'Andy Carter and the Lucas Oil team were on awesome form all weekend'
Eurodragster event coverage, Veidec Festival 2008

The signs have been there all year but various circumstances have prevented qualifying form to be carried over into round wins for the Lucas Oil/Landmeco Top Fuel dragster, driven by Andy Carter. Andy himself had said, 'It's one thing be be Q1 but it counts for nothing unless you win rounds!'

The brief for the team at Mantorp Park was simple; Qualify number 1, get low et, take the round wins and come home as event winners with maximum points. This would then really heap the pressure on our fellow title challengers.

The task was always going to be really tough in Sweden. The first hurdle to overcome was the safety measures introduced for the Top Fuel cars, with the decision to run over 1,000 feet. We were all heading into to unknown territory as this was the first time in European Drag racing history that the sports big guns had battled it out over this distance.

NB. The standard Drag Racing distance is 1320 feet. This safety measure was introduced following an accident in America, whilst safety measures are reviewed, the sports pinnacle drivers are competing over the shorter distance in the USA, particularly at tracks with a shorter run-off area. Mantorp Park in Sweden has a shorter shut down area than other European facilities, hence the decision in the interest of driver safety.

Another obstacle to overcome, was the size of the entry in the class. For the first time in European Top Fuel history, 14 cars were entered, all battling it out for a place in the 8 car elimination ladder. This was obviously going to be a challenge for all the teams but a fantastic testament to the growth in European Drag Racing, and an awesome spectacle for the fans.

By Saturday evening, the non qualifiers were on the trailer and Andy Carter was number one qualifier with a stunning 4.0591/473.33kph (294.11 mph), Andy's fifth #1 qualifying spot in a row in FIA Top Fuel Dragster. The bump spot was a very respectable 4.2791/425.57 proving that all the teams had really got a handle on the new distance and that Mantorp lived up to it's reputation as one of the quickest tracks on the circuit.

Andy's numbers were not only good enough for Q1 but also for low ET of the weekend and a new track record at this distance going into eliminations.

As the sun rose over Mantorp on Sunday morning, the crew knew that only half the job was complete and by sunset, we'd know if all our team objectives had been fulfilled. The pressure was on!

One race we would all be watching was points leader Lex Joon v Urs Erbacher. Urs took the win and the mood in the camp was positive. Micke Kagered was to be our opponent in round one but with the Lucas Oil/ Landmeco car on such good form, 4.0492 seconds later, we found ourselves preparing for a round two/semi final match-up with Joran Persaker.

That time was good enough to update the track record and low ET stats for the weekend!

Joran gave a good fight in our match-up but a 4.1390 to his 4.8151 set up a fantastic final against championship contender Urs Erbacher.

We were so close to fulfilling our brief and maximum points were there for the taking if we could get round the Swiss, man mountain! At the hit, Urs was up in smoke, lots of smoke and Andy couldn't be seen at all but as the view cleared, the scoreboard showed the win light in our lane and another good run at 4.2739.

We were delighted with this one as we knew it was there for us to take. We scored maximum points (103) with the event honours and now move on to Germany in confident mood and as FIA Top Fuel Championship leaders.

You can view our event coverage to see more in-depth comments and thoughts on both qualifying and eliminations at: www.andycarter.net/events/2008/veidec-festival-2008.php and you can view some pictures here http://www.andycarter.net/media.htm

We'd like to thank all our sponsors for their support as well as our many fans and friends who back the team with such passion. It's much appreciated.

Lucas Oils - Landmeco - NGK Spark Plugs - Binamic - Pioneer Print - Crane Cams - K & N filters - Yuasa Battery Sales (UK) Ltd. - Brown & Miller racing solutions - Sigma Signs - Rainbow Conference Sets - 3t Creative Ltd - Norfolkline - RCS Cables - Teng Tools - CAAR - Jerrys - Autotel Race Radio - American Auto Club International

Dan Welberry
Carter Motorsport
August 2008

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