Susanne Callin, Sandro Bellio and Jan Ericsson number one qualifiers at The Main Event

Susanne Callin (Top Fuel), Sandro Bellio (Top Methanol) and Jan Ericsson (Pro Modified) claimed the number one qualifying positions at The Main Event at Santa Pod Raceway and will lead their respective categories into Monday’s eliminations at the opening round of the 2023 FIA European Drag Racing Championship. In front of a massive and enthusiastic crowd Callin also reset the FIA European speed record to 320.20 mph!

On the second and final day of qualifying for The Main Event, round one of the 2023 FIA European Drag Racing Championship at Santa Pod Raceway, there were numerous improvements compared to day one, many changes in the qualifying order, many great runs and even a new European speed record in Top Fuel.

It was definitely ladies day in Top Fuel, the quickest and fastest class of the FIA European Drag Racing Championship. On her first run of the day, Susanne Callin, from Sweden, stormed to a great 3.840 seconds to claim the number one qualifying position. Even more impressive was the speed of the RF Motorsport/Slick Tricks Racing driver as with 320.20 mph Callin reset the FIA European speed record.

After all the traction problems she suffered on her first runs, Ida Zetterström, from Åland, Finland, stormed to a great 3.843 seconds to claim the number two position, only 0.003 seconds short of her RF Motorsport teammate Callin.

After not being qualified on day one, Jndia Erbacher, from Switzerland, recorded a great 3.91 seconds and finished qualifying in the number three position. Duncan Micallef (Malta) improved as well and is the number four qualifier with 4.07 seconds, with Dennis Nilsson, the leader after day one, in fifth position. Stig Neergaard improved as well but finished qualifying in sixth position.

Pro Modified was also extremely exciting with numerous improvements. On his first run of the day David Vegter (The Netherlands), the number twelve qualifier after day one, stormed to a great 5.82 seconds to claim the provisional number one position.

But on his last run of the day Jan Ericsson, from Sweden, and the number thirteen qualifier after day one, recorded an even better 5.76 seconds to claim the final number one position.

Mats Eriksson (Sweden), the leader after day one, couldn’t improve on his Saturday performance and dropped into the number three position.

Bruno Bader (Switzerland) improved to 5.855 seconds and finished qualifying in fourth position, with Michel Tooren (The Netherlands), with a new personal best (5.871 seconds) in fifth. Andres Arnover is sixth, Andy Robinson seventh, and Michael Gullqvist, the number three qualifier after day one, dropped into the eight position. There were no fewer than eleven drivers who finished qualifying with a run in the 5-second zone.

In Top Methanol Sandro Bellio, from Belgium, improved to a great 5.50 seconds and remained the number one qualifier.

Jonny Lagg improved as well an took over the number two position.

Linn Fløysvik, from Norway, couldn’t improve on her earlier performance and dropped into the number three position, with Silvio Strauch fourth. These four drivers are also close together so anything can happen in eliminations.

Eliminations for The Main Event at Santa Pod Raceway will start tomorrow morning, Monday May 29.

More photos from The Main Event can be found at:
https://www.dragracingeurope.eu/fiaedc/santa-pod-raceway-england-may-26-29/

For all Main Event results:
https://santapodresults.com/2023/Main%20Event/Final/

Text and photos: Remco Scheelings