What better way to kick of the year than an appearance at the prestigious Autosport International show.

The world renowned show at Birmingham NEC attracts over 100,000 people every year bringing together motorsports as diverse as Formula1, autocross, karting and bangers.

Autosport is always one of our favourite shows of the year and 2008 was no exception. Setup for us started on Thursday, with the Lucas Oil truck and trailer delivered to the NEC by Jan and Sarah, Friday the car was unloaded into hall 18 of the massive exhibition centre and once inside the car was given pride of place on the impressive Santa Pod Raceway stand.

Crew at the show were Jan B, Phil Cottingham, Gary Cottingham, Ian 'The Lion' Jones, Rich Bruton, Sarah Carter, Sarah Carter (yes, there were 2 Sarah Carters!) and Andy Carter. Throughout the weekend we spoke to thousands of interested motorsport fans about drag racing and impressed many with the incredible feats an 8000hp, 300mph dragster can perform. We lost track of the number of technical questions we answered - from how the clutch operates, what all those levers in the cockpit do and even why we don't run solid front tires. Several times after explaining to people how the car works it's power and convincing them that yes it did produce 8000 hp and yes we do strip it down after every run they said why do you do all that work and spend all that money for such a short time on the track? If you think about it too long it is a very good question, but the best answer would be, if you had been at the track when we ran 4.64seconds and felt like we did, you would not even ask the question!

Talking to one couple made all the work we put into show appearances worthwhile, they had never been to a drag race before, but having spoken to someone from the team at last years Autosport Show and been impressed by what they were told and how enthusiastic the team member was for the sport they decided to visit Santa Pod and are now hooked!

Our primary sponsor Lucas Oils were also at the show with their own impressive stand displaying their fantastic range of products, remember to check out www.lucasoil.co.uk for the best in all lubricants and additives!

Andy Carter was kept busy throughout the two days with many media interviews, a radio interview, appearances on the Autosport stage, signing autographs and talking to fans.

Carter Motorsport would like to thank all the staff on the Santa Pod stand for helping to make it such an enjoyable weekend and for once again inviting us to help showcase the sport. Also, a big thank you to all those fans who came up to say hello and wish us all the best in 2008 and of course thanks to all our sponsors, Lucas Oils, Landmeco, NGK Spark Plugs, Binamic Web Design, Pioneer Print, Crane Cams, K&N Filters, Yuasa Batteries, BMRS, Sigma Signs, Rainbow Conference Sets, 3t Creative Ltd, Norfolkline, RCS Cables, Teng Tools, CAAR, Autotel Race Radio, AACI, , USA Autodele and Jerrys who make this possible.

Gary Cottingham
Carter Motorsport
www.andycarter.net

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