Dragstalgia at Santa Pod Raceway

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

Now in its fifth year, the UK’s gathering of geezers at Ernie Braddock’s farm (aka Santa Pod Raceway) didn’t have the American headliners of last year, which might be perceived as a bit of a surprise with a certain Don Garlits and Swamp Rat 1-B having been not a million miles away a couple of weeks previously at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, but, whatever logistical reasons there were behind this, the arrival at Dragstalgia quickly dispelled any disappointment that might have lingered.

A weird and wonderful variety of entries on four and two wheels presented a heady mix of nostalgia and newstalgia with the number of dusted down vintage combinations and brand spanking new builds that debuted for this event, and there are clearly more to come as is evident from the number of partially complete vehicles that were on display in the pits. Perhaps this event was a real sign that the UK drag racing scene (with increasing input from continental Europe) had gained sufficient confidence in embracing its own history rather than casting envious glances over the Pond. Whatever the case, Dragstalgia continues to be one of the first weekends to be circled in the calendar when the date is announced, even if the good old British weather drew this year’s proceedings to a premature close halfway through Sunday’s activities.

Nostalgia Cannonball

The Nostalgia Cannonball was a slightly abbreviated affair in comparison to the mix of floppers and altereds that have previously graced Dragstalgia in competitive mode, with Tim Garlick and Ramon van der Weurf providing the side-by-side entertainment with the Apache Firebird recording its quickest and fastest numbers to date with bests of 6.1341 seconds and 224.40 mph recorded over the weekend. Having now finalized the baseline, crew chief Rob Loaring is looking to up the percentage by six points to 86% to progress things further.