Wheels of thunder January 2014 by Wheels Of Thunder All Motorsports Magazine

JANUARY 2014

Vol. 5 Issue 1

Page 34

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Front Cover Photo By ÂŠ Wayne Davis Photography

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OWNER PRESIDENT – Scott Robinson scott@wheelsofthunder.net 612-730-3719

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EDITORIAL STAFF

Special Features

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15 Questions with Levi LaVallee .....................4

EDITOR/CREATIVE DIRECTOR Betty Schurmann editor@wheelsofthunder.net 763-421-4400

Andy Lieders takes 2014 by storm! ...............12 Tucker Hibbert Makes ISOC History.............22

Generations of Racing - Part 2 .....................44

Photographers/Writers MYLIE LAVOLD JESSICA KANKE CEAJA PHILP JOHN KRUEGER

TOM EDWARDS JENNA OSTERLUND STEVE CASPER JOHN LENTZKOW

Rally’s & Shows

19th Annual Byron Dragway .......................18

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Okoboji......................................................32 INDY US Nationals .....................................34

ADVERTISING STAFF

ISOC Regional............................................36

NORTHERN SALES – Scott Robinson scott@wheelsofthunder.net 612-730-3719

Driftrunners Snowfest ..................................40

Reviews & Tech

SOUTHERN SALES - John Lentzkow John.lentzkow@mchsi.com 319-239-1375

Billet Connections See Through Filter ...........27

SUBSCRIPTIONS

Departments

Garage Built.................................................8

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December 2013

Calendar....................................................30

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ABATE of MN.............................................42

Game On!..................................................52

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LaEVaVlleeI L

ne of the most decorated and popular riders in snowmobile racing is Minnesota's Levi LaVallee, who is not only a full-time racer but is also the manager for his own team which will be contesting both the ISOC AMSOIL Snocross Nationals and the Winter X-Games this year. We sat down with Levi at the beginning of 2014 to see how he and the team, riders Kyle Pallin, Jake Scott and Andy Lieders, are doing as we near the halfway point of the winter season.

O © Wayne Davis Photography Page 4

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Written by Steve Casper

15 QUESTIONS WITH LEVI LAVALLEE

ÂŠ Wayne Davis Photography

How about a quick summary of your own season so far? Levi: This season has been a little rough so far for me. Incredibly I've only been able to do five races over the last 4 years due to injuries. That's not been near enough to prepare me for the tough competition that is out there this year (laughs).

How has Team LaVallee been doing? Levi: The team has been doing awesome! Kyle has been on fire! He has a great program and is really starting to find himself in the Pro class. With Jake bumping up to the Pro class this year he is getting more and more comfortable each race and it's only a matter of time before he's up there in the front. And Andy is absolutely flying in the Pro Lite class! We are currently sitting second in both Pro Lite and the Pro class, so we are very happy, but at the same time, we know there is room for improvement so we will continue to work hard. When did you start your own team and what's it like trying to race and run a team at the same time? Who are some of your most important sponsors? Levi: We are in our fifth year of having our own team and things have been going better and better each year. I'm not saying we have everything figured out, but we are learning more and more each year which is starting to show on the track. Our top sponsors are; Mystik Lubricants, Loctite, Polaris, LG, FOX, FXR, Earth Inc., Woody's and of course, Red Bull.

ÂŠ Wayne Davis Photography January 2014

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old injuries. It started back in 2009 with my heel and I still have issues with my foot and ankle from that injury. Now I am still recovering from my lat muscle tear from Winter X Games 2013, I still feel that. Any plans for more record jumps? Levi: If the opportunity comes about, I would consider it. But the last time was pretty dang gnarly. I'd have to really think about it to do it again. What are the primary technical differences between your snocross sled and your freestyle sled? Levi: Seat, handlebars and you run a longer track on the snocross sled.

Are there any significant changes on your sled from last year? And what in your opinion would be the single most important technical improvement in snocross sleds over the last decade or so? Levi: We have a few different changes with both the engine and suspension, more so our suspension has been the biggest change from last year to this year. I'd say the biggest improvement over the years has been the suspension as it has continued to get better and better. What's your favorite track on the circuit and why? Levi: My favorite track on the circuit is Canterbury because I like the big jumps and the energy that Canterbury has. Lake Geneva is always a fun track as well.

What are your plans for the upcoming Winter X-Games? Are you disappointed there is no more Best Trick competition? Levi: My plan is to run Freestyle, Long Jump and Snocross. But I am still feeling my lat muscle injury from last year so we'll see if I am still able to run all three events. Hopefully I can and go out there and put on a show for the fans. For Best Trick, it's a little bit of a bummer to see it go, but at the same time it was getting pretty gnarly. Do you ever think we'll see the day where snowmobile racing might become an Olympic event? Levi: That would be awesome if it did, but to be honest, it would be tough because I don't think there has ever been any motor© Wayne Davis Photography

Is there a difference in riding style or machine set-up when the snow is heavy and slushy, or hard and dry? Levi: Yes, clutching is huge as you get a lot of varying traction with sugary or wet snow. Suspension, you need to make changes from fluffy snow to the harder packed snow. A lot of times the wet snow makes a rougher track and you need to make adjustments to the suspension for that reason as well. How are you physically these days? Any after-effects from past injuries? Levi: (Laughs loudly) Yes I am definitely feeling the after-effects from some of the Page 6

