Snowmobiling.com

Snocross Champ Tremblay Signs With Scheuring Speed Sports

May 10, 2012 - 2:22pm

Defending AMSOIL Championship Snocross Series Pro Open Snocross Champion Tim Tremblay has signed with Scheuring Speed Sports. The two-time Pro Champion will join the reigning Team of the Year for the 2012-13 ACSS tour, racing out of the AMSOIL/Ski-Doo trailer alongside top pro riders Robbie Malinoski (third overall in points) and Pro Rookie of the Year Darrin Mees.

“With the addition of Tim to our race team, and with Robbie and Darrin already on board, we will be a force to be reckoned with this year,” says team owner Steve Scheuring.

For Tremblay, the move is one he believes will bring continued success and stability as he enters the prime of his career.

“Steve Scheuring has a true professional race team and his team never stops working on being better, and that is the team I want to race for,” says Tremblay. “The AMSOIL/U.S. Air Force/Rockstar/Ski-Doo sleds they put together came out of the holeshot strong at every race last year. And the way the Fox Shox handled the rough national tracks was impressive. I am excited to race for Scheuring Speed Sports and still stay with a great company like Ski-Doo.”

Since moving back to Ski-Doo, the AMSOIL/Scheuring Speed Sports team has been one of the most consistent race teams on the national circuit, finishing with two riders in the top five in points last year.

“Ski-Doo is a great company with a rich history of racing and winning,” says Scheuring. “We are constantly sharing ideas with the race group to develop and improve future products that will make their way to the consumers’ snowmobiles.”

The official unveiling of the new-look AMSOIL/U.S. Air Force/Rockstar/Ski-Doo team will take place at the annual Sno-Baron’s Grass Drags September 8-9, 2012.

For more information, visit Scheuring-SpeedSports.com.

Yamahas Cable Willford Earns Historic Hillclimb Podium

April 25, 2012 - 9:26am

Cable Willford made history aboard his Yamaha FX Nytro MTX, becoming the first person in history to race a four-stroke snowmobile to a podium finish in RMSHA hillclimb competition.

Wiillford’s historic run happened on April 14, 2012 at an RMSHA event at Schweitzer Mountain Resort in Sandpoint, Idaho. He crossed the finish line in 1 min. 2.937 sec., topping six other pro drivers in the 600 mod class to finish third, giving Yamaha its first RMSHA podium in recent years. Adding to the laurels, Willford and teammate Kody Malmborg both put their Yamahas into the finals in a total of seven different classes, ultimately earning three additional top-five finishes along the way.

“Simply put, the season-ender in Idaho was Yamaha’s strongest and most dramatic hillclimb showing this year, serving notice that its four-stroke snowmobile technology can match the best competing two-strokes,” Yamaha says in a release.

At about a quarter-mile long with 500 feet of vertical gain, the run at Schweitzer Mountain was shorter than some hillclimbs, but it made up for this with a series of technical challenges including tight hairpin turns through the trees and lift towers. Fortunately weather conditions were terrific, with sunny skies for much of the weekend and well-packed snow that held up well. Willford and Malmborg both rose to the challenge on Friday, each qualifying their FX Nytro MTXs in five classes, the maximum number allowable, for the first time this season.

RMSHA racing is perhaps the most concentrated form of snowmobile competition, in that drivers get only one chance to qualify and then a single final run – that’s it. When Willford lined his FX Nytro MTX up for the 600 Mod final, two racers had already run up the mountain and put good times on the clock. So he knew had to run hard and fast – with no mistakes – the entire way up.

“After my run we had some tense moments waiting for the other racers to make their runs up the hill, and we had a giant celebration when my time held up,” says Willford. “It was a very rewarding moment and it put the competition on notice that we are here and getting better. This is definitely a building block to competing for overall wins.”

“Our goal the whole year was to put both Cable and Kody in the finals,” says Yamaha’s Eric Josephsen. “We knew that Yamaha’s four-stroke machines are capable, and we’re really happy with the way things turned out. Congratulations to the whole team, including Cable, Kody and our semi-pro rider Kolton Malmborg, our crew chief “Big Kody” and Troy Johnson, who maintained and tuned Cable’s machine.”

Ski-Doo X-Team Racers Sweep Arctic Man Competition

April 19, 2012 - 2:53pm

Ski-Doo X-Team rider Tyler Aklestad and skier Marco Sullivan won the Arctic Man Skiing/Snowmobiling competition for the second year in a row this past weekend. The pair finished the course in a blazing fast four minutes and 4.8 second and reached a top speed of 80.6 mph.

