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End Of Season Bash October 27 - 28
End of Season Bash 200127th-28th OctoberPoints awarded for The Wild Bunch, Real Steel and Rear Engined Dragster Championships
This event was the last of the season and was Wild Bunch Series Round 5 (Final), Rear Engine Series Round 3 (Final) and Real Steel Series Round 4 (Final).
We had a field of 23 Wild Bunch cars including 10 Slingshots, 5 Altereds and 8 Rear-engine dragsters/Radicals as follows:-
| Event Results | ||||
| Pos | WB | Driver | Car | Points |
| 1 | 109 | Paul Croston | B-Sting | 8 |
| 2 | 131 | Paul Harvey | ex-Locomotion | 6 |
| 3 | 133 | Tom/Alec Coe | Cobalt | 5 |
| 4 | 73 | Johnny Hall | The Happening | 4 |
| 5 | 1 | Dogs Bollocks Racing | Nutcracker | 3 |
| - | 3 | Tony Smith | The Cunning Plan | 3 |
| - | 4 | Chris Hartnell | Backdraft | 3 |
| - | 11 | Clive Bush | Good Fun Dragster | 3 |
| - | 20 | Mark Coulsell | Limited Funz | 3 |
| - | 56 | Dogs Bollocks Racing | Ramraider | 3 |
| - | 63 | Joe Stevens | Red Topolino Altered | 3 |
| - | 67 | Darryl Howells | Jolly Boys Outing | 3 |
| - | 94 | John Byng & John Attridge | Oddball | 3 |
| - | 108 | Andrew Wiilcox | Firefighter | 3 |
| - | 132 | Daniel & Elliott Jones | Dreamcatcher | 3 |
| - | 146 | Ian Roddy/Lee Brearley | ex-Chariot of Fire | 3 |
| 17 | 7 | Roy Wilding | Hemi Hunter | 2 |
| - | 53 | Pete Watkins | Six Pack | 2 |
| - | 124 | Mark Turton | Growler | 2 |
| - | 243 | Derek Annable | Thunder & Lightening 3 | 2 |
| 21 | 15 | Keith Charman | Alkymist | 1 |
| - | 29 | Tony Wynne-Jones | Welsh Raider II | 1 |
| - | 91 | Ian Hanson | Red Blown Altered | 1 |
| Spot Prizes | ||||
| WB | Team/Driver | Car | Detail | |
| Best Reaction | 20 | Mark Coulsell | Limited Funz | .425 |
| Closest to Dial-In | 3 | Tony Smith | The Cunning Plan | .004 |
| Best Altered | 63 | Joe Stevens | Red Topolino | |
| Best Radical/Dragster | 131 | Paul Harvey | Ex-Locomotion | |
| Best Slingshot | 73 | Johnny Hall | The Happening | |
| Best Appearing Team | 109 | Team B-Sting | ||
| Drivers Choice | 1 | Sarah Howells | Nutcracker | |
| Friday Friday night saw the airing of an HTV West documentary called “Drag Star”. This featured Sarah Howells, Chris Hartnell and 3 other drag racers from the HTV region, following some of their runs at Shakespeare County Raceway, and interviews at the track and home. [Claire also appeared briefly, typing Super Series 5 ladder onto computer – obviously not as exciting as all the racing action!!] |
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| Saturday This was just a practice day where Wild Bunch cars were hoping to test and tune, but it wasn’t til about 2:30 in the afternoon that they got their chance, because although the sun had been shining all morning, there was still a lot of damp in the track, due to loads of recent rain, and it took its time to dry up! Some drivers managed to get in about four runs, but most only made 1 or 2 passes. |
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| Sunday Similarly there was a long wait on Sunday, Series points day, and it was not til after 2:00 that the track was dry enough for slick tyres. Once again there was no rain but with the coolness of the weather times were slowed a little and there was only enough time for two rounds to be run, the second after the sun had dipped behind the wall and the temperatures had really begun to drop. Three drivers did manage to run personal best times, but others were a fair way off their usual performance. |
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| WB 1 | Sarah Howells was running in the Nutcracker slingshot, fresh from her TV appearance. She had Dialled in a 13.22, and ran a good 13.099 in the first round (after having some oil seal problems the previous day). She ran a 13.535 in round two and finished just outside the points in 5th place. She also took "Driver's Choice" Spot Prize by vote of Wild Bunch drivers in attendance. |
