Ida Zetterström has had quite a journey. From her early days in Junior Dragsters to dominating the European drag racing scene and making her mark in the NHRA, it’s been a topsy-turvy ride for the racer. Fueled by a passion for speed from an early age, her impressive track record across multiple classes has proven that Zetterström has what it takes to compete against the very best.
Ida Zetterström: Early Life and Background
Born on May 2, 1994, in Stockholm, Sweden, Ida Zetterström was introduced to the world of motorsports from an early age. Her father was an engine builder who frequently brought her to racetracks, which is where her interest in living in the fast lane began. She was already a regular at the tracks by the age of three, and she began competing in the Junior Dragster categories at the age of eight.
Zetterström showed her racing prowess quickly, excelling in both the Junior Stock and Junior Modified Categories until the age of 16. She even dominated motorcycle drag racing, setting records by winning with her 6-second drag bike. Her reputation grew in the Super Street Bike class as she made a name for herself in the motorcycle drag racing world.
Even though she was born in Sweden, Zetterström spent the majority of her life on the Åland Islands in Finland. Even though she grew up on a small island, her goal of making a career in racing remained. Looking back on her journey, she said, “When you love something, you make it happen.”
Career in Drag Racing
After making a name for herself in the motorcycle drag racing world, Zetterström transitioned into Top Fuel drag racing in 2021. While in the middle of her licensing process, she ran an incredible 3.862-second pass, the fastest licensing pass ever recorded by the FIA. This immediately placed her in Europe’s elite Top Fuel racers.
She continued going from strength to strength, as her first full season in the FIA Drag Racing Championship was very impressive, as she won her first event in the second race. She went on to dominate the following year, winning four events to claim her first FIA Top Fuel Championship. She also set a new European elapsed-time record of 3.773 seconds, as well as a European speed record of 321 mph.
Despite her success, Zetterström wanted to challenge herself even further. She moved to the Indianapolis area in January 2024, joining JCM Racing to make her NHRA Top Fuel debut later that year. As expected, she went on to impress, advancing into the semifinals in her first event and defeating a multi-time champion. By the end of her rookie year, she was recognized by fans as The NHRA National Dragster’s ‘Best New Talent.’
JCM Racing’s team owner, Joe Maynar,d said this when she signed for the team: “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. 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.”
Ida Zetterström on the Challenges of Drag Racing in Europe
Unlike in the United States, drag racing in Sweden and the rest of Europe isn’t as widespread. However, Zetterström noted that the sport still has a passionate fanbase, saying, “It’s actually really big. While we don’t have as many races as here in the U.S., when we have them, people really come together to support our events. We can easily have between 50,000 – 80,000 fans attend the event. It’s a fantastic atmosphere.”
However, one of the biggest challenges she has faced is sourcing parts for Top Fuel cars. Unlike in the United States, fewer teams and suppliers exist in Europe, which means getting the necessary components can be a challenge. On that note, she said, “It takes a little longer to get everything, and we must source things in a different way than in the U.S. Mainly, we source through the teams in the U.S. We just don’t have the same kind of budget in Europe as the U.S. teams, so we have to buy from the U.S. teams when they have parts to sell.”
Achievements and Recognition
Despite being 30 years old, Zetterström’s career already has plenty of historic milestones and accolades. She was the first woman to win in the European Super Street Bike class and was crowned the 2019 Scandinavian Super Street Bike Champion. She also holds the European Top Fuel ET record (3.773s) and was named Drag Illustrated’s 30 Under 30 class of 2022. Apart from that, Zetterström is also the 2023 FIA Top Fuel World Champion and the 2024 Captain of the FIA Olympics Motorsports Team, Sweden.
Conclusion
It’s been quite a ride for Ida Zetterström. Being able to transition between different racing disciplines isn’t easy, but the Swedish racer has made it look effortless because of her talent and hard work. From dominating in Junior Drafters, motorcycles, and now Top Fuel, the racer has impressed every step of the way. Now that she has moved on to the NHRA, Zetterström is competing against some of the biggest names in sport and carving a name for herself in the United States.
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