SNOCROSS 2023-2024 END OF SEASON RECAP

Writing and photos by Crystal Magiera / Crystal Wallem Photography

Amsoil Championship Snocross wrapped up their 2023-2024 season in Duluth, Minnesota. After a few-year hiatus, everyone was anxious to return to the beloved and scenic slopes of Spirit Mountain where we were treated to one of the biggest tracks this stop has ever seen. Bottles were popped, champions were crowned, and fans flooded in to join the fun and excitement.

Needless to say, this was an exceptionally challenging season with unusually warm temperatures and rain. Though the snow conditions were not ideal at a handful of the venues, ISOC did an excellent job at providing a track suitable for racing. With the exception of the Lake Geneva event succumbing to the poor weather conditions, we were able to complete nearly a full season against tough odds. The second half of the season included stops at the W.H. Lyon Fairgrounds in Sioux Falls, SD, ERX Motorpark in Elk River, MN, and Spirit Mountain in Duluth, MN.

SKOGQUIST RACE TEAM 

Despite Elias Ishoel’s season-ending injury, the 5-Time Champ was no stranger to the circuit. Ishoel remained in the states for most of the season and could be found trackside cheering on his fellow racers and in the pits coaching his teammates.

After scoring his first Pro Lite podium in New York, Drew Freeland kept his momentum rolling into the next round in Sioux Falls where he earned a 2nd place podium in Friday night’s final. Freeland continued to place well in his heat races throughout the remainder of his rookie Pro Lite season.

Brady Freeland boasts a total of 7 podium finishes throughout his rookie season in the Sport class as well as 4th place overall in the points championship.

Twin brothers AJ & Wyatt Skogquist continued to dominate the JR 14-15 class, taking 1st and 2nd respectively in the overall points race. In addition to their Junior class, the brothers bumped up to the Sport Lite ranks where they faced some challenges but made many learning strides.

Lineup:

  • Elias Ishoel #200 – PRO (injured)
  • Drew Freeland #28 – PRO LITE
  • Brady Freeland #831 – SPORT
  • AJ Skogquist #113 – SPORT LITE/JR 14-15
  • Wyatt Skogquist #172 – SPORT LITE/JR 14-15

  

THENE MOTORSPORTS 

One of the top competitors in the Pro class, Francis Pelletier put a stamp on his 2023-2024 season with a perfect score on Sunday afternoon in Duluth, winning both of his Moto’s and claiming the top spot on the box. Taking 3rd in the overall points race was cause for the entire team to celebrate.

 Out of the 16 Rounds of racing, Crayden Dillon earned podium spots in a whopping 12 of them, 11 of them being wins. Not to mention a multitude of heat race wins throughout the season. The Pro Lite rookie clinched the championship Friday night in Duluth and was rewarded the much-deserved title of Rookie of the Year.

Tanner Johnson’s speed continued to improve in the second half of the season, earning a multitude of top-5 heat races finishes and a major win in his Sport final Saturday night at ERX. Johnson finished off the season 7th in overall points.

In addition to the team’s core athletes, Thene Motorsports brought on Bobby LePage as a guest racer for the remaining rounds in Duluth. LePage competed in the Pro Am Plus 30 class where he scooped up a heat race win and missed the podium by only one spot in Friday night’s final.

Lineup:

  • Francis Pelletier #220 – PRO
  • Crayden Dillon #96 – PRO LITE
  • Tanner Johnson #313 – SPORT (satellite rider)
  • Cole Cottew #14 – PRO (injured)

  

ONE THREE MOTORSPORTS

It’s safe to say Pro rookie Marcus Ogemar underwent his share of challenges this season, including a neck injury during Round 13 at ERX. Unable to complete the Rounds in ERX, Ogemar took the time to heal in order to finish off his final rounds of racing in Duluth where he concluded the season 9th in overall points.

 

Malene Cottew, affectionately known as Malene The Machine, clinched her 4th straight Pro Am Women championship at ERX with the Rounds in Duluth still remaining. Though, Cottew did not slow down from there—not only did she go on to  top the box in Duluth, but she also competed against the guys in the Sport class. Out of the 16 opportunities this season, Cottew claimed the top spot on the box in 13 of them.

