Meet the Eurodragster.com's staff.   The editorial team (Chris, Graham and Dave) will be joined by our old and new staff members, first is our pit photographer, Diana Macrae, who will be joined by Katie Higgs with the her pit notes.

The roster of photographers will remain the same, with Julian Hunt as lead photographer and Kirstie Tramm joining us when her racing commitments allow. Kieran Jenkins and Andy (Tog) Rogers will also contribute to our galleries, and we look forward to other contributing photographers supplying images as before.

Our current list of planned event coverage has been posted. As before, this is provisional and may be added to as the season develops.

Please send your news items to [email protected] if you have large image file sizes.

Thanks to Remco Scheelings from Drag Racing Europe for this report on fuelled By Bro Joe reveals design for 2025:

Fuelled By Bro Joe, the team of Liam Jones and Alex Hope, are happy to reveal the livery of the Top Fuel Dragster and Pro Stock Motorcycle the two Brits will field in the FIA European Drag Racing Championship and FIM Europe European Drag Bike Championship respectively. The design is from PWRD, Peter Walters Race Design.

You can read on this article by clicking here.

Happy Birthday for today to Santa Pod Raceway fire crew member Angie Daly, to Super Pro ET racer Mark Turner, and to VW Pro racer Bruce Kopasz. We hope you all have a fantastic day.

Happy Birthday for today to Wild Bunch co-ordinator Claire Meaddows and Pro ET racer AC Bell, have a great day both!

Thanks to Santa Pod Raceway Neale Saunders and The Showtime Racing team media Séan Kevin Bowe for this announcement on Showtime Racing returns. Séan writes: The Showtime Racing Fuel Funny Car makes its return to the European Drag Racing scene, with Bob Jarrett as team owner and NHRA veteran Terry Haddock as driver!

Last week it was Bradenton for the insane Pro Mod event, a few days being tourists then our final destination of our trip, the NHRA Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway, their season opener. Over the years I have been extremely fortunate to be friends with many of the team within the NHRA which lead me to visits to join the announcing teams at the Texas Motorplex, U.S. Nationals and the Gators back in 2019. The invitation to join them again in the future was always available to me but after a six-year gap, it was finally time to see if the invite was still open, so one email sent in December was replied to with what basically read as ‘Get your butt over here, we’ll sort the rest’. It won’t surprise you that Ian also has previous trips stateside to be part of the track crew so no surprises when he was asked to join the Gatornationals team for what he thought would be a couple of days….oh no, a full on 4 days on the Start line and that also includes being on the starter button.

Back in 2022 Brian Lohnes was instrumental in setting up D.R.A.G. the Drag Racing Announcers Group. This was a mechanism to not only connect fellow announcers from around the world with regular Zoom meetings to discuss ideas and share experiences, but to also find new talent and future-proof the commentary teams everywhere. This has been a great initiative and has led to the NHRA changing things around a bit. Brian along with Joe Castillo head up the team with Jason Galvin. Jason started is announcing career in 2019 and is a great asset to the team. A name known to many, David Frieburger (Roadkill) starts his NHRA journey this weekend both in the booth and conducting top end interviews. A total natural, and to be back working with Brian is a perfect match. Got a feeling David will be here for many years, I certainly hope so.

Thanks to Benny Voss and Tog for these words. As this story is almost a fairy tale, it has to begin with:  Once upon a time, there was a young valiant from Frisia in north Germany. He was the proud owner and tuner of a VW Polo 86C, the first to turbo his steed more than 30 years ago. When duelling tournaments on public pathways got too dangerous, he went for thrills, quick times and high speeds on airfields, and was very fond of the famous Jerry Lackey Raceway at MZA Luckau, which was prepared by Frans Steilberg from the MSTO crew.