Alaska’s HooDoo Mountains play host to the annual Arctic Man competition that consists of a skier or snowboarder teamed with a snowmobile rider. There are three parts to the run: a 1.75-mile downhill, a 2.25-mile snowmobile pull and another 1.75-mile downhill run to the finish line. The pairs must work as a team as the snowmobile rider hands off the tow rope to their partner for what can be a blazing fast pull if the team coordinates their run well.

Aklestad also won the (Snow) Board competition with partner Nate Holland, clocking a winning time of four minutes and 47.92-seconds and logged a top speed of 75.7 mph. Ski-Doo rider Tyson Johnson backed up Aklestad in both events with his Ski partner Scott Montalbo and Board partner Jayson Hale. Julie Thul pulled Anna Goodman to the win in Women’s Ski division with a time of fourminutes and 14.47-seconds and another impressive top speed of 80 mph.

Aklestad is a veteran cross-country racer and normally competes in much longer events on his Ski-Doo MX Z X RS snowmobile than the Arctic Man, including the grueling 2000-mile Iron Dog. Sullivan is a World Cup downhill skier.

Snowmobile Water Skipping in Iowa a Crime Video

April 17, 2012 - 9:44am

Snowmobilers in Iowa should probably avoid skipping their machines across the water unless they want to fork over a $100 fine.

According to the DesMoines Register, the Iowa Senate approved a bill that makes water skipping illegal. Specifically, Senate File 2331 officially makes it illegal to operate a snowmobile on any public waterway without measureable snow, except on rivers and streams between Nov. 1 and Apr. 1.

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As well, the bill requires Iowa residents to purchase a permit to ride snowmobiles in public land. The permits cost $15 annually and used to only be required for non-residents. This rule was changed at the request of the Iowa Snowmobile Association, which says the annual fees will be used for maintenance and to expand trail development.

Source

Snowmobile Assisted Skiing in Tahoe Video

April 17, 2012 - 9:29am

It may only be April, but it’s awfully hard not to think about winter riding when we see something like this.

It feels almost cruel to watch it now as winter seems so far away, but we still enjoyed this video of an old Polaris RMK towing a skier to an otherwise inaccessible backcountry riding location near Lake Tahoe. Just look at all that fresh powder!

Ski-Doo Team Wins Grueling 1500-Mile Cains Quest

April 11, 2012 - 9:59am

BRP’s Ski-Doo team of Jean-Guy AuCoin and Steve Girard won this year’s Cain’s Quest aboard Ski-Doo Summit Freeride models, making it the third year in a row Ski-Doo X-Team riders have captured the top spot. In just its seventh year, Cain’s Quest has quickly become one of the most coveted and grueling events in snowmobile racing.

Cain’s Quest features 1500-miles (2414 km) of racing across some of the most brutal and unforgiving terrain in North America. It is considered one of the most challenging snowmobile races on the planet, testing a man’s endurance, navigational, winter, and sometimes mechanical skills, plus it requires a snowmobile that can traverse any kind of terrain; from deep snow to ice and back again, while maintaining speed, fuel economy and dependability.

Excellent snow conditions made this year’s Cain’s Quest one of the most daunting to date. Two-rider teams set out from Labrador City, Nfld. and rode a 1500-mile loop battling through ice fields, deep snow, mental and physical fatigue and mechanical challenges along the way. Team 25 of AuCoin and Girard led the field of finishers into Labrador City on March 22, crossing the finish line at 9:21AM, 39-minutes ahead of the second place team. After them came the Ski-Doo riders of Team 29 (Mark Nui/Joachim Nui) in third place and Ski-Doo riders of Team 26 (Lucy/Flowers) in fourth place. In all, Ski-Doo teams claimed three of the Top 4 finishing spots in the race.

AuCoin and Girard chose Summit Freeride models, which share the reinforced REV XP RS chassis, racing brake and shocks of the Ski-Doo MX Zx 600RS snocross race sled, but with a longer track and rising rate SC-5M2 rear suspension. It is built for deep snow like a Summit model, but with a wider front suspension and racing shocks. Powered by the Rotax E-TEC 800R engine, BRP says it posts superior fuel economy and oil consumption numbers while making a class-leading 163 horsepower.

“The Summit Freeride with the Rotax 800R E-TEC engine definitely gave us the advantage at this year’s Cain’s Quest,” says Steve Girard from Team 25. “And it wasn’t just us, 8 of the 14 finishers were on Ski-Doo Freeride sleds. I think that’s proof that if you want to finish Cain’s Quest and win, you better be on a Ski-Doo.”

