# European Drag Racing Championship

The European Drag Racing Championship is a combination of four Drag Racing categories that have competed in six events since 1996. The European Drag Racing Season is held from May to September in four countries; UK, Sweden, Finland and Germany. Each drag race category pairs two drivers that compete against each other and the winner is the racer with the lowest reaction time and elapsed time over a designated destination. The drivers are adjudicated points for their performance at each stage which are tallied for a given season.

## History
### Champions

Prior to 2006 the Pro Mod Champion was determined by the winner of the Nordic Drag Racing Series (NDRS), which is part of the Swedish Drag Racing Board.
European Drag Racing Championship Champions :
| Year | Top Fuel Dragster | Top Methanol | Pro Stock Car | Pro Modified |
| 2024 | Jndia Erbacher | Jonny Lagg | Jimmy Alund | Jere Rantaniemi |
| 2023 | Ida Zetterstrom | Linn Floysvik | Michael Malmgren | Jan Ericsson |
| 2022 | Antti Horto | Sandro Bellio | Jimmy Ålund | Jan Ericsson |
| 2019 | Anita Mäkelä | Sandro Bellio | Jimmy Ålund | Jan Ericsson |
| 2018 | Anita Mäkelä | Dennis Habermann | Bengt Ljungdahl | Jimmy Ålund |
| 2017 | Duncan Micallef | Timo Habermann | Bengt Ljungdahl | Michael Gullqvist |
| 2016 | Anita Mäkelä | Jonny Lagg (D) Johnny Oksa (F) | Jimmy Ålund | Michael Gullqvist |
| 2015 | Micke Kågered | Dennis Habermann (D) Leif Andreasson (F) | Thomas Lindström | Michael Gullqvist |
| 2014 | Micke Kågered | Chris Polidano (D) Johan Lindberg (F) | Jimmy Ålund | Mattias Wulcan |
| 2013 | Thomas Nataas | - | Jimmy Ålund | Michael Gullqvist |
| 2012 | Risto Poutianen | Manty Bugeja (D) Leif Andréasson (F) | Thomas Lindström | Michael Gullqvist |
| 2011 | Urs Erbacher | Fred Hanssen (D) Ulf Leanders (F) | Jimmy Ålund | Michael Gullqvist |
| 2010 | Urs Erbacher | Timo Habermann (D) Dan Larsen (F) | Michael Malmgren | Johan Lindberg |
| 2009 | Andy Carter | Timo Habermann (D) Ulf Leanders (F) | Jimmy Ålund | Mats Eriksson |

### Records

European Drag Racing Championship Records :
| Category | Record Type | Driver | Time/Speed | Location | Date |
| Top Fuel Dragster | 1000 ft Time | Ida Zetterstrom | 3.773 sec | Santa Pod | May 2023 |
| Top Fuel Dragster | 1000 ft Speed | Duncan Micaleff | 321.40 mph | Tierp Arena | August 2024 |
| Top Methanol Dragster | 1/4 Mile Time | Timo Habermann | 5.209 sec | Tierp Arena | August 2015 |
| Top Methanol Dragster | 1/4 Mile Speed | Chris Polidano | 278.45 mph | Tierp Arena | August 2014 |
| Top Methanol Funny Car | 1/4 Mile Time | Jonnie Lindberg | 5.426 sec | Santa Pod | September 2013 |
| Top Methanol Funny Car | 1/4 Mile Speed | Jonnie Lindberg | 268.86 mph | Tierp Arena | August 2013 |
| Pro Modified | 1/4 Mile Time | Jan Ericsson | 5.724 sec | Santa Pod | May 2022 |
| Pro Modified | 1/4 Mile Speed | Tero Laukkanen | 260.11 mph | Tierp Arena | August 2015 |
| Pro Stock | 1/4 Mile Time | Jimmy Ålund | 6.485 sec | Tierp Arena | August 2019 |
| Pro Stock | 1/4 Mile Speed | Jimmy Ålund | 215.09 mph | Tierp Arena | June 2015 |

