Mitchell Carr. Photo: DAVE TEASE
MOTORCYCLE RACING
Oak Flats motorcycle racer Mitchell Carr can be excused for playing Playstation or watching videos on Youtube ahead of the biggest test of his career next month.
The 24-year-old has been selected to ride the final round of the World Superbike Championship at the iconic Magny-Cours circuit in France, after receiving a one-race offer from a factory Honda team in Holland.
Faced with the expectation of performing at a circuit he's never been to, and on a bike he's never ridden, Carr has reverted to unconventional training to prepare himself for the event.
"I've been racing the Magny Cours circuit on the World Superbike game on Playstation 3 over and over to get an idea of the track and it's layout, as well as watching guys ride the track on Youtube," he explained yesterday.
"The game's not completely realistic, but at least it gives me a good idea."
The call-up to the world stage culminates a remarkable breakthrough season for Carr.
Last weekend, the Triumph-mounted rider secured the Australian Supersport championship in the final round in Queensland.
He clinched the title from rivals Brodie Waters and Josh Hook after carrying a slender 0.5 lead into the final round.
Carr is the first rider on a non-Japanese bike to seal the crown, and the first privateer to win since 2002.
"I was leading the first race for most of the way and then with three laps remaining Waters and Hook didn't finish due to mechanical problems, and that opened it up so I only needed one point in the last race to get the championship," he said.
"I was actually leading the championship last year on a family-run privateer setup and we had an engine failure which took us out of the second-last round ... so it was nice to get the win."
A solid performance at the race in France could earn Carr a full-time ride in the World Supersport category (600cc) next year.
It would be a huge leap forward for the Oak Flats rider, who has juggled racing with a part-time job instructing learner riders how to be safe on the road.
Joining the professional circuit would pave the way for Carr to follow-Illawarra product Troy Corser's footsteps - a realisation he takes immense pride in.
"I've been a Wollongong boy since I was seven years old and I would love to fly the flag for the region overseas, that's for sure," Carr said.
"To have the opportunity is really beneficial for me. It's big ask but I'm sure everyone around will take that into consideration.
"If we can come out in the points and get our foot in the door for next year, then we will have accomplished what we set out to do."