2009 FIA Main Event
Santa Pod Raceway, 22nd-25th May 2009
Monday


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21:45

We have now posted today's pictures. A few couple of the shots are mouseover-captioned but it's probably pretty obvious what all the others are about.

That's the end of our coverage of the 2009 FIA Main Event, brought to you in association with American Car Imports. Thanks very much for tuning in. Our next coverage will be from the pre-SPRC Summernationals Peak Performance Day in June.

19:35

Final results

FIA Top Fuel Dragster: Andy Carter 4.9084/293.12 def. Stig Neergaard 7.8718/100.01
FIA Top Methanol Dragster: Timo Habermann 5.4283/242.23 def. Fred Hanssen 5.4288/253.95
FIA Top Methanol Funny Car: Ulf Leanders 5.8089/246.81 def. Leif Andréasson 5.7952/244.88
FIA/NDRS Bilsport Pro Modified: Andy Robinson 6.1067/228.89 def. Urban Johansson 6.4700/220.29
FIA Pro Stock: Jimmy Ålund 6.7858/204.06 def. Jonas Dantanus 6.8777/201.53
Fuel Funny Car: Gordon Smith 5.6965/244.88 def. John Spuffard 7.1603/125.80

FIM/UEM Top Fuel Bike: Ian King 6.4774/210.78 bye, Rene van den Berg shut off
FIM/UEM Supertwin: Lorenz Stäuble 6.9693/208.12 def. Job Heezen 7.9536/132.44
FIM/UEM Pro Stock Bike: Ulf Ögge 7.2960/170.40 def. Len Paget 7.4526/176.31

Comp Eliminator: Roland Bolleter (7.92) 7.8959/174.12 bye
Super Pro ET: John Everitt (7.87) 8.0042/154.52 def. John Morris (8.80) 9.1292/150.95
Pro ET: Mark Bailey (9.52) 9.6000/142.36 def. Chris Hodgkins (9.76) 9.8471/138.87
Super Comp: Pete Cresswell 8.9309/141.98 def. Frank Mason 8.9248/150.01
Super Gas: Jon Morton 9.9387/138.53 def. Conrad Stanley 9.9375/154.11
Super Street: John Grant 11.7839/93.49 def. Leigh Morris no time
Junior Dragster: Matthew Seamarks (7.95) 8.0135/73.61 def. Lisa Selles (7.90) 7.9198/82.36

2.44 inches in the Super Gas final! Congratulations to Eurodragster.com/Speedflow Perfect Light Award winner John Grant and Eurodragster.com/Gold RV Perfect ET Award winner Mark Bailey on going on to win the event.

19:05

Super Pro ET eliminations round 4 winners:

John Everitt (7.87) 8.2828/165.23, John Morris (8.85) 9.0184/152.99

A perfect run for John Atkinson but John Morris had the better reaction and took that race.

Super Street eliminations round 3 winners:

John Grant 11.0411/133.19, Leigh Morris 11.0581/118.98 bye

We're now up to finals in all classes, stay tuned for the final results.

18:50

Junior Dragster eliminations round 3 winners:

Matthew Seamarks (7.95) 7.9645/73.60, Lisa Selles (7.90) 7.9403/81.31

Pro ET eliminations round 4 winners:

Chris Hodgkins (9.76) 9.9254/131.20, Mark Bailey 9.6472/141.01

Super Gas eliminations round 3 winners:

Conrad Stanley 9.9223/153.56, Jon Morton 9.9350/145.66

Comp Eliminator final

Roland Bolleter (7.92) 7.8959/174.12 bye

18:40

Super Comp eliminations round 3 winners:

Pete Cresswell 8.9564/152.63 bye (Mark Fairhurst broke), Frank Mason 8.9022/150.01

Frank Mason won his race by 10.00 inches.

18:30

Super Pro ET eliminations round 3 winners:

John Atkinson (8.90) 8.9135/151.52 bye, Rod Harrison (7.50) 7.6595/168.98, John Morris (8.78) 8.8593/155.59, John Everitt (7.88) 7.9078/170.04

Super Gas eliminations round 2 winners:

Jon Evans 9.9288/144.80 bye (John Grant no show), Al O'Connor 9.9073/130.49, Conrad Stanley 10.1560/122.69, Jon Morton 10.2078/118.04

Super Street eliminations round 2 winners:

Leigh Morris 10.9684/115.29, Neil Grant 10.9223/128.01, John Grant 10.9503/123.39

18:05

Pro ET eliminations round 3 winners:

Chris Hodgkins (9.72) 9.8047/135.93, Jon Turner (11.31) 11.3881/118.52, Mark Bailey (9.52) 9.5808/142.35, Dave Hughes (10.00) 10.1501/132.35

Mark Bailey won his race with Pete Yates by 8.70 inches.

