Power tool racers face American invasion

The 2008 Silverline Power Tool Drag Racing event will take place on Sunday 10 August 2008 at Haynes International Motor Museum. Following the enormous success of last years event, the organisers are planning an even bigger event full of high octane action to thrill the spectators.

Power tool drag racing requires competitors to take a hand-held power tool, turn it into a mean machine and race it down a 75ft track, the more adventurous can enter the ride on class of the competition where they will be challenging go karts powered by chain saws!

Enthusiasm for power tool drag racing swept across America and is now gripping the UK. It appears competitors in the USA are so worried about Brits stealing the show that American based company Little Wonder are sending Team USA over to mount a challenge.
James Goddard-Watts, managing director of Silverline Tools, said: "We were delighted when we heard Little Wonder were sending a team over from the United States to take part in the event. Each year we attract more and more entrants from father and son teams with customised belt sanders to precision developed machines built by professional engineers, we have already been told about some amazing machines that are being created for this years race”

A wide variety of specially constructed machinery took part in last years Silverline Power Tool Drag Race and competition was fierce. Declan Hicks, the UK Drifting champion, drove a spectacular vehicle based on garden blowers. In the same 'ride-on' class there were two machines powered by eight chainsaws and twelve chainsaws respectively. A motorised wheelbarrow was one of the favourites with the crowd, while a belt sander-driven toaster came complete with toast!

Power tool drag racing is not just for celebrities – anyone can enter with an equal chance of winning. The sport is popular among DIY enthusiasts, builders, engineering students, hardware retailers, families, children, mums and dads. Anyone can use their ingenuity to turn an angle grinder into a drag racing device, make a circular saw a speed machine, or build a winner based on a chainsaw. There are absolutely no limits to the resourcefulness and creativity people can bring to their project.

At the Silverline Power Tool Drag Race, there will be prizes galore. In addition to modified belt sanders and red-hot angle grinders there will be activities for all the family.

The Silverline Dragster will also be at the event with four times FIA Champion driver, Dave 'Grumpy' Wilson. With in excess of 3,000 horsepower, a top speed of 270mph and the capability to run a quarter mile in 5.386 seconds, this is a very mean machine indeed.

For waterborne excitement, nothing beats the Team Silverline Powerboat – Drew Langdon, driver and manager of Team Silverline, which finished second in the 2007 Powerboat P1 World Championship and was the highest placed UK team, will be signing autographs.

Jason Plato is the lead driver for the Silverline-sponsored SEAT Team, which won the 2007 British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) Teams title. One of the SEAT team cars will be on display.

There will also be displays of drifting – one of the fastest growing branches of motor sport. Watch drivers control their specially modified cars in endless, tyre-smoking powerslides.

For a rest from the action, tour the world famous Haynes International Motor Museum – the UK's largest exhibition of the greatest cars from around the world. It boasts more than 350 cars and bikes, dating from 1886 to the present day, 11 huge display halls, the world famous red room and one of the UK’s largest speedway collections. This is an excellent day out for all the family, no matter what the weather.

If it's your lucky day, you could take home a mystery prize – there are loads to be given to both contestants and visitors on this action packed day.

Note Sunday 10th August in your diary now and log-on to the Silverline Power Tool website (silverlinetools.com) for full details of the categories of power tool drag racers and an entry form. DIY has never been this much fun!