1965 John Hobbs first appearances on the dragstrip consisted of 20 second E.T.s on a B.S.A. Bantam

1967 For the 1967 season Hobbs rode an unblown 500cc Triumph

April 21st 1968 SPR. Season Opener for bikes. About 3500 people turned out for the first bike meeting of the year, unfortunately many of them left early after long delays in track action. In the Top Eliminator Final Ian Ashwell , riding his 1000cc Vincent 'Satan', took an early lead over the 500cc Triumph of John Hobbs. Ashwell then missed a succession of gears and Hobbs caught up with him, the pair crossing the line together. In their excitment the timekeepers missed the indicator which told them who got there first! The sporting duo each declared that the other guy won but later the win was awarded to Ashwell.

May 19th 1968 SPR. Motorcycle Match Race meeting.  Ian Ashwell and John Hobbs ran a match race to decide the confusion caused from their final race at the season opener. Ian agreed not to tip the can to give Hobbs a chance with his 500cc Triumph. Hobbs took full advantage of this and beat Ashwell 2/3.

September 15th 1968 SPR. 2nd Annual Championship meeting. Bikes only. John Hobbs won the Motorcycle Championship title.

June 14th/15th 1969 SPR. Spring Nationals. John Hobbs set new E class solo competition motorcycle records for E.T. and speed with a 10.402/135.87 run on his 'Olympus' Triumph.

August 1st 1971 SPR. BDRHRA Meeting. John Hobbs set a new 500cc motorcycle record with a 9.68/137.74 run on his 'Olympus' Triumph in the final round, making him the first person to run a bike under 750cc below ten seconds. His opponent, Dave Lecoq, was returning to the track on his new creation 'Dragwaye' a slingshot bike! His path to the final saw a string of mid nine second runs at 150mph plus. In the face of such strong competition Hobbs performed what was described as an 'ultra long' burnout (5 seconds) before carrying the bike to the start line to prevent any grit sticking to the Avon slick. In stage he wound the motor up to 10,000rpm, 2000rpm more than normal, before dropping the clutch on the green. The result was a superb holeshot over Lecoq with virtually no wheelspin and a record setting victory.

1972 Hobbs debuted his first twin-engined machine featuring two 500cc Triumph motors.

May 28th/29th 1972 John Hobbs and Mick Butler treated spectators to rolling burnouts from their Top Bikes in a series of match races that saw Hobbs come out on top with some sound nine second runs.

August 20th 1972 Blackbushe. Hot Car/Radio Luxembourg Grandnationals. NDRC Meeting. John Hobbs took the Top Bike title with a 10.26/150 on his 'Olympus II' Triumph against Eddie Lloyds 11.88/128 on 'Locomotion'.

September 30th/October 1st 1972 Elvington. International Sprint Organisation World Records Weekend. John Hobbs had a sucessful weekend after problems on the Saturday and left with three National and World records. Saturday saw his clutch on the 1000cc twin-engined Triumph 'Olympus II' go up in a shower of sparks during a burnout. Back in the pits Hobbs was observed scuffing clutch plates on the concrete in an attempt to produce some bite in the errant parts. It appeared to work as the next day he secured the Standing Start 1/4 mile record at 9.785 seconds, the Standing Start Kilometer record with 18.22 seconds and the Standing Start Mile record with 26.395 seconds. The Mile record had stood at 28.032 since 1966 when it had been set by sprint legend George Brown on his Vincent 'Super Nero'. Hobbs estimated speed at the end of the mile was 190mph.

October 21st/22nd 1972 SPR. BDR&HRA G Max Grand Trophy Meeting. John hobbs took the Top Bike final with a 9.91/146.41 to Ray Feltells 10.55/107.30.

1973 A change in the rules for motorcycles meant that from this season onwards engines with capacities of up to 2000cc could be used in competition (Previously 1300cc). This would lead to twin engined machines becoming more common and John Hobbs became the first UK rider to use a 7x14 Woolfrace wheel, with a car size slick, to cope with the increased horsepower on his newly built 1500cc Morgo-Triumph.

March 18th 1973 SPR. Open Practice Day. Rookie Charlie Harrison put in some twelve second runs on the ex-John Hobbs 500cc 'Olympus 1' Triumph which he now owned. John was on hand to offer advice and took one more run on his old bike to prove it would still hold together.

May 26th/27th 1973 The Hot Car Big Go. SPR. John Hobbs tried out his old bike 'Olympus 1' which was now owned by Charlie Harrison and bent all four pushrods at the half way mark.

