Photo Credit: Jim Urquhart

If there were any questions about which brand would start the 2012 USCC cross-country race season on top, Team Arctic answered by winning 13 of 17 classes (while sweeping the podium of six) and going 1-2 in the vaulted Pro 600 final. The dominant performances by the team aboard the new 2012 Arctic Cat Sno Pro 600 and Sno Pro 500 race sleds on Pine Lake in Gonvick, Minn., proved beyond doubt that when it comes to speed, cornering and handling, Arctic Cat is the one to beat.

Leading the charge in the Pro 600 final was defending I-500 champion Brian Dick, who found the fast balance of speed, intensity and smooth line choice on the 10-mile lake course to move into the lead halfway through the first of 10 laps and never look back on his way to the win. His two Team Arctic/Christian Bros. Racing teammates would keep him honest, as D.J. Ekre finished a strong second while defending USCC Pro Champion Ryan Simons took fifth in his first-ever ice cross-country race.

Jordan Torgerson served notice that he’s gunning for the Semi Pro title this year by taking both the Semi Pro 600 and 600 Improved classes. Joining him in double-victory category were Boris Mahlich (who won Sport 600 and Sport 600 Improved) and Bryce Buchanan in the Expert 85-hp classes (where Arctic Cat swept the top-9 places in both).

The indomitable Jolene Bute returned to her familiar place atop the Women’s class; Dustin Isaak led an Arctic Cat sweep of the Sport 85 class; and it was all green atop the Junior classes with wins by Matt Feil, Cole Lian and Kelsey Pladson.

“With low snow cover, USCC was forced to go lake racing, which is a form of cross-country that we hadn’t focused on for more than a decade,” said Mike Kloety, Team Arctic Race Manager. “Our racers and crews responded with a winning performance that matched the ZR period of lake-race success. And the new Sno Pro 600 in the ProCross chassis proved it has the speed and handling needed to win in all forms of cross-country.”

Photo Credit – John Sandberg - Arcticinsider.com

For the second time in the still-young 2012 ISOC National snocross season, Tucker Hibbert proved the power of the Arctic Cat ProCross chassis with a spectacular win in Pro Open final in Shakopee, Minn. The Arctic Cat/Monster Energy phenom delivered a jaw-dropping, come-from-behind performance that brought 12,000 screaming fans to their feet and highlighted his insatiable desire to win.

“That was one of the all-time great displays of power, determination and talent,” said Mike Kloety, Team Arctic Race Manager. “Tucker proved once again that he’s an incredible champion, and that the 2012 Arctic Cat Sno Pro 600 is destined for greatness.”

Joining Hibbert on the top step of the podium at the Canterbury snocross were Team Arctic pilots Tyler Adams, Trent Wittwer, Reid Runkel and Evan Christian. Adams continued his season-long quest to rule the Junior classes by taking the win in Jr. 14-15 and finishing second in Jr. 16-17. Wittwer’s victory in Jr. Novice 10-13 was his second of the season, further confirming his immense talent and drive. Runkel led a Team Arctic-sweep of the Transition Limited final, while Christian dominated the 120 Champ class.

Canterbury Park in Shakopee marked the third stop of the eight-race ISOC National Tour. With nearly a month until the next event, Feb. 3-4 in Farmington, NY, Team Arctic racers and crews will continue to test and improve the new race sled.

“We’ve seen significant progress with the new Sno Pro,” said Kloety. “Much of the improvement is simply getting more seat time with the new chassis. But we’re also learning improvements in calibration for specific conditions, which is a necessary process every time we introduce a new chassis.”

For more information on Team Arctic’s 2012 season, go to teamarctic.arcticcat.com

Arctic Cat race fans can rest a little easier knowing Team Arctic/Monster Energy racer, Tucker Hibbert, put a serious beat down on the competitors in Sunday’s Pro Open snocross final in Bessemer, Michigan this past weekend.

Hibbert was well on his way to winning the Pro Open final during Saturday’s main event, only to break a spindle when putting a pass on Ross Martin for first place. With two laps remaining, Hibbert had to coast around the track settling on a fourth place finish.

