Plymouth, Minn. – Team Arctic cross-country racers rang in the new year with an overwhelming display of strength to capture 14 wins in 21 classes and 44 out 63 podium finishes at the USXC season opener on Pine Lake in Gonvick, MN.
Competing with the 2016 ZR 6000R XC and ZR 4000RR snowmobiles, Team Green once again proved their handling, speed and durability were second to none in top level cross-country competition.
The highlight win of the weekend came in the 100-mile No-Bull Triple Crown Enduro 600, where the Team Arctic/Christian Brothers Racing duo of Zach Herfindahl and Wes Selby delivered an overpowering win aboard their Soo 500 mod sled with the Speedwerx modified C-TEC2 600 Arctic Cat engine. Team Arctic racers also captured five of the top-10 Pro 600 class positions.
Lance Efteland picked up where he left off last season in the Semi Pro classes, taking two first place finishes. Dustin Schwandt captured the Sport 600 class while Hunter Houle and Ean Voight gave a preview of what’s to come in the Expert 85 classes as each racer claimed a first and second respectively.
Team Arctic dominated the support classes, with Jordan Bute, Garet Grzadzielewski, Ryan Weidemann, Lydia Sobek and Paul Brown capturing class wins. Karl Valtinson and Jesse Watland kept the Classic IFS and Vintage spirit alive by taking victory in their classes.
“We’re really pleased with the awesome performance of our drivers and crew, as well as our ZR series snowmobiles,” said Mike Kloety, Team Arctic race manager. “We swept the podium in seven classes, captured the most wins and podium positions and won the prestigious Enduro 600 final. It was an excellent result for the first cross-country of the season and something we’ll build upon as we head into the ditches for the upcoming races.”
The next USXC cross-country race is Jan. 9-10 in Devil’s Lake, ND. Visit www.usxcracing.com for more cross-country snowmobile racing news as well as the Team Arctic website: http://www.arcticcat.com/teamarctic/
Team Arctic Results from 2016 USXC Cross-Country on Pine Lake in Gonvick, MN.
1. Zach Herfindahl/Wes Selby
Pro 600
3. Zach Herfindahl
Pro Open
3. Wes Selby
Semi Pro 600
1. Lance Efteland
3. Ryan Trout
Semi Pro Improved
1. Lance Efteland
3. Ryan Trout
Pro Women
2. Savannah Landrus
3. Jolene Bute
I-500 Class
3. Lance Efteland
Masters 40 Plus
2. Chad Lian
3. Todd Frischmon
Masters 50 Plus
2. Mike Carver
3. Jon Arneson
Expert 85
1. Hunter Houle
2. Ean Voight
3. Garet Grzadzielewski
Expert 85 Improved
1. Ean Voight
2. Hunter Houle
3. Dalton Fredrickson
Sport 600 Stock
1. Dustin Schwandt
2. Todd Severson
Trail
1. Ryan Weidemann
2. Thomas Junglen
Sport 85
1. Jordan Bute
2. David Brown
3. Keaton Black
Jr. 14-17 Boys
1. Garet Grzadzielewski
2. Thomas Junglen
3. Tyler Brown
Jr. 14-17 Girls
1. Lydia Sobek
2. Sara Larson
3. Marissa Kallock
Jr. 10-13 Boys
1. Paul Brown
2. Blaise Potucek
3. Lucas Houle
Classic IFS
2. Dylan Herman
3. Eli Nelson
Classic IFS Legends
1. Karl Valtinson
Vintage
1. Jesse Watland
2. Paul Sillerud
3. Gary Tintes
Vintage Legends
1. Karl Valtinson
2. Gary Tintes