RACING NEWS

The 800 horsepower, 'Overkill' powered, drag bike, 'Mr. Spokehead', was built in 2005 as a tribute to Ian's friend and mentor, the late, great, Jim McClure, of Virginia. A champion always.

Team principals at CHF Racing decided that, after five years, racing the UK's only UEM class Nitro Harley was no longer viable so it was sold to a great team in Finland. We all had a lot of fun with that machine but were really racing way over our heads, nitro racing is never cheap! The fabulous painting below was commissioned by the Chesworth's from famous drag racing artist, PAUL WHITEHOUSE, to commemorate the Nitro Harley and the Junior Dragster.

After much thought it was decided that the only other class in drag racing that we all enjoyed as much was NOSTALGIA DRAGSTER.

CHF RACING then commissioned Ian to build a modern version of the awesome front engined dragsters of the mid 1960's that inspired him when he was just twelve years old. We would go back to the golden age of drag racing and re-live 'Camelot'

Just then, as if by divine intervention, Jon Best put his 160"rolling chassis up for sale...it was meant to be!

The car was to be an affordable but competitive race car for the WILD BUNCH and SUPER-PRO championships. We built a 555ci BIG BLOCK CHEVY and POWERGLIDE package to suit and Ian fitted a vintage 'Crower' alcohol fuel injection system, with a Mallory magneto, to keep it all period correct. The chassis was tagged down to 7.5 seconds, quick enough for us!

The all alloy, hand fabricated (by Bill Felstead) 'chute-pack' body was finished off by Ian and painted by CURBISHLEY AUTOMOTIVE. It had classic lines reminiscent of Ian's favorite car, the 1965 'Hawaiian' of Roland Leong.

The chrome and final touches were added in time for the car to debut at DRAGSTALGIA, Santa Pod Raceway, in July 2011.

Test runs showed immediate promise and proved that Ian had got his first car build right. He gained his Dragster license at the MOPAR INTERNATIONALS shortly after. Once the normal 'new car niggles' were ironed out Ian, with help from 'Crunch', Spud Miller, Blake Brothers racing,  and Johnny 'Mental' Hall, soon had the front wheel's up in the air just as he did with the bike. 

Ian's first race against another car happened at the famous BULLDOG BASH, at Shakespeare County Raceway in August.

Steve Leedell decided he couldn't keep away, so re-joined the team as crew chief.

The car was christened 'MR. SPOKEHEAD II' to keep the lineage going and make sure Jim McClure was not forgotten.

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CLICK THE PICTURE BELOW FOR GALLERIES OF PHOTOS OF THE 2 NEW DRAGSTERS

Meanwhile, Laura Grace was learning the ropes in her great Junior Dragster and doing very well!

In 2011 she turned sixteen and was ready to move up to the adult ranks.

(click here to go to Laura's web site and follow her blog)

CHF decided that something unique to Laura was called for and Ian had a mad idea!

Ian had seen pictures of mid size dragsters in the USA with motorcycle engines in them.

Well it so happened that Ian had a spare 160ci Harley 'Overkill' left from his big bike!

After scouting around he found a very famous American race car chassis was for sale that was the right layout and dimensions for his new dream! It was the ex-comp car of the late Shelly Howard (then raced by  Martyn Jones) and had a full chrome-moly chassis with a detachable rear clip. A new rear section was made to house the monster, motorcycle, motor! It is now fitted along with a Bentec slider clutch and Lenco Reverse unit. This unique combination with be mechanically injected with methanol and boosted with a special 300hp nitrous oxide system. This is chain driven to a strange 31 spline live axle. The body and running gear were updated, tagged, and painted as always by CURBISHLEY AUTOMOTIVE.

The car is called the 'OVERKILL' and will hopefully debut in PO-ET at Santa Pod, Easter 2012.

CHF RACING is now a two car team!