The exciting and spectacular sport of drag racing has been established only ten years in Great Britain but is already drawing larger crowds of spectators than most other forms of motor sport.
Why is this? Obviously Drag Racing has an appeal not found in other types of racing the sight and sound of really powerful machinery, brightly coloured and easily identifiable, the chance to see the whole of the race at once, drivers and crews being easily approachable, but above all the tremendous atmosphere of excitement created, the exhilarating burn-outs and the fantastic performances registered by the fastest accelerating cars in the world.
Right at the top of the Drag Racing tree is the "Formula One" Car - Top Fuel Dragster. Generally powered by a supercharged, fuel injected, nitromethane burning, 7 litre Chrysler V8 engine, these cars reach speeds of over 200 mph in under seven seconds from a standing start in a ¼ mile! An average family saloon car taking around 19 seconds to cover the same distance with a speed at the finish unlikely to be above 70 mph.
Drag Racing is just that - racing, cars complete in pairs, the first to cross the line being the winner, there are no second places in Drag Racing - just losers! Therefore driver reaction at the start being just as important as a powerful motor. Obviously the skill required to handle 1600 Horsepower in a car weighing just over half a ton whilst experiencing acceleration forces of up to 2 'G' is also not to be taken lightly.
The Hillbillies
For 1974 the original team are still together (after five years), they are driver and mechanic Roland Pratt, team manager and mechanic Michael Derry and crew member Gerald Haines.
This trio believe that they represent the best prospect for success in the coming years after a successful year in Top Fuel Dragsters. Combining experience with youth and determination. They plan on running a new car of their own for '74 with all the latest equipment to put them out in front which will make them hard to beat.
Such a venture costs money a great deal of money, and sponsorship is vital to ensure success of this project.
But why should your company sponsor Drag Racing? Well, it has a young and rapidly expanding audience (the only motor sport with continuing rise in audience figures), with race meetings held throughout the country from March to November. As well as the established drag racing centre other major race circuits are organising drag races - Silverstone being the first in '73 with an International Meeting that attracted over 180 entries including cars from Sweden, Germany and Austria.
Encouraged by the overwhelming response from the public, there are already plans for at least two meetings at Silverstone in 1974. Along with this and other venues at present used there are many new sites on the way in the future. The European aspect is also very attractive with meetings in Sweden, Germany and Holland possible. Internationally the USA dominates the World scene, but Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa are also running large meetings where foreign entries would be sure to create tremendous interest and publicity. Television and press is another aspect that is rapidly expanding, drag racing being ideal material for the former and the unusual vehicles provide a welcome change from the normal types of racing for the latter even extending far outside the motor orientated publications. At car shows too the dragster is always a standout, attracting large crowds and maximum exposure for the sponsors, which in turn would give the sponsor that new colourful image. Immaculate and colourful cars being a tradition in drag racing.
Over the past twelve months drag racing has grown at a tremendous rate to the extent that companies that are mentioned now becoming involved with the sport! Drag racing is also covered on radio and TV
Already many large companies are involved with drag racing sponsorship Castrol, Shell, S.T.P., Chrysler UK, Accles & Pollock, Revel Toys, Radio Luxembourg and Companies not necessarily associated with motor racing. To them and you drag racing offers a unique publicity and advertising device with maximum effect deriving from relatively small capital outlay.
A breakdown of costs and expenses is included if you are interested, in our plans, have any questions or proposals we would be glad to hear from you. We would also welcome the opportunity to discuss details personally.
Driver and Mechanic Roland Pratt
Aged 26. Single. From Tetbury, Gloucestershire.
Nicknamed "The Rookie" by some in his first year in Top Fuel racing has proved to be a fine driver with the reactions and temperament required to handle 1600 plus Horsepower of these, the premiere drag racing cars.
Team Manager and Mechanic Michael Derry
Aged 27. Married. From Swindon, Wiltshire.
Mike is the other half of the Hillbillies and is also in his first year of Top Fuel racing. In this past year Mike has also gained a tremendous amount of experience, with his cool approach and determination to make the next year successful.
