Driving the www.cartersport.com -sponsored Peugeot 206 which had been fully rebuilt since his accident during February's Riponian Rally, the British Superbike Championship pit lane reporter was contesting the SEMSEC meeting at the 1.0 mile track and was looking forward to his first race having passed his ARDS test at his local Croft Circuit over winter.

However, after just ten laps of qualifying, a problem with the gearbox selector caused it to lock up and as a result, the car couldn't be fixed so it was an early trip home for the team.

"It's very disappointing but these things happen and it's unfortunate that we've come all this way and not got a race. The MSR Motorsport team have done a great job in rebuilding the car and it's typical of our luck as we didn't have a problem when we did thirty laps locally in testing prior to Lydden! We'll get the gearbox stripped and see what the problem is and hopefully we can get back out on track soon" said Carter.

Carter's busy schedule of running his own motorsport PR company as well as other broadcasting and journalistic roles within the industry, means he is limited to very few weekends off, hence the decision to make the nine hour, 600 mile round trip to the Kent circuit.

"It was the only race meeting that I was eligible to compete at on one of my few weekends off" explained the Yorkshireman who also is Editor of Motorcycle Racer Magazine. "The next weekend off is when there is one of the Darlington & District Motor Club-organised Northern Sports & Saloon Car Championship races at Croft in late August so hopefully we can have a good showing there. In the meantime we have a series of BSB races at Oulton, Knockhill and Cadwell as well as the World Superbikes at Brands and an odd rally to cover for ANCRO as well so I'll be ready to let off some steam by then!"

Thanks to our sponsors www.cartersport.com, Shark Helmets, Alpinestars and Dunlop Tyres. Special thanks also to Mark Robson of MSR Motorsport, RWS Bodyworks (Thirsk) and Croft Circuit.


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