Getting quicker...

Author
Discussion

hornet

Original Poster:

6,333 posts

251 months

Saturday 2nd August 2003
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Apologies to those who like their racing to involve corners, but I've been following the FIA European drag racing from Gardemoen (Norway) via the excellent Svensk Drag Racing site, and Kim Reymond has just run the first 4.7 1/4 mile in Europe (4.76 @ 487kmh = 302mph?). Well done that man.

After years to false dawns, Euro drag racing really seems to be getting it's act together.

The DJ 27

2,666 posts

254 months

Saturday 2nd August 2003
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I really have to go to santa pod for this. 302 mph!

sjg

7,454 posts

266 months

Saturday 2nd August 2003
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Wow. Great stuff

The DJ 27 said:
I really have to go to santa pod for this. 302 mph!


Do it, Euro Finals are 5-7th Sept - one of two weekends a year when Top Fuel race in the UK. Went to the one in May and had a great time; it really is something you should see at least once. The blare of the engines and the incredible launches (0-100 in 1s) are just staggering. Paddocks are all open too so you can wander round and see the crews working between runs.

hornet

Original Poster:

6,333 posts

251 months

Sunday 3rd August 2003
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Can't recommend the Euro Finals enough. Once you've seen, heard and FELT Top Fuel in full effect, you'll be hooked. They are MIND BLOWING. As has been mentioned, 0-100 in under 1s, over 250mph at the 1/8 mile and now more and more we are getting times into the 4.8s and speeds over 300 mph. Add to that the nitro funny cars, methanol dragsters and funny cars, the bonkers pro modifiedss and the equally unhinged top fuel BIKES, and it's a great weekend. Oh, mustn't forget Martin Hill's 5 second jet car either.

The great thing is it's fairly cheap to get in (£25), and the Euro Finals is always the biggest meeting of the year. The paddock is totally open, so you can wander round and have a nose and even a chat if the teams aren't busy. One thing though - get there EARLY. Anything after about 9:30am and you'll be queueing for hours. Maybe bring some earplugs too....

hornet

Original Poster:

6,333 posts

251 months

Sunday 3rd August 2003
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A few videos...

Barry Sheavills having, erm, "handling difficulties" at the top end :-

http://drag.fawcus.com/feel-the-noise/sheavills_crash.wmv

Micke Kagered on a solo Top Fuel pass :-

http://drag.fawcus.com/feel-the-noise/micke_kagered.wmv

Jet car lunacy :-

http://drag.fawcus.com/feel-the-noise/fireforce_run.wmv

Eric Teboul's ROCKET bike :-

http://drag.fawcus.com/feel-the-noise/eric_teboul_200403.wmv

cammers

396 posts

269 months

Monday 4th August 2003
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Yeah I read about Kim Reymonds pass on Eurodragster this morning! Was very surprised. Thats more than 1/10th of a second quicker than the previous european best! The European finals this year should be very good. With Kim Reymond running into the 4.70's I'm sure the other teams will be upping the ante too! I wouldn't mind betting that we will see quicker times (weather permitting) in September! I can't wait!!

hornet

Original Poster:

6,333 posts

251 months

Monday 4th August 2003
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Hats off to Kim Reymond....shame he couldn't back it up for the record, but even so, knocking 1/10th off in any of the pro classes is going some.

The Euro Finals is shaping up to be a bit special this year.

See also that Eurodragster have reported pro mod racer Thomas Nataas is stepping up to TF in 2004. Great news.

hornet

Original Poster:

6,333 posts

251 months

Tuesday 5th August 2003
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Just been reading another drag racing forum, and the word on the street is that there will be up to 11 top fuel cars vying for an eight car field at the Euro Finals.

cammers

396 posts

269 months

Tuesday 5th August 2003
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Dragster World I presume?
Wonder who this mystery 11th driver is? Rico Anthes maybe!!!
I hope Gary Page will be driving Knut's third car instead of Susan. Nothing wrong with Susan Callin mind you, just that I've been a fan of Gary since 'Panic'.
Have you been reading the very heated debate over the Smax Smith/Tommy Moller startline incident? It's getting quite interesting!!

hornet

Original Poster:

6,333 posts

251 months

Tuesday 5th August 2003
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Dragster World indeed - good little forum. The Smax vs Moller thing is getting silly now to be honest. I'm sure it wasn't deliberate, and if it was, well, don't suppose the Lorentzen & Moller team will be getting any help next time they have a problem.

