Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/772602
www.PowersportsBusiness.com SNOWMOBILE Powersports Business • January 23, 2017 • 33 Timbersleds start strong in first race This winter, the American Motorcyclist Asso- ciation will begin sanctioning the relatively new sport of snow bike racing, which features competition off-road motorcycles modified for snowy terrain. "The AMA is excited to be getting involved in the new and innovative sport of snow bike racing," said AMA Motocross manager Kip Bigelow. "We have been watching it with inter- est for several years and decided that it makes sense to embrace this interesting new competi- tion segment." The inaugural series sanctioned by the AMA will be the AMA Championship Snow Bike Series, promoted by Big Nasty Hillclimb LLC, an AMA-chartered promoter out of Boise, Idaho, that has experience promoting hillclimb and hare and hound events. The first round of the AMA Championship Snow Bike Series was in December at ERX Motorpark in Elk River, Minnesota. The snow bikes, which swap out wheels and knobby tires for a ski up front for steering and a high-performance snowmobile-style track in the rear for traction, will compete on a motocross-inspired half-mile track of jumps, banks, right and left hand turns, and whoops and dips. "We have learned from past snow bike events that when dirt, dust and rocks are elimi- nated, racing gets closer," said Ron Dillon, the principal of Big Nasty Hillclimb LLC and the series director for the promoter. "Racers will be riding inches from each other, fighting for a spot in our main events, and it is an absolute blast to watch them go at it." The top four finishers at the qualifier received invites to the Winter X Games in Aspen, Colorado. Three were aboard Timber- sleds, including winner Nolan Heppner, sec- ond-place finisher Jake Scott and fourth-place finisher Harris Huizenga. ESPN also announced they have invited three additional Timbersled racers to compete at X Games: Pro Extreme Enduro Rider for Redbull/KTM Factory Racing Alfredo Gomez, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing's Colton Haaker, and fellow Rockstar Energy and Husqvarna rider Ronnie Faisst. These racers will join Timbersled team racers Ron- nie Renner, Reagan Sieg, Brock Hoyer, Axell Hodges and Jackson Strong when snow bikes make their inaugural appearance at X Games Aspen on Jan. 27. "We would like to congratulate all the snow bike racers who qualified for the Winter X Games," said Chris Wolf, vice president, Polaris Snow Division. "Our representation at X Games proves Timbersled's dominance in the category, and we are very excited about the future of snow biking." PSB AMA sanctioning snow bike racing for first season FLY Racing and parent company Western Power Sports (WPS) announced the sign- ing of current Pro Open Snocross champion Tucker Hibbert for another two years. Hib- bert will continue to wear FLY Racing's F2 Carbon MIPS helmet for the next two seasons of the ISOC National Snocross Series as well as other select events. Hibbert has amassed 10 National Snocross Championships, 14 X Games medals and two FIM Snowcross World Championships. "FLY is a great company and makes great helmets. I've been wearing the F2 Carbon helmet since 2012, trust the product and can't image wearing anything else," Hibbert said. In addition to his Snocross career, Hibbert will also wear FLY Racing motocross gear in select races during the AMA Outdoor Moto- cross season. "It's fun to work with a brand that has its roots in the same things I'm passionate about: snowmobiling and motorcycling. The com- pany is built around passionate people who ride, and that shows through in the prod- ucts," he said. GIANT LOOP ADDS TIMBERSLED PRODUCTS TO SNOW LINE Adventure proof packing and gear systems innovator Giant Loop continues to expand its powersports offerings with the most com- prehensive made-in-the-USA snow bike and snowmobile gear line available for winter 2016-17. New products include Giant Loop's Cor- dura Ballistic Tow Strap, Gas Bag Fuel Safe Bladder, Lift Strap and Tracker Packer for DeLorme inReach. The Kootenay Pocket Tools/Gear Bag, Revelstoke Tunnel Bag, Torngat Tunnel Bag, Pronghorn Straps, Tracker Packer for SPOT Gen3 and other crossovers from Giant Loop's Moto line round out the Snow line. Giant Loop's motorcycle experience transitions seamlessly to snow bikes, such as the Polaris Timbersled. Snow bike prod- ucts include the Revelstoke Tunnel Bag, Kootenay Pocket, Rubber Boa Straps, MoJavi Saddlebag, Bushwackers Hand Guards and Fandango Pro, Diablo Pro and Buckin' Roll Tank Bags. For snowmobiles of all makes and mod- els, the Torngat Tunnel Bag, Revelstoke Tunnel Bag and Kootenay Pocket offer the ultimate in dry, rugged gear storage, made in USA. ARCTIC CAT NAMES PRO BACKCOUNTRY TEAM Arctic Cat's Pro Black Cats Backcountry team members include Rob Kincaid, David McClure, Cory Davis and Brett Turcotte, along with Pro Lite riders Luke Nokelby, Cooper Street, Morgan Gamache, Jordan Nieters, Levi Johnson and Taylor Meuwissen. The Black Cats Backcountry Pro ambas- sadors will take their competitiveness to new arenas on 2017 M 8000 Mountain Cats representing Arctic Cat and their partners including Speedwerx and Motorfist during Arctic Cat dealer shows, snowmobile events and further increase a strong presence within the social media community. The Pro Lite riders will execute the same initiative aboard new 2017 M 8000 Mountain Cats and will showcase why the best moun- tain riders in the industry choose the durabil- ity and performance of a Mountain Cat, along with Arcticwear clothing and accessories. "Every world-class athlete deserves a world-class team, and that's what the Black Cats Factory Backcountry team will be," said Erik Nelson, Arctic Cat VP/GM of the Snow Division. "We have stated in other areas of our business that there are significant oppor- tunities when you reimagine what's possible. Arctic Cat has the best athletes on our brand, and the Black Cats Team will bring them all together under one Factory umbrella." PSB DIGEST This winter, the American Motorcyclist Association will begin sanctioning the relatively new sport of snow bike racing, which features competition off-road motorcycles modified for snowy terrain. FLY Racing extends Hibbert contract Snow bike-specific products have been added to Giant Loop's Snow line, drawing from Giant Loop's Moto products. The Pro Black Cats will ride 2017 M 8000 Mountain Cats. Reigning snocross Pro Open champion Tucker Hib- bert wears FLY Racing's F2 Carbon MIPS helmet. PHOTO BY RIDE365.COM PHOTO COURTESY OF BIG NASTY HILLCLIMB LLC