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2nd February 2011
With the start of the 2011 season fast approaching, Mark Todd brings us up-to-date with his exciting new project....
‘Goodbye Firebird :( hello GTO :)
The story so far...
As many of you are aware I achieved my goal of running 8 seconds in my 3800lb full steel 1969 Firebird at the euro finals. What people probably weren't aware of is that this was also my last chance to achieve this personal goal as I had decided that this would be my final outing in the firebird.
For me it was closure. The firebird had been a great platform each year steadily improving from 12.8 seconds in 2004 to the 8.81 seconds in 2010. The decision to build a new car was taken back in 2009 and as the firebird is a genuine muscle car and rare at that, there was no way I was cutting it up.
So what car? For me it had to be an A body and there was only one....A 1965 Pontiac GTO.
This all new car is currently being built at Jon Websters, It features a composite body and chromoly 25.2 chassis. Up front is a FAST XFI fuel injected twin turbo dry sump all aluminium big block Chevy, fuel is handled via twin injectors per cylinder and fed via a Waterman mechanical pump, exhaust gases exit the rear quarters via a twin 6.5" x 3.5" oval system. Ignition is FAST XIM coil on plug.
The car is supported on all 4 corners by strange with modified GT struts up front and double adjustable rears. Wheels are American racing torque thrust pro billet and power is handled by a Andy Frost Reid cased powerglide, Neil Chance bolt together converter and Strange aluminium 9" rear end. The rear tubs can accommodate any tyre choice, oh and it has a tow bar!
 
 
(Click the pictures to make them bigger)
As for the engine build, well that’s down to me. My theory is that if you've built it you can fix it. As can be seen from the pictures, component assembly is well under way and the new block should be here soon.
 
 
 
(Click the pictures to make them bigger)
Where’s it up to and when is it out?
Well all the parts are in, the engine will be assembled over the next 2 weeks and the car should be ready for paint by March so Easter Thunderball? Probably NOT but you never know!
So where is the Firebird and what has the future got to hold for it?
Well it’s good news. It was purchased in December by Eric Humphreys, Eric has been around drag racing for many years previously owning and driving the Rampage funny car. In recent years Eric has been crewing on a methanol burning turbo bike. Eric's attention returned to 4 wheels and the Firebird fitted the bill. With his knowledge of turbos and the tuning expertise to run on methanol this should be one to look out for. For Eric the plan doesn't stop there, not only did he buy the Firebird but he also bought a 2nd full tube chassis 1965 GTO, this GTO is a sister car to my GTO featuring the same body but with a 25.4 chassis, watch out super pro et as this car will be receiving a certain 1500hp transplant from the firebird.
What’s that, 2 twin turbo GTOs I'm certainly looking forward to this race!
Look forward to seeing you all at the start of the new season.
Mark Todd’
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30th January 2011
Click Here for 2011 Race Calendar
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4th January 2011
Click Here for 2010 Awards Evening photos
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30th December 2010
Click Here for 2010 Hardcore Street DVD trailer
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22nd November 2010
** TOPSPEED AUTOMOTIVE STREET ELIMINATOR 2010 DVD NOW AVAILABLE **
** ‘HARDCORE STREET’ 2010 on DVD **
FROM CLASS SPONSOR ZEON TV AT WWW.QUARTERMILEHIGH.COM
Click on the picture above for secure online ordering, and to watch the DVD trailer....
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1st October 2010
The final championship points are now posted after Round 8, the National Finals at Santa Pod Raceway. Click here to view them.
Congratulations to the 2010 Topspeed Automotive Street Eliminator champion Ian Hook and FB Racing.
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1st October 2010
After a weekend to remember for all the right reasons at the FIA Euro Finals, Colin Lazenby got in touch with an account of Team 56’s weekend -
‘With the team able to attend only 2 (of 8) events this year you can well imagine our elation at having achieved so much without really having the means to do so.
An internal electronic fault with the nitrous controller came back to haunt us at this weekend’s European Finals, meaning that we were forced to run with only 1 nitrous system (instead of 2) and in truth we shouldn’t have being able to manage anything quicker than a low 8/high 7 second run - having said that in drag racing terms the form book can often count for little, and often it can count for nothing.
Take a look at the two images attached. The first is from the first 7 of the weekend, immediately before lighting up the full stage bulb. The second displays the record setting number (the previous claim to the world’s quickest street legal car running on regular super unleaded has been beaten by 2 hundredths of a second and backed up by the 1% margin for a faster, or slower time, at that event). Anyhow, enough of that. Records are surprisingly difficult to secure achieve and it’s fair to say that the window of opportunity for any success on any record setting runs, be that speed or ET is miniscule and consistency with the numbers, on the day, is everything.
Thursday:-
Qualifying run number one, 8.5035 sec’s @ 176.43 mph
Q2, 8.3720 @ 173.74 mph.
Friday:-
No runs.
Saturday:-
Q3, 8.2671 @ 182.16 mph
Q4, 7.8486 @ 183.62 mph – this run was made at quart past eight in the dark.
Sunday, Race day:-
1st round, 7.720 @ 183.56 mph
Quarter Finals, 7.6627 @ 185.08 mph – the previous 7.72 would have backed this number up as a new world record for a street legal ‘pump gas’ car.
Semi Finals, 7.6522 @ 184.32 mph – the previous 7.76 backs up this run - this is the new world record
Finals, 7.9465 @ 182.81 mph.
