Shawn Higbee injured

[the_weggie_man]

Buell racer and test rider Shawn Higbee lost his little finger on his left hand in a crash in turn one at Daytona. Doctors are now trying to save his ring finger on the same hand.

Apparently his hand got caught under the frame spar when he went down in the first lap crash per RRW.

[spyderchick]

Not good at all. Shawn's a really good guy. Let us know where we can send him our well wishes.

[K3 Chris Onwiler]

Man, that sucks.  At least it's his clutch hand.... :-/  Sorry, that's just how sick I am with this whole racing disease.

[Photo_Chick]

Yeah, I found out about it today.  He was pitted a couple garages down from us.  I saw his trailer leaving and couldn't figure it out until someone told me.  Prayers for Shawn.  He is an awesome guy.

[Jeff]

Dang... that is a total bummer...  But on the bright side of it, if I had to lose an appendage, the left pinky would be it...

Prayers for a speedy recovery physically & mentally.

[KBOlsen]

 :o
 :(

Holy cow, that sucks.  I pray they can save the other digits!

[spyderchick]

http://www.roadracingworld.com/news/article/?article=22166
Link to the article.  

[the_weggie_man]

A release by Paul James of H-D makes it sound a bit better. Apparently he lost only part of the little finger and they have saved his ring finger thought they had to fuse the first knuckle.

[spyderchick]

That's good, but that to hurt like an SOB. Glad he didn't lose the entire digit.

[the_weggie_man]

Oh yeah, that had to hurt big time. I think it was Daytona where randy renfrow ground off his thumb. Then had his big toe transplanted to the hand so he could ride again.

Sounds like Daytona is a crash fest this year with serious injuries to several riders already. Hopefully things will settle down for the AMA weekend.

I think those tight corners are going to be trouble though. Sounds like they may bunch up back runners and give fits to the leaders. hopefully I'm wrong and things will go smoothly.

[Gixxerblade]

Funny you talk about the new turns but it seems most of the crashes happened in the horseshoe and chicane. The old parts. I remember riding a few times out the exit of the horseshoe and seeing oil, gas, blood ;D, etc there. That exit needs some work.

[spyderchick]

I'd heard it was a crash fest as well. Do we really need to run at Daytona? Maybe it's just that I hear alot about the crashing, but this track appears to have more than it's fair share of serious injuries. I wish there was a place where we could review the stats.

Gordy, Keep in touch with Shawn's family. I guess he had a pretty complicated surgery, and may need another. Let us know if you'll be setting up anything special for him through the Wegman fund.