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21:00

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

Because we have a Banquet to attend we will post today's gallery in the morning together with a bonus gallery of Christer's off-track shots.

19:45

We have been called, it is still raining and the track won't be dried before the 9:00 curfew. Congratulations to the 2008 European Champions, subject to ratification:

• FIA Top Fuel Dragster: Andy Carter
• FIA Top Methanol Dragster: Peter Schöfer
• FIA Top Methanol Funny Car: Ulf Leanders
• FIA Pro Modified: Micke Lindahl
• FIA Pro Stock: Jimmy Ålund
  
  
• FIM/UEM Top Fuel Bike: Ian King
• FIM/UEM Supertwin: Svein Olav Rolfstad
• FIM/UEM Pro Stock Bike: Fredrik Fredlund

Because we are headed for the post-race Banquet and things are stacking up we may well post a caption-free gallery tonight and add captions in the morning, or we may go for a captioned gallery tomorrow. Simon is currently working on another tranche of pit notes, stay tuned.

19:30

FIA Top Methanol Funny Car eliminations round 2:

Leif Andréasson 5.7940/248.01 def. Dan Larsen 5.9965/239.82

This one was all Leif. The better RT 0.1363 to Dan's 0.1471, 0.9617 to sixty feet to 1.0187, 3.8004/195.38 to half track to Dan's 3.9847/191.02 and ahead at the stripe by 0.2133. The Stratus was doing its characteristic bounces up and down up to half track but Leif had it covered.

Danny Bellio 5.8519/245.01 bye, Jarmo Kuutniemi did not start

Jarmo's FC had no oil pressure. Danny took the bye; 0.9715 to sixty feet, 3.8493/194.44 to half track and a new Personal Best, well done Danny!

We're on hold for sprinkles of rain at the top end. Stay tuned.

19:20

FIA Pro Modified eliminations round 2:

Roger Johansson 7.1366/182.00 def. Bruno Bader broke

Bruno's Vette stopped dead off the line, I am guessing throttle cable. Roger got to sixty feet in 1.0336, half track in 4.4766/153.98, the Mustang made some serious moves in the second half of the track and Roger shut off early.

Urban Johansson 6.1749/232.31 def. Norbert Kuno 10.5286/72.96

Urban away first 0.0103 to Norbert's 0.1744, the better sixty foot time 1.0192 to 1.0412, Norbert hit shake and the headers on the left side grounded in a shower of sparks as he corrected, 4.0379/182.46 for Urban at half track.

Robert Joosten 6.2636/226.63 def. Danny Cockerill 6.5533/201.59

Danny has really been pulling the RTs, 0.0793 to Robert's 0.0812, Robert had the much better sixty foot time 0.9879 to 1.0872. Both driving through shake and holding on as their cars moved around, Robert to half track in 4.0701/174.70 to Danny's 4.3069/176.29 then a cloud of smoke and a flash of flame from Danny's Chevy and that's all she wrote, 0.2878 at the stripe. Nothing on the track and Danny quite OK.

Micke Gullquist 6.1668/226.59 def. Patrick Wikström 6.4875/220.30

0.1240 RT for Patrick to Micke's 0.1338, Micke's sixty foot time much better 0.9923 to 1.0892, both driving through shake, Micke way ahead by half track 4.0040 to Patrick's 4.2441 and first to the stripe by 0.3109.

Trackside conditions are 14.9 C, 91% humidity and 29.41 inches of air, track temperature is 13.3 C.

19:05

Fuel Funny Car eliminations round 1:

Leif Helander 5.5664/269.69 def. Gordon Smith DQ crossed centre line

Leif almost ran over a crew member when he stomped the throttle on the way back from the burnout, luckily the guy jumped out of the way in time. 0.9880 to sixty feet for Leif, 1.0642 for Gordon, 3.7651/213.55 at half track. Meanwhile the Shockwave FC turned hard right and crossed lanes, Gordon pulled it left and missed the wall, but then the FC shot back across the track and hit the guardrail front left. Gordon got himself out of the car and is A-OK.

Thomas Nataas 13.7469/65.60 bye, Gary Page no time

The Mongoose FC put out a lot of unbunred fuel during the burnout, down on the start line crew member Sparky shook his head as the car sat at half track, no reverse and so Gary drove up the track so that Thomas could put in his run. 0.9478 to sixty feet and idling through.

18:45

Martin Hill followed Top Fuel Dragster with a superb 6.1550/253.09 from the Fireforce 3 Jet FC.

FIA Pro Stock eliminations round 2:

Jimmy Ålund 6.8070/203.10 def. Magnus Hansson 6.8925/200.63

Magnus hands the race to Jimmy on a plate with a -0.1695 red light. 0.9877 to sixty feet for Jimmy, 4.3685/159.58 at half track. 1.0101 to sixty feet for Magnus and 4.4309/159.01 at half track but all wasted.

Richard Sundlbom 6.8088/203.32 def. Michael Malmgren 6.8410/200.50

Another burndown, then Michael in first. Richard away first 0.0802 to 0.1087, Richard to sixty feet in 0.9928 to Michael's 0.9961. 4,3710 at half track for Richard to Michael's 4.3876 and Richard there first by 0.0607.

18:25

FIA Top Fuel Dragster eliminations round 2:

Andy Carter 5.0571/237.69 def. Tommi Haapanen 17.8049/67.92

Tommi's car crept off the line, almost as if the burnout clip was left on the injector although obviously I don't know that for sure. 0.8535 to sixty feet for Andy, one chute came out at 300 feet, 3.2686/231.36 at half track and the chute dragging the speed down in the second half.