“Once I passed Tremblay and Malinoski, I charged up to Ross (Martin) and put a pass on him for the lead. But our sleds contacted, which ended up breaking one of my lightweight spindles that we apparently lightened up too much,” said Hibbert.

Qualifying first for Sundays Pro Open Final, Hibbert was motivated to win more than ever. Feeling strong and fast, Tucker’s Sno Pro 600 captured the holeshot and he never looked back. When the checkered flag dropped, Hibbert sent a demoralizing message to the rest of the field with a commanding 15 second lead over second place.

Hibbert went on to say, “The whole situation (broken spindle) motivated me Sunday to try to win even harder. I wanted to prove to myself, my team and any other riders that Team Arctic was there to win.”

Team Arctic Race Manager, Mike Kloety said, “We are really happy with the quickly improving results of the new ProCross race chassis. We are very proud of Tucker’s near perfect weekend, as well as our great showing in the Vet and Junior classes with the new Sno Pro 600.”

Other notable performances came from Team Arctic Cross Country racer, DJ Ekre, who strapped on his snocross boots for the Plus 30 class with a third place finish. Leading the Junior 16-17 class was Ian Buchman and Tyler Adams placing first and third respectively while Austin St. Cyr led the Junior 14-15 class. The Sno Pro 500 swept the top five spots of the Junior Novice class with Trent Wittwer leading the way.

The next race in the ISOC National Snocross Series is Jan. 6-8 in Shakopee, MN. Go to www.isocracing for more information.

Photo by TJ Turner

The Snocross season has officially kicked off.  This past weekend, round 1 of the ISOC National Tour took place in Duluth, MN at Spirit Mountain.  Team Arctic was sporting a new look riding the all-new Sno Pro 600 in the ProCross chassis.  Even with minimal seat time on the new Sno Pro, many riders are showing that this new sled will be a welcomed addition to the Team Arctic family.

Defending AMSOIL Championship Snocross Series Champion and Team Arctic rider Tucker Hibbert, showcased his ability and that of the new sled by finishing no lower than 4^th in any of his races and charged his way onto Sunday’s podium in the Pro Open final with a 3^rd place finish.  After the weekend was all over, Tucker has found himself in 2^nd place for the overall points total.

The next stop on the ACSS Tour is in Ironwood, Michigan on December 10^th & 11^th.  With 14 total podium finishes in Duluth, look for Team Arctic to continue to give you reasons to cheer for green!  Or is it green and white now?

Photo by Erik Ahman.

Hibbert Overcomes Challenge for Third at FIM Snowcross World Championship

Tucker Hibbert wrapped-up a record-breaking snowmobile season Saturday in Finland with a third place finish at the FIM Snowcross World Championship. Hibbert consistently turned the fastest lap times of the day on the rough course in Tuuri but a drive belt failure in the second of three races took him out of contention for the overall win.
Hibbert went 1-16-1 in the three-race format to finish third behind Sweden’s Emil Ohman and Petter Narsa. The first 20-rider, 15-minute race, Hibbert had a dead-last start and put on an impressive charge to take the lead with only minutes to go.
He lined up for the second race confident and pulled a top-three start. Five minutes in, he moved into first but immediately knew something was wrong. Pieces of his drive belt began to break and fly off under the hood. Within moments, the belt completely shredded and he was forced to walk away from his snowmobile. He was not allowed to change the belt during the race because he was unable to get the snowmobile to the designated work area.
Hibbert entered the third and final race knowing the Championship was out of reach but was determined to win. He got a mid-pack start and quickly moved to the front. By the end of the race, he pulled a 27-second gap on second place Ohman, giving him enough points for third overall.
Once Hibbert returns to the U.S., he will shift his focus to preparing for select 450 AMA Pro Motocross Championship events.

