New Swedish inventions go worldwide


Håkan Nordström, from Falun, Sweden, is one of our most successful Stock/SuperStock drivers and has also developed a component for V8 line-boring operations that is easily mounted to a milling machine.

In Falun we find one of our most successful Stock/Super Stock drivers, Håkan Nordström. Last year he enjoyed a fine season, ending up no. 3 in the NDRS, no. 6 in the SDL and no. 4 in the Swedish Championship in this competitive eliminator.

"But I´m sure I can do better than that," smiles Håkan. "I've now invested in a new engine. As there are fresh classes and rules coming into this eliminator this year, the new Hemi's being built to fit the new rules. One major change is that we can now use roller rockers, so they're being installed of course. I'm getting excellent help from the former owner of this car, Dave Schmitz, and the engine builder, Don Little, in the USA – just amazing old men who are still going strong and just love drag racing. Dave has had a tough time lately, but drag racing is keeping his spirits up. I´m lucky I have these gentlemen helping me out."


Håkan makes all kinds of industrial components with his CNC machinery.

Håkan hopes the engine will be ready and installed in his handsome black Cuda in time for the first race at Tierp Arena in May. If not, the old engine will suffice. Until then he has lots of projects on the go.

The Blockliner, which Håkan displayed at the PRI Show.

He works mainly as a CNC operator and component maker for other industries that need turned parts for all kinds of machinery. He has also developed a component for V8 line-boring operations that is easily mounted to a milling machine. In December, he unveiled his invention at the Performance Racing Industry Show in Orlando, Florida, to an encouraging international response.

"It's quite a new idea and I haven't made too many of them yet," Håkan explains, "but as soon as I've got one ready it´s already sold. So I don't have any here in my shop right now to display. It´s a bit of a problem as I can't show people who come in for a look."

However, Håkan is working hard to get this clever line-bore machine out on the market and demonstrate how it works. So be patient if you're interested, or have a chat with Håkan and let him explain the whole thing.

Since 2004, Håkan has been the European distributor for Turner Technology Inc., which makes balancing machines. This keeps him busy during the winter conducting customer tutorials and demonstrations – and there is plenty more to occupy him as well.

He started his company Turnited CNC AB in 1994 and continues to manufacture for the engineering industry. In 2006 he began collaborating on a new agency for milling machines sold under an own-brand, as a complement to the balancing machines. Håkan also collaborates closely with Nilséns Performance, which provides grinding and other services for race engines. Håkan himself has been a recognised racing engine builder for many years, but has now decided to relinquish that business to leave space for his newer developments.

"I have so many ideas in my head waiting to come out," he says, "that I've got to find time for them, and besides that I'm also working on a new shop for the company. And of course," he adds, "I´m looking forward to going to Tierp Arena. I´m not sure if I'll get time to compete in a full series this year as there are lots of things going on now in my career. But I have to say that Tierp Arena is a fantastic thing to have happened for Swedish and European drag racing. It´s an amazing facility we've got here. And, though I was fond of the old NDRS, I really do like the new EDRS. I must praise all those people who've worked on all this to take European drag racing into the future."