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2022-2023 AMSOIL Championship Snocross Season Gears Up

Written by Charleen

2022-2023 AMSOIL Championship Snocross Season Gears Up

Scheuring Speed Sports driver Hunter Patenaude enters this season with his eyes on the title. We preview his path.

_by Lindsay Tousignant|December 12, 2022

Hey race fans, last March we took a trip up to the Klim Compound to catch up with Scheuring Speed Sports between AMSOIL Championship Snocross races.

At that point, Hunter Patenaude found himself just 37 points out of first place. The next weekend he went on to secure his first Pro win at ERX and sealed his second place in the season overall.

With those results in his pocket, Patenaude enters the new season with his eyes on the title. Let’s breakdown his path to clinching it.

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Early start

Santa’s coming early this year. In sled form that is.

AMSOIL Championship Snocross kicks off next weekend in Fargo, N.D. Notoriously one of the coldest weekends on the circuit, the Fargo opener will also play host to the elusive AMSOIL Dominator. But more on that below.

As we head into the new year, the series returns to the Daytona of Snocross, the Pirtek Snocross National in Shakopee, Minn.

The first month of the year closes out with a fan-favorite, the U.S. Air Force Snocross National in the “wild west” of Deadwood, S.D. Then the series heads east. We spend Valentine’s Day weekend at the U.S. Air Force National in Salamanca, N.Y.

March kicks off in Sioux Falls, S.D. for the Sioux Falls Snocross National. Then the circuit rolls to ERX Motorpark for the AMSOIL Snocross National in Elk River, Minn.

The season concludes with two ski-slope events, the Cannonsburg Snocross National in Grand Rapids, Mich. and Theisen’s National in Dubuque, Iowa.

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Dominator goes back to OG status

The AMSOIL Dominator first entered the scene as a head-to-head, bracket-style race on opening weekend for members of the Pro class.

However, in 2021 the AMSOIL Dominator switched to a cup-style format and was expanded to include Sport, Pro Lite and Pro classes. The 10-minute-plus-two-minute format lined up Pro Lite and Sport riders on the front row with Pros in the back. Opening the door for pure carnage, this format was favored by fans, but racers yearned for the old style. After discussion in the off-season, the Dominator will return to its head-to-head format and kick off the season in Fargo.

Setting the stage is a track that gained a lot of attention last season, a design by former snocross champion (and member of Team AMSOIL) Robbie Malinoski.

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In 2022, Elias Ishoel captured his fourth straight Pro championship. Coming into this season tied with Ross Martin for career wins at 34, the “Viking Rocket” will look to take that record as he runs for his fifth title.

Though the true Dominator, Ishoel was contested by Pro sophomore, Scheuring Speed Sports Hunter Patenaude. Patenaude is hungry to capture a championship after his first career Pro win last season.

Hot on their tails will be a slew of returning riders including Petter Narsa, Aki Philaja, Francis Pelletier, Patenaude’s Scheruing Speed Sports teammate Logan Christian and others, making this season one of the most competitive in years.

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Be sure to catch all of the season’s action by subscribing to FloSports. Tape-delayed programming of all 16 rounds will be re-aired on CBS Sports network.

Racing kicks off Friday, Dec. 16 with the AMSOIL Dominator in Fargo. Follow our social channels for more information and behind-the-scenes action.

We’ll see you at the races!

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No Fear and Loathing at the Mint 400

Written by Charleen

No Fear and Loathing at the Mint 400

Lindsay Premo|

“In some circles, the Mint 400 is a far, far better thing than the Super Bowl, the Kentucky Derby and the Lower Oakland Roller Derby Finals all rolled into one. This race attracts a special breed…”  – Hunter S. Thompson

In 1971, author Hunter S. Thompson wrote his famous article “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas” while covering the Mint 400 for Sports Illustrated. Thompson’s article was later adapted into a novel and then into a film starring Johnny Depp and Benicio Del Toro, signifying the Mint 400’s relevance to American pop culture.

