Elk River, Minnesota (March 10, 2009) – After back-to-back week¬ends of racing on both the International Series of Champions Regional and National tours, Team Sportech continues to gain ground and garner podiums with consistent efforts and exceptional set-up. While the weekend results coming out of the Quadna Mountain Park (QMP) ISOC Minnesota Regional a week ago were less than expected, the continued focus and determination by the team resulted in a pair of national podi¬ums for young Andrew Carlson in the Sport ranks and has the team poised to capture up to five year-end regional titles.

Andrew Regroups and Attacks to Capture Two National Podiums
Coming off a race weekend in Hill City, Minnesota which saw Andrew post strong qualifying efforts but fall short in the fi¬nals, Team Sportech regrouped and prepared to battle on the national stage as the AMSOIL Championship Snocross Series headed to Hayward, Wisconsin.

Once again, Andrew was up against some of the best riders in North America, many of who could very well be racing in the Semi-Pro ranks at the national level. Apparently no one told that to Andrew, who hit the track and put on a show of epic proportions and incredible consistency. Andrew laid down exceptional qualifying efforts both days in which he posted two firsts, a runner-up finish and a third in Sport Stock #1 and #2. Needless to say he was on the front row for both finals and was the number one qualifier in Sport Stock #2

A big part of Andrew’s increasing success is due in part to his sneaky fast HMK Cummins Power Arctic Cat. The boys in the hauler have been working overtime along with go fast sponsors including Woody’s, CA Pro, FOX Racing Shocks and Speedwerks, to give Andrew the edge and as of late, the holeshot virtually every time he pulls the trigger.

In addition, Andrew has honed and developed a racing style his father dubs “Steady-Eddy”. While other rac¬ers may have more flash or can put down a handful of quick laps, Andrew grinds out quick and consistent times lap after lap while avoiding mistakes and crashes with his heads-up riding style.

The efforts on both accounts resulted in Andrew snagging a pair of National podiums with a third place finish in Sport Stock #1 and a second place finish in Sport Stock #2. During the Sunday final of Sport #2, Andrew was once again showcasing his straight-forward riding style allowing him to catch and battle with eventual race winner Joe Fallen. But a yellow flag on the track with three laps to go prevented Andrew from potentially taking the win.

“I felt strong all weekend,” said an elated Andrew after the race. “My sled worked flawlessly and I’m excited to take this momentum into the last regional race of the season in Thief River Falls and then wrap things up on a high note at the final national in Lake Geneva.”

Andrew is currently in second place in both Semi Pro Super Stock #1 and #2 in the year-end championship chase at the regional level. He sits just 7 points behind leader Devin Bertoch in Super Stock #1 and 20 points behind Ber¬toch in Super Stock #2. Andrew is also in the hunt on the na¬tional stage for year end credentials, poised in second place just 20 points behind Andrew Lieders in Sport Super Stock #2.

Chris Carlson Continues Plus Class Dominance
When he’s not coaching Andrew or Taylor Carlson from the sidelines or managing the team from inside the sano Team Sportech hauler, Chris Carlson can be found on the track dominating the Plus 30 and Plus 40 classes in regional com¬petition.

In Hill City, Minnesota, Carlson swept the Plus 40 class and took home a second place finish in Plus 30 after battling with race winner Scott Haala. Chris currently leads the year-end point chase in both classes with one race to go.

Taylor Carlson on the Mend; Set to Lock-Up Year-End Championship
After a vicious dismount during the ISOC Minnesota Regional race at ERX Motor Park a few weeks back, which sidelined Pro Women rider Taylor Carlson, she has since started on the road to recovery. The knee injury she suffered will require surgery, but already Taylor has started physical therapy in preparation for an April operation. What’s more, Taylor will head to Thief River Falls this coming weekend for the final ISOC Minnesota Regional event, where she will take to the track to accept the green flag start and thereby locking her in for the year-end title.

Next Up
Team Sportech heads north to Thief River Falls, Minnesota, March 13-14, for the final regional race of the season. With two championships virtually “in the bag” and three more on the line, it should prove to be an exciting weekend.