The NitrOlympX also marks the start of the second half of the season in the FIA classes. Here is an overview of how the drivers performed in the first two events:
Top Fuel Dragster
After two rounds, the ‘fuelers’ are in a very exciting situation: Sweden’s Susanne Callin arrives at the Hockenheimring as the leader with 132 points. Just a blink of an eye behind her is Britain’s Liam Jones, just two tiny points behind, followed by Jndia Erbacher with 66 points.
Top Methanol
This class really offers ‘drama and excitement’: Norwegian Tina Høst Nedregård, who has been competing in TMD since 2023, scored well in Santa Pod and took the lead in the standings by crossing the finish line in the final in Tierp. It was certainly tenths of a second of joy over this victory until she realised that something was wrong with her brake parachutes and she crashed into the emergency sand bunker at Tierp at a speed of over 400 km/h. She was all right, but her dragster looked like a drink can crumpled by the Hulk. So there she stands on the winner’s podium with the trophy in her hands but fighting back tears – end of season! Until she received a text message from Dave Wilson: the British veteran, who hung up his racing suit in 2016 after several EU titles, made Tina and her team a fabulous offer: ‘I’ll lend you my dragster, you just have to fit your engine, gearbox and clutch.’ Whether everything will be ready in time for the NOX is questionable, but the end of the season in Pod is secured.
Sweden’s Tony Bryntesson (152 points), Sandro Bellio (Belgium) with 142 points, and reigning champion Jonny Lagg with 140 points will be battling it out for points at the NitrOlympX. German representatives Silvio Strauch (93) and Jürgen Nagel (64) are currently in 5th and 6th place.
Pro Modified
Thirty drivers are battling it out for the championship title. Current champion Jere Rantaniemi from Finland is at the top of the interim standings with an impressive 201 points. Marck Harteveld (NED) is sitting right behind him with a very close margin (200 points). Andres Arnover from Estonia is third on the list with 152 points. Bruno Bader from Switzerland follows in 7th place, and the German representatives Michael Winter, Norbert Kuno and Walter Strobel (each of whom only competed in one race) in 14th, 19th and 25th place.
Pro Stock
The Pro Stock class has been a Swedish domain for years, with even Finns considered exotic. This year, too, the Swedes are firmly in the top spots: Robin Norén with 192 points ahead of reigning champion Jimmy Ålund (173), followed by Stefan Ernryd (116), Lasse Britsmar (107) and Michael Malmgren (91). In 7th place is Finland’s Richard Sundblom (68 points). In 9th place with 65 points is Henry Riehl from Germany, who tops the exotic factor massively with his Mercedes CLK as the only vehicle not manufactured in the US.
