2009 FIA European Finals
Santa Pod Raceway, 10th-13th September 2009
Sunday


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22:00

Today's pictures have now been posted and can be viewed via the Event Index page. There are 115 pictures in all; if you do not see all 115 thumbnails when you load the gallery page then click on your Browser's Refresh button. Simon has also posted an additional page of pictures from the Crazy Horses book signing and will add notes to those pictures shortly. Again you can view that page via the Event Index.

19:00

2009 European Champions

FIA Top Fuel Dragster: Andy Carter
FIA Top Methanol Dragster: Timo Habermann
FIA Top Methanol Funny Car: Ulf Leanders
FIA Pro Modified: Mats Eriksson
FIA Pro Stock: Jimmy Ålund

FIM/UEM Top Fuel Bike: Ian King
FIM/UEM Supertwin: Per Bengtsson
FIM/UEM Pro Stock Bike: Ulf Ögge

18:55

Final results

FIA Top Fuel Dragster: Jon Webster 6.9816/117.16 def. Jöran Persåker 7.5920/152.07
FIA Top Methanol Dragster: Peter Schöfer 5.3606/264.21 def. Krister Johansson 5.3660/266.69
FIA Top Methanol Funny Car: Ulf Leanders 6.0396/196.30 def. Dan Larsen 6.0399/239.32
FIA Pro Modified: Mats Eriksson 6.0289/238.91 def. Micke Gullqvist 6.1415/231.42
FIA Pro Stock: Richard Sundblom 6.7337/205.33 def. Jimmy Ålund 11.1700/75.70
Fuel Funny Car: John Spuffard 5.1099/295.28 def. Thomas Nataas 5.7560/171.08 DQ

FIM/UEM Top Fuel Bike: Peter Svensson 6.0890/224.39 def. Sverre Dahl 6.3124/230.48
FIM/UEM Supertwin: Job Heezen 6.6960/207.22 def. Per Bengtsson 6.9363/155.25
FIM/UEM Pro Stock Bike: Anders Abrahamsson 7.1720/184.25 def. Ulf Ögge 7.1956/185.13

Super Pro ET: Bob Doyle (8.85) 8.8906/152.11 def. Nick Good (6.95) 7.0205/173.67
Pro ET: Mark Bailey (9.34) 9.366/146.21 def. Matt Attwood (11.71) no time
Super Comp: Norbert Schneider 8.8997/157.43 breakout def. Paul Marston 8.8851/155.22 breakout
Super Gas: Jon Morton 9.9036/143.95 def. Al O'Connor 11.9627/71.01 red light
Super Street: John Grant 10.8721/137.81 breakout def. Mark Watkins 10.8290/132.83 breakout
Junior Dragster: Rosie Hunt (7.90) 7.9935/81.96 def. Becky Evans (8.16) 8.1258/80.09 breakout
Comp Eliminator: Adele Woodbridge (10.35) 11.4104/116.79 bye, Russ Fellows no show
B&H Automotive/LA Racing Parts Street Eliminator: John Sleath 7.9428/190.50 def. Ian Hook 8.1745/170.46
Nostalgia Fuel Altered Association: Jim Usher 8.9463/92.18 bye, Bob Glassup shut off

18:20

Super Street eliminations round 3 winners:

Mark Watkins 10.8795/130.53, John Grant 10.8968/137.41

Pro ET eliminations round 4 winners:

Matt Attwood (11.71) 11.7178/111.80, Mark Bailey (9.30) 9.3769/145.26

Super Comp eliminations round 3 winners:

Paul Marston 8.9549/157.94 bye, Norbert Schneider 8.8992/157.38

18:10

Super Gas eliminations round 3 winners:

Al O'Connor 9.8988/119.31, Jon Morton 9.9282/138.24

B&H Automotive/LA Racing Parts Street Eliminator eliminations round 3 winners:

John Sleath 7.7667/191.32 bye, Ian Hook 8.1619/171.73

Junior Dragster eliminations round 3 winners:

Rosie Hunt (7.90) 7.9175/82.26, Becky Evans (8.08) 8.1708/80.08

2.62 inches in the race between Becky Evans and Joe Kellett.

Super Pro ET eliminations round 4 winners:

Bob Doyle (8.86) 8.8691/143.83, Nick Good (6.95) 6.9180/190.37

Trackside conditions are 15.3 C, 65% humidity and 29.97 inches of air, track temperature 18.4 C.

18:00

Nostalgia Fuel Altered Association final

Jim Usher 8.9463/92.18 bye, Bob Glassup shut off

Bob looked to lose drive on the way back from the burnout, Jim took the bye. 1.1482 to sixty feet in a clous of clutch dist, close to the 330 foot reflector, 4.7173/125.80 at half track and off the throttle.

