IDA ZETTERSTRÖM

racing when I was 8 years old . I loved it and always wanted to go faster and faster .

You ’ re looking at quite a career on two wheels already . What made you think of making the switch to Top Fuel ?

Top Fuel always has been the dream for me since started racing Jr . Dragster and still after getting my Super Comp license . But then along the way when I met my boyfriend who was racing bikes , I got into the bike scene . I loved it immediately and we had great years racing in that category . But this has always still been the dream . So when we felt that the time was right , we said , “ Let ’ s give it two more years on the bike and then we try to pursue this ,” and we ’ re really happy with it .

So will you race in two categories in 2022 ?

I feel that ’ s not really fair to myself or my crew not to focus 100 % on [ Top Fuel ] because I can ’ t do two classes at the same time on that level while I ’ m not yet that experienced in the Top Fuel class . And it doesn ’ t feel right to have the bike sitting for a few years because it really is one of the best bikes in Europe and a strong contender for the championship . That might not be the case after you leave it in the garage . So it should definitely be out there fighting for a championship . I ’ d just love it if someone takes it over and races it for a championship while I ’ m going full out on Top Fuel .

Could you tell me about the current status of your Top Fuel licensing ?

At the Bug Jam event at Santa Pod I managed to do all runs to get the license except for the full passes . I had to abort one attempt due to tire shake and the second one couldn ’ t happen due to a rainout . But one eighth-mile run with a 4.11 was good enough to count for the first full run . So I ’ m allowed to attempt my second full run in

competition here at the Euro Finals .

What are your plans after you ’ ve obtained your Top Fuel license ?

Our plan is to run the full European season in 2022 together with Rune Fjeld Motorsports . Me and my crew all excited and already started to plan for next season . That ’ s the first step and then of course we have long-term goals also . But that ’ s where we the start and I ’ ve got to have a lot of seat time and passes first to get a hang of it . There is no other way to learn and evolve your driving skills . So I ’ ll take next year as a learning curve and make as many quick runs as I can .

Thank you so much for the interview and best of luck for the 2022 season !

Zetterström went on to obtain her license with the quickest licensing pass ever in Europe , a 3.862 , the very next day and even took home the event trophy . She will race the full 2022 European schedule with Rune Fjeld Motorsports while eyeing her next big goal : racing in NHRA Top Fuel . DI

22 | Drag Illustrated | DragIllustrated . com Issue 172