The 2013 Main Event returned to its usual spot at the end of May. (it was later last year due to Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee celebrations). However the weather Gods didn’t seem to have read the memo, as Friday was a total wash out, losing all rounds of sportsman qualifying.  Some significant puddles were developing in the Pro Stock pits, by late on Friday afternoon, but the rain did stop, and the puddles subsided.  Saturday dawned bright and dry and the newly surfaced Santa Pod track.

There has been a great deal of anticipation regarding the new track surface and the entry level for this event is higher than it was in 2012.  Several events on the new track have shown it to be a good racing surface, but it does seem to be a little “green” for the pro classes as yet.  This will resolve over time, but the crews were a little worried about the grip levels for their first run. 


Ålund

Jimmy Ålund has recently tested at Tierp and put in the fastest time for a Pro Stock car in Europe.  It is doubtful that the new Santa Pod track will deliver a new record on the first day, but close attention will be paid to the Pro Stock times to see the track conditions and improvements as they develop.

Thomas Lindström, Micke Callin and Michael Malmgren have refreshed engine internals for this season.  But all are tight lipped on the subject, all have more power, but are equally unwilling to discuss how much. 


Micke Callin

Saturday Q1
First pair for the first competitive event of the European season is Magnus Pettersson and Mats Jacobsson, and what a confused mess it turns out to be.  Both cars put in decent smoky burnouts, although Magnus was a little late to get rolling, so much so that Mats crew had tuned the wheelie bars and called Mats up to the line before Magnus had backed up for preparation.  From then on the confusion got deeper.  Mats went into pre stage followed by Magnus who seemed to be quite busy in the seat as when Mats went into full stage, Magnus didn’t seem to notice, and the auto tree gave him a red light.  Auto tree also ran on Mats side but Mats either hadn’t realised it was going to run, or was caught so off guard by the confusion leading up to it.  Whatever the reason, Mats stalled, but broke the beams.  Both drivers were pushed back with no times.

Next pair is Michael Malmgren and Micke Callin.  Both burn out well with good smoke and back up onto their rubber well, but Micke gets shut down, due to fluid in his lane which seems to be Fridays rain leaching up through the track surface.  Michael runs well though with a strong first half of a pass, Michael clicking early and dropping the chutes at 1000ft, but still getting on the board with a 7.149 at 138.96.

Jimmy Ålund and Thomas Lindström are the final pair, both delivering decent burnouts.  At the hit, Jimmy gets straight into massive tyre shake and shuts down.  Thomas delivers a decent 6.661 at 209.86 to go number one qualifier and deliver the first half of a European record speed.


Mats Jacobsson


Michael Malmgren

At the podium -winner Jimmy Ålund left and runner-up Thomas Lindström

Saturday Q2
Our first two cars in Q2 are Mats Jacobsson and Magnus Pettersson.  Two good burn outs and no repeat of the Q1 confusion.  Mats runs well to a 6.975 at 198.98, while Magnus delivers a 6.750 at 201.56.

Next pair is Micke and Jimmy, both old hands and calm professionals, Micke driving through early shake to a 6.710 at 208.2, But it is Jimmy who goes to number one with a 6.625 at 208.95


Lindström

Final pair is Thomas and Michael, both drivers delivering 6 second runs with Thomas taking the honours with 6.635 at 209.14 to back up his speed record from the first qualifier, Michael delivers a full pass with a 6.715 pass at 204.18

Qualifying Results
Jimmy Ålund ET: 6.6251 sec.
Speed: 208.95 mph/336.2724 kph
Thomas Lindström ET: 6.6351 sec.       Speed: 209.14 mph/336.5782 kph
Micke Callin ET: 6.7109 sec.
Speed: 208.20 mph/335.0654 kph
Michael Malmgren ET: 6.7154 sec.       Speed: 204.18 mph/328.5959 kph
Magnus Pettersson ET: 6.7509 sec.       Speed: 201.56 mph/324.3794 kph
Mats Jacobsson ET: 6.9752 sec.
Speed: 198.98  mph/320.2273 sec.

Sunday Q3

Sundays weather is if anything better than Saturday, with a more stable temperature and better air.  The track has also rubbered in from yesterday’s running and should give the Pro Stock cars a better target.  A brief look into the pits reveals Thomas has changed engine overnight.  No determinable reason, perhaps they are just looking to step the game up.  No-one else reports any issues.
In the pairing lanes I joke with Jimmy that he can go as low as 6.55 to back up his ET from yesterday.


Magnus Pettersson - newcomer in the class impressively established himself already at his first event in Pro Stock competition!

Magnus and Mats lead out Q3.  Magnus has a good burn out, but Mats car gets out of shape and he wisely shuts it off very early into burn out.  Mats has no rubber and cold tyres for this run.  In the other lane, Magnus gets out of the groove and the car either doesn’t hook 5th or jumps into a neutral so Magnus wisely clicks off.  Mats meanwhile hits vicious looking shake and gets out of it.  I later find that his gear selector has broken also, which adds to the woes of this run.  Neither improves on their overnight positions.

Next pair is Michael and Micke, both deliver excellent burnouts with Micke hitting a .05 reaction time, but hitting shake early before cruising through the line for an 11.58 time at 76.33 mph.  Michael fares better with a 6.710 at 205.43 to move up a place in the ladder from 4th to 3rd.

Jimmy and Thomas round out this qualifier.  Thomas delivering an excellent 6.626 at 208.9 which is not quite enough to take the number one spot from Jimmy’s best of Saturday.  That is academic though because in the left lane, Jimmy hooks up beautifully and steams down the track for a new European fastest ET and highest speed of 6.568 at 211.07mph.  Tracy Chapman was right, Jimmy got a fast car.  It also appears that Jimmy pays attention to pairing lane jokes!

Sunday Q4

Mats and Magnus make their final shots at improving their qualifying positions first.  Neither can and they stay 5th and 6th with only a minor improvement for Mats.

Micke and Michael try next, but Micke hits shake and drives through it but for no improvement.  Michael cannot go faster than he did this morning, and so the ladder remains the same as it was.

Thomas and Jimmy round out the session, with Thomas looking to take the number one spot, but his 6.645 is not good enough to dislodge Jimmy and the ladder is locked out.