Drag racing back at Santa Pod Raceway with socially distanced competition

Nitro drag racing will be back for the first time this year at Santa Pod Raceway this weekend (September 11 to 13).

The racing track was meant to be hosting the European Finals, the biggest drag race of the season, but Covid-19 forced all international and national competitions and series to cancel.

Instead, Santa Pod is holding the NOT The European Finals presented by STP. It will be a socially distanced version of the big race with 181 cars and motorcycles.

There will be entrants from six countries (quarantine rules permitting) which is fewer than the usual representation from around 16 or 17 countries.

There will be a pair of nitro-burning Top Fuel Dragsters, three nitro Funny Cars and a trio of historic-style Nostalgia Funnies.

The top stars racing at this weekend's event are the UK's Susanne Callin, who was the first teenager to hit 300mph, and Finland's Antti Horto, who came second at the 2018 European Top Fuel championship.

Denmark's Hans-Henrick Thomsen will attempt a quarter-mile world record on an electric drag bike on Friday night.

There will also be Top Fuel Bikes, exhibition Jet Cars, a Monster Truck and stunt driving and displays.

Santa Pod started hosting closed-door events in July before now opening as a Covid-compliant venue.

The raceway has made immense effort under local authority scrutiny to make sure social distancing, hygiene and safety measures are maintained with the local authority reviewing risk assessments every week.

It means spectator tickets are limited and all tickets must be booked in advance at santapodtickets.com or by calling 01234 782828. There will be no ticket sales on the gate.

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