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23:30

Andy Willsheer has stopped by on his way back from the pits with a few snippets after today's first Pro demonstration session.

Pro Stock racer Richard Sundblom told Andy that he had slightly adjusted clutch settings from last night. "We read the track perfectly", said Richard. "It was a nice straight pass and was my best-ever ET by one thousandth."

Pro Mod racer Freddy Fagerström said that his run was the same as before - no traction. Fellow PM racer Patrik Pers said that everything was backed down but that he was still getting wheelspin.

Top Methanol FC racer Trev Capewell's problem after his burnout was that the throttle was sticking. He had less spin on this run but ran out of methanol, blew a burst panel and split a fuel line. The car will be back together for the final run.

18:45

In between a photo call and an autograph session Andy Willsheer and I managed to catch a word with most of the European racers who have put in demonstration passes at this event. This is in the order we caught them.

Supertwin racer Ronny Aasen told us that he took it easy off the line and punched second gear at 400 feet. "The bike hooked up at the eighth", he said, "the track is good from the eighth onwards. It is always tricky the first time on a new track, but I think all of the bikes performed OK."

Top Fuel Bike racer Sverre Dahl said that he found the track slippery after the eighth. "I just used one gear", said Sverre. "I left the start OK but the tyre started to spin after 150 feet and I throttled it a little."

Fellow TFB racer Ian King said that he left in the clutch settings from the UK National Finals to see what the track would take. "It had too much clutch", he said. "I was on and off the throttle to see if it would hook up and it fishtailed". Ian added that he was most appreciative of the crowd's patience and their response to his run.

Pro Stock Bike racer Paul Watson told us that his rear tyre was spinning in first and second gear. "I hurt the gearbox a little", he said. "I ran 1.15 to sixty feet and 3.1 at the eighth. I have taken some power out, I wouldn't do it on the usual settings!". Paul added that the track was not bumpy.

Supertwin racer Per Bengtsson said that the track was better than he expected. "I used very little clutch and ignition",he said. "It was good for 200 metres then I shut off. When I saw Ronny coming past I was disappointed! But it felt good, and the track is flat. The bikes have run better than the cars and it will be a good run next time."

Pro Stock racer Michael Malmgren said that the team had to change to their race motor after the original item cut out last night. "It was an ignition problem which might have been as simple as a spark plug but we just changed the motor", he said. "We need to do what we can tonight to make sure that the Crown Prince is happy enough to ask us back again."

Top Fuel Dragster racer Thomas Nataas said that he has been leaving the line on one third throttle. "We try to put in what the track can hold, but the timers don't come in until I hit the throttle", he said. "We got off the line at a third throttle yesterday but then the tyres started to spin. It will probably be better tonight."

Pro Stock Bike racer Ray Debben said that his bike got squirrelly. "I couldn't find the finish line so I clutched it", he said. "It will be better next time."

Pro Mod racer Freddy Fagerström said that he was unhappy at doing burnouts with very little smoke. "I was worried about the track but I think it will be better today", he said, a sentiment echoed by feverishly-autographing Top Fuel Dragster racer Susanne Callin and Pro Stock racer Richard Sundblom although Richard added that he had had quite a good time on the track last night.

Pro Mod racer Patrik Pers told Andy that he was taking it easy because he didn't want to put the car into the wall. "We are giving the crowd a show under difficult circumstances", he said.