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2011 VP Racing Fuels National Finals – Pro Mod Drag Racing
Words & Photos by Dick Parnham
(Santa Pod Racers Club, England, 24th – 25th September 2011) - The weather had improved with good weather for the final day and British Pro Mods headed the bill in this final Round of the MSA British Drag racing Championship.
With the Super Modifieds and the Sportsman classes taking advantage of the good weather conditions, there was also a great chance to see Laurie Bamford making licensing runs for his Top Fuel License. Laurie had been working in Top Fuel for owners Rune Fjeld Motorsport. During the weekend, the required test runs were made to finish the action with a superb licensing run over 1000 feet at 4.260 seconds, 286 mph, and the full quarter mile in 4.984 seconds, 308 mph.
BRITISH PRO MODS
With 2010 Pro Mod Champion Andy Robinson waiting to launch his new car that will replace his legendary ’53 Studebaker Commander that he has re-used the in the three rounds out of six, perennial championship runner up Graham Ellis was determined to take the title.
In addition to his own car, Graham also owns the Plymouth Superbird driven by Nick Davies. The ‘Bird has the turbo motor developed by ICE Automotive. Despite the turbo lag, not experienced by other super charged Pro Mods, the car still produced the goods. Davies ran a test pass at 6.29 seconds, 239 mph.
Pro Mod Qualifiers
#1 Roger Moore 6.742 seconds, 205 mph
#2 Graham Ellis 7.080 seconds, 152 mph
#3 Nick Davies 7.113 seconds, 235 mph
#4 Wayne Nicholson 7.190 seconds, 205 mph
#5 Andy Wright 7.214 seconds, 178 mph
#6 Steve Hall 7.399 seconds, 195 mph
#7 Jean Dulamon 7.474 seconds, 179 mph
#8 Mick Payne 7.510 seconds, 171 mph
In the First Round of eliminations, Wayne Nicholson had a bye run at 12.60 seconds, 80 mph, after Andy Wright during his burn out sideswiped the barrier and shut off.
Graham Ellis in his Plymouth Barracuda had a holeshot over Jean Dulamon from France to win in 7.117 seconds, 196 mph over 7.890 seconds, 182 mph.
Next it was Nick Davies away first with a 0.104 seconds ahead in the Superbird but had to pedal for most of the run to correct direction but took the win in 7.384 seconds, 221 mph over Steve Hall in 8.379 seconds, 192 mph who had red lighted.
The final pairing saw Top Qualifier Roger Moore storm to the win in 6.960 seconds, 187 mph over Mick Payne at 7.229 seconds, 185 mph.
In the Semi Finals, it was the holeshot of Wayne Nicholson at 6.969 seconds, 175 mph that kept him just ahead of Roger Moore at 6.998 seconds, 192 mph.
It was fortunate for Graham Ellis he had not been drawn against the previous two magnificent 6-second Pro Mods. He went through in 7.573 seconds, 194 mph over Nick Davies who shut down after going up in smoke in 21.070 seconds, 38 mph.
In the Final Graham Ellis took the win and the 2011 Championship in a 7.592 seconds, 114.96 mph slowing pass after Wayne Nicholson shut off after seeing smoke from his motor in 14.261 seconds, 56 mph.
OTHER CHAMPIONSHIP WINNERS
SUPER MODIFIED – Nigel Payne
SUPER PRO ET - John Atkinson
PRO ET - Rick McCann
SUPER COMP - Brian Pateman
STREET ELIMINATOR - Brian Payne
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