Jndia Erbacher, David Vegter, Silvio Strauch and Jimmy Ålund leaders after the first day of qualifying for The Main Event at Santa Pod Raceway
Jndia Erbacher raced to the number one qualifying position in Top Fuel at the first day of qualifying for The Main Event, the opening round of the 2024 FIA European Drag Racing Championship. In Pro Modified David Vegter stormed to a great 5.80 seconds to take the lead. In Top Methanol Silvio Strauch was quickest with 5.64 seconds while in Pro Stock Jimmy Ålund once again claimed the provisional number one position with a great 6.56 seconds.
The conditions were great at the first day of qualifying for The Main Event at Santa Pod Raceway, the first round of the 2024 FIA European Drag Racing Championship. Sunshine and a perfect track made it that the thousands of spectators had a great day and will definitely come back for more on the seconds day of qualifying or to see Monday’s eliminations.
In Top Fuel Jndia Erbacher is the leader after two qualifying runs. The driver from Switzerland stormed to a great 3.86 seconds at 303 mph on her second run of the day.
Susanne Callin, from Sweden, recorded 4.78 seconds and is the number two after two runs. Former FIA European Top Fuel champion Duncan Micallef, from Malta, suffered traction problems and finished the first day of qualifying in third position.
Qualifying in Pro Modified was once again exciting. After a great 5.81 seconds on his first run of the day, David Vegter improved to an even better 5.80 seconds on his second run and claimed the number one qualifying position.
Andy Robinson was quick as well and with 5.89 seconds the home favourite is the provisional number two after two runs. Jere Rantaniemi, all the way from Finland, stormed to a great 5.91 seconds and is the provisional number three.
Bruno Bader once again proved his consistency and is the number four qualifier with 5,95 seconds. In fifth position, and with 6.00 seconds, Bobby Wallace is the first driver in the 6-second zone. So far 15 drivers are qualified for the eliminations.
In Top Methanol Silvio Strauch had brake problems on his first run, but the German’s 5.64 seconds on his second run was more than enough to claim the provisional number one qualifying position.
Tony Bryntesson and Jonny Lagg both had serious traction problems and finished qualifying in second and third position.
In Pro Stock it was once again Jimmy Ålund who claimed the number one qualifying position. The multiple FIA European champion from Sweden recorded 6.63 seconds on his first run to improve to a great 6.56 seconds on his second run.
Robin Norén was happy with a great 6.6536 seconds to claim the number two position, with reigning FIA European Pro Stock champion Michael Malmgren in third position with an almost identical 6,6538 seconds. Simon Ekengren is the provisional number four in the 7-car field
Qualifying for The Main Event continues on Sunday morning.
More photos from The Main Event can be found at:
https://www.dragracingeurope.eu/fiaedc/round-1-santa-pod-may-24-27-2024/
For all Main Event results:
https://santapodresults.com/2024/Main%20Event/
Text and photos: Remco Scheelings
