PowerPlan Ltd, a subsidiary of John's Group of Companies of Ħamrun, are to enter a team, Zmoke Z1 Drag Racing, in the 2010 FIA European drag racing championships in the Top Methanol Funny Car category.

This was announced to the media yesterday by Dean Mansueto, team manager, at the Radisson Blu Resort, St Julian's.

"The team drivers are three-time European drag racing champion Leif Andreasson and 2010 FIA drag racing rookie Chris Farrugia," Mansueto said.

The team will take part in five races, two at Santa Pod in the UK in May (28-31) and September (9-12); Alastaro, Finland, in July (1-4); Mantorp, Sweden, in July/August (29-1); and Hockenheim, Germany, in August (13-15).

"The expertise of our Maltese driver and crew, coupled with Leif's championship-winning experience, will stand us in good stead for the challenges and opportunities that may present themselves throughout this year's competitive season and beyond," Mansueto added.

Andreasson, 50, said he was proud to be selected to form part of the Maltese drag racing community, so the decision to enter this joint venture for him was very easy.

"I have been racing in the Top Methanol Funny Car category in the US and Europe for the past 15 years. I have seen personally what the 'Maltesers' can do in drag racing and we have had a very good relationship with the guys at Zmoke for the last 10 years now," he said.

Referring to his fellow driver, Farrugia, Andreasson said he has "a fantastic car as it was built by the renowned chassis builder Brett Williamson and is a winner of the Best Engineered Vehicle award in 2005.

"It will output 3,500 bhp with the supercharger forcing induction at 50 psi. Might I add that the fuel we use is environmentally friendly Methanol."

On his part, Farrugia said he was enthusiastic about Andreasson's involvement and looked forward to learning a lot from him in his rookie season.