Speedgroup - On the Agenda 
By Åsa Kinnemar co-ordinator Speedgroup 
March 13th th 2012 - Linköping Sweden

Spring has arrived in the south and central parts of Sweden with sun and clear blue skies and  temperatures well above zero.

The weather reflects the atmosphere I have felt when working with the team articles for this edition. Teams are positive, sorting any problems they may have with their cars and bikes and look forward to a new race season.. The season for a majority of the teams starts in May, but some have already been out on track (see the Europeans in the USA article) and some are soon to start as  Santa Pod in the UK always host a big National event et Easter.

For Speedgroup a lot has happened since we published the last newsletter in February, mostly good things, but also some not so good. Mainly calendar related that will have a negative impact for teams based in central Europe and the UK that wish to take part in the EDRS European Drag Racing Series. It is of course inevitable to experience some set backs. Not all want to jump on the train from the first station and for different and valid reasons. That is just the way it is. The nature of change and development is never hassle free and it takes time.

And it is ok, we have time and are here to stay. Drag Racing is not something you just take on for a short while, most of us who are involved in the sports have been in it for many years and have no intention of quitting. So we will just continue to find solutions for anything we need to and work it out together with the parties that are in this with us. It is as simple as that.

With that said, I stated in the previous newsletter we would introduce all EDRS tracks in this edition. But as the calendar is not 100% confirmed today, we will leave that to the April edition. Meanwhile we will add FIA/UEM/EDRS track info pages to the websites the nearest weeks.

We have included one "track article" in this edition and it features the track, that with their solid team base and three events, will form the foundation of the EDRS Division South this summer - The Drachten Dragstrip in the Netherlands. 

The calendar as it is can be found at the website, look at www.speedgroup.eu click on the EDRS sign. We update continuously and probably a few times already before the week is over. And we do expect some more additions, not only deductions..

UEM DRAG BIKE CHAMPIONSHIP
Top Fuel Bike - Super Twin Bike - Pro Stock Bike

Some general words of a few important changes for the 2012 season.

For all classes a new regulation apply that means teams are allowed to drop one round  without penalty (max 5 events will be counted for each rider)

- Top Fuel Bike: The Championship promoter  Keith Bartlett together with UEM have implemented a rule change for the Top Fuel Bike Class that in brief mean the quickest Funny Bikes can enter the class (min performance level set to 6.99 sec based on time slips or official results from 2011 as proof). Teams running in the championship have been notified about the changes. There is also a link on the Speedgroup website to UEM:s regulations page.

EDRS SUPER TWIN BIKE NORDIC CHALLENGE
For the biggest UEM championship class we have worked hard to get a three event Nordic Challenge Series in place, to be run as part of the EDRS European Drag Racing Series. It finally came through last week and will be run strictly at non UEM events. The Nordic Challenge is primarily aimed at the strong base of Scandinavian teams that can not manage to raise the time and budget to travel Europe for the full UEM Championship. With the Nordic Challenge, we hope they get a limited Series where they can develop in their pace and still be part of strong competition, and get many runs at some of the fastest tracks in Europe; Tierp Arena  Sweden May 25-26th, Alastaro Finland June 30th-July 1st and Gardermoen Norway August 3-5th. In addition we will see a number of teams double and phase into the UEM Drag Bike Championship events that are closest to their home bases.

FIA CHAMPIONSHIP (Cars)
Top Fuel Dragster - Top Methanol Dragster - Top Methanol Funny Car - Pro Modified - Pro Stock

The FIA Championship calendar this year is rock solid and has been since long. One round has been added to the championship and it go to Sweden´s Tierp Arena August 23-26th. A total of 6 events run in this championship (see the calendar under a separate heading).  Track updates are awaited to be done at Santa Pod which host its first championship event the Main Event June 1-4th (feedback on that to be expected from the track operator within the nearest weeks).

Maintenance and development..
Other than that we work actively with both the FIA and UEM Championships short and long term to develop and secure standards in a vast number of areas. It is one of the most important tasks part Speedgroup do together with the organizers (and santcioning bodies) where we meet with certain intervals to discuss, follow up and proceed further. The next meeting is held March 31st-April 1st and with FIA and UEM representatives also present in addition to the FIA/UEM organizers  representing Santa Pod Raceway, FHRA in Finland (Alastaro), Tierp Arena and the HockenheimRing.

CHAMPIONSHIP AND SERIES REGISTRATION
It is countdown time for the new  integrated data based entry and event administration system provided by Nitroz. The FIA Championship Registration is first out to be opened within the nearest week, when up and running it is soon to be followed by the UEM Championship Registration and EDRS Series Drivers/Riders  registration. The first organizers involved in the testing of the system is Tierp Arena and the EDRS organizer in Fällfors Sweden. Tierps first events in May the EDRS Nationals May 12-13th and the EDRS Spring Wheels MC May 25-26th event will also be open for entry soon through the online system.

At the other end of the system there will be functions for results data reporting (can be fed from the tracks timing systems independent of brand)  We believe the system will make it simpler and add new value not only to teams and organizers, but also for media and fans. Any organizer choosing to handle event entry independent of this system can do so, we however believe that over time a majority (if not all) track operators will decide to make good use of the system which is provided free of charge for the organizers.


