SantaPod 25th January 2004

After a long time away from the strip my eagerness to race again saw me attend Santapod's first RWYB of the year, In hind sight I wish I'd have gone to work instead of having spending the day at the strip.

The weather was dry but it was very cold and the track was like an ice rink, the racing should have kicked off at 10am but they were still trying to prepare the track at this time due to its poor condition after been neglected over winter, because of this set back the start was delayed until 11.10am, the queue's were almost 1/2 a mile long and tempers were on a knifes edge.

When they eventually let the racing begin we realised just how bad it was, 4x4's were wagging out, some FWD's were screaming the tyres all the way up the strip and over the finish line never getting a good grip down. Even a Ferrari had a go and lost the back end at the start line having to back off and ease the throttle back in once he'd lined her back up.

It was the same for me, spinning badly in the first 3 gears, having a Nissan Sunny GTir for my first race was not what the doctor ordered, having a 2.0i 16v Turbo 4x4 he should have left me for dead at the start line, luckily he was a drag strip virgin and he didn't lay the power down right and we set off neck and neck, then I managed to pull a nice lead as we got further up the strip. 

My Timing slips for the day are HERE, 

I learnt one thing from the days outing, and many others noticed it too, my improved terminal times, People were coming to me and asking how I managed to get a 14.9 second Quarter (slow) whilst managing to cross the line at a staggering 107MPH (fast),  All I could tell them is that once the tyres did  grip that the car shot towards the finish line with a sense of urgency, This really pleased me and even though my best time was only 14.4 (accieved on my first run where I always try and do a steady away don't break anything style run) My terminal speed suggested that the mods I have done to the engine have really been worth it and hopefully the car will get better as the year goes on and the weather improves.

Turbo Nitrous x 2	Getting ready to...	....Go	Cooling off in the Queue	The heats back on
fancy a lift mate?	Top Banana	Cavtastic	Nice aRSe,	Cally
Renault Clio Cup	Big Queue's	The Famous Finish lights	Sweet Nova	Great wheels

I Saw this Astra Turbo also with Nitrous, Stripped and Caged, massive discs, was a really nice car. Loved the instrument Pods.
What a Quick nova this was, crossing the line at 117MPH, 2.0i 8v turbo nitrous, Fitted with Autronic Management by ATC.
Me	(Migweb) RDS's Rapid cally crossed the line at 109MPH		Full Leather GSi	Me queing
Scooby Plate	That Sweet Nova Again	My First race, Sunny GTIr	Honda TypeR
www.astraturbo.com		Gallery Menu