Manky Monkey Motors

NSRA Hot Rod Drags at Shakespear County Raceway.

Not much info on their website as of 2011-11-22................





http://www.shakespearecountyraceway.com/index.asp

http://www.shakespearecountyraceway.com/eventdetails.asp?event=74

Update - From their website as of 27/08/2012

http://www.shakespearecountyraceway.com/eventdetails.asp?event=85

NSRA Hot Rod Drags: 14/09/2012 - 16/09/2012

More than 200 show quality Street Rods and American Muscle Machines are expected to converge on the raceway for the 24th annual running of the original Hot Rod Drags co-ordinated by the National Street Rod Association in two action packed days of 'street legal drag racing’ for pre ’73 high dollar hot rods and big block custom cars from the days before decimal.

The fifties was indeed the cornerstone for drag racing and it’s events like this and the Original Hot Rod Drags race in September which help to recreate the golden days of hot rodding on disused airfield’s and the dry lake beds. Where else can you expect to see period Flathead roadsters and coupes, 200 mph blown methanol injected hot rods, ground thumping dragsters, big blocked Fiats and classic blown Willys Coupes? At the Original Hot Rod Drags of course!

Adding spice to the mix are the high riding gassers known as the 'nose high marauders' Gasser Circus featuring high riding 'door cars’ from the 40s, 50s and 60s. Along for the ride will be the Custom Car magazine supported Flathead Meltdown Challenge where side valve engines still reign supreme and last, but certainly no means least, the full on power from the awesome Outlaw Anglia class will be here to entertain in a class dedicated to Dagenham’s finest 'sit up and beg’ Anglias, Populars, Prefects and Fordsons.
 
Within the ranks of the nostalgia world expect to see out and out racers in the Wild Bunch class; a class which runs front engined 'slingshot' dragster and altereds where straight six Jaguars rub shoulders with Buick 'nailheads’ as well as all kinds of Fords, Chryslers and of course Chevy V8’s.

There will be a full trade village selling everything from T-shirts, books, DVDs, models and stickers. Evening entertainment includes burlesque dancers, bands and a disco both nights.

..and a bunch of Monkeys.

I was invited to this to run the Imp outfit but annoyingly I have a prior engagement elsewhere. Bummer!  >:(

Poo. I'd love to see that run up the strip. Bet the crowd would've appreciated it too.

In the last couple of years scrutineering has been rather busy to say the least. To ensure that we get all of you scrutineered quickly and efficiently, we would like to ask for everyone's co operation with the following:
 
Scrutineering on Friday will start mid morning at the usual scrutineering area and will continue till 5.00pm (track will open from 12 midday till 5.00pm subject to track and weather conditions permitting). If you wish to be scrutineered in order to run of Friday when the track opens please do so as this will help to keep the numbers down on Saturday morning. on Saturday and Sunday mornings the Scrutineering will be open from 8.00am.
 
We would ask that the demo classes (Supercharged Outlaws, Outlaw Anglias, Gasser Circus etc) that have not been scrutineered on Friday to be ready from 8.00 am on Saturday in their pit area so that the Scrutineers can complete the task ahead of them before the track opens.
 
For RWYB Scrutineering there will be two queues to avoid a tail back into the pits.Please move forward as soon as the car in front has been checked, have bonnets and boot lids open, and clothing i.e. helmets, gloves and if appropriate fire suits etc ready for inspection when you reach the scrutineer. This will ensure that the scrutineers can check your car and equipment quickly and efficiently. Please make sure that when you go to sign on that you have your scrutineering slip and driving licence to hand. Also if you have crew which wishes to accompany you into the fire up road make sure they have signed on as well!! The Staging Lane staff will be checking.
 
On joining the queue in the Fire Up Road please ensure that you are race ready at least five pairs before arrive at the top of the Fire Up road, this will enable the staff to get vehicles down the track asap. Then you come around and do it all over again!
 
Thank you for your help and assistance.
 
Tony Smith (SCR Scrutineer)

Woohoo one sleep to go!
 8)

 ;D See you Sunday Doc.

Only 5 1/2 hours sleep to go for us, if we go to bed now ;D

See you about 2 then. ;D

Aah, I love the smell of Nitrous in the mornings!

Got back at 6.30 just in time to read a bedtime story to Scarlett.

I really had a terrific time as always, thanks to Steve, Leslie and the slightly singed Tony Smith.

Will post pictures and Video links when I can.

I will be writing a small report of the event on my cunning coupe page, but I would like to give a big thanks to Doc for the tow and his help this weekend.

and Andy, when you said you were just lerking about, I know what you meen, no one saw you again  ;D you must have gone lerking in the bush's

I spotted Andy, but, for a man who doesn't appear to be walking fast, he'd suddenly disappeared!