17:55

FIA Pro Modified final

Mats Eriksson 6.0289/238.91 def. Micke Gullqvist 6.1415/231.42

Micke had to win this race and set Low ET to take the Championship. Micke did the best he could but Mats has not put a foot wrong this weekend. Mats away first 0.0563 to 0.0943, Micke had a better sixty 1.0114 to 1.0294 but Mats had it at half track 3.9681/188.84 to 4.0195/182.51. A Personal Best ET for Micke but Mats first to the stripe by 0.1506 and 2009 FIA European Pro Modified Champion, well done Mats!

17:53

FIA Top Fuel Dragster final

Jon Webster 6.9816/117.16 def. Jöran Persåker 7.5920/152.07

Almost a carbon copy of Jöran's semi final. Jon away first 0.1050 to 0.1351, 0.8925 to sixty feet to Jöran's 0.8999, Jon hit shake and shut off, meanwhile Jöran's tyres had gone up in smoke, he shut off then realised that Jon was not under power so he hit the throttle again, tyres up in smoke again, pedalled and hit it again and chased Jon with tyres blazing but this time missed out by 0.6405.

17:50

FIA Pro Stock final

Richard Sundblom 6.7337/205.33 def. Jimmy Ålund 11.1700/75.70

Jimmy got the jump 0.0206 to 0.0487, better sixty foot time 0.9919 to 1.0059, then the motor just stopped. 4.3446/164.10 to half track for Richard and first tot he stripe by 4.4082.

17:45

FIA Top Methanol Dragster final

Peter Schöfer 5.3606/264.21 def. Krister Johansson 5.3660/266.69

Peter away first 0.1161 to 0.1360, Peter had the much better sixty 0.9160 to 0.9595, Krister drove through shake and got very close to the centre line, 3.5236 to the eighth for Peter to 3.5728 for Krister, Peter first to the stripe by 0.0253.

17:40

FIA Top Methanol Funny Car final

Ulf Leanders 6.0396/196.30 def. Dan Larsen 6.0399/239.32

Ulf's crew wearing Dan Larsen shirts and Dan's crew wearing Leanders shirts...don't you normally swap shirts after a sporting event and not before? Ulf away first 0.1034 to 0.1656, Ulf with the much better sixty foot time 0.9444 to 1.0111, Ulf and Dan both driving through shake, Ulf to the eighth in 3.8642 and Dan in 3.9925, suddenly Ulf's motor made a grunting noise and stopped, Dan was chasing Ulf down but didn't quite make it.

17:37

Fuel Funny Car final

John Spuffard 5.1099/295.28 def. Thomas Nataas 5.7560/171.08 DQ

Thomas away first 0.1756 to 0.1827, the better sixty foot 0.9146 to 0.9173, Thomas' tyres started to shake but he stayed with it and the Batmobil started to drift to the right and he sideswiped the guardrail right on the eighth 3.4087/222.91, then got off the throttle! Spuff got to the eighth in 3.7491/237.55 and first to the stripe by 0.6390. Thomas is A-OK.

17:32

FIM/UEM Top Fuel Bike final

Peter Svensson 6.0890/224.39 def. Sverre Dahl 6.3124/230.48

Sverre got the jump 0.0583 to 0.1502, Peter had the better sixty 1.0783 to 1.0829, the bike starting to fishtail again but he hung on to it, 4.0416/194.27 at half track to 4.2221/184.97, Peter first by 0.1315.

17:30

FIM/UEM Supertwin final

Job Heezen 6.6960/207.22 def. Per Bengtsson 6.9363/155.25

Job was away first 0.1222 to 0.1838 but then Per's incrementals were better, 1.1297 to sixty to Job's 1.1486, 4.3089 to the eighth to 4.3776, Per going great guns but then he shut off, nothing visibly wrong, and Job took it by 0.3019.

17:25

FIM/UEM Pro Stock Bike final

Anders Abrahamsson 7.1720/184.25 def. Ulf Ögge 7.1956/185.13

Anders away first 0.0370 to 0.0930, Ulf had the better sixty 1.1073 to 1.1201 but Anders was pulling away by half track 4.5628 to 4.5925 and won by 0.0796.

17:20

Super Street eliminations round 2 winners:

John Grant 10.9875/131.05, Mark Watkins 10.8494/133.76 bye, Neil Grant 10.9204/133.66 bye (Bob Lees shut off)

Junior Dragster eliminations round 2 winners:

Jessica Gantenbein (8.00) 8.0557/76.56, Becky Evans (8.08) 8.1773/79.66, Matthew Seamarks (7.90) 7.9474/75.29, Joe Kellett (9.06) 9.0765/71.19 bye

Super Comp eliminations round 2 winners:

Norbert Schneider 8.8956/158.53, Eric Pellegrom 9.0165/146.18, Paul Marston 8.9224/157.95

Pro finals are up next.

17:10

Simon has posted another set of pit notes, which you can view via the Event Index page.

