Photos by sledracer.com
Christian Brothers Racing Riders Finish 1-2 At USCC Opener
CBR Riders Claim Nine Podium Spots At ISOC Regional
Christian Brothers Racing riders claimed the Top 2 spots in the Pro 600 class at the USCC Pine Lake 100 in Gonvick, Minn., this past Sunday, January 15. The race is the first on the six-race 2012 USCC National Guard Cross-Country Snowmobile Championship as well as the first lake race in over a decade.
Brian Dick, D.J. Ekre and Ryan Simons went to Pine Lake with minimal testing, but the team was confident in its Drift Racing Troy Lee Designs Arctic Cat.
The Pro 600 final was set for 10 laps on the 10-mile course set up on Pine Lake and starting position in the three flights of riders was determined during a one-lap qualifying race. Dick, Ekre and Simons all earned front row starting spots and on green Dick got a good start, coming out in second. He passed the first place rider and took the lead on the first lap and proceeded to put on a lake racing clinic on his way to a convincing win.
Ekre found his way into second but fell back to third early on. He gave chase on the second place rider for most of the race until he forced a mistake on the other rider and took the place back. Simons finished a strong fifth.
“We had one good day of testing for the ice this past week,” Dick said. “The Arctic Cat Sno Pro 600 and the new Procross chassis responded well and we were confident we had a good setup. We couldn’t have scripted a more perfect race!”
Dick also finished second in the two-lap Pro Open race. The Pro 600 win was Dick’s first since he claimed the win at the Red Lake I-500 just one year ago. The win also gives him momentum and the Pro 600 points lead headed into the next event on the six-race schedule, the J&K Marine Beach Bar 200, scheduled to take place January 28-29 in Detroit Lakes, Minn.
The other half of the Christian Brothers Racing team traveled to ERX Motor Park for the ISOC Regional snocross race January 14-15. Garth Kaufman, Logan Christian, Cory Davis and Evan Christian claimed nine podiums including a Pro Stock win by Davis during Saturday’s racing.
Kaufman finished third in Pro Stock and second in Pro Open. On Sunday Christian was the top finisher taking second in Pro Open with Kaufman claiming a third in both Open and Stock. Evan Christian got his share of podium finishes as well, taking second in Transition Combined on Saturday and a third on Sunday and a second in Transition Limited on Sunday.
“My Drift Racing Troy Lee Designs Arctic Cat was working really well at ERX,” said Davis. “There was a lot of talent at ERX and I knew I would have to ride well in the final to win. I just focused on trying to get a good clean start and getting out front and riding a good, clean race. It all worked out and I brought home the win.”
“What a great weekend for the Christian Brothers Racing team,” said team co-owner Dwight Christian. “We set the pace at two different snowmobile races in the same weekend and we did it because everyone on the team worked really hard to make it happen. Our season just keeps getting better.”
Next up the Christian Brothers Racing team will travel to the Eagle River World Championship Snowmobile Derby where Kaufman, Davis, Ekre and Evan Christian will race for the snocross World Championship. Logan Christian will travel to Sweden to race Stadium Cross. For more info on Christian Brothers Racing visit www.christianbrosracing.com.
wish I had a crystal ball so i knew all the places where these new cool cats are racing on the weekends so i could go watch them..if ti is cat stuff what is the part numbers for the windshield and handguards on the race sled pictured?
We were at the Pine Lake race. All kinds of AC factory support for the racers. Great weather, great classic venue, tons of spectators, lot’s of fun! Great showing by Team Arctic!
Brian drove a flawless race, his machine was dialed to perfection, class act driver and person, stopped to sign my 7 year son’s hat. Great race,
Glad to see a great first outting for the cross country guys ….. and Cat!!! Glad it went better than the first sno-x showing …
why hasnt ryan simon raced in snow cross lately
Ryan is racing XC only this year
Brian is a great guy and a top racer at any level and one hell of a sit down and talk to the people person. Class act
Too bad we see no factory support on the east coast. Everyone forgets about us
Concur with TXL 24 above. Saw Brian Dick after the race up in the lodge before the awards ceremony when we were all starving for burgers, drummies & fries. Class act driver & fun to be around. Another reminder why we love this sport called snowmobiling & the people who are involved in it at every level.