I decided to do this “blog thing”, and if I’m honest, its purpose is a little unclear. I think I just wanted some sort of narration to go alongside the memories I’ve made this year. The audience? Whoever can be bothered to read it — maybe just myself, once or twice, who knows.
But it’s December 31st, the sun is setting – it’s time to look back and evaluate how the year went. And honestly? Amazing.
It didn’t start that way though.
January – Cold Cars and Cold Worries
The year began with a member of Lou’s family being in and out of hospital almost immediately. Breathing issues, constant visits, and at one point the outlook looked bleak — thankfully, that version of events never came to pass.
Over Christmas ’24 and into January ’25, I was also working on the wiring behind the dash of the AX. It had been modified several times over the years: by me, a little by the previous owner, and apparently also by a small four-legged animal that goes squeek.
Most of the work was done in the warmth of the house, then the dash was carried outside to be refitted in the car. I remember it being properly cold, with a small heater wedged in there, plenty of cuppas, and a determination to just get it done.
Also saw one of the funniest things I have ever seen – a smart car carrying a sofa – yep you read that right!
February – A Bad Idea That Turned Out Brilliant
By February things had settled down. Hospital visits eased off, and after rediscovering car meets in 2024, I spent a bit of time lurking on Facebook looking for gatherings I’d feel comfortable attending.
That’s when I came across a post from a local drag racer — Duncan Beard — looking for crew.
“Why not reach out?” I thought.
That was the first mistake…
After a few messages I was invited over to have a proper chat. I had no idea what to expect — the last time I was involved in drag racing, I was still in a pushchair.
I initially assumed the role would be mostly home-based: loading the car, helping with repairs, that sort of thing. But trackside help was also needed.
Great!
During the chat I saw the car for the first time and got the basics explained:
engine at the front, big wheels at the back, mechanical fuel injection, supercharged Chevy big block, running on methanol.
It was an absolute beast.
I left buzzing, ready to tell Lou the good news — although slightly unsure how she’d take it. Thankfully, Wife Approval (WA) was granted. We marked dates in the calendar and planned Sunday afternoons working on the car, aiming for the first meeting in April.
March – Cars, Calendars, and Commitments
In March, Lou got a job with the local doctors, which meant we needed two usable cars. After some searching we bought a 2010 Ford Focus 1.8.
On the outside, it was great. Unfortunately, Lou and the clutch did not get on.
One bad hill start was all it took. The Focus became my long-distance car, and the search continued.
Managed to get to a meet at Leeds with the Yorkshire ASBOs
Weekends were filled with house jobs and Sunday afternoons at Duncan’s, getting the dragster ready for April.
April – First Race, First Tent Battle
April arrived, along with the deadline to get the car ready. We were booked into Melbourne Raceway (York — not Australia), and somehow we made it.
I packed everything: my large Scout tent, comfy chair, bed, mattress, burgers, camping gear — basically everything I take on Scout weekends. The car was full. I also packed the camera, determined to document this new experience.
Very quickly I learned something important:
a former RAF base is windy, and big tents really don’t like wind.
Once set up, I realised this whole arrangement needed streamlining. Still, the weekend went well. I was on startup and tow-car duties, and although we didn’t break records, we had a successful meeting and learned plenty — including what too much fuel looks like on startup.
I even bumped into old friends from Maplin, including Rob Dack from White Noise.
Packing up, however, was a nightmare. With fewer windbreaks around, it was me versus nature — and nature has a few years’ experience on me. I eventually stuffed most of the tent into its bag and decided future-me could deal with the rest.
Lesson learned: smaller tent required.
Outside of racing, I also had the honour of being the Union Standard bearer for the Scouts’ St George’s Day parade — still a role I love and look forward to every year.
May – Becky-Zee and Santa Pod Returns
May brought a new car: Becky, the 2022 Kia XCeed. Originally bought so I could sleep in it at race meetings, I chickened out at the April Nostalgia Nationals and bought a near pop-up tent instead.
This month also marked my first visit to Santa Pod in nearly 20 years. The last time I was there was around 2009, in my AX, running ~17-second passes on its original 1.4 engine.