Super Gas eliminations round 2 winners:

Al O'Connor 9.8679/128.34, Mark White 9.9197/137.37, Jon Giles 10.0171/139.44, Jon Morton 9.9046/142.93

Pro ET eliminations round 3 winners:

Matt Attwood (11.71) 11.5780/116.11, Darren Law (9.12) 9.2220/134.48, Mark Bailey (9.30) 9.5834/143.87, Mick Howling (9.48) 9.6412/129.11

Super Pro ET eliminations round 3 winners:

John Morris (8.68) 8.6903/157.90, Norbert Schneider staged (bye), Nick Good (6.95) 6.9849/172.07, Bob Doyle (8.86) 8.8741/153.60

15.62 inches in the race between John Morris and John Atkinson.

Trackside conditions are 17.4 C, 55% humidity and 30.00 inches of air, track temperature 23.2 C.

16:40

B&H Automotive/LA Racing Parts Street Eliminator eliminations round 2 winners:

John Sleath 7.9040/192.11 bye (Dave Murdoch no show), Ian Hook 8.2459/172.39, Colin Lazenby 9.2226/173.06

19.20 inches in Colin Lazenby's win over Alex McIntosh.

16:35

Junior Dragster eliminations round 1 winners:

Charlotte Watts (9.84) 9.8847/66.04, Jessica Gantenbein (7.99) 8.0387/75.14, Matthew Seamarks (7.95) 7.9374/77.87, Becky Evans (8.20) 8.1978/76.30, Rosie Hunt (7.90) 7.9136/82.57, Anna Stanley (7.92) 8.0162/82.11, Joe Kellett (8.94) 9.0894/70.79

One quarter of an inch in the race between Charlotte Watts and Birgitte Bremnes.

Super Comp eliminations round 1 winners:

Eric Pellegrom 9.9077/141.24, Steve Wells 8.9727/136.49, Shaun Lathan 9.0923/143.43, Dave Day 8.9120/139.40, Norbert Schneider 8.9460/154.16, Paul Marston 8.9500/152.19

Comp Eliminator eliminations round 1 winners:

Russ Fellows (8.10) 12.0600/86.83 bye (John Bradshaw no show), Adele Woodbridge (10.35) 11.5739/116.22 bye

16:20

Super Pro ET eliminations round 2 winners:

Norbert Schneider (8.44) 8.5258/149.58, John Atkinson (8.79) 8.9129/132.93, Bob Doyle (8.85) 8.8716/153.60 bye, Nick Good (6.94) 6.9422/189.73 bye (Paul Marston no show), John Morris (8.68) 8.6808/156.27, John Everitt (7.85) 7.8616/173.62, Pete Walters (8.38) 8.3754/150.08

Perfect ET for John Morris in his race against Steve Johnson.

Super Street eliminations round 1 winners:

John Grant 11.0105/113.14, Neil Grant 10.8697/136.16 bye, Bob Lees 10.9041/133.37, Leigh Morris 10.8843/120.91, Mark Watkins 10.8239/134.15

Trackside conditions are 18.9 C, 54% humidity and 30.00 inches of air, track temperature is 23.0 C

16:05

Super Gas eliminations round 1 winners:

Stuart Morrice 9.9017/147.67 bye, Al O'Connor 10.0130/117.62, Dave Day 9.9236/138.63, Jon Giles 9.9864/126.51, Mark White 9.9597/136.58, Jon Morton 9.8489/144.83, Conrad Stanley 9.8553/150.54, Cas van der Moselaar 9.8450/136.99 bye (John Grant no show)

Pro ET eliminations round 2 winners:

Mick Howling (9.48) 9.5080/138.60, Matt Atwood (11.71) 11.7279/114.03, Phil Sweeney (9.70) 9.9499/107.25, Carla Pittau (9.76) 9.7877/130.90, Mark Bailey (9.30) 9.3903/144.78, Antony Wilkins (10.57) 10.5989/122.84, Darren Law (9.12) 9.1901/132.55, Pal Norman (9.98) 10.1316/124.20

15:45

Roger Goring followed Pro Mod with a 6.1922/259.04 in the Firestorm Jet FC.

B&H Automotive/LA Racing Parts Street Eliminator eliminations round 1 winners:

Dave Murdoch 8.8946/147.59 bye (Jason Weir no show), John Sleath 7.7915/192.97, Ian Hook 7.9730/173.06, Alex McIntosh 9.2106/159.08, Ron Haslett 9.0841/153.11 bye (Jeff Meads no show), Colin Lazenby staged (bye, Jerry Charles no show)

His first seven for Ian Hook, well done Fatty!

15:30

FIA Pro Modified eliminations round 3

Mats Eriksson 6.0163/239.03 def. Roger Johansson 6.1449/227.81

0.0872 RT for Mats to Roger's 0.1192, 0.9902 to sixty feet for Roger to 1.0219 for Mats, Mats got to the eighth in 3.9595 to Roger's 4.0042, Roger took the long way round and lost by 0.1606 but reset hsi own record for the quickest Nitrous Pro Mod pass in Europe, well done Roger! Mats could win the Championship on the result of the next race...

Micke Gullqvist 6.1910/229.33 def. Bruno Bader 8.4350/106.93

...and it's not over yet. 0.0888 RT for Micke to Bruno's 0.1201, 1.0083 to sixty feet to 1.0132, Bruno drove through shake and then his blower relied panel blew and that was that. 4.0497/181.25 at half track for Micke G. Micke G has to win the event and set Low ET to be Champion else Mats wins the title.

