Power tool races!

Following the huge success of the first dedicated Silverline Power Tool Drag Race last year, a second event is being organised for Sunday 10 August 2008 at Haynes International Motor Museum.

Power tool drag racing requires competitors to take a hand-held power tool, turn it into a mean machine and race it down a 75ft track. Enthusiasm for power tool drag racing swept across America and is now gripping the UK. Competitors in the USA are so worried that Brits might steal the show that Team America is being sent over to mount a challenge at the Silverline Power Tool Drag Race.

James Goddard-Watts, managing director of Silverline Power Tools UK, said: "The news that Team America is flying over is a real spur to British competitors. Power tool drag racing was invented in the States but Brits have always risen to a challenge. It's going to be a tough fight."

A wide variety of specially constructed machinery took part in last year's Silverline Power Tool Drag Race and competition was fierce. Declan Hicks, the UK Drifting champion, drove a spectacular vehicle based on garden blowers. In the same 'ride-on' class there were two machines powered by eight chainsaws and 12 chainsaws respectively. A motorised wheelbarrow was one of the favourites with the crowd, while a belt sander-driven toaster came complete with toast!

Power tool drag racing is not just for celebrities - anyone can enter with an equal chance of winning. The sport is popular among DIY enthusiasts, builders, engineering students, hardware retailers, families, children, mums and dads. Anyone can use their ingenuity to turn an angle grinder into a drag racing device, to make a circular saw a speed machine or to build a winner based on a chainsaw. There are absolutely no limits to the resourcefulness and creativity people can bring to their project.

At the Silverline Power Tool Drag Race, there will be prizes galore (including for the most spectacular crash of the day!) In addition to modified belt sanders and red-hot angle grinders there will be activities for all the family.

The Silverline Dragster will also be at the event with five times FIA Champion driver, Dave 'Grumpy' Wilson. With in excess of 3,000 horsepower, a top speed of 270mph and capable of running a quarter mile in 5.386 seconds, this is a very mean machine indeed.

For waterborne excitement, nothing beats the Silverline Power Tool powerboat - the Buzzi Bullet. Drew Langdon, driver and manager of Team Silverline, which finished on the winners podium in the 2007 Powerboats P1 World Championship and was the highest placed UK team, will be signing autographs.

power tool races

There will also be displays of drifting - one of the fastest growing branches of motor sport. Watch drivers control their specially modified cars in endless, tyre-smoking powerslides.

For a rest from the action, tour the world famous Haynes International Motor Museum - the UK's largest exhibition of the greatest cars from around the world. It boasts more than 350 cars and bikes, dating from 1886 to the present day, 11 huge display halls, the world famous red room and one of the UK's largest speedway collections. It is an excellent day out for all the family, no matter what the weather.

If it's your lucky day, you could take home a mystery prize - there are loads to be given to both contestants and visitors to the event.

Note Sunday 10th August in your diary now and log-on to the Silverline Power Tool website (www.silverlinetools.com) for full details of the categories of power tool drag racers and an entry form. DIY has never been this much fun!

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