Terra-X is Changing!

November 6, 2023

Wyatt McIntyre flying on Jump Terra X

It was the MASTERS that started a whole new form of racing, called Terra-X. As with all NEW forms of Snowmobile Racing, Terra-X is evolving. The changes for the 2024 Terra-X series is going to make a great new form of racing MORE FUN for the RACER and MORE EXCITING for the Fans.

We will continue to have each driver run by themselves against the clock. It is the time trials that will determine where the racer will be ‘seeded.’ The fastest time will be ‘seeded #1’ and will run a best of 3, 3 lap race, against the lowest ‘seed.’

The racers will run in a bracket style tournament, right up to the Feature 5 lap race in each class.

We will have Trophy/Award Classes for Trail Riders, and we will have Cash Payout Classes in Pro Stock 650, Pro Stock Open, Pro Mod 650 and the FEATURE CLASS, TOP DOG (Pro Mod Open).

Wyatt Nathan Larry Trish V-5 Enduro top 3 2023

We will even have a Beat your Buddy where friends can sign up to race against each other! However, due to Insurance Rules, ALL Snowmobiles must have an operating Tether, and the Racers are required to have Helmet, Eye Protection, and Upper Body Protection.

What actually is Terra-X? Think of it as what NASCAR calls a ‘Roval.’ The ¾- to 1 mile course has jumps, moguls, right and left hand turns, and a sweeping turn that runs into a ‘straight stretch.’ In other words we combine Snow Cross with Cross Country with an old fashioned Snow Oval…all into one course.

It truly is a BLAST. It is A LOT OF FUN. Only 2 sleds on the course at a time. Give it a try, and see for yourself!

{ 0 comments }

The MASTERS Racing Circuit works with the Media of the hometown racers that win.  The following is what the MASTERS submitted to the Marquette Mining Journal, including the pictures and captions.

Chain Gang Racing out of Ishpeming made the trip west to the Copper Country with the intent to be stiff competition at the Pat’s Motorports-Wildlife Refuge Cabins Motorcycle Hillclimb.  They not only were stiff competition, they WERE the competition.

Brad Havela of Ishpeming won the Jesse Perry Memorial Class at the Motorcycle HIllclimb in South Range. Next to Havela is Marisa Corkin of Stampede Sport and Feed, who donated a Plaque in memory of Perry, who lost his life after last years Hillclimb in a non-motorcycle tragedy.

The ‘Father-Son’ duo of Brad and Gage Havela of Ishpeming took 4 Class 1sts and won the feature Class, the Stampede Sport and Feed Jesse Perry Memorial 450 cc class.  Perry lost his life, non-motorcycle, right after competing in last September’s Hillclimb.

In addition to dominating in all these classes, Gage Havela, set the fastest time of the day.  The Willey’s Tire Center/Bartanen’s Auto Body/Havela’s Finnish’ hillcimber ran an amazing 14.70 second run. He did this on the steep 600+ foot Whealkate Bluff.

Ishpeming’s Gage Havela captured 1st Place in 4 Classes at the recent MASTERS Motorcycle Hillclimb in South Range.

“A 14 second run up the steep hill is difficult, but very possible with the right bike set-up.  More important than all having good driver practice and finesse,” (Gage) Havela stated.  He had this run in the qualifying round.

For the vast majority of the racers the goal was to make it over the top of the Hill.  Next goal was to qualify for the Finals, with the biggest goal for the contingent of racers from Ishpeming was to be one of the 3 to qualify for the Jesse Perry Memorial Class.

Brad and Gage Havela made it into Final.  Gage went first and made it over the top in 16.92 seconds.  Brad went next and turned in a very fast 15.15 second run.  Dollar Bay’s Colin Kemppainen crashed at the 156 yard mark. 

It was a Father (Brad on right) and Son (Gage on left), the Havela’s of Ishpeming that won an amazing 5 classes at the historic Whealkate Bluff Motorcycle Hillclimb in South Range.

The Father, Brad, won the beautiful Jesse Perry Memorial Plaque.  Kemppainen won the Havela’s Finnish/Q107 ‘Crash of the Day.’

