Continuing where he left off when he departed the International Series of Champions Amsoil Championship Snocross Series (ISOC ACSS) in early February, Tucker Hibbert competed at the FIM Snowcross World Championship on March 27 in Mala, Sweden, and won.

Hibbert won two of the three races and was crowned FIM Snowcross World Champion. But it wasn't all that easy for the five-time Winter X Games snocross gold medalist. In the first race, Hibbert had to claw from behind and pass Finnish rider Jussi Honka and Christian Bros. Racing's Cory Davis. In the second race, Hibbert battled with Johan Lidman for the lead, with Hibbert eventually taking the win.

In the third race, Hibbert got the holeshot but couldn't hold on to the lead, as Warnert Racing rider and 2008 Swedish snocross champ Emil Ohman passed him for the win. In the end, Hibbert secured the championship. It was the first time he had ever raced in Scandinavia.

"This title means a lot to me," Hibbert said. "I won so many races in United States and now I showed that I can win also here.”


RESULTS
Race 1: 1. Tucker Hibbert, Arctic Cat (USA), 2. Emil Ohman, Lynx (Swe), 3. Jussi Honka, Ski-Doo (Fin), 4. Cory Davis, Arctic Cat (USA), 5. Johan Lidman, Arctic Cat (Swe), 6. Markus Evensson, Polaris (Swe), 7. Johan Dahlgren, Lynx (Swe), 8. Iisko Nakkalajarvi, Polaris (Fin), 9. Janne Jurvelin, Lynx (Fin), 10. Petter Narsa, Lynx (Swe)
 
Race 2: 1. Tucker Hibbert, Arctic Cat (USA), 2. Johan Lidman (Swe), Arctic Cat, 3. Janne Jurvelin, Lynx (Swe), 4. Cory Davis, Arctic Cat (USA), 5. Dan Lang, Polaris (Swe), 6. Hannu Toppala, Polaris (Fin), 7. Markus Evensson, Polaris (Swe), 8. Jussi Honka, Ski-Doo (Fin), 9. Iisko Nakkalajarvi, Polaris (Fin), 10. Johan Dahlgren, Lynx (Swe)
 
Race 3: 1. Emil Ohman, Lynx (Swe), 2. Tucker Hibbert, Arctic Cat (USA), 3. Johan Dahlgren, Lynx (Swe), 4. Johan Lidman, Arctic Cat (Swe), 5. Cory Davis, Arctic Cat (USA), 6. Markus Evensson, Polaris (Swe), 7. Iisko Nakkalajarvi, Polaris (Fin), 8. Janne Jurvelin, Lynx (Fin), 9. Dan Lang, Polaris (Swe), 10. Jussi Honka, Ski-Doo (Fin)
 
Overall Championship Standings: 1. Hibbert Tucker (USA) 72 pt, 2. Johan Lidman (Swe) 56, 3. Cory Davis (USA) 52, 4. Emil Ohman (Swe) 49, 5. Johan Dahlgren (Swe) 45, 6. Janne Jurvelin (Fin) 45, 7. Jussi Honka (Fin) 44, 8. Markus Evensson (Swe) 44, 9. Iisko Nakkalajarvi (Fin) 39, 10. Dan Lang (Swe) 36

Heading into the final race of the 2009-10 International Series of Champions Amsoil Championship Snocross Series event in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, one thing was evident: Ross Martin already clinched the Pro Open points title.

But at the Nielsen Enterprises Grand Finale several other class championships were decided at the event, including Pro Super Stock. Going into the event, Warnert Racing's Tim Tremblay had a 23-point lead over Martin. With a maximum of 49 points available at the race, Martin was in position to possibly sweep the Pro-class points titles. But, Tremblay, who had the third most Pro podiums behind Tucker Hibbert and Martin heading into the event, was coming off a Pro Open victory two weeks earlier.

In the two Pro Super Stock heat races, Martin won both his heats, while Tremblay finished second. That set the stage for the final. Tremblay was 21 points ahead of Martin, and all he needed to do was finish the race to take and the rookie Pro had the Pro Super Stock title.

