The Euro Finals 2016, FIA/UEM European Drag Racing Championship
8 – 11 September 2016, Santa Pod Raceway – England
Words & Photos by Dick Parnham
Good weather greeted the massive field of competitors and despite a day rain off on the 10th September the good weather returned for the final day of eliminations for the Event and Championship titles to be decided.
TOP FUEL DRAGSTER
Qualifying
1. Liam Jones 3.989 sec, 306 mph
2. Stig Neergaard 4.084 sec, 282 mph
3. Mikael Kagered 4.156 sec, 247 mph
4. Anita Makela 4.549 sec, 217 mph
5. Steve Ashdown 5.008 sec, 188 mph
6. Tethys 5.180 sec, 145 mph
7. Urs Urbacher 5.576 sec, 104 mph
8. Duncan Micallef 9.238 sec, 74 mph
The position for the Championship was close as either Anita Makela or Stig Neergaard could win on who went furthest in the Elimination with an advantage that if they finished equal then on points Makela would have the Title.
The First Round saw Anita Makela put in a strong Bye run in 4.035 sec /.290 mph for the win after Steve Ashdown broke after his burnout.
Next saw the welcome return of Duncan Micallef from Malta who put in a storming 3.896 sec 311 mph for the win and new Track Record over Liam Jones who overcame a sharp right turn slowing to 5.644 sec / 118 mph.
2015 Champion Micke Kagered took a hole shot advantage for the win in 4.361 sec / 264 mph over Tethys on an equally quick 4.359 sec / 208 mph who needed to have been mindful of the body panels that had flown off Kagered’s car.
Stig Neergaard was next up against Urs Urbacher to stay in the championship but Urbacher left before Stig. Both suffered repeated tyre shake but Neergaard recovered the quickest to take the win in 4.050 sec / 292 mph over Urbacher’s slower 4.444 sec / 247 mph.
The Semis saw Duncan Micallef put in a superbly masterful run in 3.896 sec / 312 mph against Anita Makela who lost her blower belt after a flash of flame when the parachute auto shut down system came in and Anita had to wait to see if Stig Neergaard would go further.
Micke Kagered was next out with a confident 4.059 sec / 278 mph leaving ahead of Stig Neergaard who was on catch-up but smoke from his motor slowed him to 4.253 sec / 221 mph.
With Stig Neergaard now out it meant that Anita Makela was now the New 2016 Top Fuel Champion.
The Event Final was now down to Micke Kagered who took the Event win in a Bye run 7.085 sec / 83 mph after a no show from Duncan Micallef.
TOP METHANOL DRAGSTER
Qualifying
1. Timo Habermann 5.338 sec, 263 mph
2. Dennis Habermann 5.430 sec, 266 mph
3. Jonny Lagg 5.591 sec, 265 mph
4. Dave Wilson 5.605 sec, 256 mph
5. Rod Harrison 5.901 sec, 230 mph
6. India Ursbacher 5.946 sec, 246 mph
This Final was one of the closest runs between the two Habermann brothers when Dennis took the win to the finals in 5.320 sec/269 mph with a hole shot win ahead of Timo’s quicker 5.305 sec / 269 mph.
This was a great Final with brothers posting the Quickest Ever European side by side Top Methanol Dragster Lap.
Jonny Lagg has already achieved the 2016 Championship Title.
PRO MODIFIED
Michael Gullqvist took the win in 5.889 sec / 213 mph.
PRO STOCK
Jimmy Alund took the win in 6.616 sec / 209 mph.
EUROPEAN FUNNY CAR SERIES
Kevin Kent 4.297 sec / 287 mph.
Dick Parnham Photography
www.flickr.com/photos/dickparnhamdragracing
