Stig Neergaard
The Main Event 2016
FIA/UEM European Drag Racing Championship
Round 1, 27 – 30 May 2016
Santa Pod Raceway – England
Words & Photos by Dick Parnham
In this 50th Anniversary celebration of Santa Pod Raceway the record attendance of fans saw an action-packed bank holiday weekend of record-breaking performances.
TOP FUEL DRAGSTER
Qualifying
1. Stig Neergaard 4.023 sec, 267 mph
2. Anita Makela 4.075 sec, 246 mph
3. Steve Ashdown 4.164 sec, 291 mph
4. Liam Jones 4.114 sec, 291 mph
5. Urs Urbacher 4.775 sec, 164 mph
6. Stefan Gunnarsson 4.808 sec, 152 mph
7. Micke Kagered 4.864 sec, 160 mph
8. Bjorn Martensson 6.137 sec, 114 mph
Steve Ashdown who has just completed his Top Fuel Licence was out first against the experienced Stefan Gunnarsson who ran a 0.177 second hole shot over Steve but when Stefan started smoking his tyres it was Steve who continued well and took the win in 4.236 sec / 283 mph over the slower 4.937 sec / 148 mph.
Liam Jones starting his second year in Top Fuel was next up against Urs Urbacher who left the line first but both drivers backed off with tyre shake but pedaled for survival as Liam took the win 4.996 sec /213 mph over Urbacher’s slower 5.109 sec / 212 mph.
Micke Kagered was next out to defend his 2015 Top Fuel Title against crowd favourite Anita Makela.who has a personal best at 3.878 sec / 313 mph.
Kagered took the win in a solid 4.137 sec / 240 mph despite flames from his motor over a troubled Anita on her slower 5.065 sec / 220 mph who had severe tyre shake and was not able to recover in time to catch him.
Final pair saw Stig Neergaard on a bye run win of 7.557 sec after Bjorn Martensson’s motor failed to start.
The Semis brought Stig Neergaard out against Liam Jones for an incredible close neck to neck challenge with the win going to Stig in 3.972 sec / 299 mph with Liam close runner up in 4.112 sec / 278 mph.
Micke Kagered was next out in what became a bye run after Steve Ashdown shut off after his parachute deployed as he was burning out.
The Final saw Stig Neergaard up against Micke Kagered and both suffered severe tyreshake but Stig recovered first to storm to the win in 5.429 sec /127 mph over Micke’s 7.866 sec / 95 mph.
Mickael Kagered
Liam Jones
Anita Makela
Urs Urbacher
Steve Ashdown
Bjorn Martensson
Stefan Gunnarsson
TOP METHANOL DRAGSTER
Jonny Lagg
Qualifying
1. Chris Polidano 5.389 sec, 250 mph
2. Dave Wilson 5.485 sec, 258 mph
3. Jonny Lagg 5.555 sec, 255 mph
4. Rod Harrison 6.920 sec,159 mph
Rod Harrison is the new driver to Top Methanol Dragster having had 25 years experience of tractor pulling and has set a personal best at Easter this year.
Dave Wilson is yet again putting his car up for sale or now for Rent with his 5 times FIA Champion experience to aid new rental prospects.
The Eliminations were magnificent with close results as Chris Polidano up first in 5.292 sec / 263 mph to beat Rod Harrison’s 5.794 sec /237 mph.
Jonny Lagg’s hole shot over Dave Wilson just gave the advantage to win in 5.487 sec / 262 mph over Wilson’s 5.559 sec / 259 mph.
The final was expected to be very close but when Chris Polidano fired up his car it then cut out and would not restart in time before Jonny Lagg was given a bye run for the win in 5.425 sec / 275 mph.
PRO MODIFIED
Bruno Bader
Bruno Bader took the win in 5.939 sec / 235 mph over Micke Gullqvist’s 5.964 sec / 245 mph.
PRO STOCK
Jimmy Alund
Jimmy Alund took the win in 6.458 sec / 213 mph over Thomas Lindstromon 6.721 sec / 193 mph.
EUROPEAN NITRO FUNNY CAR
Kevin Kent
Kevin Kent took the win in 4.343 sec / 278 mph resetting this as the new European Record.
