PODINGTON, England (May 28) -- The members of the R2B2 Pro Mod racing team took Friday to get familiar with their new surroundings at Santa Pod Raceway.
Melanie Troxel's Pro Mod car cleared customs in Amsterdam on Friday morning and was placed on a boat for shipment to England. The car is expected to arrive at Santa Pod on Saturday afternoon.
Even with the late arrival, Troxel's group might not be too far behind the other 28 Pro Mod cars entered in the race because rain is supposed to move in and sit over the area around the racetrack throughout Saturday.
Despite not having their own car to work on, Friday at the FIA Main Event wasn't a total loss.
With the weather cool, breezy, and otherwise sunny, Troxel walked the track to familiarize herself with the nuances of Santa Pod.
"Each track is a little different," Troxel said. "So it's important to know where to go and where not to go if you get in trouble. This track has a long shutdown area and a high retaining wall, but it still has its quirks you need to be familiar with before you make your first run."
When not on the phone keeping tabs on the status of his well-traveled racecar, crew chief Al Billes lent a hand to occasional R2B2 teammate Michael Gullqvist of Sweden, the first European in history to win an NHRA national event.
"We brought a new supercharger for Michael's car with us," Billes said. "We were able to look over some data with Michael and we put the new blower on his engine. Michael did such a great job for us in Atlanta, winning that race, it's only fair to return the favor and make the car he drives in the FIA get better."
Billes said the team also made a point to introduce themselves to their new European neighbors.
"We cruised the pits and met a lot of the other competitors," Billes said. "They are an awesome group of people, I can't wait to hit the track and compete with them."
Two rounds of qualifying are scheduled for Saturday, if the rain holds off.