“I went there with positive thoughts and knew Jesse (Perry) was looking down on the whole Chain Gang crew, wishing us a safe and effective day of racing,” Gage explained.  “I was giving my Dad a run for his money for the Jesse Perry Memorial race.  He beat me this year.”

Before that feature, Gage had won in 4 classes.  This gave him 4 shots at the Moyle Construction Pro Mod King of the Hill.  “Towards the end of the day I was getting quite tired after racing up the hill so many times.  Overall I was very happy with the outcome we (Chain Gang Racing) all had at the hill.”

Mass City’s Mike Kirtland, who was inducted into the MASTERS Racing Circuit Hall of Fame earlier in the day, went on to win his 5th consecutive Pro Mod King of the Hill.

Brad’s daughter, Hanna, was unable to defend her 906 & Company Queen of the Hill.  She ended with a 3rd, as Lake Linden’s Jamie Moilanen won the Diamond House International Jacket.  Fellow Ishpeming gal, Kristy Junak took 2nd in the Queen of the Hill shoot-out.

Overall the Havela’s Finnish Chain Gang Racing team took home over $800.

“I want thank all my close friends for coming, even more important I want to thank my Dad for introducing me into the hillclimb lifestyle.  I also want to thank him for everything he does to help make sure our bikes are race ready,” concluded Gage (Havela).  “I look forward to climbing Whealkate Bluff next year.”

The Hillclimb was sanctioned by the Mid America Snow & Terrain Expert Racers.  Commonly known at the MASTERS.  The Motorcycle and Snowmobile Race Circuit has been around since 1991, and had run the popular Snowmobile Drag Races at Marquette Mountain for over 20 years.  The MASTERS has the Snow Bikes and Snowmobiles try to climb the South Range bluff the 1st and 4th weekend in February.

Pat’s Motorsports-Wildlife Refuge Cabins

Motorcycle Hillclimb, Whealkate Bluff, 7/22/2023 Results

Stampede Sport & Feed Jesse Perry Memorial Class Feature:  1) Brad Havela, Ishpeming, 15.15; 2) Gage Havela, Ishpeming, 16.92; 3) Colin Kemppanien, Dollar Bay, 156 yards.

Diamond House International/906 & Company Queen of the Hill Shoot-out:  1) Jamie Moilanen, Lake Linden, 107 yards; 2) Kristy Junak, Ishpeming, 83 yards; 3) Hanna Havela, Ishpeming, DNS.

Moyle Construction/Diamond House International Pro Mod King of the Hill Shoot-out:  1) Mike Kirtland, Mass City, 15.65; 2) Gage Havela, Ishpeming, 16.33; 3) Brian Pence, Rockland, High Mark.

M & M Power Sports/Diamond House International Pro Stock King of the Hill:  1) Brian Pence, Rockland, 178 yards.  Qualifying Run 18.49.

Premium Spray Foam & Coatings/Diamond House International Junior King of the Hill:  1) Gabe Kirtland, Mass City, 85 yards.

Keweenaw Motorsports 250-2/450-4 Stock:  1) Brian Pence, Rockland, 178 yards;  2) Austin Rivard, Gwinn, 153 yards;  3) Mike Kirtland, Mass City, 146 yards.

Bobcat of Greenland Stock Engine/Swing Arm:  1) Gage Havela, Ishpeming, 15.38;  2) Mike Kirtland, Mass City, 203 yards;  3) Brian Pence, Rockland, 133 yards.

Eagle Radio/Q-107 Open Stock:  1) Gage Havela, Ishpeming, 15.53; 2) Mike Kirtland, Mass City, 17.39; 3) Brad Havela, Ishpeming, 198 yards.

Willey’s Tire Center/Bartanen’s Auto Body 350-2/450-4 Mod Swing Arm:  1) Gage Havela, Ishpeming, 16.17;  2) Mike Kirtland, Mass City, 19.17;  3) Brian Pence, 155 yards.

Serv-Pro of Ishpeming/Daily Mining Gazette 500-2/650-4:  1) Mike Kirtland, Mass City, 18:03;  2) Brian Pence, Rockland, 106 yards;  3) Leif Forcia, Lake Linden, (Qualifying Round-204 yards) Scratch in Finals.

