Jndia Erbacher, Sandro Bellio, Andres Arnover and Jimmy Ålund number one qualifiers at Hockenheim
It was at least to say a hot and eventful second day of qualifying for the NitrOlympX at the Rico Anthes Quartermile of the HockenheimRing, round four of the FIA European Drag Racing Championship. Friday leaders Jndia Erbacher (Top Fuel), Sandro Bellio (Top Methanol) and Jimmy Ålund (Pro Stock) remained in the number one position, while in Pro Modified Andres Arnover took over the number one spot. So drivers from four different countries will lead their respective categories into Sunday’s eliminations.
With even much higher temperatures than on Friday, the sun burning on the track and a bad air with a low percentage of oxygen, it was very difficult to improve the ETs recorded on the first day of qualifying for the NitrOlympX. But still there were several drivers who made it happen and improved their ETs and their positions on the qualifying and elimination ladder. Due to an accident in Pro Modified, qualifying round four in Top Fuel and Pro Stock had to be cancelled.
Jndia Erbacher was not able to make her third qualifying pass, but the 4.17-second ET from Friday was enough to keep the Swiss racer in the lead and claim the number one position. There was a major improvement for Susanne Callin. The Swedish driver recorded 4.77 seconds on her third run of the weekend and changed positions with Linn Fløysvik, who finished qualifying in third position.
The hot track caused traction problems for Duncan Micallef and Dennis Nilsson so the leader in the FIA European Championship and the Swede remained in fourth and fifth position.
Pro Modified had a new leader after the first qualifying run on Saturday. Andres Arnover stormed to a great 5.96 seconds to claim the number one position. The driver from Estonia was not able to improve that number on his second run of the day, but the 5.96 seconds was enough to remain the number one qualifier after the fourth run.
On that fourth run Roger Johansson was finally able to prove the form he showed at Tierp Arena. The Swede recorded a great 5.98 seconds to jump from the back of the field into the number two position.
Friday leader Stian Rusånes was not able to improve his 6.002 seconds ET and dropped into the number three position.
Michel Tooren was only 0.001 second short of Rusånes and finished qualifying in fourth position. David Vegter had some problems, dropped three positions and will have to start the eliminations from fifth position.
During the fourth round of qualifying there was a nasty accident with Jean Dulamon. The number six qualifier went sideways and crashed into the wall. The French driver was able to get out of the car under his own power and was alert and talking. But to be sure that there were no injuries, Dulamon was taken to the local hospital. The top ten was completed by Bruno Bader (6.07 seconds), Peter Kunc (6.12 seconds), Kim Kristiansen (6.43 seconds) and Michael Winter (6.51 seconds).
In Top Methanol Sandro Bellio remained the number one qualifier, although the driver from Belgium didn’t run at all on Saturday. The bad news is that the Belgium driver suffered severe engine damage on his second run in Friday qualifying and will not be able to take part in the eliminations. Jonny Lagg was not able to improve his ET, but remained in second position.
Silvio Strauch, not qualified after day one, made a major improvement, recorded a great 5.56 seconds and jumped into the third position, with Tony Bryntesson fourth and Jürgen Nagel fifth.
In Pro Stock there were some minor improvements, but no changes in the qualifying order. Friday leader Jimmy Ålund claimed another number one qualifying position with 6.61 seconds.
Michael Malmgren will start the eliminations from the second position. Robin Norén improved his ET to 6.69 seconds, but remained in third position. The same was true for Simon Ekengren who improved to 6.75 seconds but remained in fourth position, with Lasse Britsmar fifth and Stefan Ernryd sixth.
Eliminations for the NitrOlympX will start Sunday morning.
For all qualifying results:
https://www.tw-sportsoft.de/NitrolympX_2024_577079/TW_ON_Virtueller_Aushang.php?AUSWAHL_WERTUNGSGRUPPEN_ID=17
Text and photo: Remco Scheelings
