencils anymore after Chris's little `accident'.....
Date: 25th April 2000
Headline: World debut for Hayabusa Prostocker
Veteran Prostock bike rider Len Paget debuted what is probably the Worlds first Hayabusa bodied Prostocker. The body, fabricated in Pagets own workshops, made it to competition ahead of the planned debut for the legendary Dave Schultz with his Hayabusa bodied Suzuki.
Date: 25th April 2000
Headline: More goodies for sale!
Mallory Sprint Mag for Suzuki complete with front or rear mounting plates, new HT leads, transformer, drive belt and pulley, all wiring and ignition lanyard - £345 or near offer.
Mr Turbo kit complete for 4 cylinder Suzuki GS/GSX, F40 Rajay, S&S Super B, .25 and .40 exhaust housings, and nitrous oxide injection nozzles - £1250 or near offer.
Contact Stuart Chamberlain on + 44 (0) 1793 617710
Date: 24th April 2000
Headline: King Racing Race Report
We just arrived here after a hectic weekend racing at a very wet Santa Pod. As you may have read elswhere, rain on every day of the three day meeting meant disruption to the smooth running of the event. However, one of the few finals that ran was Top Fuel bike. Our rider Ian King was pleased with th performance of his machine after the winter conversion of the clutch by Roger Forsythe of Rofor Engineering and Mark Hawkins of North herts Engineering from a two plate to a three plate clutch. TF Bike only benefitted from two qualifiers, and King Racings first was curtailed by a burst fuel filter housing. Our second was enough to qualify with a lazy 7.0 pass, with the new clutch showing promise. However, first round saw us up against it again with the last qualifying spot and a meeting with Brian Johnson, race favourite and winner of his last meeting, the Prostar World Finals. However, King turned giant killer again (he took out race favourite and first man in the fives, Larry McBride, at his last meeting in Gainesville) with a holeshot on Johnson, forcing a rather wayward run from the veteran that saw him take evasive action whilst heading towards the wall. So, King versus current British Champion Steve Woollatt in the final. Both had run similar times in the previous round, 6.76 to Kings 6.77 so a good raace was anticipated. However, it was not to be when a greedy King Racing team put more clutch in for the final and overpowered the rapidly degrading track surface. However, the silver lining to this cloud was the fact that the new clutch combination was working, and bodes well for the next meeting, the FIM Europaen Championship round one at Snta Pod in May.
Date: 20th April 2000
Headline: Take the Avon Park junction of the M1.....
Kelvin Fagan sent us some of his reminiscences of dragracing in the past. One of them that caught our eye was his old photos which show the start of the installation of the armco at Shakespeare County Raceway in Easter 1980. A small army of volunteers worked the whole of Easter that year transporting the armco from a storage depot at Watford gap on the M1. Yes the original armco came from the M1 motorway! Kelvin knows because he shifted tons of it! We're not sure, however, if they had permission to take it or if it was one of Mr Hodges `deals'.....
Date: 19th April 2000
Headline: King Racing ReActive8ted!
Press release Wednesday 19th April 2000 – Cambridge UK
Active 8 Networks of Royston, Herts UK, have confirmed the take up of their primary sponsorship option with King Racing for the 2000 season. Active 8 began their association with the Top Fuel Bike program of King Racing at the beginning of 1999, and have been impressed by the exposure and interest generated in the IT market they serve through this agreement. Roy Tucker, Managing Director of Active 8 Networks said today “ we have been greatly impressed by the return on our investment in King Racing. The professionalism shown by their team, and the enormous amount of interest shown in them clearly demonstrates that their profile is synonymous with quality. This complements the image of Active 8 with our customers and enables us to further our market position” Active 8 Networks are a leading supplier of IT Networking Solutions in Europe, and are authorised distributors for Cisco, 3Com, Nortel, Extreme and Equiinet. Further information can be found at http://www.A8.co.uk and http://www.kingracing.com
Date: 18th April 2000
Headline: The artist previously know as Long Marston
Shakespeare County Raceway aka Avon Park aka Long Marston is preparing itself for the start of this years Super Series events with some impressive new improvements. A new return road to the right of the shutdown area should make the previous tortuous and bumpy route back unecessary a thing of the past. It will confirm SCR's status as one of the leading tracks outside of the US. Gossip would like to congratulate Terry and Tina Gibbs and their staff for continuing to improve and invest in the facility, and succeeding in continuing the popular Super Series, now in it's third year.
Date: 118th April 2000
Headline: Kelvins happy snaps
Kelvin Fagan tells us that British Top Fuel bike rider Jay Upton, who is now resident in Australia, has used some of the pictures taken by Kelvin in the 70's and 80's at UK Drag race meets on his website in the scrapbook section. You can find Jay's site on: - http://www.topfuelpro.com.au/
Date: 18th April 2000
Headline: Brad does Weald
Brad O'Conner from DynoSpeed developments reports that he was North Weald last weekend supporting some of the local drag racers. One of his customers with a Suzuki Hayabusa was running around 10.85 second passes and challenged Brad to go quicker on his bike. Despite the fact that Brad hasnot ridden a bike for 7 months he took him up on the offer and ran 10.18 secs @ 140mph qualifying him number one in his class. He said it was good to be back in the saddle especially as his last run was from 50 to 0 mph in 2 secs !
Date: 17th April 2000
Headline: New transporter? Not yet...
King racing were dissapointed to learn that their new race transporter currently under construction at the Oakley Coachbuilders workshops in Hertfordshire would not be completed in time for the Thunderball meeting at Santa Pod. However, the Brachtvogel brothers have kindly loaned them their race trailer for the meeting. However, if Phil thinks he'll get a pass on the bike in return he's got another think coming.....
Date: 17th April 2000
Headline: Tommy Smith ups the ante.....
Tommy Smith has confirmed that not only were his two 6.42 second passes a personal best for him, they were also the fastest runs the ex Elmer Trett Mountain Magic he now owns has ever run.
Date: 16th April 2000
Headline: Who moved the goalposts?.....
We've just had it confirmed that Larry McBride did indeed run 5.937 in Houston. What makes it even more impressive is that his mph was down at 231.83mph meaning he rolled off early.....
Date: 16th April 2000
Headline: McBride runs 5.93?
We've heard a rumour that the first man on a bike in the fives, Larry McBride, ran a 5.93 today in Houston. Also, it was alleged that Tommy Smith ran a 6.42 on the ex Trett Mountain Magic. If this is indeed the case, then we at Gossip would like to send congratulations to both for posting career bests.
Date: 16thApril 2000
Headline: Apologies
We'd like to apologise for the lack of postings in Gossip over the last few days. The King Racing team under the able direction of Crew Chief Mick Beaumont have been feverishly working to prepare our Top Fuel Puma for our first meeting of the year, the Easter Thunderball at Santa Pod, round one of the ACU British Championship.
Date: 15th April 2000
Headline: The Fang!
Carl has contacted us with an update of his team site. It features their racing campaign and has some great pictures of various bikes of interest. He is particularly interested in pictures of famous bikes and riders from the past. Surf on down to their site at www.thefang.co.uk (dragbike.htm). He is particularly interested to know if Mick Hand's blown 250/305 Honda is still in existence as he'd love a close up of it.
Date: 14th April 2000
Headline: Mortsport Top Fuel
Jon Morton, rider and owner of the Mortsport Top Fuel Puma reports that despite a lot of effort put in to make the Easter meet, that he will sadly not make this first meeting of the year. Although nearing completion, his stunning machine is currently having the bodywork made by aluminium fabrication craftsman Ricky Beasley. Ricky, who also crafted the bodywork on the King Racing Puma, spends most of his working life sculpting bodywork for vintage Rolls Royces under restoration at Healey Brothers of Irthlingborough.
Date: 13th April 2000
Headline: Team Nitro Twister
Stefan Junerud, owner / rider of the unique Nitro Twister Supetrwin machine, reportd that they are about to finish work on their completly new machine, with new frame, body, frontend, wheels, brakes etc. The new bike can soon be seen on their new website: - http://www.servexab.com/eng/racing/racingdoor.htm
Date: 12th April 2000
Headline: The emperors new clothes
Promod star Dave Beck tells us that the MRE bike has received a stunning new paintjob. Close perusal of the bodywork revealed a logo on the rear fender `Bird Sanctuary'. Intense interrogation as to the meaning behind this led to the admittance by Dave that it was due to the success he has enjoyed with the ladies in the US. This has been put down to the MRE bike rather than his matinee idol looks by the previous rider of all concerned, Rick Perry.....
Date: 11th April 2000
Headline: Build your own Nitrous System!
John Williamson aka Burgerman (not the JW RMD proprieter) has posted a webpage including information on a DIY Nitrous Oxide Injection system. He explains: - "I have a badly designed info only type page or two, for people who want to try to build themselves a system cheaply, for their own use and for learning purposes at http://www.dynopower.freeserve.co.uk/nitrous_oxide/ .You will find power and torque curves for my Suzuki on here using this system". John also built his own mobile dynos until an accident on his Suzuki Bandit left him disabled. He now designs websites including one for Trevor Langfield at TMC, the self proclaimed Wizard of Nos (so that explains the mysterious events with my TMC system in the past does it Trev - witchcraft not design.........)
