'Dragstalgia' 2024 Santa Pod Raceway UK
Words and photos by Carol Rule
For 'Nostalgia' drag racing, 'Dragstalgia' is the event where it all comes together here in the UK and for many Santa Pod Raceway fans it is now a firm favourite on the calendar. Now in its 13th year, it brings the chance and opportunity to experience the nostalgia racing classes that come together over a weekend of exhilarating and spectacular racing.
The summer weather here in the UK has been very unsettled with heavy rain that interrupted the running timetable over the weekend's racing. Thunder and lightning in the early hours of Saturday morning flooded the track, this however did not stop the determination of all the Santa Pod Crew, from working incredibly hard and tirelessly in drying the track out to keep the weekend up and running. (The changing light conditions due to the weather made for some interesting atmospheric photography at times out there on track! )
Friday and 'Run what Ya Brung' was near constant, uninterrupted track time for those who got out there, plus those watching were treated to some great action. (The pre- 1980 rule applying to RWYB is a period correct for Dragstalgia.) Unfortunately late afternoon the rain appeared unexpectedly and there was no choice but to suspend racing.
The Historic Marque had a dedicated display this year that featured guests from the United States (marking the 60th Anniversary of British drag racing)
Shipped to the UK, were two iconic dragsters, both prominent figures from the formative years. Goodnight, Keith and Williamson: 'Dos Palmas Machine Spl' slingshot, back to the UK, which is the original vehicle; after making its first appearance in 1964 and the following year the Dos Palmas became the first American Dragster to be imported to the UK setting multiple records. is
Shige Suganuma and Chico Kodama from the Mooneyes company, displayed the iconic faithful replica of the famous Mooneyes Dragster. One of the first teams to give the UK a taste of what drag racing was like in 1963. With several fire ups over the weekend along with a very unexpected and definately unintended, yet almost graceful 360° spin out on track! which was corrected by Suganuma quickly and very proficiently. The track crew added to the sense of nostalgia dressed in Mooneyes hats and white Revell uniforms.s
Joining the American visitors the only known 3 surviving Allard Dragsters featuring Sydney Allards 1961 Chrysler Dragster were on display. The Allard Chrysler is usually displayed at the Beaulieu Motor Museum, which made for a unique assembled celebration of the pioneers marking 60 years of UK Drag racing.
Others alongside these included: Motivation, on display at Santa Pod for the first time in 60 years, an iconic dragster in British racing history. 'Commuter' was the fastest racer in Europe in 1968. 'Tudor Rose' In 1968 ran alongside Commuter, running it's best time of 8.28 at 182 .83 mph.
Bikes: and 'Hogslayer' a Norton twin engined machine that dominated motorcycle drag racing back in the 1970's was to be found not only on display but ventured outside.
Click link
Dragstalgia-2024-Historic -
NostalgiaDragWorld.com (smugmug.com)
Classes across the weekend were the 'Dragstalgia Cannonball' featuring the quickest and fastest funny cars, slingshots and Alterds. Nitro- and methanol-burning Nostalgia Funny Cars, slingshots, and Altereds together to race in a cannonball format. Other classes included the Gasser Circus, Outlaw Anglia, Wild Bunch,( The Wild Bunch having a brilliant field of 32 teams taking part ) Willys Wars, Supercharged Outlaws, Nostalgia Super Stock. Bikes: Old School Stockers and the NSA Bike Shootout.
There were plenty of landmark anniversaries and reunions of cars and bikes; with a few previous owners surprising and reuniting themselves with drivers in the pits. Out on track could clearly be seen the T-shirts that the 'Bond Hannas and Osbourne' team were wearing, marking their '50th Anniversary' of racing 1974 - 2024.
Dragstalgia always brings a great eclectic mix of nostalgic cars and bikes to the track where each year PB's just keep on coming. Havoc driven by Nick Davis setting a new European and MSUK record with a time of 6.04 seconds at 237.40 mph.
Dragstalgia Results: Gasser Circus :
Patrick Hobbs (11.91) 12.0135/108.17 def. Ray Turner (10.91) 12.1059/108.17
Nostalgia Superstock : Jim Smith (10.37) 10.4057/127.24 def. Chris Tyhurst (12.16) 13.7818/72.39W
Supercharged Outlaws : Andy Hadfield 7.9420/170.52 def. Nigel Rigden 8.7889/157.93
Outlaw Anglia : Colin Miller 8.3368/143.90 def. Barnaby Levy 9.7107/114.92
Willys Wars : Daniel Bates (10.09) 10.0949/130.26 def. Shawn Hinden (10.96) 11.1147/131.66
Dragstalgia Cannonball : Tim Garlick 9.5675/75.16 def. Tony Betts BROKE
Old School Stockers : Claire Rule 8.6281/147.22 def. Kevin Melling BROKE
Wild Bunch : Dan Wilson 0087
NSA Bike Shootout : Graham Sykes 10.582/135.71 def. Ray Law 14.4145/116.73
There are always moments that make you smile and draw your added attention; Back up girl Elva M Romanowska brought some great smiles, sparkle and real fun out on track with her imaginative costume changes.
They say pictures always speak louder than words, hopefully the atmosphere and action of the weekend has been captured here for all you great 'Nostalgia Drag World' fans and followers .
To view more Dragstalgia photos click link