In the 14-lap final, Martin shot off the line with the holeshot and quickly opened a lead over Dan Ebert, Steve Taylor and Tremblay. By lap four, Tremblay had moved up to third and two laps later he shot by Ebert for second. The next lap, Tremblay was on Martin's snow flap, but he couldn't find a way around him and fell back. With four laps to go, Martin clocked the fastest lap time and put some distance between himself and Tremblay. At the checkered, Martin won, with Tremblay in second and Emil Ohman in third, who passed Ebert on lap nine for the final podium position.

Though Martin won at his hometown track, Tremblay collected the Pro Super Stock points title. It's the first Pro title for a Warnert Racing athlete since Steve Martin won the Pro Open championship in 2005.

Though the Pro Open championship already had been decided two weeks earlier when Martin clinched it, it didn't mean that the last race of the season was a sleeper. Boss Racing's Brett Turcotte was smoking fast all day and earned the number one qualifying position for the 14-lap final. But on green, Brett Bender grabbed the holeshot with Ebert, Turcotte and Martin following. On lap three, Turcotte passed Bender for the lead, and on the next lap Martin moved into second ahead of Bender. Then Tremblay moved into third.

Two laps later, Martin shot by Turcotte for the lead. On lap 12, Tremblay passed Turcotte for second. At the checkered, Martin earned his second Pro-class win of the weekend. Tremblay took second and Turcotte finished third.

"I wanted to win so badly in front of my family," Martin said. "I have been working on this all year. It was a good race. It feels so great."

It's Martin's third Pro Open title. He's earned them in 2007, 2008 and now 2010.

In Semi-Pro Open, Cody Thomsen led flag-to-flag in the final to capture the win, and the points championship. The first-year Semi-Pro beat Logan Christian and Justin Broberg in the final. In Semi-Pro Super Stock #1, Derek Ellis grabbed the holeshot in the final and led the entire race. Kyle Pallin took second and Chris Kafka finished third. However, Polaris driver Mike Bauer was the class champion. In the Semi-Pro Super Stock #2, only two points separated Bauer and Christian for the points title. All Christian had to do was finish ahead of Bauer to lock in the championship. On green in the final, Ellis again jumped out to the early lead. Behind him was Bauer and Christian. Bauer looked like he had a lock on second place until he crashed on lap five just before the table top finish line jump. That mishap allowed Christian to move into second. Bauer remounted his sled in sixth place, but crashed again and was injured.

Bauer's crash forced a red flag, which bunched up the sleds again on the single file restart. When the green flag waved, Ellis again shot out to the front, with Thomsen in second, Pallin in third and Christian in fourth. On the last lap, Christian passed Thomsen to capture third. Ellis took the win and Pallin finished second. With Bauer out of the race, Christian earned the Semi-Pro Stock #2 points title.

2009-10 Points Champions
Pro Open: Ross Martin (Pol)
Pro Super Stock: Tim Tremblay (Doo)
Semi-Pro Open: Cody Thomsen (Cat)
Semi-Pro Super Stock #1: Mike Bauer (Pol)
Semi-Pro Super Stock #2: Logan Christian (Cat)

Interested in watching Tucker Hibbert and perhaps a few other North American snocross racers compete in Sweden? Then you'll have to get up mighty early on March 27 to catch the action for free on www.Freecaster.tv.

According to the FIM World Championship Snowcross Web site, five ISOC ACSS regulars are scheduled to race along with 35 other European and Scandinavian riders. The five ISOC ACSS regulars include Paul Bauerly, Cory Davis, Brett Bender, Tucker Hibbert and Sweden's own Emil Ohman.

Bauerly, Davis and Hibbert will make their debuts racing in Sweden. Bender competed in the race last year and finished 15th overall. For more information, view www.worldsnowcross.com.

From the BlueRibbon Coalition:

SITUATION

The National Park Service (NPS) is preparing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for a Winter Use Plan for Yellowstone National Park. The purpose of the EIS is to establish a management framework Yellowstone's unique and valuable winter recreational resources.

This plan will determine whether motorized winter use of the park (including wheeled motor vehicles, snowmobiles, and snowcoaches) is appropriate, and if so, the types, extent, and location of this use. A Winter Use Plan is needed at this time because:
The NPS is deciding whether snowmobile use should continue, and if so, under what limits and restrictions. The EIS will evaluate the environmental effects of winter use on air quality and visibility, wildlife, natural soundscapes, employee and visitor health and safety, visitor experience, and socioeconomics.