Timberline Sports of Bergland TOP GUN:  Mike Kirtland, Mass City, 196 yards

Havela’s Finnish’s/Eagle Radio/Q107 Crash of the Day; 1) Colin Kemppainen, Dollar Bay; 2) Jack Goldworthy, Ishpeming; 3) Larry Madgewick, Rockland.

Keweenaw Chevrolet/LF Enterprises FASTEST TIME OF THE DAY:  1) Gage Havela, Ishpeming, 14.70, Mod 350-2/450-4 Qualifying Round;  2) Brad Havela, Ishpeming, 15.15, Jesse Perry Memorial 450 Feature;  3) Gage Havela, Ishpeming, 15.38 Stock with Swing Final.

{ 0 comments }

The Wildlife Refuge Cabins-Pat’s Motorsports Motorcycle Hillclimb should have been billed as the ‘Father-Son’ Motorcycle Hillclimb.  The tradition of this Hillclimb dates back into the 1970’s.   Without any Village promotion, the hillclimb continues to put South Range on the map.

“Other than the first year we (MASTERS) brought the Motorcycle Hillclimb back to life, we had the best turnout of racers,” explained Sandy Schulz of the MASTERS.  The MASTERS is an acronym for Mid America Snow & Terrain Expert Racers.  “We had racers from Iron Mountain, Gwinn, Champion, and of course the strong group from Ishpeming.”

Mass City’s Gabe Kirtland won the Junior King of the Hill

The Hillclimb opened up with Gabe Kirtland of Mass City taking the Premium Spray Foam and Coatings Junior King of the Hill.  After what appeared to be a disastrous start, his Father Mike, went on to take his 5th Consecutive Moyle Construction/Diamond House International Pro Mod King of the Hill.  This would not be the first Father-Son duo.

The Hillclimb looked like it would also be a Father-Daughter event.  The defending Diamond House International/906 & Company Queen of the Hill, Hanna Havela of Ishpeming decided to forego her attempt in the ‘shoot-out.’ 

Taking home the Queen of the Hill in her FIRST Motorcycle Hillclimb was Dollar Bay’s Jamie Moilanen. Next to Jamie is Leif Forcia Sr of Lake Linden who provided Moilanen with the LF Enterprises Motorcycle.

That left the Queen of the Hill run to Jamie Moilanen of Lake Linden and Kristy Junak of Ishpeming.  Moilanen went the highest in both the Qualifying round and the Final Round.  That gave her choice as to whether to go 1st or 2nd.  She chose to go 2nd.

Junak went up 83 yards, and Moilanen followed by going 107 yards.  That shootout run was the farthest of all the gals’ attempts at the steep South Range bluff.

“I wasn’t nervous and while I didn’t know if I would win, I knew I had a good shot with the LF Enterprises bike,” explained Moilanen after the hillclimb.

Dollar Bay’s Colin Kemppaninen and Rockland’s Brian Pence were the first riders to make it over the top in the Keweenaw Motorsports Stock Class. Kemppaninen turned in a 21.52 second run, Pence made it over the ‘Wall’ with an 18.49 second run.  It would turn out to be one of the only runs Pence would conquer the Hill.

Rockland’s Brian Pence won the Pro Stock King of the Hill

Pence did go the highest to win the M & M Power Sports Stock King of the Hill by making it 178 yards.  “I kept losing power three quarters of the way up.  By the time I down-shifted, it was too late.  While I have been riding bikes all my life, this is only my 2nd time hillclimbing,” commented Pence.

The feature race was the Stampede Sport and Feed Jesse Perry Memorial 450cc class.  It was after last September’s MASTERS Hillclimb that Perry passed away in a non-motorcycle event.  The class would payback 100% of the Driver Entry Fees to the top 3 riders.

Winning the Jesse Perry Memorial Feature was Brad Havela (left). With him is Marisa Corkin of Stampede Sport and Feed.

