ELK RIVER, MINN. SEPTEMBER 9, 2016 -Carlson Moto wrapped up the 2016 TORC: The Off-Road Championship season with some exciting racing Labor Day Weekend at The Big House, Crandon International Raceway in Crandon, Wis. The weekend drew record crowds, exceeding 25,000, and the racing action did not disappoint as the world’s best off-road racers converged for a season finale, Battle Royale.
Competition in the hotly contested Pro Light Class was at an all-time high with 20 trucks entered, including some of the top drivers from the Lucas Oil Off-Road Series on the West Coast. Through the bangin’, bashin’, slippin’ and slidin’, Carlson managed to pull off an impressive 6th place finish on Sunday, after a frustrating run on Saturday in which Carlson was clobbered from all sides, sending him from just outside of a podium spot to deep in the pack in a blink of an eye. So goes off-road truck racing.
The CM Crew will go into the off-season with a solid understanding of what needs to be done to improve the truck for next season, and Carlson will take a pocket full of lessons learned on the track this season into next year when he mounts a serious attack for the Pro Light Points Championship.
Carlson ended the season with an eighth place finish in Pro Light Points, which is a reflection of several poor finishes related to freakish mechanical failures or unfortunate driver errors. The season was highlighted by a huge win on Carlson’s home track, ERX Motorpark in Elk River, and by two other podium finishes in Crandon International Off-Road Raceway and at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The great news is that both Carlson and the CM Crew know what needs to happen in the off-season to prepare for next year, and there’s no question that this team will do what it takes to put a top-notch program on the track next year.
“This was one of those seasons with high-highs and low-lows,” Carlson said with a dirt-inspired grin. “When we didn’t have mechanical issues, and when I drove the truck at the level I’m capable of, we were usually one of the fastest trucks on the track. Next year is going to be all about being consistent, smooth and spooky fast! I’m already looking forward to the first race.”
CM off-road program manager and master-tuner, Jesse Heise, summed up the season. “In just his second season racing trucks, Andrew was able to earn three podiums and his first big win,” Heise said. “We had some tough mechanical luck this year, and he made a few rookie mistakes, but overall, it was a season where we proved that we are a force to be reckoned with. Any of our competitors who take us lightly next season will be in for a huge surprise—we’ve got a wheelman who has proven that he can win, and our truck will be best-in-class. It’s a combination needed to chase a points championship.”
The entire Carlson Moto organization would like to thank our world class sponsors for all of their support.
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