30/05/2026
*SPUFF BECOMES 3RD OVER 300MPH TO 1,000FT; WINS FOR FIRST TIME SINCE SEPT. 2012*
We walked away with the trophy at the second of four 2026 Funny Car Cup series races at the FIA Main Event at Santa Pod Raceway on Monday 25th May 2026.
John Spuffard ran a fantastic 4.183/300.76mph to beat Dale Leeks’ 4.433/275.91mph in the final, the third run over 300mph in the history of European 1,000ft Nitro Funny Car racing.
All three of those 1,000ft 300mph blasts have come from this very car, with three different drivers.
In Q1 there was an issue with the Christmas tree on Santa Pod’s side. John noticed this and opted not to his the throttle, as we wouldn’t have got a time.
Q2 the car got off the line well but then shut itself off.
In Q3 the car went straight and true, with a 660ft blast.
Q4 the car put a few cylinders out on the left bank, forcing John over and in to the 1,000ft blocks. The car was on a very solid run up until that point.
We qualified in the 3rd position and would face Kevin Chapman in Round 1 of Eliminations.
In Round 1, we got the win! We ran a 4.75 at a huge 291mph, resetting John’s personal best speed to the 1,000ft mark. The E.T. was not a representative time as the car was in very deep.
Our first full run of the season, this pass gave us all the right data needed to really dial the car in for the final!
In the final round, we launched hard and John took the Showtime Racing Dodge Charger Nitro funny Car to the win, for the first time since September 2012!
To see the win light and that magical 300mph flash up on the board was beyond exciting! The crew went absolutely wild on the start line and too right!
Well done to each and every person that works on that car, you all did so incredibly well and truly deserve to hold that winner’s trophy! They are Michael McDonald, Mark Bodimeade, Joe Cowen, Neil Titheridge, Duncan Harris, Rob Whitmore, Jay Pearson and Tom Bushby.
Thanks to all of our sponsors, whom without it just would not be possible! They are: Nimbus Motorsport • Torco USA • Torco Race Fuels • Elite Clothing Ltd • Airwave compressors • Pipeworx Custom • WD-40 • Original WD40 UK • Starracerbelts.com • Performance Data Systems • Stonebridges Printers Ltd.
Another special thank you to Steve and Victoria.
All the people that work hard in the background and help with the overall running of the team - Jo Green, Holly Jakes and Séan Kevin Bowe.
A massive thanks to our team owner and crew chief Bob Jarrett. It goes without saying that absolutely NONE of us would be able to do this without Bob, he provides us with a Funny Car to have fun with - we are very indebted to him.
We must also give a very special thank you to both Duncan and Lorraine Harris.
A big thank you also to Andy Cowen who has supplied us with merch bits, along with Roy Palmer too!
Pauleen Soderqvist at Elite Clothing Ltd. helped with last-minute and overnight merch orders, so thank you so very much for all that you do!
One main man we must thank, who kept us fuelled and fired all-weekend-long is our Chef, Gavin Maguire! Thanks Gav, what you cook us is phenomenal.
Well done to all of the Santa Pod Raceway staff for work your butts off in awfully-hot, scorching sunshine all-weekend-long. Thanks for giving us an awesome track on which to race!
The next round - 3 of 4 - of the Funny Car Cup Series is at Bug Jam 39, 24-26 July. Let’s see what we can do / see you there!!!
—All at Showtime Racing would like to send our deepest condolences to Rikard Gustafsson’s family and friends. What a terrible tragedy it is to lose such a talented Top Fuel Bike racer, just days after he collected what would be his final trophy. We are privileged to have shared the Winner’s Circle with him at the FIA Main Event.—
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Team Owner & Crew Chief - Bob Jarrett
*Buy official Showtime Racing merchandise at www.ShowtimeRacing.co.uk*
📸 - Shot by Séan Kevin Bowe / on at FIA Main Event, Santa Pod Raceway on Sunday 24th May 2026.
Funny Car Cup