But the pathway toward the east of Germania was a long and hard one, and with an almost unused airfield close to his home, he approached the (land)lords of Mariensiel near Wilhelmshaven, only a few feet away from the Jade Bay of North Sea and thus, Jade Race was born in 2008 and, over more than a decade of successful events, grew from humble “Public Race” and, “Run what you brung“ into a full-blown Drag Race, sanctioned by German motorsports authorities. When the cars & bikes that went up north got more and more powerful, the traction limits of an un-prepped track threw a spanner into the works, but Micha Behrens, the driving force behind Jade Race, faced that challenge and built his own track-prep equipment : a rubber sled with glue spray bar and Europe's first counter rotator for applying loads of rubber in a short prep time. With these tools and the know-how of  “black track magic“, he made the Jade track quicker and safer than before, attracting more & more racers & riders from Germany and other European countries. When in 2019 the track was relaid with fresh, straight and smooth asphalt, a dream came true for the organizer crew and the racing community, and they lived happily ever after................well, not quite.

Evil forces raised their heads and for fear of devastating "their precious," ground, the racers were banned from the site by the ruling landlords, followed by the COVID plague and all the taboos and forbiddances that were applied. Jade Race seemed to be just another legend and gone forever. The Jade Race Crew roamed the land, searched near and far, in all directions, but their grail quest in search of the praised lands of a flat and long track was without avail. The track prep crew morphed into "soldiers of fortune" providing their services and consultations to other tracks, making them quicker and safer, keeping contact with the racing tribe, but every time they were asked about "Jade Race reloaded"  it was like a dagger to the heart, as this was just a memory now, gone forever. Being stubborn frisians, they also kept contact with their old Jade track, still hoping to return to their spiritual home to worship the gods of speed, power and thrills, but it seemed the situation was set in concrete, like the walls they used to erect for racing.

But this fairy tale has a happy ending, in a miraculous turn of the tide the ruling lords of the country and airport thought better and better about Jade Race. Maybe they realized that these feasts of flames, speed and power did positive for the whole province, rising the numbers in hotel nights and on the till receipts of many a local company and business. Some of the Jade Race pilgrims had made it a rule to spend a few days of peaceful rest in the green pastures around Jade Bay after the tournament.

So, on a dark winter night in 2024, a new contract was signed, and the Jade Race Crew is proud to shout out into the world : Jade Race is back on track, on the usual date of "third weekend of July!" Carve the date of 18th,19th and 20th day of the seventh month in your calendar, sharpen your blades, saddle the horses or hitch them up to your transport chariot and set the compass to Frisia for "Jade Race 202,", hooray !!!

This fairy tale was written and brought to you by Jade Race chronicler Benni Voss

More info can be found HERE

Melbourne Raceway Spring Natonals in just over a month away, Melbourne's opening event, the Spring Nationals is fast approaching. 12th-13th April at Melbourne Raceway, York Y042 4SS.

No Mercy and the ever growing Junior series return to so exciting times ahead.

The bar will be open Saturday night and 'Garageland" the are playing. Check their Facebook page out by clicking here.

More details are ofcourse on the Straightliners website at this link. Remember there are advanced booking discounts up to 10pm on the Wednesday before the event.

Supercharged Outlaws UK treasurer Mark Windridge has announced the continued sponsorship of the class from Good Vibrations Motorsport. Also announced is a change in the class's racing format this year, competing for the Good Vibrations Motorsport Cannonball championship.

"It will be great to see these different classes go head-to-head over the 1/8 at Melbourne Raceway, which should make for close racing."

Private testing organiser and FWD racer Scott Lewry has published on Facebook that the first Yam Yam Racing Drag Club Private test day at Santa Pod Raceway of 2025, Scott writes:

If you are interested, please do so ASAP. You can sign up by messaging Scott on Facebook or join the Yam Yam Racing Drag Club on Facebook by clicking here.

Please see terms and conditions below:

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

*Gate Entry*

No tickets - there will be a list of entrants on the gate. When arriving at the security gate please give the booked on drivers full name and then they will tick you off for any crew as they come in they will be ticked off as crew 1 2 3 4 etc. If your name isn’t on the list you won’t be allowed in, the gate staff have my number and will call me if there is any issues. Its open pitting for racers but most usually pit behind the grandstand or on the opposite area of the pairing lanes.

