29th ANNUAL WILD BUNCH PRIZE PRESENTATION 2025
The Wild Bunch had another brilliant evening at the 29th Annual Prize Presentation Dinner Dance at Drayton Manor in Tamworth on Saturday, 29th November!
There was a great intro where all the PB’s of those attending were read out and cheered! We also took time to remember our dear absent friends. Our fantastic sponsors for 2025 were thanked for their support:
· Springbridge Direct Limited
· Team Wrathchild & Rebel Racing
· Wiz Training & Development
· Colliver King Racing
· Boxo UK Tool Suppliers
· Team B-Sting
· Hold Fast Racing
· Scumbag Motors
· Field of Dreams CL Caravan Site
· Team Bravehart
· Team Antique Toy
· Wild Jen Dog Grooming
· Team Banshee
· Loz Butcher and Team Mean Streak
· Rich Butcher and Team 4th Dimension
· Team Jurassic Parts II
· C & C Nostalgia Drag Racing
· The Burnout Boutique
And many thanks also to all who provided Raffle prizes! And thanks to Crazy Chris who donated for auction a fantastic signed poster from the recent Nitro Revival in Bakersfield!
Wild Bunch Ladies
Gifts were given to all ladies attending! Huge thanks to Hayley Fyfe for sponsoring and assembling the lovely gifts for all of our lovely ladies! Flowers were presented to Claire Meaddows and Hayley Fyfe, many thanks to Rob & Pete Brown, the Marras, for their very kind donation!
Commemoratives
Hayley Fyfe received a presentation for services as Wild Bunch Secretary and co-ordination.
Claire Meaddows received a presentation for services as Wild Bunch General Manager & Treasurer.
We had a special extra:
We presented a little memento to Congratulate Roy and Elaine Wilding on their recent marriage! We wish them many years of happiness!
Series Winners
All the Series Winners were presented with their trophies, beginning with the Winner of the ‘Springbridge MSUK’ Series. This was followed by the Top 4 in the ‘Roy Wilding Nostalgia Race Cars Series’. The Top 4 of the ‘Spirit of Nostalgia Challenge’ Series were presented with their huge tower trophies. Then the Top 10 in the Wild Bunch trophies received their replicas, with the Top 4 receiving the perpetual trophies.
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MERIT AWARDS 2025
Big Bang Trophy
‘Crazy’ Chris Hartnell “Backdraft”
This team started the year with high hopes of running their usual numbers and having fun! However on the first run on the Sunday of the first event, the Nostalgia Nationals, the slingshot experienced massive damage to the engine, including the block, crank, cam, pistons and rods!! Thankfully the heads have been spared! The team is on the case with the rebuild, with some brand new pistons arriving from the US next month!
Fastest time by a British-engined dragster (the Martin Holgate award)
Ian Wild “Wild’sCat”
(This time needs to be backed up within 2% and the driver attend 2 or more events)
This driver always tries hard throughout the season, and has had consistent performances this year, recording an 11.447 at the Nostalgia Nationals, and later backing this up with an 11.664 at Dragstalgia in his Jag-powered “Wild’sCat” altered. Well done again Ian for winning this for the second year in a row!
Fastest MPH
Bob Hawkins “Time Traveller II”
(This speed needs to be backed up within 2% and the driver attend 4 or more events.)
This driver had many ups and downs during the season and posted his second fastest speed of the year with a 185.90 mph run at the National Finals. He had already backed this up with his only speed over 200mph in Wild Bunch Competition this year with a 203.99 mph pass at the Summer Showdown in July.
Quickest E.T.
Bob Hawkins “Time Traveller II”
(This time needs to be backed up within 2% and the driver attend 4 or more events.)
Yet again this driver worked throughout the season to improve the performance of his nitro-burning engines and built and rebuilt them several times this year! He ran a 6.873 pass at the National Finals which was backed up by a 6.878 at the Summer Showdown! (He also ran in the 6.5’s in the Dragstalgia Cannonball!)
The Roy Wilding ‘Best Newcomer’ Award
Loz Butcher “Mean Streak”
Although our Best Newcomer has crewed for several years and ran doored cars, they made their Wild Bunch driving debut at the Nostalgia Nationals with an absolutely gorgeous period perfect new slingshot! He ran at 4 events this year, improving all the time and finishing 3rd at the Summer Showdown, and recording an amazing PB of 8.683 at 151.58 mph !! Well done and Welcome to the Bunch!
