20/10/05

The final event of the inaugural NFAA 2005 series was held at Santa Pod as part of the SPRC National Finals and did not exactly go as planned!

Unfortunately we had a reduced field as the Bennett Racing Topolino was found to have a valve seat problem during last minute checks, as did The Mob on building their new billet block Rodeck, again in the inlet valve seat area. Both of these instances were discovered within a few days of the start of the meeting, leaving insufficient time to get them repaired. Both Teams are bitterly disappointed and send their apologies to the fans, but hope that all will agree that it was the right call to make, rather that risk substantial damage.

That left us with Wendy Baker in Time Warp, point’s leader Clayton Round in Rebel 'T' and Extreme Racing shoed by Bob Glassup, to put on a show.

Saturday, dodging the light showers, saw all three teams put in exploratory passes, Wendy Baker putting in her first full power pass using a modified fuel system and high gear only. At the eighth-mile mark the time was in the 4 s zone, giving a predicted high 6 s run for the full quarter, but a valve head decided to part company with its stem, taking out the No. 5 piston, curtailing the pass, but showing real potential for 2006.

Rebel 'T' and Extreme had great side-by-side fun and the day ended with one win apiece, with Bob Glassup recording a personal best of 7.68/176.6.

Sunday dawned dry and a little warmer, but Time Warp was out due to the previous damage. The Extreme Racing Team had changed bearings overnight as all shells showed some damage on their PB run. They fired up to warm the engine and it suddenly stopped, heralding a possible crank problem, leaving them sidelined.

So we were down to the consistent Clayton Round to be the sole surviving representative for the class. He put in a couple of 1/8 mile burnouts and ended on a high with his best ever pass, a 7.17/188.9.

The Series points totals are :

Winner: Clayton Round - Rebel 'T' 990 Points

Runner-up Bob Glassup - Extreme Racing 650 "

3rd place The Mob - Ollie Burn & Crew 570 "

 

The presentation of trophies and monies will take place courtesy of the Wild Bunch 10th Anniversary bash (thanks to Chris and Claire Meaddows) at Drayton Manor Park, 26th November.

From just an idea a year ago, the inaugural season has had its ups and downs, but all members have enjoyed the events and had fun. Equally important, there have been no safety related issues and whilst some teams stretched their budgets, all made it happen.

A big thank you to all who supported us and for the encouragement and enthusiasm shown, by clubs, racers, fans, track owners, press and MSA Tech Committee members.

Looking ahead, 2006 is going to be some season, with a predicted 10 or 12 Teams pounding the asphalt........Fuel Altereds Forever !!

20/9/05

The dry weather at Shakey was a welcome bonus for all racers, especially the NFAA.

We were able to field 6 Teams and the event was the best yet with some highlights and not too much damage. More importantly, all the Teams enjoyed themselves hugely and gained significant track experience with new combinations.

The first visit to an NFAA event was made by Kenneth Feldthusen and the Northrace Team, now our first overseas member.

On his first run on an unknown track, Kenneth laid down a strong burnout to half-track. On the green, paired with Frank Bennett’s Topolino, Frank pulled a 3 car hole shot with a 60ft time of 1.019s.

Unfortunately the Bennett Racing car suffered a dramatic power loss, subsequently discovered as the timing retarding and the Northrace car stormed by to post a new ET record for the Class of 6.782 @ 198.37 with the 'chutes out before the finish line.

Bob Glassup gets the accolades for the most improved car with shotgun launches, wheels up, anyway- but straight and posted PB runs of 7.745/182.14 & 7.839/180.09. However, a broken drive shaft in the trans threatened to sideline him, until Andy Frost came up with the much-needed parts, for which Bob is very grateful. The Extreme Racing crew then worked their socks off to enable the campaign to continue.....thanks guys.

The Mob had problems with a burst fuel line and Wendy Baker was getting to grips with handling problems, having fitted a new front axle.

Points leader Clayton Round had traction problems at first, but soon got back to high seven runs, though some way off the low sevens that they are used to.

The Northrace Team found a broken main bearing journal after their record run, fitted the spare engine, ran 7.029/198.31, only to find the same thing to happen again, sidelining them for the rest of the meeting. An out-of-balance new clutch assembly is though to be the cause of the problems.

On Sunday, Rob Turner piloted The Mob, due to Mickey Moores indisposition and soon got used to the Altered, even though it is probably 15 years since he last drove one. Rob laid down half passes of 9.0 & 7.65 in a car that was not exactly comfortable for his longer legs. Appreciation is due to Rob and the Crew for stepping into the breach. On the last run, the No. 5 & 6 rods let go, taking out some pistons & valves and cracking the block. Now The Mob have to thrash to rebuild the engine using their newly purchased billet block, in order to be ready for the National Finals at the 'Pod.

In all, it was the best NFAA event so far, which is just 1 year old since its inception and it shows considerable potential for the 2006 season, already in the planning stage, with a significantly increased number of Teams participating.

7/7/05

The NSRA Nostalgia Nationals at Shakespeare County Raceway was a mixed bag for the NFAA.

We only fielded 4 cars as the others were awaiting parts from the US to repair the damages from the Summer nationals the previous weekend.

Highlights were the consistent performances from Clayton Round, the current points leader and the welcome return, after a 3 year break, of Frank & Luke Bennett's Topolino.

Low points were the damage to the Nitro cars of The Mob and Time Warp.

