Jimmy Ålund Runs European Pro Mod and Pro Stock at Tierp Internationals

Jimmy Ålund is racing in two classes this season in the FIA European Drag Racing Series, He runs the full Pro Mod schedule in the ‘Old 51” Chevy schedule and will field the Pro Stock Camaro at three Scandinavian events. Summit Racing Equipment is sponsoring both cars car this season.

The Tierp Internationals in Tierp, Sweden June 15-18 was the first event where Ålund ran both cars, which made for some interesting challenges. Ålund ended up as the #1 qualifier in both Pro Mod and Pro Stock after the first day of qualifying with ETs of 5.94 in Pro Mod and 6.55 in Pro Stock.

"I've never seen that before," Ålund said. "The good hits just kept coming. Racing two cars at one event is logistically challenging but it works with excellent help from the teams. I get a quick ride back to the pits after a run with The Old 51 so as to get as much time as possible for the next run in the Summit Racing Camaro. Interestingly enough, driving the Pro Mod car has actually helped make me a better Pro Stock driver."

Pro Modified
Pro Mod had a solid turnout with 19 cars shooting to get in the 16-car field. Ålund got off to a good start with the Magnus Petersson-owned Old 51 Chevrolet. Ålund ended up as the #2 qualifier in Pro Mod after four qualifying runs, edged out by the current FIA Pro Mod champion Micke Gullqvist.

Eliminations started out in an excellent fashion for Ålund with wins in Round One and the quarter finals, where he set another personal best ET of 5.899 at 237.63 MPH. During maintenance, an issue with a roller lifter was found and there was no time to get back into the lanes for the semifinals.

“The breakage was of course very unfortunate but we dodged a bullet there,” Ålund said. “The camshaft could have broken, but fortunately that did not happen—it would have been a disaster for us. In all, we had a great weekend with The Old 51. It goes faster and quicker than ever and we can't wait to get to the next race at Alastaro."

Ålund leaves Tierp second in the Pro Mod points standings.

Pro Stock
Ålund went into eliminations as the #2 qualifier. Unfortunately, his day ended with a first round loss.

"The Pro Stock part of the weekend started out real nice" Ålund said. "The car was good and strong, and I felt I drove the car as well as I ever have before. The Tierp track was of high quality as usual but we misread the changed conditions for the start of Sunday’s eliminations. I hit tire shake and that was it."

The next race is the second of the "Northern swing" at Alastaro Motopark in Finland, June 30-July 2.

"We can't wait to get there. We feel we can keep up what we have achieved so far and also improve on our performances with both cars,” Alund said. “We're now one of only three Pro Mod cars that have run 5.80s in FIA competition."