corey davidson wins soo i500
Amsnow
Saturday Feb. 2nd, Corey Davidson raced the Yamaha Apex to give Yamaha its third consecutive win at the I-500 snowmobile race in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. The 500-mile race around the iced oval is one of the most demanding snowmobile races in the world and a huge testament to Yamaha's 4-stroke power. The victory also gave Davidson his seventh win in this event and his 10th career 500-mile race win.
27 snowmobiles took the green flag for the 40th anniversary of Michigan's most famous snowmobile race. With the fast sleds averaging around 85 mph per lap, the pack strung out quickly and Davidson put his race strategy to work - run fast and steady - but not too fast - drive straight over the bumps and above all save the equipment. He qualified 12th, and worked his way up to third by the 140th lap. At times he was battling with fellow Yamaha pilots Chad Gueco and Chad Drydahl, who led a good part of the early going on another Apex.
By lap 200 Davidson was in the lead and his sled was running strong. Davidson got a little rest in mid-race twice from relief driver Jim Wilson, but remounted at 400 laps to run the remaining distance. At the flag, after nearly 8 hours, Davidson enjoyed a 4-lap lead over Drydahl for a great 1-2 Yamaha finish. Gueco followed in fourth on another Apex.
1. Corey Davidson, Davidson Racing, Yamaha, 7:49:59.325
2. Chad Drydahl, Gentz Racing, Yamaha, 7:50:01.136
3. Gabe Bunke, Pro 5 Racing, 7:50:32.492
4. Chad Gueco, Gueco Racing, Yamaha, 7:37:34.101
5. Doug Kammeraad, Kammi Racing, 7:49:27.092
6. Karl Schwartz, 7:50:07.335
7. Aaron Mayer, 7:50:41.953
8. Chris Ryan, 7:50:40.211
9. John Bosek, 7:50:04.023
10. Joel Diamond, 7:50:28.278
11. Todd Krikke, 7:27:58.161
12. Antero Tarvudd, 7:50:32.160
13. Ted Richie, 7:51:24.261
14. John Lynch, 7:32:20.829
15. William Long III, 4:58:17.729