The FHRA Nitro Nationals was the third round of the 2012 FIA European Top Fuel Championship and the big question was of course, who would be the first one to beat Risto Poutiainen, the winner of the first two championship races?
For the first time this year no rain in qualifying, and all four rounds could be run in sunny and warm conditions. To say Finland dominated Top Fuel at Alastaro is an understatement as out of nine entrants the top six was all Finnish! Most impressive was Antti Horto. The young Finn took the number one position at the first run in 4.18sec. improved in run number three to 4.123sec. and stayed on top all weekend. In the number two spot Janne Ahonen, in only the second race for his own Ahonen Racing Team’s brand new operation. Ahonen’s first run was a save 5.48sec., followed by a 4.38sec. (number three) to take the number two spot in the third run with a 4.191sec. With Anita Mäkelä another local hero in third. Her best time of 4.31sec. was from Friday’s second run, where the Finnish lady broke a block. So Mäkelä had to start Saturday with a save half pass and could not improve. In his first race of the season Timo Lehtimäki did a good job and improved every run to end up fourth with a 4.382sec., just enough to beat Tierp Arena runner-up Jari Halinen, who could not improve on his first run. Poutiainen started his title hunt with a 5.96sec. but improved Saturday morning to a 4.564sec. to end up in sixth. Chris Andrews had problems and with only one run left, the Lucas driver was ninth and outside the ladder. But the fourth run was a 4.718sec. and good enough for the number seven position. Patrik Pers fourth run (4.866sec.) was also his best and the Swede was number eight and last one to qualify. And the ungrateful ninth spot, outside the ladder? That was Micke Kågered. After all the mechanical problems in England and Sweden the Bahco driver wanted to do it step by step and that was the right decision. In four runs the team did not break any parts, improved every run but the 5.984sec. from the fourth run was not enough to qualify, as Pers and Andrews also made big steps in the last run.
Team Kågered back on track, but unfortunately outside the ladder at Alastaro
Top Fuel pilot Anita Mäkelä and husband Tommi Haapanen are proud to be large scale chicken farmers. The "Chicken pet cover" on Anitas car just shows their great sense of humour also.. Home track favourite driver Anita unfortunately lost to Risto Poutiainen this time but was in a good mood anyway as she said the win for Risto was fair and that the team had an overall ok event.
