During the 2009 European Finals the top 5 qualifiers performed within a range of 0.054 sec from each other.

I think that tells something about the class. I have often been amazed by the fast show the methanol dragster teams can put on at any track and seemingly more  independent of the track conditions than the other FIA classes. 

The teams seem to be on top of things to a high extent and know how to adjust. And the team most on top this season seems to be the Habermann´s from Germany. With brothers Timo and Dennis having run against each other in two finals with one win each, it is no suprise they are also in the top of the championship rankings entering the European Finals.

And I gather that is the way they intend to keep it. And to some extent it is in there own hands, as Timo Habermann´s lead to no. 3 ranked Fred Hanssen is 75 points. Comfortable if nothing very unexpected happens. But to brother Dennis the difference is less than 2 rounds, which in theory means Dennis can catch up. Having interviewed Timo on a few occasions this season I know he would be happy for any success his brother has, and I guess it goes the other way round as well, so at this point it looks like a story with good potential for a happy ending.

Striking from behind is Peter Schöfer currently ranked no 4 in the championship, but with a good chance to advance into top 3.

I took a brief look back in time (thanks Eurodragster.com) to when the European Final 2009 was on;

That time low qualifier Timo Habermann (5.331/262.65 mph) placed Dave Wilson behind him with a small margin (Wilson 2nd qualifier with 5.356 sec). Johansson followed at 5.368 sec.



Fred Hanssen lead by crew chief and tuner Will Hanna set the standard during the previous championship round at  Hockenheim. Hanssen low qualifier with 5.381 sec, followed by Timo Habermann 5.393 and Peter Schöfer 5.465 sec. Hanssen also won the semi-final run at 5.375 sec over Krister Johansson (5.453 sec) before rain put a halt to the event.

Hanssen is a strong contender with potential to win events. At Santa Pod in May he also qualified quickest of the field but was taken out in the semi-finals by Timo Habermann when hitting tire shake. A Hanssen without tires shake can definately make it all the way to victory at the European Finals.

Last year´s European Finals winner was Peter Schöfer after an incredibly tight final, where Peter beat normally "cobra quick" Krister Johansson on the tree and both ran 5.36 sec with just 0.0253 difference over the finish line. What a dream end it would be to have a final like that to the 2010 European Final as well!

Team Johansson seems to be in good shape, but somewhat short of spare parts. So don´t be surprised to see Krister Johansson stay in the pits on purpose for a qualification run. And don´t make the mistake to count the stubborn Johansson out any day soon. The team have been developing their own solutions for a long period and some may have been in disbelief for some years to whether it would lead somewhere.. but that all seems to be in the past now, they are in the game more than ever and Johansson can win runs and events, no doubt.



2009 champion Dave Wilson will not be able to repeat the championship win, but is also a finals candidate at any event. Wilson also holds the European ET and speed records for the others to chase. 5.301 sec/433.43 km (269.31 mph) -
those are the figures to remember.

The question is just if it will be Dave Wilson himself or somebody else who gets in the 5.20´s first. When Timo Habermann ran 5.316 during the 2009 European Finals he showed clear record potential.

So that first run in the 5.20´s.. who can do it and will it be at the European finals 2010?   

Don´t miss to check what some of the UEM riders and FIA drivers have to say before the last event of the season in the articles "Talking with racers"

Also prepare for the European Finals at Santa Pod by checking the championship points standings for the current ranking and the entry list (see separate links)



If not on site you can always follow the event coverage at Eurodragster.com Live reporting of what goes on at the track, webcam on site,  (changing view every minute), read the pit notes and check the extensive  photo gallery as the event is on its way. Excitement guaranteed!