FIA Top Fuel Dragster (1/4 mile): 
Tommy Johnson Jr. (US)

Best ET: 4.660 sec.
Speed: 317.06 mph / 510 km/h

Tommy´s first ever event in Europe turned out well despite the rained out eliminations. He says I only met the crew Thursday and it already felt as we have known each other for years. The Andersens have made it really easy for me, the crew is so easy going and extremely quick servicing the car in between runs. Tommy´s safety gear went missing in the transport over from the US and was delivered to the track just in time the evening before the qualifications which was a relief. About the performance Johnson Jr comments that it took a couple of runs to get it right but for qualification session #3 they had figured it out. The team sat out the last session but stayed no.1

US tuner Jim Brissette who is in co-operation with the Andersens since before, was actually Tommy Johnson Jr:s first crew chief in Top Fuel already in 1990, so the two knew each other well and the Andersens came highly recommended.

Tommy Johnson Jr is sceduled to run the full FIA Championship for Andersen Racing and fly back and forth to assist team Schumacher on the US side of the Atlantic in between his commitments in Europe.


FIA Top Methanol Dragster:
Timo Habermann (Germany)

Best ET:  5.421 sec.
Speed: 258.18 mph / 415.41 km/h
Timo tells the team tested different setups during qualifications. The wind interferred a lot during session #2 and the computer showed quicker ET:s than the score board. The engine was checked and serviced thoroughly before the eliminations, so the car is fresh and ready for the Tierp race. About the goal for the season Timo says he would love to run his first 5.20 sec run. With a personal best of 5.31 that does not seem unrealistic. For brother Dennis who has shown to be able to win races too, performance in the 5.30 sec. range (which also would mean a new personal best) is what the team aim for


FIA Top Methanol Funny Car:
Ulf Leanders (Sweden)

Best ET: 5.637 sec.
Speed: 249.19 mph / 400.94 km/h

During the 2^nd qualifying session Ulf Leanders set an impressvie new personal best and unofficial European record of 5.6370 sec. With 60-foot times in the low 0.90 sec range Ulf himself was quite astonished. The team did not get a chance to back it up to be a valid European record, but if the trend continue we gather there will be new chances. The Leanders Bros kept the car in the US 2010 and participated in a few NHRA races. Ulf Leanders smiles and says that in the best of worlds he would love to have one race car in the US and one in Europe, but also that it feels great to be back in the FIA European Championship racing after one season off. About the qualifications at Santa Pod Ulf comments they had no problems and that the engine was “happy”. Ulf commented that he missed one of the strongest opponents in the class, Leif Andréasson, who had to cancel his participation late (Andréasson is one of the founders of the new Tierp Arena and obviously with a very hectic schedule). The two will however meet at the Sweden Internationals at Tierp Arena June 9^th-12^th which is also the home track for both of them. Leanders Bros. plan to run the full championship.

The Leanders Clutch company operated by Ulf and brother Jörgen, have had success in the US as well as Europe where their high quality and low maintenance clutches have contributed to the success of quite a few teams in the Pro Stock and Pro Mod classes. One can´t help thinking Leanders´ own performance provide proof the Leanders Clutch clutches really seem to work well. 

FIA Pro Modified:
Michael Gullqvist (Sweden)

Best ET: 6.085 sec.
Speed: 234.83 mph / 377.84 km/h

2010 championship runner-up Michael Gullqvist from Sweden was the quickest of the field with 6.085 sec. With that he was the only Pro Mod driver running in the 6.0´s at Santa Pod at this event. Gullqvist whose latest year have included an historic NHRA event win, after that further appearances in the NHRA series over the winter after having sold his stunning -57 Chevy Bel Air and acquired a modern and streamlined Camaro from US based Roger Burgess team Pro Care RX. The same car visited Europe in 2010, first with Melanie Troxel behind the wheel, later earned Gullqvist a victory in Finland while setting the quickest ever ET for a Pro Mod car in Europe 5.911 sec. at a speed of 395.52 km (245.81 mph). So the car and driver both have potential for sure.

About the qualifications at Santa Pod Michael says he was happy that the car reacted to the adjustments made in between runs as expected, and with the fact that the level of performance for him improved over the qualifications.


FIA Pro Stock:
Jimmy Ålund (Sweden)

Best ET: 6.746 sec.
Speed: 204.40 mph / 328.87 km/h

Jimmy Ålund said he was really pleased to find himself in the no.1 qualifier position and it was nothing he took for granted as the team is engaged in working out a setup for the new clutch.

Ålund tells they had problems to get the car to run quick for the first part of the track until the last qualifying session which showed at 60-foot time of 0.983 sec.

Jimmy has a big smile on his face when he says his goal for the season is to run quicker than everybody else in the class at all times. Something that is not easy, but then again not impossible for successful team Ålund. Another championship title to add to the 6 !) he already has the last one from 2009, is of course on the wishlist too. Without hesitating Ålund state Michael Malmgren as his toughest competitor at this point.

Team Ålund have signed DHL Express as a new sponsor 2011, which already has showed very useful as they managed to deliver parts to the car on very short notice. A sponsor that has been with team Ålund for many years is Vadstena Klosterhotel which will care for the catering and service for team Ålunds VIP-guests at the fortcoming event in Tierp june 9-12th. An event Jimmy Ålund looks forward to very much and we know he is not alone..