Santa Pod events
Discussion
I'm always surprised how little interest there is in the PH community for drag racing. I enjoy most forms of live motorsport and this year have already enjoyed racing (modern and historic ), speed hillclimbs and also drag racing at my local strip, Melbourne .
This weekend sees the Nationals at the Pod with a huge entry ranging from thunderous Pro Mod , insane Outlaw Anglias , implausibly fast Super Pro ET and plenty of bikes up to Top Fuel .And the following weekend is the wonderful Dragstalgia .
Drag racing is devoid of the self importance and corporate b
ks which infects a lot of racing , it's access all areas , it's jaw droppingly loud and stupidly fast .I'll be making my annual 350 mile round trip on Saturday - and if you live in sensible range give it a go if you've never experienced it .
This weekend sees the Nationals at the Pod with a huge entry ranging from thunderous Pro Mod , insane Outlaw Anglias , implausibly fast Super Pro ET and plenty of bikes up to Top Fuel .And the following weekend is the wonderful Dragstalgia .
Drag racing is devoid of the self importance and corporate b
ks which infects a lot of racing , it's access all areas , it's jaw droppingly loud and stupidly fast .I'll be making my annual 350 mile round trip on Saturday - and if you live in sensible range give it a go if you've never experienced it . One 1/4 mile strip in the whole UK now.
Virtually no UK terestrial coverage for the last 40 yrs. It used to be on World of Sport regularly on Saturday in the 70's.
The sport has been in decline for years.
There are issues with the way it is run regarding prize money also, unlike the USA.
When it rains it stops. Just think since September last year it has rained most weeks. The worst I have ever known.
I have tried over the years to convince people how good it is esp when TF cars are there but they see F1 as the thing (brain dead sheep).
Virtually no UK terestrial coverage for the last 40 yrs. It used to be on World of Sport regularly on Saturday in the 70's.
The sport has been in decline for years.
There are issues with the way it is run regarding prize money also, unlike the USA.
When it rains it stops. Just think since September last year it has rained most weeks. The worst I have ever known.
I have tried over the years to convince people how good it is esp when TF cars are there but they see F1 as the thing (brain dead sheep).
It was still bloody great on Saturday ,with some mighty cars. Much as l love the sound of an angry big block, the astonishing speed of the Fraudster Escort and Fiestaroo (170+ mph ) was amazing .
It's a mystery to me why cars and coffee events attract thousands - blokes stand in field showing off their thrunge sprockets then drive like idiots at the exit- while drag racing's extraordinary spectacle is enjoyed by a select few .
It's a mystery to me why cars and coffee events attract thousands - blokes stand in field showing off their thrunge sprockets then drive like idiots at the exit- while drag racing's extraordinary spectacle is enjoyed by a select few .
We used to go to Santa Pod in the 70's, the meetings in September (The World Finals they called it) were excellent.
Sammy Millers Rocket car and American Top Fuel Funny cars side by side including world champion Ray Beadle and Gene Snow.
When was the last time any American Funny car ran at Santa Pod?
Sammy Miller used to do half a dozen passes a weekend sometimes 3 second quarters at 350mph plus. 40 yrs ago.
The toilets were a hole in the ground surrounded by a metal fence though. A small price to pay to see Sammy Miller in Vanishing Point and the Funny cars from USA.
I could just go up and speak to Sammy Miller, the quickest and fastest man on the planet over a quarter mile. Try talking to any F1 driver at any F1 meeting.
All thanks to the Phelps who ran Santa Pod at the time.
Sammy Millers Rocket car and American Top Fuel Funny cars side by side including world champion Ray Beadle and Gene Snow.
When was the last time any American Funny car ran at Santa Pod?
Sammy Miller used to do half a dozen passes a weekend sometimes 3 second quarters at 350mph plus. 40 yrs ago.
The toilets were a hole in the ground surrounded by a metal fence though. A small price to pay to see Sammy Miller in Vanishing Point and the Funny cars from USA.
I could just go up and speak to Sammy Miller, the quickest and fastest man on the planet over a quarter mile. Try talking to any F1 driver at any F1 meeting.
All thanks to the Phelps who ran Santa Pod at the time.
coppice said:
I'm always surprised how little interest there is in the PH community for drag racing. I enjoy most forms of live motorsport and this year have already enjoyed racing (modern and historic ), speed hillclimbs and also drag racing at my local strip, Melbourne .
This weekend sees the Nationals at the Pod with a huge entry ranging from thunderous Pro Mod , insane Outlaw Anglias , implausibly fast Super Pro ET and plenty of bikes up to Top Fuel .And the following weekend is the wonderful Dragstalgia .
Drag racing is devoid of the self importance and corporate bks which infects a lot of racing , it's access all areas , it's jaw droppingly loud and stupidly fast .I'll be making my annual 350 mile round trip on Saturday - and if you live in sensible range give it a go if you've never experienced it .
I agree the lack of coverage for Santa Pod events is a shame, as is the decline of racing facilities in the UK. Only today I saw a post on Facebook from someone who had flown a drone over the old Shakespeare County Raceway showing how the decaying buildings and torn up overgrown dragstrip are slowly being consumed by a housing development. This weekend sees the Nationals at the Pod with a huge entry ranging from thunderous Pro Mod , insane Outlaw Anglias , implausibly fast Super Pro ET and plenty of bikes up to Top Fuel .And the following weekend is the wonderful Dragstalgia .