Lex Joon 4.9173/293.12 def. Micke Kågered 7.8915/97.01

The winner of this race goes up against Andy Carter in a head-to-head for the 2008 Championship. Micke away first 0.0870 to 0.1380, Lex had the better sixty foot time 0.8702 to 0.9081, Micke hit shake and pedalled and looked to have cylinders out but then got off the throttle. 3.2932/247.90 at half track for Lex and 2.9232 in it at the stripe. Smoke from Lex's motor in the shutdown area but no word of anything untoward on the track.

18:15

FIM/UEM Pro Stock Bike eliminations round 1:

Ulf Ögge 7.4930/181.36 def. Ray Debben 7.9613/162.94

A bouncy ride for Ulf for the first 100 feet or so but a comfortable win although ray had the quicker sixty foot time 1.1690 to 1.1839, 4.8341 to 5.0144 in Ulf's favour by half track.

Philippe Runget 7.7234/163.58 def. Richard Gipp 7.8012/166.61

Richard away first 0.0943 to 0.0973, Philippe had the much better sixty foot time 1.1875 to 1.2071, 4.8679 at half track to Richard's 4.9400 and 0.0748 in it at the stripe.

Len Paget 7.4389/175,64 def. Antonis Zafiradis 8.1888/163.04

Len away first 0.0943 to 0.1236 and to sixty feet in 1.1134 to 1.3716, well ahead at half track 4.6967/146.57 to 5.2899/137.24 and 0.7792 in it at the stripe.

Mixalis Tsoutsidis 7.8319/166.62 def. Fredrik Fredlund no time

Fredrik's bike stopped off the line so an easy win for Mixalis. 1.2060 to sixty feet and 4.9648/141.99 at half track.

18:00

FIM/UEM Top Fuel Bike eliminations round 1:

Sverre Dahl 6.1415/230.07 def. Dave Bailey 7.4011/173.00

A tremendous pass from Sverre to back up his 231.11 in qualifying for a new European speed record, well done Sverre! 1.0876 to sixty feet, 4.0506/187.85 at half track. A nice pass from dave, 1.1448 to sixty feet and 4.6615/149.02 at half track but no match for Sverre.

Chris Hall 7.0391/186.47 def. Kai Selkämaa 7.1828/198.93

Kai away first 0.2145 to 0.2216, the much better sixty foot time 1.0390 to 1.1509, off and on the throttle just before half track and Chris took the advantage 4.4965 to 4.6426, another feather of the throttle for Kai in the second half and Chris got there first by 0.1366.

Neil Midgley no time def. Peter Svensson no time DQ crossed centre line

Peter had to win this race for any chance at the Championship. Midgo away first 0.1375 to 0.1968, 1.0038 to sixty feet for Peter for Midgo's 1.1452, but then Peter's bike headed for the centre line and crossed lanes in front of Midgo. Midgo clearly saw Peter and stayed out of his way, and Midgo is in to the next round. Ian King is 2008 FIM/UEM European Top Fuel Bike Champion before his first round race, well done Ian!

Ian King 6.201/169.67 def. Rene van den Berg 10.2416/76.27

Rene in as an alternate for Steve Woollatt. Rene visibly away first 0.1692 to 0.2177, Ian had the better sixty foot time 1.0634 to 1.1191 and was way ahead at half track, 4.0720/185.53 to Rene's shut off 5.1231/104.51, I think I heard Rene's blower burst plate let go at about 330 feet. Ian had a cylinder out in the second half hence the low speed.

17:45

FIM/UEM Supertwin eliminations round 1:

Svein Olav Rolfstad 6.9685/190.60 bye

Svein gets the first round bye for #1 spot. 1.1380 to sixty feet and 4.5067/162.46 at half track.

Hans Olav Olstad 7.0547/195.42 bye, Ian Turburville no show

Turbo broken so the bye for Hans Olav. 1.1781 to sixty feet and 4.6090/157.41 at half track, Svein Olav has lane choice in the next round.

Lorenz Stäuble 6.8574/206.00 def. Job Heezen 10.9445/60.12

Lo away first 0.1132 to 0.1463, Job had the better sixty foot time 1.1463 to 1.2015, cylinders out then a bang and flash of flame for Job just before half track (5.0597/101.23). Lo making no mistake, 4.5353/171.52 at half track and first to the stripe by 4.1202. Job is quite OK.

Tommy Möller no time red light def. Per Bengtsson 7.4634/127.64 DQ

Per had to win this race to have any chance of taking the Championship from Svein Olav and even then it's an event win, ET and speed record scenario. Tommy was away first but too soon with a 0.2280 red light, he got to sixty feet in 1.3021 seconds and then shut off, probably just as well since he was well behind when Per crossed lanes right on the finish line and took out the timing reflectors after getting to helf track in 4.5076/167.13. Svein Olav Rolfstad is 2008 FIM/UEM Supertwin Champion, well done Svein Olav!

Trackside conditions are 17.9 C, 77% humidity and 29.38 inches of air, track temperature is 21.2 C.

17:20

FIA Top Methanol Dragster eliminations round 1:

Derek Flynn 5.5937/243.52 def. Dave Wilson 5.6558/259.41

Grumpy found his injected-nitro form again but this one was all Derek. 0.1173 reaction to Grumpy's 0.2084, 0.9745 to sixty feet to Grumpy's 0.9819, 3.6809/210.51 to half track to Grumpy's 3.7928/208.87, and Derek first to the other end by 0.1532 seconds, looked from here as if both had cylinders out in the second half but Derek's speed would tend to contradict that at least for him.

Paul Ingar Udtian 16.4528/70.07 bye, Timo Habermann no show

No sign of Top Methanol Dragster Championship leader Timo, so Paul took the bye and idled up the track.

Peter Schöfer 5.5869/254.64 def. Rob Turner 5.5842/248.13

Peter Schöfer takes the 2008 FIA European Top Methanol Dragster Championship, well done Peter! A tremendous race, Peter awy first 0.1138 to 0.1254, the better sixty foot time 0.9168 to 0.9401, both racers hit shake and drove through it, Rob had the better half track 3.6404 to 3.6661 and the quicker ET but Peter's better reaction time had him first to the stripe by 0.0089.

