FIA Main Event 2011
Andy Carter , in the newly formed Lucas Oil Team West-Tec top fuel partnership, take on Europe at the FIA Main Event. Can Andy Carter and the team get 2011 off to a flying start? Follow us on Facebook for all of the latest news... become an Andy Carter fan at www.facebook.com/CarterMotorsport
27th May, 2011 - 08:30 - Welcome to Santa Pod!
Welcome to Santa Pod for the FIA Main Event 2011! This weekend sees Andy Carter in his first competitive outing as part of Lucas Oil Team West-Tec. The newly formed team have worked long and hard over the winter to prepare the operation to the highest of standards and will be looking to build a solid foundation at Santa Pod, England this weekend.
Yesterday most of the country was lashed with strong winds and heavy rain, Santa Pod was no different and the weather delayed our preparations slightly. The Lucas Oil Team West-Tec dragster is on its stands and ready to rock. Our hospitality area will be assembled and prepared this morning ready for all of our guests who will be joining us on Saturday, Sunday and Monday. It overcast but dry as I type and looking at the forecasts for this weekend we are feeling confident that the rain will stay away and we can hit the track on Saturday morning.
Andy said "I would like to say thanks to all of our 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... thanks to my team and everyone has helped get us to the Main Event!"
Yesterday most of the country was lashed with strong winds and heavy rain, Santa Pod was no different and the weather delayed our preparations slightly. The Lucas Oil Team West-Tec dragster is on its stands and ready to rock. Our hospitality area will be assembled and prepared this morning ready for all of our guests who will be joining us on Saturday, Sunday and Monday. It overcast but dry as I type and looking at the forecasts for this weekend we are feeling confident that the rain will stay away and we can hit the track on Saturday morning.
Andy said "I would like to say thanks to all of our 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... thanks to my team and everyone has helped get us to the Main Event!"
27th May, 2011 - 21:00 - Evening Update
A far more pleasant day at Santa Pod today. Sunny skies for a large part of the day and the wind has dropped. Today was spent making final preparations on the race car and setting up our hospitality area ready for all of our guests who are arriving tomorrow.
We fired the car on nitro at about 7pm, the crowd that gathered were treated to a huge nitro cloud that sat for a long time inside our pit area.
Qualifying round one takes place tomorrow morning, if you are coming to the track be sure to stop by the Lucas Oil Team West-Tec pit and say hello!
We fired the car on nitro at about 7pm, the crowd that gathered were treated to a huge nitro cloud that sat for a long time inside our pit area.
Qualifying round one takes place tomorrow morning, if you are coming to the track be sure to stop by the Lucas Oil Team West-Tec pit and say hello!
28th May, 2011 - 22:00 - Evening Update
Today Lucas Oil Team West-Tec made their first ever competitive runs in FIA Top Fuel competition. After countless hours of tireless work preparing the race car and trailer the crew could not have been more pleased to make their first passes.
The plan for the day was to start gently and build throughout qualifying. The first qualifying pass was planned as a 60ft to test the combination, Andy stayed on the throttle for a little longer and the 8 second pass saw us in a the number 8 spot. In Q2 we planned an 800ft pass, Carter stayed with it a little longer but with cylinders out the Lucas Oil Team West-Tec dragster only recorded a six second pass, still enough to keep us in the number eight spot.
The crew have serviced the car, no damage from either pass, and are currently working on a strategy to see us move up the ladder tomorrow.
Tune back tomorrow for more news from qualifying.
The plan for the day was to start gently and build throughout qualifying. The first qualifying pass was planned as a 60ft to test the combination, Andy stayed on the throttle for a little longer and the 8 second pass saw us in a the number 8 spot. In Q2 we planned an 800ft pass, Carter stayed with it a little longer but with cylinders out the Lucas Oil Team West-Tec dragster only recorded a six second pass, still enough to keep us in the number eight spot.
The crew have serviced the car, no damage from either pass, and are currently working on a strategy to see us move up the ladder tomorrow.
Tune back tomorrow for more news from qualifying.
29th May, 2011 - 22:00 - Evening Update
Its been a very challenging day for Lucas Oil Team West-Tec at Santa Pod. It was always the aim of the team to start slowly, build a solid foundation and not rush straight for big number passes. Starting out with a new car and a new combination is always difficult but this weekend we have been faced with a number of challenges that the crew just could not solve in time. We ran two six second passes today, not quick enough to get us into the strong field.
So, we will be first alternate on race day - realistically our first event is over. The whole team are disappointed but will be working hard tomorrow to identify, and cure the problems that have affected us this weekend.
This may be a set back for the new team, but be reassured, we will be back, stronger than ever!
A very sincere thankyou to all of our sponsors and fans who have been supporting us this weekend. We are truly sorry we could not do it for you this weekend but will be doing all we can as we travel to Sweden in two weeks time.
Thankyou to 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.
So, we will be first alternate on race day - realistically our first event is over. The whole team are disappointed but will be working hard tomorrow to identify, and cure the problems that have affected us this weekend.
This may be a set back for the new team, but be reassured, we will be back, stronger than ever!
A very sincere thankyou to all of our sponsors and fans who have been supporting us this weekend. We are truly sorry we could not do it for you this weekend but will be doing all we can as we travel to Sweden in two weeks time.
Thankyou to 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.