Red Storm Racing @ Laguna Seca

Rider: Andy Carman #999

Race: Pro Honda Oils 600 Supersport

Andy and the team had a rough weekend starting with Friday practice with Andy going down in T5 when a slower rider setup wide for the turn as Andy was going for a pass. This resulted in Andy going wide to avoid contact which then put him in the dirt. With no grip to slow down all he could do was ride it out and went into the haybales at 60+mph. An unconscious Andy was then loaded into the ambulance and eventually ended up at a local hospital for some x-rays and a CT scan. Both come back negative. In the meantime, myself, my cousin Carlo, and Red Storm crew member, Flauvio, cannibalized Steve's bike for parts and put Andy's bike back together. The bike gets a new upper fairing stay, new brake calipers and hoses, new right side clip on, new master cylinder, gas tank, and new upper fairing, all from Steve's bike. Saturday we tell Andy to rest up and that's exactly what he does. By this time Oscar and Allan are here and put the finishing touches on getting the bike back together.

Sunday morning comes and Andy goes out for Qualifying. Bike is acting up and there is no power in 6th gear. Andy tries to make up for the loss of top end by going through the corners hotter. A great idea until he lowsides in T3. Damage is very minimal and the bike is walked back to the pit area and everyone hopes that the times were good enough to qualify. Turns out that it was and Andy was gridded dead last in 43rd. This really sucked as during Friday's practice Andy was in the mid teens just 2-3 riders behind Tigert and Siglin. Andy eventually finishes 26th, just behind Montez Stewart (Michael Jordan's rider) after starting in 43rd. He got lapped by the top guys so there should be some footage of him on Speed. Other AFM riders in the 600 Supersport race were J. Tigert (19th), G. Riggs (22nd), L. Williams (33rd), Matt Weathers (36th). Siglin raced but went down in T5 after an incident with another rider N. Moore.

Overall another weekend that put the Red Storm Racing crew to the test. Great job guys and here's to better luck next year at Sear's and Laguna.