Holy Snow!

Duluth, Minn. ~ As I sit down to write this week's Checkered Flag, I stare out my window to see snow. Not just a little bit, but LOTS of snow. Overnight northern Minnesota and Wisconsin received 2-plus inches of winter's wonderful mess, and it doesn't look like it's going to stop anytime soon. If only it would have happened a week earlier.

The 13th Annual AMSOIL Duluth National was held over Thanksgiving weekend at Spirit Mountain in Duluth, Minn. Of course, it was held on a fresh coating of man-made snow. But that's okay. Especially since it was Team AMSOIL that stole the show.

Dennis "DJ" Eckstrom became the first Team AMSOIL rider to take the checkered flag in a Pro Open final at Spirit Mountain. Eckstrom won all three of his qualifying heats and tied for the pole position with defending series champion Blair Morgan. In the final, Eckstrom would use an inside move in the first corner to grab the holeshot. From that point on it was all DJ. Lap after lap he increased his lead, crossing the finishing line by a seven second margin and a solid half-lap over the competition. Morgan finished in second place, followed by teammate Carl Kuster.

Eckstrom also found the podium in the Pro Stock final on Sunday. Again, he won all three of his qualifying heats and tied for the pole with Morgan. In the final, Morgan grabbed the early lead and looked like a lock for the win. However, Morgan would fall of his sled about mid-race, giving Eckstrom and the rest of the field an opening. Eckstrom would work his way from fourth to second by the time the checkered flag dropped. Robbie Malinoski took home the Pro Stock title, with Morgan finishing in third.

Eckstrom's new teammate Carl Schubitzke found mixed results. During Friday night's Winter X-Games qualifier, "Showtime" gunned his #96 Polaris out of the gate and was on his way to the holeshot before being landed on roughly 200 yards from the starting line. He ran solid during the qualifying runs on Saturday and Sunday, picking up a sixth place qualifying spot for the Pro Stock final. However, the effects of Friday's crash kept him off the podium. Team AMSOIL owner Steve Scheuring says Schubitzke is doing fine and will be ready to go full throttle in Winnipeg, Manitoba, December 11-12.

The Frozen Rock

Toronto, Ontario ~ Turkey day has come and gone and now people all over the world are getting ready for Christmas. In Toronto, the city has kicked off its holiday celebration with the 38th annual Cavalcade of Lights. The month-long show features some of the cities most picturesque neighborhoods, decorated for holidays. But for one visiting American, the only lights he'll want to see in Toronto this weekend will be the flashes from cameras while sitting in the winners circle.

Team AMSOIL/Chaparral/Honda superstar Mike LaRocco will be taking part in this weekend's THQ World Supercross GP from the Skydome in Toronto. The 33-year-old will compete against some of the top names in supercross, including Chad Reed and Ricky Carmichael.

If you can't make it to Toronto, ESPN2 has you covered. The cable sports network will air an hour long season preview show that will tell the story of the most competitive Supercross field yet. The show airs from the Skydome on Saturday, December 5 at 3 p.m. EST.

The AMA Supercross season starts in Anaheim, Calif. January 8. The entire AMSOIL/Chaparral/Honda team is taking part in the event. The AMA series will also be televised on ESPN2. For a complete list of airings, go to: http://www.amamotocross.com.

Winter Water Show

Superior, Wis. ~ Next Wednesday, please take time to watch the AMSOIL/Blackhawk/ Rinker powerboat team on The Outdoor Channel. Terry Rinker will be showcasing a top five finish from the St. Louis race this past summer. Rinker, the 2003 Champ Boat Series Champion, finished the 2004 season third overall. The race begins at 9 p.m. Eastern on The Outdoor Channel.

Right To Ride

Washington, D.C. ~ There's some good news to report for ATVers in the United States. A bipartisan bill to end health-care discrimination against motorcyclists and ATV riders has cleared the U.S. Senate.

The measure would ban health plans from denying benefits to people injured while riding motorcycles, ATVs, horses, snowmobiles, or engaging in other legal recreational or transportation activities.

U.S. Senator Russ Feingold (D-Wis.) co-authored the bill.

"If Americans want to enjoy legal transportation and recreational activities, the thought of being refused medical coverage shouldn't stop them," Feingold told AMAMotocross.com. "That's why I have been fighting alongside U.S. Sen. Susan Collins to pass this bill giving people the protection they deserve while taking part in activities like motorcycling, which so many people in my home state of Wisconsin enjoy."

The bill now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration. For more on this story, check out: http://www.amamotocross.com.

Picture of the Week

Duluth, Minn. ~ It looks like Santa's got a brand new ride. At least he's using AMSOIL. Kris Kringle made a brief stop on his pre-holiday tour at the AMSOIL Duluth National last weekend. Santa ditched Rudolph and his sleigh for a little more horsepower. He took to the track at Spirit Mountain between races. It's now off to the North Pole, where he will be busy lubing the sled with some AMSOIL Shock Therapy. Hey, those roof landings can be a little rough.