FIM Snowcross World Championship Results – Tucker Hibbert
Race 1: 1st
Race 2: 16th
Race 3: 1st
Overall: 55 points – 3rd

Tucker Hibbert – #1 Monster Energy/Arctic Cat-
“I’m really excited about my performance at the World Championship. I don’t think I have ever felt so in control and confident in a race. Blowing a belt in the second race was disappointing but stuff like that happens – it’s racing. I can’t remember the last time I was taken out of a race because of a mechanical problem and that’s a testament to how solid my Monster Energy/Arctic Cat is and the talent of the crew working on the machine. It’s hard not winning the overall but honestly, I couldn’t be prouder of what we (the team) accomplished. We worked hard to get to this event and have no regrets.
Just like last year in Sweden, I was overwhelmed by the kindness and support of everyone in Finland. The European racing community is fired up about snowmobile racing. It’s cool to see so many countries come together to compete. The growth of the sport and level of the competition just keeps rising. The future of snowmobile racing is looking good.
This has been a long year for the Monster Energy/Arctic Cat crew and myself. Racing the full national series plus Winter X Games and the World Championship was a new experience for this team. Although I didn’t win the World Championship, I’m walking away from this season healthy and happy. I’m looking forward to a little rest then diving into preparing to race a few AMA Motocross events in the 450 class.”

Five Class Victories at Lake Geneva to Conclude Championship-Winning Season

A season of victories in ISOC National snocross competition came to a close this past weekend in Lake Geneva, Wis., where Team Arctic racers threw down one final display of domination that notched five class wins and four class championships.

Fulfilling the promise made by his decision to race the entire snocross season, Team Arctic/Monster Energy’s Tucker Hibbert claimed both the Pro Stock and Pro Open championships with conservative rides in pouring rain conditions at Geneva. The cautious approach netted Hibbert both championships, leaving him healthy and primed to finish the season at the FIM World Snocross Championships in Finland.

Rising to the occasion in Lake Geneva with his best finish of the season, Team Arctic’s Dan Ebert took second in Pro Stock, followed closely by Garth Kaufman. Ebert ended the season fifth overall in both classes, with Kaufman finishing fourth in Stock and sixth in Open.

Even more impressive, between Hibbert, Ebert, Kaufman, Johan Lidman and Logan Christian, Team Arctic accounted for five of the top-10 in both Pro classes.

Cody Thomsen used Lake Geneva to put an exclamation mark on his season in Semi Pro, emphatically winning both finals during the weekend en route to the class championship. His factory Team Arctic teammate, Kyle Pallin, suffered tough luck at the final round and finished the season third in points.

With another win at Lake Geneva, Carly Davis successfully regained the Pro Women championship title that she first won in 2009, but narrowly lost last season. Joshua Zelinski took his first win of the season in the Pro Plus 30 class, where he finished second overall in points.

In addition to the high point championships, Logan Christian was named the ISOC Pro Rookie of the Year; Johan Lidman is the Pro Privateer of the Year; Christian Bros. Racing is Team of the Year; and Team Arctic won the Team Spirit award.

“Winning five individual classes, four of six ISOC National Championships and those additional awards emphasizes the talent of our racers, the capability of our Sno Pro race sleds and strength of the entire Team Arctic program,” exclaimed Mike Kloety, Team Arctic Race Manager. “Every week I comment about the pride I and the Arctic Cat family of employees, dealers and riders have for these racers because it’s true, and because they deserve it.”

Hibbert, Kaufman, Christian, Lidman and Thomsen will conclude their 2011 snocross campaign at the FIM Snocross World Championships in Finland on March 26-27.

In the final two races of the USCC cross-country season, Team Arctic/Christian Bros. Racing teammates D.J. Ekre and Ryan Simons proved why they are among the fastest cross-country racers of a generation, with Ekre taking his third win of the season while Simons claimed the Pro High-Point Championship.

Their exploits were bolstered by the kind of dominance that has typified cross-country racing in recent years, with Team Arctic racers winning 21 separate classes during the two-race weekend in Warroad, Minn., including podium sweeps of the Pro 600, Semi Pro 600 and all 85-hp classes.

A similar story unfolded at the penultimate round of the ISOC National Snocross Series in Elko, Minn., where Team Arctic/Monster Energy’s Tucker Hibbert delivered another double-win weekend, taking both the Pro Stock and Pro Open classes to bolster his championship points lead heading into the final races of the season.

