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Carolyn
is currently lying joint 2nd in the
Isle of Man 400 Championship.
| Year
of Birth
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1973 |
Home
Town |
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Liverpool |
Height |
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5 foot 4.5 inches |
Racing
Debut |
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Jurby Airfield
(Isle of Man) April 2000 |
Best
finish |
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1st, but my best
achievement was 4th in MGP newcomers
class C 2003 |
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"I am currently concentrating on
the roads like Elleanor Forrest, including
the TT course, Southern 100, NW200, Jurby
Rd Skerries and Killalane, hopefully doing
more in Ireland next year. I came 4th
in the Manx GP newcomers race (class C)
last year on my NC30 and 23rd in the Ultralightweight
race. I will be competing again this year
on my NC30 and also a CBR600RR."
"I love my racing and it seems to
keep getting better, which is always good!
It's been a bit of a learning curve this
year, trying to do new circuits etc. and
next year will be much the same, but it's
all part of the job. I have had a few
disappointments in the last couple of
meetings, but hopefully we can put those
problems behind us before the MGP. Other
than that I am generally a happy person
and think life is too short to get wound
up and upset about things too easily,
I just need a few more hours in the days
and days in the weeks please!"
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Racing history:
I started racing in the Isle of Man (my folks
live over there) in April 2000 on my dad's TZ250.
Due to my lack of funds I only competed in 3 meetings
that season, the last one being Jurby Endurance
with Julliette Manning on her 400 at the time.
I ride an NC30 on the road (well, I haven't ridden
it for 18 months, poor thing) and after that race
I decided I wanted to swap from the 250 to a 400.
I rode the TZ for a couple more meetings at the
start of 2001 and managed to get a 400, with a
lot of help from my dad, for the middle of the
year. Towards the end of 2001 I did my first race
outside of the Isle of Man at Cadwell Park with
the New Era club. 2002 was all about getting my
national licence in order to compete in the Manx
Grand Prix. I have been going to the MGP since
I was 12yrs old, helping my dad with his racing
and have always wanted to race there, so, I did
a full season with New Era in England and also
a full season in the Isle of Man, which was pretty
expensive and knackering, but I had my National
by the end of the year. 2003 was all about working
towards my first time at the MGP which was in
August, so I only raced in the Isle of Man so
as to save the pennies! I also competed in my
first 'real road race' at Jurby Rd and straight
away I knew that was the direction I wanted to
take my racing, I loved it. This year I have been
concentrating on the roads, I still race at the
Airfield to keep my hand in, plus a lot of road
races don't come around until later in the year,
so I'd be bored otherwise! I have been over to
Ireland a couple of times to do the roads there,
I did Intend to do more, but this year nothing
has gone to plan. I have managed to do 3 new (to
me) road circuits this year though and plan to
do many more next year.
How long have
you been biking?
My little brother Rob, who also races, got a TS125
when he was 12ish and we used to ride it around
our back garden (it was a big garden!) and also
on our mate Wiggy's fields, he had a few bikes
too and we spent a lot of time crashing them and
riding them over clapped out vehicles in his dad's
yard. We had various other bikes and then, when
I was 16, I got my road going RD50 complete with
Micron exhaust! I've pretty much had a bike on
the road constantly since then.
What inspired
you to start racing?
My dad has raced since I was about 5 or 6 and
we used to go all over the country with him, then
we started going to the Isle of Man for the MGP
every year and that's when I really got the bug.
I always said I wanted to do it and that was my
sole reason for starting racing, unfortunately
I didn't get round to starting racing until I
was 27, I wish I had started sooner!
Have you managed
to get any sponsors?
Yes, but mainly for my MGP efforts, the rest of
my season is payed for by me, though I have recently
been sponsored with a Penske rear shock from S.P.A.
and I have some small sponsors who help me out
now and then with money for fuel etc. I also Have
my paintwork done by Westminster Car restoration.
I am riding for Martin Bullock on his CBR600RR
at the MGP, as well as my NC30 and the SS Motorcycle
tuning boys are looking after me and running me
on both bikes.
My other MGP sponsors are, Bowker BMW (Preston),
Hein Gericke (Preston), Juan Quaine, Raven Hotel
Ballaugh, Phil Nicholls Carpentry and Suites Hotel
Group.
My dad helps me out mechanically and the bike
is kept at his and mum's house.
What are your plans after this season?
Next year I would like to do a lot more of the
Irish roads and possibly a meeting in Europe,
I will also do the MGP, Southern 100, Jurby Rd
and the Airfield. There is so much I want to do,
it's just time and money!
What are your ambitions?
I have new ambitions every year and I have personal
goals which I usually keep to myself, I'm not
one to go around shouting about them. Mostly though,
its just to enjoy myself and to race to the best
of my ability.
Who are your mentors and who do you look up to
in racing?
My good friend Russ Henley is my main man, he
used to ride for Martin Bullock and now he helps
out with the Martin Bullock Raceteam, he looked
after me last year at the MGP and he keeps me
really calm and has me in stitches most of the
time! We have been great mates since then and
he has helped me out a lot this year. There is
my dad and my brother too. Female racer-wise,
I used to admire Kate Parkinson and thought she
was a great racer. I admire anyone that has a
go at racing, particularly those who do the TT
course and are successful around there.
What do you do
in your spare time?
I don't have any! I am currently renovating my
house, so between that, racing and working the
silly hours I have to work, there ain't a lot
of time left. I try to catch up with my mates,
I don't see them very often during the racing
season as I'm never at home. I also go to the
gym for a couple of hours, 2 or 3 times a week,
depending on my work schedule.
Who's your favourite
racing hunk?
I haven't a clue, James Toseland is cute, but
he's a bit young for me!
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