Round 1 of the 2018 AMA National Championship Snow Bike Series rolled out despite no cooperation from Mother Nature, (no snow).
A number of the fastest snow bikers in the world were present and they put on a great show. Defending AMA National Snow Bike Champion, Idaho’s Jimmy Jarrett (KTM/Timbersled) showed that he hadn’t slacked during the off season, as he won his heat going away, followed by Colorado’s Mark Wilson (HON/Timbersled), and Minnesota’s Seth Fischer (YAM/Camso). North Dakota rider Chad Jelinek, (HON/Yeti) won heat two, followed by Minnesota’s Mick Olson (HUS/Timbersled) and Minnesota factory Arctic Cat rider, Wes Selby). Heat three was topped by Idaho’s Dean Hunt (KTM/Timbersled), with Canadian Chris Giesbrecht (YAM/Timbersled) second and former factory Yamaha racer, California’s Josh Hill (YAM/Camso) taking third. Until the previous day, Hill had never even seen a snow bike, but as expected, he picked it up quick, getting help along the way from Camso, Blitz Motorsports in Bozeman, Montana, Ray’s Sport & Cycle in Grand Rapids, Yamaha, Monster Energy, Pro Circuit, and others like Camso factory mechanic, Colton Sturm, and close friend and fellow fast pro, Keaton Ward. Hill has a rich pedigree, with past AMA Supercross wins and a recent victory over Ricky Carmichael in
Europe, so everyone knew that he would get fast quickly (and he did).
The 15-rider Men’s Pro Main was filled out by the LCQ and after falling in his heat, Keaton Ward (KTM/Timbersled), won it, chased by Dustin Traxel, Brandon Dossett, Trevor Bristol, Lee Jelinek and Colton Sturm. Just missing the cut was well-known freestyler, Ride 365 racer and social media wizard, Oklahoma’s Brett Cue (HON, Camso). Like Josh Hill, Cue had never even seen a snow bike until the day prior, but he began adapting immediately and was turning in some solid laps by day’s end. He had a big smile plastered on his face all day and will be racing snow bikes all season. Jimmy Jarrett usually gets great starts and this pro main was no exception as he blasted into the lead and stayed there for 15 laps to win the main. But behind him, a full-blown war raged between Keaton Ward, Seth Fischer, Chad Jelinek, and Mark Wilson. Mick Olson and Dean Hunt also ran strong until falling and dropping back near the end. At the finish, the order behind winner Jarrrett, was: Fischer, Ward, Wilson, Jelinek, and Hill who got faster with every lap.
Of course, the Men’s Pro Main wasn’t the only great part of the show; incredibly fast, and tough, female racer, Shayna Lier (HON/CMX), South Dakota’s Shayna Lier (HON/CMX) won both the pro women’s and 450 Developmental class, defeating numerous men and women along the way. It is likely that Shayna is currently the fastest female snow bike racer on the planet and she is literally getting faster with every race. The other AMA National points-paying class, the Senior 40+ division, ran with a traditional, two moto format and Minnesota’s Jeff Davis (YAM/Timbersled) took the win, with Minnesota ironman Pete Olson (HON/Timbersled) and Brett Cue’s mechanic, Lance Green (HON/Camso) grabbing third.
Another interesting, new snow bike brand showed up at Quadna. The Hoot 85 is specifically designed to turn a Yamaha YZ85 into a snow bike, and company owner Kris Jorgenson, steered the tiny mini around the challenging race course in the Senior 40+ class. He didn’t win, but the little bike never faltered and raced around all day with its 40-year old, 200-pound pilot, making one wonder how fast it would go with a 90-pound, 10-year old on board. A critical next step in the rapidly-expanding snow bike industry will be the continuing development of smaller snow bikes for kids, and the Hoot 85, along with Timbersled’s Ripper, will help to make that happen.
Rounds 2 and 3 of the AMA National Championship Snow Bike Series will be held as part of the legendary World Championship Snowmobile Derby at Eagle River, Wisconsin on January 19- 20, 2018, and will feature two nights of racing in front of 12,000-plus spectators, plenty of snow, and plenty of things to see and do.
Click here to see Round 1 results.