Jndia Erbacher, Sandro Bellio, Jimmy Ålund and Stian Rusånes leaders after the first day of qualifying for the NitrOlympX
Jndia Erbacher raced to the provisional number one qualifying position in Top Fuel at the first day of qualifying for the NitrOlympX, the fourth round of the FIA European Drag Racing Championship at the Rico Anthes Quartermile of the HockenheimRing, Germany. In Top Methanol Sandro Bellio is the leader after two runs, while Stian Rusånes is the surprise leader in Pro Modified. In Pro Stock it was business as usual with Jimmy Ålund in the number one qualifying spot. With a driver from Switzerland, Belgium, Sweden and Norway in the lead, it’s a real European Championship.
It was a hot first day of qualifying at the HockenheimRing. But still the hard working track crew did a great job with preparing a great track that made it possible for the drivers to make many good runs and record some impressive ETs.
In Top Fuel Jndia Erbacher recorded 4.17 seconds on her first run of the day, also her first run since The Main Event at Santa Pod in May. The Swiss driver is now the provisional number one qualifier at her ‘home track’. Linn Fløysvik is the surprise number two qualifier with 4.89 seconds. The reigning FIA European Top Methanol champion completed her licensing procedure at Tierp Arena two weeks ago and is the provisional number two qualifier in her first official FIA Top Fuel race.
Susanne Callin is the number three qualifier with 4.98 seconds, with championship leader Duncan Micallef fourth and Dennis Nilsson fifth. To say it was ladies day in Top Fuel is almost an understatement.
In Top Methanol Sandro Bellio was back to form as the driver from Belgium recorded a great 5.58 seconds to claim the number one position. Championship leader Jonny Lagg claimed the provisional number two position, with A-Fuel Team Sweden team mate Tony Bryntesson third and Jürgen Nagel fourth.
In Pro Modified Stian Rusånes is the surprise leader after day one. The Norwegian driver stormed to a great 6.00 seconds to take the lead on his first run of the day.
David Vegter, the number one qualifier in the first three races of the season and also leader in the championship, had to abort his first run, but stormed to a great 6.02 seconds on his second run to claim the provisional number two position. The top five after day one is extremely close together in Pro Modified.
Michel Tooren is third with 6.03 seconds, Jean Dulamon fourth with 6.05 seconds and Andres Arnover fifth with 6.08 seconds. There is a gap to number six qualifier Peter Kunc as the Swede recorded 6.33 seconds.
Roger Johansson, runner up two weeks ago at Tierp Arena, is the provisional number twelve qualifier and will definitely try to improve his position on Saturday.
In Pro Stock it was once again Jimmy Ålund who claimed the provisional number one qualifying position with a great 6.61 seconds. Reigning FIA European champion Michael Malmgren impressed as well with a great 6.65 seconds, with Robin Norén in the provisional number three position. Simon Ekengren is fourth, with Lasse Britsmar fifth and Stefan Ernryd sixth.
Qualifying for the NitrOlympX, round four of the FIA European Drag Racing Championship continues on the Saturday.
For all qualifying results:
https://www.tw-sportsoft.de/NitrolympX_2024_577079/TW_ON_Virtueller_Aushang.php?AUSWAHL_WERTUNGSGRUPPEN_ID=17
The photo gallery will be updated as soon as poddible:
https://www.dragracingeurope.eu/fiaedc/round-4-hockeinheimring-aug-23-25/
Text and photo: Remco Scheelings