I arrived late due to dog-sitting logistics, slapped my racer camping sticker on with pride, and pitched my tent under the windmill at the end of the track. The way the rotating blades chopped up the engine noise was oddly hypnotic.
Saturday started well, but racing ended early when the engine went tight at the end of a run. That night, at around 3am, I was woken by horns, bangs, and eventually the unmistakable glow of a caravan fire. A young girl — about 7 or 8 — had called the emergency services and probably saved lives.
I spent the rest of the night in the Kia with the heated seats on.
The following morning I took a long pit walk, took around 300 photos, and just soaked it all in.
June – Heat, Highs, and AX Memories
June was relentless.
First up was Street Weekend, split between Santa Pod and Melbourne. With Thundergod at Melbourne, we had solid test time following the engine rebuild. The Kia got its first proper towing workout, and I found myself sitting near the start line with race cars filling my wing mirrors — a moment I won’t forget.
The following weekend was an AX meet at The Motorist. Five cars turned up — a solid turnout for 30-year-old French hatchbacks. One dropped out with alternator issues, but everyone was safe.
The highlight came when three AXs simultaneously peeled off onto different motorways at the M62/M1 split. For a brief moment, it felt like a Top Gear shot.
Dragstalgia followed, with 30°C heat and some great racing. I caught up with Mick White and Dick around the Tudor Rose dragster, and narrowly avoided a parachute-to-the-face incident on the start line — live-streamed, no less.
July – Camping, Waterfalls, and Bulls
July started with Lou and I’s first proper camping weekend — and our first wedding anniversary — in Ingleton. We explored rivers, sheep fields, cows, and accidentally walked past three bulls standing in the middle of the road. Easily the most intimidating animals I’ve ever encountered.
We completed the Ingleton Waterfall Trail — beautiful, exhausting, and a sharp reminder of my fitness level. British weather struck on the way back, soaking us through without waterproofs or warm clothes.
Lesson learned. Again.
August – A Breather
August was quieter. I took the AX out, discovered a sudden fuel leak (fixed quickly), and spent a relaxed afternoon talking cars rather than looking at them.
Also had a few relaxed weekends in the garden.
Sometimes that’s enough.
September – Achievements and Birthdays
September brought a big achievement for the Scout group: RAF Recognition — a huge milestone. There are no photos of this from me though.
It was also the Hot Rod Drags at Santa Pod, which fell on my birthday. Lou came along to finally see what had stolen me away all year. Seeing her grin as the car fired up was priceless.
We hit a new PB — high 7s — a number we’d been chasing all season.
As we left, a Lancaster flew over, its four Merlin engines roaring. A fitting soundtrack. Best birthday present ever from the RAF.
Thundergod was back out at Flat Caps and Ferrets car show doing a bit of promotion for both the car / crew and Melbourne.
October – The Season Closes
The final race meeting at Melbourne was wet, windy, and chaotic. We forgot the parachute, battled 50+ mph gusts, and still managed a few runs.
I didn’t end up staying overnight at the track, If I did I think I would have the world record for the fastest tent.
Jet cars made a lasting impression — 10-foot flames, chest-thumping pulses, and heat you could feel.
I also secured my promotion at work, moving from Senior Engineer Level 2 to Technical Consultant — something I’m immensely proud of.
Lou also rescued a kitten from the rain, found it a loving home, and reminded me how lucky I am to have an amazing wife like her.
Finally, we closed out the year of camping with a the Beaver Autumn camp. Always good fun getting active in nature.
November – Small Things, Big Moments
November slowed down. We got lost on a local walk, climbed gates we probably shouldn’t have, and I got my racing fix in an unexpected way: slot car drag racing.
A 1:24 scale, 1000-ft strip. 50 mph in a second. Surprisingly close to the real thing — and I got to drive.
December – Year winds down, projects a plenty
With the racing now being over, I was commissioned to look into re making the timing system for Red Kite Raceway’s system.
It’s bringing the sport into the 21st century, more details will be release later.
Closing Thoughts
Looking back, this year was busy, exhausting, emotional, and unforgettable.
I did things I never expected, stood in places I hadn’t been for decades, and made memories I know I’ll carry for a long time.
If future-me ever reads this:
yeah — it really was a good year.