Team Arctic / Speedwerx ISOC Canterbury Snocross & RMSHA Preston, ID Hillclimbs

Team Arctic / Speedwerx Pro Sweep at Canterbury Snocross

For the first time this year – and perhaps the first time ever – one brand of snowmobile swept all four Pro classes at a National snocross, and won six classes at the RMSHA Hillclimb. It’s little surprise that Team Arctic owns the honor.

Once again, Team Arctic/Monster Energy legend Tucker Hibbert dominated the Pro Stock and Open classes. Yet it was his amazing eighth-to-first run in Open – the result of a poor start – that produced the most dramatic final in years and brought the partisan crowd to its feet. The win gives Hibbert terrific momentum heading into the upcoming ESPN X Games competition.

Joining Hibbert on the Pro Stock podium and X Games short-list is this year’s breakout racer, Factory Team Arctic’s Dan Ebert. Fresh off his brilliant win in the I-500 the week prior, Ebert carried his confidence and speed to win both heat races and take second in the Pro Stock final – his second such National snocross finish this season.

Nailing a wicked holeshot and skying the big double-jumps, last year’s ISOC Champion, Carly Davis, won her first Pro Women final of the season and served notice she’s intent to defend her class title. Likewise, Joshua Zelinski won his first Pro Plus 35 final of the season, making it a sweep of the Pro classes for Team Green.

Team Arctic’s Canterbury winning also extended to other classes, the most impressive of which was Logan Christian’s stunning run in the Semi Pro Open class. With a fifth-place start to contend with, Christian pounded out a series of Pro class lap times to take the lead, and then win the star-studded final.

Christian was on his way to winning the Semi Pro Stock #2 final when an out-of-control competitor crashed in front of him, forcing Christian to stop and get his sled unstuck. Following the melee, Christian rebounded to take sixth, while Factory Team Arctic’s Cody Thomsen found his way to second overall.

And scoring a heartfelt win in Junior 10-14 was Tyler Adams, who combined hard work and solid skills to win his first race of the season.

“We’re pleased to win all four Pro Classes and one Semi Pro final,” said Team Arctic Race Manager, Mike Kloety. “And had we not suffered from a couple miscues in the Semi Pro Stock classes, it looked as though we’d have won both of those. But that’s racing, and it’s why our riders will return more hungry to win the next one.”

Team Arctic racers also claimed six class wins at the opening race of the RMSHA hillclimb series in Preston, Idaho. Competing with the formidable M-Series snowmobiles, Team Arctic racers claimed wins in Stock, Improved and Open mod classes, from the 600-800 engine classes, while getting a good shakedown of their machines.

Team Arctic / speedwerx Results from the ISOC Western National in Sandy, Utah

Pro Stock 1. Tucker Hibbert 3. Dan Ebert	Semi Pro Open 1. Cody Thomsen 3. Willie Elam 4. Logan Christian	Semi Pro Stock #1 2. Kyle Pallin Semi Pro Stock #2 2. Logan Christian 3. Cody Thomsen
Jr. 14-15 1. Dakota Keller 2. Dillon Thomas	Jr. 16-17 1. Dakota Keller 2. Matt Wenger	Sport 2. Austin Killham 3. Joel Long
Sport Stock #1 3. Scott Cheeney	Expert 30 Plus 1. Shane St. John

TEAM ARCTIC / SPEEDWERX TRIUMPHS AT FIRST-EVER UTAH NATIONAL

Thief River Falls, Minn. (Jan. 12, 2010) – At the first-ever ISOC National snocross race at the Rio Tinto stadium in Sandy, Utah – and in front 10,000 western racing fans – Team Arctic racers delivered a triumphant performance that included five class wins and multiple podium placings.

As he has done throughout his storied career, Tucker Hibbert led the charge with a wire-to-wire victory in Pro Stock. And for the second time this season, Factory Team Arctic racer Dan Ebert stood on the podium with an impressive third place finish, with newcomer Zach Pattyn taking fourth.

All amazing win streaks must eventually end, and in the Pro Open final Hibbert went from a third-place start to an uncharacteristic tip-over in the corner, finishing seventh and ending an undefeated streak that began halfway through the 2008 season. Cory Davis, who last week won the USCC cross-country opener, finished just off the box in fourth.

