Standing atop the podium of last week’s ISOC National Snocross in Fargo, ND, were two names familiar to anyone who followed Team Arctic terrain racing in the 1990s and early 2000s: Scheele and Pake.
Standing atop the podium of last week’s ISOC National Snocross in Fargo, ND, were two names familiar to anyone who followed Team Arctic terrain racing in the 1990s and early 2000s: Scheele and Pake.
Indeed, if there was a snocross or cross-country event in the decade that began in the early ‘90s, chances were favorable that those last names occupied the podium in the premier Pro classes.
The difference between then and now is the first names.
In the 1990s it was Aaron and Brad. Last weekend at Fargo, it was Anson (left) and Andy.
Young Anson Scheele and Andy Pake battled each other (as well as whole bunch of other top-notch Team Arctic racers) in the Transition 8-12 class, aboard Arctic Cat Sno Pro 500s.
Anson is becoming something of a veteran racer, having competed in regional and national snocross events for the past few years. Andy is in the very early stages of what looks to be a promising racing career, having competed twice previously at the end of the 2014 season.
There is a long tradition of “generations” for Arctic Cat people, including riders and racers. We pass down our passions and priorities to our children.
I can think of several family names where a parent/child were part of the Team Arctic program: Lofton, Thompson, Dyrdahl, Houle, DeVault, Herzig, Espeseth, Neuman, Lindbeck, Davis, Zollinger, Dick, Langass, Hallstrom, Herfindahl, and many more. Seriously, I’m probably forgetting a couple dozen and for that I apologize.
I’m not sure if Rex or Kirk Hibbert’s kids ever raced snowmobiles… I’ll look into it and report back.
What struck me so much by the 1-2 of Anson Scheele and Andy Pake was the rare circumstance that the progeny of two famous Team Arctic racers finished together on the podium. Maybe it’s happened before, I just don’t remember it.
I spent the better part of my career covering the exploits of Aaron Scheele and Brad Pake, chasing the perfect photo of each at snocross and cross-country events all over the Midwest.
I look forward to doing the same with Anson and Andy.
Welcome to the family, boys! And congrats on your success at carrying on the family tradition.
Thanks to Matt Pranger and Gary Walton for the great double family podium shot.
And thanks to all for reading.
Team Arctic’s Aaron Scheele was a sensational terrain racer throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, including winning several MRP championships. This shot was from the ’96-97 season opener in Searchmont.
Brad Pake was one of the most accomplished racers of any decade, scoring wins and top finishes in cross-country, snocross, ovals and even hillclimbs during the mid- to late-1990s.
Aaron (left) and Brad line up for a race at the Duluth snocross in 1996.
is that a cutoff sleeve Arctic Cat race jacket on Pake? Cool!
Also on the topic of old racers I was watching Slednecks 1 the other night due to the lack of snow and also the Blair Morgan Project which I was able to find after a many year search on VHS. Who was #22 for Cat in the snox days?
Great article John,
Looks like both Brad and Aaron have their chest sticking out pretty far as they should!
They are living the American Dream on the race track again but with their children.
Been there myself and man, that’s a good feeling!!!
Good luck to all the Arctic Cat racers!
was it Dan Sturgeon
Pake knew one speed in a ditch, WFO!! Many times I watched him rip down a ditch on hwy 59! Great to see those names still in the sport for years to come.
Nothing better than seeing your kid do well at anything…..or even OK…or at least not completely goof up, or if they do, that is OK as well. Always proud of the youth racers to get out and do their thing, it is not easy, even at the entry levels! Proud of all of you!
Good to see those old snocrossers again! Hey John, how about a story on their race sleds in the pictures, what I like to call “the people’s snopro”, the 97′ ZR 440.