18th – 20thApril2014 – Santa Pod Raceway – England
Words & Photos by Dick Parnham
Despite this the previous two days gave all competitors the opportunity to test and tune their new or improved cars and bikes in addition to the Top Fuel and Funny Car Shoot outs.The first round of the UK National Championships had seen a good weather forecast but rain on the Sunday meant the event had to be rained off.
TOP FUEL MATCH RACE
The Match Race was between Duncan Micallef from Malta who previously ran in Top Methanol Dragster and Licensed for Top Fuel in 2013 having set a Personal Best of 4.13 sec and Chris Andrews in his Lucas Oil sponsored Top Fuel Team that had a personal best of 4.074 sec/299mph and first event win at the 2013 FIA European Finals .
Urs Urbacher was at the meeting having announced that he will now be entering two Top Fuel Dragster for the full 2014 FIA Championship and was over with Noah Stutz to test his second dragster.In addition he would be helping Barry Sheavills in testing the controls in another Erbacher Top Fuel Car for his return after Barry set the first 5 second lap in the UK and 300mph in Europe.
Qualifer Details
1/ Chris Andrews 4.385 sec / 204mph
2/ Noah Stutz 4.597 sec / 215mph
3/ Duncan Micallef 5.515 sec /121mph
Photo No 1 – Chris Andrews
Photo No 2 – Noah Stutz
Photo No 3 – Duncan Micallef
MSA PRO- MODIFIED
Qualifier details
1/ Robert Joosten 6.068 sec / 236mph
2/ Steve Hall 6.561 sec / 218mph
3/ Andy Robinson 6.983 sec / 228mph
4/ Kev Slyfield 7.337 sec/ 163mph
5/ Rick Garrett 7.933 sec/ 185mph
6/ Roger Moore 7.966 sec/ 126mp
7/ Chris Isaacs 8.245 sec / 189mph
8/ Andy Wright 10.779 sec / 126mph
Andy Robinson chose to debut his new ’69 Chevrolet Camaro in 2013 and for 2014 has with development of the car which now has an orange livery instead of black ,restarted on his aim to regain the Championship.
There are now great expectations for the Pro Mod builder and racer for 2014.
Testament to this is Steve Hall at No 2 Qualifier in his ’55 Chevy Bel Air that was built by Andy Robinson in 2013.
The surprise entry for testing was the superb Chris Isaac’s own built Isaacs & Tramm Racing Plymouth Duster Pro Mod which from first impressions looks to be a top contender for success.
Photo No 4 – Robert Joosten
Photo No 5 – Steve Hall
Photo No 6 – Andy Robinson
Photo No 7 – Chris Isaacs
NOSTALGIA FUEL CALLENGE CUP
This class now combines Nostalgia Fuel Altereds and Nostalgia Funny Cars with Nick Davies making an immediate impact as he set a new personal best at 6.166 sec /227 mph in the Chaos Altered which is Europe’s quickest ever Fuel Altered pass and worthy credit to owner Lawrie Gatehouse who rebuilt the altered for arrow straight performance.
Photo No 8 – Nick Davies
TOP METHANOLFUNNY CAR
Qualifier Details
1/ Danny Bellio 5.707 sec /246mph
2/ Gareth Ellis 5.782 sec /250mph
3/ Steph Milam 6.195 sec /204mph
Photo No – 9 – Danny Bellio
Photo No – 10–Gareth Ellis
EUROPEAN NITRO FUNNY CAR
Qualifier Details
1/ Kevin Kent 6.102 sec / 113mph
2/ Jason Pheips 9.078 sec /64 mph
Dick Parnham
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