Factory Team Arctic Racer Cody Thomsen won the Semi Pro Open for the second time in three races, laying down lap times that suggest future forays into the Pro class will be met with success. Taking third in this ultra-competitive class was Willie Elam, who impressed everyone because it was his first year on an Arctic Cat and his first race of the season.

Semi Pro Stock #1 saw the return of Factory Team racer Kyle Pallin to the number two spot, while Semi Pro Stock #2 proved another great battle between Logan Christian and Thomsen for two of the podium positions.

Utah’s own Dakota Keller gave the hometown fans reason to cheer, nailing wins in both Jr. 14-15 and Jr. 16-17 finals. Notching the fifth Team Arctic win of the weekend was Shane St. John in the Expert 30-Plus class.

“We’re satisfied with the success we had in Utah,” remarked Mike Kloety, Team Arctic Race Manager. “Winning five finals is great. Just as important, guys like Willie Elam and Zach Pattyn had break-out finishes, while new names like Dakota Keller indicate a bright future for the team.”

TEAM ARCTIC CAT / SPEEDWERX – USCC RESULTS – GRAFTON, ND

Pro 600 1. Cory Davis 3. Ryan Simons	Pro Open 1. Cory Davis 2. D.J. Ekre	Semi Pro 600 1. Chad Kyllo 3. Jeremy Tulenchik
Semi Pro Improved 2. Cole Nymann 3. Mike Dirkman	Women 1. Jolene Bute 3. April Moritz	Expert 85 1. Bryce Buchanan 2. Dave Dirkman 3. Jason Kangas
Sport 85 1. Chris Klie 2. Marty Feil 3. Timmy Kallock	Expert 85 Improved 1. Bryce Buchanan 2. Logan Christian	Masters 2. Bill Slominski
Sport 600 2. Brandon Bonham 3. Chris Hoff	Jr. 10-13 2. Adam Mach	Jr. 14-17 1. C.J. VandePutte 2. Chris Klie 3. Timmy Kallock
Trail 1. Luke Perreault 3. Casey Clement	120 Stock 1. Nathan Lorenz 2. Noah Arneson 3. Sara Larson	120 Improved 1. Scott McCoil 2. Sara Larson 3. Nathan Lorenz

Team Arctic/Speedwerx Results from the ISOC Milwaukee Mile National

Pro Stock 1. Tucker Hibbert 3. Garth Kaufman	Pro Open 1. Tucker Hibbert	Semi Pro Stock #2 1. Logan Christian 2. Kyle Pallin 4. Matt Pichner
Semi Pro Stock #1 2. Kyle Pallin	Semi Pro Open 3. Logan Christian	Pro Women Stock 2. Carly Davis 3. Samantha Tarnowski
Sport Stock #1 2. Levi Tipcke 3. Andrew Carlson	Sport Stock #2 2. Andrew Carlson	Jr. 14-14 1. Riley McClelland
Sport Women Stock 2. Erika Rau

TEAM ARCTIC/SPEEDWERX BLASTS BREW CITY WITH FOUR WINS

Thief River Falls, Minn. (Dec. 21, 2009) – Round two of the ISOC National Snocross season brought Team Arctic to the famed Milwaukee Mile and a crowd estimated at 15,000. The team responded with historic wins of their own, taking Pro classes, Semi Pro Stock and Jr. 14-15, as well as top finishes in all classes.

“Team Arctic has a long and storied tradition at the Milwaukee Mile, going all the way back to Dave Thompson’s historic oval win in 1973,” said Mike Kloety, Team Arctic Race Manager. “To return here and win four classes was a highlight for our team and our fans.”

Team Arctic/Monster Energy phenom Tucker Hibbert continued his unbeaten march in the Pro classes, thrilling race fans with come-from-behind wins and his nearly flawless combination of speed and talent. The victories marked career wins #49 and #50 for Hibbert.

As was the case the week prior at Duluth, Team Arctic/Christian Bros. Racing stalwart Garth Kaufman shrugged off a poor start in the Pro Stock final, picked off racers on every lap and put himself into third place with the most exciting run of the weekend.