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The Mint 400 started in 1967 near Las Vegas as a public relations event to promote the Mint Hotel’s annual deer hunt. Race organizers sent two matching dune buggies 600 miles through the desert from the Mint Hotel to the Sahara Hotel in Lake Tahoe, Calif. The event because famous overnight, with national television coverage drawing the attention of race fans across the country.

Some of the “special breeds” who have competed in this event include Al and Bobby Unser; Rick Mears; Mickey Thompson; actors Steve McQueen and Patrick Dempsey; and comedian Jay Leno.

AMSOIL racers to take to the desert

Coming off an impressive seventh-place finish at the King of the Hammers UTV race last month, two-time Mint 400 champion Bryce Menzies is looking to do it again in this year’s Trick Truck class. His fellow #TeamAMSOIL racer Brad Lovell is also looking to keep the momentum going following a second-place finish at last month’s King of the Hammers EMC. Lovell, who took second in the Vintage Open Class at last year’s Mint 400, will be competing in his first ever 6100 race.

Prior to racing on Friday, Lovell’s pit crew will participate in the Method Race Wheels Pit Crew Challenge along Fremont Street on Thursday evening.

Stop by the AMSOIL booth

AMSOIL will be located on Fremont Street throughout all the pre-race events. Be sure to stop by and pick up your exclusive Runs on Freedom™ bandana. Fill out our survey on Friday, March 8 for a chance to win the fender from Lovell’s new 6100 truck following the race.

On Thursday and Friday, Menzies’ UTV from King of the Hammers will be on display. Lovell’s Bronco will be displayed Thursday and his new 6100 on Friday. Both Menzies and Lovell will be in the booth Friday at 2 p.m. local time signing autographs for fans.

Buy two SEVERE GEAR® easy-packs, get one free

We’re also offering a special promotion as part of our Mint 400 partnership. Buy two AMSOIL SEVERE GEAR Synthetic Gear Lube easy-packs and get one free. It’s the same gear lube Menzies and Lovell trust in their race vehicles.

Find more information on the promotion here.

As always, tune into our social media channels for updates throughout the race. The week kicks off Wednesday, March 6 in Las Vegas. Check out the complete schedule of Mint 400 events here.

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We’ll see you at the races!

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Snowshoe GNCC – One of America’s Toughest Races

Written by Charleen

Snowshoe GNCC – One of America’s Toughest Races

Lindsay Premo|

Mud, blood and beer.

From my experience this past weekend in Snowshoe, W.Va., those three words pretty much sum up the AMSOIL Snowshoe GNCC.

  1. Mud: Class winners often disappear for lengthy amounts of time back to their trailers to clean up for the podium.
  2. Blood: One of the most grueling courses in event history. It’s no wonder racers despise that long drive up to the top of the mountain, even seasoned pros like Kailub Russell.
  3. Beer: There certainly was no shortage. In one of the rowdiest race crowds I’ve ever seen, there was always a beer to be offered and a friend to be made. It made for one of the most entertaining events I’ve been to in quite some time.

 

How it started: The Blackwater 100

In the mid-70’s, a local preacher reached out to promoter Davey Coombs in hopes of putting on a motorcycle race in Davis, W.Va., to draw people and dollars to the area.

Coombs devised a course that began in town and ventured off into the surrounding harsh environment. Finishing just one of the four 25-mile laps was considered an accomplishment.

The Blackwater 100 dissolved in 1993, but Coombs went on to create the GNCC Series, with the Snowshoe event celebrating the Blackwater’s heritage.

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A race like no other

Nestled nearly 4,500 feet above sea level, Snowshoe Mountain Resort provided a unique setting for the AMSOIL Snowshoe GNCC in its 13th year.

Racers lined up in the heart of the village on Snowshoe Drive and started on the asphalt (unique to all other GNCC events). After they left the village, racers traversed down one side of the mountain through rock gardens, massive tree roots and the infamous Howard’s Hole (where you’ll find the mud and the beer) only to climb back up to the other side of the mountain.