For the increments; the best 60ft time of the weekend was 1.26 sec’s (the previous best ever was a 1.28). The best eighth mile time was 4.99 seconds (at a whopping 147.72 mile per hour). And don’t forget, we always run the Mickey Thompson Sportsman Pro’s, and we’d already claimed the world record run on these tyres when we ran our 7.708 at last year’s Euro Finals. Mickey Thompson (USA) Copper/Avon (in the UK) and Lee Child at LA Racing Parts will be delighted - I guess.
Our achievement can easily be attributed to a combination of great things; our Andy Robinson Race Cars built 1956 Chevrolet 210 Sedan.
Our 1565 hp Sonny’s ‘big block’ motor – thanks to Sonny & Francis Leonard, David, Tom & Kelly for assembling the most powerful pump gas motor they’ve ever dyno’d.
Our bullet proof Rossler 210, 3 speed transmission, and it’s thanks to Carl & Marge Rossler for ALL the support they’ve afforded us over the 6 years (with only 1 freshen). This truly is the best engineered transmission available anywhere on the PLANET, I would recommend a Rossler trans, 2 or 3 speed, to anyone looking to upgrade.
To Clive Bond of Ultimate Race Cars, one of the most knowledgeable guys there is in drag racing today, and we’ve been fortunate enough to work with Clive over our last two power-plants.
Thanks also must go out to TORCO (Oils and Lubricants) and especially to all round great guy Steve Clark for supporting the team’s efforts with the full range of Nimbus Motorsport products, especially TORCO’s octane booster and of course our all new, all billet System 1 oil filter.
And of course to our hard working crew (and extended family). Ace Crew Chief Garry Coull, ‘our kid’ Brian Lazenby, team boss Ann-Marie Lazenby, newly promoted Jacquie Burbidge, Richard Lazenby & Claire. And for that special Euro’s weekend the other attending Lazenby’s (and there are many) recently hitched Joe & Becky. Mick (Becky’s dad). To radiant daughter Charlotte (and kids). To my biggest supporter (and often my greatest critic) youngest son Bradley. And as always, our team thanks go out to world class photographer Matt Woods along with honorary team member Kathy Taylor.
Guys, last weekend has just got to rank as one of the most successful weekend’s we’ve EVER HAD with the ‘56’. Matched only with Goodwood FOS in 2002 and our drag race with RAF’s finest, the F3 Tornado. Our general performance over the weekend of the Euro’s, up to and including the result of the final round just about managed to keep me smiling on the inside right up until the point we arrived home at 04:45 hrs last Monday morning, which was just nicely in time for me to get up and go to work some 3 hrs later. I would also like to congratulate to John Sleath with his killer twin turbo Audi for finishing runner up at the Euro Finals, respect.
Rgds, and thanks, Cj
The Iceman did eventually cometh.’
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14th September 2010
The points are now posted after Round 7, the FIA Euro Finals at Santa Pod Raceway. Click here to view them.
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6th September 2010
The points are now posted after Round 6, the Open Sport Nationals at Shakespeare County Raceway. Click here to view them.
NOTE - Points for each individual round are posted below the top table.
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5th September 2010
‘I would like to say a big thank you to the drivers and their crews from Street Eliminator for the presents and card (all signed) that you gave June and myself has we celebrated our wedding anniversary during the Open Sport Nationals at Shaky.
Alan & June Williamson
SE333’
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2nd August 2010
Race Report and Video now posted for Round 5, Click Here to view.
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28th July 2010
Points for Round 5 are now posted, Click Here, or the Points button on the left hand menu bar to view them.
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19th July 2010
Hi Guys. It's your Chairman here.
Sorry it's been so long before I replied and given you an update. I have been overwhelmed by everyone's good wishes, thoughts and phone calls. Saying thank you to you all just doesn't seem enough - but here goes....
I am now convalescing and have had time to read all the messages left for me over the internet. Reading all your get well wishes has helped me gain a speedy recovery. Thank you Guys.
On a real serious note - take it from me guys - don't ignore any signs that something is wrong no matter how small. Let a GP tell you it's indigestion! Don't self diagnose.
Fortunate for me my attack happened with first class Paramedics on hand. If it were not for them I may not be here guys...They were fantastic! Big thanks to them and again to you all in Street Eliminator.
Cheers Guys
See you all soon
Steve ‘Splinter’ Nash
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15th July 2010
After our successful destruction of transmission number 3 this year I decided that a full on aftermarket one was needed and after a few calls I was put into contact with Steve Kellet (thanks to John Sleath) who it just so happened had a JW all singing all dancing trannie with the right bell housing for sale, and at the right price.
While we were looking at the box on the bench we decided to double check on the diff, it looks like our prop-shaft problems at Easter had risen its ugly head again - the crush washer in the diff had been squashed a little more than it was designed for allowing the diff the opportunity to beat itself to death. As we didn't have too much to do and a long lay off I decided to do some upgrades to the nitrous as well.
A trial fit of the gearbox told us that we also needed a new flex-plate. With the new flex-plate fitted we realised that the converter would also need machining, to give us enough clearance for the end float. With the gearbox fitted (after about the 8th attempt) we were beginning to get very bored of fitting and re-fitting.
We also decided it was time to go for a crank trigger, again it wasn’t a straight forward fit (are they ever) so a good friend of mine took it to work and made it fit.
All done, all good and even with a couple of days to spare:-
Summer Nationals
Run 1 - We left the settings where they were and while it left OK the mid track power was a bit too aggressive on what was a very cold June day and the car drifted towards the wall forcing me to lift, it settled down and ran a 9.6 at 143mph.