July 21st/22nd 1973 SPR. BDR&HRA Internationals. Finals. John Hobbs was back on his 'Olympus II' Triumph and he  ran a 10.28/145 with a scary looking launch which saw him riding on one edge of the fat M&H slick. He went out in round one to Mick Butler.

August August 26th/27th 1973 SPR. BDR&HRA Nationals. John Hobbs had the dubious honour of being number eight qualifier at 10.23 seconds, the lowest ever bump spot in the Top Bike class. He went out in round one, just failing to catch Keith Parnell after coming very close to the barrier and still clocking 150mph.

September 15th/16th 1973 European Grand Prix. SPR. On two wheels two of the new twin engined machines dipped into the nines for the first time. First Mike Butlers 1010 cc. Norton Super Cyclops 9.81/145, then John Hobbs on the big 1500 cc. Triumph ran 9.84 /154.

November 3rd/4th 1973 SPR. Fireworks meeting. John Hobbs ran a 9.64/150

1974 Hobbs became the quickest in Europe on the 1500cc Morgo-Triumph with a run of 9.17seconds. This made him the first person to go quicker than the previous record of 9.208 set by Alf Hagon. I have no date for this run as yet, can anyone help? Despite his best efforts the bike never ran into the eights and was sold to Chris Richards at the end of the 1974 season.

1975 With backing from Motor Cycle News and Weslake Hobbs built 'The Hobbit' a twin Weslake motored monster designed to be the first bike into the eights. To Johns dismay a couple of weeks before the bikes debut Keith Parnell ran 8.93 on his 750cc McCoy Triumph.

July 5th/6th 1975 SPR. European Grand Prix incorporating the first British funny Car Grand Prix. One month after Keith Parnell ran the first motorcycle eight John Hobbs managed an 8.8. During his burnout before racing Johnson, Hobbs, with his front wheel firmly up against the crash barrier, tore a large hole in the SPR tarmac.

August 23rd-25th 1975 John Hobbs ran a new personal best of 8.82/157 but lost to Ian Messenger in the final after his primary chain broke.

July 27th 1975 Santa Pod Raceway. BDR&HRA Drag Racing News Meeting. John Hobbs ran 9.01/163.67 but red lit his chances of a final round appearance away to Mick Warne. For all class results click here.

September 20th/21st 1975 Anglo American International. The American bikes had two match races and treated ther crowds to side-by-side rolling burnouts. Round One went to Johnson with a holeshot 8.52/164 to TCs 8.37/162. Round Two saw Johnson break an engine sprocket and coast to an eleven second pass as Christenson hit 8.47/165. With Johnson out John Hobbs stepped in for Round Three and despite a holeshot his 9.15/159 was no match for Christensons 8.37/153.

September 28th SPR. G-Max trophy. John Hobbs was on form and ran an 8.47/170.65, a top end charge that could not be matched by either Danny Johnson or Tom Christenson the two visiting American riders. Hobbs continued his good form with an 8.49/172.41 back up of his earlier run in the first round for a new record. Opponent Derek Chinn was a long way behind at 9.42/144.72. His luck ran out in the semis however when the rear brake caliper came off 'The Hobbit' after the burnout. Opponent Pete Smith soloed to the final with a 9.77 on his 750 Triumph. Finally a match race between Hobbs and Christenson was scheduled but Hobbs slid off the back of his bike at the end of a rolling burnout leaving TC to solo to an 8.62/156.25.

October 12th 1975 SPR BDR&HRA Meeting. John Hobbs ran a string of eights including an 8.92/172/71 in Round One to defeat a 9.88/143.06 from Brian Chapman, and an 8.89/172.17 in the semis to defeat an ailing Ivan Wileman. In the final however Hobbses double-Weslake "Hobbit" threw a chain leaving Dave Branch to take his first big win with a 9.39/142.25.

November 1st/2nd 1975 SPR Fireworks Spectacular. John Hobbs led the way in Top Bike with an 8.81/173.31 win over Dave Branch, the highest recorded motorcycle speed in Europe. He met Derek Chinn on "Pegasus" in the final but lost power and finished as runner up. For all class results click here.

November 14th 1975 John Hobbs became the first Drag Racing representative to be present at the Daily Express Sportsman Of The Year luncheon. On the same day the Manchester edition of the Express ran a feature on John.

December 6th/7th 1975 SPR. Winternationals. This meeting had an invitation only entry. In the bike classes on Saturday John Hobbs took Top. In the final against Derek Penfold the front blower pulley of the Hobbit shot off on the startline but Hobbs took the win with a 9.97/145 to a 10.52/131. For all class results click here.