Sunday Camping Arrivals – Racers/Crews who have paid for camping can enter from approx 6pm onwards however as there is a large event on the racing needs to finish and the site needs to be cleared before we are allowed in. However Santa Pod are organised with this but it may mean a wait outside the gates.

Monday Racer/Crew & Spectator Arrivals - Gates open at 8am.

*Sign on procedure & Race Numbers*

Track sign on is done via the signing on office where you will need to present your license and signing on form. The sign on forms will be in the sign on office. I do have a email version of you want to print before you come. You will need driver license.

Please let me know if you need me to email the form and I will do. I do carry some spares if anyone needs one and there is some worst case in the sign on office but please print at home if you can.

*Racing*

The day runs on RWYB ruling so please familiarise yourself with the rules so that you can meet any requirements.

See RWYB Rules- https://rwyb.co.uk/rules.php

RACE NUMBERS - A lot of the racers have there own race numbers on their vehicle so please use this for the day. If you don't have a number and want to create your own I would advise using your initials and then a number just so it is unique to you and the tower staff don't have any issues on the day. I will provide a pen on the day so we can write names on the back of your car if not they will use your reg numbers.

The track will be prepped and run as best as seen fit by the Santa Pod track crew. To meet everyone's testing needs we will run 1 Lane for treaded tyres and 1 Lane for slick tyres and then towards the end of the day open up both lanes for some grudge racing, this way gives everyone a fair crack to the best track for their application. Only cars that are paid onto the event will be permitted on track. Anyone caught trying to race who isn’t part of the event won't be coming back and will be told to leave immediately. Please don’t abuse our trust. The track usually opens around 9.30 and closes at around 5pm with a half hour lunch break for the staff.

Passengers Runs

I have no issue with anyone having a passenger ride in any of the racers cars. You will need to sign on as a passenger in the sign on office and meet Santa Pods criteria.

*Rain/Dryer situation*

If we have a rain off situation on the day no refunds or credits are given and no date change etc as the track is a one off private booking unfortunately. The track crew will do their best to get us racing however we have to be patient as we all know safety is 100% priority. Their is the possibility of using the jet dryer worst case but that would be an external cost which would be separate to Racer entry and would need to be decided on the day if we called a drivers meeting.

*Behaviour*

Please behave as adults and no foolishness its simple. If anything gets reported to me or the Santa Pod staff then I give my full backing if required to have anyone removed from the site or any racing will stop until the situation has been sorted. Please when camping have a few beers and enjoy the evening calmly security will be on site so don't want phone calls saying people are messing about revving engines and generally being idiots towards the Santa Pod staff.

Hospitality

The Santa Pod shop will be open for Nitrous and Fuel and merchandise snack etc, they do ask that you ring ahead if any fuel/Nitrous is wanted to make sure they have stock. The burger van by the grandstand will also be open. Toilets blocks will be open.

A very Happy Birthday to honorary Eurodragster.com member, SPRC official and Competition Eliminator racer Spencer Tramm, have a great day Spencer. Happy 81st Birthday to British Drag Racing Hall of Fame member and drag bike engineer Pete Davies, Happy Birthday also to tuner and crew chief extraordinaire Karl Harrison, Danish Super Street Bike racer Mogens Lund, Supercharged Outlaws racer Nigel Rigden and Supercharged Outlaws racer in waiting Lee Merryweather. Have a great day all.

Santa Pod Raceway's Funny Car Cup Social Media Chris Hobson announces 2025 Funny Car Cup dates: The Nitro Funny Cars are back! This season, the ever-popular fire breathing monsters return to the track for four rounds of nitro competition at Santa Pod Raceway. The 2025 Funny Car Cup promises fierce battles, with Kevin Kent of Westten Motorsports, Steve Ashdown in The Undertaker, and John Hale piloting One Bad Texan. Dale Leeks takes the wheel of the former Gladiator—now racing under Hawk Racing—and you can bet there will be plenty more surprises along the way!

