Santa Pod Drift What You Brung Days

Thanks to Santa Pod, mastering the noble art of drifting (or holding your car in a controlled slide) has suddenly become much more attainable. Over the last few years, drifting has become one of the most popular forms of motorsport, emerging from its origins as an underground activity to become a mainstream art-form. Boasting its own championships, computer games – and even a dedicated Scalextric set!

Problem is, learning to drift can be quite tricky – and expensive. Particularly when you get it wrong! Drift competitions require a pretty high standard before you can enter, most drift-schools charge a small fortune – and funnily enough, neither the local constabulary or your local Tesco will appreciate you doing it on their turf.

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Santa Pod have saved the day once again with their series of ‘Drift What You Brung’ events being held throughout 2009. Here, for just £60 for the entire day, drivers looking to learn or improve their drifting can hone their technique in a totally safe and legal environment. With Santa Pod’s vast tarmac stretching for acres, it’s also a great place to get it wrong, with absolutely nothing to hit!

DWYB events are suitable for all skill levels from beginner to expert. For beginners, tuition is included starting with basic donuts and figure-of-eights before progressing to full drifting techniques. Entries are limited to 50 people per day to ensure each driver has adequate track time and cars can be kept ludicrously far apart. Sorted!

DWYB events take place on a Wednesday or Saturday, with gates opening at 8.30am, tracks open from 9.30am through to 4pm and the site closing at 5pm. Tyre changing facilities are available. There’s even an on-site Cafeteria and merchandise available throughout the day. Passengers, spectators or even groupies swooning at your epic car control can also come along for a fiver! All you need to bring is a valid driving licence, a car, obviously – and a crash helmet. Beware though, it is addictive, so a spare pair of rear tyres is also not a bad idea for those planning a real monster rubber-burning session.

For more details and all 2009 dates, please click to www.dwyb.co.uk or call the team on 01234 782828. Due to the popularity of the events, advance booking is highly recommended.

DWYB Dates 2009

•    14th Jan,
•    31st Jan
•    11th Feb,
•    28th Feb
•    11th March
•    28th March
•    15th April
•    29th April
•    13th May
•    3rd June
•    24th June
•    8th July
•    22nd July
•    5th Aug
•    19th Aug
•    16th Sept
•    7th Oct
•    24th Oct
•    11th Nov
•    2nd Dec
•    12th Dec

Santa Pod – RWYB

Santa Pod. ‘Run What You Brung’ Making Motorsport Attainable.

In a Gatso-ridden World, Santa Pod Raceway in Northants are doing their bit to provide high-octane thrills at low-octane prices.

The internationally recognised drag-racing venue has just announced its 2009 ‘Run What You Brung’ (RWYB) programme, where mere mortals can turn up with their road car or bike, with a valid UK licence and enjoy a day’s racing under full competition conditions for a mere £35 for the entire day! No competition licence is required.

As the ultimate test of car and driver, or bike and rider,  RWYB offers a real chance to settle the age-old pub debate over whose machine is quickest, or who has the greatest reaction times – and all in the total safety of an FIA approved venue. Compared to the average circuit track day at £150 – plus tyres, Santa Pod’s RWYB sessions offer petrol-heads the chance to enjoy their vehicle at the limit of its performance, without spending a fortune.

Santa Pod General Manager, David Lloyd-Jones helped to put things in perspective. ‘It’s a difficult financial climate for motorists at the moment.’ he said. ‘That’s why we will continue to drive down the cost for enthusiasts. For £35, you will get full computerised timing slips on each run, measuring your reactions, terminal speed and total quarter mile time. It’s the equivalent of having unlimited use of Silverstone, under race conditions – with all of the timing gear at your disposal, for less than the cost of half a tank of fuel, Come and enjoy yourselves in a totally safe – and legal environment’

In-keeping with the value for money theme, any additional spectators get in for just £10 and under 16s get in absolutely free. There’s even free grandstand seating for your fans to cheer you on and full shop and cafe facilities available all day. A fun, fast day out for the whole family.

Drivers with quick reactions – and an even quicker car, may want to pre-register for the RWYB Street Challenge. Here, street-legal cars battle the clock with the fastest recorded time all year taking home a cheque for £500 at the end of the season. All that fun – and they pay you too!

The first RWYB day is held on Sunday 18th January 2009. Visit www.rwyb.com for more details and the 2009 full diary.

Santa Pod Calendar for 2009

Santa Pod Raceway, the home of European Drag Racing has released its full 2009 calendar. In-keeping with previous years, Santa Pod offers something for everyone throughout the year, mixing classics, modified metal, bikes, music, fireworks and of course racing! Lots and lots of racing!!! Basically, if you enjoy a great day out, there’s bound to be something there you’ll love.  Best of all, in these credit crunching times, any kids under the age of 16 get in for free most major Santa Pod events throughout the year, so taking the clan needn’t mean breaking the bank!

Show highlights include February’s Stunt Night, where the cream of European automotive performers and artists wow the crowds. March sees the hugely popular Marangoni Fast Show and Gti Spring Festival, for those who like their cars loud, proud and quick! April’s Easter Thunderball showcases the finest in European Drag Racing and the Big Bang Camper and Bus Show for those who prefer their Vws old – and comfy!

Fans of Yank tin will love the Wheels USA show in May and there’s more stunt based japery abounds for the May Bank Holiday. In fact, May’s a busy month at the ‘Pod, as the host venue for the FIA European Drag Racing Championships. If you want to see just how fast cars and bikes can really cover the quarter mile, get a ticket, quick!

June sees the Summer Nationals for quarter mile fans to get their fix and also hosts the Japshow and UK Truck Show, both being a cracking family weekend away. July sees the legendary Bug Jam and Ultimate Street Car events and September hosts classic Vws once again for VW Action.

Drag fans will love September’s National Finals and Jap fans who didn’t get enough in June can visit the Japshow finale on the 4th of October. Finally the year ends in a bang with the eyeful that is Flame and Thunder at the end of October and the Fireworks Frenzy on Bonfire Night.

Of course, in between these massive events lie a plethora of ‘Run What You Brung’ and ‘Drift What You Brung’ days where petrol-heads can thrash the living daylights out of their own car in total safety, without falling foul of the law. In addition, there are literally dozens of marque-specific and club based events throughout the year to ensure that no matter what your church, there’s a Santa Pod event to suit.

With its central location, warm welcome and superb facilities, make sure you get to the Pod at least once in 2009. With the most eclectic mix of events in the UK scene, it’s hard not to find something you love! See you there!

To see the full line up please click to http://www.santapod.co.uk/calendar or call the team on 01234 782828