USXC 2015 Race Program

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2015 Tour Program

I-500

REBIRTH OF A LEGEND

ZACH HERFINDAHL

COURTESY OF

ONE-ON-ONE WITH THE PRO-STOCK CHAMPION

SEASON SCHEDULE, RACER PROFILES & MORE

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Kody Kamm 2014 xgames silver medalist 2014 ISOC pro open silver medalist PC: GARY WALTON

WHAT'S INSIDE 8 10 10 12 14 18 22 24 26 32

CLICKED - PHOTOS FROM THE USXC WELCOME TO THE USXC USXC SPONSORS FEATURE SPONSORS THE VENUES 2015 RACE SLEDS CALE ANSEEUW ZACH HERFINDAHL I-500 • SNOWMOBILING'S GREATEST RACE USXC RIDERS

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One of the most difficult moments in cross-country racing is finding a way around the guy in front of you.

These dual runner wear bars sure aren’t what the dealer said they would be.

You don’t need a lot of money or even a new sled to have fun racing cross-country.

See that busted ski spring? More proof that only real men race vintage.

Fixing sleds out in the open?

One reason you need a good mechanic for the 500.

Cross-country scenes often hold their own stark beauty.

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The big trophies are the good ones.

Right turns are his weak point.

Nothing faster on the ice than lowered Indy.

That moment when you realize you pulled a really bad starting pin.

Who’s chasing who? Ice can be a great equalizer.

Busted starter rope = bad day.

Racer chasers out in full force.

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As

the USXC enters its third season, I would like to thank all our participants, their sponsors, crew members, families and all the people who follow cross-country snowmobile racing. Without them there wouldn’t be a circuit. I watched last year as racers dealt with extreme

THE USXC temperatures, harsh conditions and the worst weather mother nature could throw at them. It takes a dedicated individual to strap on a helmet and run 180 miles of ditch in those conditions and then get off the sled and say it was fun!

I also want to thank our circuit sponsors. Without them we couldn’t survive. Please let them know you appreciate their support and next time you shop for snowmobile parts, accessories or clothing choose their products first. Be sure to tell them you’re a USXC member the next time you shop for their products.

The USXC is fortunate to have a crew of dedicated, hard-working people. They are out at the trailers at 6a.m. and in many cases are still working long after dark, and this isn’t just on race days.

These people are dedicating loads of time and effort throughout the season to make USXC events happen. You couldn’t pay them what their contribution is really worth because in many ways its priceless. They do it for the love of the sport. Next time you see one of these people please let them know you appreciate what they do.

We have been listening to our racers and have been making changes to the USXC rules and format as we go. Perhaps

the biggest change for this season is ISR has secured a new insurance carrier and that means this year the racers excess medical coverage will go from $3,000 in coverage to $50,000. This will reduce our event insurance cost and in turn we have therefore lowered the insurance cost to the drivers.

We have seven events on the 20142015 calendar and all but the last one have a two-week interval between them.

The Winnipeg to Willmar race has kept me extremely busy all summer. Things are coming together but there is still a lot to cover. I am amazed at all the support, interest and help that is stepping forward to make this event work. The total permits needed for this race is close to 70 where on a normal weekend the USXC needs to get one or maybe two. On top of that, there will be upwards of 400 race workers, most are volunteer. Please thank them!

I appreciate you, the racer, as well as all of our fans and sponsors and assure you USXC will do its best to provide you with the No. 1 cross-country snowmobile racing circuit in the country.

Best regards, Brian Nelson

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SPONSORS

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SPONSORS Racing survives because of competitors, fans, and most importantly, sponsors. USXC has a family of sponsors dedicated to furthering the sport of cross-country snowmobile racing. It is because of the support of the companies listed on these pages that we have a venue in which to participate, spectate and work in the world of cross-country snowmobile racing. Next time you shop, be sure to check out these companies first.

SEVEN CLANS CASINOS

For over a decade Seven Clans Casinos has been a major sponsor of cross-country snowmobile racing, most importantly host to the I-500.

In recent years Seven Clans has expanded from two casinos (Thief River Falls and Warroad) to three with its new facility in Red Lake. For 2014-2015, Seven Clans will support three major USXC events - the Seven Clans Warroad 100, Seven Clans 300 Challenge Cup in Thief River Falls and of course the Winnipeg to Wilmar I-500. Not only does Seven Clans support cross-country snowmobile racing, their casinos offer great family getaways year-round. Hotel, dining, family fun activities and of course some of the best gambling in the state are found at Seven Clans Casinos. Find out more at www.sevenclanscasino.com.

ARCTIC CAT

A loyal supporter of cross-country snowmobile racing, Arctic Cat has played a key role in growing the sport over the past decade. The brand has set aside a significant chunk of its race and engineering budget to focus on racing this particular genre and is a big supporter of USXC racing. Arctic Cat Inc., based in Thief River Falls, Minnesota, designs, engineers, manufactures and markets snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and Side by Sides under the Arctic Cat brand name, as well as related parts, garments and accessories. The Company markets its products through a network of independent dealers located throughout the contiguous United States and Canada, and through distributors representing dealers in Alaska, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and other international markets. The Arctic Cat brand name is among the most widely recognized and respected names in the snowmobile, ATV and Side by Side industry. See the lineup at www.arcticcat.com.

AMSOIL: THE OFFICIAL OIL OF THE USXC

Founded by former jet fighter squadron commander Al Amatuzio, AMSOIL produced its first can of synthetic oil in 1972.

It kick-started an entire industry of new, premium synthetic oils with AMSOIL spearheading the movement. During his Air Force years Amatuzio had witnessed firsthand the benefits of synthetic lubricants and this inspired him to bring the technology to the masses with his own brand of lubricants. As a result, AMSOIL synthetic lubricants have expanded the boundaries of lubrication science and redefined the performance possibilities of modern machinery and engines.