Run 2 - The only change I made was to up the initial hit of the line from 20% to 25% and that gave us a 60ft of 1.54 and 1/4 mile time of 9.03 at 151. A NPB but still not that illusive 8
Run 3 - Again upped the launch to 30% off the line, this time a 60ft time of 1.46 and, wait for it, an 8.9 at 153mph. We had done it at last and new bests on the 60 ft, the 1/8 mile, and 1/4 mile.
Into Eliminations - We had Alex Mac, this is a man who’s very good on the tree and he had run faster than us with an 8.7. So we went up a size on the nitrous jets. Back down to a 20% hit on the line. I was a little eager a left a nice big RED on the tree, but I'd done it again we broke all our bests from the previous run ending with an ET of 8.88 and a speed of 154mph.
Back in the pits we found a damaged plug upon further investigation we found a damaged piston. We left with mixed moods, elated at our performance but anxious about the damage. Back at home and with the engine stripped our repair bill is not looking too good. We need the block bored 10 thou, 8 new pistons, a full bearing set, lifters, 2 valves, both heads need welding and possibly a cam
We found the damage to be a blocked fuel leg on the Wizard of NOS Spider system - steps have been taken to make sure it doesn't happen again and as a precaution all the pulsoids have been sent back to Trevor for service (and to make sure they are debris free) before going back on. We are now relying on our brothers across the pond for the parts and fingers crossed we will be back out again soon, looking to pick up on even better performances from the Insane team.
Ron, Insane Creations – and now in the eights.
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15th July, 2010
The FB Racing Street Eliminator ’34 Ford will be helping on display at the Badsey, Evesham Spar tomorrow to celebrate the stores post-refurbishment reopening. The Badsey Spar is one of a group of convenience stores owned by George Sangha who has recently joined the FB Racing roster of associate sponsors.
George was introduced to the world of Street Eliminator and FB Racing in particular by FB crew member Darren “Squeak” Herbert-White and was instantly taken by the performance achieved by the street-legal hot rod. George said “I decided to back Ian and the FB Racing team as I could see that they weren’t afraid of the odds. Despite being a relatively low-buck operation they have made some remarkable achievements over the years in a car that’s completely home-built. Even their superb performance this year (the team have won 3 of the 4 SE meetings in 2010) has been against the odds as their highest qualifying position so far has been 3rd. And many have seen the way Ian has had to fight the car down the strip at some meetings”.
“We are very pleased to have George on board for 2010 – despite having been unable to attend a meeting yet he follows the racing very closely and I know the Updates we produce help him feel part of the team. We’d like to say a big thank you to him and to all the sponsors who have stuck with us in these difficult times – you make such a difference to what we can achieve – thanks!”
The car will be on display tomorrow (16th July) from 11 am until 6 in the evening before being whisked back to Cheltenham where the team will continue to prep for round five of this year’s Topspeed Automotive Street Eliminator championship at next week’s Bug Jam event.
Ian Hook
FB Racing
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6th July 2010
Round 4 Race Report now posted....Click here to view it.
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21st June 2010
Points after Round 4, the Summer Nats now posted. Click here to view.
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18th June 2010
2010 Topspeed Automotive SE show rumbles its way back into Northamptonshire and Santa Pod Raceway for round 4 of the 8 event series. With a solid field of 12 entries, a good track and even better weather this event the Summer Nationals, has long since been Santa Pod's best kept secret in the racing calendar.
FB Racing's Ian Hook maintains a slim lead over Steve Pat*man, and we have Jerry Charles (aka 50 cent) back with his nitrous assisted 706ci F*rd Capri - Jason Weir is also back with his much anticipated 2300 hp Pro Chargered Plymouth Suburban and we also have two newcomers, Alan Williamson, Chevy pick-up truck, and Stuart Williams with his rice burning Toyota Supra, these and all the usual suspects will be looking to repeat or maintain their past performances at round 3, so it's best of luck to Brian Payne and Richard Billings, both of who found form real quick, and for Davie Murdoch, please try to look after that new paint...
Seriously though, the very best of luck to everyone this weekend
Regards,
Ann-Marie & Splinter
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7th June 2010
Some of you may already be aware that Street Eliminator Chairman Steve Nash (Splinter) had been attending the Ford weekend at the Pod along with co-Wildcat Cougar owner Mick Franklin and one or two other SE competitors.
Unfortunately Steve was taken ill between rounds and such was his condition that he'll be resident of Bedford Hospital, and then Cambridge Hospital at least for the next several days.
Steve's as strong as an Rhino, with skin to match, and we wish him a speedy recovery.
If you want to send him a get well message, please send it to us here and we’ll post it -
‘Jo & I have sent a ‘get well’ text to Splinter, just in case he doesn't get it can you pass on our best wishes again.
Oh yes how was the Cougar running?
Jon Hollingworth’
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‘As you probably know we were there doing the passenger runs. I only spoke to him a hour before hand. Please send him and Elona all our best from me, Sandra and the lads that crew.
Ron Haslett’
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‘As soon as I heard the news from Big Tom who was at the Pod with Wilf Stacey I called Steve, who by now was resting in a Bedfordshire Hospital, Steve actually sounded fine, he was bored. I then phoned Mick who's warming to fitting a Chevy in place of the F*rd lump and I’m hoping that Mick will warm to nitrous too in place of those silly hairdryers, Steve won't recognise the old girl when he gets out.
Seriously Steve, get well and come out fighting, we'll be waiting...
Cj’
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‘All the best mate
Steve Pateman, Claudette, Snannon and Big Tom’
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‘Get well soon Splinter, all thinking of you, see you soon
From Siobhan xx’
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‘Get well soon mate, & take it easy
Wilf and Dianne Stacey’
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‘Best wishes for a speedy recovery
Mark Todd, Natalie, Nathan and Jacob’
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Ann-Marie and Bradley wish Steve a speedy recovery. (Come on Steve your not getting out of SE work that easy!)
