you’ve ever spent your childhood watching your dad wrench on a car under flickering garage lights, or fallen asleep to the sound of burnouts in the distance, you’ll understand exactly where Nathan Hulkes story begins.
“I’m what you’d call a track baby,” Nathan laughs, remembering the weekends spent with his father at the dragstrip. Like so many racers around the world, racing isn’t just a hobby in his family — it’s a birthright.
From his hometown of St. Neots, England, Hulkes has become a proud part of the UK’s dedicated drag racing community. While the sport might not have the sprawling number of tracks or the year-round sunshine of the U.S., what it lacks in quantity, it makes up for in heart.
A One-Track Nation
In the UK, Santa Pod Raceway is the beating heart of drag racing — and for many, it’s the only home left. “Santa Pod is really the only official track in the area,” Hulkes explains. “There are a couple of no-prep tracks, but losing others has really split England in a way. It’s turned the championship into a one-track championship.”
For racers across the UK, that means limited track time and little flexibility when weather strikes — a familiar pain point for American racers watching track closures sweep the U.S. too. “When it rains, that’s it. There’s nowhere else to go,” Nathan says. “Some guys travel nine or ten hours from Scotland just to race.”
A Tight-Knit Family
Despite the distance, the UK drag racing community is as close as they come. “It’s the same everywhere — all drag racers are family,”s says. “We lend parts, help each other, pit together. Everyone wants everyone else to run their best.”
That shared spirit is what keeps the lanes alive. It’s a reminder that no matter where in the world you’re staging up, the people under the helmets all speak the same language — horsepower, hustle, and heart.
A Strong American Influence
Interestingly, the American car scene is alive and well in England. “The hot rod and American car culture is massive here,” Nathan notes. “We’ve got one of the biggest hot rod shows in Europe.”
Under the hood, LS and big block Chevys dominate — proof that Detroit muscle has found loyal fans abroad. The UK’s bracket scene is also thriving, with Pro ET fields of around 50 cars, 40–50 in Super Pro, and 30 in Sportsman. Street legal, heads-up racing has exploded too, with cars that are both roadworthy and record-setting.
“Our street class is something we’re proud of,” Nathan says. “Fully street legal, on radials. We do a 25-mile cruise before racing. Some of those cars are running sixes at over 200 mph in the 1/4.”
Challenges and Determination
But racing across the pond comes with its own set of challenges. Import taxes and duties tack on roughly 25% more to every part, and crossing borders for races in Sweden or Germany can be costly and complicated. Add in unpredictable British weather — which rained out two of seven races this year — and it’s clear that UK racers fight for every pass.
Still, the energy is undeniable. At the most recent event, there were 320 entries across all classes — proof that the passion for the sport is as strong as ever.
Respect Where It’s Due
Nathan is quick to share the spotlight. “I just want to thank the staff at Santa Pod,” he says sincerely. “They work so hard for us, especially with all the rain this year. They’re out there nonstop, keeping the show going. Everyone appreciates what they do.”
Nathan also wanted to congratulate Leah Kellett, a six-time Super Comp champion, who he races with.
Also, eurodragster.com for all of their amazing coverage and Callum Pudge for pictures
One Global Family
Listening to Nathan talk, it’s hard not to feel a sense of kinship. Whether it’s Georgia or St. Neots, Bahrain or Barbados, the same heartbeat runs through the pits. The faces and accents might change, but the stories don’t.
We call it a sport, but it’s really a family — one connected by burnout smoke and brotherhood, wherever the next green light shines.
-That is racing without borders
