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Hockenheim Germany.
We entered this race with great steam and confidence that we really had a shot to reach the final round in this race.
Track conditions were very difficult (same for all the guys) as it was extremely hot and the start line had no traction what so ever on Friday, but on Saturday it came around a little, but still very slippery. The funny/strange thing was that after 60ft it was a killer, most Pro stock teams did run very good speed, even if it was around 3000 ft corrected altitude. Again Mr Ålund did his homework best and took nr 1 spot with 6,76, Richard “ Nixon” Sunblom nr 2 with 6,79 and we ended up with a 6.80, so pretty tight for top 3, the rest were running high 6.8 to low 6.9. Going into eliminations we felt we now had a grip on the track conditions and were just running better and better, still we suffered by spinning way too much for the first 60ft, both Ålund and Nixon had better 60ft times. It seems it was all in the clutch and in the end it turned out that we were still too safe, we could have taken out much more base, but I guess I was too afraid to go out there and burn the clutch, but it takes more then that to do that with a good 6” triple disc clutch.
We took a safe win first round and in the semi finals we were up against Nixon Sundblom. I knew it would be close so I had to do well on the tree, I played my cards right and knocked him down with 7 hundreds and was 2 cars lengths ahead pulling high gear, and I thought YES we are in the Finals, but then mid high gear I lost power and car slowed down quite a bit and Nixon passed at lights with 0.002 sec, unbelievable! Coming back to the pit we found that 3 cylinders had lost compression due to ring land on these 3 cylinders had gone. Looking on the computer I guess I just went over the edge by leaning the fuel curve out too much, and that caused the detonation.
So close and still not, we really would have needed this win against Nixon as the nr 2 spot in points was us or him, the way it looked right now.
Still the whole team were very excited and convinced me that we still had a good shot at nr 2 spot going to the Finals at Santa Pod UK. Questions were, did we have enough time and parts to be able to fix the race engine. Bob Ingles did as usual a very good job and finished a set off Wiseco pistons I have on shelf and we where back in business. Coming to Santa Pod, weather conditions were very good, only 800ft corrected on Friday, and the situation in points was for sure a drama. Ålund already had secured the Title, congratulations to Jimmÿ! But for nr 2-4 spot it was still wide open, Magnus Hansson was 2nd in points 1 ½ round ahead off us, and Nixon 3 points ahead.
For some reason we overpowered the track all 4 qualifying runs, and car was bouncing around quite a bit, not the usual nice straight runs, still we did run personal best off 6.74 on Friday and Nixon run 6.73 and Mr Ålund a solid 6.69 after having I think world record in 60ft time-0.96, we run still a very good 0.98 60ft.
Looking over everything Friday evening we found problems again with 2 cylinders leaking badly and we lost some power, but after consulting Bob Ingles on the phone we decided too keep the race engine in for Saturday, on the last qualifying run on Saturday we made a very good run 6,73, that looked to be a high 6.6 run but mid high gear engine stopped pushing, and I could smell something bad when I clutched out and engine still try to rpm. When I came too a safe stop at end off track I had fire in my left header and luckily Nixon saw that and run over and put his hand up in my header and killed the fire. That could have ended up in a major fire accident, Thanks Nixon that was awesome!
Now I also had a strong feeling that we where in big trouble. Coming back to pit we found that one cylinder had 0-compression, so we had to change engines. It would been much better if this would have happened one run earlier so we could get one run on back up engine to get it dialled in for track conditions, so know we had to too a chance on set up. As usual you are too conservative and go out safe, and that hurt us as we didn’t have enough clutch and slipped badly in all gear changes, and came up short with a 6.81 against Mike Callins 6,78 that was hi personal best ( off course what could you expect) But blame the driver as I should have nailed him on the tree, but I guess I was too nervous how the spare engine would work and by that I was late out off the gate. Thing was that Magnus Hansson didn’t qualify and we only had to survive first round to secure nr 3 spot in the FIA Championship, and could we knock down Nixon in the Semis we would clinch nr 2 spot, but as you all know by now we didn’t reach that far. What a year!
Loosing 2 races with 0.002 sec and loosing semis in Germany due to engine problems just before Finish line, braking our good race engine at last race at the wrong time and having to run first round with no tuning input, that really hurt us all.
This is the first time in 10 years we are not finishing in top 3 in the FIA European Championship,
But you all know me it takes more then this too kill me, we are already planning for 2010, that is for sure, still we have too see that we will have the funding in place too secure a full season. But everybody at Lahega racing is very excited about next year and feel that we have learned a lot this year, and have much more data input then ever to use and analyze, and by that we feel we can start off in 2010 by being competitive from the start.
For now I like too make a BIG THANKS too all off you that have been supporting me in -09 with help, parts, apparel, good advice and so on.
A special thanks to Bob Ingles that always is there for me.
See you all at PRI!
2 Time FIA Pro Stock Champion 2002 - 2003
www.malmgrenracing.com
