photo - The Andersen Racing Dragster piloted by Thomas Nataas in Hockenheim

With two wins to his credit Tommy Johnson Jr. only had to go one round at Hockenheim to win the 2011 FIA European Top Fuel Championship. But the American superstar was not in the hot seat of the Andersen Racing Top Fueler- The reason being his prescription medication allowed by the NHRA in the US showed to be on the FIA doping list, something that came to the teams attention after a doping test was made in july. The application for exemption was processed by Johnson Jr. after that but until the  matter has been fully investigated and before Johnson Jr hopefully can have his license reinstated, he is not allowed to participate.  However Tommy came to Hockenheim nevertheless to show his support for his team and meet fans. The reaction from the other teams in the class was united and the tokens of sympathy expressed on site were many.

So with Johnson Jr unable to run, the question went to Thomas Nataas from Norway, who accepted on a short notice without hesitation to fill the empty seat in the Per and Karsten Andersen-tuned Sunoco Fueler. Nataas being familiar with the car and team after racing for them in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series.

During qualifying Nataas showed why the always relaxed Norwegian was the only person Per and Karsten could think about as a replacement driver for Johnson. Friday was spent sorting out the track, followed by two (4.85 and 4.83sec) storming runs on Saturday to take the number one qualifying position. Showing great form too was Stig Neergaard, leading the field after Friday qualifying at 4.95sec. On Saturday the Dane improved his performance to a great 4.88sec and was in a solid number two position. A 4.95 on Friday made Anita Mäkelä smile again after a far from trouble-free Alastaro weekend. In the fourth session of qualifying the Finnish team showed consistency with an even better 4.92, good for the number three qualifying position. Fourth was Timo Lehtimäki, the first driver not to break the five-second barrier. But 5.053 and 5.08sec runs were a great result for the Finnish team. With a 5.056, Risto Poutiainen was only 0.003 behind but the number three in the championship had traction problems and, after strong performances earlier this season, the Finn had higher expectations for this race. With only one session to go, Micke Kågered was on the bump spot but the Swede improved to 5.12sec handing the Bahco-driver sixth position. Hockenheim is Urs Erbacher’s hometrack, but with at least 200 supporters visiting the team, the reigning European champion and tuner Robin Grice could not find the right set-up for the German track. Up in smoke was the problem and, with 5.17, 5.16 and 5.15sec passes, the car ran like a bracket car but not quickly enough by far. After four qualifying runs Erbacher was in seventh position. Last to qualify was Andy Carter. The Lucas driver has had a difficult season and 5.43sec on Saturday’s third qualifying pass was his best for this weekend. Outside the ladder was Jari Halinen. The Finn got help from American Mike Domagala, co-crew chief for Clay Millican, but they could not solve the problems from previous races, losing traction at half-track.

Anita Mäkelä

The tenth Top Fueler at Hockenheim was Kenni Neergaard, the 18-year-old son of Stig. The rookie wanted to complete his licence passes on Friday to take part in official qualifying on Saturday. But in the second run on Friday a fuel hose came loose and Kenni had to stop his car. On Saturday afternoon Kenni stormed to a great 5.144sec and is now the youngest licensed European Top Fuel racer. In official qualifying, the Dane would have been seventh, bumping out Andy Carter.   

With Tommy Johnson Jr. watching from the start line, Erbacher, Poutiainen, Mäkelä and Lehtimäki, the numbers two through five in the championship, could make up ground. But in his first round Poutiainen redlit, handing the win to Lehtimäki. Next pair was former Top Methanol rivals Mäkelä and Kågered and the next upset was looming. The Finnish lady went up in smoke and was out too. This was Erbacher’s chance. But the Swiss had to face number two qualifier Neergaard and, for both, it was a replay from their qualifying runs. The John Smith-tuned Neergaard made a good run (4.97 sec) and Erbacher went up in smoke. So three of  the four championship favourites were out in the first round! Nataas and his Per and Karsten Andersen-tuned fueler  showed consistency again and a 4.92 was far too much for a tyre-smoking Carter.

photo - Kenni Neergaard got his license completed at Hockenheim but not early enough to be in the competition
 

After the rain break, in the first semi-final Nataas had to face Lehtimäki. In a superb 4.85sec run the Norwegian left the Finn (5.46sec) behind to advance to the final in his first outing for Andersen Racing. The team has not lost an elimination run so far this season! In the second semi-final, Neergaard had mechanical problems and, although Kågered lost some of his car’s parts near the finish line, the Swede went to his first final this season. Not long after the semi-finals the 18:00 curfew came into force and, as last year, the NitrOlympX once more produced no finals and no winners. What this means for the championship can be seen elsewhere in this newsletter. Whatever the outcome of the FIA hearing, and whether Johnson Jr. can or will race at Santa Pod, the fight for the 2011 championship will be a close one.

Risto Poutiainen