15:25

FIM/UEM Top Fuel Bike eliminations round 2

Peter Svensson 6.0718/215.13 def. Steve Woollatt 8.0711/113.35

Steve visibly got away first 0.1191 to 0.2635 but Peter was riding past him very quickly. 1.0569 to sixty feet to Steve's 1.1483, 4.0086/194.48 at the eighth to Steve's already-shutting-off 4.5013/142.81. Peter's bike was fishtailign again and he backed off just before the stripe.

Sverre Dahl 11.9254/68.38 bye, Ian King no show

1.1030 to sixty feet, tyre shake and the blower belt broke as the front end came down.

15:20

FIM/UEM Supertwin eliminations round 2

Job Heezen 6.7456/208.09 def. Samu Kemppainen 7.2884/185.00

Samu away first 0.1276 to 0.1454 but Job's incrementals were better all the way down after that.

Per Bengtsson 6.5654/208.97 def. Trond Hoiberget 7.5880/171.74

Tremendous run for Per, 1.1302 to sixty feet and 4.2973/178.12 to the eighth. 1.2282 to sixty for Trond and 4.9819/147.66 at the eighth.

15:17

FIM/UEM Pro Stock Bike eliminations round 2

Ulf Ögge 7.1653/185.07 def. Fredrik Fredlund 7.2239/183.62

-0.0543 red for Fredrik made this the 2009 European Championship winner for Ulf, well done Ulf! 1.0911 sixty and 4,5628 to the eighth.

Anders Abrahamson 7.1195/186.69 def. Dave Beck 7.0787/186.69

Huge holeshot win for Anders, 0.0446 to 0.1065 decided this one but Becky first into the 7.0s and his previous run backs up the 7.087 for a new European ET record, well done Dave!

15:15

FIA Top Methanol Dragster eliminations round 2

Peter Schöfer 5.4206/264.06 def. Timo Habermann 5.3802/260.52

Huge holeshot win for Peter. 0.0176 to 0.1072 RTs in Peter's favour. 0.9190 to sixty for Peter to a storming 0.8692 for Timo, 3.5517 to the eighth for Peter to 3.5124 for Timo, 0.0492 in it at the stripe.

Krister Johansson 5.3970/242.41 def. Dave Wilson 5.5031/267.34

Grumpy away first 0.0905 to 0.1222, 0.9419 to sixty for Krister to Grumpy's 1.0087, 3.5651/222.91 to half track for Krister to Grumpy's 3.7630/222.34. Looked like something came unstuck on Krister's car in the second half but 0.0744 at the stripe in Krister's favour.

15:05

FIA Top Methanol Funny Car eliminations round 2

Ulf Leanders 5.7318/246.85 bye

Would Ulf save parts or go for lane choice? 0.93902 to sixty feet, tiny bit of shake, 3.7601/198.81 to half track, and backed up his 5.687 in qualifying as a new European ET record. Well done Ulf!

Dan Larsen 6.0174/239.83 def. Steph Milam 7.6939/199.87

Dan away first 0.1987 to 0.9825 and Steph really had no chance after that. 0.9907 to sixty feet for Dan, 1.5532 for Steph, something pretty obviously not right with the She Devil car, Dan driving through shake, 3.9809/190.98 at the eighth and first to the stripe by 2.4603.

15:00

FIA Pro Stock eliminations round 2

Richard Sundblom 6.6961/206.12 def. Micke Callin 6.7704/203.47

Richard away first 0.0695 to 0.0870, much better sixty foot time 0.9933 to 1.0018, 4.3137 at the eighth to 4.3614 and first to the stripe by 0.0918 with another PB, well done Richard!

Jimmy Ålund 6.6707/207.07 def. Jan Palmqvist 6.8488/201.68

Jimmy away first 0.0897 to 0.0950, 0.9737 sixty foot to Jan's 1.0046, way ahead at the eighth 4.2923 to 4.4171 and a new European speed record, well done Jimmy!

14:55

FIA Top Fuel Dragster eliminations round 2

Jöran Persåker 7.8543/149.62 def. Andy Carter 8.6597/94.46

Andy away first by 0.0588 to 0.4385, 0.8853 to sixty feet for Andy to Jöran's 0.8746, shake for Jöran and he got off the throttle, shake for Andy and he too got off it. Jöran realising he might catch Andy got back on the throttle, tyres smoking all the way but got past Andy and took the win by 0.4257.

Jon Webster 4.9025/294.36 def. Micke Kågered 6.0767/148.14

Jon away first 0.1338 to 0.1611, Micke had the better sixty foot time 0.8849 to 0.9028, shake for Micke and he was off it by half track, clean run for Jon, 3.3153/250.02 at half track, dragster getting close to the centre line in the second half, Jon pulled it straight and then got off the throttle just before the stripe.

