Two of Europe’s biggest drag racing events held at Santa Pod in the UK during the summer of 1986 gives us a really good insight into the 'megapower' sport.

Funny Car European Championship July 1986

The stars of the Budweiser Cannonball sponsored event include Rune Fjeld in Motown Shaker, Tom Hoover (USA) in Budweiser, Haarlan Thompson (USA) in Funnycar, Dave Cross and Tony Lewis in the Funny Bikes class, plus Silvia Hauser in Independant Sierra and Nick Gaye in Hampshire Hog from the Supergas Class.

World Top Fuel Dragster Championship September 1986

Later in the year we join Top Fuel stars in another sunblessed meeting which also saw the famous Sammy Miller in his notorious rocket car Vanishing Point make a rare UK appearance.

The cameras are as close as safety (and the condition of the microphones!) will allow to bring you all the action on high quality video.

Tragically the meeting ended in disaster when Mike Woodley's rocket car Hellbender went out of control.