Interview: Brittany Cuthbert
3 March 2014
Published with Permission
by Michelle Smith.
MX SA: 2014 is a very exciting year for you with the news
that you will be racing the Red Bull Nationals in the UK.
Tell us how this came about?
BC: After the success of last yea r- winning the FIM
Africa and the North vs South shoutout in Bloem, as well as
being the only lady to compete in the MSA and WOMZA National
series, the next step for me is to start racing internationally.
My ultimate goal is to race the WIM GP Series but before I
jump into the deep end, a year in England is the ideal thing
for me right now, to get use to big races with full classes,
on different, rough tracks. The Red Bull National series is
a fun series with a great atmosphere and even a race on the
beach.
MX SA: Did this seem like the logical next step after
what you have achieved in S.A and winning the FIM Africa in
2013?
BC: Yes, this is the logical next step and a stepping
stone to my ultimate goal. By taking this step, I will have
a year to work on my speed and skill and be more prepared
to hang it out with all the fastest ladies.
MX SA: Tell us about where you will be staying?
BC: My brother Tristan and myself are staying at Wheeldon
Farm. It's a great facility with everything we need on the
farm for training- an indoor arena for days when it's too
wet to ride outside, an outdoor track, indoor swimming pool,
gym and workshop with wash bays. There are also a few other
tracks in the area that we are close to. The owners of the
farm also have 2 sons who race, so they know the ins and outs
of the UK racing scene, which will help us a lot in our first
year.
MX SA: You’ve have already picked up some great sponsors,
tell us about them?
BC: Fuchs Silkolene have come on board and they are
such an awesome brand and are also based in the UK. Our bikes
will be in great working order. P&H motorcycles are also
helping us out and have been a great help so far. We also
would definitely not be able to do this without the help of
my parents and as every motocross family knows, a lot of sacrifice
is put into racing.
MX SA: Will you remain on KTM?
BC: Yes, for sure! I feel so comfortable on a KTM.
MX SA: What class will you be racing in?
BC: I'm racing in the Rookie class in the Red Bull
series, which is not a ladies class and I'm not even sure
if there are any ladies racing as they don't have a ladies
class. For all of the local club races I'll race an equivalent
to an MX2 here. We have 5 rounds in the Red Bull series and
then every other weekend we'll do a local race. I've planned
for a total of 31 races while I'm there.
MX SA: You are fortunate to be making this move with your
brother, will this make the move easier even though the rest
of the family is staying behind?
BC: Being with my brother will definitely be a help,
I'll have someone to train and ride with and we both have
a passion for motocross and racing, which makes us really
close and we get along really well. It will be hard to leave
the rest of my family behind but they are extremely supportive
and behind us all the way. I might have to hold a few tears
back at the airport haha!
MX SA: What is your goal with racing overseas?
BC: My goal is to have fun, learn and better myself.
This year is a learning year and just by planning this trip
I've already learnt a lot. I'm sure when we get there it will
be a culture shock and it will be different to here. I just
want to race the best I can and always improve. Europe is
on the cards for next year and race the complete WIM GP Series.
MX SA: Do you think the major difference in weather is
going to be a factor for you?
BC: I'm not sure and I can only imagine what it will
be like while I'm here but I am a fan of cooler weather as
it's easier for training and riding. The mud factor will take
getting use to but it's all part of the sport and if you're
a good mud or sand rider it's always an advantage.
MX SA: Why did you end up going to the UK and not Europe?
BC: The UK is a stepping stone for the first year and
Europe is the goal for 2015.
MX SA: Will you be entering any WMX GP’s?
BC: The plan now is to watch the 3rd GP which is Valkenswaard
and then do the 4th or 5th round, depending on how ready I
am. I would like to do a round with the ladies after being
in the UK for a few weeks, to see my pace and where I'm at.
MX SA: Where can people follow your progress?
BC: People can follow my happenings on Twitter-
@_babyangel71
or Facebook- Brittany
Cuthbert or Instagram- brittcuthbert. I'm also
setting up a website for myself which will be up and running
shorty- brittanycuthbert.co.za
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