Jimmy Ålund Off to a Good Start in FIA European Drag Racing Pro Modified

Jimmy Ålund finished the 2016 racing season by winning an unprecedented 10th FIA Pro Stock Championship. This year the Norrköping native will be gunning for his first championship in FIA Pro Modified. The Summit Racing logo will be pulling double duty as Ålund is running the full season in Pro Mod and and three races in the Summit Racing Pro Stock Camaro.

“Both Summit Racing and Viking Industrimålning are sponsoring both cars this,” Ålund said. “I'm very grateful for their continuing support."

"Magnus Petterson, the owner and crew chief of the legendary 'Old 51' Pro Mod Chevrolet, needed a new driver for this season and contacted me. Of course I jumped at that opportunity," Ålund continued. "The car drives differently than my Pro Stock car—lots more horsepower and speed but a little bit less for me to do during the run.”

The FIA European Drag Racing season started at the end of May with the Main Event at Santa Pod Raceway in the UK. The track ranks as one of the top performing asphalt tracks in the world.

Ålund had problems on the first qualifying run due to a blown supercharger burst panel. He rolled through the finish line beams without power but still ran a 6.30 second elapsed time, good enough for fourth place on the qualifying ladder. Repairs forced Ålund to miss the second qualifying session, but he came back strong in round three with a 6.21 second ET. Crew chief Petersson put a more aggressive tune-up in the car, and Ålund drove the Old 51 to the top of the qualifying list with a fantastic 6.01 second ET at 235.3 MPH.

"First championship race, new car for me, new combo of transmission, motor, and driver for the team and we end up top qualifier. As good a start as can be," Ålund said.

Ålund’s streak ended there due to persistent rain that ended the event. Nonetheless, he is very satisfied with his first Pro Mod championship weekend and left Santa Pod tied for the points lead with David Vegter from the Netherlands.

“The whole team is elated about what we accomplished,” he said. “Being the Number 1 qualifier and getting two round wins the first time out is exceptional. There is more potential in this new combination and that obviously includes the abilities of the driver. Every round is an education for me."

The next race on the FIA European Drag Racing schedule is at the superb concrete track at Tierp, Sweden, June 16-18. For more details on the Santa Pod event and a 2017 event schedule please visit http://www.dragracingeurope.eu/fiaedc/.