Entering the European Finals Chris Polidano, Malta was in Championship lead with one mere point ahead of Manty Bugeja. The Habermann brothers, Dennis and Timo, could possibly intefere with the outcome of the Championship although none of them could win the title. Furthermore, the prestigious event win at Santa Pod was of course up for grabs. And as it should turn out it was not the top ranked Maltese duo who got it in the end. Not because they were not good enough, but because the Werner Habermann Racing team just could not be beat this time. And it was one of these rare occasion where Dennis and Timo actually got a chance to be in a final together, as they were on opposite sides of the elimination ladder.
Six teams entered for the final event of the Championship season, Stefan Gunnarsson who participated in the previous events was missing. The qualifications like indicated was at a level never seen before where Chris Polidano for a minute or two actually had the European ET record, before Timo Habermann entered the track and took it. And with that Dave Wilsons record since 2011 is archived in the history books.. or more accurately and modern visible in the European Drag Racing Database and European Records sheet handled by TSI Timers. See the updated European Records all FIA classes under a separate headline.
Qualification rankings (ET seconds):
1. Timo Habermann 5.2568/269.84 mph
2. Chris Polidano 5.2853/264.20 mph
3. Manty Bugeja 5.3139/265.06 mph
4. Dennis Habermann 5.3221/268.94 mph
5. Jonny Lagg 5.4367/ 262.17 mph
6. Dave Wilson 5.8177/250.99 mph
ELIMINATIONS - Round #1:
Timo Habermann vs Dave Wilson - Veteran Wilson had to hand the win to Timo. Simply too much of a difference when the Habermann Racing dragster blasted down the track at Europe´s quickest ever 5.221 sec (at the same time backing up a 5.256 record).
T. Habermann: 5.221 sec/271.45 mph (reaction 0.778)
Dave Wilson: 6.008 sec/223.63 mph (reaction 0.171)
Manty Bugeja vs Dennis Habermann - This race was a thriller and well earned win for Dennis on a holeshot reaction time beating Bugeja despite the slower ET. Only 0.0454 sec difference over the finish line. Both drivers also set new personal best s during the race, this is Drag Racing on the most thrilling level! Nobody in Europe has ever before lost a Top Methanol Dragster race running 5.27! But this time Bugeja did just that..
Bugeja: 5.278 sec/265.24 mph (reaction 0.1302)
D Habermann: 5.309 sec/268.94 mph (reaction 0.0542)
Jonny Lagg vs Chris Polidano - Traction problems for Polidano just when he needed it least, while Lagg got from point A to B in good order and showing a great reaction time. Luckily as Bugeja also lost in round #1, Polidano stays ahead in points and is the new European Champion.
Lagg: 5.573 sec/253.20 mph (reaction 0.053)
Polidano: 6.134 sec/262.67 mph (reaction: 0.105)
Chris Polidano and team Kalanc managed to stay ahead in points and are the 2014 European Champions in Top Methaol Dragster. It is his first title and second title that goes to Malta (Bugeja won the Championship in 2012).
Jonny Lagg set a new personal best ET at Santa Pod.
Timo Habermann vs Dave Wilson - Veteran Wilson had to hand the win to Timo. Simply too much of a difference when the Habermann Racing dragster blasted down the track at Europe´s quickest ever 5.221 sec (at the same time backing up a 5.256 record).
T. Habermann: 5.221 sec/271.45 mph (reaction 0.778)
Dave Wilson: 6.008 sec/223.63 mph (reaction 0.171)
Manty Bugeja vs Dennis Habermann - This race was a thriller and well earned win for Dennis on a holeshot reaction time beating Bugeja despite the slower ET. Only 0.0454 sec difference over the finish line. Both drivers also set new personal best s during the race, this is Drag Racing on the most thrilling level! Nobody in Europe has ever before lost a Top Methanol Dragster race running 5.27! But this time Bugeja did just that..
Bugeja: 5.278 sec/265.24 mph (reaction 0.1302)
D Habermann: 5.309 sec/268.94 mph (reaction 0.0542)
Jonny Lagg vs Chris Polidano - Traction problems for Polidano just when he needed it least, while Lagg got from point A to B in good order and showing a great reaction time. Luckily as Bugeja also lost in round #1, Polidano stays ahead in points and is the new European Champion.
Lagg: 5.573 sec/253.20 mph (reaction 0.053)
Polidano: 6.134 sec/262.67 mph (reaction: 0.105)
Chris Polidano and team Kalanc managed to stay ahead in points and are the 2014 European Champions in Top Methaol Dragster. It is his first title and second title that goes to Malta (Bugeja won the Championship in 2012).
