Tierp (Sweden), August 26, 2013 - After his shocking 5.913 seconds at Santa Pod, MPM-driver Marc Meihuizen made headlines again at Tierp Arena's Scandinavian Internationals. In the third round of qualifying Meihuizen set a new personal best with a stunning 5.905 seconds, which put the MPM Pontiac Firebird into a great number two qualifying position in the 32 car field. The Dutchman was less lucky in eliminations, but although he was eliminated in the first round, the MPM-driver is still the number three in the FIA European Pro Modified Championship.
Tierp Arena, Europe's fastest track, was host to the fifth round of the FIA European Drag Racing Championship. With 32 entrants Pro Modified was extremely competitive at the Scandinavian Internationals. But Friday, the first day of qualifying, times were not as fast as expected. Marc Meihuizen's first run was a 6.32 seconds, but a much better 6.18 seconds in the afternoon (although Meihuizen had to lift once in the run) gave the Dutch MPM-driver a good number six position in the highly competitive field.
But on day two times went down rapidly. In his third run and in front of the loaded grandstands of Tierp Arena, Meihuizen crossed the finish line in a stunning 5.905 seconds! A new personal best after his 5.913 seconds at Santa Pod's Main Event. Again the J.W.R. Racing '68 Firebird smashed the magic 6-seconds barrier and was the number one qualifier! Back in the pits tuner and crewchief Joeri Woudenberg checked the computer data and as the run was far from 100% straight, the team knew there was more to come. The fourth and last qualifying run was a 5.96 seconds and so, for the second consecutive time, there was a 5 seconds on the scoreboard, an indication the MPM-team had the right set-up for the ultra fast Tierp Arena track. As reigning champion Michael Gullqvist improved his time, after four runs Meihuizen's 5.905 seconds personal best was good for the number two qualifying position in the 32 car field.
As the number two, Meihuizen had to face number fifteen, Norbert Kuno in the first round of eliminations. But minutes before the start, the German was hit by mechanical problems and was replaced by alternate Urban Johansson. The Swedish Pro Mod veteran had all kind of problems in qualifying, but with a personal best of 5.8 seconds and as the winner of the first FIA European Championship race at Tierp in June, Johansson was a much stronger opponent then Kuno. In a close side-by-side run Johansson crossed the finish line in 6.190 seconds, normally no problem for Meihuizen after his great qualifying effort. But the Dutch Pro Mod racer's time was 6.195 seconds and so the Scandinavian Internationals came to an early end for Meihuizen. No chance for the MPM-driver to score a good result after the great qualifying effort.
But still, with one race to go, the MPM-driver is a great number three in the FIA European Pro Modified Championship. The last race will be at Santa Pod Raceway in England, from September 6 until 8. Meihuizen and his J.W.R. Racing Pontiac will do their very best to break the 6-seconds barrier again and looking at their recent track record are aiming for a 5.8 seconds! To repeat the Alastaro win would be the best possible way to end the season.
- Author
- Remco Scheelings
Dragracing FIA European Championship Main event Marc Meihuizen MPM Racing MPM Sports Pro mod Tierp Arena
