Pro Stock

[Tet]

Interesting reading Michael Malmgren's comments on Eurodragster today. He's saying no one can catch Jimmy because he has more power than everyone else right now. It's common knowledge that Jimmy uses engines from KB Racing, and that they're top secret and no one is allowed to know what's in them or how they're built. But my question is... what could it be about them that makes them so much better than everyone else's engines?

Engine building is a pretty well understood art these days, and there is no shortage of expertise. Surely if KB are able to extract a certain amount of power from an engine given the constraints of the rulebook, then the other engine builders should be able to either match them or get pretty close. But that's not what's happening and those engines are demonstrably putting out more power than the competition, by a reasonably large margin. Have they just found a loophole in the rules that no one else has noticed? Or are they just really good at what they do? It seems unlikely to me that they'd be that much better than everyone else. I'd be interested to see what the more knowledgable people around here think. Obviously, given the secretive nature of it all, we'll never know for sure. But the speculation might be interesting.

[Burndown]

Sounds a bit like sour grapes to me. Although horsepower is an advantage it doesn't help you get car off the line, drill the tree or hit your shift points. Jimmy has been the class of the field for years, he has all the gear and knows what to do with it.

But why the engines make more power, I think there are probably multible tiny changes within the rule book that all add up to an obvious gain, that seems to be the norm in high performance sports nowadays.

Edited by Burndown on Friday 9th May 15:24

[PiPPl]

Could be I'm wrong but I don't see the KB Racing engines carrying more horsepower than the competition on any given day. Check the speeds of the new Dodge cars, and Erica Enders-Stevens is kicking some serious ass right now with new NHRA speed records at Gainesville and leading the Mello Yello Drag Racing series. Jason is in third and just this last weekend, Thomas Lindström ran quicker and faster than Jimmy at the same track back here in Sweden. A test, but still.

I like Michael Malmgren, as the saying goes "he's forgotten more about Pro Stock than I know about the class", he is a good friend of Jimmy and it's not sour grapes, he is merely stating facts for the upcoming FIA Pro Stock season.

Like has been pointed out, horsepower on its' own does not win races, especially not in Pro Stock. Jimmy was at the top of the game before he left for the USA early this spring and you can bet that he's picked up a couple of pointers. As well as leaving a few good ones too, he did not get chosen by the Summit Boys to run Andersons car only due to his abilities as a driver and he spent a lot of time under the hood while there.

Sure, my view on the upcoming season might not be construed as somewhat objective but barring some sort of completely unforeseen event during the summer, Jimmy Ålund will be the 2014 FIA Pro Stock Champion after the smoke clears this fall.

But... "it ain't over 'til the fat lady sings" which is why I find drag racing such a fascinating and totally addictive sport.

Regards
PiPPi

[Flying Toilet]

KB might not be the stronghold they were in the NHRA but maybe they have mastered getting them running on unleaded better than others...

[37chevy]

I didn't hear any noises from Michael when he was at the top and pretty much untouchable for a few years....I'm not saying it's sour grapes or anything...maybe he's right that no one can touch jimmy at the moment....but that doesn't mean they shouldn't stop trying!, no one could beat Michaels speed for a few seasons but they caught up eventually. What jimmy has done over the last few years is incredible and should be applauded. It's funny, I was never really a jimmy Alund fan before he went to the nhra....always thought he came across as a bit too serious....plus I like the underdog, but having seen him race in the nhra and enjoying his racing so much, he deserves all the success he has and is a credit to european drag racing, his success should be celebrated and used as a bench mark for other to try and surpass.

[quarterpounder]

The way I've read the comments is that it's more of a rallying call to the rest of the pro stock teams. 5 cars entered at the first round isn't great and it's been like that for a while. Assuming R1 is a 4 car ladder then there's less points on offer and if, a big if, jimmy loses in the first round then it's no big deal. An 8 car ladder and it changes somewhat.

My interpretation of the article's probably way off the mark though..

[robc3303]

It was a very interesting and very positive read. A few more Euro entries would be nice and aid the competition. After Tierp 1 cancellation, it did cross my mind if a few more Scandinavian entries might view FIA Rnd 1 worthy of the effort ? (All classes, not just Pro Stock).

[nnftth]

"Surely if KB are able to extract a certain amount of power from an engine given the constraints of the rulebook, then the other engine builders should be able to either match them or get pretty close."

True.

And in Pro Stock, "pretty close" ain't close enough!

[tlrracer]

Pro Stock shootout at Malmo Raceway June 14/15, along with Pro Extreme. Malmo is easy to get to and a superb track with friendly people. And the track burgers are the best I have ever had!