Dirt
Making the Most of Tough Circumstances
Santa Pod Raceway forges ahead with Euro Finals Shootout By David Beitler
Over 200 participants gathered for the 2021 Euro Finals Shootout held at Santa Pod Raceway over September 10-12 . It wasn ’ t your typical European Finals . Due to the ongoing pandemic , there hasn ’ t been a full FIA European Drag Racing Championship schedule . But with the UK COVID restrictions eased , the management at Santa Pod was able to transform the event to a shootout format on a reduced level with a few international guest showing up as well .
Bruno Bader from Switzerland brought his Pro Mod Corvette and Frenchman Jean Dulamon his nitrous-assisted Camaro . Along with Norbert Kuno and his Dodge Avenger from Germany , David Vegter made the trip from the Netherlands to round up the British-dominated 12 Pro Mod entries battling for an eight-car field .
Just three Top Fuel cars showed up for battle . Besides British Susanne Callin , Top Fuel pilot Antii Horto visited from Finland and Super Street Bike champ Ida Zetterström returned from Aland for her second attempt to obtain her Top Fuel license .
QUALIFYING HIGHLIGHTS On her second round out , Zetterström ran an impressive 3.86 at 265.52 mph , the quickest licensing run ever in Europe , even with a snatched blower belt from half-track on . Naturally this run also earned her the top spot . The other two drivers of the shortened Top Fuel field suffered from tire shake during their runs . Callin recorded a 4.11 at 224.45 mph good for second and Horto went to the third spot with his 6.70
PHOTOGRAPHS BY DAVID BEITLER
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