June 5th-7th 1977 SPR. Silver Jubilee Big Go. John Hobbs was out of action having wrecked the motor on the Hobbit but he took a test run on Johnny Munns double Norton. For all class results and Pro Fuel/Funny Car elimination ladder click here.

August 27th-29th 1977 SPR. Holiday Weekend Supernationals. John Hobbs on his double Weslake 'The Hobbit' set a new bike record and came the closest yet to a seven second run with an 8.15/175 backed up with an 8.44/170.

September 17th/18th 1977 SPR. International. Motor Cycle Magazine sponsored a match race between John Hobbs and Henk Vink to determine the "King Of Europe". Hobbs won with a resounding 8.21/174 to Vinks troubled 10.71/127.

November 5th/6th 1977 SPR. Fireworks Spectacular. John Hobbs and Henk Vink both ran strings of eight second passes in eliminations but when they met in the final Hobbs sheared an oil pipe union on the burnout and hopes of seeing the first side-byside eight second race were seemingly dashed. Vink soloed to an 8.65/153 win. On return to the pits Vink challenged Hobbs to a one off match race. Hobbs bike "The Hobbitt" was repaired in the darkness and what was later described as the "race of the year" took place five minutes after the meeting had been completed. A large percentage of the crowd stayed on and witnessed Europes first ever side-by-side eight, Vink just getting to the line first with an 8.47/155 to Hobbs 8.76/166.

May 27th-29th 1978 SPR. Spring Bank Holiday Big Go. Rain hampered proceedings. Henk Vink took the Super Bike title, beating John Hobbs 8.44/171.2 to a misfiring 11.57/84.8.

June  11th 1978 Pennine Drag Racing Club Meeting. Melbourn, Yorkshire. John Hobbs made some demo runs on his twin Weslake engined Hobbit and set a new motorcycle E.T. record, and an overall terminal record for the strip, with a 9.42/161.

May 18th-20th 1979 Mantorp Park International, Sweden. John Hobbs and Henk Vink held a match race. Vink destroyed his gearbox in Saturdays qualifying session and the bike was stripped, repaired and rebuilt in Vinks motel room overnight. In the match race Hobbs won three in a row with consistent 8.4s and an 8.2, the quickest in Europe so far this year.

May 26th-28th 1979 SPR. The Big Go. Bike Bracket One saw some of the best action of the weekend with the old rivals Henk Vink and John Hobbs meeting in the final. Vink had defeated John Charlton 8.78/165 to 8.96/156 in the first round and John Clift 8.54/171 to 8.76/156 in the semis. Hobbs meanwhile ran 8.50/162 in the first round to defeat Chris Richards and 8.59/163 to beat an 8.63/168 from Jeff Byne in the semis. Although conditions for the final were very windy Hobbs hit low E.T. of the weekend with an 8.41/152 to take the win from a slowing 9.15/111 from Vink after a seized blower ended his chances of victory.

July7th/8th 1979 SPR. Summer Internationals. John Hobbs took the Superbike final, almost getting down into the seven second bracket, with an 8.07/177 over Jeff Byne.

September 8th/9th 1979 Sugarbeet Nationals. Sugarbeet County Raceway, Snetterton. In the motorcycle ranks John Hobbs took a win over John Clift, 8.54 to 8.57/170.

November 3rd/4th Fireworks Meet. SPR. John Hobbs announced that he would be retiring from racing after this meeting. He had been racing bikes at Santa Pod since the first meeting at the track. Rain prevented him from adding a final Superbike victory to his long list of achievements.

Hobbs had decided in June 1979 that he would retire at the end of the year. One of the biggest factors involved in the decision was a change of job for John with his employers at Eastern Gas where he was a chartered engineer. He was unable to devote as much time to the operation as was needed and decided to take a less high profile part of a new team setup. His aim was to have run a seven before the end of '79 but despite his best efforts he never came closer than the 8.07 he had run in July.

April 4th-7th 1980 Easter International SPR. Only three eliminators were completed before rain stopped play. Superbike was one of them. Johnny Munn was getting to grips with John Hobbs' double Weslake 'The Hobbit'. Munn started with a 10.55/140 and ended up in second qualifying spot with an 8.71/160 behind Henk Vink. In eliminations Munn holeshot Pete Smith and took the win with a fierce tankslapper at the top end and a 9.19/139 to a 9.05/155. The final went to Vink 8.57/171 to Munns 8.89/152.

May 3rd-5th 1980 SPR. Spring Nationals. Johnny Munn on the John Hobbs 'Hobbit' qualified at number two with an 8.65/162 behind Henk Vink. Munn and Vink made it to the final. Munn by virtue of an 8.36/163 win over Jeff Bynes 8.68/157 while Vink soloed to an 8.64/166 after Butler had gearbox trouble. The final was neck and neck as Munn just got there first with an 8.43/169 to Vinks 8.49/169.