Krister Johansson 5.7487/252.17 def. Dennis Habermann 12.7531/59.84

Dennis got off the line first 0.0781 to 0.0964, Krister with the better sixty foot time 1.0210 to 1.0780 then Dennis' blower burst panel blew and that was the end of that. 3.8309/206.10 at half track for Krister.

17:05

FIA Pro Modified eliminations round 1:

Bruno Bader 6.5281/212.64 def. Johan Lindberg 7.5906/133.98

Another half-track burnout for Johan before the race. Bruno away first 0.1283 to 0.1616, the much better sixty foot time 0.9872 to 1.1229. Bruno hit violent shake and the Vette went for the centre line, Bruno pedalled and got it back in line, 4.2057/164.53 at half track, meanwhile Johan was also heading left, for the guardrail, and he shut off. Bruno through by 1.0958.

Norbert Kuno 6.5350/215.78 def. Bert Englefield 6.8419/209.11

A great reaction time for Bert, 0.0747 to 0.2571 and he was still ahead at sixty feet although Norbert's sixty was quicker 1.0381 to 1.0780. Both hit shake and at one point the cars were headed for one another, a brief pedal from Bert but Norbert pulled ahead and won by 0.1245.

Patrik Wikström 6.5524/218.17 def. Rolf Ammann 6.5983/210.76

A half track burnout for Patrick, Rolf's tyres didn't really light. Patrick away first 0.1521 to 0.2773, the better sixty foot time 1.1063 to 1.1113, both cars moveing about the lanes towards half track, 4.2891 for Patrick to 4.3288 for Rolf, Patrick first to the line by 0.1711.

Danny Cockerill 7.2039/153.14 bye, Micke Nord shut off

Micke was shut off for a fluid leak so Danny took the bye. The car sounded very soft off the line, 1.1996 to sicty feet would tend to confirm it. 4.4812/172.40 at half track and shut off early.

Robert Joosten 6.2050/230.06 def. Roger Moore 8.6310/170.40 red light

Roger's Viper jumped forward as he went up on the transbrake, -0.2813 red light handing it to Robert. Robert clocked 1.0206 to sixty feet, 4.0575/179.09 at half track, a pedal about that point and a big speed at the stripe.

Micke Gullquist 6.2046/225.49 def. Mats Eriksson 6.7947/226.82

Mats visibly away first 0.1354 to Micke's 0.2551, Micke had the better sixty foot 1.0015 to 1.0366. Mats hit shake at about 100 feet and the Green Goblin started to move around its lane, Mats pedalled and got back on it but Micke went straight and true, 4.0351/180.28 at half track and into the next round.

Urban Johansson 6.3172/225.80 def. Ingo Rolla 7.8395/166.57

Urban left Ingo for dead at the Tree 0.1682 to 0.6602 and it was all Urban as Ingo hit shake and pedalled. 1.0248 to sixty feet for Urban, 4.1139/174.18 at half track to Ingo's 4.9611/131.34, Urban there first by 2.0143.

Roger Johansson 7.1986/198.71 def. Micke Lindahl 9.8822/99.86

Subject to ratification, Micke the Champion if he won this race...which he didn't so now it's a case of how far Robert Joosten gets in eliminations and whether he sets Low ET. Micke got away first 0.0711 to 0.1614, 0.9962 to sixty feet for Roger to Micke's 1.0665, both cars hit violent shake and moved around their lanes, Micke tried everything but had to give up as the Camaro got close to the guardrail. Roger got there first by 2.5933. Robert Joosten can't catch Micke so Micke is 2008 FIA European Pro Mod Champion, well done Micke, Magnus and the team!

Trackside conditions are 17.8 C, 79% humidity and 29.38 inches of air, track temperature is 23.1 C.

16:45

Roger Goring followed Pro Stock with a 6.2371/241.23 in the Firestorm Jet FC preceded by a thunderous flame and smoke show.

FIA Top Methanol Funny Car eliminations round 1:

Dan Larsen 5.9587/243.67 def. Jürgen Nagel 6.2847/231.58 red light

Jürgen threw it away with a -0.1503 red light. 1.0036 to sixty feet for Dan, 3.9297/190.42 at half track and there first by 0.0606 even with Jürgen's head start.

Danny Bellio 6.3540/235.91 def. Ulf Leanders 6.5732/125.85

Ulf got away first 0.2005 to 0.3270, and had the better sixty foot time 0.9865 to 0.9911, both cars hit shake and both racers drive through it, Ulf had the much better half track time 3.9981 to 4.2493, Ulf shut off for no obvious reason just past half track and Danny's blower belt came off but he had enough momentum to get past Ulf and take the win by 0.0927. The Championship is now Leif Andréasson's to at least catch up on, it'll be a dead heat if Leif takes the event win and keeps Low ET so we'll have to go to the tie break.

Jarmo Kuutniemi 5.9499/200.70 def. Arvid Grødem 6.1656/236.07

Jarmo got away first 0.1799 to 0.2381 and had the much better sixty foot time 0.9433 to 0.9953 with wheels up in the air, Arvid hit shake and headed for the centre line, a brief pedal and the chase was on, 3.7881/197.01 to half track for Jarmo to Arvid's 4.0845/184.02, Jarmo's blower burst plate blew and the bonnet release plate came off but Arvid couldn't quite catch up, Jarmo there first by 0.2739.

Leif Andréasson 6.0253/233.97 def. Steph Milam 8.2444/97.84

Leif away first 0.2415 to 0.5067, 1.0057 to sixty feet to Steph's 1.1058, Steph hit shake and shut off before half track. Leif also hit shake and pedalled, then got back on it and got to half track in 3.8575/182.67, the Stratus moved about its lane some but Leif stayed with it and was clear winner by 2.4843.

