Easter Thunderball 11-13 April 2009

 

What can I say rain again!

We had a good week before and set up in the dry but the had to wait till Sunday to start qualifying.

First pass mid afternoon and only a half pass a bit loose but ran a 8.43. Second pass and getting dark again lose but a better time 7.73 and after we ran they said we were only one degree above the dew point so I was lucky that me screen didn’t mist over.

Monday 

First round of elimination and I get a very on the ball Derick Flynn

who in his A Fuel car is flying. Needless to say I lost but improved with a 7.38

Main Event 23-25 May 2009

 

Fine and sunny and boy do I mean sunny, we cooked for six whole days.

Lets pickup where we left off at Easter. First pass Saturday morning

a 7.30 followed by a 7.20 in the afternoon but car still seems loose at mid track. Sunday still improving a 6.53 in the morning and a

6.28 in the afternoon, qualified number 7 so have got Danny Bellio first round.

Eliminations  - Danny left first and hard but then had problems so we took first round with a 6.31 at 208 mph. Next round my old adversary Leif Andreasson and unless he pulled a cherry which this time he didn’t, I was on the trailer. But the run was brilliant albeit I was very late on the lights (must work on that) we did a 6.27 at 233.99 which is back up to within 5 mph of my personal best 238 mph 

 2009

 2008

A very short years review

Easter Thunderball (Snowball)

Wind, cold, snow and more snow, its not often we admit defeat but we had to then, we attempted to put the awning up but it ripped in the wind, every one was cold so we gave up and went home. Trying to keep our crew warm and happy would have been  a nightmare and not good for moral.

 

Main Event

Rain Rain and more Rain.

One half pass on Sunday and that was it.

 

Euro Finals

A one shot qualifier Monday morning, Leif Andreasson first round two half passes in total and no data gained.

 

National Finals

Two qualifiers Saturday and even though we are a mixture of Funny Cars and Dragsters they seem to like Danny and I racing together. First pass 8.01 and the second a 7.52.

Weather still holding up and another qualifier Sunday morning this time a 7.66.

First round Derick Flynn in his new car and a stunning 5.56 to him and a 6.89 to me.

Although this was a two day meet we felt we had learned a lot, but I would have been nicer if this had been the first meeting of the year and not the last.

Anyway see you all in 2009 happy winter shopping.

 

Northbrook College Shoreham 11 June 2009

 

We were again invited back to the college but this year to

speak to the student in the afternoon and the IMI in the evening. Both sessions were well subscribed and an enjoyable time was had by all. This year we felt that people we more informed and asked more questions.

We also had the fortune to meet Tim Howes from NGK Spark plugs more news to follow.

July 2009

Following our meeting with Tim Howes of NGK we are please to announce sponsorship from them for the remaining  two meetings this year both in the form of

NGK Spark plugs and crew apparel.

  News Updates

  01892 661245

Euro Finals

Weather brilliant just like the Main Event

First pass a checkout 7.51 followed by a 6.48 at just over 200 mph a good first days qualifying. Saturday dawned fine and sunny again, paired against Ulf both times today a 6.31 first pass and 6.38 on second with 225 and 231 mph respectively.

Sunday and into eliminations, I was drawn against Leif Andreasson who had broke so I had a bye first round lucky me!  Changed my start line procedure but still pull out a 6.27 at 233.77, then had Dan Larson in the semi’s. I didn’t get the revs right this time so only ran 7.69 to his 6.01. His crew had been helping us over the weekend, thanks to them.

Roll on The Nationals to see what we can do there. 

National Finals

A quick turn around for this meeting with only one weekend at home since the Euros, Many thanks to Dave Wilson who came down to the help with the Fuel system and clutch setup.

Two day meeting so all passes important? First pass a bubbly and very slow 9.68, Second pass disaster the car stopped after the burnout. On investigation back in the pits we found the newly mended Mag had packed up again so we had to borrow one from Andy Robinson (many thanks to him) but didn’t make the third qualifier.

So Sunday morning run was important and we pulled off a stunning 6.13 at 232 which shocked and stunned us.   

First round and we had Derick Flynn again and the gremlins came back, stopped after the burn out, this time we think fuel but will have to check this out over the winter.

See you all next year.

 

Easter Thunderball  2 - 5 April 2010

After a very cold winter we did not know what to expect weather wise the lead up to the meeting was warm and sunny, but as you all know Santa Pod has its own climate.

First qualifier Saturday a leisurely jaunt of 8.06, but then I had first passes especially after a long layoff. Second pass go for it hit hard and STOP massive misfire tow of track Sorry for delay.

Back in the pit that night Dave decided we need to get to the bottom of the misfire that has plague us before, so he prune all extras off car and see what happens next run. Sunday first pass hit the throttle and misfire again this time I limped of under my own steam, back to the pits and the misfire then start happening as we warm up, change all electrical parts Mag, coil and box. Thanks to everyone who offered and lent parts

Still no luck actually getting worst. Call out for last qualifier and last resort kill switch solenoid Bingo!! That must have been the problem all the time.

Make hast to pairing lanes, you’re first pair, sorry to the guy who crashed but thanks for the breathing space now go for it.

And I/we did 6.14 and I lifted at 1000 ft as the clutch didn’t get hold of the engine and all I could see was shift lights—nearly a best ever.

Into eliminations and I have Esko first round and he had run 5.50 in qualifying.

He left on me but I didn’t see him all the way down so we must have been close, but not as close as the wall so again I lifted at about 1000ft and he had the win but not but much 6.02 to 6.09.

Did I just say 6.09 a new PB and the whole team is thrilled, and a new PB for the 1/8th 195.37 mph. Not bad for the first meeting and a cold track.

See you at the Main Event 

2010