Junior Dragster as a class is spilt into two, junior stock and junior modified.
Junior stock is the starting point in the class. It is open to drivers aged 8-17 with the car being powered by a standard, uncharged Briggs and Stratton 5hp engine, although minor tweaks are permitted.
Junior modified however, is the advanced level of the formula.
Open to drivers aged 12-17, the car most commonly powered by a highly customised, alcohol engine. In the past three years though the standard Raptor block has been replaced by the heavy duty Blockzilla block, which is better handle the 50 hp now put out by the engines.
Now in its 3rd year in the UK, Junior dragster is one of the fastest growing classes.
Junior dragster first appeared in America in 1992. It started off as a two car travelling show at the US Nationals at Indianapolis raceway park and carried on to the rest of the NARA National events left in the season. By the end of the year, the interest in the class was huge.
In 1993 the NHRA set up divisional championships for the Junior dragster and it has grown from there. In the 2000 NHRA National Junior Dragster championship there over 4000 entrants!!
Here in Europe, Junior Dragster was first introduced in Sweden in 1994. In the following years, the formula has grown into the Nordic Drag Racing Series, event averages at 30, with more than 50 turning out for the annual Sko-Uno Drag festival at Mantorp Park, Sweden.
There are now Junior dragsters in Norway, Finland, Denmark, Germany and the UK.
Here in the UK, Junior Dragster is still really in its infancy stages, with between 5-10 cars turning out to each MSA National Championship events, with hopefully, 15 cars turning out for the FIA European Finals, including some foreign counterparts.
As you may know me (Stuart) and my brother Collin are racing a Junior dragster this year at all of the events listed,
Easter Thunderball (National championship) 14-16 of April
FIA Main Event (European dragracing) 26-28 of May
Captain Gumball inc. Cannonball Funny car shootout 30 June- 1 July
FIA European Finals (European dragracing) 14-16 Sept
The National Finals 6-7 October
Flame + Thunder Show 3 November
All of these events take place at Santa Pod Raceway
Stuart Morrice