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sports in the Olympics. But at the same time, with snowboarding and BMX coming into the Olympics, that is a step in the right direction. Do you ever go trail riding just for fun? Do you have any other hobbies or sports outside of racing? Does a guy like Levi Lavallee have the patience to sit in an ice house and go ice fishing, or would that just be impossible? Levi: I just went on the old "Trusty Loop", 60 miles from Longville to Remer to Boy River (MN) and back. I have been doing that loop since I was 9 years old with my parents, and I love it just like I did back then. Other hobbies and sports outside of racing that I like are wakeboarding, golfing, dirt biking, mini-bikes. As for ice fishing (laughs) there's no way the Levi of 5 years ago would ever do that but the Levi now might give it a try as I am now starting to enjoy the simpler things in life a lot more. As busy as I am now, a little mellow time actually sounds awesome to me. Have you ever been in an old-school oval race like they used to do in the '70s and '80s? Levi: I never did any oval racing but I used to do cross country and a lot of lake races that was like a 10-20 mile loop on the lake. We hear you were in a big indoor kart race this past fall with a bunch of celebrity drivers. How did that go? Levi: It was awesome, it was so much dang fun! We were racing for St. Jude's and although it was a charity event when you get a bunch of racers together, it was cutthroat for sure (laughs). But it went alright. I won one of the races which was cool. What might the future hold for you? Have you ever considered trying any other forms of motorsports before you hang up your helmet? Levi: I would love to go on to do some other sort of racing, perhaps off-road trucks or rally cars. I think that would be awesome. But putting that type of program together is always easier said than done. Right now I am excited to have my race team and hopefully it will keep me involved with Snocross for many years to come. January 2014

Stock Original This is where it all started!

Sound Familiar? Do you have a story of your custom ride? E-mail editor@wheelsofthunder.net and you could be featured with your ride in the next issue!

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It all started back in 1989 with two kids starting college. Money was needed. I sold my 1940 Ford convertible to help out with college. I found myself needing a project, enter the 41 Buick. Looking back at some of the pictures., well lets say going forward might not of been one of my best ideas. With a 39â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s front sheet metal screwed to the rust I called a body I had my worked cut out for me. Needless to say I persisted. I sub framed the car with a 73 Nova and hung a Ford 9 inch on the stock trailing arms. Pulled the body off the frame and did it up nice. I installed a Buick 455 and turbo 400. The local salvage yards provided many parts needed. The power windows, door solenoids, interior lighting, wiper motor. I chopped the top 1 inches, constructed custom dash panels that I engine turned to mimic the originals. I want to thank my many friends and rodders who helped with ideas and parts to get this done. Thanks

January 2014

to Marty, Fritz, Doug Ladwig and Jon Anderson and to the guys I missed, thanks. Engine: Buick 455 Transmission: Turbo 400 Rear: Ford 9 Front: 1973 Nova sub frame Body: Hood is nosed and decked, custom side glass trim, custom windshield trim by Customs Classics and Rods, I did the following: handles shaved, headlamps frenched, tail and marker l amps custom smooth and molded, frenched third brake lamp, rear fenders molded in, trim removed, top chopped 1 inches, smoothed rear tail pan, smoothed front pan. Bumpers removed, frenched license plate. Factory skirts with 41 Buick side trim. The paint work was by Bob Vancaneyt. Interior: Gm steering column with the 41 Buick wheel. The interior was done by Mark Wolters, Custom Hartz power hydraulic top, red leather throughout interior and the trunk, power windows

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Written by Steve Casper

ndy’s worked pretty hard to get where he’s at,” states Kevin Lieders, the father of the newest member of Team LaVallee. “And for 2014 we just got another dose of good news when Andy got invited to the Winter X-Games.”

“A © Wayne Davis Photography Page 12

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SPONSORS: Mystik Polaris Loctite LG FOX Shocks Earth, Inc. Kafka Conveyor Kafka Granite Alma Trailer Rail Transport Woody's C&A Pro Skis ROX CTI Leatt Cherokee Garage

ÂŠ Wayne Davis Photography

Andy, 26, is a Colby, Wisconsin native and has been racing snowmobiles competitively for the past 7 years. His racing highlights include a Sport Championship, multiple podiums and a win in the Pro Lite class and in the 2011-2012 season Lieders finished 4th overall in Pro Lite. And just this past season, Lieders finished right behind Jake Scott and took 2nd place overall in the 2012-2013 Pro Lite Championship points race. Lieders will be racing in the AMSOIL Championship Pro Lite class for the upcoming season and will be training alongside fellow Team LaVallee riders, Levi LaVallee, Kyle Pallin and Jake Scott. Andy got his start in racing not on snowmobiles, but in the world of dirt bike motocross. He took his first green flag at age

12 and it wasn't until 2006 when he took an interest in racing snowmobiles. "I had a friend who was racing sleds and he let me run in the mechanic's race," explained Andy. "Because there is so much similarity in going fast on a dirt bike and a sled, it was kinda natural for me right from the start and I did pretty good. It was a blast and I was hooked! Soon after I started running semi-pro and I've been doing it ever since." When asked to explain the biggest differences between racing dirt bikes and sleds, Lieders says, "The biggest difference is the weight. My sled is almost double that of my dirt bike. They also corner quite a bit differently but as far as jumping and pounding through the rough stuff there's a lot that's the same." Andy says he also has a feel for what old school snowmobiles were like. "Our family had an old '76 Ski-Doo 440 TNT for quite a few years. I hear it was a pretty hot machine when it first came out. They've sure changed since then!" Andy says his most memorable race was his first Semi-Pro win at the Utah National. "My dad and I hauled the sled all the way out there and then to get my first win it made the struggle to get out there all worthwhile." His favorite track on the AMSOIL circuit is Geneva. "It's certainly the most challenging for me. It usually gets real rough and you have to search for lines, but that also gives you lots of opportunities for passing."