The public comment period for the "scoping" phase of the EIS ends March 30, 2010. Comments in the Scoping process are extremely important. SNOWMOBILERS NEED TO COMMENT BY MARCH 30.

Read more about this continuing saga: in Yellowstone: Snowmobiling in Yellowstone - Why We Fight www.sharetrails.org/public-lands/?section=YNP

For questions and other information, contact John Sacklin at (307) 344-2019. More info is also available on the web at: http://parkplanning.nps.gov/YELL

WHAT YOU NEED TO DO:
 Snowmobile enthusiast NEED to comment during this initial phase, and if you have ever been to Yellowstone, we need you to comment regarding your experience.

BRC'S THREE-STEP ACTION ITEM
STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO SEND YOUR COMMENTS:
NOTE: Please be polite and, if possible, make your comment letter as personal as you can.
STEP 1: Click on the following link, which will take you to the NPS comment webpage at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/commentForm.cfm?parkID=111&projectID=29281&documentId=31782 
Read and follow the instructions for completing the Comment Form.
STEP 2: Use the comments suggestions below as a guideline for your comments. Cut and paste is okay, but try to make your comment letter as personal as possible.
STEP 3: Take just a minute to add a bit about where you live, any winter visits you have made to Yellowstone, how often you go, how long you have been riding in the area and/or how important the area is to you.
Once you have completed your comments, click the "Submit" button.
Optional: 
You may also comment by mail to: Yellowstone National Park, Winter Use Scoping, P.O. Box 168, Yellowstone NP, WY 82190.


COMMENT SUGGESTIONS:
When creating the National Park System, Congress mandated that the Park Service: (1) "promote" and "provide for the use and enjoyment" of park resources, and (2) and "leave [the park resources] unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations." These are coequal, yet sometimes conflicting, mandates that require the NPS to balance both interests when making management decisions.
The previous management plan took a reasonable approach to snowmobiling, although subsequent analysis indicates daily limits were to low. Snowmobiling in Yellowstone is a delightful, unique and valuable experience. Technology allows us to have that experience and minimize impacts. Guides ensure compliance with all Park Service rules.

The Purpose and Need and the Planning Objectives of this EIS should reflect the socio-economic importance of snowmobiling in the Park. Snowmobiling has a long, rich history. Snowmobiling in the Park is highly valued by those participating. Allowing snowmobiling to occur is consistent with the agency's management plan, its national planning guidelines and its strategic plans. It is also consistent with recent agency direction to encourage increased visitation to National Parks. Snowmobiling is consistent Congressional direction in the establishment of both the National Park System and Yellowstone National Park itself. All of this should be reflected in the purpose and need statement itself.

Given that recent studies seem to indicate that impacts of snowmobiles have been vastly overstated by some stakeholders, it is appropriate for the agency to develop at least one Alternative that enhances snowmobiling experience.

Please consider developing an Alternative that considers increasing the daily limits and an Alternative that considers modification of the Guide system to allow individuals to become certified as guides.

A key consideration in any NEPA analysis is "context" and "intensity." In past analysis, the agency has focused on potential impacts of snowmobiling without the proper context. The key flaw in previous analysis is that it failed to consider impacts of wintertime activities in the context of year round use. I formally request that the agency consider impacts of snowmobiling in contrast to summer use.
As one who values snowmobile use as a modality to visit public lands, I can say that the experience of snowmobiling in Yellowstone provides an unparalleled inspirational experience. The Park's interpenetrate information, provided at the Park Entrance and the destinations as well as by guides is excellent. Snowmobilers leave with an enhanced appreciation of Yellowstone's natural resources.
The scoping information referenced several Plan Objectives, including those related to Visitor Use. One Plan Objective is: Provide opportunities that are universally accessible.

I support this objective because many snowmobilers use snowmobiles for access and recreation because they are physically unable to snowshoe or ski. But I am concerned that the Objective may be interpreted as meaning ALL opportunities should be universally accessible. Such an approach would be like requiring ALL hiking trails in the Park be universally accessible. Also, your analysis should consider that snowmobiles are chosen as a preferred recreation modality by many of the elderly and the handicapped.
At least one alternative should include a one-year (or more) transition period after the EIS is completed in late fall of 2011. Having a decision made on winter access to Yellowstone Park within a very short period, possibly only 30 days before that 2011-2012 season begins, would be a hardship on the snowmobile operators and the general public. This transition period would allow operators and the general public to make appropriate plans for the 2011-2012 season. Snowmobile operators need to place orders for machines in spring 2011, and the public needs to be able to make plans to visit the park with sufficient certainty that will accommodate early vacation planning and airline discounts.