Date: 10th April 2000
Headline: NMCA Steetbike Shootout
In the NMCA Streetbike Shootout Montgomery, Alabama at the weekend, Randy Waters ran an astounding 8.007 secs. to qualify in number 1 position. Top speed of the meet was achieved by James Lauer who posted 181.89 mph in 3rd spot. Lauer eventually made the final where he was defeated by Brock Davidson’s 8.09 to his 8.18. The streetbike shootouts are proving extremely competitive with rules and machines not dissimilar to the European Superstreet bikes, but with the US machines arguably more street legal and usable than their European counterparts.
Date: 10th April 2000
Headline: Drachten FIM Cancellation
We've now been given some information regarding the decision by the Explosion Club of the Netherlands to cancel the planned FIM/UEM round at Drachten. Sjoerd Hulzinga has given the following reasons: -
1) They do not believe that they are ready to handle an event of this importance (FIM) and size following organisational problems at last years Drachten Nationals.
2) They are in a financially tight position, and were under the mistaken belief that the prize money had doubled from last year (don't get excited, this is unfortunately not the case!)
We have pointed out to Sjoerd that he is mistaken regarding the prize money, but understand that they wish to be competent enough before they handle a major event.
Date: 9th April 2000
Headline: Beck Race Parts Contingency
Stung by inference that parts offered by Beck Race Parts are not price competitive, Dave Beck has hit back by offering contingency sponsorship in the form of £30 in cash for a win in Prostock bike for any rider using a Mickey Thompson tyre supplied by him. We're sure that the fact that the small print mentions wins at Avon Park only cannot mean that Dave plans not to race in Prostock at Santa Pod this year.......
Date: 8th April 2000
Headline: Chiefy speaks
Chris Powell, the brains and brawn behind the Wollatt Racing team commented yesterday: -
"We think it would be better for all concerned if the prospective sponsor would pay Steve to stay away from the show and not scare anyone with his vast knowledge of the computing and internet revolution. The rest of the team will be there on Saturday and will look forward to seeing anyone......please......"
Date: 8th April 2000
Headline: Tumbledsomes retort.....
Beer swilling flatlander and 1961 Prostock Bike rookie of the year, Chris Tombleson would like us to let it be known that he did plan to compete in this years ACU championship but after seeing the pitiful times set in testing at RWYB's this year, he decided that he must look further afield for serious competition.
Date: 8th April 2000
Headline: Two bullets for Beck
Dave Beck contacted us to let us know that after the carnage suffered at the Prostar race in Atlanta, they hope to have two complete engines from CPE for Columbus as they have two eliminations to contend with. They also have a tempting offer from Ward Performance for one of their latest 2 Valve motors. However, they need to ascertain who pays for it when Dave breaks it, Ward or MRE......
Date: 6th April 2000
Headline: Woollatt shows off
Top Fuel bike rider Steve Woollatt has confirmed that his bike will be exhibited on the Streetfighters stand at this weekends London Arena Motorcycle show, situated in London's Docklands. He added that he hoped to pick up sponsorship by attending the show maybe from, in his words "some dot com yuppie or something"......
Date: 5th April 2000
Headline: Tumbledsome to boycott UK Championship
In what is seen as a protest at other UK riders trying too hard, we hear that Prostock rider Chris Tombleson is to sit out the ACU Championship and concentrate on the easier FIM/UEM European championship.
Date: 5th April 2000
Headline: Lectrons for sale......
A certain dealer from the flatlands north of Watford have added fuel to the saga of the Lectrons that Dave Beck Import and Export PLC have for sale in that the DBIE prices are in no way competitive to theirs and there was no way that the mystery Prostock rider could resist such low prices.......
Date: 4th April 2000
Headline: Carrying over eliminations from rain off's
Regarding the comment from Dave Beck in the last gossip article regarding carrying over of eliminations from a rain off to the next meeting, we thought we should give the perspective from the ACU. Although we used to actually do this, it was stopped some years ago. The problems we encountered were that most organising clubs had problems with finding the time in the schedule to do this particularly at two day meetings. Also, some riders would be unavailable at the next meeting for one reason or another and we also had some problems with track preparation not being optimised until the day of scheduled eliminations for that particular meeting. Racing AND qualifying was difficult, particularly for the Top Fuel Bikes and we would always have the problem with what to do when the last meeting of the year was rained off. Would we not be able to resolve the championship until the first meeting of the following year? The final problem was that as the rounds were held under different orgainising clubs, some would not honour the rain off eliminations from the last meeting at another club and track. It also caused problems in awarding club championship points. So, it was decided to award points up to the point at which the meeting was cancelled (inc. qualifying points and round wins) and end the meeting at that point.
Date: 4th April 2000
Headline: Tales from Atlantis
Dave Beck informed us of the problems he encountered at last weekends rained off Prostar meeting in Atlanta: -
'We ste up the first pass really soft to run the 7.12. Our second pass encountered gearbox problems, and the third was beset by electrical problems resulting in a blown motor. We were glad at the rain off as it gives us a full three weeks to check out the bike before Columbus - something that should be implemented here in the UK'
Date: 3rd April 2000
Headline: BJ gives up
The task of fighting off the new kids on the block in Top Fuel Bike has taken it's toll on Brian Johnson. His concerns at the threat posed by the new riders such as Ian King and Jon Morton have led to his decision to give up trying to keep up and retire at the end of the season. Consequently, his entire operation is for sale. Those who have had a lottery win or an inheritance from a rich aunt should contact him and talk telephone numbers....
Date: 2nd April 2000
Headline: Atlanta (or Atlantis?)
The Prostar meeting in Atlanta this weeken has been rained off. All remaining eliminations will be conducted at the next round in Columbus, Ohio. This may have helped Dave Beck who only made one qualifying pass due to problems and could probably have done with the breathing space. Fred Collis made a fabulous 7 teen pass to take top spot in Pro Stock Bike, and Chris Hand was getting back in the groove after his extensive frame mods in Top Fuel Bike. Number one qualifiers: -
TF Chris Hand 6.460 @ 220.62
FB Bryan Bennett 6.721 @ 201.82
PM Tom Miceli 6.821 @ 196.53
PS Fred Collis 7.182 @ 190.70
Date: 2nd April 2000
Headline: Prostar Atlanta final qualifying?
It would seem that Dave Beck did not make another pass in qualifying this weeekend and slumped to 12th position with his 7 second pass. He is, however, in the field as long as his problems do not turn out to be terminal.
Date: 2nd April 2000
Headline: April fool?........
It has been reported by Dragbike.com and repeated by Eurodragster.com that Brian Johnson qualified # 1 at the Atlanta Prostar meet this weekend. However, we have to sadly report that Brian is not in the US and the only qualifying he did this weekend was for his bus pass....
Date: 1st April 2000
Headline: Beck in Atlanta
After the first round of qualifying at the Prostar meeting in Atlanta, Dave Beck lies in 5th position with a 7.123 @ 175.8.
Date: 31st March 2000
Headline: FIM Championship shenanigans....
According to Eurodragster, Sjoerd Hulzinga of the Dutch drag racing organisation that operates the Dragten Nationals has reported that it will not be a round of the FIM championship as planned. However, we contacted the FIM and Lars Andersson who said that they have yet to be told that the round will not happen as planned. It was hoped that it would be run over the eighth mile as the venue was deemed unsuitable for the bikes over the quarter mile. We have asked for clarification from the FIM and will bring it to you as soon as possible. It does look, however, that Drachten FIM will not happen. We hope that Keith (Bartlett)who has the TV rights to the FIM Championship and Rico (Anthes) promoter of the Hockenheim Nitro Olympics can get on well enough this year for the FIM round there to continue as planned......
Date:
Headline:
According to Eurodragster, Sjoerd Hulzinga of the Dutch drag racing organisation that operates the Dragten Nationals has reported that it will not be a round of the FIM championship as planned. However, we contacted the FIM and Lars Andersson who said that they have yet to be told that the round will not happen as planned. It was hoped that it would be run over the eighth mile as the venue was deemed unsuitable for the bikes over the quarter mile. We have asked for clarification from the FIM and will bring it to you as soon as possible. It does look, however, that Drachten FIM will not happen. W
Date: 31st March 2000
Headline: Purple Princess Top Fuel Team
Roald Dogge of the Purple Princess Top Fuel Bike Team Holland called us with the following news: -
`Due to moving to another job and house we were not able to do a lot of improvements on the bike but now we have started and it is progressing well. The biggest problem we found was tilting the engine forward which made servicing a nightmare. Also, the weight distribution was not optimal. Consequently, we decided to layout the complete engine/transmission in a different way. We also started a billet cylinder head project but that will not be finished for this season. Therefore, we are looking for a secondhand manifold to connect a Sprintex to a Z900 cylinder head. As this will be used for this season only we do not want to spend too much money. We would prefer the manifold to be a billet item. Does anyone who reads your gossip column know anybody who could have such an item?'
