Since then the event has received her full attention. 2010 is the second year in which Emelie has co-ordinated all the arrangements, large and small, connected to both the FIA/UEM Drag Racing Championship for the Pro Classes and the Nordic Drag Racing Series for Sportsman classes.



Around 345 cars and bikes are entered for this year's VEIDEC Festival. While not a record entry, it's not far short. Asked if teams will notice anything different from last year, Emelie replies that the organisers have taken seriously the feedback and criticism received from teams during the winter and responded in a number of ways.

- "On a basic level, the first thing the teams might notice is the improved sanitation facilities we have brought on site in the form of mobile units with showers, and also more WCs. We shall place them within easy reach of the bike and Pro car pits for the FIA and UEM teams.

- "The main restaurant, hosted by the catering company Möllers, has recently changed its menu to include healthier and fresher alternatives, something that we hope will be appreciated by both spectators and teams.

- "The track itself has been resurfaced for the first 150 metres or so, and bumps have been removed by grinding the first section. Contractor SKANSKA ensured that conditions were the best possible for them to do a good job and that the asphalt itself can take the weight and forces of maintenance vehicles as well as Top Fuel Dragster launches. Then there is the question of traction, something to which the track preparation crew is currently giving its full attention, a week before the event. This will be an ongoing, ever-changing process continuing right through to Sunday evening, August 1st, when the last final is completed."

- This year Mantorp Park has invested in a new timing system that, in due course, can be integrated with many other administrative functions. The first thing teams will notice is the new score boards (displaying one ET digit more than the old ones). The system will also permit them to monitor the track online from the pits if they are connected to the internet. The system allows a number of unmanned cameras to be connected and the change of view is triggered as vehicles pass different timing photo-cells along the track.



- Also new for this year is the continuous close co-operation between Emelie, as project leader, and the championship administrator, Speedgroup (read more about Speedgroup´s services during the VEIDEC Festival in the overall race preview).

Emelie would like to take this opportunity to warmly welcome all FIA & UEM teams arriving next week at Mantorp Park.