Highlights Of 08 ?
Discussion
Yes the weather has generally been bloody awful this year but still some racing been had - i know everyone has their own favourites in terms of car types & classes etc -so what have your highlights been (either personal & general)?.
Mine in no particular order
1. Attending & running at the Main Event - my & Abbey motorsports first ever mainstream event & i will never forget driving in to the pod & being shocked at the sheer scale of things
2. Running with Mr Frost at the Main event & seeing him trying to scrape his rear bumper on the ground beside me
& running with Jon Tebenham
3. Seeing the size & amount of Pro Mod cars at the Main Event & Danny Cockerils save in the 1st round of eliminations before it was called off. Seeing Badbird in it's plain carbon form - drooling is not the word !
4. Watching Andy Carter hit the 4's !
5. Nationals - watching the funny cars (especially the side by side low 5's run) - jesus !
6. Finally getting my shed consistently into the 7's after 11 8.1's earlier in the year
7. Watching all the excitement unfold as all the championships were decided at the nationals
Mine in no particular order
1. Attending & running at the Main Event - my & Abbey motorsports first ever mainstream event & i will never forget driving in to the pod & being shocked at the sheer scale of things
2. Running with Mr Frost at the Main event & seeing him trying to scrape his rear bumper on the ground beside me
& running with Jon Tebenham3. Seeing the size & amount of Pro Mod cars at the Main Event & Danny Cockerils save in the 1st round of eliminations before it was called off. Seeing Badbird in it's plain carbon form - drooling is not the word !
4. Watching Andy Carter hit the 4's !
5. Nationals - watching the funny cars (especially the side by side low 5's run) - jesus !
6. Finally getting my shed consistently into the 7's after 11 8.1's earlier in the year
7. Watching all the excitement unfold as all the championships were decided at the nationals
trackday addict said:
6. Finally getting my shed consistently into the 7's after 11 8.1's earlier in the year
I would keep this quiet in a field of Super Pro cars - many teams will be eyeing those times up with envy! =] We hope to have you back next year!My highs... would have to be visiting Drachten and Hockenheim for the first time. Photographing track side at Mantorp and Hockenheim was a dream come true.
I would agree with your choice too of the side by side funny car 5. Breathtaking! I hope they continue to put on a superb show in 2009 as I for one have always kept the faith.
I've grown quite fond of my flowery wellington boots throughout 2008 even if they did give me Pod Foot.
After years of renting a ride with PMR, the highlight this year was running my own car for the first time. A selection of minor problems throughout the year meant I didn't do particularly well in the championship, but hopefully they're now ironed out in preparation for next season. I did achieve my three goals for the season though -- a sub 2s 60', a 13 second pass, and a 100mph terminal speed, so something must have gone right. My ETs at the end of the season were around four tenths lower than at the start of the season, with (hopefully) plenty more to come, so overall, I'm pretty pleased with how it went.
In terms of others, my highlights were seeing it finally come good for Frosty at the National Finals with a near 200mph pass, and the Top Fuel championship going right down to the wire. You have to feel sorry for Lex. Although I suspect Andy would probably have won anyway, it's no way to lose a championship.
In terms of others, my highlights were seeing it finally come good for Frosty at the National Finals with a near 200mph pass, and the Top Fuel championship going right down to the wire. You have to feel sorry for Lex. Although I suspect Andy would probably have won anyway, it's no way to lose a championship.
Highpoints :
1.) Crewing with Mr Frost.. It's certainly been a learning experience and great to get another perspective of racing
2.) Learning to drive an NLR AMS-1000, awesome bit of kit that gives SO much control on boost pressure, rather looking forward to the upgraded re-flash we'll be running next year
3.) Seeing BadBird in the carbon flesh... it looked SO good
4.) Watching Kev Slyfield's buttock clenching tank slapper... a great save, awesome to watch!
5.) Working with the guys from VP when they came to visit us at the Main Event, great guys and great help..
6.) Running side by side with Jon Bradshaw (mutual back scratching society member number 001 reporting for duty).. no, seriously, it's been great to see you guys progress and make the cross over from HKS to European drag racing..
7.) The first big wheel stand... amazingly impressive
Lowpoints
1.) All of the other wheel stands.. Annoying and damaging!
2.) The fecking weather... There's only so much rain a drag racer can take
3.) The ridiculous political forum s
te that ripped up after we went quickly... jealously is a terrible thing
4.) The coldest nights (attempted) sleep I've ever had followed by engine damage in the warm up at flame and thunder (then getting done for speeding on the way home, Gypsy Lane.. 35 in a 30.. grrrr)
5.) Major engine damage early in the year @ PVS... that was soul destroying!