16:20

FIA Pro Stock eliminations round 1:

Magnus Hansson 6.8817/200.51 def. Micke Callin 6.9685/198.94

This was all Magnus from the better RT of 0.0441 to 0.0723, better sixty foot time 1.0200 to 1.0279, and better half track 4.4253/158.82 to 4.4890/156.71. Micke took the long way round his lane and Magnus got there first by 0.1150.

Michael Malmgren 6.8467/200.51 def. Kenneth Söderström 7.0329/198.07

A long burndown, Michael eventually went in first. Kenneth away first 0.0615 to 0.1220 but then the numbers were all Michael's, 1.0057 to sixty feet to Kenneth's 1.0505, the much better half track 4.3278 to 4.5266 and first to the strip by 0.1257. Michael again nosed into the field at the end of the track but all OK.

Jimmy Ålund 6.8289/201.38 def. Jan Palmqvist 7.0107/199.73

Jimmy off the line first 0.0466 to Jan's 0.0824 and the much better sixty foot time 1.0009 to 1.0223, both cars went straight as you like but Jimmy had a huge lead by half track 4.3855 to 4.5232 and took the stripe by 0.2176.

Richard Sundblom 6.9082/200.52 def. Tommy Leindahl 6.9351/198.06

Tommy got away first 0.0964 to 0.1103, and Tommy had the better sixty foot time 1.0164 to 1.0177, Tommy's half track better 4.4506 to Richard's 4.4529 but Richard overhauled Tommy in the second half and took the win by 0.0130.

15:55

Fuel Funny Car session 1:

Thomas Nataas 8.9015/88.89 bye

0.9833 to sixty feet then heading straight for the 330 foot reflector, how Thomas missed it I don't know. He shut off and pulled it straight, just missing the half track reflectors.

Leif Helander 5.4975/281.38 def. Gordon Smith 5.6651/223.56

Gordon away first 0.3026 to 0.3557, Leif with the better sixty foot time 0.9788 to 0.9824 and further ahead at half track 3.7051/217.67 to Gordon's 3.7354/209.84. Leif to the stripe first by 0.1145 getting very close to the guardrail just after the finish line. If Leif backs up the 281.38 it will be a new European speed record for Fuel FCs, well done Leif!

Gary Page 5.3103/267.25 def. John Spuffard 9.7693/82.97

Spuff away first 0.1230 to 0.2231, the better sixty foot time 0.9108 to 0.9385. Spuff hit shake at about 200 feet and the Showtime Mustang turned hard right and he got off the throttle. Gary went straight and true, 3.5569/224.46 at half track and first to the stripe by 4.3589.

15:45

FIA Top Fuel Dragster eliminations round 1:

Tommi Haapanen 5.0703/299.14 def. Jari Halinen 7.0733/113.56

Jari away first 0.1360 to 0.1993, Tommi had the better sixty foot time 0.8988 to 0.9035, both cars hit shake and both pedalled, 3.4434/236.33 to half track for Tommi by which time Jari had shut off to a 3.7164/163.41 at half track. 1.9397 in it at the stripe.

Lex Joon 4.9366/300.94 def. Stig Neergaard 7.9550/94.99

Lex and Stig were lined up behind Race Control whilst Tommi and Jari raced, when I turned round Lex had swapped lanes from right to left - Tommi having been in the left lane for his race. Stig visibly away first 0.0637 to 0.1506 and had the better sixty foot time 0.8874 to 0.8896. Stig to 330 feet in 2.3191 to Lex's 2.3155 then Stig hit shake, pedalled and his blower belt came off. 3.3495/247.93 to half track for Lex and first by 2.9315.

Micke Kågered 5.6967/217.12 def. Urs Erbacher 6.1144/190.40

More lane-hopping before this one, Micke moving to the left lane. The numbers 3 and 4 in the Championship in this race so someone's hopes about to be dashed. Micke away first 0.1285 to 0.1464, Urs with the better sixty foot time 0.8932 to 0.8962, then both hit shake at about 150 feet. It then turned into a pedalfest, Micke with the better half track 3.6603 to 3.7499, the Bahco Tools dragster getting very close to the guardrail but Micke stayed with it and in the end got there first by 0.4356. That's Urs' Championship over, as things stand before the next race Lex, Micke and Andy are still in...

Andy Carter 4.7475/317.86 def. Risto Poutiainen 6.4892/137.30

...and again we swap lanes, Andy taking the left lane after initially lining up in the right. Risto away first 0.0653 to 0.1708, Andy blasted a 0.8379 sixty foot to Risto's none-too-shabby 0.8488, Risto hit shake and shut off whilst Andy clocked a storming half track for Andy of 3.2210/253.64 to Risto's 3.6099/183.23, Andy blackstriping his lane and doing the first half of a European speed record, well done Andy!

15:25

FIM/UEM Pro Stock Bike qualifying session (left lane first):

Philippe Runget 7.7212/164.87 bye; Mixalis Tsoutsidis 7.9636/164.19, Dimitrios Petridis 8.4747/159.51; Antonis Zafiradis 8.0071/153.06, Ray Debben 8.0180/162.99; Len Paget 7.5278/179.18, Richard Gipp 7.7780/168.40; Chris Hope 14.0127/48.03, Martin Bishop 8.2671/153.06; Ulf Ögge 7.5020/182.02, Fredrik Fredlund 7.6071/174.28

Apologies for no commentary in this session but the Pro Mod re-run got us behind with our updates. Great first passes for Mixalis, Antonis and Dimitros our Greek visitors, Mixalis and Antonis making the ladder. Chris Hope had to shut off after getting close to the guardrail.

