Shakopee, Minnesota (January 13, 2016) – Hentges Racing embraced the bitter cold as it swept down from the Canadian border, and threw down a one-two punch in the International Series of Champions (ISOC) National Snocross Pro-Open ranks with top of the pack qualifying and podium results to back it up. With tens of thousands of fans in attendance at the iconic Canterbury Park racing facility in Shakopee, Minnesota for the Pirtek Snocross Nationals, the tandem of Petter Narsa and Kody Kamm romped in qualifying both days, consistently running at the front of the competitive field and easily earning front row starts in both finals.
For more than 20-years, the massive horse racing facility on the outskirts of the Minneapolis metro area has hosted snowmobile racing. Each year the crowds get bigger and the track more technical and this year was no exception. An all-new elevated starting line threw racers and their set-up mechanics a new twist. Joining the “drop-in” start was a long, jump littered track with multiple racing lines and a rare right-hand turn. All these changes didn’t slow the Hentges Pro-Open duo as they consistently ran out front in qualifying; earning four first place finishes and a trio of runner up spots.
While both riders rode with blistering speed, it was Petter Narsa who stood out both nights on what can only be called a “break-out” weekend for the Swedish native. After securing a third place podium on Friday night, Petter bested that effort with a second place ride on Saturday. The strong showing quickly elevated Narsa in the year-end chase, cementing him in fifth and only 2-points out of fourth.
“Petter found another gear this weekend, said Team Manager and owner Nate Hentges. “We could see him getting stronger and faster in practice leading up to Canterbury and he put it all together for his best weekend of racing as an ISOC pro…I don’t think this will be his last podium this winter.”
Saturday’s final was especially sweet for the Hentges Team as both Kamm and Narsa blasted from the “drop-in” start and led the charge over the 15-rider final field for much of the race. While Hibbert eventually caught and passed Narsa, Kamm amassed a lead of more than 6-seconds and was running lap times faster than the defending champ.
Despite riding with a sore groin which Kamm had reinjured the night prior when he miscalculated a tricky hole; Kamm was looking to put the pressure back on Hibbert in the championship chase. Then tragedy struck as an awkward landing from a backside triple sent Kody into hard off, ending his chances for his second win of the season.
“I was running the far outside line where I had found a smooth line,” said Kamm after the race. “When I came down the sled kicked right and sent me off the track.”
The landing resulted in a dislocated shoulder for Kamm, but with two weeks until the next race the team is hopefully Kody will be ready for the next race in Deadwood, South Dakota.
“Obviously we were pretty pumped when both Kody and Petter were running one-two in Saturday’s final,” said Hentges. “But we still had a great weekend with Petter getting on the box twice…this is our hometown race and we hosted more than 600 people in our (Pirtek/S.M. Hentges and Sons) hospitality area Saturday night.”
As the team prepares for the Deadwood race slated for January 22-23, doctors in Minneapolis will evaluate Kamm this week. The Canterbury Pirtek Snocross National race will be broadcast on CBS Sports January 16, at 10:00am and January 23, 2016 also at 10:00am. You can also watch past races via On Demand and follow the Deadwood race live at Livestream. You can follow Hentges Racing on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, as well as on Hentgesracing.com