ÂŠ Wayne Davis Photography

January 2014

Lieders has already rewarded Team LaVallee with a big win this season when he took top www.WheelsofThunder.net

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honors December 10th at The Northern Clearing Snocross National, held at Blackjack Resort and Ski Hill in Bessemer, Michigan. With cold temps and endless piles of snow, Bessemer hosts one of the largest and more technical tracks on the circuit. The track is primarily known for it’s “Dirty Dozen”, a downhill section of the track that features twelve deep jumps where timing and technical riding skills are key to getting through smoothly.

at the track I watch the top riders and then during our practice days I try to get their style down." As for staying in shape Andy frequently hits the gym but his primary way to get prepared for the snocross season is to put in lots of hours on his dirt bike before the snow falls. "I'm still a two-stroke guy when it comes to my dirt bike. I'm glad that the 4-strokes haven't taken over the snowmobile world at this point, too."

Throughout the weekend one thing that was consistent for the entire team were the hole-shots. Each one of the team riders was able to get off of the line if not first, near the front of the pack in each qualifier and final. Andy had a fantastic weekend of racing, where out of the six Pro Lite races he competed in, he won all but one heat. Along with ripping great holeshots, Lieders rode smart and smooth throughout the event. In the Pro Lite final Friday night, Lieders came out of the gate first and was able to keep that position throughout the entire race, making it his first Pro Lite podium and win of this season. And carrying that same momentum into Saturdays racing, Lieders had a perfect day, winning both of his qualifying rounds and taking 1st in the Pro Lite #2 final, sweeping the Bessemer National. The day we talked to Andy he was out practicing with the team as they prepared for the next event at Shakopee. "On these practice days I basically work on riding technique and get the suspension dialed-in. When I'm Page 14

When he's not racing, Lieders lists hunting and fishing as two of his favorite pastimes. " I like going after turkey, grouse and whitetail, and when I hit the water my favorites are crappie and walleye," reports Andy. Like many folks in the world of motorsports, snowmobile racing is a family affair for the Lieders. "My uncles, Paul and Brian, do most of the wrenching on my machines," says Andy. His dad adds that one of Andy's biggest supporters is his brother Trent. "They're very close and have always

been that way," he says. Trent was seriously injured in a dirt bike accident 10 years ago but still plays an important role with his brother's career. The way the Lieders got hooked up with Team LaVallee has an interesting twist. "I actually approached the team at first just looking for some advice on set-ups and the next thing I know they're bringing me on board. It worked out perfectly because I was looking for a new opportunity and I still wanted to stay on Polaris sleds." At the announcement of his newest team member, team patriarch Levi LaVallee said, "We're real excited to have Andy onboard for the upcoming season. He had a really great year last year and we are hoping he can carry that same momentum over to this season. Andy is very dedicated to racing, a hard worker and is an all-around great guy and I am really looking forward to this winter.”

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19th Annual Byron Dragway Wheel Standing Results – October 6, 2013 EVENT WINNER – BEST OVERALL WHEEL STAND & LONGEST WHEEL STAND Winner of 2 Categories Ricky Kirkpatrick of Redkey, IN with his 81 Chevy Malibu Wagon EVENT RUNNER-UP – OVERALL WHEEL STAND & BEST FORD Winner of 2 Categories

BEST GENERAL MOTORS WHEEL STAND Tim Shamblin Elizabethtown, NC with his 70 Chevy Luv Pickup 2ND PLACE GENERAL MOTORS WHEEL STAND: Steve Penrod of Hobart,IN with his 69 Camaro

J. D. Drissel of Kenosha, WI with his 86 Mustang

WEIRDEST WHEEL STAND Rick Johnson of Fond Du Lac, WI with his 60 Chevy Belair

3RD PLACE OVERALL WHEEL STAND

OTHER WINNERS ON THE DAY

Brian Ambrosini of Kenosha, WI with his 74 AMC Gremlin 4TH PLACE OVERALL WHEEL STAND Rob Lacroix of Okotoles Alberta Canada 2006 Sunfire HIGHEST WHEEL STAND & BEST MOPAR

TOP SPORTSMAN Winner: Scott Haas Stillman Valley, IL Reaction Time .015 Dialed 7.35 ran 11.396 81.36 mph Runner Up: Larry Dumke Grand Ridge, IL Reaction Time red light -.002 Dialed 6.71 ran 7.269 160.63 mph

Winner of 2 Categories: A J Fiorelli of Mackinaw, IL with his 68 Plymouth Barracuda MOST PHOTOGENIC WHEEL STAND Jeff Wild of Palos Hills, IL 70 Buick Skylark Convertable MOST VIOLENT WHEEL STAND Greg Broshous of Stockton, IL with his 63 Chevy II 2ND PLACE FORD WHEEL STAND Cory Heckenlaible of Utica, South Dakota with his 73 Pinto

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TOG DOG Winner: Hector Laracuente Beach Park, IL Ran 4.418 166.64 mph RunnerUp: Mike Recchia, Roselle, IL Ran 4.774 138.80 mph INDEX CLASSES STREET LIMITED: 10.80 CLASS Winner: Gary Erickson Carol Stream, IL Reaction time .080 Ran 10.602 124.02 mph Runner Up: Robert Gerent, Byron, IL Reaction time Red Light Ran & Broke

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PRO AVENGER - 10.20 CLASS Winner: Brian Fenlon Chicago,IL Reaction time .246 ran 10.517 113.07 mph Runner Up: Jeff Carver Woodale, IL Reaction time .393 ran 10.402 113.39 mph Pro Dominator 9.50 Class Winner: Scott Fletcher West Chicago, IL Reaction Time .015 ran 9.494 131.61 mph Runner Up: Bud Schwebke Garden Prairie, IL Reaction time .022 ran 9.487 132.88 mph PRO EXTREME 8.60 CLASS Winner: Jim Pydo Elk Grove Village, IL ran 8.614 148.51 mph Runner Up: Ken Kendall Spring Grove, IL ran 8.592 154.56 mph NOSTALGIA SUPER STOCKS: Winner: Jeff Frees Menesha, WI Dialed 9.75 ran 9.775 136.76 mph Runner Up: Tom Hoffman Lake Elmo, MN Dialed 11.00 ran 10.960 120.77 mph MDRA 275 DRAG RADIAL: Winner: David Purlee Bloomington, IL ran 5.173 147.13 mph Runner Up: Georgina Buckley Lake Villa, IL Broke on line