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Based in Superior, Wisconsin, AMSOIL is also a leader in the world of racing and sponsors numerous forms including GNCC off-road, TORC truck racing series, powerboats, motocross as well as the racing you see here, USXC cross-country snowmobile racing. USXC provides a unique challenge for a lubricant extreme temperatures, extended periods of open throttle and varied terrain mean an oil has to protect across the board.

AMSOIL is the choice of USXC and is the official lubricant of the USXC racing circuit. www.amsoil.com

DRIFT RACING

Inspired by the passion to win, DRIFT Racing offers highperformance outerwear and gear for snowmobile enthusiasts. The DRIFT lineup includes everything from the uninsulated Drift Racing Suit to the Intimidator Jacket, Diesel Coat and the rest of the lineup. DRIFT also has matching bibs and pants for all its gear. For women, the Diva line offers stylish comfort and unmatched functionality. The Speeder line is aimed at the younger riders and its styling is reminiscent of the adult DRIFT gear. DRIFT also offers a full line of casual wear, gloves and headwear. DRIFT Racing is proud to be the official clothing outfitter of USXC. See the entire DRIFT apparel lineup at www.driftracing.com.

WOODYS

Based in Hope, Michigan, Woody’s Traction has been at the forefront of snowmobile traction and snowmobile racing since the 1960s.

A loyal supporter of USXC cross-country racing, Woody’s has stepped up as a significant sponsor of the Winnipeg to Wilma I-500 race in addition to offering their normal sponsorship support. Woody's is the trademarked name of IEM's private label traction devices and is the choice worldwide of motorsports accessory distributors, snowmobile and track manufacturers, offroad vehicles, racing champions, sportsmen and snowmobilers who want the very best in traction performance and safety. Find out more at www.woodystraction.com.

WEST CENTRAL

For the past 40 years West Central has been dedicated to helping agribusiness succeed. Based in Willmar, Minnesota, West Central offers services to local farms at a wholesale level including crop protection sales, crop nutrient sales and logistics. West Central believes that in agribusiness, people do business with people, not companies. They know the only way to have trusting relationships with customers is to compete on their behalf. Learn more at www.westcentralinc.com.

C&A PRO SKIS

The choice of racers and trail riders worldwide, C&A Pro Skis have been proven to work better than any other ski on the market. With a full lineup of skis that match any riding style, C&A Pro is the best choice for whatever riding you have planned. They are the No. 1 ski choice among USXC racers. Find out more at www.caproskis.net.

YAMAHA

One of the world’s largest and most innovative recreational vehicle companies, Yamaha is known for its industry-leading engine development and groundbreaking product lines. The only manufacturer dedicated to building 4-stroke snowmobiles, Yamaha’s lineup offers fuelefficient, powerful snowmobiles that go the distance. Yamaha’s goal is to satisfy its customers and exceed their expectations with products and services of superior quality, unmatched performance, and extraordinary value. Learn more at www.yamaha-motor.com.

POLARIS

With a racing tradition steeped in cross-country, Polaris is a big supporter of USXC racing. Polaris employees are not only building and designing machines, they are also enthusiastic riders and you’ll regularly find them competing on the USXC circuit. This gives Polaris a competitive edge as they work to make their customers’ riding experience better. Learn more at www.polaris.com.

SKI-DOO

Founded in Valcourt, Quebec, in 1942, it wasn’t long after that when J. Armand Bombardier took to the snow with the first versions of Ski-Doo snowmobiles.

Since then, Ski-Doo has been dedicated to making its machines the best on snow and cross-country racing has played a big role in achieving that goal. Today, in the Americas, Europe and AsiaPacific, more than 6,500 people are keeping the spirit alive in all of BRP’s recreational vehicles and products. Find out more at www.skidoo.com.

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VENUES

Featuring a challenging mix of racing venues as well as a variety of one-, two- and three-day events, the 2014-2015 USXC schedule is set to begin December 20-21 and run through March. The goal of the USXC schedule is to make racing fun, affordable and challenging for USXC racers while also helping bring business into local communities during a time when they might not see much consumer traffic. The result are events that provide top-level racing and competition, fan entertainment and commerce for local communities. USXC events also serve to promote the sport of snowmobiling and snowmobile racing.

GERALD DYRDAHL PINE LAKE

DECEMBER 20-21, 2014 Gonvick, Minnesota Once the traditional start of the cross-country racing season, over the decades Pine Lake has seen some of the best racing cross-country has to offer. USXC is returning to Pine Lake to kick off its season with a two-day event that will feature a 10-mile lake lemans course and heads-up racing. Pine Lake will also be the first round of the Briggs & Stratton 206 Triple Crown.

Where? Pine Lake, Minnesota, five miles North of Hwy 2.

Places to Stay: Bagley, Fosston, Clearbrook and Seven Clans Casino.

J&K MARINE BEACH BAR 200 JANUARY 3, 2015 Detroit Lakes, Minnesota Featuring a challenging, 10-mile ice lemans course, the J&K Marine Beach Bar 200 will be held on Big Detroit Lake just off Highway 10. Right in the heart of Detroit Lakes, it is a perfect event for fans to get out and see some of cross-country’s best racers. All USXC classes will run and races will be simulcast at the Beach Bar inside the Holiday Inn for fans who want to grab a cold one.

Where? Detroit Lakes, Minnesota; 3.5-hours Northeast of Minneapolis; 1-hour East of Fargo/Moorhead.

Places to Stay: Holiday Inn, Detroit Lakes: 877-251-9348

GRAFTON 100

JANUARY 17, 2015 Grafton, North Dakota The Grafton 100 has traditionally featured a grueling mix of terrain in its course makeup. Riders will face river, field, ditch and woods around the town of Grafton, North Dakota. This race used to be a warm-up for the I-500, so expect the same sort of mix that race will bring.

