The third annual Silverline power tool drag racing event took place on Sunday, 10th August, it proved to be a spectacular day out for all. Held at the Haynes International Motor Museum, Somerset and with special guests from The Gadget Show and Team High Output from the United States, the event attracted over 4000 spectators who enjoyed high octane action throughout the day.
The crazy sport of power tool drag racing first originated in the USA. This year, Silverline Tools were honoured to be joined by 'Team High Output' from Philadelphia, USA, headed by Howard Kaplan. Team High Output plan to return in 2009, with bigger and better machines, ready to take on their feisty UK rivals for the second time! Power tool drag racing requires competitors to take a hand- held power tool such as an angle grinder or belt sander and engineer it into a mean machine fit for racing competitors down a 75ft track. A record number of competitors entered this year, all of whom took great pride in showcasing their inspiring design and engineering talents. One cool competitor chose to go in cognito by disguising a belt sander within a tool bag while another entry featured a circular saw which proved a great acceleration aid as it hurtled down the race track at top speed!
As well as the indoor racing the 'funny car' class provided great entertainment on the outside track. The mission in this class is the same as with the track races but in the funny car class competitors must be able to sit on and ride their entry! The engineering in this class was really impressive, favourites with the crowd were the chainsaw powered go kart, a drag bicycle and a quirky motorised wheelbarrow. The Gadget Show's Dallas Campbell gave everyone a laugh with his ride on leaf blower and Pulling Power TV presenter, Ed China made an appearance with his infamous road legal sofa, complete with leopard print cover and a mantelpiece bearing a plant and a clock!
Haynes International Motor Museum's entry- a go-kart powered by waterpumps and chainsaws took first prize in the ride on category, whilst in the modified category, Team Killer Hurtz were awarded first prize for their inventive (and very speedy) dragster, powered by a 9.5kw angle grinder.
James Goddard-Watts, Managing Director of Silverline Tools said: "It's fantastic to see everyone having such a good time here today. The engineering and creativity that has gone into these machines is absolutely superb. We are delighted to have entries from The Gadget Show and Team USA this year, both teams seem to have caught the bug for it power tool drag racing and look set to become regular competitors at this fantastic event".
In addition to the power tool racing action, a wealth of entertainment was on offer for all the family. Many people enjoyed passenger rides in dream cars including a Ferrari 360 and a Dodge Viper as well as white knuckle drifting rides which were available throughout the day. UK Drifting champion, Declan Hicks took to the wheel in the ridiculously powerful Silverline truck and wowed the crowds with lots of tyre screaming drift demos. Santa Pod Raceway displayed a colourful collection of mini dragsters and the Haynes Summer Supercar Show featured some truly awesome cars such as the Ferrari Enzo F40, Jaguar XJ220 and McLaren F1 GTR. Silverlines sponsorship interests across air land and sea provided excellent photo opportunities for the crowds in the form of a hot air balloon, the FIA champion dragster and the incredible P1 powerboat. Children had great fun with the quiz and the Scalextric challenge. Adults and children were able to get up close to a wealth of cars and motorbikes inside the museum which houses the UK's largest exhibition of the greatest cars from around the world.
It boasts more than 350 cars and bikes, dating from 1886 to the present day, 11 huge display halls, the world famous red room and one of the UK's largest speedway collections.