## Racing
### Categories

* FIA Top Fuel Dragster (TF)
* FIA Top Methanol Dragster and Funny Car (TM) FIA Top Methanol Funny Cars - Santa Pod 2010
* FIA Pro Stock Car (PRO)
* FIA Pro Modified (PM) FIA Pro Modified - Santa Pod 2010
The European Drag Racing Championship began with five separate categories until 2017 when the Top Methanol Dragster and the Top Methanol Funny Car were combined. Top Methanol Dragster was previously called Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Methanol Funny Car was previously called Top Alcohol Funny Car.

### Regulations
#### Drivers

Anti-doping regulations are enforced, with each driver individually responsible for ensuring they know the most current regulations and that they comply. Each suit must comply with set regulations, including the inclusion of the FIA European Drag Racing Championship logo on their right hand chest area on the front of their suit. A minimum size of 8 centimetres by 8 centimetres must also be adhered to.

#### Cars

Cars display each driver's name and national flag. The FIA European Drag Racing Championship logo has to be exhibited on the side of each vehicle. A minimum size of 12 centimetres by 12 centimetres must also be adhered to and follow the placement structure:
* Dragsters: exterior, lower back corner of back wings spill plates
* Funny Cars: exterior, top back corner of back wings spills plates
* Pro Stock and Pro Modified: back quarter panel
It is also mandatory to display on the vehicle, the driver's FIA European Drag Racing Championship tournament number. An abbreviated code identifies not only the car owner, but the competition number also indicated the class of competition.
Drivers that rank top ten in the previous year's competition also display this rank on their vehicle in place of their race number or start number.

#### Safety Equipment

The driver's self-protective gear is monitored by FIA along with drag car safety equipment. Drivers wear flame resistant suits for protection, heart rate technology that allows monitoring of the drivers heart rate to prevent health concerns such as a heart attack, and helmets that are specified with headrest materials. The drag racing cars contain certified safety harnesses, air bags and parachutes. Single parachutes are recommended when drivers are exceeding 150 mph and double parachutes for speeds greater than 200 mph. Circuit safety equipment includes safety barriers, debris fences, and energy absorbing tyre barriers.

### Qualifying to compete

Drivers are required to pay a fee in order to be allowed to race in the Championships at least 30 days prior to events. This €800 (plus VAT) fee is payable to the Championship Administration and enables drivers to participate in every round of the Championship. Normal race entry fees also apply. Specific registrations fees are as follows:
| Entity | Fee |
| Swedish VAT registered company | 1000€ |
| VAT registered company within the EU | 800€ |
| Company outside the EU | 800€ |
| Private person incl 200VAT | 1000€ |
Drivers from outside of Europe are not excluded from competing. All drivers are required to attain a FIA International Competition license specific to their drag category.

### Race day

Burn-outs take place prior to the commencement of the race, creating heat on the tire, improving friction. Cars then line up at the starting line, this is known as staging. An electronic set of lights, known as a christmas tree, indicate the commencement of the race. The lights consist of two small amber lights at the top which are connected to a light beam that travels down the track. As the front tires break this beam, the car moves to 180 millimetres from the starting line itself. When all racers are staged, the race begins as the green light is activated on the christmas tree. If the drivers begin before the illumination of the christmas tree green light they are disqualified, and a red light is used to indicate the early start. Disqualifications also occur when a driver crosses the centre line on the race track between lanes, contacts a wall or track fixture, unsuccessful attendance or fails technical inspection. The maximum speed, reaction time and elapsed time are recorded for each race. The reaction time is a measure of the drivers take off after the illumination of the christmas tree green light. The time taken for the vehicle to travel from the start line to the finish is the elapsed time. The first driver to reach the finish line wins the race.

