Raceway near Wellingborough revving up to welcome full-house audiences back

Festival of Power Unlocked is set to welcome full-house audiences back to Santa Pod.

The roar of delight heard around Santa Pod Raceway when Covid-19 restrictions are hopefully lifted on June 21 will be drowned out four days later by the roar of engines as the venue presents its first full-house, unlimited-audience event since the pandemic took hold last year.

The Festival of Power is traditionally held at Easter to launch the UK drag racing season.

Postponed by Covid, this year’s version will take place over the weekend of June 25 to June 27, and to honour the lifting of restrictions, is being re-branded as the Festival of Power Unlocked.

The name may be modified but the format remains as exciting as ever, melding championship drag racing, on two wheels and four, with entertainments and attractions for all the family.

At the noisiest end of the programme will be the nitro-burning European Funny Car Series, plus at least one Top Fuel Dragster shaking off the dust after a winter’s rest.

A key feature of the festival has long been the Jet Car Shootout, and five of the thunderous, fire-breathing beasts are scheduled to light up the start line.

This will in fact be the second national championship round for cars and motorcycles – the series began five weeks earlier, in front of a limited-attendance crowd.

The bill-topping Pro Modifieds of the Motorsport UK British Drag Racing Championship already have an early points leader at whom to take aim when these outrageously powerful ‘silhouette’ machines hit the track on Festival Friday for their first qualifying session.

In addition, 11 Sportsman car classes will compete in their respective national title chases while, on two wheels, 10 motorcycle classes, headed by Top Fuel Bike, will battle for two-wheeled supremacy.

The youngsters of Junior Dragster and Junior Drag Bike will enjoy their own eighth-mile action.

Away from the track, the live action arena will focus on Monster Trucks and the amazing feats of champion stunt driver Terry Grant and stunt rider Lee Bowers, along with funfair rides, helicopter pleasure flights, sideshows, children’s amusements and some lively evening entertainments in the Fuelers Bar.

The Festival of Power Unlocked takes place at Santa Pod Raceway, near Wellingborough from Friday, June 25, to Sunday, June 27.

Advance adult admission prices begin at £20, with children aged five to 15 at £5 each.

Full event and venue information is available at www.santapod.co.uk or by calling the Box Office at 01234 782828.

Tickets may be bought online or by telephone but must be pre-booked. There will be no admission at the gate.