Many admiring glances were cast in the direction of the all new Demon built by Denmark’s All-In Racecars that Per Svedberg took delivery of for this season. With Scotty and Scott Cannon Jr on hand to steer Svedberg through his first FIA season, the Swede made an immediate impact with a 6.160/229 off the trailer that lead the first qualifying session. An improvement to a 6.157 placed Svedberg fifth on the list (behind Gullqvist, Bruno Bader (6.116), 2010 champion Johan Lindberg (6.139) and the best of the Brits Andy Robinson at 6.152) and clearly demonstrates that the Dodge is far from being all show.

FIA Top Methanol Dragster

Eight cars fronted for TMD and. despite the harsh conditions over the weekend, put on one hell of a show, with defending champion Timo Habermann kicking off his search for a third title in a row with a low qualifying 5.421/258.18mph. It’s unlikely the German racer will have it all his own way in 2011 as the field was really compressed behind him with Paul Ingar Udtian a shade over a tenth behind with a 5.538/253.81mph for eighth spot on the un-run ladder.