14:40

Super Pro ET eliminations round 1 winners:

John Morris (8.65) 10.5713/84.24 bye (Nigel Payne no show), Jack Brester (8.51) 8.5751/159.02, Paul Marston (8.38) 8.3407/159.59 bye (Leo van der Kuijl no show), Norbert Schneider (8.47) 8.4494/158.45, John Everitt (7.85) 8.0187/159.61, Rod Harrison (7.45) 7.5289/157.91, Steve Johnson (7.16) 7.1140/188.85 bye (Mark Bishop did not start), Dave Catton (8.35) 8.3710/159.02, John Atkinson (8.80) 8.8218/155.73 bye (Tim Mugridge no show), Bob Doyle (8.85) 8.9024/143.47 bye (Vince Gibbs no show), Dave Townsend (8.05) 8.1612/163.61 bye (Roy Wilding no show), Nick Good (6.97) 6.9691/187.30 bye (Steve Saunders no show), Peter Walters (8.30) 8.4336/155.74 bye (John Bradshaw no show)

14:10

Simon has posted a set of pit notes which you can view via the Event index page.

Pro ET eliminations round 1 winners:

Marius Blackburn (9.42) 9.6421/135.65, Antony Wilkins (10.57) 10.5732/123.84, Dave Rowlands (9.65) 9.8269/130.52, Carla Pittau (9.70) 9.7875/131.31, Martin Green (10.52) 10.7421/119.79, Phil Sweeney (9.65) 10.2855/98.74, Billy Gane (9.94) 10.1439/133.21, Carl Burton (11.05) 11.1008/119.28, Pel Norman (9.99) 10.0558/131.27, Rick Denny (10.98) 11.0073/123.38, Tig Napier (9.60) 9.7603/136.06, Matt Attwood (11.71) 11.7720/105.51, Mick Howling (9.48) 9.5007/136.92, Mark Bailey (9.40) 9.5388/129.16, Joe Williams (10.80) 10.8379/125.83, Darren Law (9.17) 9.2735/127.33

Trackside conditions are 17.9 C, 58% humidity and 30.03 inches of air, track temperature is 21.2 C.

13:55

Nostalgia Fuel Altered Association eliminations round 1

Jim Usher 7.3923/156.30 def. John Wright 7.4605/139.10
Bob Glassup 7.0082/190.50 def. Dave Grabham 7.3221/174.40

Martin Hill followed the NFAA with a 5.8328/278.02 in the Fireforce 3 Jet FC.

Trackside conditions are 19.1 C, 55% humidity and 30.03 inches of air, track temperature is 23.2 C.

13:35

FIA Pro Modified eliminations round 2

Mats Eriksson 6.0443/238.89 def. Graham Ellis 6.2381/229.07

0.0717 RT for Mats to 0.1016 for Graham, 1.0129 to sixty for Mats to Graham, Mats had the better eighth 3.9676 to 4.0985 and there first by 0.2237.

Roger Johansson 6.8973/164.25 def. Kev Slyfield 7.2512/171.07

Both racers determined to win this shake- and fishtail-fest. 0.9774 to sixty for Roger and 1.0685 for Kev, both pedalling for through shake, 4.0896 to the eighth for Roger and 4.5189 for Kev, Roger's Mustang made a hard move to the right and he got off the throttle but got ther first by 0.3596.

Micke Gullqvist 6.2028/223.41 def. Roger Moore 19.9795/38.53

Drama in this one too as Roger got way out of shape in the burnout and almost took out the Tree, ended up pointing at a 45-degree angle to the guardrail. Roger calmly backed up, but the Viper jumped up at the hit, all four wheels off I'd say, pedalled and tried again but with the same result. 1.0183 to sixty for Micke, driving through shake, 4.0603/180.97 at the eighth.

Bruno Bader 6.1182/228.94 def. urban Johansson 8.6833/105.79

Bruno away first 0.1061 to 0.1344, Urban had the better sixty foot 0.9891 to 0.9981, then Urban hit bad shake and had to shut off as the Vette made a hard move to the right. 3.9853/184.67 at the eighth for Bruno.

13:20

Fuel Funny Car eliminations round 1

John Spuffard 5.1895/285.95 def. Gordon Smith 5.2258/257.56

Spuff away first 0.3000 to 0.3607, the better sixty foot time 0.9134 to 0.9557, Gordon's FC started to move towards the centre line but he stayed with it to begin with. 3.5011/229.00 to half track for Spuff, 3.5333/236.92 for Gordon, Gordon's tyres turning in the second half and off the throttle at about 1200 feet, 0.0970 in Spuff's favour at the stripe.

Thomas Nataas 8.2508/99.03 def. Gary Page 18.9938/32.54

0.9241 to sixty for Thomas, 1.0183 for Gary and shake, he shut off and rolled to a halt just past the finish line. A pedal for Thomas, 2.4818 at 330 feet and off the throttle.

13:00

FIM/UEM Top Fuel Bike eliminations round 1

Peter Svensson 7.0383/146.23 bye, Gary Jones shut off

Gary in as an alternate for Steve Carey but his motor was smoking very badly as he went to stage so he shut off. 1.0328 to sixty for Peter, a feather of the throttle, 4.2243 at half track and then shut off.

