2018 FIA European Pro Mod Championship
Race #2, Tierp Internationals, Tierp Arena, Sweden
"Triple duty"
Norrköping, Sweden, June 13, 2018 - As planned, Jimmy Ålund is racing two classes this season, FIA Pro Mod and FIA Pro Stock. Ålund runs the full Pro Mod schedule and fields the Pro Stock Camaro in the three Scandinavian events.
This second race of the FIA drag racing season was the first weekend where Ålund ran both cars this year, which of course makes for some interesting challenges.
Pro Mod. Ålund got off to a good start with the Magnus Petersson-owned Old 51 Chevrolet with more than solid performances during qualifying. This was not only a European championship round, the first leg of the Swedish Pro Mod championship was also contested during qualifying runs here. Five runs, two new personal bests for Ålund (5.8457 and 392.16 km/h (243.67 mph) ), three runs in the mid 5.8-second range, three runs over 390 km/h (242.33 mph). Not only did The Old 51 end up as the #1 qualifier, Ålund also won this part of the Swedish Pro Mod championship and in that was part of running the quickest- and fastest-ever Pro Modified side-by-side in Europe, again.
"A hectic weekend, three races in one, FIA Pro Mod and Pro Stock plus the Swedish Pro Mod championship. Feels great winning the first part of the Swedish championship", says Ålund, "the Old 51 team did their work and we stepped up our qualifying numbers again as compared to last year".
Pro Mod eliminations started out in an excellent fashion for Ålund with wins in E1, the quarter finals and the semis. Dipping into the 5.8-second zone in each round, running like a bracket racer with ETs of 5.87, 5.88 and 5.89. That was unfortunately the end of the weekend for the team. The Old 51 lined up against the #2 qualifier, Andreas Arthursson in the turbo-Chevelle, and when it was time to fly, the engine would not start.
"Mixed feelings", Ålund again. "We pulled very solid numbers all weekend and an ending like that is very disappointing. But be sure that my hat's off to the winner Andreas Arthursson and his crew who really has got a handle on that beautiful Chevelle, I'm sure that we'll see that car going lots of rounds in upcoming races".
Ålund leaves Tierp in first place in the Pro Mod points standings for both the FIA and Swedish Pro Mod championships.
The next race is the second race of the "Northern swing", at Alastaro Motopark in Finland, June 29-July 1.
Summit Racing Equipment, Viking Industrimålning and Exclusive Cars are sponsoring both the Old 51 Pro Mod car and the Ålund Pro Stock Camaro this year. This is in addition to VP Racing Fuel. Jimmy Ålund Racing is very grateful for the continuing support from such great companies.
/PiPPi