2011 Sweden Internationals
Saturday


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11:10

Veteran Top Fuel driver Monica Öberg is competing in her final year as a driver but keeping the possibility of competing next year with a different driver in the car. Yesterday’s run was basically a test of a modified fuel system made necessary by the increased boost of their new blower. Monica found the first 50 meters of the track to have far more traction they had anticipated following the cleanup of previous oil down in their lane. Other than Monica and her crew chief, Dan Soderberg they have an entirely new crew, experienced in drag racing, but not the stress of Top Fuel racing. The crew is starting to jell and if things feel right a full pass is expected in today’s first session. Monica plans to run at Sundsvall in June and August and Piteå in July.

Jörgen Leanders, Crew Chief on the Leanders Brothers Top Methanol Funny Car, described their 5.71 pass yesterday as a "terrible run", with driver Ulf Leanders shifting early into second gear. Although there was nothing wrong with the engine, they changed to a new engine last night keeping the 5.71 engine as a proven capable spare. Given the smoothness of the track, Jorgen feel a run in the low 5.6 range is attainable today.

Pro Mod driver Patrick Wikström and crew had been working on the car all night long, making adjustments required for the additional boost of his new Boss blower. Yesterday on his first run of the season Patrick came out of a wheel stand to smoke the tires. He said what the team really needs is more practice runs.

Kendall racing team Pro Mod driver Mikael Lindahl and Crew Chief Magnus Lindahl spoke of changes made to compensate for yesterday’s tire shake between first and second gear that they feel cost them 2 tenths of a second. They had underestimated the track being so good. They have been competing at Malmo and Tierp.

Pro Stock driver Thomas Lindström admits that he and his crew are the ‘greenest rookies’ in the class. Yesterday’s pass was only the tenth run they have on the Dodge Stratus purchased turn key from US racer Alan Johnston. They were pleased with the run because Thomas was able to drive through the tire shake, so violent it shook loose the right door, and get valuable computer data from the run. He said he was living the dream, driving a Pro Stock car, and hopes to compete this season in Finland and at Santa Pod for the finals.


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