Hi folks,
Here are the details of our Special presentations and Merit Award winners at our 26th Annual Wild Bunch Prize Presentation and Dinner Dance:
Presentations:
Lynne Coulsell , for being Wild Bunch Secretary and extra co-ordination
&
Claire Meaddows, for being Wild Bunch GM, Race Co-ordinator & Treasurer
Our GUESTS of HONOUR
We welcomed and thanked our very special guests:
Robin Read and his lovely partner Ella Chapman, aka the ‘Fuel and chute fairy’.
Many of you will know Robin from his legendary Drag Racing career, which is now in its 50th year! And what a glittering career he has had, famously campaigning dragsters with small Daimler engines, in his Robin Read Racing team, Triple R)!
Robin is supported by his lovely partner Ella, who has been steadfastly by his side for many years, and is integral to the success of Triple R, also earning her nickname for some of her roles in the team. Robin has been very active on social media, telling his ‘Tales from the Shed’, which are fascinating stories, not only about his drag racing, but about his work and life in general. We quote from one of his recent posts which gives some of the highlights of his amazing career …. He starts by referring to the smaller of the two cars in his ‘Triple R’ racing stable ….
‘Little Car has always looked after me. I just love this car! Don’t forget it was European Championship runner up twice in 1988 & 1990 and European Championship Winner in 1989, setting new championship elapsed time and speed records that still stand to this day! It was the first Daimler into the 6’s that year, a new world record which it improved on over the years, eventually running 6.69 @ 199.89 mph in 2017, not bettered until Spirit of Le Patron’s string of elapsed time and speed records in 2021 and 2022 which now stand at 6.37 @ 209 mph.
There have only ever been 2 British engined cars to run in the 6’s … both are in the Triple R Shed. … That’s really something isn’t it?”
I safely say I think we can all agree on that!
Along with the whole Read family, Robin was Inducted into the British Drag Racing Hall of Fame in 2008! Many Congratulations to them all! What a career he has had since then, championing the great British Daimler engine, and the great sport of Drag Racing in this country, all with the love of his life Ella, by his side!
Long may it continue! We would all like to wish Robin and Ella continued success and very best of luck for the future!
MERIT AWARDS
Big Bang Trophy
These lads have been trying and trying for years to get their car to run well and have poured heart and soul into this mission. They both achieved great success this year, both running into the 9-second bracket over 130mph, PB’s for each of them. But then the good old Rover let go bigstyle at Dragstalgia, with windowed block, mangled rods and broken pistons! A truly comprehensive Big Bang! Commiserations lads! And best of luck for the future!
Lee & Mark Hartnell “Metal Mistress”
Fastest time by a British-engined dragster (the Martin Holgate award)
[This time needs to be backed up within 2% and the driver attend 2 or more events]
Tim ran a stunning 8.357 in his Jag-powered “Boston Straggler 2” slingshot and backed this up within 2% with an 8.409! Well done Tee!!
Tim Roy “Boston Straggler 2”
Fastest MPH [The driver must attend at least 4 events and back up within 2%]
This driver was tuning and improving throughout the season and gradually succeeded getting back to form, recording a 193.86 mph run. This was backed up within 2%, with a quicker 198.89 mph! Way to go Bob!
Bob Hawkins “Time Traveller II”
Quickest E.T. [The driver must attend at least 4 events and back up within 2%]
This driver didn’t have the best of seasons last year in his amazing slingshot! But, as always, he persevered and bounced back this year, recording a 6.609 at the National Finals, in the dark. He backed this E.T. up, with a 6.685! Well done Bob!! So glad to see you back in the 6’s!!
Bob Hawkins “Time Traveller II”
We also presented Bob with a ‘Run of the Year’ award for that 6.609 pass!
The Roy Wilding ‘Best Newcomer’ Award
This enthusiastic new member and his lovely family team joined straight in and quickly became a prominent member of the Bunch, actually winning his first ever event with us!!Well done Dan & team! Welcome to the Bunch!
Dan Wilson “Antique Toy”
BEST VEHICLES These 3 categories of Best Vehicle trophies are chosen this year by commentator Colin Theobald, who judges the winners on high standards of presentation, appearance and performance.
