Press Release-
TEAM ARCTIC RACERS AND PROCROSS CHASSIS UNSTOPPABLE AT GRAFTON 100 CROSS-COUNTRY
D.J. Ekre Wins both Pro Classes, Leading 13 Class Victories at the USCC Grafton 100
Thief River Falls, Minn. (Feb. 14, 2012) – Whooped-out ditch, winding river and carnage-causing rough conditions made their first appearances of the 2012 cross-country season at the USCC Grafton 100, and Team Arctic responded by delivering a whooping of their own, including 13 of 17 victories, seven podium sweeps and victory in both Pro classes.
Leading the charge in the Pro classes was Christian Bros. Racing’s D.J. Ekre, who started the day by winning the Pro Open class ahead of teammates Ryan Simons and Cory Davis. After the 20-mile course was transformed into a rough, half-dirt minefield by the many classes of competition throughout the day, Ekre lined up for the five-lap, 100-mile Pro 600 final as the favorite to win. Combining his blazing speed with the excellent handling of his Sno Pro 600 in the ProCross chassis, Ekre fulfilled the expectations with a winning time of 1:48:36, nearly two minutes faster than second place.
“This was one of the roughest courses I’ve seen in years, with more than half the field unable to finish,” commented Mike Kloety, Team Arctic Race Manager. “D.J. put himself into the lead early and then ran the perfect pace to preserve his win. Unfortunately Ryan Simons hit a rock halfway through the final lap, otherwise he’d have taken second in both Pro classes.”
Highlighting Team Arctic’s depth and the strength of the 2012 Sno Pro race sleds, 11 different racers claimed class wins at Grafton.
While the cross-country corps was tearing up the terrain in North Dakota, Team Arctic snocrossers delivered a solid performance at the ISOC National at the Pontiac Silverdome. Logan Christian notched his first podium of the season with a second in Pro Open, while Tucker Hibbert had to settle for third following a rare tip-over while passing for the lead.
Other top performances by Team Arctic in the abbreviated Pontiac event included Tyler Adam’s second in Sport, Samantha Tarnowski’s third in Pro Women and the one-two finish of Reid Runkel and Nicholas Horstman in Transition Limited.
Team Arctic Race Results from USCC Cross-Country in Grafton, ND.
Pro 600
1. D.J. Ekre
Pro Open
1. D.J. Ekre
2. Ryan Simons
3. Cory Davis
Semi Pro 600
2. Zach Herfindahl
3. Jordan Torgerson
Semi Pro Improved
1. Wes Selby
2. Jordan Torgerson
Expert 85
1. Lance Efteland
2. Bryce Buchanan
3. Arne Rantanen
Expert 85 Improved
1. Arne Rantanen
2. Bryce Buchanan
3. Travis Bach
Vet 30-Plus
2. Chad Lian
3. Dave Dirkman
Masters 40-Plus
1. Jon Arneson
2. Mike Dirkman
3. Steve Arneson
Sport 85
1. Garth Reinking
2. Taylor McLean
3. Zach Thoma
Sport 600
1. Matt Theisen
2. Benjamin Langaas
3. Boris Mahlich
Sport 600 Improved
1. Boris Mahlich
Trail
1. Lance Efteland
2. Nathan Peters
Womens
1. Jolene Bute
3. Annie Pladson
Junior 10-13
3. Ean Voigt
Junior Girls 10-15
1. Kelsey Pladson
2. Marissa Kallock
3. Sara Larson
Junior 14-17
1. Benjamin Langaas
2. Cole Lian
3. Grady Reinking