Jndia Erbacher, Sandro Bellio, Andres Arnover and Jimmy Ålund number one qualifiers at European Finals
Jndia Erbacher (Top Fuel), Sandro Bellio (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 fifth and final round of the 2024 FIA European Drag Racing Championship. Three of these four drivers were also the leaders after Friday qualifying and all four also claimed the number one qualifying spots at Hockenheim two weeks ago.
The first day of qualifying for the European Finals was already great, the second day, Saturday, was even better. The cooler temperatures were exactly what the engines needed and the prefect track at Santa Pod Raceway did the rest. The numerous spectators in the packed grandstands saw many great runs and a great number of improvements compared to Friday qualifying. Sandro Bellio, Andres Arnover and Jimmy Ålund remained the number one qualifiers, but in Top Fuel Jndia Erbacher took over the number one spot. In all classes the fields are extremely close together, thus the eliminations, where in three of the four classes the championship still has to be decided, will be interesting and exciting.
In Top Fuel Jndia Erbacher had to abort three qualifying runs due to traction problems, but on her final run the Swiss driver stormed to a great 3.88 seconds at 319 mph to claim the number one qualifying position.
Tommi Haapanen recorded almost the same ET as the Finn did on Friday (3.89 seconds), but he was not able to improve his performance and dropped into the second position. Susanne Callin couldn’t improve her Friday performance either and finished qualifying in third position with 3.96 seconds.
There was a major improvement for Duncan Micallef. The driver from Malta and leader in the championship recorded 4.01 seconds, but still dropped one position and is fourth. After several problems on her first couple of runs, Linn Fløysvik stormed to a great new personal best of 4.05 seconds and finished qualifying in fifth position. The number one and two in the championship, Micallef and Callin, will face each other in the first round of eliminations, and if Callin wins, there are also chances for Erbacher to claim the 2024 title.
Qualifying in Pro Modified was once again spectacular. David Vegter was the quickest driver in qualifying sessions three and four, but the 5.85 seconds the Dutch driver recorded was still not enough to take over the number one spot from Friday leader Andres Arnover.
The driver from Estonia suffered some problems, but still finished qualifying on top with his Friday ET of 5.78 seconds.
Michel Tooren improved to a new personal best of 5.87 seconds, but still changed positions with Vegter and is the number three qualifier. Jere Rantaniemi was not able to improve his ET and finished qualifying in fourth position with the time the Finn recorded on the Friday (5.89 seconds).
Bobby Wallace improved to 5.9293 seconds and is the best driver from the UK in fifth position. Andy Robinson (5.9299 seconds) is extremely close behind and with Bruno Bader (5.97 seconds) the other driver who recorded a 5-second ET.
There were no fewer than five drivers who recorded a 6.03 second ET. It once again proves how competitive the Pro Mod field is. The eliminations will be exciting, especially as the top three in the championship, Arnover, Vegter and Rantaniemi, are all in the top four after qualifying and even Tooren, the number two qualifier, still has a (little) chance to claim the title. From the top five in the championship only Stian Rusånes was not able to qualify in the top ten at Santa Pod.
In Top Methanol Sandro Bellio improved his ET to 5.52 seconds and remained the number one qualifier. There were improvement for all other three competitors as well, but the qualifying order did not change.
Tony Bryntesson remained in second position, with Silvio Strauch third and Jonny Lagg fourth.
Championship leader Lagg will have to face Bellio in the first round of eliminations and that might give Bryntesson the chance to claim the title if he wins the event.
In Pro Stock Jimmy Ålund remained the number one qualifier. The Swede who claimed his 13th Pro Stock title in Friday qualifying, improve to 6.58 seconds on his last run and was once again the only driver to record a 6.5 second ET.
Michael Malmgren bounced back after a difficult Friday by recording 6.641 seconds, to take over the number two qualifying position from Robin Norén.
The young driver from Sweden improved to 6.645 seconds, but that was not enough to defeat Malmgren. Simon Ekengren was back to form and recorded 6.67 seconds to finish qualifying in fourth position, with Stefan Ernryd fifth and Lasse Britsmar sixth.
The eliminations for the European Finals will start on Sunday morning.
Qualifying results: https://santapodresults.com/2024/European%20Finals/
Photo gallery (will be updated later): https://www.dragracingeurope.eu/fiaedc/round-5-santa-pod-sept-5-8/
Text and photos: Remco Scheelings
