SnowRider Online Magazine

PRESS RELEASE: Thief River Falls, MN (Jan. 18-20, 2008) – Bryan Dyrdahl’s domination over the United States Cross-Country (USCC) FXR Pro 600 field continued this weekend in the Red Lake I-500. He won the race by almost 10 minutes. It was Dyrdahl’s fourth I-500 Victory, making him the winningest racer to compete in the storied race.

Dyrdahl, Bagley, Minn., set out Sunday for the third and final leg with a 4-minute, 39 second lead over Polaris driver Josh Davis. Rather than dial back his quick pace to reduce his risk of a crash or broken machine, Dyrdahl put the hammer down and tacked on another 5 minutes to his lead. He finished 9 minutes, 35 seconds over Davis. Greg Hyde was third, also on a Polaris.

“I just ride my pace all the time,” Dyrdahl said. “If I try to slow down or try to speed up, it doesn’t always work out because I get out of rhythm.”

Regarding his pace: the speedometer in USCC President Pat Mach’s Dodge pickup registered 90 mph as he drove a county highway alongside Dyrdahl, who was flying down the ditch. “He tapped the brake a few times before each road approach, but he must’ve flown 30 to 40 feet over them,” Mach said.

With high temperatures forecast in the teens Fahrenheit below zero, racers took extra steps to stay warm. They installed handle bar gauntlets, hand guards, oversized windshields and insulated clothing. Dyrdahl used heat from his Ski-Doo’s brake to warm his left hand. USCC officials cut 46 miles from Sunday’s leg due to near minus 40 degree wind chills and poor snow conditions on a section of the track.

Dyrdahl won the Ryde FX Pro Open class aboard his Ski-Doo. Josh Davis finished second aboard his Polaris followed by Polaris rider Troy Hanson. Thompson, MB Ski-Doo rider Cory Grant won the Go Fast Sports Semi Pro 600 class. Grant also won the Stud Boy Semi Pro Improved class. Rochester, MN rider Matthew Dyer won the Black Magic 440 class aboard his Arctic Cat. Polaris rider Eric Christensen won the Orion Industries Masters 40+ class.

Polaris rider Paul Anderson of Lewiston, MN won the Sno-X Magazine Legends 50+ class. Alden, MN Arctic Cat rider Jolene Bute won the Parts Unlimited Women’s class. Rapid City, SD Polaris rider Greg Hyde won the Scott USA Vet 30+ class. Arctic Cat rider John Sandberg won the Yamaha Sport 85 class. Vern Putzer won the Media class aboard his Arctic Cat.

The Trophy 600 class was won by Arctic Cat rider Matthew Dyer. In the 120’s it was Polaris rider Baily Forst winning the SnowTech Magazine 120 stock class. Forst also won the SnowGoer Magazine 120 Improved class.

Press Release & photo issued by: USCC Marketing Director, Noel Schanilec

The United States Cross-Country Snowmobile Racing Association (USCC) is based out of Minto, ND and attracts more than 200 professional and amateur snowmobile racers to each of its events. The USCC series is North America’s premier form of cross-country snowmobile racing; it is the only racing organization that sanctions events comprised entirely of terrain cross-country races. The race courses include ditch lines, frozen lakes and deep woods trails. Its 2007-08 schedule marks the circuit’s sixth season with races hosted in Minnesota, North Dakota, Wisconsin and Michigan. The USCC is sanctioned by International Snowmobile Racing (ISR); ISR has been serving the racing community for more than 25 years. Please visit www.usccracing.com for more information.

Linda Aksomitis,
Managing Editor for SnowRider Online Magazine
and www.guide2travel.ca