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‘All the best to Splinter and Elona, get well soon geezer
Dave and Helen’ (Hardcore Street)
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‘Wishing you a speedy recovery
Richard and Claire x’ (Team 56)
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‘Get well soon Splinter, we need all the Fords we can get in Street Eliminator
Steve Kellett’
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‘Come on Splinter, Barry George it half spreading rumors that you'll do anything to get out of doing his garage!
No really get well soon matey.
Mickthefish’
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‘All the best Splinter
Martin Taylor’
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‘Come on Splinter get well soon. We are all thinking of you. Mind you, the way you were running about between teams at the Thunderball this year Jacquie was calling you Sprinter! Seriously look after yourself and lets race at the Euros? Love to Elona and Mick as well.
Brian & Jacquie Lazenby at Team 56’
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‘Team Topspeed’ hope that Splinter has a really speedy recovery, we look forward to seeing him at the track as soon as possible.
All the best,
Bill, Vinnie & Scott at Topspeed’
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‘Sorry to hear the news mate, Chin up and hope you have a speedy recovery. Looking forward to seeing the Cougar out again in SE.
Paul Houston’
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‘Hi Mate
You get yourself better real soon and don’t spend to much time taking it easy.
I will need all the advice you can give me when we eventually get the Vette back running.
Us old farts only have short memories and its been so long since we were last out it will be like starting all over again.
Best wishes and hope your back to good health very quick.
Ray & Bob Tucker
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‘Get well soon Mr Splinter....and haste ye back.
Gerry and Dina Treit
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‘Get well soon mate; in the meantime how about heads up wheelchair racing down the ward?
Regards
Ray & Denise Comer’
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24th May 2010
We (Topspeed) were invited by McLaren to put a few cars together for their first employee’s only car show on Saturday.
As I have got the engine out of my 69 Camaro at present I had to act quickly and get my thinking cap on.
So at about 8am on sat morning we had so much street legal horse power outside, I thought the shop windows were going to implode !
After tea and doughnuts we left the shop and cruised on up to McLarens in Woking where We were met at the gate by Clive the show organiser and led in by a black SLR, awesome! What a great show with a huge variety of cars and a look inside the McLaren show room.
We all had a great day and I would like to thank Clive McGibbon & Mike Jones for inviting us and also to Barry George, Marc Lamude, Mark Sheridan, Paul Carson and Splinter for bringing their cars.
Check out our Topspeed Facebook link for more pictures
Kind regards,
Bill Macdermid
Topspeed Automotive
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6th May 2010
Ron Haslett of the Insane Creations team’’s report of the Springspeed Nationals -
‘Firstly I'd like to welcome back to the team after a long stay of absence, Steve Kenny and his wife Emma, and also Jim.
After a really good showing from the new set up at The Big Bang I decided to turn up the nitrous and play with a few settings.
On a very tricky track we ran 9.7 seconds @ 151 mph off the trailer, but blew the tyres away. So I turned down the nitrous on the Max Extreme.
Softer launch and longer duration - 9.5 @ 151. Run 3 no nitrous off the line and a 3 second build time. 9.2 @ 151, I did notice that I was almost on the limiter when I crossed the line.
Sunday I decided to leave the delay off the line but bring the nitrous in faster. OOOPS as you can see from the pick that was not what we wanted.
I think that the damage was done at Easter. With the tyres breaking free I short shifted into second at the same time as the nitrous kicked in. As they say the rest is history. but I had my best ever reaction 0.009.
At the moment I'm looking at my options but I think that I'm looking at a bespoke Transmission such is the torque that were getting from the nitrous.
Ron’
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4th May 2010
Ian Hook of FB Racing’s report of Big Bang -
The Big Bang was another challenging but ultimately rewarding event for the FB Racing team. Suspension issues continue to plague us but at least the monster wheelie from the ’34 on Saturday provided some excitement (and this time I was on the correct two wheels for a drag car!).
But we saw our provisional pole reduced to second by Steve Pateman, then third after a superb 8.66 from rookie Brian Payne.
Most cars were performing to a similar level so there were to be no easy races. The first round of eliminations saw the ’34 frying the tyres and we were fortunate to get by Alex McIntosh when his Mustang went into spectacular wheelie overload, front end damage finally forcing him to back off. Happily we hear that the damage is minor and that Alex will be back out for round 3.
Despite having Ford and the colour black in common there cannot be two more different cars than our hot rod and the sleek Mustang of Brian Payne but they made a handsome pair as we squared up for the semi final. And again I thought we were going home as my initial holeshot disappeared in tyre smoke. But fortune smiled on us again as the Mustang then dished out the same treatment to Brian allowing me to pass him in the back half.
In the final I faced Steve Pateman. I first raced in Street Eliminator back in 1996 and, since then, I have never beaten Steve in eliminations. We both had problems – Steve was misfiring (a lot!) in the back half whilst I simply couldn’t find any grip away from the line. The race didn’t start well for us with Steve getting the drop on me by 2/100ths (how dare he!) and then start to pull away. The tyres found some grip and I was able to hang on to the tail of the Calibra. But then Steve’s misfire returned (just as the ‘34’s nitrous system hit max) and I passed him at about 900 feet to take the win with an 8.60 @ 169mph – our quickest and fastest pass of the day. As a well-known drag racing correspondent said to me “it might not have been pretty but a win’s a win”. And I couldn’t have been more pleased – beating Steve and equalling our most event wins in a season after just two meetings (yep, we’ve only ever won twice in SE in any single year).
