Having operated without a recognised promotor for over a decade, the World Motor Sport Council has approved the appointment of Drag Racing Europe as the commercial rights for the FIA European Drag Racing Championship from the start of the 2019 season. Following a year of discussions, the two parties have agreed on an initial four-year agreement from 2019 through 2022, which is subject to the approval of the FIA Senate and finalisation of the contract.

“We are delighted to be working with Drag Racing Europe to secure the future of the European Drag Racing Championship and I must commend all the stakeholders involved for uniting behind this common purpose,” stated Lars Pettersson, President of the FIA Drag Racing Commission.

“Through their role as event organisers, the stakeholders behind Drag Racing Europe have been performing the role of promotor of the European Championship unofficially for many years already and the FIA is confident in their ability to restore the Championship to strength.”

Drag Racing Europe AB is a consortium formed from the existing venues in the championship, namely Santa Pod Raceway, Tierp Arena, Hockenheimring and the Finnish Hot Rod Association (FHRA), in addition to the current championship administrator, the Speedgroup. Each of the five parties is an equal partner in Drag Racing Europe.

“We are very pleased to have been provisionally appointed as the new promotor for the FIA European Drag Racing Championship. The new promoter ‘Drag Racing Europe’ will now be able to seek to further develop the Championship, especially in key commercial areas and hopefully over the coming years be able to bring increased benefits to the racers, teams and track promoters alike”, stated DRE Chairman Keith Bartlett.

The FIA European Drag Racing Championship is the pinnacle of the discipline in Europe and the only drag racing championship around the world that awards an FIA trophy. Competition takes place across four classes; Top Fuel Dragster, Top Methanol Dragster and Funny Car, Pro Modified and Pro Stock. For 2019, the championship will take place over six rounds:

• Rd 1 – 24th to 27th May, Santa Pod Raceway (GBR)
• Rd 2 – 6th to 9th June, Tierp Arena, (SWE)
• Rd 3 – 5th to 7th July, Kauhava (FIN)
• Rd 4 – 16th to 18th August, Hockenheimring (DEU)
• Rd 5 – 22nd to 25th August Tierp Arena (SWE)
• RD 6 – 5th to 8th September, Santa Pod Raceway (GBR)