Ida Zetterström, Jan Ericsson, Sandro Bellio and Michael Malmgren leaders after the first day of qualifying for the European Finals
Ida Zetterström is the provisional number one qualifier in Top Fuel after the first day of qualifying for the European Finals, the fifth and final round of the FIA European Drag Racing Championship at Santa Pod Raceway in England. In Top Methanol Sandro Bellio is in the lead after day one, while Jan Ericsson stormed to a great 5.82 seconds to take the lead in Pro Modified. In Pro Stock Michael Malmgren claimed the provisional number one qualifying position with a great 6.68 seconds ET.
It was a great first day of qualifying for the European Finals at Santa Pod Raceway. The first qualifying session was in extremely hot conditions, what made it difficult for the drivers and teams to find the right set-up. But the second qualifying session in the evening, in cooler conditions, was absolutely stunning with great ETs and spectacular runs in the dark.
In the Top Fuel category just crowned 2023 FIA European champion Ida Zetterström stormed to a great 3.866 seconds at 307 mph on her second run in the dark. That was of course more than enough to claim the provisional number one qualifying position for the winner of the Hockenheim event, two weeks ago.
Jndia Erbacher recorded 4.51 seconds in the dark and the driver from Switzerland is the number two qualifier.
Susanne Callin, the number two in the championship, is the number three qualifier after two runs, with Duncan Micallef in fourth position.
In Pro Modified 2023 FIA European champion Jan Ericsson stormed to a great 5.82 seconds to claim the provisional number one qualifying position on his second run.
Andres Arnover also improved on his second run and claimed the number two position with 5.87 seconds.
David Vegter was the leader after the first run with 5.915 seconds, but the Dutch driver had a problem on his second run, was not able to improve his ET and dropped into the number three position. Marck Harteveld is the number four qualifier with 5.922 seconds, with Jimmy Ålund close behind with 5.928 seconds. Bruno Bader, the number three in the championship, is in 11th position after Friday qualifying. After two runs and still two to go the 19-car field is already extremely close together. There are no fewer than ten drivers with a 5-second run and even the number 16 qualifier, Peter Kunc, recorded 6.36 seconds.
In Top Methanol still reigning champion Sandro Bellio stormed to a great 5.53 seconds to claim the provisional number one qualifying position.
Johnny Oksa, winner of the Hockenheim event two weeks ago, is close behind with a great 5.55 seconds, with Silvio Strauch, the number two in the championship, in third position.
There were serious problems for Linn Fløysvik. The number one in the championship suffered severe engine damage on her first run of the day and was not able to take part in the second qualifying session.
In Pro Stock the top three qualifiers are also extremely close together. Michael Malmgren made an excellent second run to record a great 6.68 seconds to claim the provisional number one position.
Simon Ekengren was close behind with 6.69 seconds, just ahead of Stefan Ernryd’s 6.71 seconds. Robin Norén is the number four qualifier after two runs.
Qualifying for the European Finals at Santa Pod continues on Saturday.
Qualifying results: https://santapodresults.com/2023/European%20Finals/Final/
Text and photos: Remco Scheelings
