Drag racing is called the world's fastest motorsport, and when it goes at its fastest, the vehicle reaches over 500 kilometers per hour. A physical sensation that is hard to beat, says 30-year-old Zetterström.
The spectators can physically feel the cars racing, which you have difficulty doing in any other motorsport. When top fuel is on the track, it shakes your chest and you feel the pressure wave, she says.
Top fuel is the fastest class in drag racing. This weekend, Zetterström makes her debut in the American NHRA series during a competition in Brainerd, Minnesota.
A lifelong dream becomes a reality.
This is the biggest thing I've ever been involved in. This is what I've worked for most of my life.
She continues:
The highest class, the highest series, and the absolute world elite. It doesn't get bigger than this.
Over 200,000 followers
Zetterström grew up in Järfälla and moved to Åland when she was twelve years old. After last year's European Championship title, she was recruited by American JCM Racing and moved across the Atlantic.
Never before had anyone taken the step from Europe to the top fuel class in the USA.
If you want to be the best in drag racing and reach the absolute top elite, this is where you have to be. This is where the sport is biggest and where you can have a chance to win a World Championship. If you want to be the best at what you do, you have to surround yourself with people who are the best in the world – and that's why I'm here.
She also notices a completely different interest in drag racing in the USA than in Europe. On Instagram, she has over 200,000 followers, and before her debut, she awaits interviews on TV shows and morning sofas.
The goal: Win a championship
In the USA, it's incredibly big. It's one of the three biggest motorsports, Nascar, Indycar, and drag racing, with the most TV viewers and the greatest interest in the sport. In Europe, it's completely different, drag racing is popular but not media-wise big.
This year's NHRA season has already begun when Ida Zetterström makes her debut. The big long-term goal is to win a championship.
This year, it's not possible, of course, since I'm running a shorter season. But we want to try to get a head start for next season, find a good flow, and get good routines. The long-term goal is that we should be able to fight for a championship.
Drag racing is the world's fastest motorsport. The drivers meet side by side in elimination heats in their long, narrow vehicles.
The sport has many different classes, including nitromethane-powered top fuel. The vehicle then reaches 100 km/h in about 0.8 seconds. At that point, the vehicle has traveled about 17 meters. Three seconds later, the speed is over 500 km/h.
Source: Swedish Automobile Sports Federation