18:00

Super Comp eliminations round 2 winners:

Mark Fairhurst 9.0368/151.53, Frank Mason 8.9137/135.25, Shaun Lathan 8.9271/146.62, Pete Cresswell 8.9329/137.32

19.21 inches in Mark's victory over Dave Day, twenty four inches for Shaun over Norbert Schneider.

Comp Eliminator eliminations round 1 winners:

Roland Bolleter (7.92) 8.5122/152.55 bye

Junior Dragster eliminations round 2 winners:

Clare Giles (8.95) 8.9545/69.01, Lisa Selles (7.90) 7.9448/81.62, Matthew Seamarks (7.95) 7.9820/74.71, Joe Kellett (8.92) 8.9802/71.20

17:50

FIA/NDRS Bilsport Pro Modified final

Andy Robinson 6.1067/228.89 def. Urban Johansson 6.4700/220.29

Urban and his team put in a new motor after the last round with the help of Robert Joosten's crew. Urban visibly away first 0.0387 to 0.1391 but it was all Eurodragster.com sponsor Gus again after that. 1.0137 to 1.0466 to sixty feet, 3.9946/183.98 to 4.2255/172.92 at half track and there first by 0.2629.

17:40

FIM/UEM Pro Stock Bike final

Ulf Ögge 7.2960/170.40 def. Len Paget 7.4526/176.31

Len away first 0.0132 to 0.0268, then Ulf took over. 1.1014 sixty foot to Len's 1.1302, 4.6152/152.42 to 4.7263/147.47 at the eighth, Ulf's motor sounded to hesitate right at the end of the track but he was 0.1430 ahead at the stripe.

17:38

FIM/UEM Top Fuel Bike final

Ian King 6.4774/210.78 bye, Rene van den Berg shut off

Rene shut off after the burnout, Ian took the bye. 1.1387 to sixty feet, 4.2906/183.52 to half track, again looked and sounded to have a cylinder out and sounded a little hesitant in the middle third.

17:36

FIM/UEM Supertwin final

Lorenz Stäuble 6.9693/208.12 def. Job Heezen 7.9536/132.44

Lo away first 0.1595 to 0.1738 but Job's incrementals were better, 1.1406 to sixty feet to 1.2282, 4.5876/141.48 to the eighth to Lo's 4.6383/168.46, then a cylinder went out on Job's motor and that was the end of that as he shut off.

17:35

FIA Top Methanol Dragster final

Timo Habermann 5.4283/242.23 def. Fred Hanssen 5.4288/253.95

0.0342 RT for Timo to 0.2014 for Fred, that was a visible holeshot and then some. 0.9261 to sixty feet for Timo, 0.9552 for Fred, some shake for Timo but 3.5401/211.41 at half track to Fred's 3.5837/211.81, 0.1677 in it at the stripe.

17:30

FIA Top Methanol Funny Car final

Ulf Leanders 5.8089/246.81 def. Leif Andréasson 5.7952/244.88

Eurodragster.com sponsor Ulf away first 0.1168 to 0.1443, had the better sixty foot time 0.9695 to 0.9743, Leif was better at half track 3.8041/198.45 to 3.8184/196.15 but Ulf's holeshot had it won for him.

17:25

FIA Pro Stock final

Jimmy Ålund 6.7858/204.06 def. Jonas Dantanus 6.8777/201.53

Dante away first 0.0993 to 0.1132, Jimmy had the better sixty foot time, 1.0144 to 1.0268, Dante's eighth was better 4.4150 to 4.3682 but Jimmy had the stripe by 0.0780.

17:20

FIA Top Fuel Dragster final

Andy Carter 4.9084/293.12 def. Stig Neergaard 7.8718/100.01

Andy away first 0.1200 to 0.1316, better sixty foot 0.8743 to 0.9015, Stig's tyres shook then went up in smoke at about 340 feet, 3.3152/246.54 to the eighth for Andy with his tyres hazing in the second half.

17:15

Fuel Funny Car final

Gordon Smith 5.6965/244.88 def. John Spuffard 7.1603/125.80

Spuff away first 0.2045 to 0.2145, better sixty foot time 0.9348 to 0.9751, then his tyres went up in smoke at 330 feet. Gordon to half track in 3.7472/202.09, on and off the throttle and taking the stripe by 1.4538.