May 24th-26th 1980 Whitsun Big Go. SPR. Qualifying at #2 was Johnny Munn on John Hobbs 'Hobbit' double Weslake at 8.43/164. Munn failed to make round one with the Hobbit due to a damaged coupling gear, leaving Jeff Byne to solo when he shed a drive chain.

July 5th-6th 1980 SPR. Summer International World Series. Superbike saw the return of Ian Messenger with the 'Pegasus' double Norton who qualified third with an 8.71/160 behind Henk Vink at 8.35/169 and John Hobbs, who was back on the 'Hobbit' as new rider Johnny Munn was on holiday. Hobbs ran a strong 8.40/165 but then discovered a smashed main bearing in the front motor. The meeting was cut short on Sunday by rain followed by a timing equipment breakdown. Most classes were not completed.

August 23rd-25th 1980 SPR. Bank Holiday Supernationals. Hopes for a seven second bike run were in vain but Henk Vink and Johnny Munn ran side-by-side byes in round one with Vink clocking 8.24/173 and Munn crossing the line just behind at 8.37/166 on "The Hobbit". The pair met again in the final and Vink just took the win with an 8.21/169 while Munn recorded an 8.29/170, a new best for the Hobbs team.

October 11th/12th 1980 SPR. BDR&HRA National Finals including Hot Rod & Custom UK Street Eliminator. In Superbike, Jeff Byne qualified top of the pile with 8.80/170 on his double Triumph. In the semis, Jeff lost out to Jonny Munn on Hobses Hobbit, 8.43/168 to 8.59/170. In the final, Nigel Patrick's clutch gave out and Jonny Munn coasted to the win after his engine expired on the run.

November 8th/9th 1980 SPR. Firework Spectacular. Elimination positions were determined by emergency qualifying times as the strip surface was a little too slick for serious qualifying. The second semi-final of Superbike saw Jonny Munn on Hobses Hobbit go up in smoke against Nigel Patrick who won with a 9.40/130.

April 17th-20th 1981 SPR. In a 4 bike Pro Fuel eliminator Mick Butler’s 8.57/160 saw off Jonny Munn’s 8.74/158 effort.

May 2nd-4th 1981 SPR. The weather conditions over the 3 day meeting were poor which meant emergency qualifying times for the eliminations. The 8 bike Pro Fuel eliminator kicked off with Jonny Munn beating Peter Wood 8.71/146 to 9.36/147. Jonny then beat Mick Butler in the semi, 8.74/151 to 9.16/152. In the final Jonny holeshot Jeff Byne, taking the win with an 8.79/146 to a 9.00/153.

May 23rd-25th 1981 SPR. The wet weather badly affected both qualifying and the eliminations, and only six out of the fifteen eliminations were completed. Jonny Munn won the second Pro Fuel Bike semi with an 8.85/149 over a broken Nigel Patrick. The final was a very close race with Mick Butler taking it by a wheel with an 8.85/153 to a quicker but losing 8.78/153 of Jonny Munn.

August 29th-31st 1981 SPR. Pro Fuel bike had all eight bikes running under nine seconds for the first time at the Pod. In the first round John Hobbs overpowered Rod Pallant with an 8.34/167. In the semi-final, Hobbs had his magneto split at half track handing the win to Chapman.

June  26th/27th 1993 Avon Park. FIM Drag Bike European Championship round. Stu Bradbury was drafted in as chief starter for the meet. There were breaks in the action for special features like the re-appearance of John Hobbs and his double Weslake 'Hobbit', putting in some gentle runs. The bike not being pushed hard as it was only finally back together at 3.00 that morning. No times and speeds unfortunately.

July 14th 2002 North Weald, Essex. Classic Bike Magazine Sprint Championship Round Three. John Hobbs made his annual appearance at this event with the legendary Hobbit. He had been experimenting with the gear ratios on the bike to enable a god run on the traction-poor airfield surface. It paid off as he recorded an 8.90, just short of the course record of 8.84.

August 3rd 2003 North Weald, Essex. Classic Bike Magazine Sprint Championship. John Hobbs again made his annual appearance at this event with the legendary Hobbit. This was to be the final time this event was held at North Weald as the organisers pulled the plug due to the rising costs involved in staging it. Hobbs made sure it was a day not to be forgotten as he set a new course record on the very last run of the day. He lined up alongside the twin-engined Triumph of Terry Fisher and took the win with an 8.80/154.7.

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