Santa Pod News

Chop Shop - 06/02/2008

Chop Shop will be here filming at Santa Pod on Sunday 10th February for the new series and there will potentially be a celebrity guest coming along too!

Chop Shop is a hybrid of a garage-based docu-soap and a transformational build show (an ‘up-market’, more narrative driven version of Pimp My Ride, if you will). It revolves around two central characters – a visionary Bangladeshi car designer, Leepu Awlia, and an East End mechanic, Bernie Fineman – as they take unlikely old bangers and transform them into one-off super cars.

Operating out of a garage in London’s vibrant East End, the focus of the second series – which has just gone into production – is building bespoke cars for celebrity clients, the first of whom will be former East Enders and Spandau Ballet star, Martin Kemp.

Since its debut last autumn, Chop Shop has become one of the Discovery Channel’s highest rated shows, pulling in over 150,000 viewers per episode, with three episodes presently being broadcast each week. With the first series set to be transmitted globally on the Discovery Channel (the exception being to N. America), the second series promises to build on this success and reach a wide and interested audience when it airs in September (this is its provisional TX date).

Ripspeed X - 18/01/2008

Team Ripspeed Show 'N' Shine
Saturday 26th January - 10am to 4pm
Ripspeed X, Hendon

Go along to Ripspeed X in Hendon for a day of performance and modification. Vibe, Kenwood and Fusion will be showcasing their favourite cars, they will have the BTCC Honda Civic as driven by Matt Neal, and the Drift What Ya Brung team from Santa Pod will be on hand to talk drifting and show off their Skylines.

Plus they have got thousands of pounds worth of prizes to give away in their Show 'N' Shine competition and the Team Ripspeed girls will be adding some glamour to the day.

It's free, so just go along from 10am.

Don’t Wreck the Ride - 07/01/2008

Don’t Wreck the Ride is a young drivers safety campaign set up by Auto Trader, one of Santa Pod Raceway's sponsors. The website, www.autotraderyoungdrivers.co.uk includes:

• A competition to find Britain’s Best Young Driver including an online quiz to beat the Stig’s score
• A competition to find Britain’s Best Customised Car judged by Tim Westwood
• Podcasts on driving from the original Stig, Tim Westwood, Michelle Marsh etc
• Info on the UK’s best tracks
• Forum and stories page

Auto Trader wants to find the UK’s best young driver! Recon you’re a good driver? Recon you could give The Stig a run for his money? Well now’s your chance! Auto Trader has teamed up with the AA to find the best young driver in the UK, and it could be you!

Go to www.autotrader.co.uk/youngdrivers and take the Auto Trader Driving Quiz – a gruelling 30 question test all about driving, which puts you against the clock, your mates, other young drivers from the UK and, of course, The original Stig – his driving theory score on this test was a staggering 299!

Once you have completed the Auto Trader Driving Quiz, compare your score with hundred’s of other young drivers on our leaderboard, which also pits the girls against the boys – who will triumph overall and claim the title of Auto Trader’s Young Driver Of The Year 2007?

The top 10 finalists will then go head to head on Oulton Park race track in March 2007, to show us just how skilled they are at driving! The best driver, judged by the AA, will be rewarded with a Ford car and the runner up would get a cool £2,000 – not bad for a bit of driving round a track!!!

Autosport Competition - 07/12/2007

Autosport International (ASI), the world's largest motorsport exhibition, looks set to break all its records next January after tickets got off to a flying start. More than 90,000 visitors are now expected. The show marks the start of the new season for most fans and sees teams, drivers, manufacturers and championships host stands, make announcements and mingle with the general public at the prestigious event.
 
In addition, the Live Action Arena gives visitors the chance to get right next to the action as race-prepared cars rev-up and let loose in the custom-built showground.
 
Another big crowd-draw will be the first-ever PistonHeads Performance Car Show, which will run in parallel to ASI. More than 25,000 sports car fans are expected to attend for features including a concept car gallery, supercar paddock, track day cars, performance tuned cars and car market.  

The winners of the Autosport International ticket competition are, Mr S Wood, Mr G Davies, Mrs K Bull, Miss Julia Mayo, Mr J Elliott, Mr M Salmon, Mr D Green, Miss U Crabtree, Mr K Knibb and Mr J Stuber. The answer to the question: Which driver will be displaying his Lucas Oil sponsored Top Fuel Dragster on the main Santa Pod Raceway stand? Was Andy Carter

Autosport International will run from Saturday 12 to Sunday 13 January. Adult tickets start at £28 per day with children’s tickets costing £18.50. To book, visit www.autosport-international.com or call 0044 8700400396.  
The Pistonheads Show is an extension of the web magazine Pistonheads.com, which is one of the world’s biggest online communities in the automotive sector with 1.1million unique users.

NEC Autosport International Show Jan 10-13 2008 - 06/12/07

Don’t miss the Santa Pod Raceway stands at Autosport International 2008 – they’re packed with a selection of the finest and fastest machines on earth!
 