## Point system

Points are awarded in two ways:
* From the qualifying events that enable participants to proceed to the elimination rounds, and
* From the elimination rounds that take place after the qualifying events.
The number of elimination rounds are determined by the number of cars in each event. The following table shows the current allocation for points in each round: Elimination Round Points are awarded:
| 1 to 2 Cars | Points |
| Winner Runner-up | 40 points 20 points |
| 3 to 4 cars | Points |
| Winner Runner-up 1st round loser | 60 points 40 points 20 points |
| 5 to 8 cars | Points |
| Winner Runner-up 3rd round loser 2nd round loser 1st round loser | 80 points 60 points 60 points 40 points 20 points |
| 9 to 16 cars | Points |
| Winner Runner-up 3rd round loser 2nd round loser 1st round loser | 100 points 80 points 60 points 40 points 20 points |
10 points are also awarded to each contestant that qualify in one run. Qualifying Position Points are awarded:
| Position | Points |
| 1st | 8 |
| 2nd | 7 |
| 3rd | 6 |
| 4th | 5 |
| 5th & 6th | 4 |
| 7th & 8th | 3 |
| 9th through 12th | 2 |
| 13th through 16th | 1 |
In 2013 points were introduced for the fastest three elapsed times in qualify rounds.
| ET Times | Points |
| 1st fastest | 3 |
| 2nd fastest | 2 |
| 3rd fastest | 1 |
To break a tie, three steps take place:
* The full season of racing is reviewed, with the driver with the most head to head victories winning the tie.
* The full season of elimination racing is reviewed, with the driver who has won the most rounded winning the tie.
* Tie-breaks points for the full season of event to be applied, with the highest point scorer winning the tie.
| Season Results | Points |
| Event Winner | 5 |
| Runner-up | 3 |
| Semi Finalist | 2 |
| Quarter Finalist | 1 |

### Postponed Events

An event is classed as postponed if a portion of the event has to be rescheduled for any reason. If events are rescheduled, participants that have qualified but are unable to return will be permitted to automatically withdraw, receiving zero points. Participants that do not wish to be withdrawn must contact the Event Director or Clerk of the Course in order to receive any points that were earned up until the time of postponement.

### Suspended Events

If any event is suspended prior to any qualifying race taking place, each participant that passed the tech inspection will be allocated 10 points.
If a qualifying event has taken place and subsequently the event is suspended, only points for the qualifying round and first round will be awarded. Any participant who did not qualify will receive zero points. All point allocations will adhere to the regulations of the FIA Drag Racing Championship.
During an elimination round, if an event is suspended, all participants that had not been eliminated at the commencement of that round will be allocated loser points for that round, as per the points table.

### Points Rules

* Points are non-transferable from participant to participant.
* After qualifying ends, Low Elapsed Time attempts will not be allowed.
* Low Elapsed Times will be allowed on the final run of a participant prior to elimination.
* Participants whose cars have been damaged beyond repair will be given the option to leave the event prior to elimination, at the discretion of the event Steward, while maintaining points and financial awards.

### Alternates

Ladders will be established at the end of qualification events. After this, pairings are unable to be changed. If a participate is unable to make the elimination first round, the fastest non-qualifier will be put in place as an alternate. Points and financial awards earned by the participant in the first round will still be awarded to the original qualifier. The original qualifier must be on the race track premises, along with the car at the commencement of the first round. The awards will be otherwise deducted, and the alternate will be given the round points and financial awards.

## Race Tracks

The European Drag Racing Championship consists of six championship events across four host countries:
* Santa Pod Raceway in the UK
* Tierp Arena in Sweden
* Alastaro Circuit in Finland
* Hockenheim Ring in Germany
Commencing in May at Santa Pod, and concluding with the finals annually in September in the same location. Traditionally, the second and fifth stages are held in Tierp Arena and the third and fourth stages in Alastaro Circuit and Hockenheim Ring. The races take place on a track known as the drag strip. Before the drag strip a feature referred to as a 'water box' is used by the racers to do burnouts. The typical distance of a drag strip is a quarter of a mile, 1320 feet/402 metres. A shut down area exists immediately after the finishing line enabling the vehicles to stop in a room designed especially for that task.

