Once again The Main Event had everything a drag race fan could ask for – a perfect comeback and record speed for Swiss hero Urs Erbacher, two finals won on holeshots, drivers who saved their best run of the weekend for the moment they needed it most and, of course, Melanie Troxel, the American fan favourite who showed all her driving skills and put a 5.93-second ET on the scoreboard. But the (Rock)star of the show was Johan Lindberg. In eliminations the “New Generation” driver from Sweden never ran slower than 6.04 seconds to win his first FIA European Championship race in perfect style.

Eurodragster is the source of direct information on site from the races. Round to round comments and timing results, completed with pit notes and photo galleries at the end of the day.

The 1st FIA Car & 2nd UEM Bike Championship round was hosted by Santa Pod Raceway. Read what the 3 bike and 5 car winners have to say about their weekend.

Santa Pod Raceway is Europe’s most famous dragstrip and hosts the first and last rounds of the FIA European Championship. For drag race fans in Europe and America, the UK track needs little introduction.

Once again The Main Event had everything a drag race fan could ask for – a perfect comeback and record speed for Swiss hero Urs Erbacher, two finals won on holeshots, drivers who saved their best run of the weekend for the moment they needed it most and, of course, Melanie Troxel, the American fan favourite who showed all her driving skills and put a 5.93-second ET on the scoreboard. But the (Rock)star of the show was Johan Lindberg. In eliminations the “New Generation” driver from Sweden never ran slower than 6.04 seconds to win his first FIA European Championship race in perfect style.

Exactly one year after the moment he wanted to quit dragracing, Arvid Grødem debuted his new Ford Mustang Top Methanol Funny Car. The Norwegian bought the car from Jeff Burnett and the former owner was at Santa Pod for more than one reason. Not only to see his car run and to support Arvid, but also as the owner of Speedgroup contingency sponsor JBR.

You don’t have to be a car mechanic to join a drag race team. Take Eric van Beelen, crew member on Henri Joosten’s Pro Modified Chevrolet Bel Air. Eric took a doctoral degree in analytical chemistry at the Amsterdam University and is a research scientist with Merck Sharp & Dohme, a world-leading pharmaceutical company.

One FIA European record was set at The Main Event. In Top Fuel qualifying, Swiss driver Urs Erbacher clocked 319.31mph/513.88kph, far above his own existing European record of 312.22mph/502.47kph which he had set at the European Finals 2006.

With the presence of Melanie Troxel and the R2B2 Racing Camaro, The Main Event even made headlines in the American drag race media. The NHRA superstar impressed with her driving and by the way she dealt with the fans. The team did a fine job tuning the Camaro in only its fourth run to an impressive 5.93 seconds, by far the quickest Pro Mod run ever achieved in Europe. “We felt very welcome and had a great time. I hope to be back later this season,” said Melanie after the race.

Noonan Race Engineering (NRE) was established in 2007 by Jamie Noonan, Andrew Collins and John Noonan. The business originally commenced in 2006 under the name Noonan Racing Engines as a side-project for Jamie, who built race-spec Drag & Circuit engines outside of his full time position as head of R & D in a V8 Supercar team in Australia.

Join the action and become member of Speedgroup Club Europe. As a fan of the fastest motor sport on earth you can be part of the FIA European Drag Racing Championship and UEM European Drag Bike Championship. Speedgroup Club Europe members will enjoy exclusive members-only benefits like the Speedgroup Club Europe newsletter... For only € 35,00 a year you can be a member of the Speedgroup Club Europe. Join now!

Inspired by the great success at last year’s Veidec Festival, contingency sponsor Racepak organised a seminar after Friday’s Main Event qualifying at Santa Pod Raceway. Racepak’s Tim Anderson gave information about new products, how to reduce the chance of interference and useful tips for the easiest way to use Racepak equipment. There was also time to answer individual questions.

Johan Lindberg was the (Rock)star of the Main Event. With their new Pontiac Firebird, the Swedish Lindberg Brothers’ “New Generation” team took everybody by surprise with their speed and consistency. To run a 6.01 in qualifying and 6.04’s and 6.01’s on four elimination passes, each with a speed of 236 mph, is a feat that can be summed up in one word: impressive!

An interview with Micke Gullqvist on his fantastic achievement winning the NHRA event in Atlanta on May 16th. He became the first European ever in NHRA’s history to take a win in a national event.