Final qualifying:

1. Ulf Ögge 7.5020/182.02
2. Len Paget 7.5278/179.18
3. Fredrik Fredlund 7.6071/174.28
4. Philippe Runget 7.7212/164.87
5. Richard Gipp 7.7780/168.40
6. Mixalis Tsoutsidis 7.9636/164.19
7. Antonis Zafiradis 8.0071/153.06
8. Ray Debben 8.0180/162.99
9. Martin Bishop 8.2671/153.06
10. Dimitrios Petridis 8.4747/159.51
11. Chris Hope 14.0127/48.03

15:15

FIA Pro Modified qualifying session (left lane first):

Roger Moore 7.3860/187.35 bye; Marco Maurischat 8.2076/185.88 bye; Johan Lindberg 6.8862/210.02, Ulf Rapp shut off; Kev Slyfield shut off (bye); Wayne Nicholson 8.9870/114.48 bye; Ingo Rolla 7.5558/172.35, Henri Joosten 8.3176/113.81; Graham Ellis shut off, Robert Koper 11.0161/78.84; Bert Englefield 7.1397/176.39, Danny Cockerill 6.5943/219.99; Rolf Ammann 6.7391/208.00, Norbert Kuno 6.7414/212.65; Freddy Fagerström shut off, Micke Nord 7.1984/207.05 bye; Bruno Bader 6.7601/157.32, Roger Johansson 6.3248/221.06; Micke Gullquist 6.3728/215.10, Marko Lantto no time; Urban Johansson 6.3591/227.98, Mats Eriksson 7.4728/172.27; Patrick Wikström 7.1520/195.49, Robert Joosten 6.3895/228.78; Marc Meihuizen DQ no time, Micke Lindahl 7.7720/193.79

A nice baseline for Roger, sounded as if he was feathering the throttle in the second half - if I remember rightly that is the first full pass for the Moores' Viper. Similar situation for Marco, first full pass in the car and it went very straight as Marco feathered the pedal. 330 foot burnout for Johan, Freddy doubtless looking to his laurels on that front. Great to see Ulf back after his fire earlier this year and the car has been immaculately restored. Ulf shut off on the line for a fluid leak so Johan took the bye, a gentle 1.2234 to sixty feet and sounding as if he too was feathering the throttle a little. Down the left hand side of the lane but into #1 spot at that point. A trail of fluid from Kev's Willys as he backed up from the burnout and Chief Starter Ian Marshall signalled him to shut off. Wayne up next, -0.3242 red light, 1.3785 to sixty feet and 5.2503/128.10 at half track where the Vette made a hard move to the right and Wayne got off the pedal. Roger at trackside radioed in spots of rain in the air after Wayne's run. Looked like some sort of in-joke for Henri's crew at the line, a team member pulling out a piece of paper and grinning at Henri before he staged. 1.0477 to sixty feet for Henri, 1.2270 for Ingo, his car visibly soft. Henri going great guns until the Chevy made a move to the guardrail at half track and he had to shut off. A beautiful pair of cars next, Graham and Robert K. Flames from Robert's exhausts as he brought up the revs waiting to stage. Graham was shut off before staging for a fluid leak so Robert took the bye, up to the top of second gear by the sound of things and then off the gas. The revs very high for Bert on his burnout, now on Mickey Thompson tyres. Danny visibly away first with a tremendous 0.0743 reaction, 0.4218 for Bert. Bert had the quicker sixty foot time 1.0727 to Danny's 1.1070 but then Danny had the better incrementals, 4.3543 to half track to Bert's 4.4249, Bert's Coupe turned hard right and he had to get off the throttle but Danny took the stripe by 0.8929 and went into #1 spot at that point. A tremendous match between Rolf and Norbert, Rolf just away first 0.6980 to 0.7139, Norbert had the better sixty foot time 1.0309 to 1.1116, Norbert quicker at half track 4.3755 to 4.4011 then Rolf's Coupe started to move left and right but he stayed on the throttle and got there first by 0.0182. A huge burnout for Freddy, rolling to a halt at about 990 feet, I can hear him saying "In your face Johan!". Oil was then found in Freddy's lane and both cars were shut off.

Micke N with the bye on the re-start. 0.9902 to sixty feet, driving through shake, the Mustang made a hard move to the left but Micke stayed on it and pulled it straight, he deserves to be in the ladder for that run! A stormer for Roger to go into #1 spot at that point, 1.0213 to soxty feet, 4.1204/178.16 at half track whilst Bruno got left for dead on the line but pulled a 0.9843 sixty foot time and 4.1171/173.67 at half track but the Vette then made a hard right move and Bruno was off the pedal. Marko left before the lights ran, drove through shake and then threw his blower belt. A tremendous pass for Micke G, 1.0685 to sixty feet and 4.1510/175.02 at half track. 1.0460 to sixty feet for Mats but then he hit shake, a very well-judged pedal but the big Chevy turned right and he had to get off the throttle. 1.0644 to sixty feet for Urban, 4.1544/173.59 to half track nd into #3 at that point. Patrick having to deal with a wayward Camaro, 1.1170 to sixty feet and 4.5410 at half track then the Camaro made a hard move left, a much better run for Robert J, 1.0402 to sixty feet and 4.2000 at half track. A scary pairing between Marc and Micke L, 1.0513 to sixty feet for Marc to Micke's 0.1102, 4.4906 to half track to Micke's 4.6586, Marc's Coupe was moving left and right and then veered across the track alongside Micke. The lane was just about wide enough to contain both. Marc is of course disqualified but the question now arises of what happens to Micke as the time on the board won't have been valid through no fault of his own. Word from race officials is that Micke will get a re-run.

Micke into the ladder on the re-run with a dramatic pass, 1.1004 to sixty feet then hitting shake, the Camaro making big moves left and right and up on two or three wheels more than once but he stayed with it and got into the ladder.

