From Drag Illustrated

European Top Fuel Champion Ida Zetterström to Make NHRA Debut with JCM Racing

 

14.12.2023

Newly crowned FIA Top Fuel champion Ida Zetterström is on the move. Zetterström announced today her plans to make her NHRA Top Fuel debut with JCM Racing during the 2024 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season. The Finnish driver is making a major commitment to her NHRA goals by moving to the United States to pursue her dreams of competing for an NHRA world championship. She plans to run a limited schedule in 2024 with the goal of running a full-time campaign in 2025.

 

“This is truly a dream come true,” said Zetterström, the FIA Top Fuel record holder for elapsed time and speed. “I’ve been working towards this goal for years now, and to have Joe Maynard and the JCM Racing organization recognize my efforts and potential means so much. I’m so thankful for everyone who has helped me reach this point, including all the NHRA drivers who have offered tips and guidance.

 

“The plan for now is to run at least five events next year starting in the second half of the season, but we are actively pursuing partners in hopes of running as many races as possible, as soon as possible. I’m ready to hit the ground running!” added Zetterström, who in addition to competing for NHRA Wally trophies, will also be battling for the title of NHRA’s 2024 Rookie of the Year.

 

Zetterström started racing in the Jr. Dragster ranks at age 8 before moving up to Super Comp at 16. She then switched to two wheels, where she won a pair of Super Street Bike championships. She became the first woman to win a championship in the class, as well as the first to run in the 6-second zone. In 2021, Zetterström earned her FIA Top Fuel license on the strength of the quickest-ever licensing run in European drag racing history. The following year, she became the first European Top Fuel driver to dip into the 3.70-second range in 1,000-foot competition. She also earned her first FIA event win and finished third in the FIA championship standings.

 

“This is a unique opportunity to bring a talented rising star into the world of NHRA drag racing,” said JCM Racing team owner, Joe Maynard. “We’ve followed Ida’s success on and off the track for some time now. She obviously has the skills it takes to excel in Top Fuel. Plus, she understands the importance of social media and how to utilize it to benefit partners. The 2023 FIA season saw Zetterström and the RF Motorsport team pick up four event wins, three No. 1 qualifier awards, and both ends of the European Top Fuel record. She lost just one round of eliminations all season to secure the FIA European championship.

 

Zetterström has also made an impression off the track, as she’s been featured in numerous international publications and podcasts. She has a substantial following on social media, with more She’s the full package. I believe Ida has a bright future in NHRA drag racing, and we’re thrilled that she’s making her U.S. debut as a member of our JCM Racing organization.” Zetterström, who currently lives in the Åland Islands of Finland, is planning to relocate to the Indianapolis area to be close to the JCM Racing shop. The Brownsburg, Ind.-based JCM Racing team is currently in the process of building a car that Zetterström will begin driving during pre-season testing in March 2024. The new team’s crew chief and sponsors will be announced at a later date.

 

“Ida has been so successful in Europe, and now she’s going to compete with the best of the best among the NHRA ranks,” Maynard said. “She’s obviously committed to the opportunity by moving here. Similarly, we’re committed to providing her with the resources she needs to contend for NHRA Rookie of the Year honors in 2024, and if all goes as planned, to compete for an NHRA Top Fuel championship to go along with her European title starting in 2025.” Zetterström will begin testing with JCM Racing during the NHRA Gatornationals pre-race test session at Gainesville Raceway in Gainesville, Fla. in March.

 

 

 

Ida European record

 

Ida wins the 2023 FIA Championship

19.09.2023

After a rainfull year Ida finished the season in style at an unusual hot Santa Pod by winning the race and setting low ET of the race.

Both Tierp races had the finals cancelled due to rain. We didn't get away from it at the other races either, but they managed to finish them.

Ida only lost one round all year, and qualified number 1 at all but the Main Event. She also reset the European Speed and ET records. A true testament to her dedicated crew.