Drag racing is devoid of the self importance and corporate b
ks which infects a lot of racing , it's access all areas , it's jaw droppingly loud and stupidly fast .I'll be making my annual 350 mile round trip on Saturday - and if you live in sensible range give it a go if you've never experienced it . I spent a good few hours watching the Nationals on the Santa pod Youtube feed and have my tickets ready Dragstalgia! Heading up Friday afternoon to spend the full weekend there. Luckily one of the guys I'm going with is bringing his campervan so rather than the usual rough it in a tent and survive on pasties, beer, burgers & beer I can enjoy some finer cooking facilities and emergency cover if the weather becomes unbearable
I think the issue with relatively poor attendance and lack of interest is part of a general malaise in motorsport . I attend all sorts - racing , hillclimbs , drag racing and even autograss . All entertains and sometimes thrills, and I love the sensations of live motorsport -noise , smell , speed and talking to kindred spirits .
But for most people watching motor sport means watching telly - with a 2D image and being spoon fed images by a director and told what's happening by a commentator, rather than making your won judgement. The mere fact it's on TV almost validates it and it follows that if it isn't on telly , it can't be any good .
Nonsense , of course but it's why for many people who reckon they like motor sport , they actually only mean F1 and perhaps BTCC.
But for most people watching motor sport means watching telly - with a 2D image and being spoon fed images by a director and told what's happening by a commentator, rather than making your won judgement. The mere fact it's on TV almost validates it and it follows that if it isn't on telly , it can't be any good .
Nonsense , of course but it's why for many people who reckon they like motor sport , they actually only mean F1 and perhaps BTCC.
I am always trying to convince people they need to at least visit the pod once. Ive never known a 'virgin' say it want impressive.
I am at every meeting at Melbourne as i love the place and the people and go to a handful of meetings at the pod and have completed the first 2 Street Weekend events and intend to do many more.
I stream all the live footage on Youtube when i cant make it there. It inspires me to getting work done on the car!
I am at every meeting at Melbourne as i love the place and the people and go to a handful of meetings at the pod and have completed the first 2 Street Weekend events and intend to do many more.
I stream all the live footage on Youtube when i cant make it there. It inspires me to getting work done on the car!
Post-Brexit rules initially led to few entries from Europe at the major Santa Pod meetings. The number of TF entries plummeted. Has this continued? Having only 3 TFs on the entry list means the likelihood of at least one real close battle is greatly reduced.
I’d really like to take more TF virgins along, but the ticket prices and lack of top machinery makes that not worth my effort. Such a shame.
Edit: 3 TF, 6 FC at the Main Event this year.
I’m sure there used to be around 6 TFs from Europe and Scandinavia as well as the U.K. cars.
Any promoter is going to struggle to get me back. 100 miles each way, £50 ticket, and if there’s a strong crosswind or a bit of rain… boredom.
I’d really like to take more TF virgins along, but the ticket prices and lack of top machinery makes that not worth my effort. Such a shame.
Edit: 3 TF, 6 FC at the Main Event this year.
I’m sure there used to be around 6 TFs from Europe and Scandinavia as well as the U.K. cars.
Any promoter is going to struggle to get me back. 100 miles each way, £50 ticket, and if there’s a strong crosswind or a bit of rain… boredom.
Edited by Tony1963 on Thursday 18th July 09:58
Edited by Tony1963 on Thursday 18th July 10:32
It's 220 miles for me but I still support it because not only does it deserve to continue , the machinery is still amazing . And there is so much more than Top Fuel to drag racing. Sure , it's the one category even non drag folk have heard of and whilst its speed and noise are staggering , these days I far prefer the sight and sound of Pro Mod and some street cars. £50 ?Whatever , I'd rather spend some money, get in the car and enjoy myself than be fifty quid better off at home watching telly .
It's still a great day out and unlike some forms of modern motor sport it neither has its head up its corporate arse nor does it feature miles of privacy tape and 'keep out' signs .
It's still a great day out and unlike some forms of modern motor sport it neither has its head up its corporate arse nor does it feature miles of privacy tape and 'keep out' signs .
Tony1963 said:
Be careful that you don’t lump all circuit racing into the same corporate bucket as the upper echelons.
Plenty of lower circuit meetings are very friendly and accessible.
But, just look at the slow movement of threads in the Drag Racing room. That tells the story.
Oh I don't - 'some ' events are awful when it comes to access but (for example ) the CSCC event at Anglesey this weekend where I'm on steward duty will be friendly, accessible and fun. Plenty of lower circuit meetings are very friendly and accessible.
But, just look at the slow movement of threads in the Drag Racing room. That tells the story.
Loved it in the Clive Skilton Dennis Priddle era, remember when Big Daddy came over & it took hours just to get in!
I was in my late teens at the time & we camped for the whole event in a little tent, while the Hells angels were chopping down the local trees for firewood.
I have been a few times since but the 300 mile round trip & possible dodgy weather puts me off now.
Maybe I am just too old & grumpy!
I was in my late teens at the time & we camped for the whole event in a little tent, while the Hells angels were chopping down the local trees for firewood.
I have been a few times since but the 300 mile round trip & possible dodgy weather puts me off now.
Maybe I am just too old & grumpy!
I've been to a few events over the years at Santa pod, Elvington and Shakespeare raceway but only really RWYB type events.
However a chap i worked with recently retired after a couple of years with the company and it was only in the last few weeks that we found out that he was a bit of a legend on the drag strip regularly hitting low sevens.
I'm sure the name Andy Craddock will be known to a few of you old timers.
However a chap i worked with recently retired after a couple of years with the company and it was only in the last few weeks that we found out that he was a bit of a legend on the drag strip regularly hitting low sevens.
I'm sure the name Andy Craddock will be known to a few of you old timers.
what a fantastic day for mopar show and shine, and the noise of those engines, little bit pinker today despite the sun screen, show and shine area had some amazing yanks that we havent seen, got chally next to elly as we were leaving, after good hour chat in the sun, think if weather is good will look to dig out the tent, even saw one of the racers match the name and colour of our little boat, awesome, wicked day out, thank you
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