The main drag racing stand on Saturday and Sunday but new for 2008 will see another display of performance and modified cars in the exclusive PistonHeads Hall on Friday/Saturday and Sunday. Don’t miss several burnout demos in the Live Action Arena over all 4 days. You’ll witness wild rubber burning action from National Drag Racing Champions - Andy Robinson’s Pro Mod and Conrad Stanley’s stunning Pontiac Firebird. They will be joined by the fastest street legal car in the UK – Andy Frost’s Vauxhall Victor plus some of our junior dragsters.
 
Autosport International (Sat/Sun) - Hall 11/Stand 18410
 
Top Fuel Dragster - Drag Racing’s premier class is represented by former FIA Champion Andy Carter with his 300mph Top Fuel Dragster. Sponsored by Lucas OPils, this 8000bhp missile is capable of over 300mph in less than 5 seconds and Andy will be happy to enlighten you about his experiences behind the wheel!
 
Jet Funny Car - Martin Hill’s world record breaking Jet Funny Car has in the past clocked a spectacular 336mph at Santa Pod and never fails to impress the crowds. Powered by a Pratt & Whitney engine from a Skycrane helicopter this fire-breathing beast guzzles 120 litres of aviation fuel per appearance on the track!
 
John Spuffard’s “Showtime” Funny Car – this beautiful car debuted at Santa Pod in 2007 and turned many heads. Wild runs with speeds reaching 300mph.
 
Completing the line-up will be Santa Pod’s very own Top Fuel Bike – a 200mph 2 wheeled monster and a high spec Drift Car. Unlike dragsters, these cars prefer sideways action and regularly perform in Santa Pod’s own drift arena.
 
Santa Pod also welcomes the younger race fan and has proved to be a very popular venue with families. If you visit the stand this year then bring your camera and have a very special souvenir picture taken with “Nitro” our dragon mascot whilst sitting in Santa Pod’s very own Junior Dragster. Don’t forget to visit the merchandise trailer for some great Santa Pod gifts and souvenirs plus get the latest Season DVDs hot off the press.
 
PistonHeads Show (Fri/Sat/Sun) – Hall 12/Stand 12790
 
Santa Pod Raceway’s second stand at Autosport International 2008 is located in the PistonHeads show area and has a different focus to the main drag racing stand, featuring the very best modified cars from Santa Pod Raceway’s burgeoning Japanese car scene and modified car events.
 
Heading up the display are three very influential cars from the HKS Drag Series: The first race series exclusively for Japanese cars. The three cars featured won their respective class in the championship’s inaugural year, and represent the very fastest and most powerful modified cars on the planet. These turbocharged monsters kick out more power than a modern Formula 1 car and will leap to astonishing speeds much faster too. 
 
Steve Whittaker – XS Power Mk 3 Toyota Supra
Steve’s 1,000 bhp Toyota Supra is a purpose built drag car that can hit over 170mph in just 8.0 seconds, and yet utilizes the original Supra 3 litre, 6 cylinder engine! Steve won the HKS Drag Series “Pro” class in 2007. This car is currently the fastest Japanese car in Europe.
 
Johnny McKeon – Endless Nissan Skyline R32
Johnny topped the HKS Drag Series “Street” class with this car in 2007, and has run 9-second quarter mile passes at almost 150mph with it in fully street legal trim. The car uses the original 4WD system and 6 cylinder engine and produces around 1,000bhp.
 
Scott Whitelaw – CPL Racing Honda Civic Type R
Scott’s Civic won the HKS Drag Series “Front Wheel Drive” class in 2007 and also set UK records along the way. The car uses over 500bhp to hit 137 mph in 10.6 seconds, and achieves all of this with just 4 cylinders and the original Honda 2-litre engine.
 
Andy Barnes – Sumo Power Nissan Skyline R33 GTR
Andy did not compete in the HKS Drag Series last year, but spent 2007 testing his Skyline, managing an astounding 8.2 second run at 164mph, but setting the European 4WD record at a “backed-up” 8.40 @ 161mph. The car could go even faster next year, and serves as a testbed for some of HKS Europe’s top-end products.
 
The HKS Drag Series Cars are joined by the Marangoni Toyota Yaris. This car has hit the covers of glossy magazines with its good looks, but it packs a serious performance punch too, with a specially tuned MR2 engine that is mid-mounted and tweaked to over 300bhp. Just as well it’s got some decent tyres on then!
 
Finally, check out our Ultimate Street Car show vehicle, an exercise in extreme styling that represents the non-performance side of the modified car scene, and shows off the talents of the very best ICE and bodywork specialists in the UK. The car’s identity is yet to be revealed at the time of going to press, but you can guarantee she’ll be a stunner
 
Before you leave either stand, pick up your FREE copy of “The Guide to Santa Pod Raceway” and all the 2008 events on your FREE poster/wallplanner.
 
We look forward to welcoming you on the weekend.

RWYB at Santa Pod Raceway - 31/07/07

As part of National Motorsport Week, Santa Pod Raceway, the home of European Drag Racing are inviting newcomers to come along and participate at one of their regular RWYB (Run What You Brung) public track days on Saturday 18th August. Santa Pod’s RWYB days offer wannabe racers a fantastic chance to test their nerves and skill on the famour 1/4 mile drag strip.