Well, if anyone does indeed know of such a manifold, please e mail Roald at: - brenro@wxs.nl
Date: 30th March 2000
Headline: Woollatt sells his Lionels......
Well, not quite, but he has sort of moved into the 21st Century by getting a website. We know that it's unusual for a Watford resident to be so educated, but the only explanation can be that his webmaster must live somewhere else. Although the site is still under construction, it's worth bookmarking now for future access. Steve can be accessed at : - http://www.woollattracing.co.uk/
Date: 29th March 2000
Headline: Dept. of corrections
Kevin Sullivans correct web address is: - http://www.sullivan95.freeserve.co.uk
Date: 29th March 2000
Headline: Shark Magic!
Kevin Sullivan sent us details of his website dedicated to the Swedish Top Fuel Bike legend Stephan Reisten. Check out his site at : -http//www.sullivan95.freeserve.co.uk (and amuse yourself at the Lionel Blairs and Jason King moustaches!)
Date: 28th March 2000
Headline: Becks ex mate on posh parts part 2.....
The mystery Prostock rider who had the finger of guilt pointed at him over the Lectron carbs purchased by Dave Beck, and now up for sale, mailed us to say that it was due to a misunderstanding on both sides....... (name witheld to protect the guilty)
Date: 28th March 2000
Headline: Hireabusa Cooper
Ken Cooper reports that interest in his Hyabusa for hire deal is increasing, with a couple of mainstream motorcycle magazines already booked in for race meetings during this year. The deal that involves just turning up, paying your money and riding and with all the spanner work, fuel and entry fee included looks like being popular with those riders who would have had to miss a meeting due to bike breakage using this plan to gain some points at an otherwise barren meeting.
Date: 27th March 2000
Headline: Becks posh goodies
Dave Beck has asked us to mention that due to being let down by a fellow Prostock rider who asked him to buy some carbs when in the US, he has a brand new set of the latest largest Lectron Carbs for sale at a low low price.
E mail: - beck.racing@virgin.net
Tel: 01948 871264
Date: 27th March 2000
Headline: Paul Willis Dragracing
Dom Trickett from the Paul Willis Dragracing team called to update us on the latest news from their camp. The new bike is coming along nicely with the chassis having been laser built by chassis guru Andy Robinson. They should do a complete 1/4 mile run in a straight line this season. Dom's currently working on their new specification engine hoping to squeeze a little more horse power from last years powerplant. They will see how it runs this season with a perfect chassis, but are also hoping to develop a new chassis for mid season with rear suspension and a totally new British engine if the US based engine isn't quick enough.
Date: 26th March 2000
Headline: Jade Racing
Sharron Collier of Jade Racing confirms that she is indeed making a comeback but first on a streetbike to regain her confidence before launching back into competition style bikes again. The bike will probably be ready mid season. She also tells us that Jade Racing is now Jerry's full time occupation, as he gave up work in October to concentrate on two stroke tuning. Jade Racing can be contacted on 01159 111430 for any two stroke work. The Jade team for 2000 is: -
Jerry, Rick Davies, (carbon copy) Sharron (Supertwins modified RD) and Barrie Gregory (Supertwins modified RD).
Date: 24th March 2000
Headline: MRE Pro Mod at Avon Park?
It's possible that not only will Jay Regan, owner and all round good guy from MRE be gracing us with his presence at the ACU Championship round at Avon Park in June, but he may be bringing the Pro Mod bike currently being campaigned by Dave Beck in the Prostar series with him too. Let's hope that this is possible and we may see this bike running against the best bikes in Funnybike that England can throw at it.....
Date: 23rd March 2000
Headline: Views from the pits
We had a submission from a rider, exasperated by the machinations of the politics of our sport: -
`Why don't the 'BRAINS' at the FIM stop trying to figure out how to ruin motorcycle drag racing, and start figuring out how to bring more riders into the sport, i.e. : MORE PRIZE MONEY!!!
Date: 22nd March 2000
Headline: Prostock Bike For Sale
Complete proven Prostock rolling chassis, 1425cc block and pistons, GSX head plus more misc. parts.
Te: 02380 898155 (Southampton, England).
Date: 21st March 2000
Headline: FIM Competition Bike rumours.....
There appear to be some rumours floating around Sweden at present regarding the future of FIM Competition Bike namely: -
Rumour 1 is that Competition Bike will be renamed `Top Fuel' and only bikes running on Nitro will be allowed in the class.
Rumour 2 is that the FIM / Keith Bartlett want to / will cut out Pro Mod and Funny Bikes from the European championship.
In order that we may investigate further, we spoke to Kjell Petersson of Santa Pod Raceway and challenged him over this issue. He explained that both Keith Bartlett and he would like to have a European Top Fuel Bike championship with at least 8 Nitro bikes at all rounds rather than Competition Bike as it is, with the eight bikes a mix of Funny's Pro Mod's and the Nitro Bikes. Therefore, the rumours do have some truth. However they have not been actively pursuing this `wish', as there are not enough bikes that can afford to do all the rounds, and anyway, the decision makers are still the FIM.
As an aside, we at King Racing would resist efforts (through the ACU) to exclude the non Nitro bikes as we do not see it as a way forward. If the whole eight qualified bikes were always Top Fuel Bikes at all rounds then we would see that it maybe should be renamed Top Fuel, but until that time, we cannot support any moves of this type.
Date: 20th March 2000
Headline: Daves tale of glue
Dave Beck explained that although they ran 7.67 @ 176 during testing at the weekend, it came to a premature end when some of the epoxy moved in the roof of the port and let some oil into the chamber, necessitating a return to base.
Date: 20th March 2000
Headline: Santa Pod RWYB
Various riders were out testing this past weekend at the Pod. Ken Cooper managed some 7 second passes on his Pro Mod Bike, running as quick as 7.67 despite the looseness of the track after 330 feet. His mph at the eighth was 10 mph down, and a lazy clutch setup contributed to a slower than possible et. Dave Beck impressed again with an off the trailer 7.67 @ 176. Dave is off to the USA in a couple of weeks to ride the MRE Pro Mod Bike at the next AMA/Prostar event.
Date: 20th March 2000
Headline: Schultz back to winning ways.
Gainesville, Fla. -- Schultz, from Ft. Myers, Fla., captured his 44th career Pro Stock Motorcycle victory, and fourth at Gainesville Raceway by upsetting No. 1 qualifier Tony Mullen in the final. Schultz rode his Sunoco Suzuki to the victory with a 7.285 at 182.87, besting Mullen's slower Suzuki, which ran 7.340 at 177.88. Schultz beat Brian DeLong, Fred Collis and defending series champ Matt Hines to advance to the final round, his first since the 1999 fall event at Houston Raceway Park. Courtesy Marty Kane.
Date: 18th March 2000
Headline: Top Fuel Bike for free!
Well almost, as the Top Fuel Bike bargain of the century. Puma chassis (the same design as our current fuel bike) Puma cases (2 sets, one spare) Puma billet crankshaft (2, one spare) Wiseco pistons (total displacement 2400cc) Superod Aluminium Conrods Kent Camshafts Yamaha FJ1200 Heads, ported by NCK and converted to shim under bucket. Stainless Steel Valves (and 2 spare sets) HD nuts and studs Puma fuel injection and throttle bodies Pace oil pump Enderle fuel pump B&J 2 speed gearbox Crower slider clutch RC Components Spyder side drive rear wheel RC Components Front wheel Performance Machine brake master cylinders Harrison floating brake discs Harrison Billet 6 piston calipers Zodiac Upside Down front forks with Billet Yokes Barrel valve / return valves/ misc fittings. Two piece Fibreglass body and mould. Purpose built hydraulic bike lift / worktable Misc parts / extras.
It is around 85 % complete in terms of work, and around 98 % in terms of parts expenditure. We cannot afford to run the two bikes now as planned (new race transporter!). An individual agreed to buy it off me and has given me some money to date, but we are now way past the agreed date for paying the balance. Consequently, I will now sell it cheaply (i.e. the original asking price less the money I have already received). So if you want an extraordinary bike at an absolutely bargain price please contact me. It is, of course, fully legal to run in the Prostar Top Fuel Bike class, the ACU Top Fuel Bike class, and FIM Competition Bike (Top Fuel!). This bike attracts an enormous amount of interest, among bike and car enthusiasts. Gaining sponsorship for the bike will be like falling off a log. Please NO time wasters.
Date: 16th March 2000
Headline: Cannon's rants....
Yorkshires answer to Puff Daddy, Chris `Cannon' Hannam, updated us on his team news. His crew for this season will be Andy Dawson and Andy Richards. Dawson, who also is a co owner of the ex MRE machine, had designs on sharing the rides with Chris, although sanity prevailed and he has settled on the more onerous task of Crew Chief. Chris acknowledges the fact that without Dawson's financial commitment, he would not be in the position to attempt an assault on this years championship. He lets on that he found the first pass he made on the bike a surprise at how physically demanding that level of power is, with it being difficult to hold on. He couldn't walk properly for a week (didn't handicap his mouth though....) and is making a conscious effort to improve his fitness. He added that he was pleased at being awarded FB 17 as his race number as it meant he only had to throw the number 7 away for the 2001 season....