The Mob, having bought & fitted a new 2 speed Lenco in 5 days, laid down a tremendous out of shape burnout on Mickey's second run, with all 4 wheels off the track as he pivoted on the headers. He ran a personal best at SCR of 7.30/203.81, but smoke and a small fire at the finish line heralded problems. A rod had broken, jammed on the crank and split the block from top to bottom.

Wendy Baker was getting to grips with the handling of her car, but had head damage on her last half-pass, sidelining the car late on Saturday.

Frank Bennett debuted the substantially new Topolino with a launch and half-pass, recording a 60ft time of 1.09 s, When the bugs are ironed out, this combination will be a strong contender for honours.

Now the teams have to replace or repair the damages, so as to be available for the NSRA Hot Rod Drags in mid-September.

28/6/05

If we thought the Easter Thunderball was a baptism of fire, then the SPRC Summer nationals was a war of attrition...!!

On Saturday the weather was against us, but even so, some of our Teams were anxious to put on a show, to their cost. Damp and slippery conditions, in spite of the track preparation, caused over-revving on a couple of the Nitro cars, resulting in a completely totalled 2 speed Lenco in The Mob and damage to the reverser in Harry the Spider.

The BB/FA cars of Clayton Round and Bob Glassup both suffered damages to their gearboxes on the Sunday, so could not perform to their true potential.

Wendy Bakers Time Warp did some launches and 60Ft's as the team get to grips with the surplus of power......sensibly developing the combination on a step-by step basis, which bodes well for future appearances.

Dave Grabham surely gets the accolade for the wheelie of the event, when Freddy's Revenge took off skyward after a super launch. Unfortunately the damage sustained when it came down broke the 'A' arms, so no steering control was available to prevent it kissing the wall, sustaining significant damage. Thankfully Dave was unhurt and although bowed he is not broken and the Teams determination shows through in their message....." we are not in the NFAA to be 'also-rans', we want to run the numbers, although hurt we are not out and we WILL be back".

All the Teams are now thrashing and getting new parts ex-the USA and hope to field the show next week-end at the NSRA Nostalgia Nationals at Avon Park, when we expect Frank & Luke Bennett's heavily re-worked Topolino BB/FA to join us.

Such is drag racing, we put on the best show that we could given the lack of track time and were encouraged by the enthusiasm shown to us and the help extended by, amongst others, Steve & Rob Turner, Andy Robinson, Lindsay Deuchar and Roy Wilding.

The Class is growing and gathering speed....... watch for updates.

8/6/05

We have the SPRC Summer nationals @ the Pod 25-26th June coming up, followed the next week-end, 2-3rd June, by the NSRA Nostalgia Nationals at Shakespeare County, making for two busy week-ends.

Some of the teams are still awaiting parts ex the USA and subject to that, we expect to field at both events:

AA/FC

Mickey Moore - The Mob

Jim Seward - Harry the Spider

Wendy Baker - Timewarp

BB/FC

Clayton Round - Rebel 'T'

Dave Grabham - Freddy's Revenge

Bob Glassup - Extreme Racing

Frank Bennett - Bennett Racing

We have had zero track time, due to inclement weather, but will do the best we can to put on a good show. We also have to hope for no breakages between the events, as most have no spares!!

27/04/05

Test & Tune at Santa Pod Raceway 21st May 2005. Potentially 3 Fuel and a couple of Alky Altereds showing.

30/03/05: Easter Thunderball Santa Pod Raceway

The inaugural meeting for the NFAA at Santa Pod for the Easter Thunderball was certainly a baptism of fire!!

All of the cars had new combinations to some extent or other and, of course, none had run since last year.

Mickey Moore in 'The Mob' ran strongly for most of the weekend, culminating in his first 210 MPH pass on Monday, at the expense of a set of pistons.

The 'Extreme Racing' Topolino of Bob Glassup looked good and ran every-which way-but-straight, as he struggled with the extra power, culminating in a best of 178.5 MPH run on Sunday, plus a trip to collect mud and grass at the top-end when the 'chute failed to open. The following round saw a very out of shape trip and significant damage by way of bent inlet valves.

Clayton Rounds 'Rebel T' laid down an 'observed run' of 7.73/177.8 once a malfunctioning mag had been replaced, courtesy of a loan from Ian Hansen, after a trip to Birmingham. Sunday saw a stellar 7.23/188.3, his best ever, but at the expense of the valve train, sidelining their efforts. It looks like there is a 'six' in that motor and Clayton, Chris & Julian intend to go looking for it.

The team of 'Harry the Spider' thrashed all weekend getting the motor and clutch set-up and finally fired up on Monday. They pulled into the fire-up area with a strong sounding mill, did a burnout and a couple of hops, only for the drogues to pop open due to the vibrations, so that was 'finito' to their weekend. The efforts by Jim Seward, Phil Cornish and the Team, who worked incredible hours to put on a show, were thwarted, such a shame.

Special thanks go to the track preparation and safety crews, Santa Pod Raceway, SPRC, the Commentators, Eurodragster and everyone else involved......it was a fraught but enjoyable weekend.

At least, we didn't oil the track (Bob Glassups little leak was a catch can overspill, easily cleaned) and all the Teams learned a lot about the set-ups, now that we have had some serious track time.

We hope that we didn't disappoint the fans too much and look forward to our next outing in June, when we will be better prepared and should be able to field 8 cars, if all goes according to plan.