Where? Grafton, North Dakota, two hours north of Fargo/Moorhead just off I-29.

Places to Stay: AmericInn, Grafton: 701-352-2788

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PARK RAPIDS 106 JAN 31 – FEB 1, 2015 Park Rapids, Minnesota The two-day Park Rapids event was a huge hit last season. The course provided a challenging mix of terrain for racers and made for intense competition. Park Rapids is located in the pristine wooded areas of Northwestern Minnesota, an area that has a storied tradition of cross-country racing. In fact, many of the Winnipeg to St. Paul races ran through this area. Park Rapids will be the second stop of the Briggs & Stratton 206 Triple Crown.

Where? One and a half hours East of Fargo, North Dakota; Three and a half hours North of Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Places to Stay: Park Rapids has many great hotels including an AmericInn, Super 8, Cmon Inn and Cedar Shores Resort.

SEVEN CLANS I-500 FEBRUARY 11-14, 2015 Winnipeg to Willmar The return of the “The Winnipeg” as it has become affectionately known amongst nearly rabid cross-country racers and fans, is the talk of the snowmobile industry for the coming season. From dedicated racers to go fast trail riders, and nearly everyone in-between, the allure of racing or simply following the return of this legendary race has everyone buzzing. Departing from the very spot the original Winnipeg to St. Paul race did back in 1966, the four day race will cover every type of natural terrain possible including ditches, wooded trails, and winding rivers before a winner is crowned in Willmar, Minnesota. If you plan to race or watch just one race this winter…the I-500 is it.

Where? Located seven hours north of Minneapolis St. Paul in Winnipeg, Manitoba and concluding in Willmar, Minnesota, located approximately 2 hours west of the Twin Cities.

Places to Stay: There are several hotels and motels located at each host city.

Headquarter hotels at each stop include: Four Points Sheraton, Winnipeg South; Seven Clans Casino, Thief River Falls; The Hampton Inn; Bemidji; Arrowood Resort, Alexandria; Awards Banquet at Kandi Entertainment Center, Willmar

SEVEN CLANS 300 CHALLENGE CUP

FEB 28 – MARCH 1, 2015 Seven Clans Casino Thief River Falls, Minnesota The two-day Seven Clans 300 Challenge Cup will be held at Seven Clans Casino in Thief River Falls, Minnesota. Run on the terrain that has made up the I-500 for the past decade, racers should be intimately familiar with what they find ahead of them at this event. The Seven Clans 300 Challenge Cup will be the third and final stop for the Briggs & Stratton 206 Triple Crown.

Where? Seven Clans Casino, Thief River Falls, Minnesota Places to Stay: Seven Clans Casino, Thief River Falls, Minnesota 15

VENUES SEVEN CLANS WARROAD 100 MARCH 7, 2015 Seven Clans Casino Warroad, Minnesota Taking place on the banks of Lake of the Woods, the one-day Seven Clans Warroad 100 event will feature a combined ice lemans, cross-country and swamp course.

Typically the final event on the cross-country racing calendar, the Warroad event is where championships are won. This race typically sees warm weather and plenty of snow and makes for great racing.

Where? Warroad, Minnesota, three hours South of Winnipeg, Manitoba; seven hours North of Minneapolis, Minnesota Places to Stay: Seven Clans Casino, Warroad, Minnesota: 800-815-8293

USXC AND BRIGGS & STRATTON ANNOUNCE BRIGGS & STRATTON 206 TRIPLE CROWN CEMENTING THE FUTURE OF USXC CROSS-COUNTRY

USXC and Briggs & Stratton have teamed up to create an entry point for future crosscountry racers and their families. The Briggs & Stratton Triple Crown is a three-race series for riders 6-12 years old where they compete in real cross-country scenarios on real cross-country racing courses. The catalyst for the Triple Crown was the Mini I-500 that took place last season in conjunction with the USXC I-500 at Seven Clans Casino in Thief River Falls, Minnesota.

The first round of the Briggs & Stratton 206 Triple Crown is scheduled for Pine Lake, December 21. Round 2 brings riders to Park Rapids on February 1 and the final round takes place at Seven Clans Casino in Thief River Falls February 28.

There will be three classes, two of them require Briggs & Stratton 206 race engines: Improved Stock, Pro 206 and Champ 206.

Improved Stock and Pro 206 get divided in 6-8 and 9-12 year old classes while Champ 206 is 6-12 year old. Briggs & Stratton will be giving away $3,000 in prizes at each race to random competitors and their families.

For information and updates visit www.usxcracing.com.

Schedule 12/20 Sat 12/21 Sun 1/31 Sat 2/1 Sun 2/28 Sat

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Pine Lake, Mn (test and tune day) Pine Lake, Mn (race day) Park Rapids, Mn (test and tune day) Park Rapids, Mn (race day) Thief River Falls, Mn - 7 Clans Casino 300 (race day)

Classes Improved stock: 6-8 tear olds / 9-12 year olds Pro 206 (Briggs sponsored class): 6-8 year olds / 9-12 year olds Champ 206 (Briggs sponsored class): 6-12 year olds

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> 2015 RACE SLEDS

W

ith pump gas rules in the book for the 2015 season, manufacturers have scrambled to get their production sleds ready for USXC crosscountry competition. Today’s top performance sleds are more than up to the challenge of terrain racing, but with race sleds ruling the lineup for the past seven seasons its anyone’s guess whose sled will rise to the top in 2015. Here are the challengers fans will see racing the Pro Stock class this coming season.

SKI-DOO MXZ X-RS 600 B uilt on the proven REV-XS RS platform, this is the same chassis Ski-Doo has been racing for over half a decade.

Powered by the Rotax 600 H.O. E-TEC engine, it features direct injection, electronic oil injection and is perhaps the most fuel-

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efficient engine entering competition.

