Press Release –
Andrew Breaks Out in Semi-Pro; Taylor Battles for Top Position; Chris Scores Second Place in Plus 30
Team Sportech did not disappoint home town faithful as all three riders scored podium wins during the International Series of Champions (ISOC) Minnesota Regional action at ERX Motor Park in Elk River.
In what was for many, the debut of the newly created Extreme Motor Park (ERX) of Elk River, local favorites Team Sportech, put on an impressive display of race laden talent in Semi-Pro, Pro-Women and the Plus classes, claiming four podiums and setting the tone for the second half of the snocross season.
It was a coming of age weekend for Team Sportech’s youngest rider Andrew Carlson.
After battling with some of the top riders in cross at the ISOC National event at Canterbury Park a week prior, Andrew stepped up his game and his confidence, proving he can run and gun with some of the best riders in the Semi-Pro ranks.
He proved his mettle by winning his first heat races of the season, with a pair of firsts in Saturday qualifying action. When the snow dust settled, Andrew was on the front row for all three Semi-Pro finals.
As the final rounds went green Sunday, Andrew parlayed his new found confidence and front row position into a pair of podium finishes, snaring a third in Semi-Pro Open and a second in Semi-Pro Super Stock #1.
It looked as if Andrew may podium all three classes, but a poor holeshot in Super Stock #2 forced Andrew to settle for seventh at the line.
“I’ve been working hard on my starts and I think it really paid off this weekend,” Andrew said after the close of the last final. “I felt strong off the line and into the first corner and it makes a huge difference. We had a great starting line at ERX and our Arctic Cats were wicked-fast off the line all weekend.”
The same game changing moment for Team Sportech was displayed in the Pro-Women ranks, as Taylor Carlson stepped-up and battled against veteran pro racer April Moritz all weekend. The two traded top positions both in qualifying and in the final, but eventually April managed to hold on to the top spot, as Taylor crossed the line in second.
“One of my goals coming into the weekend was to really work on my jumping,” said Taylor inside the Sportech race rig after the race. “At Canterbury I struggled on some of the bigger jumps so I worked on my rhythm and timing all week. I felt more comfortable today, especially over the huge tabletop jump. My lap times continue to improve and a first place finish is in my sites.”
Rounding out the Sportech ERX romp was team manager Chris Carlson who put on an impressive display in both the Plus-30 and Plus-40 classes. Chris’ qualifying efforts were top-shelf, sweeping the Plus 40 heat races making him easily the top qualifier.
Chris also posted impressive heat race results in Plus 40 making him the top qualifier there as well. However a mechanical in Plus-40 ended his hopes of a weekend sweep and a hard charging Karl Christian in Plus-30 battled with Carlson lap after lap, eventually taking the top spot at the line.
Next up Team Sportech will compete February 7 and 8 at the Brainerd International Raceway in Brainerd, Minnesota in ISOC National competition.