This event saw sections of trail that hadn’t been touched since 2008. Coupled with the above-mentioned obstacles, the few miles racers hit on the open ski slopes offered a moment to relax before racers kicked themselves back in gear.

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Fans like no other

They call them “Mud Fleas.”

They wait in the wings of Howard’s Hole with their coolers and high spirits. When an ATV or dirt bike rider falls victim to a mud hole, they come to the rescue, freeing them to continue racing. They tell them what lines to take, cheer them on and certainly know how to have a good time.

But, most importantly, they love their state and they love GNCC racing.

In the end, Walker Fowler and his Yamaha took the checkers in the ATV class, while Kailub Russell won the dirt bike class on his KTM.

Be sure to check out our GNCC Snowshoe highlights on our Instagram and our Facebook album for all the sights and sounds #TeamAMSOIL found this past weekend on the mountain.

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AMSOIL Racing & Events Update

Written by Charleen
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AMSOIL Racing & Events Update

Lindsay Premo|

Hi, race fans!

Your resident AMSOIL racing and events expert here with a breakdown of what Team AMSOIL has been up to “On the Track” and what’s to come in our “Staging Area.”

On the Track

Sprint Week

Indiana Sprint Week kicked off Friday, July 20 at Kokomo Speedway. In total, seven USAC AMSOIL National Sprint Car races were held in nine nights with the finale held at Tri-State Speedway. In the end, Chris Windom was crowned Indiana Sprint Week Champion shortly after capturing June’s “Eastern Storm” title. He’s just the third driver to capture both in the same season.

Want to know what it takes to succeed in this die-hard world of racing? Check out the AMSOIL Signature Series episode featuring last year’s Sprint Week here.

AMA Amateur National Championship

The premier amateur motocross event in the world kicked off Monday, July 30 at Loretta Lynn’s Ranch in Hurricane Mills, Tenn. The week started well for AMSOIL Factory Connection Honda as Jo Shimoda won Moto 1 of the 250B class.

Tune in to our social media channels to stay up to date on how the team fares the rest of the week:

AMSOIL Expedition Colorado

Last year’s AMSOIL Expedition Colorado was such a hit that Brad and Roger Lovell are retracing their steps this year from Moab, Utah, back to Colorado Springs, Colo. And this time, they’re inviting you along for the ride. The Lovells will be planting prizes from their sponsors along the 615-mile course. After they finish the trip, they’ll release a GPS map with coordinates of all of the geocache locations.

Keep your eyes on the AMSOIL Community website Aug. 3 for the release of the route with coordinates of the prize locations.

Be sure to sign up for AMSOIL Signature Series videos sent to your inbox. Subscribers will get the video documenting this year’s expedition before it’s made public.

In the Staging Area

Sturgis Motorcycle Rally

The 78th annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally begins today, Aug. 3 and runs through Sunday, Aug. 12. As the Official Oil of Sturgis, the AMSOIL booth will be located on Main Street, just east of Junction Ave. AMSOIL will be offering oil changes at two different locations: Mad Dog Custom Cycles and X-Treme Bikes. Be sure to stop by our booth to register to win a $150 AMSOIL product gift certificate awarded each day.

Tune in to our Instagram Stories to see all the action live from the rally.

Car Shows

AMSOIL is the Official Oil of Carlisle Events and Hot August Nights. Carlisle Truck Nationals begins today, Aug. 3, and runs through Sunday, Aug. 5 in Carlisle, Pa. This celebration of trucks includes monster-truck shows, truck-themed competitions, a truck midway and more.

Hot August Nights begins Monday, Aug. 7 and runs through Sunday, Aug. 12. This week-long festival is dedicated to classic cars and rock n’ roll. Events include controlled cruises, an auction, drag races, autocross, drifting and more.

As always, stay updated on all the AMSOIL Racing and Events action through our social media channels.

Until next time, we’ll see you at the races (and events)!

