Hanssen scores first win at FIA Sweden Internationals

Hanssen scores first win at FIA Sweden Internationals

TIERP, Sweden – FIA Top Methanol Dragster driver Fred Hanssen and his Islanders Black & White team scored their first victory during last weekend’s Inaugural FIA Sweden Internationals at Europe’s first ‘super track’, Tierp Arena, just north of Stockholm. The recently completed Tierp Arena was received with much fanfare as it is the only all-concrete drag strip in Europe.

Hanssen, a commercial fisherman from Afjord, Norway, qualified his Blown Methanol Dragster, tuned by Texan Will Hanna, third in the field with a 5.354 second elapsed time at 266.30 mph. In round one, he defeated Finnish driver Esko Raisvuo after a lengthy staging duel with a 5.547 at 266.51 mph. He then returned to the 5.30’s with a 5.349 at 268.21 mph to take out former two-time FIA Champion Peter Schoefer in the semifinals. That would set up a final round bout with Dave “Grumpy” Wilson’s Injected Nitro dragster, which reset the European E.T. record in qualifying with a 5.29.

With both competitors carding 5.34’s in the semifinals, all eyes were on the starting line to see who would get the jump in the close match-up. Wilson encountered mechanical problems that prevented him from staging, handing Hanssen the automatic win. Hanssen made the most of it, carding a career best e.t. and speed, a 5.305 at 269.76 mph. That run set top speed of the meet.

“We really wanted the .20’s,” said Hanssen. “I guess Wilson has that honor now. The team has worked really hard to get here; I have a great team behind me. This is our third year together, and everyone really knows their jobs and works well together. We have all worked so hard, so it is very pleasing to finally get a win. This is a great day for the Islanders Black & White team, and for our supporters Fosen Tools, Brad Penn Oil/Tore Grannegen, VSP Poland, Hansson Fishing A/S, VP Race Fuels and Victory Valves.”

“Fred did a hell of a job driving this weekend,” commented Hanna. “We had two runs in eliminations where our opponents had problems staging, and Fred just held the car and the motor with no problems. There are a lot of drivers out there that would have rolled through the beams or just took off.

“Tierp Arena is a top-notch facility,” added Hanna. “It ranks right up there with some of the top tracks in the USA. Nothing against the other tracks in Europe, but the people responsible for putting this together should be commended. The track really came in quick. Looking back at the computer data, it wanted more than what we were throwing at it. A .29 at 270 would have been nice, but we’re thrilled to get the win. Now that we have the first win off our back, hopefully there is more to come!”

The win catapulted Hanssen to the top of the FIA European Drag Racing Championship standings with three rounds remaining (Finland, Germany and England). The next stop for the Islanders Black & White team is the Finnish Hot Rod Association Nationals in Alastaro, Finland, July 1-3.

Fast Fact about the Islanders Black & White team:
Why “Black & White?”
“When we started running Top Methanol Dragster, there were three cars running under the Islanders banner, Paul Ingar Udtian, the founder of the club, and Per Hakon Troa, in Top Methanol Funny Car. Each team had their colors. Rosenborg is my favorite football team, so naturally I chose Black & White.”