.. that is probably one of the worst scenarios that a driver can imagine happening, but the chutes came out as normal and the car could come to a standstill on three tires and what must have been more or less one bare wheel. Leif afterwards was sore after the bumpy ride where keeping control of the car while breaking was a hard task. The safety and rescue crew did only take seconds to assist and could remove the car from the track and see that Leif was properly checked up by the medical staff as a precaution. The cause for the explosion was described to be a metal object that the tire hit (or the other way round), I will leave it like that and come to the conclusion that most often incidents in drag racing have a happy ending, so also this time..

Qualifications:

The Andréasson incident occured during qualification session #3 soon before the finish line while still managing to run 5.67 sec at 253 mph (!). Needless to say he stayed in the pits during the last session, as the damages to the carbon fiber funny car body was extensive (see photo below).

Ulf Leanders was low qualifier with 5.635 sec, followed by Andréasson 5.67, Danny Bellio at 5.95 sec and Rob Turner 6.01 sec.

Only four cars entered for this event. Missing and on site without her car was Stephanie Milam, who got injured during a bumpy ride at the Main Event. She has not been able to race her funny car car since and we wish for the best that she will recover fully over the winter.


Danny Bellio on track - team Bellio finished 2nd in the championship rankings which is a great achievement. Well done!


Ulf Leanders was the no 1 qualifier and..


.. the Leanders Bros team won the champions title in 2011, but for 2013 their car will wear start number #3 which equals their final championship ranking this season.

Leif Andréasson (right) winner of  the 2012 European Finals and new European Champion in FIA Top Methanol Funny Car. Rob Turner at his home track was runner-up

Eliminations:

This was not to be Danny Bellios race as the car had to be pushed back before the burnout. Bellio who had a good advantage in points towards Leanders could afford it points wise, but what a pity to end the race day without having had the chance to run Andréasson for it. Leif used the involuntary by run well and managed 5.71 sec at 247 mph.

For the last race day as reigning champion (2011) Ulf Leanders was up against UK based Rob Turner in the first round. Rob who has Santa Pod Raceway as his home track (without exaggerating as Turner Motorsport has their workshop opposite the main gate to Santa Pod Raceway). Well, it turned out the Turners had their things in order, while Leanders experienced problems, bounced and shut off early. Turner clocked a winning 5.87 sec compared to 6.17 for Leanders. This has not been the best of seasons for Leanders Bros. I hope they will be back in 2013 eager to reclaim the championship title again!

The final run of this seasons championship  was well deserved in Andréassons favour, although Turner managed an amazing holeshot at the startline, Leifs 5.68 sec run to end off the event was just too quick. Turner 6.01 sec and runner-up. Well done Turner Motorsports and congratulations Andréasson Motorsport to the European Champions title in FIA Top Methanol Funny car and the event win at the 2012 European Finals!     

Link to Results: click to open pdf-files
QUALIFICATIONS
ELIMINATIONS LADDER

courtesy of TSÍ time keepers and Santa Pod Raceway

Check the full points table under a separate headline in this edition.

Low Elapsed Time of the Meet: 
5.635 seconds – Ulf Leanders
Top Speed of the Meet:  
254.64 mph/409.71 kph –  Ulf Leanders


Rob Turner


Andréasson near lane and Turner was in the final