It had shown great promise at Easter but this was to be it's first big test, with warm weather and sunshine to really aid the traction of the pro classes. Unfortunately, the TMD entry list consisted of only two cars, one English and One Norwegian, who would fight for the number one qualifier position over 5 rounds before meeting in the final on a track where lane choice was of no real importance.

In round one of qualifying Tethys set the pace with an off the trailer. 5.9066/261 mph. Paul-Ingar Udtian, deputising from Birgitte Bremnes who had to stay in Norway to sit university exams, was slowing by 100 feet with the chutes out after the burst panel popped.

The second session was better for the Islanders team, with Paul recording a 5.5791/252 mph on a good pass. Tethys, driving the Silverline A Fueller of Dave Wilson, ended up in the field with no time and speed after a brake block failed during the burnout, leaving him with no brakes. He clicked the engine off but the car coasted to the finish line and started to gather speed in the downward sloping shut-down area. Unable to do more than swerve from side to side in an attempt to scrub off speed, Tethys joined the elite cub of 'farmers' who have ended up in the field. Fortunately there was no damage, only dust and earth to clear out of the belly pan
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Getting ready.. Dave Wilson assists Thethys with the safety devices

At the podium - winner Thethys  (left) and Paul Ingar Udtian

Undeterred, Tethys returned for the third session on Sunday morning to post an improving 5.7306/258 mph. Dave Wilson was pleased with the progress of his 'learner driver' and decided to “Give him a bit more race car to play with” after Paul-Ingar upped the ante with a 5.450/246 mph to show he meant business this weekend. The fourth session saw Paul-Ingar slowing to 5.6035/249 mph after suffering shake off the line while Tethys used the extra horsepower well to stop the clocks at 5.5271/260 mph in spite of some minor tyreshake at 100 feet.

Monday morning and a fifth qualifying session allowed Tethys to come out but he failed to improve, running a 5.5714/262 mph. This being the first run where he failed to set a new Personal Best. The Islanders chose to sit this one out, being low on some spare parts and not wanting to risk breaking before the final.

The final was too close to call, with only a fraction of a second between the qualifying times and the experience of both drivers. Things didn't look good for Tethys when the car failed to burn out, lacking throttle response. The Islanders were slow to start the car and were hurried into stage. Paul-Ingar was away first (0.096 vs 0.1127 RT) but it was to no avail as the A-Fuel car powered down the track and overhauled him just after the 1/8th mile. Paul-Ingar slowed to a 5.7694/214 mph and Tethys took the win in his debut TMD event with a 5.5800/257 mph pass.