It all started back in 1965, myself, (Ray Archer) and a very good mate, Colin Shervington. We formed the 'Highwaymen Drag Racers, the result - 'BlunderBus', a class CD dragster, (3 to 3.5 litre engines). That's a Jaguar 3.4 engine.
Back in May 1967 - in the garage access road, (middle of Rugby town
centre), we didn't run the engine for too long when the town was busy,
but when we did, Oh what a lovely sound.
At a later date a Wade supercharger was fitted in front of the engine,
but virtually no improvement was found, plus it was the only time I felt
vulnerable, the damn thing sprayed me with petrol on one run when the manifold
extension failed.
Colin became interested in another hobby, so we decided to sell the 'BlunderBus', less engine, as I had a need for it.
So then insanity took over, and I decided to go it alone and build a
dragster myself, (and a trailer), the madness of youth!.
I liked the looks of an American dragster called 22Jnr. and based 'The
Crab' on it, (The Crab?, well it's my Zodiac sign, Cancer the Crab, also
the shop didn't have much in the way of those stick on letters).
So it's now 1971, it was one of the first rear engined rails in the UK, if my memory serves me well.
Tucked behind, was my push car/towing car, a Ford Corsair, some good
memories.
I can't remember the elapsed times or top speeds, probably don't want
too, it was not particularly fast, just damn good fun at the time, also
a great bunch of blokes in the early days of Santa Pod. But then like most
fledgling sports, people with money get involved and the 'sport' started
to revolve round their requirements.
Still, was one of the best times of my life.
Then I got married.