Duncan Micallef with new European speed record into the number one qualifying position at Tierp Arena
Duncan Micallef claimed the provisional number one qualifying position in Top Fuel at the first day of qualifying for the Summit Racing Equipment Internationals, round three of the FIA European Drag Racing Championship, at Tierp Arena, Sweden. The driver from Malta stormed to a great 3.791 seconds at 517.24 km/h, two new personal bests and an official new European speed record. In Top Methanol Jonny Lagg is the provisional leader, while in Pro Modified and Pro Stock David Vegter and Jimmy Ålund claimed the provisional number one qualifying position after two runs.
It was a great day of racing at Tierp Arena on the first day of qualifying for the Summit Racing Equipment Internationals. Great weather conditions, sun and a cool wind with an excellent track made it great day with perfect runs, low ETs en record speeds. With probably even better conditions on the Saturday, records might fall again and it will be a day worth visiting to see the fastest and quickest cars in Europe.
The Top Fuelers only needed one run to reset personal bests and a record. Late in the afternoon Duncan Micallef, from Malta, stormed to a stunning 3.791 seconds at 517.24 km/h, resetting his personal bests and also resetting the European speed record. Susanne Callin recorded a 3-second ET as well with 3.96 seconds and the driver from Sweden is the number two qualifier after day one.
In Top Methanol A-Fuel Team Sweden is leading with their two drivers in the numbers one and two qualifying position. Jonny Lagg is the leader with a great 5.34 seconds, with Tony Bryntesson with 5.37 seconds in the number two position.
Sandro Bellio is the provisional number three with Ari Pietilä in fourth position.
In Pro Modified the top six is close, but it was once again David Vegter who claimed the provisional number one position on his first run of the day with 5.84 seconds.
Mats Eriksson bounced back after his bad first Tierp event with a great 5.86 seconds to finish the first day of qualifying in second position.
Roger Johansson stormed to a great 5.882 seconds on his second run of the day after he had to abord his first run after an engine explosion.
Andreas Arthursson is close behind with a 5.882 seconds as well, while Åke Persson is the number five with 5.93 seconds. Michel Tooren in sixth position is the last driver to break the 6-second barrier with 5.94 seconds, with Stian Rusånes seventh. Title contenders Jere Rantaniemi and Andres Arnover have to improve on day two as they are in the numbers nine and fifteen position.
In Pro Stock it was also close again. Jimmy Ålund claimed the provisional number one position with a great 6.56 seconds, but Stefan Ernryd is close behind with 6.62 seconds.
The same is true for Robin Norén with 6.65 seconds, with Christian Sagelv fourth (6.67 seconds) and Richard Sundblom fifth (6.69 seconds). Reigning FIA European champion Michael Malmgren is the provisional number eight qualifier.
Qualifying for the Summit Racing Equipment Internationals, round three of the FIA European Drag Racing Championship, continues on the Saturday.
Text and photos: Remco Scheelings
For all qualifying results: https://www.dragracing.eu/results.asp
For photos of the Summit Racing Equipment Internationals see the gallery on:
https://www.dragracingeurope.eu/fiaedc/round-3-tierp-arena-aug-8-11/
