Sixty-year-old rider achieves best Manx Grand Prix finish (From Runcorn and Widnes World)

Sixty-year-old rider achieves best Manx Grand Prix finish

11:18pm Monday 5th September 2011 in Sport

RUNCORN rider Mike Carter is toasting his best-ever Manx Grand Prix – and he is adamant he can celebrate an even better one in 12 months time.

The 60-year-old took to the iconic 37.73-mile Mountain Course on the Isle of Man in just the Manx Radio Lightweight MGP Race, finishing an impressive eighth.

That represented Carter’s best finish since his debut Manx Grand Prix six years ago and also saw him collect his sixth career replica in that time.

And, still riding on a high after a fortnight on the Isle of Man, Carter admitted he can’t wait to return for a shot at going even better this time next year.

“I came here for the first time in 2005 and my finishes have got steadily better ever since and this is my best one yet,” said Carter.

“Racing around the island is so addictive. I just keep coming back because after you’ve done it the short circuits can never really compare - the open roads are just amazing.

“It was a good trip overall. We had engine trouble during practice week that cost a lot of time out on the track but we got it all sorted in the end.

“Considering those problems we really didn’t do all that badly in the end to finish eighth in the race and to get a replica is a good achievement.”

Making Carter’s achievements all the more impressive was that he had to tackle changeable conditions.

“The Lightweight Race was my only one this year and, while generally I have grabbed a replica, to finish this year was good considering the conditions,” he added.

“I just wanted to be safe and to bring it home with that result is great. I’m not the sort of rider that will push too hard.”

The 2011 Manx Grand Prix Festival features the Manx Classic and Two Day Trial, The VMCC Rally’s and Festival of Jurby and the Manx Grand Prix Races. For more information go to www.mgpfestival.com or for more information on visiting the Isle of Man go to www.visitisleofman.com.