Dragstalgia 2021... and an old van...

[spoodler]

Up until a few years back, I'd "always" had fairly minimal drivers' cars... you know, the sort of thing that you don't drive with the top up, has no driving aids and is noticeably rear wheel drive and peppy! Along with these, I've had a few "left field" motors that I've enjoyed purely for their charm, or their overall quirkiness. Recently, I bought a '72 Ford Pinto as a sensible car (with a roof) that could accommodate a proper tent and a few luxuries (like a kettle!) for when we go camping...
During lockdown, I bought a '64 Chevyvan and joined a custom van club. I love driving this old thing. His name's Archie and he runs a '67 Camaro straight six and a three speed auto'. I cruise him at about fiftyfiveish, but he's happy to go howling up to seventy plus in next to no time, if needed for an overtake or similar. A bit slow on the bendy bits,, the brakes are rubbish and he has a drinking habit...
Over the past few months I've made him quite comfy inside, a bench that becomes a bed, a couple of interior lights... err... that's it really. But it saves putting up the tent...

Took him up to Santa Pod at the weekend - fantastic couple of days of old timey drag racing. Having a van to return to (especially when it's raining) makes such a difference. And having a great club to attend with was priceless. I won't go on about all the races... but side by side classic drag cars running sixes at over 200m.p.h. was a highlight. So, too, were all the Wild Bunch cars, the near 200 m.p.h. Ford Pops, two stroke drag bikes running 130 to 140 terminals and some real history on show.

My camera and skills are limited, and I was bit wobbly at times, but here's a few pic's that some might enjoy... if you want more, Santa Pod on You Tube.

[BeastieBoy73]

Thanks for taking time to share these pics, they're great.

I took my Dad yesterday as a belated Fathers Day gift. He's car mad but has never been to Santa Pod. I go to Dragstalgia every year and it's an amazing event. I'm into modified classics whereas my Dad is more of a purist. He couldn't believe what could be done to take a car from factory spec to street/strip monster given lots of time, imagination and even more money.

My Dad isn't the most mobile of people and when we explained this at the gate, they couldn't do enough for us. The fella on the gate (Scott) obviously radioed through to the stewards as they waved us through to park by the fairground. If anyone on here is involved with Santa Pod, please accept our huge thanks for what was an amazing day.

Once we sat in the grandstand the noise of the "Apache" funny car proved unbearable to him so I went to get some ear defenders. These cost less than a £10. Bargain.

"Bargain" is a great way of describing a day spent at Santa Pod. It has to be one of the most value for money spectators motorsports going.

Already looking forward to attending next year.

[crankedup5]

Spent a weekend at Santa Pod spectating, deeply impressive and very entertaining. Must say the riders and drivers must have very large balls!!!
Noticed a couple. of interesting camper vans on an auction site , very nice Bedford fitted with a V8 engine and various other mods. Also a MK2 Ford Transit camper sporting a 2.9 cosworth BOA engine + other mods. Both very tidy and interesting but I’m not sure for me. In truth I’m a keeping standard fella, but admire the engineering of the modded vans.

[spoodler]

BeastieBoy73 said:

the noise of the "Apache" funny car proved unbearable to him so I went to get some ear defenders.

Thanks for the compliment regarding the pic's, I've seen some fantastic photo's from the weekend. We were at three quarter track when the body disintegrated on the Northern Spirit car (right in front of us at 150+, got the heartbeat going) and the chap behind us managed a pic' of the roof just tearing apart before the whole lot destroyed itself... unfortunately, I can barely be bothered to carry a tiny little Nikon that my mate left me, let alone the kit this guy had.

Glad you and your dad had a great time. I always loved Shakespeare County, but there's no denying how much more professional the whole set up is at the Pod. And glad you bought dad some ear defenders, some of those motors were borderline painful, but the Apache was something else. See you next year!