Date: 15th March 2000
Headline: Fastest Nitrous Street Tyred Bandit?
Brad O'Connor of DynoSpeed Developments believes that his customer Mark Watkins is running the fastest Bandit engined Street tyred Nitrous bike in Europe at present, unless anyone else knows otherwise?
Date: 14th March 2000
Headline: In the clutches of the Swedes......
In the quest to find a clutch to handle the awesome power that John Ivarssons Turbo Promod Suzuki is putting out, he has been in discussion with Dave Branch reference the Sintered Bronze plates that Shaun and he have been experimenting with succesfully on their Supercharged Methanol Funnybike.
Date: 13th March 2000
Headline: Anyone for air clutches?
Shawn Garrigan, the Top Fuel Bike pilot and innovator, reports that he plans to convert his current twelve (!) stage clutch to an air one. Although ex pat Jay Upton in Australia also runs an air clutch in his highly innovative TF bike, multistage centrifugal clutches are still de rigeur for Top Fuel.
Date: 13th March 2000
Headline: I'll be back.......
And he is! Steve Dyer makes a welcome return to Superstreet on Mark Watkins old Terminator machine, but sporting a Dave Holland style body (the bike, not Steve!) and a new paintjob. Although he appeared in both 10.90 and 9.90 last year he has been itching to return to Superstreet.
Date: 13th March 2000
Headline: Think Pink
Santa Pods answer to Peters and Lee, Sandra and Roland Chaplain were spied collecting their all new race trailer resplendant with eye catching new livery from Alan Lane at Royston Signs and Graphics over the weekend.
Date: 13th March 2000
Headline: Beck goes testing
Dave Beck plans to test an all new Prostock Engine from the workshops of Roger Upperton at the RWYB at Santa Pod next weekend.
Date: 13yt
Headline:
Date:
Headline: Stordeur Takes IHRA Winternationla
Report courtesy of Summit Fast News DARLINGTON SC - SUMMIT FastNews - Steve Stordeur, driving Johnny Mancuso's second Harley Davidson took his second Screamin' Eagle Nitro Harley win in a row, defeating 1999 World Champion Jay Turner, 6.545/208.36 to 6.491/214.35. Stordeur's first ever win came at the Mopar Parts World Finals at Shreveport last October.
"I won this race because of Johnny's support," said the Goshen, Ohio racer. "We used his setups and were able to take the win."
Mancuso set the speed end of the IHRA Screamin' Eagle Nitro Harley World Record during Friday's qualifying, unleashing a 6.476/214.08 pass. Mancuso lost in the first round of eliminations to Dale Nungesser.
Date: 11th March 2000
Headline: Nitro Twins at the IHRA Winternationals
Johnny Mancuso ran a fantastic 6.476 @ 214.08 to qualify in top position at the IHRA Prolong Super Lubricants Winter Nationals. Surprises of the event were the non qualification of Jim McClure (despite a 6.89!) and recently crowned ADBA World Champion Bill Furr.
Date: 10th March 2000
Headline: Stefan Juneryd
We've just viewed Nitro Supertwin rider Stefan Juneryd's web page. It's an excellent insight into the technology behind their JP1 home based design. View at: -
http://w1.331.telia.com/~u33106502/dr/tfb-tech2.htm
Date: 10th March 2000
Headline: Pit Lane Groupies score again
Brock Davidson must have felt pretty tired after the persistent knowledge vampiring from Brad O'Connor, Mark Watkins and Graham Dance in Gainesville at the weekend. Brock had run a 8.07 sec pass at the weeekend on his Streetbike shootout bike and parted with some pretty useful tips. Graham was seen leaving the track with a number of new tyres to try, and Mark had a brand new Schnitz all in one box tucked under his arm as well as some FCR's and a piston kit for his THIRD! reload motor. It seems he's really serious this year... There was also a rookie hanging onto their every word, a DynoSpeed Developments customer by the name David Emsley. He seemed to buy everything on offer in the pits for his new bike, a Bandit 1200 which he will first campaign in 9.90 Bike with a planned move up to Superstreet mid season.
Date: 8th March 2000
Headline: Bits from the Gainesville pits
Tony Sabino has not yet got his new bike and was riding a customers, Billy Vose has got a Ward 2 valve motor to run with Louis Grist as Fred Collis is racing at the Gatornationals in two weeks time. Tom Perrys new Funnybike had some setup problems but a weekend test at Bradenton will hopefully sort it out.
Date: 7th March 2000
Headline: What happened to Dave in Gainesville
Dave Beck explained his weekend in Gainesville at the Prostar season opener: -
We had the bike set very lazy off the line and it was a 10th down on our normal 60 ft so to go 6.90 @ 197,71 mph was a big step up for us. It was also in the dark and I couldn’t see with my dark visor on.
It was a do or die last qualifying session as we had a bad ground wire but couldn't find it for a while.
I went past Van Sant like he had broken and nearly clicked it off early thinking we had crossed the finish line.
We hurt a piston on the second run but didn't find it until we fired the bike up to check the clutch for the race with Micelli. We had 40% leakdown on number one but it was coming out of the intake valves or so we thought. Jay (Regan) and I agreed that if the bike went sick and he was in front I would click it off. However, it blew a piston at about the 300ft mark after I left with 4 hundreths on the tree. His 60 was 5 better and we were level at 330 ft but he soon went away from me.
Jay celebrated the pass in his usual style at the Ale House just as soon as he could get there! We felt we could have won but just need the new CPE motor for a spare bullet.
Date: 6th March 2000
Headline: Testing Times for Team CooperiZZZZed
Team CooperiZZZZed were testing at Santa Pod at the weekend. Track conditions were a little slick - Helen Curran kept spinning the tyre even after shortening the bike. Big Bad Brian (Biffa) Bowen split the plenum chamber on the new turbo setup so had to retire early(or was it late, as he did'nt arrive till lunch time suffering a huge hangover blamed on the fine performance of the England Rugby team on Saturday). They also had the Team Cooperized rent-a-ride Suzuki Hirebusa out. This proved very popular with the Team, spectators and Pod crew alike in its splendid Team Cooperized livery. This (when finished) 200 bhp lengthened air shifter equipped Busa will be available for rent for 1,2 or 3 day meetings at a cost of £250, £300 and £350 respectivly all in. Just turn up pay the man, race and go home. Lee Baxendale will be riding it at the first meeting at the Pod. In its standardish trim he ran 10.001 @ 141 yesterday. Helen also had a go and ran 10.09 @ 141. Brian (Biffa) Bowen ran his fastest ever time on a motorcycle with a 10.76 @ 135 and Ken managed some awesome wheelies (till he got bored) and a 10.19 @ 137. Team Cooperized will be out testing again at the next RWYB on the 19th March.
Date: 6th March 2000
Headline: Gainesville final results
Our insomniac correspondent in't North Chris Hope sends us this final report from Gainesville: -Larry McBride saved the best 'till last in the final round of Top Fuel at Gainesville. Running a crisp and clean 6.16 @ 225 in the final against Chris Hand. Hand's machine sporting one of McBride's old rear tyres hasn't been hooking up as well as he would have liked, and it showed as it smoked the tyre about 200 feet out.
In Pro Mod it looks as though `piston basher Beck' struck again as he lost his semi final round to eventual winner Tom Miceli. Beck could only manage a 9.92 aboard the ailing MRE Pro Mod.( surely the rise in share price in MTC & WISECO can not be purely coincidental with Beck's trips to the USA.)
Geno Scali took the honours in Pro Stock defeating Star's Fred Collis in the semi and Paul Gast in the final by a tenth of a second. Gary Clark took the honours in Funnybike.
Date: 5th March 2000
Headline: Gainesville latest
Latest news from Gainesville, courtesy of Garry Parrish: - In Top Fuel, Larry McBride nearly matched his round one ET with a 6.22, and bumped his own top speed of the meet mark up to 230.82 MPH. He meets his final round foe, Chris Hand, who has yet to make a full pass. Hand however is improving with every pass on his recently reconfigured "Red Neck Express" fueler, and may be poised to step up and give McBride a run for the big trophy. Hand found the six second zone last round with an early shut off 6.99 at 150 MPH. Slightly out of the groove, and with nobody in the other lane to outrun, Hand wisely killed the engine beyond half-track. In ProMod Bruce Van Sant has suddenly become a consistent six-second player in the Pro Mod ranks, this time running a 6.96 in defeating Jack Young. He now must face bad boy Billy Vose in the semi-finals after Vose clicked-off yet another low ET of the round, at 6.84. Our own Dave Beck is also a consistent six-second guy this meeting, advancing to the semis with a 6.92. He will race Tom Miceli, who won the battle of the Franco bikes with a 6.846, two thousandths slower than Vose.
