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Form Results Inserted Here
Date: 27th September 2004
Headline: East Coast Nationals roundup
As predicted - fatigue or team mates were the only likely obstacles to Brett Stevens taking the Top Bike crown - when Kim Stevens pulled out overnight with terminal breakage, the on-track competition boiled down to Brett and Troy McLean - a 6.957@192.44 was good enough for the Boss (near lane) to cover McLean. Busy Brett also managed to qualify for the 8 car Top Alcohol field and runner-upped in Top Doorslammer.
In the other Group One bike bracket, Nevil Langley managed to defeat Sam Scerri in an all Trevor Birrell backed Pro Stock Bike final round. Langley's 7.593 following on from a pair of 7.591's earlier in eliminations, Scerri dropping from his own 7.5 pace with a 7.70 in the final stanza.
More snippets and pics to follow from BundyLand soon.
Ivan Sansom
Date: 27th September 2004
Headline: Swiss Tony?
You don't wanna do it like that........
Picture courtesy of Downunda Greg Durack
Date: 27th September 2004
Headline: C Honda wanted!
Has anyone got a Honda 50/70/90 complete or for spares for sale?
Condition doesnt matter but must have a log book??
Sam - E-mail: rpc1002@cam.ac.uk
Date: 25th September 2004
Headline: ANDRA East Coast Nationals Qualifying
Headline news from qualifications at the first event of the ANDRA 2004/5 season is the best pass by an Australian Harley, with Brett Stevens producing a 6.734 @ 208.01 mph onboard his Jack Daniels backed Overkill.
In the absence of Jay Upton (although Jay is here in a spectating capacity) and the Ashelfords, it seems that Stevens' likely opposition in eliminations tomorrow will either come from his team mates Kim Stevens and Troy McLean or from fatigue - not content with running in both Top Bike and Top Doorslammer, Stevens has been wizzing up track and down the return road to also drive his new Mustang Alcohol Funny Car.
Ivan Sansom
Date: 25th September 2004
Headline: Worth a look!
I know it's got four wheels, but has anyone seen this and has it run yet? The engine has an affinity with the Puma fuel bike motors, plus cross bolted mains as used on some of the 80's turbo F1 cars: www.turbomagazine.com/tech/0202tur_extremeedge/
Worth a look for the engine photos.
Cheers, Carl Wadkin-Snaith
Date: 24th September 2004
Headline: Urgent help required!
We are trying to find a 11x29x15 or 12x29x15 Pro Mod tyre, new or a good part worn Goodyear.
Contact me or T J O'Brien - we need it for the National Finals if anyone can help.
Thanks!
Red Ken Cooper ; tel 07976 254999
E-mail: kencooper1@blueyonder.co.uk
Date: 24th September 2004
Headline: Lausitz Chainsaw Massacre
Re Dolmette
Yeah, we watched it all during our trip to "Werner Dass Rennen" at the Lausitzring including the charming (baseball team) starting crew ladies in their miniskirts......
It was amazing!
Marius van der Zijden, Koedam Racing Top Fuel
Date: 24th September 2004
Headline: Mick Withers gets the Rocket
No, the editor of Dragster Australia has not got the boot from the quality downunda dragracing tome, but he has shown remarkably good taste for an Aussie by taking a 2300cc Triumph Rocket 3 to the dragstrip.
He took one out to a WSID street meeting last week. Launching at idle, using clutch and shifting at 6,000 he netted three 12.1's -- 12.13, 12.14 and 12.16, all at 110 mph.
Mick is curious to find out what results are coming up elsewhere with this machine - anyone tried one?
Mick goes on to say that the new team Nitro Harley is supposed to land in Oz soon for qualifying at WSID tomorrow! After fitting a second disc and caliper, cylinder restraint straps, getting it tech inspected, working out the basics of a slide valve fuel system, put some clutch packs together, get computer power supply changed from 110 to 240 v so that they can read the Racepak graphs and about fifty other little jobs they hope to get qualified..........
Good luck team!
Date: 23rd September 2004
Headline: A
Whole Lotta Rosie?
Eat you heart out Paul! You may think your multi engine strokers were the epitome of good taste, but look at this..........
maaaate......!
belting........
Powered by 24 Dolmar Chainsaw engines, it has already seen action at the the tracks of the Contiring and Lausiztring.
On 4 September 2004 the EuroSpeedway in
Lausitz was the setting for a `gripping' race between Andi
Feldmann on the DOLMETTE and racing driver Christina
Surer in her Abt Audi AS400.
Because the start of the race had been fixed
for 5.00 p.m., and Christina Surer was running on a very tight schedule, there
was only a 20-minute time slot in which to run the race – and that included
the time needed to get the DOLMETTE’s multiple engines powered up for the
start. The intense pace and pressure soon told on the charming pit crew, the
ladies’ handball team from Süderbrarup, who only managed to get 20 of the
DOLMETTE’s 24 engines running. So Andi Feldmann had to make do with the power
output from just 20 chainsaw engines – a “mere” 142 PS.
The drama and stress took their toll of
DOLMETTE rider Andi Feldmann too. During test runs in Schleswig and on the
Lausitz Eurospeedway, for which unfortunately only two days were available, it
became clear that the torque delivery from the 24 engines, even in second gear,
is just too much for the back wheel to handle. Consequently the bike
suffers from massive wheel-spin. For this reason Andi Feldmann left the starting
line in third gear, and with power output already down by four engines he simply
couldn’t get the standing-start acceleration necessary.
And then there was his opponent. Christina Surer is a highly experienced racing driver with ice-cool nerves. At the starting gun she needed only a few milliseconds to put down all the Audi’s 400 horsepower onto the tarmac. Andi Feldmann, on his 142 PS DOLMETTE, needed nearly half a second more. With his engines revved up to full power Andi managed to make up some lost ground, but he was unable to prevent Christina Surer from snatching victory by a whisker.
If you REALLY want to hear this abominable machine running, then click HERE
Date: 23rd September 2004
Headline: Baldie's Season Review
Our thanks to Finlands Asko Maata for sending us his season review :-
In the 2004 season I got something that I was looking for with my Funny Bike `Baldie's Gun III'; and this was one of those years that comes in drag racing (in the results side), whatever you try.
At the beginning of the season I didn't even know if I can race on a Funny Bike due to the top end accident I had last year. The differences in racing I noticed were that I concentrated more on every pass and the other was that I got off the throttle earlier on situations like top end wobble, shakes or the same kind of difficulties; but when thinking after the pass I noticed every time that I did the right thing.
The FB power plant combination I have (blow-through turbo gasoline GSX-EF 1327 with carbs) wasn't at all ready after last season. Early part of the season I destroyed four turbos due to the lubrication problems, but got those solved in two ways; either electric or mechanical oil pump and separate lubrication system for turbo. Now I use the electric ShurFlo pump supplied by Frenna Ab, Sweden.
In the mid season I switched the turbo from Schwitzer to Garrett GT-40 modified by ProTurbo Systems, Pori, Finland. Seems to be the step to the right direction but the turbo still needs some modifications to work the way I hope. In the late season the main problem was to get the pressure up right at the start; anyway we're all the time going forwards. When I managed to get the boost up early enough the Baldie's Gun III really flung the front wheel up and came down in the fourth gear! I'm sure this will be the way to go next season and Sami at ProTurbo Systems can make it happen.
The clutch tune-up combined on the power produced wasn't that hard; I only burnt two sets of plates but had to try the limits on both ends (of tuning). The engine combination proved its reliability, no broken parts in the engine or 5-speed auto transmission. I could use 2,2 bar (over 30 psi) turbo pressures at 30 deg advance! Occasionally I have used 2,5 bar (36 psi) with no damage. Now thinking afterwards I'm sure we could have had better results on the overall tune-up making more radical steps through all the season (fuel, boost, ignition, clutch etc.).
Anyway I made 28 passes, seven races and one test session, the best pass being the last one with the TS well over 280 kph (over 180 mph), no time recorded on that run, but according to the data recorded it was deeply in the seven second zone. And more than that: I have now a very good baseline for the next season. Thanks to all of you supporting me and Baldie Racing this season: ProTurbo Systems, Kopparin Kukka, NeoBest, Orient Express and Baldie Racing & Media Relationships. The special thanks as always to my ever supporting and patient wife Tepa.
Cheers,
Asko, FB45, Baldie Racing & Media Relationships
Date: 23rd September 2004
Headline: Ray
Price Racing
Ray Price Racing is making a change to their schedule at mid-season in
their 2004 race program. Price announced that Texas dynamo, nitro champion
and record setter Mark Conner will be riding
the Ray Price Screamin' Eagle Nitro Harley-Davidson at the NHRA 19th
Annual O'Reilly Fall Nationals presented by Castrol Syntec at the Texas
Motoplex, Dallas, Tx. Sept.24-26th.
Conner who has been racing for several decades has earned enough points to
compete in the NHRA exhibition series featuring the Screamin' Eagle Nitro
Harley-Davidsons, but as fate would have it, his ride was unavailable for
the last two NHRA events. Price and team stepped up to the plate and
offered Conner the opportunity to compete on Price's 850 horse power race
ready ride.
Tripp Noble will continue to campaign for AHDRA points and will be riding
the Ray Price Racing bike Oct. 9-10 at the Screamin' Eagle Performance
Parts Nationals presented by The Carolina Harley-Davidson Dealers
Association
Rockingham, NC and JIMS Las Vegas Nationals presented by Energy One
Clutches, October 23-24, 2004, Las Vegas, NV.
Ray Price Racing proudly thanks their sponsors to
Ray Price Harley-Davidson, Raleigh H. O. G., Buell, Performance
Machine, Ultra Pro Machining, Autolite Sparkplugs, Royal Purple Synthetic
Oil, Barnett Clutches & Cables, Roy's Rental Uniform Service, PRP/MSD
Ignitions, ThermoDynamic/Reactor Power Cell, JIMS USA, Mickey Thompson
Tires, Simpson Race Products, Diamond Engineering, Copperhead Graphics, VP
Racing Fuel, Gates Rubber Co., Bates Leather, Hargis Consulting, DME
Racing, Brown and Miller Racing Solutions.
Mary Lou Brewton
Date: 22nd September 2004
Headline: Needy?
Easy now, I have been sitting down for 45 mins now, and I still haven't found someone to help me!!!!
I need to find a garage who specialise in my bike - It's an 1993 RS125 from Japan. I need the racing jets for this bike and the left pedal part to connect the gears and the pedal because it has snapped.
Please help me, I live in Hastings East Sssex and no one around me deals with my bike. I need to find someone who can get the right parts, tel. numbers of all the nearest dealers.
My number is 07940 361648, I need the phonecall not an e-mail. As I have left my number on the net that must be a sign that I need help straight away. I don't want people to ring me if you are not a specialist.
Thanks,
Carmine di Paolo - E-mail: kidman01@hotmail.com
Gossip comment - I suggest you start with a telephone call to Honda UK HQ in Chiswick.
Date: 22nd September 2004
Headline: Junior Dragster help!
I'm building a junior dragster I wondered if anyone knows where I can get any information on the rules & spec. I know you're all mostly bikers but I need HELP!
It would be most appreciated,
Thanks x, Jemma Cooper
Gossip comment - I suggest a call to Geoff Hauser Race Cars would be a good start - 01933 312735
Date: 21st September 2004
Headline: King Racing's return to the Pod
It had been five long months since the King Racing Top Fuel Bike team had last raced at Santa Pod, England, location of the tremendous engine explosion at the Easter meeting that would see the team sit out most of the European Championship season whilst repairs were effected.
However, it was with a certain degree of optimism that the team made only their second outing in European competition this year following their semi final placing in last months NitrOlympx in Germany. A brand new engine had been prepared in the last few weeks, and new rotors and bearings were in hand for the Autorotor supercharger that had identified as the root of problems experienced at recent meetings. The weather forecast did not look good, however, for a full complement of qualifying runs with an untried combination, so a decision was made to put in the first qualifier with the un - repaired supercharger to get in the field. Lack of boost, and a commensurate lack of clutch saw King run a slow cylinder dropping seven second run, but enough to get within the top eight qualifiers.
The team toiled that evening with the tricky task of installing and timing the new rotors. Valuable advice was provided by Gerhard Willemse along with some brute force from `The Godfather’, Ton Pels, and the team successfully completed the task in time for Saturday qualifying.
The first run out with the new parts saw a huge cloud of dust emanating from the clutch of the King Racing machine on the launch as the previous soft setting struggled to cope with the new found power provided by properly sealing supercharger rotors. A quicker time of 7.02 was the result, enough for the fourth place in a class of 19 machines struggling with a fierce headwind, but way off the low six - second potential of the Puma machine.
Crew chief Mick Beaumont made the call to load the clutch with much more weight on both primary and the six separate timed stages. It was clear that the excellent track preparation provided by what is one of the best teams in the business would hold anything we could throw at it. The result was a credible 6.6 second pass with a 1.09 second 60 foot, enough to put the team firmly and finally into the number two qualifying spot, and a great chance of making Sunday’s final. Despite the respectable ET in the wind conditions, the relatively low speed of 189 mph was a result of a dropped cylinder at the 1000ft mark and an early click off for King.
Despite a fully functional engine, the team decided to freshen the cylinder head during the evening’s dreadful rain and windstorm to give the best possible chance for event success in eliminations. Sunday dawned bright and dry, and the team went into the first round to take on the `Purple Princess’ Top Fuel Puma of fellow countryman Steve Carey. However, during a storming burnout from the newly revitalised King, disaster struck when a blower belt was thrown from the machine, leaving Carey to take a grateful solo run into the semi finals.
Despite the setback, King remained pragmatic :-
“I am extremely happy that we have at last identified the problems haunting us for the last months. A malfunctioning datalogger has played havoc with our tuning calls over the last two years and left us unable to see that the blower had gone off to the extent that it had. Taking clutch out compounded the problem and we damaged many parts as a result, severely limiting our racing program and putting us back years in terms of performance. However, the relatively easy 6.6 second pass showed that we have the equipment to challenge back at the top again, and it has given the team added motivation to seek partners to invest in our program over the coming months in our attempts to regain the European Championship crown in 2005."
Ian continued :-
“ I’d like to thank the crew at Santa Pod for providing world class track preparation, the backroom staff (especially Kath Carter, Steve Johnson and Paula Marshall) for their help and attention, and the start crew for knowing exactly what to do and when. We sometimes forget how lucky we really are in the UK to have such a great setup – having raced across Europe and in the US I do know! The guys in the media, especially those at Eurodragster, must also take a bow for keeping our sport in the headlines and providing us with a springboard to communicate our efforts across the globe. My team of Michael Beaumont, Debbie King, Martin Brookman, Nick Pepper, Marc Fossey and Mark King have provided first class race support, and a very special thanks must go to the team engineers - Mark Hawkins and Martin Brookman who have stepped up and beyond the call of duty in repairing, fabricating and toiling away in what should be their free time to ensure we made the track each and every time. Finally, I must once again thank our many supporters and sponsors without whom we would not be at the track. Year in, year out, despite our many trials and too few tribulations they continue to support us. Thanks all!”
King Racing were proud to be supported in their 2004 campaign by:
Obsession Motorsports, Mickey Thompson Tires, Gates Performance Belts, Performance Machine, Pinnacle Autoparts, Wackyshack Paintshop, Turboville.com, RSG Customize, House of Kolor UK, Murdoch Racing Enterprises, Goodridge UK, Vanson Leathers, White Line Cycles (Athens), Cometic Gaskets UK, Aerotek Fasteners, Straightline Racing, Mark and Jackie Hawkins, Ivan Sansom and Rose Hughes.