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
Ruaridh Hart “BraveHart”
The winner this year fields a very unique and well turned out car and competed at 3 events this year. The fantastic crew helped the driver to earn a 2nd and a 3rd place during the season! The driver finished 7th in the Wild Bunch Series and 3rd in the Roy Wilding Nostalgia Race Cars Series, their first ever Series placings! All while running brilliant PBs of 9.388 at 139.84 mph!
Best Slingshot
Philippa Turton “Bitchcraft”
This Slingshot is a beautifully well turned out car competing at numerous events this season! The driver always gives 110% and strives to achieve the best performance from the car. The crew are super supportive and often go to great lengths to get the car to the track and make any repairs necessary. The driver had one 3rd place result and has finished 5th in the Wild Bunch Series and a strong 4th in the Spirit of Nostalgia Challenge. After improving all season, she recorded a fantastic PB of 10.179 at 128.35 mph at the Finals!
Best Altered
Wayne Colliver “Funky Digit”
This popular driver of a cool-looking altered is a longstanding member of the Wild Bunch. They overcame lots of issues during the 3 events they ran at this year. They eventually made huge improvements with the performance of the car at the Hot Rod Drags, won 3 Spot Prizes and recorded a brilliant PB of 9.317 at 143.47 mph all whilst helping other members of the Wild Bunch! Hooray!
The Roy Wilding ‘Best Turned Out’ Award
Loz Butcher “Mean Streak”
This driver and team field a fabulously well turned out car and won 2 ‘Best Appearing Car’ Spot Prizes during the 4 events they ran at this season, as well as Driver’s Choice & Commentator’s Choice Spot Prizes. They have made huge improvements to the performance of this stunning car and it sure paid off with the driver running his first 8’s and ultimately a fantastic PB of 8.683 at 151.58 mph! What a beautiful period perfect slingshot!!
Best Achiever
The Brown Brothers “Rebel” & “Wrathchild”
This team have really stepped up again this year, having on of their most successful years ever! They competed in all 7 events and fielded two cars with two drivers! Both drivers ran PBs in their slingshot with Rob running 8.341 and Pete 8.227 @ 161.34 mph in ‘Rebel’. Also impressive was the leap in performance of their otherslingshot ‘Wrathchild’, now on stacked injection and running their first 9-second passes, with Rob recording 9.944 @ 133.28 mph and Pete 9.931 @ 131.68 mph! To top it all they won 7 Spot Prizes and had 3 event wins and four Top 4 places. They have WON the Wild Bunch, Spirit of Nostalgia, Roy Wilding and SPRC Series! What a list! What a season! Many Congratulations to the Marras!
Crazy Chris Showmanship Award
A tribute to Chris’ entertainment and the great show he’s always put on!
Mark Houghton & Terry Robbins and Team “Soul Town Shaker”
This fantastic team are relative newcomers to the Wild Bunch and have really shone this year, going from strength to strength and improving all the time over the 4 events that they ran at. They always strive to put on a nostalgic show with a beautifully turned out and newly metal-flake painted car, with loads of attention to detail. Since buying the car a couple of years ago, they have really made it their own! They have a great backup girl who even has matching metal flake boots! And two members of this family team have been spectating at Santa Pod since the very first event, nearly 60 years ago! Both drivers of the car have run great PBs this year, their first 9-second runs! This saw Terry running 9.443 @ 144.30 mph and Mark 9.778 @135.16 mph. They also won the ‘Spirit of Nostalgia’ Spot Prize at Dragstalgia and they truly embody great Showmanship!
Perseverance Award
Ian Wild “Wild’sCat”
This driver is always running his fantastic car to the best of his ability and competed at all 4 lifestyle type events this year. He has had several ups and downs with tuning but keeps persevering and, most importantly, keeps enjoying his racing! He is a very well-liked, easy-going friendly guy with a great team of crew members including his lovely wife. He keeps plugging away at every event and had a Top 6 place at Dragstalgia. Always philosophical through any trials and tribulations, he participates with a smile on his face and a never-give-up attitude! Fair play!
Crew of the Year Shield
Celebrating our crews and their hard work, achievements and dedication! You are all stars!!
Mark Houghton & Terry Robbins & Team “Soul Town Shaker”
This large team has a great presence amongst the Wild Bunch and although they haven’t been racing with us for very long, they already feel like longtime club members! They work hard to improve their lovely slingshot and have made huge leaps in performance this year. They always have a great time in their pits with family and friends helping out. The team put on a great show whenever they run on the strip! They ran at 4 events this year and are keen supporters of the Wild Bunch. It’s great to have them on board with their great big crew! Hope they keep going from strength to strength next season!