Mike and Roland's racing career started back in 1969 with a Chevrolet powered Vauxhall Cresta. When their partnership developed they were nicknamed the "Hillbillies". The following years they campaigned a successful Fiat Topilino Competition Altered, that was powered by a 7 litre Chevrolet engine and recorded a best performance of 9.4 seconds at 160 mph. During that year the Hillbillies gained a lot of popularity so the name stuck with them to the present day.
For 1972 they fielded Britain's first "Funny Car" a fibreglass replica of a Vauxhall Transcontinental powered by a supercharged 6.5 litre Chrysler engine of the type used in the Top Fuel Dragsters. After initial promising runs of 8.77 seconds at 170 mph the car was unfortunately written off in a crash caused by handling problems.
Moving into Top Fuel Dragster Class for '73 Roland has been driving the Accles & Pollock Team Castrol rear engined car with some success, after the "shake-down" period of adapting to his new drive and specific problems associated with this type of car he has become the leading challenger to the established stars gaining a large following from the spectators in the process. So far this year he has driven "Revolution 3" to 201 mph in 7.4 seconds, and says he is looking forward to the "sixes" with great anticipation. Friendly, easy going but possessing the determination to succeed and the willingness to work for that success that will make him the driver to beat in '74.
Operating Expenses
The operation and maintenance of a blown fuel burning dragster isn't cheap! It isn't cheap for the fellow who works at it as a hobby and it's even more expensive for the guy who makes racing a serious business. Let's have a look at what it takes to operate a race car that has to win; that has to be dependable; that has to provide a thrilling show for the spectators and while doing all this, provide some sort of return on the original investment in publicity and prize money.
Fixed Expenses
(Based on fifteen meetings per season schedule)
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Repairs and Maintenance
Tyres (2 sets)
Fuel (5 Gallons Per Run) (5 Runs)
Travel Expenses
Entry Fee
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£100 per meeting
£20 per meeting
£150 per meeting
£25 per meeting
£5 per meeting
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Building Costs
No form of racing car is cheap to build and a Top Fuel Dragster is no exception. However, costs are reletive and it is a fact that the total costs of building such a drag racing car compares very favourably with the cost of just one Ford Formular 1 engine.
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Costs - Engine
Car and Trailer
Spares For 1 Season
Insurance
Total
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£2,300
£1500
£1500
£50
£5,350
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Technical Data Sheet
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Chassis : 230" Wheelbase :
Engine :
Crankshaft :
Rods :
Pistons :
Rings :
Oil :
Oil Filter :
Camshaft :
Valves :
Fuel Injectors :
Supercharger :
Supercharger Drive :
Ignition :
Spark Plugs :
Exaust Headers :
Flywheel and Clutch :
Body :
Paint
Expected Speed :
Weight :
Expected Time :
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Gane
426 cu in (7 Litre) Chrysler, Hemi V8
Reath Automotive
B.R.C.
Velalia
Velalia
Castrol
To be negotiated
Engle
Donovan
Enderle
Dorakas
Cragar
Vertex
To be negotiated
Cragar
Merv Scott
Gane
To be negotiated
220 mph plus
1550lb.
6.3 seconds
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The Scene
Drag Racing is currently organised in the following countries :-
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England
USA
Canada
Sweden
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Germany
Australia
New Zealand
South Africa
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With entries also coming to race in England from :-
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Sweden
Norway
Holland
Germany
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South Africa
USA
Denmark
England
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Venues used over the past two years are
:-
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Santa Pod,
Blackbushe Airport,
Silverstone.
RAF Wroughton,
Fulbeck,.
HMS Daedalus,
Long Marston,
Elvington,
Felton,
RAF North Luffingham,
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Nr Wellingborough, Northants.
Nr Camberley, Surrey.
Grand Prix Circuit.
Nr Swindon, Wilts.
Nr. Nottingham.
Lee-On-Solent, Hants.
Nr Birmingham.
Nr. York.
Nr. Newcastle-Upon-Tyne.
Nr. Ipswich, Suffolk.
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There are also other venues under negotiation.