Written and Photographed by David H. Pruszka

January 2014

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Photography by Lissa Marsolek

innesota’s Hibbert runs his Pro Open main event wins mark to 85, surpassing Blair Morgan as the all-time winningest racer in AMSOIL Championship Snocross

Photography by Lissa Marsolek Page 22

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Photography by Lissa Marsolek

SHAKOPEE, Minn. (Jan. 3, 2014) – On a bitter cold night with snow blowing sideways and temps reading in the single digits the thousands of core Minnesota motorsports fans that braved the weather at Canterbury Park Raceway witnessed history as Monster Energy/Arctic Cat/Ram racer Tucker Hibbert wrote his name into the AMSOIL Championship Snocross, powered by Ram racing history book with his 85th career Traxxas Pro Open, presented by Jimmy John’s main event victory – passing the legendary Blair Morgan (84 wins).

Submitted by Pat Schutte PR Director, ISOC Racing

The ever-humble Hibbert, flanked by his family, teammates and friends on the podium, was quick to thank his longtime

friend and competitor – Morgan – in victory from the top rung of the rostrum. “Thanks to Blair for pushing me tonight – just like back in the day when I always tried to pass him, it felt the same way tonight,” said Hibbert. “I tried a ‘Superman’ (Morgan’s signature trick victory celebration move) over the finish line and it was horrible, but that was my salute to Blair.” Joining Hibbert on the Pro Open class podium was Kody Kamm (Hentges Racing/Monster Energy/Polaris) in 2nd and Johan Lidman (Ski-Doo/NSK/Stud Boy) in 3rd. Winning the support Pro Lite class was Andrew Carlson of Polaris Racing/Sportech/PMC. PRO OPEN Pulling the Stud Boy Holeshot from the inside No. 1 gate pick, having won both of his qualifiers, and leading the contest wire-towire was Hibbert, who kept his undefeated record on the season intact at 5-0. Kamm would show a ski to Hibbert early, on the first turn, but Hibbert would respond by blasting off the back straight triple jump and looking back at Kamm – mid-air – as if to say ‘Not tonight, buddy.’

Photography by Lissa Marsolek January 2014

Quickly up three seconds on Kamm by the third lap, Tim Tremblay (AMSOIL/Scheuring Speed Sport/Ski-Doo) would get past Kyle Pallin (Mystic/Polaris/Team LaVallee) and into 3rd place. Rushing up towards the lead pack early would be Logan Christian (Arctic Cat/Stud Boy/Speedwerx) and Ross www.WheelsofThunder.net

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Martin (DuPont/Jack Links/Polaris), going bar-to-bar in a great battle for 4th place before Martin fell off his sled in a wild wreck on lap six. At the midway point of the 14-lap Pro Open main event was clicking off methodical lap after lap, increasing his lead over Kamm and Tremblay to more than five seconds. The three had spread out and looked to represent tonight’s podium – only to have Tremblay’s sled suffer a mechanical issue and come to a stop on lap 11 (while charging to pass Kamm). At the white flag Hibbert was up seven seconds on Kamm (2nd) and cruised to the record-breaking victory. Lidman would inherit Tremblay’s 3rd place position with Cody Thomsen (Arctic Cat/Speedwerx) and Pallin rounding out the top five in 4th & 5th, respectively. CANTERBURY FRIDAY PRO OPEN RESULTS 1

Tucker Hibbert Monster Energy/Arctic Cat 68 Arctic Cat Pelican Rapids, MN

Kody Kamm Hentges Racing 53 Polaris Kenosha, WI

Johan Lidman Warnert Racing 52 SkiDoo Pitea, Sweden

Cody Thomsen Arctic Cat 62 Arctic Cat Nisswa, MN

Kyle Pallin Team LaVallee 324 Polaris Ironwood, MI

Logan Christian Christian Brothers Racing / Drift 43 Arctic Cat Fertile, MN

Ross Martin Judnick Motorsports 837 Polaris Burlington, WI

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Force/Rockstar 11 Ski-Doo Ste Jeanne D'Arc, Quebec 15 David Joanis Royal Distributing/Christian Brothers Racing 115 Arctic Cat Cochrane (Kokrane) PRO LITE Pulling the holeshot and leading the entire race, Andrew Carlson was on a rail on the Canterbury horse race track. The hometown Minnesotan led a field of Polaris sleds that would sweep the podium – another big positive for the Minnesota-based snowmobile manufacturer. “All of us up here speaks volumes for Polaris,” said Carlson from the top of the podium that also included Leighton Motorsports/Polaris teammates Zak Mason in 2nd and Trevor Leighton in 3rd. “The sleds were rippin’ fast all day long.” Pursuing Carlson off the start early in the contest were Leighton and teammate Corin Todd, along with week two winner Andrew Lieders (Mystic/Loctite/Polaris). But on lap three Todd came off his sled and Leighton and Mason moved in to 2nd and 3rd. Mason would then bolt past his teammate on the following lap as the white flag flew, setting up his first career podium finish and the all-Polaris podium. “This is a dream come true,” said an elated Mason on the podium. “I can’t thank my team enough for pushing me to get up here. I’m speechless. Living the dream I guess.” CANTERBURY FRIDAY PRO LITE RESULTS

