The FIA European Finals. 8th – 11th September 2022
It’s easy to say that Santa Pod’s most prestigious drag racing event, The European Finals was a bag of mixed emotions. On Thursday, long time Drag Racer on both bikes and cars, Jon Morton, died of a heart attack. Just like so many other people, I had the pleasure to speak to Jon many times over the years and always found him to be a happy guy who was always ready to help others. The sport has lost one of its really good guys and my condolences goes out to his family and friends.
We also lost Her Majesty the Queen and even though we all knew it was coming I think many of us, Royal fans or not, we were all saddened by her loss
The meeting was also constantly hampered by bad weather and as always a special mention has to go out to the SPRC who worked tirelessly over the weekend to keep the track running. They even managed to get the meeting completed late on Sunday evening.
If you would like one of these images you could support me and purchase one for a small fee. These events are expensive for me to attend and every little amount back would help.
On a positive note, the meeting had some really amazing performances and none were more extraordinary than the French rocket man Eric Taboul. Eric made it clear that we all knew that this was his last ever meeting and that he really wanted to go out with that 4 second timing slip.
On Saturday he came out and ran an amazing 5.0681@263.52 mph pass. Eric later joked to Darryl Bradford that he ran out of fuel on the run. One of the biggest issues with this machine is putting the right amount of fuel into it. Too much and the bike just doesn’t stop, because it has no parachute.
On Sunday the expectations were high and Eric didn’t disappoint. He ran 4.9766@290.51, absolutely mind blowing. I’ve been a long time fan of Eric and I made a point of savouring every run he made, as I knew that we were witnessing something special and also that these were genuine times and speeds.
I did plan to film this run in the build up to the event, but I ended up doing a pretty crap job of it – but here it is anyway.
Crowd favourite Fredrik Fagerström made the long journey in his awesome Pro Mod Pick-Up truck. Freddy wasn’t content with just doing massive burnouts and I heard he had Micke Gullqvist on the spanners.
FF made it all the way the to the semi-finals, but sadly Freddy’s team could not start the car, so was out. His team quite incredibly did manage to bump start the car so he could do a time trial, but the engine sounded rough, so Freddy’s event was done
More orange cars and the one I was hoping to see after it’s design changed at Hockeheim was Marck Harteveld
Andy Robinson made it to Round 2 of eliminations but lost out to Bobby Wallace.
Luke Robinson must be one of most knowledgeable young guys on the European drag racing scene
Stefani Kate Fisher looking as cool and smart as ever
Despite running a 5.8576 in round two, David Vegter went out to Fast Freddy
Walter Strobel from Haigerloch Germany in his older style Camaro
Kev Slyfield has called it day for his Pro Mod racing days. Thanks Kevin for all the entertainment
Kevin Kent had a proper go at the night show, which was very much appreciated. The team then worked until 4 am to get the car ready for the next morning, as the Funny Car Cup qualifying session 2 had to be re-run..
This gave us a very early morning warm-up and a qualifying run that was reminiscent of the old Roy Phelp’s days, when fuel cars could appear at anytime of the day
Steve Ashdown took the funny car cup crown, but suffered a big fire in the semi finals. Hopefully Steve will be back next season
The Gladiator team took the event win, although performance wise I’m sure they will expect more next seaon.
Owners Mark and Jackie Hawkins (below)
Owners Mark and Jackie Hawkins (Above)
Partik Perrs finally got to bring his funny car to the UK and showed great promise running the car in the mid 4 second zone.
Tim Garlick has been the top dog in the NFC class for quite a while, although the others are slowly closing the gap. We had 5 nostalgia funny cars at this event.
Paul Harris did really well in the Chi-Town Hustler tribute car and run as quick as 6.47 from memory.
Paul and Wendy Baker’s wonderful Mustang II was back in Competition. It’s fair to say that things didn’t quite start that well, but the team ironed out some bugs and things are looking good going forward
Team Venom always give 100%, look very professional and put on a good show.
Happiness is filling your nostalgia nitro funny car with the wife. Lisa and Andy Raw
Top Fuel Dragster was a 3-car affair. Sadly that’s a sign of the times and something we have to live with. Susanne Callin came out on top (3.88@309.20mph beating Antti Horto 4.1448@ 277.64mph) in the final. I don’t think anyone can be unhappy with that result, after all the troubles and bad luck the team have had this season
I think this image sums up Ida’s event
US Tuner Jimmy Walsh (above) and Euro legend Rune Fjeld (below)
The top methanol class had 6 great entries. Including the very professional looking A-Fuel team from Sweden.
In the end it was Sandro Bellio who took the honours, beating Jonny Lagg with a 5.514@262.52 to Jonny’s 5.678@253.26mph
Michel Malgram retired after 30 years of drag racing
In Super Street bike,Daniel Donat Lences took the championship, running the fastest and quickest side by side racers ever in the class alongside Steve Venables.
The event win was taken by Alan Morrison Jnr, who defeated Jake Mechaell
Sportsman and general event images
