Snocross Opener and Closer

Duluth, Minn. ~ The AMSOIL Duluth National is billed as the biggest, boldest and oldest organized snocross race in the United States.  It was one of the first events of its kind in North America, coming over from the Nordic states where it was hugely popular.  Today, the event brings in the top snocross racers, not only in the U.S., but the world.  More than 30,000 fans show up to the port city of Duluth, Minn. every Thanksgiving weekend for the official start of the snowmobiling season.

Team AMSOIL Victory in 2004

In 2004, AMSOIL became the title sponsor of the long-running event.  It marked the first time the local company held that distinction.  It proved to be a positive move for AMSOIL and its highly regarded Snocross team, managed by Scheuring Speed Sports.  Top pro driver D.J. Eckstrom, a Duluth resident, powered his Polaris to a win in the Pro Open division and a second place finish in the Pro Stock class.

The 2005 episode of the 14-year-old race brought a new format to the Spirit Mountain Ski Resort.  The World Snowmobile Association had realigned itself in the off-season, forming the World PowerSports Association.  Expanded television coverage and a better show for the fans were on tap.  But the question remained, could Eckstrom repeat his 2004 heroics?

On Friday night, the pro drivers and a handful of the sports top semi-pros lined up for a chance to qualify for ESPN’s Winter X Games, which will be held in Aspen, Colo. in February.  More than 100 racers battled for the 10 spots Duluth had to offer for Winter X.  Both Eckstrom and teammate Carl Schubitzke qualified for the finals, with Eckstrom picking up two heat wins.  A broken chain in the third qualifier pushed Eckstrom to the back row for his final.  But the veteran quickly turned the circuit into his own stomping ground.  Incredibly, he powered his 600cc sled to the lead pack and secured the fifth and final transfer spot to the X Games.

Schubitzke, who qualified eighth for his final, took two second place finishes on his way to the main event.  A shaky start in the main left him behind the leaders, but he would eventually battle up into sixth.  When the checkered flag dropped, Schubitzke was still in sixth and one spot out of the Winter X qualifying spot.  Schubitzke will get two more chances over the next month to advance to Aspen.

On Saturday, both drivers raced in the three-round qualifying for the Pro Stock class.  Eckstrom showed his poise by picking up a first, second and a third in his races, despite having to run a back-up sled during one of the rounds.  Schubitzke had bad luck on his side.  He finished mid-pack during his first two runs, and a mechanical problem took him out of the third round, a race in which he was leading.  His point total was also out of range for him to get into the Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ).

Sunday was supposed to bring a full day of the Pro’s.  However, Mother Nature reared her ugly side.  A heavy fog bank moved into the Twin Ports, and the track visibility was down to near zero.  WPSA officials placed safety first and decided to cancel the day of racing.  The AMSOIL Duluth National has been rescheduled for the next full Saturday of racing in Gaylord, Mich.  That event will be dubbed the AMSOIL Michigan Nationals and will be held December 17-18.

Welcoming The World

Belfast, Ireland ~ Marco Dubé spends a lot of time on his KTM 250, but he doesn’t mind spending a lot of seat time on a 747 to do it.  Over the past few months, the French-Canadian has been to France, England, the United States and now Ireland.  The former Canadian champion spent last weekend looking for good lines in Belfast. 

In practice, Dubé recorded the third fastest lap time of the field behind AMA Supercross pros Sebastian Tortelli and Mike Brown.  Dubé’s fast times were made even more amazing by the fact that his bike didn’t show up to the track until after the first practice run.

Lady luck was not with the Canadian last weekend.  Even though he finished in the top five in his three qualifying races, Dubé lost a bolt on his rear shock, knocking him to the back of the pack.   On Saturday night the problems persisted.  He lost his oil cap during one of the first laps, draining the oil.  He was able to finish the race but came in last.

Dubé is headed a little closer to home this weekend.  He, along with Team AMSOIL/Honda’s Jake Weimer and Billy Laninovich, will be taking part in the ThQ World Supercross in Toronto, Ontario.  AMSOIL riders Kevin Windham and Mike LaRocco will not be in attendance as they are preparing for the AMA Supercross Series which starts in January.

Canadian Opener

Beausejour, Manitoba ~ AMSOIL is expecting to be well represented in the oval ice racing world this season, which kicks off north of the border this weekend.  On hand in Beausejour, Manitoba will be team AMSOIL racer PJ Wanderscheid.  The Sauk Centre, Minn.-native was the USSA’s Pro Champ 440 and Pro 600 champion in 2004-05.  He is also a two-time World Champion at the World Championships in Eagle River, Wis.

Changing Seasons

The race seasons are slowly changing from summer and motocross, etc., to winter and snocross. That means most of the corporately sponsored teams are on standby for a few weeks.  If you are an AMSOIL Dealer and are looking to sponsor a local racer through the AMSOIL Co-op Race Program, please fill out the G-2074 and send it to  the AMSOIL Racing Department.