Final qualifying:

1. Roger Johansson 6.3248/221.06
2. Urban Johansson 6.3591/227.98
3. Micke Gullquist 6.3728/215.10
4. Robert Joosten 6.3895/228.78
5. Danny Cockerill 6.5943/219.99
6. Rolf Ammann 6.7391/208.00
7. Norbert Kuno 6.7414/212.65
8. Bruno Bader 6.7601/157.32
9. Johan Lindberg 6.8862/210.02
10. Bert Englefield 7.1397/176.39
11. Patrick Wikström 7.1520/195.49
12. Micke Nord 7.1984/207.05
13. Roger Moore 7.3860/187.35
14. Mats Eriksson 7.4728/172.27
15. Ingo Rolla 7.5558/172.35
16. Micke Lindahl 7.7720/193.79
17. Marco Maurischat 8.2076/185.88
18. Henri Joosten 8.3176/113.81
19. Wayne Nicholson 8.9870/114.48
20. Robert Koper 11.0161/78.84

15:10

FIM/UEM Top Fuel Bike qualifying session (left lane first):

Christian Jager 9.9345/105.95 bye; Dave Bailey 7.4277/168.53 bye; Gary Jones 17.9112/38.71 bye; Rene van den Berg 7.5779/138.52, Chris Hall 7.0311/189.58; Steve French 7.6664/173.67, Neil Midgley 7.3120/179.10; Steve Carey no time, Steve Woollatt 7.2245/183.40; Michal Ponca 11.1747/103.56, Sverre Dahl 6.1975/231.11; Otto Knebl 8.2701/149.50, Kai Selkämaa 7.1854/205.98; Eric Teboul 7.7667/176.37, Peter Svensson 6.2747/204.18; Ian King 6.2841/212.92, Rikard Gustafsson 11.8810/63.81

Christian's rear slick squealing as it was at the test day on Wednesday, eventually Christian got off the throttle. A great baseline pass for Dave, 1.1486 to sixty feet and 4.6733/147.70 at half track. A painful-sounding run for Gary as the bike didn't want to change gear. A new PB for Rene and that includes shutting off early as his Fuel bike headed for the guardrail, well done Rene! 1.2239 to sixty feet and 4.8859 at half track. Chris with a straight no-nonsense run in the other lane into #1 at that point, 1.1948 to sixty feet and 4.6601 at half track. Steve W got to sixty feet in 1.1575 and half track in 4.6838, he shut off for a long while for no visible reason, meanwhile Steve C's bike launched and immediately headed to the right, Steve had his hands full keeping hold of the bike but he hit the 330 foot reflector and crossed lanes. What a tremendous pass from Sverre, 1.1000 to sixty feet, 4.0927/185.52 at the eighth and into #1 spot. A straight pass from Michal but lost alongside Sverre. Otto got very close to the guardrail but a new Personal Best ET and speed for Kai in the other lane, what a way to come back from being ill last weekend, well done Kai! 1.0527 to sixty feet and 4.8424/162.96 at half track. 1.1470 to sixty feet for Eric but the bike sounded to be misfiring and he was off the throttle at half track, Peter got to sixty feet in 1.0593 and rode through shake, 4.1126/187.82 at half track, what a great pass! Rikard and Ian with identical sixty foot times of 1.0921 but then Rikard shut off and he's out of the show - so the Championship there for Ian to take now, 1.0921 to sixty feet, 4.1094/186.50 to sixty feet.

Final qualifying:

1. Sverre Dahl 6.1975/231.11
2. Peter Svensson 6.2747/204.18
3. Ian King 6.2841/212.92
4. Chris Hall 7.0311/189.58
5. Kai Selkämaa 7.1854/205.98
6. Steve Woollatt 7.2245/183.40
7. Neil Midgley 7.3120/179.10
8. Dave Bailey 7.4277/168.53
9. Rene van den Berg 7.5779/138.52
10. Steve French 7.6664/173.67
11. Eric Teboul 7.7667/176.37
12. Otto Knebl 8.2701/149.50
13. Christian Jager 9.9345/105.95
14. Michal Ponca 11.1747/103.56
15. Rikard Gustafsson 11.8810/63.81
16. Gary Jones 17.9112/38.71

Trackside conditions are 19.1 C, 72% humidity and 29.35 inches of air, track temperature is 28.4 C

14:45

FIM/UEM Supertwin qualifying session (left lane first):

Roel Koedam no time bye; Ian Turburville 8.0885/164.24 bye; Job Heezen 7.3461/192.98, Tommy Möller 7.6373/172.94; Hans Olav Olstad 10.8868/99.03, Lorenz Stäuble 12.5841/60.81; Per Bengtsson 11.2129/72.70, Svein Olav Rolfstad 7.0264/194.46

Roel's first run on Ton Pels' new bike, a big bang and flash of flame - maybe the blower burst panel - and a belt came off. Turbo listed to be up against Günther Sohn but no sign of Günther. A gentle pass for Turbo, 1.4194 to sixty feet and 5.3607/149.07 at the eighth, feathering the throttle in the second half. A big holeshot for Tommy 0.1925 to 0.5254, and the better sixty foot time 1.2616 to 1.3233 but Job was visibly catching from half track and Tommy was there first by 0.0417 although Job shut off early. Hans Olav and Lorenz both off the throttle at about 200 feet after hitting shake, Hans Olav on the throttle again in the second half. Per off the throttle about sixty feet out, 1.1974, but Svein Olav stayed with it all the way, 1.1242 to sixty feet and 4.5643 at half track and into #1 spot.

