25-28

'Santa Plod' was a bit of a grudge race between Max Hyde in his MK2 Special and Peter in Charlee Pembleton as an Auffay Hillclimb was indecisive.

Weather on Saturday was appalling so Max drove up on Sunday whilst Peter drank too much in an hotel.
Meeting first mooted by Malcolm of the Slow Car Club as a competition between their Renault 4's and our 2CVs, and was well publicised on 2CVGB.

Sunday dawned dry and very windy with gale blowing directly down the 1/4 mile strip. There was a wide variety of vehicles taking part including pukka drag cars and it was a bit of a lottery who you were on the strip against......

2CVs were already buzzing up the strip as we met, Geoff was there from Pompey Puddleducks with his brother and so were several 2CVGB members.

Results were predictable with standard 2CV's struggling against the gale and posting 40-50 mph and only just reaching top gear in some circumstances whilst the 'specials' benefited from lighter weight and 'nearly' reached 60!

Personally, I was beaten by Max but I blame unaerodynamic teddy and picnic basket full of dirty washing. The 4 cylinder Renaults were probably faster but it was so much fun, who cares.....comparing times (reaction time, elapsed time and top speed as well as those up to 1/8 mile c/o Santa Pods' computer) as a Top Fueller shook the ground and our senses and conversation, barely taking 5 seconds to complete it's journey at over 250mph! Awesome.

Charlee broke down 3 times on homeward journey (electrical, what else...) but Top Fuellers had to have their 1/4 mile service at end of the run and at least we could steer through the caravans on A34.....
So can't recommend Drag Racing enough even in a Slow Car, great atmosphere, the usual camaraderie and I reckon that Max Hyde Motors MK2 was the most photographed and admired vehicle there even though it doesn't run nitro (yet).

More photos from Peter Donaldson

There is also an excellent report at the Slow Car Club Web Site