Cheers for putting up with me being a daft girly this weekend. We'll get there! ;)

They seek him here, they seek him there ...
Saw you from a distance Wizzy -usually the safest way. Tried to make it back in time to see you in the Cunning Coupe's cockpit, but was chatting to JJ at the other end of the pits at the time. Sorry hon.
Lots of chatting, lots of photograffing, some perusing & purchasing, a bit of trackside spectating & plenty of checking out of rods & race cars.
I don't actually follow the racing very much at these meets, but spend most of my time wandering around the campsite, wherein lurk all the most interesting creations.
Bumped into Mr Pie of this 'ere forum. Long time since we last chatted matey. Nice to see you. A few of Taz's Mopar mates, some of the Surrey Street Rodders -oh, & my big brother Brock & his good lady, Lesley. Then there were Messrs CunningPlan & Twisted Patience of course -thanks for the plaque Doc. It'll take pride of place somewhere -just not sure where yet.
I was there, honest! -then I was over there. Then back there, before nipping across to there. I get around a bit.
I had a great day, bought some bits & pieces for my truck, pinched a few ideas from other people's Pops, queued up for a burger for 10 minutes before giving up & stopping at the new Waitrose supermarket at the end of the road on my way home instead. Chatted to an awful lot of people as always, none of who's names I can remember -as always.
Yeah, a good day out.
As has become the norm lately, my computer's having a stroppy turn at the moment & not letting me post any piccies. Once it's calmed down I'll get some on here.
Nice to see you all guys -if only briefly.  ;)

Just testing.

Oh now it works! Just as I'm going to bed. Got to get up for work in 5 hours time, so I'll post some more pics tomorrow.

You ignored me...  :'( :'(

You'd only laughed at me scrambling in and out of the Coupe ... and taken photos!

I would never ignore you madam.
-I would giggle at you clambering, slipping gracefully into the coupe though.

I came back to the pit's to say goodbye and everyone had disappeared. so great weekend, glad I could help, see you all next year.

Still working on pictures but I do have a short video of the Flaming burnout on Facebook.

I'm not a FaceBooker but Taz is.
She sent me this pic of Doc on his GS850 Suzi trike, towing Tony's Cunning Coupe, (racing on Saturday without the bodywork), to the fire up lane.
Lookin' good guys.  ;)

Still resizing photo's Andy.

Must've been a very tall tripod to get that pic.

Managed to grab the wrong lens on the way out of the house on Sunday, so arrived trackside to find I had 2 wide angles & no zoom. So no race pics this time.

Some stuff.

My favourite Pop, (apart from Pinball Wizard as it was in '74).
I think this just sits so right.

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Humpty Dangerous.  ;D

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Heard from a couple checking out the Candy Man:
"Why's it so high? Bet they don't really go off-roading in it".

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Pure 70s!

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Hi Pie.  ;)

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For sale. Yours for 5 grand.

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great pics andy, loving the gassers.

cheers chris

Lots n lots of Gassers Chris.
"Henry Hirise". The Daddy of all British gassers in my 'umble opinion, (another recently revived 70s "survivor" rod).

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"Chemical Reaction" -nice sticker.  :)

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henry is a highrider!!! ;) ;D

is that a special lightweight sticker?!!!!!  lol

Whatever -Henry's cool.  8)
Gasser stance I understand -lift the front to push the back end down under acceleration for more traction.
Highrider? Purely for show?
Yup, we've spent millions developing special race ready stickers. Ordered some more today by the way.

highrider was a 70's custom thing. when people done what they wanted not following fashion. ::)

and yes henry is cool.

Many Mopars.

 ;D

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lol at that nos bottle!!!!

Jumbo sized boost.

Loved this.
Phaeton?

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Chargers.
A '68 & a '69, (Taz's is a '69).

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Pop coupe.

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A tall T. Otherwise known as a centre door "Doctor's Coupe" model T Ford.

Steering wheel appears to be on a sliding centre boss.

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Clambering was far too elegant a description for my shenanigans in entering and exiting the Coupe... ;)

I did supply a step  ::)

I think a ladder might be called for ... or perhaps a crane... ;)

Just started sorting photo's after 'Puter started playing me up, it's been threatened with a very large hammer and is behaving nicely at last.

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great pics guys.
cheers chris.

Gotta be the best nostalgia meet I've been to. Nice pics Doc.

Just a shame I didn't take more.

It was by far one of the best, we saw more cars run on Friday afternoon than we did all weekend last year.

Still got the Videos to sort out and post to Youtube will add links when I can.

Better late than never.  Here is my contribution.  This was my first time at Shakespeare County Raceway and only the second time to see drags - the first being at the Hotride Hayride in 2011 run by the Detonators.

I had a great day.  Everyone was very friendly and it is so easy to get caught up in everyone's attempts to reach their best time.

I think I was one of the last to leave.  I didn't even realise there were as many stalls as there were until late in the day - mainly when they were starting to pack up.  I just wish I had seen them sooner but then again I spent too much as it was.

It was nice to see some Mankies (Doc, Andy, Lesley and Brock (Steve)) and to meet Cunning Plan (Tony) for the first time.

