Best Euro Drag race an American should attend???

[Kingnitro]

I have met several race fans and Racers from the UK, and other European countries here at our tracks. Many have egged me on about going over to watch a race in Europe. I ahem heard good and bad things about every track from Santa Pod, Hockenhiem, among others! If I splurge the $$$ jetting over there, I want to see the best! car counts, etc....Suggestions?

[Turn7]

For 2012 I would suggest Tierp is the place to see the top cars running the top numbers.

[Burndown]

I would suggest two events if possible maybe 2nd Tierp round then Santa Pod.

The weather ain't like it is in the US.

[firewalker]

I'd reccomend Santa Pods Main Event or European Finals, or their Easter Thunderball for a reminder of what 1/4 mile TF is like
All 4 day events, some good classes are not represented particularly nostalgia classes and fuel altereds but still relentless action, records usually tumble at these events. It's worth stopping over at the track for the atmosphere if you can manage it, plus you avoid queueing each day.
Also Dragstalgia, a 2 day event, if you are retro inclined.
Tierp sounds good but never been so can't comment.

Through September it is usually possible to catch successive weekend meetings between the Pod and nearby Shakespeare County, this would cover more classes.

It's widely accepted here that major US events can and do run better numbers in bigger fields at sometimes more impressive facilities, but our comparitively cheap & cheerful counterparts have a unique atmosphere, as much know-how and can still turn in some world class or even world beating runs.

Best of luck with your plans.

[Kingnitro]

The Biggest complaint I have heard about Santa Pod is the Traffic, heard it's a bd getting in and out of that place!

[Turn7]

Kingnitro said:

The Biggest complaint I have heard about Santa Pod is the Traffic, heard it's a bd getting in and out of that place!

Only if stay in your sack to long and are desperate to go home.

Arrive early and spend the evening walking the far less crowded pits and talk to the crews who shoud now have some chill time, so are happy to talk.

[Upatdawn]

or plan to arrive by helicopter, there is a pad....

[firewalker]

Kingnitro said:

The Biggest complaint I have heard about Santa Pod is the Traffic, heard it's a bd getting in and out of that place!

It sometimes has it's sort of 'rush hour traffic' on a morning and moreso at the end of an event. It's pot luck really.

[Mark13]

Get in before 9 and leave after late and the traffic is no problem. The Pro stuff at the FIA rounds starts about 10.30 on qualifying days and 9.30ish on eliminations, but get in early enough to get round the pits, it is always worth it. You may even get a smile from Graham and his crew (err hang on a minute!).

[Tet]

firewalker said:

I'd reccomend Santa Pods Main Event or European Finals, or their Easter Thunderball for a reminder of what 1/4 mile TF is like

I would absolutely not recommend the Easter Thunderball. The weather is far too variable to risk wasting the cost of a transatlantic flight on, and there aren't enough pro cars to satisfy the "I want to see the best! car counts, etc." requirement. I'd go with what most have been saying and recommend either the European Finals at Santa Pod, or the Sweden Intenationals II at Tierp Arena. Or, you could make a 3 week trip out of it and do both :-)

[wicked fish]

Mark13 said:

Get in before 9 and leave after late and the traffic is no problem. The Pro stuff at the FIA rounds starts about 10.30 on qualifying days and 9.30ish on eliminations, but get in early enough to get round the pits, it is always worth it. You may even get a smile from Graham and his crew (err hang on a minute!).

your hoping for a lot arnt you........

[Bowler]

Tet said:

I would absolutely not recommend the Easter Thunderball. The weather is far too variable to risk wasting the cost of a transatlantic flight on, and there aren't enough pro cars to satisfy the "I want to see the best! car counts, etc." requirement.

+1

[firewalker]

Tet said:

firewalker said:

I'd reccomend Santa Pods Main Event or European Finals, or their Easter Thunderball for a reminder of what 1/4 mile TF is like

I would absolutely not recommend the Easter Thunderball. The weather is far too variable to risk wasting the cost of a transatlantic flight on, and there aren't enough pro cars to satisfy the "I want to see the best! car counts, etc." requirement. I'd go with what most have been saying and recommend either the European Finals at Santa Pod, or the Sweden Intenationals II at Tierp Arena. Or, you could make a 3 week trip out of it and do both :-)

Easter had the hottest dryest weather of any 2011 event hands down! But agreed- variable!!! It actually snowed in 2007 I think it was, (Easter was early).
Agreed on the competitor count also, although pro-fuel shootouts between TFDs and Funny Cars and now full 1/4 mile Top Fuel up the ante for Easter a bit. Plus if my memory serves me right fuel altereds are in on this but not the FIA events.
Later in the season would be the better time if the choice is there, more chance of catching more than one event and competition in full swing.

[Upatdawn]

Is SPR at Easter the last bastion of TF 1/4mile in Europe? (or indeed the world? - what are the aussies doing on that front?)

[Lurkin_Limey]

Australia haven't made a hard rules change to 1000 feet for Top Fuel, but are moving that way with a rules change this year to allow 1000ft, 1320ft (and 1/8 mile) racing in the same championship.
http://www.andra.com.au/latest-news/announcements/...
Limey

[Upatdawn]

Ive never got my head round TF vs AAFC with a handicap, just doesnt seem natural somehow, good for a nitro fix i suppose though

[firewalker]

Lurkin_Limey said:

Australia haven't made a hard rules change to 1000 feet for Top Fuel, but are moving that way with a rules change this year to allow 1000ft, 1320ft (and 1/8 mile) racing in the same championship.
http://www.andra.com.au/latest-news/announcements/...
Limey

That's ANDRA meetings, but mixed distances at the same event are nothing new down under.
I read Dragster Australia regularly (bi-monthly) and so far so good for maintaining the 1/4 mile for all classes at suitable tracks, presumably Sydney, Willowbank and Perth at least.
Andra are making huge efforts to promote the sport to wider audiences recently, it reminds me of the Pods efforts in recent times.

[MotorPsycho]

Euro Finals at the Pod always has a special feeling about it, championships coming down to the wire and all that. Weather can tend to be grey cold and windy though

Tierp looks amazing, weather should be good and the majority of FIA competitiors seem to be Scandinavian at the moment so big fields. Don't know what the atmosphere is like but it's on my list to visit.

[Bayracing]

Who cares, the pro mods will be there anyhow.

At least TF will be there and we will get to experience them launch and get nostrils full of that wonderful smell!

[Kingnitro]

What are the PM rules for the Euro series? They turn some good numbers there...