Welcome to the Crew Page. Hopefully we will be able to answer a few questions on how we met Terri and Ian, how we got in to drag racing, and how we became crew members and what it is all about.

The story now begins, one fine Saturday evening Richard and I decided to go the Peterborough Cruise at McDonalds. So out came the V6 Morris Minor and off we cruised to Peterborough. Once we parked up we got talking to a couple with a purple Escort Van called Terri and Ian. From then on the friendship was cemented and we attended quite a few weekend car shows with them and also their wedding. Richard had been drag racing before I met him and we had also been a few times as spectators and had both thoroughly enjoyed it. So, when Terri and Ian told us about their Sister and Brother-in-law who race at Santa Pod, and they crewed for them, our interest in the sport became even deeper. We started to go drag racing more often as spectators but started to spend more of our time behind the scenes learning more and more about the sport. So when Terri and Ian decided to start racing their Escort Van and asked us to be their crew we obviously both jumped at the opportunity. The learning curve was to start all over again, the first run what ya brung the first time for the new Blown Small Block Powered Escort Van."

My role was and is to make sure all the equipment is in the van. Then I hop on the bike and meet Rich and Terri in the fire-up lane, this is when the butterflies set in, I would not mind but I am not in the drivers seat! Once we are near the end of the fire-up lane I like to make sure Terri is strapped in, comfortable and all safety equipment on and in position. The thumb goes up and I get the camera poised. We like to get as much data as possible about each run, so videoing every pass is very important because you might be able to see something from the video that would enable us to improve on the next run. All data from each run is collected and any changes done before or after the runs are recorded for reference. Every minute change to the van, track or weather conditions can make all the difference and when you are looking for thousandths of a second it is imperative we have as much data as possible. While I am pedalling my way to the fire-up lane Rich is cruising in the van with Terri.

Richard hard at work COUNTING SHEEP!!!

I don't know how Ian and I can be such good friends, I eat bloody steaks he eats bloody nothing, we don't like the same films, we don't like the same music and he can't drink to save his life. About the only things we have in common are V8 engines and wanting to live in America, but we do get on very well which is handy even though he does not know how to use a toolbox. Anyway, after cruising down the fire-up lane with Terri I do a few final checks over the van including tyre pressures, tyre and track temperatures before lining Terri up for the burnout. During the burnout I will be the one, standing in front of the van waving my arms about like a demented person trying to swat a fly. When the burnout is finished I check Terri is ok and also check the track and tyre temperatures. The run is then down to Terri but I stay on the start line to check for oil and water leaks in case the run has to be terminated. After the run it's back to the pits on the bike (Helen gets to walk now) to re-fuel, check plugs, and make any necessary changes to improve on the next run.

All that's left to say is thanks to Ian and Terri for letting us be involved.

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