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Often in sports it's the guy that you don't hear all that much about that is the most dangerous. It's the fighter that has been out of the ring for a long hiatus, but was secretly training with martial arts masters in Asia. Or it's the linebacker who played at a small college and explodes with reckless abandon when he gets to play at the next level.
It's Ski-Doo's Zack Pattyn right now.
You might recognize that last name because Zack is Ron Pattyn's son. Ron owns Stud Boy, the Michigan traction device maker, and he's still got Zack helping in the shop when there's extra work.
After getting injured in the last third of the WPSA Pro national series last year, Zack has been recuperating and laying low, below the media radar. I caught up with this fellow Michigander and asked, "Are you ready to roar onto the circuit this year?"
"Oh yeah, we are gonna win races and have some fun doin' it!"
AmSnow: When was your first real snowmobile race?
Zack: Back in 1997, and I was right around 10 years old. We were in Cadillac, Mich., and I was riding a Cat fan 440.
AmSnow: How did you go from there to racing on the WPSA Pro circuit?
Zack: Well, I raced junior for 2 years on Cats and won a championship, then I was up to the Semi-Pro ranks when I was like 14-15 and started riding for Ski-Doo. From there I went to ride in the WPSA Michigan Regional Championships and won 3 of them. My next step was the WPSA Semi-Pro national circuit and I won that in 2006.
AmSnow: Tell us the good and the bad about last season?
Zack: It started well, but then the sled started having problems. It wasn't anyone's fault, but I think I started trying too hard to make up for the fact that I wasn't leading the pack. At Canterbury, I sized a jump wrong and got kicked a lot farther than I thought I was going to. I landed flat, breaking my back. Luckily, I didn't need any surgery and just let it heal slowly. I did get to spend a little time on the new race sled last year and I am totally ready to surprise people with this sled this winter.
AmSnow: So what lofty goals do you have for this season?
Zack: I haven't outlined huge goals, simply working on strong re-introduction to the national race scene. I am going to surprise some people, take home some wins and have fun doing it.
AmSnow: What are the pros and cons about your family owning Stud Boy?
Zack: It helps out a lot for connections in the industry. You see and hear things that other people don't and obviously have access to good support systems. Sometimes people ask if it's my family who owns Stud Boy and I am proud to tell them yes, and it's great!
AmSnow: We read that one of your idols is the famous racer Jesse Strege. Why do you look up to him in particular?
Zack: I've always looked up to him. He's a good friend of the family, and I've seen him consistently work hard to accomplish anything he wants to.
AmSnow: What kind of special off-season training do you do… besides watching Thunderstruck or Slednecks videos?
Zack: I mostly do cardio workouts. I don't really do much for weights, just go light. I ride motocross to stay in shape.
AmSnow: Finally, who's your favorite rider on tour now and why?
Zack: I raced motocross all summer in the Canadian West Coast Nationals with Tucker Hibbert, and I think he's a great rider. He's another guy who simply works hard and is incredible in more than one sport.
Racer ProfileName: Zack Pattyn
Age: 19
Weight: 150 lbs.
Height: 5'8"
Hometown: Ravenna, Mich.
Family: Ron (Dad), Danielle (Mom), Nick and Jake (brothers)
Other interests: Motocross - bike is a Yamaha YZ250s, BMX
First sled: Yamaha Phazer
Favorite track: Lake Geneva, Wis., and X-Games
Favorite sled of all time: New XP Racer
Sponsors: Ski-Doo, Torco, Stud Boy, Dodge, XPS, Scott, Team and Dave Trygstad
Ski-Doo MXZ X 600RSHighlights: All new racer rides on lightweight REV-XP chassis at mandated 430-lb. minimum. 600 H.O. engine (rated at 128 horses) has revised cylinder, new head, V-force reeds, powerjets and new tuned pipe with sensor. Rear suspension is new SC-5 with reinforced rails and 4 idler wheels, plus a C-36 clicker racing shock, same as up front. Sled also has TEAM clutch, BRP slip gear, stronger jackshaft, exhaust deflector and 5.2-gal. (10-liter) gas tank.