American Jay Quinlan Conquers Erzberg(Posted on: 2/13/2006)

AMERICAN JAY QUINLAN CONQUERS ERZBERG, TAKES RED BULL SLED SCRAMBLE TITLE

STYRIA, Austria (February 11, 2006) -- On Saturday, February 11, the famous Erzberg was the scene of the simply and succinctly named Red Bull Sled Scramble, a battle between men (44 riders from 5 countries), machines and huge masses of snow. The majority of the motorized cowboys were still fighting their way through the terrain as a frozen Jay Quinlan crossed the finish line first, followed by Austrian Harald Bacher and Colorado’s Chris Burandt.

The riders from the United States, Canada, Slovenia, Austria and Germany sat around at the riders’ meeting relaxed, motivated – and underestimating the course. That state of mind changed quickly in the Sled Scramble’s practice round and the prologue, which determined the starting lineup for the race. Individually, one starter each minute, they reached speeds up to 160 kph (99 mph) on the 3 km (1.86 mile) course, determined the fastest qualifying times.

LOCAL MAN FROM SALZBURG DOMINATES PROLOGUE

The favorites who started out first, among them Americans Jay Quinlan, Chris Burandt, Heath Frisby and Justin Hoyer and Canadian Ross Mercer, got a nasty surprise and fell victim to their sleds’ bad setup. The operative word was “overheating” and relegated them to the five slots at the back of the starting lineup, which was led by an Austrian, national champion Harald Bacher from Salzburg who clocked the fastest time. Former professional snowboarder and sled expert Martin Freinademetz also started from the front row, in 7th place.

LET’S GET READY TO RUMBLE

In a few seconds, seven carefully ordered starting rows were transformed into a hopeless tangle. Roaring engines and whipped-up masses of snow were quickly followed by the first tumbles, bumps and drop-outs. At the end of the first of three circuits of the course, it was obvious that revenge was on the cards. The aggressive Americans overtook everything in sight on their way to the front. Only Harald Bacher from Mühlbach kept his nerve and his position at the top of the leaderboard and finished the race as runner-up. “It was a very difficult drive and a wild battle for second place,” said an ecstatic Bacher after his work was done.

Jay Quinlan won the Sled Scramble title despite a less-than-conventional performance. The 26-year-old from Colorado via Alaska missed a turn, got stuck in the snow and lost time. “It was totally crazy. This is an incredible success considering all the snags I hit,” said a jubilant Quinlan.

RED BULL SLED SCRAMBLE TOP-THREE

1. Jay Quinlan (USA) 35 minutes 41.42 seconds
2. Harald Bacher (AUT) 36 minutes 24.07 seconds
3. Chris Burandt (USA) 36 minutes 46.21 seconds

For more information, go to www.redbull.com

Cross-Country Racing Success on USCC Circuit (Monday, February 13, 2006) Press Release -
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Chassis get updated and engines get refined, but one constant in cross-country snowmobile racing for over 40 years is the Polaris heritage of performance and durability that adds up to victory.

The 2006 chapter of Polaris cross-country success has begun unfolding in the first three races on the USCC circuit as Josh Davis and Eric Slominski have scored major victories. The Polaris racers are competing on race-prepped 600 HO Fusions – with the smooth-handling IQ® chassis and powerful 600 HO engine – and the result was the same as it has been for nearly a half-century: Polaris coming out on top.

In USCC racing in Barnesville, Minnesota, on January 28, Slominski had a great day, winning the Pro Open class and taking second in Pro 600.

During the two-race opening weekend of USCC racing in Minto and Grafton, North Dakota, earlier in January, about the only thing Polaris racer Josh Davis didn’t win was a coin flip. He did, however, ride his 600 HO Fusion to two Pro Open victories and a Pro 600 class win.

