Eric Carter (BMX rider)

American BMX bicycle rider
the football player of the same name
the fictional character

Eric Robert Carter (born March 6, 1970), is a former American professional "Old/Mid School" Bicycle Motocross (BMX) racer whose prime competitive years were from 1983 to 1998. He had the nickname "The Golden Child," and later in his BMX career, acquired the moniker "The Earthquake." More recently, he has been known simply as "EC." Beginning in 1996, he converted fully to mountain bike racing (MTB) and has become one of the most respected racers in that discipline of bicycle racing.

Note: Professional firsts are on the national level unless otherwise indicated. Milestone Event DetailsStarted racing: 1978 at age 8. He went out to see his friend Brent Fay (who was also on his soccer team) to race. Fay's father was the track operator and set Eric up to race. Sanctioning body: Bicycle Motocross League (BMXL). First Professional race result: First place in "B" pro at the 1989 NBL Grand Nationals on September 2. He won US$1,260, the equivalent of US$2,090.18 in 2007 (Cost of Living Calculator). He also gained a second in pro cruiser, winning US$250 (US$414.72 in 2007). First Professional win: See above. First Junior Men/Pro* race result: See above. First Junior Men/Pro win: See above. First Senior Pro** race result: Third place at the NBL Christmas Classic on December 27, 1989 in Columbus, Ohio. He won US$280 (US$464.48 in 2007). He had previously won every NBL "B" pro event he entered. First Senior Pro win: In "A" pro at the National Bicycle League (NBL) "Round 5: Clash in the Sun" national in Orlando, Florida on February 17, 1990. Body size at peak of his career (1990): Height: 5 feet (2 m) Weight: Retired: Largely by late 1995, to concentrate on mountain bike (MTB) racing. *In the NBL, "B"/Superclass/"A" pro, depending on the era; in the ABA, "A" pro. **In the NBL, "A"/"Elite" pro; in the ABA, "AA" pro.

Note: This listing only denotes the racer's primary sponsors. At any given time, a racer could have numerous ever changing cosponsors. Primary sponsorships can be verified by BMX press coverage and the sponsor's advertisements at the time in question. When possible, exact dates are given.

Note: Listed are District, State/Provincial/Department, Regional, National, and International titles in italics. "Defunct" refers to the fact that the sanctioning body in question no longer existed at the start of the racer's career or at that stage of his/her career. Depending on point totals of individual racers, winners of Grand Nationals do not necessarily win National titles. Series and one off Championships are also listed in block.

Terrible Ten Blurb. BMX Action May 1986 Vol.11 No.5 pg.72
"A New Superstar: Our Man Eric" Super BMX/Freestyle April 1987 Vol.14 No.4 pg.33 A very extensive interview with Carter. "Eric Carter: Nine Longe Years To The Top" American BMXer June 1987 Vol.9 No.5 Extensive interview. Terrible Ten Mini Bio. BMX Action August 1987 Vol.12 No.8 pg.38
"E. Carter: The Kid With All The Titles" BMX Action December 1987 Vol.12 No.12 pg.32
Terrible Ten Mini Bio. BMX Action October 1988 Vol.13 No.10 pg.22
"The Schwinn Race Team (AKA: Eric Carter)" Super BMX/Freestyle November 1988 Vol.15 No.11 pg.28 A mini interview with Schwinn's only national factory racer. Side Bar mini interview in BMX plus! June 1990 Vol.13 No.6 pg.68
"Directions: Psyche" Go September 1990 Vol.1 Issue 11 pg.68 Short Blurb on how to deal with the mental pressures of a big race. "Young Guns!!!" BMX Plus! October 1990 Vol.13 No.10 pg.64 Joint interview with fellow rookie pros Steve Veltman, Tim Hall, Kenny May, and Matt Hadan. "The Return of a Rager!" BMX Plus! August 1993 Vol.16 No.8 pg.31 mini interview of Eric's return to BMX racing full time.

Following in the footsteps of other legendary pros Eric Carter became a pro mountain biker in 1993 (while still racing BMX heavily). He currently races MTB for Mongoose Bicycles in the mountain cross and downhill divisions. However, he does race BMX during the winter to cross train and enhance his MTB racing skills.

No amateur status.

No amateur status.

He is a 1999 winner of the Visa/USA Cycling Athlete of the Year Award.