Ishpeming’s Gage Havela qualified 1st by running the hill in 16.30 seconds.  He chose to go first in the Final and set the bar with a 16.92 second run on the Serv-Pro of Ishpeming/Havela’s Finnish Bike.  His Father, Brad Havela knew win to have his best run of the day.  The Chain Gang Racing rider made it over the top in 15.15 seconds!

“Jesse (Perry) was a team-mate and one of my best friends, so this class and run meant a lot to me,” commented the Bartanen’s Auto Body/Havela’s Finnish rider, Brad Havela.

“I went there with positive thoughts and knew Jesse was looking down on the whole Chain Gang crew wishing us a safe and effective day of racing.  I was giving my Dad a run for the money for the Jesse Perry Memorial race but he best me this year,” commented Brad Havela.

The final person to qualify for the Feature race was Kemppaninen.  He made it to the 156 foot mark and had the Eagle Radio/Havela’s Finnish ‘Crash of the Day.’  Kemppaninen did not get hurt.

Winning his 5th Consecutive Pro Mod King of the Hill was Mass City’s Mike Kirtland

The Father may have won this feature but it was his son, Gage that totally dominated throughout the day.  The younger Havela went on to not only win an amazing 4 classes, but set the fastest time of the day. 

During the qualifying round, Brad Havela turned in a 14.70 second run for the Keweenaw Chevrolet/LF Enterprises Fastest time of the Day.  “A 14 second run up the steep hill is difficult but with the right bike set up, more important than all, have a good driver with practice and finesse,” concluded Brad Havela.

The MASTERS Racing Circuit now turns its attention to the winter of 2024.  They will open with Terra-X racing in January, then run the WINTERNATIONALS Hillclimb, February 3-4, and the Mid America Championship Hillclimb on Feb 24-25th.  The MASTERS will help with the Sleds for Vets Freestyle Show on March 2nd in Hancock.

Pat’s Motorsports-Wildlife Refuge Cabins

Motorcycle Hillclimb, Whealkate Bluff, 7/22/2023 Results

Stampede Sport & Feed Jesse Perry Memorial Class Feature:  1) Brad Havela, Ishpeming, 15.15; 2) Gage Havela, Ishpeming, 16.92; 3) Colin Kemppnien, Dollar Bay, 156 yards.

Diamond House International/906 & Company Queen of the Hill Shoot-out:  1) Jamie Moilanen, Lake Linden, 107 yards; 2) Kristy Junak, Ishpeming, 83 yards; 3) Hanna Havela, Ishpeming, DNS.

Moyle Construction/Diamond House International Pro Mod King of the Hill Shoot-out:  1) Mike Kirtland, Mass City, 15.65; 2) Gage Havela, Ishpeming, 16.33; 3) Brian Pence, Rockland, High Mark.

M & M Power Sports/Diamond House International Pro Stock King of the Hill:  1) Brian Pence, Rockland, 178 yards.  Qualifying Run 18.49.

Premium Spray Foam & Coatings/Diamond House International Junior King of the Hill:  1) Gabe Kirtland, Mass City, 85 yards.

Keweenaw Motorsports 250-2/450-4 Stock:  1) Brian Pence, Rockland, 178 yards;  2) Austin Rivard, Gwinn, 153 yards;  3) Mike Kirtland, Mass City, 146 yards.

Bobcat of Greenland Stock Engine/Swing Arm:  1) Gage Havela, Ishpeming, 15.38;  2) Mike Kirtland, Mass City, 203 yards;  3) Brian Pence, Rockland, 133 yards.

Eagle Radio/Q-107 Open Stock:  1) Gage Havela, Ishpeming, 15.53; 2) Mike Kirtland, Mass City, 17.39; 3) Brad Havela, Ishpeming, 198 yards.

Willie’s Tire Center/Bartanen’s Auto Body 350-2/450-4 Mod Swing Arm:  1) Gage Havela, Ishpeming, 16.17; 2) Mike Kirtland, Mass City, 19.17; 3) Brian Pence, 155 yards.

Serv-Pro of Ishpeming/Daily Mining Gazette 500-2/650-4:  1) Mike Kirtland, Mass City, 18:03;  2) Brian Pence, Rockland, 106 yards;  3) Leif Forcia, Lake Linden, (Qualifying Round-204 yards) Scratch in Finals.