The EDRS Nationals - the first drag racing event at Tierp Arena 2012



photo by Ivan Sansom


TV-PRODUCTION

After having spent a lot of time investigating alternatives, it was decided just a few days back by Speedgroup, as administrator for the FIA  Championship  and the UEM Championship promoter Keith Bartlett that the co-operation with the Belgium based TV-production and distribution company will continue for 2012. The concept with 2 x 52 min shows from each combined FIA/UEM Championship event will be looked at and some necessary changes are looked at in order to further attract a "non hard chore" audience. We will hopefully have reasons to get back in the April newsletter with some further insight to the TV-concept.

In addition to the above we will work at selected events with web live streaming with a Swedish based supplier and experts on as well filming drag racing as producing first class HD format live streaming productions via the web. 


CONTINGENCY PROGRAMS
The sign up for the drivers and riders for the  FIA/UEM/EDRS contingency programs is planned to be opened online April 3rd.

Stay tuned by visting the Speedgroup FIA/UEM Championship and EDRS websites Contingency Program pages where my collegue Gittli Koller make sure the information is updated continuously. 

SOME OF THE OTHER ONGOING PROJECTS..  That we currently work with..



- Travel and Fuel Discounts - the latest addidtion is DFDS Tor Line which operate between Sweden and the UK - Registered teams will be informed of rates and practical info via email (or can be requested from me any time).

- Custom hospitality packages at Tierp Arena aimed at  team Sponsors. Have just been finalized in co-operation with the organizers  - two packages in place "priority" and "VIP" (info will be sent out to teams shortly or can be requested from me)

- Vicci Team Apparel - Stock Collection Designs. We have in co-operation with our corporate partner contingency sponsor Vicci and created a number of designs that can be ordered in smaller quantities (from 6 shirts) especially aimed at the EDRS teams which normally don´t have as many members on the crew as the championship teams. The stock designs can also be used by FIA and UEM teams and organizers just switching the Series logos.. The info is emailed to teams shortly and can also be requested from me any time!

And while speaking of appearance.. It IS important!..

.. therefore we have also developed an attractive and practical FIA/UEM/EDRS  Team Identification flag concept for use in the pit area that we encourage teams to produce (with our without assistance from Speedgroup) It will fill an important function for anyone to identify a team in the pits and also a good opportunity for teams to further raise the level of appearance, promote themselves towards the spectators and perhaps also display important  sponsors!

MEETINGS & EVENTS ON THE SPEEDGROUP AGENDA for the coming period:

Work Group Meetings are held on a weekly basis via Skype.

March 23rd - Friday
FIA/UEM and sportsman team info meeting in Finland. Stewards and officials also welcome! Location: US Parts in Helsinki (same location as SFI Certification tour) Meeting scheduled to start at 11 and will as it looks for the time being handle both championship and EDRS matters. Please register for this meeting to asa.kinnemar@speedgroup.eu

March 24th - Saturday
Speedgroup representatives will be on site at Persåkers Speedshop in connection with the SFI Certification day (Sweden)

March 31st - April 1st
FIA and UEM Organizers Meetings in Stockholm 

NOW.. I do hope you will take time to enjoy reading this newsletter when you can and let yourself be grasped into the atmosphere of anticipation, determination and just feel the plain positive vibrations that the participants  in this edition wish to share with you!

Best Wishes,
ÅSA


If you wish to contact me please email or call
asa.kinnemar@speedgroup.eu

mobile tel +46- 705 31 53 32


PS.

FIA Teams - please take a few minutes to look at the newly reinstated Practical Info 2012 page on the website www.speedgroup.eu, where we have collected a number of important matters connected to entering and racing in the FIA Championship that we often get questions about. We aim to produce a similar page with the UEM Drag Bike practical info shortly.


Example of a team identification flag - this one for Mats Eriksson Pro Modified


Speedgroup general contact persons:
Åsa Kinnemar co-ordinator  asa.kinnemar@speedgroup.eu
Michael Gullqvist CEO michael.gullqvist@speedgroup.eu


ABOUT SPEEDGROUP:
Speedgroup is the official FIA European Drag Racing Championship administrator. Since 2010 Speedgroup assist the UEM Drag Bike European Championship promoter in administration and communication. Speedgroup interact with teams, track operators and event organizers, sanctioning bodies, media, corporate partners and fans. In March 2011 Speedgroup acquired the NDRS Dragracing Series and the Swedish Dragracing League SDL. They have  been integrated into a new Series Conecpt for 2012 - the EDRS European Drag Racing Series - Europe´s biggest Drag Racing series!


YOUR TURN TO BE IN THE SPOTLIGHT?
We are always happy to feature any FIA/UEM Championship or EDRS team, driver, corporate partner or profiles connected to Speedgroup, the Championships or EDRS European Drag Racing 
Series in our Newsletters. If interested to share a news item with us, why not try our new NEWS SUBMISSION FORM which is easy to fill in online and submit text and a few photos through.

If you prefer, you are always welcome to email me at asa.kinnemar@speedgroup.eu and I will be happy to set up an interview via email or telephone for you with one of our editors! (German, Dutch, English and Swedish speaking).



Text by Åsa Kinnemar
Photos & logos by Speedgroup
This article is part of the Speedgroup Club Europe Newsletter #2/2012
www.speedgroup.eu
Eurodragster logo
Produced in co-operation with Eurodragster.com

Published by Speedgroup www.speedgroup.eu
All material, text, images and logtypes are the property of Speedgroup AB.
Used by permission from the photographers
Any use of the above requires permission from Speedgroup.
© Speedgroup 2012