Preview FIA European Drag Racing Championship 2014
Main Event, Santa Pod Raceway, UK May 23-26th 2014

FIA Championship administrator Speedgroup is happy to bring You the first FIA Event Preview for the Championship season 2014. Traditionally, we start the season in the UK at Santa Pod Raceway. This is the General Preview article and we hope You can also read about what is going on in each of the competition classes in separate articles. 

MAIN EVENT PARTICIPANTS:

Link to entry list (pdf)
Please note that late changes may occur. 

EVENT REPORTING:


Santa Pods very own Webradio and Radio: Nitro FM 96.2 (link to event coverage Main Event)

Link to Nitro FM´s website:



Eurodragster.com staff will be on site to provide live reports throughout the event. Click on the direct link to the event coverage index page here: www.Eurodragster.com
 


FACTS ABOUT SANTA POD RACEWAY can be found at www.santapod.com




www.speedgroup.eu

SPEEDGROUP REPRESENTATION ON SITE: Speedgroup co-ordinator Gittli Koller, Kjell-Åke Sjölander and Lena Perés are on site to interact with teams, the organizer and spectators. They are assisted by a the team of Speedgroup associated photographers on site to secure the event coverage is done in the best possible way. Speedgroup´s CEO Michael Gullqvist is the defending FIA Pro Modified Champion and he is of course on site to compete.

BRIEFING FROM THE OTHER FIA CHAMPIONSHIP TRACKS 2014:


ALASTARO, FINLAND - New surface

Finland´s multi Motorsport arena Alastaro Circuit was resurfaced with new asphalt at the beginning of May 2014. The update of the track was made possible by the track owner family joining forces with the organization Drag Race Finland, which include well known drivers profiles Kristian Nyström (Pro Modified), Richard Sundblom (Pro Stock) and Timo Savolainen (Pro Stock Motorcycle) to mention a few. Link to Alastaro Circuit´s website. Organizers for the Nitro Nationals July 3-6th is The Finnish Hot Rod Association, FHRA.


TIERP ARENA, SWEDEN - New Owner

In April 2014, Tierp Arena got a new owner (following a bankrupcy in October 2013 and legal procedures after that). The intended mid-June Sweden Internationals event was called off in late April as the new owner must build up the on site operation in Tierp from zero and time was too short. Mr Cemoni Ohlsson whose company Sånna Förvaltning AB, bought the Tierp Arena has assured us the Scandinavian Internationals August 22-25th will be run according to plan. Mr Ohlsson also run the Nya Sturup Raceway and also have operations in the hotel industry in Sweden.

The website of Tierp Arena is going to be updated on the progress so please check www.tierparena.com if interested.


HOCKENHEIMRING, GERMANY

The 3rd round of the FIA Championship is the NitrOlympX at HockenheimRing August 8-10th www.nitrolympx.de
Also, why not check out the trailer on Youtube for the event!  
 
CLASS BY CLASS.. See the FIA Class Previews in separate articles!

But first some Fast Facts to start with..
FIA Top Fuel Dragster:


Thomas Nataas (NOR) - Top Fuel Dragster

9 teams entered for an 8 car elimination ladder. Competition distance: 1000 foot

Defending European Champion: Thomas Nataas (NOR)
Main Event 2013 winner: Antti Horto
Best ET at the same event 2013 was
4.10 sec set by Thomas Nataas.

Check out the Class Preview:
LINK TO CLASS PREVIEW - TF


Dave Wilson (UK) - Top Methanol Dragster

FIA Top Methanol Dragster:

7 teams entered for an 8 car elimination ladder.

Defending European Champion: There was no champion in the class 2103. It was due to non of the drivers participated in FIA Championship events in all countries, which was stipulated in the FIA regulations. However this rule is no longer in effect starting 2014. 

Main Event 2013 winner: Thetys in Dave Wilsons car.
Best ET at the same event 2013 was 5.52 sec set by Thetys 

Check out the Class Preview:
- LINK TO CLASS PREVIEW - TMD


Johan Lindberg (SWE) - Top Methanol Funny Car

FIA Top Methanol Funny Car:

5 teams entered for an 8 car elimination ladder
Defending Champion: Jonnie Lindberg (SWE)
Main Event 2013 winner: Leif Andreasson
Best ET at Main Event 2013 was 5.56 sec. run by Leif Andreasson.

Check out the Class Preview:
- LINK TO CLASS PREVIEW - TMFC


Robert Joosten (NL) - Pro Modified

FIA Pro Modified:

21 teams entered for a 16 car elimination ladder.

Defending Champion: Michael Gullqvist (SWE)
Main Event 2013 winner: Michael Gullqvist 
Best ET at Main Event 2013 was
5.9136 sec. set by Marc Meihuizen (NL)

Check out the Class Preview:
- LINK TO CLASS PREVIEW - PM



Thomas Lindström (SWE) - Pro Stock Car

FIA Pro Stock Car:

5 teams entered for an 8 car elimination ladder.
Defending Champion: Jimmy Ålund(SWE)
Main Event 2013 winner: Jimmy Ålund
Best ET at Main Event 2013 was set by Ålund 6.56 sec (which was also a new European record at that time)

LINK TO CLASS PREVIEW - PRO

Don´t miss to check out the content in the Speedgroup Online Newsletter some more and follow the event as it progresses on May 23-26th via Eurodragster.com !



Stunning view of Santa Pod Raceway  - photo by Stefan Boman
On track Michael Malmgren (near lane) and Jan Palmqvist FIA Pro Stock Car
  


Text: Åsa Kinnemar
Photos by Stefan Boman, Lena Perés, Remco Scheelings, Patrik Jacobsson, Rose Hughes.
The logos are the property of each company 

This Online Newsletter is published by:


This article is part of the Speedgroup Club Europe Online Newsletter May 2014
All material, text, images and logtypes are the property of Speedgroup AB
Any use of the above requires permission from Speedgroup
© Speedgroup 2014


About SPEEDGROUP: Speedgroup is FIA European Drag Racing Championship administrator and operate the EDRS European Drag Racing Series, the Swedish Dragracing Championship and EDRS Pro Nordic Motorcycle Drag Racing Championship. We interact with teams, track operators and event organizers, sanctioning bodies, media, corporate partners and fans. website: www.speedgroup.eu or www.dragracingeurope.com

Speedgroup general contact person:
Åsa Kinnemar co-ordinator asa.kinnemar@speedgroup.eu