In Pro Open racing on January 7 in Minto, Davis recorded the exact same time as former Polaris racer Corey Davidson, so USCC officials split the purse money for first and second places. The racers flipped a coin to see who won the first-place plaque, and Davis didn’t win, but he wasn’t disappointed. After all, the Bagley, Minnesota, star had more racing to focus on.

Gabe Bunke of Moorhead, Minnesota, showed his durability and versatility by winning the Pro 600 class and finishing third in Pro Open in Minto.

The following day in Grafton, N.D., Davis won the Pro Open class outright and also won the Pro 600 class.

Looking for Polaris racing heritage? Bunke’s father, the late Jerry Bunke, was a legendary Polaris racer in the 1970s. And John Bosek, a Hall of Fame Polaris cross-country and enduro star in the 1980s and ‘90s, raced at Minto and finished second in the Pro Vets 35+ class (which was won by the considerably younger Davidson).

“We’re thrilled to have captured this early momentum on the Cross Country circuit,” said Polaris Racing Manager Tom Rager, Sr. “The sleds have changed and the racers have changed over the years – but one constant for us has always been, and will always be, Cross Country. It’s a very important part of the Polaris heritage and we’re proud of what our racers have accomplished thus far on the 600 HO Fusion and IQ Chassis.” more

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News;SNOWMOBILE RACING;
Morgan dominates at Valcourt
Blair Morgan of Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, dominated at the WPSA PowerSports Snowmobile Tour's Grand Prix de Valcourt national snocross this past weekend in Valcourt, Quebec. Morgan, the snocross legend who suffered a season-ending leg injury at Valcourt last year while comfortably leading in the Pro Open and Pro Stock points standings, had much better results in French Canada this time around. Morgan took the lead off the start of the Pro Open final and was never seriously challenged, with Ross Martin maintaining a strong lead in the season points standings with a second-place finish. read the entire news story and more sports news here..

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Ross Martin Brings Dominant Snocross Style to French Canad more News

Ross Martin laid down the gauntlet last weekend at Park X and the first-year Pro class rider is ready to bring his dominant riding style to this weekend’s Grand Prix Ski-Doo de Valcourt, as the WPSA starts its Canadian swing. The event, scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 18-19, will take place virtually at the BRP Ski-Doo factory, at the Circuit Yvon Duhamel. The race will be telecast on ESPN2 on Feb. 24 at 2 p.m. EST.

Martin (No. 837 Judnick Motorsports-DuPoint/Polaris) dominated both ends of last weekend’s Pro class races at Park X of Quadna, taking the lead in Pro Stock points and widening his lead in the Pro Open chase. In fact, it marked the Pleasant Prairie, Wis. native’s second such sweep this season. Martin also won both the Pro Stock and Pro Open finals during Round 3 at Canterbury Park. In all, he’s collected two wins each in Pro Open and Pro Stock competition, as well as one addition podium in each class.

Martin’s first year of Pro competition comes on the heels of him graduating from the PowerSports Snowmobile Tour’s Semi-Pro ranks with three titles, including both the Semi-Pro Open and Stock championships last season. One of the locals favorites this weekend is certain to be Dave Allard (No. 167 Blair Morgan Racing Team/Ski-Doo). Allard, who hails from St. Prime, Quebec, has come on strong of late, using his physical riding style to take runner-up finishes in both the Pro Stock and Pro Open finals last weekend. Allard is currently third in both the Pro Open and Pro Stock title chases, on the merit of two podiums in each class.

Newcomer Mathieu Morin has also proved his worth this season. Morin (No. 27 Warnert Racing-Formula XPS/Ski-Doo) was tapped at the WPSA season opener to replace the injured C.W. Cirjane and the Val-Dor, Quebec native proved he was up to the challenge. Morin won in his first Pro start at Round 1 in Duluth, and he currently sits second in Pro Stock points. Morin isn’t running Pro Open this season. Morin also went to Winter X Games 10 in Aspen/Snowmass, Colo. and transferred into the final in just his first X Games start.