Any companies or individuals who wish to be involved in the King Racing 2005 race effort can contact us at admin@kingracing.com, by telephone on +44 (0) 7785 341099 or by fax on +44 (0) 1763 852707
Picture courtesy of Ivan Sansom
Date: 21st September 2004
Headline: Venables pipped, but has a plan.....
Our commiserations to Super Street Bike rider Steve Venables whose design on the Ultimate Power Championship title was thwarted by the wind at the final event at Shakepeare County Raceway.
Steve was pipped to the Championship title by a mere 15 points by ACU UK Championship contender Graham Dance when the race was unexpectedly changed to an eighth mile race due to high winds, and the quarter mile qualifying ets and speeds were voided save for assembling the ladders.
Steve, who has identified his short times as his nemesis, lost any chance of the points bonuses that he may have accrued if the entire race was over the longer distance.
However, it has spurred Steve on in his quest to be the first UK SSB rider in the seven second zone, and his amazing Turbo Kawasaki is to be shipped over to Barry Henson at Velocity Racing in the US for some chassis and swingarm mods that should help his 60ft times. In addition, testing and tuning under Henson will take place at Bradenton in Florida followed by further tuning at a closed track day at Gainesville just prior to the Prostar Finals at the same venue where Steve hopes to be able to take advantage of the work undertaken by Velocity Racing.
Good luck Steve!
Date: 20th September 2004
Headline: Latest ACU Points posted
We have now posted the latest ACU Points positions on our 'ACU Championship' pages. Click on the left to view.
Date: 20th September 2004
Headline: What'd he say, what'd he say......?
CLARKFIELD, Pampanga, The Philippines - MOH Speed’s Joey Galang weathered the big challenge of his rivals and banked on the false start of Nelson Pamintuan in the finals to tow three other big winners in the second leg of the 2004 Petron Blaze Shootout National Drag Race Championship Series last weekend.
“Sinuwerte lang dahil talagang malakas ang kalaban ko sa finals,” said Galang, referring to Pamintuan, whose souped-up, owner-type jeep was favored in the quarter-mile stretch.
Galang, however, settled for second best in the Quick 8, owing to a bad, costly start. Dexter Daquigan in an Isuzu Pickup beat Patrick del Rosario of Bag Speed in a Honda Civic V-Tec in the Hotstreet finals. Another big winner in the well-attended event was Ati Racing’s Dondi Montecillo, who rose up from the losers’ bracket with his Honda Civic Hatchback to win the Pro Class over Conrado Estrada with a time of 12.635 seconds. Christopher Gozum bested H3 Autoworks’ Pepi Santos in the Sportsman Class.
Date: 19th September 2004
Headline: Dyna Datalogger for sale
For sale at end of season :-
Dyna datalogger with 4 channel EGT and 2 pressure channels, includes PC download lead.
£595.00
Shaun Branch E-mail: shaun@branchracing.net
Date: 19th September 2004
Headline: This one's for Jim!
Our thanks to Zodiac Racing's Monique Pels for sending her team report :-
"We're very happy that after 8 years we won the European title again. Going to the finals we had a good lead, but Charley Karling still had a slim chance of winning the title as well. Unfortunately as we all know, Charley had a run-in with the concrete wall, so that ended his chances of trying to catch up with Ton in the points standings.
We'd like to wish Charley all the best for a speedy recovery!
On Sunday Ton ran some really good numbers and after taking out three Norwegians (Rolfstad, Olstad and Aasen) he won the event, which was a great way for us to end the 2004 season.
The Zodiac team would like to express their thanks to:
- Their main sponsor: ZODIAC Performance products for Harley Davidson (www.zodiac.nl) as well as their other sponsors:
Supertrapp, Accel and Spectro
- The start crews, track crews and class hosts at all the venues for doing such a great job
- The competitors in Supertwin for making it the most exciting and close competition in UEM Dragracing.
Finally, we would like to dedicate this title to the memory of our very dear friend Jim McClure.
For the complete story and photos, please visit the NEWS page of http://www.zodiacracing.com"
Date: 18th September 2004
Headline: Euro Finals pictorial
To see a great news pictorial of the Euro Finals event by photojournalist and King Racing sponsor Ivan Sansom click HERE
It features a great Pro Stock car crash sequence, also used on the front cover of the same issue of `dragracing online' taken using Ivan's camera. The only problem is that it was taken by his seemingly more gifted partner Rose Hughes after she `borrowed' his camera......!
Date: 17th September 2004
Headline: Vesa's PSB for sale
The 2003 # 2 UEM Pro Stock Bike is for sale. If needed, I will separate chassis and motor. It has PMFR chassis and 1640 Greg Cope motor. This bike, with professional rider and tuner is capable of 7.0 on quartermile @ 600 lbs and C25 fuel. I have done 7.36 @ 635 lbs in Gardemoen 2003. The last race in 2004 at Hockenheim we ran 240km/h (149mph) on 1/8 mile and 294.44(182,96 mph). The next run was 246 km/h (153.13 mph) on 1/8 but I was forced to shut it off early (too close to centerline, only 260/162mph top speed) all @ 637 pounds.
We had 46 gearing but have managed to build a pretty good set-up for 45 gearing (It went 7,38 on 45 gearing) and decent for 46. A buyer needs to build a set-up for 48/49 gearing and then use special big exhaust. I have only managed to use 1500 cc exhaust so far (broader torque but less power on top)
The mightest motor outside the US is completely ready for next season. I missed the 2004 Alastaro race because Greg Cope serviced the head with new valve job + new tricks (only 14 passes with new valve seat job) and I replaced everything on the cylinder head last year. The crank has 43 passes and will take 100. I will put brand new pistons from Greg Cope in it also.
Price: 15.000 euros for motor and 15.000 euros for complete chassis with all electronics including datalog.
Please contact Vesa Rautio vesa@clinet.fi or + 358 400 802756
Date: 17th September 2004
Headline: PiPPi's pics
The season's sort of over but here's a reminder of the Veidec race at Mantorp this summer. My own pics of some of Saturdays action are HERE
Yes, cars in there but bikes too. Some details worth checking out like Ronny Aasens chain clearly breaking in two separate pieces at launch time plus a few very clear shots on the difference between solidly planting the tyre(s) as opposed to tyre shake on race vehicles of both the two and four wheeled kind. 'Twas nice to meet Tog too.....
Regards, PiPPi
Gossip comment :
Are you sure it was Tog???Date: 16th September 2004
Headline: WWF at Indy?
Following an amazing televised incident in NHRA PSB at the Indy US Nationals when Michael Philips chased his opponent Chris Bostick into his lane then headbutted him in the shutdown area, one of Bosticks crew Jason Sullivan has explained their side of events :-
“Mike got all p****d off in the lanes when Chris changed lanes once he spoke with Joe from V&H about what lane to run. Mike and his crew started yelling MF this and MF that don't F around on the lights etc. Then when the starter wouldn't work I jumped over and grabbed Matt Smith's who had just ran before us and started the bike. Chris was #6 qualifier and Mike was #11. Mike did his burn out and ran to the line and STAGED not PRESTAGED, which is unsportsmanlike anyhow. Chris did a burn out to the line and actually ran into the lights where he backed out and activated the auto start. Had Mike been on his game he was going to get a green light any second and win the round by red light on Chris. Instead he decided to get p*****d and back out of the lights, which then made the auto start null and void. So once they both staged, Chris drilled him on the light and all the way down the track. As for the comments about losing tempers and all that. This isn't PROSTAR or your local track race. This is the race of all races and as hard as you try to be calm and collected it's HARD and emotions fly. Not making an excuse for Mike just making a point. In the second round we forgot to plug in the Dyna remote on Chris's bike, he freaked out in the staging lanes because we couldn't get it, then Mike (Trebles crew chief) came over and hooked it up and we made the pass against Angelle. She saw that we had problems and remained focused and did her routine. Everybody is human and we all make mistakes, but what Chris did was no way shape or form intentional. I think there was something else bothering MP that this situation simply set him off. It's unfortunate because he's a great racer. Most people have no idea the tremendous pressure that NHRA racers go through. Everyone thinks that PSB guys/gals have a sh*t load of money and bla bla bla. In reality a lot of people aren't as well off as you would be led to believe but they are HUMAN and we all make bad decisions in life. Hopefully everyone that experienced this event will learn something from it and implement it into other aspects of their lives not just racing. All in all it was a great weekend for a lot of people and well Bostick only races two races a year and said this is his last year of doing that unless he gets a sponsor then he'll be out there full time. He's my neighbour and a great friend so I wanted to clear the air on what happened. p.s. I'm sure NHRA will set the tone for attempting to run someone off the track at 185mph and then getting off their bike and head butting their opponent."
Jason Sullivan
Date: 16th September 2004
Headline: Nobles Starts Top Fuel Trip
Ray Price Racing and new rider Tripp Nobles hit the track together for the first time at the All Harley Drag Racing Association event in Bristol, Tennessee. Nobles earned his Top Fuel license and qualified 11th in the 16-bike field with a 6.976 at 199.85, then faced 3-time national champion Doug Vancil in round 1 of eliminations.
Nobles has a motorcycle road and drag racing résumé nearly as long as Bristol’s quarter mile dragstrip, but he’d never raced anything remotely like Price’s nitromethane brute, with pistons the size of large coffee cans churning beneath his chin. “The Top Fueler is intimidating,” admitted Tripp, the defending AHDRA champion in the comparatively mild Screamin’ Eagle V-Rod class. “But I remind myself that I’ve been racing motorcycles for 35 years, and it’s just another motorcycle. But it is a lot different, and I’ve got a lot to learn.”
Nobles is learning quickly, and the first racer to sign off on his Top Fuel license was Vancil, followed by fellow heavy hitters Mike Romine and Johnny Mancuso. “It was an honor,” Tripp said about their support.
But that honor turned stressful when Nobles had to race Vancil the very next day. “I enjoyed the pressure of lining up next to him and Julie (Vancil, Doug’s wife, crew chief and AHDRA Pro Wrench of the Year),” said Tripp. “I couldn’t have had a better racer to line up against for my first round. The only thing that sucked is that I lost. I lined up crooked—it was my fault. I left with an .071 light to his .109, but I know Doug probably took it easy ‘cause he’d seen me struggling to get down the track in qualifying.”
“Tripp is working very hard to transfer his riding techniques to Top Fuel,” said Price, who is still recovering from a spill on the bike in May of 2003. “It’s obviously much, much different than his V-Rod program with Don Tilley. He has all the qualifications to be a good rider. He shows great reaction times and tremendous potential.”
Nobles feels the potential is there for the group to actually win a race before the year is out, and expressed a great amount of confidence in Price, crew chief Jeremy Hoy and crew member Justin Heinly. “I can’t tell you enough about the professionalism of those people,” said Tripp. “I don’t care whether it’s on a Blast or the Fueler, I can win some races with those people.”
Tripp’s next chance to do just that is at the Screamin’ Eagle Performance Parts Nationals presented by The Carolina Harley-Davidson Dealers Association at Ray’s home track, Rockingham Dragway in Rockingham, North Carolina, October 9 & 10.
Ray Price Racing is sponsored by Ray Price H-D, Raleigh H. O. G., Buell, Performance Machine, Ultra Pro Machining, Autolite Sparkplugs, Royal Purple Synthetic Oil, Barnett Clutches & Cables, Roy’s Rental Uniform Service, PRP/MSD Ignitions, ThermoDynamic/Reactor Power Cell, JIMS USA, Mickey Thompson Tires, Simpson Race Products, Diamond Engineering, Copperhead Graphics, VP Racing Fuel, Gates Rubber Co., Bates Leathers, Hargis Consulting, DME Racing, and Brown and Miller Racing Solutions.
Nobles is sponsored by Drag Specialties, HJC Helmets, Alpinestars, AST Sports Science, Performance Machine and LBZ.
The Tripp Nobles Racing Report is prepared by Tim Hailey, www.eatmyink.com
Date: 16th September 2004
Headline: Phil Read?
has anyone got, or knows where to find a picture, of a 1972 single overhead cam Honda 960cc Phil Read replica motorbike?
If so, please e-mail me ken.hardy5@btopenworld.com
Thanks!
Ken Hardy
Gossip comment :-
We do know that Phil is an MV dealer in the North Herts area near where King Racing are based, so it may pay to contact him directly with your request. Alternatively, maybe Honda HQ in Chiswick could help (if they are still there.......)
Date: 15th September 2004
Headline: Live At The Palace!
From the conventional to the collectable, the weird to the wonderful, Xtreme Wheels International – taking place at Alexandra Palace, London, on the 19th and 20th February 2005 – will ‘inspire and wow’ with its presentation of automotive power, bringing together under one roof the most exciting mix of extreme machinery imaginable.
From 10,000 horse-powered cars equipped with Strike Fighter jet engines to Top Fuel bikes that hit 100 mph in 1.1 seconds, the very best of European drag racing, hot and street rods, custom and performance cars will be represented alongside the UK’s top mods, imports, paint jobs and chrome.
The 2005 show promises two days of wall-to-wall motoring madness with live action, demos, trade stands and glamour!
Xtreme Wheels International is a must for all motoring enthusiasts with an eye for the unusual and who breathe the fumes of the pit lane.
For further information visit www.xwishow.com or contact Martin Allerton at the XWI Press Office on +44 (0)1242 268980.
Date: 15th September 2004
Headline: How many candles?
HAPPY BIRTHDAY IAN, AND HAVE A NICE DAY...ROEL AND MONIQUE KOEDAM
Gossip comment :-
Thanks R&M!
Date: 15th September 2004
Headline: Koedam Racing Team Report
Euro Finals / Santa Pod Raceway (Sep 9-12 2004)
The past weekend was the last of 6 races for the FIM/UEM Drag race championship.
As written in our previous Team Report, we still had to fix the damage from the (totally unexpected) breakage of the cam timing chain at last weekend’s demo on the Lausitzring in Germany. Once again we could rely on Zodiac’s Ton Pels workshop to fix the cylinder head. As we left home we only had the cylinder head fixed and had to deal with the rest once we got at Santa Pod Raceway.
When we arrived at the track we were surprised twice. The first time by the record number of entries in the pit area and the second time by the expanded tarmac surface in the pits. (good job guys!) When we had set up our pit area, we could start to assemble our engine. The bike was finally ready by midnight.
It was a bright sunny and warm day on Thursday, it was much cooler and cloudy on the next day and looking not too bright for the rest of the oncoming weekend. The first time this year at Santa Pod Raceway there were some problems with the track preparations (see our Main Event Team Report). This time however the track looked superb again. Thanks Kjell Pettersson, Ian Marshall and the rest of the track crew for their splendid work.
As we had already captured the European championship title, we had our focus for this last race on two things. Firstly try to win the event and secondly try to improve our personal best ET of 6.04 sec. I guess we all can imagine what that means. To achieve this we need the combination of a few things. First of all a capable bike. We think the bike is this year more powerful then last year (despite the little gremlins that plagued us throughout the season). The track looked in perfect condition again. Still needed was good weather conditions. This was the unsure factor over the whole weekend as it remained windy, cool & cloudy. On Saturday night it even rained very heavily and gale wind forces hit the venue. During qualifying and race days there was a persistent strong head wind. This affects merely the top-end speed and is in itself not too bad for us. The rain that came down a number of times during qualifying & racing had it’s influence on the time schedule and also had a little effect on the track conditions. I think that’s why ET’s in most car & bike classes were a little down on average.
On Friday we made our first qualifying pass and set a solid 6.26sec @ only 206 mph. The relatively “low” speed trough the speed traps was caused by an early click off (at 5.7 sec) and because of the head wind. Ours was the quickest ET of the first session.
The second session of the day had to be cancelled because of a rain shower that mixed up the time schedule. To compensate for this, there were three qualifying rounds scheduled for Saturday.
