MANTORP MAYHEM

Words and photos by Ivan Sansom
8/15/05

On a weekend where there were NHRA and IHRA Pro Mod races, our North American readers might be astounded to learn that Mantorp Park saw the biggest Pro Mod entry (28 cars trying for the 16 car NDRS Pro Mod field), and that only just over 3 tenths of a second separated the pole sitter, Andy Robinson and his immaculate Studebaker, and the bump spot. Robinson's 6.349 marked the first time a Brit had topped a European Pro Mod field.

The bump spot in the stellar field was occupied by Terje Hakonsen and his late model Firebird with a 6.680. The Norwegian then demolished his personal best in the first round of eliminations and took out Robinson with a slight holeshot accompanying his 6.451 to Robinson's 6.41.

Hakonsen was taken out in the second round of eliminations by Marc Meihuizen's flaming 37 Chevy. The Dutchman was another celebrating a dramatic drop in his PB with a 6.485 in the first round.