Cain’s Quest Facts:
• 35 teams started the race, 23 teams were on Ski-Doo snowmobiles
• 14 teams finished the race, 11 were on Ski-Doo snowmobiles Page 2
• This year a woman finished Cain’s Quest for the first time – she was on a Ski-Doo snowmobile
• Team 67 finished 9th on Ski-Doo Freeride sleds – they rode them completely stock, straight out of the crate

Beaver Mountain Hillclimb Highlights Video

April 9, 2012 - 11:27am

Even for mountain riders, the snowmobile season is coming to a close. This weekend marked the penultimate round of the Rocky Mountain Snowmobile Hillclimb Association (RMSHA) – the Beaver Mountain Hillclimb in Logan, Utah.

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Keith Curtis was the man to beat to beat on the weekend, winning the 600 Stock, 800 Stock, 800 Improved and 1000 Stock classes, as well as the Stock King title aboard his 2012 Polaris Assault.

Other notables included Erin Beukelman (Polaris), who earned wins in 700 Improved and 1000 Improved, along with the Improved King title, while David Sharp Jr. (Ski-Doo) won the 800 Mod class, multiple podiums and the Mod King title, and Cody Burningham (Polaris) topped the Semi Pro Improved class and took home the Semi Pro King crown.

The event also spawned a cool time lapse video, which you can see below the jump.

New Anti-Theft Device for Snowmobiles Released

April 4, 2012 - 1:52pm

Snowmobile enthusiasts looking for a way to protect their vehicles from theft now have a new option in the marketplace. Inilex has released SkyLINK PowerSport, an advanced vehicle recovery system that uses a combination of GPS, wireless and satellite technologies to track and recover stolen motorsport vehicles in real time.

“Powersport vehicles have two strikes against them when it comes to theft – they’re easier to steal than cars because they can be placed in a truck bed, and they’re more difficult to recover because they can be easily hidden and their parts can be quickly altered,” says Michael Maledon, CEO of Inilex. “SkyLINK PowerSport tackles both of these issues by tracking its location whether it’s running or not, and ensuring the theft is reported as a crime in progress, triggering police to take immediate action.”

SkyLINK PowerSport is a compact device that is discretely installed by a dealer on nearly any motorsport vehicle. According to Inilex, the unit is water resistant, vibration resistant and dustproof to withstand even the toughest riding or storage conditions. Also, since it draws a negligible 4 microamps of power, it will not drain the battery.

As soon as a vehicle is reported stolen, SkyLINK’s 24/7 agents use GPS and cellular technologies to track it and provide its exact location to the police department. SkyLINK PowerSport works with all law enforcement agencies and, because it tracks powersports in real-time, the theft is reported to police as a high-priority crime.

To help thwart theft, SkyLINK PowerSport automatically sets a Quick Fence early-theft detection perimeter around powersport vehicles when the ignition is shut off. If it moves without the owner’s knowledge, they are immediately notified by an email or text alert. The Quick Fence is disabled when the ignition is turned on. Additionally, SkyLINK Powersport offers an online dashboard called SkyLINK PROTECT that promotes safety by enabling owners to track their powersport vehicle’s location, speed and battery levels when others are using it. Using SkyLINK PROTECT, vehicle owners can set geographic and speed thresholds and receive text or email alerts when either is exceeded.

Dealers can also take advantage of SkyLINK PowerSport to track vehicles that are being test driven or used by employees, as well as to locate vehicles stolen from their lots. They can keep their inventory in check and account for every vehicle’s location at all times. Dealers using the SkyLINK monitoring service may also secure better terms from their bank lenders and insurance carriers because of the inventory management function.

SkyLINK PowerSport is now available through motorsports dealerships across the country at the time of vehicle purchase, and is good for the lifetime of the vehicle. The first year of the SkyLINK PROTECT subscription service is free of charge and it can be renewed following that for $119 per year. The device itself, including installation, retails for $899.

Ski-Doo Snowmobile Used By Clean Snowmobile Challenge Winner

March 30, 2012 - 10:52am

A BRP Ski-Doo snowmobile was selected and adapted by Clarkson University to win its second straight Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Clean Snowmobile Challenge. Ski-Doo models were also chosen by the second and third place teams in the internal combustion category and the winner of the Zero Emission category.

The snowmobiles entered are judged on many criteria, including emissions and noise, but they also have to be functional machines that can be trail ridden, so handling, comfort, endurance and the ability to pull loads factor in also.

Clarkson started with a Ski-Doo MX Z model featuring the Rotax ACE 600 engine and modified the fuel and ignition systems to automatically run on ethanol blended fuels that ranged from zero to forty percent ethanol alcohol. Student engineers then added a compact, one-of-a-kind catalytic converter they designed to further clean up emissions. In taking the overall championship, the team also took honours for Best Handling, Quietest, Best Ride, Best Value – which accounts for price, fuel economy and performance – and Most Practical Solution – which balances cost and noise reduction.