For the first time in his young career, Team Arctic/Christian Bros. Racing’s Logan Christian scored victory in the Semi Pro class, winning the Stock #2 final after a tough battle with Factory Team Arctic’s Cody Thomsen and Kyle Pallin. Christian also took third in the Semi Pro Open which, combined with his finishes the week prior, put him and Thomsen on a path towards the season point championships. Likewise, Pallin’s second place in both Semi Pro Stock classes underscores his consistency, and the strong likelihood he’ll stand atop the podium yet this season.

“We’re two races into the season and already we’re in a great position for our championship hopes in Pro, Semi Pro and the Sport classes,” said Kloety. “Our Sno Pro 600 is practically bulletproof, our racers are on top and we head into the holiday break with no significant injuries.”

DULUTH SPIRIT NATIONAL – RACE RESULTS

Team Arctic Results from the ISOC Duluth Spirit National

Pro Stock 1. Tucker Hibbert 2. Dan Ebert 3. Garth Kaufman	Pro Open 1. Tucker Hibbert	Pro Women 3. Carly Davis 4. JC Hupe
Semi Pro Open 1. Cody Thomsen 2. Logan Christian 4. Matt Pichner	Semi Pro Stock #1 2. Kyle Pallin	Semi Pro Stock #2 1. Cody Thomsen
Sport Stock #1 3. Andrew Carlson	Sport Stock #2 1. Andrew Carlson	Jr. 16-17 3. Wesley Sweeney
Jr. 14-15 2. Wesley Sweeny

HIGH FIVE FOR TEAM ARCTIC CAT & SPEEDWERX – SPIRIT NATIONAL SNOCROSS

Team Arctic/Speedwerx Sweeps!

Dan Ebert – “The Real Deal”

Tucker Hibbert – Perfect Weekend

Thief River Falls, Minn. (Dec. 14, 2009) – Despite postponing the Spirit National ISOC Snocross race two weeks, the inevitable happened: Team Arctic racers collected the most wins in the biggest classes, including both Pro finals and two-of-three in Semi Pro.

In other words, it’s going to be another long and disappointing season for the competition.

“Of the 10 classes comprising Sport to Pro, Team Arctic won five,” said Mike Kloety, Race Team Manager. “I’d call that a dominating performance. And I’d credit the preparation and hard work of our teams coupled with the performance and durability of our Sno Pro 600 race sled.”

Tucker Hibbert’s reign over the Pro class continued as the Arctic Cat/Monster racer won every heat and final in both Stock and Open with his customary combination of speed, control and sled preparation. Hibbert’s strongest challenge came from Team Arctic’s Dan Ebert, who took the holeshot and led the Pro Stock final for six of the 20 laps before settling for second ahead of Christian Bros. Racing’s (CBR) Garth Kaufman, also on an Arctic Cat.

Matching Hibbert’s outstanding performance was Factory Team Arctic racer and first-year Semi Pro, Cody Thomsen, who swept the Open and Stock #2 finals en route to an undefeated weekend (Note: ISOC allows Semi Pro racers to enter two of three classes: Open, Stock #1 or Stock #2).

Logan Christian of the CBR team showed strong speed and conditioning to move within striking distance of Thomsen in the Open final, setting up what will likely be a season-long battle between them.  Add to the mix Thomsen’s new teammate, Kyle Pallin, who took second in Stock #1 (and appeared one additional lap away from winning), and looks poised for a heavy haul of hardware.

As if winning four of the top-five classes weren’t enough, Team Arctic/Sportech racer Andrew Carlson’s victory in Sport Stock #2 and third in Stock #1 proved two things: He’s the guy to beat for the class championship; and the Sno Pro 600 is a winner in every class.

“This is our third year with the Sno Pro 600,” said Kloety. “We’ve optimized the power, handling and durability to the point that it’s a turn-key winner. Add to the mix the on-track clutching support of Speedwerx, plus the knowledge and dedication of our teams’ crews, and the result is a top-to-bottom sweep like we saw at Duluth.”

The next race in the ISOC National Snocross Series is Dec. 18-19 at the Milwaukee Mile in Milwaukee, Wis. Go to www.isocracing for more information.