Before the 2009 season kicked off, there had been talk in the Carter Motorsport/Andersen Racing/Lucas Oil Top Fuel Dragster camp of the aim to dominate the season. The team's goal was to take the Lucas Oil Dragster to the winners' circle at every race in 2009, writes Team PR Dan Welberry:

I know it's a bold ambition but if you don't have them you won't achieve them, as Andy often quotes ''We're only here to win!'' This obviously sat alongside and went along with Andy's main goal which is to claim an unheard-of fourth FIA European Top Fuel title, which would also set Andy another record of being the first European Top Fuel Driver to achieve the Championship in back-to-back seasons. Wins in the opening two rounds at Santa Pod, England and Alastaro, Finland had propelled the team to a commanding lead in the FIA Championship and kept them on course for the 'Win each race' ambition. Sweden would only serve to sweeten the season even further but the '3 out of 3' record was not to be, as rain prevented the final round against Risto Poutiainen being run. What a great race this would have been, the win could have gone either way!

The Mantorp Park track is another favourite of Andy's. He has held the track record there since 2004 and he was going into to this year's race off the back of a win at the 2008 event. With some of the bigger names not contesting all the European rounds this year, the door has been opened for some new stars to shine and the Swedish track played host to some outstanding qualifying with Linda Thun Tonseth proving that she was not just there to make up the numbers! Stig Neergaard has been a major force this year too, with some huge performances and a solid Championship position as we head for Germany. Risto Poutiainen is a great competitor and is driving well. It wasn't too much of a surprise to see Risto grab number one qualifier and as we've often said you can never write off a Rune Fjeld-tuned car. It was also nice to see Urs back in the mix for this race. As qualifying positions proved, the European teams have risen to the challenge and stepped up their game for 2009.

We'd like to say thanks to Lucas Oil for their continued support, as well as our many other 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, RCS Cables, Teng Tools, CAAR, Autotel, Jerrys, USA Autodele, AACI and Ultimate Airbrush.

Andy is now unbeaten in the last four FIA races and with a substantial lead going into the next round in Germany, the pressure really is on the other racers to close the gap to prevent further history being made by the defending Champion. One thing's for sure: if Andy Carter does go on to take this year's FIA European Top Fuel Dragster title, this really will be a major achievement within the sport.

You can follow our progress in Germany at http://www.andycarter.net/events/2009 or at www.eurodragster.com/live/2009nitrolympx.

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