Meanwhile Robbie Malinoski has had an exciting season in Pro Open competition. Riding the No. 4 Olah Racing/Arctic Cat, Malinoski is winless this season, but his consistency has paid big dividends as he sits second in Pro Open points. Malinoski has a leg up here, having won last year’s Pro Open race at Valcourt.

Dennis Eckstrom (No. 25 AMSOIL Synthetic Lubricants/Polaris) started the season off with a Pro Open win at Duluth, but has had some bad luck of late, finishing 12th at last weekend’s race. Eckstrom, who also has second-place finish to his credit this season, is fourth in Pro Open points. Eckstrom is the defending Valcourt Pro Stock winner.

Though 2004-2005 Pro Open champion Steven Martin has had his challenges this season, his Warnert Racing team has shown its experience, landing him in fifth place in both Pro Open and Pro Stock, and very definitely in contention. Martin (No. 18 Warnert Racing-Dodge Trucks/Ski-Doo) has two Pro Stock podiums this season, including a hard-fought third-place finish last weekend at Park X.

Shaun Crapo (No. 3 Speedwerx/Arctic Cat) has also had a breakout season, winning a Pro Stock race in Round 4. Crapo is currently fourth in Pro Stock Points.

The unexpected dark horse this season has been Blair Morgan. Morgan (No. 7c Blair Morgan Race Team/Ski-Doo) won the Pro Open portion of the last Park X race and backed that up by earning his fifth Winter X Games gold medal. Morgan also finished third in the Pro Open race last weekend at Park X. Morgan had a slow start to the season due to a badly broken thumb suffered in pre-season testing.

Returning this season to defend his Pro Stock Drivers’ Championship is Vermont resident T.J. Gulla. Riding the No. 44 TEAM Industries/Polaris, Gulla owns two podiums this season, and netted one win and six podiums last season.

Out of the Semi-Pro ranks comes the compelling comeback story of ‘The Rage’ Bobby LePage. LePage returned to PowerSports Snowmobile Tour competition last weekend after recovering from serious injuries suffered in an on-track incident last year at Canterbury Park. LePage suffered a laundry list of injuries, including four broken vertebrae, a broken left hand, and a closed-head injury, which left him in a 23-day drug-induced coma. LePage is riding Hentges Racing’s No. 244 Pirtek/Polaris.

Other Pro riders expected to compete this weekend are: Adam Brummond (No. 22 Maxima Racing Oils/Ski-Doo), Aaron Christensen (No. 10 Ski-Doo), DJ Ekre (No. 52 Christian Brothers Racing/Arctic Cat), Mike Island (No. 8 Warnert Racing-Bud Light/Ski-Doo), Garth Kaufman (No. 48 Olah Racing/Arctic Cat), Levi LaVallee (No. 108 TEAM Industries/Polaris), Brad Pitlik (No. 90 Kowalski Racing/Ski-Doo), Greg Rudd (No. 254 Formula XPS/Ski-Doo), Carl Schubitzke (No. 96 AMSOIL Synthetic Lubricants/Polaris), Mike Schultz (No. 5 Avalanche Racing/Polaris), Ryan Simons (No. 67 Olah Racing/Arctic Cat), Justin Tate (No. 28 Pirtek/Polaris), Steven Taylor (No. 2 Blair Morgan Race Team/Ski-Doo) and Paul Thacker (No. 11 Monster Energy Drink/Arctic Cat).

The Tour will also host events for Semi-Pro Open, Semi-Pro Stock, Sport Open and Sport Stock classes.

The PowerSports Snowmobile Tour Grand Prix Ski-Doo de Valcourt race begins with practice on Friday, Feb. 10 at the Circuit Yvon Duhamel in Valcourt, Quebec. A media resources guide, which includes an event schedule, entry list, fact sheet, and other background information in both electronic and paper versions, will be available on site.