The rMotion rear suspension is a rising rate design that should work well in cross-country competition. The MX Z X-RS features KYB adjustable shocks all around and comes with a 120x1.25-inch RipSaw

track. Ski-Doo has struggled with brakes overheating in some cross-country venues, particularly ice racing where it gets worked the hardest, so the Brembo caliper should get a test.

> 2015 RACE SLEDS

YAMAHA RTX SE Y amaha’s top terrain sled is the R-TX SE. The Arctic Cat-designed chassis is fitted the Yamaha Genesis 130FI, three-cylinder 4-stroke engine that pumps out 130HP in stock form. FOX FLOAT shocks

up front and FOX Zero Pros in the rear handle the bumps and the sled uses the same 129inch track setup as the Arctic Cat. For the past few seasons Yamaha has chosen to race a modified version of its Nytro, competing

mostly in the Open and Improved classes.

With arguably the best 4-stroke engine on snow and the proven Arctic Cat chassis, Yamaha could make the biggest gains in cross-country’s stock classes in 2015.

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> 2015 RACE SLEDS

POLARIS 600 RUSH PRO-S P erhaps the biggest wildcard when it comes to 2015 machines is the Polaris 600 RUSH Pro-S. An evolution of the RUSH chassis which saw some crosscountry action in 2011, the AXYS chassis is all new for 2015. Thirty-pounds lighter than

its predecessor, it features carbon fiber spars and an aluminum rear crank and pivot in the unique PRO-XC rear suspension.

The new chassis places the rider about 4.5-inches forward of the previous sled’s rider position. Powered by the Liberty

600 Cleanfire engine, it is perhaps the simplest and most proven of the engines of all the manufacturers. Suspension features Walker Evans clocker shocks and a 120x1.25-inch Ripsaw II track.

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Scan to go online

> 2015 RACE SLEDS

ARCTIC CAT ZR6000R XC T he only manufacturer to bring a sled specifically-built for USXC competition to the line in 2015, the Arctic Cat ZR6000R XC is the culmination of nearly a decade of direct factory participation by Arctic Cat. The sled is power by the same C-TEC2 6000-series fuel-injected engine found in production snowmobiles. Designed to run

on 91-octane fuel mandated by the circuit starting this year, the engine also features electronic oil injection. The ProCross chassis has added features to help it survive crosscountry racing such as an additional tunnel brace under the chaincase, new outer rear suspension brackets and larger 10mm hardware in the bulkhead and front and rear

spars. A 43.5-inch wide ski stance makes the sled ISR legal and larger diameter tie rods are stronger than production. The sled comes stock with FOX FLOAT EVOL RC front shocks, FOX 1.5 Zero C center shock and FOX 2.0 rear shock. A longer front torque arm allows for more front arm travel and a 1.25-inch Cobra track puts power to the snow.

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INTERVIEW

ANSEEUW

CROSS-COUNTRY IN HIS BLOOD

W

hile Cale Anseeuw started off his racing career in snocross, he eventually gravitated to crosscountry. A few runs down the ditch and he was hooked. It’s no surprise since his dad Danny and uncles Jamie and Willie are all former Pro cross-country racers. In a few short years Cale has risen to the top of the USXC Semi-Pro pack. This year he’s switching from Ski-Doo to Yamaha and we caught up with him to see what might be in store for him in 2015.

like my program was going to go that way. But it wasn’t until the second week in November we finalized the deal. I’m excited to be hopping on a new sled. I’ve only rode Ski-Doo so I’m little bit nervous, but I think it will be a good change.

OSM: There were only a few guys racing Ski-doo last year, how did it go for you?

Cale Anseeuw: Last year we did a lot of work to get the sled working good. I really liked the sled and I felt pretty fast on it.

OSM: Why cross-country?

Anseeuw: I started off in snocross and I liked it, but I had an opportunity to race a cross-country race with Cory Grant and after that I just fell in love with the sport.

My dad backed me and it was a lot of fun so we stuck with it.

OSM: What’s the plan for 2015?

Anseeuw: This year I’m planning to ride a Yamaha.

OSM: How did you get hooked up with Yamaha?

Anseeuw: We talked with them throughout the summer and it seemed 22

OSM: What do you do when you’re not racing?

Anseeuw: I go to college and I’m in my second year going for an agriculture diploma.

OSM: Your dad and uncles raced crosscountry so your family has some history there.

Anseeuw: Yeah. I always wanted to do snocross because that’s what I was brought into. My dad worked with Blair

Morgan Racing Team, so he was always at the snocross races while I was growing up.

OSM: Any expectations for the Winnipeg to Willmar race?

Anseeuw: My goal is to finish that race.

I think it will be fun to bring it back and I think it will help get a lot of people involved. It will be nice for me, I will have a hometown start. The starting line is about four miles from my house.

OSM: New sled, any expectations or goals for the season?

Anseeuw: I want to pick up where I left off last season. I want to keep progressing. A lot of it is just getting used to cross-country racing, it’s a whole different game. It’s pretty hard to wrap your mind around going wide open down a ditch for miles at a time. My goal for the season is to finish Top 3 or at least Top 5 the entire season. Getting used to the new sled will be key to that, but once I get used to it I think I can be one of the top riders in Semi-Pro.

INTERVIEW

HERFINDAHL 2014 PRO STOCK CHAMPION.THE FUTURE IS NOW

T

raditionally, cross-country has been a genre that rewards experience.

It is rare that a young rider comes along and finds success. At just 18, Zach Herfindahl has blown that perception out of the water. The 2014 USXC Pro Stock points champion, Herfindahl rides with the smoothness and maturity of a crosscountry veteran. The surprising thing is he’s entering his fourth season since he first started racing cross-country in the Junior class. We caught up with him to find out what he thinks of his success and where he’s headed with his career.

OSM: You won the Pro Stock points championship last season, how did that feel?

Herfindahl: It feels really good. It was definitely always a goal of mine, it just came faster than I thought it would.

