Top Fuel – Erbacher claims victory

In Top Fuel, reigning FIA European champion Jndia Erbacher delighted the fans by storming to victory. The event saw a reduced field after Susanne Callin, championship leader coming into Hockenheim, was forced to withdraw following damage sustained in qualifying. As a result, the semifinals were decided on bye runs, with Erbacher and Liam Jones advancing directly to the final. Erbacher delivered with a 4.20-second pass to defeat Jones’ 4.34. The result moved Jones to the top of the championship standings, while Erbacher’s victory confirmed her reputation as one of the toughest competitors in the class.

Top Methanol – Strauch stuns with first victory

The Top Methanol eliminations produced one of the biggest surprises of the weekend. After championship leader and pole qualifier Jonny Lagg lost traction in the semifinals, Silvio Strauch seized the opportunity to advance to his first ever FIA European final. Earlier, Strauch had defeated compatriot Jürgen Nagel in round one before eliminating Lagg. On the other side of the ladder, Sandro Bellio benefitted from a red light by Tony Bryntesson and then a semifinal bye run to progress. In the final, Strauch rose to the occasion with his quickest run of the weekend, a 5.49-second pass, defeating Bellio’s 5.67. The German driver’s breakthrough victory was celebrated loudly by the home fans, while Bellio’s runner-up finish was enough to move him into the lead of the championship standings and put him back on track to claim a third FIA European title at Santa Pod, after those won in 2019 and 2022.

Pro Modified – Harteveld takes dramatic win

Pro Modified once again provided a weekend of unpredictability, with several favourites eliminated early. Top qualifier David Vegter was unable to fire up his Camaro, handing victory to Kim Kristiansen, who advanced as far as the semifinals. Michel Tooren, another leading contender, saw his campaign end with mechanical problems in the quarter finals, while Mats Eriksson also exited early after being defeated by Bruno Bader. Defending champion Jere Rantaniemi fought his way past Andres Arnover before benefitting from Kristiansen’s red light in the semifinals. Meanwhile, Marck Harteveld advanced by defeating Bader to set up a rematch of the Tierp final. In an extraordinary outcome, Harteveld red-lit, but Rantaniemi was disqualified for crossing the centre line, handing the victory to Harteveld. The Dutchman’s dramatic win moved him into the championship lead by the narrowest of margins.

Pro Stock – Ålund strikes back

In Pro Stock, the expected final between season-long rivals Jimmy Ålund and Robin Norén materialised once again. Ålund advanced with a strong 6.66-second semifinal run after defeating Simon Ekengren, while Norén overcame Henry Riehl before advancing past Michael Malmgren. The Tierp Arena final had gone Norén’s way, but at Hockenheim it was Ålund who struck back, powering to a 6.62-second victory over Norén’s 6.71. With this result, Ålund reclaimed the lead in the championship, setting the stage for a thrilling title decider this weekend in the UK.

Looking ahead – Title battles reach boiling point at Santa Pod

The FIA European Drag Racing Championship reaches its grand finale with the European Finals at Santa Pod Raceway, September 4–7. After three intense rounds, the standings remain wide open across all four categories, ensuring a dramatic conclusion to the 2025 season.

In Top Fuel, Liam Jones carries a narrow lead into the finale, but Susanne Callin is just behind and determined to strike back after her setback in Germany. Reigning champion Jndia Erbacher, fresh from her NitrOlympX victory, also remains a serious contender, making this one of the tightest title fights in years.

The Top Methanol battle is equally fierce. Sandro Bellio’s consistency put him in the points lead, but Jonny Lagg, Tony Bryntesson, Tina Höst Nedregard and German race winner Silvio Strauch are all within reach. Every elimination round at Santa Pod could reshape the standings.

In Pro Modified, Marck Harteveld and Jere Rantaniemi are separated by just one point, while Andres Arnover, Michel Tooren, David Vegter, and Mats Eriksson all remain threats in the 16-car field.

Finally, Pro Stock will see Jimmy Ålund and Robin Norén fight head-to-head for the crown, with only 6 points between them.

With all titles undecided, Santa Pod promises a spectacular climax to the 2025 championship.