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History
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| Wayne started racing in 1989 in a home
built Ford Pop, entered in the Rover V8 class. The car
was named 'Born to Run' and ran 11.50s and would often
end up in the semi finals, although the finals were never
reached. A lot was learnt while racing in the Rover V8
class but the car was sold complete in 1997 due to the
desire to go quicker with a bigger engine. |
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| Between 1997
and 2000 a 'new' car was built, again at home. This was
the ex Kenny Coleman Rover 800 'Police Car', which was
re-bodied as a 3 Series BMW Coupe, with a small block
Chevy and TH400 transmission. Over the course of one to
two years this ran 10.90s in Pro ET and at numerous test
days. |
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A 540ci Big Block Chevy then found its
way into the car, producing 750hp. The huge increase in
power led to 8.70 - 8.80s ETs at 154mph. The car competed
in Super Pro ET and also at many doorslammer events. |
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On September 4th 2003, on the way to
the European Finals at Santa Pod, we were unfortunately
involved in a motorway accident. A 38 ton truck ran
into the back of us, pushing us into a 93 ton military
transporter which was in front. Our motor home, trailer
and race car were all completely destroyed. Wayne had
to be cut from the wreckage and airlifted to hospital
where he was operated on that night. His youngest son
Joe and good friend Dave Billadeau were also in the
accident. They were also taken to hospital and released
the same day.
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Almost four months later, Wayne returned
to work having undergone physiotherapy and now having
screws holding him together.
It never crossed Wayne's mind to give
up racing and the plan was hatched to build a new car,
to go even quicker than before.
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[Photo © & courtesy Peter Donaldson]
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