OSM: You entered your first cross-country race three seasons ago. Did you ever think you’d find success so fast?

Herfindahl: No. I started in the Junior class and jumped up through the ranks really fast, pretty soon I was racing against the guys I had always watched. It was definitely a surprise to go through the ranks so fast.

OSM: What was it like to enter the Pro class so fast?

Herfindahl: It was interesting. The first race in Pro I was battling with guys I had always looked up to. It was really an eye opener and at the same time it was a really cool experience.

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OSM: You race out of the Christian Brothers Racing trailer, how has it been working with guys like Hector Olson, Corey Berberich, Ryan Simons, D.J. Ekre and Brian Dick?

Herfindahl: Hector and Berbs are always there making sure the sled is perfect. If the three of us don’t know something we can ask Ryan. D.J. helped me with setups too. If I can’t figure something out those guys are always there to help. It’s nice having people with so much knowledge and experience behind you making sure everything is perfect.

OSM: You had some problems at the Seven Clans I-500 last season. What happened?

Herfindahl: The first day i blew a belt right before the finish. The second day I had fast time of the day and then 100 miles before the finish line my clutch seized up and I lost probably five minutes in that ordeal. It was an interesting 500 for sure.

OSM: Then you broke your thumb at Park Rapids but you kept racing the rest of the season.

Herfindahl: When I got my cast on we took handlebars with us to the doctor and had the cast molded to it so it would fit

in my hand. Then we made a glove that would fit over the cast. I was still able to use a brake finger and hang on with my fingertips, but turning wasn’t the funnest thing. It worked out though.

OSM: What did the doctor say when you brought handlebars in with you?

Herfindahl: My doctor is cool, he rode dirt bikes when he was young. He understood, he said,”If you break the cast we’ll just put a new one on.”

OSM: What was your best weekend last season?

Herfindahl: Probably Pine Lake because it was the Gerald Dyrdahl Memorial race.

It was nice getting my name on the same trophy as Brad Pake and Kirk Hibbert.

That was cool.

OSM: What’s in store for 2015?

Herfindahl: I’m looking forward to being on Christian Brothers Racing again this season and hopefully putting something together so we can get the same results we got last year. I want to win the 500 too.

I think the Winnipeg to Wilmar is going to be a cool deal. It will be a big step for the sport if they can pull it off. I’m really looking forward to it, I think it’s going to be a fun week.

THE I-500

The roots of the I-500 go back over 100 years. The first written account of a sled dog race from Winnipeg to St. Paul dates back to the 1850s, a race that came as a result of a friendly challenge between travelers.

In 1886 the St. Paul Winter Carnival officially began holding sled dog races and ski competitions to highlight the winter attractions Minnesota had to offer.

Another event said to inspire the first running of the Winnipeg to St. Paul race was Ralph Plaisted’s point-to-point snowmobile ride from Ely to St. Paul in 1965. It was a distance ride many in the sport took note of and this, combined with the idea of holding a “modern day� version of the sled dog races from Winnipeg to St. Paul, was enough to make the St. Paul Winter Carnival decide to hold the first Winnipeg to St. Paul snowmobile race.

The Winnipeg Race: 1966-1980

In 1965 the sport of snowmobiling was still in its infancy. Riding a snowmobile just 50 miles was an undertaking, so when the 26

St. Paul Winter Carnival announced that it would hold a 500-mile race starting in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and ending in St.Paul, Minnesota for the 80th Anniversary of the Winter Carnival, no one took it very seriously.

In January of 1966 a few brave racers, 57 to be exact (though some accounts say 58), gathered in Winnipeg for the start of the Great Race and a chance to win a chunk of the $700 purse. It was -42 Fahrenheit when the riders left the starting line and,

four days later, 28 riders crossed the finish line with Herb Howe at the front of the pack on a Polaris Colt. The media loved it.

The media attention the 1966 race received opened the eyes of snowmobile manufacturers and sponsors who saw an opportunity to get huge exposure for their products. Engineers saw it as a perfect proving ground for their ideas and racers saw it as the perfect opportunity to gain a little fame and fortune. As a result, the

1967 race saw a lot more riders and was rife with cheating and controversy.

Race organizers weren’t prepared for the increased participation and the increased desire by those involved to win the race.

The Winnipeg to St. Paul race had collected all the ingredients that would make it one of the greatest races in snowmobiling – huge media coverage, intense factory involvement, an almost insurmountable route and a core of racers so rabid for success they would do just about anything to win. For the next 14 years, until the last time the race was run in conjunction with the Winter Carnival in 1980, the Winnipeg to St. Paul race would be one of the biggest, richest and most prestigious races in snowmobiling. And, at some times, the most controversial.

Peaking in 1975 with a total of 375 riders, television, magazines, newspapers and radio along the entire length of the course would cover the race from start to finish every year. Hometown papers would cover local heroes; kids in towns along the route were let out of school to watch the riders come through. It became more than a race, it was a spectacle. And then, in 1980, after three years of low snow, it all went away.

both, whether consciously knowing or not, realized the importance of the race in the world of snowmobiling.

The pair started an organization called “Friends of the 500” to try and bring the race back. They knew they’d need money for things like a newsletter to keep members informed and to make things happen, so they started taking $15 donations and depositing them into an account at Northern States Bank in Thief River Falls.

While the money came slow, attention came fast. Word had gotten out there was an effort to bring the race back. A defense attorney from Forest Lake, Minn. named Dick Sands soon got involved and the three set up a meeting.

Sands had an interest in the I-500 as well. He was the attorney for the St. Paul Winter Carnival and he had been involved with the original race as its legal counsel.

While the Winter Carnival had no interest

in the race anymore, Sands and the group that staged the original race for the Winter Carnival wanted to bring it back just as bad as Hallstrom and Ramstad did.

