Top Methanol Funny Car Review
Main Event

The TMFC qualifying sessions were almost as exciting as TMD. The first round saw several teams suffering from tyreshake or getting loose at mid-track.

Danny Bellio rolled through stage after problems with his brakes and Jarmo Kuutniemi shook so badly that his chutes deployed before 100 feet and he drove to the finish with them slowing him to 8.653/102 mph for the opening bump spot.

Dezsoe Krivan was fastest with 6.1951/225.92 and Steph Milam, returning after an explosion at Easter, ran a creditable 6.290/224 mph for second.

Ulf Leanders made a storming run in the second session of 5.637/249 mph for a potential European ET record if he could back it up.

Arvid Grødem also ran well, with a 5.8540/242.37 mph moving him up to second and Kuutniemi showing that he can run fast without the chutes for a 5.8985/239.04.

Jürgen Nagel, struggling with a fuel system problem, now on the bump with a 7.4003/127.01 mph.



Ulf Leanders

Day two showed that Nagel hadn’t cured his fuel system problem, with the burst panel letting go at mid track and the sacrificial body panel flying off the car when it leaned out.

Danny Bellio improved to a 5.8317/242.50 that proved to be his best of the weekend, leaving him in the number 2 position. Arvid got loose and ended up taking out the top end reflectors, the first time he’s ever hit one in his entire racing career.

Ulf couldn’t back up- his potential record, suffering huge shake, with both sides of the car visible from the start line ! Blistered tyres meant a change before the last run. Even with fresh rubber he couldn’t improve, suffering a little shake and so no record, just number one qualifier.

Steph Milam improved to a 6.0723/232.87 mph, just behind Rob Turner, who clocked a 6.036/226 mph for number 5 in the ladder and a new Personal best in the TMFC.

A slight drama for Danny in the last session, he almost ended up in the field when his chutes failed to open. Judicious use of the brakes and great driving saw him make the turn-off at the top end safely.



FIA TOP METHANOL FUNNY CAR
Winner:   Rained out

 

QUALIFYING:

 

ET

MPH

KPH

1

Ulf Leanders

SWE

5.6370

249.19

401.03

2

Danny Bellio

BEL

5.8317

242.50

390.27

3

Arvid Grodem

NOR

5.8431

242.50

390.27

4

Jarmo Kuutniemi

GER

5.8985

239.04

384.70

5

Rob Turner

GBR

6.0365

226.75

364.92

6

Stephanie Milam

GBR

6.0723

232.87

374.77

7

Deszoe Krivan

CH

6.1951

225.92

363.58

8

Jürgen Nagel

GER

6.3468

124.23

200.07

Low Elapsed Time of the Meet:   5.6370 seconds – Ulf Leanders
Top Speed of the Meet:   249.19 mph / 401.03 kph – Ulf Leanders

Link to elimination ladder


Arvid Grödem


Text: Dave Alexander
Photos: Remco Scheelings & Speedgroup

This article is part of the Speedgroup Club Europe Newsletter #6/2011

Published by Speedgroup www.speedgroup.eu
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