Date: 5th March 2000
Headline: Prostar first round details.
The first round of eliminations at the Prostar season opener at Gainesville have got underway. In Top Fuel, Germany’s Norbert Kutzera dragged his right foot peg along the concrete retaining wall after mis-aligning his fuel bike on the starting line. He did not come off the bike, but he kicked-up a lot of dirt and debris at about the 500' mark. Chris Hand was in the other lane, clicking off a slow, but good enough for the win 7.47 @ 139.94 mph. Hand gets a bye run in the next round. Larry McBride brought the crowd to their feet with a blistering 6.21 / 227.56 pass, good enough for top speed and low ET of the weekend so far, and on a solo run. McBride will have lane choice over Tommy Smith, who just eased past Trevor Lent's Harley Davidson. Lent got out in front of Smith, but Smith reeled him in at just over 191 MPH. In ProMod, Dave Beck's consistent 6.91 earned him a race next round with Roderick Culp.
Date: 5th March 2000
Headline: Gainesville qualifying
Thanks to Chris Hope for the following Gainesville info: -
After an electronic problem and a nitrous fire just off the start line, Dave Beck made the most of his 3rd and only real qualifying session. In his only chance to qualify the "Cheshire Tom Cat" fired a warning shot across the bows of the big guns, carding a 6.908 @ 197.71 mph giving him the No 3 spot. With only 0.400 sec separating the top 16 places Pro Mod appears to be where the racing will be today. In Pro Stock Geno Scali holds the No1 spot on the Cope Racing Suzuki with a 7.222 @ 184.69 mph. Absent from the top 16 is Fred Collis and the Star Racing Suzuki who I we believe failed to make a qualifying pass due to problems with the bike. In Top Fuel Larry McBride needed only 1 pass to take the number 1 spot. Shutting off early because of the wind he only carded a 6.822 @ 153.5. Close behind him is Nobert Kutzera with a 6.863 @ 184.76. Followed by:- Tommy Smith 7.179 @ 203.75, Trevor Lent 7.368 @ 170.22 and finally Chris Hand 8.475 @ 106.87. All Pro classes were restricted to 3 qualifying sessions because of some good old English rain during Saturday morning and early afternoon.
Date: 4th March 2000
Headline: Branch Engineering side drive wheels
Espied at the workshops of Dave Branch was the first side drive wheel he has constructed. Quality looks good, although the 3 spoke design is a little conservative. Dave hopes to sell them for around £800, a considerable saving over the offerings from the usual suspects in the US.
Date: 3rd March 2000
Headline: Gainesville reports
The Prostar MRE Sunshine Nationals have already kicked off in Florida. However, it would seem that Dave Beck did not make a pass in first round qualifying. In Top Fuel Bike, Tommy Smith on the ex -Elmer Trett Mountain Magic holds pole, closely followed by Nitro HD pilot Trevor Lent and Germany's own Norbert Kutzera. No sign of any activity in either the Hand or McBride camps as of yet. Tonight is the annual Prostar Prize Winners Banquet.
Date: 3rd March 2000
Headline: Monique in leather......
Our favourite Cyber chick, Monique Koedam reports that Team Koedam Racing (Top Fuel Bike) will be enjoying the support of DAKOTA for the coming season. DAKOTA, long time sponsor of German Top Fuel Dragster pilot and promoter of the Nitro Olympics at Hockenheim, Rico Anthes, are well known for their scantily clad models wearing (scarcely) examples of their high quality leatherwear. Apparently, Hollands best known Pit Lane Floozie Monique Koedam has promised to model their leather underwear exclusively for the King Racing Team at the Main Event at Santa Pod. It's not known if crew chief for Koedam Racing, Marius will be ever able to mix Nitro with any accuracy ever again.
Date: 3rd March 2000
Headline: Euro Superstreet Bike series
According to Eurodragster.com, the European Super Street Bike Challenge is on for the 2000 season. German Peter Calwer who is organising the Challenge and who also runs the dragsterracing.de web site says that the Challenge is definitely to be a three-race series this year, with rounds to be held at Drachten (Holland) in July, Hockenheim (Germany) in August, and Santa Pod Raceway (UK) in September. "We can expect more than twenty five bikes at Hockenheim" says Peter, "I wouldn't like to miss the qualifying!". Peter also says that a number of German SSB racers are keen to come to the European Finals at Santa Pod in September.
At present, twenty one European Super Street Bike racers are committed to the Challenge, with others probable, and there is room for more.
Peter is currently working on obtaining sponsorship for the Challenge; anyone interested in putting their name to what is certain to be a very popular race series should E-Mail Peter at pp@calwer.de.
Check out the Challenge web site at www.dragsterracing.de/eurossb for full details including rules, dates, the current entry list, and how to get involved.
Date: 2nd March 2000
Headline: Goodies for sale!
Ben Beneke sends us details of some top notch must haves at bargain prices: -
RC COMPONENTS WHEELS Rear 15" x 11" Dual Spyder, Side Drive, Beadlocker. VERY light and VERY rigid. Comes complete with 25mm spindle and 29"x12" tyre (worn). This is the best rear wheel you can get, be ahead of future rule changes.
Front 18" x 1.85" standard hub with dual disc adaptor. Incredibly light, comes complete with Goodyear tyre (Loads of tread!)
Looking to sell the pair or just the rear, may sell the front on its own. Also have race prepped Red Wing front end and discs and brakes all round which could go as well if the moneys right.
These are expensive items, only sensible offers!!
Contact: Ben Beneke
Tel: 0117 - 985 9948
Fax: 0117 - 904 4512
Mobile: 0780 - 143 8414. email: benbeneke@yahoo.co.uk.
Date: 2nd March 2000
Headline: Brian Baillie
Ian Turbeville contacted us with the following sad news: - `It is with a heavy heart that sad news of the death of Brian Baillie reaches us. He was one of the leading lights at S&S Cycle in Wisconsin and was always keen to help Drag Racers. He will be sorely missed.'
Date: 1st March 2000
Headline: Cajun country news #2
Whislt at Dave Branch engineering we espied one of the last frames that chassis legend and pensioner John Clift made before his arthritis forced him into a sad life of numerous windsurfing holidays. It is the Funnybike chassis that Tony Kershaw comissioned and never finished circa 1994. It seems to have changed hands a couple of times before landing in the workshops of Stu Chamberlain.
Date: 1st March 2000
Headline: Cajun country news
We bumped into Prostock Champion Paul Willis yesterday on his way back from collecting his crankshaft from underworld drag specialist Dave Branch. Paul tells us that his chassis is almost ready for collection from ProMod car chassis fabricator Andy `Gus' Robinson.
Date: 29th February 2000
Headline: Hop up your Hayabusa!
Brad from DynoSpeed sent us these tips for all those planning to run a Hayabusa. He has included the Dyno results they obtained when applying these mods: -
Exhausts:
Cans Quill +3-4bhp Renegade +3-4bhp
Systems:
Standard system 154-158bhp Yoshi +8bhp (no airbox mod) - total seen on test bike 164bhp M4 +14bhp (inc airbox mod) total seen on test bike 169bhp Akrapovic +14bhp (inc airbox mod) total seen on test bike 170bhp
Airbox mod 3-4bhp
BMC high flow filter
Dynojet power commander 2 enhances all these exhausts as does a Yosh box remap. The Power commander in particular is worth 5-7 bhp of mid range and maps for specific applications can be downloaded from the net.
Other mods:
Clutch center mod allows smooth engagement of clutch without any snatching. This mod is 'THE' essential one for any Busa. I would buy this first over any other performance part.
16 OR 15 tooth front sprockets are popular once everybody gets bored with cruising at 190mph they then wish to accelerate faster.
Lowering plates lowers the bike 1" or 2" and is a good aid for consistant launches.
We can also supply Dyna 2000 for the Busa. This is only useful for gas applications when the retard facility is used. No other power gain was measured or felt.
Bigbore kits:
Std bore high comp 13.5:1 1360cc 13.5:1 1425cc 13.5:1
Cams:
Stg 1 Yosh Stg 1 DSD Stg 2 DSD
The usual Gasflowed head is available.
Big engines have been producing between 185bhp to 205bhp!
As you've probably guessed this is just some of what is available.
Date: 28th February 2000
Headline: FIM/UEM dates confirmed
Also at the congress, all the proposed dates for the 2000 FIM/UEM championship have been ratified. That means a welcome return for Drachten, Holland and Hockenheim, Germany for this season. For full dates and details see our FIM European Championship page.
Date: 28th February 2000
Headline: FIM accepts new cranks......
At the FIM congress in Geneva this weekend, it was agreed that aftermarket crankshafts will now be accepted for Prostock bike. This change was forced on them due to the unavailibility of OEM Suzuki crankshafts and brings them in to line with the ACU rules.
