[woodcote]

NHRA Top Fuel 4-Gear

Top qualifier Clive started off with what looked an easy run against slowest qualifier Noah...

   

It was very nearly a disaster as the Matco Tools Top Fueler bogged down horribly. Thankfully, Noah's dragster was slow and Clive's 1.038 still gave him a win by 0.104 seconds. Not a great start, but Clive's crew would have the next bye round to get things sorted for the final.

   

Next, Alan dispatched Dylan by 0.220 seconds - Alan clocking a quick 0.744 against Dylan's 0.950.

The race between Andy and Rebecca would be closer...

   

Andy's FRAM dragster had a good start, but the yellow Geico machine was closing... Andy held on for a 0.035 win - his ET 0.738 to Rebecca's 0.772.

That left one semi-final tie between Alan and Andy...

   

However, the big drama came a few minutes before. Clive's solo run was another slow one - 0.916 seconds. The motor sounded sick and didn't speed up on the rolling road. It looked like the top qualifier would be a sitting duck for whoever won the semi...

It was close at the start between the two orange dragsters, but Andy soon pulled away, winning by 0.095 seconds - 0.721 to Alan's 0.821. Meanwhile, Clive's mechanics were desperately throwing everything at the Matco machine...

   

Clive lined up not expecting much. Off the line, things seemed better...

   

Andy edged ahead, but Clive was getting serious power to the rear wheels and pulled level...

   

It was very close at the line, but maybe Clive had done it?

   

He had!



Huge congratulations to Clive and his crew for getting back in the game and winning the first Top Fuel medal...

   

Here's the ladder...

   

And the stats...

   

Just two races to go now - the Tyco match-race decider and NHRA 4-Gear Funny Car & Pro Stock...