Top Methanol Funny Car - Preview Round #2 2014
The entry field in Top Methanol Funny Car for round #2 in Finland constitute of only three drivers, one Swede and the two Finnish drivers. A year back at the same event we saw a full 8 car ladder. While it may seem as this is a class that attract less and less participants, the truth is there is no lack of drivers or up to date cars.. it´s just that the majority of them are too busy with other commitments or have other good reasons to be absent from this round or the full FIA Championship season.. 
Starting with the drivers and teams who are on the entry list, they are all three young, eager and competitive and they are surrounded by teams with great skills.
 

Johan Lindberg from Sweden started his FIA career in the Pro Modified class and moved to Methanol Funny Car two years ago. Brother Jonnie is in charge of the tuning of the Lindberg Bros Camaro . Johan and crew attended round #1 in England and leads the championship points standings moving into this round. Johan´s personal best ET is an impressive 5.54 sec/417 km/h.


Johan Lindberg near lane and Jürgen Nagel

Finland´s Ari Pietilä was new in the class in 2013 and appeared at two events, the FHRA Nitro Nationals and later that season at Tierp Arena during the Scandinavian Internationals where he set his current personal best ET of 5.98 sec.

Johnny Oksa 

As the Alastaro track has been resurfaced for this season it is hard to tell if it will be up to "record standard" but I know at least one driver is going to push to set a new personal best. And that is Johnny Oksa, son of late Methanol Funny Car legend Jarmo Kuutniemi. When Johnny started his career in the class a year ago, he was honestly disappointed that he didn´t run in the 5´s on his first full pass.. well, his impatience and the crew´s work paid off and by session 3 at the race (FHRA Nitro Nationals 2013) Oksa ran in the 5´s and set his personal best ET  (so far) of 5.78 sec. So Johnny Oksa is going to be a very interesting FIA driver to follow during the event.

Missing on site are Jürgen Nagel, Germany
Gareth Ellis and Stephanie Milam, UK and Danny Bellio from Belgium who all participated in round #1 in England and who we hope will return when we enter round #3 in Hockenheim Germany in August.

For the ones who (like myself) miss Leanders Bros and Ulf Leanders on the entry lists, they have a time out from FIA Championship competition themselves, but are highly involved and busy assisting the many Leanders Clutch customers.

Jonnie Lindberg fly back and forts between Europe and the US, where he keeps his race car and compete in selected NHRA events. Leif Andreasson is one strong contender who actually has his car in Europe (Sweden) and who I hope we will be seeing in competition at the Swedish round at least. 

At FHRA Nitro Nationals the Methanol Funny Car teams may be in minority, but they will be greatly appreciated by the Finnish crowd.


photo: Jonnie Lindberg won the FHRA Nitro Nationals 2013 and set a new European Record. This time he will not be in the drivers seat himself and can focus on tuning brother Johan´s car. Pictured also parents Ritha who provide the meals and well being for the team and Lars-Erik , who is one of the mechanics on Johan´s car.



         Ari Pietilä appeared at Tierp Arena dueing the Scandinavian Internationals 2013, where he set his current personal best ET of 5.98 sec

Text: Åsa Kinnemar
Photos: Lena Perés & Remco Scheelings

This article is part of the Speedgroup Club Europe Online July Newsletter Preview Alastaro 2014

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