“Congratulations to Clarkson for winning their second Clean Snowmobile Challenge, and thanks to all the teams for their hard work in advancing technologies for our sport,” says Robert Lumley, vice president, sales and marketing for Ski-Doo snowmobiles and Sea-Doo watercraft, North America division. “The fact that so many successful teams started with Ski-Doo snowmobiles speaks volumes about the technologies already incorporated in our products, and who these young leaders see at the front of the pack.”

Placing second was Kettering University using a Ski-Doo Renegade model also equipped with a Rotax ACE 600 and in third was the University of Wisconsin Platteville using a Ski-Doo MX Z model with the Rotax E-TEC 600 as their starting platform.

Polaris Hill Climbers Win Seven Class Titles at Jackson Hole

March 30, 2012 - 10:50am

Polaris snowmobile hill climbers won seven class titles and Keith Curtis won Stock King of the Hill honors at the 2012 Jackson Hole World Championship Snowmobile Hill Climb. Curtis won three class titles in addition to his Stock King title in competition held March 22-25 on Snow King Mountain in the scenic Wyoming resort city.

Curtis won the 1000 Stock, 800 Stock and Open Modified class titles, and was joined as a class champion by these Polaris hill climbers: Les Keller won the 700 Stock title, Erin Beukelman won in 1000 Improved Stock, Cole Willford won the 600 Modified crown and Charles Lopeman won the Pro Masters Modified title.

Polaris racers won seven class titles compared to a total of eight titles split among racers on two other brands of sleds. Curtis and Keller won their Stock titles on sleds that are nearly identical to what recreational riders can purchase.

“I raced a stock 2012 RMK Assault in Stock 800 and Stock 1000,” says Curtis. “For 800 Modified and Open Modified, I raced a modified 2012 RMK Assault 800.”

Curtis posted the weekend’s second-fastest time in a run to the summit, reaching the top in 59.723 seconds on his Mod sled in the Mod King of the Hill competition, just .47 seconds off the winning time.

Beukelman finished second in the Improved Stock King of the Hill runs, and Willford and Lopeman finished third and fourth, respectively, in the Mod King of the Hill competition. Keller finished fourth in Stock King of the Hill.

Along with the class winners, these Polaris racers earned podium positions with their top-three finishes:

• Dolan Phelps was second in Pro 700 Stock and third in Pro 1000 Improved Stock.
• Erin Beukelman was third in Pro 800 Improved Stock and second in Pro 700 Mod
• Aaron Sterck and Tyler Crockett were second and third, respectively, in Pro 600 Stock.
• Keith Curtis was second in Pro 800 Mod.

The Jackson Hole event was the third of five scheduled events on the 2012 Rocky Mountain Snowmobile Hillclimb Association (RMSHA) schedule. The next event is the Beaver Mountain Hillclimb, April 6-7, near Logan, Utah.

Tapio and Team Arctic Shine at Hillclimb World Championships

March 28, 2012 - 2:27pm

Kyle Tapio had a weekend to remember at the World Championships of Hillclimbs in Jackson Hole, Wyo. The Team Arctic racer piloted his 2012 Arctic Cat ProClimb snowmobile to two class wins, both the Improved and Mod King titles, and the ultimate King of Kings crown.

Tapio’s results capped a very successful championship for Team Arctic, which scored 10 victories by six different riders, including two podium sweeps.

Facing the steep and wickedly challenging Snow King mountain aboard Arctic Cat M sleds, Team Arctic racers notched victories in every category, from 600 to 800, and in Stock, Improved and Mod classes. Jeremy Archibald started the ball rolling by leading a podium sweep with Chance Buckallew and Ben Adams in the 600 Improved class. That was followed by another podium sweep in the 700 Improved final, this time by Rob Kincaid, David McClure and Archibald. Then Tony Zollinger claimed victory in the 700 Mod final.

Having dominated the Women’s classes for several years, Team Arctic’s Amy Zollinger, Jan Ottobre and Christy Frisby once again put on a winning clinic at Jackson Hole, with Zollinger claiming the Stock class (where Frisby took third) and Ottobre winning Mod and taking second in Improved, all on M8 HCRs.

In the big iron classes it was time for Kyle Tapio to reinforce his hillclimb legend status. Piloting his M8 HCR, Tapio won both 800 Improved and 800 Mod in convincing fashion. If Tapio felt any disappointment for taking third in the Open Mod final, he more than made up for it in the King competition, where the class winners in each category race for overall status. There, Tapio not only won the Improved and Mod King titles, he also scored the overall King of Kings crown as the best racer of the weekend.

