Friday leaders Stig Neergaard, Michael Gullqvist, Bengt Ljungdahl and Johnny Oksa hold on for top spots at Alastaro
Friday leaders Stig Neergaard (Top Fuel), Michael Gullqvist (Pro Modified), Bengt Ljungdahl (Pro Stock) and Johnny Oksa (Top Methanol Funny Car) claimed the number one qualifying positions at the FHRA Nitro Nationals at Alastaro and will lead their classes into Sunday’s eliminations at round three of the FIA European Drag Racing Championship.
In Top Fuel, almost all drivers improved on their Friday performance, but in the end it was again Stig Neergaard from Denmark who claimed the number one qualifying position. Neergaard improved to 4.17 seconds at 423 km/h (was 4.19 seconds).
The Dane needed that elapsed time to stay in the number one position, as Friday’s number two qualifier, Finnish ski jumping legend Janne Ahonen improved to 4.186 seconds. There was also a major improvement for Micke Kågered. The reigning FIA European champion recorded 4.28 seconds and is now in the number three position. Friday’s number three, local hero Anita Mäkelä is fourth and will have to face countryman Timo Lehtimäki in the first round. Number one qualifier Neergaard will have to face another local hero, Antti Horto.
With his Friday best elapsed time of 6.059 seconds, Michael Gullqvist from Sweden claimed the number one qualifying position in Pro Modified. The reigning FIA European champion couldn’t improve on his Friday performance, but his elapsed time was enough to stay in the number one position.
Friday’s number two, David Vegter improved to 6.08 seconds and will enter eliminations as the number two qualifier. There was a major improvement for Johan Lindberg, as the Swede stormed to 6.12 seconds and jumped from eleventh into the number three qualifying position. Bruno Bader and Thomas Stiefel, both from Switzerland are fourth and fifth and Friday’s number three, Ǻke Persson dropped to sixth position.
With his Friday best elapsed time of 6.612 seconds, Bengt Ljungdahl claimed the number one qualifying position in Pro Stock. Favourite Jimmy Ǻlund improved this best elapsed time with 0.001 sec., and stayed in the number two position.
Richard Sundblom from Finland made a major improvement with 6.67 seconds and jumped into the number three position. Friday’s number three, Thomas Lindström dropped one position and is fourth.
In Top Methanol Funny Car Jonny Oksa impressed once again with a new personal best. The Finn stormed to 5.66 seconds at 407 km/h and stayed in the lead. There was also a major improvement for Ari Pietilä. The Finn recorded 5.93 seconds and jumped into second position. Leif Andreasson is third but had to withdraw from eliminations after the Swede suffered engine damage on Friday.
Eliminations for the FHRA Nitro Nationals at Alastaro will start tomorrow morning, July 10th.
Qualifying results: http://www.fhra.fi/keskustelu/threads/7-10-7-2016-fhra-em-osakilpailu-nitro-nationals.485/ (scroll down the page to see the results)