The EIS needs to consider flexible limits on the numbers of snowmobiles that daily enter the Park from all gates. Consideration should be given to two concepts.

First, if the total number of snowmobiles allowed in the Park daily is 450, then certain days of the winter season a 20% increase of 90 additional machines should be allowed on those peak days. Peak days would be established in advance of the season. The number of peak days would not exceed 20% of the total season days.

Second, that the total number of snowmobiles allowed in the Park on a daily basis be available to each gate with a base allocation of the current historical numbers. Example, using current allocation of 318 for all gates, base allocation at the West Gate is 160. If West Gate operators know in advance that they will not be using the full 160 then the other gates could use the left over allocation at their respective gates. A system would be developed to deal with this reallocation process.

With just one International Series of Champions Amsoil Championship Snocross Series (ISOC ACSS) race remaining in the 2009-2010 season, it all comes down to the Nielsen Enterprises Grand Finale in Lake Geneva.

But just two weeks before the final showdown here at the Grand Geneva Resort, the eighth race of the nine race season took place March 6-7 at the Hayward Powersports/Polaris Hayward 300 in Hayward, Wisconsin. In Pro Super Stock, it was all Ross Martin. Entering the final as the top qualifier, Martin shot off the starting line in the final with the holeshot and held the lead throughout the entire 24-lap final.

Behind him, Team Sportech's Paul Bauerly slotted into second with Tim Tremblay and Emil Ohman in third and fourth. Bauerly couldn't hold off the charge of Tremblay and succumbed to the pressure on lap 11. At the finish, Martin scored his third Pro-class victory of the season, while Tremblay took second and his teammate Ohman took third.

In Pro Open, Dan Ebert nabbed the holeshot with Martin and Zach Pattyn following. In two laps, Tremblay jumped from fourth to first and kept charging. Meanwhile, Ebert faded, allowing Martin to hold onto second. While Pattyn rode well in third for more than half the race, Levi LaVallee passed him on lap 14 to take third. The top three maintained their positions for the remainder of the 24-lap final.

Though Martin didn't win the Pro Open final at the Hayward race, he has earned podiums in every Pro Open final this season. That consistency allowed him to lock up the Pro Open points title heading into the Nielsen Enterprises Grand Finale at Lake Geneva. It's his third Pro Open points championship overall. Things are much different in Pro Super Stock. First-year Pro Tremblay leads Martin by 23 points. Both are in the hunt for that title. It would be Tremblay's first Pro title and if Martin secures it, he will become just the fourth driver to ever sweep the Pro points championships. That will be decided at the Grand Finale and will be one of the hottest classes to watch.

The race for the championship in the Semi-Pro classes is just as hot. In Semi-Pro Open, five riders are in the hunt for the title. Entering the Grand Finale, Cody Thomsen leads Justin Broberg and Logan Christian by eight points. Behind those three are Dylan Martin and Darrin Mees, who also have a shot at securing a championship.

The Grand Finale always is one of the best races of the season. With the long track with elevation changes and right and left turns, it's also many racers' favorite course. As always, the Grand Finale will be filled with some of the best racing of the season that determines many points champions. The question entering the race is: Who will come out on top?

After a successful eight-year run that saw regional snowmobile racing attain new heights, officials at Rock Maple Racing (RMR) have announced a decision to sell the circuit at the end of this season.

RMR was founded by Don and Nancy Finck in the early 1990s. In May 2002, New Hampshire businessmen Chuck and Mark Minasalli purchased RMR and their passion for snocross was soon clear. With help from his brother Mark and a significant investment, the Minasalli’s lifted Rock Maple into the 21st century.

Since day one of the Minasalli era, Tara Saxton, Chuck’s stepdaughter, has been involved with day-to-day operations at RMR and has been a fixture at the track. Yet in recent years, she’s also taken on new responsibilities in KTM Properties, another of Minasalli’s business holdings. In the current business climate, her focus needs to be on growing KTM to ensure the family heritage remains successful.

The decision to sell Rock Maple has been difficult, yet the current president knows how life’s priorities often change.