“Team Arctic racers and crews did an outstanding job at the World Championship, especially the incredible performance of Kyle Tapio, who was in a class by himself at Jackson,” says Arctic Cat Hillclimb Coordinator, Al Shimpa. “Ten victories by six different racers is a testament to the depth of our team and the strength of our M machines.

“In addition, I’m especially proud of Rob Kincaid, who finally knocked the monkey off his back to win his first-ever pro class World Championship in 15 years of competing at Jackson. And I’d also like to thank the Speedwerx crew, who worked extra-hard to ensure the success of most of our Improved and Mod-class machines.”

Christian Brothers Racing Team Competes at Clash Of Nations

March 28, 2012 - 12:23pm

The Christian Brothers Racing team traveled to Falun, Sweden, this past Mar. 23-24 to compete in the Clash of Nations, an event that featured snocross, snowmobile freestyle, big air ski and big air snowboard competitions.

In its second year, the Clash of Nations is an X Games-caliber event that is held at the Lugnet Ski Jumping Arena, a dedicated ski jumping facility that is converted into a multi-sport venue for Clash of Nations. Rock formations create a natural arena around the place making for a beautiful and somewhat surreal setting for a snocross/freestyle event. Over 13,000 fans attended the two-day event with most of them on hand to see Saturday’s racing and freestyle program. They were greeted with temperatures in the 50-degree Fahrenheit range and warm sun making for two nearly perfect days of competition.

The CBR team rode Troy Lee Designs/DRIFT Racing Arctic Cats they had shipped over to Sweden at the beginning of the season. They raced out of Bengan Westerlund’s shop, a used Arctic Cat parts dealership in the area, and CBR crew members Corey Berberich and Betsey Haldorson made the trip to tune the sleds. The snocross track at Clash of Nations was wide, fast and featured big doubles and a long, challenging whoop section.

“The track is amazing,” says Logan Christian. “This is X Games-caliber stuff.”

There were 32-riders in each class and the field was whittled down to 16 for the final. Logan Christian went 2-1 in Pro Stock heat racing on Friday. He also competed in a Head-2-Head competition where riders were pitted against each other in a knockout-style competition. Christian ended up in a tie for eighth place with another rider and a coin toss was used to determine who would move on. He lost the coin toss, putting him out of the competition.

On Saturday Christian raced the Pro Stock final and was making a pass for the lead when he came off his sled.

“Pro Stock went really well for me,” says Christian. “I was feeling good and I was running in second. I thought I could make the pass but unfortunately couldn’t get around the guy and I came off the sled.”

On Saturday Christian and Cory Davis competed in Pro Open, riding their stock sleds. Davis had a good run and narrowly missed a podium finish, placing fourth in the final. Christian came in seventh in the world-class field of riders. Davis also competed in the snowmobile freestyle competition on Saturday and took a third place podium finish using his signature whip trick to secure the spot.

“I’m stoked to take third place in freestyle,” says Davis. “I was hoping to get on the racing podium too and it’s kind of frustrating to miss it by one spot. But fourth place in this talented bunch of riders is pretty good, so overall I’m happy for me and for the team.”

“There are so many logistics that go into racing overseas,” says team co-owner Dwight Christian. “We don’t have our shop or our trailer here, but Bengan has been a huge help. There are also different foods, different time zones, travel fatigue – all that figures in. But, having said that, our team worked super hard to get the results we did. Clash of Nations was a great event and a perfect end to our season.”

Malmborg Pilots First 4-Stroke Over the Top at Jackson Hole

March 28, 2012 - 12:14pm

Yamaha has had a resurgence in cross-country snowmobile racing this season and the effect seems to be rubbing off on the hillclimb racers as well. Kody Malmborg, Jr. did what many doubters thought was impossible on Sat., Mar. 24 – top the Snow King on a four-stroke snowmobile at the Jackson Hole World Championship Hillclimb put on by the Jackson Hole Snow Devils.

Malmborg piloted his Yamaha FX Nytro MTX to the top of the steep course as the first four-stroke to do so in the 37 years the event has been held – while also becoming the first Yamaha to qualify for the Pro finals since 2001.

The Jackson Hole World Championships are, as one observer put it, the Daytona of snowmobile events, and the mountain course practically defies description. It presents itself as a nearly vertical face of about a half-mile in length, with 28 gates that the machines and drivers have to negotiate on the way up. Favoring immense horsepower, traction, responsive handling and of course major riding talent, the course quickly weeds out all but the best. “It’s basically like driving up a skyscraper,” says Yamaha snowmobile marketing manager Wade West.

