10 years of FIA European ET records - Simply out of this world!

2011 marks the tenth year of my association with four times FIA European Top Fuel Champion - Andy Carter. As a new era dawns for the Lucas Oil driver, its looking increasingly like I will not be as bigger part of this season at the track, purely because of family and work commitment. With the 2010 season assigned to history, Ive found myself looking back over the decade with great fondness and a realization that Andy loves his stats and records!

Most know his championship success, however, its the 5 FIA ET records that also deserve a mention, and as the scoreboards lit up another in September 2010, I wondered what the official history had been over the past ten years?

Before Andys 2001 title, a certain Barry Sheavills had been the first European to set the ET mark below the 5 second barrier. His 4.942 would stand from September 1998 until Andy set his first FIA ET record in June 2002 a 4.897 which was also the No1 qualifer at the Main Event. This record stood for two years until
he reset the mark in May 2004 - 4.832 also a no 1 qualfier at the Main Event. Another two seasons would pass before the record was lowered again, only this time it was Swedish driver Hakan Nilsson - his 4.830 being enough to claim the honour by a slim margin in August 06. His claim was short-lived as Urs Erbacher
became the first Euro TF pilot to push the FIA et record down into the 4.7s with a fantastic 4.747, just one month later at Santa Pods European Finals.

It took till July 2007 but Carter would leave Swedens Mantorp Park with the record once more under his belt, having run a 4.732 on his way to again becoming number one qualifier. Two months later, his 4.703 at the European Finals was almost the 4.6 the team was hoping for. Andy did actually run a blistering 4.645 at the same race but this was only good enough to back up the
4.703 under the too quick rule. He then held the FIA et record for the next 3 seasons and we move to September 2010.

I will never forget that Q3 at the European Finals at Santa Pod Raceway, it is up there with the side-by-side 4s from Barry and Andy as a special moment. As a fan, I used to sit on the bank and applaud the team support vehicles, as they headed up the track to collect their driver after a run. I often thought the driver really missed out on all the reaction and euphoria surrounding a record
run. They are headed into the surreal calm of the run-off area, pleases that the chutes are out, whilst coasting to a safe conclusion with no unwanted ploughing excursion! They are also blissfully unaware of any numbers and not allowed to be told any info by the top end crew. Meanwhile, back at the start line, the crew gets to experience the huge roar the follows the record or winning run. They get to hop into the support vehicle and blast the horn for all they are worth, lapping up the applause all the way down the 1/4 mile. Meanwhile, at the top end.....

For Q3, I sat in the Lucas Oil support vehicle with team mates and longtime friends - Gary and Phil Cottingham, right on the start line. As 4.572 flashed up on the gantry, the roar was very similar to the Barry V Andy Pass - deafening! The hairs are up on your arms as you punch the air, passing the cheering fans all the
way down. Phil was so excited, I thought he was going to flip the car over as we made the slight turn just past the finish, on route to go get our record holder. Of course, he still had no idea just how quick the pass had been. As the first man to greet him, I felt honored to share the news with him. Lets just say that the calm
of the top end was soon shattered as we celebrated!

So, in my time on the team with Andy, he has held the FIA ET record for almost the entire last 10 years, apart from the brief period from August 06 to July 07. Quite an achievement in any ones books!

I would like to thank our good friend - Andy Marrs for all the timing data and to Andy Rogers and www.eurodragster.com for their continued support.

You can keep up to date with Andy Carter at www.andycarter.net or facebook at, http://www.facebook.com/CarterMotorsport and please hit the like button.

Dan Welberry - Carter Motorsport
Marketing & PR 2001 - 2011

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