Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Nathan Lacosse, 19, left, of Champion, Michigan, and Wyatt McIntyre, 16, right, of Greenland, Michigan, race against one another as part of the Terra-X race.
By CHARITY SMITH
SAXON, Wis. - Terra-X - a new kind of snowmobile racing created by the Mid America Snowmobile Tournament of Expert Riders - took over the Iron County Fairgrounds on Saturday.
The event was brought to Saxon by the Hurley Area Chamber of Commerce, White Thunder Riders, and the Iron County Fair Board.
"This is only the second time that it was ever done. It went very good. Everybody from the drivers to the parents was very happy and they're all hoping we do more of these," said Skip Schultz, president of MASTERS. "Comments from members of the White Thunder Riders were all positive."
Terra X incorporates three different forms of racing, including snow oval and snocross snowmobile racing with trail riding, said Schultz. It consists of time trials, with the top three advancing per class. Terra X offers Feature, Open Mod and Open Stock racing classes. Schultz reported at least 50 people participated.
"This is the first time my son, Nathan, was on the sled he ran," said Matt La Cosse, a MASTERS Racing Circuit Hall of Fame Inductee. "We really enjoyed this. I just wonder where he is learning to do the jumps like he did today."
The event went into the afternoon, with many ages participating. Schultz they like to include the kids for they will carry the sport into the future. Children as young as 5 took to the track on 120cc sleds.
"The kids racing together was great. Wish there was more of this," said Matt Cook, father of Ben Cook.
After the Terra-X races, the Vintage 500 Enduro took place. Snowmobilers raced around the track on 500cc sleds continuously for a half hour to show endurance.
"I loved this. Even after a half hour of pushing it in the Vintage 500 Enduro, I'm not sore," said Kyle Pallin of Ironwood. "Maybe tomorrow my back will be sore. I want to do this again."
Schultz said the event went so well that they are planning to bring Terra-X back to Saxon again next year.
Results
Top Dog: 1. Wyatt McIntyre, Greenland, Polaris; 2. Matt Tingstad, Hurley, Ski-Doo; 3. Perry Elsmore, Polaris.
Pro Stock: 1. Wyatt McIntyre, Greenland, Polaris; 2. Tony Blemke, Hurley, Polaris; 3. Joshua Smith, Ironwood, Polaris.
Stock 600cc: 1. Nathan LaCosse, Champion, Polaris; 2. Wyatt McIntyre, Greenland, Polaris; 3. Charlie Boggetto, Ironwood, Polaris.
Stock 850cc: 1. Wyatt McIntyre, Greenland, Polaris; 2. Colin Blair, Ironwood, Polaris; 3. Joe Zaharias, Saxon.
Mod 600cc: 1. Wyatt McIntyre, Greenland, Polaris; 2. Nathan LaCosse, Champion, Polaris; 3. Joel LePage, Hubbell.
Vintage Terra-X: 1. Perry Elsmore, Polaris; 2. Nathan LaCosse, Champion, Polaris; 3. Joel LePage, Hubbell.
Vintage 500cc Enduro: 1. Kyle Pallin, Ironwood, Polaris; 2. Tony Blemke, Hurley, Polaris; 3. Colin Blair, Polaris.
Fastest Qualilfyiing Time of the Day: 1. Matt Tingstad, Hurley, Ski-Doo. 43.31 (Top Dog 1st Round); 2. Nathan LaCosse, Champion, Polaris, 45.11 (Mod 850cc, 1st Round).
Children's 250cc: 1. Ben Cook, DePere, Wisconsin, Arctic Cat; 2. Lucas Solberg, Ontonagon, Polaris; 3). Bronson Walowinski.
Sport Children's Mod 120cc: 1. Ben Cook, DePere, Arctic Cat; 2, Nolan Preiss, Ontonagon, Polaris; 3. Rylan Rose, Republic, Polaris.
Children's Stock 120cc: 1. Rylan Rose, Republic, Polaris; 2. Bronson Walowinski, Polaris; 3. Nolan Preiss, Ontonagon, Polaris.
