FLAME AND THUNDER SHOW - SANTA POD
2nd November 2002
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High expectations were dashed today when the Flame and Thunder show was severely affected by the weather. Heavy overnight rain and early morning fog had left the track very wet, when we arrived at Santa Pod at around 10am the track crew were working hard to get the track dry. At 12o'clock the crew had about ten minutes to go until the track was in a go situation... then the rain started and gradually got worse and worse as the day went on. All this meant that no race car turned a wheel in anger.

The Santa Pod staff did a great job trying to keep the many hardy souls who had turned out amused. The stunt riders all put on good performances considering the conditions. We also saw wacky racers and hydraulic low rider cars out on the track. 

Michel Kooy came out twice on his jet powered quad. We thought he would just sit on the line and put on a bit of a flame show... but no, with the track like an ice rink Michel slipped and slided his way up the track... and back! At one point he had all four wheels locked and was still sliding along at quite a pace!

At about 1pm a minutes silence was held in memory of Sammy Miller who sadly died earlier this week. The minutes silence was started with the familiar Vanishing Point count down... 5... 4... 3... 2...1.... a fitting tribute to a great man.

At around 5pm we witnessed the bizarre sight of seeing two top fuel dragsters and two fuel alterds fire up in unison on the Santa Pod start line in the pouring rain. During the worst rain shower of the day the cars were towed round and fired up (on nitro) and ran for a couple of minutes, with the fuel alterds constantly blipping the throttle. Probably one of the strangest things we've ever seen happen at the Pod but we think it will have impressed those who haven't been drag racing before.

Martin Hill then came out in the Fireforce jet car and put on a good start line display before shutting the car down. The day was rounded off with the traditional firework display.

A disappointing end to a great season but all credit to those involved for putting on some sort of show when it would have been easy to give up given the terrible conditions.

Due to the lack of action on the track we haven't got many photos for you. The best of the few we did take are below.

Gary & Phil
www.dragsterworld.com

Eric Teboul's Rocket Bike, we would have loved to have seen this run.

A wheelie from a mini-quad on slightly muddy track!

Now this guy must be crazy, straddling a jet engine, sliding round on what was pretty much an ice rink! The crowd seemed to enjoy the show he put on especially when he got off the quad a put on a flame show via remote control!

Terry Grant put on an entertaining display as usual. Here getting out of the car whilst doing donuts!

Santa Pod's new kids mascot, yep you guessed it... its a drag-on.

We were very surprised when the Knut Soderquist/Chris Andrews fueller was fired up in the pits. The warm up (on nitro) was applauded by an appreciative crowd.

Couldn't get the camera settings right today (it wasn't easy taking them whilst hiding under an umbrella!)... there is a Fireforce jet car there somewhere!

Thanks for tuning in... see you next season!