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News & reviews
New Committee members announced at NSRA AGM
AT THE NATIONAL STREET ROD ASSOCIATION’S AGM,
which was held on Sunday 27 November, few changes were made to the committee for the coming year. Thanks were given to Teresa James, the outgoing Secretary, and Brady Cole, who stood down as Pre-29 Member Coordinator.
New recruits to the committee were confirmed as: Secretary: Pauline Cox Treasurer: Anne Owen Public Relations Officer: Keith ‘Roasty’ Elliot Pre-29 Member Coordinator: Wendy Newman
In addition, dates were confirmed for various events on the NSRA calendar for 2023. These are: 5 March: Southern Swap Meet, North Weald Airfield 5-7 May: Nostalgia Nationals, Santa Pod Raceway 2-4 June: Fun Run, venue TBC 10-13 August: Hot Rod Supernationals, Old Warden Park 15-17 September: Hot Rod Drags, Santa Pod Raceway Date TBC: Northern Swap Meet, Melbourne Raceway
One of the very biggest decisions any car builder has to make is what colour the nished work is going to be. Sometimes, it’s because you happend to have a few pots lying around, but more likely you’ll have a particular reason for deciding on your chosen hue. In Mel Garrard’s case, it’s because he wanted to mimic the colour milk goes when you put it on Coco Pops. Well, it’s a Pop, right? Makes sense to us, and even if it’s not the rst thing we thought of when we clapped eyes on the car, it sure is sweet…
New to the NSRA Committee: From left to right, Pauline Cox (Secretary), Anne Owen (Treasurer), Keith Elliot (Public Relations Offi cer) and Wendy Newman (Pre-29 Member Coordinator)
The SuperNats return to their usual venue at Old Warden Park on 10-13 August as the NSRA embarks upon its second half-century in existence
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IN ADDITION TO THE COMMITTEE CHANGES and event dates detailed on the page opposite, the National Street Rod Association has announced 2022’s | inductees into its Hall of Fame. These are:
NSRA Member: Tim Horsfall Street Rod: Revenge Individual: Pat Ganahl Supplier/Organisation: Saturn Industries
Following its much-publicised tour of the UK, which culminated in a starring role at the 2022 SuperNats, Hot Rod of the Century Revenge has been inducted into the NSRA Hall of Fame
Machine Mart introduces all-in-one welding kit for fabrication and automotove use
CLARKE’S MIG102NG MIG WELDER is designed specifi cally for automotive and general fabrication work. Producing a maximum power of 90Amps, it’s capable of welding mild steel up to 4mm thick.
Promising optimum performance and reliability, the unit uses fl ux cored steel welding wire which produces its own gas shroud as it burns – meaning it doesn’t require a gas cylinder. Further features include turbo fan cooling for greater effi ciency and multiple power settings for accurate welding power control. It comes complete with a range of accessories including wire, and earth clamp and even a welding mask.
The MIG102NG is part of an extensive range of welding equipment in the Machine Mart range. It’s priced at £167.98; head for www.machinemart.co.uk.
in this issue
Kustom with an F
Suited and Bootsied for the social event of the year
Flat out and four wheels up. Now that’s a save
Dad, can you trim me an interior while I make the tea?
Suited & Bootsied
Words: Dave Biggadyke Pics: Julian Hunt
In mid-November, a good many people switched their race suits for dinner jackets or evening dresses and headed off to the Oatlands Park Hotel in Weybridge, Surrey for the British Drag Racing Hall of Fame gala. Over 200 guests attended this, the 16th ceremony of welcoming new inductees to the Hall of Fame.
Comperes for the evening were John Price and Colin Theobald, and this was the first occasion for a number of years that no Americans were in attendance. Now retired from quarter-mile racing, Ron Hope of Rat Trap Fuel Altered fame did send his apologies, and ex-CC editor Tony Thacker forwarded his best wishes.
The evening kicked off with a drinks reception during which BDRHoF director Bev Bradbury presented trophies to the junior drag racing winners. The focal point came later though, the presentations to the five latest inductees. That proved more emotional than usual this year following the sudden death of one of the recipients less than ten weeks previously.
The official side of the gala closed with a few words from Lesley Wright and it was then time to retire to the bar area for socialising. What better way could there be to round off the evening?
The gala was presented in association with Santa Pod Raceway, USAutomotive, NSRA, Santa Pod Racers Club, Straighliners and Lucas Oil Products. Supporters of the BDRHoF are Atlantic Fluid Tech, Team Twister,
Maybe the most poignant presentation of the evening came after Gary Page stepped on stage to hand over the ‘Bootsie’ awarded to the late Jon Morton. Former bike and Super Gas racer, Jon passed away on the first day of the European Finals in September. The ‘Bootsie’ was presented to his stepson Dan Page who was accompanied on stage by Heide Stanley, Marcella Field and Debbie Stock. Colin Theobald then presented a print of Jon’s No Hair Camaro commissioned by Dave Gibbons of Tony Morris Carburetors
Induction process
The names of the 2022 Hall of Fame inductees were announced at Dragstalgia earlier in the year. It was, however, the gala evening when they were each presented with a highly cherished ‘Bootsie’, sponsored by Santa Pod Racers Club
Right: Team members Nick Dammers and Jan Smit received the award for the late Henk Vink from the legend known as John Hobbs. Dutchman Henk made his first appearance at Santa Pod in 1972, racing Kawasaki-based bikes. First was a 750cc triple, then a four-stroke nitro burner before a twin-engined machine. His quickest ride, however, was a mid-6 second hydrogen peroxide-fuelled rocket bike, which he developed along with Sammy Miller. Henk suffered a fatal heart attack in 1988 following his 50th birthday celebrations
Above: Chairman John Proctor and Merchandise Co-ordinator Alan Martin collected the award on behalf of the National Street Rod Association. The ‘Bootsie’ was presented by John Wright and Jerry Cookson. Formed in 1972, having been spawned by the National Drag Racing Club Roadster Register, the NSRA first staged the Hot Rod Drags at Avon Park Raceway in 1989. Such was the success of the event, five years later the Nostalgia Nationals was added to the association’s calendar. Both meetings are now staged at Santa Pod Raceway Below: Dave Stone was joined on stage by Gerry Andrews, Trevor Horncastle and Andrew Swan to collect the award for The Stones Drag Racing Team, presented by Philip Evans. Dennis ‘Daddy’ Stone planted the seed for the team when he started racing in 1968. Over the years he was joined by fellow team members Dave Stone, Gerry Andrews. Dave Lee Travis, Colin Thompson, Trevor Horncastle, Andrew Swan, Mickey Pratt, Dick Cruse and Alan Bates. They are the only team to win three top classes at Silverstone – Street, Altered and Dragster
Left: Graham Beckwith, commentator and Melbourne Raceway supporter, presented dragster and Funny Car racer Mark Flavell with his ‘Bootsie’. Mark began racing in the 1980s and has gained honours in both Super Comp and Super Pro ET. He is also a staunch supporter of a number of race tracks, in particular York Raceway back in the ‘80s and ‘90s. Having now retired from work, Mark takes an active role in the ongoing development of the now-renamed Melbourne Raceway