FIA Bilsport Pro Modified
We doubt if many would have had Danny Cockerill as their pick for the winner of the ultra-competitive Pro Modified class, but a 6.383/215 to qualify fifth in a field full of PBs suggested that the British team had found something. They then lucked out through eliminations, including a wild ride in the quarter-finals where both sides of the 57 Chevy were clearly visible from the startline during an on and off the throttle duel with Marko Lantto, and Urban Johansson’s championship winning Corvette being shut-off before staging in the semis. The final round against Seppo Saapola saw Cockerill take the win by just under a car length with a 6.507 to Saapola’s quicker leaving 6.619.
FIA Top Methanol Dragster
With the runner-up spot at the Finals to Schofer, Dave Wilson secured his fourth FIA TMD title in a row; and, with two five forties in qualifying (a best of 5.453 led the field and was one of three in the 5.4s) earnt a bye in the first round in the short, but high quality field. Another 5.453/258 on the solo stood for low ET of eliminations and gained lane choice for the final round against Schofer with a 5.515 defeat of Rob Turner (who clocked his first 5.4 in qualifying). Although he dropped the final round, three event wins in the mid part of the season gave Wilson just enough in the bag to hold on to the points lead at the end of racing.
UEM Super Twin Bike
The thoughts of everyone in the bike pits were with the friends and family of Svein Gottenberg after he was killed during a racing accident in a demonstration event in Denmark the week before the final race meeting of the season. The affection for one of the most likeable racers on the European tour came to the fore in an emotional gathering on the startline prior to eliminations, and bikes and cars in every class carried prominent messages of condolence throughout the meeting. RIP Gotten.