Steve Woollatt 6.4522/214.09 def. Rikard Gustafsson 6.5810/210.89

Steve away first 0.2346 to 0.4664 although Rikard wasn't really up on the revs, 1.1422 to sixty for Steve to Rikard's 1.1812, Steve pulled away by half track 4.2356 to 4.3312 and was first to the stripe by 0.3606.

Ian King 7.6178/147.17 def. Kai Selkamäa 9.0421/182.88

Kai away first 0.2011 to 0.2315, Kai's rear slick went up in smoke and his bike turned hard right so he had to get off the throttle and get it straight. 1.1356 to sixty for Ian but then a cylinder out at half track, the bike was really struggling. Kai got back on the throttle and tried to chase Ian down but to no avail. Oil in Ian's lane in the shutdown area.

Sverre Dahl 6.2246/233.77 def. Ian Carruthers 7.7155/123.73

Sverre away first 0.2221 to 0.4747, Rush had the better sixty foot time 1.0696 to 1.1069 and the better 330 foot time 2.7898 to 2.8113, then Rush's bike threw a belt which took some bodywork with it. 4.1539/187.73 to the eighth for Sverre and the first half of a European speed record, well done Sverre!

12:30

FIM/UEM Supertwin eliminations round 1

Samu Kemppainen 9.0778/113.79 bye, Lorenz Stäuble broke

Lo's bike was misfiring very badly when it started. Shut off, started again but the same happened so Lo shut off. 1.3496 to sixty for Samu, 5.4516/127.58 at the eighth and shut off.

Job Heezen 6.6817/212.98 def. Roel Koedam 6.7981/205.17

Great race! Roel away first 0.1342 to 0.1564, Job had the better sixty foot 1.1354 to 1.1483, Job better still at the eighth 4.3923/170.95 to 4.4409/167.56, Job there first by 0.0942 with a Personal Best and a PB on this bike for Roel, well done guys!

Per Bengtsson 6.6493/204.26 def. Svein Olav Rolfstad 14.2307/55.42

Per away first 0.2085 to 0.2326, Svein Olav had the better sixty foot time 1.0944 to 1.1470, then a buge bang and flash of flame from Svein Olav's bike and what looked like an exhaust pipe came off the bike and flew across the track. Per with his old crank back in the bike and it seems to have done the trick, 4.3700/175.43 at half track and first to the stripe by 7.6055. Per is 2009 FIM/UEM European Supertwin Champion, congratulations Per!

Trond J Hoiberget 7.2637/172.39 def. Hans Olav Olstad 9.5357/99.63

Trond away first 0.1316 to 0.2053, Hans Olav's tyre up in smoke about 80 feet out, Hans Olav feathered the throttle but the bike didn't want to know and Hans Olav shut off by half track. 4.7372 to half track for Trond and first to the stripe by 2.3457.

Trackside conditions are 17.2 C, 59% humidity and 30.03 inches of air, track temperature 20.2 C.

12:20

FIM/UEM Pro Stock Bike eliminations round 1

Ulf Ögge 7.2354/182.81 def. Ray Debben 8.0253/141.14

Ray away first 0.0053 to 0.1297, Ulf past him by 330 feet and never looked back, 0.6655 at the stripe.

Fredrik Fredlund 7.3295/182.08 def. Len Paget 7.4266/175.75

Len away first 0.0541 to 0.1067 and had the better sixty foot 1.1321 to 1.1468 but Fredrik was gaining by half track and won by 0.0445.

Anders Abrahamsson 7.1637/184.35 def. Martin Bishop 7.6141/175.07

This one all Anders, 0.0558 to 0.1072 RT and 0.09 advantage on that by sixty feet.

Dave Beck 7.1230/185.82 def. Gert-Jan Laseur 7.4490/179.25 DQ

-0.1709 red for Gert-Jan. 0.0791 RT for Becky, 1.1063 to suxty, 4.5414/154.64 to the eighth and a new European ET record, well done Becky!

12:10

FIA Top Methanol Dragster eliminations round 1

Timo Habermann 5.3168/262.06 def. Rob Turner 5.6427/232.87

Timo is 2009 FIA European Top Methanol Dragster Champion by dint of appearing for this race, congratulations Timo! To celebrate, dad Werner has shaved off his moustache and if Timo runs a 5.2 then team member and Eurodragster.com fan Shaun Ward is to have all his body hair shaved off on the start line. Please no 5.2s. 0.0984 RT for Timo to Rob's 0.1065, 0.8962 to sixty for Timo to Rob's 0.9281, Timo visibly well ahead at the eighth 3.4718/215.48 to 3.6615/200.52, the stripe by 0.3340, and the quickest blown-alcohol dragster run outside the USA. Well done Timo!

