These cars and drivers will set out their challenges on the 24th to the 27th May at the newly resurfaced Santa Pod Raceway. In 2012, there were some issues with the Santa Pod track and start-line which gave some problems to some of the teams, and only four teams decided to attend. The track has been completely resurfaced, and I have had the pleasure of racing on it a couple of times this year. The infamous bumps in the lanes are gone, the surface is smooth and new to well into the shut down zone, and a couple of test days and events between now and the main event will give us an excellent amount of rubber onto the surface. It will be a new track for all the teams, and their old set up data for Santa Pod may well prove inaccurate, but it will be the same for everyone, and we look forward to seeing who can adapt the quickest, and make the best use of this new surface.


Jacobsson

There is no British entry this year. Conrad Stanley and the Panther Racing Team are re grouping and taking some decisions on the future. Pro Stock is an expensive business without a main title sponsor, and Conrad has been unable to secure one. He will be missed in the pitlane. Also missing are Sampsa Palos, Jonas Dantanus, Richard Sundblom, Ulf Wagnhester Christian Sagelv and Harald Sturhan. I hope to see these friends later in the season.


Ålund

Thomas Lindström set a new European speed record at this event last year, and went on to win the championship. I do not think Thomas will be upset with me if I suggest that luck was definitely with the Ernyrd cars team in 2012. They worked hard for their championship for sure, and it was won with determination, grit, talent and devotion, and this put them in the ideal position to reap the rewards when the crazy and unprecedented events of 2012 unfolded. From un driveable tracks, through rain storms, floods and making up enormous holeshots, Thomas was always there at the end of every event. It was this determination and resolution of purpose that put the number one on Thomas' car for the 2013 season. Thomas has also spent the off season developing and improving the car. He is coming into the 2013 season to retain his number one, and will be fighting hard to do it.

Jimmy Ålund debuted his Jerry Haas built Camaro which had been gaining some serious attention through the internet forums and Jimmy's racing coverage in the US. A basic lack of grip resulted in Jimmy damaging one engine and coming very close to damaging his second, prompting an early withdrawal from the event. The new track surface will not provide these problems for Jimmy this year. Jimmy wants the number one plate back, and can be expected to have spent the off season preparing well. Some parts upgrades and a lot of data on the car from last year will mean Jimmy can be relied on to put up a good fight, to the end of the season. Jimmy is the current speed record holder at 208.09 from September 2012, and the ET record holder (in his previous car) at 6.649. I will not be surprised to see one or both of these records improved in 2013.

Micke Callin grabbed himself a speed record last year at Tierp, beating Thomas Lindströms record from this event before Jimmy grabbed it back at the European Finals. Micke is coming to Santa Pod with a clear plan. No matter what Jimmy and Thomas think about it, this year will not be simply a two way battle. Micke has proven power and a good set up. He is famously quick on the lights, and a seasoned campaigner. The car looked strong at the end of 2012 and will have also benefited from upgrades and enhancements in the closed season.


Malmgren

No-one who knows anything about Pro Stock drag racing should ever discount Michael Malmgren as a title contender. Michael has won three European championships and been in the running for almost every FIA Pro Stock championship since 1996. The team underwent some changes last year in sponsors and team responsibilities. 2012 was not a glorious year for Michael, but he will be ready, willing and able to compete for the crown again this year. Mats Jacobsson told me last year that he hoped to compete in all rounds, and appears on the start list for the Main Event. It is great to see Mats here. There is little or nothing I can say about Mats car at Santa Pod since I have never seen it race there, but I have seen them run in Sweden, and they are capable of quick and fast runs. I wait to see what they make of Santa Pod, but I look forward to welcoming them.

Jan "Snowball" Palmqvist makes a welcome return to the strip. Jan last entered the championship in 2011, so I have no comparative data for his car compared to last years competitors, but Jan has been in Pro Stock a long time, and he knows how to prep a car. I expect to see some rapid lights and big top end speed from Jan.

The last name on the entry list caused a big smile when I read it. I had the pleasure of meeting Magnus Petersson for the first time last year at Tierp. I will be delighted to make his acquaintance again, and welcome him into full European competition. Magnus' is a family team with a real family atmosphere which is a pleasure to see. Again. I have no comparative data for Magnus car in England, but I did watch him run a couple of hot lights and solid 6 second runs in Sweden.

It is the first of May as I write this, and I am already excited about the upcoming season. I do not make predictions of winners, and as the season approaches, I reflect on the wisdom of this choice. I would place money on the number one qualifier, or the event winner, in this field, there are too many potentials.

To all my friends in Pro Stock, I look forward to seeing you in 22 days.

Thomas Lindström



PRO STOCK (7) ENTRY LIST MAIN EVENT

1 Thomas Lindstrom Sweden Dodge Stratus Ernryd Cars Mopar 500ci
2 Jimmy Alund Sweden Chevrolet Camaro KW Parts Camaro 500ci
3 Michael Callin Sweden Pontiac GTO 500ci
4 Michael Malmgren Sweden Pontiac GTO 499ci
5 Mats Jacobsson Sweden Pontiac GTO 500ci
1711 Jan Palmqvist Sweden Pontiac GTO Mr Snowball 500ci
4919 Magnus Petersson Sweden Pontiac GTO 500ci