Final qualifying

1. Svein Olav Rolfstad 7.0264/194.46
2. Job Heezen 7.3461/192.98
3. Tommy Möller 7.6373/172.94
4. Ian Turburville 8.0885/164.24
5. Hans Olav Olstad 10.8868/99.03
6. Per Bengtsson 11.2129/72.70
7. Lorenz Stäuble 12.5841/60.81

14:35

FIA Top Methanol Dragster qualifying session (left lane first):

Derek Flynn 5.4995/253.72, Dennis Habermann 5.5853/250.32; Krister Johansson 5.6515/248.14, Paul Ingar Udtian 5.6182/251.65; Dave Wilson 6.0316/195.49, Rob Turner 5.5695/235.94; Peter Schöfer 5.7101/248.14, Timo Habermann 5.6013/244.99

What a great pairing to start the class, two Personal Bests - by nearly a second in Dennis' case. 0.9654 to sixty feet for Derek's injected-nitro rail, 0.9528 for Dennis, Derek had the better half track 3.6407 at a huge 213.82 to Dennis' 3.6519/203.85, Dennis there first by 0.0993 by dint of a better Reaction Time, Derek into #1 spot at that point. 0.9683 to sixty feet for Paul Ingar, whatever's been bugging Krister has been well and truly exorcised with a 0.9787, Paul to half track in 3.6727/203.85 to Krister's 3.7367/207.05, Paul Ingar first to the stripe by 0.1989. Grumpy's ET quicker than what appeared since he rolled the beams very slightly before hitting it. 0.9070 to sixty feet for Rob, 3.6054/202.90 to half track, Grumpy's half track time an unrepresentative 3.9396 at 207.05, looked from here as if Grumpy was off the throttle a touch early, all the way through for Rob and into #2 spot at that point. Timo away first in his match-up with Peter, 0.1624 to 0.3945, the better sixty foot time 0.9266 to 0.9458, Timo's dragster taking the long way round but still had the quicker eighth mile 3.6499 to 3.7317 and first by 0.3409.

Final qualifying:

1. Derek Flynn 5.4995/253.72
2. Rob Turner 5.5695/235.94
3. Dennis Habermann 5.5853/250.32
4. Timo Habermann 5.6013/244.99
5. Paul Ingar Udtian 5.6182/251.65
6. Krister Johansson 5.6515/248.14
7. Peter Schöfer 5.7101/248.14
8. Dave Wilson 6.0316/195.49

14:15

FIA Pro Stock qualifying session (left lane first):

Jonas Dantanus 8.5448/189.78 bye; Jan Palmqvist 7.2183/187.37, Kenneth Söderström 7.0510/196.21; Micke Callin 6.9861/198.07, Tommy Leindahl 7.0114/190.37; Magnus Hansson 6.9468/200.61, Michael Malmgren 6.8681/200.48; Richard Sundblom 6.8999/199.82, Jimmy Ålund 6.8372/201.40

Jonas' tyres spun up at the hit, after a shocked silence Jonas got back on the throttle. Looked like soft settings for Jan and Kenneth, 1.0348 to sixty feet for Jan and 1.0526 for Kenneth, Kenneth looked to drive through shake but the car went straight as you like and into #1 spot at that point. A great match-up between Micke and Tommy, Tommy away firsy by a country mile 0.1032 to 0.5165, the better sixty foot time 1.0276 to 1.0339, Micke picked it up by helf track 4.4977 to 4.5055 and into #1 spot at that point. #1 and #2 spots for Michael and Magnus, 1.0035 to sixty feet to Magnus' 1.0272, a big half track advantage for Michael 4.4119 to Magnus' 4.4792 and Michael first to the line by 0.1012. Word came back from the top end that Michael had nosed into the field but he was quickly retrieved and no harm done.

Richard and Jimmy back for the third time of asking and a great match-up, 0.9923 to sixty feet for Jimmy to Richard's 1.0133, 4.3879/159.87 at half track for Jimmy to Richard's 4.4404/158.35. Straight passes for both, Jimmy into #1 and Richard into #3.

Final qualifying:

1. Jimmy Ålund 6.8372/201.40
2. Michael Malmgren 6.8681/200.48
3. Richard Sundblom 6.8999/199.82
4. Magnus Hansson 6.9468/200.61
5. Micke Callin 6.9861/198.07
6. Tommy Leindahl 7.0114/190.37
7. Kenneth Söderström 7.0510/196.21
8. Jan Palmqvist 7.2183/187.37
9. Jonas Dantanus 8.5448/189.78

14:10

FIA Top Methanol Funny Car qualifying session (left lane first):

Steph Milam 8.3173/135.58, Danny Bellio 5.9753/242.25; Jürgen Nagel 6.2346/229.13, Dan Larsen 6.0436/238.42; Jarmo Kuutniemi 6.4150/206.20, Arvid Grødem 5.9822/239.66; Leif Andréasson 5.8325/245.45, Ulf Leanders 7.6906/143.35

Richard and Jimmy pulled back to cool off and refuel so Pro Stock will be completed after this sesion. Danny away first by a huge margin 0.1981 to 0.6277, 0.9976 to sixty feet to Steph's 1.0056, Steph then hit shake and went on a bucking Bronco ride as she pedalled, the car jumping about and Steph shut off. A straight hard run for Danny, into the fives again, and a great baseline. A nice side-by-side for Jürgen and Dan, 1.0066 to sixty feet for Jürgen to Dan's 1.0272, Dan had the better half track time 3.9851 to 4.0707, Jürgen had the chutes out at about 1100 feet. 0.9541 to sixty feet for Jarmo, the front right wheel up in the air for the first few feet, 1.0138 to sixty feet for Arvid. Jarmo's half track was much better 3.8716 to Arvid's 3.9240, Arvid's Mustang was moving to the left but he stayed with it for #2 spot, Jarmo shut off a touch early and had the chutes out before the line. 0.9773 to sixty feet for Leif to 0.9988 for Ulf, Ulf hit shake and pedalled then one of his cylinders went out so he shut off. 3.8331/194.55 to half track for Leif and into #1 spot.

Trackside conditions are 17.5 C, 80% humidity and 29.32 inches of air, track temperature is 21.7 C.

