Monster Energy/Arctic Cat racer scores his third-straight Pro Open win of the year & gets o/a pts lead; Pro Lites’ Travis Muller’s (Polaris) 1st
For more information contact:
Pat Schutte, PR Director, ISOC Racing
Pat@ISOCRacing.com
SHAKOPEE, Minn. (Jan. 5, 2013) – Snowmobile racing fans from the great State of Minnesota packed into the Twin Cities’ Canterbury Raceway on Friday for the opening of two rounds of AMSOIL Championship Snocross this weekend – the Traxxas National, presented by Jimmy John’s. And taking top honors in the two Pro class main events were Monster Energy/Arctic Cat racer Tucker Hibbert (Pro Open) and Pro Lite racer Travis Muller (Ski-Doo).
Pro Open
Winning his third-straight Pro Open main event, Hibbert was flat out dominant at the Canterbury opener on Friday, putting up a 16-second victory in the 22-lap contest against 2nd place Ross Martin (DuPont/Jack Links/Polaris), with rookie Pro Open racer Kody Kamm (Monster Energy/Polaris) scoring his first podium of the year with a 3rd.
Foreshadowing the Pro Open main was Hibbert’s opening qualifier. Pulling out of the gate late, Hibbert had a big chunk of track to make up against defending AMSOIL Championship Snocross Pro Open champion Tim Tremblay (AMSOIL/Scheuring Speed Sports/Ski-Doo). Hibbert was up for it, tracking down Tremblay, passing him with two laps to go in the eight-lap contest and cruising to the win.
In the main the fans were looking for a Hibbert/Martin showdown – and they got just that – in the first 300 feet of the race. The two railed their sleds out front, banging shoulder-to-shoulder with Hibbert holding onto the throttle of his Arctic Cat just a bit longer as the track bent into the start straight. Hibbert then put the hammer down and clicked off mistake-free lap after lap, eventually building a 16-second lead over 2nd place Martin.
“Tucker rode a great race. I did everything I could to stay with him, but he just had a little more tonight,” said Martin.
Added Hibbert: “We’ve been working so hard for this – it feels good for sure.”
With Hibbert and Martin all but checked out Pro Open points leader (heading into Canterbury) Robbie Malinoski (AMSOIL/Scheuring Speed Sports/Ski-Doo) was looking to salvage as many points as he could running in 4th place. But something let go on Malinoski sled and he was forced to leave the race – and handing the red series points leader plate to the #68 Hibbert.
Kamm would hold on in through the battle with the two heavyweights, racing to a strong 3rd place finish. “It was really rough out there,” said Kamm. “I got a descent holeshot, but it was tough racing against Ross and Tucker. So I just held onto 3rd.”
Rounding out the top five in the Pro Open class and Canterbury were Emil Ohman (Ski-Doo) and Garth Kaufman (Arctic Cat).
Pro Open Results
1 68 Hibbert Tucker Arctic Cat Pelican Rapids MN
2 837 Martin Ross Polaris Burlington WI
3 53 Kamm Kody Polaris Kenosha WI
4 27 Ohman Emil Ski-Doo Pitea Sweden
5 48 Kaufman Garth Arctic Cat Driggs ID
6 324 Pallin Kyle Polaris Ironwood MI
7 43 Christian Logan Arctic Cat Fertile MN
8 11 Tremblay Tim Ski-Doo Ste Jeanne D’Arc Quebec
9 9 Mees Darrin Ski-Doo Stanchfield MN
10 108 LaVallee Levi Polaris Longville MN
11 168 Broberg Justin Polaris Waukesha WI
12 271 Narsa Petter Ski-Doo Moskosel Sweden
13 999 Crapo Colby Polaris St.Anthony ID
14 4 Malinoski Robbie Ski-Doo Stacy MN
15 62 Thomsen Cody Arctic Cat Nisswa MN
Pro Lite
Local Minnesota racer Travis Muller (Ski-Doo) won a battle of attrition in the Canterbury Pro Lite main event as race leader Andrew Lieders (Polaris) went down with one lap to go, allowing Muller to take the top spot after he inherited 2nd place earlier in the race from Jake Scott (Polaris).
