SG: Can you tell a bit about how the preparations and planning is proceeding for the first FIA championship event out of two at Santa Pod, the Main Event May 24-27th?

CD: Whilst this may be the first European FIA Championship event for 2013, of course it’s not the first event in Santa Pod Raceway’s extensive calendar. Our season normally builds ups from January with a number of “RWYB” track days, The Fast Show (modified car club event) and then our first major national drag racing event at Easter. Well, the British weather is notorious for being unpredictable and the first quarter of 2013 certainly lived up to this reputation. The first few track days were lost to snow with prolonged periods of sub-zero temperatures. Then the rain came, followed by more snow showers and temperatures plummeted for a very wintry start to the spring.  The Santa Pod site team fought to keep the site operational for The Fast Show in March and some stubborn snow was still with us as we approached our newly branded Easter meeting – Festival of Power. This was the coldest drag race anyone can recall in the venue’s 47 operating years to date – likely the coldest major race ever held in Europe.

But who would have believed that during this time, one of the biggest projects in recent Santa Pod history was also taking place – the resurfacing of the Santa Pod drag strip!

The planning and surveying process had started at the end of last season to lay a brand new surface ready for this season. The decision to go ahead was made after lengthy negotiations with Breedon Aggregates of Derbyshire. They sent in their boffins who conducted material trials on the track late last year and the correct product was selected for the task. Its benefits include very high durability and exceptional deformation and fretting resistance, with a smooth, homogenous surface ensuring excellent ride quality together with good climate resistance. The area that has been resurfaced extends the full length of the track from behind the start line to well beyond the finish line gantry. The procedure, which included planing the old track flat and using the planings elsewhere on site, regulating and surfacing so that any dips were ironed out, took a week to complete. So now the much talked about new track was down but the weather had prevented all but cursory preparation work from being completed.
The outcome, however, was a marvel to behold, in its chilly way.

The new track held virtually everything the racers could throw at it at Easter’s Festival of Power. The Top Fuel Dragsters and Funny Cars could only spin and shake but managed at least to steer a straight, safe line, but other classes of car and motorcycle performed handsomely. Several even clocked personal-bests, notably motorcyclist Steve Venables, who became Europe’s fourth SuperStreet Bike racer to top 200 miles-per-hour.

We can look forward to improved performances all round as the track rubbers in and it gains more traction. As the seasons go on we hope to be claiming some records back!

As well as the new track surface at Santa Pod Raceway, new debris fencing has been installed to protect the pit side of the track from an area just beyond the end of the grandstand, all the way to the “scrutineering” building. The main portion of the debris fence is 350 metres long, 5 metres high and is strengthened by 1750 metres of tensioned steel wire rope used to suspend 700 metres of heavy duty chain link from 33 steel girders. This new addition replaces the tired and scruffy fencing that people would have been used to seeing for over 10 years and shows not only that Santa Pod are committed to providing the safest environment possible for racers and fans but also that we care about the appearance of the facility.

Another improvement that people will not be able to see so easily is the underground drainage works that we have begun installing, it’s hoped that the first phase of planned works to improve the general drainage across site will be invisible to spectators by the time of the FIA Main Event.

SG: Are there any new features for this year you wish to mention?

2013 sees the inaugural year of the European Funny Car Series. FIA Top Fuel remains the major class in European drag racing, but the nitro Funny Cars can be the show stopper and jaw dropper of European drag racing. For many years the ‘floppers’ produced exciting and spectacular drag racing at Santa Pod and now they are coming back and it looks like the dragsters will have to make some room for the sports wildest rides - the Nitro Funny Cars. Small beginnings at the Festival of Power over the Easter weekend at Santa Pod presented a hardy crowd with just a fleeting glimpse of what it yet to come in the series. With Leif Helander out due to illness just 3 cars were entered after a promising Kevin Kent failed to complete his licencing requirements because of the bitterly cold weather.

photo from the resurfacing project

The scene is now set for the Main Event; with a possible 6 car show depending on 2 drivers completing their licencing runs before race day. American 4 sec runner and trophy hunter Terry Haddock is also flying over to the Main Event to see how things look in this brand new series. “I’m really pumped about the whole thing” said the former IHRA champion, “I wanna come race with the guys in Europe, I have some good buddy’s over in England and I really hope to bring my car over for the last two races to race against those guys”. The show rolls into Hockenheim for the third round at the prestigious Nitrolympix, before returning to Santa Pod and the final round of the series at the European Finals.