Peter Schöfer 5.5538/260.49 def. Fred Hanssen 5.4326/265.75

Huge 0.1216 to 0.2632 holeshot for Peter. 0.9029 to sixty for Peter and 1.0022 for Fred, driving through shake enough to make the tyres smoke slightly, 3.6714/207.57 to the eighth for Peter to Fred's catching 3.6058/216.90. Peter first to the stripe by 0.0204 but all eyes on Fred as a bang, smoke and a huge part left the car and flew in the air before landing in the right lane, Ed at the top end reports that it was the right slick.

Krister Johansson 5.3570/262.18 def. Paul Ingar Udtian 5.5589/255.26

Paul Ingar another one to lose his moustache after his 5.4 yesterday. Paul away first 0.0844 to 0.1148, the better sixty foot time 0.9319 to 0.9615, Krister visibly picked up and shot past Paul Ingar at half track 3.5659 at a huge 221.81 to 3.6463/203.29, Krister there first by 0.1715.

Dave Wilson 5.3880/254.64 def. Esko Raisvuo 5.6358/270.37

Esko in as an alternate for Eurodragster.com sponsor Derek Flynn who unfortunately had to withdraw due to crank damage. Grumpy rolled to half track after his burnout. -0.0467 red for Esko handing it to Grumpy, 0.9763 to sixty for Grumpy and 3.5851/225.42 at the eighth, shut off a touch early. Huge speed for Esko.

11:50

FIA Top Methanol Funny Car eliminations round 1

Ulf Leanders 5.9868/248.07 def. Danny Bellio 5.8043/237.41 DQ

-0.0947 red for Danny handing it to Ulf. 0.9359 to sixty feet for Ulf, driving through shake, 3.9692/188.95 at the eighth. Eurodragster.com sponsor Ulf is 2009 FIA European Top Methanol Funny Car Champion, well done Ulf! Danny's best run of the weekend but wasted on this occasion.

Steph Milam 6.2792/233.77 bye, Leif Andréasson no show

Leif out of spares so Steph through to the semis. Languid 1.1510 sixty, 4.1899/185.06 taking the long way round so more to come there.

Dan Larsen 5.8436/242.50 def. Jarmo Kuutniemi 5.8940/245.50

Dan visibly away first 0.1523 to 0.2847, 0.9547 to sixty to Japa's 0.9364, both driving through shake, from here it looked like Dan pedalled momentarily then drove through more shake. 3.8365 to the eighth for Dan and 3.8781 for Japa, Dan there first by 0.1828.

Trackside conditions are 17.0 C, 62% humidity and 30.03 inches of air.

11:30

FIA Pro Stock eliminations round 1

Jan Palmqvist 6.8142/201.68 def. Eero Knihtilä 6.8098/203.29

0.1040 to 0.1702 holeshot won this one for Jan, 0.9998 to sixty feet for Jan to Eero's 1.0011, almost identical eighths 4.3841 for Eero to 4.3843 for Jan, Jan there first by 0.0618.

Micke Callin 6.7839/203.46 def. Michael Malmgren 6.8131/202.34

Long burndown before this one, Michael in first eventually. Micke away first 0.0808 to 0.1550, much better sixty foot for Michael 0.9755 to 0.9884, better eighth for Micke 4.3609 to 4.3704 and Micke there first by 0.1034.

Richard Sundblom 6.7374/203.34 def. Tommy Leindahl 6.9829/199.00

Another long burndown before this race, Richard in first. 0.0666 RT for Richard to Tommy's 0.1023, small shake for Tommy, 0.9989 to sixty for Richard to 1.0091, Richard well ahead at half track 4.3421 to 4.5033 and first by 0.2815.

Jimmy Ålund 6.6680/206.12 bye, Jonas Dantanus shut off

Jonas shut off before staging, long trail of fluid on the track. 0.0804 RT, 0.9767 to sixty feet and 4.2868/164.14 at the eighth.

11:15

FIA Top Fuel Dragster eliminations round 1

Jöran Persåker 9.0126/98.54 def. Anita Mäkelä no time

Anita rolled through the water and nothing happened - no throttle response, no burnout. Anita then rolled the beams as the lights ran, again no throttle response at all, just edged forward. 0.8557 to sixty for Jöran and then a pedal for shake and something came off the car - looked like plastic or bodywork. Jöran was off the throttle by about 120 feet.

Jon Webster 5.4505/221.19 def. Risto Poutiainen 8.6203/103.60

Risto away first 0.0853 to 0.1050, 0.8540 to sixty feet for Jon to Risto's 0.9199, shake for both, as Jon pedalled a piece of bodywork came off, 3.5510/218.60 at half track for Jon as Risto shut off, Jon's tyres up in smoke and then another piece of bodywork flew off the car right on the finish line.

Micke Kågered 4.9266/256.71 def. Stig Neergaard no time DQ

Stig away first 0.1182 to 0.1320, 0.8834 sixty for Stig to Micke's 0.8964. Stig hit shake at about 100 feet, as he pedalled the left rear wheel came off and Stig went on a passenger ride as his dragster spun round (not rolled), hit the left wall and then carried on flat-spinning coming to rest at about 1200 feet. Stig is quite OK. 3.2896/250.75 to half track for Micke and into the next round.

