FIA EUROPEAN FINALS - SANTA POD

SATURDAY
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Warm and sunny weather greeted us when we arrived at the Pod this morning. The wind had dropped slightly from yesterday. As the day went on the clouds got thicker and we did have a few spots of rain a couple of times but it did not hold up racing for very long.

We witnessed a horrific crash this morning during Top Fuel qualifying. Barry Sheavills was just about to cross the finish line when his dragster snapped in half just in front of the motor. The motor and wing carried on and appeared to go underneath the car sending Barry and the front of the car up into the air. The wing, slicks and motor came to rest near the left hand side barrier and Barry and the other half of the car ended up in the field. Word was quickly conveyed to the anxious spectators that Barry was OK but still in the car. After a long wait Barry was released from the car and relieved spectators were told that other than obviously being very shaken up he was perfectly OK. This was one of the worst crashes I can ever remember seeing, and Barry cars is beyond repair but at the end of the day the fact that Barry was back in the pits this afternoon shows how well built these cars are. Barry's terrible accident did overshadow the fact that he had run a great 4.94 @ 297 before the car dissembled its self.

Top Fuel - Kim Reymond ran a 5.24 in the second session after an 11 in the first. Micke Kagered ran a 5.00 in the first session and an 11 in the second. Peter Lantz ran a 5.11 in the first session and a 6.81 later on. Susanne Callin shaved a chunk of here personal best running a 5.13 in the second session.

If your at the 'Pod this weekend there's a couple of places you should visit firstly pop along to the Carter pit and help support them by buying one of there fantastic mouse mats or a poster. They've also got some catalogues form the sponsors IPA Printers which feature a great shot of Andy's car. Secondly take a look at the QuarterMileKit unit which can be found near the fire up road. They have some great pictures and printed t-shirts for sale.

Sorry we can't bring you more news about what happened today but time is not on our side.. Please find a few photos below and don't forget to tune in tomorrow night for more news from the 'Pod... its shaping up to be a finals day to remember...

Today's event coverage is sponsored by www.quartermilekit.com. As always our photos are sponsored by www.1stcameras.com 

A cloud of Nitro fumes hangs inside the Kagered pit as they warm the motor.

Bert Englefield

Pro Stocks

Urs Erbacher

Dennis Wratten

Avid Grodem and Micke Kagered

 

Jorg Johnsson

Michael Malgren

Barry moments before the crash

A distraught looking Barry observes the damage.

The point where the chassis snapped

Bradford and Kaerged

Gordon Smith

John Spuffard

Pro Mod

Right place, right time this afternoon. Ulf Leanders suffered a massive tyre explosion just past the finish line. The picture is quite blurred but notice how high pieces of tyre and body flew! Ulf was unhurt.

That's all for today... cya tomorrow