| Author | Message | ||
     Slaughter |
I couldn't go racing last weekend because of TOO MANY vehicle and personal expenses draining another $3000 of un-forecast dollars out of my account. My buddy Damon Stewart (RC51) was also really excited that Shawn Higbee was "away" in AMA racing - meaning that Damon could count on finishing one spot higher this weekend. I was reading the Willow Springs Racing BBS postings from this weekend and much to my dismay, I read that Damon landed on his head this weekend and was in the local hospital ER on Sunday. Seems that a few folks in the race and in the second wave were describing it online… and Damon's wife brought his laptop in for him to type out some responses. DANG. I'm away for one weekend and look what happens! I went in to visit him in Critical Care a couple hours ago at lunch and he's pretty banged up. 3 cracked vertebra (no displacement or nerve/spinal cord involvement) - but a TON of bruises and a massively stretched groin when he got LAUNCHED. Apparently some brain scarring from an OLD injury but the worst is over. His attitude is good - went to tell him that we're working with his wife to get the RV and Trailer off of the Willow track tomorrow and once we got his physical condition sorted out and the logistics out of the way, we AUTOMATICALLY started drifting into talking about troubleshooting his bike and how we'd get the wheels (bent) checked and straightened, the frame/swingarm down to Dr John's for truing, the forks rolled and sent out (if needed) - and how much engine work could be done during his recovery (he's got Ti C-Rods, pistons and a new crank he's been wanting to have lightened/balanced) Motor is SWEET but there's more to be done - he's running a pace that will have him on the podium every time now (1:26 and into 1:25 - a HELLUVA pace!) and he's ready to get the bike turned around and on the track. He's obviously doing better already. In his memory (verified by others) he was in second, passing a couple back markers from the other class (second wave behind his Heavyweight Twins) going into T3 and was passing another backmarker when the guy cut wide all of a sudden PLOWING into Damon… and that's all he remembers. Apparently he hit the front brake hard or somehow the rear lofted up and he was seen launching and doing a "flying Gumby" and landing on his head (that's why you don't scrimp on helmets!!!) Soon as he can turn a wrench, we'll be tearing it down. (both hands are really painful) Racing's a sickness, it's an addiction, and if you have to ask, you just won't get it. He'll be back out in a couple months with a re-worked bike. I think I know why junkies hang out with other junkies. | ||
| Rpm4x4 |
Holy smokes. Sounds like a hell of a ride. | ||
| Slaughter |
And one on Melissa: http://roadracingworld.com/news/article/?article=3 7771 | ||
| Bertman |
I wondered what happened to Damon in that race. He was running a great race with maybe a lap to go and all I saw was a dirt cloud short of turn three and I noticed no Honda. Hope he gets back out there soon. |