Sands had a connection in Thunder Bay, Ontario, and his group had the idea to bring the race south from Thunder Bay to St. Paul along the North Shore Trail. The North Shore Trail was almost guaranteed to have snow since it was so close to Lake Superior and its lake effect coverage. The three groups got together (the Winter Carnival, Friends of the 500 and Thunder Bay) and settled on a plan to run the race so it rotated – one year it would run south from Thunder Bay to St. Paul, the next year it would run north from St. Paul to Thunder Bay and so on. It wasn’t the Winnipeg route, but Hallstrom, Ramstad and Sands’ people thought it sounded pretty good nonetheless.

The meeting was a success. The group went into action with Hallstrom serving as

The Jeep 500 1987-1994

From 1966 to 1980, the Winnipeg to St. Paul I-500 had woven itself into the fabric of snowmobiling. Snowmobiling hit a downturn at the beginning of the 1980s and as a result of a bad economy and consecutive years of low (or no) snow, many manufacturers went out of business, restructured or were absorbed by bigger manufacturers. Racing was the least of many worries. But people missed the I-500 and some endeavored to bring it back.

It all started when a young Arctic Cat employee and a veteran snowmobile journalist got together in 1984. Joel Hallstrom had raced the Winnipeg to St. Paul twice in 1979 and 1980 and C.J. Ramstad had worked in advertising and, among other things, founded Snow Week Magazine. Both had a love for crosscountry racing and a love for the I-500 and 27

THE I-500 ran all the way to Duluth, but was cut short in Two Harbors due to fading light. That’s 365-miles in one day! With so many sleds and so much snow the course became incredibly rough and to this day riders tell of negotiating the massive whoops that developed on the North Shore Trail.

With no dominant cross-country race circuit the Jeep 500 ran as its own race until 1994.

Though it wasn’t the “Winnipeg Race,” it held all the excitement, challenges and prestige of the original race and in many ways was better for its use of the magnificent North Shore Trail. The Jeep 500 put “The 500” back on the snowmobile racing map in a huge way.

ISOC 500 1995-1997 liaison to the manufacturers, Sands and the Winter Carnival group handling the logistics, legal aspects and permits and Ramstad handling media and promotion. Ramstad soon landed Jeep as a sponsor of the first race and provider of the grand prize to the winner, a new Jeep vehicle. George Rettner, former race director for the Winnipeg race in its waning years, was brought on along with Herb Howe, the first winner of the race in 1966 and one of the key people in staging

the race every year after.

The group got the OK to cross the border and the OK for the proposed route which took riders south out of Thunder Bay, across the border then along the length of the North Shore Trail to Duluth, then south until they basically ran out of snow. With the chance to race a new, re-born I-500 and a new Jeep as a grand prize, a strong group of 143 riders showed up for the race.

It is interesting that the proposed first leg

In the Spring of 1992 a bunch of race sanctioning bodies got together along with a racer and trucking company owner named John Daniels, who had an idea to encompass all of the independent races into one series which he proposed would be called ISOC. There would be a points championship, a common set of rules and, with everything under one banner with one central sanctioning body it would make it easier for the manufacturers and racers to commit time and money to racing crosscountry. ISOC would also run its version of the I-500, the Grand 500.

ISOC made the decision to once again run the race from Winnipeg and go south.

ISOC’s first running of the 500 was in 1995 when it was called the Gould Brothers Chevrolet Grand 500. Riders left Winnipeg and went until the snow got thin and then the field trailered to Mille Lacs Lake where the race concluded under the watchful eye of its sponsor Grand Casino Mille Lacs. It’s interesting to note that the winner that year, Brad Pake, won a new Chevy Blazer and was also awarded $23,000 in prize money.

Not bad for a weekend of racing!

Low snow would plague the ISOCsanctioned events. In 1996 ISOC finished the race in Roseau, Minnesota and in 1997 it finished in Bemidji, Minn, both short of the proposed final destination. In June of 1996 ISOC was sold to racing promoter Clay Cich. Cich calculated the cost to the run the I-500 in 1997 at $300 per mile. Those calculations put the total cost of the race at $150,000 - an expensive race to sanction.

Warroad 500 1998-2001

In 1998 cost became a big enough factor in the I-500 that it would change its structure for the foreseeable future.

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THE I-500

Also, the race was left without a circuit to sanction it, prompting the manufacturers to approach Jerry Erickson and Paul English to see if they would be interested in staging a 500-mile cross-country race. English had gained experience with the 500 while organizing the race for ISOC. Because of cost, they decided to run the 500-mile race in the area surrounding Warroad, Minn., adopting a loop format. The plan kept the 500 alive, but it could no longer boast an “international” format.

However, the format didn’t take anything away from the excitement and challenges of the race would bring to those involved. With varied terrain that mimicked the Winnipeg races of old including drifted ditches and brutal, high-speed lake runs, the Warroad race was as much a spectacle as 500s of years past. And the Warroad version of the race became historically significant for at least one manufacturer. With just one 500 win coming in 1972, Ski-Doo rider Todd Wolff won the first two Warroad races in 1998 and 1999, breaking the Arctic Cat and Polaris stranglehold on the race.

The cross-country circuit Erickson ran that sanctioned the Warroad 500 was called First American North Star, or FANS. In 2001 he sold the motocross side of the circuit and folded the snowmobile side citing family, a new baby and lack of time as reasons. Once again, the 500 was left without an organization to sanction it and there would be no race in 2002.

Skydancer 500 2003

Founded in 2002, the United States Cross-Country Snowmobile Racing Association (USCC) was the brainchild of a veteran Pro cross-country racer named Pat Mach. Most of the manufacturers’ support for snowmobile racing had shifted from cross-country to snocross and it left Mach and a lot of other cross-country racers without a place to race. Falling back 30

on his degree in Marketing, Mach wrote up a survey and sent it out to every racer he knew. It basically asked, if there was a cross-country racing circuit would you come out and compete? The majority of the people he surveyed said yes.

