Marck Harteveld runner-up at Tierp Arena
Marck Harteveld claimed the runner-up position at the Summit Racing Equipment Internationals at Tierp Arena, Sweden, round two of the FIA European Drag Racing Championship. The Voodoo Hemi Racing driver, who finished seventh in qualifying, won his elimination rounds, reset his personal best to 5.852 seconds and advanced to the final. However, in a close final Harteveld lost to reigning FIA European Pro Modified champion Jere Rantaniemi. Harteveld is now in second position in the FIA European Championship, only one point short of the Finnish reigning champion. With two races to go, anything is still possible for Harteveld and his team Voodoo Hemi Racing.
The original plan for Voodoo Hemi Racing for this season was to skip the FIA European Championship race at Tierp Arena, Sweden. However, these plans changed when Marck Harteveld claimed the top qualifying position at the opening round of the FIA European Championship at Santa Pod Raceway in the Voodoo Hemi Racing ’70 Plymouth Superbird and, with extremely consistent and fast runs, advanced to the semifinals. Although the race had to be stopped due to rain, Harteveld scored enough points to leave England as the leader in the standings. Given the unique opportunity to secure a top spot in the final standings of Europe’s premier drag racing championship and to defend his lead, Voodoo Hemi Racing decided to add Sweden to their calendar and thus compete in the full FIA European Championship.
It quickly became clear that Harteveld and his team had made the right decision. With no fewer than 22 competitors from eight European countries, an extremely strong field lined up at the Summit Racing Equipment Internationals in the Pro Modified class at Tierp Arena. On his first qualifying run Harteveld recorded a good 5.94 seconds in his Voodoo Hemi Racing ’70 Plymouth Superbird. After a 5.96 seconds on the second run, Harteveld improved his ET to 5.931 seconds on Saturday, claiming the seventh qualifying position in the 22-car field. Once again, the team proved they were able to field a consistent and fast car. Harteveld’s time was just 0.11 seconds behind number one qualifier Jere Rantaniemi. Knowing he could do better than the 5.93-second from qualifying, Harteveld was confident heading into the elimination rounds.
His seventh qualifying position put Harteveld against multiple European Pro Modified champion Michael Gullqvist in the first elimination round. With a 5.91 seconds, the Voodoo Hemi driver left the Swede far behind and advanced to the quarterfinals. Harteveld would have had to face Benny Strand in the quarterfinals, who had surprisingly eliminated Mats Eriksson, the runner-up from qualifying. However, the Swede suffered problems during the burnout, handing Harteveld a bye run into the semifinals. The Dutchman still made a full pass and with 5.852 seconds Harteveld reset his personal best for the second time this year (5.859 seconds, May 2025, Santa Pod). To advance to the final, Harteveld then had to face the always tough-to-beat veteran Bruno Bader. Both drivers had traction problems immediately after the start. However, Harteveld managed to steer his Superbird away from the white line just in time , claiming the win in 6.32 seconds and securing a place in the final.
In the final, reigning FIA European Pro Modified champion Rantaniemi and his fast turbocharged Camaro were the final challengers of the day for Harteveld. Both drivers waited some time before going into ‘stage’, trying to force a mistake. After a warning from the starter, both drivers moved forward. It was a close final, but with 5.85 to 5.91 seconds, Rantaniemi took the win, with Harteveld as the runner-up.
Harteveld could be more than happy with the results in a race he wasn’t even supposed to participate in. Once again, the ’70 Plymouth Superbird had been fast and consistent, and many championship points had been gained. In the FIA European Championship standings, Harteveld is in second position after two races, only one point short of Rantaniemi and with two more races to go.
The next round of the FIA European Drag Racing Championship is the renowned NitrOlympX at Germany’s HockenheimRing, August 29th to 31st. A week later, the title race will be decided as the grand finale, the European Finals at Santa Pod Raceway in England, is on the calendar from September 4th to 7th. That’s where the 2025 champion will be crowned!
Voodoo Hemi Racing Calendar
August 29-31, NitrOlympX, HockenheimRing, Germany, FIA European Championship
September 4-7, European Finals, Santa Pod Raceway, England, FIA European Championship
Voodoo Hemi Racing Partners
Voodoo Hemi Racing is supported by Six-Pack Speedshop, Altac Coating, M-Trex IJmuiden, VSoftware BV, Q. Dijkshoorn Transport, L. Harteveld Transport, FB Installaties, Olsthoorn Bedrijfsvoertuigen, Batist Hobbykassen, P. Komen Autoherstelwerk, Mike Pronk Bouw en Sloopwerken, Tom Otten Elektrotechniek, Sunder Scooters, L&G Harteveld, Sunproof, District 010, Quirien v. Vliet, vd Akker Transport en Coated Race Bearings.
Text and photos: Remco Scheelings