Friday was reserved for Semi Pro finals and Stock qualifying – with Saturday scheduled for the big-horsepower modified and Pro sleds like Malmborg’s FX Nytro, and Sunday reserved for the Pro finals. Even with the FX Nytro’s extreme horsepower and torque, the conditions were so challenging that Malmborg was making it just past halfway up during most of the classes he had entered. The breakthrough came on Saturday afternoon, during qualifying for the Mod 700 Pro event.

“The course conditions on the bottom half were slushy, and the top was really icy with rocks and stumps, five-foot ruts and six-foot trenches,” says Malmborb. “When I left the gate everything felt great, and I just told myself to stay calm and work through every gate, look ahead and pick my lines, use the trenches to my advantage and carry my momentum. I was definitely exited to make it over the top of one of the most challenging hills anywhere. There was definitely some hollering going on!”

In Sunday’s Pro finale, Malmborg finished eighth among the world’s 25 top hillclimbers after encountering a few problems on his way up the course. But his achievements on Saturday had already made history for Yamaha, for four-stroke snowmobiles, and for Malmborg’s newfound career in hillclimbing.

“Our goal was just to get one sled over the top at Jackson Hole, and we are elated to be the first four-stroke in history and the first Yamaha team to do it since 2001,” says Yamaha’s Eric Josephsen. “Doing it on our first try makes it even more incredible, and I really want to thank our crew chief ‘Big Kody’ Malmborg for working so hard to make it happen. I’ve always said that the FX Nytro can do everything that a two-stroke sled can do and today we proved it.”

Watch Kody Kamm Helmet Cam Video from Snocross Win

March 23, 2012 - 10:52am

In the final ISOC snocross race of the season, Pro Lite champion Kody Kamm made the move up to the Pro Open class to see how he stacked up against the best racers in the world. Turns out they may have to see how they stack up against Kamm, as the Polaris pilot bested the field.

As luck would have it, Kamm ran the course with a Drift HD camera mounted to his helmet. Check out the video and see Kamm fight his way through the Lake Geneva course.

MotorFist Pilot Ross Martin Shines at ISOC Snocross Finale

March 23, 2012 - 9:33am

Team MotorFist athlete Ross Martin was pretty much untouchable on final weekend of racing for the 2011-2012 International Series of Champions (ISOC) national snocross tour. Trailing in the year-end championship points chase, Martin knew he had to win every time he hit the track… and win he did.

The odds of Martin adding another national snocross champion title to his resume were slim after a series of missteps in the weeks leading up to the Geneva finale that included an on-track tangle, a black flag penalty, and a freak mechanical. Yet Martin rode with a level of speed and determination that made him virtually unstoppable, leaving competitors feeling helpless, and team owner and manager Scott Judnick nearly speechless.

“I’ve never seen him (Ross) ride like that,” says Judnick. “Every time he hits the track he’s gone!”

The jubilation in the Team MotorFist camp didn’t go without reward as Martin swept the Pro-Open division on Saturday, grabbing the checkeres each time he honed the Geneva track aboard his Polaris racer. Not wanting his teammate have all the glory, fellow MotorFist athlete Mike Bauer returned to the track after being on the mend for a wrist injury and clicked off a pair second place qualifying runs, earning a front row start in the main event. Unfortunately, a tangle in the final shuffled the first year Pro-Open rider deep in the pack where he was unable to recover before the close of the race.

The Geneva heat wasn’t confined to just the scorching pace being set by Martin. Weekend temperatures soared to near 80-degrees, turning the track into a compacted mixture of mealy snow and water filled holes.

Martin picked-up Sunday where he left off, winning both heat races and garnering a premium front row slot for the final. In the Pro-Open finial, it was Martin setting a blistering pace no other rider could match. On the charge and quickly reeling in early leader Kody Kamm, the dark side of lady luck struck once again, causing Martin to bobble on the bottom of huge downhill run. The off shuffled Martin back to sixth, but that didn’t slow the determined Wisconsin native, who regained his near breakneck pace, and once again charged to the front, passing both Malinosky and eventual year-end champ Tremblay.
Unfortunately few laps remained, and Martin ran out of time, having to settle for second at the line.

“It felt like our best hunting dog had been shot,” says Judnick with a laugh after having time to digest the season the following day. “We lost the championship in New York, but if he (Martin) rides like he did this weekend next year, no one will touch him.”

Despite coming up just short of the ultimate year-end goal, Martin finished a convincing second in year-end points, with four Pro-Open wins and five additional podiums. As well, Bauer, gained valuable experience, and despite the second half of the season wrist injury, still finished the season 15th in the year-end chase.

Not to be outdone by his Pro-Open teammates, Pro-Lite rookie James Johnstad proved he belongs amongst the sport’s elite athletes, finishing the season fifth in year-end championship standings, and garnering several top-ten finishes including a podium box in Duluth.

