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Santa Pod Pictorial
DRAG RACING Online goes international
with racing action from Santa Pod dragstrip in England.

Text and Photos by Don Gillespie

 

dggordiebonin.jpg (109310 bytes)Gordie Bonin steered Rune Fjeld’s ex-Joe Amato machine to his first ever championship title, taking the FIA European Drag Racing Top Fuel win with employer and sponsor Prolong Super Lubricants.

dgperbengtsson.jpg (104530 bytes)Top Fuel bike brought riders from five countries together, concluding with the finals won by Per Bengtsson (near lane) over Rob Van Geffen, with the event’s best time at 6.831 and 201 mph.

dgspdragstrip.jpg (86684 bytes)
The Santa Pod raceway dragstrip was the scene of many battles during the FIA European Drag Racing finals. In fact, during WWII the track was a pivotal landing strip for the Air Force and their B-17 "Flying Fortress" bombers.

dgniclasandersson.jpg (102592 bytes)Pro Stock was made up of Swedish, Norwegian and Finland racers, with reigning champ Niclas Andersson (near lane) taking the finals over Jacob Ferrer, 7.161, 193.17 to 7.171 and 194.14 mph.

dghakannilsson.jpg (76193 bytes)Wild, winged Pro Modified machines flourish "across the pond" as well, with Hakan Nilsson of Sweden the low qualifier (6.518, 210.61) and event champion over Michael Gullquist, 6.530, 215 to 6.676 at 212.72.

dgspbikes.jpg (124691 bytes)No less than 65 motorcycle riders competed in five two-wheel divisions, from Top Fuel to 9.90-second brackets — much of them handmade and truly awesome!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

dgspcrowd.jpg (109213 bytes)To say that the European fans are passionate about their drag racing at Santa Pod raceway would indeed be an understatement, as evidenced here by the Swedish contingent.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

dgjensnybo.jpg (107714 bytes)Jens Nybo of Denmark waves to the huge crowd during the burnout in his nitro-guzzling Top Fueler, prior to a first round loss to eventual winner, Robin Read.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

dgfordroadster.jpg (104096 bytes)Despite being a great distance from "the states," high performance parts are obtainable as are various and unique body styles, including this wild Super Gas Ford roadster.

dgorangeanglia.jpg (118475 bytes)Just another NHRA event in the sportsman lanes, right? Far from it! With a plethora of blowers and "other" forms of power assist, body styles range from Cortina, Anglia, Zephyr, Calibra, and Saab — as well as Ford, Chevy and other foreign brands.

 

 

 

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