The JapShow Finale 2006 Report (click photos to enlarge)

The Jap Show Finale 2006 was certainly an event to remember. With thousands of spectators and racers joining to witness a weekend of amazing engine throbbing Japanese drag strip action. The queues to Santa Pod were steady throughout the morning and afternoon, packed with lots of eager faces ready to enjoy the best show of its kind, and one of the last major shows of the year.

The weekend was a real treat for everyone who attended, as we saw Tim Webster break the European quarter mile record for a four wheel drive car no fewer than 4 times in his Duke Racing Skyline. Saturday saw the record expectedly knocked down to 9.159 seconds, and then 9.0 later on in the day. Everybody was rooting for Tim to finally break the 8 second barrier. But could he do it?

On Sunday it was time for the big Pro Shootout event, with 27 of the finest examples of Japanese machinery going head to head in a fast and furious battle to see who would be crowned the Do-Luck Pro Shootout Champion for both the 4WD/RWD and FWD pro classes. The competition ran strong throughout the day, with some upsets and lots of hard work from the teams to prepare the cars for the track. After a couple of runs the record was broken once again by Webster, this time with a landmark 8.890 second pass. The final of the 4WD/RWD class saw the giant Tim Webster and the underdog Steve Whittaker head to head on the strip. Whittaker had the faster reaction time in his DJ Craig sponsored Supra, but Webster’s beastly Skyline had already taken the lead by the 60ft mark, and then the gap just increased and the win was easily taken by Webster, who also racked up his fourth new European record of the weekend with an absolutely amazing 8.808 second pass.

Ross Juniper got in on the record action as well by breaking his own European Mazda record in the Dragon RX7.

The FWD class saw Guy Chamberlain take on Peter Cattell. Once again the underdog had the better reaction time, but was still no match for the power of Chamberlain’s winning Honda Civic. View the 2006 Finale Do-Luck Pro Shootout page for full details of the Pro Racing.

On the track there was plenty to watch as well as the Do-Luck Pro Shootout, with many of the racers turning up on the Saturday to take part in some serious clutch burning, tyre churning RWYB action that ran through into Sunday, with the competition for each of the 8 classes hotting up throughout the weekend. All of the drivers were keen to get their hands on the respected winners trophies. Martin Hill’s Fire Force 3 Jet Funny Car also came out to amaze the crowds with three passes over 250mph. Demos from European Drag Racing Championship cars also entertained the crowds, with Nev Mottershead in his Super Pro ET Toyota Supra and Mark Watkins' Super Street Datsun 280ZX thundering down the strip. Two Subaru engined Beetles from the VWDRC also showed what they could do on the strip.

RWYB Class Winners

Mark Biggers took the Class A trophy with an absolutely stunning time for a RWYB car and also picked up a universal exhaust provided by DNX and an oil gauge from Castrol Edge as prizes for the fastest car in any Run What Ya Brung class except X!

Visit the RWYB Times page for all the competition runs from both Saturday and Sunday.

Show Car Paddock

The Meguiar’s Show Car Paddock saw an array of amazing modified machinery competing for the Show and Shine trophies. As you walked through the packed and popular paddock, gazing at the line up you find yourself drawn in by the intense bass beats of incredible audio systems pumping tunes into the buzzing atmosphere, and your eyes are fixed on the mad deep dish wheels, crazy paint jobs, amazing concepts, and impressive quality and workmanship of every owners pride and joy. The standard of this year’s entrants was outstanding, and the judging involved some tough decisions, but in the end the winners were as follows:

Best of Show: Luke Borg, Nissan 300ZX Twin Turbo This car was a runner up in June’s Jap Show, and since then further head turning modifications have been made. This 300ZX featured one of the most attractive engine bays in the arena, with colour coding and chrome that put many of the cars to shame. The owner, Luke, has modified every single panel on this car, and the spec list features some top mods including Lambo doors, full leather interior re-trim, de-handled, a crazy red paint job, four central exit pipes, crazy deep dish alloys, and even some red furry dice!

1st Runner Up: Claire Miskelly, Mitsubishi Evo 7 Once again Claire grabbed a runner up spot, as she did in June, with her yellow Evo 7. The engine bay was on show impressing all, with yellow hoses and plenty of eye catching polished parts. This car had the most amazing fibreglass audio install, filling the car with amazing sounds from the subs and components within. Other mods included a full matching interior re-trim, yellow flowery decals, and that obvious Evo charm.

2nd Runner Up: Darren Robinson, Nissan Skyline Third place was a tough decision between a few great cars, but Darren grabbed the trophy with his blue Skyline. The engine bay featured a Whifbitz tuned lump; fully colour coded and tricked out with the big turbo on display, surely creating many jealous faces as they gazed in awe. The car was spotless and was a joy to behold, with mods including carbon fibre front and rear splitters, pristine white 6 spoke alloy wheels, and a massive intercooler to force all that lovely cold air into the turbo’d engine.

Well done to the winners and all the entrants into the Meguiar’s Show and Shine, your cars were adored by all.

There was also plenty of entertainment away from the track with breath taking drift shows throughout the day, attention grabbing pole dancing shows, stunt shows performed by the crazy Steer From The Rear crew, an exciting fun fair for the kids (and the younger minded adults), as well as nearly 2000 cars to look at on the 70 club stands that graced the Pod. Big thanks goes out to all the car clubs that attended, as the show wouldn’t be half as spectacular without all the amazing motors and great atmosphere that you bring along.

The drift paddock was busy throughout the day with the D1 drivers taking lucky spectators for a spin around on the tarmac, during the actual drift shows there were tyre melting sideways performances from some of the UK’s top drifters. This style of driving is not for the faint hearted, watching the drivers throwing their cars around the arena, with constant high revs and rear wheels spinning as the car glides inches away from obstacles under extreme control and frightening precision.

More Photos in the JapShow Finale 2006 Gallery. Also check out the Finale 2006 Photo Competition.