Flame and Thunder Show
Santa Pod 3rd November 2007
The Showtime FC had been invited along as one of the drag racing exhibition vehicles. The event attracts spectators who do not normally attend race meetings and with this in mind Bob decided we would have an “Open House” in our pit to allow people to get up close to the car and have a good look around. All the crew were available to answer any questions – and the crowd came thick and fast all day!
The weather was pleasantly surprising for early November with blue skies, occasional sunshine and a not too cold breeze. The first run was scheduled for around 1pm. We warmed up the car around 12 and everything was OK. In order to keep as much heat as possible in the motor it was wrapped up and a fan heater directed onto the oil pan, not normally part of the pre-race routine, but a wise precaution due to the colder weather.
As the only Funny car present we would be running solo, which meant John’s preferred right lane.
A long, strong burnout and then the car launched aggressively and hit tyre shake just past the tree.
John said afterwards “The car didn’t feel too good in the burnout which I thought was down to track conditions, so when I hit the gas I was expecting it to blow the tyres off. Well what a surprise when it dug in, but then shortly after went into tyre shake”.
Back in the pits service was straight forward, no damage had been done. By the time the service had been completed the weather had closed in, completely covering the body with condensation. The final run of 2007 would be after dark which always gives the crowd a great show with the header flames lighting up the sky. Bob had taken power out of the car to try and improve traction.
This time the car burnt out much better so I kept in it to about half track. While backing up I could see the dew on the windshield closing in. By the time I went into stage the windshield was completely covered and vision was a blur from the lights on the tree. Its like badly de-icing the front screen on your road car moving 50 feet and the screen has frozen back up and is impossible to see through. And I was about to hit the gas pedal on the green! Well this is where experience comes in the heat from the motor and full power will clear the screen before I get to the tree
The car sat down and started to haul ass and got past the point in the last run where it went wrong, But boy did it shake after that. By the time I could re-gather the car I was running straight down the centre line of the track taking out any foam blocks that got in the way. Sorry guys. So not the end we were hoping for.
That was it for 2007. We would like to thank our sponsors for their ongoing support, the fans, everyone at Santa Pod, track and safety crews, officials, management and their various teams.
Our 2008 season will start at the Autosport Show in January at the NEC. On the trade days the car will be on display in the Engineering section in support of our sponsors who are exhibiting. On the public days the car will move to the Santa Pod stand where
you can take a close up look.
Keep checking on the website through the winter for updates
Thank you to Peter Donaldson for these images of the Showtime FC at the Flame & Thunder Show 2007.
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