However, myself and the FBs are aware that we still face an uphill task to get the ’34 performing again. With racers all around us stepping up their game we are desperate to find our seven second form again (if you’ve seen it anywhere please let us know!). Hopefully we will make progress at round 3 this coming weekend. Don’t miss it!’
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28th April 2010
Exciting news of another team soon to be joining the Topspeed Automotive Street Eliminator -
‘Hi all, my name is Gerry Treit – most will know my face from hanging about the SE camps for the last few years asking all the awkward questions, gawping at the cars, and as if that wasn’t enough – following the various SE teams out across the pond to the last two World Series events.
Well anyway – my dream from becoming keen spectator to pedal thrasher is finally…..finally coming to fruition, albeit slow as you self builders out there will know. I do hope to be tearing down the strip at some point this year, just don’t ask me when, as my date projections are always wrong.
Tartan Dragin’ Racing is the team, and you can check out the up-dates on Facebook if you search on the name.
The car is a ‘40 Willys Coupe, and the motor a 605 Indy headed World (Mopar based) block on gas. Although the car is glass, it has an original Willys frame out of Doc Claydon’s famous car, though now with full CDS funny car cage added to it.
So, now just got wiring to complete, and a few other bits n pieces…….that word –‘just’, so easy said isn’t it!!
Coming to a race track near you – soon…..ish.’
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26th April 2010
Ron Haslett of the Insane Creations team’s reflections of their Big Bang weekend -
‘I decided to make the most of the track time we had at the big bang. We arrived at 3am Friday morning and got our heads down outside the main gates. (Which muppet left there alarm set for 6) We were in setup and ready to play by 11. We had the company of team member, good friend and neighbour Russ Walker running his VW scirroco in VW sportsman.
First pass a gentle 11.0 no gas but a complete gearbox.
Turned the gas on as this was a rwyb track I turned everything down but as the nitrous was coming up to full power (300 jets) we lost all power so I shut everything off and cruised back. Next run same again. But this time I watched the max and it was shutting the system down due to only getting 6 volts. (Safety feature)
Checked everything only found a loose batt term on the alternator.( fitted a new one)still the same.
So I bypassed the extreme and blew a fuse. Now we’re getting somewhere. fuse changed and a new relay fitted off we go. But after speaking to Trev we turned down to 80% It worked. Next step a full pass. 20% on the hit with 3.5 build time both wheels off the ground but as it came down it unloaded the rear wheels big tyre shake(3 chipped teeth)a couple of big peddles 9.7 @ 149 well happy. Backed up with 9.66 @ 146 now we have another problem how to stop the rear unloading. We'd now run out of time we drew Steve Pateman. When I got into stage a bit to deep and activated the trans break the car rocked and broke the beams. (ARSE) but still ran a 9.8 @ 146.
The car never missed a beat all weekend
I hope my passenger on the cruise Mark Skinner enjoyed himself, going by all the picks I think he did.
Now for you number crunchers out there.
Car weighs 3285lb
We ran 149 mph
We used 1020 bhp @ 963 lb TQ to do it
We crossed the line @ 5565 RPM
That’s a gain of 250bhp with 1 second delay and a build time of 3 seconds.
Pistons were travelling at 4173 feet/min’
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20th April 2010
Easter Thunderball 2010 Race Report -
Round one of the 2010 Topspeed Automotive Street Eliminator championship saw a superb turnout of no less than 16 entries including 3 new cars and four new drivers braving the wind, rain and bitter cold that marked this year’s Thunderball.
Due to weather and on-track incidents qualifying was limited to three sessions. Top was multi-championship winning Steve Pateman on 7.97 followed by Jeff Meads with a close to PB, 8.33. Third was 2009 champion Colin Lazenby followed by Jon “Moose” Hollingworth and Ian Hook in fifth. Hook had been plagued with handling problems, the ’34 being up on two wheels more than once (the wrong two wheels). Unfortunately rookie Kaz Aston hadn’t been able to breach the 13.50 cut-off in her turbocharged F150 whilst fellow newbie Richard Billings, campaigning the newly-acquired ex-Jackson twin-turbo Vette, had tapped the wall in the final session and was also out (although he had qualified). Kaz is using her racing exploits to raise awareness of Multiple Sclerosis – take a look at her website www.kazaston.com
The cruise saw the elimination of the third newbie, Brian Payne. Payne’s 2000 Ford Mustang is a thing of beauty. Its twin-turbo small block Ford power coupled with light weight and very slippery aerodynamics promise great things to come but the heat generated on the road test led to a vapour lock sidelining this beautiful car for this round. There were no other cruise victims so 13 cars would battle it out in eliminations.
Monday morning’s first round saw Pateman, Meads and Lazenby on byes. The hot rods of Dave Murdoch and the remaining rookie, Andy Hadfield, provided a close race, the blown SBC in Hadfields Fad T producing a 9.04 winning time. It was Cortina vs Cortina as Jon Hollingworth (9.04) took out the freshly painted Ford of Ron Haslett who ran a trans-busting 11.09. Classic Chevy vs Ford action followed as Alex McIntosh (Mustang) produced a PB 8.83 to overcome the holeshot strapped on him by Ray Comer (Camaro). The battle of the Pontiacs was won by Paul Houston putting Mark Todd back on the trailer to Manchester. The final pair was Ian Hook and title-sponsor Topspeed Automotive proprietor Bill MacDermid, Hook taking the win with a very loose 8.54.
