Decline of TF in Europe/FIA

[Upatdawn]

Apart from a few Swedish meets most TF fields have been 2 or 3 entries, whilst AAFC (a non-FIA class) has had (in the UK) 5 entries, even susanne Callin had a AAFC tryout, i wonder what 2026 will bring

[Benni]

I guess it´s down to lack of funding, Drag Racing even on Euro Champs Top Fuel level is just a niche motorsport in Europe,
no TV coverage means no mega sponsoring which is deffo needed to fund a whole FIA tour.
Not many people are willing to burn 250-500k€ per season for a title that gives no financial reward (or breaks even the cost).
There are more cars in Europe, especially Scandinavia,
but their owners do not want the costs for annual SFI checks & investments
and cannot afford the whole tour so they race "for fun" on non-FIA events.
I am grateful for the few cars, owners and drivers that still go for it,
they do amazing performances in the very limited track time they have.

[bergclimber34]

Its always been the same since the late 90s, similar as Funny car, hardly ever any of those either.

[Upatdawn]

bergclimber34 said:

Its always been the same since the late 90s, similar as Funny car, hardly ever any of those either.

But AAFC isnt a FIA class yet 5 appeared at the finals, and Susanne Callin had a tryout too

AAFC was kept alive here by the Shockwave and Showtime teams thankfully

TFB in the US is down to 2 entries, almost an exhibition class yet 10 entered the Finals, pity Spiderman cannot contest the Euro title

Edited by Upatdawn on Sunday 19th October 14:05

[Meteor Madness]

Maybe its time to merge the dragsters and funny cars into one class, as in Top Alcohol Methanol

[Upatdawn]

Meteor Madness said:

Maybe its time to merge the dragsters and funny cars into one class, as in Top Alcohol Methanol

I cant see that happening under current FIA legislation/classification

[coppice]

I must say that although everyone, including those who've never seen drag racing , knows about and enthuses about TF , it's far from my favourite. The speed is jaw dropping of course and I admire anyone who can tame one of those monsters, but for pure theatre , with a thunderous soundtrack dare I admit to preferring Pro Mod?

[Upatdawn]

coppice said:

I must say that although everyone, including those who've never seen drag racing , knows about and enthuses about TF , it's far from my favourite. The speed is jaw dropping of course and I admire anyone who can tame one of those monsters, but for pure theatre , with a thunderous soundtrack dare I admit to preferring Pro Mod?

I think PM are the ultimate embodiment of the original doorslammer hotrod, visually the most outstanding, after a long sojourn and my return in 1998 i had trouble catching up with classes and indeed, whith what the FIA was

[bergclimber34]

The fascinating of Pro Mod is the fads, the body everyone has to have, for a bit it was blowers or nitro, n9w it 8s huge turbos and sleek bodies, the quarter times in the States are unreal, you will get the field in the mid 5.s

[Camaro]

bergclimber34 said:

The fascinating of Pro Mod is the fads, the body everyone has to have, for a bit it was blowers or nitro, n9w it 8s huge turbos and sleek bodies, the quarter times in the States are unreal, you will get the field in the mid 5.s

Nitrous?