Date: 27th February 2000
Headline: Rice moves upstairs
As part of the large investment Kawasaki are making into drag racing for 2000, Funnybike rider Steve Rice is retiring from riding duties to become crew chief, reports Marty Kane. Last years 600cc Supersport runner up Chip Ellis will ride the impressive Funnybike, whilst Rickey Gadson will continue to campaign in the 750 cc Pro Superbike class and the 600cc Supersport class. Both Chris Williams and Ryan Schnitz join Marty Ladwig in a formidable Team Green Kawasaki 600cc Supersport campaign. Legendary tuner Rob Muzzy will fettle all the bikes in what seems to be the largest manufacturer based effort in Dragracing ever.
Date: 26th February 2000
Headline: Sharons coming back
Sharon Collier, who gave up racing for motherhood (for some strange reason) has decided that she prefers racing and plans a comeback for this season. Sharon, the wife of world record holding 2 stroke twin racer Jerry, plans to join hubby in a two bike Jade Racing team for 2000.
Date: 26th February 2000
Headline: Another Top Fuel Bike?
News reaches us of another British Top Fuel bike under construction. Jeff Hill informs us that his project features home made billet cases, a three plug billet head, an Autorotor supercharger, Sprint magnetos and a B&J 2 speed gearbox. Lets hope it won't appear in the timescales normally featured for Fuel bike projects....
Date: 24th February 2000
Headline: Indianapolis trade show invasion
Despite claims of being skint, a large contingent of Brits made the long haul to Indianapolis for the recent motorcycle dealer expo. Accompanied by Top Fuel rider Brian Johnson, Graham Balchin was in attendance on the Carolina Cycles stand promoting his new dataloggers that will be distributed through them in the US. Runours have it that some high profile American racers inc. Larry McBride have placed orders.
Also at the show was RMD's John Williamson along with Team Cooperised leader Ken (just call me jobless) Cooper.
Date: 23rd February 2000
Headline: King Racing screensaver
Motosavers, designers of promotional screensavers have designed a new King Racing screensaver that can be downloaded for free from their website. It can be found in both the "Motorcycles" section and the "Promotional" section.
However, at Gossip we're happy enough with our Baywatch screensaver thanks very much.....
MotoSavers - http://www.motosavers.com Home of the most gorgeous, high-quality vehicle screensavers on the Internet! (allegedly)
Date: 22nd February 2000
Headline: Early season test news # 4
Barry Eastman conducted some shakedown tests of the new induction and ignition combination on hs CBX Honda Funnybike this weekend. Straight into the low nines until a shifter malfunction sent them home early, Barry was pleased with the progress made so early with this as yet untried setup.
Date: 22nd February 2000
Headline: Early season test news # 3
Richard Gypp at the same tests, recorded an 8.02 second pass on his new ex - Chris Tombleson chassis that we believe to be a personal best. Looks like all the riders in Prostock are stepping up in an attempt to end the dominance of the class by Paul Willis last season.
Date: 22nd February 2000
Headline: Early season test news # 2
Dave Beck told us he was over the moon with the performance of his `new' engine over the weekend. The Upperton prepped head was one that was made for Chris Richards Superstreet bike some time ago, and has been kicking around Daves workshop for some time. The rest of the engine is pretty standard fare - 1500 cc 4 valve, Wiseco pistons, C25 fuel etc. With a 60 foot time in the 1.20's on the slick track, both Dave and Roger expect 7.5 second performances with race track preparation.
Date: 21st February 2000
Headline: Tittle tattle from Australia
We are indebted to Monique Pels for these observations made during the Zodiac Teams exploits at the ADBA World Championships in Australia: -
Did you know that...
...Rob van Geffen and Bill Furr have become best friends during the Championship (upsetting the old best friend of Bill, Monique Koedam)
...All riders got a golf car as tow vehicle and Bill Furr's crew managed to crash theirs on the first day
...Mark Conner's crew members spent more time tuning up the golf cart than working on the bike
...Victoria Karling and Christian Merlid got engaged during the World Championship (congratulations!)
...Ton Pels does an excellent Crocodile Dundee imitation (`call that a Harley?')
...Rob van Geffen finally found out "Who the f**k Skippy is"
...Johnny Mancuso deserves a medal for "keeping Bill Furr off the bus"
...Ton and Vincent Pels were disguised as Cowboys in Brisbane (what do you mean `disguised'?)
...Bert Kors and Rob van Geffen convinced Bill Furr that they were both Monique Pels' boyfriend (who is then?)
...Johnny "Dollar" Mancuso is an even better singer than Bill Furr ("Baby baby baby...!")
Date: 20th February 2000
Headline: Beck gets off to a flier
Dave Beck started the season off with a bang at the early season run what you brung at Santa Pod today. Using an all new Roger Upperton prepped engine in last years Prostock chassis, Dave recorded an incredible off the trailer 7.73 @ 178mph in less than ideal conditions.
Date: 18th February 2000
Headline: Testing 1,2 3.....
Rumour has it that Funnybiker Barry Eastman (London), and Prostock riders Richard Gypp (Royston Vasey) and Dave Beck (Emmerdale) are testing at this weekends run what you brungs. If we hear of any interesting performances, we'll let you know.
Date: 18th February 2000
Headline: `Cannon' fires!
Chris `Cannon' Hannam (or should that be `Beretta' in view of the following news) wanted us to put his comments in print, throwing down the gauntlet to all us shandy supping southerners: -
`I would like to point out that as a weight watcher I have lost 4 stone already and will therefore be ready to destroy the southern contingent of bull******rs. We have a full program to run this year and will also be employing Promod rider Dave Beck for the FIM Competition bike round at the Santa Pod Main Event in May. We will, of course, be taking the world's fastest Suzuki Funnybike into the six second zone just to show the rest of the field how it's done (weather and track conditions permitting). We may beat some Top Fuel bikes as well, who knows? Mr Blakemore and co. had better hope that my willpower drops and I get back into the pie shop otherwise it's Goodnight Vienna, Hasta La Vista Baby.... Cannon
Well, follow that funnybikers.....
Date: 17th February 2000
Headline: Prostar announces new magazine
Huntsville, Ala. – AMA/Prostar announced today that a new publication, titled Motorcycle Street & Strip, will become their official publication, beginning with coverage of their first race of 2000 in Gainesville.
MS&S will be produced by GTTF Publishing, publishers of American Roadracing (Now American Road & Racing).
It will focus specifically on motorcycle drag racing and hot street performance. Further information will be available next week.
In addition to covering the AMA/Prostar series, MS&S will feature high performance streetbikes, profiles of industry leaders and competitors, and tech articles. Other series, such as NHRA, outlaw, regional events, and land speed racing, will be covered as well.
For those who are not familiar with the AMA/Prostar series, it is the largest all-motorcycle drag racing sanctioning body, involving over 5,000 competitors annually, in international, national, regional and local-levels of racing. Prostar is also the drag racing division of the American Motorcyclist Association, an organization involving over 240,000 members.
"It is our hope that through our support of MS&S that it will bring the sport of motorcycle drag racing to the mainstream motorcycle enthusiast," said Keith Kizer, AMA/Prostar President.
Date: 16th February 2000
Headline: News of the FIM Cranks.......
Seems like the FIM/UEM are getting their knickers in a twist regarding the stock oem cranks rule for Prostock bike. It's just been brought to their attention that standard new Suzuki cranks are getting like rocking horse, and could be a problem for runners in FIM/UEM Prostock bike. They have been advised to drop the stock cranks rule altogether. This will be mooted at the FIM Congress in Geneva in a couple of weeks time.
Date: 15th February 2000
Headline: News from the land of white high heels and shell suits.....
Bradley O'Connor of DynoSpeed Developments updated us on the latest news from Shazntraceland: -
Currently we are planning to field two bikes in Superstreet.One is last years bike which has been rebuilt with the GSXR motor receiving a 1371cc big block and some 41mm Keihin FCR's.The rest is the same spec as last years 8.4sec bike. We will continue with the Schnitz progressive although we did run 8.58sec on the TMC progressive. I'm still of the opinion that there is more to come from the chassis/clutch set up on this bike,we were weighting the bike in specific places last year and getting faster and faster. The second bike is a Suzuki Hayabusa. We had some early success with this bike last year when we beat the UK top speed record holding Busa from TTS three times and recorded on TV too. The bike ran consistent 9.4's hand shifting on a 58" wheelbase! There are still some unanswered questions on the fitment of gas to this bike and although I believe I was first in competiton with nitrous and fuel injection on this bike, the development cycle rolls on. I'm hoping to score some high 8's with this setup then maybe turn it up. Terminator Specifications: - T4 chassis 1371cc big bore G/flowed head and cams Star pipe 41mm FCR Carbs Nitrous system: TMC solenoids Shower head distribution blocks Big lines to soft plume foggers Schnitz progressive controller Dyna 4000 Pro ignition Rider:Mark Watkins(This guy could get a washing machine to run 8 seconds)
Hayabusa Specifications: - Standard chassis extended to 68" wheelbase and lowered Hi compression pistons std bore G/flowed head and cams Akrapovic system Modified Fuel injection Nitrous system: TMC solenoids Shower head distribution blocks Big lines to soft plume foggers Dyna 2000 ignition system Rider:Bradley O'Connor
Date: 13th February 2000
Headline: MRE goes CPE and PMFR
Dave Beck's love child, Jay Reagan of MRE, updated us on the news for their two machines for this year. As reported in an earlier gossip section, MRE will be running CPE power in the Pro Mod for this season, so expect Dave Beck to be even more competitive than in 99.
