Santa Pod Raceway in Northamptonshire
Re-Scheduled for 26th October 2008 Due to low turn out
Meet for a” Run What You Bring" Day”

What about this for a meet up venue. Santa Pod is near Northampton and in easy reach for most of us.
There are full facilities for refreshments and plenty of entertainment if you like watching fast cars being put through their paces.
This would be a good place to meet, natter, eat hot dogs and watch the cars blasting up the strip from the grandstand. There should also be good photo and on-board video opportunities here.
The RWYB days are for those crazy people who fancy putting there own car against the clock on the famous Santa Pod quarter mile drag strip.
Are any Crossfire drivers brave, or mad enough!
For just £10 admission and £20 to "sign on", you can test your cars performance limits in a safe environment. You don't need a race licence, or have to tape over your lights, or even have a fast car. Most drivers bring normal road cars. Some, however, may have slight modifications, but don't worry, you won't be pitched against a 300mph Top Fuel Dragster! On the plus side you sometimes get to see Europe's fastest cars running using the same strip.
The only thing you need to go drag racing at the famous Santa Pod Raceway is a valid UK driving licence, a helmet, £10 for admission and a £20 signing-on fee. You'll get unlimited runs or as many as your nerves will allow!
After each run you get a personal performance print-out with your reaction times to the start lights, 60ft, 1/4 mile, 1/8 mile times and terminal speed.
Venue normally opens at 8.00am with track runs starting at 9:30am - 5pm, weather and track conditions dependant. Some RWYB meetings are busy than others, so waiting times between runs can vary.
NB: Don't forget your driving licence! Helmets are required for all open top cars, and those which will achieve 100mph. For further information www.santapod.co.uk/ and make sure you view RWYB Guides for essential info. Note: Cars cannot run on the Drag Strip durring rain, however, a wet surface can be dried with the special equipment they have there, to enable runs to continue.

Gates open at 8am, signing on will start from 9am and racing starts at 9:30 am (weather and track conditions allowing). The track usually closes at 5pm on normal RWYB days.

If you are thinking about taking to the strip, this is the signing on procedure:
*Make sure you take your driving licence and cash for signing on*

1) Walk over to the signing on office at the base of the tower.
2) Present your driving licence and Signing on fee to the staff in the signing on office.
3) Collect your wrist-band (and RWYB vouchers and vehicle movement pass at specialist events).
4) You may now move your vehicle over to the fire-up lane to join the back of the RWYB queue.
5) Once you have completed your runs, please return to your parking spot.

 

Steve..This sounds like a fun day out and the chance to test my baby..the car not Jane .. sounds interesting.

At least its all correctly controled and not like Castle Combe where you have loads of other cars racing around with you.

Count me in for this one..

Ken.

 

Even Santa Pod !!! ..a correction re PM ..you will know who its meant for..
Ken

 

I may be along - I think it depends on what else is going on in October.

I’m not sure I’ll try the speed test thing - I’ve not been on a track day before, so I think I’d be watching to see what’s what. Oh, and photographing. Got to use the long lens for something...

I’ll see what’s what closer to the day, I think.

 

Thought I had replied to this, but must have forgotten to press "send" or something. I will be along in some shape or form. I would like to race, looks like great fun! But..... having some domestic debate about this, when negotiations reach a conclusion , I may or may not be competing ! But will come along whatever

cheers,

Paul

 

Santa Pod...Ken and Son Gareth will be attending..No Jane this time around..its the first meet she has missed.

Chris..(Lissxf) and Pete (Bollox) will either of you be going? We could travel there in convey together....other Xfire owners welcome or we could meet along the way..

Ken..

 

Just a wee reminder..do read Steve's original post about Santa Pod..and remember if you intend to toe the line.. You must have a crash halmet and driving licence ..and money for the hot dogs!

See you on the day...lots of you I hope..

Ken..

 

Hi Chaps, I'm afraid I'm not going to be able to make this one as I will be away in Mull for the rally. Looking forward to seeing the time slips when I get back A chance for the autosticks to be let loose on the track at last (albeit a straight one)

Have Fun!

 

Hi Woody..You will be missed..have a great time in Mull..

We have our group photographer on hand..Paul (Hairydalek) he will be riding shot gun with me and bringing his movie camera..

Cheers

Ken

 

That’s if I can find a helmet to borrow between now and then....

 

Since there will only be two of you on track at the same time, I'm sure you could borrow one from someone waiting - not sure about Santa Pod but most tracks let you hire one for the day. Looking forward to the pics and vids

 

Thanks Ken, I always enjoy Mull. The fact that scrutineering takes place in the distillery tells you all you need to know about the event

Are you going to be running against each other?

 

Woody..I hope so.and uless the Xfire numbers increase, it may well be more than once Steve and I toe the line together. So any advice you can give me regarding the timed run's? and we won't say a word to Steve-UK..just our secret Woody OK!

Christmas lunch meet is not to far away..more ale testing in the evening with ther lads..

Keep Well

Ken..

 

Paul.. My son will has a spare or two..let me have your head size..I would think around 57/58 ? check and let me know and I will confirm either way..He's a biker and has aquired a few lids ovet the years..

Cheers

Ken.

 

A few tips on keeping it safe on the standing quarter mile......

Allthough tyre smoke looks great, try to avoid wheel spin - its costs time.

Check tyre pressures 31psi front 32psi rear.

Dont look at the dials on the dash board, keep looking well ahead and point the car at the finish line.

Avoid any sudden steering moves, if she starts twitching under hard acceleration keep a cool head.

Dont loose concentration as you pass the finish line, you will be going very fast at this point, and need to slow the car down carefully.

Brake gently to slow down at the end of the run, there's plenty of room to bring down your speed without jumping on the brakes and loosing control, especially if its damp.

Let the engine cool down after each run, and watch the temp guage. Dont let it boil up.

Check under bonnet before each run; make sure everthing is where it should be, and nothing is leaking out.

 

Sorry, but I can't make this one...which is a shame as Santa Pod can be my second home when the weather is on side. I was up there last weekend watching the National Finals...saw plenty of top fuel action.

 

Sorry Ken I have no real experience of drag racing, so the only advice I can give is nail it, keep going straight and stay on the black bit

 

Hi Woody

Steve-UK sent me a load of info on how to stay on the black bit.

Some secret!

Ken..

 

Negotiations have now completed and unfortunately I won't be racing but will come along to heckle/cheer. I think that Anne has too many memories of my antics in a rally car, I kept explaining that this is a straight line with no bends, gravel, darkness etc but I have had to accept that the car is too valuable and as it would be uninsured and once the adrenalin gets going the "nut behind the wheel" can't really be trusted to be sensible

Looking forward to meeting up again and watching the days events. I may be bringing my daughter who is a petrolhead.

I asked for advice from my friend who is a top fuel dragster and she said it is all won and lost on the reaction time when the lights go green. Here is a link to my friend, she knows what she is talking about !

http://www.santapod.co.uk/dr_stand2007detail.php?ID=377

what time is everyone getting there, and is there a midlands convoy assembling ?

cheers,

Paul

 

Hi Paul..Have you thought of checking out your car insurers for a quote on one days track cover..may keep everyone happy!

Ken