Nitro Bikes and Cars Set for Santa Pod’s Euro Finals

Nitro-burning cars and motorcycles top the bill at Santa Pod Raceway’s FIA/FIM European Finals (4^th to 7^th September). Top Fuel Dragsters and Funny Cars capable of topping 300mph in under 4 seconds occupy the fastest-and-loudest end of the spectrum. On two wheels, nitro combustion also powers 250mph Top Fuel Bikes and thundering Super Twins.

And on Saturday 6^th, a Lego YouTuber, probably more famous than all the racers put together, will hold court. ‘Half-Asleep Chris’ (Chris Burton) boasts four million YouTube subscribers and will meet-&-greet fans and conduct a live Lego build on site.

The track action brings the cream of European drag racers from across the continent to decide the season’s FIA (cars) and FIM (bikes) European Championships. Around 300 race teams will fill the paddock, with 18 nations represented. Beside those bidding for European glory, a full complement of home-based racers will vie for victory in national championship competition.

The FIA classes also include Top Methanol Dragsters and Funny Cars and fast and furious full-bodied Pro Mods, while the Pro Stock field includes the most successful European drag racer of all time. Sweden’s Jimmy Ålund has been FIA Pro Stock champion an astonishing 13 times. In 2018 he took a break to compete in Pro Mod and won that FIA championship too, and for good measure, four years earlier had won a Pro Stock race in America’s prestigious NHRA series, a superlative achievement for a European driver.

A special treat awaits in the on-track exhibition programme. Along with the spectacular Jet Car shows that light up the weekend, there’s a rare chance to see a pair of high-powered racers from Eastern Europe in action. They do things differently over there. Konstantin Dinev’s Audi ST from Bulgaria packs a near-2,000bhp punch and the twin turbocharged motors powering Silviu Ghita’s eye-catching Volkswagen Lupo from Romania generate even more. In their home countries, racing takes place at temporary venues. Dinev’s Audi has already clocked 6-second, 200mph elapsed times on lightly-prepared airfield tracks and the duo are eager to put pedal to metal on Santa Pod’s championship-standard surface before Santa Pod’s welcoming crowds.

Off-track, ‘Half-Asleep Chris’ and his Lego build will be just one of many family entertainments, including Monster Truck and stunt riding shows, fireworks, funfair rides and a fly-past (Saturday, Sunday) by a pair of WW2 Hawker Hurricanes from the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.

Camping is free for multi-day ticket holders and live bands will provide late-night entertainment for those staying over. Paddock access is also free, allowing fans a close-up view of the pitside action.