TEAM

The Driver - Gordon Smith

I attended my very first event at the ‘Pod around 1967 and I was hooked straight away, the noise and the power even in those days was something to behold! Over the coming years I had many cars and would take them to the ‘Pod and try and get faster and faster. My first try was with a Triumph Herald 1275cc, I think it ran around 22 seconds… but you have to start somewhere!

In the mid 80’s I brought a Plymouth Duster 440 and my brother had a 440 Barracuda. We used to enter the Custom Car classes at the ‘Pod and York. Eventually I got quicker in the car and ran in the Mod ET class, winning the title in1993, at the time this was my greatest achievement ever. I managed to get the car down to 10.20 but felt it was time for something different.

I purchased an old funny car from the ‘Pod and put a T body on it with a 440 motor. It was injected on alcohol but I was having lots of trouble getting the best out of the car. It was at this time that I teamed up with Dave Bryant whom I had known for some time. I knew with his experience of working with Tom Hoover and Bob Jarrett he would be able to help me out. We eventually ran in the high sevens but I wanted to go quicker.

Then Bob Jarrett made me an offer I could not refuse and we bought their 97 Pontiac Nitro Funny Car. We started with a 2-speed transmission running 5.79 at Avon Park, which I think is still the quickest transmission nitro car outside the USA. In 2002 we went direct drive and although this has caused us some problems over the past few years, it had to be done.

My biggest and most proud moment in the sport was to win the title in 2004 with a big win over the Showtime car, running 5.49 in the final with much more to come.

I still love this sport with all my heart and cannot wait for the time when we have an 8-car field in nitro funny car!

Gordon Smith

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Dave Bryant - Crew Chief & Co Team Owner
Dave has been drag racing since the early 1980s and fuel funny car racing since 1991 his responsibilities on the car are everything from tune up of the car for each run and all the operations on the car organising the spares and taking care of the teams day to day welfare also organising the logistics of the race team Dave has become one of the most respected crew chiefs in Europe for his tuning abilities and being able to deal with unexpected situations.

Niki Hales - Timers and Tune up
After 5 years crewing on the Shockwave car, Niki pretty much knows his way around everything, he is keen to keep expanding his knowledge and will continue to perfect and improve the tasks he is given.

Steve Loader - Heads
Steve has been crewing on the Shockwave car since it's formation 8 years ago, his knowledge is vast and very useful to those other members who are not as experienced. He is continuously checking the whole car to make sure everything is in order and understands the safety aspects are a primary concern.

Steve Brindle - Heads
Steve has been with the team for 3 yrs and works very hard as cyl head technician.

Rob Brindle ( Bert ) - Runner
Bert is a new member to the crew in 2005 and is forever running around after everyone, he makes the servicing of the car run more smoothly by aiding in every area. This includes all the nasty jobs like cleaning out oil pans and washing parts that need to be pristine.

Sammy Farr - Bottom End
Sammy Has Been with us for 5 yr. and takes care of the lower engine he has come on in leaps and bounds and his love for the car has strived him in to a roll within the team that we would struggle to do with out

Neil Titheridge - Clutch
Neil has been with us for 4 yrs He came on as a clutch apprentice but now has absorbed a wealth of experience and is probably one of the best clutch guys in Europe

Steve White - Marketing
Steve has over twenty years experience in marketing and media. He reqruites new sponsors, manages the teams and cars appearence and website along with sponsor liason.

Nicole Bouchet
Sponsor Hospitality Manager.
Nicole has worked in the entertainment industry for over fifteen years. This background gives her a strong experience base when dealing with sponsors at events, also other sponsor and team events away from the track.