Mach put together a schedule including a 500-mile race. One of the people on Mach’s USCC crew was Brady Grant, a member of the tribal council of the Turtle Mountain band of Chippewa Indians. Grant, Mach and the Turtle Mountain Chippewa put together a 500-mile race run out of the Skydancer Casino in Belcourt, North Dakota. Dubbed the Skydancer 500, it was a three-day, 500mile race that could be called the I-500 because it crossed in and out of tribal land, making it “international.” Forty-three riders showed up to compete in the rekindled I-500 in 2003. Admittedly a shadow if its former Winnipeg and Jeep 500 days, Mach’s crew learned a lot from the first event and committed themselves to make future USCC versions of the I-500 a race worthy of its heritage. While not a point-topoint event like the original, it would hold all the challenges for racers the original races had and sometimes more.

Red Lake 500 2004-2014

To try and bring it back to some of its former glory, Mach hoped to bring the 500 back to the areas it historically ran. He got

in touch with Jeff Jasperson at Seven Clans Casino in Thief River Falls, Minn. Jasperson was a huge fan of snowmobile racing and Seven Clans was already sponsoring some snowmobile racers. Mach began talks with Seven Clans about sponsoring an event and Jasperson made it clear if they were going to sponsor a race they wanted the biggest and best. Soon the two had worked out a deal where Seven Clans would play host to the I-500 and serve as its presenting sponsor.

They also agreed to pay out $10,000 in cash to the winner. In one move the race had gained a historic venue, a huge payout and a new home.

Early routes took riders onto reservation land but in 2008 the route brought riders right into Thief River Falls, with a fuel stop on the river in the middle of town. Recent routes bring riders through many of the small towns surrounding Thief River Falls and the race has once again become a spectacle for fans to watch from the roads and bridge crossings. Like the Warroad race, the Red Lake I-500 boasts a historic note that involves Ski-Doo – in 2009 SkiDoo rider Bryan Dyrdahl became the only person to win the race five times - four of his wins coming on Ski-Doo.

The Future: USXC Winnipeg to Willmar

No other race has woven itself so tightly into the fabric of snowmobile racing history.

Generations have grown up hearing the stories, seeing the old photos and grainy films, some have been lucky enough to stand near the course as the riders come through. A lucky few have actually raced it.

Enter Brian Nelson, two-time winner of the original I-500, and the USXC. Nelson re-entered the world of cross-country as a circuit owner in 2012. From the start he talked of bringing back the point-to-point version of the 500 and he and his crew have demonstrated that, with a little hard work, it is totally possible. In fact, the USXC is set to race from Winnipeg to Willmar this season. Thanks to Nelson and the USXC crew the 500 has come full circle.

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31

RIDERS

Cross-country riders are a special breed. A successful cross-country racer has excellent vision, a quick mind, self-discipline and superb riding skills. He is a master of sled setup and a competent mechanic. A cross-country rider is not just racing against other riders, he’s also racing against the clock. Keen of mind and boasting well-rounded sled skills, the cross-country racer is the ultimate snowmobiler.

Here are some of the riders you may see this season on the USXC Cross-country circuit.

ZACH HERFINDAHL No. 312 Home: Eagle River, Wisconsin Age: 18 Sled: Arctic Cat Cross-Country is a genre that typically rewards experience, but Zach Herfindahl proves that’s not always the case. Young and gifted with natural terrain racing instincts, Herfindahl is the future of cross-country snowmobile racing. His season looked in jeopardy after he broke his throttle thumb midway through the season, but some cast trimming and a lot determination kept him in the game and he was able to lock down the Pro Stock points. All that’s left for Herfindahl to put on his resume is an I-500 win.

put himself at the top of the time charts, it’s also earned him a job at Arctic Cat. After years of racing Pro snocross, Selby found his calling in cross-country. He is a threat to win any time he is on the course.

fearless, Erdman is gaining consistency as he ages which should keep his program moving forward in 2015.

GABE BUNKE

No. 537 Home: Rubicon, Wisconsin Age: 26 Sled: Polaris Last season was a breakout one for Ryan Faust. He won his first Pro Stock race and finished third overall in the points.

An experienced ice lemans racer, Faust is smooth and fast and knows how to set up his sled. As he gains experience he is slowly creeping up the time charts, so watch for him to sneak some wins this season.

No. 74 Home: Moorhead, Minnesota Age: 38 Sled: Polaris One of the most experienced riders on the USXC circuit, Gabe Bunke has earned the reputation as the “iron man” of modern crosscountry. While much of his recent success has come with three straight wins at the Soo I-500 enduro, he was had one of his best cross-country seasons ever in 2014 logging three Pro Open wins. Bunke has yet to win an I-500 and will be looking to add that to his resume this season.

CHAD LIAN

BOBBY MENNE

No. 6 Home: Thief River Falls, Minnesota Age: 39 Sled: Arctic Cat Plagued by sled problems two seasons ago, from the outside it looked like Chad Lian had lost it. But last year he returned with much better luck and proved he is still a top-level cross-country racer, finishing in the Top 5 in Pro Stock points and Top 10 in the I-500.

No. 131 Home: Virginia, Minnesota Age: 23 Sled: Polaris With a new program, Bobby Menne looked set to have a breakout season last year, but a broken heel suffered at the Duluth National snocross cut his crosscountry season short before it ever started. He was able to come back and nab a 4th place finish in Pro Open at the last event in Walker, but his focus was more on rehabbing for 2015. Menne has only gotten faster every season, so watch for him to pick up where he left off in 2015.

RYAN FAUST

AARON CHRISTENSEN No. 10 Home: Metiskow, Alberta Age: 33 Sled: Polaris Arguable Polaris’ top cross-country racer, Aaron Christensen brings experience, mechanical skill and a calm demeanor to the track. A veteran snocross, enduro and, of course, cross-country racer, Christensen relied on sled setup, patience and consistent speed to win six races and the Pro Open points championship last season.

