Mon 29th Oct :- It was the last meet of the year at SCR and our finals, as I was tied 3rd in the championship a lot depended on this event.
We got up to Shaky on a wet Friday night and was offered shelter under Clive Bush's awning for the weekend. (a big thank you Clive.)
Saturday dawned cold but dry but the track was cold and wet and it took until passed 12 before they could send down anything with road tyres and nearly 3  before we could run on slicks, I was one of the first and run a out of shape 14.33 @73 mph. On the second run the car seemed to bog off the line but picked up for the rest of the run, (with a 12.64 @ 111.66 mph ticket.) I had shut the engine down,  hit it out of gear through the traps and when we got back to the pits we checked to plugs and found them a bit on the black side, so we put our 71 jets back in and had another go. On the third run it bogged again and I ran a 12.7 @ 110.29 mph. The last run I staged and again as the person in the other lane staged my red light came on, this time I just put my foot down and had a very interesting ride down to half track where in the end I just backed off and drove it of the track.
It had rained overnight but at least it was nice and sunny Sunday morning. The engine started first flick of the switch but would not idle, so we took the Holley apart and checked the jets, it still would not idle and after a while the engine was getting a bit hot, I went down and saw Mark and asked for a lend of his fan to cool it down a bit, I stuck it in just in front of the engine and started to strip the carb down again, while undoing one of the screws, my hand slipped and I stuck my thumb in the fan and cut it open. So it was down to the first aid team to get that sorted out, after they cleaned it and stuck it back together it was back to sort out the problem. I took the metering block back out and blew it out with a air gun in Doug Bonds pit, after we put it back in, the engine ran like a watch.   
The track dried faster this time but it was still gone 2 before they allowed us to run, it was decided that as were so many cars and bikes there we would only run two rounds. As the track was a lot better I took a chance and dialled in 12.40 secs.
On the first run on the green, it was down to the floor and I ran a straight and good 12.404 (Which at the end of the day got my the closest to dial in trophy.) on the second run we both got into stage and Scot the starter sent us back out again. When he called us back in, I had not noticed that I had put the shifter in second, when the green came on, I  took off and I changed into what I thought was second. It seemed a age before the shift light came on so I shifted again only to hit neutral, that was the end of it for me and my chance of the third place in the championship.
With little time left before the end of the meeting, we took the car straight back round to get my last run for the year in. I told Dave that I was going to do a long burnout and that's what I done, leaving Tony Byng  covered in rubber and leaving a shovel full on the track, also as it was to last run I pulled the chute to give it a airing.
Well that's it for another season, don't they go quick?, I was a pity that I did not get a top 4 place in the Wild Bunch series but there is always next year. Talking of next year I am going to get my finger out and finish the other chassis, there's not to much to do to the chassis itself, its just getting a engine for it.
It will be un lightly that this page will get updated much over the winter, but keep a eye on my Future page for news on the new chassis and for those who are interested my photo pages (Some new one's have been put on, on this update.) ( If I can dig them out I might even put some of my old drag racing photos on here some where.)   
Thurs 27th Sept :- Fame again, go out and take a look (You don't have to buy a copy, just go into Smith's and have a peep.) at the October issue of Mini World Magazine, pages 114--118, there are two pics of me, one of Andy Williams (Not the singer, but one who drives the yellow 32.), one of Mark giving the thumbs up (Hello Mark.) and Bruno having a kip.
Also before I forget, those of you who have not noticed that I have updated the whole site and added some of my photos, so take a look.
Last weekend was the Super Series Finals and there was sadness in the B Sting pits. They  were out having a curry on Sat night and on return found their hard done by mascot hanging above their car, even though he had left a note, Barry said it was murder. (Before you all start, Sulky was only stuffed person and not real.)( I have taken some photos and will put them on my Odds & Ends page when I get them back.)
As normal we were first out for qualifying and as normal as soon as I got strapped in it started to rain. When the track was dry it was out for the first session, I did not notice who was driving the Ram Raider in the next lane, but they seemed to take an age to get staged while I was sitting there with engine cooking. This was the first time I had driven the car since I had sorted it out, so I did not know how it was going to handle. On the green, it was foot to the floor and take a chance, it ran a straight and bounce free 12.59 @110.29 mph (On a 12.2 dialling.) . When I got down the bottom end I found out it was Sarah who was driving the raider and after she done her burnout (The first one for her.) the front wheels had got into a slapper and it had put her off.