Timberline Sports of Bergland TOP GUN:  Mike Kirtland, Mass City, 196 yards

Havela’s Finnish’s/Eagle Radio Crash of the Day; 1) Colin Kempainen, Dollar Bay; 2) Jack Goldworthy, Ishpeming; 3) Larry Madgewick, Rockland.

Keweenaw Chevrolet/LF Enterprises FASTEST TIME OF THE DAY:  1) Gage Havela, Ishpeming, 14.70, Mod 350-2/450-4 Qualifying Round;  2) Brad Havela, Ishpeming, 15.15, Jesse Perry Memorial 450 Feature;  3) Gage Havela, Ishpeming, 15.38 Stock with Swing Final.

{ 0 comments }

Mass City, Michigan’s Mike Kirtland became the 1st Motorcycle Hillclimber to be put into the Mid America Snow & Terrain Expert Racers (MASTERS) Hall of Fame.  The MASTERS has been sanctioning Motorcycle Hillclimbs for 6 years.

At past Motorcycle Hillclimbs, Mike Kirtland was the only one to make it over the top of Whealkate Bluff

In those 5 years, the Pat’s Motorsports Technician has won the Pro Mod King of the Hill the last 5 Motorcycle Hillclimbs.  He notched his 5th King of the Hill AFTER he had already been chosen to be the 1st to represent the Motorcycle Venue in the MASTERS.

Kirtland was one of only 5 Hillclimbers to consistently take his Yamaha Motorcycles over the very steep Whealkate Bluff in South Range.  90% of the Motorcycle Hillclimbers at the Annual summer Hillclimbs fail to make it over ‘the Wall’ at the top of Whealkate and register a time.

“In addition to completely dominating in the Pro Mod King of the Hill ‘shoot-out,’ Mike and his sons are always willing to volunteer in filling in the wash-outs on the Hill before we (The MASTERS) can safely run a Hillclimb,” stated Larry Madgewick, MASTERS Official.  “Mike coordinates a ‘work bee’ at the hill, but often it is just Brayden, Gabe, and himself.  One year he (Mike) even gave up his sponsor money and put it in the cash purse for other hillclimbers to win!”

Before Kirtland went on to win his 5th Straight Moyle Construction-Diamond House International Pro Mod King of the HIll, Mike (right) Kirtland received his Hall of Fame Plaque with his son, Jacob (left).

Upon receiving his Hall of Fame plaque during the 2023 running of the Wildlife Refuge Cabins – Pat’s Motorsports – M & M Power Sports – Keweenaw Motorsports Hillclimb, an emotional Kirtland stated, “I had no idea.  This was a big surprise and sure meant a lot to me.”

Of the 1000+ racers, crew members, sponsors, and officials that have been a part of the MASTERS Racing Circuit since 1991, only 9 people are in the MASTERS Hall of Fame.

{ 0 comments }

Jordan Wolfe and Benny Cook made their return to the MASTERS Racing Circuit by capturing multiple classes at Saturday’s Terra-X races in Ontonagon.  Nathan LaCosse took 1st in a new form of Enduro racing.

The Pat’s Heavy Equipment Full Line Bobcat Dealer TOP DOG Finals: L-R, Jordan Wolfe-1st & Nathan LaCosse-2nd

Both Wolfe and Cook had competed in the past at MASTERS Hillclimbs.  It was the former Hurley area, Jordan Wolfe that won the TOP DOG feature over LaCosse.  Wolfe, now from Plover, Wisconsin, used his years of Snow Cross experience to hold off the ‘teen-ager’ from Champion, to win the 5 lap TOP DOG.

Wolfe, now racing the Brown Brothers/Timberline Sports Ski-Doo, had set the fastest time in the ¾ of mile Terra-X Course qualifying by running 56.09.  “The landing on the double and the table top comes from my Snow Cross experience,” Wolfe stated.  “First year running this new Ski-Doo and it really handled well.”

