FIA Pro Modified

The Swedish stops on the FIA tour have always been known for bumper fields in Pro Modified, and this time around thirty two entries made qualifying shots (prompting a “B eliminator” to run alongside the main ladder). Although the bump spot record (set at 6.24 in 2011 at the same venue) was never threatened, the front end of the field was pretty sharp with the top three in the fives (and they would be joined by another two in eliminations) and Micke Gullqvist leading the pack with a 5.872/248.36, both numbers being, you’ve guessed it, under and over the European record. The final qualifying standings do make it sound simple and straightforward for the reigning champion, but Gullan was someway outside of the field until the final session so having the fortitude to stick a 5.8 tune-up for a last ditch effort deserves due reward. Having found the settings, three 5.8s in the four rounds of eliminations underlined an astounding series and the 5.874/249.29 in the final came with a 1.982s backhalf that picked up close to 53 mph that had the 2013 champion elect smiling and shaking his head at the timing ticket during the trophy presentation.

Gullqvist’s opponent in the final would be Mattias Wulcan in a rematch of the previous trophy pass at the NitrOlymp’X a couple of weeks previously. That one went the way of the Wulcano, but this one was all Gullan. However, Wulcan reset his PB with a 5.915 in qualifying and was consistently in the five ninety bracket throughout eliminations until clicking off early to record a 6.235 to hand Gullqvist the event win. Somewhat distant in the points (Gullqvist will take the title by the virtue of turning up and making a qualifying pass at the European Finals), but seemingly safe to carry the number 2 plate in 2014 and this represents a good return from Wulcan’s first season running the full European tour.