The absence of a FIA Top Fuel event win for Stig Neergaard is becoming an increasing puzzle as the Dane clearly has the combination to compete (and often beat) the very best on the European tour as is evidenced by the 4.036 that put him in second spot in qualifying and a sub-Euro record 3.959/291 in his open round victory over Chris Andrews. In addition, thanks to a holeshot, Neergaard was ahead of Nataas’s 3.966 until the blower belt shredded (just like in the Sweden Internationals final back in June), slowing him to a 4.009/298. His luck has to change sometime soon.
With sponsors Sisu Polar in attendance, a good sequence was particularly timely for Jari Halinen. A 4.111 in qualifying got close to a PB for the RFM driver, and a 4.045 did the job in setting a personal mark and progressing past early season championship leader Antti Horto in the opening round of eliminations; the 0.054s RT was none too shabby either. The semifinal match with Mäkelä ended with transmission troubles after the burnout, leaving the car stuck in neutral and despite a valiant effort by Halinen’s team that marked the end of their day.
FIA Top Fuel Dragster
1. Anita Mäkelä (Fin) 3.975/302.61 mph runner-up
2. Stig Neergaard (Den) 4.036/303.85 mph semi-final
3. Thomas Nataas (Nor) 4.052/301.99 mph winner
4. Jari Halinen (Fin) 4.111/287.69 mph semi-final
5. Antti Horto (Fin) 4.133/286.45 mph 1st round
6. Patrik Pers (Swe) 4.136/293.91 mph 1st round
7. Chris Andrews (UK) 4.162/293.29 mph 1st round
8. Urs Erbacher (CH) 4.220/277.75 mph 1st round
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9. Duncan Micallef (Ma) 4.294/264.08 mph
10. Micke Kågered (Swe) 4.483/226.18 mph
11. Timo Lehtimäki (Fin) 5.207/214.99 mph
Low ET 3.959 secs Neergaard
Top speed 310.11 mph Nataas
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FIA Scandinavian Internationals, Tierp Arena, Sweden Volume XV, Issue 8 - September 3, 2013 - Page 2 of 9 |
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