In January 2007, two times FIA European Top Fuel championship winner Andy Carter joined forces with the highly respected, championship winning Andersen Racing team to form one of the most exciting alliances in European drag racing. In just ten short months the Danish, Swedish and English team recorded new personal best times, new speeds, reset European records, reset track records and qualified number one at two FIA rounds, despite not achieving our ultimate goal of winning the European championship everyone in the team was extremely pleased with the team's achievements and we know we have strong basis for next season.

So, after a successful year it seemed fitting for the Carter Motorsport / Andersen Racing / Lucas Oil Top Fuel drag racing team to join together for their first ever end-of-season party. The weekend started on Friday lunchtime for the UK crew with a short flight out of Stanstead to Billund Airport, Denmark. When we arrived Crew Chief Karsten Andersen was ready and waiting to pick us up and take us back to his family home. On Friday evening we all traveled to Per Andersen's house to catch up with the rest of the crew who had traveled from their homes in Denmark and Sweden. It was great to get a chance to chat to Karsten, Per, Martin, Henrik, Peter, Markus, and Jes away from the track.

Saturday morning started with us driving the three miles from Karsten's house to the factory of the teams associated sponsor Landmeco. Inside the factory is the team's workshop housing the truck, trailer and race car. The space, warmth and cover afforded to the team inside the workshop allow the pit to be set up exactly as it is at the race track, making for a tried and proven working environment.

As well as being a chance for the team to relax and strengthen the strong bond formed during the 2007 season we also took the opportunity to start preparations for the 2008 season. Staying at the top of the field in European drag racing requires dedication 365 days a year and a great deal of effort during the off season. One of the many jobs completed this weekend was to remove all of the cables and hoses from the car; these are replaced every season as a matter of course and again our long term hose sponsor BMRS and RCS cables will be supplying their fantastic products for the 2008 season.

On Saturday night we all gathered together in the Landmeco workshop for an end of season party. Sponsor Jerrys supplied food for a traditional Danish Christmas meal which was expertly prepared, despite losing count of all of the courses we ate, there was still time after the meal for some Karting and even to inhale some nitro fumes to keep us going over the winter!

Andy, Sarah, Richard and Gary would like to thank Karsten, Louisa, Per and Bodil for their hospitality... and we cant wait to repeat the celebrations this time next year!

Gary Cottingham
Carter Motorsport

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