After rain cancelled the FIA Main Event after qualifying everyone was praying for good weather in Finland and we all got what we wanted, warm and sunny conditions greeted the teams. Alastaro is always a fun, friendly and well organised event. Crew Chief Per Andersen said "The people in Finland are really nice, everyone from the pit crew, the track crew to the organisers, the whole lot, we would like to say a big thank you to you all." Andy Carter added "The spectators in Finland are fantastic, so many of them came up to me over the weekend to wish me well and say they were right behind me. Thanks to everyone who came to say hello."

On Friday the Lucas Oil dragster laid down the gauntlet to the field when Carter went out and ran a 4.76 straight off the trailer to set a new track record. "The track was pretty good on Friday from the start line to about 330ft then it started to go away" said crew chief Per Andersen, "On Saturday it started to change and some oil downs contributed to the problems."

Going in to eliminations Carter, as at the Main Event was sat in the number one spot nearly a tenth of a second ahead of Lex Joon in the number two spot. In the first round of eliminations the team faced Joran Persaker. A fantastic 4.79 to Persaker's 5.20 saw Carter through and the Lucas Oil team appeared to be on a charge. Carter was through to face old rival Micke Kagered in the semi final. The Lucas Oil dragster lit the tires early; Micke had problems too down track but managed to make it across the line first to take the win. Per said "In the semi final we went out with a soft set-up, softer than Friday, we smoked the tires just after 80ft and so did a lot of the drivers after us. It is very unusual for the track to change so much from Friday to Sunday. But there can be no excuses - the conditions were the same for everyone."

The Carter Motorsport / Andersen Racing team left Finland disappointed to not have built on the excellent performance in qualifying and round one. However the whole team learnt a great deal during the weekend, "We learn something new every day, it never stops with these cars. We are very lucky to have the best crew in the sport - each and every one of them kicks ass. Without exception it is a pleasure to have them on board, their great spirit and the way they work allows Karsten and I time to concentrate on the tune up", said Per, "Karsten and I support each other very well, we have long conversations to share ideas, and I feel we do have a very good handle on the car - all we changed over the whole weekend was two pistons and one rod! Andy is doing a great job driving the car. He is among the best drivers I have ever worked with. His skills are fantastic and the things he feels keep on amazing me. The feedback we get from Andy really helps us to tune the car."

The Lucas Oil Team head to Sweden next for the Viedec Festival at Mantorp Park, Sweden (24th July - 27th July 2008). A massive field of 14 cars is entered for the race which will be run over 1000ft only. Per said "I have a good feeling going into Mantorp. The track is usually very well prepped. We still run our old and faithful block from two years ago when Hakan Nilsson drove the car and it didn't let us down then! It is a real shame the race will be run over a 1000ft only and we hope the situation is resolved soon."

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