Switzerland's only Top Fuel pilot, Urs Erbacher, has earned four FIA
European championships in his drag racing career. Now he'll travel
6,000 miles from Geneva to Las Vegas to add another piece of hardware
to his trophy case -- a Wally from an NHRA national event.
Earlier this year, prior to the start of the FIA season, Erbacher
competed in four NHRA events and earned the distinction of becoming the
first European-based racer in more than three decades to win an
elimination round. Erbacher did so in
impressive style, taking out No. 1 qualifier Alan Bradshaw at the
O'Reilly Spring Nationals in Houston. Prior to Erbacher's big win, the
last European to claim a round in the U.S. was Clive Skilton in 1977.
"That was one of the biggest round wins of my career because of what it
meant back home," Erbacher said. "When we returned for our regular
season in Europe, everyone was very excited for our team. All the other
racers and crewmen came to
us with congratulations. They were happy to see one of their own have success in America.