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AMSOIL 2017 Year in Review (Part 1)

AMSOIL 2017 Year in Review (Part 1)

Here at AMSOIL, 2017 delivered a whirlwind of activity from start to finish. From new and reformulated products that further solidified our status as the leader in synthetic lubricant technology, to the loss of our beloved founder Al Amatuzio, it’s been a year of highs and lows unlike any other in our history.

Let’s take a look back at where we’ve been as we enter into 2018 with big things on the horizon. Special thanks to my fellow blogger Lindsay Premo for helping track down all this information.

January:

We launched reformulated Heavy-Duty Metal Protector, protecting scores of vehicles and equipment from the effects of rust and corrosion.

February:

We revamped our diesel line of synthetic motor oils to exceed new API CK-4 requirements. Signature Series Max-Duty Synthetic Diesel Oil represents the top tier of AMSOIL protection, while AMSOIL Heavy-Duty Synthetic Diesel Oil provides diesel owners with an upgrade over other synthetic and conventional oils.

We took a little trip out west to Hammertown for the King of the Hammers. Team AMSOIL racers Brad and Roger Lovell once again dominated the Smittybilt Every Man Challenge, taking first place for the second year in a row.

March:

AMSOIL 20W-50 Zero-Turn Synthetic Hydrostatic Transmission Fluid and AMSOIL 10W-40 Synthetic Small-Engine Oil are introduced, rounding out the commercial-grade product line.

March saw the multi-year reign of Tucker Hibbert fall as Kody Kamm sailed to an overall season victory in the AMSOIL Championship Snocross Series. With the new rule change for the 2017-18 season that bans engine modifications, will Kamm be able to repeat? We’re getting close to finding out.

April:

AMSOIL Founder and Chairman of the Board Albert J. Amatuzio passed peacefully in Duluth, Minn., surrounded by family. The industry mourned the loss of a true visionary who launched an entire synthetic oil revolution that forever changed the automotive world. He changed the lives of countless people. Read some of their stories here.

The 2017 Spring Carlisle event took place, bringing out the masses for one of the largest car shows and swap meets in the nation. AMSOIL is the Official Oil of the Carlisle Events series, which holds several events throughout the year focused on specific auto enthusiast groups.

We launched new and reformulated brake products to better meet the needs of modern brake-system maintenance and operation. New AMSOIL DOT 3&4 Synthetic Brake FluidAMSOIL Dominator DOT 4 Synthetic Racing Brake Fluid and AMSOIL Brake & Parts Cleaner join the product family.

The second-annual Ultimate Callout Challenge brought out the big guns in the diesel performance industry, drawing together top diesel builders in Indianapolis for a dyno shoot-out, sled-pull and drag race. Heavyweight Lavon Miller took the title in 2017 and is likely the one to watch in 2018. You may remember him from his days of holding court in the Diesel Power Challenge.

May:

AMSOIL 15W-60 Synthetic Motorcycle Oil hit the market, giving Victory and Indian Scout owners a premium alternative to higher priced manufacturer-branded oils. This long-sought-after product hit the masses just in time for Laconia Bike Week, proudly presented by AMSOIL.

Cruisin’ Ocean City took over the Ocean City, Md., boardwalk over Memorial Day weekend with more than 3,500 registered vehicles and scores of spectators. As the Official Oil of this event, we had the honor of awarding a six-foot trophy to the 2017 Best of Show winner. Check out the full story and pics here.

June:

AMSOIL hosts the AMSOIL Northland Law Enforcement K-9 Foundation event at the AMSOIL Center in Superior, Wis. Community members gathered on the AMSOIL grounds for a live demonstration and up-close look at the law enforcement vehicles and equipment that keep us safe. Founded in 2013 by Al Amatuzio due to his love for our canine friends, the Northland K-9 Foundation was established to create a fund for local law enforcement to build and expand highly skilled K-9 units. Learn more about this worthy cause here.

In June we saw the new and improved TORC: The Off-Road Championship kick off in the Midwest with a total revamp of the series. The growth of the Pro 2wd class, new racers in Pro 4×4 and the continuation of the UTV class made for a more exciting race season. 2018 is sure to be even better.

The 2017 Diesel Power Challenge commences, bringing together the nation’s top diesel builders for a head-to-head competition involving dyno testing, drag runs, a fuel economy challenge and more. 2016 champ Charlie Keeter defended his title, earning himself another giant trophy for his collection and a check for $1,500 along with a $500 shopping spree from AMSOIL.

Whew. These are only a few highlights in the first half of the year, and there’s plenty more we can cover. We will do just that in Part II of the AMSOIL Year in Review coming up next, so stay tuned.

2022-2023 AMSOIL Championship Snocross Season Gears Up

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!