Polaris Otego, NY 9

Travis Muller Warnert Racing 436 SkiDoo Windom, MN

10 Kevin Wallenstein Ingles Performance 122 Ski-Doo Cadillac, MI 11 Lucas Brunelle Damexco Racing 228 Ski-Doo North Hatley, Quebec 12 James Johnstad Judnick Motorsports 154 Polaris Beltrami, MN 13 Korbyn Anderson Team Anderson Racing 179 Ski-Doo Allenton, MI 14 Nick Pattyn Stud Boy Racing 198 SkiDoo Ravenna, MI 15 Andrew Lieders Team LaVallee 857 Polaris Colby, WI AMSOIL Championship Snocross, powered by Ram, action continues on Saturday at Canterbury Park (Shakopee, Minn.) Traxxas Snocross, presented by Jimmy John’s, round five of the series. 2013-’14 AMSOIL Championship Snocross, powered by Ram Round/Date

City/State

1 - Nov. 29-Dec. 1

Duluth, MN

2 – Dec. 6-7

Bessemer, MI

3 – Jan. 3-5

Shakopee, MN

4 – Jan. 31-Feb.1

Deadwood, SD

5 – Feb. 7-8

Salamanca, NY

6 – Feb. 21-22

Mt. Pleasant, MI

7 – March 7-8

Fargo, ND

8 – March 14-16

Lake Geneva, WI

Beginning with AMSOIL Championship Snocross’ season-opening round in Duluth, Minn. and running through the season finale in Lake Geneva, Wis. CBS Sports Network will air 16 half-hour programs of the ACS races.

Darrin Mees Boss Racing 9 Ski-Doo Stanchfield, MN

Andrew Carlson CARLSON MOTORSPORTS 151 Polaris Big Lake, MN

Justin Broberg Hentges Racing 168 Polaris Mukwonago, WI

Zak Mason LEIGHTON MOTORSPORTS 863 Polaris Gaylord, MI

10 Levi LaVallee Team LaVallee 108 Polaris Longville, MN

Trevor Leighton Leighton Motorsports 931 Polaris Eagle, ID

ABOUT ISOC RACING

11 Zach Pattyn Stud Boy Racing 99 SkiDoo Ravenna, MI

John Stenberg Team Bauerly Racing 259 Ski-Doo Lofsdalen,

Corey Watkinson Watkinson Motorsports, Arctic Cat 173 Arctic Cat Port Carling, Ontario

Dylan Hall Royal / Hall Racing 421 Ski-Doo Ayr, Ontario

Chase Rosemeyer Team Bauerly Racing 675 Ski-Doo Chippewa Falls, WI

Corin Todd Leighton Motorsports 136

The International Series of Champions (ISOC) is the premier snowmobile race sanctioning organization in North America and sanctions national AMSOIL Championship Snocross, in addition to affiliating with nine regional circuits. Visit www.isocracing.com for more information, fan and racer memberships, schedule details and more

12 Petter Narsa Team Jimmy John's/Skidoo/Boss Racing 271 Ski-Doo Moskosel 13 Jake Scott Team LaVallee 42 Polaris Port Jefferson Station, NY 14 Tim

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Tremblay

AMSOIL/Air

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Photos courtesy of Lissa Marsolek/ISOC

January 2014

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PRESS RELEASE! PRESS RELEASE! PRESS RELEASE! PRESS RELEASE!

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and major components starting to fail. Knowing there is a problem so you don't run the car again could save a blown engine and cost alot less to fix. Billet Connection has also developed tools for valve trains. Valve Spring Compressor Tool (Part #9015) comes with 3 different Spring Cups. Fits springs from stock SB & BB Chevy, Ford, Dodge, and 1.675â&#x20AC;? all out Racing Springs. Allows easy removal of springs when cylinder

heads are off. Push Rod & Wrist Pin Checking Tool (Part #9030) checks the run out and straightness of both Push Rods and Wrist Pins of all sizes and types, including Hemi. BAE HEMI FAT Head Spring Pressure Tool (Part #9055) checks spring seat pressure up to 500 lbs. when heads, rockers and shafts are installed. Tool fits BAE 4 and 5 FAT head Hemi. For more info and products call 509-467-7584 or go to www.billetconnection.com

Billet Connection has helped the motor sports enthusiast work on and keep track of there engines by developing new patent pending Billet See Through Oil Filter Assemblies. These Filter Assemblies allow the user to visually see oil pumping through the filter, to help determine the condition of the oil. The filter assembly can also be quickly emptied in seconds for visual inspection of the filter element and the particles that were filtered out of the engine. Even when filtering non transparent fluids like engine oil. This is done in seconds without draining or leaking any oil, unbolting or loosening any fasteners or fittings and without the loss of any oil out of the system. These filter assemblies are like having an insurance policy for your engine. Being able to visually inspect and examine the filtered particals could save a motor or win a race. Stories shared by users of See Through Filters are when they saw more than a normal amount of particals when checking the filter, they looked for the problem and fixed it to keep racing. Others have saw alot of material in the filter and brought there race car home to find bearings January 2014

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BEST IN THE BUSINESS! Opportunities are available for businesses who are the best in their business and want to advertise in the Wheels of Thunder! We have many forms of marketing to fit your needs! Call Scott Robinson

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US NATIONALS IN INDIANAPOLIS PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAVID H. PRUSZKA

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ISOC REGIONALS 2013-2014

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Photography By Tyler Mumm

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Who-What-Why -- The 3 W’s of ABATE of MN Who is ABATE of Minnesota? ABATE of Minnesota is our members. Our members are ABATE of Minnesota. We come from all walks of life and ride every kind of motorcycle imaginable. The participation and inter-action of the membership is the key to our accomplishments. We have a true love of motorcycling that we want to see preserved for our kids, our grandkids and future generations. Our membership is completely open and we do not discriminate against anyone.