Susanne ended up as Runner Up in the championship, while Antti and Duncan only made two races each

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ida new European record

 

 

Ida new European record

29.05.2023

The Main Event 2023 was a great race, especially for Ida who brushed aside all competition and set both ends of the European record on her way to the winners circle. She qualified second behind Susanne with a 3.84 at 304.8 Mph.
In the fIrst elimination round against Dennis Nilsson she ran a 3.805 at 317.75 Mph which was her best terminal speed. She also ran her best speed at the eight mile with 287.39 Mph.
In the semi finals she outperformed Jndia with a 3.773 at 321.03 Mph.
The finals was easy match as Susanne smoked the tires at the hit. 3.80 at 311.95

Unloading

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FIA logo
2023 FIA European Championship schedule

 

May 26-29 Santa Pod Raceway England
June 15-18 Tierp Sweden
August 10-13 Tierp Sweden
August 25-27 Hockenheim Germany
September 7-10 Santa Pod Raceway England

 

 

 

Susanne winner

20.09.2022

Another win for Susanne as she also set a new personal best of 3.885 at 309.20 miles per hour. This is also a new Swedish record both speed and ET. She ended in second place in the European FIA Championship.
Antti qualified first with a 3.821 at 305.17, but lost in the final against Susanne. Antti ended up winning the European FIA Championship
Ida had high hopes going in to the finals, but clutch problems and rain showers set a stop for the ambitions. Ida ended the year loosing first round against Susanne, and finished as number three in the championship, but still holds the European record of 3.782

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

01.09.2022

Rico Anthes quarter mile in Hockenheim wasn't prepared as good as normal, so we all struggled with traction after halftrack. Ida qualified second, Anti forth and Susanne was fifth.
For the first time in many years we attended the night show which is the big attraction in Hockenheim.
Susanne finally had her first win in the final over Antti after winning a close race to Ida

 

15.08.2022

Tierp International Sweden with beautiful northern lights over the pits

Northern light in the pits

 

Ida winner

 

After all the problems with Brexit, carnet and Covid, we finally got to race at Tierp again. With no rain it looked like we were going to have a great race, but it was very hot and humid, not the best conditions for great times.
Antti had problems with an oil leak and could not come out for Friday qualifications. Ida and Susanne were out for the first session with early tire smoke and shut off. In the last session Ida run a belt breaking 3.89 which was good for Q1 on Friday.
On Saturday Antti took the no 1 with a 3.88 while Susanne run an early shut off 4.02 good for Q4. Ida was smoking the tires on both qualifiers.
In the first round on Sunday Ida defeated Tommi Happanen with a great 3.83 to a 3.92. Antti got a single as Susanne was shut off on the line with engine failure. He smoked the tires which gave Ida lane choice for the final.
The Final was an up in smoke for both Ida and Antti. Antti tried to pedal, but blew the burst panel while Ida broke the belt again due to spinning the tires. They both coasted to the finish line where Ida got there first for the win.
Now we’re off to Hockenheim for the next round

Unloading

 

 

 

 

Tian

 

30.06.2022

First race for RFM Dragbike rookie Tian

Nine year old Tian Magnussen from Norway is starting his drag bike season with support from RF Motorsport this year. And the first race for the young boy was at his "home track" Gardermoen Raceway this weekend at the Summer Shot-Out 2022 event. Tian is driving his bike in the junior recruit class, a national Norwegian class for kids up to 11 years old. This year is his second season, and he was quite eager to get on his new bike and turn the throttle. This year he is running on a 2005 Honda CBR 125cc, a bike with good potential for him to grow and learn.
The weekend went well and after some training outside the track the young lad started to get into the groove again and every pass gave big smiles all over. On Sunday he managed to do his best pass ever with a 13,4@88,5km/h crossing the line at 201 meters. That was his pass number 9 for the weekend, but then the rain came and the race was cancelled.
Next up for the young RFM rookie rider is the Norwegian Championship round at Fyresdal, a unique track up in the mountains of Norway, the same place where Rune in 1978 raced for the first time in Norway. A great place with much history of drag racing and we are so happy to be able to race there very soon with the help and support from RF Motorsport.