On Saturday the weather was pretty much the same. Though not too bad, it was not 100% ideal for a record run. Because our next goal was to fight our own personal best ET, we needed good conditions and decided to skip the first round as that would not match our demands.
In the meantime it gave us a little more time to concentrate on this run. We very seldom play around with our fuel system setup, we rather concentrate on the clutch as the engine runs just fine to our opinion. This time however we felt it was time to step up the fuel system a bit. After some calculating we increased the nitro percentage a bit to a level never run before with this cylinder head and also increased the amount of fuel to the engine. For the clutch management, we went back to our 6.04 set-up and made a little change over the control from the clutch release bearing.
When we warmed up the bike in the pit area the difference was very much noticeable to say the least. It became even clearer when we made the burn-out for our run. The increase in power seemed tremendous (not only by judging the smile on Roel’s face). He was shaking his head explaining that he never ever felt this before. This looked very promising for the upcoming run. If only……. The outcome unfortunately was different than we expected. It was “only” a 6.61sec pass with a whole lot more clutch dust then normally. While the engine produced indeed massive power during the full quarter mile, it didn’t result in a low ET as the clutch came in much too slow. In fact it didn’t lock up at all. We clearly made a misjudgment over there. The plugs came out unhurt again, indicating that we are still not on the limit of it’s full potential. Though the run result might not be what we expected, this set-up will definitely be our “big pony” set up for the future.
As to our opinion the last qualifying session of that day would not create ideal conditions to try it again, we decided to sit this one out again and start preparing the engine for race day. Our initial 6.26 remained untouched and we stayed the #1 qualifier.
While rain and storm hit the pit area during Saturday night we were taking the engine apart to make sure it was in good condition. No serious damage, just enough work to keep is awake till well past midnight.
On Sunday the weather didn’t improve either. It remained a cool and windy day, not perfect for setting “news breaking” records. So we stepped back to our usual set up and started focusing on an event win.
We won the first round from funny bike rider T.J. O’Brien in a 6.36sec @ 208 mph.
For the semi’s we were be matched up against Italy’s Antonio Ferretti. However Antonio was out of spare primary drive belts and (humble) Antonio didn’t want to ask around for a belt at his fellow racers. One of the race fans noticed this and started a tour through the pit area. Coincidentally enough his survey ended in our pit area when he found out that we were running the same type of drive belt. We find it only natural to give him one of our (used) Gates Polychain spare belts.
In the semi finals the number one and number two of the championship met at the Christmas tree. Surprisingly our bike left real slow from the line and was misfiring a bit. Meanwhile Antonio was ahead of us but throwing some oil on the track and drifting sidewards. Our engine started to pick up somewhere after the 330 ft mark and looked to catch up on Antonio. However our bike drifted to the centerline and Roel decided that it was no longer safe and clicked it off, handing over the round win to Antonio.
When we were back in the pit area and examining the data of that run, we discovered that the entire run was done in high gear! Overthinking on what happened Roel remembered that he repositioned himself on the bike (while he was not too comfortable) just before pulling into stage. He then must have hit the gear switch and accidentally plugged it in high gear without realizing it. Here our run for an event win stopped. We got beaten by our own parts, but such is life and Antonio’s round win was well deserved.
Though the end result of this last event was a little different as we hoped for, we cannot express how glad we are on what we have learned regarding our fuel system. This is even more encouraging then had we hoped for.
A word goes also out to fellow racer Top Pels. Not only is his company giving us a very good support, he also grabbed the European Championship title himself in the Supertwin class on his Zodiac backed Harley Davidson during this weekend in a brilliant style. Congratulations to the whole team!
Team Zodiac ruled the European championship in two of the three major bike classes by taking no less then two titles!!!
This coming Sunday we will be present to display the 4-time European championship bike at Jan Smit’s Power Parts during his incentive day on nitrous & turbo charging - www.jspp.nl
As this was the last race of the season, it will be a while before our next Team Report. Unless there is breaking news we expect to look back on the whole race season in a comprehensive review towards the end of the year.
Marius van der Zijden / Koedam Racing Holland
Also visit our website:www.koedamracing.nl
Date: 14th September 2004
Headline: Bon and Ferretti to contest UK Finals?
Top Fuel Bike riders Joey Bon of the Netherlands and Antonio Ferretti of Italy were making enquiries at the weekend as to the possibility of riding in the Top Fuel Bike class at the UK Championship Finals at Santa Pod in October. Hope you both can make it!
Date: 14th September 2004
Headline: Final UEM Championship positions
We have now posted the final positions for riders in the 2004 European Dragbike Chmapionship.
Click HERE to view.
Date: 14th September 2004
Headline: UEM Co ordinators Finals report
Thanks to UEM Championship co ordinator Lars Andersson for sending us his Euro Finals summary :-
“I am now back in Sweden after a windy finish to this years season. We managed to finish all races even if we were scared of the wind sometimes. But a straight head wind was not such big trouble for the race. However it was a problem for all the tents in the paddock and all people standing outside in the wind, many with a cold and running nose, including me.
Arriving on Wednesday on the press day it was warm and sunny. Roger Pettersson went out and made a 7.27 sec run and I thought that this would be a record breaking event. I have never seen a better prepared track in my life, but I got a little bit worried on the evening when Kjell and Darren and the rest of the team started to dig up the starting line and replace it on the evening!
Even on Thursday it was sunny and nice but when the Pro Category's started qualifying on Friday the nice weather finished. It was cooler with risk for rain and wind and we had to cancel one run on Friday due to rain but managed to do 3 qualification runs on Saturday instead. The track was in excellent condition. I personally think that the many riders that were having problems underestimated the track.
First a little about Top Fuel Bike. Roel Koedam showed once again that he is the champ. He had almost promised me that it should be a 5 sec run this weekend and I know that he can do it. The bike was ready and the track was ready for it but the weather was not and I will have to wait until next year for it. Roel was number one in the qualification in front of Ian King and Steve Wollatt. But some small problems in the semi against Antonio Ferretti from Italy gave the win to Ferretti. He is the number two in the championship and has really shown this year that he belongs at the top. So Ferretti was in the final against Wollatt who had defeated Steve Carey in the semi. Well almost not since Steve Carey had broken and the track people were making a fast clean of the track after Ferretti. Darren really scared me when Wollatt was firing up and heading to the start line with a lot of people on the track. But since Steve Wollatt according to the rules just had to start by himself to get the win they started him and then did the shutdown. This gave him more time to be prepared for the final against Ferretti where Woollat turned out to be the winner. It is a shame that the many British Top Fuel bikes do not race outside of England - we would love them to come. But what I really did miss this time was all the Norwegians. Due to accidents and other problems did could not come.
In Pro Stock it also good times and hard in the qualification. The fastest in the qualification was Roger Pettersson who already was the champion for this year. Roger made it to the final as usual and beat Chris Hope. The most exciting thing was that Anders Abramhamsson was number two qualifier, but lost in the semi to Chris Hope. The two Swedish Anders (Larsson and Abrahamsson) can maybe next year create a lot of problems for all the others. When they find the last bit they will really be in the hunt. Next year will be very exacting.
Supertwin turned out to be a thriller. Ton Pels was leading the championship with 14 points over Charley before this race so it would be up to the very last run. But in the last qualification run Charley hit the wall in the braking area. The bike just turned and Charley was soon in the wall, scratching the bike and creating problems with his foot. He had to go to the hospital for X-rays and to get a cast over it, so Charley could not run. But he was able to come down to the starting area to receive the applause for the best qualifiers in the presentation before the race. The new wall that was ready just before the Main Event has now really paid back. If there had not been a wall much more would have happened. And I am sure that Charley would not been back on the track on Sunday morning. Ton Pels made it all the way to the final and was showing some really good times - nice work Ton you do deserve it after so many years. Ton defeated Hans Olav Olstad in the semis and Ronny Aassen in the final. Ronny has had problems all the year but he had not found the cause. Ronny plans to come next year with a new bike. One other thing that makes me very glad was to see Svein Gottenberg after his "explosion" in Norway. They fixed the bike and Svein was running low 7 sec runs all the time. Svein has been riding many years and now is he also starting to go fast and all is working very good.
We really have to watch up next year for all the Norwegians that are coming. I think that they will be chasing Ton and Charley next year for the championship and maybe is it time for a Norwegian next year. Gunnar from Blåkulla frames (Hunnebostrand, Sweden) who is the wizard of frames will have a hard winter making all the new frames.
This was the last race for the seasonand all worked out very well. I am only hoping that we will have more riders that could make more events next year. I think that if we could have some travel money for the foreign riders like the cars that it would make the championship even more exiting than today. We also saw riders from some new countries on new bikes and have seen that we can make good things here in Europe and that you do not have to buy everything from the US.
Thank you very much to all the officials that have been working during the year. I cannot name them all but they have done very good work and the standard is growing all the time with more professionalism and better races. Taking care of the track before and during en event is hard work and we have also seen that a good starter (Ian Marshall) and the others around him now have more power and can make the right decision in a stressful situation.
Thank you also to Keith Bartlett and Kjell Pettersson who had made it all work and hpe that some of all your plans will work out and that we will have a really good 2005.
The new broadcasting company Sunspot has also made huge impression on me and I am waiting to see the results on television. They have been working hard and I have a feeling that we would see a very different and better show this year.
Hope to see you all on the tracks for 2005!”
Date: 14th September 2004
Headline: Bernie's Maltese trip
We'd like to thank Nitro Supertwin rider Bernard Hepworth for sending us this report of his recent trip to Malta with the impressive V Twin machine. Unfortunately, Bernie was unable to attend the weekend's Euro Finals after suffering further from the effects of a debilitating condition - get well soon Bernie.
"After three days on the road and two days on the ferry we arrived in Malta. The only problem all the way was an attempt by some charming locals to break into the trailer during Wednesday night on the services outside Genoa where we were to catch the ferry early the following day. Luckily they woke me and I managed to get into the driving seat and off down the autostrada before they got in.
Apparently we were lucky, a truck driver at the port said the usual deal is to break a cab window and gas you! Bloody charming. If we do it again we will travel the last 400 miles or so from France to Genoa and the ferry and not stop in Italy, Genoa is a s*****le of a place anyway.....
Arrived in Malta on Friday and now they are in the EU we went through customs in five minutes and into the sun.
This event was a night event to be held on the following Friday so it gave me all week to work on the Borg Brothers alky dragster for which I had to assemble a new motor from several boxes of parts from Gary Burgin and start to make the bits the Americans had as usual forgotten to ship. "Oh it's here on my desk do you really need it?" Yes I do, that's why I paid you for it 6 months ago! Will they ever learn? Malta is only 18 miles by 12 or so and isn't a great source of off the shelf race car hardware!
Allegedly the bike was race ready as we had serviced and run the motor in UK before leaving, Ha Ha! said the pile of V twin iron: not so easy guys! I'm here to screw you. On our first run we had a misfire we have never had before which cleared up at 300 foot and then it went reasonably well. We had expected the fuel system to be a long way out as we have had this problem with cars we have taken there, We lost all friday night trying to fix the problem trying all the usual stuff. As a last gasp thing we took off the battery fitted only 2 events ago and found a big swelling in the back of one cell, you can't see this when it's on and the computer showed 13 volts. By this time the Friday event was over and on Saturday morning we could not locate a new battery of the type we run. Luckily I found I had left the old battery in the trailer so after a good charge we tried it and hey presto, it ran clean but the front drive pulley came apart when I blipped the throttle. I knew that is the one thing we don't have spares for so we had to try attempt a repair as best we could. The problem is here if it breaks under full power it's both very dangerous and really expensive so we had to settle for just making a couple of part runs in the evening to amuse the crowd and ensure the misfire was fixed and as the bike is staying there for the October event to try again then.
On a good note the car ran really well for the conditions 5.85 @ 233mph which is quite good for a small block chevy. Some very happy Borg Bros and a good free dinner on Monday night!"
Date: 14th September 2004
Headline: Tommy Smith interview
We'd like to thank US Top Fuel Bike rider Tommy Smith for sending us this link to an interview with him. Click HERE to view.
Date: 14th September 2004
Headline: Not a Kawasaki!
We've been asked by the Dealer Team to point out a consistent error in various media regarding the description of Steve Woollat's Top Fuel Bike as a Puma Kawasaki. It is more correctly described as a PBR (Phil Baimbridge Racing) Puma as the cylinder head is different to the original Kawasaki on which it was conceived.
The differences are :-
- different combustion chamber design
- different inlet port design
- different valve angle
- twin plug
- different stud pattern
- different stud size
...and the head has run on Steve W's bike for nearly 15 years, whereas standard Kawasaki heads lasted about 1 1/2 runs!
Date: 14th September 2004
Headline: PRM's new business venture
Mr Paul Rose of Paul Rose Motorsport has now decided to venture into a new business to help fund his racing team, an Express Kebab Delivery service :-
Lisa
Date: 13th September 2004
Headline: Euro Finals results
The European Finals event at Santa Pod, England this weekend saw the crowning of the final champion in the UEM classes - Holland's Ton `The Godfather' Pels in the Supertwin class. Leading the championship coming into the finals, the Zodiac Team's consistency this season saw them take the title, with them running more than once in the 6.6 second zone at this event. The only rider who had a chance of overcoming Ton's lead, Sweden's Anders `Charley' Karling, failed to make the first round after suffering a broken ankle after colliding with the trackside wall in the shutdown area after setting a number one qualifying run in the 6.5 zone. Get well soon Charley!
Ton joined fellow countryman Roel Koedam who earlier this season clinched the Top Fuel Bike title, and Sweden's Roger Petersson, once again Pro Stock Bike champion.
Well done all!
Event winners were :-
Top Fuel Bike: Steve Woollatt 6.655/200.08 def. Antonio Ferretti 7.127/198.20
UEM Supertwin: Ton Pels 6.638/203.50 def. Ronny Aasen 9.784/89.12
UEM Pro Stock Bike: Roger Pettersson 7.451/177.13 def. Chris Hope 9.394/88.41
9.90 Bike: Andy Burfitt 10.141/122.59 def. Julian Harris 10.192/130.82
10.90 Bike: Dave Burfitt 11.086/118.52 def. Phil Pratt 11.037/115.55
Date: 13th September 2004
Headline: Hurricane hits MTC
It seems that Tony Lang's MTC Engineering have suffered at the hands of Hurricane Francis and are operating under limited power. Consequently, they can only take orders and ship products that are on their shelf.
The shop has suffered minor damage that will not affect production once the power is restored.
MTC Engineering Inc.
428 Shearer Blvd
Cocoa, FL 32922
Order Line : 800-827-9210
Tech Line: 321-636-9480
Fax: 321-631-8804
E-mail: mtcpiston@aol.com
Date: 8th September 2004
Headline: Allstar Nationals pictorial
Steve Woollatt takes the event win SHOCK! The venerable Woollatt took his umpteenth event win at Stratford, although the new found top end charges (now regularly in the 215 mph + range) from the "NOT A KAWASAKI ;-) but a PBR Puma" were somewhat redundant as the high winds on Monday brought the finish line to the 1/8th mile mark, and opponent Steve Carey failed to stage in the ACU elimination round.
Carey's absence at the startline resulted from the Purple Princess getting well out of shape after the slick failed to light up on the burnout. Damage was confined to the extremities of both the bike and Steve, and a flattened fuel union was the only real visible mechanical breakage. Steve's right hand might take a little more time to recover, although he's optimistic about being out for the Euro Finals.
The Midgley Express carries on in Funny Bike - win, low ET and TS for the category, although remarkably his 191.59 mph TS (on a 6.969 No. 1 qualifier) wasn't the fastest turbo on the site.
The fastest turbo was Steve Venables (seen here trying to condense the massive top end grunt over the abbreviated course in eliminations) with an astounding 192.93 mph in qualifying - Muzzys mark seems to be very much in sight now...
