Round 5: Santa Pod Raceway.  26-27 September

Andy Robinson sealed 2009’s MSA British Drag Racing Championship with another record-breaking display at Santa Pod Raceway’s UK National Finals. It was the Hampshire racing car constructor’s second MSA crown in the three years since Pro Modified became the championship’s designated class.

During Saturday’s qualifying, Robinson set new British-best performance marks of 6.054sec and 235.19mph. 2008 champion Philip Englefield also clocked a career-best elapsed time (6.489sec) while Kevin Slyfield, flying at last after three seasons’ struggle with his wayward Willys, twice blitzed his best figures to end the year on 6.528/212.96.

In Sunday’s eliminations, Robinson defeated Englefield and Graham Ellis en route to his third victory in five rounds. In all, 26 entrants from seven countries scored championship points since the MSA series began at Easter.

Top 5 qualifiers:

1.             Andy Robinson:  6.054sec. / 235.19mph

2.             Graham Ellis:  6.275 / 227.83

3.             Philip Englefield:  6.489 / 216.85

4.             Kevin Slyfield:  6.528 / 212.96

5.             Roger Moore:  11.486 / 120.92

Eliminations:

Semi-final:

Andy Robinson 6.360 / 214.87  def.  Philip Englefield 8.360 / 139.83

Graham Ellis 14.956 / 54.55 bye

Final:

Andy Robinson 6.229 / 219.09  def.  Graham Ellis 7.019 / 189.00

Low Elapsed Time of the Event:  6.054sec. (British best) – Andy Robinson

Top Speed of the Event:  235.19mph (British best) – Andy Robinson

Final Championship

1. Andy Robinson (GB)           523

2. Graham Ellis (GB)                391

3. Philip Englefield (GB)           310

4. Kevin Slyfield (GB)              264

5. Mats Eriksson (S)                190

6. Roger Moore (GB)               161

7. Bruno Bader (CH)               152

8. Michael Gullquist (S)           148

9. Urban Johansson (S)          144

10. Henri Joosten (NL)            128