Outlaw 600s, Pro Open Snocross Dazzle The Derby
January 21, 2012 by John Prusak
The Parts Unlimited Friday Night Thunder program at the Eagle River World Championship Snowmobile Derby featured more than Champ racing: The new Outlaw 600 class put on an epic debut, top snocross racers in the world flew over the infield track and other close races were held into the night.
The Outlaw 600 class was the brainchild of master chassis builder John Hooper, and is in its first year on the ice. It’s a combination of a cockpit-style snowmobile and a go-kart, and they just look fun sitting still. They exceeded expectations on the track, however, with a great final that featured rubbing and a last-lap pass.
Rich Bickle at Eagle River
Former NASCAR racer and chassis builder Rich Bickle led the field on his No. 45 sled, but coming through the crowd and driving on the edge of control was Nick Dolezal, a former snowmobile racer who was competing in Gary Moyle’s Hooper-built sled.
Dolezal was driving his Outlaw like a World Of Outlaw sprint car, driving hard into the corners, pitching the big machine sideways and occasionally counter-steering through the turn. After taking the white flag, Dolezal went for broke with a full pitch, sliding right up into into Bickle through turns one and two. Dolezal then won the drag race down the backstretch and held the lead to the final. Bickle was second, with New Hampshire’s Tim Hibbard third.
“These things are a blast to drive, they’re pretty wild,” Dolezal said. “I’m starting to figure them out,” he added later, noting that he finished third in his first chance with the sled last weekend and now won the Friday night program. How long will he get to drive Moyle’s sled? “Well, we agreed to a two-race deal, but we’ll see.” He looked pretty comfortable in there — Moyle might have to drag him out of it!
Bickle was equally enthusiastic after the race, but said he teased Dolezal about leaning on him with that last-lap pass. “I guess he thought six skis were better than three,” Bickle said in reference to the Outlaw sleds, which have a ski in the rear. He also teased himself. “I guess that’s not bad for a 51-year-old fat man.”
Malinoski Takes Pro Open
For the second year in a row, Robbie Malinoski claimed the Friday Night Thunder Pro Open final by besting Ross Martin, though this year’s final was quite a bit different than last year’s.
Malinoski, on the No. 4 Amsoil-sponsored Ski-Doo, got the lead early and ran away to an easy looking victory. Martin, on the other hand, got tied up in a first-lap mash-up in turn one and was running in about ninth on the first lap. Malinoski was solid up front, while Martin was hard-charging the rest of the field. After the race, Martin explained that he was mad after starting so deep in the field and was on a mission, “I was either going to pass a bunch of people or… ah… I don’t know what might have happened!” he said with a broad grin.
Kody Kamm was the Pro Lite final winner.
Last 5 posts by John Prusak
- SnowTime Awards Round Two - February 2nd, 2012
- World Champion, Then And Now - January 23rd, 2012
- Van Strydonk Wins World Championship With Last Lap Pass - January 22nd, 2012
- World Championship Day: Here's The Field, And The Odds! - January 22nd, 2012
- Johnson Wins Friday Night TLR: Earns Poll For World Championship - January 20th, 2012
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