17:10

Pro ET eliminations round 2 winners:

Chris Hodgkins (9.67) 9.8260/130.44, Mark Bailey (9.52) 9.7934/120.03, Pete Yates (9.40) 9.4551/124.33, Jon Turner (11.28) 11.3430/119.74, Dave Hughes (10.57) 10.6270/116.32, Neil Hunter (9.98) 10.1304/123.65, Mick Howling (9.80) 9.7569/135.13, Dave Cherrett (10.05) 10.0966/122.30

17:00

Super Pro ET eliminations round 2 winners:

John Atkinson (8.80) 8.9257/153.06 bye, Dave Townsend (8.20) 8.3020/162.20, John Everitt (7.88) 9.0463/117.40 bye, Mark Flavell (7.14) 7.2166/186.31, John Morris (8.78) 8.8320/142.80, Nick Good (7.09) 7.3858/148.47, Rod Harrison (7.50) 21.9024/46.14 bye (John Bradshaw no show)

Mark Flavell won his race with Steve Johnson by 2.12 inches.

16:35

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

Junior Dragster eliminations round 1 winners:

Miriam Sortomme (11.00) 10.9737/58.01, Rhiannon Bellenie (10.64) 10.7170/60.17, Lisa Selles (7.90) 7.9292/82.21, Josh Saunders (7.90) 7.9287/76.72, Joe Kellett (8.95) 8.9477/71.57 bye (Annalieze Gibb no show), Anna Stanley (8.03) 8.0562/81.28 bye, Matthew Seamarks (7.90) 7.9531/74.70, Clare Giles (8.95) 8.9766/67.76

Super Gas eliminations round 1 winners:

Paul Foote 10.0319/132.84 bye (Wouter van Leersum no show), Jon Evans 9.9336/144.36 bye, Al O'Connor 9.9635/104.16, Conrad Stanley 9.9795/144.25, Stuart Doignie 10.3637/125.16, John Grant 9.7865/137.27 bye (Mark White no show), Jon Morton 9.9391/137.32, Dave Day 9.9250/146.63 bye (Stuart Morrice no show)

Trackside conditions are 23.5 C, 48% humidity and 29.56 inches of air, track temperature 36.6 C.

16:20

Next up after Pro Mod was Roger Goring with a 6.2693/253.20 in the Firestorm Jet FC.

Nostalgia Fuel Altered Association exhibition 3rd/4th place run-off:

Tony Betts 6.7511/190.54 def. Joe Bond 7.2455/190.33

Super Comp eliminations round 1 winners:

Dave Day 9.3807/142.98 bye, Norbert Schneider 10.7379/116.06, Frank Mason 8.9106/150.50, Brian Pateman 9.1368/143.37, Mark Fairhurst 8.9977/148.05, Pete Cresswell 8.9882/130.59, Shaun Lathan 8.8710/151.61 bye (Marck Harteveld no show), Paul Letchford 8.9662/156.88 bye (Dave Catton no show)

Super Street eliminations round 1 winners:

John Grant 10.9284/133.18, Leigh Morris 10.9465/119.94 bye (Chris Kenny no show), Nick Griffin 10.7682/111.50, Neil Grant 10.9368/124.80, Dave Cherrett 10.7498/95.26, Martyn Sanger 10.7083/121.73

15:45

FIA/NDRS Bilsport Pro Modified semi finals:

Andy Robinson 6.1105/229.96 def. Micke Lindahl 6.2013/230.42

0.0427 to 0.0920 in Andy's favour off the line. 1.0163 to sixty feet to Micke's 1.0292, Micke drove through shake whilst Andy seemed to be going just fine, 4.0003/185.45 at half track to Micke's 4.0604/181.98 and first to the stripe by 0.1401.

Urban Johansson 6.2053/228.76 def. Bruno Bader 6.1880/225.79

Big holeshot for Urban 0.1097 to 0.1846, 0.9999 sixty foot for Bruno to Urban's 1.0130, Bruno had the better eighth mile 4.0251/181.27 to Bruno's 4.0376/181.02, from here I thought I heard a bang from Urban's motor and word came back from the top end that Urban's motor had a hole in the bottom, oil in the shutdown area too.

15:35

FIM/UEM Top Fuel Bike semi finals:

Rene van den Berg 7.0242/198.99 bye, Peter Svensson no show

No sign of Peter until just after Rene had run, the guys must have had a real thrash to make it. 1.1250 to sixty feet for Rene, sounded like a feather of the throttle, 4.6163/164.82 at half track.

Ian King 6.3696/212.67 def. Steve Woollatt 6.5468/198.94

Ian away first 0.1358 to 0.1405, 1.1257 to sixty feet to Steve's 1.1635, sounded as if Ian had a cylinder out but it must have cleared, 4.1992/186.99 for Ian at half track and the stripe by 0.1819.

FIM/UEM Top Pro Stock Bike round 2:

Ulf Ögge 7.2854/179.90 def. Fredrik Fredlund 7.4275/177.02

0.0517 RT for Fred to Ulf's 0.0601, 1.0937 sixty foot for Ulf to Fred's 1.1456, 4.6215/150.94 at half track for Ulf to Fred's 4.7060/148.43 and Ulf first to the stripe by 0.1337.

Len Paget 7.4322/176.37

1.1376 to sixty feet and 4.7024/147.60 at half track.

15:30

FIM/UEM Supertwin semi finals:

Lorenz Stäuble 7.0229/205.15 bye, Tommy Möller no show

No sign of Tommy and no word why. 1.2379 to sixty feet, 4.6615/166.19 to half track, some smoke in the second half but Lo stayed with it.

Job Heezen 6.8985/203.21 def. Hans Olav Olstad 9.8311/87.50

Worrying popping and banging noises from Job's bike after the burnout but no-one other than me seemed worried. A great RT from Job of 0.0640 to Hans Olav's 0.1925, 1.1538 to sixty feet to Hans Olav's 1.1749, the front end of Hans Olav's bike came down with a thump, I am guessing engine failure at that point.

15:25

FIA Top Methanol Dragster semi finals:

Timo Habermann 5.3939/258.85 def. Krister Johansson 5.6683/242.81

Krister got the jump on Timo, 0.0813 to 0.1086, Timo got ahead very quickly though 0.9286 to sixty feet to 1.0064, Timo at half track in 3.3506/212.43 to Krister's 3.7515/208.02, to the stripe first by 0.2471. Both runs clean and straight.

Fred Hanssen 5.4450/264.13 def. Dave Wilson 5.3800/258.86

Grumpy starting the trip back from his burnout before Fred pulled his burnout but Fred backed up very quickly. Fred away first by a huge margin, 0.0465 to 0.1952, Grumpy had the better sixty foot time 0.9158 to 0.9396, 3.5868/210.93 to half track for Fred to Grumpy's 3.5515/216.66, Grumpy looked to be catching up but then his motor looked to go away, Fred took it by 0.0837.

15:15

FIA Top Methanol Funny Car semi finals:

Ulf Leanders 5.7906/245.45 def. Dan Larsen 6.0907/236.05

This one was all Ulf, the better RT 0.1152 to 0.1850, the better sixty foot time 0.9852 to 1.0187, well ahead at half track 3.8081/197.10 to 4.0105/187.75 and furst to the stripe by 0.3699. Again Dan's FC appeared to run out of puff in the middle third.

Leif Andréasson 5.7742/246.19 def. Steph Milam 6.2792/233.99

Big RT advantage for Leif 0.1454 to 0.7305 and that was effectively it. 0.9800 to sixty feet and 3.7890/201.13 eighth for Leif, Steph ran 1.1283 to sixty feet and 4.1793/184.31 at half track. 1.0901 margin of victory for Leif but we think a new PB for Steph, if so then well done Steph!

15:10

FIA Pro Stock semi finals:

Jimmy Ålund 6.7385/204.95 def. Magnus Hansson 6.8805/202.41

0.0196 RT for Magnus and 0.0477 for Jimmy, 0.9910 to sixty feet for Jimmy to Magnus' 1.0357. 4.3298/162.27 at half track for Jimmy to Magnus' 4.4338/160.04 and first by 0.1139. Some shake marks in Magnus' lane between about 100 and 150 feet.

Jonas Dantanus 6.8337/200.49 def. Tommy Lendahl 6.8929/202.41

Dante got the jump 0.0790 to 0.0801, better sixty foot time 1.0160 to 1.0222, Tommy had the better half track 4.3697 to 4.3875 but Dante there first by 0.0603.

15:00

FIA Top Fuel Dragster semi finals:

Andy Carter 4.8026/307.07 def. Lex Joon 5.1986/254.49

Lex away first 0.0386 to 0.1167, the better sixty foot time 0.8720 to 0.8830, Andy had the better eighth mile 3.2483/253.46 to 3.3498/228.52, looked like Lex's tyres were hazing by then and then a flash of flame as the motor looked to be eating itself up. Andy was blackstriping the length of his lane, tyres hazing in the second half and judging by the tyre tracks he drove it out the back door.

Stig Neergaard 5.0710/269.64 def. Risto Poutiainen 5.6994/174.27

Stig in stage a long time before Risto moved forward. Risto away first 0.1156 to 0.1331, 0.8918 sixty foot time to Stig's 0.9254, Risto's tyres went up in smoke just past 330 feet and he had to pedal, 3.4146/215.86 at half track, 3.4261/245.91 for Stig, Risto pedalled a couple of times and the tyres smoked each time and the car made a hard move so he shut off. Stig off the throttle a touch early but through to the final by 0.6109.

14:15

Super Pro ET eliminations round 1 winners:

Dave Ward (8.80) 8.8103/145.13, Karl Harrison (7.51) 7.6677/165.35 bye (Nigel Payne no show), John Atkinson (8.80) 9.0212/128.59, Jack Brewster (8.43) 8.5167/158.99 bye (John Tebenham no show), Dave Townsend (8.20) 8.2481/164.08, John Bradshaw (7.51) 7.7603/173.02 bye (Lee Cohen no show), Steve Johnson (7.35) 7.4137/169.57, Rod Harrison (7.50) 8.1947/116.68, Steve Taylor (7.60) 11.6838/158.37, Bob Doyle (8.99) no time, John Everitt (7.88) 7.9083/169.57, John Morris (8.74) 8.7530/156.25 bye (Martyn Jones no show), Nick Good (7.09) 7.3921/146.54, Mark Flavell (7.14) 9.1415/132.90 bye (Martin Curbishley no show)

8.397 for Norbert Schneider, a PB for him I think, well done Norbert! Pity about the red light and breakout.

Trackside conditions are 22.1 C, 42% humidity and 29.62 inches of air, track temperature 37.7 C.

13:50

Pro ET eliminations round 1 winners:

Hans van der Spek (11.67) 11.7209/110.35, Charlie Chivers (10.46) 10.6341/112.60, Nigel Green (11.30) 11.5412/99.45 bye (Dan Williams broke), Chris Hodgkins (9.60) 9.6746/128.58, Jon Turner (11.24) 11.3104/119.75, Rick McCann (10.24) 10.8045/102.35, Pete Yates (9.38) 9.5191/119.42, Mark Bailey (9.52) 9.6389/128.95, Dave Hughes (10.57) 10.6102/120.67, Liz Malcolm (10.93) 11.0883/109.28, Steve Hudson (9.91) 10.0209/127.86, Dan Page (11.10) 11.1219/119.45, Dave Russell (9.00) 9.1204/139.30, Dave Cherrett (10.02) 10.1560/122.97, Mick Howling (9.77) 9.7560/134.83 bye (Rick Garrett no show), Neil Hunter (9.98) 10.0068/128.58

The first-ever Feltham Urban Car Club (FUCC) match-up in this round between Dave Russell and Phil Toppin. All over on the start line as Phil's altered broke. 0.0004 win for Dan Page against Eddy van den Bos - or 0.84 inches.

13:00

Trackside conditions at the start of Pro Mod were 23.5 C, 34% humidity and 29.62 inches of air, track temperature 33.2 C.

FIA/NDRS Bilsport Pro Modified eliminations round 2:

Bruno Bader 6.1996/226.48 def. Rolf Ammann 6.5102/200.61

Big big holeshot for Bruno, 0.1565 to 0.5098, 0.9992 to sixty feet for Bruno to Rolf's 1.0622. Rolf's Coupe moved about its lane but he tried to stay with it, 4.2230/178.43 to half track but Bruno was way ahead 4.0280/180.96 and first to the stripe by 0.6639.

Andy Robinson 6.1001/229.92 def. Roger Johansson 6.2971/223.58

Andy really on one, 0.0890 RT to Roger's 0.1575, 1.0042 to sixty feet to Roger's 1.0233, 3,9860/185.49 at half track to Roger's 4.1015/177.63 and taking the win by 0.2655 and a new European ET record, well done Gus!

Urban Johansson 6.1685/233.53 def. Patrick Wikström 6.9574/154.11

1.0142 to sixty feet for Patrick, 1.0235 for Urban, Patrick had shake to contend with which slowed down his half track time 4.2497/176.25 to Urban's 4.0458/184.00, Patrick shut off in the second half and Urban took the stripe by 0.8197.

Micke Lindahl 9.9701/95.65 def. Micke Gullquist no time

Micke G left before the lights ran, that was that for him. 1.0153 to sixty feet for Micke L and then shake and smoke and Micke got off it.

13:15

Fuel Funny Car session 5:

John Spuffard 5.9350/163.64 bye

0.9294 to sixty feet and 3.4868/211.99 at half track by which time the tyres were smoking and Spuff shut it off. Going great guns to that point though.

Gordon Smith 5.6853/232.32 def. Gary Page 12.4839/94.08

Gary's tyres again up in smoke at the hit and same again when he pedalled. 0.9608 to sixty feet for Gordon, 3.6693/201.13 at half track and you could hear Gordon on and off the throttle as the FC was moving about its lane.

Martin Hill rounded off the exhibition session with a 6.1915/257.45 in the Fireforce 3 Jet FC.

Trackside conditions are 24.8 C, 32% humidity and 29.62 inches of air.

13:00

FIM/UEM Pro Stock Bike eliminations round 1:

Ulf Ögge 7.3136/184.36 bye

#1 qualifier bye for Ulf. Rolled forward before hitting the throttle, 1.2530 to sixty feet and 4.7083/154.15 at half track.

Fredrik Fredlund 7.4523/176.32 def. Martin Bishop 7.8713/173.00

0.0473 RT for Martin to Fred's 0.0730, Fred had the better sixty foot 1.1307 to 1.1853, Martin's bike sounded to run out of puff for short while in the middle third and from here it sounded as if Martin shut off a touch early.

Len Paget 7.3556/177.70 def. Ray Debben 7.7794/168.50

Len away first 0.1372 to 0.1964, 1.1175 to sixty feet to Ray's 1.1296, half track much better 4.6571/148.97 to Ray's 4.9173/140.22 and first by 0.4830.

12:55

FIM/UEM Top Fuel Bike eliminations round 1:

Peter Svensson 6.3403/197.02 def. Christian Jager 8.1884/164.13

Peter away first 0.1883 to 0.2666, 1.0618 to sixty feet to Christian's 1.3221, 4.1341/183.95 at half track to Christian's 5.2404/132.79. Peter shut off at about 1100 feet, a good checkout pass after a repair job last night.

Rene van den Berg 6.9152/198.93 def. Steve Carey 7.2370/192.78

Rene visibly moved first 0.1900 to 0.2740. Much better sixty foot time too 1.1004 to 1.1870, and going great guns at half track 4.5284/168.43 to Steve's 4.7632/155.69 taking a long way round. A grunting noise from Rene's engine at about 1000 feet and he shut off but he had enough momentum to take the stripe easily.

Ian King 6.2402/204.13 def. Eric Teboul 7.2440/166.62

All ian this one, away first 0.1433 to 0.1838, better sixty foot time 1.0470 to 1.2369, Eric had a cylinder out all the way and it sounded like it too, 4.0100/187.76 for Ian to Eric's 4.6918/166.01. 1.0443 margin of victory for Ian with a very straight pass - and easy-looking if TFB runs can be easy.

Steve Woollatt 6.6081/185.69 def. Tim Blakemore 21.1977/37.28

Steve away first 0.1862 to 0.2000, Tim got to sixty feet in 1.2573 to Steve's 1.1616 then Tim shut off. A superb straight pass for Steve, 4.2610/177.43 at the eighth and shut off very early so plenty more in there.

12:40

FIM/UEM Supertwin eliminations round 1:

Tommy Möller 12.5521/55.89 bye, Per Bengtsson broke

Tommy in as an alternate for Martijn de Haas. A big bang from Per's motor as he came out of the burnout. 1.2233 to sixty feet and then a bang and a flash of flame from Tommy's motor.

Lorenz Stäuble 7.0858/205.08 bye, Svein Olav Rolfstad did not start

Svein Olav's motor would not start, his crew's boidy language was quite something. 1.2656 to sixty feet, 4.7491/167.91 to half track and very close indeed to the guardrail in the shutdown area.

Hans Olav Olstad 6.7886/199.56 def. Chris Hannam 7.5258/161.26

Hans Olav away first 0.2475 to 0.3825, 1.1663 to sixty feet to Cannon's 1.2566, half track for Hans Olav was 4.5150/173.51 as Cannon started to get close to the centre line and had to feather the throttle, inasmuch as a Supertwin throttle can be feathered.

Job Heezen 6.8324/205.17 bye, Matti Vahasaari shut off

Matti shut off for a fluid leak before staging. 1.1600 to sixty feet for Job, 4.4790/168.52 at half track, a good solid pass.

12:30

FIA Top Methanol Dragster eliminations round 1:

Timo Habermann 5.3983/263.39 def. Peter Schöfer 5.5246/250.77

Timo away first 0.0943 to 0.1304, Peter had the better sixty foot time 0.9033 to 0.9210, Timo much better at half track 3.5500/212.43 to 3.6196/159.02 - check out the speed difference - Peter holding on as the Bavarian Thunder moved right and left, but Timo there first by 0.1624 and backing up yesterday's 5.351 for an ET record, well done Timo!

Krister Johansson 5.4418/258.87 def. Dennis Habermann 6.2591/188.94

0.0447 RT for Dennis, 0.1203 for Krister, huge wheelie and shake for Dennis, Dennis had to pedal to get it back. 0.9695 to sixty feet for Krister, 3.6213/218.59 to half track to Dennis' still-trying 4.0155/199.62.

Dave Wilson 5.3048/265.29 def. Paul Ingar Udtian no time

Paul left before the lights ran, Grumpy pulled a -0.0150 red but it didn't matter by then. 0.9226 to sixty feet and 3.5100/222.27 at half track. Again some flame from Grumpy's motor on the finish line but the track checked out OK. Another European ET record for Grumpy, backed up by yesterday's best, well done Grumpy!

Fred Hanssen 5.3776/266.47 def. Rob Turner 5.5060/238.83

Fred had two goes at getting round the corner and into the bleach box, Rob was already well on his way back from the burnout by the time Fred did his own burnout. Fred visibly away first 0.1065 to 0.1601, 0.9222 to sixty feet to Rob's 0.9318 which included a tiny hop and skip wheelie. 3.5431/213.46 at helf track for Fred to Rob's 3.5832/206.00 and Fred first by 0.1820 with a new European speed record, well done Fred!

Simon has posted today's first set of pit notes which you can view via the Event Index page.

12:10

FIA Top Methanol Funny Car eliminations round 1:

Ulf Leanders 7.0107/147.08 def. Jürgen Nagel 7.2089/178.47

Jürgen decided this one with a -0.3302 red light. 0.9718 to sixty feet for Ulf, driving through shake, 4.0171/147.14 at half track and we think a broken blower belt. Jürgen back on the throttle after pedalling, 176.41 mph at half track.

Dan Larsen no time def. Per Håkon Troa 5.9288/213.01 DQ

0.1457 RT for Per Håkon and 0.1761 for Dan, 0.9909 to sixty feet to Dan's 1.0315, Dan drove through shake from sixty to two hundred feet, 3.8257/188.05 at half track for Per Håkon to Dan's 4.0372/190.14 then Per Håkon's FC moved to the right and took out both finish line reflectors.

Steph Milam 6.3104/208.09 def. Danny Bellio 6.7780/231.19

Lots of smoke from Danny's FC during burnout and staging. Danny away first 0.2547 to 0.7014, the much better sixty foot time 0.9908 to 1.1506, drove through shake and then it looked as if the car stopped dead for a moment although not literally of course, Danny looked to pedal then get back on it but Steph's FC had picked right up by then and powered past Danny, first to the stripe by 0.0209.

Leif Andréasson 5.7222/248.91 def. Arvid Grødem 24.7517/21.13 red light

-0.1097 red light for Arvid, wheels up and off the throttle as it came down. 0.9577 to sixty feet for Leif, 3.7549/199.61 at half track taking a very long way round but not getting off it for anything.

11:45

FIA Pro Stock eliminations round 1:

Magnus Hansson 6.7697/no speed def. Jan Palmqvist 6.8282/201.33

Big holeshot for Magnus 0.0395 to 0.1188. Jan had the better sixty foot time 0.9953 to 1.0323 and the better eighth 4.3678 to 4.4036 but Magnus reeled him in and won by 0.1378. Magnus' speed came up as 287.22, probably a bit of an exaggeration.

Jonas Dantanus 6.7754/203.42 def. Michael Malmgren 6.7812/203.14

Jonas just away first 0.1078 to 0.1080, 1.0059 sixty foot to Michael's 1.0060, 4.4384/161.71 to half track to Michael's 4.3576/160.51 and Jonas first to the stripe by 0.0064 or twenty two inches.

Tommy Leindahl 6.9763/201.59 def. Richard Sundblom 7.1314/158.36

Long staging duel before this one. 0.0194 RT for Tommy to Richard's 0.0816, Tommy's car inched forward before he hit the throttle which I think affected his times, 1.0886 to sixty feet and 1.0163 for Richard, Tommy to half track 4.5247/158.86 to Richard's 4.4078/159.94, then one of Richard's chutes deployed at about 900 feet and that was that.

Jimmy Ålund 6.7048/205.90 def. Micke Callin 7.0245/177.71

Not often someone leaves on Jimmy but Micke did it 0.0605 to 0.1302 and had the front wheels up, Jimmy had the whole show from then though. 0.9811 to 1.0101 sixty foot and 4.3040/162.75 half track to Micke's 4.4692/157.81, Jimmy there first by a full 0.2500. The only right lane win in this round.

11:20

FIA Top Fuel Dragster eliminations round 1:

Lex Joon 7.2919/123.77 bye, Jon Webster broke

A bang from the McDonald Racing dragster in the burnout, burst panel I guess. Eurodragster.com sponsor Jon sidelined the car and jumped the guardrail. 0.8586 sixty foot time for Lex, tyres smoked at 300 feet, Lex pedalled and the tyres blazed even more and the dragster made a move to the right so Lex got off the pedal.

Andy Carter 5.0162/248.15 def. Linda Thun Tønseth 5.8328/178.38

Andy visibly moved first 0.1416 to 0.2536, 0.8585 to sixty feet to Linda's 0.9297. 3.3045/241.26 to half track with what looked like a cylinder out then hazing tyres, 3.5208/202.90 to half track for Linda having driven through shake then her tyres started to smoke. Andy was off the throttle in the second half and there was a huge huge cloud of smoke and a trail of oil from Andy's dragster in the shutdown area.

Risto Poutiainen 4.8600/282.13 def. Anita Mäkeläa 5.1090/178.36

A cheerful Risto told us earlier that he didn't want it to rain because "Who wants to share points". Anita just away first 0.1834 to 0.1862, 0.8668 to sixty feet for Risto to Anita's 0.8880, 3.2966/255.04 at half track for Risto, Anita's tyres started to smoke at 300 feet, she tried a pedal but shut off just past half track. 0.2462 win for Risto.

Stig Neergaard 5.1926/204.25 def. Micke Kågered 6.3802/130.95

Micke had a big holeshot 0.1275 to 0.2695. 0.9137 to sixty feet for Micke and 0.8993 for Stig, 3.2536/256.32 at half track for Stig, meanwhile smoke then green flame and a bang from Micke's dragster right on half track 3.4611/188.61. Stig off the throttle past half track but first to the stripe by 1.0456.

10:50

FIA/NDRS Bilsport Pro Modified eliminations round 1:

Trackside conditions at the start of Pro Mod were 19.3 C, 41% humidity and 29.68 inches of air, track temperature 23.7 C.

Roger Johansson 6.2368/227.65 def. Terje Håkonsen 6.2832/223.56

Roger first out of the hole 0.1223 to 0.1404, 1.0248 to sixty feet to Terje's 1.0323, no sign of shale for either, 4.0826/177.60 to the eighth for Terje to Roger's 4.0762/180.24 and Roger there first by 0.0645.

Urban Johansson 6.1315/232.67 def. Mats Eriksson 6.4857/227.62

Visible holeshot for Mats 0.1068 to 0.1447, Urban had the better sixty foot 1.0151 to 1.0383, Mats drove through shake from sixty feet to abour 250 feet, 4.0026/183.47 to the eighth for Urban, 4.2905/174.04 for Mats shows the time lost to shake, 0.3163 win margin.

Rolf Ammann 6.6285/216.07 def. Robert Joosten no time DQ

-0.0570 red light for Rolf and a 1.3451 sixty foot but all eyes on Robert after sixty feet, the Vette hitting shake and turning right, then the right tyre dug in propelling the car across the track and up on two wheels, flipping then hitting the barrier upside down and sliding to a halt upside down in the left lane traps. Word from the top end is that Robert is just fine.

Micke Gullquist 6.1787/224.24 def. Graham Ellis 8.4375/109.87

Graham away first 0.1701 to 0.1927, Micke had the better sixty foot time 1.0231 to 1.0600, 4.0358/181.06 at half track for Micke as it sounded as if Graham lost drive and he was off the throttle at half track.

Micke Lindahl 6.1571/233.52 def. Marc Meihuizen 6.6453/199.91

Big advantage for Micke, 0.1421 to 0.5282, better sixty foot time for Marc 1.0129 to 1.0153, Marc had to hold on to the new Camaro as it tried to get across the centre line, a pedal and that was really it for his chances. 4.0291/144.62 at half track for Micke and first by 0.8753.

Bruno Bader 6.1134/221.01 def. Kristian Nyström 6.4513/230.43

0.1440 to 0.1920 start line advantage for Bruno, still further in front at sicty feet 0.9826 to 1.0430, Kristian had to pedal for shake, check out the 3.9706/183.26 at half track for Bruno. 4.2906/175.62 for Kristian and big speed at the stripe.

Patrick Wikström 6.1396/235.92 def. Wayne Nicholson staged

No burnout for Wayne, he staged for points. Patrick with a new rear end brought here from Gothenburg and which the team finished installing at 7:30 this morning. 0.9981 to sixty feet, shake from sixty to about 150 feet, 4.0356/184.71 at half track.

Andy Robinson 6.1172/227.72 def. Marco Maurischat no time

Eurodragster.com sponsor Marco in as an alternate for Bert Englefield. Fellow Eurodragster.com sponsor Andy had a lot of work on last night to repair qualifying damage. Marco jumped the lights as he went on the two-step. 1.0144 to sixty feet for Andy, looked from here like very little shake, 3.9986/184.13 at half track.

Check out all those 6.1s!

9:00

Good morning from Santa Pod Raceway for our coverage of the FIA Main Event brought to you in association with American Car Imports.

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

It's another pleasant day here at Santa Pod. High cloud but mild, 17.1 C, 50% humidity and 29.71 inches of air. We're set for a great day's racing - the track has been prepped and every so often racers appear from under Race Control to check it out.

A big Happy Birthday to our good friend Jemma Harrison who is spending her birthday crewing with Carla Pittau and Rick McCann, a 1-2 finish would make a perfect birthday present wouldn't it? Also another big Thank You to Syd McDonald for breakfast, sausages in a roll and very nice, and to Yvonne Tramm who brought us our own lemon cake.

Racing is due to start at 10:00, preceded by the #1 qualifier presentation at 9:30. As has become usual we start and end the first Pro session with Pro Mod. Stay tuned and as soon as racing commences we'll bring you all the news.


Reports and pictures ©Eurodragster.com