| WB 3 | Tony Smith was running well in The Cunning Plan altered and Dialled in at 12.40, running a brilliant "Closest to Dial-in" in the first round of 12.404. Unfortunately Tony had problems in the second round, and ran a 14 second pass, putting himself out of contention for a Top 4 trophy. |
| WB 4 | Chris Hartnell was also fresh from the HTV appearance. He had a slightly out-of-shape run on Saturday of 9.91 in the "Backdraft" slingshot, the slowest pass of the year so far for him. He Dialled in 9.60 on Sunday, and ran a good 9.579 in the first round, but experienced wheel spin on launch and on changing gear, running an even slower 10.013 (only 10 of the year!), but with his top speed of the year at 135.54 mph. This put him out of the Top 4 for the weekend, and meant he finished in 2nd place in Wild Bunch Series for 2001, although still equal on points with Team Dogs Bollocks "Ram Raider". |
| WB 7 | Roy Wilding made a couple of passes in his blown "Hemi Hunter" slingshot, and his first round time was 9.121 on an 8.60 Dial. He did not make a pass in the second round. |
| WB 11 | Clive Bush was back in the "Good Fun Dragster" and did some work in the pits on Saturday. He Dialled in at 11.00 seconds even on Saturday and ran an 11.129 in round one and a Personal Best E.T. of 10.620 in round two. |
| WB 15 | Keith Charman had once again repaired the "Alkymist" Rear-engine dragster, and made a checkout pass Saturday. Unfortunately his second checkout pass ended with massive damage to the engine. But once again, Keith was cheerful in the face of breakage. We wish him best of luck for next season getting a handle on the engine combination, and look forward to seeing some great runs in the car next year! |
| WB 20 | Mark Coulsell Dialled in a 10.70 in his "Limited Funz" slingshot and ran a promising 10.791 with a .427 Reaction in round one, slowing to an 11.069 with a "Best Reaction" .425 in round two, still on the ball! |
| WB 29 | Tony Wynne-Jones brought his lovely "Welsh Raider II" radical Corvette back to the track complete with burgundy paint job. The car looked great but sadly broke the torque converter in round one on Sunday. |
| WB 53 | Pete Watkins was back in his silver "Sixpack" Rear-engine dragster and Dialled in an optimistic 10.50 on Sunday. He ran a 13 second pass experiencing a loss of traction in round one. Joint leader in Wild Bunch to this point |
| WB 56 | Team Dog's Bollocks Ray Ford made a couple of passes Saturday in the "Ram Raider" slingshot, and Dialled in a conservative 11.00 for Sunday. He ran a close 11.041 in round one and a 10.795 in round two, finishing 6th on the day, but securing 1st place in Wild Bunch Series for the team, by virtue of having more first place wins in the year than Chris Hartnell. Many congratulations to the team, who will be moving the WB 1 number from "Nutcracker" to "Ram Raider" for next season, a great achievement [reminiscent of Roy and Angi's stints at No 1!]. |
| WB 63 | Joe Stevens had been lying equal 3rd with Team "Cunning Plan" before the event with his Red Topolino Altered. He Dialled in 12.00 and ran 11.924 in round one, unfortunately red-lighting in round two, but still doing enough to finish in the Top 4 of Wild Bunch Series, taking 4th place (by virtue of having a 3rd place at an event) over Tony Smith who finished 5th for the season. Joe also took "Best Altered" of the weekend. |
| WB 67 | Darryl Howells was running in the "Jolly Boys Outing" slingshot and Dialled in 12.50, running a good 12.511 in round one and a 12.947 in round two. |
| WB 73 | Johnny Hall was back in "The Happening" slingshot and Dialled in 9.30, running 9.394 in round one and 9.315 in round two, taking 4th place for the weekend, as well as "Best Slingshot" Spot Prize. |
| WB 91 | Ian Hanson was running in his Red Blown Altered Saturday, but had major problems still with the blower and suffered crank damage and more which put him out of the running Sunday. |
