Electric Cars

In a thrilling display of speed and precision at the Santa Pod Raceway's FIA European Finals, Finland's Jere Rantaniemi, piloting his turbocharged Chevrolet Camaro, clinched the European Pro Mod championship for the second year in a row. The event was dominated by the raw power of 250mph turbocharged vehicles, showcasing the pinnacle of drag racing.

Rantaniemi's victory in the final round came against Estonian contender Andres Arnover, who had previously set the event's fastest qualifying time and top speed in his turbo Ford Mustang. The deciding moment hinged on Rantaniemi's superior reaction time at the start, granting him the win by a mere 0.0038 seconds, despite Arnover's slightly quicker overall elapsed time. This narrow win further cemented Rantaniemi's championship, which he had already secured earlier in the day by progressing further than his main rival, Marck Harteveld.

The competition also saw notable performances from British racer Andy Robinson, who achieved a career-best speed, and Jon Webster, who, despite a strong qualifying performance, was disqualified due to an incident. Beyond the European championship, Arnover's strong showing at the finals also positioned him favorably in the Motorsport UK British Drag Racing Championship. The event also featured the Top Fuel Dragsters category, where Susanne Callin emerged victorious in a high-stakes final, preventing Jndia Erbacher from repeating her previous year's championship feat.

Motorsport events like the European Pro Mod Drag Racing Finals are a testament to the relentless pursuit of excellence and the spirit of competition. They demonstrate how dedication, strategic planning, and unwavering focus can lead to triumph, even when faced with formidable challenges and razor-thin margins. These spectacles inspire us to push our own boundaries and to appreciate the intricate balance of skill and technology required to achieve greatness.

Matthew Ryder has successfully defended his British Hillclimb Championship, securing the 2025 title after another outstanding display at Prescott. His remarkable consistency throughout the season, highlighted by 14 victories in 26 competitive runs, solidifies his position at the pinnacle of the sport.

The Prescott event saw Ryder and his teammate Sean Gould dominate in their shared Gould GR59. This vehicle, recently reconstructed following an incident involving Gould at Shelsley Walsh a month prior, proved its resilience and competitive edge. The duo's exceptional performance included each securing a first and second place in the two championship run-offs. A significant factor in Ryder's title confirmation was Will Hall's repeated success in keeping four-time champion Wallace Menzies from higher positions, effectively sealing Menzies' inability to overtake Ryder in the standings, despite upcoming rounds at Doune and Loton Park.

The competition at Prescott was notably affected by unpredictable weather. A heavy morning thunderstorm particularly impacted early qualifiers, with Paul Haimes experiencing the most severe conditions at the start line. However, Ryder navigated the wet track with precision in the opening run-off, clocking an impressive 40.68-second climb to take the win. Gould, Hall, and Menzies trailed closely, while Alex Summers rounded out the top five. In the subsequent, drier run-off, Gould narrowly surpassed Ryder by merely 16 hundredths of a second, marking his second win of the season. Hall, Menzies, and Summers once again occupied the top positions, with Alex Coles also delivering a commendable performance in his smaller-engined Force TA, securing two eighth-place finishes.

Ryder's consistent performance and strategic excellence throughout the season have undeniably earned him this consecutive title. His ability to adapt to varying conditions and maintain a competitive edge speaks volumes about his skill and dedication, culminating in a well-deserved championship victory.