Daddy Cool (Sags) Personal Achievement Shield
Wayne Colliver “Funky Digit”
This driver has gone above and beyond and done his absolute best to improve his relatively new race car! He has won the Wild Bunch Perseverance award before for his continuous commitment and dedication to getting his car to run well and we were all so thrilled when finally it all came together at the Hot Rod Drags and he was rewarded by running deep into the 9’s consistently with his self-built car & engine with a PB of 9.317 @ 143.47 mph! And there to celebrate was his lovely wife, brother and close friend, a truly wonderful crew! He is such a nice guy, always smiling and helping others, a very worthy winner of this very special award!
Driver Dave Memorial Bell - Kept Calm and Carried On!
Last year’s winner Claire Meaddows decided the winner of this special award in memory of Dave Rowlands, and on behalf of Angie Woods & Warren Rowlands.
Hayley Fyfe “Team Wrathchild & Rebel Racing”
The person I have chosen really embodies the spirit of the award in that they are always the one helping their team and those around them whenever there are any setbacks or issues. They do so much for their team, whether it being ordering parts, making race entries, co-ordinating the kit for the weekend and also supporting their team. They also support the Wild Bunch in general and have assisted me on many occasions in organising the teams at the track and other jobs and helps keep things going, often helping to keep things calm and on track! She literally keeps the wheels of her team moving too. She has kindly provided the lovely ladies gifts for this evening is an excellent Wild Bunch Secretary too! Huge thanks to Hayley!
Chris & Claire Sportsperson Award
Dan & Mark Wilson “Antique Toy”
Chris and I chose the winners of this award as they just quietly get on with things at the track, taking it all in their stride whether it be successes or breakages. They had one of each this year, with the better result being a great event win! They are always humble, friendly, smiling and sportsmanlike and offer help to others. Truly lovely people! They are a great father and son duo with lovely wives and a really supportive team.
Derek & Brenda Annable Trophy
The Cooper Family of Team “Back from the Past”
Last year’s winners Skippy, Ford, Matt and Team “Chasin’ Time”
have chosen the 2025 winners: They write: ………
“We would like to vote for the Cooper family. As a family they are always welcoming and happy to talk to, support and help anyone at the track. Ken is an absolute legend of UK Drag Racing and an inspiration to us all. It’s always a pleasure to see Ken, Bradley and the rest of the family at the track. Truly and deservedly winners of this award. Congratulations!
The Scottie Durrant ‘Above and Beyond’ Award
The Marras: Rob, Pete, Hayley, George & Julie “Rebel” & “Wrathchild”
This team are always promoting the Wild Bunch and Drag Racing in general with their attention to nostalgic detail. They go to shows where they are great ambassadors for the sport. They put in so much effort overall during the season including welcoming newcomers and giving advice to all, as well as encouraging and helping other teams. The boys are super members of our Wild Bunch committee, and at our recent meeting, both boys were very keen to point out all the hard work that Hayley has put in behind the scenes to keep the team running! Ordering parts, event entries, organising the kit and the boys, etc and of course so much support. They both said they could not have done it without their Dad George's help. He also did background research, kept notes and helped with tuning and a lot of encouragement! Plus running around and transport and a little financial help. He just quietly gets on with it in the background! An unsung hero! Mum Julie is always giving her support and encouragement too! They all truly go above and beyond together!! The team attended all 7 events this year, Won the Wild Bunch Series, won the Spirit of Nostalgia Series, the Roy Wilding Nostalgia Race Cars Series and the SPRC Championship for Wild Bunch! Well done and Congratulations!!
Don Garlits ‘Spirit of Drag Racing’ Shield 2025
Phil James and Team Rampage “Rampage”
The 2024 winners, the Marras, presented the Don Garlits ‘Spirit of Drag Racing’ Shield to the 2025 winners on the night.
This year’s winners have been committed Wild Bunch members for a few years now. The whole team constantly strive to do their absolute best at each event and work to improve the car’s consistency, and the driver is often spot on Dial-in, earning a Spot Prize for #1 Qualifier. The team always try to put in a professional appearance and the racecar is always well turned out. The whole team are a credit to themselves and are a really close family and friends team who are dedicated to their racing and constant in their support of the Wild Bunch. They may have started the season slowly but gradually improved along the way, with the driver earning a 2nd place and two 4th place finishes. They always demonstrate great sportsmanship and support of other Wild Bunch members, gracious when winning and philosophical when not. The driver has earned a Wild Bunch Series Top 10 and finished 3rd in the Spirit of Nostalgia Challenge, after having competed at 6 events this season, with the help and support of his lovely wife and sister and various great friends as crew members. This popular close-knit team are very enthusiastic and valued members of the Wild Bunch and truly demonstrate the spirit of this award and the family spirit our club!!!
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