Citizens State Bank Enduro Champion has MASTERS Sandy Schulz handing Nathan LaCosse of Champion the $200.00

The time trials set the stage for exciting 2-sled finals.  LaCosse had previously run a 57.25 second lap, and defeated last year’s Terra-X top racer, Wyatt McIntyre of Greenland in all of the Pro Stock Classes.  The Polaris racer had to defeat McIntyre in the Semi-Finals of TOP DOG to challenge Wolfe for the #1 Bib in Terra-X.

Both were side by side in the long straight stretch out of the starting gate.  Going into the ‘S’ turns, Wolfe took the lead and never relinquished it for the 5 lap feature.  It was in the ‘S’ turns that LaCosse had some previous problems in other class races.

“It was actually easier for me to handle the sharp turns with the softer snow in the afternoon.  It was more difficult earlier in the day when it was icy,” explained Wolfe.

All the drivers stated they really liked the course that the North Country Snowmobile Club built.  Social Media was full of compliments from the fans that watched the races.  ‘It was great,’ and ‘that was exciting racing’ was the common post of those that watched.

Fans were able to watch from their vehicles, inside and outside of the North Country Snowmobile Clubhouse.  The club raised money for the work they did building the track and for Trail Grooming.  The club also received a $1000 donation from Norm Pestka Construction.

Fans were lined up in Cars, inside the North Country Snowmobile Clubhouse and outside around the 906 Services Bonfire to watch the Terra-X and Enduro races in Ontonagon on March 4th, 2023 in Ontonagon. The Volunteers of the club will be returning with another Terra-X/Enduro race in 2024!

Wolfe pocketed $350 for his wins, $200 of which came from Pat’s Motorsports for winning the TOP DOG Feature.

At the end of the day, LaCosse will be getting a check from The Olde Swing Bridge Coffee Shop for his Stock Class wins.

It was the side by side Children racing that drew the applause from the fans.  DePere, Wisconsin’s Benny Cook took both the 120 Mod and the 250 Premium Spray Foam and Coatings Class features.  The closest racing came in the 250 class as Otto Walli of the Copper Country and Ontonagon’s Addison Dishaw battled it out for 2nd.  Walli held Dishaw at bay to take 2nd for the Olde Swing Bridge Roasters Children’s Awards.

“Benny loves to race.  He loves to get ‘air’ off the jumps.  He is actually more comfortable with the 120 than he is with the new Yamaha 200,” Amy Cook, Benny’s Mother, stated.  “He would love to ride his snowmobiles all day long!”

Cook proved his mother right, as he and the other children continued to ride the course long after all the racing was done!

Cook had originally taken the MASTERS ‘Kids King of the Hill’ at prior year Hillclimbs.  Walli started racing by running at the MASTERS Hillclimbs.  Both children now race full time in other Circuit Snow Cross races.  Dishaw and Cooper Pestka, have competed this year at the MASTERS Hillclimbs.  The Circuit runs a shorter ‘Terra-X’ style course at the bottom of Whealkate Bluff in South Range.

For the first time in the brief 3 years that the MASTERS had run Enduro racing, that the Circuit had the drivers run their 1999 and older 500 cc sleds for the first 15 minutes.  Than the riders had to jump off their Vintage sleds and run their current snowmobiles for the remaining 15 minutes.

LaCosse and McIntyre opened up the Enduro racing in a tight side by side battle.  After a couple laps, LaCosse started to take a lead in the Citizen’s State Bank Enduro.  By the time the drivers changed sleds, LaCosse had a half lap lead over McIntyre and an entire lap lead over Rockland’s Larry Madgewick.

Madgewick opened the enduro with an old 1970 Arctic Cat 340 Jag with leaf springs.  When LaCosse and McIntyre changed over to current sleds, Madgewick changed over to another Vintage Sled, a decade newer Arctic Cat.

One of the top Hillclimbers in the Midwest, McIntyre edged Madgewick in the Terra-X Vintage II class.  McIntyre showed his sportsmanship by congratulating LaCosse, Wolfe, and Madgewick for how well they ran in both Terra-X and Enduro.  “Jordan (Wolfe) earned the TOP DOG win.  Nathan ran strong all day!”

