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Bridle Ridge 113 Appaloosa, 1999, 3/2, 1809 sq. ft., $147, 000. Relocating. Must sell. Call 361-212-0393.
“Driving one of these cars, it’s very challenging and very rewarding,” Carter said. “There’s no roller coaster ride to compare it to. I guess maybe jumping out of an airplane, but I don’t make a habit of doing that. I missed driving and I missed being around the people.”
Carter is not only back doing what he loves, the Victoria oral and maxillofacial surgeon is also doing it successfully.
Carter and his Jawbreaker Motorsports team recently won the Alcohol Funny Car division at the International Hot Rod Association’s Motor City Nationals in Milan, Mich.
“We went and tested before the season began and I don’t think it hurt us,” Carter said of the layoff. “I felt like getting back in the car. I didn’t have to get used to it, having spent two years racing before.”
Carter, 53, began drag racing in 1998, went pro in 2004 and started racing Alcohol Funny Cars in 2005. He stopped racing last year when there was some question about the future of Alcohol Funny Car racing.
Carter sold his car, but never gave up the hope of being able to race again. He practiced at his home between Victoria and Cuero in a customized chair that includes a clutch pedal and used his own set of Christmas tree lights to simulate his starts.
“I practiced on that quite a bit,” Carter said. “Of course, doing it there in my house and doing it in a car are different. That part helps your mindset. In a car, it’s a completely different ballgame. There’s the noise and the horsepower and so many things you have to be prepared for.”
Carter and his crew, which is based in Columbus, Ohio, bought a new car from former Funny Car driver Chuck Cheeseman and the results have been startling.
“We found somebody that had a car,” Carter said. “We had kept the engine and all the other stuff. We put a new chassis on the car between the second and third race and we’re very pleased how things are going. We’re confident we can get in there and be competitive.”
Carter reached the semifinal round in the first two races of the season’s Knoll Gas Nitro Jam series before winning the Motor City Nationals title by defeating Laurie Cannister, who had won the first two events, in the final with a time of 5.802 seconds to her 5.842.
“I’m driving to be consistent,” said Carter, who praised the performance of his crew. “The success of any race car depends on the driver and his consistency. We’re very pleased how this car is running this year. The chassis is working very well and it allows the car to go very fast.”
Carter went fast enough at the Motor City Nationals to set a national record by reaching 249.3 mph and the win put him in third place in the points standings with eight races remaining, including this weekend’s Presidents Cup Nationals at Budds Creek, Md.
“I do this for a lot of reasons,” Carter said. “Of course, we’re always looking for sponsors. We’re in it to be successful and win the championship this season.”
Mike Forman is a sports writer for the Victoria Advocate. Contact him at 361-580-6588, or by e-mail at mforman@vicad.com or comment on this story at www.VictoriaAdvocate.com.