High-Octane Action at Santa Pod’s 2026 Summer Nationals
Report by Jeff Silver Photography
15 July 2026
Santa Pod Raceway celebrated 60 years of quarter-mile competition in spectacular style as the 2026 Santa Pod Summer Nationals delivered a weekend of high-octane motorsport, international entries and breathtaking performances.
Drivers and teams travelled from across the United Kingdom, France, Germany and the Netherlands, with competitors also arriving from further afield, including the United States. Together, they produced a thrilling display of speed and power on one of the most famous drag-racing strips in Europe.
International Stars Shine at Santa Pod
Among the standout international competitors was France’s Jean Dulamon, who reached speeds of up to 230 mph during his runs down the quarter mile. His performance demonstrated the extraordinary acceleration and engineering involved at the highest levels of drag racing.
British competitor David Russell also attracted plenty of attention in his classic Morris Marina van, appropriately named The Van With No Name. The unusual machine proved that drag racing is not limited to conventional race cars, bringing character, nostalgia and serious performance to the start line.
Dragsters, Bikes and Junior Talent
Daniel Giles, competing in the Giles and Hartley Racing Dragster, delivered another memorable display. As the dragster launched, the immense power transferred through the rear wheels caused the tyres to distort dramatically as they fought to maintain their shape and grip the track.
The Summer Nationals was not only about four-wheeled machinery. Motorcycles also took to the quarter-mile strip, with riders including Jasmine Cordelle aboard Cordelle Motorsport’s Suzuki GSX and Holie King on a powerful Suzuki Hayabusa. Their speed, bravery and control added another exciting dimension to the event.
Once the adult competitors had completed their runs, the next generation of racers entered the spotlight. The pioneering Carl Cox Motorsport junior series continues to introduce young talent to drag racing in the United Kingdom, supporting junior competitors on both motorcycles and in cars.
The youngsters did not fail to impress. Ellarose Smallworth produced a confident performance in Dirty Paws, while Jason King represented the motorcycle ranks aboard Next Generation. Their enthusiasm and determination showed that the future of British drag racing is in capable hands.
With international competitors, remarkable machinery and young racers beginning their motorsport journeys, the 2026 Santa Pod Summer Nationals provided a fitting celebration of Santa Pod Raceway’s 60-year history.
After six decades of racing, the legendary quarter-mile strip remains a place where speed, engineering and ambition come together.
