Words by Ivan Sansom
Pictures by Ivan Sansom and Rose Hughes
Thanks to TSI Timers (Europe) for access to the timing data

Hot weather and clear blue skies provided the backdrop to the season opener at Santa Pod Raceway over the weekend and provided the opportunity to check out the early season form among a number of drivers and riders who will have an influence on both UK domestic matters and on the wider European stage.

Pro Fuel Shootout

The six car Pro Fuel Shootout narrowed down to a final round match up between the Nitro Funny Car of Gordon Smith and reigning FIA Top Fuel Dragster champion Urs Erbacher after the initial time trials. The Swiss driver arrived in the final with a 4.899s pass that stood for low ET of the event, whilst Smith produced a string of consistent 5 second passes over the course of the weekend with the Shockwave Mustang to book his spot. Erbacher quickly made up the 0.35s handicap at the startline and with both cars skating around down track and a 5.098s/274.74 to a 5.653s/220.36 saw the Top Fuel Dragster cross the finishline first.