## Season Schedules

2018
* Round 1 - Santa Pod Raceway, UK, 25–28 May
* Round 2 - Tierp Arena, Sweden, 7–10 June
* Round 3 - Alastaro, Finland, 28 June – 1 July
* Round 4 - HockenheimRing, Germany, 17–19 August
* Round 5 - Tierp Arena, Sweden, 23–26 August
* Round 6 - FIA European Finals, Santa Pod Raceway, UK, 6–19 September
2017
* Round 1 - Santa Pod Raceway, UK, 26–29 May
* Round 2 - Tierp Arena, Sweden, 15–18 June
* Round 3 - Alastaro, Finland, 29 June – 2 July
* Round 4 - HockenheimRing, Germany, 18–20 August
* Round 5 - Tierp Arena, Sweden, 24–27 August
* Round 6 - FIA European Finals, Santa Pod Raceway, UK, 8–10 September
2016
* Round 1 - Santa Pod Raceway, UK, 27–30 May
* Round 2 - Tierp Arena, Sweden, 16–19 June
* Round 3 - Alastaro, Finland, 7–10 July
* Round 4 - HockenheimRing, Germany, 19–21 August
* Round 5 - Tierp Arena, Sweden, 25–28 August
* Round 6 - FIA European Finals, Santa Pod Raceway, UK, 9–11 September
2015
* Round 1 - Santa Pod Raceway, UK, 22–25 May
* Round 2 - Tierp Arena, Sweden, 4–7 June
* Round 3 - Alastaro, Finland, 2–5 July
* Round 4 - HockenheimRing, Germany, 7–9 August
* Round 5 - Tierp Arena, Sweden, 20–23 August
* Round 6 - FIA European Finals, Santa Pod Raceway, UK, 3–6 September
2014
* Round 1 - Santa Pod Raceway, UK, 23–26 May
* Round 2 - Alastaro, Finland, 3–6 July
* Round 3 - HockenheimRing, Germany, 8–10 August
* Round 4 - Tierp Arena, Sweden, 21–24 August
* Round 5 - FIA European Finals, Santa Pod Raceway, UK, 4–7 September
2013
* Round 1 - Santa Pod Raceway, UK, 24–27 May
* Round 2 - Tierp Arena, Sweden, 13–16 June
* Round 3 - Alastaro, Finland, 4–7 July
* Round 4 - HockenheimRing, Germany, 9–11 August
* Round 5 - Tierp Arena, Sweden, 22–25 August
* Round 6 - FIA European Finals, Santa Pod Raceway, UK, 5–8 September
2012
* Round 1 - Santa Pod Raceway, UK, 2–4 June
* Round 2 - Tierp Arena, Sweden, 14–17 June
* Round 3 - Alastaro, Finland, 5–8 July
* Round 4 - Tierp Arena, Sweden, 23–26 August
* Round 5 - FIA European Finals, Santa Pod Raceway, UK, 6–9 September
NOTE: Hockenheimring (10-12 August) was cancelled after officials had issues with the track after all track prep was removed under FIA requests because the launch pad area is part of the runoff at the road course used by Formula One in July.
From 2012, the European Drag Racing Championship consisted of 6 rounds.
2011
* Round 1 - Santa Pod Raceway, UK, 27–30 May
* Round 2 - Tierp Arena, Sweden, 10–12 June
* Round 3 - Alastaro, Finland, 30 June - 3 July
* Round 4 - HockenheimRing, Germany, 12–14 August
* Round 5 - FIA European Finals, Santa Pod Raceway, UK, 8–11 September
2010
* Round 1 - Santa Pod Raceway, UK, 28–31 May
* Round 2 - Alastaro, Finland, 1–4 July
* Round 3 - Mantorp Park, Sweden, 29–1 August
* Round 4 - HockenheimRing, Germany, 13–15 August
* Round 5 - FIA European Finals, Santa Pod Raceway, UK, 9–12 September