What is ABATE of Minnesota? We are the largest on-road motorcycling advocacy group in the state, incorporated in 1987. We are 4,000 members strong with 25 chapters across Minnesota. Each chapter has a representative on our Board of Directors and we operate statewide through the chapters. We are not beholden to any political party or special interest group. Our common sense approach to improving the awareness and safety of motorcyclists on our roads, without compromising riding freedoms, is the key to over 25 years of success. ABATE of Minnesota members know that the future of our lifestyle should be in the control of those who actually ride.

Why ABATE of Minnesota? We encourage our membership and all motorcyclists to be pro-active at the legislative level to guard the motorcycling freedoms we enjoy. Many of Minnesota motorcyclists take their riding freedoms for granted – But each and every one is a small victory by active and engaged bikers. ABATE of Minnesota has an annual Bikerday at the State Capitol in St. Paul to let our legislators know we care about the decisions they make regarding motorcyclists. This event brings hundreds of citizen-bikers to the January 2014

Capitol. We also lobby our federal elected officials constantly for the same reason. We encourage our members to develop a strong relationship with legislators. Then when a motorcycling issue comes up we are not seen as statistics on a page, but real people who live, work and vote in their community. All of our funds come from membership dues, fundraisers, the sale of our merchandise and a few donations. We leverage these funds to inform our members through a monthly newsletter, promote motorcycle safety training and encourage the interaction of motorcyclists with their elected officials. Through our Share the Road program tens of thousands of students, senior citizens, and service groups have been educated on awareness of motorcyclists. ABATE of Minnesota also donates thousands of dollars to local communities through our very successful raffles every year. Obviously this is a very condensed version of the things that make ABATE of Min-

nesota so successful. This success could not be possible without the structure we have and the total vigilance of our leaders and members over the years. Most large groups have trouble staying on task. And with today’s social media outlets, uninformed people spread gossip and rumors like wildfire. But through it all one thing has and will remain unchanged: ABATE of Minnesota’s commitment to common sense motorcycling rights and safety. This is a new year. Make it special by committing yourself to maintaining and improving your motorcycling lifestyle. 2014 will be a difficult year for freedom minded motorcyclists. Minnesotans are a prideful bunch. Don’t let your two wheeled family down by sitting on the sidelines. Be an active ABATE of Minnesota member. Yours in freedom, Mack Backlund, State Coordinator ABATE of MN • 763-226-9195 www.WheelsofThunder.net

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Written by Tom Edwards

ix of the multi-generational families in professional drag racing were discussed in Part 1 of this article. First and second generation racers can be found in all of the pro categories. When the National Hot Rod Association compiled their list of the Top 50 drivers for the first half century of competition, Dick LaHaie was number 31 on that list; an impressive accomplishment. As a driver he was the 1987 Top Fuel champion. Following his time behind the wheel, LaHaie was the crew chief for Top Fuel pilot Scott Kalitta. Showing that LaHaie could tune a race car as well as he drove one, Kalitta earned Top Fuel titles in 1994 and 1995. He finished a close second place the following year. Page 44

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LaHaie’s driving career began in the late 1950’s when the Michigan native entered his first race. It proved to be a look into the future when he won in an E/Gas car. An elapsed time of 14.35 seconds at 110 MPH earned him the trophy. He competed in the United Drag Racers Association, a circuit in the Midwest section of the country. LaHaie built his own race cars in a Michigan shop. For the 1972 season he tried something that was new for him; a rear engine machine. National event win number one was at the 1980 Summernationals when he defeated Jeb Allen. The 1982 season saw significant changes in his racing career. He had a new car at the Winternationals and won the race. Later that year at the U.S. Nationals, his daughter Kim became Lahaie’s crew chief. He then sold his business and went drag racing on a full time basis. In 1984 the father/daughter team finished the season in 5th place. They upped that to a 3rd place in 1986. The championship season of 1987 featured 5 wins with 3 of them coming consecutively. His last final round appearance was at the 1990 Heartland Nationals and lost to 5 time Top Fuel champ Joe Amato. LaHaie retired from driving at the conclusion of the 1991 season. In 1993 he became a member of the Michigan Motor Sports Hall of Fame. Serving as the crew chief on her father’s car was the catalyst Kim LaHaie used to begin her successful career tuning nitro powered engines. Kim’s interest in racing was established at an early age. As a 14 year old she

began racing cross-country motorbikes. After her dad retired she worked for the Chuck Etchells and Connie Kalitta teams. At the conclusion of the 1987 championship season, she was named the Car Craft Crew Chief of the Year. Kim’s last 8 years of racing were spent as a crew member of Kenny Bernstein Racing. Jeg Coughlin, Sr. was still in high school when he developed an interest in straight line racing. A 1936 Ford coupe served as both his street and race car. By the late 1950’s he wasn’t using his street car on drag strips. His first National event win was in a D/Gas ’55 Chevy. That effort brought his first trophy at a race that size. Jeg’s Automotive, Inc. was established in 1960 and globally is one of the most successful high performance equipment mail order distributors. Jeg Sr. is a member of the Hot Rod magazine Hall of Fame. Jeg’s Foundation for Cancer Research was established by the Coughlin family and is privately funded. Since their start, the foundation and the Racing for Research programs have generated millions of dollars. As a drag racing fan that has survived cancer twice, I appreciate that commitment to finding a cure. My wife Cathy and I were in Las Vegas for the Fall 2013 race. October was breast cancer awareness month and, like many of the cars there, the Jeg’s Pro Stocker featured pink in the paint scheme. Jeg Coughlin, Jr. is the 2013 Pro Stock champion. It is his 5th title in that category.