However, Graham Dance took the event win over Ivan Birch demonstrating that the nitrous bikes are still king over the first half of the track.
Grumpy Watson wasn't very grumpy at all after running a seven forty in qualifying and then winning the whole event despite his initial concerns that the advantage that the mid 7's he and tentmate Dave Beck were producing would be slightly nullified by the short course. Parking it at the end of the year? I hope not.
Comp Bike was a bit of a curate's egg, lots of breakages and TJ taking the event win after reaching the staging beams under power. Also in the class the Think Pink team were making real progress with Roland Chaplain getting the bike firmly in the mid eights. Elsewhere the Raunds Rocket went too quick in the final of 10.90(6.90) bike
Steve Coombs won 9.90 bike over Richard Sawatzki... Fred what were you up to?
whilst over in the NAST classes The Bear defeated Chris Stebbings to take the Fuel win
George Laycock won STG - the competition seem to get closer but the Main Offender keeps that one step ahead...
Dave Bartz runner-upped in STM, the win just going to Simon Hodgson after Bartz returned to the level with a bump of sparks and concrete dust after this wheelie
STS went to Mark Earrey, although I've only managed to take a decent picture of Chris Mott who was one of the V-Rods that fell by the wayside in earlier rounds
But to make up for it, here are a couple of snaps of the Juniors (event win by Andrew Irvine), with Harry Stedman losing out in the final round
and and Rebecca Puddle demonstrating the quality of work that has gone into the rides of these future stars.
Dr Ivan J. Sansom
European Correspondent
Dragster Australia Magazine
c/o Earth Sciences
University of Birmingham
Birmingham B15 2TT
UK
Tel. 0121 414 6147
Fax. 0121 414 4942
Email: I.J.Sansom@bham.ac.uk
Magazine Website: www.dragsteraustralia.com.au
Date: 8th September 2004
Headline: PMFR billet drag front wheel for sale
PMFR billet drag front wheel - 3" x 17". One season's use only. Genuine sale; bought from another racer but I have decided I need the narrower width. This one is mint condition and complete with 10" PMFR disc (and good tyre). ?500 complete, to cover my costs only.
07711-708103Can be viewed in Fleet, Hants, or I can take it with me to the Euro-Finals - probably Saturday.
Date: 8th September 2004
Headline: Bandit sale!
Europes quickest bandit for sale. Mitsubishi blow thru turbo, schnitz progressive gas, lock up clutch, air shifter and all the usual stuff. Absolute bargain price of ?4000.00. Would consider px for decent road bike. New Zealand is forcing this sale, so I might even consider a sensible offer.
Rat 01793 705905, rachel@abbeyridertraining.co.uk
Date: 8th September 2004
Headline: Funny bike / Top gas or ??? for sale
This bike became to much for my friend, he is going back to streetbike after one test weekend.
GS 1150/1428, runs straight, 15:1 comp, V&H Sidewinder, car tyre conversion, Katana Pro stock body work, Total of 9 passes since rebuilt crank, clutch, top end. Been 7,9 / 264 km/h.(you know what NOS can do?)
Lockup, 2 step, el.over air, shiftminder, Dyna 4000, shiftlight, Lectrons . est. 90000.- Nkr / 13000 $ is what the bike has cost him.
New House of Kolor paint with kameleon effects, nice bike, E-mail me for pics and more details, very nice bike, sounds like a prostocker, will ship world wide.
SERIOUS INQUIRES ONLY PLEASE, No Nigerian jokes or dreamers, no shipping before total payment has arrived.
Rune Lien
HPE Services. Norway. E-mail: promotor@online.no Ph: + 47 411 07605
Date: 7th September 2004
Headline: Koedam Racing Team Report
Lausitzring Germany ( Sept.3-5 2004)
Just one weekend before the European Finals we were invited to take part at the festivities in “Werner dass Rennen”. This festival is a weekend filled with live performing (loud) rock bands and all kind of motorcycle madness. What about an attempt to set a world record burn-out contest? About a hundred bikes were lined up in the pit lane and lighted up their tires at the same moment. We have seen the most unusual / crazy kind of vehicles ever during this weekend like a bike driven by 24 chainsaw engines!
It all was held at The Euro Speedway / The Lausitzring which is some 100km South-east of Berlin in the former eastern part of Germany. We were told that this is the world’s most expensive Motorsports facility, costing over € 300.000.000 (and it shows!) paid by the German tax payer. This is a facility you have to see it to believe. It has every thing including a full “champ car track”, except not a drag strip. Part of the festivities was a drag race demo from some bikes and cars. This was held both on Saturday and on Sunday and took place over an eight mile course at the start/ finish straight in front of a huge grandstand.
Though the calendar said that the summer was over, this was not the case as it was very warm and sunny all weekend. The unprepared track had reasonable grip but was slightly off camber. On both days the start of the dragrace activities was given by a “gentlemen start your engines’ through the p.a. system. Followed by all cars and bikes (who were parked in front of their pit boxes right across the main grandstand) firing up their engines simultaneously.
We were invited together with Top Pels to highlight the drag race demo. We both made one pass on Saturday and on Sunday and the crowd loved it. On Sunday we warmed up our engines at the same moment, while Ton & Roel were blipping their throttle one after each other. Just imagine the reflecting sound of these “barking” bikes between the pit boxes and the covered grandstand! As the say in Germany “dass warr supergeil”.
Unfortunately on our Sunday pass our engine all of a sudden died some 50 meters in the run with a small “pop”. Later in the pit box it turned out that it had snapped the (cam)timing chain and bent three exhaust valves in the process. With just three days to go before we have to leave to Santa Pod, I’m afraid it will be even more hectic then in the past weeks. Any way we will do the best we can to fix it for this last meeting.
Marius van der Zijden / Koedam Racing Holland
Date: 7th September 2004
Headline: Carey back for Euro's
We heard the great news last night from UK Top Fuel Bike rider Steve Carey that he will be riding at the forthcoming Euro finals.
He has been informed by his doctor that a skin graft is unecessary, and he has full movement in his hand.
Looks like his first 6 may be on the cards....!
Date: 7th September 2004
Headline: Ronny's big 'un.....
Norwegian nitro Supertwin rider Ronny Aasen, who is fast becoming the primary source of PRP engines and parts in Europe, has just taken delivery of one of the latest state of the art 2900cc engines from the Canadian company. With the latest in cylinder head porting and valve assembly, it should help propel Ronny even further into the 6 second zone.
Date: 6th September 2004
Headline: Happy birthday Roel!
It seems that Dutch Top Fuel Bike rider Roel Koedam may have had to alter his plans for a celebration dinner in a local restaurant last night after his valve bending antics in Germany in favour of a garage party.......
Happy birthday Roel!
Date: 6th September 2004
Headline: Lund goes home
Norwegian Top Fuel Bike rider Nils Ole Lund has now left Randers hospital, Denmark to return home after his high speed spill at Mosten Raceday.
Whilst under observation Nils was found to be suffering from a bruised liver which will prevent him from a return to the track for some weeks.
Get well soon Nils!
Date: 5th September 2005
Headline: Norwegians dominate Mosten
Mosten Race Day report
It was an action packed Saturday at the Mosten Race Day in Denmark. In front of a hugely enthusiastic crowd of approximately 6000 the best of three runs were used to determine the class winners, and at the end of the race day we almost had a Norwegian clean sweep with the top three in Supertwin and number one and three in Top Fuel from that country.
Unfortunately, the race did not come without some mishaps with Ian King failing to safely negotiate the tricky 45 degree bend in the shutdown area, and Nils Ole Lund spending a night in Randers hospital for observation after a high speed excursion into the wheatfield. King suffered some bodywork and blower damage whilst Lund destroyed a front wheel and suffered some bodywork damage too.
Both riders are facing a race against time to make good the damage for the Euro Finals next weekend.
Sverre Dahl was crowned `King of Mosten’ for setting the fastest time of the weekend (and setting a new track record in the process).
Top three in each class were :-
Top Fuel
Sverre Dahl
Peter Stroem (Sweden)
Nils Ole Lund
Supertwin
Sven Olaf Rolfstad
Vidar Ravensborg
Trond Alm
Date: 3rd September 2004
Headline: Mosten Race Day report
Well it’s prep day for tomorrows big race, and the riders going for the event prizes reads like a who’s who of European Nitro Dragbike racing.
In Top Fuel, Sverre Dahl, Nils Ole Lund, Peter Stroem, Finn Asserbo and Eric Teboul are due join Ian King on the track.
In Nitro Supertwin, Stefan Junerud, Vidar Ravensborg, Svein Olaf Rolfstad, Svein Gottenberg, Ronny Aasen , Carsten Andersson, Erik Nielsen and Charley Karling are due out tomorrow.
As we speak, Sverre Dahl has the engine apart repairing a damaged camchain guide, but all others look fit and ready. Whether they will be fit and ready after tonights entertainment of dancing girls and the world famous band `The Snotlers’ is anyone’s guess......
Date: 3rd September 2004
Headline: Junior Dragbike?
OK, I'm putting together a Italjet little kiddies bike, well my husband is.... Any how's anyone got any ideas of which websites I should look at to get some help/ideas for the bike?
hellllppppp...........
Date: 2nd September 2004
Headline: Mosten Race Day
After a hard slog to get the bike back together after suffering a twisted crank in Hockenheim, the King Racing Top Fuel bike team have just arrived in Denmark for the annual Mosten Race day.
A bike only rally, it features an eighth mile sprint race for motorcycles on Mosten MC's very own dragstrip next to their impressive clubhouse.
The crew have been working hard sledging and spraying the track for saturdays race and it is looking very good.
Alongside the King Racing Top Fuel Bike, other Nitro machines such as those of Peter Stroem, Sverre Dahl, Ronny Aasen and Charley Karling are scheduled to appear.
Our posts may be limited over the next few days due to the race, but tune in and we'll see what we can do!
Date: 2nd September 2004
Headline: Got an empty bottle?
Does anyone have an EMPTY - BOC Nitrous Oxide bottle they wish to get rid of? If so please email or ring on 01480 394358
Roland Chaplain E-mail: rpc1002@cam.ac.uk
Date: 1st September 2004
Headline: Carey hopeful
After Top Fuel Bike rider Steve Carey's spill at SCR, he is still hopeful for a return at the Euro Finals in two weeks time. Steve disclosed to us yesterday that he suffered a dislocated finger and some minor damage to another finger that may need a small skin graft.
Good luck in your recovery Steve, and we hope to see you at the Pod for the finals.
Date: 1st September 2004
Headline: Grumpy's Race Report
After a disappointing end to the Summer Nationals when it finished early due to wind I stepped things up for Allstar Nats at SCR, with a first run of 7.63 and only a 1.27 60ft.
We knew it was going to improve,however SCR can be tricky with slight adjustments here and there to get a better base setting we ran a personal best of 7.45 @ 177 then backed it up with a 7.47 but 60fts only 1.16 so with a little work on the clutch we were hoping for better things to come however due to rain we never run on sunday so we stayed qualified 2nd with Dave Beck in his usual No.1 spot and a close 7.44.
Eliminations on Monday were frantic as the weather kept threatening again and there were a few hicups on the track one of them STEVE DUNN my old adversary in 12.90 street car whose Super Gas toyota crashed top end - hope both Steve and John get back racing soon.
Due to the crosswinds they decided to run all bikes on the 1/8 only this made things a little tougher but the bike was very consistent, my first run was against Len Paget but he broke on the line I ran 4.74 but a 1.13 60ft but had a bit of tyre shake, in the semis we had Ray Debben still managed a 1.13 60ft and a slower 4.79 against Ray's 5.26 but again suffering tyre shake wich this time resulted in a broken bracket.
With a quick repair we headed off to the finals against the man set to make a great debut into Pro Stock this year Tony Clark on the Paul Rose Motorsports bike we both knew it was going to be close and a 429 to Tony's 434 reaction helped me to take the win 4.73 to a 5.05 Tony could not shift into 4th we found out later but surely a team to be reckoned with next season.
Thankyou to all the people who have supported me my crew Kim,Kev to Dave and Charlotte Beck, Mr Upperton this weekend was for SCARY JANE WE miss you and can't wait to see you at the track soon.
Paul Watson
Date: 1st September 2004
Headline: Karling Racing report
At the fifth round in the 2004 UEM European Dragbike Championship Anders "Charley" Karling backed up a 6,463 run in the qualifications with a 6,458 in the semifinals to set a new European Record. Charley´s personal best from 2002 6,361 was not backed up within the 1% as needed for an official UEM record.
It looked like the Karling Racing Team was on there way to a points lead in the championship with consistent runs in the 6,70 or better all weekend and the closest competitor at 6,90 because of a very tricky track. Almost all teams in all pro-classes, cars and bikes, had great problems to get good consistent runs. But as we all know, everything can happen in dragracing, in the finals against the championship leader Ton Pels from Holland a rocker arm broke and Charley could only watch Ton move away from him and take the win.
Now when only one race at Santa Pod 9-12 September is left in the championship is Ton Pels still in the lead 14 pionts ahead of Charley. You get 10 points for a round win and five for a record so the teams goal is clear. Be number one qualifier, set a new record and take the win over Pels in the final. A dream ??? The team did it in 1994 at Hockenheim and won the first Suer Twin Top Fuel Championship ever. The competitors name at that time was Adam Hewitt.
Karling Racing will still go for the gold!
Date: 31st August 2004
Headline: Allstars Nationals
Congratulations to all the finalists at the weekends Allstar Nationals. The finals were run over the 1/8th due to difficulat wind conditions. In an incident packed weekend, Top Fuel Bike rider Steve Carey parted company with his bike after grabbing a handful of brake at the end of his burnout. Bike and rider are OK, although Steve had some minor hand injuries.
Top Fuel Bike: Steve Woollatt 5.368/106.64 bye, Steve Carey broke
Funny Bike: Neil Midgley 4.414/162.45 def. Paul Knapp 4.666/153.58
Pro Stock Bike: Paul Watson 4.733/147.54 def. Tony Clark 5.052/140.52
Comp Bike: TJ O'Brien staged, Vaughan Foster no show
Super Street Bike: Graham Dance 5.495/144.23 def. Ivan Birch 6.877/104.41
9.90 Bike: Steve Coombs 7.015/97.19 def. Richard Sawatzki 6.779/89.82 red light
10.90 Bike: Dave Burfitt 7.086/100.45 def. John Hackney 6.850/96.98 breakout
Supertwin Gas: George Laycock 5.966/114.80 def. Andy Smith 6.109/112.22
Supertwin Modified: Simon Hodgson 6.405/118.19 def. Dave Bartz 6.988/103.93
Supertwin Street: Mark Earrey 6.498/110.29 def. Dave Jones 6.687/98.47
Junior Drag Bike: Andy Irvine (11.80) 11.913/55.76 def. Harry Stedman (9.40) 67.06
Date: 31st August 2004
Headline: Hanson becomes 1st 200mph Streetbike in the 1/4 Mile
Barry Henson of Davie, Florida officially becomes the first person to break into the 200mph barrier at the Pingel Thunder Nationals. Henson just missed backing up the run with a 198.03 which becomes the new official AMA/Prostar record.
Date: 31st August 2004
Headline: Indian Larry dies after stunt in Cabarrus
I thought your readers might like some info on a bad situation. My photo editor was there and was the last journalist to talk to Larry. It's a shame, the guy had a real love for life
http://vtwinplus.com/March_2004/news.html
Greg Guarinello
Date: 30th August 2004
Headline: Bonwick buys `Big Red'
Following our piece a couple of weeks ago regarding rumours of Nitro bikes going to Australia from the USA we can now confirm that Craig Bonwick and Cow Antoniazzo have purchased “Big Red” from American Top Fuel Harley rider Bill Furr.