Round two provided a couple of upsets as both number 1 and 2 qualifiers were knocked out. Meads lazy .3 light allowed McIntosh to get a holeshot of his own and win with a 9.24 over Meads’ 9.16 – a very close race. Number one qualifier Pateman suffered a nitrous “burp” off the line putting Hadfield through to the semis at his first meeting! Lazenby and Hook progressed at the cost of Houston and Hollingworth respectively.
In the semis Hook faced Hadfield and both hot rods lit up the tyres on the start, Hook winning the pedal fest to progress to the final. McIntosh, who’d won the 2009 Finals, met reigning champ Lazenby. McIntosh’s Mustang had traction issues as it gripped and spun its way down the track alternately hiking the nose then spinning the tyres. Lazenby had got out first and took the win with an 8.65 (and 176 mph!) from the big Chevy.
It was 7:30 by the time Hook and Lazenby faced off for the final. With tyres warmed and nitrous purged the black Ford and two-tone Chevy pulled into stage. Lazenby was first to move but went too soon leaving a cherry on the tree whilst Hook pulled an .03 light then ran straight and true to record an 8.26, his quickest ET of the weekend, to take the win in style.
Video review of round 1 coming soon....
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12th April 2010
A familiar car and driver to many, but new to the ranks of the Topspeed Automotive Street Eliminator is Andy Hadfield and his ever entertaining Twister. First outing with the class was at the hugely popular Easter Thunderball at Santa Pod Raceway. With the biggest field of cars in recent Street Eliminator memory, and banks packed with spectators, here’s how he got on....
‘Coming from plenty of RWYB experience still left me with some worries about the "Street Eliminator" series. Lots of people had told me how difficult it is to get past scrutineering and being cannon fodder in the first round is to be expected.
How wrong they were !! Having spent lots of time reading the rule books and chatting with other SE members, gaining lots of useful advice, I rolled "Twister" into the scrutineering bay at Santa Pod on the Friday morning for the Easter Thunderball. 5 minutes of a good look over by the scrutineer and we were ready to begin our observed runs !!
With grandstands full and the opposite bank awash with spectators, we did our burn out and 1/8th mile run, a fairly uneventful affair aside from making the Chief Starter jump out of the way with our traditional rolling sideways burnout.
The next run was a observed full run but counted as a qualifier so we couldn't daudle...result? A 9.6 @ 145. Not too bad for us with no nitrous.
With inclement weather followed by blasts of blue sky, we continued with qualifying and improved to a 9.2 ET pitching us in the middle of the 16 car field...exactly where we had hoped to be.
The cruise followed on the Sunday evening and the honour of being allowed to drive up the track to the cheers of spectators was incredible. A gentle trundle to the petrol station saw me try to fill the T up on diesel......muppet !! Back to the local Tesco car park and hot start the cars before a nice meander back to the pits for some well earned Beer and Barbeque.
Monday promised good conditions with the track being "gripped" at 7.00am. With plenty of action on the track from Top Fuellers, Funny Cars, Rocket Bikes and Jet Cars, track time was limited, as it had been all weekend but we still were able to get out for all our rounds without it getting too late.
First round for me against Davie Murdoch in his awesome Willys was no easy thing with Davie chasing all the way up the track following an unexpectedly good reaction time from me...more usual for me to be caught napping.
Second round and the prospect of racing the great Mr Pateman in his 5 times SE winning Calibra had more than butterflies in my stomach. A good launch and wheelie saw us powering up the track and I fully expected Steve to come walzing by at any moment but mechanical issues for Steve meant we were into the Semi Finals !!
Good fortune ended with a thorough pasting by Ian Hook in the beautiful black 34 although both of us had a bad launch, Ian romped home with more than 1 seconds advantage.
A truly eye opening experience and having such a great time and making new friends into the bargain means we shall be competing with SE at the Summer Nationals in June. I would be there for all the meetings but family holidays interrupt my new found addiction.
Thanks again to all the SE competitors for the very warm welcome and for anyone out there giving really competitive racing some thought ? Do it....you definitely won't regret it.
Andy’.
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10th April 2010
After an winter of work on the car, Ron Haslett had a ‘character building’ Easter Thunderball -
‘What a weekend for me and the other Insane boys. we started the weekend on a high with the reception the car got, soon to be overshadowed by the obvious damage that the gearbox had suffered.
After pulling the box from the car we found that the high gear clutch drum (second gear) was eating the pump. The prop was now too long. So a quick trip back to the workshop (over 300 mile round trip), and some 8 hours, the gear box was back in the car.
With no time to test we were out on another qualifier and ran a 10.8 second without nitrous and a very soft launch, And a complete gearbox. The cruise went without a hitch.
Eliminations. We were up against the Cortina of Moose. I put a bit more nitrous in the car than we had previously run and took a little more timing out which resulted in a cough on the line giving the win to Moose.
When I restarted the car, Ian on the start line said to go I got to about 60ft then activated the nitrous and ended with a speed of 148mph. But all was not good as something let go in the transmission and the motor lost fire so I coasted to stop by the fire marshal.
After checking it tonight we found the coil wire off and the oil cooler line broken where it bolts to the block. Thank god for that.
Ron.’
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10th April 2010
With some of the wildest launches we have ever seen from the ‘34, Ian Hook’s FB Racing Team certainly caught the attention of the huge Easter Thunderball crowd -
‘Our start to the 2010 Topspeed Automotive Street Eliminator championship was a real challenge but ended on a super high for FB Racing.
After the usual thrash that I think many drag racers go through before the season starts, a last minute MoT and the loss of an alternator belt on our way to the track I thought we’d had our quota of drama for The Thunderball. But the ’34 had other plans!