Best Radical or Rear-engine Dragster
The winner this year is a gorgeous looking well turned out car. The team competed at 7 events, with the driver winning 2 races and gaining 3 more Top 4 places. They always display great family spirit and teamwork and it’s fair to say the ladies of the team, Anna & Alison, really stepped up to the plate this year and, along with ever-faithful Matt, did an excellent supportive job as crew! The team were Runner-up in Wild Bunch and Spirit! Well done!
Phil James “Rampage”
Best Slingshot
This Slingshot is an absolutely stunning-looking period correct nostalgic car and is always well turned out! The team have smart matching crew wear and lovely backup girls! With his new Steve Cassisi-tuned engine the driver ran PB’s of 9.282 / 144 & WON the Springbridge MSUK & SPRC Championships!
Keith Crampton “Soultown Shaker”
Best Altered
This altered has quite a lot of history in the Wild Bunch being longstanding members for many years. The car is always stunningly well turned out! As are the team! They put in great performances this year with a 3rd and a 4th place, and finished 4th in the Wild Bunch & Roy Wilding Series.
Bob Morgan “B-Sting”
The Roy Wilding ‘Best Turned Out’ Award
This enthusiastic and popular team are regular members of the Wild Bunch and always display a very well turned out and beautiful slingshot, stunning in every way! It now runs in the very low 9’s over 140mph, so the performance matches the fantastic looks! Every detail is immaculate and he always puts on a brilliant show!!!
Keith Crampton “Soultown Shaker”
We also presented Keith with the ‘Spangliest Pit’ disco ball award!
Perseverance Award
This driver is the absolute dictionary definition of perseverance!!
He has shown time and time again how much dedication he puts in to running his car, improving its performance, and achieving his goals. He had a very difficult season in 2021, and had his fair share of issues this year, including recovering from a run in qualifying at the Finals where he experienced awful tyre shake. He and his crew worked tirelessly yet again to get the car repaired and ready to run in the first round of racing on the Sunday, and were then rewarded with an amazing 6.84, which earned him a place in the Semi-Finals where he ran that awesome 6.609, in the dark! He just never stops trying, and we are so glad to see his success this season!!
‘Mr Perseverance’ Bob Hawkins “Time Traveller II”
Best Achiever
This driver had an incredible season, running at 6 events and having a WIN, a 2nd, a 3rd, a 4th and a 5th place at events, winning a Spot Prize and posting a brilliant PB of 9.282 @ 144mph! He consistently fielded a beautifully turned out nostalgic race car, with immaculate attention to detail. He WON the Springbridge MSUK and the SPRC Championship for the first time! Congratulations and very well-deserved!!
Keith Crampton “Soultown Shaker”
Derek & Brenda Annable Trophy
This award was initiated by Derek & Brenda to be presented to a ‘couple’ or partnership who are committed to Drag Racing, and demonstrate the family spirit of the Wild Bunch.
Last year’s winners Chris & Callum Swinchatt of “Kings N/W” have chosen the 2022 winners. They write ………
Chris and Callum would like to keep the award in the Wild Bunch this year so have decided on Wayne, Anthony & Phil Colliver and team of Colliver King Racing. (No connection with our Kings Topo!). Great team of guys and girls who keep the nostalgia style with their cars and are always quick to help. And they have a ‘never give up’ attitude to their own racing/cars. Hopefully we will see them out a bit more consistently next season with a 2-car team!
Congratulations from: Chris & Callum and the whole Wild Bunch
Crazy Chris Showmanship Award
A tribute to Chris’ entertainment & the great show he’s always put on!
This fantastic team have been trying hard for so many years to run their iconic dragster, after so many problems. It has been wonderful to see them succeed this year after so much hard work! They always field a fantastic looking car and team and attention to detail with all things British!! …..
They always put on a fantastic show!!
Team Econorail “Hammerman II”
Crew of the Year Shield Celebrating crews’ hard work, achievements & dedication!
Our winner this year literally helps everyone, as well as his own team and has done for over 30 years! He is a very popular crew chief for his team and goes above and beyond for others with advice, support & encouragement!!