Featuring one of Furr's own Dixie Frames, it also sports one of his 175 ci “Big Hammer” motors.
The bike is the same one that Furr rode to victory in the ADBA’s inaugural 2000 World Championship in Australia and has run a best of 6.53 seconds and 216 mph.
Bonwick plans to ride the bike at the AHDRA Screamin’ Eagle Performance Parts Nationals in North Carolina on the 9th/10th October.
Date: 30th August 2004
Headline: Team Rose Blakemores secret
weapon............
Ivan Sansom
Date: 30th August 2004
Headline: Mort on four!
Moving into four wheeled drag racing, Jon Morton has called up the gurus of Super Gas racing... Later on in the pits the assembled might of the Mortsport crew poked their fingers in the blue fluid they'd drained from a mysterious catchtank in the trunk: "well it tastes sweet, must be antifreeze?". Look for the team to make a rapid setup the brackets - "we'll make the thing run as fast as possible, and then look to see which bracket we end up in"...
Ivan Sansom
Date: 29th August 2004
Headline: Southern Rock's back!
Great news, we have finally recived our new a long awaited starter From Mr Furr. The bike is now ready and just waiting for the new paint job to arrive.
Looking forward to seeing everyone at the finals. I should hopefully also be able to complete the full season next year now.
Also do has anyone got a 11" or 12" bead lock Wheel for sale?
See you all soon! .
Jamie Millership - E-mail: jamie@classic-custom.co.uk
Date: 29th August 2004
Headline: Allstars Nationals coverage
Eurodragster are providing their usual excellent race coverage for this weekends event at Shakespeare County Raceway - click here
Date: 28th August 2004
Headline: Pulleys?
I'm looking for two front belt pullies that's under stock(27 tooth)for 1999 plus Buells.
I would like to find 26 and 25.Any ideas?
Cal :- E-mail: lkecal@msn.com
Date: 28th August 2004
Headline: Lizz bored!
We heard from Streetbike racer Lizz McCarthy who has now had the long awaited operation on her arm. A nerve has been relocated to the other side of her elbow, and she is waiting to have the stitches removed in the near future before she is allowed near a racetrack. She said it hurts like..... well you can imagine!!
She is still off work and getting exceptionally bored, but is planning on her comeback at the 2005 Speedfreaks event.
In the nmeantime, her and partner Seff are looking for parts for her 1100. Seff has done a superb job on the single sider, and is attacking the forks in usual SFB965 style!!
We look forward to seeing Lizz out on the track again, and in the meantime - get well soon!
Date: 28th August 2004
Headline: NHRA PSB weight change?
We have been hearing rumours that the NHRA will enforce a new weight break related rule for next season. The gossip is that any added weight to make the break may have to be mounted under the seat. This would take away most of the advantage that a smaller rider might have (e.g Angelle Savoie).
However, we can't see that this can be enforced easily as strategically placed neavier than standard components such as frame rails etc could be used?
Date: 28th August 2004
Headline: Tommy Smith Top Fuel update
Some of our readers have been enquiring as to what has happened to US Top Fuel Bike rider Tommy Smith as he has failed to appear at recent Prostar rounds. Well, we can inform you that the legendary ex Trett `Mountain Magic' machine is undergoing extensive modifications in the workshops of chassis guru `Puppet' prior to Tommy moving all of the fuel system around, adding a new MSD Promag, new fuel lines, relocating the pop-offs and solenoids, making a new fuel log, figuring out new clutch settings, making some more exhaust pipes, and mounting the three or four boxes that go with the new mag.
He and his team hope to make Memphis but it's unlikely at this stage.
Date: 27th August 2004
Headline: MRE excel at Indy
Congratulations to the UK's Dave Beck and the MRE team for a great showing at last weekends Pingel Thunder Nationals at Indy.
Dave qualified in a stout 4th position with a 6.936 @ 191.32. He encountered Jack Young in the 1st round and his slowing down 8.796 @ 121.13 was enough to see off Youngs 13.314 @ 80.57. Next round saw Dave's 6.908 @ 196.16 easily overcome Coodee Thomas' 7.468 @ 175.96.
In the semi's Dave had Pro Mod class act of the year Charlie Farrar on his C&W Cycleworks machine. Despite a fine 6.900 @ 191.84 it was not enough to see of a stunning 6.765 @ 202.21 from the Fort Myers based machine.
Date: 27th August 2004
Headline: Koedam Racing Team Report
2004 European Top Fuel bike Champion!
While at this moment the XXVIII Olympic Games takes place in the southern part of Europe, we travelled to Hockenheim in Germany to attend the 5th & penultimate round of the UEM/FIM championship drag racing a.k.a. “The Nitrolympics”.
Though the Hockenheim circuit offers by far the best facility on the tour, this cannot be said about the traction during the past years ever since the renewal of the track. This year unfortunately was no exception and the overnight rain showers (every night) didn’t do any good either. There’s nothing we can do about this, so we just have to deal with the situation. This doesn’t mean that we do not feel sorry for it, as we like to perform better and give the spectators low ET’s on the scoreboards. The circumstances are the same for every competitor (though the more power you have, the more difficult it is to adapt to such a situation) and we all knew that this event was going to be more like a survival test.
Once again, as always in Hockenheim, the media was present in large numbers and we got our fair share of attention.
The first qualifying day (Friday) was a real nice and sunny day. To everyones surprise the “Pro” bike classes were scheduled as one of the first to go out on the track. When observing the riders ahead of us, we came to the conclusion that it would make no sense to “hit it hard” right from the line as the track would by no means take it. Therefore we decided to “roll it off the line” and open the throttle gradually during the run. In this way we would at least set a time to put us in a qualified position. It was never under full power during that run and the best we could make of it at that moment was a 7.100sec @ 345km/h. It was the best ET of the first session. At least it looked we were qualified and we had gathered some data to work with.
Just before our second qualifying session of that day, the race director decided to change the running order and send some sportsman car classes over the track first hoping the track would improve a little. So back to the pit area we went. By the time it was our turn again, we rolled it off the line once more but opened the throttle a bit more. Our 60 ft time was a little better but as soon as Roel opened the throttle, it instantly lost traction. Roel tried to “feather the throttle” twice but to no result. It even popped a burst panel in the manifold as the fuel system of a top fuel motor is not set up to do so. The bike coasted across the line in 7.79sec @ 198km/h. Still we remained #1 at the end of the first day.
Saturday was a much cooler day and the sun stayed away all day. Nevertheless the temperatures were pleasant.
One of the more exciting things of the weekend was a photo shooting organized by our event sponsor the leisure clothing warehouse Dakota. They came up with a real supermodel and during the shooting it was remarkably busy in our pit box........
Meanwhile the traction had improved a little bit because of track preparations and more cars/bikes that went over the track.
Our 3rd qualifying run gave us a 6.49sec @ 348km/h. Though still not under full power, this was more what we hoped for to run here. This run came closer to our track record of 6.37sec from last year, but more important, it also gave us a comfortable # 1 qualifier position.
When we checked over the engine afterwards, we found a substantial leak down over the #3 exhaust valve. With the emergency valve seat repair job of the week before fresh in mind we decided to take no risk and dismantle the (cylinder) head for a closer look. This meant that we had to skip the last session.
Luckily for us, nobody was able to touch our 6.49 and we remained the #1 qualifier.
With the cylinder head off, we discovered a little melting damage between one of the (two) spark plug holes and the exhaust valve seat. This was clearly the result of the necessary hasty repair job after Norway (see our previous Team Report). It was caused by some impurity during the (aluminum) welding process. We decided to make a temporarily repair to the head and take it a little cautious during race day in order to try to survive. The leak down tester would be our #1 tool during eliminations day.
Because of this “wound” we had no other choice then to review our racing strategy and switch over to a “limp home mode” and see what’s happening round by round.
Sunday started cloudy, but during the day the sun came out and stayed with us.
In the first round we met Luigi Ferretti (younger brother of Antonio) on his turbocharged funny bike. We won this round and even had the possibility to click it of before the finish line in order to save the engine. (6.73 @ 301km/h)
After this round we checked the repaired cylinder head as good as we were able to from the outside. There was again a little leak down at that exhaust port, but nothing we could do about in time before the next round. As it was not too bad we went to the semi’s. In the semi finals our opponent (Ian King) was forced a “no show” as he had a crank problem. This gave us the opportunity to nail it off the line and click it off a little early to save the engine. By opening the throttle right from the line we would be able to see if the track already would hold the power. The result was loss of traction instantly. To no surprise, but at least we learned something for the upcoming final round.
On the other side of the (eliminations) ladder Italy’s Antonio Ferretti had worked its way to the finals. But he also was struggling with technical (transmission related) problems.
The final round of the weekend was not a real nice one as Antonio suffered again a transmission problem and our bike dropped a cylinder right from the line. However it picked up during the run and we managed to cross the finish line first and take the event victory.
As “an icing on the cake” our points lead is already big enough to take the “gold medal” in the UEM/FIM European Dragbike Championship with yet one more race to go. After winning it also in ’97, ’99 & ’03, Team Koedam took the European title for the 4th time!
Finally a special thanks goes out to Zodiac’s Ton Pels for opening his workshop (on Sunday before the Hockenheim event) so we could finish the exhaust valve seats repair job from Norway and also for his cylinder head repair suggestion in Hockenheim. This all played an important role to get us through the hectic past two weeks. Also thanks to Dakota Industry (http://www.dakota-industry.de) for their extra support during this event.
We have two more outings planned for this year. The first upcoming event is again in Germany but this time south-east of Berlin. The weekend of 3-5 September is an all bike & music weekend at the Lauszitsring called “Werner dass Rennen”. Part of the festivities is a drag race scheduled both on Saturday and Sunday and we are invited for some demo runs. The weekend after that is our last race of the year which is at the same time the last European Championship round at England’s Santa Pod Raceway.
Marius van der Zijden / Koedam Racing Holland
Date: 26th August 2004
Headline: UEM Championship points positions
We have updated our FIM Championship pages post Hockenheim. Click on the link on the left to view.
Date: 26th August 2004
Headline: UEM Co ordinator post Hockenheim summary
Our thanks to Lars Andersson for sending us his UEM Hockenheim summary :-
"All was as expected. The track was not of the standard Friday morning as a championship track should be. It did look good but it was not safe to ride on but later on the Friday it was much better and for the rest of the weekend possible to ride on. As you can see Roger Pettersson set a new top speed record and Anders Karling a new ET record. Maybe this more points on how good those bikes are than the performance of the track. The other problem is lining up. It takes too much time and delays the racing due to the fact that the up lining is too short between the checkpoints.. Anyway we finished the race and it looks very exciting for the final in England.
In Super Twin is it absolutely impossible to say who will win. Ton Pels has a small advantage but it is only 14 points in front of Charley and Ronny Aassen in not so far behind. Ton who won Hockenheim in the final against Charley is my favourite to the championship but if Charley makes a new record anything can happen (or if Ton has problems in the qualification).
In the other classes it isn already clear with Roel Koedam the winner in Top Fuel winning Hockenheim against Antonio Ferretti. Roel had worked very hard after Norway but did finish the bike in time.
We had a nice qualification with riders from Greece and Italy and all the old countries. This does look good for the future. Very nice also to see Martin de Haas back after his accident in Norway. He did not have any problems with himself but just some problems with the bike that continued. Also good to see Ian King back but he had problems with the crank. Peter Bossert from Switzerland was also in the pits this time, qualifying but did also had problems.
In Pro Stock Bike Roger Pettersson is the winner but it is open for second place, Chris Hope, Vesa Rautio and Anders Larsson can all take second place. Anders Larsson also ran fast at Hockenheim but had some problems and was defeated in the semi finals against Vesa had some problems with the crank but hopefully can be fixed before the final in England. Vesa, who had problems at the beginning of the year has now got the bike to work very well. Also to say is that were missing Helen Curran this time, and for the first time a Greek rider qualified. We also had a lot of other Italian riders so the championship does look very international and is really getting stronger.
This is just a small report and it did come late after the event. Hopefully can we have a race in Hockenheim next year and with some work this can be one of the best races. If we just have a nice track from the beginning and the up lining working a little bit better should it be the best.
Lars Andersson
Date: 26th August 2004
Headline: Paging Thomas Joswig
Could Thomas Joswig please e-mail me at shaun@branchracing.net
Shaun Branch
Date: 26th August 2004
Headline: Ellis for Star - official
As was rumoured on Gossip a few weeks ago, Chip Ellis has now announced that he has taken a position with Star Racing and that his current riding contract with Kawasaki has been voided. Ellis, who holds AMA/Prostar championships in both Funnybike and Formula Superbike, is currently slated to make his NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle debut on the S&S-backed V-twin Buell of G Squared Motorsports at the NHRA Mac Tools U.S. Nationals. Ellis attended the Frank Hawley Drag Racing School Pro Stock Bike program three times and sent a resume to Bryce earlier this year as his current two year Ellis, one of the original Team Green Kawasaki riders, looked to retain his contract through the end of the season as he is in championship contention in both the 600 SuperSport class and the 1000 SuperSport class in AMA/Prostar competition. Ellis placed second in the 600 class in 2000.
Date: 25th August 2004
Headline: Happy Birthday Mo!!
We'd like to wish Monique Koedam a very happy birthday!
Monique of the Koedam Racing Top Fuel Bike team celebrates her 3rd 25th birthday of the last few years, and plans to celebrate with a glass or two of her favourite perfume, Chanel Number 2.
Date: 25th August 2004
Headline: Mystery TFB rider revealed
After many weeks of speculation, the guest rider of the MPM Top Fuel Bike at selected events has been revealed as none other than this well known TF Dragster pilot :-
Date: 25th August 2004
Headline: Ton's new bike?
Is this Ton's new bike???
Francois Brucker
Date: 25th August 2004
Headline: 2004 FIA European Finals Sunday Night Banquet
IT WAS SOLD-OUT LAST YEAR & THE YEAR BEFORE THAT, so book NOW!
Deadline for discounted tickets are approaching rapidly. Winners trophy presentation for:
2004 FIA European Drag Racing Championship
2004 UEM European Drag Bike Championship
2004 NDRS Bilsport Pro Mod Series
2004 Nitro Funny Car Championship
Book your tickets by calling Santa Pod Raceway to obtain your order form on Tel: +44 (0)1234 782828 Fax: +44 (0)1234 782818 Email: info@santapod.com
Limited number of tickets available, so book now! This event sold out last year.
Can't wait to see you all here in September!
Regards, The Staff at Santa Pod Raceway
Date: 25th August 2004
Headline: EUROPES QUICKEST BANDIT GOING CHEAP.
1200, turbo, gas. 300bhp at back wheel. 8.6 secs @ 166mph. Loads of spares. No time wasters, no offers. £4000.00 take it or leave it!! Spare engine available for £500.00.
Rat 01793 705905
Date: 25th August 2004
Headline: Ray Price Racing-Noble's Makes the Program
Ray Price Racing's trip to the S & S Cycle Thunder in the Valley presented by Smith Brothers Harley-Davidson in Bristol, TN was successful in that new Screamin' Eagle Top Fuel rider, Tripp Nobles earned his Top Fuel license and qualified 11th with a 6.976 at 199.85, no small feat in itself.
Price continues to be upbeat about his new rider, "Tripp is working very hard to transfer his riding techniques to Top Fuel, it's obviously much much different than his VRod program with Don Tilley. He has all the qualifications to be a good rider, he shows great reaction times and tremendous potential. In the first round of eliminations, Tripp was paired with National Champion, Doug Vancil. Tripp had a good reaction time, but drifted towards the wall and had to get out of the throttle."
The team plans to step up performance and has a few more surprises to be announced soon.
