Monday 16th November: Team member Alan Scott writes

It all started back in the mid 60s picking up a hot rod magazine, I think most guys of my age
identify with that scenario. Opening the pages and seeing them wild hot rods, slingshot
dragsters with those massive engines leaving the line with smoke pouring off those big fat
tyres and the front wheels in the air, how could a young lad not be blown away with that!
Just looking at the photos you could nearly hear them and you knew they were going to
sound incredible.

I got to the Pod for the first time in 1969. But things really got going in the 70s, seeing
Priddle do the first six and the battles he had with Clive Skilton to me they were our very
own Snake and Mongoose. The big American names of the day that came over to play, Big
Daddy staging up against Peter Crane and making him do the first five. And didn't Funny
Cars do the thickest smokiest burnouts then, Allan Herridge just didn't know when to stop.
It wasn't just the big boys though, you had the altered of Dave Stone and Fred Whittle, the
early Pro Stockers, and Al O'Connor who as we all now is still racing today, hats off to the
guy. We cannot forget the bikes because they have been just as entertaining. Henk Vink
and John Hobbs and what great racing between the two American racers, Goliath the
double engine Harley of Danny Johnson up against Hogslayer the double engine Norton of
Tom Christensen. Could go on a lot longer but it would seem like I was doing a Brian Taylor only briefer and no pictures. There's a lot of memories when you have been a fan/spectator for over forty years and loving every minute of it.

We got them in and everything buttoned up by the Sunday that's when I got to hear the motor for the
first time. And as soon as it cracks in to life that's it that's what its all about. I have heard it crack into
life umpteen times this season but it still gets you, gets you right just there. Saw it run on the Monday
(only decent day weather wise) and being on the start line, a place I had wanted to be for years and
seeing that power unleashed was pure magic. Went home knackered but absolutely buzzing.

Went to four events with the team and we won three out of the four, got low ET at 6.4 and at the
National Finals we managed to put down a 202 mph run. Glad we got a 200 mph run in, I'm sure it can
go quicker still. Talking of the Finals, what a cow bag of a weekend. Had the Lenco out five times and
stripped it three. Think I understand it but it's so different to a normal gearbox. The intensity of a
weekend like that is unreal, all that you have to do and still get it turned around to meet your time slot,
adrenalin is just pumping, tempers can be on the edge if things don't quite go right, but it gets done, i
t's a team effort. And when it's all done and you get down to the start line and put in a good run its
worth all the effort. I felt that at this event it was all coming together better I was getting the format of our pit area and where most of the tackle is, tools etc. Feel as though I've learned a bit but there is a lot more to learn. Also managed to go to the Main Event and the European Finals not with the team, just spitting. Two great events, and can still enjoy just watching, but you see it with a different head when you've been on the other side of the fence.

just as valid. and even though you can get so knackered you can still get such a rush from it all. I just love it. We could be running a three car team next season, can't wait!