Thank to Paul Marston for sending in this update on Manston Raceway Park, Paul writes:

Lastly we will have another work party weekend at Manston Raceway Park in March Saturday 15th & Sunday 16th. Bring paint brushes!! If you can make it please let us know via the Manston Raceway Park's Facebook Page at this email at this link or call Paul on 07831 650230.

Happy Birthday for today to Super Gas racer Andy Harrison and former Wild Bunch racer Nigel Lane, have a great day guys.

Thanks to Colin Theobald, colour commentator and Santa Pod stalwart for his words as he heads across the pond for a pre-season visit to the World Series of Pro Mod in Bradenton:

As the U.K. National Championship drag racing season doesn’t get under way until the Springspeed Nationals at Santa Pod many Brits and quite a few European racers and fans could be found in Florida attending the season opening N.H.R.A. Gatornationals this week or last weekend at Bradenton for the climax of the Winter Series with the World Series of Pro Mod to get their racing fix in before the fun starts at home. 82….yes, 82 Outlaw Pro Mod teams on site to try and make the top 32 to qualify for eliminations to be in with a chance to win the staggering $150,000 outright event winner prize.

Onto day one at Bradenton and wow…..through the gates, and we were greeted with the Pro Mods in the lanes for Q1, a sight to behold. There are seriously awesome race cars, don’t forget this event is over the 1/8th mile, so absolutely no room for error here, especially with a field that would be so closely matched. The numbers were insane. Yes, these cars are outlaw so around 200lb lighter than a FIA legal car and have all the gizmos and sensors to keep this thing planted to the racetrack, but to see a Pro Mod go 3.644 at 205 over the 1/8th was completely nuts for the provisional no.1. Bump sport was 3.684, yep, just 4/100 covering the top 32. Scary moment in Q2 with the very popular Scott Palmer having a major incident in the shutdown area, thankfully the safety cell did its job and Scott managed to walk away from a totally destroyed racecar.

After Q2 it was one of the favourites, Ken Quartuccio with his blown 69 Camaro on top with a stunning 3.596, the only car in the 3.5’s. Bump now 3.667. Friday and 3 more qualifiers. No change in the top 4 but a good move up the order by Mark Micke into the no.5 spot. Q4 and Mark goes to No.1 with a jaw dropping 3.575 at get this, 223.65mph….to the 1/8th!!! Bump down to 3.649, all to play for on the dark late on Friday in Q5. Every car was now well into the 3’s and some big names were not qualified. There are the fan favourites though, Pro Stock racer Erica Enders made the show in 14th, Stevie ‘Fast’ Jackson in at 10, Alex Laughlin in at 7. The quickest Outlaw Pro Mod field ever, bump ended up at 3.637, what was incredible however was that the top 78 cars all ran 3.69 or quicker. Just bonkers.

Happy belated Birthday to Swedish Funny Car legend Leif Helander of Starkotter Racing, thanks to Magnus Larsson for notifying us! We wish a Happy Birthday to Santa Pod Racers Club official and awards evening organiser extraordinaire Yvonne Tramm, also to former Funny Bike rider and drag bike engineer Bob Brooks. We hope you all had a great day.

Happy Birthday for today to Competition Eliminator racer Kevin Jenkins, Gasser Circus racer Lee Pike, German Super Pro ET racer Jens Könnecke and German Super Twin Top Fuel Racer Christian Jäger. We hope you all have a great day.

Thanks to former Nitro FM presenter Nigel Fitzmaurice for sending in this latest Podcast on the interview with: Chris Milsy / Muscle Workshop which can be view by clicking here.

Happy Birthday for today to Topspeed Automotive Street Eliminator competitor and Santa Pod Raceway marshal Antony Wilkins and superfan Kerry McCartney Jeyes, we hope you have a wonderful day.