NITRO
DRAG RACING RETURNS TO SANTA POD
NEXT WEEKEND
The
crackle and bark of blown fuel drag racing ricochets once more around Santa Pod
Raceway next weekend (11-13 September). Fans starved of nitro’s sensory
spectator experience will have their patience rewarded as Top Fuel Dragsters
and Funny Cars return to action for the first time in a year.

Susanne Callin – Top Fuel Dragster – 2019.
The
weekend was scheduled to host the European Finals, the biggest drag race on the
calendar, when racers would pour in from across the continent to decide the
season’s FIA/FIM European championships. Covid-19 put an end to that, forcing
the cancellation of all national and international competitions and series.
In its
place, Santa Pod unveils NOT The European Finals presented by STP, a
socially-distanced version of the big race in miniature – yet not so miniature:
the current entry list stands at a respectable 181 cars and motorcycles, with
entrants from no fewer than six continental countries (down from the usual 16
or 17) praying that quarantine regulations will work in their favour.
Making
the big noise at the head of the programme are a pair of nitro-burning Top Fuel
Dragsters, three nitro Funny Cars and a trio of historic-style Nostalgia
Funnies. It will be exactly a year since fuel cars last pounded the Santa Pod
track. Starring in match-race action, the weekend’s Top Fuel stars are Susanne
Callin, representing the UK, and Finland’s Antti Horto. Callin, who holds the
unique distinction of world’s first 300mph teenager, returned to the track last
year after a 14-year family-life break. Like her, Horto cut his racing teeth in
the Junior Dragster class and makes his first Santa Pod appearance since
finishing second in 2018’s European Top Fuel championship.
Kevin Chapman – Fuel Funny Car – 2019.
Friday’s
traditional evening twilight session, which sees fuel cars visually and audibly
at their most spectacular, will feature a novel match-race pitting the
Nostalgia Funny Cars against their modern-day counterparts, an old-versus-new
contest with David-and-Goliath overtones.
The
supporting programme includes a full range of Sportsman classes on two and four
wheels, including Top Fuel Bikes, plus exhibition Jet Cars, a Monster Truck and
stunt driving and riding displays. For a few quiet – but no less quick –
seconds, Denmark’s Hans-Henrick Thomsen will attempt a quarter-mile world
record on an electric drag bike.
Santa
Pod began hosting behind-closed-doors events in early July, and ventured into
“covid-compliant venue” territory with paying spectators admitted from the end
of that month, all under the strictest local authority scrutiny. Immense
efforts have been made to ensure that social-distancing, hygiene and safety
measures are maintained, with the local authority reviewing risk assessments in
detail every week.
Accordingly,
spectator numbers are limited and all tickets must be booked in advance, online
at santapodtickets.com or by telephone at 01234 782828. There will be no ticket
sales on the gate. As usual, under-16s are admitted free (up to three per
paying adult) and socially-distanced overnight camping is also free.
NOT The
European Finals takes place at Santa Pod Raceway, near Wellingborough (NN29
7XA) from Friday 11th to Sunday 13th September. Full event information is
available online at santapod.co.uk/nottheeurofinals.php. Sunday’s fuel car runs
will finish by 4pm, allowing families to head home in time for a school start
next day.
Fingers
in ears, please, and hold on to your hats. It’s getting fast, furious and loud
again at Santa Pod.
[
Pictures: Scott Gay / Santa Pod ]
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