In addition to a handful of top-5 heat race finishes throughout the second half of the season, Jeremy Beaulieu also claimed the big win in Saturday night’s Pro Lite final in Sioux Falls.

 

Holden Kuhn finished off the season 8th in overall points after earning a multitude of top-3 heat race finishes in his Transition 8-10 class. In addition to the national series, Kuhn also competes in the Midwest Snocross regionals where he took home the Championship in the 8-10 class. 

Lineup:

  • Marcus Ogemar #9 – PRO
  • Malene Cottew #93 – PRO AM WOMEN
  • Jeremy Beaulieu #122 – PRO LITE
  • Holden Kuhn #180 – TRANSITION 8-10
  • Hudson Kuhn #170 – JUNIOR/TRANSITION (injured)

  

TEAM LAVALLEE RACING 

Adam Peterson remained consistent in his results throughout the season including a 2nd place podium Friday night at ERX. Peterson worked his way up to 5th in the overall points race to conclude his third season in the Pro ranks.

 

 

Ryley Bester’s rookie season in the Pro class has certainly been a learning experience. Always displaying a positive and progressive attitude, Bester remained consistent in his results until an unfortunate injury at ERX sidelined him for the remaining rounds of racing. You could still spot Ryley hopping around on his crutches and supporting his teammates from the sidelines.

Veteran racer, Andy Lieders, does not slow down. With numerous heat race and final wins, Lieders claimed 3rd in the overall points championship despite missing a few of the events. In addition to competing in the Pro Am Plus 30 class, Lieders also occasionally raced in the Pro Lite ranks throughout the season.

Lineup:

  • Adam Peterson #3 – PRO
  • Ryley Bester #15 – PRO
  • Andy Lieders #57 – PRO AM PLUS 30/PRO LITE

 

WOODIES RACING 

Daniel Benham quickly became one of Arctic Cat’s top Snocross athletes this season, consistently placing within the top-5 throughout the Pro class’s Triple Crown racing format, including 4 podium appearances this season. Benham concluded the season 6th in overall points.

 Trent Wittwer has made obvious improvements on speed and precision throughout the season, collecting many notable heat race finishes as well as a pair of podium appearances. In a sea of Pro Lite athletes, Wittwer concluded the season with an impressive 9th place in the overall points race.

 

Lineup:

  • Daniel Benham #221 – PRO
  • Trent Wittwer #115 – PRO LITE
  • Taven Woodie #873 – PRO AM WOMEN (injured)

  

HEMMER MOTORSPORTS

Unfortunately for Hemmer Motorsports’ Pro Lite athlete Tyler Archambault, a wrist injury cut his season short after over jumping the triple at ERX. Archaumbault remained in good spirits and plans to heal up and train during the off-season in preparation for a strong return in the 2024-2025 season.

 

One of the proven top competitors in the Pro Am Women class, Inanna Hauger, continued her success in the second half of the season. Hauger collected 11 podium finishes throughout the season along with a vast array of top-3 heat race finishes. The holeshot queen achieved 2nd place in the overall points race to conclude the season.

The championship title for the JR Girls 9-13 class came down to the final round of racing for Avery Hemmer after a season-long battle between her and competitor Victoria Dillon. Needless to say, the pressure was on yet Hemmer was up for the challenge and fought for her fifth win of the season, pushing her 5 points ahead of Dillon and awarding her the championship title.

Lineup:

  • Tyler Archambault #901 – PRO LITE
  • Inanna Hauger #331 – PRO AM WOMEN
  • Avery Hemmer #415 – TRANSITION 9-13, JR GIRLS 9-13
  • Lila Hemmer #005 – TRANSITION 8-10, JR GIRLS 9-13, 120 CHAMP

  

HILMERSON MOTORSPORTS 

Emeric Legendre had his fair share of ups and downs this season but displayed steady progress during the second half of the season. Legendre added a handful of top-3 heat race finishes to his belt along with a 3rd place Pro Lite podium in Duluth to finish off the season.

 

Ava McCurdy ended the 2023-2024 season on a high note, taking the 3rd place spot on the box in the Pro Am Women final Sunday afternoon in Duluth. This was McCurdy’s second podium of the season, the first being 2nd place at ERX. McCurdy ends the season 5th in overall points.

