Johan Lindberg had already attracted attention by clocking the first 3-second elapsed time on Veidec Raceway’s 1/8-mile track while testing the new ’68 Firebird. His first full 1/4-mile pass in the car at Santa Pod registered 6.08sec, good for temporary pole position in the first qualifying session and, as it turned out, the slowest run the Lindberg machine would make all weekend. The next run was a 6.01 and the 27-year-old Rockstar driver kept his lead over the 26 Pro Modifieds attempting to qualify for the 16-car field.



Eliminations were even more impressive. A 6.04 in round one was followed by a 6.01 to sideline Roger Johansson. Then came a further 6.01 against Mats Eriksson and another 6.04 in the final! “We tuned the car for a 5-second run in the final but there was a problem with the shift light and I shifted to second gear too early and got some tyre shake,” said Johan. It was a perfect race for the young team and their first win in the FIA European Championship.



“After qualifying everybody kept an eye on us. But we started this weekend as an outsider and had nothing to lose so I did not feel any pressure. Maybe the next race in Alastaro will be different,” said Johan after the champagne shower.

But no less impressive than Johan’s driving was the tuning job carried out by brother Jonnie, only 21 years old. “We bought the car turn-key from John Russo in October last year. We put in a Leanders clutch, made some minor adjustments and changed some things to make Johan feel comfortable in the car. In testing at Veidec Raceway the car was good from the first moment and we went on the same way here,” said Jonnie.



The Lindberg Bros started racing five years ago in Street classes and advanced to Pro Street. Two years ago they bought their first Pro Mod-level car, a Chevy Nova, stepping up to Top Doorslammer but also making their first FIA Pro Mod outings at Mantorp Park. With the arrival of the new Firebird, however, things got serious. The brothers’ father explains: “It all started as a hobby but now the racing team is a company on its own, run by Jonnie. The only thing I and my wife do at the racetrack is the catering. We run a construction company with 35 employees.



In my spare time I build hot rods and Jonnie grew up in the garage with cars. He listens very carefully to what other people tell him, thinks about it, takes the best out of it but will always do it in the way he thinks best.” The Rockstar Energy Drink colours fit the Pontiac very well and, in their team clothing, the crew look very professional. “Rockstar was introduced in Sweden and we approached them. They were very interested and this is the result. Besides Rockstar twelve other sponsors make this operation possible.” Europe’s Pro Modified racers are left in no doubt: the “New Generation” has arrived!