You don't have to apply for a race licence, you don't have to tape over your lights, you don't even have to own a fast car or bike! Your mum's Fiesta or street bike would do the job fine and most of the drivers who come along will be racing in normal road cars and bikes. Some, however, may have slight modifications or even be professional racers in their drag cars and bikes but don't worry, you won't be pitched against a 300mph Top Fuel Dragster!

RWYB is one of the cheapest ways to get involved in motorsport. The only things you need to bring along are a valid UK driving licence, £10 for admission and £20 signing-on fee. You'll be entitled to unlimited runs or as many as your nerves will allow! After each run you'll receive a personal performance print-out showing your reaction times to the start lights, 60ft, 1/4 mile, 1/8 mile times and terminal speed.

If you really get hooked you could then apply for a competition licence and enter a street class at a proper race meeting because, don't forget, the RWYB days are how most of the professional racers get started. Why not enter the Castrol Challenge 2007? This is basically a RWYB Speed Table which lets you see where your times down the ¼ mile rank with other “street legal” cars. Prizes are available for the quickest driver in 2007 and at each eligible event. To enter the challenge, you must pre-register your vehicle and obtain your personal race number by logging onto www.rwyb.co.uk

Venue normally opens at 8.00am with the track open from 9.30am to 5pm. It is recommended you arrive before 9.30 to ensure track-time. We can only accept a limited number of sign-ons, so arrive early to avoid disappointment!

For further information log onto www.rwyb.co.uk.

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Autosport International - 17/01/05

Santa Pod brought drag racing into focus at the Autosport International Show at Birmingham 's NEC at the start of January. Santa Pod hosted a superb line up of race cars which attracted a fascinated audience all weekend. On the stand was Andy Carter's championship-winning Top Fuel Dragster, Martin Hill's Fireforce Jet Car, Sandra Chaplain's Comp Bike, and our Nitro Funny Car, and Junior Dragster showcars. The reception our stand received was fantastic, and we hope to see these new faces at the Pod in 2005.

Chop Shop - 06/02/2008 - Read Article
Ripspeed X - 18/01/2008 - Read Article
Don’t Wreck the Ride - 07/01/2008 - Read Article
Autosport Competition - 07/12/2007 - Read Article
NEC Autosport International Show Jan 10-13 2008 - 06/12/07 - Read Article
RWYB at Santa Pod Raceway - 31/07/07 - Read Article
Drag Racing’s Heritage Research - 16/05/07 - Read Article
Main Event Hospitality Prize Draw - 19/04/07 - Read Article
New Trip To America announced - 27/02/07 - Read Article
Driving Force - 29/01/07 - Read Article
MSA British Drag Racing Championship - 23/01/07 - Read Article
2007 Sponsors - 08/01/07 - Read Article
Autosport International Show - NEC 11th-14th January 2007 - Read Article
Webster Sets New Record at JapShow Finale - 08/10/06 - Read Article
Parade of Power - 01/09/06 - Read Article
British International Motor Show - 28/06/06 - Read Article
Power Tool Drag Racing - 31/05/06 - Read Article
Main Event - 30/05/06 - Read Article
More Site Improvements - 22/05/06 - Read Article
Santa Pod Raceway's Fan Guide 2006 - 05/04/06 - Read Article
Charity Auction - 17/03/06 - Read Article
Santa Pod at Xtreme Wheels - 27/02/06 - Read Article
Track Improvements - 21/02/06 - Read Article
More Site Improvements - 03/02/06 - Read Article
Lane Sponsors - 24/01/06 - Read Article
Looking forward, looking back - 19/01/06 - Read Article
European Finals Rain Off Values - 12/09/05 - Read Article
Parade of Power - 03/09/05 - Read Article
Santa Pod Developments - 30/08/05 - Read Article
A Dream Come True - 17/07/05 - Read Article
Additional Saturday Night Special - 13/07/05 - Read Article
Cash Machine - 16/06/05 - Read Article
Pod Improvements - 25/05/05 - Read Article
Pod Shop Reopening - 24/05/05 - Read Article
Testing and Promotional News - 23/05/05 - Read Article
Santa Pod Developments - 29/04/05 - Read Article
Ripspeed Donny Show - 11/04/05 - Read Article
VolksWorld Show - 04/04/05 - Read Article
Jet Car sets world record at Santa Pod Raceway! - 27/03/05 - Read Article
Santa Pod & CruiseSport Announce Partnership - 07/03/05 - Read Article
Charity Endurance Go Kart Race - 07/03/05 - Read Article
No Monster Truck Mayhem at Summer Nationals - 05/03/05 - Read Article
New Saturday Night Special Announced - 02/03/05 - Read Article
Xtreme Wheels Show - 21/02/05 - Read Article
SantaPod.com re-launched! - 07/02/05 - Read Article
Santa Pod Racer's Club Dinner Dance - 05/02/05 - Read Article
Santa Pod Developments - 04/02/05 - Read Article
Autosport International - 17/01/05 - Read Article

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For all the latest news from the world of Drag Racing visit www.eurodragster.com.

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