Drag Racing

Two Scandinavian races enrich the Dragbike European Championship Last weekend FIM Europe Acting President has visited the Dragbike European Championship in Santa Pod (UK). The first purpose was to enjoy the exiting races in a combined event for cars and motorbikes. The second part was the important meeting at the end of the race day. The organizers of Hockenheim (Germany), Tierp (Sweden) and Kauhave (Finland) discussed the future of the European Championship Dragbike with Keith Bartlett, CEO of Trakbak, and the representatives of FIM Europe, Martin de Graaff and commission member Job Heezen. Positive news for the current season, as the calendar has been expended with two events: the Scandinavian races in Tierp on 8th-9th June and in Kauhava on 6th-7th July. As soon as possible the promoter will present the provisional calendar of 2020. Acting President Martin de Graaff appreciates this agreement, which was the wish of many riders

Santa Pod Racers Club along with Santa Pod managed, as usual, to organize a European Championship final in a brilliant way. Despite the bad weather conditions, the race could be done, ahead around 25-30.000 spectators. First ever winner in Junior Dragbike FIM European Cup was a girl racing for England but living in the Netherlands: Maggie Talbot (photo1). Maurice Bertrand (photo3) become the first French winner in Pro Stock Bike. The event was attended by FIM Europe 1st Deputy President Martin de Graaff. «The Drag Racing Final in Santa Pod was well organised and it was a very successful event, with a lot of spectators in both days. The track had been improved, so the times were faster than ever. In spite of the rain of Saturday morning, thanks to an efficient track maintenance the complete program was accomplished and the event finished at 7.30 in the evening», stated Martin de Graaff,

The European acceleration elites got together for the 33rd NitrOlympX at the Hockenheimring, in Germany, from 17 to 19 August. The “Ring” was transformed into a straightaway and became a runway for the fastest motorsport in the world: drag racing. The 2nd round of the European Dragracing Championship and the 3rd round of the European Super Street Bike Championship and Junior Drag Bike Cup were held. Top Fuel Bike - The winner was Greek Filippos Papafilippou (photo 1). Second position for Eric Richard (FRA) Super Twin Bike - The winner was Marcus Christiansen (DEN, photo 2) and second was Takeshi Shigematsu (JPN) Marcus run a new ET record 6.408. Pro Stock Bike - The winner was Alex Hope (GBR) second was Karl-Heinz Weikum (GER). Super Street Bike - The winner was Graham Balchin (GBR, photo 3) and second was Rick Stubbins (GBR). Junior Drag Bike Cup - The winner was Lorens

This year the 32nd edition of the Nitrolympx was held at the famous Hockenheim Circuit in Germany. On Friday only one qualification round was held - the second round was cancelled due to rain. On Saturday two qualification rounds were held in very warm weather. In Sunday elimination was performed, in sunny, cloudy weather. Top Fuel Bike, Rikard Gustafsson (SWE, photo 1) was nr. 1 qualifier, winner of the race and author of a new speed record 387,41 km/h. Second was Richard Leeks (GBR) ahead of Rene van der Berg (NED). Super Twin Bike: The winner was Martin de Haas (NED, photo2) ahead of Marcus Christiansen (DEN) who was also nr. 1 qualifier. Third position for Roman Sixta (CZE) Pro Stock Bike: There were 16 qualified riders who were competing for a 16-bike field. Fredrik Fredlund (FIN, photo3) was nr. 1 qualifier, winner of the race and also he made

The third round of the European Championship was held at Hockenheim Ring in Germany. The race was well attended by approximately 70 0000 spectators who saw a good race in excellent weather. Four classes were represented: Top Fuel Bike (4 Riders), Super Twin Bike (6 Riders) and Pro Stock Bike (9 Riders). The winners of each class were: Top Fuel Bike Ian King UK Super Twin Bike Samu Kemppainen FIN Pro Stock Bike Fredrik Fredlund FIN The Superstreet Bike European Cup was also held with 33 racers attending to the race with the winner was:Bradley O´Conner UK. Next and final round is scheduled from the 4th to the 7th of September in Santa Pod (UK).    Download here FIM Europe Press Release 134/2014      

The second round of the European Drag Bike Championship was held at Alastaro, Finland. The race was well attended by spectators who saw a good race in excellent weather. Three classes were represented: Top Fuel Bike (5 Riders), Super Twin Bike (11 Riders) and Pro Stock Bike (6 Riders). The winners of each class were: Top Fuel Bike Ian King UK Super Twin Bike Christian Jager GER Pro Stock Bike Fredrik Fredlund FIN    Download here FIM Europe Press Release 109/2014  

For the first race of the Dragbike European Championship (classes Top Fuel Bike, Super Twin Bike and Pro Stock Bike) this year we saw some good racing from all the participants. Unfortunately it was raining all Saturday, but Sunday the Organizer changed the schedule and gave the Riders 3 passes which was perfect. Monday morning started out with rain, and the race was called rain out at 16,16. No winner since there was no eliminations. The second round of the Super Street Bike European Cup was also held together with the European Championship. Next round of the European Championship is scheduled (to be confirmed) from the 3rd to the 6th of July in Alastaro (Finland). The SSB European Cup is planned from the 8th to the 10th of August in Hockenheim (Germany).    Download here FIM Europe Press Release 065/2014    

Friday and Saturday there were 2 good qualifications round each day, but with some track cleaning. The race started better than the forecast had pronounced, but unfortunately the rain came in at 12 o'clock just when the SSB class have their 1st round of the eliminations. There was no winner in this race, but UK rider G. Balchin made 40 points, which include a new European ET record in 7.1933 sec. So that made him the leader of the FIM Europe SSB Cup, after first round. Next round is scheduled from the 23rd to the 26th of May in Santa Pod (Great Britain).    Download here FIM Europe Press Release 034/2014    

The last round of the Dragbike European Super Street Bike (SSB) Cup was held this weekend in Santa Pod (Great Britain). We salute 18 year old Elvira Karlsson for being the first Pro Stock Bike racer outside North America for her less than 7 second run with her 6,998. This year’s championship as usual had the finals at Santa Pod Raceway in England. Unusual was that none of the classes had a champion before the race so the championship was still open and there was a battle for the points. 2013 European Champions were: • Super Street Bike: Garry Bowe (UK, Suzuki) • Pro Stock Bike: Fredrik Fredlund (FIN, Suzuki) for the second year in a row. • Super Twin Bike: Ronny Aasen (NOR, Zodiac) • Top Fuel Bike: Ian King (UK, Puma) for the second year in a row.   (FIM Europe Press Release 141/2013)

The third round of the Dragbike European Super Street Bike (SSB) Cup was held this weekend in Kundamara (Hungary). The race was well organized by the S-Riders Kft. Hungary. The Winner of the Race was Danish Mogens Lund and runner up was British Garry Bowe. Last and 4th round of the SSB Cup is going to take place at Santa Pod Race Way in England, the 8th of September.   (FIM Europe Press Release 126/2013)