The high speed, high action Canterbury track got more technical as the night went on in the Pro Lite division, with the rhythm section being particularly tough on the stock class sleds. “This is an awesome crowd out there, really nice night and just glad I could win in front of all my family. My dad’s doing an excellent job keeping my sled running good,” said Muller in recording his first Pro Lite win of the year.
Pulling the holeshot in the Pro Lite main was Lieders, with Scott in hot pursuit. And for a portion of the race it appeared as if the two would make it a two sled race – but mistakes would bring both the leaders back to earth quick. Scott’s came when he leaned into Lieders on a pass attempt and tipped over. “(I) ended up having to chase my sled down through all that deep snow. Can’t even remember when I got back on,” added Scott on his crash.
With Scott down Lieders was running away with the win, only to wad up at the end of the rhythm section. Pouncing on the opportunity was Muller, along with Pro Lite point leader David Joanis (Ski-Doo), who raced up towards the front after a back row start.
“I was feeling good. Didn’t get the greatest start from the back row, but rode my own race and things just unfolded – so I’m pumped,” said Joanis.
Rounding out the top five were Dylan Hall (Ski-Doo) and Todd Corin (Polaris).
Pro Lite Results
1 436 Muller Travis Ski-Doo Windom MN
2 115 Joanis David Ski-Doo Cochrane Ontario
3 42 Scott Jake Polaris Port Jefferson Statio NY
4 421 Hall Dylan Ski-Doo Ayr Ontario
5 136 Todd Corin Polaris Otego NY
6 122 Wallenstein Kevin Ski-Doo Cadillac MI 3,
7 793 Alexandre Renaud Ski-Doo Val-D’or Quebec
8 173 Watkinson Corey Ski-Doo Port Carling Ontario
9 675 Rosemeyer Chase Ski-Doo Chippewa Falls WI
10 857 Lieders Andrew Polaris Colby WI
11 202 Sagan Joey Ski-Doo Elmvale Ontario
12 630 Boylan Casey Ski-Doo Anchorage AK
13 154 Johnstad James Polaris Beltrami MN
14 193 Pichner Matt Arctic Cat Owatonna MN
15 144 Taillefer Maxime Ski-Doo Laval West Quebec
Beginning with AMSOIL Championship Snocross’ season-opening round in Duluth, Minn. (Nov. 23-25) and running through the season finale in Lake Geneva, Wis. (March 15-17), CBS Sports Network will broadcast 16 half-hour race shows – all in HD – on Sundays at 10:30 a.m. EST. The AMSOIL Championship Snocross – as an added bonus – will also air in an evening repeat of each show during the week.
Next up: Rounds six of AMSOIL Championship Snocross, presented by Traxxas, at Minnesota’s Canterbury Park Racetrack and Card Casino, Jan. 4-5.
Who: 150 of the world’s top snowmobile racers
What: Round five and six of 2012-‘13 AMSOIL Championship Snocross
When: Jan. 4-5
Where: Canterbury Park Racetrack and Card Casino, Shakopee, Minn.
Times: Friday: Gates open at 10 a.m., amateur racing begins at 11 a.m. and pro racing begins at 5 p.m. Saturday: Gates open at 9 a.m., amateur racing begins at 10 a.m. and pro racing begins at 5 p.m.
Host hotel: Mystic Lake Casino Hotel
Tickets: General admission tickets are $15 for Friday and $15 for Saturday and $25 for a two-day pass. Children 5 and under are free. Tickets are available at the gate and online at snocross.com
More information: www.canterburypark.com
About CBS Sports Network
CBS Sports Network (CBSSN) is the 24-hour cable destination of CBS Sports. The Network covers more than 340 live games annually, showcasing 30 men’s and women’s sports, in addition to a variety of studio shows, documentaries and original programs. CBSSN’s live programming is highlighted by college sports and also features professional lacrosse, Professional Bull Riding (PBR), the sports news and commentary show ROME and the Tim Brando Show. CBS Sports Network is available across the country through local cable, video and telco providers and via satellite on DirecTV Channel 613 and Dish Network Channel 158. For more information, and to access the CBS Sports Network channel finder, go to www.cbssportsnetwork.com.
About ISOC Racing
The International Series of Champions (ISOC) is the premier snowmobile race sanctioning organization in North America and sanctions national AMSOIL Championship Snocross, in addition to affiliating with nine regional circuits. Visit snocross.com for more information, fan and racer memberships, schedule details and more.