Dragster: Erbach duel without happy ending
EARLY EXIT IN HOCKENHEIM Urs Erbacher and daughter Jndia started with great expectations at the NitrOlympiX in Hockenheim with their 12000 hp dragsters. Despite the early elimination, they and their fans had reason to enjoy the family duel. The best came first: Shortly before departure, Jndia Erbacher was able to present her new main sponsor Monster Energy Drink. Monster-wise, that is [...]
The best came first: Shortly before departure, Jndia Erbacher was able to present her new main sponsor Monster Energy Drink.
Urs Erbacher and his daughter were also monstrous in the heats on the Rico Anthes Quartermile at the Motodrom Hockenheim.
They even met in the first qualification. In the second qualifying heat, the Basel native even set a new personal best in 4.03 with the 12,000 hp monster.
Overall, Jndia managed the fifth best time in the four qualifying rounds, and dad Urs the eighth. This raised the expectations of the fans and also of the Erbacher team.
After having another duel - which Rotunier won - on Saturday night's Night Show, they wouldn't see each other on the starting line together again until the finals.
But both were eliminated in the quarterfinals on Sunday. The European Championship leader Anita Mäkelä from Finland left Jndia Erbacher, whose spark plugs in the V8 engine literally burned out during this run, behind her in the first elimination.
Without the problem with the candles, Jndia believes, it would have been enough against the rival.
Urs Erbacher was eliminated in the first round against an overpowering Liam Jones at the German European Championship weekend. With 3.882 seconds over the 1000 feet distance, the Briton remained only just above the European record of 3.87.
Jones also beat Anita Mäkelä in the semifinals and then celebrated his first big win in the top class of drag racing against Antti Horto in the final.
Disappointment for last year's runner-up
Last year, Jndia Erbacher had surprised the experts with second place. So this super event ended relatively early on Sunday for Team Erbacher and its fans, including many VIP guests from Switzerland.
Jndia Erbacher: "But I'm not disappointed about that. I'm happy about my new sponsor and the new best time at Hockenheim. Our crew, of which I'm mega proud, did a beastly job with two cars. If all the factors don't fit together, you're out quickly in drag racing. Now we're looking ahead and trying to do better in Santa Pod in September. My goal remains the first time under four seconds..."
In the FIA Pro Modified class with up to 3000 hp touring cars, the Swiss Peter Wacker, Roland Bolleter and Marcus Hilt also got stuck in the 1/8 finals already.
Basic information and photos: Jürg Streun
