Feisty in Europe

Deb Cartwright and Susie Grayson, both ambitious, devoted racers have just completed their first season in the European Women’s Championship (EWC). In addition to racing together they run the all girl racing team Feisty Racing, which regularly competes within the BMCRC/MRO championship within the UK.

Both Susie and Deb have now taken the success of the team to a whole new level making their dazzling pink trademark one to remember. The 2007 EWC season consisted of 3 rounds, Vallelunga – Italy, Assen – Nederlands and Oschersleben – Germany. The racing category, solely for women, has only been running since 2005 consisting of two classes, the 600cc or 1000 cc. Susie competed in the last round of the 2006 season at Cartagena, finishing an outstanding 5th place in her debut race. Unfortunately Deb Cartwright was forced to miss the round due to a broken ankle. However a year later their talent has certainly shown as Deb Cartwright claimed 4^th and Susie Grayson achieved 5^th within the Championship. Susie had a more eventful season with suffering one DNF (Did Not Finish), she revenged that result by ecstatically taking 3^rd place in the final race of the season. Bring on 2008!

They have achieved stunning results since the start of their racing careers building up a collection of silverware along the way. Deb Cartwright began racing in 2003 where she earned 3^rd place within the Bemsee Rookie 400 championship. She then continued within the Superbike 400s and taking 3^rd position in the 2006 400cc/650cc Shootout category along side team mate Susie who took 2^nd. In 2005 Susie Grayson achieved 3^rd within the Rookie Minitwin championship racing a Suzuki SV650. At the end of the 2006 they both progressed onto Yamaha R6s to allow them to spend time preparing and become acquainted with their new partners ready for the 2007 season.

In addition to their European quest, the team mates currently compete within the Clubman 600, which is going very differently for each of them. Susie is currently 5^th within the championship, which is higher than expected. She has been pushing her boundaries and learning with each second on track. Deb has had a difficult year; she returned to the racing scene after her 2006 season was abruptly ended and has suffered additional struggles. However with guidance and equal determination they are becoming issues of the past. Both of them constantly demonstrate their thriving passion and hunger to be the best they can and to keep the trophies coming in.

On the girls’ return from Oschersleben they found the time within their manic schedules to talk about their Europe success, racing career and what’s next…

How do you feel about your first full season within the EWC?

Deb: I loved the whole thing because it’s so much different to club racing in the UK. There’s so much time and preparation that goes into it and then it all boils down to one 20 minute race.

Susie: I loved the season but I have to say I am a little frustrated that we don’t have more than 3 races to prove ourselves. I crashed at Assen and if I hadn’t I may have had a chance for 2^nd in the Championship; though there were a few others that crashed in the season.

What was your favourite/worst track?

Deb: I loved all three tracks we’ve been too. I’ve been competing in the UK for 5 years now so I think any fresh tarmac is fun tarmac for me. I think I enjoyed Oscherleben the most, but this is probably because I’ve found a little of the form I’ve been struggling to find all year.

Susie: I loved all the tracks, mainly due to the fact that they are world class and at least 2.5 miles long; unlike most of the club circuits we race in the UK. They all have their positives and negatives; I’d say that maybe Vallelunga was the hardest to learn with all the tight chicanes and hairpins, but what a fantastic fast first section.

What was your best/worst moment of the season?

Deb: Best moment for me was battling with the 1000s at Oscherleben; I realised the girls just needed to finish and I was probably a real pain in the butt to them, but I was having fun. I was been obliterated on the straights only to ride inside, outside, up side through the turns. Worst moment I think was at Assen and being so off the pace all weekend. 

Susie: The best moment was standing on the podium at last at Oschersleben. I really wanted this so badly and after the disappointment at Assen it was even more important to me. The worst is probably obvious – the Assen crash. I was battling very determinedly for 2^nd place.

Are you pleased with how your UK championship is going?

Deb: No, I’ve had a nightmare season with my confidence slowly been worn away until I accepted that I need some help. I don’t really know what the root cause is but I do know that I’m heading back in the right direction now.

Susie: Yes I am. I didn’t expect to be top 5 in the Championship, although I think this means I have to raise my game to MRO next year. I really am learning so much at every race meeting and I feel I’ve improved in leaps and bounds. I am desperate for a trophy in the Clubman 600 – only 3 more rounds to achieve this!

What are your plans for the 2008 season?

Deb: Definitely EWC next year. I hope to be UK based again as currently I live in Vienna and trying to commute to races in the UK proved not to be easy. This will depend on my work which unfortunately has to pay for the racing.

Susie: I would like to contend the EWC next year, and I am very keen to enter the Manx Grand Prix after having to withdraw this year. I’m not sure what to do with regards to club racing yet; maybe I’ll pick and choose what to enter rather than competing a full season. This year has been very hard work and expensive so it would be good to have less pressure. We do intend to search for good new recruits for the Feisty Racing team though, so whatever does happen the team will be along for them.

This year has been a major learning curve with regards to competing at European level and the experience will certainly help them next season. Each round of the EWC cup was run by different organisations, both Deb and Susie agree that problems did occur and language barriers certainly didn’t help although caused amusement. However they overcame them and the people, atmosphere and experience were great. They also feel that the number of rounds need to be increased, the standings at the end of the season rely too much on riders not crashing, and it doesn’t give those that have had an incident a chance to fight back. A meeting has been held to hopefully add another two circuits to the racing calendar, hopefully one within the UK.

Deb and Susie would like to give a special thanks to Conrad Lewis, dedicated mechanic and Tom Gander, driver, mechanic and entertainer for their help. Not only at the UK race meetings, but for giving up their time and holiday for all the EWC rounds. They would also like to thank the other members of Feisty Racing, the pit/spanner monkeys, all sponsors and fans for their support. Unfortunately there are too many to list, which constantly grows, along with their success.

Article by Tammy Milsom