Factory Team Arctic’s dynamic-duo of Cody Thomsen and Kyle Pallin put on a veritable clinic in the Semi Pro classes at Elko. Thomsen took victory in the first final on Saturday, with Pallin taking second, then traded places with Pallin winning the Sunday final ahead of Thomsen. Like Hibbert, Thomsen appears locked-in to win his class championship next weekend in Lake Geneva, Wis.

At the David Sheppard Memorial Hillclimb in Lost Trail, Mont., Team Arctic’s high-mountain men and women notched eight class victories aboard their M Series machines, taking wins in the 600, 700, 800 and Open classes.

“Winning a total of 33 classes in the three premier race circuits during a single weekend of competition is a remarkable performance,” said Mike Kloety, Team Arctic Race Manager. “I’d go so far as calling it legendary.

“It was especially gratifying to see Ryan Simons claim his first season championship, taking the Pro 600 title in USCC. Winning a championship is the dream of all top racers, but it’s an accomplishment experienced by a select few. Ryan and his crew battled through injury to prove their strength and constancy, which is something we’re all proud of.”

With an incredible holeshot and blazing speed, freshman pro Logan Christian rocketed to a lead in the Pro 600 class while his training partner and mentor, Tucker Hibbert, recovered from a mid-pack start. Hibbert worked his way to into second, dogged Christian for several laps, then made the pass on the 16^th (of 20) laps to take the win, while Christian’s teammate Garth Kaufman took the third podium position.

“This was our best performance in a Pro final in recent memory,” exclaimed an enthusiastic Mike Kloety, Team Arctic Race Manager. “Making it even sweeter is the connection between these racers: Logan and Tucker are training partners; Tucker and Garth are cousins; and Logan and Garth are teammates on Christian Bros. Racing. That explains the hugs and high-fives on the podium.”

In addition to sweeping the final, Team Arctic racers claimed six of the top-10 in Pro Stock, and five of the top-10 in Pro Open.

Team Arctic fans had enjoyed even more victory celebration at Hayward, as Kyle Pallin scored his second Semi Pro win of the season, while Carly Davis also took her second Pro Women win of the season. And with two races remaining in the National schedule, Team Arctic leads most of the championship point races, with Hibbert on top of both Pro classes, Cody Thomsen leading the Semi Pro category and Davis leading Pro Women.

Making his own mark on history north of the border was Team Arctic’s oval star, P.J. Wanderscheid, who won the prestigious 49^th Annual Canadian Power Toboggan Championship in Beausejour, Manitoba, to conclude his record-breaking season.

The next race in the ISOC circuit is March 12-13 in Elko, Minn. Go to www.isocracing.com for more information.

When the ISOC National season concludes, Hibbert, Christian, Kaufman and Thomsen will head overseas the FIM Snocross World Championships in Finland on March 26.

Team Arctic cross-country racers took advantage of a two-race USCC weekend in Red Lake, Minn., notching 20 class victories and 10 podium sweeps while inflicting twice the usual beating upon the competition.

For the second weekend in a row, Team Arctic’s D.J. Ekre and Ryan Greening captained the corps, with Ekre winning Pro Stock and Pro Open while Greening snatched 3-of-4 Semi Pro wins. Ekre’s Arctic/Christian Bros. Racing teammates Garth Kaufman, Ryan Simons and Zach Pattyn occupied plenty of Pro podium real estate, while Chad Kyllo and Spencer Kadlec did the same in the Semi Pro class

Jon Arneson, Bryce Buchanan and Luke Perreault also scored double-wins during the weekend, adding to their hefty hardware haul this season.

“Ekre has definitely found his sweet spot for speed these past couple weeks,” said Mike Kloety, Team Arctic Race Manager. “After bad luck plagued the start of his race season, he’s hungry for more wins while Ryan Simons is riding to maintain his lead in the championship points race.

“Plus Ryan Greening has been literally unbeatable in the Semi Pro 600 class so far this season, and we’ve seen a slew of Expert and Sport racers take turns winning the 85-hp classes. With two races remaining, Team Arctic racers appear ready to top most of the USCC class championships.”

The next race in the USCC circuit is March 12 in Warroad, Minn. Go to USCC for more information.