“The last eight seasons have brought both challenges and wonderful friendships,” Saxton said. “This wasn’t an easy decision to accept, but our family carried the sport forward for eight years and now it’s time to turn over the reins.”

Anyone interested in making a serious inquiry about purchasing Rock Maple Racing can contact the office at 603-437-2400. Saxton and the Minasalli family would like to thank all race teams, sponsors and staff members for supporting the series. Without all of you, there would be no Rock Maple. Any touring series is driven by talented racers, and there was never any shortage during the Minasalli era.

Thief River Falls, Minn. (March 8, 2010) – Team Arctic cross-country racers concluded their remarkable season at the USCC Warroad 100 in Warroad, Minn., winning 10 classes and taking 14 of 18 class championship titles to rewrite what “terrain domination” truly means.

From top-to-bottom and everywhere in between, Team Arctic racers, crew and Sno Pro race sleds left no doubt about which brand owns the rugged terrain that defines cross-country competition. The championship points tell the story:

Arctic Cat engineer/racer Brian Dick led a top-four sweep (and seven of the top-10) of the Pro 600 points, while his teammate D.J. Ekre took his second consecutive Pro Open championship. Team Arctic notched seven of the top-10 in Semi Pro 600, the top-12 positions in Expert 85, the top-25 in Sport 85 and the top-19 in Junior class points.

“I’ve had the fortune of witnessing Team Arctic dominate cross-country for nearly two decades, but I’ve never seen anything like this season,” said Mike Kloety, Team Arctic Race Manager. “On behalf of everyone at Arctic Cat, I’d like to congratulate everyone who raced on our team this season, with a special nod to the 14 class champions.”

As Team Arctic’s cross-country contingent crushed the competition in Warroad, the snocrossers delivered a solid performance at the ISOC Hayward 300 National in Wisconsin, notching eight podium finishes.

Team Arctic snocross racers will compete in the final round of the ISOC National Series at Nielsen Enterprises event in Lake Geneva, Wis., March 19-21. Team Arctic Hillclimb racers will compete at the Wisdom, Mont., RMSHA event. 

BRP launches its Ski-Doo Riding Gear, Parts and Accessories online store at store.ski-doo.com. The new website allows consumers to buy genuine Ski-Doo parts, accessories, and clothing anytime of day in just minutes and have it delivered to their doorstep anywhere in Canada and the United States. Shoppers can simply log on to store.ski-doo.com to order with the click of a mouse and a credit card.
 
  "The site was tested over the past few months by a group of 30 BRP/Ski-Doo dealers and the results were convincing," said Sandy Scullion, vice-president, Riding Gear, Parts and Accessories. "With the official launch, we offer North American consumers the convenience of shopping from home and having their orders fulfilled quickly and easily by the power of a
network of more than 800 dealers," he added.
 
   In 2009, BRP launched the U.S. shopevinrude.com site and plans to extend this e-commerce solution to its other major powersports brands in the coming years. "Online shopping is a growing trend and both our customers and dealers are eager for it," concluded Scullion. Online orders are fulfilled by authorized BRP/Ski-Doo dealers. The turnkey sales tool enables dealers to rapidly acquire new customers and turn inventory quickly with minimal transaction time. BRP provides participating dealers with real-time sales data to see what is selling locally and nationally, enabling them to make smart purchasing decisions for product stocking.

KLIM Sponsored Pro Class winners Chris Olds and Tyler Huntington; who rode their Polaris IQ 600's from a dismal 21st starting position; conquered the grueling cross country Iron Dog snowmobile race crossing the finish line firsrt with a time of 41 hours 4 min. Their efforts gave them a total of $52,500 from the record $186,000 purse and the dubious distinction of the Iron Dog Champions.

The 2010 Iron Dog was reported to be one of the toughest in recent memory as a lack of snow turned the race from a speed and endurance test to a mental challenge. Dubbed as the world's longest and toughest snowmobile race, the even this year took an especially hard toll on the field of racers with only 37% of the teams that started in Big Lake made it to the final stop in Fairbanks.

"I feel awesome," Chris Olds said after the completion of the race. "It's been something I've been dreaming about my whole life, and I finally got it. I can't explain it."

The top 10 teams and their final finishing time are listed below.