Santa Pod has also added more sponsors to its portfolio for this season including leading insurance company, Performance Direct as its lane sponsor for the 2013 season. The deal sees the classic, performance and modified insurance specialist taking high profile track branding at all of Santa Pod’s tuning and lifestyle shows throughout a packed calendar of events.

Commenting on the association, Performance Direct’s Marketing Director Matt Collett said, ‘After considering many of the UK’s best motorsport venues we decided that Santa Pod would deliver the best access to our audience. No other venue has the sheer diversity of tuned, modified and classic car enthusiasts visiting each year. As their audience precisely matches our own customer base, it seemed like the perfect fit. Also, we’re staffed completely by enthusiasts, so the chance to come and enjoy a few of the Santa Pod events as ‘work’ seemed too good to miss!’ www.performancedirect.com

Performance Direct will share the rights to the left hand lane with existing partner Alamo Car Rental who continues to offer discounted rental rates to the drag racing community. So whether you’re travelling to Santa Pod, The Western Sydney Dragway, Pomona or just going on vacation they have locations nearby with very competitive rates www.alamo.co.uk/dragster

Stingray RV has also become an official partner of Santa Pod Raceway, taking prominent track branding and advertising across the site, as well as providing us with a luxurious RV to use on key race weekends.

We’re delighted to be partnering with the market leader in RV and luxury motorhome hire, as no-one really understands the motorsport market quite like Stingray does. As a treat for a race weekend, whether you’re team looking to relax after each meeting, or just a family or group looking to enjoy any of our major events in real style and comfort, a Stingray RV makes a very compelling alternative to ‘run of the mill’ camping – offering Hilton levels of luxury, whilst camping wherever you want on site.

To qualify for an exclusive discount, simply go to the Stingray RV website at www.stingrayRV.com and click on ‘RV Rentals’ to see the huge range of Winnebagos available to hire. Just quote reference ‘SP’ when you book to receive a 10% discount.
 
SG: Santa Pod is the busiest track of all in Europe; are there any other events you wish to highlight this season?

“Busy” would be an understatement as we run over 50 events each year! Many of these events hold their regular place in the drag racing calendar each year but we don’t stop at just drag racing! With such a large venue, we have diversified to run some slightly alternative events.


The first of note is XFest over the May Day weekend of May 4th-6th. XFest is an Extreme Sports Festival with contests for BMX, scooters, in-line skate and mountain bikes. Featuring park, street and dirt courses with competitions and public sessions on them all, plus live music, funfair, Jet Car, freestyle FMX, a large trade village and more. www.XFest.co.uk
 
In the month of June, Santa Pod welcomes a brand new Festival “Back with Mods”. Designed by Mods, for Mods, the inaugural outing for this show promises much for anyone who remembers what it was like to frequent Brighton sea-front in the mid-1960s, or just likes to act, dress and ride like they do! In a line-up that sees the best music, machinery and fashion from the scene packed into three fun packed days. It’s a must for anyone that loves their Lambretta or values their Vespa. read more at www.BackWithMods.com
 
We will also be partnering with Alamo for a fantastic new Junior Drag Racing Fun Day on Weds Aug 21st. This will be a complimentary showcase event during the school summer break for all Junior Drag Racers and their families plus free admission to the public. Expect to see track action from the junior drag bikes, junior dragsters and junior funny cars,  Plus an array of activities for everyone to enjoy including on and off track including go-kart racing, human-powered racing, static displays and kids entertainment. The event will be run in conjunction with the children’s cancer charity NC TLC TRUST, a local charity based in Earls Barton which works to support families living with tumours, leukaemia and other cancers. Link: Read more about the event..