FIM-E European Dragbike Racing season – 2026 edition starts this weekend
words and photos by Ivan Sansom and Rose Hughes
The opening round of this season’s FIM-E tour commences this weekend at Santa Pod Raceway, England with qualifying scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, before eliminations kick off on the Whitsun Bank Holiday Monday. The meeting is also the first of the headlining European rounds as part of the 60th year of operations at one of the most famous tracks outside of North America. Legendary names such as E.J. Potter and Alf Hagon were among the two wheeled attractions of the opening season in 1966 when ets and speeds in the 5 second and 260 mph range on two wheels would have been unthinkable.
FIM-E Top Fuel Bike
A very healthy mix of nitro burners and funnybikes to kick of the 2026 season here at the Main Event bodes well. Three of last season’s top five in the points are in attendance, with the reigning champion Rikard Gustafsson leading the way with his 5.6 second Indian backed nitro burner hailing from Sweden. Stuart Crane ended up in second place in 2025 with his 6.1 second funnybike, ahead of a now retired Eric Richard, while fourth spot was taken by Malta’s Glenn Borg. Backed up by a further six entries, the nine bike field means qualifying will be intense and a six second bump spot looks definitely on the cards, and maybe something quicker than the 6.844 record that has stood since 2003.
FIM-E Super Twin Bike
 The rumbling Super Twins open their season at the Main Event, with a five bike entry. Led by the incomparable Danish Speedy’s Racing outfit with Marcus Christiansen riding the record setting twin, three of last season’s top four are in attendance, with Roman Sixta (last year’s number 3) hauling his way over from the Czech Republic and Martin Bühler (4th in 2025) arriving from Switzerland. With a mixture of veterans and comparative rookies on the entry list, a good start to the year here is on the cards for all the assembled teams.
FIM-E Super Street Bike
A truly Pan-European field for FIM-E Super Street Bike this weekend, with the breadth and depth to take serious aim at the 7.2816 second record bump spot set at the Euro Finals last year. Three of 2025 season’s top five in the points are in attendance, with Brit Jake Mechaell looking to repeat last year’s championship winning run, compatriot Alan Morrison Jnr aiming to regain the title he took in 2023 and 2024, and Ioannis Lampropoulos leading a considerable Greek charge at the FIM-E crown. The race entry is also littered with wily veterans and many debutants which will provide an entertaining mix over the course of the weekend.
FIM-E Pro Stock Bike
In common with the rest of the FIM-E categories, the Main Event marks the season opener for the Pro Stockers. Although two time and reigning champion Jörg Lymant is in attendance aiming to take a third title in a row back to Germany, while we’re missing three of the 2025 top five for a variety of reasons, Martin Bishop is the remaining member of last season’s top quintet.
FIM-E Junior Drag Bike
The Juniors arrive for their opening round of three in the FIM-E Cup with a mixture of ‘old’ hands and comparative rookies looking for event honours. Alia Lester will be looking to defend her Cup title from last season, although an additional eight (including Hollie King, champ in 2022 and 2024, and Leah Morrison, title holder in 2023) will be looking for a strong start to the year.
Entry list is here:
https://www.santapodracersclub.com/entry_lists/2026/3_main_event/mainevent_entry_list
Livestream will be here:
https://www.youtube.com/@SantaPodTV
Results over the weekend will be posted here:
https://santapodresults.com/2026/Main%20Event/
Individual ET slips will be posted here:
https://www.etslips.co.uk/
FIM-E Schedule 2026
May 22-25, Main Event, Santa Pod Raceway, England
August 6-9, Summit Racing Equipment Internationals, Tierp Arena, Sweden
August 21-23, NitrOlympX, Hockenheimring, Germany
September 10-13, Euro Finals, Santa Pod Raceway, England
