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EDRC: round three is go at Hockenheimring

26.08.22

The 2022 FIA European Drag Racing Championship reached the halfway point of the four-round season with the round at Tierp Arena. Now, the championship enters the title-deciding phase with this weekend’s NitrOlympX staged at the Hockenheimring

With two of four rounds completed, Ida Zetterström (Top Fuel), Sandro Bellio (Top Methanol), Jan Ericsson (Pro Modified) and Robin Norén (Pro Stock) lead their respective classes.

After a two-year break, the FIA EDRC returns to the Hockenheimring and the famous Rico Anthes Quartermile is again set to host Europe’s fastest drag racing vehicles.

TOP FUEL
Rookie Ida Zetterström claimed her maiden FIA EDRC victory at Tierp Arena. The current European record holder is also leading the championship, but the gap over second-best Antti Horto, the winner of the opening round at Santa Pod Raceway, is only six points.

Susanne Callin is third in the title race and in Germany will be seeking revenge after her bad luck at Tierp.

The three title contenders will get some competition from Jndia Erbacher. The NitrOlympX is the only race this season for the Swiss racer and she will be determined to impress in preparation for a full FIA EDRC campaign next year. Swede Dennis Nilsson is another competitor set for his first appearance of the season.

TOP METHANOL
Reigning champion Sandro Bellio is leading the championship, but the winner of the opening round damaged his Chevrolet Monte Carlo Funny Car in a fire in qualifying at Tierp Arena. The Belgian outfit managed to rebuild the heavily damaged vehicle and Bellio is set to return to action this weekend.

Linn Fløysvik from Norway scored valuable points in England and Sweden and she is looking for her first win and the lead in the championship. The two Funny Car drivers will face opposition from three dragsters.

Leading the charge is former title-winner and Tierp's runner-up, Jonny Lagg. Tony Bryntesson will be looking to bounce back in Germany after a season of mixed fortunes.

Making his first FIA EDRC appearance of the year, local racer Silvio Strauch, could as well be the dark horse of NitrOlympX.

PRO MODIFIED
Jan Ericsson sits atop the standings, but last time out the reigning champion was defeated in the quarter-finals at Tierp. Marck Harteveld is a rather surprising number two in the championship, 53 points behind Ericsson. The Dutchman had an unlucky first round in England, but bounced back with a runner-up finish at Tierp. Just three points short of Harteveld is David Vegter is the number three in the title race, with fourth-placed Andres Arnover from Estonia only a further point down.

UK’s Andy Robinson is set for his second championship appearance of the season. With a good result at Hockenheim and the European Finals at Santa Pod still to come, Robinson can still go for a top spot at the end of the year.

Germany’s representation in the class includes Norbert Kuno, Ingo Ekert and Walter Strobel.

PRO STOCK
After his win at Tierp Arena, Robin Norén settled into the lead in class, however, the team decided to use 2022 as a test year in preparation to challenge for the FIA title in 2023.

The battle for the victory at Hockenheim should take place between Tierp’s runner-up Michael Malmgren, Jimmy Ålund and Stefan Ernryd who occupy places second to fourth in the standings.

Qualifying for the NitrOlympX will start on Friday and will continue onto Saturday, with eliminations kicking off on Sunday morning.