Preston Pride Hillclimb

The Preston Pride Hillclimb was held on Friday and Saturday, January 22nd and 23rd, just outside Preston, Idaho.   This was the 18^thyear of this hillclimb and this year was especially challenging. Organizers Shawn Atkinson and Bret Rasmussen did an outstanding job. The only thing that did not go off like clockwork was the weather. Most of the hillclimb took place in almost white out conditions. The blowing snow tripped the finish line lights so many times that Matt, at the top of the mountain, built a snow shield around them and solved the problem.

The entire RMSHA staff is to be commended on a job very well done.

But the harsh weather did not cool the hot racing action. Over 150 racers took on the mountain.

Past world champion, Amy Zollinger won all three women’s classes and took home a triple crown for Arctic Cat and the Zollinger Race Team. This is the second triple crown she has won and the only lady to ever accomplish this.

Vinnie Clark won the 1000 stock class and the Stock King title. He rides for Ski-Doo. Vinnie is a past world champion and comes from Valemount, BC, Canada.

Last years Stock King from the World Championship from Jackson went on to continue his winning streak. Tom Roby won Improved Stock King here at Preston. He also rides for Ski-Doo and hails from the Jackson, Wyoming area.

Mod King this year was a racer out of the Boise, Idaho area, Erin Beukelman. Erin rides for Polaris and was the 2007 Jackson World Championship Improved Stock King.

The Preston Pride Hillclimb was filmed by BAM Film Productions for the TV show “Sledding The West”. It will be featured in their upcoming episode on sledding in Southeast Idaho. For airdates visit: www.sleddingthewest.com.

The next race on the RMSHA circuit is Bear Lake on February 5^th and 6^th. For a complete race schedule and more information on the Rocky Mountain Snowmobile Hillclimb Association, please visit: www.rmsha.com.

All’s Quiet On The Jackson Front

The final preparations are being done at The Jackson Hole World Championship Hillclimb. The food tents are up and the banners are being hung at the starting line. Race trailers are rolling into the town. The snow is falling hard and should make the mountain quite challenging.

Racing begins tomorrow. The qualifying begins with the Non Pro Masters, followed by the Amateurs, Semi-Pro’s, Juniors and the ladies. It should be a great day of racing. Check back tomorrow night for qualifying results and photos.

Jackson World Championship Hillclimb

At the end of this month, March 26^th to the 29^th, is the World Championship of hillclimb racing in beautiful Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Known world wide for being one of the most extreme sports on Earth and the largest snowmobile event in Western North America. The Jackson World Championship Hillclimb is four days of incredible racing and fun.

For everyone lucky enough to attend the event, be sure to check out vendor row for the latest products and technology in the snowmobile world. The town of Jackson Hole has a wonderful old west flair and there is some of the greatest shopping, dining and night life available. If you want to attend, there still is some lodging available. Check out www.snowdevils.org, www.jacksonholechamber.com and my favorite place to stay www.worthotel.com.

Racing begins on Thursday, March 26^th with the Amateurs Class. Here is your chance to race Jackson! Entries are being accepted right now on a first come first serve basis. Visit www.snowdevils.org for more info. The two most popular days are Mod Sat, when all the qualifying runs are done for the big mod sleds and the finals on Sunday. The greatest racers in the world will be competing both days. Keith Curtis will be back to defend his King of Kings title this year. Kyle Tapio will be back to try for his third King of Kings title. He was King of Kings in 2006 and 2007. BAM Film Productions will once again have multiple cameras on the mountain filming for another action packed DVD and a network TV special to air later this Fall.

Plus, BAM will be giving nightly updates during the event on the BAM web site and right here on the Snow Goer Racing web site. Be sure to check in for the latest results.

Stock Is Stock At RMSHA

We have just learned from Scott Crane, the new President of RMSHA, that an age old debate has now been settled. Stock means “out of the box” stock at all RMSHA race events. There will be no changing of OEM parts any longer. The improved stock and mod stock classes will not change.

This has been done for many reasons. First of all, to help keep down the cost of racing. Now, if you can afford a stock sled and can travel to the races, you can afford to race RMSHA. This will also be a great showing of the capabilities of each manufactures stock sleds.

According to Heidi Tobin, President of The Snow Devils, this rule will apply at The Jackson Hole World Championship Hillclimb held at the end of March each year.

We have to wonder what advantage manufactures like Arctic Cat will have with their new HCR (Hill Climb Racer) sled that they have just introduced. This is a stock sled. What advantage will the more aggressive track and lighter weight give Team Arctic?  And the new sled by Polaris…                   We will not have to wait long to see. The RMSHA Preston Pride Hillclimb is set for Jan. 16th and 17th.  Registration begins Dec. 16th.   For more information go to http://www.rmsha.com/index.php.