For the second session I again dialled in 12.2 and ran a 12.228 to become No 3 qualifier.
Sunday  For the first round I was up against Derrick Annable in his Top Methanol Dragster. (To run in the wild bunch he was not allowed to run not more than 9 sec's ) I again dialled in 12.2 and Derrick 9.0,. On the green it was flat to the floor and just before the finish line, as I could not hear him I backed off not to break out and Derrick passed just past the line. I ran a 12.5 @98.25 mph to his 9.2 @ 151 mph with me winning by 0.106 sec.
For the second round I was up with Sarah. But all was lost, as after my burnout the engine cut out and would not restart, so that was that for the day. It was pushed behind the sound wall were after a few more turns it restarted. (In the next round Sarah broke out by knocking over half a second off the personal best at 10.4 sec's well done.)
Crazy Chris won the event ( & the Super Series ) (Well done Chris.) with Mark Cousel (My avid reader) runner up.
As the racing finished early there was time for open practice, so I grabbed Paul Croston in B Sting for a test run and ran a 12.33 @ 109.49 mph. Its great to be back on the straight and narrow after all this time.
This weekend I and of to a car show in Cardiff and after that it the Bonfire and Wildbunch finals and the end of October.
I will update if there is any news.

Mon 10th Sept:- Before I start on yesterdays events there are a few things I would like to say. The first is that last Wednesday Linda & myself became Grandparents for the first time to A baby girl called Rhia Louise, this was to our son David and partner Nicole, All are doing well.
Second. This weekend I was given a portfolio of my car by Bill Sly, it is really brilliant and I would like to thank him for it. Go see his web site on www.badboysimagin.com
Last. I also found out I have at least one avid reader, so hello Mark.
Since the last meeting I have refitted my front suspension and put some more caster in, also I have had the rear tyres balanced to see if that would stop the dreaded bounce.
Sat. As both of us had to work in the morning we did not get to SCR until 4.30. (Dave & Vicki went up earlier.) So we decided that time we unloaded the car it would be to late to try it out. In the evening I decided I would have a drink or two to wet the baby head. Well never again as did I suffer, it was lucky that I was not driving.
Sun. We kept the tyre pressures (5 psi)  as they were at the last meet and for the first round Dave was in the right hand lane, all seemed to be going well until mid track then it start to bounce again and he had back off to a 13 sec ET. For the next round we tried them on 6.5 psi to see if that helped. Dave was in the left hand lane and said it was a lot better but still only managed a 11.95. For the next round we upped them to 7.5 psi and he ran a bounce free but slightly missing 11.75, it was back to the pits to find out why.
All seemed well in the pits but when Dave started it up for the run it did not sound to go until it had warmed up. He did a good burnout, gave the engine a few revs before he staged to try if that would clear it, but as soon as the lights went down and he took off it started to miss like mad until top revs and again in the other gears, in the end he ran a 12.98.
The car is now back at my garage (Well my boss Mikes anyway.) and as of yet I have been unable to find a fault. I have two weeks be fore the Last Super Series to sort it out. More news after the event.
Wed 29th August :- With a 260 entry for the weekend we knew it was going to be busy, so it was up early Sat morning to get the car ready for scrutineering. We were forth out, so I got changed while Dave warmed up the car and it was down to the pairing lanes.
The engine was sounding good when I done my burnout, but when I pulled of the start line it was missing until 4000 RPM and the same throughout the gears ending with a 13.20 on a 12.20 dial in. It was back to the pits to have a look, we tried changing the leads, coil & module
And went out for second qualifying, it was not as bad but only ran a 12.90. The only thing we had not changed were the plugs, but I had left the spares at home, I asked around to pits and found that Jonny Hall was using the same type but colder, so I had a box from him and gave it a try. The engine sounded a lot better but I would have to wait till Sunday to see.
On Sunday morning it was going to be the last qualifying session before the start of the heats. I ended up in the left hand lane and was in stage, when (Like with Crazy Chris.) as soon as the other lanes stage light came on so did my red, I took off anyway to so how it performed only to have it start bouncing again and I have to shut off.
I went up the tower to find out the problem was with the lights and had a word with Tina Gibbs to see if I could have a rerun due to the problems of the day before and to get a dial in time. It was decided that I could have a rerun (Thank you Tina.) but I had to dull my front wheels (In case that was the course of the problem.) and had to use the same lane. When it was my turn I decided to try and run in the right hand side of my lane and ran a half tidy 12.43.
We were later called down to the staging lanes for the first round, when we go down there they had decided  that there would not be enough time due to a oil down, so we just stayed and watched the other classes and the Fuel Funny Cars. Smax was the first to go and just before the top end he went up in flames in a big way and just after he went over the brow we heard two more explosions  as his fuel tank went up. The F.A.S.T.  Team were on to him before he had stopped and had it all under control in minuets. Smax was OK and was waving to the crowd from the ambulance. (pics on  www.eurodragster.com)
That was it for the rest of the day so they could clear up the track.
Monday. In the first round I was against Colin Aldred and I knew it was going to be hard, as Colin's car is very consistent and mine was playing up. I was in the right hand lane and for the first time cut a good light, but it was all in vane as the dreaded bounce started and try as I could, I had to back off, Colin had passed me by then and I saw him back off through the light and I new that was that for the rest of the day.
Next meet. Hot Rod Drags with Dave in the bouncy seat.   
Mon 20th August :-  Same as last week, it was raining when we left and the same when we got to Cheltenham Race course, we found Dave, Vicki, Tush, Tracy, Cid, Jo & Rachael and just parked the van up and had a BBQ. After we went up to the disco and band. (I even got up and had a few dance's and went to bed after 1 O'clock.)
Sunday morning it was nice and bright so I got up, made the breakfast and changed the tyres on the race car. We took the car up and put on display with the other race cars.
We were told that if we wanted to we could do a burnout demo at about 2 pm, but just before it was time the heavens opened up, after it had dried up we were off to play, I was up first and the tyre's lit up fine but as soon as I started to move it started to swing around again so I shut it down. Andy Williams (With his 32 ) was next followed by Mark Watkins (In his Datsun.)
As the engine was not that hot I had another go, this time just let it stay where it was and done a white out. Andy & Mark had another go followed by Pete Loveridge in his dragster.
After we had finished playing it was down to Doug Bond to start his engine and make a little noise.
After a few more heavy showers we packed up and headed of home, we left the car at Dave's so he can get it ready for next weekend up at SCR. (I will tell you all about it next week.)   
Mon 13th August :-  It was raining when we left here Saturday afternoon but the time we got to Dave's it had stopped (And it seems like it had never started there.) Dave & Vicki had a party to go to that night so they could not come. We got up to Mallory Park mid evening and it was still fine. Jeff was down SCR for the day and did not get to us until gone 10 and it was fun putting his tent up in the dark, Not long after we did it started to rain and that's how it stayed until midday Sunday.
Due to lack of time all they wanted for me to do was a short rolling burnout and drive it down the main straight. The place they chose for me to do the burnout was on a link road between two parts of the track and it was on a bit of a camber and of cause it was wet (At least it had stopped raining by then.) I started, put it second, all was going OK until I moved then the backend started to swing round I had to back off and I just gave a few quick spins down the main straight. At the end of the day all they wanted was a bit of noise & smoke, that's just what they got and every one was happy. By the way the Mini, MG & Formula Ford race's weren't to bad ether. 
Next weekend Cheltenham Race Course for the Mid West show, tell you all about it after.
Sun 5th August :- Last night I took the car up to Coventry Stadium to promote SCR and the Super Series. The original plan was to take the car up behind Jeff's van as he had to be up there anyway as FAST was covering the event, but he with the rest of the FAST team had to go straight down the Knebworth for the NSRA event, so we had to take mine.
As we had left the car up SCR, we met up with up there and followed him to Coventry. We got there and was shown where to set the car up, after we had finished we went for a look around the pits. This meeting they had Formula One Stockcars and Mini Stocks, I have not seen so many big blocks in one place before and even the Minis were impressive with full chassis, centre steering and being driven by 10 to 17 year olds.
Even though I had attended short circuit racing before this was my first time to see the Formula One cars, (And on shale too.) to see and hear up to 30 of these cars coming out for the first race was amazing. Like all short circuit racing they are put into classes, (With the fastest at the rear.) they  have a rolling start and when the lights go green it was every one for himself. (Even with the Minis it was the same.) 
At the end of the night there had been 3 Mini and about 10 Formula One races with each one being as close as each other  with the top cars crashing there way to the front,  all I can say it was a brilliant night and if you have a chance go and take for yourselves or visit there web site on  http://www.coventrymotorspeedway.com
We stayed back at SCR on the way home and got lost and taking a 30 mile detour to get there.
Next weekend it is up to Mallory Park  to the Mini event and to do a demo on the main straight, I will tell you all about after.
Fri 27th July :- I was a bit disappointed about the Mini Showdown as this year they would not let me race with them as there were to many complaints last year as they said my car was a "OUT & OUT DRAG CAR" unlike Pete Edwards Carbon fiber, Space framed, Vauxhall 2ltr engine'd OUT & OUT RACE CAR. (He did not run Sunday as his engine management went down.) (anyway I would have been beaten by a lop sided Chevy engine'd auto grass Mini pickup.)
They had not sprayed the track for Saturday and try as I liked I could not keep the car straight. I had put my small slicks on to see if it helped get me in the elevens, but after the second run I put on the normal ones to try and get some grip (Still did not work.) all I managed all day was a 16.8 @2.68 mph??. 14.08 @81 mph & 14.24 @ 83 mph.
On Sunday they sprayed the track and at last I (Like most of the race cars ) got some grip. As I knew it would do 12.2 so that's what I dialled in for the day. But it was not my day again and the first run was only a 12.78 @ 109 mph and the second I red lit again. The third was my best at 12.25 @ 113 mph and that was the racing over for the day but not the fun. Just before the third run while they were cleaning the track after the oil down Anni from www.feel-the-noise.com  took some photos of me for this site (Look on the Driver & Crew page.) and I managed to run myself over again. And after the racing I was on the startline watching the two jet cars go down, when the FAST team were coming up the track Jim was hosing down Jeff  with the fire hose, so I asked him to give me the hose to have a go myself but instead he turned it on me and I had a good soaking, I managed to get hose and that was the start of the "Great water fight"   (Photos from my "odds & ends" page )
We stayed the night up the track on in the morning made our way "oop" north for out holiday.
Next weekend we are hoping to take the car up to Coventry Stadium for some promotional work and the  following week we are up Mallory Park and the Mini show, I will be doing a burnout up the main straight.)
Tue 3rd July :- As I had to work Sat morning It was arranged for Dave & Vicki to take the car up in the morning and get a few runs in before we got there. It was just after 3.30 time we got there and the first person we saw was Gareth (Crew member for Crazy Chris.) and he asked if Vicki had phoned, at first I thought that Dave had beaten my time, but he said no and that he had had a bump and that he was OK but would not say about the condition of the car. We went to try and find it and was stopped in the pits all the time by people asking what happened and how was the car as most of them thought it was me driving. I still could not find the car so I went up the tower to find out, I was told the it was being loaded on the trailer down the bottom of the track so off I went and found Dave driving towards me up the return road. It was back to the pits to have a look and find out what had happened. Dave said that on his second run he was in the left hand lane when it started to bounce (Like it had done to me the last meeting.) he said that he thought that it under control and put it in third when it started again but this time more violently and took him across the other side of the track, just missing the little blue Fiat  and hitting the armco at about 45 dec's and running along it for about 20 ft or so. There was very little damage to the body as the wheels stick out a bit and that had taken the blunt of the crash writing of the right hand suspension.
I remembered that there were two Triumph Herald based kit cars in the weeds over the back of the track, so I asked Bruno who they belonged to, he said to ask Wayne up the tower. I found Wayne who said that they were his and if there was anything that I could use of them to get the car back on the track I could use them, so it was back to the pits to get the truck and tools and off we went, less than an hour after we was back in the pits and starting to put the parts onto the race car. On the normal Triumph they use shims on the bottom arms to get the caster angle right (On the race car I had rose jointed ones.) so I just had to shim it the best I could and go out and see what it was like.
We were done and finished by 11 and it was a quick listen to the band and then off to bed (We would like to thank you all out there who gave us a hand or the use of tools to get the job done.)
In the morning we had the car (Without body as we at the time could not get it to latch down.) checked by Glen and it was down the track to see how it went and handled. Dave was the first down and ran a backed off 12.45 @ 104.17 mph.
We then got ready for the Wild Bunch round and as we knew it would go quicker we dialled in 12.00 for the rest of the day. In the first round Dave ended up in the left hand land and ran a on/off/on 12.96 @ 109.49 mph. The second run he was in the right hand lane and ran 12.2 @ 112.5 mph and the last a 12.11 @ 114.8 mph. It was decided that as there was not enough time to run another round, we decided to have another look at the car and I put in two more shims each side and upped the tyre pressures to 4.5 psi (Normal is 4 psi.) and Dave went for his last run of the day. It was a nice surprise to see a 11.82 @ 116.58 mph come up on the score boards for his new personal best. (Close to mine but not close enough.)
For his efforts Dave got the WILD RIDE trophy for the weekend.
The car is now back at my garage to sort out the bodywork for the Mini Showdown in just over a weeks time, as we are going off on holiday straight from the track, this site will not be updated until the week after so see you all soon.   
Mon 18th June :- We picked the car up on Friday and set off for SCR, getting there at about 9 ish. After unloading the car we set up camp for the night, again it was going to be an early rise for scrutineering as again we were one of the first classes out. I woke up to a very wet morning and walked over to the pits, after having a cupper with the B Sting crew I went back for breakfast as there was no sign of the scroot. When I got back later the B Sting crew had got my car ready and had it checked over by Glen, (Thank you Guys.) so it was down the office to sign on.
After one clear spell when the track was cleared and was just being warmed up by Ronny and his jet truck and it started to rain again and that was that for the rest of the day.
After we got back from Stratford we went to see to pairing orders for the morning to find that I had a buy in the first round.
It was dry  but overcast when I got up in the morning, after getting the car ready it was down to the staging lanes for the first round and it was a guestamate of 12.00 for our first dial in time. The car was sounding strong throughout the burnout and was going like a train until the top end when it started to drift towards the armco so I just backed of to a 12.42 @ 101 mph.
The next round I was up against Andy in the Nut Cracker car, we dialled in 12.20  and I set of after  Andy after his 1.2 sec head start with him crossing the line before me. It was not until we got back to the pits that we found that we had won after Andy had broke out doing his personal best of 12.88 @ 99.78 mph to my 12.21 @ 112. mph.
For the semis it was going to be against my arch rival Crazy Chris. Again it was my lane choice and I went into the left lane keeping my 12.2 dial in. After my burnout I staged first and when Chris's staged light when on my red light came on, I looked at Ian the starter to find out what had happened as I had not moved and the amber lights had not come on at all. By this time Chris was long gone but Ian said there was a computer fault and it was to be a rerun and I was pushed back to the sound wall.
After waiting for Chris to come back round we were called forward again only to have the bike in my lane dump his oil from half track on. It took about twenty min's for the clean up,  while Chris and myself were swapping cars on the start line (I want that photo Zane.)
After my burnout it was back into stage. The car was a bit out of shape off the line and even more so when I changed in to second so all I could do was back off and watch Chris pass me and off into the sunset hoping he would break out. Well he didn't  and went on to win the event with me coming third (with a 13.00 @ 107 mph) and also getting the closest to dial in trophy.
Next event is the Nostalgia Nats where Dave is taking of the driving seat. (Trying to beat my times again) More news after the event.   
Mon 4th June :-  Last Tuesday we went over to Dave & Vicki's to put the engine in after Dave had finished rebuilding it (A big thank you Dave), it was well after ten before we had it in, so we just turned it over to get up oil pressure and make sure we had fuel and spark, at the end of the night all that was to do was fit the plugs & leads, exhaust & put all the panels back on.
I had a phone call about 8 the next night to say that it had started and was sounding good, After warming it up and checking every thing was working Dave changed the oil & filter and it was then ready for me for Saturday. We had already decided not to put the body on for the first event as it is easier to work on the engine.
I got to Dave's (He and Vicki could not come up until Sunday.) just after 1 on Sat and got to SCR just after 3. I took it of the trailer and took it for the first run. I did not know if to take it easy or run it through as I did not have much time and had to have some idea of what to dial in for the Sunday, so I thought sod it and ran a 12.14 @112.22 mph.
On Sunday I put in more advance (16 deg at idle (We were running 18 on the old engine)) and took it out for the first round. I dialled in 12.1 and went and ran my personal best at 11.92 @115.38 mph. The next round I was down to 11.86 @117.19 mph then a 11.79 @ 116.88 (Complete with a nice red light) and last a 11.78 @ 117.19 mph. (The last run was with the timing set at 18 deg ) What a brilliant weekend with 13 out of 25 of the Wild Bunch all doing there personal best's
The car is now back at Dave's and on Friday we are going over to put the body on ready for SS3.  We know the car runs about 2 tenths slower with the body on so I am hoping to be in the 11 s at that meet. So wait and watch this space.
Tue 15th May :- On Sunday we took the spare engine over to Dave's and started to strip the old engine down, It is worse than we first thought as not only is the head and block finished but also the crank, but the good news is the cam is undamaged which will be rebuilt into the spare engine. We still hope to be out for the next Test & Tune so keep tuned.
Wed 9 may :- It seems this season is starting to go from bad to worse. For Super Series 1 we got up to "Shaky" on Friday evening, as we were to be first out on Sat we got up nice and early to get the car ready for scrutineering, with that over with we set of for our first run, (As we normally do at least 5 runs on a gallon and we had only done 2 runs on the last meet we decided to do 2 runs before it needed more fuel.)
The first run went well (even though I had to back off 3/4 track when it went loose) and ran a 12.39 @ 108 on a 12.30 dial in. I done a longer burnout for the second only to get held up while they cleared the track and the racer in the other lane took an age to stage, the car went every way but straight of the line then the engine cut out just before the finish line.
We took it to the pits and put some petrol in but did not start it as it was so hot.
I started it in the pairing lanes for the third run only to find the engine was missing like a pig, we pushed it through the sound wall to see if there anything we could do, we stripped the carb and restarted it, it was sounding a bit better so I took the revs up and just as Dave said for me to shut it down it made a grinding noise and seized.
We took it to the pits and started to strip it down only to find it had dropped a valve and smashed No 2 piston to pieces, damaging the block and head. (Pic's on Odds & End page)
The car is back at Dave's where he is going to rebuild the engine using the spare block and pistons. It wont be out for SS2 but hopefully for the test & tune 2 weeks later.
Mon 23 April :- All I can say is "WHAT A START TO THE SEASON.". After the nice hot sunny day on Saturday I got up at 6 o'clock on Sunday to find it very cold and raining. We set of to Dave & Vicki's to pick up them and the car to find out that not only had Dave done a great job cleaning the car but cleaned and painted the trailer as well (A big thank you Dave.) We got to SCR at around 10 where it was still cold but not raining.
After looking around the pits seeing who had done what we set of to the staging lanes for my first run, I got as far as the burn out box when the engine in the car in the right hand lane went bang in a big way through the finish line. I got out and went to the control tower where I went on the mike with Jerry until the track was cleared. After they had sent a few road cars down it was Wobbly Bobs and my turn. My engine was not running like it should and would not do a burn out, so I went into stage and off we went, all was not well as each time I put my foot down the engine went flat so I stuck it in 3rd, just to cruise it through the finish line when to my left I saw Bobs van start to come round into my lane, after the van done a 360 just missing the armco it came to rest side on in front of me I hit the brakes and managed to stop within 10ft of him. (to see report  at www.eurodragster.com .) All I can say I was lucky that I have front brakes. Bob was a bit shaken to say the least but as nothing was damaged I restarted and went of down to the return road.
After resetting the carb we went back out for another run which was a 12.64 @ 99mph where the engine was still missing through the finish line, so back to the pits to do some more tinkering when it started to rain and that was it for the rest on the event.
Next event is the Super Series 1 in two weeks so I will see you all there.
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