Jay was at PMFR last weekend with their other rider, Tom Perry, trying to finish up the all new Funnybike in replacement for the one purchased by our own Weight Watcher of the year, Chris Hannam. They hope to have it FedEx'd down to their HQ in Florida for next weekend in the hope of making the Prostar season opener in Gainesville. It sounds a really nice piece, Hahn Racecraft petrol injected with NOS injection, 14 x 31 rear tire, and a swoopy Katana body again. It will be all new so they expect some teething/shakedown issues before they realise their full potential.
Date: 13th February 2000
Headline: It's Furr!
It's now official, the first ever ADBA World Champion is Bill Furr of the US. A close side by side 6 second pass in the semis against Rob Van Geffen saw the Dutchman leave first, but Furr just edged it.
Semi Finals 1 Bill Furr .581 6.797 198.10 13 Rob Van Geffen .571 6.808 204.82
873 Ian Ashelford .473 7.172 178.14 7 Mark Connor .516 7.046 199.07
FINALS 7 Mark Connor .468 8.964 101.35 1 Bill Furr .528 6.902 192.06
WINNER - Bill Furr, ADBA Top Fuel World Champion
Date: 12th February 2000
Headline: Rob in semis!
After Charley Karling and Ton went out in the previous rounds, a fantastic showing to date has seen Rob Van Geffen of Holland through to the semis of the ADBA World Championships in Australia. He runs against Monique Koedams best friend in the penultimate round, Bill Furr. SF pairings: -
1 Bill Furr 13 Rob Van Geffen
873 Ian Ashelford 7 Mark Connor
Date: 12th February 2000
Headline: Tommy Smith plans a five!
Marty Kane reports that Tommy Smith will be coming into 2000 with the same engine they've been running in his former Elmer Trett-owned Top Fuel Bike. He is updating it with some new parts (B&J new style transmission, new multi-stage hydraulic clutch unit), and some much appreciated help from Steve and Larry McBride in the fuel system and tune-up departments.
"The bike should fly, I've just gotta get ready to be the second rider into the five's" said a joking Smith.
Date: 11th February 2000
Headline: Willis goes Promod
We hear that Paul Willis awaits the delivery of his all new Prostock bike chassis from the unlikliest of sources - Promod Car chassis fabricator extraordinaire Andy `Gus' Robinson. In a departure from the normal chassis solutions, Andy has agreed to build a chassis for Paul to ride for the coming season. It would seem that Andy's wild drive at Avon Park last season have not yet transpired to change Pauls mind (although the absence of a wing at the start of the run as well as at the end should result in a more predictable pass......).
Date: 10th February 2000
Headline: Seedings for the final ADBA round
As reported earlier, qualifying positions for the final of the three ADBA rounds is decided on points accrued from the previous two rounds of racing. Consequently there will be no formal qualifying for eliminations. The good news is that all the three Europeans have qualified in the top half of the field which poses a serious possibility for success. Clearly, if Roba dnCahrley can hold it together and on the track then they have an excellent chance of taking the title. Even TOn, who has not experienced the best of luck so far, can come good if it all comes together. Can't wait...... Qualifying positions as follows: -
1, Jim McClure, 227 2, Steve Moore, 187 3, Johnny Mancuso, 136 4, Rob Van Geffen, 131 5, William Hill, 127 6, Tom Pels, 126 7, Charley Karling, 112 8, Ken Kent, 85 9, Brett Jonas,82 10, Bill Furr, 68 11, Brett Stevens, 66 12, Ian Ashleford, 65 13, Mark Conner,63 14, Steve Little, 62 15, Greg Maclean, 62 16, Kim Leonard, 32 17, Joe Edmunds, 10
Date: 10th February 2000
Headline: Lies, lies and damn lies.......
Prostock veteran Len Paget has aked us to let it be known that the information supplied to us by our normally `reliable' sources regarding his Hayabusa engine plans are incorrect. Although he did consider this option, it no longer figures in any of his plans. In a not unconnected move, Steve Debben of Debben Performance would like it to be known that they were not the source of the incorrect information, and no grass of any description is on the Debben Performance premises. Hampshire Constabulary would also like it to be known that they are not planning a raid for class B substances on the premises either. Gossip are happy to set the record straight on these matters.....
Date: 9th February 2000
Headline: Trick bits for sale
In the absence of a classified ads column, we've decided to advertise a couple of goodies that have become excess to King racings requirements namely: -
Yamaha Chappy 80cc Monkey bike, excellent roadworthy condition, can be locked in low gear for heavy duty towing, now a collectors item - £275.
Revstore 10 Channel Datalogger from our Fuel Bike - £500 ono.
Date: 8th February 2000
Headline: The end for ACU Competition bike?
At the end of last year, we saw the sad sight of just four Comp bikes racing in their class. With the rumours that most of those (Ken Cooper, Chris Hall and Stephen French) will be moving into the higher profile Funnybike class, it may signal the end for the `orphans'. It seems that with more people building bikes to a particular class regulation, this catch all class may be nearing the end of it's life. We'd like to hear from anyone who plans to race ACU Competition Bike this season in case we've read the situation wrongly.
Date: 8th February 2000
Headline: McBride on a Harley?
It was recently noted that Top Fuel Bike rider Larry McBride and Nitro Harley pilot Mark Conner have agreed to swap rides in the US later this year. It would appear, however, that the agreement was struck during one of those legendary Aussie barbies, and so it may just have been drink talking.......
Date: 7th February 2000
Headline: Prostock news # 3
We have it on good authority (well from a grass at Debben Performance anyway) that the Fred Astaire of the startline, Prostock stalwart Len Paget, is completing an all new Suzuki Hayabusa engine for Prostock bike for this season. In a radical switch away from the `old generation' GSX engines, Len hopes to release the undoubted power advantage that can be gained from the newer engines, but keeping the lighter cases and crankshafts in one piece could be the biggest challenge.
Date: 7th February 2000
Headline: ADBA World Series Points
With one round of the ADBA World Series in Australia left, the points standings for the top eight are as follows: -
McClure 227 Moore 187 Mancuso 136 Van Geffen 131 Hill 127 Pels 126 Karling 112 Kent 85
Date: 6th February 2000
Headline: Lynes lines up a full season
Steve Lynes reports that after bad luck last year, he plans to return to Prostock bike with a vengeance for 2000. Sporting what is fundamentally a Star engine and a Dyna 4000 ignition (at last!) he plans to step up his performance for the coming season.
Date: 6th February 2000
Headline: News from the Willem Been camp
Karl Thiecke, past Fuel Harley pilot and current crew chief for Willem Been reports that Willem was also refused entry to Australia a few years ago when he tried to attend the funeral of a friend. He tried the services of a lawyer, but got nowhere. They don't see a problem with the U.S. for next years World Championships and plan to focus on the coming FIM/UEM championships to once again qualify. As Karl so eloquently put it `it seems the Immigration laws in the US are a little less insane'.
Date: 5th February 2000
Headline: McClure wins again!
