Featured Driver
Copyright (c) 2008 topnitro.co.uk
Tethys - featured driver
Seen here at the 2005 National Finals meeting at Santa Pod, Tethys is pictured in the pit of the Paul Marston School of racing.
Tethys made his first visit to the drag races at the Main Event in 2002. As with many first-timers, he had heard of drag racing, but it was not until he was dragged to his first race that his eyes were well and truly opened. During Smax's FIA Championship year of 2003, Tethys and chums became regulars at Smax's pit and at the end of that year, with a little money saved, Tethys decided that the aim was to spectate at the entire 2004 FIA schedule. At the beginning of the 2004 season, Smax's title defence started at the Main Event. Tethys was present, as ever, at the Smax pit and when Smax heard of Tethys' (and friends') plans to travel to Alastaro, he mentioned that they might be a 'little light' on crew and would they like to help out. Needless to say that within one second of arriving at the Smax pit in Alastaro, spanners were pressed into his and Robin's hands and they were instructed to 'get on with it'. A well-travelled season with Smax then followed, but Tethys yearned to drive, himself.
Living relatively close to the fabled Ace Cafe in London (close to Wembley Football stadium) and being a huge fan of Rock and Pop music, Tethys is a regular visitor on theme nights and on just one such occasion, Paul Marston of Paul Marston Racing attended the event with Grumpy's Dodge (see above picture) and he and Tethys had a chat. Tethys then eagerly left the event, clutching a leaflet to help give him an idea of what he needed to do. He then enrolled in to Paul's school and was soon sat behind the wheel of Grumpy's Dodge, himself.
Having completed his licensing for the beginning of 2005, Tethys started off the season in Pro-ET - the backbone of sportsman racing in the UK. When Grumpy's Dodge broke early in the season, Tethys was then invited by Paul to drive his Whoopass Chevy Monza and it was in this car that Tethys ran his first 9 second run. A fixed and much improved Grumpy's Dodge returned later in the season and Tethys scorched to a season best of 9.54 in Grumpy.
With thoughts of further racing efforts getting even more serious, at the end of 2005, Tethys took himself off to the Frank Hawley school of Drag racing in Florida with the specific intention of stepping up his licensing to Super Comp (dragster). This he did successfully and after a number of passes, he finished up with a best of 8.363 at 157.49mph. This was to be a smart choice to take advantage of an opportunity that came a little later.
For 2006, Tethys felt like something a little different. He switched to Super Gas, preferring the Pro Tree, and at the same time, Pro ET racer Paul Spiers, looking for a little extra funding, asked Tethys if he would be interested in racing Paul's Camaro on an 'arrive and drive' basis. Tethys was up for the challenge and consequently 'doubled up' in Pro-ET with Paul's Camaro and also in Super Gas with Grumpy's Dodge. A good season was had by all.
Just before the start of the 2007 season, Paul Marston was chatting with Tethys about what he was going to race during the year and he stunned Tethys by offering him the chance to race Paul's new Super Comp dragster. Already holding an NHRA Super Comp license meant he was ready to go and took to the task like a duck to water. Tethys raced the dragster all season and, despite a minor incident at Santa Pod when crew member Robin Tregaskis fed himself under the rear wheels of the reversing dragster (that's Tethys' version!), a successful season ensued.
Having thoroughly enjoyed his time with Paul Marston racing, Tethys is now ready to return to the return to the track in 2008, driving his own car in Sportsman ET racing. The car, a Ford Capri, is equipped with a 361ci motor which was purchased from Smax. Sadly, the transmission supplied with the motor lasted precisely 10 road miles before expiring. So, having thrashed around doing motor and transmission changes in anticipation of his first race in the Capri, Tethys is now ready for his first event at the Easter Thunderball at Santa Pod raceway. Let's hope that the car soon settles down on the track and we look forward to a great season in 2008.
