After winning a second NSW Junior Microsprint title, Bailey Carter will now switch his focus to an American racing opportunity lined up for the end of this year.
The Singleton teenager battled with fellow Upper Hunter racer, Cooper Norman from Murrurundi, on the weekend at Lake Liddell Speedbowl with the pair splitting the wins in the two heats.
Come the feature though, it was Bailey who would come out on top.
This kicks off what he hopes will be a dream year behind the wheel, especially since he has been offered a drive at Tulsa Speedway in Oklahoma.
“Tulsa Shootout, for the cars that I drive, is like the national race, everyone goes, all the winners come out and you know who is the best,” Bailey shared.
“There are a lot of the big drivers there, like NASCAR drivers Kyle Busch and Kyle Larson, and a lot of big speedway drivers from America and a lot of the big teams too.”
Six different racing classes compete at the Tulsa Shootout, with over 700 drivers entering across the four-day event.
Drivers battle it out to progress through the competition to get to take part in the finals series on the last day of competition.
“How many cars you pass in heat racing, and what you place in heat racing, will put you in a D to an A main,” Bailey explained.
“So it’s really kind of luck, and then also just trying to stay consistent and stay out of wrecks.”
As part of the deal Bailey has been offered, he would get a practice race at Port City the day before the Tulsa Shootout starts, which would give him a chance to feel out the car he would be driving at the main event.
The Tulsa Shootout runs over the New Years period and will see the Bailey and his family spend almost two weeks in America.
They will be running fundraisers in the community throughout the year to help make the trip possible and appreciate any and all support the community is willing to give.
The Carter family have set up an Australian Sports Foundation fundraising page, any support is appreciated to help make this dream come true.
-JEM ANSHAW
