The aforementioned Halinen was due to be taking a year’s sabbatical, hence the opportunity for Tethys, so was surprised to get a phone call asking him to get from Finland to Santa Pod at a fair rate of knots after Lucas Oil/African Oil Products backed Chris Andrews had to report in injured. The pitside incident resulted in a damaged shoulder and overnight hospital stay for Andrews, preventing a shot at following up on his event win here last September, but it could have been a whole lot worse. Halinen ended up on the outside of the field after the three qualifying session and Andrews is hoping to be back for the next round in Finland.

FIA/MSA Pro Modified

Marc Meihuizen and the J.W.R./MPM Oil team are developing a taste for qualifying at Santa Pod, recording their second FIA Pro Mod low qualifying effort in a row with a 5.981/241.25 pacing the fifteen car field.