2016 Santa Pod Easter Festival of Power
25th – 27th March 2016 – Santa Pod Raceway – England
Words & Photos by Dick Parnham
The first round of the UK National Championships had seen a clear first day but the weather forecast gave rain showers for the remaining two days. Despite the first day, the rain interruption caused the bulk of the event to be rained off.
The Top Fuel and Funny Car Shootouts at least gave the crowd the first chance for nitro thunder from the limited field of cars.
TOP FUEL SHOOTOUT
The Shootout between the Top Fuel Dragsters saw Liam Jones out in Jari Halinen’s car ceding his Rune Fjeld owned car to Steve Ashdown to gain his Top Fuel licence to compete in the 2016 FIA Main Event and Euro Finals.
Due to the extreme cold track, the Top Fuel Cars were having difficulty but Steve Ashdown at least managed to get part way towards his licence.
NOSTALGIA FUEL CHALLENGE CUP
Nostalgia Fuel Funny Car driver Tim Garlick ran a solid 6.316 sec at 177 mph.
EUROPEAN NITRO FUNNY CAR
Qualifier Details
1. Gordon Smith 5.334 sec at 142 mph
2. Kevin Kent 5.930 sec at 117 mph (pictured at top)
Dick Parnham
www.flickr.com/photos/dickparnhamdragracing
