FIA Euro Finals 2011
After a challenging season Andy Carter returns home to Santa Pod for his last ever race in FIA Top Fuel dragster competition...
9th September, 2011 - 11:00 - Morning Update
Welcome to Santa Pod Raceway, England for the FIA European Finals 2011. After announcing his retirement two weeks previous, this weekend marks last time Andy Carter will participate in FIA Top Fuel competition. Can the former European Champion turn around his season and finish his career on a high?
Tune in throughout the weekend for end-day updates here on AndyCarter.net or for the very latest news head over to our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/CarterMotorsport
11th September, 2011 - 20:00 - Euro Finals Update
Friday saw Andy post a 19 second pass and a 13 second pass in Q1 and Q2 respectively, the Lucas Oil dragster struggling to get a handle on the track conditions as it smoked the tires twice.
However, on Saturday morning Sundays troubles were forgotten when Andy drove the car to a 5.21 second pass putting us in the field at number 7. It was far from the greatest pass the team has ever made but a clean, quick run and a baseline on which to build was something the team had been missing in a season long struggle for consistency. The mood in the team lifted and we all sensed we may just be back in with a chance of finishing the season on a high note. Heavy rain fell during Sunday causing delays to the racing, leaving us with a night time final qualifying session with everything still at stake - great for the fans but very tense for all of the teams involved. After good runs from Micke and Risto we were bumped out of the field and needed to make a good pass at nearly 9pm to make it into the filed. Unfortunately it wasnt to be, the car lit the tyres at the hit and we couldnt make it back into the field, Andy Carter would DNQ in his last ever race. The mood in the camp was very low, this wasnt the way Andy or the team wanted to end the season and career.
We woke on Sunday morning to find we had been given a lifeline, albeit a very slim one. Number nine qualifier Kenni Neergaard could not make it as first alternate, so we decided to tow down - if any car could not fire we would get the chance to take their place in eliminations. It wasnt to be and all competitors fired - testament to the quality of the field. However as a fitting end to a fantastic career, following the session Andy idled down the track to a standing ovation from spectators, race crews and track crews. As Andy waved goodbye to the fans that had supported him for so long the Lucas Oil crew came to the line to take applause from the crowd. It was a truly memorable, emotional event and something that Andy and the crew will remember for a long time to come.
We would like to say a very genuine and heartfelt thankyou to everyone who has supported Andy and the team over the years - spectators, sponsors, fellow racers, track crews, media and many many more.
Thankyou to this seasons sponsors... Lucas Oil, Alamo, NGK, Pioneer Print, HolTaj, K&N, Yuasa, BMRS, Rainbow Conference Sets, 3t Creative, NorfolkLine, RCS, Teng Tools, CAAR, AutoTel, Ultimate Airbrush, AACI, Veidec, Zip Kart, Ogden Race Engines and GPR.
However, on Saturday morning Sundays troubles were forgotten when Andy drove the car to a 5.21 second pass putting us in the field at number 7. It was far from the greatest pass the team has ever made but a clean, quick run and a baseline on which to build was something the team had been missing in a season long struggle for consistency. The mood in the team lifted and we all sensed we may just be back in with a chance of finishing the season on a high note. Heavy rain fell during Sunday causing delays to the racing, leaving us with a night time final qualifying session with everything still at stake - great for the fans but very tense for all of the teams involved. After good runs from Micke and Risto we were bumped out of the field and needed to make a good pass at nearly 9pm to make it into the filed. Unfortunately it wasnt to be, the car lit the tyres at the hit and we couldnt make it back into the field, Andy Carter would DNQ in his last ever race. The mood in the camp was very low, this wasnt the way Andy or the team wanted to end the season and career.
We woke on Sunday morning to find we had been given a lifeline, albeit a very slim one. Number nine qualifier Kenni Neergaard could not make it as first alternate, so we decided to tow down - if any car could not fire we would get the chance to take their place in eliminations. It wasnt to be and all competitors fired - testament to the quality of the field. However as a fitting end to a fantastic career, following the session Andy idled down the track to a standing ovation from spectators, race crews and track crews. As Andy waved goodbye to the fans that had supported him for so long the Lucas Oil crew came to the line to take applause from the crowd. It was a truly memorable, emotional event and something that Andy and the crew will remember for a long time to come.
We would like to say a very genuine and heartfelt thankyou to everyone who has supported Andy and the team over the years - spectators, sponsors, fellow racers, track crews, media and many many more.
Thankyou to this seasons sponsors... Lucas Oil, Alamo, NGK, Pioneer Print, HolTaj, K&N, Yuasa, BMRS, Rainbow Conference Sets, 3t Creative, NorfolkLine, RCS, Teng Tools, CAAR, AutoTel, Ultimate Airbrush, AACI, Veidec, Zip Kart, Ogden Race Engines and GPR.