Liam Jones, Jonny Lagg, Michael Gullqvist and Bengt Ljungdahl leaders after the first day of qualifying at Alastaro

Liam Jones

Liam Jones raced to the provisional number one qualifying position in Top Fuel at the first day of qualifying for the FHRA Nitro Nationals, round three of the FIA European Drag Racing Championship at Alastaro, Finland. In Top Methanol Jonny Lagg is the leader after day one, while Michael Gullqvist stormed to a great 5.93 seconds to take the lead in Pro Modified. In Pro Stock reigning champion Bengt Ljungdahl claimed the provisional number one qualifying position.

The first day of qualifying at Alastaro was hampered by rain in the morning. Thanks to the hard working Finnish track crew it was still possible to complete one qualifying session for all FIA classes late in the afternoon.

Antti Horto

In Top Fuel Liam Jones from England didn’t need any time to get used to the conditions and stormed to the lead with a great 4.05 seconds.

Anita Mäkelä

Antti Horto, Anita Mäkelä and Timo Lehtimäki, all three from Finland, gave the home crowd something to cheer about by claiming the second, third and fourth qualifying positions with 4.07; 4.11 and 4.38 seconds respectively. Reigning champion Duncan Micallef is in fifth position after one run.

Jonny Lagg

In Top Methanol Jonny Lagg surprised by claiming the provisional number one qualifying position (5.43 seconds) and beating the so far this season quickest Top Methanol drivers Timo and Dennis Habermann.

Timo Habermann

But the two German brothers were not far behind with 5.44 and 5.47 seconds and might bounce back tomorrow. Sandro Bellio is getting back to form and is the best Funny Car in fourth position with 5.70 seconds.

Michael Gullqvist

In Pro Modified reigning champion Michael Gullqvist stormed to a great 5.93 seconds to claim the provisional number one qualifying position. Tierp Arena winner Andreas Arthursson proved his great form and raced to the second position with 5.98 seconds.

Andreas Arthursson

The two drivers from Sweden were the only Pro Mods to break the 6-second barrier in the first and only run of Friday.

Bruno Bader

Bruno Bader from Switzerland is in third position with 6.23 seconds and Marco Maurischat from Germany is fourth (6.29 seconds).

Bengt Ljungdahl

In Pro Stock Bengt Ljungdahl, last year’s FIA European champion, leads the field after day one with a great 6.56 seconds, with championship leader Stefan Ernryd in second position with 6.65 seconds. Tommy Leindahl is in third position, while all other drivers suffered tyre shake and had to aboard their runs.

Stefan Ernryd

Qualifying for the FHRA Nitro Nationals, round three of the FIA European Drag Racing Championship continues Saturday with two more runs.

Qualifying results: https://www.fhra.fi/keskustelu/threads/fhra-nitro-nationals-2018.894/

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More photos from the FHRA Nitro Nationals can be found at:

https://www.dragracingeurope.eu/fiaedc/fhra-nitro-nationals-alastaro-june-28-july-1-2018/