Speedgroup Club Europe

Although the team is one of the more recent to enter the class and runs its car on a limited budget, the family-run operation is a force to be reckoned with and a benchmark for others. “2011 was a good season but you’re never 100% happy because it’s never fast enough and there are always areas for improvement,” says Danny, already working towards the 2012 season.

Fourth place in the championship may have been no improvement but in all other aspects it was a completely different season. “In 2010 we started with engine damage at the Santa Pod Easter Meeting and inHungary. Another big issue that season was that we had all kinds of problems getting off the start line. We put a lot of effort into that over the winter. We made adjustments to the chassis and clutch and switched over to the new 36-inch Hoosier tyres. That all paid off. All the problems were gone and at the Main Event we were number two qualifier. What’s more, with two 5.8s and a 5.9, we were consistent too.

“But at Tierp we heard there were problems with the 36-inch Hoosiers in the States. On Friday evening we had to switch back to the old 34.5-inch tyres. We had to start from scratch with the set-up and the problems at the start line were back again. After the race we found out that only A-Fuelers had problems with the 36-inch Hoosiers, so at Hockenheim we were back on those tyres and were number two qualifier again. Two 5.9sec runs on Sunday and we were in the final before rain brought an early end to the race and our chance to win the NitrOlympX. At the European Finals we were number two qualifier yet again and the 5.797sec was almost a personal best. We had to face Jarmo Kuutniemi in the first round and the winner would claim third place in the championship. We ran a good 5.86sec but to my surprise Jarmo was so much quicker on the lights that he beat me. So we finished number four again,” is Danny’s analysis of the season.

Talking with Racers - Danny Bellio Top Methanol Funny Car Fast is not fast enough For the third consecutive year, Danny Bellio has finished fourth in the FIA European Top Methanol Funny Car Championship. Only bad luck and missing the Alastaro race kept the Belgian team outside the top three. Although the team is one of the more recent to enter the class and runs its car on a limited budget, the family-run operation is a force to be reckoned with and a benchmark for others. “2011 was a good season but you’re never 100% happy because it’s never fast enough and there are always areas for improvement,” says Danny, already working towards the 2012 season. Fourth place in the championship may have been no improvement but in all other aspects it was a completely different season. “In 2010 we started with engine damage at the Santa Pod Easter Meeting and inHungary. Another big issue that season was that we had all kinds of problems getting off the start line. We put a lot of effort into that over the winter. We made adjustments to the chassis and clutch and switched over to the new 36-inch Hoosier tyres. That all paid off. All the problems were gone and at the Main Event we were number two qualifier. What’s more, with two 5.8s and a 5.9, we were consistent too. “But at Tierp we heard there were problems with the 36-inch Hoosiers in the States. On Friday evening we had to switch back to the old 34.5-inch tyres. We had to start from scratch with the set-up and the problems at the start line were back again. After the race we found out that only A-Fuelers had problems with the 36-inch Hoosiers, so at Hockenheim we were back on those tyres and were number two qualifier again. Two 5.9sec runs on Sunday and we were in the final before rain brought an early end to the race and our chance to win the NitrOlympX. At the European Finals we were number two qualifier yet again and the 5.797sec was almost a personal best. We had to face Jarmo Kuutniemi in the first round and the winner would claim third place in the championship. We ran a good 5.86sec but to my surprise Jarmo was so much quicker on the lights that he beat me. So we finished number four again,” is Danny’s analysis of the season.	“Compared to 2010 we had a good year but the problem is, it’s never good enough, you always want to improve and go faster. Our biggest problem is the lack of runs. There are no test opportunities for us on good tracks like Tierp and we had so much rain at the championship races. Scandinavian teams can go to Tierp but for us it’s so far away. It takes too much time and money.” Danny and his wife and sons, Sandro and Christiano, run Danny Cars, a garage in Houthalen specialising in American cars and American tuning parts. And as speed is in the Bellio family’s blood, Sandro is a drag racer himself, running a Bel Air Funny Car in Super Pro ET in the Dutch Championship. So in addition the FIA races, they have three race meetings in Holland too. Only a week after the last race Danny had already started working on his plans for next season. “Competition will be even tougher next year. Leif Andreasson will be back and, at the Finals, the Turners showed they’d found the right set-up for their car. So we have to improve our performance as well. We’ve bought a chassis from the States. It was Mickey Ferro’s and has consistent 5.4sec ETs to its credit. My old chassis was built for the old-style bodies like the Avenger I ran previously. With the Charger body on it, I could hardly see the track. At the Finals I tried Ulf Leanders’ car and what a difference that was. The new chassis is designed for the new-style bodies so from now on I’ll see where I’m going. Sandro will use my old chassis in Super Pro ET. Another improvement will be the fuel system. It’s in the States now for a complete check-up. In 2012, then, it should be possible to set new personal bests and enter the top three in the championship,” predicts Danny. So, after a close fight this year, expect the 2012 FIA Top Methanol Funny Car Championship to be even more interesting.
Bellio in action at Santa Pod Raceway during the European Finals 2011 Team Bellio at the Sweden International at Tierp Arena
Interview by Remco Scheelings Edited by Robin Jackson Photos by Remco Scheelings This article is part of the Speedgroup Club Europe Newsletter #16/2011 www.speedgroup.eu Published by Speedgroup www.speedgroup.eu All material, text, images and logtypes are the property of Speedgroup AB. Used by permission from the photographers Any use of the above requires permission from Speedgroup. email: asa.kinnemar@speedgroup.eu © Speedgroup 2011