Burning the Wax Nostalgic at Shakespeare

event: 25th running of the NSRA Hot Rod Drags, 2013
where:
Shakespeare County Raceway, Stratford-upon-Avon, UK

story and photos by Steven Moxley, captions by Tim Hailey

“As soon go kindle fire with snow, as seek to quench the fire of love with words,” sayeth The Bard…Badass Jasper Joy and his 750cc Triumph light up the Avon night with a fucking fire burnout!

Back in September 1973, Long Marston Airfield opened its gates to drag racing. 2013 saw the 40th anniversary of the track, which changed its name to Avon Park and now to its present name of Shakespeare County Raceway.

Joy and the Triumph also come out in the light of day

2013 also saw the 25th running of the NSRA Hot Rod Drags. The National Sprint Association attended with some bikes to do some demo runs over the three-day meeting. Those who ran were Tim Howells on his blown A65 BSA—called UXB—Simon Rees with his Triumph, and John Young with a Triumph-frame-Japanese-motor creation.

A brace of British 2-wheeled racing iron, with Tim Howells’ blown BSA up front

NSA Chairman Phil Steele was waiting for parts for his Weslake motor and did a static display with his ex-Keith Parnell “Rogue et Noir 2.”  Parnell was the first UK and European rider to run an 8 second pass back in 1976. Some of the parts from that bike are in Steele’s motor. Justin Newhall was also in attendance, with his Alf Hagon-framed Weslake powered bike.

and comin’ atcha

But the highlight of the weekend was Saturday night’s fire burnout by Jasper Joy on his 750cc Triumph Trident (Mickey Taker), original owned by NAST racer Robbie Dobbie.

Cars do fire burnouts too, the Time Traveller front-engined rail enveloping its driver in an absolute inferno

Simon Rees on his Triumph

Tim Howells on his blown A65 BSA

Phil Steele on “Rogue et Noir 2”

Rogue et Noir 2 parked in its natural habitat

and a beauty shot of Rogue et Noir 2

And for comic relief, it’s the World’s Smallest (and quickest?) Post Van

The Funny Cart with the lid down