I was on my mobility scooter so spent most of my time viewing from the disabled viewing platform. Great spot but it did occur to me a few times that I was also near to that spot on the track that a few vehicles seemed to lose their ability to steer.  Mmm, how quick could I reverse!  :o

What was so great about the day was the fantastic mix of vehicles.  Hopefully my photos have helped capture that.

Shakespeare County is not much to look at - quite basic but lots of character! These shots also give you an idea about the variety of vehicles waiting for their moment.

(http://i.imgur.com/TUrEg.jpg?1)

(http://i.imgur.com/4M2Od.jpg?1)

(http://i.imgur.com/AlXEL.jpg)

Not sure where the sky ends and the haze from the warming tyres begins...
(http://i.imgur.com/TZ67z.jpg?1)

(http://i.imgur.com/QLza7.jpg?1)

An example of some of the speeds they were travelling (unfortunately the boards were not working a lot of the time)
(http://i.imgur.com/1Ht9f.jpg?1)

A well known vehicle
(http://i.imgur.com/182Bs.jpg?1)
(http://i.imgur.com/rGv6K.jpg?1)
(http://i.imgur.com/0k25X.jpg?1)

Here the driver reminds me of a spaceman cocooned in his ship...
(http://i.imgur.com/oiSPw.jpg?1)

Postman Pat - he must either be brave or stupid to go down the track at nearly 100 miles per hour in this refurbed children's ride
(http://i.imgur.com/qLfyM.jpg?1)
(http://i.imgur.com/kLQsZ.jpg?1)
(http://i.imgur.com/d0aBw.jpg?1)

Cunning Coupe (Cunning Plan's machine)
(http://i.imgur.com/rdIuw.jpg?1)

Hey, this bloke looks familiar - Doc (Twisted Patience) on his way back from towing Cunning Plan to the start line
(http://i.imgur.com/S2GYf.jpg?1)
(http://i.imgur.com/tbYzr.jpg?1)

Tony in motion...
(http://i.imgur.com/kX03F.jpg?1)

Some of best photos were found in the area where the drivers were resting before having another go
(http://i.imgur.com/QMPAE.jpg?1)

Remember seeing this one up The Ace Cafe - gosh it is loud
(http://i.imgur.com/4LGJp.jpg?1)

For Sale
(http://i.imgur.com/yD6B4.jpg?1)
(http://i.imgur.com/WFCFR.jpg?1)

(http://i.imgur.com/LZnoI.jpg?1)

(http://i.imgur.com/NFQoo.jpg?1)

So gorgeous but I didn't see this racing.  Can these rigs race here?
(http://i.imgur.com/PyrWN.jpg?1)

(http://i.imgur.com/zDgo7.jpg?1)

(http://i.imgur.com/8kDh1.jpg?1)

(http://i.imgur.com/PdT5M.jpg?1)

(http://i.imgur.com/XVmiL.jpg?1)

Very tasty
(http://i.imgur.com/ByFR2.jpg?1)

Well, the nerves can get to you...
(http://i.imgur.com/lccEF.jpg?1)

There were a group of these together - must be mates
(http://i.imgur.com/6gdhL.jpg?1)

(http://i.imgur.com/Y5eBI.jpg?1)

(http://i.imgur.com/OqYiS.jpg?1)

I am pretty sure this is Brock and Lesley's racer looking a bit forlorn after something blew up - I think that is what happened
(http://i.imgur.com/04ewy.jpg?1)

(http://i.imgur.com/ZKMFw.jpg?1)

If I cannot have running boards, then a panel van will do me...
(http://i.imgur.com/3lIBW.jpg?1)

(http://i.imgur.com/tq26D.jpg?1)

Hope you liked them, JJ  :)

Meant to say, it was a shame I didn't get to meet you wizzkitt. I might have spoken to you but not knowing what you look like, I just wouldn't have known. If you came up on the disabled viewing platform to take photos, then I probably did!  Next time...

JJ  :)

Yup, that is indeed Steve & Lesley's "Black Pig Too" Chevy engined "Slingshot", (a style of dragster where the driver sits behind the rear axle with his legs actually hooked over the top of the axle tubes & his groin pressed against the diff casing -rather him than me if something blows!). They're currently on holiday in the States, driving Route 66, but he's promised me an end of season race report when he gets back.
There are half a dozen drag racing tracks dotted around the country, mostly on old World War 2 airfileds. Shakespeare County Raceway's had several names over the years, but was Long Marston airfield during the War. They had to build the huge black & white concrete wall behind the track after complaints about noise from residents of nearby Stratford on Avon. There's a strict 5pm curfew for racing for the same reason. 
This is probably the biggest hotrod meet of the year there, the other main one being the Nostalgia Nationals a few months earlier. The rest of the year they race more modern stuff, as well as hosting the Bulldog Bash bike show every August. It's the rods that attract me though, so this is the one to go to, as far as I'm concerned.