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Your Complete Guide to the 2018 King of the Hammers

Written by Charleen
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Your Complete Guide to the 2018 King of the Hammers

Lindsay Premo|

Updated Feb. 6, 2018

Happy February, race fans!

Every year in this wonderful month of love, tens of thousands of spectators and more than 400 competitors descend upon Johnson Valley (a.k.a. Hammertown) for King of the Hammers (KOH). This week-long event includes five off-road races throughout the week, with the granddaddy of them all – the Nitto King of the Hammers – wrapping up the week on Friday. This race combines desert racing and rock crawling spanning 200 miles of grueling trails. It’s no wonder 40,000 people flood this otherwise deserted desert valley to witness all the havoc.

So, if you happen to find yourself in the middle of the California desert this week or maybe just happen to check out the live stream coverage, we’re about to breakdown everything you need to know before witnessing this one-of-a-kind event. Load up the RV, grab your bonfire hoodie and get ready for the world’s toughest one-day off-road race.

The Background

Conceived in 2007 on a napkin in a bar, the inaugural KOH was devised by two racers in search of bragging rights and a case of beer. Dave Cole, a championship rock crawler, and Jeff Knoll, a desert racer, sought to combine the best of both racing worlds and invited 12 pals to the middle of the California desert to race more than 35 miles with 12 checkpoints.

The first race was run in secret with no spectators or vendors – just a bunch of off-road/rock-crawling dudes having a bunch of fun. Ten years later, the race has grown into a full week of racing, with hundreds of competitors and tens of thousands of spectators.

The Race

Saturday, Feb. 3 kicked off racing with UTV/4600 qualifying and part one of the King of the Motos. Racing continues throughout the week leading up to the namesake King of the Hammers on Friday, Feb. 9. Competitors start side by side, with two vehicles leaving the start every 30 seconds.

Racers must complete the gnarly 200-mile desert/rock course and seven checkpoints in less than 14 hours, all while staying within 100 feet of the centerline of the course while stopping to rest. No chase cars are allowed, and any repairs must be done on the track by the racers or in the designated pit area. First one to cross the finish line encompassing all the above tasks is declared the winner and, subsequently, “King.”

The Competitors

What does it take to participate in the toughest one-day race on the planet?

First, you need a vehicle. Vehicles are unlimited four wheel drive and capable of competing in multiple racing disciplines (extreme rock crawling, high-speed desert racing, short course) termed “Ultra4 Unlimiteds.” Competitors typically compete in the Ultra 4 Series, but it is not a requirement. Past multi-time champs like Erik Miller are looking to take the checkered flag once again, but there will be a slew of newcomers hungry to take them down, or maybe at least just finish the grueling course. With only 17 out of the 129 cars finishing in previous years, carnage is sure to be witnessed.

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The Spectators

If paying with cash only, having no cell service, scaling rocks to get a great view and leaving covered in dust isn’t enough to scare you off, the KOH provides an experience like no other. Tens of thousands of fans trek out each year for this “Burning Man meets Off-Road Racing” event, which some say resembles a scene from Mad Max. With no hotels nearby, the desert becomes flooded with RVs, campers and tents in this once-a-year resurrected city called Hammertown. And, with community bonfires held each night, you’re sure to leave with more friends than you came with.

And let’s not forget why all these enthusiasts trek out here: the racing. With highlighted spectator areas like the “Backdoor,” “Chocolate Thunder” and “The Hammers,” there are plenty of options for witnessing all of the KOH carnage.

Oil Recycling at This Year’s King of the Hammers

All visitors coming to Johnson Valley are encouraged to dispose of their motor and gear oils properly by visiting the BF Goodrich garage located just outside of Hammertown.

Stop by the AMSOIL booth inside Hammertown on AMSOIL Ave. for more information and to enter each day for a chance to win a free UTV oil change.

Don’t worry, it’s not too late to get your tickets to the toughest one-day off-road race on the planet. Spectator information can be found here. A complete schedule of events for this year’s KOH race can be found here.

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