© 2002 Auto Racing Daily, LLC

2006-03-10 D.J. Ekre Penalized For Off-Track Incident At Winnipeg Snocross;

D.J. Ekre was fined and placed on probation for his involvement in altercation with another competitor following the Feb. 26 Semi-Pro Open final at the WPSA PowerSports Snowmobile Tour Winnipeg Snocross race in Winnipeg, Manitoba. more on this snowmobile racing news stories here...

Canada Racing News; Saturday, February 18, 2006; Turcotte wins Grand Prix Ski-Doo de Valcourt semi-pro stock final as Malinoski nets top qualifying spot for Pro Stock Snocross race; VALCOURT, Quebec -- Brett Turcotte beat out teammate Willie Elam to win Saturday’s WPSA PowerSports Snowmobile Tour Semi-Pro Stock race, part of the Grand Prix Ski-Doo de Valcourt at Circuit Yvon Duhamel. Though Elam (No. 130 Blair Morgan Racing Team/Ski-Doo) grabbed the holeshot at the start, Turcotte (No. 196 Blair Morgan Racing Team/Ski-Doo) tracked him down going into the second turn. Taking the inside line, Turcotte took the point and then held off the charging Elam to secure the victory. read story here...

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Sunday, February 19, 2006; 'Superman' Morgan sweeps Grand Prix De Valcourt snocross; by Justin Anderson; VALCOURT, Quebec -- Blair Morgan said last week at Park X of Quadna he was out to be the spoiler this weekend. A spoiler he was as the man they call “Superman” won both ends of the professional classes during Sunday’s WPSA PowerSports Snowmobile Tour Grand Prix Ski-Doo de Valcourt Snocross race.

Morgan (No. 7c Blair Morgan Racing Team/Ski-Doo) returned to Valcourt after breaking his leg here last year; an injury that took him out for the season, at a time when he was comfortably in the lead in both the Pro Open and Pro Stock points. Morgan’s return to French Canada was made with an exclamation point as he was simply dominant here this weekend, as he ran away with both the Pro Stock and Pro Open finals. Morgan took the lead with a holeshot at the beginning of the Pro Open final and wasn’t seriously challenged from there. Ross Martin (No. 837 Judnick Motorsports-Dupont/Polaris) finished second, ahead of local favorite Dave Allard (No. 167 Blair Morgan Racing Team/Ski-Doo). full news story here...

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Sault Hosting ISR Drag Championships

Jim Fitzpatrick -- LTVNEWS.COM -- Tuesday, February 14, 2006, 12:41PM

The whine of snowmachines will be heard again at Runway Park this coming weekend.

After hosting a MIRA Enduro race this past weekend the Sault Ste. Marie Airport facility will be hosting the International Snowmobile Racing World Championship Ice Drags.

From Friday until Sunday Runway Park will host the premier event of the ISR season. This marks the second year in a row the site has hosted the event.

The World Series has been running for the past 30 years, but prior to 2005 had not been held in Canada for over 20 years.

In the inaugural World Series of Ice Drags event at Runway Park In 2005 Tina Duncanson of Acton, Ontario set 8 Top Gas World Record with a 137 MPH run covering 80 feet in 1.14 seconds and a 4.88 E.T.

Local racers and some of the biggest names in snow machine racing will be hitting the ice for a chance at 100% pay back and big bonus bucks.

General admission for this event Is $5.00 for Friday and $10.00 a day far Saturday and Sunday children 12 and under are free when accompanied by an adult.

Runway Park Is fully licensed under L.L.B.O and has an on-site concession trailer.

Show starts at 7:00 pm Friday night with four shootout classes, followed by a fire works display. The race weekend continues on Saturday and Sunday starting at 10:00 am on both days.

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Wednesday, February 8, 2006
WPSA Powersports Snowmobile Tour Snocross Racing returns to Lambeau Field in March

by Justin Anderson

GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Snocross racing returns to Lambeau Field for the third straight year on Saturday, March 4. The WPSA PowerSports Snowmobile Tour Ultimate Lambeau Leap will feature practice and qualifying races from 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. Finals will be held under the lights from 7 p.m. – 10 p.m.