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In 1992 he was the Super Gas champ in that Sportsman class. His partnership with 2012 Pro Stock winner Allen Johnson gave J & J Racing back-to-back first place seasons. Jeg’s professional racing career began in 1998. It was very successful as he earned the Rookie of the Year award. The 2000 season saw 10 wins in 14 final rounds and his first Pro Stock title. It didn’t take him long to do it again, winning it all in 2002 for a second championship in 3 years. In 2007 while driving for Victor Cagnazzi Racing he finished at the top. 2008 lead to; you guessed it, another championship. Troy Coughlin is the 2012 Pro Mod champion, adding to the family total for first place finishes. The following season saw 2 wins, good for second place. One of those victories came at the Fall race at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. For the Coughlin family, it their 100th national event win. Troy’s son T.J. is the Division 3 Super Gas champion. His participation in the sport makes the Coughlin’s a 3 generation racing family. While competing in Pro Stock Troy became a member of both the Holley Six-Second and Speed Pro 200 MPH Clubs. Columbus, Ohio native Jim Head is the owner of Head, Inc. a successful general contracting firm. His first win at a national event was as big as it gets; he won the U.S. Nationals at Indy when he defeated Kenny Bernstein. In the final Funny Car standings for the 1984 season Jim was in 6th place. For the always innovative driver, that was a career best. The 1987 season resulted in his 4 consecutive top 10 finish. After the 1988 season Jim parked his Funny Car and went Top Fuel racing. 1992 got off to a nice start

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with a runner up finish at the Winternationals. During the following season Jim earned his first number 1 qualifying effort at the Englishtown, New Jersey race. In 1996 he won his first race in Top Fuel and in 1998 it was another top 10 finish. Jim took a 2 year break from the sport and returned for the 2002 season. It was a return to a Funny Car; he was back in fuel coupe competition. 2009 saw Jim in his first final round in 2 years and he reset his personal speed mark. For 2013, Jim went in another direction. He is now the car owner and tuner for his son Chad who made his professional debut as a Funny Car pilot. The move was a switch from the Nostalgia Funny Car he had driven. During a 20 year career in racing, Chad has worked with Darrell Gwynn, John Force and was the director of racing operations for the Al-Anabi team. Jim is his crew chief.

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Larry Dixon, Sr. got his 1970 season off to a great start with a Top Fuel title at the Winternationals. His son Larry was there to see his father’s first win. The younger Dixon must have enjoyed it. At that race to open the 1998 season, Larry won in the same professional category. That win made the Dixon’s the first father and son Top Fuel winners at that historic race. Over the years Larry has signed a few autographs for me. My favorite is on a photo of him and his dad that was taken at the 1970 Winternationals. Larry Sr. is holding up Larry and the Top Fuel trophy. It is the only shot I have that Larry has autographed “Larry Dixon, Jr”. Larry Sr. retired from driving after the 1979 season. In 1994 the younger Larry followed in his father’s footsteps when he earned his Top Fuel license. The following year he was named Rookie of the Year, won the U.S. Nationals at Indianapolis and reset the NHRA speed record for an impressive debut season. Larry closed out the 1990’s with the first sub-4.5 second pass; a 4.48 run at Houston. 2001 was a memorable year for the second generation driver. He went to 9

final rounds and won 6 of them, including Indy, for the second time. Larry finished the year in the top 10, something he had done the previous 6 years. Things improved significantly the following season. He won his first Top Fuel championship, earned 9 victories and lead in points every day of the 2002 campaign. In 2003 he did it again bringing home another championship for team owner Don Prudhomme. Larry’s 2 wins in 3 finals in 2004 were good for a 10th straight top 10 finish and took his career win total to 35; a figure that matched Don Garlits on the Top Fuel list. Father’s Day is clearly one of Larry’s favorite days to race. At the 2005 race in New Jersey, he won for the 5th consecutive year. 2008 saw 4 number 1 qualifying efforts and wins in Phoenix and the season closer in Pomona. The following year saw Larry reach a significant milestone; he became the seventh January 2014

NHRA racer with 500 career round wins. 2010 couldn’t have gone much better for him; a perfect 12 for 12 in final rounds lead to his 3rd Top Fuel title. Larry raced a limited schedule during the 2013 season. For 2014 the second most successful Top Fuel driver of all time, behind Tony Schumacher, has a number of irons in the fire.

at the Golden Gate Nationals in California, his home state. In 1986 he did something

“Big Jim” Dunn didn’t have a favorite category of race car when it came to winning in the early days of his career. His wins in AA/A, front engine dragsters and Funny Cars established he knows how to get to the finish line first. Jim had a Funny Car that I thought had an interesting design; you don’t see too many rear-engine fuel coupes. In fact, he had 2 of them and they were a handful to drive so he went back to the traditional design. In 1969 he was the Division 7 Top Fuel champion and won the Bakersfield March Meet 3 times; 1969, 1971 and every racer dreams of; he won the U.S. Nationals in Joe Pisano’s Funny Car. At that race the following year he went to the final round again and had a runner-up finish. Although he ran a limited schedule in 1987, 1988 and 1989, he finished in the top 10 each of those years. In 1991, for the first time, Mike entered every race on the schedule and had a 3rd place finish. For the 1993 season he joined Darrell Gwynn Racing and finished in 4th place. Mike was half of the first side-by-side 300 MPH run with Blaine Johnson in the other lane. In 2000 Gwynn signed a 3 year sponsorship agreement with the New York Yankees. I have followed drag

racing and baseball for decades so it was nice to see 2 of my favorite sports form a partnership. Mike had 2 wins in 5 final rounds during the 2001 season. The next year he signed on as an analyst for ESPN’s coverage of NHRA racing. It is a position he still has and, with his knowledge of the sport, it is something he does very well. Pro Stock Motorcycle racer Greg Underdahl became interested in drag racing when he saw the legendary Shirley Muldowney on a magazine cover. It didn’t take long for him to find Minnesota Dragway and his interest quickly became a passion that is now well into its 3rd decade. Greg began bracket racing at Brainerd International Raceway in his home state of Minnesota. In 1980 he joined the pro ranks and in 1989 built his first pro bike and became teammates with Rick Ward. In 1995 Ward had a memorable win, the only victory of his career, when he won the U.S. Nationals. Greg worked with Byron Hines during the 1991 – 1993 seasons on the Yamaha team. 3 time NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle champion John Meyer and Greg were teammates for the 1997 season. That was Greg’s first year as a professional rider running the full NHRA schedule and it was an impressive debut. From that year until 1999, his last year on a bike, he never finished lower than 7th with a high-water mark of 4th place. His son Jim followed in his footsteps when he began 6 years of motocross racing. As so often happens in motor sports, before he was a teenager Jim was working on his father’s clutch. When the senior Underdahl turned the keys over

