The FIA European Top Fuel Tour heads back to Santa Pod for the FIA European Finals. Andy Carter and the Lucas Oil Top Fuel Team still have a mathematical chance of taking the title... but it will be mighty tough. Follow us on Facebook for all of the latest news... become an Andy Carter fan at www.facebook.com/cartermotorsport

Its been an amazing day in the Lucas Oil / Carter Motorsport / Andersen Racing pits... we woke to rain this morning and spent a long time waiting in the pits for it to clear, around lunchtime the weather brightened and we started racing in the early afternoon. We were the last class in the session and the waiting seemed to take forever. When we made it down to the pairing lanes the session was halted several times by more rain. It simply looked like things were against us and we wouldnt get to run. But, no one gave up, the track crew and organisers did an incredible job and just after 7pm, with the light fading we took to the track. Was it worth the wait?

A long burnout from Carter but not much smoke, a little trouble getting back to the line and then a long time in pre-stage... the Lucas Oil dragster sounded strong, but would it be too much for a track which had seen so much rain during the day?

The answer was a resounding, no! Carter took off like a rocket, 0.84 to sixty and the Lucas Oil dragster just kept hauling, it seemed to just get faster and faster through mid track. The dragster started to drift around the lane but Andy held it well, the wing high header flames looking stunning in the dusk. AC was off it just before the stripe. This looked quick. 4.613 seconds flashed up on the scoreboard - the quickest run ever in Europe. The Lucas Oil crew went crazy on the line and the crowd lifted the roof! It has been a fantastic start to the weekend for the Lucas Oil / Carter Motorsport / Andersen Racing Team... you can bet we will be doing everything we can to carry this form through the rest of the weekend.

It's been a gorgeous September day at Santa Pod, the weather men got it wrong and we have been treated to warm weather and sunny skies. We have lots of guests with us this weekend, including Les Downey of Lucas Oils UK and Tom Fredrickson from Lucas Oils US, it is great to have them with us and we all hoped we would be able to repeat our performance from last night. Several on track delays meant we had to wait for a long time in the staging lanes for Q2 to get underway. When it did it was worth the wait, several racers stepped up to make good passes ahead of us. The Lucas Oil dragster was paired against Urs Erbacher. Carter had some trouble getting into stage, the car moving backwards momentarily. A slower 60ft fro AC than yesterday and the car wasn't hauling as it was last night. The dragster started to go away at the top end and Andy clicked it off for a 4.82, a good pass and the second quickest of the session.

We took to the track around 6pm for the final session, only four cars made it down and Carter was once again alongside Urs. It was a simply stunning pass from Carter - the Lucas Oil dragster charging down the track, pulling further and further ahead of Erbacher who was also on a strong pass, everyone knew this would be quick... and it was... 4.572... at 320mph! A simply stunning pass, the fastest ever in Europe, a new European record and the first half of a new speed record! The crowd went wild, there was hugs and cheering on the startline and a great reception when we got back to the pits. Per Andersen and Kartsen Andersen and the entire Andersen racing team have done an incredible job, preparing and tuning a fantastic dragster. Its been an great start to the weekend, lets hope it can continue...

Final qualifying positions:
1. Andy Carter 4.57
2. Risto Poutianinen 4.76
3. Urs Erbacher 4.84
4. Stig Neergaard 4.85
5. Janne Ahonen 4.91
6. Jari Halinen 4.94
7. Anita Makela 5.33
8. Micke Kagered 6.06
DNQ Joran Persaker 6.15


We will be back tomorrow with news from eliminations where we face Micke Kagered.

We woke to a glorious day in Northamptonshire, England – literally not a cloud in the sky, making that race-day atmosphere seem just a little more special. Our 4.57 pass yesterday had hurt few pistons, once signed by Andy they flew off the merchandise stand into the hands of fans eager to own a piece of European drag racing history. At the number one qualifier presentations on the start line Andy was also awarded the commentators “moment of the day” award. Andy dedicated his award to the track prep crew who have done such a fantastic job with the Santa Pod surface and handed champagne to Ian, Bob, David and Darren of Santa Pod and Santa Pod Racers Club.

 

It was soon time for the first round of eliminations and we towed down under warm, sunny skies. We chose to be the last pair and ahead of us Urs, Anita and Janne all moved on to the semi finals. Could Andy and the Lucas Oil / Carter Motorsport / Andersen Racing team get round opponent Micke Kagered and join them?

 

Unfortunately, today, it simply wasn't to be. Carter left well and looked to have Micke covered but the Lucas Oil dragster veered further and further to the centre line... Andy couldn't wrestle it back, crossed the centre line and clipped the cones. Andy was out and Micke progressed. There was obvious disappointment in the camp, its been a tough season for the team, despite the record breaking runs, but you can guarantee Carter and the team will be doing everything the can to get back to winning ways in 2011.

 

Congratulations to the event winner and 2010 FIA Top Fuel Champion Urs Erbacher.

 

Thanks to all of our friends, sponsors and fans who have have supported us this weekend. Thanks to Les and Tom of Lucas Oil for their fantastic support which allows us to do what we love. Thanks to all of our associate sponsors whose invaluable help we couldn't do without: Landmeco, Alamo, 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, Ultimate Airbrush, ZIP Karts and GPR.

 

That's it for 2010... see you all in 2011!