“We’re eager to return to Green Bay for the Ultimate Lambeau Leap,” said PowerSports Entertainment, Inc. CEO Rick Murphy. “Wisconsin always welcomes us with open arms and remains an extremely important part of the PowerSports Snowmobile Tour. Plus, Lambeau Field has long been a favorite among our fans, our teams, and our riders. It’s a show that never fails to thrill.”

Tickets are $20 and $5 for kids 6-15. Pit passes are $10 or free with coupon available at participating Subway restaurants. Tickets go on sale Monday, February 13 at 10 a.m.

Tickets are available at all Oneida Casino Ticket Star locations including the Resch Center box office, Curry Foods in Marinette, Cub Foods in Appleton, Dr. Freud’s in Manitowoc, Festival Foods in Oshkosh and at the Oneida Casino. Tickets also available by phone at 920.494.3401 or toll free 800.895.0071 and online at www.ticketstaronline.com.

About the PowerSports Snowmobile Tour The PowerSports Snowmobile Tour is North America’s leading snowmobile racing tour and features the greatest show on snow. The Tour is North America’s premiere form of Snocross racing, with its high-flying aerial displays, jumps, jolts and high-speed runs on short tracks throughout the United States and Canada. The Tour is sanctioned by the World PowerSports Association, North America’s largest and most respected organizer and promoter of snowmobile racing on both the regional and national level.

Tickets go on sale Monday, Feb. 13 at 10 a.m.

·2006 MSRF WOODY'S CUP / $300.00 Woody's product certificate / (1) Woody's Pit Coat will be awarded to the Open & Heavy Mod 1000 cc class - High Points Champion for the weekend (Points will be tabulated on both days). Presentation of prizes after Sunday's races. More here...
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Tuesday, February 7, 2006
Martin, Crapo ride points leads into Park X as WPSA Powersports Snowmobile tour hits Hill City

by Justin Anderson

HILL CITY, Minn. -- Ross Martin and Kurtis Crapo will attempt to pad their respective point leads this weekend as the WPSA PowerSports Snowmobile Tour visits Park X of Quadna for Round 5 of the 2005-2006 season. The PowerSports Snowmobile Tour Eastern National was rescheduled to Friday and Saturday, Feb. 10-11 and was moved from its original venue, Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y. due to warm temperatures in Western New York. The event will be telecast Feb. 17 at 3 p.m. Live timing and scoring will cover each session at www.powersportstour.com.

The event will be the second race this season run at Park X’s purpose-built racing facility. However, this event will have a twist, as the track will be reversed to give riders a new challenge and add excitement for the fans.

Martin (No. 837 Judnick Motorsports/Polaris) holds a tight seven-point lead in the Pro Open standings. He has two podium finishes this season, a runner-up effort at the Duluth season opener, and a win, which was part of a sweep of both the Pro Open and Pro Stock classes at Canterbury Park. Martin finished 12th in Pro Open competition here earlier this season, and was third in Pro Stock.

However, sitting second and third, respectively, in Pro Open points are Dennis Eckstrom (No. 25 AMSOIL Synthetic Lubricants/Polaris) and Dave Allard (No. 167 Blair Morgan Race Team/Ski-Doo). Eckstrom has one Pro Open victory this season, a hometown win in the AMSOIL Duluth National, while Allard’s best Pro Open finish is a runner-up effort at Round 2 in Gaylord, Mich. Eckstrom finished second in the most recent Pro Open event here, while Allard was eighth.

However, the unexpected dark horse this season has been Blair Morgan. Morgan (No. 7c Blair Morgan Race Team/Ski-Doo) won the Pro Open portion of the last Park X race and backed that up by earning his fifth Winter X Games gold medal two weeks ago in Aspen/Snowmass, Colo. Morgan had a slow start to the season due to a badly broken thumb suffered in pre-season testing. Morgan finished sixth in the most recent Pro Stock race here.

