Press Release-
TEAM ARCTIC HILLCLIMBERS START 2012 SEASON ON TOP
Nine Class Victories and Two King Titles aboard M Series Mountain Machines
The 2012 RMSHA hillclimb season started just as it has for years, with Team Arctic men and women claiming the most victories of any brand at the Bear Lake Hillclimb in Montpelier, Idaho. Piloting the formidable M Series snowmobiles, including the new ProClimb chassis, Team Arctic racers won nine of 18 classes, then added two King titles for a final stamp of authority at the first race of the season.
It was the potent combination of the new ProClimb HCR and an experienced crew of racers that dominated the big-engine classes. Kyle Tapio delivered a career-performance by winning 800 Improved, 800 Mod and Open Mod, then topped it off with the Improved King title. Hot on his heels, brother Nels won the 700 Mod final and had enough mojo to overtake Kyle to win the Mod King title.
Arctic Cat racer and M-sled engineer Todd Tupper showed he’s still the man to beat in the Masters classes, winning both Stock and Improved finals aboard his 2012 M800 HCR in the ProClimb chassis.
Other class winners aboard Arctic Cat M machines include Rob Kincaid in 600 Improved; Amy Zollinger in Women’s Improved; and Derek Merritt in RMSHA Stock.
“With the start of a new season and the all-new ProClimb chassis, there were questions about what to expect from the team,” said Al Shimpa, Team Arctic Hillclimb Coordinator. “Winning nine classes and two King titles was a powerful and impressive answer. We have a tremendous team of racers, and our snowmobiles are only going to get better as we get more race experience.”
Team Arctic Race Results from RMSHA Bear Lake Hillclimb
600 Stock
3. Rob Kincaid
600 Improved
1. Rob Kincaid
3. David McClure
600 Mod
3. Nels Tapio
700 Mod
1. Nels Tapio
800 Improved
1. Kyle Tapio
800 Mod
1. Kyle Tapio
1000 Stock
3. Ty Free
1000 Improved
2. David McClure
Open Mod
1. Kyle Tapio
3. Russ Tapio
Pro Masters Stock
1. Todd Tupper
Pro Masters Improved
1. Todd Tupper
Women Stock
2. Amy Zollinger
Women Improved
1. Amy Zollinger
Women Mod
2. Amy Zollinger
RMSHA Stock
1. Derek Merritt
2. Ben Adams
Imp. King: Kyle Tapio
Mod King: Nels Tapio