Thank you! …..
Alan Grimes Team ‘Daddy Cool’
Driver Dave Memorial Bell – Kept Calm and Carried On!
Last year’s inaugural winner Mark Hartnell chose this year’s winner of this special award in memory of Dave Rowlands, and presented it on behalf of Angie Woods & Warren Rowlands. He wrote a lovely and moving speech for the award. It went to:
Dave Williams
The Scottie Durrant ‘Above and Beyond’ Award
This wonderful award in memory of our Scottie is chosen by Gina Durrant.
This year’s winners were chosen for their consistent dedication to the Sport and the Wild Bunch. They have always supported their family and friends and are always willing to help others on their race cars. Simply lovely lads! Scottie always admired and respected these 2, and watched them grow up, learning the ropes, crewing for others until owning their own cars. Scottie would be proud of the fantastic men they have grown into, especially with all of Mark’s help to get the ‘Tiki Munki’ back out for Gina, which was Scottie’s final wish.
Lee & Mark Hartnell “Metal Mistress”
Daddy Cool (Sags) Personal Achievement Shield
Well, what can we say about this year’s incredible winner?! He began his long Drag Racing career in the 60’s, and was literally one of the first drivers down the track at Santa Pod! His illustrious career has seen him achieve great success with small flathead engines, for which he earned his nickname. A true pioneer! For all he achieved so far in his amazing career, he was Inducted into the British Drag Racing Hall of Fame in 2015! He has achieved even further success since then! We are very fortunate in the Wild Bunch to have him racing with us, crew-chiefing for son Bradley driving the slingshot they built together as a recreation of one of his original cars! Despite a few years of poor health, and now being 85 years of age, Ken has had one of his best seasons for some time!! This year he tuned the car so well that Bradley ran his PB of 10.832 @ 121 mph!! A very exciting event! Even after this, Ken’s immortal quote in the garage after this triumph was …. “It’ll go faster, you know!!” We certainly look forward to seeing that next year!! Well done Ken!!
Ken ‘Mr Flathead’ Cooper “Back from the Past”
C & C Sportsperson Award
This lovely smiley, friendly team spreads cheer wherever they go! They are always willing to help and support others, and are very popular members of the Wild Bunch! They are always cheerful, even in the face of problems, and bounce back, always with a smile on their faces; which matches the smiles on the wheels of their crowd-favourite slingshot! They are philosophical when they encounter issues, and seek to get their car back to the track as soon as possible, so they can carry on having fun! Three cheers for the fabulous:
Team Happy Daze “Happy Daze”
The DON GARLITS ‘SPIRIT OF DRAG RACING’ SHIELD 2022
Story of the Shield
This award was instigated in 1996, when Roy Wilding wrote to ‘BIG’ himself seeking permission to name a trophy in his honour. Don Garlits duly replied, writing on Roy’s letter simply … “Sounds OK to me!”.To be eligible, a team must have participated in at least 4 events during the season. A winner may not repeat within 5 years. The ‘Spirit of Drag Racing’ Shield is presented for many reasons which are all demonstrated by our winner!!
2022 Winner
This year’s winner has been a keen member of the Wild Bunch for over 10 years. He is a committed member of the Wild Bunch and demonstrates the true spirit of this award and our club!! He always campaigns a very well-turned out car and endeavours to put on a great show whenever he races, be it with long smoky burnouts or his now internationally-famous and sought-after flame burnout displays. The team took part in 5 events this year and showed great commitment to the Wild Bunch. There is always great attention to detail on appearance, maintenance and development of this immaculate slingshot. The driver is always willing to help and advise other racers, doing so with sportsmanship and enthusiasm. He has persevered last season through numerous breakages and setbacks, to bounce back to his fantastic 6-second form, eventually running a stunning 6.609/186 pass in the dark at the Finals! This driver is Perseverance personified! He is a well-liked and respected driver and truly dedicated to Drag Racing and the Wild Bunch!!
This year’s Don Garlits ‘Spirit of Drag Racing’ shield winner:
BOB HAWKINS Team "Time Traveller II"
Huge Congratulations to all! A fantastic night to celebrate all of our winners and another great season! 😃 😃