European Pro Stock ace Michael Malmgren, a 20-year veteran and three-time champion of the factory hot rod category in the FIA Championship series, closed out the 2011 season with his worst points finish in 15 years after dropping to fourth when he bowed out in the second round at the final race of the season, but a new year brings new enthusiasm, an the K&N sponsored racer is determined to deliver a better result in 2012.

Said Malmgren, “That was our worst ending in fifteen years. I would not call it (2011 season) a success. We did okay, but not super. We still ran strong at most events. Our team has the best parts and car possible and great support from all of our USA performance parts manufacturers,” he continued. “We have a good crew and know what it takes to win.”

Malmgren began his driving career  at the age of 22 driving a 1965 two-door Oldsmobile Cutlass with a tuned-up 455 with a tunnel ram intake manifold and twin carburetors. Times have certainly changed however, as he now finds himself at the controls of a Jerry Bickel Race Cars-built Pontiac GTO competing in one of drag racing’s preeminent professional categories.

In addition to his regular racing schedule in Europe on the FIA trail, Malmgren has also competed stateside in a handful of NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series over the years and seen firsthand the differences between the naturally-aspirated doorslammer category in both nations.

“Same format, same rules, same everything; except that a good crowd is maybe forty-thousand spectators in Europe compared to eighty to one-hundred-thousand in the states. The biggest thing is that in the United States, teams are running full-time on a much higher budget and cost mass. By that, they run faster and finesse everything into every last detail. U.S. drivers may make two hundred test drives over the winter, and we maybe get in five or ten runs, tops. We run forty runs during an entire season, and they run four hundred, and in turn have much more experience. That’s why we can’t come over racing, and try to be competitive. It’s just a mission impossible.”

In Europe, the racing season is slightly shorter than here in the states, beginning in May and winding down in October, meaning the start of the six-race FIA Championship is just around the corner and teams – including Malmgrens – are in preparation mode for a new season. Malmgren, eager to redeem himself from his disappointing 2011, is well aware of what it’s going to take to find success and return to championship form this season.

“We must work harder. We need to do our homework better before coming to each race. We have also signed a deal with MBE heads, and together with Bob Ingles, my engine builder, we will have the power it takes to be on the top of the page.”

Malmgren and his Lahega crew depend a great deal on high performance filters capable of keeping contaminants away from the internal components while allowing the utmost in air flow and a high volume of oil through the engine, and for that, they turn to K&N products.

Maintenance is very important,” explained Malmgren. “Referring to K&N products, he continued, “We use the new hood-scoop and oil filters, as they work best. I also use K&N filters on my motorcycle and BMW car. K&N products are the best out there, and they absolutely have played a role on my success!”

Said Malmgren on what to expect in the 2012 season, he emphatically stated, “A hungrier driver than ever before. We will be back this year, running in the top!”

For more information on K&N and how their products can propel your racing efforts to the winners circle, log on to knfilters.com.