Friday saw us pulling the Powerglide transmission so that we could cure an oil leak and fit our newly-arrived flexplate. Thanks are due to Andy Frost for his invaluable advice over the phone.
Our first pass was a relatively undramatic no-gas 8.98. Although this was off last year’s pace we were not overly concerned as the low temperature, damp air and lack of recent use meant that the track was challenging to say the least. The tyres could be heard squealing past the 1/8. We were pleased to be in provisional second place.
We put the gas on for quali 2 and the ‘34 was wheels up off the line but pulled to the right. As the front came down the car suddenly turned left. I managed to correct it and wrestle it down the track but not until I’d had it alternately on its two left wheels and then the two rights. Quite a wild ride!
Before session 3 we found what we thought was the problem and corrected it but on track the car behaved in much the same way. Back in the pit Jeff Meads told me the ’34 looked “scary”. If Jeff tells you your car is scary you know it’s REALLY scary!! We came up with a second theory as to the problem and the anti-roll bar we’d hooked up over the winter was removed. Unfortunately we had run out of qualifiers and our failure to improve on the 8.98 had now dropped us to fifth.
In round one of eliminations on Monday morning we faced Bill MacDermid, co-proprietor of class sponsors Topspeed Automotive, in the first round. The ’34 pulled to the right off the start line but at least went straight (well, more or less straight) after that. An 8.54, our best of the weekend, plus an .05 light saw us progress at Bill’s cost.
Round two wasn’t held until some five hours later. I’d staved the boredom off enough to clock another zero light but the ’34 still wasn’t handling well and I fought it to an 8.69 ET. Fortunately for us our opponent, Jon “Moose” Holingworth, had issues of his own in the twin-turbo Cortina and a second gear launch left him trailing with an off-pace 10.44.
It was after this pass that Jon Webster suggested there was something broken or loose on our car so back in the pit it went up in the air again and Martin took a long hard look at the back end. Initially he could find nothing amiss until he put his hand on the LH rear spring platform. Despite the fact that the lock ring appeared properly snugged up the platform could be turned by hand. It had obviously been de-adjusting itself since last week! Without time to properly re-baseline the settings we quickly put the spring height to where we thought it should be and made our way down for the semi-final where we would be up against rookie Andy Hadfield in his wild and wacky Fad T. After another .05 light there was at least some variety with the launch as I immediately lit up the rear tyres. Andy had done the same but I won the battle of the “pedals” and took the win 9.0 to 10.2. And a real bonus for us was that despite spinning the wheels the car had gone straight for the first time that weekend. Martin was confident that some minor tweaking would get the car back into the correct launch mode!
We were into the final and faced the huge power of 2009 SE Champion Colin Lazenby’s 800+ inch ’56 Ch*vy. We debated putting some of the power we’d taken out back in but by now it was 7:30 in the evening and track conditions were only getting worse. Martin made his suspension adjustments, we were called, then followed the big Ch*vy down to the start line. I pulled my best light of the day, an .03 and the ’34 launched hard AND in a straight line!
As I raced up the strip I kept looking over my right shoulder, expecting the’56 to overtake with its massive top end charge. But it didn’t happen and I crossed the line to take our first event win since 2006. We’d saved the best ‘til last with an 8.26 ET but what I hadn’t realised was that I’d won on the start as Colin had left early.
So we went home as very happy bunnies. Not only did we have the event win but we’d finished with a straight and fast pass that bodes well for the rest of the season. My crew did a fantastic job both before and during the event - I’d be nothing without them. A big thanks too for our sponsors – The FB Associates, Serck Services Motorsport, hotrodtees, RS Autos, Power Pour, Messier-Dowty, The Everest Balti Restaurant and A&E Fire Equipment. We will have news soon on another sponsor joining us for the rest of the 2010 season.
Additionally I have to mention the track crew who always give of their best. Last weekend must have been particularly tough dealing as they did with cold, wind, rain and plenty of incidents. The instant information supplied by Eurodragster was superb and a well done to all the other SE drivers who provided an impressive turn out with a record first meeting entry of 16 cars. Finally, a big thank you to Steve “Splinter” Nash who did a great job in organising the class (both trackside and on the cruise) and provided some excellent colour commentary. See you all at the Big Bang.
Ian.’
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19th March 2010
‘Big’ Ron Haslett had a dream end to 2009’s racing, he has been in touch with his plans for 2010.
‘Who says the winter is easy....?
After what has to be said one of my best ever weekends at the Euro Finals 2009.
Doing 8 passes and getting 8 PB’s. Ending with 9.08 seconds and 157 mph. We couldn’t have asked for more (well 3” shorter track maybe).
The problem that we did have was traction off the line and all the way down. This was due to the 4 link being incorrectly installed at the time of the car build. OOPS………….. It was picked up in 2006 When Andy Robinson did a baseline check for me.
After Taking advice from Andy and Mark Norton I embarked on the crazy idea of re-doing the 4 link and at the same time changing my chassis spec from 8.5 to 7.5. Whilst doing this minor task I also decided to change the colour after a bit of damage was done to the rear quarter. As the car has been completely stripped of every nut and bolt I took this opportunity to rewire the car.
I know this doesn’t sound like much but I’ve also been working 7 nights a week so it has meant that nearly all the work has had to be done by me as the lads that crew for me are working normal hours and getting on with their own projects.
It’s funny when you look back whilst having a hotrod moment (drinking tea and looking at the car in the sun). I was talking to Nick and Graham (crew) about the latest version of the estate and remembered that originally I only wanted to build the car to 10 second spec but decided to go for the 8.5 spec “JUST IN CASE.”