Ray Price Racing proudly thanks their sponsors to Ray Price Harley-Davidson, Raleigh H. O. G., Buell, Performance Machine, Ultra Pro Machining, Autolite Sparkplugs, Royal Purple Synthetic Oil, Barnett Clutches & Cables, Roy's Rental Uniform Service, PRP/MSD Ignitions, ThermoDynamic/Reactor Power Cell, JIMS USA, Mickey Thompson Tires, Simpson Race Products, Diamond Engineering, Copperhead Graphics, VP Racing Fuel, Gates Rubber Co., Bates Leather, Hargis Consulting, DME Racing, Brown and Miller Racing Solutions.
Date: 25th August 2004
Headline: Zodiac NitrOlympx report
Thanks to Monique Pels of the Zodiac Nitro Twin team for sending us her post Hockenheim report :-
"The Zodiac team was struggling all weekend trying to find traction and a good set-up. After 2 days of qualifying Ton was qualified second. 'Pole position' was for Sweden's Charley Karling who was showing very strong and consistent performance in Hockenheim.
After a 6.96 bye run in the first round and an early shut off 7.04 defeating Joachim Riemer from Germany in the semi finals, Ton was to meet Charley in the final once again. Although the odds were in Charley's favor and Ton experienced some problems in the final - when the engine dropped a cylinder - Charley had even worse problems and Ton managed to finish first.
This resulted in Ton improving his lead position in the European Championship by a few points. So going to the European finals in a few weeks we have a slight advantage, but still.... anything is possible, so it's going to be very interesting...
For the full story and some fun pictures, please visit the NEWS page of www.zodiacracing.com
Cheers, Monique"
Date: 24th August 2004
Headline: More Drag Kids!
Supertwin stalwart Ian 'Rush' Carruthers and the lovely Kerry also had a baby girl and sister for Jake last thursday weighing in at a good Pro-stock 6.5 pounds wet, approx! We wish her every happiness and hope to see her crewing for her brother in years to come. Now the bad news, thanks to the usual ineptitude of various solicitors my house move is now taking place this bank holiday weekend. This means no racing for me and there goes my hopes for the championship. My contact details will be the same apart from my home address which I will send out later. The bike is now for sale for collection at any meeting or from my home as a complete turn-key operation so that I can concentrate on the new pro-fueler.
Ian
TURBOVILLE
308 CARLTON HILL
NOTTINGHAM
NG4 1GD
+44(0) 115 940 1140
visit us at WWW.TURBOVILLE.COM
Date: 24th August 2004
Headline: Koedam Racing's `Shooperb' 4th title
Congratulations to Holland's Team Koedam for clinching the European Top Fuel Bike Championship for a record 4th time with one event yet to run.
The team of Roel, Monique, Marius, Bauke, Peter and Betsy clinched the title at the weekends NitrOlympx at Hockenheim, Germany in winning the final against a sprag breakage suffering Antonio Ferretti from Italy (who had earlier set a PB 6.7 sec run in qualifying).
Well done team!!
Date: 24th August 2004
Headline: The Acceleration Archive - Readers' Gallery 6
Alan Currans has updated his superb `Acceleration Archive' site with Readers' Gallery no. 6 which is devoted to the all-too-small photograph collection of Pat Neal. Pat was Steve Woollatt's partner in the early days of The Dealer top fuel bike but he started sprinting at a very early age. Pat's collection includes pictures from his sprinting days, the famous and revolutionary DragWaye machine, the equally famous and revolutionary Jade Warrior, a positive who's who of top fuel riders (Elmer Trett, Marion Owens, Brian Johnson, Rod Pallant, Henk Vink and of course Steve Woollatt), and some interesting pictures of Pat's own handiwork. The pictures are really brought to life by Pat's recollections of the men and machines. This page should not be missed by any serious bike buff!
www.theaccelerationarchive.co.uk
Date: 24th August 2004
Headline: A Gipp off the old block?
Many congratulations to UK ProStock Bike rider Richard Gipp and his partner Dawn on the birth yesterday of their new baby boy :-
"I am pleased to announce that today is my son's birthday and next year he will be 1 year old. A healthy 7lb,12 oz I guess he'll be too heavy for ProStock Bike as well as me in years to come.....Hope to see many of you at SCR, it will make a refreshing change to see pictures of something other than motorcycles!"
Richard Gipp
Date: 18th August 2004
Headline: Gone racing!
Well we're packed up and ready to go to the NitrOlympx at Hockenheim, Germany.
In the Top Fuel Class both Joey Bon and Roel Koedam are racing against time to repair their cylinder heads. Sverre Dahl is unfortunately unable to make the race but we still have a good field.
We hope to make some posts over the weekend, but if not we'll bring you all the news and gossip from the pits when we return next tuesday.
Date: 18th August 2004
Headline: Snow go!
This was built by Dave Klock, he used to work for me till he opened his own shop. He built this to go out and play with the snomobilers in the winter....
Pup...
Date: 18th August 2004
Headline: Dryden / Pollard Fuel Bike pics
Since the pictures of this bike just hit the Internet, no holding them back know. So if you are interested hear are some better shots of the bike.
We're the painters .... Wacky Walls Inc. www.custompaint.on.ca
The bike is not ready to go yet, but getting closer everyday . If you have any question feel free to ask (about the paint).
Thanks!
Mark - Wacky Walls Inc.
Date: 18th August 2004
Headline: Piston ring compressor
I have tried to find piston ring compessors,like the ones on the pic but I have no success.
Does anyone know where I can buy some, they are 80mm and I need 4 of them,new or used.
Peter Ström - email stromma@mbox301.swipnet.se
Date: 17th August 2004
Headline: Anyone flying to Hockenheim via Hahn?
The King Racing Top Fuel Bike team have two crew members arriving at Frankfurt (Hahn) airport with Ryanair from London Stansted on Thursday (19th August. They fly out on flight FR764 departing STN at 20:05 and arriving HHN at 22:20. They will then take a taxi to the track; if anyone else is arriving on the same flight who wishes to share a ride for a share of the cost please let me know by E-Mail at ian@kingracing.com, submit a Gossip Item or call me on 07785 341099.
Alternatively, if anyone on the flight has already arranged transport but has room for the two in return for a contribution of cost then please contact me. Thanks!
Ian
Date: 17th August 2004
Headline: World's latest TF Bike!
Here's a few pictures of Canadian Mike Drydens new T/F bike ready for testing. It will be ridden by Geoff Pollard...eh..!!
It has the latest Race Visions Chassis, Puma bottom end, Sprintex blower and MTC's new multi stage clutch. Tony Lang will be helping to get it dialed in...Stay tuned...
Puppet
www.racevisions.com/dryden1.jpg
www.racevisions.com/dryden2.jpg
www.racevisions.com/dryden3.jpg
Date: 17th August 2004
Headline: Veidec PSB Gardermoen Report
Thanks to Veidec PSB team’s Roger Lyren for sending us his post Gardermoen race report :-
“The VEIDEC Team came to Gardemoen more hungry than ever as Roger Pettersson had his first loss since last years Main Event. The loss in Mantorp made him so hungry to win again, and he really showed it.
The Gardemoen track did not have the same traction that we are normally used to there, but the reason was the new asphalt for the first 20 meters or so. After qualifying the track was in pretty good condition and we ended with a 7.37 @ 298kmh that also was a new European record in Top Speed. However, we still struggled with a 60 foot of 1.16-1.18 - not so good.
In qualifying both Helen Curran and Remo Nasci did a good job and ended up 6th and 7th with only thousands of a second difference between them. The qualifying was one of the tightest ever in Pro Stock Bike with no. 7 qualifier running a 7.70.
The last qualifying session became very dramatic when Remo Nasci faced Bo Thorselius. Bo’s bike caught fire and at the finishline Bo jumped off the bike and it went into the trackside in a ball of fire. Luckily Bo did not hurt himself much, but burned his legs some. On Sunday he was back in the pits and in a good mood, hope to see him back soon.
On raceday Roger faced Herman Van Dreil in the first round, Chris Hope in semis, and Anders Larsson in the finals.
We started to get the set up for the track and in the finals we could get the best et and ts of the weekend, 7.33 @ 299 kmh and Roger took another victory. Both Helen and Remo went out in first round.
In general we were very happy with the weekend, all 3 bikes qualified, and we won the race!!
Now we are heading for Hockenheim and the 5th round of FIA/UEM European Championship. There will be about 13-14 bikes in Pro Stock Bike there from many different countries. There will be lots of racers from southern Europe, and that is really cool, we need the sport to grow over all of Europe.
See you all in Hockenheim!
Regards Roger Lyrén”
Date: 16th August 2004
Headline: King Racing back on track too!
After the enormous engine explosion suffered by The King Racing Top Fuel Bike team in Easter they made a welcome return to the track at last weekend’s `Bulldog Bash’ making demonstration passes for the event organisers Hells Angels England.
Using a borrowed short motor and a repaired skulled cylinder head the team made four full passes under tricky weather and track conditions with a minimum of problems. A new combination of a unique 7 stage clutch, fuel pump, drive and setup held little problems for the team, although they suffered a blower seizure due to some debris getting through the intake hat resulting in some expensive rotor damage.
The first run saw rider Ian King using an 84% nitro loading and no clutch. After an overly rich pass crew chief Mick Beaumont upped the percentage to 86 and added weight to all seven stages in order to lean up the burn. This certainly did the trick as the tyre blew away mid track but inspection of the engine after the run saw a problem with the blower that necessitated a strip down and dressing process on the rotors. In addition, some issues with the new clutch cannon resulted in a tricky setup procedure prior to the run, so clutch was always likely to be marginal and the 3rd pass saw another tyre up in smoke at mid track but no further blower seizure.
For the final pass the unfavoured right lane was chosen in an attempt to put down some power and the teams best pass of the day was recorded that would have been deep in the six second zone if it was not for a dropped cylinder at just past half track slowing the Puma machine to a 7.08 @ 184mph.
All in all a very encouraging return for the team, and they are looking forward to proving the combination at their first outing in the European Championship of the season, the NitrOlympx in Hockenheim, Germany next weekend.
Date: 16th August 2004
Headline: Racing’s a Gas for Mortsport!
We have now had confirmation that following Dragbike veteran Jon Morton’s sale of the residual holding in his Top Fuel Bike to Chris Hannam that he will be making a welcome return to the track at - in a car!
The Oxfordshire based racer has acquired the beautiful Super Gas / Super Comp class Camaro of Malcolm Francis. He and Crew Chief `Tyne’ Blight are currently in the process of upgrading the 40 foot trailer last used by Gary Page for hauling the Motorola liveried Top Fuel Funnycar for moving the vehicle around the racetracks.
John’s inaugural race in the car will be SCR’s `Allstar Nationals’ followed by Santa Pod’s Euro Finals. After his initial outing Jon will decide which classes to compete in. The car has the capability of running both 8.90 and 9.90 indexes and Malcolm used to race in both classes at various events.
Welcome back Jon!
Date: 16th August 2004
Headline: We will go for gold !!!
After four rounds and with only two left to go in the 2004 UEM European Dragbike Championship a group of four riders have got a lead position and one of them is going to be the UEM Super Twin European Dragbike Champion. Anders "Charley" Karling is now number two just one round behind Ton Pels. Charley has 143 points and Ton 153. Number three is Ronny Aasen with 131 points and number four Hans Olav Olstad with 122. Both Ronny and Hans Olav are from Norway.
Last weekend at Gardemoen Raceway in Norway six of the 13 Super Twins qualified in the sixes. Charley was number one with 6,74 and Ton number two with 6,83. The bump was 7,22. Charley ran the weekends best ET of 6,60 in the semis but redlighted by 0,028 sec. Ton also got a redlight in the final against Trond Alm from Norway who won the race.
At the previous race in Mantorp Park, Sweden Ton was number one qualifier and Charley number two. Charley won running a best of 6,71.
Next weekend is the fifth round at Hockenheim Ring in Germany with up to 100,000 spectators in the grandstands during the three days. The finals will take place at Santa Pod in England on the 9-12 September.
Karling Racing will now go for the gold!
Date: 15th August 2004
Headline: Lucky for some!
We heard from Nitro guru Frank Brachtvogel that his brother and ex Top Fuel Bike rider Phil announced some great news over the weekend.
As Frank went on to say that despite the supertition Friday the 13th must be lucky for some as Phil & his wife Kim became proud parents of a bouncing baby girl called Chloe on that day!
Congratulations Phil & Kim!
Ahem.... Does that mean that now you've done your duty that you can come back racing now Phil......?
Date: 15th August 2004
Headline: Sverre Dahl Gardermoen Report
Our thanks to Norwegian Top Fuel Bike rider Sverre Dahl for sending us his post Gardermoen report :-
"This was the second race this year and we seem to have solved some of the bearing problems that we have struggling with for years. The race at Mantorp give us a good platform to work from, but sadly we had to race without our crew chief Stefan Reisten this weekend as he was invited to Tomas Klarkners 50th birthday and this took priority as they have been friends since they started with scooters. In addition, Stefan had to do lot of work on Thomas new home.
We started Friday with the same set up as used at Mantorp but the track was very slippery and we had to go on and off the throttle sometimes. I was surprised that the clock still showed 6.44 @ 347kmh (215mph). Then we decided to service the bike as we haven't done anything to the engine since Mantorp and therefore skipped the second qualifying round.
Saturday's first attempt was with a new set up and also less clutch, but as they had been working hard on the track it was to soft for this run but we still ran 6.39 @ 372kmh (231mph).
After returning the clutch to the first round setup we had a great side by side runn with Roel Koedam of 6.20 against his 6.24. This was a hard one because the tyre started spinning at 330 feet and I really had to work on this one.
For the first round on Sunday we took out some power and it seemed to work because this was a easier one but still ran 6.20.
Second round we met Nils Ole Lund who had some engine problems this weekend and was not able to show his best performence. So we decide to see if the track could take more and do a small step up on the power, but it seemed to be too much and it started spinning. I had to throttle it but I couldn't see Nils Ole so I took it little easy and ran a 6.40.
Then it was time for Finals and I expected to meet Roel again but sadly he was out caused by some valve problems.
Martyn De Haas was in the finals against me where I ran a 6.22 @ 367 kmh. Sadly Martyn fell off the bike so I was not feeling like celebrating but after we heard he was OK it helped.
I am very pleased with the weekend and also that I was running quite consistent with 6.44 - 6.39 - 6.20 - 6.20 - 6.40-6.22."
Sverre Dahl
Date: 15th August 2004
Headline: Ray Price Racing BACK on TRACK
Ray Price Racing is pleased to announce their return to Screamin' Eagle Nitro Harley drag racing. As Ray Price continues to improve from his injuries incurred at Las Vegas in May of 2003, he is bringing road racing and drag racing champion, Tripp Noble to the S & S Cycle Thunder in the Valley Nationals presented by Smith Brother's Harley-Davidson at Bristol Dragway for his first top fuel appearance with the team.
The Ray Price Racing team has been to Rockingham for several test and tune sessions with Noble twisting the throttle. Ray Price is very pleased with Noble's enthusiasm and team spirit. In just a few test sessions, Noble has already run a 7.02 at 202 mph, and the team hopes for strong numbers this weekend at Bristol for the AHDRA race.
At Bristol, Noble will share the riding chores between VRod and Top Fuel. He will continue riding Don Tilley's VRod as they campaign for the national championship in that class.
As stated by Noble, "I love the feel and acceleration of the Ray Price Racing Top Fuel Harley. I am elated and honored for the opportunity to ride one of the premier Top fuel bikes in the country, I only hope I can measure up to the riding ability of Ray Price and with the coaching expertise of Ray, Jeremy and Justin, I feel I can."
