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Related Issue:
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Contact: www.redracer.co.uk/
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page: http://bit.ly/a0TB0Z
Last updated 5/04 Last report 8/03 Needing funds
for the 2004 season.
My names Rebecca Cartwright, I'm also known as
Red.
I’m 24 and started riding motorbikes in
1999 after living in Australia for a year and
having my first experience (as a pillion) of the
open road! My first bike was a Honda VFR 400 NC30.
When I bought it after learning to ride on an
upright Yamaha 125 I rang my BMF instructor and
very good friend, George Graham in floods of
tears...'I've just bought a bike and I can't get on
it let alone ride it! And I can't find the pegs! It
took me about an hour with his expert advice and
encouragement to get used to the position of the
VFR. After that there was no stopping me!
For the first 3 months I rode everywhere with my
best friend Neil Barratt who had a CBR1000. He used
to say 'If I take off it's cos there’s a nice
bit of road but don't try to keep up as I'll wait
for you at the next junction'. Bless him! I know he
was only saying it for my safety but there was no
way I was gonna be left behind! We had an amazing 3
months on the bikes and I didn't ever want to get
off except for the occasional blast on the back of
his CBR. Unfortunately he was killed on the road
not long after I passed my test but I always swore
that from that day on I would never ride like a
girl!
After some pretty quick and scary riding on the
road with various bike groups and an upgrade in
power to a Yamaha R6, I finally got my break and
was offered a full sponsorship package by Chris
Anton from Safeguard in Alton, Hampshire. I had
completed the compulsory Race School with Ron
Haslam in June 2002 as my birthday present from all
my friends and family. I entered my first race at
Snetterton on a Kawasaki ZXR400 at the end of 2002
with Bemsee.
Due to only entering a few rounds and still
having my rookie bib I was permitted to enter the
rookie 400’s last year (2003). The first round
at Brands was really nerve racking and due to poor
tyre choice and bad weather I came away unhappy
with my results. I booked to do a test day with my
mate Mike Edwards where we both found some time and
confidence. I then went on to achieve my first 2
trophies at Lydden Hill. I couldn't get the grin
off my face for a month.
I was very fortunate from there on in and with a
package of reliability, support and encouragement,
Keith Code's insight, a powerful 69bhp bike, and a
little bit of skill I achieved many podium finishes
including a win at Snetterton where there must have
been about 30 people (supporters, friends and
family) clogging up pit lane waiting to
congratulate and jump on me - Thanks guys!.
I managed to secure my 2nd place in the BMCRC
Nationwide Rookie 400 Championship at Brands on the
Saturday with 5 races left to go. I went out for
the 1st race on Sunday and had a very nasty high
speed collision with a fellow racer and friend Iain
Mcgee at the top of Paddock Hill. We both ended up
opposite each other in hospital trying to swear at
each other using our toes due to not having a good
arm between us. He had broken his shoulder on one
side, his collarbone on the other along with a few
ribs and I had broken both of my wrists. When they
realised that I had broken both my wrists the first
question on every ones mind including mine was 'how
are you going to wipe....' You figure it out!
We have both mended well and I for one can't
wait to get back on track. I will booked 5 days
testing in Nogaro in France at the end of February
before the first race of the season to build up
both the strength in my wrists and my
confidence.
My aim this year is to be top 5 in the 400 Super
Sport Championship. (Hopefully top 3!)
Name Deb Cartwright
Date of Birth 04 October 1974
Home Town Reading
Height 5 foot 4 inches
Racing Debut Rookie 400, Brands March
2003
Best finish 2nd
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