Susanne Callin, Jonny Lagg, Andres Arnover and Jimmy Ålund number one qualifiers at European Finals

Susanne Callin (Top Fuel), Jonny Lagg (Top Methanol), Andres Arnover (Pro Modified) and Jimmy Ålund (Pro Stock) claimed the number one qualifying positions at the European Finals at Santa Pod Raceway in England and will lead their respective categories into Sunday’s eliminations at the fourth and final round of the 2025 FIA European Drag Racing Championship. Callin and Lagg both impressed as they had problems on their first three qualifying runs to storm to the top of the ranking on their fourth and final run.

The first day of qualifying for the European Finals was already great, the second day, Saturday, was even better. Great weather and track conditions and packed grandstands and numerous improvements compared to day one and as a result many changes in the qualifying order. With in all four categories several drivers running almost identical ETs and also several drivers still in the race for the championship, Sunday’s eliminations will definitely be exciting.

In Top Fuel Jndia Erbacher was the leader after day one.

The reigning European champion lost that position to Liam Jones on run three as he recorded 3.891 seconds, 0,001 of a second quicker than the driver from Switzerland. A few minutes later Erbacher bounced back with 3.88 second to reclaim the number one position.

But on qualifying run number four Susanne Callin suddenly stormed to the top. The Slick Tricks Racing driver had traction problem on her first three runs but stormed to a great 3.87 seconds to claim the number one qualifying position. With 3.87 seconds for Callin, 3.88 for Erbacher and 3.89 for Jones everything can happen in eliminations.

In Top Methanol Tony Bryntesson was the leader after day one. On his first run on Saturday Sandro Bellio took over the number one spot. Jonny Lagg, the reigning European champion, suffered severe traction problems on day one and on his first run on Saturday.

On his last run Lagg bounced back with an excellent 5.26 seconds, a new personal best for the driver from Sweden and more than enough to claim the number one qualifying position.

Bellio finished qualifying in second position, with Friday leader Bryntesson third. Tina Høst Nedregård impressed with a great 5.34 seconds on her first full pass with Dave Wilson’s A-Fuel dragster. Silvio Strauch finished qualifying in fifth position.

Qualifying in Pro Modified was once again spectacular, although Andres Arnover’s ET from Friday, 5.808 seconds, was still enough for the driver from Estonia to remain the number one qualifier. But behind Arnover many drivers improved their ETs and as a result the qualifying order changed several times.

Andy Robinson stormed to a great 5.825 seconds, just ahead of David Vegter who recorded 5.829 seconds. Friday’s number three, Michel Tooren lost a few positions, but the Dutch driver’s 5.836 seconds was still enough to finish qualifying in fourth position.

Jon Webster improved his already impressive ET again and with 5.839 seconds the driver from the UK is in fifth position.

Jere Rantaniemi and Marck Harteveld, the numbers two and one in the championship, will start qualifying from the sixth and seventh position and might have to face each other in the semifinals.

No fewer than eight of the fifteen drivers broke the 6-second barrier in qualifying for the Euro Finals.

In Pro Stock Jimmy Ålund remained the number one qualifier with the 6.54 seconds the 13-time Pro Stock champion recorded on Friday.

Robin Norén was not able to improve his ET (6.59 seconds) either and the same was true for Lasse Britsmar (6.64 seconds), thus the top three from Friday remained unchanged.

Simon Ekengren finished qualifying in fourth position, with Michael Malmgren fifth. Henry Riehl suffered engine damage on Friday and will not take part in eliminations.

The eliminations for the European Finals will start on Sunday morning.

Qualifying results: https://santapodresults.com/2025/European%20Finals/

Photo gallery (will be updated later): https://www.dragracingeurope.eu/fiaedc/4-7-sept-santa-pod/

Text and photos: Remco Scheelings