1. Huntington / Olds Polaris 41:04:09
2. Dixon / Spence Arctic Cat 43:37:40
3. Helwig / Quam Arctic Cat 44:34:46
4. Cherrier / Wilkes Arctic Cat 47:02:23
5. Sweetsir / Tope Polaris 47:31:11
6. Sottosanti / Neeser Polaris 50:13:47
7. Miller / Miller Polaris 51:10:16
8. Richter / Spikes Arctic Cat 59:11:56
9. Muir / Jones Ski-doo 60:49:20
10. Johnson / Lachinski Polaris 64:09:42

The annual pilgrimmage to see the new snowmobiles from all four sled manufacturers is set to begin on March 5. Most shows are FREE to attend. However, some shows run in conjunction with other events and gate admission must be paid to see the Sneak Peek sleds. For additional information, visit www.snowsneakpeek.com.

Here's the show schedule and places.
Eastern and Midwest U.S. (all shows are from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.)
March 5-6, SnoDeo grounds, Colebrook, NH         
             
March 12-14, SnoFest grounds, Old Forge, NY

March 16, Augusta Civic Center, Augusta, ME

March 19-21, Geneva Grand Resort, Lake Geneva, WI

March 23, Delta Plex, Grand Rapids, MI

March 26, 4 p.m.- 9 p.m., Rock Financial Showplace, Novi, MI

March 29, 4 p.m.-9 p.m., Radisson Hotel, Manchester, NH

March 31, 4 p.m.-9 p.m., On Center, Syracuse, NY

April 1, Erie County Fairgrounds, Buffalo/Hamburg, NY

April 5, Sheraton Bloomington Hotel, Minneapolis, MN

April 7, Shopko Hall, Green Bay, WI

April 8, Holiday Inn, Stevens Point, WI

April 15, DECC, Duluth, MN

Western U.S.
(Except where noted, the shows are from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. and are free)
March 12-14, West Yellowstone Expo, West Yellowstone, MT
Show Times
March 12, 10 a.m.–7 p.m.
March 13, 9 a.m.–7 p.m.
March 14, 9 a.m.–2 p.m.
Gate Admission is $15 each day and includes race venues.

March 17, Merchandise Mart, Denver, CO

March 22, Davis Conference Center, Layton, UT

March 25-28, Jackson Hole, Jackson, WY

March 31, Expo Idaho, Boise, ID

April 6, Greater Tacoma Convention Center, Tacoma, WA

April 8, Spokane County Fair & Expo, Spokane, WA

April 13, Fargo Dome, Fargo, ND

Three "snow dogs" collected the Bent Skag trophy at the Minnesota United Snowmobilers Association (MnUSA) Winter Rendezvous in mid-February.

As always, MSPN, the official publisher of Minnesota Snowmobiling, the publication of MnUSA, has encouraged sledders from around the state to ride to the Winter Rendezvous. At the event, riders tell of their "Mud Dog" riding journeys and the best stories are awarded the Bent Skag trophy for the year.

This year's recipients of the traveling trophy were Chuck Hausladen, Ed Kuklock and Jeff Hoppe. They traveled 610 miles in three days from Freeport, Minnesota, to Hinckley, Minnesota, where the Rendezvous took place. They are members of the New Munich Snow Gliders in Freeport. Here is their winning essay, written in the form of a poem.

This year, several riders took part in the annual Mud Dogs ride and submitted many great stories. MSPN staff members had a difficult time choosing whom the Bent Skag trophy should be awarded to. In the end, it was based on a good story and number of miles driven. Look for other Mud Dogs essays in the coming months on Sledder.net.

Wednesday, February 10
Depart Freeport, MN, at 9:30 a.m., arrive at Ed's cabin in Vargas, MN, at 10:45 p.m.
A very long day for the musketeers three,
Who started out the trip as anxious as can be.
Found beautifully groomed trails in Minnesota's heart,
But the tales of their adventure were just at the start.
They saw an eagle wins easily over a bunny,
And sometimes their trail smarts were rather funny.
Ed claimed to be a master of the lake and road ditch,
But really they found he didn't know which way was which.
So around open water, combines and farmers land,
They found themselves turning sleds around by hand.
After moisture so thick they rode with shields open wide,
Finally they reached the cabin's warm inside.

