Ida Zetterström, Johnny Oksa, Andreas Arthursson and Jimmy Ålund number one qualifiers at Tierp Arena
On her last run of the day Ida Zetterström stormed to the lead in Top Fuel qualifying for the Tierp Internationals at Tierp Arena, round two of the FIA European Drag Racing Championship. In Top Methanol, Pro Modified and Pro Stock there were also numerous improvements and changes in positions, but Friday leaders Johnny Oksa (Top Methanol), Andreas Arthursson (Pro Modified) and Jimmy Ålund (Pro Stock) remained the number one qualifiers and will lead their respective categories into Sunday’s eliminations.
Although the temperatures were still high on the second day of qualifying for the Tierp Internationals, the sun still burning and the track surface hot, the teams, tuners and crew chiefs seemed to have found a better setup to adjust the cars to the difficult conditions. As a result, the packed grandstands saw numerous improvements in ETs and changes in the qualifying positions, especially at the end of the day when the temperature suddenly dropped. With this in mind, it will be an action packed day of eliminations on the Sunday.
On his first run of the day it was Antti Horto (Finland) who recorded 3.949 seconds, the first 3-second Top Fuel run of the weekend, to take over the number one qualifying position. But in qualifying session number four, on her last run of the day, it was Ida Zetterström (Åland, Finland) who stormed to a great 3.935 seconds to claim the number one position.
So the winner of The Main Event at Santa Pod, round one of the FIA European Top Fuel Championship, is in pole position for another great race day.
Susanne Callin (Sweden) improved her ET as well, recorded 4.01 seconds on her last run, and claimed the number three position, just behind Horto. Friday leader Stig Neergaard (Denmark) couldn’t improve on his earlier performance and dropped into the number four position, with Timo Lehtimäki fifth.
The second day of qualifying in Pro Modified was exciting and because there were numerous improvements in the three qualifying sessions, the order changed after almost every run. One position didn’t change and that was the number one qualifying position. Andreas Arthursson remained the number one qualifier with 5.85 seconds.
Reigning champion Jan Ericsson improved dramatically and with 5.88 seconds the driver from Sweden jumped from the 14th into the number two position. The same was true for Jimmy Ålund, who struggled on almost every run, to record a great 5.89 seconds on his last run to claim the number three position.
There was also a major improvement for David Vegter. The Dutchman stormed to a great 5.910 seconds to claim the number four spot, just ahead of Bruno Bader (5.914 seconds), Marck Harteveld (5.934 seconds) and Michael Gullqvist (5.936 seconds), who jumped from 16th to seven on his final run of the day. On the first day of qualifying only the top two qualifiers were able to break the 6.0-second barrier, after day two the top nine recorded runs in the 5.8 or 5.9 seconds. With all elapsed times so close together, eliminations will be exciting.
In Top Methanol Johnny Oksa improved to 5.53 seconds and remained the number one qualifier.
There was a major improvement for Jonny Lagg who jumped from the sixth position into the number two qualifying position.
Linn Fløysvik had some problems and couldn’t improve on her Friday performance and will start eliminations from the number three position, with Tony Bryntesson fourth.
Just as it was in Pro Modified, there were also many improvements in Pro Stock and in the factory hot rod category the field is also extremely close. Jimmy Ålund remained the number one qualifier with 6.585 seconds.
Friday’s number two Michael Malmgren almost closed the gap, improved to 6.588 seconds and remained in second position.
Simon Ekengren surprised with a great 6.62 seconds to claim the number three spot, just ahead of Stefan Ernryd with 6.64 seconds and yesterday’s number three Robin Norén with 6.67 seconds.
Eliminations for the Tierp Internationals will start on Sunday morning.
For photos of the Tierp Internationals see the gallery on:https://www.dragracingeurope.eu/fiaedc/tierp-arena-sweden-june-15-18/
Text and photos: Remco Scheelings
