MINNEAPOLIS (November 28, 2011) – The most anticipated snocross race of the season didn’t disappoint, as thousands of fans in attendance and tens-of-thousands more online watched newly signed Motorfist rider Ross Martin capture the early-season momentum with a pair of drive-away victories. With a mixture of rain, sleet, snow, and driving winds, conditions for the 20th annual Duluth National Snocross were anything but ideal. The legendary race has set the tone for the season time and time again, and if the performance by Team Judnick/Motorfist pilot Ross Martin is any indication of things to come, the competition has been warned.
Martin’s weekend started off with a mega-pay-day Friday, as he bested long-time rival Robbie Malinoski in the new single-elimination Dominator race held under the lights. Up for grabs was $10,000 and Martin stuffed those greenbacks deep into the pockets of his Motorfist race gear after he beat out Malinoski in the final head-to-head battle.
Well rested with visions of several George Washingtons in his head, Martin and his fellow Motorfist clad teammates Mike Bauer (Pro-Open) and James Johnstad (Pro-Lite) were greeted with a steady rain and persistent north winds for Saturday opening round. The show marched on however, and all three riders would qualify for their respective main events. At the close Martin came up just shy, having to be satisfied with second behind a flag-to-flag victory by Robbie Malinoski. Teammate Mike Bauer made the top-ten with a 10th place finish. In the Pro-Lite ranks, James Johnstad rocked his Motorfist gear to a hard fought 2nd place finish behind Sweden’s Petter Narsa.
Sunday brought cold winds and a frozen track that proved to be even more challenging than the day previous. The weather however was impervious to Martin’s resolve as he tore through qualifying, gaining top honors, and then proceeded to walk away from the field in the final, including his arch nemesis Tucker Hibbert, winning Pro-Open in convincing fashion.
It was a kick-the-door down start to winter for Motorfist, who after capturing the attention and respect of the western snowmobile market and its riders, looks to do the same in the performance trail riding markets of the Midwest and East.
“We take a lot of pride in the quality and performance of our gear,” said Motorfist Vice President of Operations Jennifer Jacobson, who was in attendance at the Duluth National race. “Few places can replicate the demands placed on outerwear than the race track. The gear not only has to protect and be warm, but it also has to be extremely breathable in order to keep the racers dry and comfortable. So far, Ross and his teammates have given us great feedback on the gear, and we couldn’t be more thrilled with their opening weekend results.”
The Motorfist riders will return to action in Bessemer, Michigan, December 9-11, 2011 for the Blackjack National.
MotorFist offers a line of technical clothing designed specifically for snowmobiling. MotorFist products are guaranteed to keep the rider dry and warm in the harshest weather conditions. MotorFist is based in Idaho Falls, Idaho and their products are sold dealer direct to a network of Powersport retailers across the United States and Canada. For more information – www.motorfist.com