With the exception of the Mopar Nats it's the only time you'll see so many sub 10 second real street cars in one place, and with such a variety of cars out on the track   getting bored is just not an option.

Jerry Cookson had told us beforehand that the pre entries for the weekend had gone really well but I was blown away when I arrived Friday night to see the Pit lanes full and camping area busier than I had seen it for a very long time.

Taz racing were camped in their usual spot with Chris and Ben bringing out the Red and Yella Fiats to play and 2007 finalist Lee Denham in his Capri making up the Taz Trio, apparently moaning that Mark had broken his Fiat although some said he was just scared of the opposition from Surrey Muscle (oohh that's gotta hurt!)

Talking of which Surrey Muscle brought out some big guns with Roger Lutys 442 Olds who hasn't failed to make the shootout since it began.   Craig MacManus out with his awesome Black Nova with the running gear from his old Red Camaro which made the shootout in the past and new to me anyway Dave Arnolds gorgeous Blue Pontiac Trans Am who was running way down in the Tens all weekend.

Andy Murton and his Camaro from UK Streetracers parked up near the railway carriage but there was a gap where Stu Ramsey should have been who has won the shootout in the past.   Apparently he melted the engine trying to get into the low nines but I'm sure he will be back next year. The Rebel V8 guys were out in force to dominate the EFI Class yet again.

Most had heard that the glorious sunshine from the Friday was to continue all weekend so awoke early to make the most of it.   The track opened at 10am and was instantly rammed and stayed that way until close of play at gone 5pm.

Some of the class winners were as clear as the nose on your face.   British Muscle for instance was won by Paul Evans in his 400 cu in powered Viva estate which twists like nothing else when its launched. An awesome machine which I'm sure has low nines well within its grasp, and runner up in this class was Mad as a Box o Frogs Joe Stevens with his Blown Big Block Hillman Imp fast back (Stiletto for the purists).   I'm not sure if he got down in the nines but he went through to the shootout with a 10.26 and with a wheelbase shorter than a Tesco shopping trolley that's scary!

Super stock had 2 clear winners Paul Bentley took top honours here with his sweet Nova running a low 12 and Luois Renee runner up with constant 13's in his equally clean Camaro.

Ricki Folkes once again annihilated all comers in the Rebel V8 (oops sorry EFI Class) and dropped down into the 10's over the weekend in his tricked out Pickup and Adam Green stepped into the shootout after Barnard Daver burnt out his clutch

Dave Arnold, Roger Luty and Chris Skinner from down South were all on form and went through with sky high launches and low 10 second passes.

Dave Napier has always dominated the Mopar class but unfortunately broke the engine in his Plum Crazy Challenger and so Dave Billadeau went through as runner up with a 10.09 and replacement Cliff Turner stepped up to strengthen the Mopar crew with a very strong 10.10.

Andy Murton is a serial finalist and made it again with a 10.10 with knackered tyres and went through in the Chevy class with 2006 finalist Craig MacManus in his mean Black Nova who made it with a 10.18.

Rick Swan couldn't make the final so runner up Geoff Thurston went through with a 10.20 and Monkey Boy took the spare slot in his MK1 Escort running a 10.36.   Darren Watterton took the final vacant spot in his real 350 Mustang. He also took home a Top 10 trophy at the NASC Spring Nats at Drayton to prove his Mustang is all Show and GO!

The Shootout Finals were held on the Sunday and started as soon as the track opened.   Andy Murton came out with borrowed tyres and wheel nuts and blasted his way to the semi finals.   Paul Evans in his Viva dropped into the nines to do the same. Roger Luty saw off tough opposition from Dave (I'm gonna kick some Southern Butt) Billadoue and Dave Arnold to get to the semis and lastly Joe Stevens made it through via some scary runs. Just in case he never mentions it one of the first rounds saw Chris Skinner take on Craig MacManus.   Craig sailed through after Chris who has been racing for more years than I care to mention shifted into Neutral under all the pressure.

The first semi saw Paul Evans take on Andy Murton and after some .3 and .6 reaction times Paul Evans took the win with a 9.71 to Andys 9.9. An awesome semi by any standards. The other semi was taken up by Joe (of his shopin trolley) Stevens and serial shootout participant Roger Luty who brought out a reaction time of .11 to Joes .22 with Roger taking the edge with a 10.16 to Joes 10.19 which set up a truly momentous shootout final an hour later.

I picked up the shootout idea after running in the Super Chevy Race meet at Gainsville Florida in 2005 and it seems to work incredibly well.   The only thing we added was having the cars in the final saunter back down the track for prize giving after their run which normally has Marshalls in a complete panic as the timing lights need to be turned off but not this year.   The guys at Shaky did all we asked for so thanks to them for a well run weekend.

The Final took place at 3pm and with a track temperature of some 30C the conditions could not have been better. After awesome burnouts both cars   took to the sky as normal and Roger seemed to have the better of the Viva but the awesome power of the Vauxhall reeled the Olds in and took the win with a 10.00 @133mph to Rogers 10.05 @132.7mph. Garys Picnic Shootout Finals have always thrown up incredible races and this was no exception. The guys duly turned round top track and trundled down the track side by side, with applause from the stands from those who had seen a REAL Drag Race at its very best.   Well done guys.

Gary Healey of Garys Shack Fame with son Gary who now runs the said Garage came along for the day to watch the shootout and hand over the £500 Cash prize money to the Winner Paul Evans and Roger Luty took the £250 runner up prize from Shakespeare County Raceway.

Since the NASC and Shaky have teamed up for this event its grown beyond our wildest dreams so thanks to all who attended and the best news is that next year the date has fallen on a Bank Holiday so Garys Picnic/Yanks weekend will be over three days.

Finally a few thanks.... the NASC   and SCR Team for all their hard work (especially Jerry Cookson), Garys Shack for continuing to sponsor the event and most of all   those racers and crew who make the event what it is today...awesome.   So we'll see you all next year and fingers crossed for the same great weather.