I could tell you all kinds of stories about the race in Rock Rapids yesterday, but I think I’ll let the pictures do the talking. I will say the weather was great, everyone was in a good mood, the races ran great – SLEDS did a great job, the track and all the people there were great
Click on any picture to see a huge version.
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The National Anthem was delivered by Ms. Rock Rapids.
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Racers lined up for opening ceremonies.
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Entries were a little low in 250 and 340 IFS classes. Here Adam Hagen, Dave Nueman, Travis Hilmerson and Jim Haug start the IFSX 250 class. Hilmerson won it with the Rotax powered RXL.
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Adam Hagen was “good sport” of the day. After winning the 250 Liquid class on his Z, Adam tipped his sled over at the starting line while picking up his flag. Adam merely bowed to the crowd and had a good chuckle over it.
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Paul James had a ride on new 250 Cat. During hot laps he found out what happens with not enough studs and too much carbide. Paul was fine, but the sled will need some work before the next race.
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Kitzman’s Rotax powered Cat was in fine form, and he won 3 classes.
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Super stock action was this close all day. Here Jim Lennox leads the pack.
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“Racer #9″ AKA Matt Spies took home a couple of SnoPro flags on his very impressive Yamaha/Delaughter sleds.
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Tense moments in Super-Stock: On a restart, this Polaris got a ski lost up its hind end, ending the drivers shot for glory in this class.
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Super-Stock has a lot of entries as this starting line photo shows.
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Mike Smith has a new 650, and like others on the first day he was having some troubles. A loose ignition wire kept all 3 cylinders from firing, so Mike idled around and entertained the crowd on whatever cylinders were running. He took a second.
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The start of the 340 Super Mod class. Johnny Schumacher would take it on his lighting fast 340 that went on to beat up on some 440’s later in the day.
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| Johnny Schumacher with one of two flags he took home for SnoPro wins. |
Matt Spies 440 Yamaha was dominant.
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Jump the flag once, well, everyone makes a mistake. Do it twice and this how you start the race.
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Warm temperatures found more than one driver pulling on a rope until they nearly pass out.
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Mike Smith had much better luck with some of his other sleds. Mike, Adam Hagen and a some helpers brought along a small army of Cats to do battle with all day and were very competitive in all the classes they entered.
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Jim Haug jetted his 340 down one too many and burned a piston. When the 340X IFS class came up, he took out my 250 just so there was a race. Travis Hilmerson lined up with the same 340 Ski-Doo that won at Eagle River last year. At the start, Jim got a good holeshot, but the 250 was “burbling” from running so many races. The Ski-Doo barely moved off the line from being hot. The 250 kicked in and was to turn three by the time the Ski-Doo cleared out. With more horsepower and IFS, the Ski-Doo was catching up fast, but Jim still beat him to the checkered, giving us bragging rights to the only 250 leaf springer to ever beat up on a 340 Eagle River Championship sled!
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Devin Fackerell switched over to Cat this year and was running good – for about 1 or 2 laps in all three races he ran. But in all three races he burned down and found himself going back to the pits behind an ATV on the “ride of shame”. On the third burn down, a good-natured Devin just gave the crowd a great big bow. Once the issues are sorted out, I’m sure Devin will be right back out front.
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Jim Lennox broke through in 340 free air Super Mod for his first ever SnoPro victory.
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Charles started snowmobile racing in 1968 and passed on this tradition to his sons. “Charlie” loved fixing the sleds and sharing his wealth of mechanical knowledge to fellow racers. Charles died peacefully at home with his family at his side on Sunday, Dec. 7, 2008. Ed DeVault, his son, died in a racing accident a few years back.
