Welcome to Hockenheim, Germany for the 2009 FIA NitrOlympX!

Welcome to Hockenheim for the start of the 2009 FIA NitrOlympX! Its a nice day today in Germany and the action on the track has already started with the sportsman racers. The Lucas Oil dragster is ready to rock and roll and we can't wait to get out on to the track. Following lengthy discussions we were very pleased that the decision was made to run over 1/4 mile here rather than 1000ft - there probably wont be many more chances to race over 1/4 mile so we will be certainly looking to make the most of it. Tune back later for news from qualifying session 1.

A very difficult first session for the Top Fuel field, nearly all of the cars had trouble with either tire smoke or shake. Anita Makela laid down a 5.2 in the only pass that really stuck. The Lucas Oil dragster launched well but hit shake very early on. Andy clicked off and rolled to the finish, the eleven second pass leaving us in the number 8 spot.

After an aborted first pass it was time to step things up in qualifier number two. The Lucas Oil Team had been busy looking at the data and working out how best to get the power down to the Hockenheim track... and boy did they crack the problem! Andy shot off the line and charged all the way down the track, a little smoke towards the top end and Andy was off the throttle early but still a brilliant 4.86 to take the number one spot! Urs Erbacher stepped up to number two with a 5.04.

Another difficult session for the Carter Motorsport / Andersen Racing Team... too much at the hit and the tires went straight into smoke, Andy rolling through to a 7 second pass. Stig Neegaard ran a 5.00, the best pass of the round, but only enough for number two spot. The Lucas Oild dragster still leads the field. The crew are now working on the car ready for Q4.

As we waited in the pairing lanes the field ahead of us was changing. Micke Kagered ran a 4.91 to move up the field and championship rival Risto Poutiainen hauled himself into the field with a 5.01. All eyes were on Stig Neergaard to see if he too could step up... and step up he did... a 4.85 to take him into the number one spot. Andy was last up, could the Lucas Oil dragster take back the number one spot? A good launch but then, once again into tyre smoke and Andy clicked off to record a 7 second pass.

The team are now looking to race day and trying to work out a combination that will see them back running in the 4's. We are please with number two spot and will face Timo Lehtimaki in round one.

Final qualifying positions are...

1. Stig Neergaard 4.85
2. Andy Carter 4.86
3. Micke Kågered 4.91
4. Risto Poutiainen 5.01
5. Urs Erbacher 5.04
6. Lex Joon 5.07
7. Timo Lehtimäki 5.14
8. Janne Ahonen 5.16

Not Qualified

Anita Makela 5.17
Jari Halinen 5.51

 

Welcome back to Hockeinheim on race day! A nice day here today and we can't wait to get racing.

Round one was delayed slightly due to a couple of on track delays. In the first match up championship rival Risto Poutiainen beat Urs Erbacher to progress. Carter was up next against Timo Lehtimaki. The Lucas Oil dragster left first and was ahead at 60ft. Timo's tyres went up in smoke early on and the race was Andy's from their on in... the Andersen Racing machine sticking to the track and running a great 4.89.

In the other match ups Micke Kagered beat Lex Joon and number one qualifier Stig Neergaard was taken out by Janne Ahonen. We face Micke in the semi final.

It's still a glorious, hot day here at Hockenheim... the hot conditions are making tuning tricky through.

Up first was Risto Poutiainen and Janne Ahonene... a race vital for Risto to keep his championship hopes alive. A close race but Risto went through with a 5.21 to Jannne's 5.27.

Carter was up next against Micke Kagered. Kagered had problems and had to be pushed back from his burnout. Virtually even as they left the line but the Lucas Oil dragster got to 60ft first, the tires started to haze but and stuck with it. In the other lane Micke was a passenger as he lost the blower. Andy charge through to take the win with a 4.98.

So we will face Risto in the final, AC with lane choice, in a race that could decide the championship.

If Risto was to win it would keep his championship hopes alive, if he was to lose then Andy would be able to take the championship by qualifying at the Euro Finals.

Risto had problems on his burnout and had to be shut off, a great shame as we never like taking a win on a bye... we want a race every time. Andy launched hard but then got off the throttle at 200ft and cruised down the track.

Another superb win for the Andersen Racing / Carter Motorsport Team. With only one good pass in qualifying it was far from an easy weekend but when it matter on race day we were able to step up and put in consistent runs to carry us to another trophy.

Thanks to all our fans who have supported us this weekend, thanks to Lucas Oil and all of our associate sponsors... Landmeco, Impact Race Products, NGK Spark Plugs, Binamic, Pioneer Print, K&N Filters, Yuasa Batteries, BMRS, Sigma Signs, Rainbow Conference Sets, 3T Creative, Norfolkline Ferriers, RCS Cables, Teng Tools, CAAR, Autotel, Jerrys, USA Autodele, AACI and Ultimate Airbrush.