Colin Millar claimed victory by defeating reigning European champion Susanne Callin in the Top Fuel final at the Summit Racing Equipment Internationals at Tierp Arena, round two of this year’s FIA European Drag Racing Championship season.
MILLAR TAKES MAIDEN VICTORY
In the top class, the final was contested between top qualifier Millar of Scotland and reigning champion, as well as winner of the opening round held at Santa Pod, Sweden’s Susanne Callin. Both made good starts, but when Callin lost traction, the victory went Millar’s way. The RF Motorsport driver secured his first victory in Top Fuel in his debut season in the category with a 4.55-second run.
RANTANIEMI TRIUMHS IN PRO MODIFIED
In the opening round of Pro Modified eliminations, the top eight qualifiers all defeated the drivers ranked ninth to sixteenth, meaning title contenders David Vegter and Mats Eriksson were already out of contention after disappointing qualifying performances.
In the quarter-finals, number one qualifier Jere Rantaniemi continued his strong form by defeating Jens Lönngren. In the semi-finals, the reigning FIA European champion overcame Stian Rusånes, who had eliminated multiple champion Michael Gullquist in the previous round.
On the other side of the knock-out ladder, number two qualifier Michel Tooren advanced to the semi-finals after defeating Fredrik Fagerström. There, the Pro Dutch Racing driver faced Andres Arnover, winner of the opening round at Santa Pod, who had defeated Benny Strand in his quarter-final. Tooren recorded the quicker elapsed time with a 5.846-second run, but Arnover’s superior reaction time proved decisive as the Estonian crossed the finish line first to advance to the final.
In a closely contested final, Rantaniemi stormed to victory with a 5.80-second pass. Arnover also produced an impressive 5.83-second run, but it was not enough to deny the Finnish driver.
BRYNTESSON CAPITALISES TO TOP TOP METHANOL
In Top Methanol, there was a major upset in the opening elimination round as number two qualifier and reigning FIA champion Sandro Bellio lost traction, handing victory to seventh qualifier and rookie Isak Lagg. In the semi-finals, Lagg was defeated by Santa Pod winner Timo Habermann, who had overcome Isak’s father, Jonny Lagg, in the first round. On the other side of the ladder, number one qualifier Tony Bryntesson advanced to the final after defeating Jonas Staflund in the opening round. In the semi-finals, Tina Høst Nedregård, who had defeated Silvio Strauch in the first round, recorded a red-light start, handing victory to Bryntesson.
As Habermann suffered severe engine damage in the semi-finals, Bryntesson received a bye run in the final, automatically securing victory.
EKENGREN SPRINGS A PRO STOCK SURPRISE
In Pro Stock, the top four qualifiers all advanced to the semi-finals. There was a major surprise when top qualifier Jimmy Ålund first had a slow getaway from the line and then lost traction shortly before the finish line, handing victory to Simon Ekengren. In the other semi-final, reigning champion Robin Norén recorded an impressive 6.67-second run to defeat Finland’s Richard Sundblom.
The all-Swedish final produced another surprise as Norén encountered traction problems, letting Ekengren to claim victory with a superb 6.67-second pass.
The FIA EDRC is set to continue in two weeks’ time with the NitrOlympX at the HockenheimRing in Germany, with the final round of the four-event season scheduled for the second weekend of September at UK’s Santa Pod Raceway.