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Steve Wood, aka Woody, raced his Suzuki Hayabusa at the STP National Finals – and secured a new personal best time of 7.75 seconds to end his drag racing career.

The Lancing star embarked on his final races at Santa Pod Raceway with one goal – to beat his previous best of 7.97 seconds.

After a challenging start with a crosswind hampering his run and his front wheel leaving the ground nine times during the run, the STP National Final commentators were amazed to see Woody defeating the odds and achieving a new P.B of 7.75.

The drag racer bought his Hayabusa as a standard model in 2001 and modified it with the help of friends, working at first on an extended chassis and later adding a small turbo to get into the racing scene. Over 20 years, Team Woody have turned it into a one-of-a-kind machine, and Woody has only ever used this customised Suzuki Hayabusa to race.

Steve Wood on his way to a new personal record time

On The Wheel provided Team Woody with sponsorship for the season.

Duncan McGregor, sales manager of On The Wheel, said: “We were very excited to be able to sponsor Team Woody for his last year of drag racing; his Hayabusa is an incredible bike and he’s got an amazing team around him. To set a new PB on his last run shows how committed they all are.”

Crew chief Sarah Willis said: “We had a crazy weekend. To drop by two-tenths from 7.97 to 7.75 is unheard of.”

The Hayabusa is on display until next Monday at On The Wheel on the Ocean View Business Park, Southwick.

Sussex speedster Woody ends drag racing career in style