As for all these mystery drivers - I lose track of who owns/hires what to be honest. Seem to be too many drivers and a few spare cars. Suppose Anthes will be racing at Hockenheim, and I'm sure he's got more than one car, so would be good if he (or at least his car) made it to the Finals. I'm sure Peter Beck owns his car, Carter owns what's left of his (ex Lindelow?), Knut Soderqvist owns Kagereds, Smax's and "the red car", then there's Rune Fjeld. Oh God, it's just all too confusing! Personally, be great to see Barry Sheavills out in a rent a ride - the guy has unfinished business with Santa Pod!

Definitely going to the whole weekend this time - if TF gets into double figures, qualifying is going to be a bit special. All four second field? Wouldn't bet against it. All that and the loopy pro mods, maybe a 5 car nitro FC field, the usual glut of alky cars and the pro stocks too. Looks like Malmgren has some competition too.

Can't wait!

cammers

396 posts

269 months

Wednesday 6th August 2003
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Well I'll be there for the whole weekend! Last year I ended up commuting every day, as I couldn't get a dog sitter!!
Haven't camped up at the Pod for a few years now, so I hope the weather holds!
I took a couple of first timers to the Main Event this year! They loved it, even though we only went on the Monday which was absolutly plagued with oil downs!

hornet

Original Poster:

6,333 posts

251 months

Wednesday 6th August 2003
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Oil downs Hoorah for the track crew. What was it, 13 stoppages? They deserve medals.

I took a "newbie" to the Main Event too, although he's well into motorsports and cars in general, being some sort of certified Porsche/Audi technician. Always love the look on people's faces when they first experience a top fuel car in action. His first experience was Smax running the 4.89/303mph, the lucky sod! I had to wait about 10 years before I saw a 4 sec pass.....

Never camped there, but I'm not too far away (about 50 miles) to make driving to both the final qualifying and elimination days tolerable, M1 permitting...

Looks like it'll be a bumper TF field too, if rumours are to be believed. 10 cars gunning for 8 spots? Should be interesting.

cammers

396 posts

269 months

Thursday 7th August 2003
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No Andy Carter now then! He's sitting out the rest of the season!

Anni

4 posts

249 months

Saturday 30th August 2003
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Thanks to Hornet for posting links to a few of our videos, we hope you enjoy them.

However, by linking directly, you will have no way of seeing the index to all the other videos or photos.

Visit via the main web page portal at:
www.feel-the-noise.com
and follow the "Video Clips" menu for more.
Don't miss the European Finals, it's your last chance to see this type of Top Fuel racing in the UK this year. If you've never seen Pro Mods either you have no idea what you're missing :-O
regards Anni

darren101

6 posts

249 months

Saturday 30th August 2003
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dont forget for those who have never been,that a top fuel dragster running side by side register 3 to4 on the richter scale, that plus noise plus speed equal BIG SMILE

The DJ 27

2,666 posts

254 months

Saturday 30th August 2003
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My jaw is on the floor having just watched the vid of Andy Carter Vs. Barry Sheavills. All I can say is me they're fast!

hornet

Original Poster:

6,333 posts

251 months

Thursday 4th September 2003
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Get yourself to Santa Pod this weekend, and see them in the flesh.

anni

4 posts

249 months

Thursday 11th September 2003
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We've now posted some photos, go to our main entry page:
www.feel-the-noise.com
and follow the menu "Photo Albums/Latest Work in Progress"
Bob & Anni