Experienced British motocross rider, Carlton Husband took on a brand-new challenge this winter by lining up for his first-ever Arenacross campaign – and it’s safe to say it was a real learning experience. Known for his outdoor prowess and consistency in the British Championship, Husband swapped wide, rough motocross circuits for tight stadium layouts, technical rhythm sections and intimidating whoops, diving headfirst into a discipline he hadn’t raced since his 85cc days.
From battling clutch issues to wrestling the whoops “like a donkey holding on for dear life,” the Phoenix Tools Fantic rider approached the three-round series with honesty, humour and a determination to learn. We caught up with Husband as he reflects on the steep learning curve of Arenacross, his ambitions for the upcoming British motocross season, racing alongside GP talent, and his appreciation for the team that continues to back his career.
GateDrop: Carlton, you are an experienced Motocross rider, I think that’s your first time ever doing Arenacross, maybe since the 85s anyway. Just what’s it like compared to Motocross, totally different?
Husband: It’s a totally different ball game, from going to the first round at Birmingham having never hitting a proper set of whoops to here. It’s just crazy. Fair play to all the lads that do it, I definitely need some practice for next year.
GateDrop: Did you enjoy it though?
Husband: I definitely enjoyed it, each time I went on the bike, I felt a little bit more comfortable. We had a few problems this weekend with the clutches and stuff, but other than that, it’s been a fun weekend.
GateDrop: What did you find the most challenging or difficult thing about it, like did anything surprise you about it?
Husband: Everything was alright, obviously I wasn’t doing some of the rhythms that these lads were doing. I was fast enough on the turns and down the rhythm lanes, but just struggled like mad in the whoops. I was like a donkey just holding on for dear life, but it was fun.
GateDrop: You definitely weren’t that bad, I suppose the unlucky thing for you is, you know some guys that are rookies usually they get six, seven or eight rounds, you’ve only got the three rounds this year, it’s a bit disappointing, would you like to see more rounds?
Husband: I would have liked to have done a few more rounds, but then again I’ve come out of it unhurt, so I’m happy to start the Motocross season strong now, you know what I mean? Instead of possibly picking up a daft injury, I will try to get a set of route now for Motocross.
GateDrop: Would you be open to doing this championship again in the future though?
Husband: I would definitely do it again but maybe next time I’ll actually get a bit of practice. The week before Birmingham I was in Holland with the lad that I train with… Going from the sand to Birmingham was… it’s just totally different, but we’re all good, we’re healthy, we’re ready to go for the season.
GateDrop: Just on your Motocross season last year, I mean how would you reflect on that? I feel like you’re getting better every year, making steps in the right direction?
Husband: I just need a little bit more just to push for the front lads, but hopefully we’ll get there.
GateDrop: What are your goals for this year in the British Championship?
Husband: There’s definitely some fast lads going in it, but I want to try and get a top five and just give it to them as much as I can. I want to still enjoy it as well.
GateDrop: Obviously you touched on it there slightly, but there’s going to be more GP guys next year, we’ve got Watson, we’ve got Oliver, are you looking forward to racing with those guys and just learning from them?
Husband: It’s all about learning isn’t it? Hopefully even if I can stay with them for a few laps, it’s seeing what they do and how they do it, it’s all good experience.
GateDrop: You’ve been with the Phoenix Tools team for many years now, you must appreciate everything that they do for you?
Husband: Barry and the team, they do so much for us, the lad that employs us now, he helps us out a lot as well, I couldn’t carry on racing without them, without the people in my corner. I appreciate it a lot what they do.
GateDrop: The team made the switch to Fantic, I think it was for last year, how did you find adapting to the Fantic from, I think you were Kawasaki before that?
Husband: I’ve loved the Fantic, we haven’t had any problems and it’s been good, I like the bikes.
GateDrop: Josh Vail was your teammate last year, obviously he was a rookie, but I think he’s got a good bit of talent there, have you been able to help him and what do you think the future could be like for him?
Husband: Josh has his own thing going on, he trains with RMJ, he has his own thing, I don’t help him, but he goes really well and hopefully he does good things this year. We’ve got John (Adamson) this year as well, so that’s going to be exciting, I’m looking forward to seeing him on the two-stroke in a bit soon.
GateDrop: Well that was my next question actually, what’s it been like so far with John, a very nice guy, and I’m sure you’re able to learn stuff from him too?
Husband: I haven’t seen much of him yet, just when we’ve been here, but hopefully I can get out with him a little bit more.
GateDrop: Just on next year, obviously the British Championship but we’ve seen you in Ireland once last year, would you be open to doing anything over here again and maybe would you be interested in doing any GPs like Foxhill or something like that?
Husband: Maybe, I’ve had a few lads see that they would pay for my entry, so I’m up for doing it. Foxhills isn’t my best track, but I seem to do alright the times that we’ve been there/ I’ll definitely do them and hopefully get to Ireland too, we had an amazing time last September. That was amazing and so much fun so I’d love to go back to Ireland.
GateDrop: Just on Foxhills, I mean what is your thoughts on that hosting a GP, you’ve raced there so you could know?
Husband: Fair play, it’ll make you feel like there’s more crowd there won’t it, because it’s quite… the atmosphere will be amazing. I think maybe a little bit work needs to be done to the track, widen it in places, make some passing opportunities, but it’ll be good regardless.
