During the qualifications unbelivably the top three drivers also set new personal bests and after four sessions we had the following rankings:

                               ET     speed kph
1  Jonnie Lindberg   5.437 sec / 432,69 
2  Ulf Leanders       5.513 sec/  423,20   
3  Leif Andreasson  5.520 sec/ 420,23  
4. Adam Flamholc   5,658 sec / 416,67
5. Danny Bellio       5,911 sec / 340,69
6. Ari Pietilä           5,982 sec / 358,57
7. Mikael Larsson  6,274 sec / 335,61
8. Johan Lindberg  7,07 sec / 240,11

Jonnie Lindberg´s ET and speed was also new European records (later backed up) And the speed 432.69 km/268.86 mph was also faster than the established record in the US (held by Frank Manzo). A lot of work and repairs on Johan Lindbergs car during the qualifications and he was uncharacteristically 8th and last in the list . Luckily any ET would have been good as there was space for all eight on site in the ladder. 


Ari Pietilä, Finland is the newest driver in the class

Mikael Larsson, Sweden waiting in the lineup area before a run. His participation for the event (and for the season) ended  in the first round of eliminations. A dedicaed and hard working team which have had more than their share of technical problems this season.

Worlds quickest - new record holder Jonnie Lindberg.. the score board showed an amazing 5.43 sec at a speed of 432 km. A record that was backed up within the stipulated 1% margin

The score board doesn´t lie. Jonnies record run placed Sweden end Tierp Arena even more on the universal drag racing map. And the top methanol class was not the only where new European Records was set (see the other FIA class reports and the European Records page also in this newsletter).

Ulf Leanders

Danny Bellio

Winner Adam Flamholc (right) and runner-up Leif Andreasson

Eliminations:
Quarter finals
History repeated itself and once again it was the two Lindberg brothers who was to meet and this time already in the first round of eliminations, Johan ranked as no 8 and Jonnie with the new European records ranked no 1. A thrilling, close race where a holeshot won Jonnie this one 5.63 vs Johans better 5.58. Pity for Johan but first over the finish line and onto the next round Jonnie Lindberg, where he was to meet the Adam Flamholc. Flamholc who won his run against Danny Bellio. Danny gave Adam a god match and set a new personal best meanwhile, great to see Bellio back in good form. Flamholc´s winning ET5.652 to Bellios loosing 5.668.

On the other half of the ladder Ulf Leanders took on Mikael Larsson and won. Winning time 5.72 (Larsson no time rolled through stage). Leif Andreasson won his first round over Ari Pietilä Finland, who is new in the class this season. He has already made a 5 second pass but againt Andreasson an ET of 6.15 was nowhere near enough to win. Andreasson 5.63 and the performance from the winners in round one even and strong.

Semi finals 
Andreasson vs Leanders
Flamholc vs Jonnie Lindberg

Jonnie Lindbergs success was put to a halt by Flamholc who had the quicker reaction time and ET 5.54 while Jonnie hit shake, had to pedal and lost some time. Loosing  ET of 5.62 sec at a speed of 428 km for Jonnie (pretty amazing what level of performance he has spoilt us with)

Who would have though a while back that Ulf Leanders could loose a round running an ET of 5.59 sec.. well against Andreasson in the semi final he did. Tire shake made his car loose time and Leifs 5.53 sec took the win. Great performance by both drivers and almost identical reaction times, but Andreasson onto the final.

Final
Adam Flamholc vs Leif Andreasson

Major disappoinment for Andreasson who shut off after the burnout due to technical problems. Bye run for Flamholc who ended the event with a clean nice run at 5.52 sec/423 km. Team MMR and Adam Flamholc did everyting right and leads the championship leaving Tierp.

- LINK TO ELIMINATION LADDER

The FIA Championship rankings
On paper three drivers had the chance of becoming European champion.  Flamholc, Andreasson and Jonnie Lindberg.

However championship leader Adam Flamholc decided to cancel his participation at the European Finals after having considered the options carefully. Adam and the MMR team will instead be at Rockingham, US aiming to win a series title in Pro Modified in the ADRL (American Drag Racing League), where they have competed parallelly during a hectic 2013 race season..

With Flamholc earning no more points also 4th placed Johan Lindberg has a hypothetical chance to win. But the likely scenario is the 2013 European champion will be Leif Andreasson or Jonnie Lindberg..

The top five championship ranking before European Finals:
1 Adam Flamholc (SWE) 380
2. Leif Andreasson (SWE) 350
3. Jonnie Lindberg (SWE) 343
4. Johan Lindberg (SWE) 311
5. Ulf Leanders (SWE) 241


Jonnie Lindberg

Leif Andreasson