THE SNOCROSS BATTLE CONTINUES
Morgan or Hibbert for 2003?
by: David Aksomitis
Photos by Linda Aksomitis
If you've got racing in your blood, it will be an addiction after you attend
a WSA Snocross race! Besides being
the most exciting snowmobile event a spectator could hope for, the competition between
its two superheroes, Blair Morgan and Tucker Hibbert, makes for a real spectator show.
Of course, it also makes the other guys work harder, so more of them are inching closer
to the top spots.
Staging is full with high numbers of race entries.
Of course, racing is also about the brands, so with Morgan's Ski-Doo and Hibbert's
Arctic Cat out for top points, the whole industry is involved. Back in the sixties, it
was said that manufacturers would "win on Sunday, and sell on Monday" -- and it's
likely still true today.
Heavy bumping action going on!
Not that the regular trail rider is going to get the same sleds these drivers are
hurtling over the "whoops", off the assembly line. Up close, there are lots of
differences. As Morgan says, "We do a few things different to get better handling
and performance." And since the average driver doesn't do 50 foot leaps through the air,
it would seem pretty logical!
Competition up close out of the start line.
At the end of last season Morgan had claimed 10 wins in the WSA Snocross Worldwide Competition
but took second place to Hibbert, who had higher points. This year is beginning to look
like a see-saw of wins and losses as both of them drive harder than ever.
Blair Morgan --
http://www.blairmorganracingteam.com/intro.cfm -- leading out of the first corner
At the season opener in Duluth, MN on December 1st, Hibbert and Morgan split the wins, with Hibbert
getting the top spot in Ford Trucks Pro Stock Class. Morgan was undeafeated in the rounds
for the Pro Open, and rapidly took the lead in the final, to run away with the race.
Morgan and Hibbert continued to come out on top at the inaugural Canadian Open Snocross in
Winnipeg, MB on December 15, 2002. However, they switched classes, with Hibbert taking
the win in the Pro Open, with Morgan not only coming in through the LCQ after a crash,
but also crashing in the first corner of the race. The Pro Stock class offered fabulous
racing action, but it was between Hibbert and Kuster [Morgan's teammate] for second
and third, while
Morgan rode to an easy win. As the race-day played out, spectators never really got
to see Morgan and Hibbert in head-to-head racing, since circumstances kept them
separated.
To keep ahead of the points race of brands and drivers--stay tuned to the
official WSA site at:
http://www.wsaracing.com/, as well as checking back here at SnowRider!
Tucker Hibbert or Blair Morgan? Who do you think will take the 2003 season?
Well, both the Arctic Cat and the Ski-Doo seem pretty equal--and so do the drivers.
Hibbert is younger, just coming into his strength, but Morgan shows no signs of weakening.
Odds are either one could come out on top this season!
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