“We couldn’t be more proud of the team and their accomplishments,” says MotorFist Vice President of Operations, Jennifer Jacobson. “The entire Judnick Motorsports organization is first class in everything they do. They brought a level of awareness to our cold weather line of snowmobiler outerwear few others could, and we couldn’t ask for a better group of people to represent our brand. We can’t wait for next season!”

Yamahas Frigon Wins Maine 100 Cross Country Race

March 23, 2012 - 9:31am

Eric Frigon rode his Yamaha FX Nytro RTX to victory at the Maine 100 in Greenville, Maine on Mar. 17. Frigon led Scott Brownell on another FX Nytro RTX to the flag for a 1-2 Yamaha sweep in the Semi Pro class, and in doing so, wrapped up his second career cross-country championship.

FX Nytros earned more podiums at the event, including a third-place finish for Michael Ewaschuk in Sport 600, and another third for Bryce Murphy in Sport 600 Improved. Murphy led a trio of Yamaha sleds to the flag for a group 3-4-5 finish that also included Ewaschuk and Joshua May.

Conditions at Moosehead Lake were ideal for the final east coast cross country race of the season, with good-quality snow and temperatures in the mid-30s at the start. Frigon drew the 12th starting position in the time trial-format event, meaning that passing slower competitors would be crucial to putting down fast times during the three-lap event. The course was 6.2 miles, mostly shoreline but also including some fast sections on the frozen lake surface and detours across several small islands. Fortunately, the varied nature of the terrain perfectly matched the versatility of the FX Nytro RTX, which combines horsepower, handing and durability into one dramatic performance package.

After catching the first pair of competitors along the twisting shoreline within minutes, Frigon pulled the trigger on the FX Nytro’s 1049cc four-stroke engine and rocketed past on the frozen lake. He then went on to pass more sleds every lap until the finish, setting the lowest total elapsed time in the combined pro, semi-pro and amateur field. At the flag, his nearest rival was Brownell on another FX Nytro, a scant 6.5 seconds behind after the 18.6 miles. So fast was Frigon that, even as a Semi Pro Improved competitor, he thoroughly trounced the entire Pro class, beating the fastest driver by more than 20 seconds.

“The FX Nytro is a combination of strengths including durability, power and handling,” says Frigon. “The complete package is awesome, but the torque and power of the motor really makes it effortless to pass.”

“This is the first time in three seasons that we’ve focused on the east-coast races, so this is a great result,” says Yamaha’s Eric Josephsen. “Erik Frigon going three-for-three in event wins, and then being faster than all the Pros in the finale, totally proves the merits of the four-stroke FX Nytro. Congratulations to Erik and the whole team for the championship.”

Christian Brothers Racing Report: Strong Finish at Lake Geneva

March 23, 2012 - 9:29am

With team rider Garth Kaufman out with an injury, Christian Brothers Racing turned to Cory Davis and Logan Christian to carry the load at the final round of the ISOC National snocross series in Lake Geneva, Wis.

Christian was back on his Troy Lee Designs/DRIFT Racing Arctic Cat sled on Saturday after missing a couple races because some bruised lungs and went 3-4 in heat racing on his way to the final on Saturday, but his time away from the circuit showed as he took a 13th place finish in the main event. Christian came back Sunday and went 6-6 in heats which put him in the LCQ where he finished sixth, one spot away from the last transfer spot.

“I felt good and my lungs didn’t give me any problems,” says Christian. “But missing those races you really fall behind the rest of the guys. It’s hard to step back in and get on the pace. It usually takes a race or two.”

Davis was on the gas during Saturday’s heat racing finishing 2-2 and cruising into the final where he ran with the leaders, eventually claiming a fifth place finish, his best of the season. On Sunday he landed in the LCQ and took the last transfer spot but again made his way to the front in the final, finishing in eighth place. The Top 5 was one of Davis’ best finishes of the season.

“This track was definitely more up my alley,” says Davis. “I like the longer, tougher tracks and Lake Geneva has always been one of the places I like to race.”

Evan Christian continued his string of top finishes in Champ 120 and Transition 8-12 Limited, taking a third place podium spot in both classes.

On the season, Davis finished in eighth place in Pro Open points and was the top finisher on the CBR team. Christian and Kaufman fought injuries and that hurt them in the points with Kaufman coming in 14th and Christian finishing in 21st.

“I’m proud of our team this season,” says team co-owner Dwight Christian. “It was a far from perfect season but they never gave up, fighting through injuries and all the other issues that popped up for us throughout the year.”

Logan Christian scored the team’s top finish at the Michigan National back on February 10. Christian took second place, narrowly missing out on the first win of his career.