Taking home the Sport Lite title of points champion, Trenton Hilmerson is proof that consistency is key. Though Hilmerson only obtained 4 podium finishes throughout the season, his collection of solid heat race finishes highly contributed to his overall success.

 

Lineup:

  • Emeric Legendre #144 – PRO LITE
  • Ava McCurdy #42 – PRO AM WOMEN
  • Trenton Hilmerson #515 – SPORT LITE

 

GREEN MOUNTAIN RACING

Representing GMR in the Pro Lite division, Oskar Englund earned a fair share of notable heat race finishes throughout the course of the season, although struggled in the main events. Englund displayed his greatest success in Sioux Falls with a heat race win and 8th place finish in Friday night’s Pro Lite final.

 

Jordan Biese made the jump to the Pro Lite ranks midway through the season, though struggled to find his rhythm. Biese scooped up a handful of top-5 finishes in his qualifiers and an 8th place finish in Friday night’s final in Duluth.

Sweden native Jenny Lundstrom joined the team for the second half of the season where she displayed great speed among tough competitors. Lundstrom scooped up a 2nd place podium in New York and missed the box by one spot in both ERX and Duluth, not to mention a handful of top-3 heat race finishes.

 

Lineup:

  • Oskar Englund #339 – PRO LITE
  • Jordan Biese #228 – SPORT à PRO LITE
  • Jenny Lundstrom #115 – PRO WOMEN (starting in NY)

  

FRATTALONE RACING

Frattalone Racing’s sole national series racer, Eric Downs, put a stamp on a satisfactory season with two Pro Lite podiums and a collection of qualifier wins. Downs finished off the season 8th in overall points in the Pro Lite division.

 

Lineup:

  • Eric Downs #129 – PRO LITE 

 

PFLIPSEN RACING 

Kenny Mandryk continued to pick up momentum as the season progressed, displaying consistent results in his qualifying races and working his way up to 6th in overall Pro Lite points. Mandryk was awarded Most Improved Racer at the end of year banquet.

Kellen Chapuran has proven to be one of the top competitors in the Sport class this season, going into the final weekend of racing tied for first in the points race. Everything was falling into place for Chapuran after a perfect day Friday in Duluth winning both qualifiers and his final. Alas, tough luck on Sunday forced Chapuran through the LCQ, and a first turn pile up in the final resulted in an 11th place finish, allowing competitors to surpass his lead. Chapuran accepted the 3rd in overall points.

 

Caiden Pflipsen wrapped up his season 5th in overall points in the Sport Lite class, mostly thanks to his remarkable 15+ heat race wins in addition to a handful of podiums.

 

Lineup:

  • Kenny Mandryk #61 – PRO LITE
  • Kellen Chapuran #254 – SPORT
  • Caiden Pflipsen #323 – SPORT LITE

 

BOSS RACING

With Evan Daudt being out due to an injury suffered in New York, Boss Racing focused their efforts on their three remaining racers. Representing the team in the Pro Am Women class, Nikella Callan continued to display progress and consistent results in her competitive class.

 

Cale Callan continued to show determination and consistency despite facing challenges in a highly demanding class.

Throughout the second half of the season, Dylan Roes scooped up a handful of top-3 heat race finishes including one win.

 

Lineup:

  • Evan Daudt #413 – PRO (injured)
  • Nikella Callan #432 – PRO AM WOMEN
  • Cale Callan #34 – PRO LITE
  • Dylan Roes #12 – PRO LITE

 

SNOWBIKE

Snowbike’s Triple Crown format proved to be a success, competing at three of the stops on the national tour this season with a total of 6 races between Canterbury Park, ERX Motorpark, and Spirit Mountain in Duluth. R.J. Marnoch’s three 3rd place overall finishes contributed to his 3rd overall in the points championship.

 

Looking to defend his 2022-2023 season championship title, Troy Horbaty powered to the podium in all four of his races between ERX and Duluth, including taking the overall win Saturday night atop Spirit Mountain. Horbaty just wasn’t able to edge out his competitor and wrapped up his season 2nd in overall points.

 

 

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