 

 

 

Ida and Antti

 

29.05.2022

The Main Event

The first round of the European FIA Championship was not the greatest mostly due to Brexit, but we had all three cars out for the championship race.
Susanne was struggling with some unknown mechanical problems in qualifying which seemed fixed for the first round, but smoked the tires against Antti who set a new personal best with 3.80 and 318 Mph.
Ida was on a first round single pass where she set a new European record with a 3.782 at only 301 Mph. The blower belt broke before the finish line doing 3.01 286 Mph at the 1/8 mile.
In the final Antti run another 3.80 against an up in smoke Ida
The next Championship round should be Tierp if all goes well. Let's hope for some more cars there.

 

 

 

2022 Festival of Power

 

29.04.2022

Festival of Power



It was Antti Horto, Ida Zetterstrøm and Susanne Callin out for the first time of 2022. As Antti only had a skeleton crew we decided that he only made 1 pass a day. Susanne and Ida was to make 5 runs over the weekend.
 Antti Horto

 

 

Antti made three 0.82 60ft. passes, but shook at the last supposed full pass. All looking good for the first FIA race at Santa Pod.

 

 

Ida Zetterstrom

 

Ida had some great runs and the quickest pass in Europe to the 1/8 mile at 3.01 with an early shutoff 3.83 at 264 Mph. Looking forward to The Main Event.


 

 

Susanne Callin


Susanne was struggling with a faulty clutch controller, so she didn't make any full runs. Early numbers looking good, so we hope the new clutch parts will arrive in time for the next race. We then should have all cars in the eighties or maybe a 70 or two 😁👌

 

 

 

2022 drivers

 

20.12.2021

Our drivers for next year will be Antti Horto, Susanne Callin and Ida Zetterstrøm.
Ida, the only newcomer, gained her license at Santa Pod in September running a great 3.86 at only 265 MPH. as the blower belt broke just after passing the eight mile in 3.03 282 MPH.
Susanne also came out for a few runs at Santa Pod setting personal best with a string of early shut off 3.90 runs.
Antti came to Santa Pod for some runs in June where he had a stout eight mile of 3.03. Shutting off early with only 252 MPH. He also came in September but struggled with tire shake.
So now we are all looking forward to another year, hoping this will be a proper Championship with no Covid restrictions

 

 

 

 

FIA logo
2022 FIA European Championship schedule

 

May 26-29 Santa Pod Raceway England
June 16-19 Tierp Sweden Cancelled
June 30-July 3 Kauhava Finland Cancelled
August 11-14 Tierp Sweden
August 26-28 Hockenheim Germany
September 8-11 Santa Pod Raceway England

 

 

santa pod poster

 

10.04.2021

So it's finally decided that the first three races in the FIA European Championship are cancelled. Still Tierp 2 and Hockenheim will have to be confirmed, so there is a chance there will not be a Championship this year.

If that's the case we will only be racing at Santa Pod and concentrate on the 2022 season.

Our first race this year will be at Santa Pod on the 25 to 27 of June with Susanne confirmed as driver of the Slick Tricks dragster. We will come back with the other drivers as soon as they are confirmed.

 

 

 

drivers 2021

 

18.02.2021

2020 was a strange year for everyone. We were all ready to go racing at the Easter opening race, but as Covid took hold, everything was cancelled. We did however make one match-race between Susanne and Antti in September.

So here we are in February ever hopeful to go racing again. We are all ready and eager for the season to get under way although the season opener in Easter still looks doubtful.

Hopefully by the time the FIA Championship starts, enough people have had their vaccine, and things will get more back to "normal"

One thing is for sure. Susanne, Antti and Duncan will be fighting for the title.

 

 

 

 

FIA logo
2021 FIA European Championship schedule

 

May 28-31 Santa Pod Raceway England Cancelled
June 10-13 Tierp Sweden Cancelled
July 8-10 Kauhava Finland Cancelled
August 12-15 Tierp Sweden Cancelled
August 27-29 Hockenheim Germany Cancelled
September 9-12 Santa Pod Raceway England Cancelled

 

 

 

 

Santa Pod September 2019: New European record again

 

 

After setting a new European record in Tierp Sweden, Maja improves it by a hundred of a second in the last qualifying session at the   Santa Pod Finals

 

 

on the way to a new european record 3.80 european record