Thursday, February 11
Depart Vergas, MN, at 11:45 a.m., arrive at Chuck's cabin in Longville, MN, at 10 p.m.
A bit shorter day with a much later start time,
Jeff's sled needed a jump but then started just fine.
Ed's balance this day must have been a bit down,
Because he toppled right over in Parker Prairie's town.
Chuck's cabin they found after a few missed trees,
Was not warm like Ed's, it was only 20 degrees.
So they fired up the stove and headed to the Anchorage Inn
And ate some fine food till just before 10.
By then Chuck's place had significant heat,
They all hit the sack, as they were pretty well beat.

Friday, February 12
Depart Longville, MN, at 9:30 a.m., arrive in Hinckley at 7 p.m.
This day seemed too easy, all sleds running well.
But, of course, Chuck makes it interesting so we will tell.
He seems to break down more often than not,
Good thing his mechanic skills surpass the lot.
He had his spare parts that were needed by luck,
And borrowed the socket set from a bar patron's truck.
This break down was lucky or we would have missed out,
On this great Tower Tap Bar we knew nothing about.
A few minutes later, he was the mechanical winner,
And we all enjoyed the most fantastic walleye dinner.
So we finally arrived at Hinckley our end,
610 miles later and some how we're still friends.

Tucker Hibbert will represent the USA at the FIM Snowcross World Championship in Mala, Sweden, on March 27.

Hibbert hopes to become the first American rider in history to win the World Championship at his first attempt competing outside of North America. 

Hibbert recently finished his scheduled race season with nine national victories.  The season was highlighted by his 50th career win and fourth-consecutive gold medal at the ESPN Winter X Games 14. He made the decision to race the World Championship at the beginning of February and is not something he has taken lightly. Unlike the National series he competes in, the World Championship has sound and fuel restrictions and does not allow the use of traction products. These restrictions have forced him to change his sled set-up and riding style dramatically. To properly prepare, he built a track at his home to resemble past World Championship courses. He has pounded out countless laps and implemented different riding techniques that he believes are crucial to being competitive on a European style track.

“I’m honored by the opportunity to represent the United States at the World Championship.  I’ve never traveled overseas so to prepare for this race has been a completely new experience for me. I guess this is my Olympics. I always go into a race focused on winning but now I feel an obligation to win for my country," Hibbert said.

The FIM Snowcross World Championship will take place at a ski hill in northern Sweden and will feature three 15-minute races with an overall score crowning the World Champion.The highest an American rider has finished in the past is fourth overall. For the first time in the event’s 11-year history, it will also feature an national team challenge. Hibbert’s score, along with two other rider’s scores from the USA, will count toward the national team title. 

The event will be broadcasted live on www.freecaster.tv.

Orlando, Florida, February 24, 2010 – At its annual meeting of Ski-Doo snowmobile dealers and distributors, BRP introduced the first in a new family of Rotax four-stroke engines that sets new standards for fuel efficiency, lower emissions and value.
 
Available in the 2011 Ski-Doo line-up, the first engine of this family, the Rotax 600 ACE (Advanced Combustion Efficiency) engine delivers outstanding fuel economy at *29 miles per gallon (8 L/100 km) with a fuel range of 310 miles or 500 kilometres. And its lower emissions (8 g/kw-hr HC and 90 g/kw-hr CO ) surpass the US EPA standards for 2012 (75 HC & 200 CO) and the stringent Best Available Technology (BAT) standards (15 HC & 120 CO) required to ride in Yellowstone National Park.

The lightweight 60-horsepower four-stroke dual-overhead cam two-cylinder engine uses unique technologies to optimize combustion, minimize frictional losses and free intake and exhaust breathing, without a trade off in power output. For instance, the valve train is a high acceleration design and key components are coated with a sophisticated “diamond-like coating” that greatly reduces friction.

"BRP sees this new engine as key to getting more people to try snowmobiling. The fuel consumption of BRP's 2011 Ski-Doo sleds equipped with the new Rotax 600 ACE engine is up to 45% lower than our closest competitor," said Bob Lumley, vice president, Sales and Marketing, Ski-Doo/Sea-Doo. “Its outstanding fuel mileage rivals most automobiles; not to mention the fact that it is quieter than most other snowmobile engines and requires very low maintenance," concluded Lumley.

For the 2011 Ski-Doo line-up, the 600 ACE engine joins other cleaner Rotax two-strokes including the new Rotax E-TEC 800R (new for 2011) and the E-TEC 600 H.O. engines.