Joining the elite of Pro Fuel racers almost overnight is no easy thing to do, but already knocking hard on the doors of the top two is Roland Pratt, half of the most famous twosome in drag racing.
Starting with Chevy-engined Cresta, Roland and partner Mike Derry moved on to the famous 'Hillbillies' 283-powered Topilino, which was soon packing a 454 injected Rat. Having dine well in Top Comp in '71 the car was sold in bits, all of which are still racing, and Roland and Mike moved over to the fabulous Transcontinental, Britain's first true Funny.
As you may know, the car only made five runs with a best of 8.7 before it veered off the strip at the '72 Internationals, leaving Roland bruised and the car totalled. A spontaneous whip-round raised £1000 for the popular pair, but it wasn't enough for a new Funny so they took over the Fueler Revolution Three, with Roland developing into a star pilot. His first run was 8.4, followed by a 7.8 and then a 7.4. He's currently reckoned to be favourite for the first man into the sixes.
At the recent Blackbushe meet he pulled off one of the best runs of his career, beating Clive Skilton with a perfect hole-shot, holding him all the way despite a split block. The same meet saw him qualifying ahead of both Skilton and Priddle, so watch out for Roland Pratt and a great three-cornered contest in the Pro Fuel next year.
Custom Car Magazine - November '73
