First timer (spectator) at Drag Racing - any tips?

First timer (spectator) at Drag Racing - any tips?

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Gareth1974

Original Poster:

3,408 posts

138 months

Friday 18th March 2016
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I've booked some tickets to go to Santa Pod on Good Friday, I'll be taking the wife and my 8 year old son. This will be the first time I've been to Santa Pod/Drag Racing. Anyone have any tips? Do I need to be there at the crack of dawn to beat queues going in for instance, or is that sort of thing well managed? I'll also need to pick up some ear protection, especially for my son - should I look to buy this beforehand or is it for sale/good value on site? Any other tips welcome!

RWJ

251 posts

180 months

Friday 18th March 2016
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Excellent that you are choosing to pay Santa Pod a visit.
The running order for the weekend hasn't been published yet -- keep an eye on www.santapod.com and www.eurodragster.com for information.
Racing usually begins at 9.30am and continues throughout the day. I doubt you will have major problems getting in on Friday, so no likely need to set out at dawn.
It is open access to the paddock so you can wander freely around the pits, watch the crews working, talk to them (if they aren't madly busy, racers are generally happy to explain their machinery).
Festival Of Power offers all manner of family entertainments off-track too, so should be an entertaining day out for all of you.
Ear protection is widely available at the venue, in the Santa Pod shops or from vendors. Drag racing can be seriously loud.
Dress warm -- it's a very open site and can be chilly at this time of year if the sun isn't shining.
We hope you have a most enjoyable day. Any other questions, please ask.

Chewbacca North

48 posts

104 months

Friday 18th March 2016
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Remember that picking your jaw off the floor then giggling like a loon is entirely normal the first time you see/hear/feel a top fuel car. Try and prepare your son as they are actually quite frightening.

Try and take in some runs standing close to the start where most of the noise and action is but it is also well worth heading along the banking to get a few runs in near the finish line. 300mph is impressive.

Dgr90

168 posts

131 months

Friday 18th March 2016
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If you are around the top fuel guys in the pits, stay well back when they are running. The exhaust gas will burn your lungs and eyes if you take a lungful of it. First time I saw one run was incredible, nothing else (speed or sound) comes close. Also, make sure you are around for the jet car (if it still runs?).

Gareth1974

Original Poster:

3,408 posts

138 months

Friday 18th March 2016
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Thanks for the tips and advice, looking forward to it.

RWJ

251 posts

180 months

Friday 18th March 2016
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Jet Car Shootout on the programme -- two Jet Funnies, two Jet Dragsters.

Boosted LS1

21,167 posts

259 months

Friday 18th March 2016
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I like to sit in the grand stand for the top fuel events. The thunder and vibration through the ground when they launch is epic.

RWJ

251 posts

180 months

Friday 18th March 2016
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Provisional running order is now on the website here:
http://www.santapod.co.uk/e_FestivalPowerRunning16...

monty999

1,113 posts

104 months

Saturday 19th March 2016
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Start off by watching the top fuel dragsters from the bank about about half track and up the top of the embankment , this will give you and more importantly your son and wife an introduction to the immense sound and feeling without scaring the living daylights out of them. Going straight to the start line by the christmas tree lights could put him off. Gradually get closer as he feels more confident and accustomed to it. The Jet car's not as loud so anywhere goes.This is an experience thats hard to comprehend until witnessed. You'll be grinning all the way home and he'll have lots to tell his mates.Have a great time and if top fuel floats your boat, either Main Event (end of May) or The Finals (Sept) are a great 3 or 4 days camping and dead cheap as kids are free.woohoo

Camaro

1,415 posts

174 months

Sunday 20th March 2016
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I would add to this, as much as Friday will be a good day to see all classes racing, it would be a good idea to come back for another meeting such as the Main Event or the Euro Finals. They will have a class of around 8-10 Top Fuelers (hopefully) there are only two at Easter, Liam Jones and a rookie Steve Ashdown who is getting his license. While I'm sure Liam will be doing his best to put down some awesome times, be prepared for them using it more as a test and tune on a fully prepped track.

