Straightliners at Santa Pod: Storms, Scooters and a Champion Crowned

Storm Boelo brought the wind, but the competitors at Santa Pod brought the determination. On Sunday, 25 October 2026, Straightliners returned to the famous drag strip, where gusts of up to 48mph tested riders and drivers without stopping the action.

An exposed drag strip leaves competitors at the mercy of the elements, and these conditions added another challenge to an already demanding sport. Yet the focus remained firmly on the start line, the lights and the pursuit of a clean run down the track.

Straightliners Battle the Storm

Straight-line racing does not need a packed grid charging towards the first corner to deliver excitement. A rider preparing to launch, an engine climbing through the revs and the anticipation as the lights change can hold your attention just as effectively.

At Santa Pod, the weather added another layer of uncertainty. Strong gusts demanded concentration and respect, while competitors continued to prepare their machines and take their chances on the strip.

That is part of Straightliners’ appeal. The competition puts individual riders, drivers and their machinery centre stage, with every run offering a fresh test of preparation, commitment and control.

Scooters Share the Spotlight

The variety of machinery added plenty of character to the meeting. Alongside the cars and motorcycles, scooters demonstrated that straight-line competition comes in all shapes and sizes.

Small wheels certainly do not mean small ambitions. Scooter competitors bring their own blend of ingenuity, development and determination, proving that a machine’s size or humble origins need not limit its potential.

The results also highlighted the diversity of the sport, with a classic Kawasaki and a Vespa featuring prominently in the 2026 NSA Elgar Shield Championship standings.

Kerry Phillips Claims the Elgar Shield

The meeting delivered a memorable championship moment for Kerry Phillips, who secured the 2026 NSA Elgar Shield Championship aboard his 1970 Kawasaki H1 500.

A championship-winning classic Kawasaki made a fitting headline at an event where individual machines and their riders play such an important role. The H1 500 represents a distinctive era of motorcycling, and Phillips added another chapter to its story with his title-winning campaign.

Jamie Lawn took runner-up honours aboard his Vespa 50 Special, giving scooter supporters plenty to celebrate.

The contrast between the two machines captured the spirit of the competition. Phillips brought a classic Kawasaki to the championship-winning position, while Lawn demonstrated the competitive potential of a much smaller scooter.

Both earned their places at the top of the standings through their commitment to the sport and their chosen machinery.

A Championship to Remember at Santa Pod

The weather ensured that Straightliners’ October visit to Santa Pod was no ordinary autumn meeting. Gusts of up to 48mph created a challenging backdrop, but the competitors kept their attention on the strip and delivered a day that combined straight-line action with a championship celebration.

For Phillips, the reward was particularly significant: the 2026 NSA Elgar Shield title aboard his 1970 Kawasaki H1 500. Lawn’s runner-up finish on the Vespa 50 Special provided another reminder of the diversity that makes this form of motorsport so appealing.

Straightliners brings together distinctive machinery, dedicated competitors and the determination to keep pushing forward, whatever the weather.

Storm Boelo brought the gusts. The competitors brought the resolve. And Kerry Phillips left Santa Pod with the Elgar Shield.

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