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