Final qualifying:

1. Leif Andréasson 5.8325/245.45
2. Danny Bellio 5.9753/242.25
3. Arvid Grødem 5.9822/239.66
4. Dan Larsen 6.0436/238.42
5. Jürgen Nagel 6.2346/229.13
6. Jarmo Kuutniemi 6.4150/206.20
7. Ulf Leanders 7.6906/143.35
8. Steph Milam 8.3173/135.58

12:45

FIA Top Fuel Dragster qualifying session (left lane first):

Risto Poutiainen 18.3712/56.87, Stig Neergaard 14.6105/41.30; Tommi Haapanen 6.3538/182.09, Jari Halinen 10.3526/64.53; Urs Erbacher 10.5005/74.75, Micke Kågered 6.0456/148.55; Andy Carter 4.9089/293.26, Lex Joon 5.0048/306.11

Trackside conditions at the start of the session were 14.9 C, 94% humidity and 29.26 inches of air. Track temperature was 15.9 C. A big cheer from the crowd as Stig and Risto were pulled round to the start area. Very fast backup from his burnout for Risto until the front wheels started to wobble and he slowed it down. Stig got to sixty feet in 0.8706 but his tyres started to shake and he was off the throttle by 100 feet. Risto's tyres spun up at the hit and the car hardly moved, he was off the throttle at about fifty feet, 1.4637 sixty foot time tells the tale. Just as the next pair lined up to run it started to rain, heavily for a short while.

During the rain break a delegation of Top Fuel racers came to Race Control to ask whether the event could be run tomorrow. I know that the proposal got a fair hearing but I am guessing the answer was no.

Trackside conditions at the restart were 17.9 C, 79% humidity and 29.32 inches of air, track temperature 22.6 C. Tommi and Jari first on the restart, both cars were visibly gently off the line. 0.9026 to sixty feet for Tommi and 0.9421 for Jari, then both hit shake. Jari got off the throttle at about 200 feet, Tommi pedalled and feathered the throttle, inasmuch as that is possible on a Top Fuel car, then shut off at about 900 feet but the run was good enough for #1 spot at that point. Lots of smoke from Urs' headers on start-up but no consternation from the crew. 0.9153 to sixty feet for Micke, 0.9893 for Urs, Micke hit shake at about 100 feet but drove through it, the Bacho car started to hook up again, 3.4177/205.70 at half track, then made a hard move to the left and Micke was off the throttle. Urs hit shake at about 100 feet and was off the throttle at about 200 feet. What a great match between Andy and Lex, 0.8582 to sixty feet for Lex to Andy's 0.8718, a visible pedal from Lex, Lex to half track in 3.3957/235.70 to Andy's 3.3437/249.26, neither getting off the throttle for anything. Andy there first by 0.1337 and into #1 spot to Lex's #2.

Final qualifying:

1. Andy Carter 4.9089/293.26
2. Lex Joon 5.0048/306.11
3. Micke Kågered 6.0456/148.55
4. Tommi Haapanen 6.3538/182.09
5. Jari Halinen 10.3526/64.53
6. Urs Erbacher 10.5005/74.75
7. Stig Neergaard 14.6105/41.30
8. Risto Poutiainen 18.3712/56.87

The first round of eliminations is Andy v Risto, Lex v Stig, Micke v Urs and Tommi v Jari.

12:25

Race Director Darren Prentice has just informed us that because of all the disruption we had had, all Sportsman racing has been cancelled. We will now be running Pro qualifying and then Pro eliminations.

10:20

We now have Top Fuellers in the staging lanes.

9:40

The running order has been amended. When we start we are now going straight into the Pro qualifying session commencing with FIA Top Fuel Dragster.

9:00

Looking good out there on track and the weather radar is currently showing rain-free conditions. The running order has the day opening with Super Pro ET and Pro ET qualifying, and then straight into a one-shot Pro qualifying session commencing with Top Fuel Dragster. Then there are Sportsman eliminations followed by round one of Pro eliminations.

Time to say a big raceday Hello to our US Correspondents Ed O'Connell and Kathy Hileman in New Hampshire. Ed is on station at New England Dragway; hope the hurricane has gone Ed and thanks for the reports on Smax. Hello also to Jerry Cookson and Julie Willcox who are tuned in at Shakespeare County Raceway. No less than three Happy Birthdays today, too. First up is Felicity Gibbs, Chief Cook and Oil Changer of the Rampage Super Pro ET team, who is seventeen today. Happy Birthday also to Pro Mod racers Ian Bishop and Wayne Nicholson. Hope you have a great day guys.

Yesterday we had a visit from Santa Pod Raceway CEO and European Championships promoter Keith Bartlett who to be honest had every reason to be suicidal but was doing OK. Keith told us that this was the eighteenth straight event to be adversely affected in some way or other and that the subsequent effect on SPR's finances will obviously affect development work in the next year. KB also had some news for us about the UK National Finals which we shall bring you later on.

The strip looks good from here, just some finishing touches to the shutdown area. Stay tuned and as soon as the wheels start to turn we'll bring you the news.

8:00

Good morning and welcome from Santa Pod Raceway for our coverage of day four the FIA European Finals presented in association with American Car Imports.

The Webster Race Engineering/MPM Oil webcam is on-line and is set to post a picture every sixty seconds until the track closes this evening.

We had a problem here at Santa Pod overnight as the Medical Centre was severely damaged by a fire at 3:30 this morning. Thankfully no-one was hurt which is the main thing. SPR was closed for a short while but the gate is now open again and if you were planning to come here you can come on site. This is all fact, checked with Race Officials; anything else you may hear from any other source is not necessarily so.

As things stand the race is still on and the track crew are out working on the strip. Trackside conditions are 13.7 C, 98% humidity and 29.18 inches of air.

Obviously we will bring you updates as we get them. It's still early doors here and a lot of assessments have to be made. Stay tuned.