MPM-driver David Vegter runner-up at Hockenheim after strong NitrOlympX performance

Hockenheim (Germany), August 11, 2014 – MPM-driver David Vegter scored a great runner-up position at last weekend’s NitrOlympX. Watched by 50,000 spectators Vegter and his team managed to find the right set-up for their ’67 Camaro to handle the difficult track conditions at Hockenheim and advanced to the final. In the final the MPM-driver was defeated by Mattias Wulcan, the current leader in the FIA European Pro Modified Championship. The runner-up position was a result to be proud of for Vegter Pro Mod Racing, as the tricky Rico Anthes Quartermile was a real challenge for driver and crew.

The 29th NitrOlympX was not the best race in the history of the German Hockenheimring. The Grand Prix racetrack, the Motodrom, the facilities of the German track, the Nightshow, this all makes the NitrOlympX a special event on the European drag racing calendar. But not for the first time, the Rico Anthes Quartermile was not in its best possible condition. Traction was so bad; fast runs were impossible, teams had to take out as much power as possible and adjust the set-up of their cars to avoid going up in smoke at the startline or make quarter mile burn outs. The drivers of the 3,000+ bhp Pro Mods needed all their driving skills at this tricky track. During the weekend Vegter Pro Mod Racing proved they could handle the difficult conditions. With a 6.765 sec. from the fourth run, Vegter jumped into the number five qualifying position. A good result as the MPM-driver left some frontrunners in the championship behind. “We had a problem with the ignition in the first two runs. After many adjustments to let the car leave the line without wheel spin, the fourth run, Saturday afternoon, was a good one. Of course the numbers were not something to be happy about, but looking at the track and weather conditions, it was okay”, said Vegter, eager to do even better in Sunday’s eliminations. “But we’ll also need a little luck, as at this track everything is possible.” In the first round Vegter had to face his MPM-colleague Marc Meihuizen, the number ten qualifier. Meihuizen had traction problems immediately after his Pontiac Firebird left the startline, so a 6.9 sec. was enough for Vegter to advance to the quarter finals. There the MPM-driver had to face Bruno Bader, always good at bad tracks. But again Vegter and his team had the right set-up for the ’67 Camaro and a 6.8 sec. was enough to defeat the Swiss driver. In the semi-finals Mats Eriksson, the number one qualifier, was the next Vegter had to race. In a great 6.44 sec. the MPM-driver was too fast for the Swede (6.62 sec.) and Vegter was in the final. After their difficult start of the weekend, a great result. In the final Vegter had to face Mattias Wulcan, the leader in het European championship. The team knew they had to improve and as the track temperature dropped, they put some more power in for the final run. But when the light turned green, it was clear it was too much. The car made a violent move to the right and Vegter had to abort his run. “I didn’t even try to get the car back in my lane. The risk of overcorrecting and hitting the wall was too big and I already lost by crossing the line. So it was no use”, said Vegter, knowing they did all they could to beat Wulcan. But the MPM-driver and his Vegter Pro Mod Racing had enough reasons to be happy with their runner-up position. Only a few teams could deal with the difficult track conditions and Vegter Pro Mod Racing was one of them. And with the runner-up position Vegter is now the number six in the FIA European Pro Modified Championship, despite they skipped the Alastaro race and took part in two instead of three FIA-races so far this year. The next and fourth race of the FIA European Drag Racing Championship is at Tierp Arena, August 22-24. This great Swedish track is the fastest track in Europe and a real chance for Vegter to break the 6-second barrier for the fist time.
Auteur
Photographe
Remco Scheelings
David Vegter Dragracing FIA European Championship Hockenheim Main event MPM Racing MPM Sports Pro mod

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