Ray Price Racing proudly thanks their sponsors to Ray Price Harley-Davidson, Raleigh H. O. G., Buell, Performance Machine, Ultra Pro Machining, Autolite Sparkplugs, Royal Purple Synthetic Oil, Barnett Clutches & Cables, Roy's Rental Uniform Service, PRP/MSD Ignitions, ThermoDynamic/Reactor Power Cell, JIMS USA, Mickey Thompson Tires, Simpson Race Products, Diamond Engineering, Copperhead Graphics, VP Racing Fuel, Gates Rubber Co., Bates Leather, Hargis Consulting, DME Racing, Brown and Miller Racing Solutions.
Mary Lou Brewton
Date: 11th August 2004
Headline: Karl and crew off to Bulldog!
We'll be heading for the Bulldog Bash tomorrow for 4 days of drunkeness and debauchery, I mean drag race fun, and we're looking forward to seeing you all there.
Karl Thiecke & Co.
Date: 11th August 2004
Headline: Svein Gottenberg Gardermoen Report
Thanks to Norwegian Nitro Supertwin rider Svein Gottenberg for sending us his Gardermoen race review :-
"What a weekend! we had a lot of work at Mantorp after a major engine incident and couldn't get it fast enough for the field.
We had to get everything ready for our home track of Gardermoen. Friday ended OK with a 7.2 but we had plans for saturday....
First qualifying round was a run I won't forget for a while, my first six! 6.92 side by side with Juneryd also running a six. What a feeling!
We had one more shot later and we thought the most important thing was to repeat the 6 second run.
In the next round we got paired against Juneryd again, with both of us running 6.85!! We had then ran a six in both lanes so we were more than happy!
Sunday first round we meet Trond Alm who surprised everybody this weekend as he also get his first six and won the race! We had him well covered but snapped the chain destroying all of the bodywork and badly hurting the rear section of the frame.
The intention was to go to all the UEM races this year, but now we have to miss Hockenheim. However, see you all in Finals at Santa Pod!
Special thanks to my crew, Anne, Gunnar (who has had two stressed weekends now), Kent, and of course Zodiac and The Pels family who made it possible for us to join the "injected 6 sec club"
Svein Gottenberg / Norway
Gossip comment :-
A very well done to Svein and his team for a marvellous performance, putting them soundly in the top Nitro Twin riders in the world!
Date: 11th August 2004
Headline: Oz invests in Nitro Twins?
The rumour is that there are a lot of new Nitro V Twin motor parts (including big inch and blown combinations) and bikes being shipped down under to challenge the current dominance of Jay Upton and Brett Stevens.
These are apparently being sourced from places as diverse as the Carolinas and Sweden......
Date: 11th August 2004
Headline: Allstar Nationals
Advance tickets are now on sale for the Allstar Nationals which take place at Shakespeare County Raceway on 28th-30th August.
The Allstar Nationals is headlined by round three of the MSA British Nitro Funny Car Championship, with John Spuffard in Showtime and Gordon Smith in Shockwave already lined up to duke it out; the fourth round of the MSA British Drag Racing Championship (for Top Methanol) with Doug Ripley hoping to maintain his Championship lead against stiff competition from Rob Turner and Lindsay Deuchar; and Steve Woollatt and Steve Carey battling it out in the fourth round of the ACU UK Top Fuel Bike Championship.
The Allstar Nationals is a round of the UK National Drag Racing Championships, ACU UK Drag Bike Championships, Custom Car Street Eliminator Championship, Volkswagen Drag Racing Club Championships, Wild Bunch and Real Steel Series, Outlaw Anglia Championship, and the National Association of Supertwins Championships; the event is also the final round of the this season's Ultimate Power Drag Racing Championships.
Roger Goring will be putting in demonstration passes in his Firestorm Jet Funny Car, in which he has set a personal best at just about every outing this season, and we understand that Gordon Appleton is hoping to appear in the Wheelgame Racing Pro Mod if he can fix engine damage suffered at the Veidec Nitro Festival.
Ticket prices are as follows:
| Advance | Gate | |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday | N/A | £15 |
| Sunday | £15 | £20 |
| Monday | £15 | £20 |
| Saturday-Sunday | £25 | £30 |
| Sunday-Monday | £25 | £30 |
| Saturday-Monday | £33 | £40 |
Advance tickets are available until 10:00 pm on Wednesday 25th August and can be ordered from LA Performance Services' Credit Card Hotline on 01803 554308 (outside the UK +44 1803 554308).
Date: 11th August 2004
Headline: Durban drag race a roaring success
Durban was bowled over when an estimated 10 000 enthusiasts flocked to the Greyville area on Sunday for drag races that almost turned into a live scene from the Hollywood blockbuster The Fast And The Furious.
The hugely successful event was said to be the first organised drag racing event in the city for nearly 11 years.
It was so successful that City Manager Mike Sutcliffe has been encouraged to push for a draft plan to get a legalised strip, or designated area, for racers within the next month.
"We want to create a place for motoring enthusiasts and, in that way, stop illegal drag racing," said Sutcliffe. "We are looking at the best way to approach this and then put the plan to council."
He was speaking after 95 of the province's top speedsters had roared their V8 engines and sent clouds of burned rubber smoke billowing into the air - a dramatic symbol of the city's ever-growing street racing culture.
The event, which cost nearly R500 000 to stage, allowed racers to enter cars in 12 different categories.
But it was not just a day for racers. There were also exhibition cars, market stalls and a sound-off competition - to determine the loudest vehicles - to ensure that competitors and spectators enjoyed the day.
For many years drag racing in the province has been largely limited to the underground exploits of the adrenaline junkies who speed along Quarry Road and Edwin Swales VC Drive.
But Sunday's event gave street competitors the chance to stretch their engines to the limit and the Chairman of KwaZulu-Natal Drag Racing, Kas Moodley, said the event would help take drag races off the illegal circuits of Durban.
Thomas Govender, of the Ethekwini Transport Authority, said it had taken 20 months to get the event off the ground because the first organisation awarded the tender to stage the races had not delivered. "We gave the tender to KwaZulu-Natal Drag Racing in February this year and they have delivered within months," said Govender.
He said that while the day's racing had been hugely successful, it remained a pilot event. There would now be a debriefing at the council's executive council of the different roleplayers, including the Metro Police, local business and residents.
He said that while there was support from a number of stakeholders, the council had also received objections from the Grey Street Residents' Forum, Cultural organisations and local businesses.
But avid racing fan and provincial Minister of Sport Amichand Rajbansi has supported Suttcliffe's suggestion that the council allow the event "on a regular basis in order to eliminate illegal racing".
Motorsport KwaZulu-Natal Chairman Julian Lurie said: "Our motor followers have been starved and the event proved that racing could be successful if organised correctly."
"We have taken the proper safety precautions and we have organised public liability insurance under our auspices."
There were 100 event security officials, 45 Metro Police officers, 80 members of the South African Police Service and 70 other stewards on duty yesterday to ensure that the event ran smoothly.
While the event was hugely successful, Lurie said there was still a need for a track to ensure that the sport was regulated.
"We are the only region in the country without a racing circuit. If we had one, we could run all types of racing events."
Carvin Goldstone
Date: 10th August 2004
Headline: UEM Championship points positions
We've updated our European Championship points positions and records post Gardermoen, Norway. Click HERE to view.
Date: 10th August 2004
Headline: Koedam Racing Team Report
One week after the Swedish round of the European championship the entire drag race community moved to Gardermoen in Norway. Situated right next to Oslo’s international airport is one of Europes best drag strips. The strip itself is as smooth as it can be but the pit area is one of the smallest on the tour. But with everybody “tucking in a bit” it is at the same time a very “cosy” place.
In the days ahead of this event it rained heavily in the southern Scandinavia area but the weather took a drastic change just before the start of this championship round as the sun came out in strong force with baking hot summer conditions all weekend long.
The tracks launch pad got a new layer earlier this year, so on Friday we all had our first chance to see what the resurfaced track had in mind for us. Though not bad at all, it showed that the track was not up to its usual standard yet and needed more runs to get back to its normal superb shape.
Observing the first qualifying attempts we decided at the very last moment to “roll it of the line” instead of “nailing it” in order to set at least a decent time rather then taking the risk of smoking the tire right from the line. A 6,55sec @ 350km/h was the result and that was good enough to be well qualified.
We decided to go for another shot later that day and then hit it hard from the line. However once under power the engine sounded a little rough and Roel wisely clicked it off. Back in the pits the following survey revealed a faulty ignition coil lead.
On Saturday we had two more possibilities to improve our ET. The result of our third pass was a 6,24sec @ 356km/h. This was more like we hoped/expected to run in Gardermoen. For our fourth and last qualifying attempt we were lined up against “archrival” Sverre Dahl who was running low numbers all weekend on his home track.
The stage looked to be set for a very quick side by side run. Though it was only qualifying, the following went down to the wire. While we recorded a splendid 6,24sec @ 355km/h, Sverre did even better and ran a 6,20 @ 361km/h. This is (if I’m correct) the quickest and fastest side by side run anywhere outside the USA. Afterwards both riders agreed that this was about the limit of what the track could handle at this time.
Sverre Dahl took the #1 qualifying spot, while we had to settle for the #2 position.
Sunday / eliminations day was again a really hot summers day. Due to all kinds of mishaps, by the time it was our turn for the first round the schedule was running almost 3 hours late and the track crew really worked overtime. For this round we had stepped up the clutch a bit and even mounted a fresh tyre. On paper our first round opponent (Norwegian Engelund Frode on his turbocharged Kawasaki) looked like an “easy victim”. But we are still talking drag racing and things can change in a split second. After our bike left with a good 1.07sec 60ft time it suddenly hit a severe tire shake causing the primary drive belt to give up and leaving us without a drive. The only thing Roel could do was freewheel towards the finish line waiting for Engelund to rush by. Almost unbelievably Engelund had even more problems with his bike and we coasted across the finish line first.
This is where our luck stopped. For the semi finals we ended up against fellow countryman Martijn de Haas who was running personal bests each time out on his nitrous injected funny bike. All sounded nice after the burn out, but then some foreign debris halfway down the track was spotted by Martijn in his lane. He attended the track crew (unaware of this) and we were both forced to shut the bike down in order to clean up the track. For a fuel bike this is a very uncommon situation (because of the heat build-up). So far nothing seemed to be wrong here. Just take the plugs out, dry-start it and refuel it. However when we fired it again, it suddenly ran on three cylinders. At first we thought of a fouled plug, so we were given time to change the plugs. To no result however, the engine remained very sour. We couldn’t fix the problem and had no other choice than handing over a free ride to the finals for Martijn.
Here is where our Norwegian adventure stopped. Back in the pit area we started an investigation. We found out that (due to the unusual heat changes?) we’d lost the #3 exhaust valve seat. We dissembled the engine at the track to oversee the damage. With just over a week time left before we have to travel to the next championship round (Hockenheim’s Nitrolympics) there is very minimal time left to fix it, but we will certainly do our best to make it in time.
On the positive side, we still top the championship points list as we qualified one position better than Italy’s Antonio Ferretti and made it one round further.
Marius van der Zijden / Koedam Racing Holland
Date: 9th August 2004
Headline: UEM Norway Event Review
Our thanks to UEM Championship co ordinator Lars Andersson for providing his post Gardermoen event review :-
“Sun more sun and hot. Hot in many ways, the weather at Gardermoen was simple - sun and hot. A lot of things were hot, sometimes too hot…… Ask Bo Thorselius whose bike caught fire in the last qualification round on Saturday. Luckily Bo did not suffer any serious damage to himself but everything on the bike that could burn has been burnt.
Pro Stock Bike qualifying was very exciting, the track was good but the heat took away the really good traction and the air was not the best for racing a Pro Stock Bike. Eliminations were also very exciting, and almost as normal Roger Pettersson ended up as a winner with a new speed record of 299 km/h. Runner up Anders Larsson proved that he can perform but still has to learn a little more about the bike. Vesa Rautio and Chris Hope were left in the semifinals. It looks on paper that Roger will win the championship but we will see. Helen Curran and Remi Nassi now share 5th place with the same points.
We had a lot of action in Super Twin. Svein Gottenberg first made us all happy when he ran a first 6 second run and then did it one more time in qualifying. Svein has been working very hard and really needed this. But in eliminations he scared all of us when his chain broke and the back of the bike body got very hurt. The air and the strip was first full of some white stuff and we all thought that we had a major accident but luckily was it only glassfibre that had covered the strip. Svein was unhurt but the already damaged time schedule was further delayed. Ronny Aasen, who was leading the championship was up against Ton Pels who was number two in the championship. After Ronny went up in smoke Ton now had a chance to lead the championship. But not by much as Ton ran a red light in the final against Trond Alm from Norway who had made it after running sixes in qualifying and beating a redlighting Anders Karling in the semis. So once again we had a new winner from Norway in the championship.
It looked as if we should have a race between Roel Koedam and Sverre Dahl in Top Fuel Bike. They ran a 6,2 side by side run in qualifying, Sverre was the fastest and that got him the first spot and a bye run as Shaun Branch and Viep Blomen had some serious problems and failed to record any qualifying times. The other Norwegian hope Jon Leret was back in the pit but without the bike after his accident at Mantorp Park. The good thing was that Jon had some burns but was not serious damaged, but the bike is not so good. In the first round Roel was up against Frode Englund. Frode made a long burnout with his turbo bike but when the race started Frodes bike did not work so good. Roel also had some problem and was slowly going down the strip but Frode could not catch him up. In the semi Roel met Martyn De Haas but after starting up they had to shut down as there was some debris on the track. But when they fired up again Roels bike would not start. So suddenly Martyn was in the final against Sverre. However, in the final Martyn spilled some oil and crashed and fell on the strip. All the safety crew went out with the doctor leading but then the doctor scared us all because he did not expect that it was so slippery on the track - we almost had an accident with the doctor but nothing happened…………
What more can I say? Too many incidents both with cars and bikes but we did finish a little bit after 6 o’ clock. A good track that was maybe a little bit too hot to make it as the fastest track in Europe. Thor G Larsen and his boys made a very good job and a new record crowd filled the grandstand. But the problem is still the sanitary thing, we need more toilets and showers at the track with more space in the pit to make it safer. The road from the track must be better and a lot of other small things. But the track is undoubtedly one of the best in Europe.
Let us now hope that the next race in Germany will have a good track. The facility is, as we all know, the best. If we have a good track the fantastic races we have had this year will continue and we will have an exacting championship.”
Lars Andersson
Date: 9th August 2004
Headline: Gardermoen results
Congratulations to the winners of the UEM Classes at this weekends Norwegian round in Gardermoen.
All racers had to struggle with the very hot weather leading to some tricky tuning decisions.
It was an incident filled weekend, with Ton Pels redlighting in the final of Supertwin with his ailing Zodiac machine. Ton knew that a good light was necessary an amazing weekend of consistent 6.8's from Alm, but his game effort was to no avail.
In Top Fuel Bike Roel Koedam suffered some major damage when some errant valve seats resulted in damaged pistons and cylinder head. Fellow Dutchman Joey Bon suffered some burnt valves on his all new MPM Oils backed Top Fuel Bike, and another Dutch TF rider Martyn De Haas fell from his machine after a broken engine sprayed oil over his back wheel. Thankfully Martyn suffered no more than bruising.
In Prostock, we were happy to hear that Bo Thorselius is OK after suffering some burns resultant from a fire on his unique nitrous equipped two stroke Kawasaki. Roger Pettersson set yet another UEM Pro Stock Bike record, subject to official ratification, of 299.30 kmh (185.98 mph).
Event Champions :-
Top Fuel Bike: Sverre Dahl
Supertwin: Trond Alm
Pro Stock Bike: Roger Pettersson
Date: 8th August 2004
Headline: Durban gears up for its first legal drag race
Drag racers say that when they are travelling at speeds that exceed 240km/h the world becomes a blur and the need for speed is comparable to trying to satisfy an unquenchable thirst.
