The stories regarding the re-launch of the Houndog team started in November 2001, and in January 2004 the new car was finally launched........

Nobby, left and Stu Bradbury, right

Click on pictures for a larger version

Extract from Eurodragster.com coverage of the Autosport Show on Friday, January 9th 2004.

On arrival we made a beeline for the Custom Car magazine stand where Nobby Hill's new Houndog Fuel Funny Car was unveiled yesterday. The Camaro body is in yellow and blue and of course features the famous Houndog on the bonnet. The car is currently carrying the number FC1, we figure that John Spuffard may have an opinion on that and as you will see shortly we asked Nobby about that.

We started by asking Nobby who would be driving the car as it is carrying the names of both legendary shoe Owen Hayward and Junior Olley. "Two years ago, I told Owen that I was building a new car, and I said "I don't suppose you will want to drive it" ", said Nobby. "Owen said 'I will tell you if I don't want to drive it!'. Owen will drive to start with, and he will teach Junior who will be driving by the end of the season."

Nobby estimated that the FC was three-quarters finished. "There is about two to three months' work left, then we will be running", he said. "I'm building a forty-foot gooseneck trailer so there is plenty to do". Nobby designed and built the chassis and is proud of his work. "I am proud that it is British built!", he said. "If anyone looks at the car and likes it then maybe I can start to build cars for them. I love building things! I also have a team member, Gary, who is an aerospace engineer and can weld anything. He has done a great job - the chassis is within 25 thou square."

We also noticed Stuart Bradbury's name on the car, as Crew Chief. The legendary Santa Pod starter has long been involved with Nobby Hills Racing and jumped at the chance to work with the new car. "Stuart's job will probably expand to involve promotion", said Nobby. "It will start with me telling him what to do but it will end with me having to do what he says!"

Nobby said that there are some radical ideas on the FC which he will be testing before competing. "l have a different fuel and clutch system on this car which will allow you to get off the throttle and it will recycle as if it was back on the start line", he said. "We will be able to turn the car round a lot quicker, so you may see us out within half an hour of running. Initially I want to spend a week with the car doing longer and longer burnouts then longer and longer runs. But it depends whether a sponsor comes in if I do that and for how long."

Nobby explained the appearance of the FC1 on the car. "It always used to be our race number", he said. "Now things have changed so I can't use that number any more. But believe me if I have to fight to get the number back then I will!"

We asked Nobby how he felt about coming back to Funny Car racing after twenty years. "I'm back where l should be", he said. "I'll tell you a story. As you may know I had a serious accident a few years ago. I was in hospital and then I didn't work for a long time. I spent ages at home watching videos of my old cars and one afternoon I made up my mind - I was coming back. That evening I told my wife Anne and my eldest daughter Jody that I was going to have a Funny Car again. Anne said "You see Jody, we should have pulled out the wires and smothered him when we had the chance!"

All of the  pictures above, including the one where that girl got in the way, and the story are
with thanks to Tog and are © Eurodragster.com

As many may know the Internet message boards were very busy leading up to the Autosport show with subtle hints about the cars being debuted etc. One interesting  idea of what the new Houndog would look like came from "The Mighty Chris P" who amongst other things makes simulations of cars for drag racing games on PC's.
Click here to see a picture of what he thought might be debuted at the show.

Nice try Chris, who has told me that now he knows what the real car looks like he will let me have a picture of the SIM version in due course.

So, Sunday January 11th sees me get up at some godforsaken time and hit the M40 to Birmingham. Arriving about 9.30,  head straight to the Custom Car stand to see the beast in true life. 
Trust me the pictures do not do it justice, it looks fantastic. 
Later in the morning I see both Owen and Nobby and spent some time talking to Nobby and looking around the rest of the show with Owen.

Over and above what has been said above in the Eurodragster interview, there are several other trick / developmental things that are on the car, that for obvious reasons Nobby wants to keep to himself at this stage. All will be revealed in due course. He is very pleased with the response that the car is getting with a constant flow of people looking at the car, taking pictures and asking questions; even when the busty Custom Car model was not sprawled all over the car!
Nobby refuses to rush and get the car out before its ready to do itself justice and has at least 8 - 12 weeks work before it can be deemed to be ready. So, as ever I'll keep you updated of progress via this site.
The pictures below were taken on Sunday 11th January 2004, hope you enjoy them.

The overheard quote of the day had to have been from a chap walking past the stand with his wife / ladyfriend. He looked up saw the Funny Car and Nobby and said to his companion

"I think that's Nobby Hills, he was famous in the 1970's".

Side detailing	Rear wing detailing	Big boys toys....	In its kennel at the Custom Car Stand
Another one in its kennel	What Nobby hopes the opposition get to see a lot of... "Ain't nuthin but a Houndog,  1/4 start that's what I are! "	New team members role of honour	More side detailing

Usual procedure, click on pictures for larger version.

The pictures below are all © Melvyn Holmes, again from the Autosport show.

Don't know who she is, but she likes my car... (her name is Emma by the way!)

Don't point, its rude...

You make up the comments; inspiration has left me