Top Methanol Funny Car was coming together as a stronger field on the second FIA European Championship race at Tierp Arena, since many teams decided to start their season this race, and some others decided not to run all the series, only the winner of race one, Danny Bellio has been entering all races this season. Points leader Danny did keep his position after second race at Tierp, posting new personal best of 5.69 in qualification and also making it to the final. You might say it was a successful weekend for Danny, but still he was not in the lime light and actually ended in the gravel trap in the final run after drag chutes did not deploy. He is however the points leader with some margin and will go to the third race at Alastaro as number one.

Another man doing very well as expected was Ulf Leanders who backed up a new topspeed record in Fridays second round qualifications with a 5,641 / 413,79 km/h An outstanding performance that set him as number on in qualification…. For two minutes…. There was another man who completely owned the show and set the record speed numbers even higher and the elapsed time even lower.
Leif Andreasson founder and one of the owners of Tierp Arena used his own track to set two new European records. Leif got himself a new car for this season, a very fast one bought from USA based Australian Steve Harker, who also was on site to tune the car he developed, now with Leif behind the wheel. The result was extraordinary, with first round better than present European record: 5,659 / 414,11 km/h backed up by next round with a super quick: 5,558 / 417,96 km/h. This is the first time in Europe a TMFC car runs in the 5,5 second bracket.

The qualification was rained out on Saturday, foul weather had everyone sitting in their trailers or the large restaurant tent waiting for sunshine. This was not a good thing for last year’s winner of this race: Jonas Staflund who did not come to start in the first round of qualification and then had to shut down before burn out due to mechanical failiure, hope for better luck for Jonas next race…

Qualifications ended with Leif Andreasson on top followed by Ulf Leanders, Danny Bellio and rookie Jonnie Lindberg who qualified 4:th in his first race running a 6.10. Jonnie Lindberg is the crew chief and younger brother of 2010 European Pro Mod champion Johan Lindberg, and decided to go racing himself in a two car team. The Lindberg family does not only have two cars in the FIA series, father Lars Erik is also the builder and co-owner of Tierp Arena.

Elimination day started in a bad way with another rain front stopping racing in the morning, it did however clear up and the track was dried and ready for racing again in the afternoon.

Leif Andreasson was paired to Mikael Larsson who left the starting line before timing was switched on, and also drifted to the wall and made contact, sending part of an advertising board across the track. Leif noticed the incident and coasted to his win. Ulf Leanders broke with electrical failure after burn out giving Jürgen Nagel a place in the semi finals. Danny Bellio won over a tyre shaking Jonnie Lindberg.

Leif Andreasson scored a 5.606 / 415.38 km/h on his solo semi run backing the 5.558 as a new official European record. Danny Bellio ran 5.952 / 395.89 defeating a tyre spinning Jürgen Nagel. This sets Points leader Danny up against record holder Leif in the finals. A final that gave another outstanding run from Leif: 5.560 / 416.35 km/h defeating. Danny Bellio 5.917 / 397.94 km/h. Some drama occuredd when Danny’s chutes didn’t come out, with not enough stopping power he went out in the gravel trap. A final for Danny to forget and for Leif to remember.

Next race in the European Championship will take place in Alastaro Finnland. Will Leif Andreasson keep up his strong performance? Will Danny Bellio keep his points lead? Could Ulf Leanders gain back his position as fastest in Europe? We will soon know…