So here we are up to date
2010 and what does it mean for team Insane Creations
We are going to run the whole season and dare I say it. We are hoping to get into the 8’s and hopefully be competitive. We are also planning some upgrades throughout the season but I will bring you more on that as and if it happens.
I’d like to take this opportunity to thank my sponsors and crew’.
Muscle Fury www.musclefury.com
Express Gearboxes www.expressgearbox.co.uk
Wizard Of Nos www.noswizard.com
Macmillan Cancer Support www.macmillan.org.uk
VRC www.vehiclerepaircentre.kneeslider.net
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8th February 2010
Ian Hook’s FB Racing Team are very pleased to have added Serck Services Motorsport to the companies and individuals supporting the teams seven-second street legal 1934 Ford in their 2010 Topspeed Automotive Street Eliminator campaign.
Graham Smith, manager, had this to say “Serck Services Motorsport are delighted to announce that we will be sponsoring the Street Eliminator team of FB Racing! We will be backing the FB Racing 34 coupe during 2010, a car that already runs one of our fully custom-built aluminium lightweight radiators on both track and road. This car provides a tremendous test for our products and services as the Street Eliminator class maximises performance at every level with its continued development.
We have been providing equipment to the drag racing industry for over ten years and are looking forward to supporting Ian Hook and the team throughout 2010. Their 34 Ford Coupe has produced some astonishing quarter mile statistics down not to mention this is a fully street legal car. We wish Ian and his fantastic team every success for the season ahead”
Ian stated “I am really pleased that Serck Service Motorsport have given us their backing for 2010. Our Street Eliminator ’34 has relied on Serck products to cool both the engine and transmission for the past 8 years and they have never let us down. The radiator in particular is superb, it is very efficient meaning it can remain relatively small which both reduces weight and allows us to squeeze it into the narrow confines at the front of our engine bay. Furthermore the continuous development we do on the car has called for a few mods and redesigns over the years and the company have always been keen to help, providing an excellent after sales service.”
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Although most well know for their custom built radiators (available in both aluminium and brass) Serck Services Motorsport are custom fabricators who can supply intercoolers, oil coolers, fuel and header tanks as well as all the hardware and plumbing needed for installation for both cars motorcycles. They also supply a range of electric fans, air tools, braided brake hosing and much, much more. Check out their website for full details.
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31st January 2010
** NEW TITLE SPONSOR ANNOUNCED FOR 2010 **
Topspeed Automotive Ltd are delighted to be main sponsors of the 2010 Street Eliminator Series.
Trading for over 40 years, and managed by an experienced team of professionals, TOPSPEED is Surrey's premier retailer of Motoring Accessories and Performance Parts. As well as parts and accessories for the traditional family saloon, we specialise in performance parts and accessories for American V8 and Classic machines in our 1200sq ft retail outlet.
We are just minutes from the M25, so if you prefer to do you purchasing in person, please call in and discuss your needs with one of the team... there's usually a pot of coffee on the go !
We are agents for and deal with companies such as Wynns, Millers Oils, K&N, Kenlowe, NGK Plugs, Silicone Hoses, Draper, TCI, Felpro, Aeromotive, Taylors, Autoglym, Smart Wax, Meguiars, Mr Gasket, Power Pour, Fram Filters, Holley pumps, some MSD, Autometer, dress up kits, line-locks, trans coolers, Lucas Oils and unbeatable Yuasa car batteries to name but a few of our 200 plus suppliers we deal with. We also have a large stock of Jada muscle and VW car models and service parts for your everyday car.
The latest CTEK Smart Battery Chargers are now in stock at great prices. These are the only chargers which will fully charge Optima Batteries, and were actually designed for that task! With Pit and Paddock equipment and weekend racing consumables in stock, we're well placed to provide a complete service for race teams in the coming seasons, even bringing pre-orders to the track.
We are main agents for Valvoline Oil and to celebrate the launch of our new web site at www.topspeedparts.co.uk we can offer any drag racer fantastic deals on Valvoline Racing VR 1 20/50, from one litre of oil up to a 205-litre drum and we can deliver the drums carriage-free anywhere in mainland UK. Please call the shop on 01932 341700 / 344453 or visit us at 17-19 The Broadway, New Haw, Surrey. KT15 3EU
Bill, Scott and crew chief Vinnie are really excited about the 2010 season, good luck to all racers and see you all at the track.
Regards,
Bill
Topspeed Automotive
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15th January 2010
Dear 2009 Member
This is the first class news item of 2010 and more of a general, polite, reminder.
Your MSA licence renewal IS now due however and you might as well get onto this as soon as you can. MSA membership runs Jan 1st through December 31st in any case, so it serves no real purpose putting this off for much longer and then panicking about it much nearer the time. The address is www.msauk.org
Better also check your renewal dates for membership to APIRA www.shakespearecountyraceway.com or SPRC, www.eurodragster.com that’s either or, not both...
And finally while the current issue of Retro Cars Magazine (out today) features the Team ‘56’ 210 Sedan, this is a 9 page feature with ample references to the SE class and great quality images of all the other SE cars, courtesy of new best friend Mat Woods, and it’s well worth a read (on these long dark nights). Retro Car Magazine should be available at branches of Martin (formally RS) McColl’s, WH Smith and all well stock petrol stations. The link is www.retrocarsmag.com
Racers needing tech information, SFI dating or tech inspections will need to speak with MSA scrutineers, Geoff Martin or Glenn Stockton.
Oh, and the Easter Thunderball www.santapod.co.uk/e_easter.php takes place on the 2nd to 5th of April – that’s right, exactly 11 weeks tomorrow. Terrifying isn’t it?!
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