A look back shows that at the European Finals 2009  it was Lorenz Stäuble who took the clear lead during qualifications. Stäuble was low qualifier with 6.55 sec/216 mph (347 km) with Per Bengtsson following at 6.70 and Olstad at 6.75.



Now.. Bengtsson ran an awesome 6.47 sec at 210mph (338 km) during the previous championship event at Gardermoen. That makes him the obvious candidate for the low qualifier position at the European Finals. 

Some of the Super Twin riders were also recently in Hockenheim, Germany for some testing at the non-championship  NitrOlympx event. In the "Nitro Bike Thunder" class Lorenz Stäuble ran 6.74 sec/336 km, Olstad 6.83 sec./327 km, Rene van den Berg 6.84 sec./337 km, Kai Selkämaa 8.06/250 km, Petri Paljakka 6.97/305 km, Ian King 6.86 sec/326 km



Lorenz Stäuble is showing good form and was the event winner during the last round in Norway. He is also in the championship lead at 273 points, 2 points ahead of Heezen and 6 points ahead of Olstad. These are the three riders walking home with championship trophies, but who of the three will take over the prestigious European champions title from Per Bengtsson? 

The 2009 European Finals  event winner in Super Twin bike was Job Heezen with 6.69 sec. in the final defeating Per Bengtsson (6.93 sec). Anyone of them may well repeat the acievement but my guess this time is that it may well be at a higher performance level, if the track allows it I think the teams will be ready.

The records are what Per Bengtsson is after this season even more than event wins. I should say part of the challenge team Bengtsson are faced with is within reach, as Anders "Charley" Karlings ET record set at Hockenheim-04 is 6.463 sec. Ronny Aasens speed record at 358.08 km set in Finland -06 seems further away.  

Don´t miss to check what Bengtsson and some of the other UEM riders and FIA drivers have to say about the last event of the season in the articles "Talking with racers"



Also prepare for the European Finals at Santa Pod by checking the championship points standings for the current ranking and the entry list (see separate links)



If not on site you can always follow the event coverage at Eurodragster.com Live reporting of what goes on at the track, webcam on site,  (changing view every minute), read the pit notes and check the extensive  photo gallery as the event is on its way. Excitement guaranteed!