Meanwhile, in Pro Stock, Crapo’s second-place finish on the No. 9 Speedwerx/Arctic Cat at the first Park X Pro Stock event placed him squarely in the points lead, six markers ahead of rookie Pro racer Mathieu Morin (No. 27 Warnert Racing-Formula XPS/Ski-Doo). Crapo also finished second in Pro Stock at the Duluth opener.

Morin continues his march in the Pro Stock ranks this season. After finishing fourth here in the most recent race, Morin went to Winter X Games 10 and transferred into the final in just his first X Games start. Morin, however, didn’t expect to get this far this season. Originally, the young French Canadian rider had planned to only compete part time in the Semi-Pro ranks. Then, after C.W. Sirjane was injured in the season opener, Warnert Racing tapped Morin as a substitute. The move paid off as Morin won in his first Pro start at Duluth and followed that with a fourth-place finish here earlier this season.

Shaun Crapo won the last Park X Pro Stock event and looks to lift his No. 3 Speedwerx/Arctic Cat to the top step of the podium again this weekend. S. Crapo currently sits third in Pro Stock points, just seven markers out of the lead.

Steven Martin is on track to back up his 2004-2005 Pro Open title with a good run here. S. Martin (No. 18 Warnert Racing-Dodge/Ski-Doo) currently sits fourth in the Pro Open title chase and seventh in Pro Stock.

Returning this season to defend his Pro Stock Drivers’ Championship is Vermont resident T.J. Gulla. Riding the No. 44 TEAM Industries/Polaris, Gulla netted six podiums last season and his win at Buffalo handed him the title. Gulla finished 13th in Pro Open points. Gulla, however, had difficulties at Park X earlier this season, suffering injuries to his mouth and tongue that ended his weekend early.

Other Pro riders competing this weekend are: Adam Brummond (No. 22 Maxima Racing Oils/Ski-Doo), Aaron Christensen (No. 10 Ski-Doo), DJ Ekre (No. 52 Christian Brothers Racing/Arctic Cat), Mike Island (No. 8 Warnert Racing-Bud Light/Ski-Doo), Garth Kaufman (No. 48 Olah Racing/Arctic Cat), Levi LaVallee (No. 108 TEAM Industries/Polaris), Robbie Malinoski (No. 4 Olah Racing/Arctic Cat) Brad Pitlik (No. 90 Kowalski Racing/Ski-Doo), Greg Rudd (No. 254 Formula XPS/Ski-Doo), Carl Schubitzke (No. 96 AMSOIL Synthetic Lubricants/Polaris), Mike Schultz (No. 5 Avalanche Racing/Polaris), Ryan Simons (No. 67 Olah Racing/Arctic Cat), Justin Tate (No. 28 Pirtek/Polaris), Steven Taylor (No. 2 Blair Morgan Race Team/Ski-Doo) and Paul Thacker (No. 11 Monster Energy Drink/Arctic Cat).

The Tour will also host events for Semi-Pro Open, Semi-Pro Stock, Sport Open and Sport Stock classes.

The PowerSports Snowmobile Tour Eastern National Snocross race begins at 10:00 am on Friday, Feb. 10 at Park X of Quadna. A electronic media resources guide, which includes an event schedule, entry list, fact sheet, and other background information is available for download here (Adobe Acrobat Reader Required). The Tour Media Guide can be downloaded here.

About the PowerSports Snowmobile Tour

The PowerSports Snowmobile Tour is North America’s leading snowmobile racing tour and features the greatest show on snow. The Tour is North America’s premiere form of Snocross racing, with its high-flying aerial displays, jumps, jolts and high-speed runs on short tracks throughout the United States and Canada. The Tour is sanctioned by the World PowerSports Association, North America’s largest and most respected organizer and promoter of snowmobile racing on both the regional and national level.