An I-500 win still eludes him, but he is one of the favorites to win it all in 2015.

WES SELBY No. 15 Home: Grand Lake, Colorado Age: 30 Sled: Arctic Cat Following in the footsteps of western Arctic Cat terrain racers such as Kirk and Rex Hibbert, Wes Selby has used his skill and knowledge not only to 32

ROSS ERDMAN No. 311 Home: Rochester, Minnesota Age: 33 Sled: Yamaha With one I-500 win under his belt (2007), so far another one has eluded Erdman. He has managed to stay at the top of the time charts while bouncing between Ski-Doo and Yamaha as well as going back and forth between cross-country and enduro racing. Fast and

BRIAN DICK No. 23 Home: Thief River Falls, Minnesota Age: 36 Sled: Arctic Cat Arguably the best racer in cross-country today, Brian Dick nabbed his second I-500 win in 2014. Dick works at

Arctic Cat and is the program leader for the race sled. No one knows more about the snowmobile they are riding than he does, and he can rattle off every part number for every part on the sled. Combine that with vast setup knowledge and huge riding skill and a certain level of fearlessness and you have a package that’s nearly unbeatable.

ALEX HETTEEN No. 154 Home: Roseau, Minnesota Sled: Polaris An experienced rider and racer, Alex Hetten works as a power train engineer at Polaris, so he knows his machine. He narrowly missed winning the Semi-Pro Stock points last season.

JUSTIN TATE No. 28 Home: Scandia, Minnesota Age: 38 Sled: Polaris Justin Tate spent the first part of his career racing pro snocross and logged a couple handfuls of wins racing against the likes of Blair Morgan and Tucker Hibbert. Turns out he’s a pretty darn good cross-country racer too.

Plagued by bad luck last season, he still managed to finish 7th in Pro Stock and 6th in Pro Open points on the USXC circuit and brought home a handful of podiums in the process.

SPENCER KADLEC No. 57 Home: Cloquet, Minnesota Age: 24 Sled: Polaris Part of the Bunke Racing team, Spencer Kadlec has risen from the Semi-Pro ranks to become a top Pro rider.

Kadlec only started racing five years ago but brings a ton of racing experience through motocross where he was a top District 23 rider. As he gains experience and learns about his sleds he only gets faster, so watch for top results in 2015.

CODY KALLOCK No. 39 Home: Oslo, Minnesota Age: 25 Sled: Arctic Cat A former ice racer, Cody Kallock grew up riding the terrain where most USXC events take place and that gives him an advantage over much of the USXC field. Smart and fast, Kallock has pocketed top results for the past five years, but so far wins have eluded him. He’ll be looking to tally his first in 2015.

COLE NYMANN No. 404 Home: Plummer, Minnesota Sled: Arctic Cat A promising up-and-comer on the USXC circuit, Cole Nymann already has a handful of wins to his credit. He will be a force in Semi-Pro in 2015.

DILLAN DOHRN No. 5 Home: Elgin, Minnesota Sled: Polaris A tough, fearless racer, Dillan Dohrn has worked his way up the cross-country ranks to the top levels of the Semi-Pro class.

Watch for him to make a push for the championship this season.

CALE ANSEEUW No. 931 Home: Oak Bluff, Manitoba Sled: Ski-Doo Young and talented, Cale Anseeuw won the USXC Semi-Pro Stock points championship last season. With a father and two uncles who were top cross-country racers, he comes from good bloodlines. He will be tough to beat in 2015.

LANCE EFTELAND No. 622 Home: Thief River Falls, Minnesota Sled: Arctic Cat Lance Efteland is one of the more wellrounded riders in the semi-pro class. His strength lies in the ice races and the longer events such as the I-500. He’s got veteran talent and should be a frontrunner in 2015.

CASEY PRIES No. 65 Home: Townsend, Wisconsin Sled: Arctic Cat One of 2014’s big surprises, Casey Pries took the USXC semi-pro class by storm last season. He won five races and finished at the front in stock and improved in season points. With experience under his belt, watch for him to win more races in 2015.

33

RIDERS

JIM SOBECK No. 44 Sled: Ski-Doo Home: Winona, Minnesota

JOLENE BUTE No. 22 Home: Alden, Minnesota Sled: Arctic Cat

JON ARNESON No. 190 Home: Maple Plain, Minnesota Sled: Arctic Cat

RYAN TROUT No. 105 Home: Browerville, Minnesota Sled: Arctic Cat

CHASE NORDSTROM No. 418 Home: Minneapolis, Minnesota Sled: Arctic Cat

JOHN LANGAAS No. 777 Home: Greenbush, Minnesota Sled: Arctic Cat

AUSTIN REINERTSON No. 114 Sled: Polaris

HUNTER HOULE No. 202 Home: Forest Lake, Minnesota Sled: Arctic Cat

KELSEY PLADSON No. 496 Home: Hatton, North Dakota Sled: Arctic Cat

CREW It takes a special kind of person to run a cross-country race. Work typically consists of hours of standing in the cold and wind directing riders and making sure courses are marked accurately. Not to mention the days of course scouting and marking that go into setting up and tearing down each race course. The USXC crew works hard to make sure the USXC is the best crosscountry snowmobile racing circuit in the world.

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THANK YOU! The Yamaha Factory Racing Team would like to thank our fans and sponsors for joining us on another season of fierce competition over the lakes and through the ditches. Stay up to date on our Facebook page, Yamaha Snowmobiles USA and catch the recap on the Yamaha Racing Show on YouTube!

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*Professional rider depicted on a closed course on a modified machine. This document contains many of Yamaha’s valuable trademarks. It may also contain trademarks belonging to other companies. Any reference to other companies or their products are for identification purposes only, and are not intended to be an endorsement. © 2014 Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA