It was a double-header, and an incredible three days for snocross fans at Grand Geneva Resort in Lake Geneva, Wis., last weekend. Mild weather and non-stop race action brought thousands of snowmobile enthusiasts out to watch the last national points races of the year, see the new manufacturer iron and, of course, watch Yamaha rider Jimmy Blaze huck a back flip.
Hibbert shows skillsWhile Tucker Hibbert did not secure enough points on the Pro Open circuit this year to be the overall points champion, he also only rode 8 of the 9 races. This last weeknd he put on a phenomenal riding display in Lake Geneva, proving why he is possibly the best rider in the business. After winning the Pro Super Stock race on Saturday, and securing the points championship in that class, Hibbert went on to win the final Pro Open event on Sunday.
Hibbert battled Polaris rider T.J. Gulla all weekend and had to hunt him down in the Pro Open final after a rough start. Hibbert waded through the pack, then, like a surgeon, meticulously shaved seconds off Gulla's lead until passing him with only a few laps to go. The two battled for a while, but then Hibbert checked out and didn't look back.
Ski-Doo's Blair Morgan rounded out the Pro Open podium on Sunday finishing a strong third. In a field of incredible riders, many of them 10, or more, years younger, Morgan proved he can still ride with the best. Ski-Doo riders Brett Turcotte and Mathieu Morin also turned in solid performances in 6th and 7th places respectively.
From the Yamaha camp things looked great out of the gate… literally. It seemed like every hole-shot was claimed by a Yamaha and for the first lap or two everyone seemed to be trying to catch the Yamaha with the big lead. However, the blue sleds slowly faded toward the middle and back of the pack throughout the races. This was still a learning year for the boys in blue, but everyone knows the engine rips. Rider Steve Taylor made the Pro Open finals and finished 11th.
Martin all smilesDozens of cheering fans crowded Polaris rider Ross Martin as he passed the finish line at the end of the Pro Open final in fifth place. This assured him his title, for the second year in a row, as the overall points winner of the 2007-2008 WPSA Pro Open National snocross circuit. Martin, who is a Wisconsin native, was on his home turf at the Lake Geneva races and countless family and friends were on hand to see his victory.
The extremely close final points tally showed Martin with 502 points and his fellow Polaris rider T.J. Gulla with 501. Polaris made a clean sweep of the final top 3 Pro Open National points positions with Levi Lavallee collecting 468 points to take the No. 3 points spot.
In the Semi-Pro ranks, Polaris' Andrew Johnstad won the Semi-Pro Open in Lake Geneva and won the Semi-Pro Open points title for the year. Another Polaris team member, Bobby LePage, took home the win in Semi-Pro Super Stock at Geneva.
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