Classic quarter pounders on show at Race Retro 2009

Not to be overshadowed by their circuit racing and gravel spewing cousins, the retro kings of the quarter mile are showing up in force at Race Retro 2009, held 13-15 March at Stoneleigh Park, Coventry.

Gina ‘Hot Rot’ Rumble and Scottie ‘Dog’ Durrant from GAS Racing will be bringing along their altered dragster called Tiki Munki. Based on an Austin Ruby and running a 1954 Ford Pop front ‘gasser’ axle and powered by a Ford 2-litre Pinto with a Weber 38DGAS carburettor, the Ford four cylinder is hooked up to a running a five-speed gearbox and a Sherpa 200 rear axle. Tiki Munki scored an impressive fourth place in the 2008 season and has managed a best top speed of 98mph with a best elapsed time of 13.5 seconds.

Proving that you don’t need a banker’s bonus to have fun screaming up the quarter mile, Tiki Munki, is so named after cockney rhyming slang; yep, incredibly, it was built for just £500 (and that monkey even includes the cost of the trailer).

C&C Nostalgia Drag Racing Team meanwhile, is celebrating its 15th year of racing in 2009, and they’ve brought along their Slingshot Dragster ‘Backdraft’ which is a methanol injected Junior Fueller that just happens to be celebrating its 40th birthday.

Owned and driven by ‘Crazy’ Chris Hartnell, ‘Backdraft’ runs in the Wild Bunch Nostalgia Drag Racing class and the car really is a veteran of the strip. Originally built in 1969 as ‘Malibu Express’ the car was renamed ‘Pink Panther’ and run as such between 1972 and 1974. Chris rebuilt the car between 1992 and 1995, and would welcome any information which would fill the gap between in the car’s history between 1974 and 1992.

Packing a 377 cubic inch small block Chevy, running a compression ratio of 14:1, ‘Backdraft’ is capable of a best elapsed time and speed of 8.747 seconds at 151.08mph. So Race Retro will provide a rare chance for drag racing fans to get an up close and crystal clear view of the car!

Race Retro 2009 is open from 9.30am to 5.30pm Friday and Saturday, and 9.30am to 4.30pm on Sunday. Adult ticket prices are £20 for Friday and £15 for Saturday and Sunday when booking in advance and parking is free. Children’s tickets on Friday are £5 but free all weekend. Show opens from 9.30am and closes at 5.30pm Friday and Saturday and 4.30pm Sunday. For tickets and the latest updates, visit raceretro.com