The GasserCircus season came to its Champion crowning conclusion over the weekend of theHot Rod Drags. As the 12 Gassers went into qualifying mode on Saturday, theChampionship had 3 drivers vying for the top step. Tim Holmes in his WraggedWedge Dodge, Martyn Hallam and his 33 Willys Hallam Hallam & Couch, withthe 3rd driver Nick Barnett and his B&G Racing Falcon withan outside chance. To turn this into more than a chance Nick would needto kick things off with being number 1 qualifier, and as we came to the finalqualifying run, he did not hold that position. Martyn Hallam had a good feelingas he did hold the number 1 spot. However, in his final run Nick annexed theposition and Martyn looked a worried man. The pressure built even more when herealised that the number qualifier spot also brought with it a bye in Round 1of eliminations! Whereas Martyn and Tim both had to win their 1st roundsto keep their dreams alive.
Martynwith the support of his crew brought his car to the line in what was to be anall Willys race, as sat in the other lane was the pickup of Ray Irish. The carscame to the line and the race was a close one which had Martyn’s heart in hismouth, but at the top end the round win was his. Moments later Martin Bishop inhis ‘Bad n Blown’ Pop cut short the charge of Lee & Jerry in their ‘HonkyTonkin2’ Chevy Nova, which was to later suffer transmission breakage.
Otherround 1 winners on Martyn’s side of the ladder were Green Onions Piloted by RayTurner who won when Tony Pearson in his ‘Guzzler’ 56 Chevy was shut down on theline. ‘Roarin Rat’ on what turned out to be its last race weekend under theownership of Ken Brookes beat ‘Nogbad The Bad’ (just).
OnNick Barnett’s side of the ladder Tim had his own chance at the title, enhancedwhen he saw off the challenge from Steve Matthews and his ‘Honky Tonkin’ 57Chevy. The other pairing saw the wheel standing ‘Identity Crisis’ of BrainGibson lose to Sean Milsom and his wicked ‘Ain’t Misbehavin’ Morris van.
Round2 and all 3 of the protagonists were still in with a shout. Nick pulled to theline to take on his fellow Bristolian Martin Bishop in his now metallic redPop, and it seemed red was a theme that Nick didn’t want to see, but none theless he cut his reaction to fine and left a cherry on the tree, a valianteffort that came so close, but it meant that Martyn Hallam was Gasser CircusShowdown Champion for 2018. Martyn had a bye so could not now be caught.
Hewas applauded back into the pits and the worried face of Saturday night was nowone with a beaming smile across it. The weekend was however far from over as inthe same round ‘Roarin Rat’ had bowed out with a loss to another Tri 5 losingto Green Onions. Ken lucky to bring the 57 back in one piece as an errant linelock issue had him fighting to keep the Chevy away from the concrete wall, newowner Keith Bartlett may have been quite anxious at that point!
SeanMilsom took on and beat Tim Homes so we were set for the semi-finals.
Greencars came to the line, and Ray Turner was about to spoil the party as he sawoff the new Champion. Martin Bishop took on Sean in the other semi-final anddespite a gear crunching effort, Sean took the win and the journey onto thefinal against Ray.
Itwas another green car duel, which after the problems Ray had experienced at thebeginning of the season, and Sean had suffered a transmission failure out ofcomp at the Redline Rumble, it felt they both deserved the thrill of the final.In a weekend of excellent reaction times, it was to be the slightest ofhesitations that would decide Round 5, with Sean chasing down Ray following a 2second wait. At the line both drivers said afterwards they were pedalling so asnot to breakout, and with Sean recording a 10:10 on a 10:10 dial in, it was ***** shot reaction that took the victory for Ray.
The weekendand the race season drew to a close, and the Gasser Circus have a so gratefulto the NSRA for their continued support and sponsorship of the race series, toNeil Melliard of Melliard’s Modern Pinstriping and Lettering London, for hissponsorship and the superb trophies him and his son Jacob have created for theGasser Circus throughout the season. We are also so thankful for the hard workof all the guys and girls at Santa Pod, who not only keep us all safe, but providea superb strip to race on. Just Flame and Thunder to go and the long wait canbegin!
The Championship winning team L-R Mike Couch, Martyn Hallam and Jim Hallam
Ray Turner Round 5 winner with his Melliard Trophy