Roll on next year... It should be interesting! (not least because I become a father and hit 30!)
slinky
1.) Crewing with Mr Frost.. It's certainly been a learning experience and great to get another perspective of racing
2.) Learning to drive an NLR AMS-1000, awesome bit of kit that gives SO much control on boost pressure, rather looking forward to the upgraded re-flash we'll be running next year
3.) Seeing BadBird in the carbon flesh... it looked SO good
4.) Watching Kev Slyfield's buttock clenching tank slapper... a great save, awesome to watch!
5.) Working with the guys from VP when they came to visit us at the Main Event, great guys and great help..
6.) Running side by side with Jon Bradshaw (mutual back scratching society member number 001 reporting for duty).. no, seriously, it's been great to see you guys progress and make the cross over from HKS to European drag racing..
7.) The first big wheel stand... amazingly impressive
Lowpoints
1.) All of the other wheel stands.. Annoying and damaging!
2.) The fecking weather... There's only so much rain a drag racer can take
3.) The ridiculous political forum s
te that ripped up after we went quickly... jealously is a terrible thing4.) The coldest nights (attempted) sleep I've ever had followed by engine damage in the warm up at flame and thunder (then getting done for speeding on the way home, Gypsy Lane.. 35 in a 30.. grrrr)
5.) Major engine damage early in the year @ PVS... that was soul destroying!
Roll on next year... It should be interesting! (not least because I become a father and hit 30!)
slinky
Edited by Slinky on Thursday 4th December 13:49
Eurodragster Tog said:
Slinky said:
4.) Watching Kev Slyfield's buttock clenching tank slapper... a great save, awesome to watch!
Which one, you have to be a bit more specific Ive kept out of this thread so far, mainly because the highlight of my year was finally seeing a weather forecast that made it worth the hour long journey to see the sport I love.
This year I have seen no fuel cars in full attack mode on a hot track, and very very few of my favoured pro mods.
However, highlights of my tiny season have to be, in no particular order....
Seeing Badbird in the flesh for the first time.
Having my blinkers removed and being shown by 2 people in particular (that means you John B and Steve W!!!!) just how committed the riceburners have become to drag racing
And, I have to say, Superstreet bike. Seeing Ven and Graham B shake before they raced for the title was one of those unseen, unnoticed moments that make up drag racing.
This year I have seen no fuel cars in full attack mode on a hot track, and very very few of my favoured pro mods.
However, highlights of my tiny season have to be, in no particular order....
Seeing Badbird in the flesh for the first time.
Having my blinkers removed and being shown by 2 people in particular (that means you John B and Steve W!!!!) just how committed the riceburners have become to drag racing
And, I have to say, Superstreet bike. Seeing Ven and Graham B shake before they raced for the title was one of those unseen, unnoticed moments that make up drag racing.
Glenn R said:
A dry event, was there one?
Summer Nationals 
Highlights of the year for me - running various new PB's, winning the Open Sports Nationals, coming 3rd overall, watching Joe Bond run his first 6, watching the finals of the NFAA at National Finals to see if the Havoc or Wratten boys would take the championship, NFAA dinner dance and of course my 18th birthday!
Other than the NFAA I would have to say I have seen very little racing this year, which would be why my highlights are all from there (minus my birthday).
Lows:
Dealing with Knut and not getting to drive Top Fuel
Highs:
Meeting Larry Miersch & Jim Rizzoli
VW Action meeting, Bunny ears first 5 etc. etc.
Running 5.49 at the Euro Finals and seeing the teams reaction on TV
Beating Grumpy and seeing the teams reaction on TV, especially my crew chief Gary
The sportsmanship shown by the Turners at the National Finals
Dealing with Knut and not getting to drive Top Fuel
Highs:
Meeting Larry Miersch & Jim Rizzoli
VW Action meeting, Bunny ears first 5 etc. etc.
Running 5.49 at the Euro Finals and seeing the teams reaction on TV
Beating Grumpy and seeing the teams reaction on TV, especially my crew chief Gary
The sportsmanship shown by the Turners at the National Finals
Lows:having a new engine combination st itself after less than 5 mins of running in 15 second bursts
Highs : finishing Stripteaser and actually getting her to the flame and thunder for those that attended to see 21 years after last being at Santa Pod!!!
t itself after less than 5 mins of running in 15 second burstsHighs : finishing Stripteaser and actually getting her to the flame and thunder for those that attended to see 21 years after last being at Santa Pod!!!
Edited by jumpingdoghouse on Sunday 7th December 18:31
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