DRAG Racing, the most visual and colourful of all motorsports, returns to Shakespeare County this weekend as the raceway turns back the clock 40 years or more for the Nostalgia Nationals presented in its ninth year by the National Street Rod Association.

The Nostalgia Nationals is like the Historic Festival of Goodwood. Over 200 colourful street rods and American muscle cars are expected to converge on Long Marston's quarter mile facility for two full days of 'street legal' drag racing for pre '69 Detroit Iron.

Nowhere in the UK will you find 60s looking dragsters. 2000 bhp Model T Fords, wheelstanding Ford Anglias, supercharged gas coupes, flathead sprint racers. Junior Tot Rods and Dragsters and a flame throwing Jet Funny Car all on one plot at Shakespeare County - where drag racing takes place within earshot of the birthplace of the Bard, and the American and Japanese tourists.

Look out for demonstration races from Jim 'The Joker' Seward's Model T Ford, Essex finest the Bennett Boys Fiat Topolino, Neil Townson and the 'Wirrellites' 32 five window coupe.

The 'Over The Hill Mob', led by Brummie Mickey Moore, will also be in action as they duke it out to fine Europe's quickest and fastest methanol powered fuel altered over 200 miles per hour in six seconds on the quarter mile.

A time held since 1999 by Smax Smith at 203mph in 6.92 seconds.

Although not strictly pre-69 but radical in every sense of the word is 'Firestorm' a Pontiac Firebird Jet powered Funny Car.

Driven to over 250 miles per hour, pilot Roger Goring will be warming the start line up in his own unique pre-race 'flame and fireshow' a first for an NSRA organised drag show.

The Nostalgia Nationals begin on Saturday at 10am and 11am on Sunday.