Welcome to Mantorp Park for the Veidec Festival 2009!

Hello everyone and welcome to Mantorp Park for the 2009 Veidec Festival! Yesterday we got all the pits and hospitality area set up, we have 55 guests this weekend that will all be looked after by the capable hands of Bodil, Sarah, Louise and Kirsten. This morning we got the Lucas Oil Dragster scrutiniered and the car is now back in the pits on stands ready to rock and roll! Andy has been busy doing interviews for Mantorp Park Raceway and a local newspaper and as the defending champion of this event, track record holder here since 2004 and the leader in the FIA Championship all eyes will be on him. We would like to say hello and welcome to new team member Tonny who has joined us this weekend and for the rest of the season.

Yesterday we had rain at Mantorp Park but that has passed and today we have a good day for drag racing. Its great to see a big TF field... 11 cars, and everyone made it out for Q1. A good launch for the Lucas Oil dragster but then the tires started to haze in the second half of the track. AC clicked off to record a solid baseline pass of 4.34 seconds and we are sitting at number 5. Lex Joon and Stig Neergaard both laid down strong 4.1 second passes to head the field. Top Fuel qualifying at Mantorp Park look set to be another cracker.

Another very fast session of Top Fuel... the bump is now a 4.4! A slightly harder launch for the Lucas Oil dragster this time round, a strong pass but slowing slightly at the top end to run a 4.20, enough to move us up to number 3. Lex and Urs both ran 4.1 second passes again. The Super Crew are now busy preparing the dragster ready for tomorrow... tune back in then!

Welcome back to Mantorp, its a nice day here and the third qualifying session for Top Fuel certainly got the fans excited.

The Lucas Oil dragster was really on one this time, great launch and it stuck to the finish line to run a 4.10 and into number one spot for Andy Carter! Urs stepped up too to knock Lex back to number three spot. Tommy Rostgaard is currently on the bump with a 4.37. Linda Thun Tonseth, Jari Halinen and Timo Lehtimaki are all on the outside looking in. The fans can't wait for the final qualifying session – it could be very interesting indeed!

 

Well it was a great 4th qualifying session as expected. Ahead of us Risto Poutiainen laid down a fantastic 4.05 to take the number one spot at that point. Andy and Lucas Oil Team gave it there all to reclaim number one but it wasn't to be and Andy recorded, a consistent, but not quick enough 4.13. With the field set Andy will face Anita Makela in round one tomorrow morning.

Final qualifying positions are:

1. Risto Poutiainen 4.055
2. Andy Carter 4.108
3. Linda Thun Tønseth 4.120
4. Stig Neergaard 4.123
5. Urs Erbacher 4.135
6. Lex Joon 4.141
7. Anita Mäkelä 4.245
8. Micke Kågered 4.352
Not Qualified
Tommy Rostgaard 4.372
Jari Halinen 4.420
Timo Lehtimäki 4.631

Welcome back to Mantorp on eliminations day!

Carter was to face Anita Makela in round one. AC got the jump off the line, the Lucas Oil dragster was ahead at half track, the tires started to haze but Andy stuck with it. In the other lane Anita suffered problems and Andy crossed the line with a consistent 4.12 to Anita's 4.22. The Andersen Racing / Carter Motorsport Team are through to the next round where Andy will face Lex Joon, Andy will have lane choice. Risto and Urs also progressed to the semi finals.

Always a tough competitor it was great to be lining up against Lex Joon again. The Lucas Oil dragster literally flew off the line with a fantastic 60ft time. Very close race to 1/8 mile but then Lex's tires stayed to haze and Andy pulled ahead to take the win – a 4.14 to Lex's 4.20. The Andersen Racing / Carter Motorsport team go to the final again! Risto Potiainen took the win against Urs Erbacher in a close race.l

Unfortunately it started raining here at Mantorp this afternoon. The track crew made a fantastic effort to get the track dry again but it was just not possible in the shut down area and the race was called around 9:30pm. So another great weekend for the Lucas Oil team, a great shame we couldn't run the final but a number two qualifying spot and a share of the points keeps us in a strong position in the championship. Its on to Hockenheim next... see you there!

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.