There has been a great deal of discussion on other forums regarding the track quality and the entry level for this event.  Pro Stock certainly has a smaller field than in previous years.  Many teams have stated that the financial situation makes it difficult for them to attend all rounds, and that the past weather history of the Main Event makes it an easy decision for them not to attend.

Jimmy Ålund entered the event with his brand new Camaro fresh from the Jerry Haas race cars in the USA.  Jimmy has only driven a few quarter miles in this car, with a few test starts and then four qualification laps in Topeka.  Jimmy did not qualify at Topeka, but in a brand new car he ran into the 6.7’s so there were high expectations for some low ET action from Jimmy.

Thomas Lindström and Micke Callin both have refreshed engine internals and new transporters for this season.  Thomas jokes that he has something between one and one thousand extra horsepower , Thomas also has new suspension which he hopes will give him a better chassis tuning capability.  Micke Callin is even tighter lipped on the subject, telling me that he does have more power, but he is unwilling to discuss how much.  Both men are mounting a full challenge to Jimmy Ålund this year.

Conrad Stanley is racing with effectively the same package as he raced in 2011.  Team manager Trevor Graves tells me they have some new parts en route from the USA, and will take decisions on later FIA rounds on an ad hoc basis.  It is tough to run one of these cars on a budget and expect success. Harald Sturhan is a no show for the event.

Friday Pro Test session.

Thomas Lindström and Jimmy Ålund came out to test early in the session. Both cars have good burn outs and stage without problems.  Both cars spin the tyres at the hit.  Jimmy hits maximum revs almost instantly, but without forward progress and does not make 60ft, but reverses back through to the collecting area.  Jimmy has done some engine damage on this test, damaging valves and heads.

Micke Callin is last to test and puts in a straight 6.761 at 206.11 for a Personal Best speed.  Micke’s data obviously providing a good set up for this track.

Saturday Q1
Jimmy Ålund has swapped out the motor for round one having suffered damage on Friday, Thomas Lindström had a similar amount of tyre spin but much more forward motion than Jimmy, and has no damage from yesterday.

Frist pair is Conrad Stanley (L) and Micke Callin (R) Conrad’s burn out looks a little “dry” without much smoke.  Micke’s burnout has good smoke and draws a round of applause from the stands and the bank.  Backing up, Conrad’s engine dies but is quickly restarted.  Both cars stage and both lanes show 0.13 lights, but Conrad’s car seems to drag down at the hit before picking up to run 9.86 at 166.67.  Meanwhile Micke has good drive all the way up the track to run 6.72 at 206.13.  Data from last nights test session holding up to give another best speed to Micke.

Thomas and Jimmy both deliver big burnouts and Jimmy comes back into stage with no issues, Thomas takes a long time to come into prestage, leaving Jimmy sitting there patiently, but Jimmy is uncharacteristically late on the tree and again the Camaro seems welded to the line, Jimmy is off the pedal quickly, but the revs did climb very high, leaving us wondering if there is more engine damage.  Jimmy runs through the top end in 26.496 at 44.84 compared to Thomas’ 6.735 at 204.41

Saturday Q2

Jimmy Ålund has not damaged his engine, but has decided to pack up and head home.  This must be a tough decision for Jimmy, but on both attempts to run the car they have not moved before the engine has reached peak revs. “We do not have the budget to try and beat this race track” says Jimmy.  Pro Stock engines are expensive pieces of equipment, so it is understandable that Jimmy does not want to risk his spare engine on a race track which has given him damage once and huge potential for damage on the second attempt.

This gives Conrad Stanley a solo on the next qualifier.  Conrad puts in a huge burnout to the delight of the fans on the bank, and runs a clean and straight 7.764 at 174.35 

Micke Callin (L) and Thomas Lindström (R) are next up.  Callin running a 6.824 at 204.4 beside Lindström’s 6.750 at 206.02