The temptation of speed can be such a captivating sensation. This immense feeling resides as passion within the hearts of many who make the choice to get involved with auto racing. One’s desire to experience the full world of speed in any form is something so great it would be disgraceful to believe it should be held by just one group of people. Thanks to affordable, entry-level tiers of auto racing, we’re enjoying a brilliant unity through on-track competition. Competing in her first full season in the Radical Cup Canada series, Alana Carter desire for a fast on-track life has taken her from a dirt track in Alberta to road courses overseas.
For the young racer from Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, her first exposure to motorsports was made possible by her father. Progressing as a fan to a driver took place early for Alana Carter first driving go-karts and would quickly advance to oval track racing. At 14 years old, she secured the Future Stock Season Champion at Edmonton International Raceway. She moved up through the ranks of stock car racing in her teens, she eventually grabbed the wheel of a 600-plus horsepower Northern Thunder Dirt Late Model. In 2019, she claimed the Western Cup championship becoming the first woman as well as the youngest driver ever to earn the trophy.
Although Alana Carter had a celebrated and popular run on paved and dirt short tracks, her direction in motorsports changed in 2022 when she decided to grow as a road racer. “Honestly I love all things motorsports and I when I had the opportunity to give road racing a shot I really enjoyed it.” Carter says reflecting on her motivation for her racing career change. “I find it’s quite a different challenge but I what I liked the most about road racing is how much industry and community there is supporting it. Don’t get me wrong, the dirt racing community is AMAZING, but in the road racing world, there’s simply a lot more opportunities.”
Leaving Alberta, she found a driving role for the Canadian-based Scalar Performance SCR1 touring car (a Toyota GR86 sports car outfitted with an all-electric powertrain). Also in 2022, Carter was crowned a winner of Formula Woman where the Canadian travelled to the United Kingdom to compete in the British GT Cup Championship. Her and Jamaican Sara Misir shared a Lotus Emira GT4 race car at Donington Park and Snetterton for 24/7 Motorsport.
Returning to Canada for 2024, Alana Carter entered her current endeavour with the Emzone Radical Cup Canada series competing in the #16 car. Based around nearly identical purpose-built race cars boasting quick speed and sharp handling, the relatively affordable nature of this series promotes an ultra-competitive field. “This year has been a massive learning curve for me! I absolutely love the Radicals but I find I’m still getting comfortable with just how much grip they really have compared to the other cars I’ve driven”, Carter commented. Having driven in four races so far in this season’s Radical Cup Canada competition, her maiden outing at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park served as an unfortunate rookie gaffe. Spinning at Moss Corner, her vehicle collided with race leader at the time Kenny Riedmann with both drivers retiring from the race. Since her first race, Alana Carter is continuing to build on her road racing expertise and learning what it takes to driver a Radical race car. “These cars have really helped grow my confidence and forced me to trust the car more,” she says.
As she continues to compete as a rookie in Emzone Radical Cup Canada, Carter will be an eager participant in the 2024 Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto on-track activities this weekend. “It’s my first street circuit race which is exciting but it’s even better to be put on such a large stage and get to put myself out there more,” she stated adding “ I’m still getting the hang of the Radicals and the street circuit will be a whole new adventure for me but I’ve put a lot of work in and I’m excited to show what I can do”.
While looking to gain racing knowledge on the streets of Toronto, Alana Carter recognizes how her presence at the track may serve others. “ I’m excited to show what I can do. I really hope to inspire the women and girls that come to watch! Although women in motorsports is definitely growing, we’re still a minority out there so I’m excited to represent and meet a lot of race fans!”
Canada’s Alana Carter competes with firm desire and ambition to improve to potentially become one of the country’s formidable road racers. Dreaming to drive an LMP2 car in endurance racing sometime in the future, her current efforts will continue to be fueled by the love of racing. “Once I got a taste of this part of the motorsports world I realized that I really did have a shot at making a career in it if I played my cards right, so that’s what we’re working on!”
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