After years of illegal racing on Durban's streets, the city will host its first official and legal event on First Avenue on August 8.
Those who will be participating are licking their lips at the prospect of a day race almost in the city centre.
Illegal racers have dismissed the event as going against the rebel principles of drag racing. After all, the illegal drag racers' nemesis, the city's Metro Police, will be at the venue instead of trying to arrest the racers.
The event will involve two vehicles racing against each other from a standstill position to 402.6m to determine which vehicle can cross the line first.
At the finish line there is an electronic beam to measure the time and gatsometers to measure your speed (this is similar to a speed trap). The race is started by what is referred to as "Christmas tree lights".
Basically, there are staging lights and then a series of green lights which indicate the start of the race.
For fans of the sport, especially those that venture out at night for the illegal races, there is an admitted allure.
Hundreds of fans often stand on pavements, literally centimetres away from the action, to watch the vehicles as they idle with throaty engine rumblings and then roar off to race.
Kas Moodley, the chairperson of the KZN Drag Racing Club, is responsible for organising the First Avenue Race.
He reckons that driver and spectator safety was one of the main reasons for organising a legal event in the city.
He is the first to admit that the presence of police serves only to spur racers and their supporters on.
"We have now said to illegal racers that here is a safe environment where they can race competitively.
"Drag racing in its truest sense, is set in a controlled environment with driver and spectator safety being the chief concerns."
On August 7, First Avenue and all its tributaries will be closed off to the public.
If it rains on race day then the race will be carried over to the following day, National Women's Day. The races will run from 8am to 5pm.
Kuben Chetty
Date: 7th August 2004
Headline: 251 mph streetbike!
Congratulations also to US rider Scott Guthrie and his team partner Rich Yancy on making a record run of 251.387mph on his streetbike in the Texas Mile held at the newest in land speed facilities in Goliad, Texas. The runway at Goliad is sufficiently remote to compete with the desolation of the famed dry lakes and the partially concrete 8000 ft. long, 200 ft. wide surface is superior to that of the somewhat crumbled asphalt of Maxton. The bike is a 2000 Suzuki Hayabusa with a Mr. Turbo fuel injected turbo system with water to air intercooler. For more information on the Texas Mile, visit www.texasmile.com
Date: 7th August 2004
Headline: Mustanger Mafia shoots a six!
Congratulations to Italian Top Fuel Bike rider Antonio Ferretti for recording his first ever six second pass.
Check out the latest from the UEM round at Gardermoen, Norway by visiting Svensk Dragracings event page at http://www.dragracing.se/results/results04/challenge04fia.html
Date: 6th August 2004
Headline: The Flying Vikings OK!
Hi Everybody
Just to let you know that Jon is pretty much OK after His "fly me to the moon" trick in Mantorp.
We were allowed to take him home on Monday evening after a check up at Linkjoping hospital (I would not say anything about the qualification of the doctors since they told me that his head was OK!!!)
We will let you know what our plans for the future are in due course.
Thank you to the security staff at Mantorp for their great job.
Jan Egil Kongsrud
Gossip comment:-
Hi Jan, thanks for letting us know about Jon. All of us here at King Racing wish Jon a speedy return to health and the track.
Date: 6th August 2004
Headline: Ivan Sansoms Veidec Festival Report
T
he entry lists for the 3 UEM bike categories at the Veidec Nitro Festival suggested the race would be a mouth watering prospect, and the action at Mantorp certainly didn't disappoint.Top Fuel Bike
There were a couple of debuts in TFB, with Peter Andersson Strom shaking down the new puppet inspired chassis for his phenomenally powerful billet Yamaha bullet. Once the chassis is fully dialled in, Stromma should be firmly in the low six second bracket, as he still managed a six seventy after a somewhat squirrely launch in the first round of eliminations.
Joey Bon struggled on his UEM debut with the MPM-backed Yamaha/Puma, but the quality and detailing on this very long and very low beauty is a testament to the amount of work Bon Racing have made in putting it together.
Shaun Branch qualified in the lower half of the field on the Branch Racing Suzuki Funny Bike, and had something of a tough task in facing Sverre Dahl in the first round.
Eric Teboul managed a six seventy to round out the top half of the field, but a meeting between a valve and a liner meant he was
struggling from that point forward, and dropped his first round match up with
Stromma.
Firmly in the mid six second bracket, Jon Leret was putting together a strong challenge for the event title until meeting up with compatriot Sverre Dahl in the semis - hopefully Jon will rapidly recover from the bruising received in his aerial adventure in the Mantorp shutdown area, although it might take a little longer for the team to get the bike back together.
The revised Sunshine Express flexed it's muscles for the first time this season - with gobs of Stefan Reisten horsepower it flexes,
twitches, overpowers the track and yet still propels Sverre Dahl into the 6.3's and a Mantorp track record at 361 km/h.
It's been a very long time since 'Cool Roel' Koedam didn't have lane choice in the final round (although they had low ET and No 1 qualifier at 6.374), and I don't think I've ever heard Marius van der Zijden say he had the little ponies tune-up in the bike for the final round. With Roel actively looking for a holeshot to beat Dahl, a conservative 6.53 was enough to take the event win after the Norwegian overpowered the track.
Super Twin Top Fuel
STTF was a lot of fun, with 18 bikes trying for the eight bike eliminator, Svein Olav Rolfstad slotted in at number three with a 6.96
Whilst little niggles kept championship leader Ronnie Aasen on the outside looking in (although he was eventually able to get in under the alternate rule).
Team Zodiac could have swept the board, having No 1qualified at 6.715, and then running a 6.712 for low ET of the meeting in the first round. However, a brief adventure into the gravel (surely Ton is a little to old to be building sand castles?) meant a rushed turnaround for the semis and consequent cam failure. If the rain delay between the semis and final round had been a little longer then Pels might have had a shot at the event title.
However, it was not to be and Charley Karling, who had been shade behind Pels all weekend in the performance stakes, was able to take the solo with his best (a 6.714) run of the weekend.
Pro Stock Bike
Bo Thorselius assaulted the eardrums with his H2 in Pro Stock Bike, although repeated clitches kept the bike outside the all seven second
eliminations field
Chris Hope made it to eliminations in sixth spot at 7.697, but the Pinnacle team seemed to be struggling all weekend and fell to eventual winner Vesa Rautio in round one.
Just squeaking ahead of Hope in qualifying with a 7.678, Helen Curran produced a much improved performance from the Veidec GSXR, and was defeated by Veidec Team Leader Roger Pettersson's 7.342 in the semis.
Pettersson's TL1000 was on fire (performance wise) over the weekend, regularly in the 7.3's and clocking big top end speeds (a 297km/h best)...
... but perhaps the rain delay before the finals distracted Roger as Rautio's huge holeshot produced the upset of the event in the UEM bike categories...
Dr Ivan J. Sansom
European Correspondent
Dragster Australia Magazine
c/o Earth Sciences
University of Birmingham
Birmingham B15 2TT
UK
Tel. 0121 414 6147
Fax. 0121 414 4942
Email: I.J.Sansom@bham.ac.uk
Magazine Website: www.dragsteraustralia.com.au
Date: 5th August 2004
Headline: Want a quality weather station at a bargain price?
Need to up your performance? Fed up of walking round the pits asking pro racers what the air is like? Embarrassed by those WW2 ex aircraft altimeters, or worse still those Argos sourced Oregon Scientific toys? Then look at the latest bargain offered by the King Racing shop. These items retail at £300 (€430) in normal outlets, but we can offer them at a bargain price of only £208.90 (€295) including postage in Europe. Hurry, because stocks are limited and when the other retailers find out we are undercutting, then we are in trouble! :-
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| The Kestrel 4000 is also available in safety orange! |
£208.90 (Eur 295)inc delivery in Europe! |
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No more WW2 altimeters that cannot measure the only real measurement that matters - density altitude. Throw away those dinosaur rip off `Drag Race' stations and use the one on which those who depend on accuracy for their life, and for much less money! | ||
· Graph and recall trends · Easy to read, backlit display · Time and date · Customize screens to display user-selected measurements · Flip-top impeller cover allows use of other functions while protecting the impeller · Automatically store measurements, even when the unit is turned off · Manually store measurements with the press of a button · Chart up to 250 measurements · Impeller can be replaced without tools · Exterior temperature, humidity, and pressure sensors for fast and accurate readings · Humidity sensor can be recalibrated in the field with a Relative Humidity Calibration Kit · Includes neck and wrist lanyards, protective pouch and 2 AAA batteries · Waterproof · 1-year warranty · Assembled in the USA · US Patent Nos. 5,783,753 and 5,939,645 and 6,257,074
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Features and Specifications
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| Wind Speed | |
| Accuracy | ±3% |
| Response Time | 1 second |
| Calibration Drift | <2% after 100 hours use at 7m/s |
| Units | Display | Res'n | Range |
| Knots | KTS | 0.1 | 0.6 to 78 |
| Meters per Second | M/S | 0.1 | 0.3 to 40 |
| Kilometers per Hour | KM/H | 0.1 | 1.0 to 144 |
| Miles per Hour | MPH | 0.1 | 0.7 to 89 |
| Feet per Minute | FPM | 1 | 59 to 7877 |
| Beaufort Force | BEAU | 1 | 1 to 16 |
| Temperature | |
| Accuracy | |
| Temperature | ±1°C |
| Wind Chill | ±1°C |
| Dew Point | ±2°C |
| Heat Index | ±3°C |
| Response Time | approximately 1 minute for most conditions |
| Units | Display | Res'n | Range |
| Celsius | °C | 0.1 | -29 to 70 |
| Fahrenheit | °F | 0.1 | -20 to 158 |
| Relative Humidity | |
| Accuracy | ±3% |
| Response Time | approximately 1 minute for most conditions |
| Calibration Drift | ±2% over 24 months (can be field calibrated) |
| Units | Display | Res'n | Range |
| Percent | % | 0.1 | 5 to 95% |
| Barometric Pressure | |
| Accuracy | ±3hPa (between -10°C and 60°C) |
| Calibration Drift | ±1hPa over 12 months (can be field calibrated) |
| Units | Display | Res'n | Range |
| hectoPascal (mb) | hPa | 0.1 | 870.0 to 1080.0 |
| Inches Mercury | inHg | 0.01 | 25.70 to 31.90 |
| Altitude, Density Altitude |
| Units | Display | Res'n | Range |
| Meters | M | 1 | -500 to 9000 |
| Feet | FT | 3 | -1600 to 30000 |
| Display | |
| Update | 1 second |
| Temperature Range | Normal operation from -20°C to 60°C [-4°F to 140°F]. Below -20°C [-4°F], accurate readings may be taken by keeping the unit warmer than -20°C [-4°F] and exposing it for the minimum time necessary to take a reading (less than 1 minute). |
| Storage Temperature | -30°C to 60°C [-22°F to 140°F]. |
| Auto Shutdown | After 15 minutes of no button presses. (This feature can be disabled.) |
| Physical | |
| Battery | Two AAA alkaline batteries (included). Typical life, 400 hours. |
| Impeller | 25 mm. [1in.] diameter, sapphire bearings, light weight. User-replaceable impeller/housing assembly. |
| Temperature Sensor | Hermetically sealed precision thermistor. |
| Humidity Sensor | Solid state silicon capacitive sensor. |
| Pressure Sensor | Monolithic silicon piezoresistive sensor. |
| Dimensions | 12.7 x 4.5 x 2.8 cm. [5 x 1.8 x 1.1 in.] |
| Weight | 102 g. [3.6 oz.] |
| King
Racing 11 Cockhall Close Litlington Herts SG8 0RB England email : sales@kingracing.com |
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Date: 5th August 2004
Headline: Upton to Top Fuel car?
Rumours abound down under that following a quote on the TV programme `Speedweek' Top Fuel Bike rider Jay Upton is planning a move to a Top Fuel car.
What this space for further news if forthcoming!
Date: 5th August 2004
Headline: Beck Bolts from Bikes of Brighton!
Dave Beck is pleased to confirm that Pro Bolt have come on board his Prostock bike team as a sponsor supplying products from their range of Titanium and aluminium fasteners. For a full list of their products you can visit www.tastynuts.com or call 01684 851940.
The deal was set up by Steve Conway from Bikes of Brighton and will certainly help our team continue with the performance we are used to achieving. We are still hoping to raise enough funding to race the Euro Finals @ Santa Pod, but will certainly be racing at Shakey at the end of this month with the latest motor fresh from the Upperton stable.
Dave Beck
Date: 5th August 2004
Headline: Veidec Prostock bike team Mantorp report
Our thanks to Roger Lyren for sending us his Mantorp Park review :-
"We went on Tuesday to prepare for the race and the press day on Wednesday. The Team came to the Mantorp VEIDEC Festival with 3 bikes and the goal to get all in the field. Roger had a very good start with a 7.346 @ 297.4 and led qualifying with that. This was also a new european record in Top Speed, and a track record in ET, good start! Still we struggled a lot with the 60 foot this weekend, the track was hard to tune to with lots of power...
After struggling the for the first 2 races we decided that Helen and Remo would switch bikes, and that helped. Helen ended up 5th in the field for which she was very happy. Running 1.11 60 foots shows that we can start to give more power. Remo had some problems with his bike at the beginning, and ended up 7th but after a few runs we started to get some base settings for him also. He improved the 60 foot a lot down to 1.15.
Helen and Roger went through to the semifinals where Roger ran away from Helen. Both left with almost identical reaction times but at mid track Roger ran away.
In the Final Roger faced Vesa Rautio and Vesa took the holeshot, but at the finish line the difference was 0.007 secs, an extremely good race!
Well Done Vesa and congratulations for the win from all the VEIDEC PSB Team!!!
The media cover was extremely good, TV, magazines, internet sites etc. We also got national Swedish TV to do a interview and program on 4 mins, you can see it at www.veidecracing.com
Our VIP was good last year, but this year it was EXTREMELY GOOD! Our guests loved it, my wife Malin and her sisters Maria and Lena togeter with their husbands Mirco and Eric did a extremely good job, I can't thank them enough. With special guests like Loris Capirossi's mother and lots of other companies and fans they served about 150 breakfasts, 350 lunches and 120 dinners all weekend - that is impressive!
I really want to thank all the Mantorp VEIDEC Festival crew and all involved for a EXTREMELY GOOD weekend, also Eurodragster (Tog, Sharkman, Christer Abrahamsson) for their ever great coverage.
Now we are heading for Norway, and I guarantee that the team is hungry for new victories, and I know that the Gardemoen track is always good so there is a chance for new records.
See you all in Norway!
Roger"
Date: 4th August 2004
Headline: More Mantorp records
Further to the UEM records set by the Veidec PSB team's Roger Pettersson, Tog from Eurodragster has confirmed that he also bagged a Mantorp Park track record to add to his burgeoning trophy list, alongside Sverre Dahl in Top Fuel Bike :
Top Fuel Bike Track speed: 361.04 kmh (224.34 mph), Sverre Dahl
Pro Stock Bike Track ET: 7.342, Roger Pettersson
Well done guys!
p.s. rumours that Jon Leret also set a new airspeed record has yet to be ratified by the Swedish Civil Aviation Authority........
Date: 4th August 2004
Headline: TF HD Chassis for sale
One of our readers has a bargain for sale. A brand new latest spec 1.5" section, 2002 Puppet chassis with engine plates for Overkill / PRP engines, B&J outboard support, Performance Machine 12 x 15 Side Drive wheel, aluminium fuel and oil tanks, bellypan plate and guard, aluminium axle carriers is offered for sale for an amazing €8500.
Contact sales@kingracing.com, or submit a Gossip Item for further info.