| WB 94 | John Byng and John Attridge made a long overdue but welcome return in the beautifully painted and revamped slingshot "Oddball". They did two checkout passes of 13 and 16 seconds, but looked happy to be back out again! Look forward to seeing more of the car next year, maybe they’ll break their record of 98 runs in a season! |
| WB 108 | Andrew Willcox was back in the "Firefighter" Rear-engine dragster and Dialled in 12.00 seconds, running 12.769 and 12.656. |
| WB 109 | Paul Croston had brought "B-Sting" out and was giving crewman Alan a turn in the hotseat, as well as a sponsor. They had a great time by all accounts. Paul took the reins back Sunday, Dialling in 12.60 and running a solid 12.618 in round one followed by a 12.592 in round two, taking 1st place in the event for the team's first time ever! This catapulted them to third place in Wild Bunch Series for 2001. They also took "Best Appearing Team" Spot Prize for the weekend. Many congratulations to them Baz will be over the moon when he finds out! |
| WB 124 | Mark Turton was back in his "Growler" altered and sadly broke a half shaft Saturday. All was not lost as, with the help of some welding overnight by Roy, he made it back out Sunday, running a 12.703 on a 13.00 Dial-in in round one. Unfortunately a shaft went again in the burnout of round two, but he had now done enough to ensure 10th place in Wild Bunch Series for 2001! |
| WB 131 | Paul Harvey brought out his Ex-Locomotion Rear-engine dragster, now on methanol with a Tunnel Ram. He did some tuning Saturday, running a great 9.0, and Dialled in 9.00 Sunday. He ran a 9.110 in the first round and a Personal Best E.T. of his first 8-second run in the round two with a great 8.929, taking 2nd place for the event, and winning "Best Dragster/Radical" Spot Prize to boot!! |
| WB 132 | Daniel & Elliott Jones made their debut in the lovely "Dreamcatche" Rear-engine dragster. They had made it to the last event last year, but rain had stopped play before they were able to make a run. This year they had a few passes each and Dialled in 14.50, running 14.450 and 13.518 @ 101.58 mph. Look forward to seeing more of them next season! |
| WB 133 | Tom & Alec Coe were running the "Cobalt" slingshot and Tom was in the cockpit on Saturday, with Alec taking the hotseat Sunday and Dialling in 12.35. He ran a 12.438 in the first round and a 12.366 in round two to take 3rd place for the event. Unfortunately crewman Kev sustained a broken bone in his hand on Saturday, in the line of duty, tripping over in the pits. Hope it mends soon Kev!! |
| WB 146 | Ian Roddy had another turn in the Yellow Rear-engine dragster and Dialled in 10.50, running 10.624 and 10.669 in the two rounds. |
| WB 243 | Derek Annable was in the "Thunder and Lightning" Top Methanol Rear-engine dragster and Dialled in 9.50, adjusting the car to cooler track and weather conditions. He did not register a time for the round one, but ran a good 9.398 in round two. |
| It was good to run the last round of the year with some racing action to conclude the Wild Bunch Series, as well as the Rear-engine dragster Series. Paul Harvey has won this series and Derek Annable was second, so congratulations to them! The Real Steel Series was also wrapped up, resulting in another series win for “Crazy” Chris Hartnell, so many congratulations to him for another great performance. Second place was Team DB's “Ram Raider”, 3rd was Team “B-Sting” and 4th Team DB's “Nutcracker”. Just a few weeks to go until the Prize Presentation and there’ll be loads of great trophies to be awarded once again. [It's really good to see 7 years’ worth of names on some trophies!] Some results such as series winners are known, but the Merit awards may bring a few surprises and just rewards to some of the many hardworking, competitive, racers who have put in a lot of effort this season, and, along with the great sportsmanship and camaraderie that exists amongst the club members, have made the Wild Bunch the great class it is today! Hope to see everyone there! It’ll be another brilliant evening! And then we can look forward to another year of great drag racing in 2002! |
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