Rain disrupted the running of the first round of the European FIM Championships. Saturday qualifying saw Sportsmans classes and then half the Pro classes (cars) run before the rain came and ended the days action. Sunday was the only dry day and a full day’s qualifying right up to curfew 9.00pm. No wheel turned on Monday and the race was called in the afternoon. The Santa Pod track crew did their best to get the track ready but the rain came once again to halt the racing.
Top Fuel Bike.
Ian King almost ran the first five of the season at the Pod but he got slightly out of the groove and click early to record a time of 6.060-193 to lead the field. Sweden’s Rikard Gustafsson ran close to his personal best with 6.425 at 213.08 (top speed of the meeting). Steve Woollatt was third 6.562 but had oil pressure problem. Filippos Papafilippou had American racer Billy Vose crewing for him (6.772-192). Otto Knebl was the last six-second runner 6.806. Rene Van Den Berg had a conrod break towards the finish line and had a fire from the oil out of the engine, which burnt Berg’s leg. He brought the bike to a safe stop he was treated and was ok.
SuperTwins.
Finland’s Samu Kemppainen ran a personal time of 6.611at 217.01 (top speed of the meet). Holland’s Martijn De Haas recorded his first ever six-second pass 6.787 and a p/b speed of 207.22. Fellow Dutchman Job Heezen has strengthen the chassis of his bike and the result was an arrow straight pass with his quickest time on that bike of 7.068. Both Vesa Lipponen and Christian Jager ran mid-seven second passes. Roman Sixta had gaskets leaking. Reigning Champion Ronny Aasen had primary belt issue.
Pro Stock Bike.
Reigning Champion Fredrik Fredlund led the field by nearly two tenths 7.062 at 186.59 (top speed). Gert-Jan Laseur ran close to his p/b with 7.219. Martin Bishop had a new crankshaft and was taking it easy to bed the crank in 7.428. Reigning ACU Pro Stock bike champion Mark Smith ran a p/b of 7.636-173.74. Comp bike rider Allan Davies was on board Richard Gipp Pro Stocker and ran 7.762. Karl-Heinz Weikum season didn’t get off to a good start. He did his burnout and parts of a valve and piston came out of the engine and onto the track.
Super Street Bike.
Round two of the FIM Super Street Bike Cup was headed by Dave Holland having finally got the motor sorted on E85 fuel and on the last pass of the session he ran 7.214-199.88. That is the quickest and fastest run in Europe on E85 fuel. Reigning Champion Garry Bowe was close with 7.242. Malta rider Shaun Buttigieg had American Walter Sprout crewing for him and ran a 7.30 (clicked off at 1000ft) and then ran 7.276. Pete Field had a Shinko tyre on and recorded the quickest to date for that tyre 7.359 in Europe. Luke Farrugia ran 7.371. Fifteen bikes qualified with a seven–second pass. Richard Hann was on the bump spot with 8.026.
Report by Steven Moxley