“That finish was definitely the highlight of the season for me,” says Christian. “I believe that’s indicative of where I can compete on this circuit when I’m 100-percent. I will be working with my trainer, Drew Robertson from Evolved SX, all summer and I’m hoping to take that momentum into next season.”

Club Volunteers Gather at International Snowmobile Congress

March 22, 2012 - 8:51am

Snowmobile club volunteers from the United States, Canada, Sweden and Russia will be getting together June 5-9, 2012 in Sturbridge, Mass. at the International Snowmobile Congress (ISC).

The ISC is a place for sharing accomplishments, solving problems, discussing new ideas and talking about our sport. It’s the largest snowmobile meeting in the world and brings volunteers the world over to meet with snowmobile manufacturers, groomer manufacturers, journalists, government representatives and other sledheads.

There are three basic components to ISC 2012: Organization, Education and Fun.

Organization: The major snowmobile organizations of the world meet and discuss ongoing issues and trends. Your input and participation is needed. There will be discussion and recommendations in regards to safety, the environment, access and other key matters that shape national and international policies. The prominent organizations are: the International Snowmobile Council, the American Council of Snowmobile Associations (ACSA), the Canadian Council of Snowmobile Organizations (CCSO), the Snowmobile Federation of Sweden (SNOFED) and the Russian Snowmobile ATV Association (RSAA).

Education: ISC is all about learning and sharing knowledge, for the betterment of all. ISC 2012 will feature approximately 20 workshops covering a wide range of topics. There will be at least four separate groomer workshops covering topics such as proper grooming techniques, summer maintenance and even GPS tracking of the fleet. Other workshops include recreational trail easements, political impact, running your club like a business, trail design and signage, even vintage snowmobile restoration.

Fun: On Tuesday, the first day of ISC, there will be a Welcome Reception where you can mingle and relax at the poolside courtyard. Wednesday will feature a surprise off-site event (an ISC tradition) followed by Snow Fun at the Tavern. Thursday is a free night allowing you to explore the area’s historic offerings, restaurants and shops. Come back later that night to the Snow Fun social at the Tavern. Friday features the groomer reception and lakeside display with food and drink. Immediately following is a party by the Association of Wisconsin Snowmobile Clubs, who will be hosting ISC in 2013. Saturday night caps-off the week with the red carpet treatment. The jacket and tie awards banquet offers a full course meal and the national awards presentations. And finally, the Thirsty Dogs meet late Saturday evening.

Click here for more information on the 2012 International Snowmobile Congress.

Yamaha Racing Show from Warroad Video

March 16, 2012 - 1:21pm

The latest episode of the Yamaha Racing Show is up and running and it focuses on the final stop of the USCC Cross Country Snowmobile Racing series in Warroad, Minn.

Team rider Ross Erdman picked up a win in the season finale, which helped him to a second-place finish in the Pro championship. However, the coolest part of the video was the onboard footage of Semi-Pro rider Ben Lindbom’s crash. That looked absolutely devastating, but he still managed to get back on board his FX Nytro RTX and finish the race. We’re stunned he wasn’t badly hurt.

We also enjoyed some tech talk with Rick Strobel, Fox Racing manager. Strobel talks us through the air technology in the Fox Float X Evol shocks, which features external adjustments on the dual air chambers. Very cool!

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Demo Ride a 2013 Arctic Cat M Sled with Amber Holt

March 16, 2012 - 1:18pm

Arctic Cat has teamed up with instructor Amber Holt to provide you with the opportunity to ride a 2013 Arctic Cat “M” snowmobile and learn a few things at the same time.

The demo rides with Holt are going on now until March 31, 2012 in West Yellowstone, Mont. You can ride any one of Arctic Cat’s deep-powder models, including the M800, M1100, M1100 Turbo, XF High Country 800 & 1100 Turbo. If you’re anywhere near West Yellowstone, you’d be a fool to pass up this opportunity – no matter what color sled you normally ride.

To sign up for a demo, contact Holt at BackCountryBasics@yahoo.com or call 509-733-646.

If you’d like more information on Holt, check out BackCountryBasics.com. Here’s what Arctic Cat has to say about her:

Holt is a professional Arctic Cat snowmobile instructor with an immeasurable passion for backcountry riding. She is owner and master instructor of Backcountry Basics, offering clinics and seminars to those new to mountain riding, in a relaxed, non-intimidating environment. Where riders not only achieve individual goals, but also learn the fundamental skills to become a safe and skilled backcountry rider.

After her first snowmobile ride in Alaska, it’s been Amber’s lifelong pursuit to show others the experience and rewards of backcountry riding. Years of experience and a great knowledge of the outdoors have made Amber one of the most sought-after snowmobile instructors around.