Wyatt McIntyre of Pat’s Heavy Equipment/Bobcat giving Larry Madgewick $200 for Enduro Award

While LaCosse won $200 from Citizen’s State Bank of Ontonagon, it was Pat’s Heavy Equipment that gave the 60+ year old Madgewick $200 for running the entire half hour straight on Vintage sleds.

“The races were great.  I really want to thank all of our Club volunteers and all the fans.  The racers put on a great show for the fans.  We would like to run 2 Terra-X races here next year,” stated North Country Snowmobile Club President, Mike Olsen.

North Country Snowmobile Club Terra-X/Enduro Results

(Top 2 in Finals and Semi-Finals)

Pat’s Motorsports TOP DOG:  1) Jordan Wolfe, Plover, WI., Ski-Doo;  2) Nathan LaCosse, Champion, MI., Polaris.  Semi-Finals:  1) LaCosse.  2) Wyatt McIntyre, Greenland, MI., Polaris.

Citizen’s State Band Enduro:  1) Nathan LaCosse, Champion, MI., Polaris;  2) Wyatt McIntyre, Greenland, MI., Polaris.  Pat’s Motorsports Enduro Award to Larry Madgewick, Rockland, MI., Arctic Cat.

Premium Spray Foam & Coatings 120 Mod:  1) Benny Cook, DePere, WI., Polaris;  2) Otto Walli, Lake Linden, MI., Polaris;  3) Connor Pestka, Ontonagon, MI., Arctic Cat

Premium Spray Foam & Coatings 250 Children:  1) Benny Cook, DePere, WI., Yamaha;  2) Otto Walli, Lake Linden, MI., Ski-Doo;  3) Addison Dishaw, Ontonagon, MI., Tao.

Pat’s Heavy Equipment Bobcat Pro Mod 650:   1) Jordan Wolfe, Plover, WI., Ski-Doo 2) Nathan LaCosse, Champion, MI., Polaris;  Semi-Finals:  1) LaCosse;  2) Wyatt McIntyre, Greenland, MI., Polaris.

Citizen’s State Bank-Ontonagon Pro Mod 850:  1) Jordan Wolfe, Plover, WI., Ski-Doo;  2) Nathan LaCosse, Champion, MI., Polaris:  Sem-Finals:  1) LaCosse;  2) Wyatt McIntyre, Greenland, MI., Polaris. 

Old Swing Bridge Vintage II:  1) Wyatt McIntyre, Greenland, MI., Polaris;  2) Larry Madgewick, Rockland, MI., Arctic Cat.

North Country Snowmobile Club Stock 650:  1) Nathan LaCosse, Champion, MI., Polaris;  2) Wyatt McIntyre, Greenland, MI. Polaris.  Semi-Finals:  1) McIntyre;  2) Jordan Wolfe, Plover, WI., Polaris

Premium Spray Foam & Coatings Stock 850:  1) Nathan LaCosse, Champion, MI., Polaris;  2) Wyatt McIntyre, Greenland, MI., Polaris.

Pat’s Motorsports Pro Open Stock:   1) Nathan LaCosse, Champion, MI., Polaris;  2) Wyatt McIntyre, Greenland, MI., Polaris.  Semi-Finals:  1)  McIntyre;  2) Larry Madgewick, Rockland, MI., Arctic Cat.

Olde Swing Bridge # 1 Woman Terra-X:  Kaci Destrampe, Ontonagon, Polaris & Addison Dishaw, Ontonagon, Tao

{ 0 comments }

The site of the very first Terra-X race in the Nation will host another race this Saturday.  It will be at the North Country Snowmobile Club that the MASTERS Racing Circuit will run a Terra-X and V-5 Enduro Snowmobile Race.

Terra-X is a form of racing where riders of all ages and skill level will run a course consisting of hairpin turns, jumps, groomed sweeping turns and fast straight away.  The riders will run by themselves against the clock.  The 2nd and 3rd fastest times will then race side by side in the Semi-Finals, with the winner of that race taking on the fastest time in the Class Feature.

There is different classes from Junior to Trail riders to Pro level.  Those different divisions will be broken up based on the engine size of the snowmobile.

