MOTORSPORTS FOR THE LAYMAN

Dave Armstrong – a Britannia driving school instructor- drive’s an altered drag racing car in competitions. Dave has been drag racing for more years than he would own up to. Here he gives us ideas of when and where you can drive your car at speed… with relative safety and without losing that licence you have worked so hard to get.
Dave is part of a drag racing team called PDP Racing which stands for Pete, Dave and Pet the three members of his team.
Dave’s motor vehicle currently runs an 8Ltr Chevrolet engine and a 2 speed gearbox it covers the quarter mile in 9.4 seconds (a Ferrari F40 takes about 12.5 seconds). For the benefit of those who don’t know – drag racing is all about acceleration. Drag racing tracks are straight and a quarter mile long with 2 vehicles racing at a time; this is the place to impress your mates – and not at traffic lights on public highways.
There are three main drag strips in the UK and they hold events over 1 or 2 days, this depends on the venue – you can run whatever vehicle you bring to the strip. Dave remarks: “Why not get your mates together and really go for those bragging rights where it counts… after every run you will get a print out on how well you have done, in terms speed and time, you can than compare this with your mates and see who really has the fastest car and reaction times.”
There are lots of websites where you can find information on drag racing the best according to Dave is:
• eurodragster.com/default.asp
There are plenty of places in the UK where you can have a go at drag racing – Dave recommended the following:
• Santa Pod – www.santapod.co.uk/index.php
• Shakespeare county raceway – www.shakespearecountyraceway.co.uk
• York race way – www.york-raceway.co.uk

REMEMBER; KEEP IT SAFE, KEEP IT OFF THE STREETS. BRITANNIA DRIVING SCHOOL IS COMMITED TO SAFE DRIVING FOR LIFE. Have a Happy and Safe NEW YEAR!