RWJ

251 posts

180 months

Monday 21st March 2016
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Camaro said:
...it would be a good idea to come back for another meeting such as the Main Event or the Euro Finals.
I'll second that.

Gareth1974

Original Poster:

3,408 posts

138 months

Wednesday 23rd March 2016
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All being well, I hope this is something my son gets 'into', this weekend looked like a good introductory event. My major concern is the noise, my boy is autistic, and does seem to be a bit more sensitive than the average child to noise - he can't tolerate hand dryers in toilets for instance - but I'm hoping if I buy some ear protection as soon as we get there he'll be ok.

RWJ

251 posts

180 months

Wednesday 23rd March 2016
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Right. You might want to try earplugs inside ear defenders. As someone above suggested, you might start at the top end (ie finish line end) which is the first bit you come to, before you pass the Live Action Arena. There is a shop there, along with toilets and so on, so you might want to duck in there first (the shop I mean, not the toilets, although...).

The big nitro cars, of which there will be a few in action, launch from idle, so a very sudden, very loud noise, so you might want to keep away from the start area when they are running.

We do all hope you and your son enjoy your first experience of the drags. We cross our fingers for decent weather, but there is plenty else going on away from the track if rain stops play. And don't think you have to stay all day -- just a taster is often the best introduction.

RWJ

251 posts

180 months

Thursday 24th March 2016
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PS: Please let us know what you make of your visit. Very interested to hear all about it.

threadlock

3,196 posts

253 months

Thursday 24th March 2016
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Thanks for the tips in this thread - I'm taking my wife & kids tomorrow too, for their first time. Have prepped with some decent ear defenders already, but giving them their introduction to the noise from halfway down the track before we go to our grandstand seats is great advice.

monty999

1,113 posts

104 months

Thursday 24th March 2016
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threadlock said:
Thanks for the tips in this thread - I'm taking my wife & kids tomorrow too, for their first time. Have prepped with some decent ear defenders already, but giving them their introduction to the noise from halfway down the track before we go to our grandstand seats is great advice.
looks like you've picked the best day, weather looks good tomorrow, not looking great for w/e though. I notice that Eric Tabouel's there with his rocket bike- that's very different, 200mph and no engine noise -weird ! I'm not going this weekend but can't wait for Main Event end of May- full on FIA racing woohoo Have a great time.thumbup

damianmkv

631 posts

142 months

Saturday 26th March 2016
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i had a great day yesterday ( have come back with "santa pod glow" ). I took a friend who had never been and his conclusion was that most racers are nutters smile

a few pics - my panning was a bit rusty so i wanted to practice. Apologies as this makes them a bit samey

neil hunter the seven year itch by damianmkv, on Flickr

nik williams by damianmkv, on Flickr

super pro ET dragster by damianmkv, on Flickr

this thing sounded immense

meth-ness motorsport by damianmkv, on Flickr

voodoo hemi motorsport by damianmkv, on Flickr

lucky devil by damianmkv, on Flickr

isaacs and tramm turbo pro modified by damianmkv, on Flickr

monty999

1,113 posts

104 months

Saturday 26th March 2016
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Great pics matey !One of my favourites the Plymouth cool Looks like it was a lovely day for it too. Smell of track glue in the morning.. nothing finer smokin

Edited by monty999 on Saturday 26th March 12:22

bungle

1,874 posts

239 months

Saturday 26th March 2016
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Went there today - first time at Santa Pod! Really enjoyed it, and kids loved it - they want to know when we can go back... looks like Main Event for us in May biggrin

The noise and the smell cloud9

RWJ

251 posts

180 months

Monday 28th March 2016
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We're delighted you and your family enjoyed your first visit. When we get a lovely, sunny day -- Southern California-style -- it's much better still. March Easters have a habit of producing bad weather. We actually got lucky with Friday, which was beautiful, but reverted to form on Saturday and Sunday. Fingers crossed for The Main Event, and for all the other weekends between now and then.

If you have any further comments or observations about your Santa Pod visit, good or less good, we are always keen to hear.