so how good was alan carter?wasnt into bikes when he was racing but heard a few stories him and bought his book.i am now two thirds of the way through it and am enjoying it,and he comes across as a funny,likeable character but he does seem to have a really high opinion of his ability.just read the line"my team-mate at the time was steve hislop and didnt really see him as a threat to someone of my calibre".big statement.was he that good?
Ah well, his description fits Alan Cathcart as well....alledgedly....http://www.motorcyclefiles.com/about.htm But I am aware of a Carter that was bl**dy good...didn't know he was named after me though. AL
He was very good. Good enough to win at GP level on a 250. I remember him chinning a Marshall who wouldn't let him get back on his bike after a crash and all the controversy afterwards. The book is very interesting. Worth a read. loads on YouTube. Alan and Kenny Carter Interview after French GP '83 - YouTube
Alan Carter won the French 250 gp in 1980, I think. His season was looking good leading up to the win too, but fell apart a bit afterwards. That's the last I can remember of him riding, but I seem to remember reading about his life turning to shit soon after. Could be wrong.
You don't win a Grand Prix and get works Honda British Championship rides without some considerable talent. Yes he was bloody fast in his day. I'm sure there is plenty of reference to the ups and downs of his career in the book but bad luck and bad weather (in the 1986 GP at Silverstone he slid off while leading on the last lap in torrential rain) played its part, but 12th in '83, 9th in 84 only 5 points behind Wayne Rainey in the 250GP championships and 7th place in 1985 says he was no slouch.
Alan Carter was the son of Mal Carter, who sponsored Phil & Ron Haslam on the Pharaoh Yams. Unfortunately Phil lost his life on a 250 at Olivers Mount in the mid seventies.
Remember Spray riding a Suzuki 250 Gamma at Cadwell club meetings once upon a time (1986) . He was pretty quick then.
Look at the name on the leathers FFS......... Besides, Spray was much shorter and my mate Trevor Nation was his taller co-rider........ I have loads of pics of the Nortons and their riders, including one Ron Haslam. AL
Hi, read the book and enjoyed it. yes he had lots of talent but a bad career, not well managed. He came back to racing last year with a tz350, he did a race or two then binned it badly. Not been out since I don't think. As for Cathcart, buy his new Ducati Superbikes book. Its top. Greg
