|
|
|
The Main Event
Words & Photos by Dick Parnham
 |
| Antti Horto |
Despite the first day rain off the weather was good for the whole weekend with each day of action adding rubber to the magnificent re-surfaced Santa Pod track. The clear but cool air aided the power as more records were to be set and Personal Bests being improved by many.
TOP FUEL DRAGSTER
Qualifying (1,000 Feet)
1. Thomas Nataas 4.102 sec, 281 mph
2. Stig Neergaard 4.201 sec, 281 mph
3. Antti Horto 4.281 sec, 236 mph
4. Anita Makela 4.307 sec, 272 mph
5. Micke Kagared 4.899 sec, 167 mph
6. Risto Poutianen 5.045 sec, 203 mph
7. Jari Halinen 5.119 sec, 145 mph
The Eliminations started with a shock as 2012 Main Event Top Fuel Champion Risto Poutianen was a no show against Antti Horto who put in a hard launch only on his bye run. Next pairing saw Anita Makela who was 2012 runner up put a hole shot over Micke Kagared but after 60 feet, Anita began pulling ahead taking the win in 4.295 sec, 269 mph over Kagared shutting off early in 6.110 sec, 112 mph. Stig Neergaard took an early advantage over Jari Halinen but after Jari’s tyres began to smoke, he slowed to 6.344 sec, 97 mph to Stig’s razor sharp win in 5.105 sec, 288 mph. Final bye run in this session came from Thomas Nataas, who took the Anderson Racing car to a superb 4.150 sec, 286 mph and a serious challenge in the next round. In the Semis, Nataas put in a real challenge over Anita Makela but he was to go up in smoke around the 500 foot mark on 4.903 sec, 150 mph, to the quicker 4.340 sec, 259 mph from Anita.
Final pairing in the Semis saw Antti Horto stake his claim for the win with a hole shot over Stig Neergaard for the win in 4.243 sec, 248 mph over the quicker 4.230 sec, 274 mph with only inches in it. The Final was in the bag for Antti Horto with his 0.1sec hole shot over Anita who fell foul to a poor burn out, smoking the tyres at the top end in 4.334 sec, 263 mph to Antti’s win in 4.152 sec, 272 mph.
 |
| Anita Makela |
 |
| Stig Neergaard |
 |
| Thomas Nataas |
 |
| Jari Halinen |
 |
| Micke Kagared |
TOP METHANOL DRAGSTER
Qualifying
1. Tethys 5.353 sec, 265 mph
2. Paul Ingar Udtian 5.365 sec, 265 mph
Tethys' intention to move up from Super Pro ET saw him gaining a licence for Top Methanol Dragster whilst at the highly respected Frank Hawley School in the USA. This coincided with Dave Wilson’s retirement from the class and his championship car being available for rent. With Dave Wilson as crew chief and mechanic, his car was available for hire and therefore a great platform for Tethys to get started. With Driver Brigitte Bremnes taking university Exams it was Paul Ingar Udtion who stepped in and put the Islanders TMD into competition and was only 0.012sec behind Tethys Top Qualifier. The final was top wheel to wheel action full laps with the win going to Tethys in 5.58 sec, 257 mph over Udtian on 5.769 sec, 214 mph.
 |
| Paul ingar Udtion |
 |
| Tethys |
TOP METHANOL FUNNY CAR
There was a full 8 car field of cars who produced their usual close action with the Top 5 Qualifiers all with 5 second laps and only a 0.364sec gap. Leif Andreasson was Top Qualifier on 5.581 sec, 256 mph and it was good to see UK driver Rob Turner now at No 4. qualifier on 5.816 sec, 233 mph. The Final went to Leif Andreasson in 5.712 sec, 254 mph over Johan Lindberg's 11.302 sec, 63 mph. You certainly had to check the Car race Numbers as Johan's brother Jonnie Lindberg who was No 2. qualifier has an otherwise identical TM/FC.
 |
| Johan & Jonnie Lindberg |
MSA & FIA European PRO-MODIFIED
This class has grown yet again with a field of 19 in number at the event and the quality produced some great action. The Top two Qualifiers were both in the 5 second bracket and with 11 more on 6 second laps, it was one of the quickest Pro-Mod fields in the Championship. Swedish racer Marc Meihuizen was Top Qualifier at 5.913, 242 mph and Micke Gullqvist at No 2. at 5.945, 239 mph. The Final win went to Micke Gullqvist on a 5.987 sec, 241 mph over David Vegters 6.106 sec, 234 mph pass.
 |
| Micke Gullqvist |
 |
| David Vegter |
PRO STOCK
With Jimmy Alund and his Jerry Haas USA Pro Stock car taking Top Qualifier on 6.568, 211 mph, and Thomas Lindstrom at No. 2 in 6.626 sec, 208 mph, it was a close field of six cars. All six were in the 6-second zone and the competition was fierce. The Final ended as it began with the Win to Jimmy Alund on 6.655 sec, 210 mph who had also then backed up his Qualifier for a new Top Speed Record.
 |
| Jimmy_Alund |
 |
| Thomas Lindstrom |
EUROPEAN TOP FUEL FUNNY CAR SERIES
What was planned in 2012 became a reality at the 2013 Main Event with a starting field of 5 cars with the addition of Kevin Kent who was to secure his licence in the Rune Fjeld tuned car that has been rebuilt by Webster Race Engineering. To announce to Motor Sport followers, Jason Phelps is taking up the Invitation to the 2013 Goodwood Festival of Speed to do some Burn Outs which will be a dramatic scene for the many who have never seen or heard or felt the thunder of a blown Top Fuel motor.
Qualifying
1. Gordon Smith 5.479 sec, 259 mph
2. Jason Phelps 5.622 sec, 252 mph
3. John Spuffard 5.669 sec, 228 mph
4. Leif Hellander 5.715 sec, 203 mph
This first Event winner was Leif Hellander on 5.496 sec, 278 mph over John Spuffard in the Showtime car on a close 5.460 sec, 278 mph.
 |
| John Spuffard |
 |
| Leif Hellander |
 |
| Jason Phelps |
| |
Copyright 1996-2013 by