Andy Carter 5.6945/186.54 def. Linda Thun Tønseth 10.2328/74.78

Andy away first 0.1115 to 0.1953, 0.8979 to sixty to Linda's 0.8658, Linda hit shake, pedalled and gave it up, Andy hit shake and had cylinders out, pedalled, 3.5022/206.69 at half track, cylinders still out in the second half and shut off at about 800 feet. Incidentally the team's US tuning adviser Jim Brisette tells us that he will be working with Kenny Bernstein's team for the rest of the year.

Trackside conditions are 17.3 C, 60% humidity and 30.03 inches of air, track temperature 22.6 C.

10:25

FIA Pro Modified eliminations round 1

Graham Ellis 6.3180/225.50 def. Micke Lindahl 6.4106/225.77

After their burnouts both racers eventually rolled to a halt past half track! Micke away first 0.1194 to 0.2013 and had the better sixty foot time 1.0236 to 1.0463, Micke drove through shake and Graham was visibly getting ahead by half track 4.1280 to 4.2136 and Graham took it by 0.0107.

Micke Gullqvist 6.2157/223.29 def. Bert Englefield 6.6637/212.08 DQ

-0.0019 red for Bert handing it to Micke. 1.0229 to sixty for Micke, 4.0518/181.27 at the eighth.

Urban Johansson 7.2242/208.17 def. Marco Maurischat 10.2220/102.12

Some clean-up in Urban's lane after his burnout. Huge holeshot for Marco, 0.2077 to 0.5873 but the tyres up in smoke, a pedal but to no avail. 1.0258 to sixty for Urban but hit shake, the Vette moving left and right very violently but he stayed with it, 4.7467/146.17 at the eighth and the stripe by 2.6182.

Kev Slyfield 6.8732/204.41 def. Norbert Kuno 13.8302/103.74

Norbert in for Patrick Wikström who did too much damage to fix. Norbert away first 0.0574 to 0.1153 but then instant shake, one pedal and gave up, his crew turned their backs and walked away. 1.1118 to sixty for Kev, 4.4483/161.17 to the eighth and the stripe by 6.8991.

Roger Johansson 6.4330/218.25 def. Jöran Persåker 7.1987/164.83

Roger away first 0.0864 to 0.1483 and a great 0.9922 sixty to Jöran's 1.1151. The Mustang hit shake and moved left, Roger pedalled briefly and then got back on it, 4.1123 at the eighth. Smoke again from Jöran's Firebird at half track and he shut off and put the chute out. Roger first by 0.8276.

Bruno Bader 6.1182/224.50 def. Robert Koper 8.6043/109.64

Bruno away first 0.1206 to 0.1441, 0.9982 to sixty for Bruno and Robert already falling behind then at 1.1164, Bruno to the eighth 3.9845 to 4.8485, Robert was shut off by then and Bruno took it by 2.5096.

Roger Moore 6.9668/203.47 def. Andy Robinson 9.0048/99.41

Shock of the weekend as the Championship leader goes out in round one. 0.1574 RT for Andy, 0.4417 for Roger, it should have been all over at that point, 1.0157 to sixty for Andy, driving through shake but then his motor just stopped at about 400 feet. 4.5479 to the eighth for Roger and first by 1.7537.

Mats Eriksson 6.9402/160.17 def. Henri Joosten 12.9117/65.22 DQ

-0.2745 red for Henri. 0.0818 Rt for Mats, 1.0186 to sixty feet, shake making the Crown Victira move to the left, Mats pedalled, 4.1655 to the eighth and then off the throttle at about 800 feet - maybe he saw the win light.

Trackside conditions are 16.8 C, 67% humidity and 30.03 inches of air, track temperature 18.6 C

09:25

Looks like we are going with the original plan, presentation to #1 qualifiers at 9:30 and first round of Pro Mod at 9:45. As we did at Hockenheim we are going to try to post the result of each Pro race after it happens, rather than the whole class when it ends, but in Germany we found that it put us right on the limit of what we could do in the time available so if it doesn't work out then you'll have to forgive us.

07:30

Good morning and welcome from Santa Pod Raceway for our coverage of the FIA European Finals brought to you in association with American Car Imports.

The Webster Race Engineering/Lex Joon Racing USA Tour 2009 webcam is on-line and is scheduled to post a picture every sixty seconds.

Overcast start here today but I can see gaps in the cloud all around and more will burn off once the sun comes up a bit further. Right now trackside conditions are 10.0 C, 94% humidity and 30.03 inches of air.

A big Hello to Kathy Hileman who is tuned in from Rye, NH. We're looking after Ed, Kathy, and believe me he is not crying like a girl.

The running order may be changed this morning as we need to run the first rounds of Pro ET and Super Pro ET which should have run last evening. As soon as we get details you'll know. Pro eliminations are due to commence at 9:45 with Pro Mod, after the #1 qualifiers presentation at 9:30.

Stay tuned and as soon as the racing starts we'll be right here.


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