[Dan_The_Man]

Santa Pod has really improved, the loos are brilliant, camping is brilliant, the racing is awesome, the pits are the pits and we got to eat Pod Pizza watching the drive in movie "Ford vs Ferrari" and my 15yr old said it was one of the best days of their lives.

We help out with one of the Wild Bunch cars so end up spannering and in the pairing lanes more than spectating but still love it.

[spoodler]

My mate's just debuted his car; Team Wildcat, running the Jaguar powered Wildcat, driven by Ian Wild in the Wild Bunch! Pretty wild...

[Escort3500]

Some lovely stuff there OP, thanks for posting.

The BB(?) Camaro for me please, though it’s a finely balanced decision

Edited by Escort3500 on Monday 12th July 21:51

[sortedcossie]

Looks a cracking day out, thanks for sharing!

[BeastieBoy73]

spoodler said:

Thanks for the compliment regarding the pic's, I've seen some fantastic photo's from the weekend. We were at three quarter track when the body disintegrated on the Northern Spirit car (right in front of us at 150+, got the heartbeat going) and the chap behind us managed a pic' of the roof just tearing apart before the whole lot destroyed itself... unfortunately, I can barely be bothered to carry a tiny little Nikon that my mate left me, let alone the kit this guy had.

Glad you and your dad had a great time. I always loved Shakespeare County, but there's no denying how much more professional the whole set up is at the Pod. And glad you bought dad some ear defenders, some of those motors were borderline painful, but the Apache was something else. See you next year!

Hadn’t heard of Shakespeare County so googled it. Turns out I went there a few times for the VW shows in the early 90s when it was called Avon Park. It looks like it’s now closed, shame as had some great times there in my youth. All the best!

[Escort3500]

Yes, Shakey’s gone now. It’s having housing built on it

Edited by Escort3500 on Monday 12th July 21:57

[spoodler]

Escort3500 said:

Yes, Shakey’s gone now. It’s having housing built on it

Edited by Escort3500 on Monday 12th July 21:57

Sadly... Spent some absolutely crackin' weekends at that place... Long Marston/Avon Park/Shakespeare County... Whatever you wish to remember it as, was a decrepit, run down hole in some ways (and I won't mention the toilets!), but it had its own charm! And it was a lovely run up from North Wilts, great roads and not so far as to become arduous in the old stuff I used to drive up there - the mix of dual carriageways and fast A roads that I use to get to the Pod don't compare in any way with the Fosse Way. Greatly miss it.

[Escort3500]

spoodler said:

Escort3500 said:

Yes, Shakey’s gone now. It’s having housing built on it

Edited by Escort3500 on Monday 12th July 21:57

Sadly... Spent some absolutely crackin' weekends at that place... Long Marston/Avon Park/Shakespeare County... Whatever you wish to remember it as, was a decrepit, run down hole in some ways (and I won't mention the toilets!), but it had its own charm! And it was a lovely run up from North Wilts, great roads and not so far as to become arduous in the old stuff I used to drive up there - the mix of dual carriageways and fast A roads that I use to get to the Pod don't compare in any way with the Fosse Way. Greatly miss it.

Yes, we used the same route to get there when we lived in Wiltshire; some lovely driving roads (irrespective of what you were driving)! Latterly, the drive down there from the north after we relocated was nowhere as much fun

[Flying Phil]

Very glad that people are still enjoying the "Pod". I spent many Many hours there in the 60's, 70's, 80's and 90's........and the odd trip in the 2000's!
To hear.....well feel! .....a top fuel motor running the quarter mile is such an experience, only beaten when there are two side by side.

[Escort3500]

Used to love going with a mates who’d never been to a drag strip before. When those 2000hp + top fuellers spun it up in the bleach boxes their faces were a bloody picture

Edited by Escort3500 on Wednesday 14th July 21:23

[NDNDNDND]

Dan_The_Man said:

That looks pretty intimidating!

I really need to go and see some drag racing. Need to wait until the kids are old enough!

[Chewbacca NE]

That Kawasaki is awesome