Wildcard entrant Jim McClure took win number two at the ADBA World finals round 2. Despite impressive showings in qualifying for the Europeans, the eliminations saw various problems negating their earlier promise: - WILLOWBANK RACEWAY TOP FUEL ROUND 1 # Rider Reaction E.T. MPH 21 JOHN MANCUSO 0.486 6.722 205.95 Fantastic run - off the end of the track though, stepped out of it and the bike into tyres but rider oK 3841 KEN KENT 0.487 7.398 191.00 3 TON PELS 0.565 7.203 177.24 Kent had problems, Pels takes a good win 13 ROB VAN GEFFEN 0.520 7.037 195.57 516 STEVE LITTLE .608 9.677 88.20 Little's wheelie bar came apart 6 STEVE MOORE 0.530 7.177 175.99 649 BRETT STEVENS 0.594 7.703 167.79 A great run by Moore, he takes the win 4 ANDERS KARLING 0.610 6.953 188.99 98 GREG McLEAN 0.555 8.21 149.7 What a pass by Karling - cuts the throttle early 873 IAN ASHELFORD 0.458 7.290 185.80 2795 JIM McCLURE 0.475 7.013 171.95 The Judges bike just cleaned out and ran 1 BILL FURR 0..524 29.167 14.13 1651 BRETT JONAS 0.560 7.752 167.35 Strong take off from Furr but run developed problems 45 WARREN HILL 0.689 7.432 192.22 7 MARK CONNOR 0.462 7.686 151.11 Great lite from Connor but Hill came up with huge power change ROUND 2 21 JOHN MANCUSO No show 3 TON PELS .790 Pels was lucky to have the single run - needed to be towed off track 13 ROB VAN GEFFEN 10.00 6 STEVE MOORE .453 7.633 150.24 Rob Van Geffen never left the line and Moore put together a solid run. 4 ANDERS KARLING .556 9.791 86.84 2795 JIM McCLURE .448 6.860 193.22 Karling breaks a timing belt while in the other lane McClure puts together a another patented great pass 1651 BRETT JONAS .641 12.624 62.22 45 WARREN HILL .819 7.709 168.6 Jonas had Hill covered from the start but then developed problems ROUND 3 3 TON PELS 6 STEVE MOORE .535 8.466 136.99 Ton's problem is terminal for the night - a broken cam lobe. Steve Moore lets us see some some tyre smoke then eases on down with a smooth run. Is this an action replay? 2795 JIM McCLURE .490 6.994 188.05 45 WARREN HILL .656 7.381 189.55 Hole shot and off for the win - the Judge! in the final again. Can Steve reverse the result from last week? FINALS 2795 JIM McCLURE .462 7.010 195.57 6 STEVE MOORE .503 7.227 168.16 The M&M Show of Moore & McClure go side by side right out to about the 660ft line. Once there, McClure seems to be making better use of the power and bangs home win No 2. Adelaide, here we come.... WINNER - JIM McCLURE
Date: 5th February 2000
Headline: Yesterdays ADBA qualifying at Willowbank
Top Fuel Qualifying
Round 1
21 JOHN MANCUSO 6.855 205.76 1 BILL FURR 6.962 196.68 13 ROB VAN GEFFEN 6.983 199.38 6 STEVE MOORE 7.017 181.82 3 TON PELS 7.321 169.17 3841 KEN KENT 7.419 186.26 873 IAN ASHELFORD 7.509 183.45 2795 JIM McCLURE 7.532 167.60 7 MARK CONNOR 7.554 154.96 649 BRETT STEVENS 7.680 168.86 516 STEVE LITTLE 7.766 171.76 1651 BRETT JONAS 7.849 141.51 45 WARREN HILL 7.876 185.11 98 GREG McLEAN 8.801 122.88 4 ANDERS KARLING 9.241 97.40
Round 2
21 JOHN MANCUSO 6.749 205.57 4 ANDERS KARLING 6.764 200.89 1 BILL FURR 6.952 196.25 13 ROB VAN GEFFEN 6.983 199.38 6 STEVE MOORE 7.017 181.82 45 WARREN HILL 7.045 195.99 873 IAN ASHELFORD 7.171 189.79 3 TON PELS 7.321 169.17 3841 KEN KENT 7.419 186.26 2795 JIM McCLURE 7.427 173.54 7 MARK CONNOR 7.481 151.77 649 BRETT STEVENS 7.680 168.86 516 STEVE LITTLE 7.766 171.76 1651 BRETT JONAS 7.849 141.51 98 GREG McLEAN 8.490 144.14
Date: 4th February 2000
Headline: Calder Park qualifying
We've just received notification of the qualification lists for last weeks round. The great news as can be seen was that all the Europeans qualified within the top five out of eighteen positions! We await the news of this weekends round with bated breath.
Calder Park World Series Top Fuel Qualifying Bike Name Best Run Best Run Top Run ET MPH MPH 21 JOHN MANCUSO 6.827 201.61 201.61 4 ANDERS KARLING 6.901 204.26 204.26 13 ROB VAN GEFFEN 6.948 200.49 200.49 2795 JIM MCCLURE 6.991 197.15 197.15 3 TON PELS 7.024 195.77 195.77 649 BRETT STEVENS 7.219 179.53 179.53 6 STEVE MOORE 7.228 186.6 186.91 45 WARREN HILL 7.321 195.43 195.43 873 IAN ASHELFORD 7.388 188.56 188.56 1 BILL FURR 7.404 184.46 184.46 3841 KEN KENT 7.681 192.47 192.47 2845 KIM LEONARD 7.743 171.26 171.26 98 GREG MACLEAN 7.759 157.42 157.42 7 MARK CONNER 7.787 149.92 149.92 1651 BRETT JONAS 7.829 159.29 159.29 516 STEVE LITTLE 7.834 170.42 170.42 2688 JOE EDMUNDS 7.981 170.58 170.58 987 PETER PEARCE 8.847 97.32 97.32
Date: 4th February 2000
Headline: Caldaer
Calder Park World Series Top Fuel Qualifying Bike Name Best Run Best Run Top Run ET MPH MPH 21 JOHN MANCUSO 6.827 201.61 201.61 4 ANDERS KARLING 6.901 204.26 204.26 13 ROB VAN GEFFEN 6.948 200.49 200.49 2795 JIM MCCLURE 6.991 197.15 197.15 3 TON PELS 7.024 195.77 195.77 649 BRETT STEVENS 7.219 179.53 179.53 6 STEVE MOORE 7.228 186.6 186.91 45 WARREN HILL 7.321 195.43 195.43 873 IAN ASHELFORD 7.388 188.56 188.56 1 BILL FURR 7.404 184.46 184.46 3841 KEN KENT 7.681 192.47 192.47 2845 KIM LEONARD 7.743 171.26 171.26 98 GREG MACLEAN 7.759 157.42 157.42 7 MARK CONNER 7.787 149.92 149.92 1651 BRETT JONAS 7.829 159.29 159.29 516 STEVE LITTLE 7.834 170.42 170.42 2688 JOE EDMUNDS 7.981 170.58 170.58 987 PETER PEARCE 8.847 97.32 97.32
Date: 4th February 2000
Headline: News from down under.
About the race this weekend at WillowBank, Peter Salmon of the ADBA made a prediction. "This weekend, I’d say the air will be more suited to what the American’s know. I’d say we’ll see Johnny (Mancuso) and (Bill) Furr excel this weekend. In Adelaide, it’s back into McClure and Kenny’s corner. It’ll be a really good race. The top speed in Australia is currently held by Swedens Charley Karling, with Rob Van Geffen on the other blown bike not far behind. Everyone on the tour is anxiously awaiting a decision by the Australian government about allowing Canadian Champ Ron Houniet into the country. An attorney was hired and a second request for entry was placed. Houniet may actually be able to arrive on Saturday, get in two qualifying passes and be in eliminations. No action of this type has been known to have been taken by Holland's Willem Been who was refused entry for the same reasons, membership of the Hells Angels. Next years ADBA World Championships are scheduled to take place in the US. It will be interesting to see the stance taken by US immigration with members of back patch clubs.
Date: 3rd February 2000
Headline: Prostock news # 2
Paul King, owner of the unique ex Byron Hines OWO1 Yamaha Stocker, is nearing completion of his home brewed Billet cylinder head for use in the coming season. Paul who keeps himself busy as a Private Investigator when not racing, is looking into valve angles before hitting the finish button on his mill.
Date: 3rd February 2000
Headline: Prostock news
Chris Tombelson of Straightline Racing received delivery of his new Ward Vortex head a few days ago. The Vortex head is the one used by EVERY NHRA Prostock bike (or so the ad said!)in current competition. Unfortunately, this does not come cheap and little change is left out of $5000. Larry McBride recently changed to a Vortex head on his Puma Fuel Bike and immediately stepped up to the 5 second zone that immortalised him. Ward bought the old MTC head pattern and tooling from Tony Lang, developed it on a little, and hey presto, it's the head to have again. Chris will mate the engine to his recent rolling chassis acquistion from Paul Gast and hopes for great things. Better keep off the Mars bars too eh Chris?
Date: 1st February 2000
Headline: Blakemores funny
Tim Blakemore reports that his 2000 season Kawasaki Funnybike is nearing completion. Sporting an all new chassis fabricated in the workshop of ex racer Dave Branch, and with an MTC head, Tim is expecting great things for this season. It looks like wrenching the Funnybike crown from him will be an onerous task for 2000.
Date: 1st February 2000
Headline: Karling calls in.....
CHARLEY KARLING, FOLLOWING THE MELBOURNE ADBA RACE Monday, January 31, 2000 The Karling Racing team is very exited about being here in Australia. Just the opportunity to meet all the nice people in dragracing is worth the effort of coming here. Our local hosts as well as ADBA is taking excellent care of us and provide the best possible service. Everything is well organized and the racing is great. We did some minor changes to the bike before we left Sweden and they all turn out the way it was expected. We are only one of two blown bikes in the event and we were afraid we would run in to shortage of time between rounds as we run one day events. Our blown engine needs some extra service compared to the injected ones but even this turned out well. To be second qualifier in this starting lineup was over our expectations. Running the highest top speed of the event shows we got the power to give our competitors a good race for the championship. We lost in the second run due to lost traction at half track. This also happened to the number one qualifier, John Mancuso, in the same lane at the same spot so it seem like the track was a bigger problem then our performance. We are now looking forward to race at Brisbane and no repairs are needed prior to the event. The local weather is far from European and it will be a new experience to tune the bike for this. Finally, I would like to point out how great this championship is for our sport. It boosts interest and prestige for our own series back in Europe as well as dragracing in general. Anders "Charley" Karling