“What makes this day so much fun and exciting is the Children’s classes.  This is for kids from 4 years old to 12, running 120cc to 250 cc sleds.  They will race against each other on the course,” explained Larry Madgewick, MASTERS Official.  “Some have been racing on a shorter course at the bottom of our Hillclimbs, and some have been racing all winter In Snow Cross.”

Citizen’s State Bank of Ontonagon is going to hand out $200 to the winner in the TOP DOG Class.  This is the top professionals.  At last year’s Terra-X Championships in Saxon, Wisconsin, Wyatt McIntyre of Greenland won the Top Dog Feature over Matt Tingstad of Hurley.  McIntyre will be back to retain the #1 Terra-X crown.

After all of the Terra-X races are done the V-5 Enduro will take place.  This is where snowmobiles that are 1999 and older, with 500 cc or less engine size, will run for a half hour straight.  They will run on the same course as the Terra-X racers.

“I’ll never forget that first race where Jimmy Marietta had a big lead right to the end, then he blew a belt.  Did that make the finish exciting,” commented North Country Snowmobile Club President, Mike Olsen.  “They all start off hard and fast, but by the end you can see how tired they are!”

It is the North Country Snowmobile Club that has done a lot of work building the course.  The Club is proud to not only bring this race back to Ontonagon, but also how the race is great for the young children, including the Juniors.

“This is the future of snowmobiling.  It is great to see the Parents get the kids involved in snowmobile racing.  It is a great way for Parents and Children to bond,” explained Olsen.

The winner of the V-5 Enduro is going to get $200 from Pat’s Heavy Equipment, as a full line Bobcat Dealer.  They are located on M-38 in Greenland, right across from Pat’s Motorsports.  The North Country Snowmobile Club has also received sponsorship from Old Swing Bridge Coffee of Downtown Ontonagon.

The club and the race has also received a lot of help and sponsorship from 906 Services.  It is right up from 906 Services on M-64 that the race will take place.

Racer registration is Friday, March 3rd from 2-8 pm at the Motorhome, located at the track.  Registration will also run from 8 to 9 am on Saturday Morning.  Racing will begin around 10:00 am.  The MASTERS, which is an acronym for Mid America Snow and Terrain Expert Racers, is asking for a $5.00 donation.  The North Country Snowmobile Clubhouse will have food and beverages.  Fans can watch the races from inside the Clubhouse.

{ 0 comments }

Sigma Tau Gamma works for Special Olympics

March 3, 2023

For the past 4 years Sigma Tau Gamma Fraternity of Michigan Tech has been working as Hill Jockeys at the Snowmobile Hillclimbs in South Range.  A Hill Jockey is a person that helps a Hillclimber get the snowmobile un-stuck.  They also keep the Snowmobile from going down the hill without the driver. The brothers of Sigma Tau […]

Read the full article →

Marietta and Stank take King of Hill!

March 2, 2023

Whether it was 7 Tenths of a second or 7 One Hundredth of a second, it was the difference of taking home an additional $500.00 or going home without $500.00.  This close competition took place last weekend in South Range as a part of the Vollwerth’s Meats Mid America Championship Hillclimb (MACH). The MACH was the […]

Read the full article →

Mid America Championship Hillclimb (MACH World Championship Qualifier)

February 13, 2023

It will be on February 25th-26th that 8 invitations to this years World Championship Hillclimb in Jackson, Wyoming, will be handed out.  The Junior and Women’s Class Champions, unless it is Kaiden Kaurala and Stephanee Lynn, will be given the opportunity to represent the Mid America Snow & Terrain Expert Racers (MASTERS) Racing Circuit.   Kaurala […]

Read the full article →

Terra-X/V5 Enduro Registration Form

February 13, 2023

The MASTERS has EXPANDED the classes for the March 4th North Country Snowmobile Club Terra-X/V5 Enduro in Ontonagon, MI.  We have specifically classes for Trail-Riders!  Here is your chance to beat your buddy.  You run against the clock!  Than the top 3 times qualify for the 2-Sled Multiple lap races!  You can win a beautiful […]

Read the full article →