Carter On The Fast Track

At the Half Way Point

But questions were also posed about the decision to list him as New Zealand’s MX1 class entry in the three-rider squad.

Traditionally an MX2 (250cc) class rider, the Bel Ray Pro Rider Suzuki Team member seemed an odd choice to campaign the mighty Suzuki RM-Z450 bike in the MX1 class at this big annual international event, often referred to as the “Olympic Games of Motocross”.

But he soon proved the doubters wrong, putting in two solid rides against the cream of the international scene, the young man from the Bay of Plenty muscling up to such high-calibre riders as American multi-champion Ryan Dungey and seven-time world motocross champion Antonio Cairoli, from Italy.

While Team New Zealand finished only 20th outright of the 40 nations entered, Carter had proved himself a competent big bike racer and he returned home with fresh confidence.

Carter hopped back on the smaller Suzuki RM-Z250 to crusade the four-round New Zealand Motocross Championships at the start of this year, putting his fresh international experience to good use as he challenged for the No.1 spot in the MX2 class.

However, a few too many crashes meant he eventually had to settle for seventh overall. It was a bright spot that he did win the final race of the series.

Then, no sooner had the dust settled on his domestic campaign, Carter was again looking off-shore.

Following his MX1 class debut in Germany, there was less of a surprised reaction when he headed across the Tasman at the start of this year to tackle the MX1 class in the 10-round Australian Motocross Championships.

The Australian series has reached the halfway stage, with the next round set for Swan Hill, in Victoria, in just over two weeks’ time, and Carter is the best-performed of the Kiwi riders in the MX1 class, currently eighth in the championship standings, just seven points behind seventh-ranked Australian rider Hayden Mellross.

“I set myself a goal of finishing top-10 in Australia, so I’m pretty happy with how things are going at the moment,” said Carter.

“I was fifth overall after round one and that was pretty mind-blowing.

“Jay Foreman, my team manager in Australia, is very happy with how I’ve been performing and I’m only nine points off sixth place overall.

“I had a bad weekend at the last round in Australia, but there are still five rounds to go, so anything can still happen.

 “I’ve learned a lot about racing the RM-Z450, like riding it in a higher gear and not being so aggressive on it.

 “I certainly hope I can get another chance to represent New Zealand at the Motocross of Nations this year (the event set for Latvia in September).”

 Carter says he wants to stick with the RM-Z450 when he returns home, the 24-year-old’s phenomenal rise from MX1 rookie to contender in less than 12 months now complete.

For further information contact Simon Meade, General Manager of Motorcycle / ATV Marketing, [email protected].

Words and photo courtesy of Andy McGechan, BikesportNZ.com