1980. Jim’s win at the 1981 World Finals was his last as a driver. As a crew chief he won the 1999 U.S. Nationals and the 2013 marked his 63rd year in drag racing. Jim’s son Mike is on the short list of 14 drivers to win in Top Fuel and Funny Car. Like many other second generation racers, Mike’s interest in racing was established when he was a teenager. He began racing bikes and go-karts before earning an Alcohol Funny Car license in his dad’s car in 1976. The following season saw him move up to a nitro Funny Car license and he was a crew member on Roland Leong’s car. Mike was with “The Hawaiian” in that capacity until 1980. The 1981 season him behind the wheel, again working with Leong. The 25 year old driver recorded his first national event win January 2014

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to Jim, they flew to Louisiana for training and testing. They used the bike G.T. and L.E. Tonglet, sons of Gary Tonglet, rode when they were learning the art of 2 wheel racing. As a fan of the sport since the 1960’s it was fun to have Greg and Jim stop in for a visit in my sports room and share some great stories. My favorite is what I’ll call The Leather Story. Greg had taken his leathers to Louisiana but they were a little too big for Jim so it was time for an interesting solution. The leathers made a lap around a washer and dryer for a size adjustment. They must have been a great fit. On Jim’s first full pass down the strip he had an 8.46 second, 160 MPH run. That must have been as much fun to do as it looks from the stands. The 1997 Minnesota state freestyle wrestling champion began taking lessons from the senior Underdahl in 2002. Clearly, Jim was listening. As a rookie, he missed the countdown to the championship by 10 points. As a second year racer, he earned a place in the countdown. His racing career was off to a fast start. Greg told me he was “a nervous wreck” watching Jim go down the track. That’s the same comment I have heard from other first generation racers. Jim’s first national event was the 2005 Houston race. From there it was a few races a year until 2009 when the Underdahl’s went from a foot in the pool approach to taking the full plunge. 2010 saw steady progress throughout the year; Jim qualified for every race. He went to his first final round at his hometown track in Brainerd, Minnesota. Jim followed that effort with a semifinal finish at “The Big Go”, the U.S. Nationals. The last 2 races of the season, Las Vegas and Pomona, also resulted in semifinal finishes. The final statistics for 2013 show some interesting numbers for this father/son team. Jim finished the season in 3rd place in both

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the reaction time and MPH categories. During their visit, Greg, Jim and I discussed one of the final barriers in professional drag racing, a 2 wheel 200 MPH run. As they say in the photography business, let’s see what develops.

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reetings again Wheels fans! Cheers to you as 2014 arrives! Hope the cold and snow is treating you well!

You “Wheelies” (that is, Wheels fans and outdoor types who would love to have snow on the ground 12 months of the year) gotta’ be excited! With the cold and snow come snowmobiles, skiers and X-games specialists having too much fun. GameON! TV hopes you are having a fabulous winter! We know you are enjoying this issue of Wheels of Thunder…full of amazing pictures, images and unforgettable stories! GameON! TV is also a big fan, a Wheelie, as WoT continues to grow & reach so many of you just like GameON! You can see us with our sports programming in the Dakota's and western Minnesota via MidCo Sports Network. GameON! loves sports, from the variety of professional, college & high school sports toall the outdoor events that dot our regional landscape. GameON's partnershipwith Wheels of Thunder is strong and just like you, we also enjoy the mostcomprehensive race magazine and website to be found! Wheels of Thundermagazine gets it and gets you the latest information, amazing pictures andall those terrific stories to the most passionate motorsports fans in thecountry!Looking ahead, there's more special events and moments ahead for GameON!Each and every week GameON! comes to you in crystal clear full HighDefinition. ameON! does what no other TV sports interview show (in the region) does. Weoffer a diverse and entertaining half hour of TV as we bring you the mostvisible and popular Minnesota sports figures. From the Vikings, the NBATimberwolves, the NHL Wild, the Twins and we visit with the Lacrosse Swarm.There's NASCAR and we're all over your favorite outdoor sports too. We’d love for you to get your GameON! by downloading our APP (it's free to for Apple & Android phones) isavailable for your use! GameON! TV is now offering a weekly PODCASTavailable @ our show website

www.GameOnTvMN.com. It's full of bits and pieces of sports from the region and what's ahead on our weekly TV show. GameON! still serves as the lead-into the award winning FOX NFL pre game show on FOX's MY29 here in the TwinCities during the NFL Season Sunday’s at 10AM. Our show is interactive so we'd love to hear from you! Please visit ourFacebook site (friend us @ GameON on facebook), our website www.gameontvmn.com and 24/7on twitter #gameontvmn. You can also catch GameON! Host Rod Simons on the new radio home for your Minnesota Twins @ KTWIN 96.3. So, please join us for all that sports offers us here in our great neck of the woods, via Wheels of Thunder, GameON! and KTWIN radio! And get your Vikings fix with our partner in one ofthe largest Vikings fan websites in the world, www.PurplePride.org. Be a part of the exciting effort and get your GameON!

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