IDA ZETTERSTRÖM

for the title of NHRA ’ s 2024 Rookie of the Year .

Zetterström started racing in the Jr . Dragster ranks at age 8 before moving up to Super Comp at 16 . She then switched to two wheels , where she won a pair of Super Street Bike championships . She became the first woman to win a championship in the class , as well as the first to run in the 6-second zone . In 2021 , Zetterström earned her FIA Top Fuel license on the strength of the quickest-ever licensing run in European drag racing history . The following year , she became the first European Top Fuel driver to dip into the 3.70-second range in 1,000-foot competition . She also earned her first FIA event win and finished third in the FIA championship standings .

The 2023 FIA season saw Zetterström and the RF Motorsport team pick up four event wins , three No . 1 qualifier awards , and both ends of the European Top Fuel record . She lost just one round of eliminations all season to secure the FIA European championship .

Zetterström has also made an impression off the track , as she ’ s been featured in numerous international publications and podcasts . She has a substantial following on social media , with more than 200,000 followers keeping up with her on Instagram . She also appeared on Drag

IllustrateD ’ s 30 Under 30 list in 2022 .

“ This is a unique opportunity to bring a talented rising star into the world of NHRA drag racing ,” said JCM Racing team owner , Joe Maynard . “ We ’ ve followed Ida ’ s success on and off the track for some time now . She obviously has the skills it takes to excel in Top Fuel . Plus , she understands the importance of social media and how to utilize it to benefit partners . She ’ s the full package . I believe Ida has a bright future in NHRA drag racing , and we ’ re thrilled that she ’ s making her U . S . debut as a member of our JCM Racing organization .”

Zetterström , who currently lives in the Åland Islands of Finland , is planning to relocate to the Indianapolis area to be close to the JCM Racing shop . The Brownsburg , Ind . -based JCM Racing team is currently in the process of building a car that Zetterström will begin driving during preseason testing in March 2024 . The new team ’ s crew chief and sponsors will be announced at a later date .

“ Ida has been so successful in Europe , and now she ’ s going to compete with the best of the best among the NHRA ranks ,” Maynard said . “ She ’ s obviously committed to the opportunity by moving here . Similarly , we ’ re committed to providing her with the resources she needs to contend for NHRA Rookie of the Year honors in 2024 , and if all goes as planned , to compete for an NHRA Top Fuel championship to go along with her European title starting in 2025 .” DI

22 | Drag Illustrated | DragIllustrated . com Issue 186