Chris Johnson has been racing for just over 17 years.  Making his debut in 1986 he won the coveted “Best New-Comer” award in his first year.  Aged 45, Chris Johnson is married with a nine year old daughter and lives in Hedge End, Southampton.  A member of the Institute of Motor Industry, Chris is a Workshop Controller with the Southampton MG Rover main dealer.  After making his debut much of Chris’ time from 1991 to 1996 was taken up in building a new car.  The car appeared in 1997 when Chris came third in the National Championship before going on to win it in 1999.  During the last 15 years Chris Johnson has attracted small local sponsorship arrangements from his current employer, Viking Garages, a local machine shop and a small garage where he once worked.  However, in the absence of any major sponsorship, his pursuits have so far cost him and his wife approximately £70,000. 

In 1999 the team, which comprises of his wife, Diane and Engineer Paul Sommerville, and mechanic Will Burnett, became champions in the National Championship Pro-ET category for the first time and the Santa Pod Racers Club Pro-ET Championship for the second year running.  The challenge now for Chris Johnson and his team is to seek a major recognised sponsor to re-win the championships and to progress into the professional ranks of Drag Racing.

 THE CAR

Built by John Webster and originally based on a 1994 Rover 400, which is has been up-graded to an MG ZS body type courtesy of MG Rover (the same type as being raced in the Touring Car Championship this year) by Andy Robinson Race Cars in Basingstoke.

The car is powered by a 540cubic inch “Big Block” Chevrolet engine, running on 120 octane fuel.(C12).  The power train is made up of a modified 2 speed Power Glide manually shifted automatic gearbox, a 5,700 RPM Stallspeed torque converter driving a narrowed and strengthened Ford rear axle.  Stopping a car of this type is equally challenging and this is achieved through Willwood discs, front and rear, together with a Simpson parachute.  The car runs on15x14 1/2 x33 inch Goodyear tyres on the rear and 15x3 1/2 x28 inch Hoosier tyres on the front, and Pro Star Wheels.  Having cost £35,000 to build, the car reaches 0-60 in less than 3 seconds, 0-117 in 5.9 seconds over 1/8 mile and makes the ¼ mile in just 9.3 seconds with a terminal speed of 150 miles per hour. old car figures hopefully new one will be faster)

Built by John Webster and originally based on a 1994 Rover 400, which is has been up-graded to an MG ZS body type courtesy of MG Rover (the same type as being raced in the Touring Car Championship this year) by Andy Robinson Race Cars in Basingstoke.

NATIONAL DRAG RACING CHAMPIONSHIP FOR 2003

Thunderball - Santa Pod - 19-21 April 2003

Main Event FIA - Santa Pod - 3-5 May 2003

Summer Nationals - Santa Pod - 28-29 June 2003

European Finals FIA - Santa Pod - 5-7 September 2003

National Finals - Santa Pod - 27-28 September 2003